Anomalous origin and course of the suprascapular artery combined with absence of the suprascapular vein: Case study and clinical implications

Background: Variations concerning the origin and course of the suprascapular artery are numerous and present important clinical implications. Aim: In the present study the origin and course of the suprascapular artery are investigated in a sample of Greek (Caucasian) origin. Materials and Methods: The anatomy and course of the suprascapular artery were carefully examined in 31 adult human cadavers (16 male and 15 female). Results: Anomalous origin of the suprascapular artery from the third segment of the subclavian artery was observed in the right side of only one female Caucasian specimen (1/62 = 1.6%). The suprascapular artery and the suprascapular nerve passed together under the superior transverse scapular ligament through the suprascapular notch, whereas the suprascapular vein was absent. Conclusion: According to the available literature, this type of variation in the origin of the suprascapular artery is considered rare. This variation is clinically important, since it is related to the creation mechanism of suprascapular neuropathy and has also obvious surgical implications. The variation is embryologically enlightened and has an interesting ontogenic aspect

Integrated designs of microalgae biorefineries using a fixed selection of halophytic algae

The paper discusses the development of an integrated process that addresses the co­production of glycerol, ß­-carotene and proteins deriving from the microalga Dunaliella using a multitude of solvents and scoping to reduce energy consumption. The process flowsheeting methodology is based on an evolutionary approach, which is adopted in order to establish feasible and sustainable flowsheet options. The impact of high­value products is studied in the form of economic sustainability analysis. Process integration is applied to target efficiency scoping for reviewing thermal integration and the use of alternative separation schemes. The analysis reviews economic benefits as well as the impact of process integration in securing the viability of the incentive

Myocardial deformation imaging unmasks subtle left ventricular systolic dysfunction in asymptomatic and treatment-naïve HIV patients

Background: Patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy have a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease than healthy subjects, but little is known about cardiac function in asymptomatic and treatment-naïve patients. We sought to study cardiac function in asymptomatic HIV-infected, treatment-naïve patients. Methods: We studied 41 HIV-infected and treatment-naïve patients and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Patients with cardiac symptoms, history of cardiac disease or NT-proBNP >100 pg/mL were excluded. We addressed cardiac function using standard echocardiography along with tissue Doppler (TDI) measurements, including strain/strain rate assessment. Results: Standard echocardiographic parameters did not differ between groups, except for transmitral E wave velocity (64.8 ± 14 cm/s in HIV vs 76.1 ± 10 cm/s in controls, p = 0.002). In contrast, TDI mitral and tricuspid annulus s velocity and all strain/strain rate measurements were significantly lower in HIV patients: s lateral, 10.2 ± 2.4/11.3 ± 0.7, p = 0.011; s septal, 8.1 ± 1.6/8.7 ± 0.8, p = 0.045; s tricuspid, 13.4 ± 2.3/14.9 ± 1.3, p = 0.002; strain/strain rate, septal (strain/strain rate, 15.1 ± 5.7/−0.9 ± 0.3, 25.3 ± 1.7/−1.9 ± 0.2, p < 0.001), anterior (16.7 ± 3/−1.0 ± 0.1, 26.7 ± 1.7/−1.9 ± 0.2, p < 0.001), lateral (16.0 ± 6/−1.0 ± 0.1, 27.5 ± 1.8/−2.2 ± 0.3, p < 0.001) and posterior (15.2 ± 5.8/−1.0 ± 0.2, 26.2 ± 1.8/−2.2 ± 0.3, p < 0.001) left ventricular wall. Conclusions: HIV infection itself is accompanied by subclinical systolic dysfunction, not apparent to standard echocardiography that can be unmasked though using sensitive echocardiographic techniques. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg