Is there an association between leukoaraiosis volume and diabetes?

Objectives: The relation between white matter loss (WML) and diabetes is still debated. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between typical WML— and diabetesrelated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a cohort of patients scheduled for carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Materials and methods: Ninety-three consecutive patients (mean age 71 ± 9 years; male 71) were included in a single-centre retrospective study. All the patients underwent MRI as baseline evaluation prior to CEA. A neuroradiologist blinded to the presence of risk factors calculated WML volume and number of lesions on FLAIR images using a semi-automated segmentation technique. Receiver operating characteristics analysis was performed to search for any association between WML volume and the number of WML lesions. The Mann—Whitney tests were used to determine significant WML differences between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the potential association of other variables. Results: The prevalence of diabetes was 20.4% (n = 19). WML volume and number of WML lesions were significantly associated with diabetes (P = 0.001). A statistically significant difference in WML volume was found between diabetic and non-diabetic patients (P < 0.0001). Only diabetes, among all the investigated variables (WML volume, CAD status, age, smoking status, gender, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes) was significantly associated with WML (P = 0.0001)

New Proposal to Define the Fascial System.

At the beginning of the third millennium, we still do not have a definition of 'fascia' recognized as valid by every researcher. This article attempts to give a new definition of the fascial system, including the epidermis, by comparing the mechanical-metabolic characteristics of the connective tissue and the skin. In fact, according to the latest classification deriving from the Fascia Nomenclature Committee, the outer skin layer is not considered as part of the fascial continuum. This article highlights the reasons for taking the functional characteristics of the tissue into consideration, rather than its mere structure. A brief discussion will address the questions as to what is considered as fascial tissue and from which embryonic germ layer the epidermis is formed. The notion that all the layers intersect will be highlighted, demonstrating that quoting precise definitions of tissue stratification in the living organism probably does not correspond to what happens in vivo. What we propose as a definition is not to be regarded as a point of arrival but as another departure

Numerical study of the transition of the four dimensional Random Field Ising Model

We study numerically the region above the critical temperature of the four dimensional Random Field Ising Model. Using a cluster dynamic we measure the connected and disconnected magnetic susceptibility and the connected and disconnected overlap susceptibility. We use a bimodal distribution of the field with $h_R=0.35T$ for all temperatures and a lattice size L=16. Through a least-square fit we determine the critical exponents $\gamma$ and $\bar{\gamma}$. We find the magnetic susceptibility and the overlap susceptibility diverge at two different temperatures. This is coherent with the existence of a glassy phase above $T_c$. Accordingly with other simulations we find $\bar{\gamma}=2\gamma$. In this case we have a scaling theory with two indipendet critical exponentsComment: 10 pages, 2 figures, Late

Isolated resonant full-bridge converter with magnetic integration

Nowadays technological developments in modern microprocessors have brought better computing performance and have triggered the demand for high-efficiency power supply. The common trend in networking applications is to have a 48V dc distribution bus to increase system efficiency, while the supply of the microprocessor is usually obtained by a two-stage conversion process having an intermediate 12V dc bus. This paper presents a single-stage approach for the isolated voltage regulation module (VRM) based on a resonant topology that inherently integrates the multi-phase approach. In order to fit the layout constraints of the processor mother board, this paper also presents some magnetic architectures which integrate the magnetic parts. Compared to a classical discrete implementation, the proposed integrated magnetic structures have smaller total volume. In this paper we will compare the magnetic structures in the same application that is a processor power supply conversion from 48V bus. The proposed integrated magnetic architectures can be applied to other topologies as conventional ZVS full bridge. Experimental results on a 250A, 1.8 V multiphase isolated conversion are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed solution

Carotid endarterectomy versus stenting: Does the flow really change? An Echo-Color-Doppler analysis

To assess potential hemodynamic differences after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) and their eventual impact on clinical management. Between July 2012 and October 2013 two groups of 30 patients each referred for CEA or CAS were prospectively enrolled in two tertiary hospital care centers. Pre-procedural imaging assessment of carotid artery disease was performed with Echo-Color-Doppler (ECD) and computed tomography angiography (CTA). ECD was repeated within 24 h and 1, 6 and 12 months after surgical/endovascular procedures. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) were assessed at two standard sites: common carotid artery (CCA) and distal internal carotid artery (ICA). Twenty-four hours ECD findings highly differ between the two populations. CCA PSV in the CEA and CAS groups was respectively 44.88 ± 9.16 and 69.20 ± 20.04 cm/s (p = 0.002); CCA EDV was 16.11 ± 2.29 and 19.13 ± 6.42 cm/s (p = 0.065); ICA PSV was 46.11 ± 7.9 and 94.02 ± 57.7 cm/s (p = 0.0012); ICA EDV was 20.22 ± 4.33 and 30.47 ± 18.33 cm/s (p = 0.025). One month, 6 months and 1 year findings confirmed the different trend in the two cohorts; in particular, at 1 year: CCA PSV was 50.94 ± 12.44 and 60.59 ± 26.84 cm/s (p = 0.181); CCA EDV was 17.11 ± 3.46 and 19 ± 16.35 cm/s (p = 0.634); ICA PSV was 51.66 ± 10.1 and 70.86 ± 20.64 cm/s (p = 0.014); ICA EDV was 25.05 ± 8.65 and 32.66 ± 13 cm/s (p = 0.0609). ECD follow-up of patients undergone CEA or CAS may play a critical role in the clinical management. Strict surveillance of blood flow velocities allows reducing false positive re-stenosis diagnosis and choosing the best anti-aggregation therapies. Within the first month CEA patients benefit from a lower risk condition in comparison with CAS patients, due to a significantly faster PSV drop; moreover, long-term CCA PSV after CEA could be used as a surrogate marker of neointima formation