[Chronic coronary artery occlusion: questions from the cardiologist and surgeon, answers from the radiologist]. / Occlusions coronaires chroniques: les questions du cardiologue et du chirurgien, les réponses du radiologue.

The main issue with chronic coronary artery occlusion relates to optimal treatment and cross sectional imaging is a valuable source of information. Cardiac MR imaging can identify candidates to revascularization by demonstrating viable myocardium. Coronary CTA allows evaluation of the entire coronary system and detection of factors predicting the success of revascularization, either percutaneous (angioplasty) or surgical.

[Tracheotomy in brain injured patients: which patients? Why? When? How?]. / Trachéotomie et traumatisme crânien grave: pour qui? Pourquoi? Quand? Comment?

The aim of this study is to determine, from the data available in the literature, the indications of tracheostomy in brain injured patients, the incidence and risk factors for complications and the follow-up required until decannulation. The incidence of tracheostomy is 10% in TBI and 50 to 70% in subpopulations with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) below 9. Early complications are not specific. The most frequent late complication is laryngotracheal stenosis, which occurs in 15% and is more frequently observed in the most severe patients with major hypertonia. It is likely that tracheostomy, if needed, should be performed early and the prognosis as to whether it will be required, can be made at the end of the first week. The follow-up of these patients includes surveillance of multiresistant colonisations and systematic performance of fibroscopy before decannulation. Cuffless, small diameters, soft tracheostomy tubes, are preferred on the long-term unless the risk of aspiration remains high.

Solution properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes

Naked metallic and semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were dissolved in organic solutions by derivatization with thionychloride and octadecylamine. Both ionic (charge transfer) and covalent solution-phase chemistry with concomitant modulation of the SWNT band structure were demonstrated. Solution-phase near-infrared spectroscopy was used to study the effects of chemical modifications on the band gaps of the SWNTs. Reaction of soluble SWNTs with dichlorocarbene led to functionalization of the nanotube walls.