Synthesis of PMMA Microspheres with Tunable Diameters: Evaluation as a Template in the Synthesis of Tin Oxide Coatings.

The synthesis of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) spheres with different sizes has been a challenge. PMMA has promise for future applications, e.g., as a template for preparing porous oxide coatings by thermal decomposition. Different amounts of SDS as a surfactant are used as an alternative to control PMMA microsphere size through the formation of micelles. The objectives of the study were twofold: firstly, to determine the mathematical relationship between SDS concentration and PMMA sphere diameter, and secondly, to assess the efficacy of PMMA spheres as templates for SnO2 coating synthesis and their impact on porosity. The study used FTIR, TGA, and SEM techniques to analyze the PMMA samples, and SEM and TEM techniques were used for SnO2 coatings. The results showed that PMMA sphere diameter could be adjusted by varying the SDS concentration, with sizes ranging from 120 to 360 nm. The mathematical relationship between PMMA sphere diameter and SDS concentration was determined with a y = axb type equation. The porosity of SnO2 coatings was found to be dependent on the PMMA sphere diameter used as a template. The research concludes that PMMA can be used as a template to produce oxide coatings, such as SnO2, with tunable porosities.

Dataset on the first weather radar campaign over Lima, Peru.

The first weather radar campaign over Lima, the capital of Peru, a desertic area on the western side of the Peruvian Andes, was carried out to study the occurrence of rain events in summer 2018. The weather radar was installed strategically and was able to overlook three river basins: Rimac, Chillón, and Lurin. An X-band radar (PX-1000) was used, which operates at 9.55 GHz. PX-1000 was built by the Advanced Radar Research Center (ARRC) at the University of Oklahoma (U.S.A.). The radar operated from January 26th to April 1st, 2018, at Cerro Suche located 2910 m ASL and 55 km from the city of Lima. The PX-1000 performed plan-position-indicators (PPI) for elevations starting at 0° up to 20°. The data presented here were obtained using a three-dimensional constant-altitude plan-position-indicator (3D CAPPI), which was generated by high resolution (250 m) nearest point algorithm.

Acute penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer of the ascending aorta.

A 67-year-old man presented with chest pain. Clinical examination revealed hypertension (160/90 mm Hg). Electrocardiogram indicated no acute coronary syndrome and cardiac enzymes were normal. Catheterization was performed owing to the patient's continuing chest pain and ascending aortogram revealed irregular aortic wall. A computed tomography image showed the shape of penetrating ulcer. The patient was taken to the operating room and intraoperative examination confirmed the diagnosis of penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU). Coronary artery bypass graft and bovine pericardial patch repair of PAU was performed. A bovine pericardial patch was done as aortic root was heavily calcified and was easy to handle and more hemostatic.

Miectomía septal ampliada en la miocardiopatía hipertrófica obstructiva, resultados clínicos y evolución ecocardiográfica a mediano plazo / Extended Septal Myectomy in Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Mid-term Clinical and Echocardiographic Outcomes

RESUMEN: Introducción: La miectomía septal ampliada constituye el tratamiento de elección para pacientes con miocardiopatía hipertrófica obstructiva sintomática, refractarios al tratamiento farmacológico. Objetivos: Evaluar los resultados posoperatorios, el cambio en los síntomas y la evolución ecocardiográfica de una población sometida a miectomía septal ampliada por miocardiopatía hipertrófica obstructiva sintomática. Material y métodos: Desde noviembre de 2011 a octubre de 2017, se intervino un total de 28 pacientes. Se analizaron la evolución posoperatoria, clínica y ecocardiográfica al alta y al seguimiento. Resultados: Edad promedio 53,3 ± 13,4 años. La mortalidad perioperatoria (< 30 días) fue del 0%. Un paciente falleció a los 90 días (3,5%). No se produjeron comunicaciones interventriculares, daño de la válvula aórtica ni se reemplazó la válvula mitral en ningún paciente. El 91% de ellos se encontraban con disnea en CF III-IV en el preoperatorio, los restantes tenían angina o síncope. En el seguimiento, el 92,8% estaban asintomáticos, 1 paciente en CF III y otro en CF II. El gradiente preoperatorio basal promedio fue de 53,5 mmHg y con valsalva 86,4 mmHg; los gradientes basal y con valsalva posoperatorios fueron 9,4 mmHg y 13,5 mmHg (p < 0,01). Al seguimiento, los gradientes en reposo y con valsalva fueron aún más bajos, 8,3 mmHg y 10,7 mmHg, respectivamente (p: NS). Nueve pacientes (32%) presentaban insuficiencia mitral moderada a grave previa por movimiento anterior sistólico o patología intrínseca mitral. Se detectó solo un paciente con insuficiencia mitral moderada asintomática en el seguimiento (3,5%). La mediana de seguimiento fue de 400 días, Pc 25-75 de 695 días (mínimo de 30 días y el máximo de 1868 días). Conclusión: Con la miectomía septal ampliada se obtiene una mejoría hemodinámica y clínica de los pacientes sintomáticos, con bajo número de complicaciones posoperatorias. Esto tiene como resultado una mejor calidad de vida.

Global Outreach Using a Systematic, Competency-Based Training Paradigm for Inguinal Hernioplasty.

Importance: Sustainable, capacity-building educational collaborations are essential to address the global burden of surgical disease. Objective: To assess an international, competency-based training paradigm for hernia surgery in underserved countries. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this prospective, observational study performed from November 1, 2013, through October 31, 2015, at 16 hospitals in Brazil, Ecuador, Haiti, Paraguay, and the Dominican Republic, surgeons completed initial training programs in hernia repair, underwent interval proficiency assessments, and were appointed regional trainers. Competency-based evaluations of technical proficiency were performed using the Operative Performance Rating Scale (OPRS). Maintenance of proficiency was evaluated by video assessments 6 months after training. Certified trainees received incentives to document independent surgical outcomes after training. Main Outcomes and Measures: An OPRS score of 3.0 (scale of 1 [poor] to 5 [excellent]) indicated proficiency. Secondary outcomes included initial vs final scores by country, scores among surgeons trained by the regional trainers (second-order trainees), interval scores 6 months after training, and postoperative complications. Results: A total of 20 surgeon trainers, 81 local surgeons, and 364 patients (343 adult, 21 pediatric) participated in the study (mean [SD] age, 47.5 [16.3] years; age range, 16-83 years). All 81 surgeons successfully completed the program, and all 364 patients received successful operations. Mean (SD) OPRS scores improved from 4.06 (0.87) before the initial training program to 4.52 (0.57) after training (P < .001). No significant variation was found by country in final scores. On trainee certification, 20 became regional trainers. The mean (SD) OPRS score among 53 second-order trainees was 4.34 (0.68). After 6-month intervals, the mean (SD) OPRS score among participating surgeons was 4.34 (0.55). The overall operative complication rate during training series was 1.1%. Conclusions and Relevance: Competency-based training helps address the global burden of surgical disease. The OPRS establishes an international standard of technical assessment. Additional studies of long-term surgeon trainer proficiency, community-specific quality initiatives, and expansion to other operations are warranted.

Riesgo inmediato y alejado de la cirugía de revascularización miocárdica en el síndrome coronario agudo / Short and Long-term Risk of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in Acute Coronary Syndrome

Introducción: En pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST (SCASEST), la angioplastia transluminal coronaria es el método de revascularización más utilizado; sin embargo, la cirugía de revascularización miocárdica es una alternativa terapéutica que permite tratar a este tipo de pacientes con buenos resultados. Objetivos: Comparar la evolución hospitalaria y alejada de los pacientes sometidos a cirugía de revascularización miocárdica según el cuadro clínico de presentación. Material y métodos: Entre enero de 1998 y julio de 2013 se realizó cirugía de revascularización miocárdica aislada en 3.604 pacientes en forma consecutiva. La población se dividió en pacientes con SCASEST (Grupo SCA, n = 2.079) o con angina crónica estable (Grupo ACE, n = 1.525). Se efectuó un análisis de la morbimortalidad posoperatoria y al seguimiento. Resultados: El Grupo ACE tuvo mayor uso de mamaria bilateral (58,2% vs. 50,3%; p = 0,001) y mayor tiempo operatorio (211 min vs. 203 min; p = 0,002). El Grupo SCA presentó más bajo gasto cardíaco posoperatorio (4,5% vs. 3,1%; p = 0,043). La mortalidad hospitalaria fue mayor en los pacientes con SCA (2,8% vs. 1,8%; p = 0,046). Luego de ajustar por puntaje de riesgo no hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa en la mortalidad hospitalaria (1,3% en ACE vs. 1,6% en SCA; p = 0,681) ni en la tasa de complicaciones posoperatorias. La sobrevida global alejada en el seguimiento a 10 años no fue diferente entre grupos (ACE 85% ± 1,3% vs. SCA 83% ± 1,1%; p = 0,363). El tiempo libre de reintervención a los 10 años fue similar entre ambos grupos (ACE 89,5% ± 1,2% vs. SCA 89,1% ± 0,9%; p = 0,1680). Estos resultados se mantuvieron luego de ajustar por puntaje de riesgo. Conclusiones: Los pacientes sometidos a cirugía de revascularización miocárdica en el contexto de un SCASEST presentaron una mortalidad perioperatoria mayor, pero con una evolución a largo plazo similar a la de los pacientes intervenidos en forma electiva. No hubo diferencias en la mortalidad perioperatoria cuando se ajustó por puntaje de riesgo.

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention is the revascularization procedure most widely used in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS). However, coronary artery bypass graft surgery is a therapeutic alternative which allows treating these patients with a favorable outcome. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare in-hospital and long-term outcome of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery according to their clinical presentation. Methods: Between January 1998 and July 2013, 3604 consecutive patients underwent isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The population was divided in patients with NSTEACS (ACS Group, n = 2079) or with chronic stable angina (CSA Group, n = 1525). Postoperative and at follow-up morbidity and mortality were analyzed. Results: The CSA Group had greater use of double mammary artery (58.2% vs. 50.3%; p = 0.001) and longer operative time (211 min vs. 203 min; p = 0.002). The ACS Group presented lower postoperative cardiac output (4.5% vs. 3.1%; p = 0.043) and higher in-hospital mortality (2.8% vs. 1.8%; p = 0.046). After adjusting for risk score, there were no statistically significant differences in in-hospital mortality (1.3% in CSA vs. 1.6% in ACS; p = 0.681) or in the rate of postoperative complications between the two groups. Overall long-term survival at 10 years was not different between groups (CSA 85% ± 1.3% vs. ACS 83% ± 1.1%; p = 0.363). The time-related freedom from reintervention was similar for both groups (CSA 89.5% ± 1.2% vs. ACS 89.1% ± 0.9%; p = 0.1680). These results did not change after adjusting for risk score. Conclusions: Patients with NSTEACS submitted to coronary artery bypass graft surgery presented greater perioperative mortality, but a long-term outcome similar to patients undergoing elective surgery. No difference in perioperative mortality was found between both groups after adjusting for risk score.

Resultados a largo plazo de la plástica mitral en enfermedad degenerativa: prolapso posterior versus anterior o bivalvar / Long-Term Outcomes of Mitral Valve Repair in Degenerative Valve Disease: Comparison Between Posterior and Anterior or Bileaflet Mitral Valve Prolapse

Objetivo: Comparar la evolución clínica y ecocardiográfica de la plástica mitral secundaria a insuficiencia mitral degenerativa en pacientes con prolapso de la valva posterior versus prolapso anterior o bivalvar. Material y métodos: Entre abril de 1997 y julio de 2013 fueron intervenidos 255 pacientes por insuficiencia mitral moderada/ grave degenerativa. De ellos, 175 tenían compromiso de la valva posterior exclusivamente (Grupo 1) y 80 de la valva anterior 0 bivalvar (Grupo 2). No hubo diferencias en edad ni predominio de sexo entre los grupos. El seguimiento clínico se completó en el 95% de los casos con un promedio de 5,6 ± 3,8 años y el ecocardiográfico en el 77% con un promedio de 4,8 ± 3,7 años. Resultados: El éxito del procedimiento se alcanzó en el 87% de los casos (33 conversiones intraoperatorias a reemplazo valvular) (Grupo 1: 98% vs. Grupo 2: 62,5%; p < 0,01). La mortalidad hospitalaria global fue del 2,3% (6/255). La sobrevida a los 10 años fue del 92,0 ± 2,1% (Grupo 1: 94,4% ± 2,2% vs. Grupo 2: 86,3 ± 5,1%; p = 0,036). La libertad de reoperación a 10 años de seguimiento fue del 95,6 ± 1,6% (Grupo 1: 97,1 ± 1,4% vs. Grupo 2: 89,7 ± 5,0%; p = 0,035). La libertad de insuficiencia mitral moderada/grave en el ecocardiograma a los 10 años fue del 79,0 ± 4,4% (Grupo 1: 80,8 ± 4,8% vs. Grupo 2: 71,9 ± 9,6%; p = 0,14). El 91,2% de los pacientes se encontraban libres de síntomas a los 10 años (92% Grupo 1 vs. 89,3% Grupo 2; p = 0,5). Conclusiones: Los pacientes con plástica mitral secundaria a enfermedad degenerativa de la valva posterior tuvieron mayor sobrevida y una incidencia menor de reoperación en el seguimiento alejado. No hubo diferencias en libertad de insuficiencia mitral moderada/grave entre ambos grupos a 10 años de seguimiento.

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the clinical and echocardiographic outcome of mitral valve repair secondary to degenerative mitral valve regurgitation in patients with posterior versus anterior or bileaflet mitral valve prolapse. Methods: Between April 1997 and July 2013, 255 patients underwent surgery for moderate to severe degenerative mitral valve regurgitation: 175 had posterior mitral valve prolapse (Group 1) and 80 had anterior or bileaflet mitral valve prolapse (Group 2). There were no differences in age or sex between the groups. Clinical follow-up was completed in 95% of the cases with a mean follow-up period of 5.6 ± 3.8 years and 77% completed echocardiographic follow-up with a mean of 4.8 ± 3.7 years. Results: The procedure was successful in 87% of cases (33 intraoperative conversions to mitral valve replacement) (Group 1: 98% vs. Group 2: 62.5%; p < 0.01). Overall in-hospital mortality was 2.3% (6/255), and 10-year survival was 92.0 ± 2.1% (Group 1: 94.4% ± 2.2% vs. Group 2: 86.3 ± 5.1%; p = 0.036). At 10-year follow-up, 95.6 ± 1.6% of patients were free from reoperation (Group 1: 97.1 ± 1.4% vs. Group 2: 89.7 ± 5.0%; p = 0.035), 79.0 ± 4.4% remained free from moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (Group 1: 80.8 ± 4.8% vs. Group 2: 71.9 ± 9.6%; p = 0.14) and 91.2% were asymptomatic (92% Group 1 vs. 89.3% Group 2; p = 0.5). Conclusions: Patients undergoing mitral valve repair secondary to degenerative posterior mitral valve prolapse had higher survival and lower incidence or reoperation in the long-term follow-up. There were no differences in freedom from moderate to severe mitral regurgitation between both groups at 10-year follow-up.

Resultados a largo plazo de la plástica mitral en enfermedad degenerativa: prolapso posterior versus anterior o bivalvar / Long-Term Outcomes of Mitral Valve Repair in Degenerative Valve Disease: Comparison Between Posterior and Anterior or Bileaflet Mitral Valve Prolapse

Objetivo: Comparar la evolución clínica y ecocardiográfica de la plástica mitral secundaria a insuficiencia mitral degenerativa en pacientes con prolapso de la valva posterior versus prolapso anterior o bivalvar. Material y métodos: Entre abril de 1997 y julio de 2013 fueron intervenidos 255 pacientes por insuficiencia mitral moderada/ grave degenerativa. De ellos, 175 tenían compromiso de la valva posterior exclusivamente (Grupo 1) y 80 de la valva anterior 0 bivalvar (Grupo 2). No hubo diferencias en edad ni predominio de sexo entre los grupos. El seguimiento clínico se completó en el 95% de los casos con un promedio de 5,6 ± 3,8 años y el ecocardiográfico en el 77% con un promedio de 4,8 ± 3,7 años. Resultados: El éxito del procedimiento se alcanzó en el 87% de los casos (33 conversiones intraoperatorias a reemplazo valvular) (Grupo 1: 98% vs. Grupo 2: 62,5%; p < 0,01). La mortalidad hospitalaria global fue del 2,3% (6/255). La sobrevida a los 10 años fue del 92,0 ± 2,1% (Grupo 1: 94,4% ± 2,2% vs. Grupo 2: 86,3 ± 5,1%; p = 0,036). La libertad de reoperación a 10 años de seguimiento fue del 95,6 ± 1,6% (Grupo 1: 97,1 ± 1,4% vs. Grupo 2: 89,7 ± 5,0%; p = 0,035). La libertad de insuficiencia mitral moderada/grave en el ecocardiograma a los 10 años fue del 79,0 ± 4,4% (Grupo 1: 80,8 ± 4,8% vs. Grupo 2: 71,9 ± 9,6%; p = 0,14). El 91,2% de los pacientes se encontraban libres de síntomas a los 10 años (92% Grupo 1 vs. 89,3% Grupo 2; p = 0,5). Conclusiones: Los pacientes con plástica mitral secundaria a enfermedad degenerativa de la valva posterior tuvieron mayor sobrevida y una incidencia menor de reoperación en el seguimiento alejado. No hubo diferencias en libertad de insuficiencia mitral moderada/grave entre ambos grupos a 10 años de seguimiento.(AU)

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the clinical and echocardiographic outcome of mitral valve repair secondary to degenerative mitral valve regurgitation in patients with posterior versus anterior or bileaflet mitral valve prolapse. Methods: Between April 1997 and July 2013, 255 patients underwent surgery for moderate to severe degenerative mitral valve regurgitation: 175 had posterior mitral valve prolapse (Group 1) and 80 had anterior or bileaflet mitral valve prolapse (Group 2). There were no differences in age or sex between the groups. Clinical follow-up was completed in 95% of the cases with a mean follow-up period of 5.6 ± 3.8 years and 77% completed echocardiographic follow-up with a mean of 4.8 ± 3.7 years. Results: The procedure was successful in 87% of cases (33 intraoperative conversions to mitral valve replacement) (Group 1: 98% vs. Group 2: 62.5%; p < 0.01). Overall in-hospital mortality was 2.3% (6/255), and 10-year survival was 92.0 ± 2.1% (Group 1: 94.4% ± 2.2% vs. Group 2: 86.3 ± 5.1%; p = 0.036). At 10-year follow-up, 95.6 ± 1.6% of patients were free from reoperation (Group 1: 97.1 ± 1.4% vs. Group 2: 89.7 ± 5.0%; p = 0.035), 79.0 ± 4.4% remained free from moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (Group 1: 80.8 ± 4.8% vs. Group 2: 71.9 ± 9.6%; p = 0.14) and 91.2% were asymptomatic (92% Group 1 vs. 89.3% Group 2; p = 0.5). Conclusions: Patients undergoing mitral valve repair secondary to degenerative posterior mitral valve prolapse had higher survival and lower incidence or reoperation in the long-term follow-up. There were no differences in freedom from moderate to severe mitral regurgitation between both groups at 10-year follow-up.(AU)