| 1. |
- Householder, John Ethan, et al.
(author)
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One sixth of Amazonian tree diversity is dependent on river floodplains
- 2024
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In: NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION. - 2397-334X.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Amazonia's floodplain system is the largest and most biodiverse on Earth. Although forests are crucial to the ecological integrity of floodplains, our understanding of their species composition and how this may differ from surrounding forest types is still far too limited, particularly as changing inundation regimes begin to reshape floodplain tree communities and the critical ecosystem functions they underpin. Here we address this gap by taking a spatially explicit look at Amazonia-wide patterns of tree-species turnover and ecological specialization of the region's floodplain forests. We show that the majority of Amazonian tree species can inhabit floodplains, and about a sixth of Amazonian tree diversity is ecologically specialized on floodplains. The degree of specialization in floodplain communities is driven by regional flood patterns, with the most compositionally differentiated floodplain forests located centrally within the fluvial network and contingent on the most extraordinary flood magnitudes regionally. Our results provide a spatially explicit view of ecological specialization of floodplain forest communities and expose the need for whole-basin hydrological integrity to protect the Amazon's tree diversity and its function.
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| 2. |
- Luize, Bruno Garcia, et al.
(author)
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Geography and ecology shape the phylogenetic composition of Amazonian tree communities
- 2024
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In: JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY. - 0305-0270 .- 1365-2699.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim: Amazonia hosts more tree species from numerous evolutionary lineages, both young and ancient, than any other biogeographic region. Previous studies have shown that tree lineages colonized multiple edaphic environments and dispersed widely across Amazonia, leading to a hypothesis, which we test, that lineages should not be strongly associated with either geographic regions or edaphic forest types. Location: Amazonia. Taxon: Angiosperms (Magnoliids; Monocots; Eudicots). Methods: Data for the abundance of 5082 tree species in 1989 plots were combined with a mega-phylogeny. We applied evolutionary ordination to assess how phylogenetic composition varies across Amazonia. We used variation partitioning and Moran's eigenvector maps (MEM) to test and quantify the separate and joint contributions of spatial and environmental variables to explain the phylogenetic composition of plots. We tested the indicator value of lineages for geographic regions and edaphic forest types and mapped associations onto the phylogeny. Results: In the terra firme and v & aacute;rzea forest types, the phylogenetic composition varies by geographic region, but the igap & oacute; and white-sand forest types retain a unique evolutionary signature regardless of region. Overall, we find that soil chemistry, climate and topography explain 24% of the variation in phylogenetic composition, with 79% of that variation being spatially structured (R-2 = 19% overall for combined spatial/environmental effects). The phylogenetic composition also shows substantial spatial patterns not related to the environmental variables we quantified (R-2 = 28%). A greater number of lineages were significant indicators of geographic regions than forest types. Main Conclusion: Numerous tree lineages, including some ancient ones (>66 Ma), show strong associations with geographic regions and edaphic forest types of Amazonia. This shows that specialization in specific edaphic environments has played a long-standing role in the evolutionary assembly of Amazonian forests. Furthermore, many lineages, even those that have dispersed across Amazonia, dominate within a specific region, likely because of phylogenetically conserved niches for environmental conditions that are prevalent within regions.
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| 3. |
- ter Steege, Hans, et al.
(author)
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Mapping density, diversity and species-richness of the Amazon tree flora
- 2023
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In: COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY. - 2399-3642. ; 6:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Using 2.046 botanically-inventoried tree plots across the largest tropical forest on Earth, we mapped tree species-diversity and tree species-richness at 0.1-degree resolution, and investigated drivers for diversity and richness. Using only location, stratified by forest type, as predictor, our spatial model, to the best of our knowledge, provides the most accurate map of tree diversity in Amazonia to date, explaining approximately 70% of the tree diversity and species-richness. Large soil-forest combinations determine a significant percentage of the variation in tree species-richness and tree alpha-diversity in Amazonian forest-plots. We suggest that the size and fragmentation of these systems drive their large-scale diversity patterns and hence local diversity. A model not using location but cumulative water deficit, tree density, and temperature seasonality explains 47% of the tree species-richness in the terra-firme forest in Amazonia. Over large areas across Amazonia, residuals of this relationship are small and poorly spatially structured, suggesting that much of the residual variation may be local. The Guyana Shield area has consistently negative residuals, showing that this area has lower tree species-richness than expected by our models. We provide extensive plot meta-data, including tree density, tree alpha-diversity and tree species-richness results and gridded maps at 0.1-degree resolution. A study mapping the tree species richness in Amazonian forests shows that soil type exerts a strong effect on species richness, probably caused by the areas of these forest types. Cumulative water deficit, tree density and temperature seasonality affect species richness at a regional scale.
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| 4. |
- Deb, S., et al.
(author)
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SUPERIOR SVG: no touch saphenous harvesting to improve patency following coronary bypass grafting (a multi-Centre randomized control trial, NCT01047449)
- 2019
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In: Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1749-8090. ; 14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundSingle centre studies support No Touch (NT) saphenous vein graft (SVG) harvesting technique. The primary objective of the SUPERIOR SVG study was to determine whether NT versus conventional (CON) SVG harvesting was associated with improved SVG patency 1year after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG).MethodsAdults undergoing isolated CABG with at least 1 SVG were eligible. CT angiography was performed 1-year post CABG. Leg adverse events were assessed with a questionnaire. A systematic review was performed for published NT graft patency studies and results aggregated including the SUPERIOR study results.ResultsTwo hundred and-fifty patients were randomized across 12-centres (NT 127 versus CON 123 patients). The primary outcome (study SVG occlusion or cardiovascular (CV) death) was not significantly different in NT versus CON (NT: 7/127 (5.5%), CON 13/123 (10.6%), p=0.15). Similarly, the proportion of study SVGs with significant stenosis or total occlusion was not significantly different between groups (NT: 8/102 (7.8%), CON: 16/107 (15.0%), p=0.11). Vein harvest site infection was more common in the NT patients 1month postoperatively (23.3% vs 9.5%, p<0.01). Including this study's results, in a meta-analysis, NT was associated with a significant reduction in SVG occlusion, Odds Ratio 0.49, 95% Confidence Interval 0.29-0.82, p=0.007 in 3 randomized and 1 observational study at 1year postoperatively.ConclusionsThe NT technique was not associated with improved patency of SVGs at 1-year following CABG while early vein harvest infection was increased. The aggregated data is supportive of an important reduction of SVG occlusion at 1year with NT harvesting.Trial registrationNCT01047449.
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| 5. |
- Bruneau, Anne, et al.
(author)
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Advances in Legume Systematics 14. Classification of Caesalpinioideae. Part 2: Higher-level classification
- 2024
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In: PhytoKeys. - Sofia : Pensoft Publishers. - 1314-2011 .- 1314-2003. ; 240, s. 1-552
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Caesalpinioideae is the second largest subfamily of legumes (Leguminosae) with ca. 4680 species and 163 genera. It is an ecologically and economically important group formed of mostly woody perennials that range from large canopy emergent trees to functionally herbaceous geoxyles, lianas and shrubs, and which has a global distribution, occurring on every continent except Antarctica. Following the recent re-circumscription of 15 Caesalpinioideae genera as presented in Advances in Legume Systematics 14, Part 1, and using as a basis a phylogenomic analysis of 997 nuclear gene sequences for 420 species and all but five of the genera currently recognised in the subfamily, we present a new higher-level classification for the subfamily. The new classification of Caesalpinioideae comprises eleven tribes, all of which are either new, reinstated or re-circumscribed at this rank: Caesalpinieae Rchb. (27 genera / ca. 223 species), Campsiandreae LPWG (2 / 5-22), Cassieae Bronn (7 / 695), Cera-tonieae Rchb. (4 / 6), Dimorphandreae Benth. (4 / 35), Erythrophleeae LPWG (2 /13), Gleditsieae Nakai (3 / 20), Mimoseae Bronn (100 / ca. 3510), Pterogyneae LPWG (1 / 1), Schizolobieae Nakai (8 / 42-43), Sclerolobieae Benth. & Hook. f. (5 / ca. 113). Although many of these lineages have been recognised and named in the past, either as tribes or informal generic groups, their circumscriptions have varied widely and changed over the past decades, such that all the tribes described here differ in generic membership from those previously recognised. Importantly, the approximately 3500 species and 100 genera of the former subfamily Mimosoideae are now placed in the reinstated, but newly circumscribed, tribe Mimoseae. Because of the large size and ecological importance of the tribe, we also provide a clade-based classification system for Mimoseae that includes 17 named lower-level clades. Fourteen of the 100 Mimoseae genera remain unplaced in these lower-level clades: eight are resolved in two grades and six are phylogenetically isolated monogeneric lineages. In addition to the new classification, we provide a key to genera, morphological descriptions and notes for all 163 genera, all tribes, and all named clades. The diversity of growth forms, foliage, flowers and fruits are illustrated for all genera, and for each genus we also provide a distribution map, based on quality-controlled herbarium specimen localities. A glossary for specialised terms used in legume morphology is provided. This new phylogenetically based classification of Caesalpinioideae provides a solid system for communication and a framework for downstream analyses of biogeography, trait evolution and diversification, as well as for taxonomic revision of still understudied genera.
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| 6. |
- Dreifaldt, Mats, et al.
(author)
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The ‘‘no-touch’’ harvesting technique for vein grafts in coronary artery bypass surgery preserves an intact vasa vasorum
- 2011
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In: The Internet Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. - New York, USA : Elsevier. - 1524-0274 .- 0022-5223. ; 141:1, s. 145-150
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: Our objective was to evaluate the impact of vein graft harvesting technique on structure and function of vasa vasorum.Methods: Paired segments of great saphenous veins harvested either with conventional harvesting technique or no-touch technique were obtained from 9 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Quantitative measurements, using immunohistochemistry and morphometry, were performed. Ultrastructural analyses of vasa vasorum were performed with electron microscopy. Video footage of superficial vasa vasorum in an implanted saphenous vein graft harvested with the no-touch technique was captured during a coronary bypass operation and is presented for online viewing.Results: The total area of vasa vasorum in vein grafts harvested with the conventional technique was significantly reduced both in the media (P¼.007) and in the adventitia (P¼.014) compared with vein grafts harvested with the no-touch technique. Ultrastructural findings indicated that the no-touch technique preserved an intact vasa vasorum whereas the conventional technique did not. Video footage showed retrograde flow in the vasa vasorum in vein graft harvested with the no-touch technique.Conclusions: These findings showthat the no-touch technique for saphenous vein graft harvesting for coronary bypass grafting preserves an intact vasa vasorum. This could represent one of the mechanisms underlying the improved patency of saphenous vein grafts harvested with this technique.
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| 7. |
- Tsui, Janice C. S., et al.
(author)
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Localization of nitric oxide synthase in saphenous vein grafts harvested with a novel "no-touch" technique : potential role of nitric oxide contribution to improved early graft patency rates.
- 2002
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In: Journal of Vascular Surgery. - New York, USA : Elsevier. - 0741-5214 .- 1097-6809. ; 35:2, s. 356-362
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: The use of the saphenous vein in coronary artery bypass graft surgery is associated with high 1-year occlusion rates of as much as 30%. A new "no-touch" technique of saphenous vein harvesting in which the vein is harvested with a pedicle of surrounding tissue and not distended may result in improved early patency rates. We hypothesize that nitric oxide synthase is better preserved with the no-touch technique, and the aim of this study was the investigation of whether nitric oxide synthase distribution and quantity in saphenous veins harvested with the no-touch technique differ from those veins harvested with the conventional technique. The separate contribution of perivascular tissue removal and distension to alterations in nitric oxide synthase was also studied.Methods: Segments of 10 saphenous veins were harvested from 10 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting surgery with the no-touch and conventional techniques. Samples were also taken from segments that were stripped of surrounding tissue but not distended. Nitric oxide synthase distribution was studied with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate--diaphorase histochemistry, and staining was quantified with image analysis. Immunohistochemistry was used for the identification of specific nitric oxide synthase isoforms, and immunomarkers were used for the identification of associated cell types.Results: Nitric oxide synthase content was higher in no-touch vessels as compared with conventionally harvested vessels (35.5%; P <.05, with analysis of variance). This content was associated with endothelial nitric oxide synthase on the lumen while all three isoforms were present in the media. In the intact adventitia of no-touch vessels, all three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase were also present, associated with microvessels and perivascular nerves. Perivascular tissue stripping and venous distension both contribute to the reduced nitric oxide synthase in conventionally harvested veins.Conclusion: The new no-touch technique of saphenous vein harvesting preserves nitric oxide synthase, which suggests that improved nitric oxide availability may be an important mechanism in the success of this technique.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Dreifaldt, Mats, et al.
(author)
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The Vasa Vasorum and Associated Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase is More Important for Saphenous Vein Than Arterial Bypass Grafts
- 2013
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In: Angiology. - : SAGE Publications. - 0003-3197 .- 1940-1574. ; 64:4, s. 293-299
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- No-touch (NT) saphenous vein (SV) grafts are superior to SVs harvested by the conventional technique (CT), with a patency comparable with the internal thoracic artery (ITA). Preservation of the vasa vasorum is implicated in the success of NT harvesting. We compared the vasa vasorum and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in NT SV with ITA and radial artery (RA) grafts. Skeletonized SV (SSV) was also analyzed. The NT SV had a higher number and larger vasa vasorum compared with ITA (P = .0001) and RA (P = .0004) that correlated with eNOS protein. Activity of eNOS in SSV grafts was significantly lower than NT SV grafts (P = 004). Since a high proportion of the vasa vasorum are removed in SSV using the CT, we suggest that preservation of the vasa vasorum and eNOS-derived NO contributes to the high patency for NT as compared with SSV grafts.
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| 10. |
- Souza, Domingos S. R., et al.
(author)
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Harvesting the saphenous vein with surrounding tissue for CABG provides long-term graft patency comparable to the left internal thoracic artery : results of a randomized longitudinal trial
- 2006
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In: Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-5223 .- 1097-685X. ; 132:2, s. 373-U75
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Conventional harvesting of the saphenous vein in coronary artery bypass surgery produces vessel damage that contributes to graft failure. A novel "no touch" technique provides high short- and long-term patency rates.Method: This randomized longitudinal trial compares graft patency of two patient groups undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Conventional: 52 patients had their veins stripped, distended, and stored in saline solution. No-touch: 52 patients had veins removed with surrounding tissue, not distended, and stored in heparinized blood. Angiographic assessment was performed at mean time 18 months after the operation in 46 patients in the conventional group and 45 patients in the no-touch group and repeated at mean time 8.5 years in 37 patients from both groups.Results: The distribution of the grafts to the recipient coronary arteries regarding their size and quality was similar in both groups. The angiographic assessment at 18 months postoperatively showed 89% conventional versus 95% no-touch grafts were patent. Repeated angiography at 8.5 years showed a patency rate for the conventional group of 76% and 90% for the no- touch group ( P =.01). The multivariate analysis showed that the most important surgical factors for graft patency were the technique of harvesting ( odds ratio = 3.7, P =.007) for the no- touch versus the conventional technique and the vein quality before implantation ( odds ratio = 3.2, P =.007) for veins that were of good quality. By comparison the patency of the thoracic artery grafts was 90%.Conclusion: Harvesting the saphenous vein with surrounding tissue provides high short- and long-term patency rates comparable to the left internal thoracic artery.
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| 11. |
- Ahlsson, Anders, 1962-, et al.
(author)
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Annular abscess leading to free wall rupture
- 2014
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In: European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. - : Oxford University Press. - 1010-7940 .- 1873-734X. ; 45:2, s. E39-E39
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Brocki, Barbara Cristina, 1957-, et al.
(author)
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Improvements in physical performance and health-related quality of life one year after radical operation for lung cancer
- 2015
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In: Cancer Treatment Communications. - : Elsevier. - 2213-0896. ; 4, s. 65-74
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Micro abstract: This study assessed physical performance and health-related quality of life one year after lung cancer surgery and investigated the potential association between both outcomes. We found that the walked distance was associated with the subjective perception of the physical functioning. Patients improved health-related quality of life, reaching values similar to a healthy reference population.Background: Resuming an acceptable level of lifestyle and health-related quality of life after lung cancer surgery has become an important issue. We aimed to evaluate the course of recovery of physical performance and health-related quality of life following pulmonary resection for lung cancer, as well as examine the potential association between these outcomes.Methods: In an observational design, we assessed 78 individuals radically operated for lungcancer. We measured health-related quality of life (SF-36), six-minute walk test (6MWT) and lung function (spirometry)three weeks (baseline), four and twelve months after surgery. SF-36 values were compared to an age-and gender-matched reference population.Results: The mean age was 65 years (SD9), 59% were males. Thoracotomy was performed in 77% of the cases. Compared to baseline values, we found significant improvements after one year in SF-36 physical and mental component summary components of large effect size (0.8 and 0.9 respectively). Values for both SF-36 summary components were comparable to those of the reference population. The improvement in 6MWT was of moderate effect size (0.6). We found a positive association between 6MWT and the SF-36 domain for physical functioning (β=0.05, 95% CI [0.00;0.09], p=0.03) one year after surgery.Conclusion: Individuals who were radically operated for lung cancer improved health-related quality of life one year after surgery, reaching values similar to a healthy reference population. The walked distance was positively associated with the subjective perception of physical functioning. The clinical significance of these findings deserves further investigation.
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| 14. |
- Brocki, Barbara Cristina, 1957-, et al.
(author)
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Postoperative inspiratory muscle training in addition to breathing exercises and early mobilization improves oxygenation in high-risk patients after lung cancer surgery : a randomized controlled trial
- 2016
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In: European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. - : Oxford University Press. - 1010-7940 .- 1873-734X. ; 49:5, s. 1483-1491
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES The aim was to investigate whether 2 weeks of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) could preserve respiratory muscle strength in high-risk patients referred for pulmonary resection on the suspicion of or confirmed lung cancer. Secondarily, we investigated the effect of the intervention on the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications.METHODS The study was a single-centre, parallel-group, randomized trial with assessor blinding and intention-to-treat analysis. The intervention group (IG, n = 34) underwent 2 weeks of postoperative IMT twice daily with 2 × 30 breaths on a target intensity of 30% of maximal inspiratory pressure, in addition to standard postoperative physiotherapy. Standard physiotherapy in the control group (CG, n = 34) consisted of breathing exercises, coughing techniques and early mobilization. We measured respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory/expiratory pressure, MIP/MEP), functional performance (6-min walk test), spirometry and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), assessed the day before surgery and again 3–5 days and 2 weeks postoperatively. Postoperative pulmonary complications were evaluated 2 weeks after surgery.RESULTS The mean age was 70 ± 8 years and 57.5% were males. Thoracotomy was performed in 48.5% (n = 33) of cases. No effect of the intervention was found regarding MIP, MEP, lung volumes or functional performance at any time point. The overall incidence of pneumonia was 13% (n = 9), with no significant difference between groups [IG 6% (n = 2), CG 21% (n = 7), P = 0.14]. An improved SpO2 was found in the IG on the third and fourth postoperative days (Day 3: IG 93.8 ± 3.4 vs CG 91.9 ± 4.1%, P = 0.058; Day 4: IG 93.5 ± 3.5 vs CG 91 ± 3.9%, P = 0.02). We found no association between surgical procedure (thoracotomy versus thoracoscopy) and respiratory muscle strength, which was recovered in both groups 2 weeks after surgery.CONCLUSIONS Two weeks of additional postoperative IMT, compared with standard physiotherapy alone, did not preserve respiratory muscle strength but improved oxygenation in high-risk patients after lung cancer surgery. Respiratory muscle strength recovered in both groups 2 weeks after surgery.
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Dreifaldt, Mats, et al.
(author)
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The No-Touch Saphenous Vein as the Preferred Second Conduit for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- 2013
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In: Annals of Thoracic Surgery. - : Elsevier BV. - 0003-4975 .- 1552-6259. ; 96:1, s. 105-111
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Injury incurred while saphenous veins are being obtained results in poor graft patency and impairs the results of coronary artery bypass grafting. A novel method of obtaining veins, the no-touch technique, has shown improved long-term saphenous vein graft patency.Methods: This randomized trial included 108 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and compared the patency of no-touch saphenous vein with that of radial artery grafts. Each patient was assigned to receive one no-touch saphenous vein and one radial artery graft to either the left or the right coronary territory to complement the left internal thoracic artery.Results: Angiography was performed in 99 patients (92%) at a mean of 36 months postoperatively. Graft and grafted coronary artery patency was evaluated. The patency of grafts for no-touch saphenous vein and radial artery was 94% versus 82% (p = 0.01), respectively. The patency of coronary arteries grafted with no-touch saphenous vein and radial artery grafts was 95% versus 84% (p = 0.005), respectively. Eighty-nine of 96 (93%) left internal thoracic artery grafts were patent.Conclusions: No-touch saphenous vein grafts showed a significantly higher patency rate than the radial artery grafts and the patency was comparable to the patency for left internal thoracic artery grafts. This highlights the improvement in saphenous vein graft quality with the no-touch technique and increases the number of situations in which saphenous veins may be preferable to radial artery grafts as conduits in coronary artery bypass grafting.
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
- Johansson, Benny L., et al.
(author)
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No touch vein harvesting technique for CABG improves the long-term clinical outcome
- 2009
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In: Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal. - Stockholm : Scandinavian University Press. - 1401-7431 .- 1651-2006. ; 43:1, s. 63-68
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To investigate the long-term clinical outcome, averaging 8.5 years, of two saphenous vein harvesting techniques for CABG; no touch (NT) versus conventional (C). DESIGN: In a randomized study, 49/52 in group NT and 44/52 in group conventional were evaluated for reangina, myocardial infarction, new revascularization, functional class, risk factors and medical treatment. The vein grafts and the native coronary arteries were correlated to the occurrence of reangina. RESULTS: There were significantly more patients free from angina and in NYHA class I (67.3 versus 43.2%; p =0.02) in group NT compared to group C. No cardiac death was found in group NT versus three in group C. There were trends towards fewer patients with cardiac death or myocardial infarction (3.8 vs. 13.4%; p =0.16), more patients free from angina (75.5 vs. 63.6%; p =0.26) and fewer patients with graft occlusion (24.3 vs. 43.2% (p =0.14) in group NT. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the NT-technique are encouraging with no cardiac deaths, significantly more asymptomatic patients and a trend towards impact on hard clinical endpoints compared to the conventional technique.
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| 19. |
- Johansson, Benny L., et al.
(author)
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Slower progression of atherosclerosis in vein grafts harvested with 'no touch' technique compared with conventional harvesting technique in coronary artery bypass grafting : an angiographic and intravascular ultrasound study
- 2010
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In: European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1010-7940 .- 1873-734X. ; 38:4, s. 414-419
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: In a long-term randomised coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) study, the patency rate using a new 'no touch' (NT) vein-graft preparation technique was superior to the conventional (C) technique. This cineangiographic and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) substudy examined possible mechanisms.Methods: A total of 45 patients (118 grafts) in the NT group and 46 patients (112 grafts) in the C group had patent grafts at short-term follow-up after 18 months. Thirty-seven patients (91 grafts) in the NT group and 37 patients (77 grafts) in the C group had patent grafts at long-term follow-up after 8 5 years, and were evaluated on a scale from 0 (normal) to 2 (significant stenosis) by cineangiogram. IVUS was performed in 15 NT grafts and 14 C grafts in the short-term follow-up, and 27 NT grafts and 26 C grafts in the long-term follow-up, in grafts considered normal by the cineangiogram. The grafts were evaluated with respect to lumen volume, intimal thickness, incidence of plaque and plaque components.Results: In the short-term follow-up, the cineangiogram showed more normal grafts (89.0% in the NT group compared with 75.0% in the C group), and the number of grafts with stenosis was 11.0% in the NT group compared with 25.0% in the C group (p = 0.006). IVUS showed less mean intimal thickness (0.43 (0.07) mm vs 0.52 (0.08) mm; p = 0.03), less grafts with considerable intimal hyperplasia (>= 0.9 mm; 20% vs 78.6%; p = 0.011) and fewer patients with considerable hyperplasia (>= 0.9 mm; 25% vs 100%; p = 0.007). In the long-term follow-up, the cineangiogram showed more normal grafts, with 91.2% in the NT group compared with 83.1% in the C group; there were fewer grafts with significant stenosis, with 7.7% in the NT group compared with 15 6% in the C group (p = 0.14). IVUS showed fewer grafts containing multiple plaques (14.8% vs 50%; p = 0.008), less advanced plaque with lipid (11.8% vs 63.9%; p = 0.0004) and less maximal plaque thickness (1.04 (0.23) mm vs 1.32 (0.25) mm; p = 0.02) in the NT group compared with the C group.Conclusion: The superior long-term patency rate using the NT vein-graft technique at CABG could be explained by a significantly slower progression of atherosclerosis. (C) 2010 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Mannion, John D, et al.
(author)
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"No-touch" versus "endo" vein harvest : early patency on symptom-directed catheterization and harvest site complications.
- 2014
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In: Innovations (Philadelphia). - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 1556-9845 .- 1559-0879. ; 9:4, s. 306-11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: "No-touch" (NT) saphenous vein harvesting preserves the adventitial vasa vasorum, prevents medial ischemia, and is associated with an improved short-term and long-term vein graft patency. It may also be associated with a higher rate of harvest site complications. Endovascular vein harvesting (endo-vein) has a low rate of harvest site complications but also a tendency toward a lower patency rate.METHODS: During a 2-year period (2011-2012), we compared the vein graft patency at symptom-directed cardiac catheterization as well as wound complication rates in 210 patients who received either NT (87 patients) or endo-vein (123 patients).RESULTS: The recatheterization rate for the two groups was similar: 9 (10.3%) of 87 of the NT patients versus 11 (9.0%) of 123 of the endo-vein patients. There was a significant difference in vein graft patency between the groups: 15 (94%) of 16 NT vein grafts were patent versus 6 (27%) of 22 of endo-veins (P < 0.02). The endo-vein graft patency during this 2-year period was similar to the total endo-vein patency (37%) during a 4-year period. A comparison between a more experienced and a less experienced harvester revealed no difference in patency rate. Harvest site complications were significantly higher with the NT harvest: 18% of the NT patients requiring vacuum-assisted wound closure or intravenous antibiotics versus 2% of the endo-vein patients (P < 0.0001). The application of platelet-rich plasma did not significantly lower wound complication rates (P = 0.27).CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that NT vein harvesting may be associated with improved graft patency, but methods should be developed to lower wound complication rates.
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| 22. |
- Pinheiro, Bruno Botelho, et al.
(author)
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Dacron Graft Intussusception Technique for Treatment of Type A Aortic Dissections : Technical Notes and Preliminary Results
- 2016
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In: Brazilian Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery. - : Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Cardiovascular. - 0102-7638 .- 1678-9741. ; 31:2, s. 115-119
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Optimal surgical management for acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) remains unclear. The in-hospital mortality rate is still high (15%), and the intraoperative bleeding is an independent risk factor for hospital mortality.Objective: The aim of our study was describe a new method for aortic anastomosis in the repair of AAAD and report the hospital mortality and bleeding complications.Methods: Between January 2008 and November 2014, 24 patients, 16 male, median age 62 years, underwent surgical treatment of AAAD. The surgical technique consisted of intussusception of a Dacron tube in the dissected aorta, which is anastomosed with a first line of 2-0 polyester everting mattress suture and a second line of 3-0 polypropylene running suture placed at the outermost side. Open distal anastomosis was performed with bilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion in 13 (54.1%) patients.Results: Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic clamping time ranged from 75 to 135 min (mean= 85 min) and 60 to 100 min (mean= 67 min), respectively. The systemic circulatory arrest ranged from 29 to 60 min (mean=44.5 min). One (4.1%) patient required reoperation for bleeding, due to the use of preoperative clopidogrel. The postoperative bleeding was 382-1270 ml (mean= 654 ml). We used an average of 4.2 units of red blood cells/patient. There were two (8.3%) hospital deaths, one due to intraoperative bleeding and another due to mesenteric ischemia. The average length of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital was 44 hours and 6.7 days, respectively.Conclusion: This new method for surgical correction of AAAD was reproducible and resulted in satisfactory clinical outcomes.
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| 23. |
- Samano, Ninos, 1972-, et al.
(author)
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The no-touch saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass grafting maintains a patency, after 16 years, comparable to the left internal thoracic artery : a randomized trial
- 2015
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In: Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. - : Mosby-Elsevier. - 0022-5223 .- 1097-685X. ; 150:4, s. 880-888
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: This study investigates whether the no-touch (NT) vein graft, at a mean time of 16 years, maintains a significantly higher patency rate than conventional (C) vein grafts and still has patency comparable to that of the left internal thoracic artery (LITA).Methods: A total of 156 patients accepted for coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups. In the C group, the saphenous vein (SV) was stripped and distended. In the intermediate group, the SV was stripped but not distended. In the NT group, the SV was neither stripped nor distended, but rather harvested with a fat pedicle. This study is an angiographic follow-up of the C and NT groups, at a mean time of 16 years postoperatively.Results: Fifty-four patients were included (C group = 27; NT group = 27). In all, 72 and 75 vein grafts were completed in groups C and NT, respectively. Crude SV graft patency was 64% in the C group versus 83% in the NT group (P = .03), which was similar to the patency of the LITA (88%). The harvesting technique had a major impact on the patency with a hazard ratio for occlusion of 1.83 for the C group (P = .04).Conclusions: Harvesting the SV with the NT technique conferred, at a mean time of 16 years, a significantly higher patency than the conventional technique that was still comparable to that of the LITA.
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| 24. |
- Souza, Domingos, et al.
(author)
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Improved patency in vein grafts harvested with surrounding tissue : results of a randomized study using three harvesting techniques
- 2002
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In: Annals of Thoracic Surgery. - 0003-4975 .- 1552-6259. ; 73:4, s. 1189-1195
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The technique of harvesting the saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass grafting influences the fate of vein grafts. The patency rate of a novel "no-touch" technique in which the vein is harvested with a pedicle of surrounding tissue and not distended was compared with two other techniques.METHODS: One hundred fifty-six patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting were randomized to three saphenous vein harvesting groups: group C (conventional)--the vein was stripped, distended, and stored in saline; group I (intermediate)--the vein was stripped, local application of papaverine was used instead of distention, and the vessel was then stored in heparinized blood; and group NT (no-touch)--the vein was harvested with surrounding tissue, not distended, and stored in heparinized blood. Surgical and clinical factors that might influence graft occlusion were recorded. One hundred twenty-seven vein grafts in group C, 116 in group I, and 124 in group NT, as well as 118 left internal mammary artery grafts, were angiographically assessed at 18 months mean follow-up time.RESULTS: The vein graft patency was 88.9% in group C, 86.2% in group I, and 95.4% in group NT. There was a statistically significant difference between the patency of the single-vein grafts in NT and the other two groups (p = 0.025). The higher the flow, the better the patency irrespective of the technique used. A higher attrition rate was found in vein segments taken from the knee area in group I. Poor vein quality affected patency in all groups. Forty-seven of all 51 sequential grafts (92.2%) were patent. The patency of left internal mammary artery grafts was 108 of 118 (91.5%).CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that preservation of the surrounding tissue of the saphenous vein using this no-touch technique abolishes venospasm intraoperatively and plays an important role in maintaining vein graft function and patency.
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| 25. |
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| 26. |
- Verma, Subodh, et al.
(author)
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Pedicled no-touch saphenous vein graft harvest limits vascular smooth muscle cell activation : the PATENT saphenous vein graft study
- 2014
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In: European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. - : Oxford University Press. - 1010-7940 .- 1873-734X. ; 45:4, s. 717-725
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Neointimal hyperplasia secondary to vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) activation limits the long-term patency of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs). We compared markers of vascular injury and VSMC activation in SVGs harvested using the pedicled 'no-touch' (NT) vs the conventional (CON) technique. METHODS: Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery were enrolled in the PATENT SVG trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT01488084). Patients were randomly allocated to have SVGs harvested with the NT technique from one leg and the CON method from the other. SVG segments underwent morphometry, histological and electron microscopy assessments and transcript measurements of VSMC activation and differentiation markers. Leg wound functional recovery and harvest site complications were assessed using a quality-of-life questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 17 patients (65.3 +/- 7.3 years) were enrolled. SVGs harvested using the NT vs CON technique exhibited preserved intimal, medial and adventitial architecture. CON harvest was associated with greater medial Kruppel-like factor 4 transcript levels (0.26 +/- 0.05 vs 0.11 +/- 0.02, P < 0.05). CON samples had significantly lower medial serum response factor (0.53 +/- 0.11 vs 1.44 +/- 0.50, P < 0.05) and myocardin (0.59 +/- 0.08 vs 1.33 +/- 0.33, P < 0.05) transcript levels. MicroRNA-145, an inhibitor of VSMC activation and differentiation, was higher in the NT vs CON samples (1.84 +/- 1.03 vs 0.50 +/- 0.19, P < 0.05). Leg assessment scores were worse in the NT legs at 3 months, but similar to CON scores at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: SVGs harvested using the 'NT' technique exhibit an early molecular and morphological pattern consistent with decreased VSMC activation compared with CON harvesting. Functional leg recovery was similar in both groups at 12 months. Larger studies are required to corroborate these findings.
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