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Background The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted older people. The disease and the measures to combat it have had a differential impact according to gender, with higher mortality rates in men and worse psychological and social consequences in women. The objective of this work is to analyze the changes in perceived health of older people in Europe during the first months of the pandemic and to assess the combined role of age and gender. Methods Wave 8 data of SHARE-corona (Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe) (n = 51,695, aged≥50) collected between Jun-Aug 2020 were used. Perceived health status was explored with a question on whether there has been a change compared with the health status before the COVID-19 outbreak (response options: worse, the same and better). Two-way ANOVA with interaction and Student's t-test with Bonferroni correction were used to compare the effects of gender and age group (50-59 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years, and ≥80) in changes in perceived health. Results Differences in perceived health were observed by age, as well as by gender in participants aged ≥70 years (F = 91.94; p < 0.001). These differences were significant both by gender (F = 19.39; p < 0.001) and age (F = 191.79; p < 0.001). No interaction was detected between both factors (p = 0.170), which allowed their effect to be studied individually. Among the people who reported a worsening in their perceived health, women aged 70 to 79 years predominated (11.1%), followed by men aged 80 and over (15.3%) and women of the same age group (16.4%). Conclusions The results suggest an association between the change in perceived health during the pandemic and age. Women have a slightly worse health status than men in all age groups. Therefore, gender can be considered as an influential factor in perceived health in old age, which in turn can have a potential impact in the quality of life of older people. Funding Projects Ref. H2019/HUM-5698 and Ref. 202010E158. Key messages

Resumen El linfoma anaplasico de celulas grandes asociado a implantes mamarios (BIA-ALCL segun sus siglas en ingles) es un tipo raro de linfoma no Hodgkin que se ha descrito en el contexto de la cirugia reconstructiva y estetica de mama mediante implantes. Este segundo articulo presenta la parte del consenso de la Sociedad Espanola de Senologia y Patologia Mamaria (SESPM) sobre el tratamiento quirurgico, medico, radioterapico, pronostico y seguimiento.

Resumen El linfoma anaplasico de celulas grandes asociado a implantes mamarios (BIA-ALCL segun sus siglas en ingles) es un tipo raro de linfoma no Hodgkin que se ha descrito en el contexto de la cirugia reconstructiva y estetica de mama mediante implantes. Estos articulos presentan un consenso de la Sociedad Espanola de Senologia y Patologia Mamaria (SESPM) con la idea de unificar, en esta primera parte, los criterios de diagnostico de esta enfermedad describiendo asimismo la epidemiologia y la etiopatogenia.

INTRODUCTION The surgical indication for ascending aortic aneurysms (AAA) is established when the maximum diameter > 50 mm; It responds to Laplace's Law (T wall = P × r / 2e). The aim of the study is to define wall stress in AAA. MATERIAL AND METHODS 218 ascending aortic walls have been studied: 96 from organ donors, and 122 from AAA: Marfán 58 (47.5%), bicuspid aortic valve 26 (21.4%), and atherosclerosis 38 (31.1%). The samples were studied "in vitro", according to the model Young's (relationship between stress and deformed area), by means of the mechanical traction test (Tension = Force / Area). The analysis was performed with the stress-elongation curve (d Tension / d Elongation). RESULTS The stress of the aortic wall, classified from highest to lowest according to pathology and age was: cystic necrosis of the middle layer, arteriosclerosis, age > 60 years, between 35 and 59, and < 34 years. The stress of “control aortas” wall increased directly in relation to the age of the donors. CONCLUSIONS The maximum diameter of the ascending aorta, the patient's type of pathology and age are factors that affect the maximum tension of the aortic wall and resistance, factors that allow differentiation and prediction of the risk of rupture of the AAA. The validation of the results obtained through numerical simulation was significant and the uniaxial analysis has modeled the response of the vessels to their internal pressure.

INTRODUCTION Temperature affects the mechanical behavior of the arteries, a fact that intervenes in their function, both in physiology and in pathological states. The aim of the study is to analyze the mechanical response in the arteries (aorta and carotids) to changes in temperature. MATERIAL AND METHODS The thermo-mechanical behavior of human arteries (26 primitive carotids and 26 thoracic aortas) from cadaveric organ donors has been studied. The tests were carried out in a passive state, without electrical or chemical activation of the vessels. Pressurization tests were carried out at 4 different temperatures (17, 27, 37 and 42ºC) correlating internal pressure-external diameter of the vessels. The thermo-mechanical analysis was evaluated using the pressure-diameter curves at different temperatures, for this the coefficient of thermal expansion (α = (ΔD / D) / ΔT) and the Hayashi stiffness (β), exponential equation (Pressure / Diameter ratio). RESULTS The effect of temperature on arterial behavior is maximum when the curves refer to the initial diameter of the vessel at 0 mmHg for each temperature. At low pressures, the coefficient of dilation is negative, while above a certain threshold pressure (different for each type of artery), the coefficient of dilation becomes positive. CONCLUSIONS The stiffness of the vessels is manifested in the slope of the pressure-diameter curves and decreases with increasing temperature. The coefficient of thermal expansion is a function of the internal pressure to which the arteries are subjected.

Germline/somatic BRCA-mutated ovarian carcinomas (OC) are associated to have better response with platinum-based chemotherapy and long-term prognosis than non-BRCA-associated OCs. In addition, these mutations are predictive factors to response to Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. Different positioning papers have addressed the clinical recommendations for BRCA testing in OC. This consensus guide represents a collection of technical recommendations to address the detection of BRCA1/2 mutations in the molecular diagnostic testing strategy for OC. Under the coordination of Spanish Society of Pathology (SEAP-IAP) and the Spanish Society of Human Genetics (AEGH), these recommendations have been developed by pathologists and geneticists taking into account previously published recommendations and their experience in the molecular characterization of these genes. Since the implementation of BRCA testing as a predictive factor can initiate the workflow by testing germline mutations in the blood or by testing both germline and somatic mutations in tumor tissue, distinctive features of both strategies are discussed. Additionally, the recommendations included in this paper provide some references, quality parameters, and genomic tools aimed to standardize and facilitate the clinical genomic diagnosis of OC.

The presence of both electronic-converter-based and rotating-machine-based energy sources in microgrids poses a challenge for its stable operation. Most of the stability studies in microgrids have been focused on the electronic converters interfacing a renewable energy source to an AC microgrid. However, the rotating machines are still a key component of many microgrids. This paper presents an induction machine model that uses dynamic phasors as an alternative to d-q modeling. The goal of this work is to obtain the small-signal impedances of the machine, which could be further used in stability studies. The results show that the machine model successfully reflects the actual impedance of the machine obtained by simulations. The process by which the practical machine impedance is obtained is also detailed in this paper.

Cancer immunology has gained renewed interest in the past few years due to emerging findings on mechanisms involved in tumoral immune evasion. Indisputably, immune edition is currently considered a critical hallmark of cancer. Basic research has revealed new targets which can be modulated in the clinical setting with new compounds and strategies. As recent evidence confirms, breast cancer (BC) is a complex and heterogeneous disease in which host immune responses play a substantial role. T-infiltrating lymphocytes measurement is suggested as a powerful new tool necessary to predict early BC evolution, especially in HER2-positive and triple negative subtypes. However, T-infiltrating lymphocytes, genomic platforms, and many other biomarkers in tissue and peripheral blood (e.g., regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells) are not the only factors being evaluated regarding their potential role as prognostic and/or predictive factors. Many ongoing clinical trials are exploring the activity of immune checkpoint modulators in BC treatment, both in the advanced and neoadjuvant setting. Although this field is expanding with exciting new discoveries and promising clinical results-and creating great expectations-there remain many uncertainties yet to be addressed satisfactorily before this long awaited therapeutic promise can come to fruition.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present in rainwater were studied in two distinct areas in Mexico City Metropolitan Area throughout the rainy season. The results showed no significant difference between the two sites, thus suggesting a more regional phenomenon driving the dissolution of the PAHs in the rain. The PAHs concentration ranged from 1.7–30.2 ngL−1with the predominance of phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene. The PAH sources were traced predominantly to vehicular emission with signature PAHs, diagnostic ratios, and cluster statistical analyses. On the other hand, the temporal analysis of the PAHs showed that the fluxes of the Total PAH were slightly different for both sites. The urban-industrial site showed fluxes that ranged from 145–3263 ng m−2d−1, while the urban site ranged from 134–3139 ng m−2d−1, with the urban site having a moderate rate at which the total PAHs diminished throughout the rainy season while the urban-industrial showed no change throughout the rainy season. This study also...

Exposed probability in a classic ZINB model. Histogram of probabilities of being exposed for the data (a) and zoom of only the zero FEC (b) using only FEC data in the ZINB model. Animals with non-zero FEC will always have an “infected” status in the model (= 1) while animals with zero FEC can be exposed or unexposed. If only the FEC data is used, each animal with zero FEC will have a probability of being infected similar to one minus the zero-inflation parameter (b). (PDF 34 kb)

Exposed probability in a classic ZINB model. Histogram of probabilities of being exposed for the data (a) and zoom of only the zero FEC (b) using only FEC data in the ZINB model. Animals with non-zero FEC will always have an “infected” status in the model (= 1) while animals with zero FEC can be exposed or unexposed. If only the FEC data is used, each animal with zero FEC will have a probability of being infected similar to one minus the zero-inflation parameter (b). (PDF 34 kb)

Mean temperatures (ºC) and precipitation (mm) from December to June during the sampling period (highlighted in gray), and during the four previous years. (PDF 24 kb)

Annotated R code for the ZINB model. (PDF 20 kb)

Annotated R code for the ZINB model. (PDF 20 kb)

Phosphite is an alkaline salt of phosphorous acid. Its antifungal properties against some phytopathogenic fungi are increasingly valued in the context of a growing concern about the detrimental environmental effects of the standard biocides used to protect plants against pests and diseases. The purpose of this work was to analyze the in vitro and in vivo effect of phosphite in the development and evolution of Phytophthora parasitica on a tomato crop. The phosphite potential to limit and control the fungus growth was first established through an in vitro assay. In a second assay, in the greenhouse, tomato plants were transplanted into pots, in a substrate previously inoculated or not inoculated with the fungus mycelium. Inoculated and non-inoculated plants were sprayed with a range of phosphite concentrations (0, 0.9, 1.4, and 1.9 mg ml-1). The in vitro growth of the fungus mycelium was progressively restricted as phosphite concentration increased in the medium, and no fungus growth was detected with a phosphite concentration of 0.9 mg/ml. In the greenhouse assay, the development of the inoculated plants improved during the culture time when treated with phosphite, as was acknowledged by their higher chlorophyll content and by the values of stress indicators when compared with untreated plants. Moreover, the dry weight of the infected plants increased as the phosphite concentration was higher, and their maximum growth was obtained at 1.4 mg ml-1 phosphite. It is also noteworthy that, when compared to healthy plants, the infected plants increased their root to total weight ratio by 31.6% when treated with the highest phosphite concentration.

Between 1996 and 1998, 580 litres of milk in Mexico were surveyed for aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) and its metabolite aflatoxicol (AFL), which are mutagenic and carcinogenic mycotoxins that interconvert AFB(1)-AFL-AFB(1). The seven most consumed brands from different regions of Mexico included pasteurized and ultrapasteurized milk with four different fat levels: whole fat (28-33 g l(-1)), half-skimmed (10-20 g l(-1)), light (1-4 g l(-1)) and with vegetable oil (33 g l(-1)). Aflatoxins in each sample were concentrated with total aflatoxin immunoaffinity columns and quantitated by high-performance liquid chromatography. A milk sample was considered contaminated if it contained >/=0.05 microg l(-1) AFL. Pasteurization and ultrapasteurization of milk did not control contamination with AFL, which was present in 13% of samples at >/=0.05 microg l(-1) and in 8% at >/=0.5 microg l(-1), with a range of AFL from 0 to 12.4 microg l(-1). AFB(1) was present mainly in traces (0-0.4 microg l(-1)). The safest milk in relation to AFL contamination was imported milk powder with vegetable oil. There was a significant correlation between contamination of milk with AFL and the autumn (p

A surficial clay aquitard extends through the urban area where Mexico City is located. It has been assumed to function as a protective layer to the underlying aquifer that provides 42 m3/s out of 63 m3/s of water used by 18 million inhabitants. To provide such protection, the aquitard must be impermeable to water flow and, ideally, have a significant capacity to sorb contaminants. The latter aspect was addressed, studying the vertical variability of sorption of perchloroethylene (PCE), a widely used organic compound considered to pose health risks in groundwater. Batch sorption tests were used and the clay-rich strata in the depth interval from 8 to 75 m were studied. The results suggest that sorption depends mainly on the fraction of organic carbon (foc) present in the clayey materials. The sorption data were fit to the linear and Freundlich models; many strata could be fit well by either model, while some strata were distinctly non-linear. The linear isotherms showed a mean value of 32.8 ml/g, and the Freundlich isotherm 96.6 ml/g, confirming that the clay-rich media have significant sorption capacity for PCE. From the environmental perspective the clay-rich materials are serving as protection to the groundwater system.

Our case report describes a patient with clear cell fallopian tube carcinoma (histological grade 3; stage (FIGO): III c.) associated with an endometrial cyst of the tube wall.

Background: This is the first study to analyze the psychometric properties of the International Wellbeing Index (IWI), which comprises the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) and National Wellbeing Index (NWI), among community-dwelling older adults.Methods: The IWI was applied to 1106 community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and over. The sample was additionally assessed using scales for comorbidity, disability, mood, general orientation to life, social support, health-related quality of life, and two questions assessing satisfaction with life as a whole and with life in Spain. The PWI and NWI were separately analyzed for acceptability, internal consistency, convergent and discriminative validity, and precision. Linear regression analyses of the PWI and the NWI were also conducted.Results: Mean scores were 71.0 ± 13.5 for the PWI and 49.5 ± 14.4 for the NWI. No floor or ceiling effects were detected. Cronbach's α was 0.88 for the PWI and 0.92 for the NWI. Factor analysis identified two factors in the IWI, and one factor in the PWI and NWI respectively. The PWI showed a correlation of 0.50 with the “satisfaction with life as a whole” item, and the NWI showed a correlation of 0.73 with the “satisfaction with life in Spain” item. There were significant differences in scores: in the PWI, according to gender, age, social support, education and depression; and in the NWI, according to education and depression. The regression model identified psychosocial, health and functional factors as determinants of the PWI (explained variance: 46.8%).Conclusions: The IWI displays good acceptability and is a consistent, valid and precise measure of global quality of life in older adults.

Trichoderma species has been suggested as potential biocontrol agent forFusarium verticillioides on maize. In this cereal,F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum contributed to fumonisin accumulation. In addition,F. proliferatum could produce beauvericin and fusaproliferin.The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect ofTrichoderma spp. on growth and fumonisin B(1) fusaproliferin and beauvericin production byF. proliferatum.Dual cultures of F.proliferatum andT. harzianum ITEM 3636 andT. longibrachiatum ITEM 3635 on maize meal agar at 0.995 aw were done. The effect ofTrichoderma spp. on the lineal growth ofF. proliferatum was determined. The effect ofTrichoderma species on fumonisin B(1), fusaproliferin and beauvericin production byF. proliferatum was determined on co-inoculated maize kernels by HPLC.T. harzianum suppressedF. proliferatum growth once contact between the colonies occurred.T. longibrachiatum showed a less antagonistic effect againstF. proliferatum. A reduction on fumonisin B(1) production of 98% and 88% was observed in the co-incubation ofF. proliferatum withT. harzianum andT. longibrachiatum, respectively. The decrease of FB(1) production was significant even in maize kernels on whichF. proliferatum had been growing 7 days prior to the addition ofTrichoderma spp. The concentration of beauvericin and fusaproliferin produced during 30 days coincubation ofF. proliferatum with bothTrichoderma spp. did not differ to those produced byF. proliferatum alone. These mycotoxins might enter the food chain causing so far unknown consequences to the health of domestic animals and humans. For this reason it is important, when a potential biocontrol agent is under study, to test the effect on the fungal growth and on the putative mycotoxin produced.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic factor that stimulates endothelial cell growth and enhances vascular permeability. VEGF exerts its action by binding to the specific cell surface receptors, fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (Flt-1) and fetal liver kinase 1 (FLK/KDR). In tumor angiogenesis, Vascular endothelial growth factor stimulates endothelial cells to produce Basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF), which further enhances angiogenic activity. Very little information on the expression of VEGF, bFGF, and the receptors Flt-1 and FLK/KDR is available. Herein, we evaluate the expression of these angiogenic factors and receptors in normal prostate, high grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and prostatic cancer (CaP).58 selected surgical specimens exhibiting areas of normal prostate, HGPIN, and CaP were evaluated for microvessel density, and for VEGF, bFGF, Flt-1 and FLK/KDR protein expression by immunohistochemistry. Results were correlated with pathological data.There was a statistically significant increase in the microvessel density and in the expression of the angiogenic factors VEGF, bFGF and the receptors FLK/KDR and Flt-1, in the premalignant and malignant tissues in comparison with normal prostatic glands. Microvessel density also correlated with higher Gleason grade, pathological stage and the expression of the receptors FLK/KDR and Flt-1.The "initiation switch" of angiogenesis was observed to be an early event consistent with the recruitment of new vasculature into high grade PIN lesions and it increased in the progression of prostatic cancer.

The increased sphinganine/sphingosine (SA/SO) ratio has previously been shown as a biomarker of fumonisin exposure in experimental animals and has been proposed as a tool to assess human exposure to fumonisin mainly occurring through the dietary consumption of fumonisin contaminated maize-based foods. Sphinganine and sphingosine were measured in urines of humans resident in two areas of North Argentina and South Brazil with high maize consumption and compared with urine samples collected in areas with very low or no maize consumption, such as Central Argentina and Southern Italy. The pattern of SA/SO values in the two groups with no maize consumption (assumed as controls) was similar, with all SA/SO values lower than one. Mean SA/SO ratio was 1.27 in urine of subjects with high maize consumption (n = 123) and 0.36 in controls (n = 66) and the difference was statistically significant (p

Cytokines produced in mesenteric lymph nodes of cirrhotic rats with bacterial translocation may participate in circulatory alterations of cirrhosis.To investigate whether cirrhotic patients present an increased local generation of cytokines in mesenteric lymph nodes.Mesenteric lymph nodes from 26 cirrhotic and 10 control patients were assessed for tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF) and interleukin 6 mRNA and protein expression by competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and by enzyme immunoassay and immunohistochemistry, respectively.Interleukin 6 levels were not different between cirrhotics and controls. Protein and mRNA TNF levels in mesenteric lymph nodes from cirrhotics were higher than in controls (p0.05). Tissue expression of TNF by immunohistochemistry was more abundant in cirrhotics. Ascitic patients showed higher TNF levels (47 (34-54) pg/mg protein) than patients without ascites (18 (17-25) pg/mg protein) (p0.001). Elevated TNF levels (28 pg/mg protein) in cirrhotics were associated with a higher Child-Pugh score, the antecedent of ascites, a lower prothrombin rate, and higher bilirubin and blood TNF levels. The strongest association, confirmed by multivariate analysis, was with the presence of ascites (p0.001). Bacterial infections after transplantation, mainly by enteric bacteria, were only detected in patients with high TNF levels in mesenteric lymph nodes (33% of patients; p=0.05).Patients with advanced liver cirrhosis, and especially with ascites, have increased local production of TNF in mesenteric lymph nodes that, in common with experimental cirrhosis, may also be induced by bacterial translocation.

Our case report describes a patient with clear cell fallopian tube carcinoma (histological grade 3; stage (FIGO): III c.) associated with an endometrial cyst of the tube wall.

The expression of the activated mitogen-activated kinases/extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) ERK1 and ERK2 was characterized in 101 humanhead and neck squamous carcinoma specimens. Activated ERK1/2were detected at different levels in the majority of these tumors, as assayed by immunostaining with an antibody specific for the dually phosphorylated and activated ERK1 and ERK2. ERK1/2 activation levels were higher in tumors with advanced regional lymph node metastasis (P = 0.048) and in relapsed tumors (P = 0.021). The expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (P = 0.037), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha; P0.001), and HER2 (P = 0.066; positive trend) correlated with activation of ERK1/2. In a multivariate analysis, both TGF-alpha (P0.0001) and HER2 (P = 0.045) were independently correlated with ERK1/2 activation. In turn, activation of ERK1/2 was associated with a higher Ki-67 proliferative index (P = 0.002). In EGF receptor-dependent model cells (A431 and DiFi), a specific EGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor ("Iressa"; ZD1839) and a chimeric anti-EGF receptor antibody ("Cetuximab"; C225) inhibited ERK 1/2 activation at concentrations that inhibited autocrine cell proliferation. In patients on treatment with C225, the activation of ERK1/2 in skin, an EGF receptor-dependent tissue, was lower compared with control skin. Parallel changes were seen in keratinocyte Ki67 proliferation indexes in skin from C225-treated patients. Taken together, these studies provide support for a role of activation of ERK1/2 in head and neck squamous carcinoma and a correlation with EGF receptor/TGF-alpha expression. The inhibition of ERK1/2 activation in vitro and in vivo by compounds targeting the EGF receptor points to the interest of ERK1/2 as potential surrogate markers of EGF-receptor signaling in clinical therapeutic studies.

HER2 is a ligand-less tyrosine kinase receptor of the ErbB family that is frequently overexpressed in breast cancer. It undergoes proteolytic cleavage that results in the release of the extracellular domain and the production of a truncated membrane-bound fragment, p95. We show that HER2 shedding is activated by 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA), a well-known matrix metalloprotease activator, in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells. The HER2 p95 fragment, which appears after APMA-induced cleavage, is phosphorylated. We analyzed 24 human breast cancer specimens, and a phosphorylated M(r) 95,000 HER2 band could be detected in some of them, which indicated that the truncated receptor is also present in vivo. The activation of HER2 shedding by APMA in cells was blocked with batimastat, a broad-spectrum metalloprotease inhibitor. Trastuzumab (Herceptin; Genentech, San Francisco, CA), a humanized monoclonal antibody directed at the HER2 ectodomain, which has been shown to be active in patients with HER2-overexpressing breast cancer, inhibited basal and induced HER2 cleavage and, as a consequence, the generation of phosphorylated p95. This inhibitory effect of trastuzumab was not shared by 2C4, an antibody against a different epitope of the HER2 ectodomain. The inhibition of basal and APMA-induced cleavage of HER2 by trastuzumab preceded antibody-induced receptor down-modulation, which indicated that the effect of trastuzumab on cleavage was not attributable to a decrease in cell-surface HER2 induced by trastuzumab. We propose that the inhibition of HER2 cleavage and prevention of the production of an active truncated HER2 fragment represent a novel mechanism of action of trastuzumab.

To determine 1) the frequency of idiopathic aortitis in a large surgical cohort, 2) how often aortitis was associated with a systemic disease, and 3) whether the findings of aortitis in resected specimens predicted future occurrences of clinically apparent vascular injury due to vasculitis.Retrospective chart and pathology review of 1,204 aortic surgical specimens that were gathered over a period of 20 years at a tertiary care medical center. A standardized database was used to compare features of aortitis patients with those of controls in whom inflammation was not present.Among 1,204 aortic specimens, 52 (4.3%) were clinically and pathologically classified as idiopathic aortitis. Sixty-seven percent of patients with idiopathic aortitis were women. In 96% of idiopathic aortitis patients with aneurysm formation, aortitis was present only in the thoracic aorta. Among 383 thoracic aortic aneurysms, 12% had idiopathic inflammatory features. In 96% of patients with idiopathic aortitis, symptoms of systemic illness had not been present at the time of surgery. In 31%, aortitis was associated with a remote history of vasculitis and a variety of other systemic disorders. During a mean followup period of 41.2 months, new aneurysms were identified among 6 of 25 patients who were not treated with glucocorticoids. None were identified among 11 patients who were treated with glucocorticoids (mean followup 35.5 months).The frequency of idiopathic aortitis in a large surgical cohort was found to be 4.3%. Thoracic aorta aneurysm formation, in the absence of systemic illness, was the most common manifestation. In the setting of a cardiovascular surgery practice, aortitis may first become apparent only after pathologic evaluation of excised specimens. The appropriate medical treatment for patients with incidentally discovered aortitis is not known. Because 17% of our patients subsequently developed new aneurysms, we suggest that it would be prudent for patients with idiopathic aortitis identified at the time of surgery to be periodically evaluated for recurrent or persistent disease.