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The aim of this article is to assess the most studied anthropometric measurements in a population of patients with vascular disease (VD) such as chronic venous disease (CVD), carotid stenosis (CS), abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and peripheral artery disease (PAD). This is a cross sectional study that recruited consecutive patients with VD (CVD, CS, AAA, PAD) referred to Vascular Surgery Units of two hospitals in the period July 2019–March 2022. Several anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), A Body Shape Index (ABSI), waist-to-stature ratio (WSR) were recorded. In a one-way ANOVA test, no statistical significance for all anthropometric variables were found, but the post hoc analysis performed with Tuckey test, show significant difference for height (p-value: 0.017) and WHR (p-value: 0.005) when compared AAA and CS groups with CVD, respectively. Height seems positively associated with AAA, and negatively associated with CVD. WHR seems positively associated with CS and negatively associated with CVD. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of anthropometric measures as independent predictors for vascular disease onset, progression, and response to treatments.

Background: The aim of study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of 3 different commercial iliac branch devices (IBDs): the Zenith Branch Iliac Endovascular Graft; the Gore Excluder Iliac Branch System and the E-liac Stent Graft System for the treatment of aorto-iliac or iliac aneurysms. Methods: From January 2017 to February 2020, a retrospective reviewed was conducted on a total of 96 patients. Primary endpoint was IBD instability rate at 24 months. Secondary endpoints included onset of any endoleaks, buttock claudication, IBD-related reintervention and all-death rates, postoperative acute kidney, and changes in maximum diameter from baseline of the aortic aneurysmal sac. Results: At 24months, the branch instability rate was similar among the 3 IBDs employed [Jotec 1/24 (4.1%), Gore 1/12 (8.3%), Cook 6/47 (12.7%), P-value=0.502]. As well, no statistical difference in terms of branch occlusion and branch-related endoleaks was observed. The Jotec group showed a significant decrease in maximum diameter from the baseline of the aortic aneurysmal sac when compared to the Gore group alone. No other differences were found relevant to the onset of any endoleaks, reinterventions, and all-death rates. At 24 months, the Kaplan-Meier estimate of survival freedom from any branch instability was 95.8%, 91.6%, and 86.8% for Jotec, Gore and Cook groups, respectively. Conclusions: The use of IBDs represents a safe method for preserving patency of the IIA during treatment of aorto-iliac or iliac aneurysms providing a low rate of IBD instability.

Wounds are a major public health challenge for nurses, and poor wound care has important implications for patients and health care systems. The aim of this study is to assess the Italian registered nurses’ (RNs) perception in the area of wound care, regarding their knowledge, tasks of care delivery, wound management, values, and attitudes, exploring also the previous specific education received during nursing education. An observational online web-based survey was used to assess learning goals and content for wound care education in undergraduate nursing education and the skills and level of self-efficacy in this area during clinical practice. The data were collected between April and May 2022. A total of 210 RNs were interviewed and divided into five national geographic areas. Northwestern RNs showed a better education about the wound care area during university courses: the rate of RNs that did not receive any training in the wound care area was lower than in other Italian geographical areas. Southern RNs presented a better knowledge about factors that expose the wound to becoming chronic, wound drains care, and the ability to assess diabetic foot. This study showed that, in Italy, education in wound care among nursing students is relatively poor, and many skills are achieved during an RN’s career in an empirical way.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) should be considered as the preferred treatment modality for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm for patients with suitable anatomy and reasonable life expectancy. Surgical cut-down of both femoral arteries during EVAR procedure is associated with an increased risk of local complications. Therefore, nowadays most EVAR procedures are performed with a totally percutaneous approach. METHODS: Based on the evaluation of the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) variation, the purpose of this study was to evaluate possible hemodynamic alterations on arterial perfusion of the lower limbs in two different types of access for EVAR procedures: totally percutaneous (p-EVAR) and EVAR with surgical access (s-EVAR). RESULTS: Our study considered 38 patients (36 men, mean age of 70.6±8.3 years) subjected to EVAR procedure between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020. The variation in pre- and postoperative ABI values (∆ ABI) and procedure-related complications rate were considered as primary outcomes. The p-EVAR group consisted of 27 patients (92.6% males, mean age of 72.3±8.6) while the s-EVAR group was composed by 11 patients (100% males, mean age of 69±8.1). The follow-up period was ranged from a minimum of 6 to a maximum of 12.3 months. In particular, the pre- and postoperative Δ ABI and the procedure-related complications rate, both considered as primary outcomes, did not show any significant difference between two groups, and in both groups, the technical success rate was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Pre- and postoperative Δ ABI and the procedure-related complications rate, did not show any significant difference between two groups. We can confirm that percutaneous access is safe, and its use should be encouraged when any contraindication on his employment does not exist.

Background Selective crossectomy and mechanochemical ablation (MOCA) of great saphenous vein (GSV) have been used, for years, individually in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. In this paper, we focus on the advantages of a combination of the two techniques, in order to prevent complications and recurrence. Methods A preoperative clinical and instrumental screening phase was conducted for the purpose of dividing patients into three groups: “Saph+Cross” group (51/139 patients) underwent saphenectomy and crossectomy; “MOCA” group (44/139 patients) underwent MOCA of GSV with Flebogrif® device; “MOCA + Cross” group (44/139 patients) subjected to both MOCA and crossectomy procedures. Recurrence rate, defined as total recanalization of GSV and/or onset of neosaphena and/or new varicose veins, was used as a primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were procedural time and intra- and post-procedural complications. Results We conducted a 1-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up with Duplex scan. The recurrence rates were 3.9%, 21.8%, and 4.5% for “Saph+Cross,” “MOCA,” and “MOCA+Cross,” respectively, with a significant difference for the comparison between “MOCA” and “Saph+Cross” (MOCA vs Saph+Cross: OR 5.35, CI95% [0.98; 54.6], p-value .040). The sub-analysis of primary outcome highlighted a lower recanalization rate of GSV when combining the crossectomy with MOCA procedure (2.2% MOCA+Cross vs 15.9% MOCA; 0.12 OR, [0.002; 1.02] CI95%, p-value .029). Among the secondary outcomes, “MOCA” showed a shorter procedural time than the other groups (Saph+Cross: 51.3 ± 11.4; MOCA: 45.1 ± 7.5; MOCA+Cross: 50.4 ± 10; p-value .027). No significant differences were noted in terms of intra- and post-procedural complications. Conclusions The results showed that patients treated with saphenectomy and crossectomy have a lower recurrence rate compared to MOCA alone and MOCA + crossectomy procedures. The association of crossectomy with MOCA significantly reduces the recanalization rate of GSV, and it is also characterized by a higher free survival from recurrence (SSF) than with MOCA alone.

The Mediterranean Federation for the Advancing of Vascular Surgery (MeFAVS) was founded in 2018, with the aim to promote cooperation among vascular professionals within Mediterranean countries. Due to its prominent social and economic impact on national health systems, diabetic peripheral artery was selected as the very first topic to be investigated by the federation. In this second paper, different experiences from delegates of participating countries were shared to define common strategies to harmonize, standardize, and optimize education and training in the Vascular Surgery specialty.

In order to better understand the adsorption of volatile halogenated anesthetics on metal organic frameworks (MOFs), sevoflurane vapor adsorption experiments were performed on commercial MOF-177 at different temperatures. Due to the surface homogeneity of such an adsorbent, arising from its almost unimodal pore size distribution and the absence of specific, coordinatively unsaturated adsorption active sites, sevoflurane adsorption isotherms exhibited a peculiar deviation from the Langmuirian behavior. Consequently, they show a "kink" at a specific pressure that increases with increasing equilibrium temperature. Successful modeling of such data by means of the Talu-Meunier equation confirmed clustering of adsorbate molecules inside adsorbent micropores, similarly to water vapor adsorption on activated carbon, which may play an important role when designing a system using MOFs as the potential adsorbents for capturing anesthetics.

In this work, the chromium-based MIL-101 metal organic framework has been synthesized and investigated as a fully regenerable, high capacity sorbent for siloxanes, which are common contaminants in raw biogas from anaerobic digestion. Adsorption isotherms of D4, the most common siloxane in waste treatment plants, have been collected at different temperatures and modelled by means of the Langmuir theoretical isotherm. The selected metal organic framework shows a remarkable affinity for siloxane adsorption and an outstanding saturation capacity weakly dependent on temperature. Moreover, repeated adsorption isotherms, collected after a reactivation treatment of the same adsorbent sample, clearly indicate full regeneration capabilities. Considering that chromium-based MIL-101 is also a noticeable H2S adsorbent, the results reported in this work pave the way to its potential application for the simultaneous removal of the two main poisoning compounds contained in biogas.

Natural zeolites are used as adsorbents in purification processes due to their cation-exchange ability and molecular sieve properties. Surface modified natural zeolites (SMNZs), produced by attaching cationic organic surfactants to the external surface, can simultaneously act as ionic exchangers and organic molecule adsorbents. In this paper, SMNZs were produced and investigated as adsorbents for As(V) removal from wastewater: two natural zeolites, clinoptilolite and phillipsite, were modified using HDTMA-Br and HDTMA-Cl as surfactants. The obtained samples were then characterized under static and dynamic conditions. Results showed that As(V) removal follows a pseudo-second order kinetic, with fast adsorption rates: every sample reached 100 % removal in 2 h, while equilibrium data showed a Langmuir-like behavior, with a greater anion uptake by the HDTMA-Br modified SMNZs due to the formation of a compact and complete micellar structure. Finally, fixed-bed tests were performed to characterize the samples under dynamic conditions assessing the effect of severe operating parameters on the dynamic exchange capacity, selectivity and efficiency of the process. The obtained results demonstrate a good ability of the tested materials to adsorb As(V) from wastewater, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed surface modification technique in expanding the possibility of using natural zeolites in these processes.

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a very toxic pollutant, and its removal from wastewater is an absolute priority. Among the different approaches proposed to this aim, adsorption allows to reach very low concentrations with relative ease. In consideration of the promising performances of metal-organic frameworks as adsorbents, in this paper amino-functionalized MIL-101(Cr), or AFMIL, was tested for the adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. AFMIL was synthesized and was characterized by X-Ray diffraction, FTIR, SEM and microporosimetry by N2 adsorption/desorption at 77 K. Batch kinetic data for K2Cr2O7 removal from water using AFMIL indicated that the adsorption process is rather fast, and can be described by assuming that the limiting step is intraparticle diffusion, with a weak dependence of diffusivity on temperature. Adsorption isotherms, evaluated at three different temperatures in the range of 25–60 °C, were well fitted by the Dubinin–Radushkevich equation and indicated an adsorbent–adsorbate interaction energy in the order of 21 kJ mol−1, suggesting a markedly chemical phenomenon. The highest observed adsorption capacity of AFMIL toward Cr(VI) was 44 mg g−1 for a liquid phase concentration of 140 mg L−1 at T = 60 °C, a value which compares well with others published in the literature. Central composite design (CCD) with response surface methodology (RSM) was used, and this approach indicated that the optimal pH for Cr(VI) adsorption was 3.51. Overall, the experimental results indicate that AFMIL has very interesting potential applications for Cr(VI) removal from water.

Multiple-cycle breakthrough tests of a binary gas mixture of the halogenated anesthetic sevoflurane (SF) and water vapor were performed on both the synthesized chromium-based metal organic framework (Cr-MOF) and a conventionally used reference adsorbent. At 1 vol % SF and 50 % relative humidity mixture composition, the Cr-MOF (MIL-101) showed a significantly higher SF adsorption capacity, lower water vapor adsorption capacity, and no roll-up effect compared to the reference sample. After each adsorption measurement, the saturated column was regenerated. MIL-101 showed higher stability with minor SF capacity loss after 14 cycles, while the reference sample lost about a half of the SF capacity after 17 cycles.

This paper reports the characterization of Sr-, Zn- and Cd-exchanged zeolitic materials as water vapor adsorbents, in order to evaluate the influence of the extraframework species on their adsorption properties. Both synthetic and natural substrates are taken into account. Water vapor adsorption isotherms on each ion-exchanged sample have been obtained at 298, 318, 338, and 358 K and have then been modeled using the Dubinin-Astakhov equation. Focusing on the possible implementation of such adsorbents in thermodynamic cycles, an estimation of their specific heat storage densities has been expressed. Results revealed that adsorbents of natural origin are not suitable for a valid employment in thermodynamic cycles, while FAU-type zeolite X samples exchanged with Sr2+ or divalent transition metal ions (i.e., Zn2+ or Cd2+) show a significant potential as heat storage media. The same trend of the specific heat storage density with the cationic content of the adsorbent can be identified for both series of synthetic and naturally originating materials (i.e., Zn > Sr > Cd > Na), confirming how ion exchange allows effective tuning of zeolitic substrates when employed in thermodynamic cycles based on the reversible adsorption of water vapor.

In this work, the potentialities of the amino-functionalized, chromium-based MIL-101 metal organic framework (NH2-MIL-101) as a high capacity, fully regenerable hydrogen chloride adsorbent have been proved by a thorough adsorption thermodynamics investigation. The chosen adsorbent showed high gaseous HCl adsorption capacities and, to the best of our knowledge, it is the first example of a totally regenerable substrate for this kind of adsorbate, as evidenced by both experimental and modeling results. This paves the way to the implementation of greener, more energetically efficient pressure/temperature swing adsorption processes to purify biogas feeds for high-temperature fuel cells.

An adsorbent based on polyethylene oxide-templated silica monoliths with hierarchical uniform porosity was functionalized with polyethylenimine and was used as a substrate for CO 2 adsorption. Such material, denoted PEI-MonoSil, was characterized by means of thermogravimetric analysis and N 2 adsorption/desorption at 77 K, in order to prove that polymer chains efficiently filled the pores of functionalized samples. CO 2 adsorption isotherms on PEI-MonoSil were evaluated at T = 298, 313, 333, and 348 K for pressures up to 100 kPa by means of a volumetric technique. CO 2 adsorption data revealed a meaningful dependence of the CO 2 adsorption capacity on temperature, with the highest capacity registered at 348 K. CO 2 adsorption on PEI-MonoSil was convincingly modeled by means of the Toth isotherm. The comparison between the results obtained in the present work and those relative to CO 2 adsorption on other nanoporous substrates allowed to highlight a notable affinity of PEI-MonoSil towards CO 2 and a high level of heterogeneity in the adsorbent/adsorbate interaction. Eventually, the modeling effort also allowed to evaluate the isosteric heat of CO 2 adsorption as a function of the fractional coverage of PEI-MonoSil, showing values that are comparable with experimentally estimated values of the enthalpy of reaction between CO 2 and monoethanolamine solutions.

In this work, rice husk ash was used as silica source to synthesize NaX zeolite potentially suitable for CO2 adsorption. The produced material, denoted NaX-RHA, was characterized employing X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and gas adsorption porosimetry, in order to verify the occurred production of well-crystallized NaX zeolite with a significant degree of purity. CO2 adsorption isotherms on NaX-RHA were volumetrically evaluated in the 298–348 K temperature range up to standard pressure, revealing performances that are higher than those reported for commercial similar substrates. The experimental data regarding CO2 adsorption on NaX-RHA were very satisfyingly fitted by the semiempirical Sips model. Analyzing the best fitting values of model parameters allowed to conclude that the synthesized adsorbent could be quite suitable for applications like CO2 capture from flue gas.

In this work, a chromium-based metal organic framework (Cr-MOF) was synthesized, characterized and tested for the adsorption of a model highly ozone-depleting anaesthetic (sevoflurane). Adsorption isotherms were measured at different temperatures e.g., 283, 298, 313 and 328 K on both Cr-MOF and a conventionally used reference adsorbent. At the temperatures used in this study, the Cr-based MOF showed a significantly higher sevoflurane (selected anaesthetic) equilibrium adsorption capacity compared to the reference sample, although adsorption on the selected MOF did not take place on all active sites (i.e., it did not expose its coordinatively unsaturated sites). Moreover, sevoflurane adsorption on Cr-MOF was found to be fully reversible in the 283–328 K temperature range, and the adsorbent was fully regenerated by vacuum treatment at ambient temperature. The semiempirical Sips model was successfully used to fit sevoflurane adsorption data, substantially confirming the phenomenological aspects of the process inferable from the experimental results.

In this work, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) adsorption on a laboratory-synthesized polymeric chromium terephthalate (MIL-101) metal-organic framework was modeled by means of the semiempirical Sips equation in order to obtain parameters of engineering interest. MIL-101 (Cr) samples, synthesized by a simple solvothermal process, were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, microporosimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. High crystallinity, very high specific surface area and pore volume were found. H2S adsorption isotherms on MIL-101 (Cr) were evaluated at four different temperatures (273, 298, 323 and 348 K) at pressures of up to approximately 0.1 kPa by means of a gravimetric technique using a McBain-type balance. The modeling and experimental results showed that MIL-101 (Cr) had a high H2S adsorption capacity at near-ambient temperature and low heat release during adsorption, suggesting a potential use of the selected metal-organic framework for fixed-bed adsorption operations.

A synthesized chromium-based metal organic framework (Cr-MOF) was used for the adsorption of halogenated anesthetics, i.e., sevoflurane (SF). Adsorption isotherm and breakthrough experiments involving SF (reference sorbate) and water vapor were measured at 298 K and atmospheric pressure on both Cr-MOF and a commercially used reference adsorbent. The Cr-MOF MIL-101 showed a significantly higher SF adsorption capacity and much higher selectivity relative to water vapor compared to the reference adsorbent. Binary-mixture breakthrough tests demonstrated a “roll-up effect” for SF on the reference adsorbent while no such effect was observed on MIL-101.

SBA-15 mesoporous silica was functionalized with polyethylenimine and was used as a substrate for CO2 adsorption. The synthesized material, denoted SBA-15-PEI, was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and N2 adsorption/desorption at 77 K, in order to prove that polymer chains efficiently filled the pores of functionalized samples. CO2 adsorption isotherms on SBA-15-PEI were evaluated at T = (298, 313, 328, and 348) K for pressures up to 100 kPa by means of a volumetric technique. The experimental data showed a significant dependence of the CO2 adsorption capacity on temperature, with the highest capacity encountered at the highest temperature explored. Despite this unusual behavior, CO2 adsorption on SBA-15-PEI was satisfactorily modeled by means of the Sips isotherm. The modeling effort allowed to evaluate the isosteric heat of adsorption as a function of the fractional coverage of SBA-15-PEI. The comparison between the results obtained in the present work and those relative to CO2 adsorption on “benchmark” microporous substrates, such as 13X zeolite and Cu-BTC metal organic framework, allowed us to highlight significant analogies and differences with those other solids, giving interesting hints on the possible applications of SBA-15-PEI.