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In this study, monodisperse spherical particles were synthesized by using hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP) and 1-(2-Aminoethyl) piperazine (AEP) by the polycondensation reaction. Then, the surfaces of the synthesized nanospheres were functionalized with gold nanoparticles. Phz-AEP nanospheres and phz-AEP@Au nanocomposite were characterized by various methods. Drug release studies for the synthesized phz-AEP and phz-AEP@Au nanospheres were performed using a ribonucleic acid (RNA) and sodium diclofenac (NaDc). As a result of the release studies, the drug release kinetics of the nanospheres were investigated. Additionally, the antibacterial and antifungal effects of the synthesized phz-AEP and phz-AEP@Au nanocomposite spheres were tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aneurysm of the common carotid artery is a rare and serious disease requiring prompt treatment in order to avoid neurologic complications. A 39-year-old man presented with voice impairment and a pulsatile mass at the right side of his neck and was found by color Doppler examination to have bilateral common carotid artery aneurysms of unknown origin. The right-sided large aneurysm was treated with placement of an 8 mm interposition Gore-Tex graft between the right common and internal carotid arteries. The surgical graft thrombosed 7 days after the surgery but the left-sided aneurysm was successfully treated by a Jostent peripheral stent-graft. Color Doppler examination showed a patent stent and no filling of the aneurysm on his first and sixth-month follow-up. Bilateral common carotid artery aneurysm is an exceptionally unusual condition and endovascular treatment of carotid artery aneurysms with covered stents may become an effective treatment alternative for these lesions.

Systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunts using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (modified Blalock-Taussig shunt) are being used successfully in palliation of cyanotic congenital heart diseases. Graft thrombosis is by far the most common complication of the procedure. Persistant serum leakage through PTFE graft causing perigraft seroma is a rare but devastating complication resulting in increased duration of tube drainage or reinsertion of chest tubes, prolonged hospital stay, and multiple operations. Two consecutive modified Blalock-Taussig shunts complicated by perigraft seroma formation are presented here with review of the literature.