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Soil-borne diseases and nitrogen availability are important limits on organic strawberry production. A trial using suppressive crop rotations to combat Verticillium wilt was conducted to see its effects on strawberry yields and net returns using a split-split-plot design. An ANOVA analysis was run to understand determinants of net returns. Results show that the suppression of wilt through the planting of non-host crops such as broccoli before the planting of strawberries can have significant effects on yield and net returns, and that suppressive crop rotations are potentially commercially viable.

Organic strawberry/vegetable producers in coastal California face soilborne disease, nutrient, and weed management challenges. In conventional systems, stringent regulations and air quality concerns make the sustainability of fumigantdependent systems uncertain. To evaluate efficacy of anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD), mustard cake (MC) application and broccoli residue incorporation, we initiated trials at an organic farm (Org) and a conventional farm (Conv) with crop rotation (broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. italica) - strawberries (Fragaria ananassa), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. botrytis) - strawberries, or fallow - strawberries) as main plot in June 2011. Sub plots (ASD, MC, ASD+MC, untreated control (UTC), and fumigant (Pic-Clor 60. Conv only)) were applied prior to strawberry in October 2011. Cover crop and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were grown after strawberries at Org only. Marketable fruit yield, weed density, and disease level were monitored during the strawberry season and soil inorganic N dynamics for the entire period. ASD+MC and ASD produced similar fruit yields as fumigant at the Conv site. ASD+MC produced greater fruit yield than UTC and MC at both sites and ASD at the Org site. ASD and ASD+MC produced high inorganic N in the soil 2 to 3 months after application at both sites. This caused salt damage on strawberry during early growth especially at Conv which may have reduced fruit yields in both treatments. Verticillium dahliae population in soil at strawberry transplanting was less than 1 microsclerotia/g soil at both sites. However, V. dahliae infection on strawberry plants at the end of the harvest season in Org was reduced by ASD and ASD+MC suggesting that the mechanisms of yield increase by ASD involved disease suppression. Weed suppression by ASD and MC was limited. The effect of broccoli rotation in V. dahliae and weed suppression was also limited and no synergistic effect of broccoli rotation with ASD and MC was observed.

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Purpose: Femoral fractures are common in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), predominantly caused by high-energy trauma. The surgical implant generation network (SIGN®) program offers two different intramedullary nails in LMIC which are designed to be used without image intensifier free of charge for the patients: the SIGN standard nail (SSN®) and the SIGN Fin nail (SFN®). This study aimed to compare the results of the SSN® and the SFN® for the treatment of middle and distal shaft femoral fractures through a retrograde approach., Material and Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive, and non-experimental study including all consecutive patients who underwent surgical management of middle or distal shaft femoral fracture between January 2017 and May 2022 in an NGO hospital located in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The duration of surgery, type of reduction, complications like screw loosening, implant migration, anterior knee pain and non-union rate at six months of follow up were evaluated., Results: A total of 122 patients were included in the study. Group A: 60 patients were managed with SSN® and Group B: 62 patients with SFN®. The mean operative time was 104 min with SSN® and 78 with SFN® (p < 0.001). Open reduction of the fracture was necessary in ten (16.7%) patients with SSN® and 12 (19.4%) patients treated with SFN® (p = 0.69). Non-union was observed in one (1.7%) patient with SSN® and two (3.2%) patients with SFN® (p = 0.57)., Conclusions: Both options seem equally effective in treating midshaft and distal femoral shaft fractures. The SFN® reduces the surgical time, due to this fact, in polytraumatized patients, patients with bilateral femur fracture or patients with ipsilateral tibia fracture, it can be considered as the best option to be used. There was no statistical difference in the complications presented by the two groups., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: Sierra Leone is a low-income country located on the west coast of Africa where the majority of the population does not have free access to emergency medical and surgical services, the principal cause of open tibia fractures is motorcycle collision. Open fractures of the middle and distal third of the tibial segments, particularly those classified as type III B, represent a challenge for orthopedic surgeons because of the loss of soft tissue coverage. The Reverse Sural Fasciocutaneous Flap (RSFF) has been shown to be an ideal and reproducible option for the treatment of soft tissue defects. The main aim of this study was to demonstrate the experience in Resource Limited Settings (RLS) by means of a short series of the efficacy of using a combination of external fixation and RSFF in the treatment of grade III B open tibia fractures where plastic surgeons were not available., Methods: This retrospective, descriptive, and non-experimental study included 8 patients who underwent surgical intervention between September 2020 and September 2021., Results: The skin defects were of various sizes; the smallest size was 4 × 7 cm, and the biggest size of 12 × 18 cm. We obtained a success rate in seven of the eight cases., Conclusions: External fixation and reverse sural fasciocutaneous sural flap are excellent therapeutic options for the treatment of open grade III B diaphyseal and metaphyseal distal tibial fractures., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: The aim of this study was to describe a single center preliminary experience with the use of a specific balloon expandable stent-graft for the treatment of innominate artery (IA) obstructive lesions., Methods: We report our experience with four male patients treated with Gore Viabahn balloon (Gore Medical, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) expandable stent-graft for different types of IA stenosis: three patients were symptomatic for vertebrobasilar insufficiency, while one patient was asymptomatic for cerebrovascular symptoms. The stent grafts were deployed using retrograde (N.=2) or antegrade approach (N.=2), aiming to cover the entire lesions length and to slightly protrude into the aortic arch. Post-dilatation was performed with a compliant balloon. One patient presented a tandem lesion (IA and right internal carotid artery) and after the stenting of the IA he was treated also with a carotid artery stenting during the same procedure., Results: Technical success was achieved in all patients. No perioperative or postoperative complications had been reported and the neurological disorders disappeared for the three symptomatic patients. After a mean clinical and radiological follow-up of 24±5 months, all the stents were patent and perfectly adapted to the vessels., Conclusions: This preliminary clinical experience shows that the use of the Gore Viabahn balloon (Gore Medical) expandable stent-graft seems safe and feasible for the treatment of the IA obstructive lesions, also in presence of irregular plaques and hostile anatomies for an endovascular treatment. Larger experiences and long-term data are mandatory.

A 73-year-old woman underwent urgent endovascular repair of a ruptured mycotic aortic aneurysm. A thoracic stent graft was employed as the main endograft, while the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery were revascularized by the chimney technique and the renal arteries through the periscope technique. Postoperative computed tomography revealed a Type A1 gutter, treated by detachable coils and peripheral occlusion devices. Six-month follow-up revealed patency of the stent grafts, without endoleak or stent graft infection signs., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest related to this article., (The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).)

Background: The role of shunting during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in symptomatic patients is unclear. The aim was to evaluate early outcomes of CEA with routine "delayed" shunt insertion, for patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis., Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective study of symptomatic patients undergoing CEA (2009-2020). All CEAs were performed under general anesthesia using a standardized technique, based on delayed routine shunt insertion after plaque removal. Primary endpoints were 30-days mortality and stroke. A logistic regression was performed to identify clinical and procedural factors associated with postoperative stroke., Results: Two-hundred-sixty-three CEAs were performed for TIA (N.=178, 47%) or acute ischemic stroke (N.=85, 32%). Mean delay of surgery was 6±19 days, and early CEA (<48 hours) was performed in 98 cases (37%). Conventional CEA was performed in 171 patients (67%), eversion CEA in 83 (33%). Early (30-days) mortality was 0.3%. Stroke/death rate was 2.3%. Female sex (OR=5.14, 95% CI: 1.32-24.93; P=0.023), use of anticoagulants (OR=10.57, 95% CI: 2.67-51.86; P=0.001), preoperative stroke (OR=5.34, 95% CI: 1.62-69.21; P=0.006), and the presence of preoperative CT/MRI cerebral ischemic lesions (OR=5.96, 95% CI: 1.52-28.59; P=0.013) were associated with early neurological complications. Statin medication (OR=0.18, 95% CI: 0.04-0.71; P=0.019) and CEA timing <2 days (OR=0.14, 95% CI: 0.03-0.55; P=0.005) were protective from postoperative stroke. CEA outcomes were independent from time period (P=0.201) and operator's volume (P=0.768). A literature systematic review identified other four studies describing the CEA outcomes with routine shunting in symptomatic patients, with a large variability in the selection of patients, surgical technique, and description of the results., Conclusions: Routine delayed shunting after plaque removal seems to be a safe and effective technique, that contributed to maintain a low complication rate in neurologically symptomatic patients. Statin use and expedited timing were associated with improved outcomes using this technique.

Background: This study aims to develop and validate a new classification system that better predicts combined risk of neurological and neurovascular complications following CBT surgery, crucial for treatment decision-making., Methods: Multinational retrospective cohort study with 199 consecutive cases. A cohort of 132 CBT cases was used to develop the new classification. To undertake external validation, assessment was made between the actual complication rate and predicted risk by the model on an independent cohort (n = 67)., Results: Univariate analyses showed statistically significant associations between developing a complication and the following factors: craniocaudal dimension, volume, Shamblin classification, and Mehanna types. In the multivariate prognostic model, only Mehanna type remained as a significant risk predictor. The risk of developing complications increases with increasing Mehanna type., Conclusions: We have developed and then validated a new classification and risk stratification system for CBTs, which demonstrated better prognostic power for the risk of developing neurovascular complications after surgery., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

We report a case of Kommerell's diverticulum (KD) treated with a total endovascular approach, maintaining supra-aortic trunk (SAT) patency. A 75 year-old female with aneurysmal KD was deemed unsuitable for open surgery. Landing zone 2 was unfeasible; therefore, we planned an endovascular approach with landing in zone 1, chimney to left subclavian artery and periscope to right subclavian artery. Postoperatively she was free from complications, with complete exclusion of KD and SAT patency at 3-year follow-up., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest related to this article., (The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).)

Objective: We evaluated the early and midterm outcomes of the Incraft (Cordis Corp, Bridgewater, NJ) ultra-low-profile endograft by analyzing data from the Triveneto Incraft Registry (TIR)., Methods: TIR is an independent multicenter cohort registry of 10 vascular surgery units in the Triveneto area (Northeast Italy). A prospective analysis of patients electively treated with Incraft from September 2014 to June 2019 was performed. The main outcomes were technical success, major 30-day complications, 30-day aneurysm-related death, freedom from reintervention, and mortality rate during follow-up and were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Univariable Cox regression was used to evaluate the associations between anatomic complexity factors and reintervention., Results: During the study period, 209 patients were included in the registry. Their mean age was 76.9 ± 7.7 years and the Society for Vascular Surgery comorbidity score was 0.97 ± 0.52. Most patients (n = 181; 86.6%) had presented with at least one complex anatomic factor: aortic neck angle α <135° in 31 patients (14.8%), conic neck in 17 patients (8.2%), iliac tortuosity index τ >1.5 in 102 (48.8%), iliac artery calcification >50% in 106 (50.7%), and external iliac artery <6 mm in 45 (21.5%). The concurrent presence of two or more complex iliac anatomic factors was present in 67 patients (32.1%). The technical success rate was 99.5%, and the early major complication rate was 1.5% (one limb occlusion, one iliac branch stenosis, one type III endoleak [EL]). No 30-day mortality was recorded. The mean follow-up period was 18.5 ± 13.2 months. The overall mortality was 9.5% (n = 18), none related to the aneurysm. The freedom from reintervention rate was 92.1%. Of these patients, six (3.2%) had been treated for type II EL embolization, one (0.5%) for type IA EL, four (2.1%) for iliac branch occlusion, and one (0.5%) for flow-limiting external iliac artery dissection. None of the single anatomic factors analyzed were predictive of reintervention. However, the association of two or more complex iliac anatomic factors was predictive of related reintervention (hazard ratio, 7.25; P = .014). The crude reintervention rate in this complex subgroup of patients was low (4 of 67; 6%)., Conclusions: Data from the TIR have demonstrated excellent early and midterm outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair using the Incraft stent graft in patients with complex anatomy. The concurrent presence of two or more complex iliac anatomic factors still represent an issue for endovascular aneurysm repair success. However, the technical characteristics of this device resulted in low intervention rates, even for patients with these challenging issues., (Copyright © 2020 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The authors describe the transapical deployment of a thoracic endograft to exclude a saphenous vein graft proximal anastomotic pseudoaneurysm following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in a 63-year-old male with a prosthetic aortic valve. A standard thoracic endograft has been deployed via transapical access after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of the native vessel perfused by the patent CABG. The procedure was uneventful; an 8-month computed tomography scan showed complete exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm with patency of supra-aortic trunks., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest related to this article., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)

Objective/background: The aim was to evaluate early outcomes of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in asymptomatic patients using a standardised technique based on routine shunting after rapid plaque removal ("delayed")., Methods: A retrospective review of all asymptomatic patients who underwent CEA during a 10 year single centre experience (January 2007-December 2016) was performed. The technique was based on rapid endarterectomy with distal intimal edge visualisation, followed by routine shunt insertion; subsequent time spent on the manoeuvre and closure were completed under shunting. Primary endpoints were relevant neurological complication rate (RNCR) and death within 30 days. To better identify any difference related to changes in medical therapy, anaesthetic management, and different operators over time, patients were divided into group A (underwent CEA in the first 5 year period) and group B (underwent CEA during the second 5 year period). Univariate analysis of factors associated with RNCR was performed. Operator experience (seniority), expertise (CEA volume per year), and time period were incorporated., Results: In total, 1745 patients matched the inclusion criteria and were enrolled. Altogether, 147 (8.9%) had contemporary contralateral stenosis ≥70% and 58 (3.5%) had contralateral internal carotid artery chronic occlusion. No patient died peri-operatively; major myocardial infarction occurred in 19 patients (1.1%). Overall, peri-operative RNCR was 0.6% (major stroke: n = 6 [0.4%]; minor stroke: n = 4 [0.2%]). RNCR distribution was maintained equally comparing group A and B (0.8% vs. 0.4%; p = 0.17). No differences were found in RNCR when comparing operator experience (p = 0.88) and expertise (p = 0.93). Univariable analysis found diabetes as the only clinical factor influencing RNCR (odds ratio 3.79, 95% confidence interval 1.06-13.50; p = 0.04); none of the other factors, such as time period, operator experience, and expertise, reached statistical significance., Conclusions: Routine delayed shunting associated with standardisation of the technique seems to be a safe and effective technique and contributes to maintaining the RNCR < 1% over time and independently from operators and other clinical factors., (Copyright © 2018 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: We sought to analyze the outcomes of revascularization for aortoiliac-femoral occlusive disease by comparing hybrid repair by endovascular revascularization and open common femoral endarterectomy (ER-CFE) with open aortoiliac reconstruction and CFE (OR-CFE)., Methods: Using the national Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative database from 2009 to 2015, we identified all patients receiving open or endovascular revascularization of the aortoiliac system and who additionally underwent CFE. Patients with concomitant infrainguinal procedures were excluded, as were procedures performed at centers with <50% 9-month or longer follow-up. Main outcome variables were 30-day mortality, length of stay, 1-year mortality and patency, ankle-brachial index (ABI), secondary interventions, major amputations, and ambulatory status., Results: After exclusions, the cohort comprised 879 patients in the OR-CFE group and 1472 in the ER-CFE group with follow-up of at least 9 months. Patients with ER-CFE were older (68 ± 9 years vs 63 ± 9 years; P < .001) and were more likely to have diabetes (37% vs 29%; P < .001) or heart failure (13% vs 9%; P < .01). Those receiving OR-CFE were more likely to have received a previous inflow procedure (27% vs 21%; P < .001). A greater number of arterial segments were treated or bypassed for patients undergoing OR-CFE (5.2 ± 1.6 vs 2.9 ± 1.0; P < .01). ER-CFE was associated with lower 30-day mortality (1.8% vs 3.4%; P = .01), shorter length of stay (median 3 vs 7 days; P < .001), and higher 1-year mortality (8.6% vs 6.3%; P = .04). The two cohorts had equivalent major amputation rate (2.8% vs 2.9%; P = .84). Patients with OR-CFE had greater ABI improvement at long-term follow-up (0.39 ± 0.37 vs 0.26 ± 0.23; P < .001) and were more likely to achieve improved ambulatory status (82% vs 65%; P < .001)., Conclusions: For patients with aortoiliac-femoral occlusive disease, endovascular repair with concomitant CFE appeared to have improved short-term outcomes and equivalent freedom from major amputation compared with open surgical repair with CFE. Conversely, open repair with CFE was associated with better long-term improvement in ABI and ambulatory status. Open repair should therefore be considered for patients with aortoiliac-femoral occlusive disease and reasonable surgical risk., (Copyright © 2017 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes of intraoperative aneurysm sac embolization during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in patients considered at risk for type II endoleak (EII), using a sac volume-dependent dose of fibrin glue and coils., Methods: Between January 2012 and December 2014, 126 patients underwent EVAR. Based on preoperative computed tomography evaluation of anatomic criteria, 107 patients (85%) were defined as at risk for EII and assigned to randomization for standard EVAR (group A; n = 55, 44%) or EVAR with intraoperative sac embolization (group B; n = 52, 42%); the remaining 19 patients (15%) were defined as at low risk for EII and excluded from the randomization (group C). Computed tomography scans were evaluated with OsiriX Pro 4.0 software to obtain aneurysm sac volume. Freedom from EII, freedom from EII-related reintervention, and aneurysm sac volume shrinkage at 6, 12, and 24 months were compared by Kaplan-Meier estimates. Patients in group C underwent the same follow-up protocol as groups A and B., Results: Patient characteristics, Society for Vascular Surgery comorbidity scores (0.99 ± 0.50 vs 0.95 ± 0.55; P = .70), and operative time (149 ± 50 minutes vs 157 ± 39 minutes; P = .63) were similar for groups A and B. Freedom from EII was significantly lower for group A compared with group B at 3 months (58% vs 80%; P = .002), 6 months (68% vs 85%; P = .04), and 12 months (70% vs 87%; P = .04) but not statistically significant at 24 months (85% vs 87%; P = .57). Freedom from EII-related reintervention at 24 months was significantly lower for group A compared with group B (82% vs 96%; P = .04). Patients in group B showed a significantly overall mean difference in aneurysm sac volume shrinkage compared with group A at 6 months (-11 ± 17 cm(3) vs -2 ± 14 cm(3); P < .01), 12 months (-18 ± 26 cm(3) vs -3 ± 32 cm(3); P = .02), and 24 months (-27 ± 25 cm(3) vs -5 ± 26 cm(3); P < .01). Patients in group C had the lowest EII rate compared with groups A and B (6 months, 5%; 12 months, 6%; 24 months, 0%) and no EII-related reintervention., Conclusions: This randomized study confirms that sac embolization during EVAR, using a sac volume-dependent dose of fibrin glue and coils, is a valid method to significantly reduce EII and its complications during early and midterm follow-up in patients considered at risk. Although further confirmatory studies are needed, the faster aneurysm sac volume shrinkage over time in patients who underwent embolization compared with standard EVAR may be a positive aspect influencing the lower EII rate also during long-term follow-up., (Copyright © 2016 Society for Vascular Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To describe a hybrid sutureless anastomosis technique between a prosthetic graft, an endograft, and a circumferentially calcified infrarenal aorta., Technique: The technique is demonstrated in a 65-year-old man with flush distal aortoiliac occlusion and patent infrarenal porcelain aorta (IPA). After laparotomy, the IPA was occluded below the renal arteries by inflating an aortic balloon introduced via an axillary access. The IPA was transected in its distal part and aortic thrombectomy performed. A Zenith iliac extension was modified on a back table by cutting the terminal tip; the device was then was inserted and deployed into the IPA in a standard fashion and the sheath removed. A Dacron bifurcated graft was sutured in an end-to-end anastomosis to the endograft and terminal aorta. The 12-month computed tomography scan showed patency of the graft., Conclusions: This sutureless anastomosis technique seems safe and feasible and represents a valid alternative to standard surgical approaches in cases of heavy and circumferentially calcified infrarenal aorta., (© The Author(s) 2015.)

Objectives: Satellite cells (SCs) are skeletal muscle progenitor cells located between the basal lamina and the sarcolemma of muscle fibers. They are responsible for muscle growth and repair. In humans, aging results in the depletion of the SC population and in its proliferative activity, but not in its function. It has not yet been determined whether under conditions of massive muscle fiber death in vivo, the regenerative potential of SCs is totally or partially compromised in old muscle. No studies have yet tested whether advanced age is a factor that restrains the response of SCs to muscle denervation in humans; this is also due to difficulties in the isolation and in the culture of SCs from a small human surgery fragment. The aim of this study was to study in depth muscle regeneration analysing the SC ability of SCs to proliferate and differentiate in aging human patients., Methods: In order to study in more detail the molecular mechanism, the proliferative and differentiative ability of aging SCs, we isolated SCs from aging human muscle biopsies and analysed their morphology by transmission electron microscopy and immunocytochemical analysis (antibodies against desmin, N-CAM and M-cadherin) and their capacity to grow and to expand in vitro. Moreover, in order to evaluate gene expression of myogenic regulatory factors Myf5, MyoD and myogenin (Myf4), RT-PCR was performed., Results and Discussion: SCs isolated from aging human muscle biopsies and plated into favorable proliferation and differentiation conditions were able to proceed through the myogenic program and actively form myotubes, although taking longer than the young control sample. The RT-PCR analysis together with the ultrastructural SC features showed that the myogenic potential seemed to be compromised during the aging human muscle proliferation in vitro.