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In the last two decades, significant advances have been made in the further understanding of carotid atherosclerosis and stroke risk. While currently practical stratification regarding a surgical intervention in patients with symptomatic carotid disease is made based on the degree of luminal narrowing, several plaque features have been identified as independent risk factors for the development of downstream ischaemic events. Several of these plaque features can be readily identified on routine CT- and MR-examinations, and will be discussed during this lecture. Consequently, a contemporary radiology report must go beyond a mere description of the presence and degree of luminal narrowing, and must also provide information on plaque morphology and other vessel wall characteristics. This comprehensive approach will enable the referring clinical to better stratify their patients regarding current and future risk, leading to better patient management and clinical outcomes.

Background: Over the past decade, several trials and observational studies have validated the use of minimally invasive cardiac interventions as viable treatment options for various cardiac diseases. Transcatheter techniques for severe aortic valve stenosis have rapidly emerged as alternatives to surgical aortic valve replacement in certain patient populations. Additionally, non-surgical treatment options have expanded for conditions affecting other cardiac valves, such as the mitral valve. These emerging minimally invasive interventions complement already well-established endovascular techniques for, among others, atrial septal defect closure, left atrial appendage occlusion and pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation. Given their non-surgical nature and lack of direct visualisation of the targeted anatomy, these procedures heavily rely on precise pre-procedural radiological imaging for optimal patient selection and procedural success. Method: This paper is based on the expert opinion of the authors and an exhaustive literature research. Results: This manuscript reviews the most commonly employed minimally invasive cardiac interventions, highlighting the essential pre-procedural imaging information and key aspects that must be included in radiological reports to mitigate potential complications. Conclusion: Accurate pre-procedural imaging is crucial for ensuring safe and effective minimally invasive cardiac interventions, underscoring the importance of the radiologist in the pre-procedural work-up of these patients.

This paper presents the results and analyses of uniaxial compression experiments performed on three silica sands. The sands have comparable particle-size distributions, but their particles differ in morphology and strength. Cylindrical samples of the three sands were compressed in a loading device placed inside an X-ray microscope (XRM) and scanned at multiple stress levels during uniaxial compression. 3D tomography data of the samples obtained from the XRM at different stress levels were then analyzed to obtain the distributions of particle size, particle morphology, and interparticle contact normals within the sample. Results indicate that: (1) the compressibility of the sands loaded under uniaxial compression is closely tied to particle morphology and strength and (2) the anisotropy in the orientations of interparticle contact normals generally increases with axial stress; however, this increase is limited by the occurrence of particle crushing in the sample.

This paper provides some perspectives and guidance for the design of pile foundations in sand and clay using cone penetration test (CPT) results. A key variable in the estimation of the limit unit shaft resistance q sL of piles in sand is the critical-state interface friction angle δ c , which is a function of the critical-state friction angle ϕ c of the sand. In the absence of direct shear or triaxial compression test results, which is often the case for routine infrastructure projects, engineers typically assume a conservative value for ϕ c in pile design. In addition, effective stress-based methods for estimation of q sL of driven piles in clay rely on the residual interface friction angle δ r , among other variables; however, in these methods, δ r does not vary with the normal effective stress on the pile operative at the time of shearing. In this paper, we present relationships and approaches to address these issues. Finally, a relationship between the cone resistance q c and the corrected standard penetration test (SPT) blow count N 60 was also developed so that engineers may obtain an estimate of q c for use in a CPT-based design method when only SPT blow counts are available for a site.

Climate change, competent vectors, and reservoir animals are the main factors for developing vector-borne zoonotic diseases. These diseases encompass a significant and widespread category of pathogens (e.g., viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and helminths) transmitted by blood-feeding arthropods, including ticks, fleas, lice, triatomines, mosquitoes, sandflies, and blackflies. In Chile, several studies have explored the role of dogs as reservoirs of vector-borne pathogens; however, there is a lack of research investigating the presence of pathogens in arthropods. Specifically, within the order Diptera, limited knowledge exists regarding their roles as carriers of pathogens. This study aimed to examine the presence of zoonotic filarial nematodes in mosquitoes and dogs within a previously unstudied semi-rural area of Central Chile. Two hundred samples of dog blood and seven hundred and twenty-four mosquitoes were collected during 2021–2022 and studied for filarial nematodes by PCR. The prevalence of microfilaremic dogs detected by Knott’s test was 7.5%, with Acanthocheilonema reconditum being the only species identified. Aedes ( Ochlerotatus ) albifasciatus was the most abundant mosquito species collected, and 15 out of 65 pools were positive for filarial nematodes. Among these pools, 13 tested positive for Acanthocheilonema reconditum , and two tested positive for Setaria equina through PCR. Additionally, five Culex pipiens specimens were positive for Acanthocheilonema reconditum . Despite the absence of zoonotic filarial species, these findings underscore the significance of monitoring pathogens in mosquitoes and animal hosts and continued research into the dynamics of vector-borne diseases, particularly in unexplored regions.

Abstract Background: The efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in moderately severe COPD patients remains unclear. At the same time, the use of extrafine particles in COPD patients is a topic of ongoing research. Objectives: This study assessed the effect of ICS in steroid-naïve mild COPD patients and the effect of reducing the ICS dose in more severe COPD patients previously using ICS when switching to an extrafine particle BDP/F formulation (Foster using Modulite technology, Chiesi Pharmaceutici, Parma, Italy). Methods: Novel functional respiratory imaging (FRI) methods, consisting of multi-slice CT scans and Computational Fluid Dynamics, were used in combination with conventional pulmonary function tests and patient reported outcomes. Results: The study showed that the administration of extrafine BDP/F after 4–6 h led to a significant improvement in lung function parameters and hyperinflation as determined by spirometry, body plethysmography, and functional respiratory imaging. After 6 months of treatment, it was observed that, compared to baseline, the hyperinflation on lobar level at total lung capacity was significantly reduced (−1.19±7.19 %p, p=0.009). In addition, a significant improvement in SGRQ symptom score was noted in the entire patient population. Patients who improved in terms of hyperinflation also improved their MMRC dyspnea score. CFD indicated a difference in regional deposition between extrafine and non-extrafine formulations with −11% extrathoracic deposition and up to +4% lobe deposition for the extrafine formulation. Conclusions: The study showed that the administration of extrafine BDP/F improved lung function parameters and hyperinflation. Patients previously treated with ICS remained stable despite the lower dose, while ICS naïve patients improved in terms of lobar hyperinflation. FRI seems to be a sensitive biomarker to detect clinically relevant changes that are not detected by spirometry. The next step is to confirm these findings in a controlled trial.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2019 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic currently constitutes a significant burden on worldwide health care systems, with important implications on many levels, including radiology departments. Given the established fundamental role of cardiovascular imaging in modern healthcare, and the specific value of cardiopulmonary radiology in COVID-19 patients, departmental organisation and imaging programs need to be restructured during the pandemic in order to provide access to modern cardiovascular services to both infected and non-infected patients while ensuring safety for healthcare professionals. The uninterrupted availability of cardiovascular radiology services remains, particularly during the current pandemic outbreak, crucial for the initial evaluation and further follow-up of patients with suspected or known cardiovascular diseases in order to avoid unnecessary complications. Suspected or established COVID-19 patients may also have concomitant cardiovascular symptoms and require further imaging investigations. This statement by the European Society of Cardiovascular Radiology (ESCR) provides information on measures for safety of healthcare professionals and recommendations for cardiovascular imaging during the pandemic in both non-infected and COVID-19 patients.