Commercial maize hybrids are exposed to different degrees of ear infection by toxigenic fungal species and toxin contamination. Their resistance to different fungi and toxin relationships are largely unknown. Without this knowledge, screening and breeding are not possible for these pathogens. Seven- to tenfold differences were found in resistance to Fusarium spp., and there was a five-fold difference in ear coverage (%) in response to A. flavus. Three hybrids of the twenty entries had lower infection severity compared with the general means for toxigenic species. Three were highly susceptible to each, and 14 hybrids reacted differently to the different fungi. Differences were also observed in the toxin content. Again, three hybrids had lower toxin content in response to all toxigenic species, one had higher values for all, and 16 had variable resistance levels. Correlations between infection severity and deoxynivalenol (DON) content were 0.95 and 0.82 (p = 0.001) for F. graminearum and F. culmorum, respectively. For fumonisin and F. verticillioides ear rot, the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was 0.45 (p = 0.05). Two independent isolates with different aggressiveness were used, and their mean X values better described the resistance levels. This increased the reliability of the data. With the introduction of this methodological concept (testing the resistance levels separately for different fungi and with two isolates independently), highly significant resistance differences were found. The resistance to different fungal species correlated only in certain cases; thus, each should be tested separately. This is very useful in registration tests and post-registration screening and breeding. This would allow a rapid increase in food and feed safety.

PurposeOur aim was to evaluate the acute success and complication rates of the transradial and transulnar access for iliac artery stenting using sheathless guiding systems.MethodsClinical and angiographic data from 156 consecutive patients with symptomatic iliac artery stenosis who were treated with transradial or transulnar access were evaluated. All patients underwent Duplex ultrasound before and after the intervention. The primary endpoints were the procedural success rate, major adverse events, and access site complication rates. The secondary endpoints were the angiographic result of the iliac artery intervention, fluoroscopy time, X‐ray dose, procedure length, crossover rate to another puncture site and hospitalization duration. The impact of the learning curve was also investigated, along with right or left radial access.ResultsThe indication for the intervention was intermittent claudication in 109 patients (69.9%), critical limb ischemia in 44 (28.2%) subjects and acute limb ischemia in three individuals (1.9%). Technical success was achieved in 155 patients (99.4%), with a crossover rate of 3.8%. Radial and ulnar artery access was used in 151 (96.8%) and 7 (4.5%) patients, respectively. The Ankle‐brachial index increased from 0.69 [0.65–0.72] to 0.91 [0.88–0.95] as a result of the procedures (P < 0.001). The cumulative incidence of major adverse events was 3.8% at the 2‐month follow‐up (0% in patients with intermittent claudication and 13.8% in patients with critical limb ischemia). Radial artery access site complications were encountered in eight patients (5.1%). We documented decreased X‐ray doses (1742.0 [783.9–2701] vs. 1435 [991.1–1879] vs. 692.8 [275.3–1110] Gy cm−2 P < 0.05) over time; however, the fluoroscopy time, procedure time, and contrast consumption were not significantly different. Left hand access was not associated with significantly better results than right radial artery access.ConclusionsIliac artery stenting can be safely and effectively performed using radial or ulnar artery access and sheathless guiding catheters, with acceptable complication rates and high levels of technical success. The physician learning curve plays an important role in decreasing the X‐ray dose. © 2016 The Authors. Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Abstract:Introduction: Percutaneous interventional procedures in the renal arteries are usually performed using a femoral or brachial vascular access. The transradial approach is becoming more popular for peripheral interventions, but limited data exists for renal artery angioplasty and stenting. Methods: We have analyzed the clinical, angiographic and technical results of renal artery stenting performed from radial artery access between 2012 and 2013. The radial artery anatomy was identifi ed with aortography using 100 cm pig tail catheter. After engagement of the renal artery ostium with a 6F Multipurpose or 6F JR5 guiding catheter, the stenosis was passed with a 0.014" guidewire followed by angioplasty and stent implantation. Results: In 27 patients (mean age: 65.4 ± 9.17) with hemodynamically relevant renal artery stenosis (mean diameter stenosis: 77.7 ± 10.6%; right, n = 7; left, n = 20), interventional treatment with angioplasty and stenting was performed using a left (n = 3) or right (n = 24) radial artery access. Direct stenting was successfully performed in 13 (48%) cases, and predilatations were required in ten cases 10 (37%). Primary technical success (residual stenosis <30%) could be achieved in all cases. The mean contrast consumption was 119 ± 65 ml and the mean procedure time was 30 ± 8.2 min. There were no major periprocedural vascular complications and in one patient transient creatinine level elevation was observed (3.7%). In one patient asymptomatic radial artery occlusion was detected (3.7%). Conclusion: Transradial renal artery angioplasty and stenting is technically feasible and safe procedure.

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Background: Catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) and thrombectomy represent well established techniques for the treatment of intermediate pulmonary embolism (IPE). The long-term effect of catheter directed thrombolysis of IPE is unknown. Methods: Clinical, interventional and echocardiographic data from 80 consecutive patients with IPE who were treated with CDT were evaluated. Primary end-points were technical success and major adverse events. Secondary end-points were cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality, clinical success, rate of bleeding complications, improvement in pulmonary pressure and echocardiography parameters. CDT completed with alteplase (10 mg bolus and 1 mg/h maintenance dose) through a pigtail catheter for 24 h. After 24 h, control pulmonary angiography was performed. Results: In total, 80 patients with a mean age of 59.0 ± 16.8 years were treated. CDT was successful after the first post-operative day in 72 (90%) patients, but thrombus aspiration and fragmentation was performed due to failed thrombolysis in 8 (10%) patients. Final technical and clinical success was reached in 79 (98.8%) and 77 (96.3%) patients, respectively. The mean CDT time in IPE was 27.8 ± ± 9.6 h. Invasive pulmonary pressure dropped from 57.5 ± 16.7 to 38.9 ± 13.5 (p < 0.001). A caval filter was implanted in 4 (5%) patients. The 1-year major adverse events and cardiovascular mortality rate was 4.0% and 1.4%, respectively. Access site complications (6 major and 6 minor) were encountered in 12 (16.2%) patients. Conclusions: Catheter directed thrombolysis in submassive pulmonary embolism had excellent results. However, additional mechanical thrombectomy was necessary in some patients to achieve good clinical outcomes.