Investigation of outcomes following transcatheter edge to edge repair of the mitral valve versus medical management alone in patients with cardiogenic shock and mitral regurgitation.

Study Objective: Assessing if Transcatheter Edge to Edge Repair (TEER) with Mitraclip™ in patients with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and cardiogenic shock (CS) improves outcomes compared to medical management alone.

Design: A single-center, retrospective study was performed in an urban tertiary referral center.

Setting: Rush University Medical Center, United States.

Patent Foramen Ovale Closure for Nonstroke Indications.

The patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a flap or tunnel-like communication in the atrial septum present in 20% to 34% of the adult population. In most cases, it is a benign finding and poses no health risk. However, some PFOs may provide a conduit for bloodborne materials, such as thrombi, vasoactive substances, or air to pass into the systemic circulation causing a paradoxical embolus.

Analysis of population distribution for anticipating radiological consequences of nuclear power plant program in West Kalimantan.

The potential establishment of a nuclear power plant (NPP) in the West Kalimantan is under consideration to address low electrification rates. This research assesses the demographic characteristics and population growth in the vicinity of the proposed NPP site in West Kalimantan. The investigation focuses on demographic aspects, population density, and anticipated growth during the operational phase of the reactor.

Lymph node ratio is a more robust predictor of overall survival than N stage in stage III colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Lymph node ratio (LNR) may offer superior prognostic stratification in colorectal adenocarcinoma compared with N stage. However, candidate cutoff ratios require validation. We aimed to study the prognostic significance of LNR and its optimal cutoff ratio.

Use of a Percutaneous Right Ventricular Assist Device to Manage Right Ventricular Failure in Inferior STEMIs.

Acute right heart failure is a complication of inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarctions. Given the further hemodynamic instability that results from right-sided failure, a treatment option is needed to help bridge toward cardiac recovery. We present a case of using a right ventricular assist device in a patient who had marked improvement in cardiac function after an instance of acute right heart failure.

Superior Sagittal Sinus Thrombosis in a Patient With Iatrogenic Intracranial Hypotension: A Case Report.

Cerebral venous thrombosis is a rarely reported complication of iatrogenic intracranial hypotension. We discuss a rare case of a 46-year-old woman presenting with a week-long history of severe orthostatic headaches two weeks following L4-L5 microscopic discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation. Computed tomography venography of the head revealed evidence of superior sagittal sinus thrombosis while contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed signs of intracranial hypotension consisting of pachymeningeal enhancement, bilateral subdural hygromas, enlarged pituitary gland, effacement of the basal ambient cisterns, and low-lying cerebellar tonsils.

Molecular distribution, sources and potential health risks of fine particulate-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during high pollution episodes in a subtropical urban city.

Abundance of fine particulate-bound 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was investigated to ascertain its sources and potential carcinogenic health risks in Varanasi, India. The city represents a typical urban settlement of South Asia having particulate exposure manyfold higher than standard with reports of pollution induced mortalities and morbidities. Fine particulates (PM) were monitored from October 2019 to May 2020, with 32% of monitoring days accounting ≥100 μgm of PM concentration, frequently from November to January (99% of monitoring days).

Functional and Quality of Life Outcomes After TAVR in Patients With Low Gradient Aortic Stenosis.

Severe aortic stenosis is a common valvular heart disease associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an effective treatment for this condition. Less data is available regarding functional and quality-of-life outcomes in patients with severe, low-gradient aortic stenosis following TAVR.

The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air particles and estimation of the respiratory deposition flux.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmospheric particles constitute a topic of growing health concern. This study aims to calculate PAH concentrations, identify the source, assess the health risk from exposure to carcinogenic PAHs, and the respiratory deposition flux. PM and PM were collected in September 2019 in the urban, semi-urban, and semi-urban-industrial areas of Kuala Lumpur, Batu Pahat, and Bukit Rambai, respectively.

Fibropreventive and Antifibrotic Effects of Uncaria gambir on Rats with Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Pulmonary fibrosis causes scar tissue formation that disrupts the functioning of the lungs. (Hunter) Roxb (hereafter gambir)-a plant native to West Sumatra in Indonesia-contains flavonoid (+)-catechin, which has strong antioxidant activity and can be used to combat pulmonary fibrosis. This random in vivo experimental study analyzed the antifibrotic effect of gambir on the lungs of rats with bleomycin-induced fibrosis.

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles in Gum Arabic using pulsed laser ablation for CT imaging.

Laser ablation synthesis in liquid solution (PLAL) is a green technique that allows for the physical formation of nanomaterials. This study indicates the preparation of stable gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in Gum Arabic (GA) solution via laser ablation as a CT contrast agent. The optical properties were achieved using the absorption spectroscopic technique whereas the morphology and size distribution were investigated by TEM and ImageJ software.

Risk factors for miscarriage in Syrian refugee women living in non-camp settings in Jordan: results from the Women ASPIRE cross-sectional study.

Background: Syrian refugee women face health care disparities and experience worse pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage. We investigated risk factors for miscarriage in Syrian refugee women living in non-camp settings in Jordan to identify targets for interventions.

Methods: We analyzed data from Women ASPIRE, a cross-sectional study of gendered physical and mental health concerns of 507 Syrian refugee women (≥ 18 years old) living in non-camp settings in Jordan.

Identifying opportunities to advance health equity in interventional cardiology: Structural heart disease.

Health care practices are influenced by variety of factors. These factors that include social determinants, race and ethnicity, and gender not only affect access to health care but can also affect quality of care and patient outcomes. These are a source of health care disparities.

Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion for Stroke Prevention in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation.

The majority of embolic strokes in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation are caused by thrombi in the left atrial appendage. It is projected that strokes related to atrial fibrillation will markedly increase in the future unless effective mitigation strategies are implemented. Systemic anticoagulation has been known to be highly effective in reducing stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Attitudes of Physicians in Jordan Towards Non-Disclosure of Health Information.

Objectives: This report aims to investigate the attitudes of physicians in Jordan towards non-disclosure of health information among physicians, with a focus on those who are 'always truthful' and those who are not.

Methods: The report is based on the second subset of data from a cross-sectional study-conducted between January and August 2016-of the truth disclosure practices among and attitudes of physicians in Jordan. The sample consisted of 240 physicians selected from four major hospitals by stratified random sampling and invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire regarding truth disclosure attitudes.

The pivotal role of PFO in paradoxical embolism following venous sclerotherapy: a unique case report with pathological correlations.

Background: Vein sclerosing therapy for varicose veins remains an extremely popular procedure. Cerebrovascular accidents can be a serious complication. A patent foramen ovale (PFO) can act as a conduit to the arterial circulation, which could explain the adverse neurologic consequence of this procedure.

Predictors of Device-Related Thrombus Following Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion.

Background: Device-related thrombus (DRT) has been considered an Achilles' heel of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). However, data on DRT prediction remain limited.

Objectives: This study constructed a DRT registry via a multicenter collaboration aimed to assess outcomes and predictors of DRT.

Coastal meteorology on the dispersion of air particles at the Bachok GAW Station.

Meteorology over coastal region is a driving factor to the concentration of air particles and reactive gases. This study aims to conduct a research to determine the level of year-round air particles and the interaction of the meteorological driving factors with the particle number and mass in 2018, which is moderately influenced by Southeast Asian haze. We obtained the measurement data for particle number count (PNC), mass, reactive gases, and meteorological factors from a Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) station located at Bachok Marine Research Center, Bachok, Kelantan, Malaysia.