Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a severe muscle disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding for the intracellular protein dystrophin, is associated with impaired cardiac function and arrhythmias. A causative factor for complications in the dystrophic heart is abnormal calcium (Ca) handling in ventricular cardiomyocytes, and restoration of normal Ca homeostasis has emerged as therapeutic strategy. Here, we used a rodent model of DMD, the dystrophin-deficient DMD rat, to test the following hypothesis: chronic administration of ivabradine (IVA), a drug clinically approved for the treatment of heart failure, improves Ca handling in dystrophic ventricular cardiomyocytes and thereby enhances contractile performance in the dystrophic heart.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Investig Med High Impact Case Rep
March 2025
Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (AI-PAP) is a rare condition, especially in children. The clinical presentation ranges from asymptomatic forms to respiratory distress requiring ventilation. We describe the case of a 13-year-old adolescent male who presented to the emergency department with acute pleuritic chest pain not associated with systemic complaints.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanomaterials (Basel)
February 2025
Thermoelectric (TE) materials offer a promising solution to reduce green gas emissions, decrease energy consumption, and improve energy management due to their ability to directly convert heat into electricity and vice versa. Despite their potential, integrating new TE materials into bulk TE devices remains a challenge. To change this paradigm, the preparation of highly efficient tetrahedrite nanocomposites is proposed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecent advances in the treatment of bacteremia have challenged traditional approaches, particularly regarding the duration of antibiotic therapy and the transition from intravenous to oral regimens. This paper reviews these updates, focusing on evidence-based strategies for managing bacteremia caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. Criteria for transitioning to oral therapy, clinical decision-making for uncomplicated cases, and evidence supporting shorter antibiotic courses are discussed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction And Objectives: Levosimendan infusion in the outpatient setting improves the clinical status of heart failure (HF) patients, although its hemodynamic effects are not entirely known. Remote monitoring using the CardioMEMS system enables daily assessment of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and estimation of cardiac output (CO). We aimed to assess the hemodynamic effects of outpatient levosimendan infusion using CardioMEMS.
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