The COronavirus Pandemic Epidemiology (COPE) Consortium: A Call to Action.

The rapid pace of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19) pandemic presents challenges to the real-time collection of population-scale data to inform near-term public health needs as well as future investigations. We established the COronavirus Pandemic Epidemiology (COPE) consortium to address this unprecedented crisis on behalf of the epidemiology research community. As a central component of this initiative, we have developed a COVID Symptom Study (previously known as the COVID Symptom Tracker) mobile application as a common data collection tool for epidemiologic cohort studies with active study participants.

Simple electrocardiographic measures improve sudden arrhythmic death prediction in coronary disease.

Aims: To determine whether the combination of standard electrocardiographic (ECG) markers reflecting domains of arrhythmic risk improves sudden and/or arrhythmic death (SAD) risk stratification in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods And Results: The association between ECG markers and SAD was examined in a derivation cohort (PREDETERMINE; N = 5462) with adjustment for clinical risk factors, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and competing risk. Competing outcome models assessed the differential association of ECG markers with SAD and competing mortality.

Fingolimod after a first unilateral episode of acute optic neuritis (MOVING) - preliminary results from a randomized, rater-blind, active-controlled, phase 2 trial.

Background: Neuroprotection and promotion of remyelination represent important therapeutic gaps in multiple sclerosis (MS). Acute optic neuritis (ON) is a frequent MS manifestation. Based on the presence and properties of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors (S1PR) on astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, we hypothesized that remyelination can be enhanced by treatment with fingolimod, a S1PR modulator currently licensed for relapsing-remitting MS.

Larotrectinib in patients with TRK fusion-positive solid tumours: a pooled analysis of three phase 1/2 clinical trials.

Background: The selective TRK inhibitor larotrectinib was approved for paediatric and adult patients with advanced TRK fusion-positive solid tumours based on a primary analysis set of 55 patients. The aim of our analysis was to explore the efficacy and long-term safety of larotrectinib in a larger population of patients with TRK fusion-positive solid tumours.

Methods: Patients were enrolled and treated in a phase 1 adult, a phase 1/2 paediatric, or a phase 2 adolescent and adult trial.

Exercise-Related Acute Cardiovascular Events and Potential Deleterious Adaptations Following Long-Term Exercise Training: Placing the Risks Into Perspective-An Update: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Epidemiological and biological plausibility studies support a cause-and-effect relationship between increased levels of physical activity or cardiorespiratory fitness and reduced coronary heart disease events. These data, plus the well-documented anti-aging effects of exercise, have likely contributed to the escalating numbers of adults who have embraced the notion that "more exercise is better." As a result, worldwide participation in endurance training, competitive long distance endurance events, and high-intensity interval training has increased markedly since the previous American Heart Association statement on exercise risk.

Estimating Myocardial Infarction Size With a Simple Electrocardiographic Marker Score.

Background Myocardial infarction (MI) size is a key predictor of prognosis in post-MI patients. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold standard test for MI quantification, but the ECG is less expensive and more widely available. We sought to quantify the relationship between ECG markers and cardiovascular magnetic resonance infarct size.

Circulating miRNAs and Risk of Sudden Death in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease.

Objectives: This study evaluated whether plasma miRNAs were specifically associated with sudden cardiac and/or arrhythmic death (SCD) in a cohort of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), most of whom were without primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

Background: Novel biomarkers for sudden death risk stratification are needed in patients with CHD to more precisely target preventive therapies, such as implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. miRNAs have been implicated in regulating inflammation and cardiac fibrosis in cells, and plasma miRNAs have been shown to predict cardiovascular death in patients with CHD.

Optical Coherence Tomography Structural Abnormality Detection in Glaucoma Using Topographically Correspondent Rim and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Criteria.

Purpose: This study evaluated the ability of topographically correspondent (TC) minimum rim width (MRW) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (pRNFLT) criteria to detect optical coherence tomography (OCT) structural abnormality in glaucoma (GL) and glaucoma suspect (GLS) eyes.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Methods: A total of 196 GL eyes, 150 GLS eyes, and 303 heathy eyes underwent pRNFL and 24 radial optic nerve head OCT imaging and manual correction of the internal limiting membrane, Bruch's membrane opening (BMO), and outer pRNFL segmentations.

Vitamin D, Marine n-3 Fatty Acids, and Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Current Evidence.

Whether marine omega-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA) or vitamin D supplementation can prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in general populations at usual risk for this outcome is unknown. A major goal of VITAL (Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial) was to fill this knowledge gap. In this article, we review the results of VITAL, discuss relevant mechanistic studies regarding n-3 FAs, vitamin D, and vascular disease, and summarize recent meta-analyses of the randomized trial evidence on these agents.

Association of Dietary Magnesium Intake with Fatal Coronary Heart Disease and Sudden Cardiac Death.

Postmenopausal women represent the highest population-based burden of cardiovascular disease, including sudden cardiac death (SCD). Our understanding of the etiology and risk factors contributing to fatal coronary heart disease (CHD) and SCD, particularly among women, is limited. This study examines the association between dietary magnesium intake and fatal CHD and SCD.

Transcription factor NF-κB in a basal metazoan, the sponge, has conserved and unique sequences, activities, and regulation.

Herein, we characterize transcription factor NF-κB from the demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica (Aq). Aq-NF-κB is most similar to NF-κB p100/p105 among vertebrate proteins, with an N-terminal DNA-binding domain, a C-terminal Ankyrin (ANK) repeat domain, and a DNA binding-site profile akin to human NF-κB proteins. Like mammalian NF-κB p100, C-terminal truncation allows nuclear translocation of Aq-NF-κB and increases its transcriptional activation activity.

Rare Genetic Variants Associated With Sudden Cardiac Death in Adults.

Background: Sudden cardiac death occurs in ∼220,000 U.S. adults annually, the majority of whom have no prior symptoms or cardiovascular diagnosis.

'Real-world' observational studies in arrhythmia research: data sources, methodology, and interpretation. A position document from European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), endorsed by Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), Asia-Pacific HRS (APHRS), and Latin America HRS (LAHRS).

The field of observational studies or "real world studies" is in rapid development with many new techniques introduced and increased understanding of traditional methods. For this reason the current paper provides an overview of current methods with focus on new techniques. Some highlights can be emphasized: We provide an overview of sources of data for observational studies.

Role of Prophylactic Magnesium Supplementation in Prevention of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 20 Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Several randomized trials have evaluated the efficacy of prophylactic magnesium (Mg) supplementation in prevention of post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in patients undergoing cardiac artery bypass grafting (CABG). We aimed to determine the role of prophylactic Mg in 3 different settings (intraoperative, postoperative, intraoperative plus postoperative) in prevention of POAF.

Methods: A systemic literature search was performed (until January 19, 2019) using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify trials evaluating Mg supplementation post CABG.

Risk Factors for Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation-Analysis of an Outpatient Database.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia encountered in practice and is the leading cause of debilitating strokes with significant economic burden. It is currently not known whether asymptomatic undiagnosed AF should be treated if detected by various screening methods. Currently, United States guidelines have no recommendations for identifying patients with asymptomatic undiagnosed AF due to lack of evidence.

Metabolomic profiles associated with all-cause mortality in the Women's Health Initiative.

Background: Metabolomics profiling has shown promise in elucidating the biological pathways underpinning mortality, but there are limited data in female populations.

Methods: We applied a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry metabolomics platform to EDTA-plasma to measure 470 metabolites at baseline in a discovery set of 943 postmenopausal women (including 417 incident deaths, median time to death of 10.6 years) with validation in an independent set of 1355 postmenopausal women (including 685 deaths, median time to death of 9.

Urinary Biomarkers may Complement the Cleveland Score for Prediction of Adverse Kidney Events After Cardiac Surgery: A Pilot Study.

Background: The ability of urinary biomarkers to complement established clinical risk prediction models for postoperative adverse kidney events is unclear. We assessed the effect of urinary biomarkers linked to suspected pathogenesis of cardiac surgery-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) on the performance of the Cleveland Score, a risk assessment model for postoperative adverse kidney events.

Methods: This pilot study included 100 patients who underwent open-heart surgery.

Morbid Obesity as a Therapeutic Target for Heart Failure.

Purpose Of Review: This review will define morbid obesity and relationship between morbid obesity and heart failure syndromes. It will delve into unique challenges facing patients with dual diagnoses of heart failure and morbid obesity and examine the data that obesity should be a target in the treatment of heart failure.

Recent Findings: Emerging literature has indicated the safety and efficacy of surgical weight loss in patients with heart failure.

Risk and predictors of subsequent cancers of patients with newly-diagnosed atrial fibrillation - A nationwide population-based study.

Aims: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) may be at higher risk for cancer, possibly due to the presence of coexisting risk factors. In this study, we investigate the magnitude and predictors of this potential risk within a population-based study.

Methods And Results: The study cohort included 332,555 AF patients aged ≥20 years without past history of cancer.

Diagnostic-therapeutic management of bile duct cancer.

Biliary tract cancer, or cholangiocarcinoma, comprises a heterogeneous group of malignant tumors that can emerge at any part of the biliary tree. This group is the second most common type of primary liver cancer. Diagnosis is usually based on symptoms, which may be heterogeneous, and nonspecific biomarkers in serum and biopsy specimens, as well as on imaging techniques.

How to Optimize Patient Selection and Device Performance of the Newest Generation Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

Purpose Of Review: This review will discuss key differences of third-generation left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), identify patient selection considerations to optimize post-implant clinical outcomes, and summarize key echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters to guide device optimization.

Recent Findings: There are major engineering differences between the third-generation LVADs which contribute to unique pump operational characteristics. Improved hemocompatibility has led to reduction in hemocompatibility-related adverse events (HRAEs), particularly for the Heartmate 3 pump.