Role of Hypoxia Induced by Medicinal Plants; A Revolutionary Era of Cellular and Molecular Herbal Medicine in Neuroblastoma Treatment.

As one of the most common solid pediatric cancers, Neuroblastoma (NBL) accounts for 15% of all of the cancer-related mortalities in infants with increasing incidence all around the world. Despite current therapeutic approaches for NBL (radiotherapies, surgeries, and chemotherapies), these approaches could not be beneficial for all of patients with NBL due to their low effectiveness, and some severe side effects. These challenges lead basic medical scientists and clinical specialists toward an optimal medical interventions for clinical management of NBL.

The Impact of Donor Obesity on Outcomes of Donation After Circulatory Death Heart Transplantation.

Objectives: In the setting of the obesity epidemic and donor organ shortage in the United States, there's a growing need to expand the donor organ eligibility criteria for orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Donation after circulatory death (DCD) has emerged as a promising solution, but the outcomes with obese donor hearts in DCD remains unknown.

Methods: Using the UNOS registry between 2019 and 2024, recipients of DCD OHT were stratified into three donor obesity categories by body mass index (BMI): underweight/normal (BMI <25kg/m), overweight (BMI 25-30kg/m), and obese (BMI >30kg/m).

Securing the future: Financial ties of thoracic surgery program directors to industry.

Background: Thoracic surgery program directors (PDs) are key mentors for the next generation of cardiothoracic surgeons and surgeon-scientists. This study evaluates the industry payments to PDs compared to other practicing thoracic surgeons, with the aim of assessing potential conflicts of interest and their influence.

Methods: PDs were identified using the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) and their National Provider Identifiers (NPIs).

Impact of Heart Failure Etiology on Waitlist Mortality in Heart Transplant Candidates Supported With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has gained traction as a bridge to heart transplantation (HT) but remains associated with increased waitlist mortality. This study explores whether this risk is modified by underlying heart failure (HF) etiology.

Methods: Using the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network registry, we conducted a retrospective review of first-time adult HT candidates from 2018 through 2022.

Center and Individual Willingness to Consider Heart and Lung Offers From Donors With Hepatitis C.

Introduction: Transplants with hearts and lungs from donors with hepatitis C virus (HCV D+) have been proven safe and effective since development of direct-acting antivirals, yet the presence of HCV + persists as a reason to decline organs.

Methods: We identified adult candidates listed January 1, 2015-March 8, 2023 for heart or lung transplant using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We identified individual-level and center-level characteristics associated with listing to consider HCV D+ offers using multilevel logistic regression in a multivariable framework.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Stroke After Combined Heart-Kidney and Heart-Liver Transplantation.

Objective: While stroke is a well-recognized complication of isolated heart transplantation, stroke in patients undergoing simultaneous heart-liver (HLT) and heart-kidney transplantation (HKT) has not been explored. This study assessed postoperative stroke incidence, risk factors, and outcomes in HLT and HKT compared with isolated heart transplant.

Methods: The United Network for Organ Sharing database was queried for adult patients undergoing HLT, HKT, and isolated heart transplants between 1994 and 2022.

Impact of dual thoracic recovery from circulatory death donors on heart and lung transplant outcomes.

Objectives: Concomitant heart and lung recovery can result in increased operative complexity, ischemic time, and competition for resources and anatomic territory. Dual thoracic recovery from circulatory death donors may have additional risks that are not fully understood. We investigated the effects of dual heart and lung recovery from circulatory death donors on thoracic transplant outcomes.

For your consideration: Benefits of listing as willing to consider heart offers from donors with hepatitis C.

Background: Despite excellent outcomes of heart transplants from hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive donors (D+), many candidates are not listed to even consider HCV D+ offers.

Methods: Using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, we identified adult (age ≥18 years) heart transplant candidates prevalent on the waitlist between 2018 and March 2023. We compared the likelihood of waitlist mortality or heart transplant by candidate willingness to consider HCV D+ offers using competing risk regression.

The Impact of Silent Liver Disease on Hospital Length of Stay Following Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery.

Risk assessment models for cardiac surgery do not distinguish between degrees of liver dysfunction. We have previously shown that preoperative liver stiffness is associated with hospital length of stay following cardiac surgery. The authors hypothesized that a liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ≥ 9.

Utilization and outcomes of expanded criteria donors in adults with congenital heart disease.

Background: Use of donation after circulatory death (DCD) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive donors in heart transplantation have increased the donor pool. Given poor waitlist outcomes in the adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) population, we investigated waitlist outcomes associated with willingness to consider DCD and HCV+ offers and post-transplant outcomes following HCV+ and DCD transplantation for these candidates.

Methods: Using the United Network for Organ Sharing database, we identified adult ACHD candidates and recipients listed or transplanted, respectively, between 01/01/2016 and 09/30/2023 for the HCV analysis and between 12/01/2019 and 09/30/2023 for the DCD analysis.

Effects of thymoquinone and the curcumin analog EF-24 on the activity of the enzyme paraoxonase-1 in human glioblastoma cells U87MG.

The spices and aromatic herbs were used not only in cooking to add flavour and smell to dishes but also for medicinal use. Nigella sativa, also called black cumin, is one of the species that contains an important bioactive component, thymoquinone (TQ), which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic effects. Curcuma longa, which also includes curcumin, has numerous anti-cancer properties.

Outcomes of Heart Transplant Using High Donor Sequence Number Offers.

Introduction: Higher donor sequence numbers (DSNs) might spark provider concern about poor donor quality. We evaluated characteristics of high-DSN offers used for transplant and compared outcomes of high- and low-DSN transplants.

Materials And Methods: Adult isolated heart transplants between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2022, were identified from the organ procurement and transplantation network database and stratified into high (≥42) and low (<42) DSN.

National Incidence, Outcomes, and Management Strategies for Pre- and Post-Transplant Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Transplant Recipients.

Background: Among heart transplant candidates, atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common comorbidity; however, little is known about the impact of pre-transplant AF on incidence of post-transplant AF or other transplant outcomes.

Methods: Adult heart transplant recipients transplanted from 07/01/2012 to 07/01/2021 with data available in both the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and Symphony Health pharmacy databases were included. Recipients were categorized by presence of pre-transplant AF using prescription fill data.

Changes in Donor Utilization and Outcomes for Patients Bridged With Durable Left Ventricular Assist Device.

We studied the impact of the 2018 heart allocation policy change on donor characteristics and posttransplant outcomes of left ventricular assist device (LVAD)-bridged heart transplant (HT) recipients. Left ventricular assist device-bridged adult HT recipients from October 2014 to October 2022 in the United Network for Organ Sharing database were categorized into old allocation policy (OAP) and new allocation policy (NAP) cohorts. Baseline characteristics, posttransplant outcomes, and subgroup analyses of unstable and stable LVAD-bridged recipients were assessed.

Special Considerations for Advanced Heart Failure Surgeries: Durable Left Ventricular Devices and Heart Transplantation.

Heart transplantation and durable left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) represent two definitive therapies for end-stage heart failure in the modern era. Despite technological advances, both treatment modalities continue to experience unique risks that impact surgical and perioperative decision-making. Here, we review special populations and factors that impact risk in LVAD and heart transplant surgery and examine critical decisions in the management of these patients.

The Impact of Local Programmatic Decisions on Outcomes in Transplant-Listed Adults With Congenital Heart Disease.

Background: We investigated variables impacting waitlist times and negative waitlist outcomes in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) who were waiting for orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) after the 2018 allocation change.

Methods: Adult candidates for OHT who were listed between 10/18/2018 and 12/31/2022 in the United Network for Organ Sharing database were categorized as ACHD vs non-ACHD. Waitlist time and time to upgrade for those upgraded into status 1-3 were compared by using rank-sum tests.

Unusual presentation and delayed diagnosis of cardiac angiosarcoma.

Background: Primary cardiac angiosarcomas are very rare and present aggressively with high rates of metastasis. Given the poor prognosis, particularly once disease has spread, early diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment is essential.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 46-year-old male who presented with chest pain, intermittent fevers, and dyspnea.

Outcomes following concomitant multiorgan heart transplantation from circulatory death donors: The United States experience.

Background: Donation after circulatory death (DCD) has reemerged as a method of expanding the donor heart pool. Given the high waitlist mortality of multiorgan heart candidates, we evaluated waitlist outcomes associated with willingness to consider DCD offers and post-transplant outcomes following DCD transplant for these candidates.

Methods: We identified adult multiorgan heart candidates and recipients between January 1, 2020 and March 31, 2023 nationally.

Emergency Medical Services Protocols for Assessment and Treatment of Patients with Ventricular Assist Devices.

Background: Patients with ventricular assist devices (VADs) represent a growing population presenting to Emergency Medical Services (EMS), but little is known about their prehospital care. This study aimed to characterize current EMS protocols in the United States for patients with VADs.

Methods: States with state-wide EMS protocols were included.

Summary of a consensus conference on heart-liver transplantation.

Patients with severe heart disease may have coexisting liver disease from various causes. The incidence of combined heart-liver transplant (CHLT) is increasing as more patients with congenital heart disease survive to adulthood and develop advanced heart failure with associated liver disease from chronic right-sided heart or Fontan failure. However, the criteria for CHLT have not been established.