Novel spatiotemporal processing tools for body-surface potential map signals for the prediction of catheter ablation outcome in persistent atrial fibrillation.

Signal processing tools are required to efficiently analyze data collected in body-surface-potential map (BSPM) recordings. A limited number of such tools exist for studying persistent atrial fibrillation (persAF). We propose two novel, spatiotemporal indices for processing BSPM data and test their clinical applicability through a comparison with the recently proposed non-dipolar component index (NDI) for prediction of single-procedure catheter ablation (CA) success rate in persAF patients.

Dynamics of Intraprocedural Dominant Frequency Identifies Ablation Outcome in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

The role of dominant frequency (DF) in tracking the efficiency of a stepwise catheter ablation (step-CA) in persistent atrial fibrillation (peAF) remains poorly studied. We hypothesized that the DF time-course during step-CA displays divergent patterns between patients in whom a step-CA successfully restores long-term sinus rhythm (SR) and those with recurrence. This study involved 40 consecutive patients who underwent a step-CA for peAF (sustained duration 19 ± 11 months).

ECG-Based Indices to Characterize Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Before and During Stepwise Catheter Ablation.

Consistently successful patient outcomes following catheter ablation (CA) for treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation (pers-AF) remain elusive. We propose an electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis designed to (1) refine selection of patients most likely to benefit from ablation, and (2) examine the temporal evolution of AF organization indices that could act as clinical indicators of ongoing ablation effectiveness and completeness. Twelve-lead ECG was continuously recorded in 40 patients (61 ± 8 years) during stepwise CA (step-CA) procedures for treatment of pers-AF (sustained duration 19 ± 11 months).

Author Correction: Role of astroglia in Down's syndrome revealed by patient-derived human-induced pluripotent stem cells.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Severe and uniform bi-atrial remodeling measured by dominant frequency analysis in persistent atrial fibrillation unresponsive to ablation.

Background: High values of ECG and intracardiac dominant frequency (DF) are indicative of significant atrial remodeling in persistent atrial fibrillation (peAF). We hypothesized that patients with peAF unresponsive to ablation display higher ECG and intracardiac DFs than those remaining in sinus rhythm (SR) on the long term.

Methods: Forty consecutive patients underwent stepwise ablation for peAF (sustained duration 19 ± 11 months).

Thyroid hormone-dependent adult pigment cell lineage and pattern in zebrafish.

Pigment patterns are useful for elucidating fundamental mechanisms of pattern formation and how these mechanisms evolve. In zebrafish, several pigment cell classes interact to generate stripes, yet the developmental requirements and origins of these cells remain poorly understood. Using zebrafish and a related species, we identified roles for thyroid hormone (TH) in pigment cell development and patterning, and in postembryonic development more generally.

Role of astroglia in Down's syndrome revealed by patient-derived human-induced pluripotent stem cells.

Down's syndrome (DS), caused by trisomy of human chromosome 21, is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability. Here we use induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from DS patients to identify a role for astrocytes in DS pathogenesis. DS astroglia exhibit higher levels of reactive oxygen species and lower levels of synaptogenic molecules.