How We Would Treat Our Own Congenital Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Patient.

The field of congenital cardiac catheterization (CCC) has changed dramatically since it began 8 decades ago. New techniques and devices have expanded the indications for interventional catheterization. Heart teams who care for patients in the pediatric and congenital cardiac catheterization laboratory are confronted with a growing number of patients presenting for a wide range of increasingly technically challenging cases.

Evaluating Procedural Performance: A Composite Outcome for Aortic and Pulmonary Valvuloplasty in Congenital Cardiac Catheterization.

Background: Safety events and technical success (TS) have been previously reported for aortic and pulmonary valvuloplasty, but a composite performance measure as a novel, patient-centered strategy has neither been developed nor been studied. This study aims to refine a procedural performance (PP) variable, a composite of TS and procedural safety, for isolated, standard-risk aortic and pulmonary valvuloplasty.

Methods: A multicenter review was performed using data from the Congenital Cardiac Catheterization Project on Outcomes registry.

No evidence for an other-race effect in dominance and trustworthy judgements from faces.

A variety of evidence shows that social categorization of people based on their race can lead to stereotypical judgements and prejudicial behaviour. Here, we explore the extent to which trait judgements of faces are influenced by race. To address this issue, we measured the reliability of first impressions for own-race and other-race faces in Asian and White participants.

Catheterization for Congenital Heart Disease Adjustment for Risk Method II.

Background: Current metrics used to adjust for case mix complexity in congenital cardiac catheterization are becoming outdated due to the introduction of novel procedures, innovative technologies, and expanding patient subgroups. This study aims to develop a risk adjustment methodology introducing a novel, clinically meaningful adverse event outcome and incorporating a modern understanding of risk.

Methods: Data from diagnostic only and interventional cases with defined case types were collected for patients ≤18 years of age and ≥2.

The role of the eye region for familiar face recognition: Evidence from spatial low-pass filtering and contrast negation.

What information is used for familiar face recognition? While previous research suggests a particular importance of the eye region, information from the rest of the face also needs to be integrated. What type of information is used in conjunction with the eyes is largely unclear. In three experiments, participants were asked to recognise so-called face chimeras, in which the eye region was not manipulated, while the rest of the face was either presented in negative contrast (contrast chimeras) or low-pass filtered (blur chimeras).

Procedural Risk in Congenital Cardiac Catheterization (PREDICT).

Background Advancements in the field, including novel procedures and multiple interventions, require an updated approach to accurately assess patient risk. This study aims to modernize patient hemodynamic and procedural risk classification through the creation of risk assessment tools to be used in congenital cardiac catheterization. Methods and Results Data were collected for all cases performed at sites participating in the C3PO (Congenital Cardiac Catheterization Project on Outcomes) multicenter registry.

Interpreting Quality Improvement When Introducing New Technology: A Collaborative Experience in ASD Device Closures.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the regular introduction of new technologies into interventional cardiac catheterization procedures, in this case new atrial septal defect (ASD) closure devices, while conducting a multi-center collaborative initiative to reduce radiation usage during all procedures. Data were collected prospectively by 8 C3PO institutions between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2017 for ASD device closure procedures in the cardiac catheterization lab during a quality improvement (QI) initiative aimed at reducing patient radiation exposure. Radiation exposure was measured in dose area product per body weight (µGy*m/kg).

Longitudinal Improvements in Radiation Exposure in Cardiac Catheterization for Congenital Heart Disease: A Prospective Multicenter C3PO-QI Study.

Background: The C3PO-QI (Congenital Cardiac Catheterization Project on Outcomes - Quality Improvement), a multicenter registry launched in 2015, instituted quality improvement (QI) initiatives to reduce patient radiation exposure. Through regular collaboration, this initiative would allow for harmony among active participants, maximizing efforts and efficiency at achieving radiation best practices. This study sought to report these efforts with a detailed methodology for which institutions can target initiatives, reducing radiation exposure, and increasing patient safety.

Purpose in adolescents diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

Introduction: Drawing from positive youth development theory, the research team examined purpose in life among adolescents diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Methods: Members of the research team conducted paired interviews about purpose in life with adolescents diagnosed with an ASD and one of each adolescent's parents. Data collection took place in the south-central region of the US.

Radiation Risk Categories in Cardiac Catheterization for Congenital Heart Disease: A Tool to Aid in the Evaluation of Radiation Outcomes.

To stratify diverse procedure types into categories with similar radiation exposure in cardiac catheterization for congenital heart disease. Radiation exposures for a comprehensive list of specific procedure types and stratification of outcomes based on radiation risk are not currently available. Data between January 2014 and December 2015 were collected on all cases performed at sites participating in C3PO-QI (Congenital Cardiac Catheterization Outcomes Project-Quality Improvement Initiative) and 9 centers were included.

The potency-insolubility conundrum in pharmaceuticals: Mechanism and solution for hepatitis C protease inhibitors.

As compounds are optimized for greater potency during pharmaceutical discovery, their aqueous solubility often decreases, making them less viable as orally-administered drugs. To investigate whether potency and insolubility share a common origin, we examined the structural and thermodynamic properties of telaprevir, a sparingly soluble inhibitor of hepatitis C virus protease. Comparison of the hydrogen bond motifs in crystalline telaprevir with those present in the protease-telaprevir complex revealed striking similarities.

Residual efficacy of field-applied permethrin, d-phenothrin, and resmethrin on plant foliage against adult mosquitoes.

Backpack sprayer applications of permethrin, d-phenothrin, and resmethrin to vegetation and plants at Anastasia Island, St. Augustine, FL, were evaluated for duration of residual efficacy against adult mosquitoes. All treatments produced 100% mortality (24 h) of mosquitoes in test cages placed within the vegetation.

Volatile compounds from the integument of White Leghorn Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus L.): candidate attractants of ornithophilic mosquito species.

Candidate kairomones of ornithophilic mosquito species are reported from GC/MS analysis of compounds from the skin on the back, the feet, and feathers from the back of White Leghorn chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Hexane and ether extracts of chicken feathers differ significantly in attractiveness of Culex spp. mosquitoes.

Identification of compounds from Etonia rosemary (Conradina etonia).

Mosquitoes transmit pathogens that result in diseases harmful to human, livestock, and wildlife hosts. Numerous measures can be used to reduce insect-borne disease risk to humans, and one approach is the use of topical repellents to prevent host-seeking arthropods from taking a blood meal. A current emphasis in the development of new repellents is that they be safe.

Analysis of extracted and volatile components in blackstrap molasses feed as candidate house fly attractants.

House flies are a ubiquitous insect that have the potential to spread many diseases to humans and livestock. Managing house fly populations is accomplished by having desirable baits, traps, and killing agents. Most house fly baits are designed for outdoor use or limited indoor use, and have a foul odor that is not conducive to food preparatory and dining areas.

Hypernuclear fine structure in (16)(Lambda)O and the LambdaN tensor interaction.

We have observed two gamma-ray transitions in (16)(Lambda)O from the 6.6 MeV excited 1(-)(2) state to both ground-state spin-doublet members (1(-)(1),0(-)) by the (K-,pi(-)gamma) reaction. We have obtained the ground-state doublet spacing to be 26.

Selected resin acids in effluent and receiving waters derived from a bleached and unbleached kraft pulp and paper mill.

Water samples were collected on three dates at 24 sites influenced by effluent from Georgia-Pacific's Palatka Pulp and Paper Mill Operation, a bleached and unbleached kraft mill near Palatka, Florida, USA. The sampling sites were located within the mill retention ponds, Rice Creek, and the St. John's River.

Effects of pulp and paper mill effluents on reproductive success of largemouth bass.

This study evaluated the effects of bleached and unbleached kraft mill effluent on reproductive success of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Bass were exposed to effluent concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40, or 80%) for 28 and 56 d. Parameters measured included hepatosomatic index (HSI) and gonadosomatic index (GSI) and plasma concentrations of 17beta-estradiol (E2), 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), and vitellogenin (VTG).

Production of (4)(double Lambda)H hypernuclei.

An experiment demonstrating the production of double-Lambda hypernuclei in (K(-),K(+)) reactions on (9)Be was carried out at the D6 line in the BNL alternating-gradient synchrotron. The technique was the observation of pions produced in sequential mesonic weak decay, each pion associated with one unit of strangeness change. The results indicate the production of a significant number of the double hypernucleus (4)(double Lambda)H and the twin hypernuclei (4)(Lambda)H and (3)(Lambda)H.

Observation of spin-orbit splitting in lambda single-particle states.

The spin-orbit splitting of Lambda single-particle states in (13)(Lambda)C was measured. The 13C(K-,pi(-))(13)(Lambda)C reaction was used to excite both the 1/2(-) and 3/2(-) states simultaneously, which have predominantly 12C(0(+)) x p(Lambda) configuration. gamma rays from the states to the ground state were measured in coincidence with the pi(-)'s, by which ls splitting was found to be 152+/-54(stat)+/-36(syst) keV.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in myocardial infarction--Part 2: Clinical issues and controversies.

Over the past 10 years, several clinical studies have concluded that, in patients already receiving conventional therapies, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors further reduce the risk of death following myocardial infarction (MI). Post-MI ACE inhibitors have proven to be effective as long term therapy in high risk patients as well as when used for much shorter periods in a broad patient population. However, while considerable mortality data have been collected, the effects of ACE inhibitors post-MI on other cardiovascular outcomes have not been as well documented.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in myocardial infarction--Part 1: Clinical data.

There is an increasing body of clinical trial evidence to support the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in the management of patients following myocardial infarction (MI). Enthusiasm for the use of ACE inhibitors in the acute phase of MI had previously been tempered by the adverse results of an early trial. However, exciting new information is available from several large, randomized studies that has not only quelled those initial concerns but also attests to the efficacy of using this class of medication in the first 24 h after an acute MI.

Evaluation of hemodialysis patients treated with erythropoietin.

We evaluated 20 hemodialysis patients who had been treated with erythropoietin (Epo). All patients had hemoglobin levels below 8.5 g/dL.