Extracting film thickness and optical constants from spectrophotometric data by evolutionary optimization.

In this paper, we propose a simple and elegant method to extract the thickness and the optical constants of various films from the reflectance and transmittance spectra in the wavelength range of 350 - 1000 nm. The underlying inverse problem is posed here as an optimization problem. To find unique solutions to this problem, we adopt an evolutionary optimization approach that drives a population of candidate solutions towards the global optimum.

Effect of High-Dose Omega-3 Fatty Acids vs Corn Oil on Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients at High Cardiovascular Risk: The STRENGTH Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: It remains uncertain whether the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) reduce cardiovascular risk.

Objective: To determine the effects on cardiovascular outcomes of a carboxylic acid formulation of EPA and DHA (omega-3 CA) with documented favorable effects on lipid and inflammatory markers in patients with atherogenic dyslipidemia and high cardiovascular risk.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A double-blind, randomized, multicenter trial (enrollment October 30, 2014, to June 14, 2017; study termination January 8, 2020; last patient visit May 14, 2020) comparing omega-3 CA with corn oil in statin-treated participants with high cardiovascular risk, hypertriglyceridemia, and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).

Assessment of omega-3 carboxylic acids in statin-treated patients with high levels of triglycerides and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: Rationale and design of the STRENGTH trial.

It is uncertain whether omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial in statin-treated patients. Epanova is a mix of omega-3 free fatty acids, not requiring co-ingestion with food, which can lower triglycerides by up to 31%. STRENGTH will examine whether Epanova 4 g daily reduces the rate of cardiovascular events in statin-treated patients with hypertriglyceridemia and low levels of HDL-C at high risk for developing cardiovascular events.

Modelling avian biodiversity using raw, unclassified satellite imagery.

Applications of remote sensing for biodiversity conservation typically rely on image classifications that do not capture variability within coarse land cover classes. Here, we compare two measures derived from unclassified remotely sensed data, a measure of habitat heterogeneity and a measure of habitat composition, for explaining bird species richness and the spatial distribution of 10 species in a semi-arid landscape of New Mexico. We surveyed bird abundance from 1996 to 1998 at 42 plots located in the McGregor Range of Fort Bliss Army Reserve.

Neoadjuvant therapy and breast cancer surgery: a closer look at postoperative complications.

Background: Neoadjuvant therapy is important in the treatment of advanced breast cancer.

Methods: Postoperative complications in neoadjuvant patients were analyzed.

Results: One hundred forty patients underwent 148 breast cancer surgeries after neoadjuvant therapy: 28% breast-conserving therapy procedures, 36% mastectomies, 28% mastectomies with immediate reconstruction, and 8% mastectomies with delayed reconstruction.

Varespladib and cardiovascular events in patients with an acute coronary syndrome: the VISTA-16 randomized clinical trial.

Importance: Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) generates bioactive phospholipid products implicated in atherosclerosis. The sPLA2 inhibitor varespladib has favorable effects on lipid and inflammatory markers; however, its effect on cardiovascular outcomes is unknown.

Objective: To determine the effects of sPLA2 inhibition with varespladib on cardiovascular outcomes.

Effect of aliskiren on progression of coronary disease in patients with prehypertension: the AQUARIUS randomized clinical trial.

Importance: Blood pressure reduction and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition are targets for treatment of atherosclerosis. The effect of renin inhibition on coronary disease progression has not been investigated.

Objective: To determine the effects of renin inhibition with aliskiren on progression of coronary atherosclerosis.

Inhibition of secretory phospholipase A(2) in patients with acute coronary syndromes: rationale and design of the vascular inflammation suppression to treat acute coronary syndrome for 16 weeks (VISTA-16) trial.

Background: The action of secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) on lipoproteins may render them more susceptible to oxidation, thereby promoting vascular inflammation and increasing cardiovascular risk. Patients with acute coronary syndrome face a high risk of early, recurrent cardiovascular events that is associated with biomarkers of inflammation, including sPLA(2). The Vascular Inflammation Suppression to Treat Acute Coronary Syndrome for 16 Weeks (VISTA-16, NCT01130246) tests the hypothesis that varespladib methyl, an inhibitor of several sPLA(2) isoforms with a causal role in atherosclerosis, reduces cardiovascular risk among patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Occupational therapy role on the battlefield: an overview of combat and operational stress and upper extremity rehabilitation.

What happens when the stressors of combat, fatigue, separation, and personal conflict affect a Soldier's ability to perform their wartime mission? What happens when an upper extremity injury or a significant trauma impacts a Soldier's ability to fire their weapon or complete their mission? The Army has specialized units known as Combat Operational Stress Control (COSC) Detachments and Combat Support Hospitals (CSHs) deployed on the battlefield to address these issues. Occupational therapists (OTs) work in these units and are responsible for facilitating function when Soldiers are faced with these physical and mental injuries. OTs are involved before, during, and after deployment educating, evaluating, and treating units, leadership, commanders, and Soldiers on a myriad of skills, activities, and tasks that enable Soldiers to optimize their overall performance.

Incidence of atrial fibrillation post-cavotricuspid isthmus ablation in patients with typical atrial flutter: left-atrial size as an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrence.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter often coexist. The long-term occurrence of atrial fibrillation in patients presenting with atrial flutter alone is unknown. We report the long-term follow-up in patients who underwent cavotricuspid isthmus ablation for treatment of lone atrial flutter.

Short-term, moderate dosage Vitamin E supplementation may have no effect on platelet aggregation, coagulation profile, and bleeding time in healthy individuals.

Objective: To investigate the in vivo effect of short-term, moderate dosage synthetic dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate supplementation on platelet aggregation, coagulation profile, and simulated bleeding time in healthy individuals. alpha-tocopherol is the most biologically active isomer of Vitamin E, traditionally promoted as an antioxidant and therapeutic agent in cardiovascular disease. In vitro studies have suggested that alpha-tocopherol plays a role in the inhibition of platelet aggregation.

Embolic events and char formation during pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation: impact of different anticoagulation regimens and importance of intracardiac echo imaging.

Unlabelled: Thromboembolic events are important complications of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures, occurring in up to 2.8% of patients. In this study, we report the incidence of char formation and embolic events with different anticoagulation protocols prospectively changed to reduce such complication.

Radiofrequency ablation vs antiarrhythmic drugs as first-line treatment of symptomatic atrial fibrillation: a randomized trial.

Context: Treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs and anticoagulation is considered first-line therapy in patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with radiofrequency ablation may cure AF, obviating the need for antiarrhythmic drugs and anticoagulation.

Objective: To determine whether PVI is feasible as first-line therapy for treating patients with symptomatic AF.

Pulmonary vein antrum isolation for treatment of atrial fibrillation in patients with valvular heart disease or prior open heart surgery.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of pulmonary vein antrum isolation in patients with moderate valvular heart disease or open-heart surgery and atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background: Valvular heart disease and open-heart surgery are commonly associated with AF and increase the risk of adverse events in AF patients.

Methods: A total of 391 consecutive patients who had pulmonary vein antrum isolation performed between December 2000 and December 2002 were screened.

Potential role of body surface ECG mapping for localization of atrial fibrillation trigger sites.

Catheter ablation has revolutionized the clinical management of atrial fibrillation (AF) by offering a curative treatment option for this highly prevalent arrhythmia. Ablation therapy is aimed at electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins (PVs) as a means to prevent rapidly firing focal activation within the PVs from penetrating into the left atrium (LA) and initiate reentrant wavelet propagation. However, non-PV AF trigger sites may be present and lead to unsuccessful ablation or post-ablation AF recurrences.

Mode of initiation and ablation of ventricular fibrillation storms in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Objectives: We report on the initiation of ventricular fibrillation (VF) storm in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and the results of targeted ablation to treat VF storm.

Background: Monomorphic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) have been shown to initiate VF in patients without structural heart disease.

Methods: A total of 29 patients with ICM and documented VF initiation were identified.

Pulmonary vein isolation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation in patients with impaired systolic function.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with impaired left ventricular (LV) systolic function.

Background: To date, PVI has been performed primarily in patients with normal LV function. Yet, many AF patients have impaired LV systolic function.

Impact of age on the outcome of pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation using circular mapping technique and cooled-tip ablation catheter:

Introduction: A retrospective analysis was performed to define the impact of age on the outcomes and complications in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). PVI is an evolving technique for the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). The impact of age on the risks, outcomes, and complications of PVI has not been well defined.

Pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation: functional characterization, evolution, and influence of the ablation strategy.

Background: Pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis is a complication of ablation for atrial fibrillation. The impact of different ablation strategies on the incidence of PV stenosis and its functional characterization has not been described.

Methods And Results: PV isolation was performed in 608 patients.

Randomized study comparing combined pulmonary vein-left atrial junction disconnection and cavotricuspid isthmus ablation versus pulmonary vein-left atrial junction disconnection alone in patients presenting with typical atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation.

Background: Atrial flutter (AFL) and atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently coexist in the same patient. Recently it has been demonstrated that the triggers for both AF and AFL may originate in the pulmonary veins (PVs). We hypothesized that in patients with both AF and typical AFL, pulmonary vein-left atrial junction (PV-LAJ) disconnection may eliminate both arrhythmias.

A surgeon's guide to herbal supplements.

The use of herbal supplements has steadily increased in the United States over the last decade. Despite the increased awareness of alternative therapies by the government and lay public, many physicians do not ask their patients about their use of these alternative medications. In addition, many physicians are unaware of the possible side effects that may occur when a patient consumes these substances.

Transcatheter angioplasty for acquired pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation.

Background: Pulmonary vein stenosis has recently been recognized as a complication of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. This study evaluates the presentation of affected patients and the role of transcatheter therapy for this patient population.

Methods And Results: This study used a retrospective review of data from 19 patients (age, 51+/-13 years) with pulmonary vein stenosis who underwent catheterization and angiography between December 2000 and December 2002.

Percutaneous pericardial instrumentation for endo-epicardial mapping of previously failed ablations.

Background: The epicardial location of an arrhythmia could be responsible for unsuccessful endocardial catheter ablation.

Methods And Results: In 48 patients referred after prior unsuccessful endocardial ablation, we considered percutaneous, subxiphoid instrumentation of the pericardial space for mapping and ablation. Thirty patients had ventricular tachycardia (VT), 6 patients had a right- and 4 had a left-sided accessory pathway (AP), 4 patients had inappropriate sinus tachycardia, and 4 patients had atrial arrhythmias.

Phased-array intracardiac echocardiography monitoring during pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation: impact on outcome and complications.

Background: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) on the long-term success and complications in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods And Results: Three hundred fifteen patients underwent PVI for treatment of AF. Each patient underwent ostial isolation of all PVs using a cooled-tip ablation catheter.

Use of different catheter ablation technologies for treatment of typical atrial flutter: acute results and long-term follow-up.

Objectives: We report the acute success and long-term follow-up in consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation of typical right atrial flutter (AFL) using different ablation technologies.

Methods: One hundred and two patients presenting for treatment of AFL to our laboratory were included in the study. Based on availability and physician preference, ablation was performed with either a cooled-tip catheter (39 patients, group I), an 8- or 10-mm tip catheter connected to a high-power radiofrequency (RF) generator (25 patients, group II), or a 4- or 5-mm tip catheter (38 patients, group III).