Efficacy and Safety of Systemic Thrombolysis and Catheter-Directed Therapy in Pulmonary Embolism: A Narrative Review.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third most frequent cause of acute cardiovascular presentation after myocardial infarction and stroke. The treatment approach for PE consists of hemodynamic and respiratory support, anticoagulation, reperfusion treatment, and vena cava filters. Reperfusion treatment consists of systemic thrombolysis (recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator, streptokinase, and urokinase); percutaneous catheter-directed therapy (CDT); and surgical embolectomy.

Management of Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars.

Keloid and hypertrophic scars are a result of aberrant wound healing responses within the reticular dermis. They are thought to be secondary to the formation of a disorganized extracellular matrix due to excessive fibroproliferative collagen response. Prevention of these scars focuses on avoiding elective or cosmetic procedures such as piercings in patients at high risk, reducing tension across the lesion, and decreasing the inflammatory response.

Temporal gravimetry, campaign and permanent GNSS, and interferometric radar techniques: A comparative approach to quantifying land deformation rates in coastal Texas.

Land subsidence and local sea-level rise are well-known on-going hazards that negatively impacting coastal regions, exacerbating coastal flooding, threatening infrastructure stability, accelerating erosion, and amplifying the risks of inundation and property damage. This study used four techniques to quantify land deformation rates in the Texas Coastal Bend region and to investigate the controlling factors on two different spatiotemporal scales: (1) local scale, where biweekly temporal gravity and campaign Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements were acquired at six locations over 2 years (October 2020-September 2022); and (2) regional scale, where vertical displacement time series were extracted from the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) and 15 permanent GNSS stations over 5 years (January 2017-November 2021). The observed inconsistency between land deformation rates derived from gravity (range: -33.

An island of receptor-like genes at the Rrs13 locus on barley chromosome 6HS co-locate with three novel sources of scald resistance.

Three Hordeum spontaneum-derived resistances (referred to as 145L2, 41T1 and 40Y5) have demonstrated long-term effectiveness against barley scald, caused by Rhynchosporium commune, in western Canada. Genetic mapping of these resistances in three populations, and the use of five barley genome assemblies, revealed they co-located to a narrowly defined 0.58-1.

Integrating targeted genetic markers to genotyping-by-sequencing for an ultimate genotyping tool.

New selection methods, using trait-specific markers (marker-assisted selection (MAS)) and/or genome-wide markers (genomic selection (GS)), are becoming increasingly widespread in breeding programs. This new era requires innovative and cost-efficient solutions for genotyping. Reduction in sequencing cost has enhanced the use of high-throughput low-cost genotyping methods such as genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) for genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) profiling in large breeding populations.

Access in all areas? A round up of developments in market access and HTA: part 5.

In this latest update, we explore the recent announcement by Canada's Drug Agency (CDA-AMC, formerly CADTH) on their pilot to include the societal perspective in the evaluation of certain new medicines; a recent Office of Health Economics (OHE) report on the evaluation of HTA agency methods over time; and publications examining the impact of Project Orbis on patient access to oncology treatments.

Positive Predictive Value of Computerized Tomography Coronary Angiography versus Computerized Tomography Fractional Flow Reserve in a Real-world Population.

Background: Computed Tomography coronary angiography and fractional flow reserve (CTCA and CT-FFR) are noninvasive diagnostic tools for the detection of flow-limiting coronary artery stenoses. Although their negative predictive values are well established, there is a concern that the high sensitivity of these tests may lead to overestimation of coronary artery disease (CAD) and unnecessary invasive coronary angiography (ICA). We compared the positive predictive value (PPV) of CT-FFR with computerized tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) against the gold standard of ICA in different real-world patient groups.

Engineering tRNAs for the Ribosomal Translation of Non-proteinogenic Monomers.

Ribosome-dependent protein biosynthesis is an essential cellular process mediated by transfer RNAs (tRNAs). Generally, ribosomally synthesized proteins are limited to the 22 proteinogenic amino acids (pAAs: 20 l-α-amino acids present in the standard genetic code, selenocysteine, and pyrrolysine). However, engineering tRNAs for the ribosomal incorporation of non-proteinogenic monomers (npMs) as building blocks has led to the creation of unique polypeptides with broad applications in cellular biology, material science, spectroscopy, and pharmaceuticals.

Access in all areas? a round up of developments in market access and health technology assessment: part 4.

In this latest update, we look at recent developments in market access including the pricing agreement of Libmeldy by the Beneluxa Initiative, the financial impact of managed entry agreements in Italy and the restructuring of Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco (AIFA). We also highlight the collaboration between FINOSE and the New Expensive Drug (NED) section of the Nordic Pharmaceutical Forum.

Determining the Impact of Genotype × Environment on Oat Protein Isolate Composition Using HPLC and LC-MS Techniques.

The effect of genotype and environment on oat protein composition was analyzed through size exclusion-high-performance liquid chromatography (SE-HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to characterize oat protein isolate (OPI) extracted from three genotypes grown at three locations in the Canadian Prairies. SE-HPLC identified four fractions in OPI, including polymeric globulins, avenins, glutelins, and albumins, and smaller proteins. The protein composition was dependent on the environment, rather than the genotype.

Assessment of the comparative agreement between chest radiographs and CT scans in intensive care units.

Purpose: Chest radiographs in critically ill patients can be difficult to interpret due to technical and clinical factors. We sought to determine the agreement of chest radiographs and CT scans, and the inter-observer variation of chest radiograph interpretation, in intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods: Chest radiographs and corresponding thoracic computerised tomography (CT) scans (as reference standard) were collected from 45 ICU patients.

Access in all areas? A round up of developments in market access and health technology assessment: part 3.

In this latest update, we explore some of the key updates in market access over recent months including the UK's voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access and growth (VPAG), the first drugs funded by the Innovative Medicines Fund in the UK and the Direct Access Scheme in France, and, finally, the new Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) value assessment framework in the USA.

Access in all areas? A round up of developments in market access and health technology assessment: part 2.

In this latest update, we explore the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) enacted by the US Congress in August 2022, with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently releasing the list of the first ten drugs it will negotiate prices on. We also cover the consequences of price controls and rigid value assessment in Germany which have led to the withdrawal of a number of medicines. It will be important to see how the IRA balances cost-saving with holistic value assessment, incentives for innovation and patient access to treatment.

Genome-wide association analysis provides insights into the genetic basis of photosynthetic responses to low-temperature stress in spring barley.

Low-temperature stress (LTS) is among the major abiotic stresses affecting the geographical distribution and productivity of the most important crops. Understanding the genetic basis of photosynthetic variation under cold stress is necessary for developing more climate-resilient barley cultivars. To that end, we investigated the ability of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (FF and FF) to respond to changes in the maximum quantum yield of Photosystem II photochemistry as an indicator of photosynthetic energy.

Effectiveness of the Eyesi Surgical Simulator for ophthalmology trainees: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The Eyesi Surgical Simulator (VRmagic, Mannheim, Germany) is the most commonly used ophthalmic virtual reality surgical simulator. While studies have demonstrated improved trainee skill acquisition with simulation-based training tools, a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating Eyesi specifically has yet to be conducted. The aim of this study was to meta-analyze studies comparing Eyesi with other methods of technical skill teaching for trainees.

Impact on stable chest pain pathways of CT fractional flow reserve.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of introducing CT fractional flow reserve (FFR) on stable chest pain pathways, concordance with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) chest pain guidelines, resource usage and revascularisation of patients from a tertiary UK cardiac centre rapid access chest pain clinic (RACPC).

Methods: Single-centre before and after study comparing data from electronic records and Strategic Tracing Service of all RACPC patients attending between 1 July 2017 and 31 December 2017, and 1 August 2018 and 31 January 2019.

Results: Two hundred and sixty-eight and 287 patients (overall mean age 62 years, range 26-89 years, 48.

Interaction and association analysis of malting related traits in barley.

Barley is considered as a foundation of the brewing and malting industry. Varieties with superior malt quality traits are required for efficient brewing and distillation processes. Among these, the Diastatic Power (DP), wort-Viscosity (VIS), β-glucan content (BG), Malt Extract (ME) and Alpha-Amylase (AA) are controlled by several genes linked to numerous quantitative trait loci (QTL), identified for barley malting quality.

Genetic diversity and population structure assessment of Western Canadian barley cooperative trials.

Studying the population structure and genetic diversity of historical datasets is a proposed use for association analysis. This is particularly important when the dataset contains traits that are time-consuming or costly to measure. A set of 96 elite barley genotypes, developed from eight breeding programs of the Western Canadian Cooperative Trials were used in the current study.

Ameliorating Caregiver Burden in the Pediatric Palliative Population Utilizing a Psychophysiological Intervention.

Providing long-term care for a family member can be a source of severe stress for the untrained caregiver, and is known to cause depression, poor overall health, and lower quality of life for the caregiver. This burden may lead to poorer outcomes for the patient, as well as contribute to overall increasing costs of an already strained healthcare system. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to reduce the stress that accompanies caregiver burden through the intervention of diaphragmatic breathing.