Strength-duration curves for left bundle branch area pacing.

Background: Despite growing clinical use of left bundle branch pacing (LBBP), data regarding the fundamentals of this pacing modality, including chronaxie and rheobase, are scarce.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to calculate strength-duration curves with chronaxie and rheobase values for LBBP and left ventricular septal pacing (LVSP), and to analyze battery current drain and presence of selective LBBP at very short pulse duration (PD).

Methods: A group of 141 patients with permanent LBBP were studied.

Left bundle branch area pacing improves right ventricular function and synchrony.

Background: The impact of left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) on right ventricular (RV) function and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) remains unclear.

Objective: We aimed to assess the long-term effects of LBBAP on RV performance and on TR.

Methods: RV function was evaluated using RV free wall strain, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, fractional area changing, and systolic velocity of the lateral tricuspid annulus.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin-II-receptor antagonists modulate sodium handling based on endogenous lithium clearance.

Background: Numerous studies based on assessment of lithium clearance demonstrated higher sodium reabsorption in renal proximal tubules in individuals with hypertension, overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome, or diabetes.

Aims: We aimed to assess the influence of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) or angiotensin-II-receptor antagonists (ARB) treatment on sodium handling.

Methods: In a sample of 351Caucasian subjects without diuretic treatment with prevailing sodium consumption, we studied associations between renal sodium reabsorption in proximal (FPRNa) and distal (FDRNa) tubules assessed by endogenous lithium clearance and daily sodium intake measured by 24-hour excretion of sodium (UNaV), in the context of obesity and long-term treatment with ACE-I or ARB.

A Study Planning Exercise Associated with Decreased Distraction Levels among Introductory Biology Students.

Students struggle to regulate their learning during independent study sessions. In this study, we ask whether an online behavioral intervention helped introductory students decrease distraction while studying. The intervention consisted of exam 1 reflection, exam 2 planning, and exam 2 reflection exercises.

The role of stress hyperglycemia and hyperlactatemia in non-diabetic patients with myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Stress hyperglycemia and lactates have been used separately as markers of a severe clinical condition and poor outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). However, the interplay between glucose and lactate metabolism in patients with MI have not been sufficiently studied. The aim in the present study was to examine the relationship of glycemia on admission (AG) and lactate levels and their impact on the outcome in non-diabetic MI patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Left bundle branch area pacing prevents pacing induced cardiomyopathy in long-term observation.

Background: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) is one of the methods to deliver conduction system pacing which potentially avoids the negative impact of conventional right ventricular pacing.

Objective: To assess echocardiographic outcomes in a long-term observation in patients with LBBAP implemented for bradyarrhythmia indications.

Methods And Results: A total of 151 patients with symptomatic bradycardia and LBBAP pacemaker implanted, were prospectively included in the study.

Impact of concomitant COVID-19 on the outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing coronary artery angiography.

Background: The impact of COVID-19 on the outcome of patients with MI has not been studied widely. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between concomitant COVID-19 and the clinical course of patients admitted due to acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: There was a comparison of retrospective data between patients with MI who were qualified for coronary angiography with concomitant COVID-19 and control group of patients treated for MI in the preceding year before the onset of the pandemic.

Comparison of six risk scores for the prediction of atrial fibrillation recurrence after cryoballoon-based ablation and development of a simplified method, the 0-1-2 PL score.

Introduction: There are several prognostic scores for the assessment of risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence post ablation procedure. However, the use of these complex scores is difficult and the validation on different populations brought divergent results. Our goal was to compare the performance of these risk scores as the basis for the development of a new, simplified score based only on few universally predictive variables.

Patent foramen ovale and left atrial appendage flow velocity predict atrial fibrillation recurrence post cryoballoon ablation.

Background: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) allows detailed characterization of atrial fibrillation (AF) substrate and could be valuable for predicting pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedure outcomes.

Aims: We aimed at assessing the value of TEE-derived left atrial (LA) and LA appendage (LAA) features as prognostic markers for AF recurrence after cryoballoon-based ablation.

Methods: Patients were enrolled using a prospective database of consecutive PVI procedures performed over a 7-year period.

Outcomes of atrial fibrillation ablation program based on single-shot techniques.

Introduction: Single-shot techniques such as cryoballoon and multipolar phased pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC) are an alternative to the point-by-point radiofrequency method for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. However, there is a lack of data concerning sequential use of single-shot techniques, that is, for both the index and redo ablation.

Aim: To assess long-term outcomes of the 'single-shot techniques only' AF ablation strategy.

Fixation beats: A novel marker for reaching the left bundle branch area during deep septal lead implantation.

Background: One of the challenges of left bundle branch (LBB) pacing is placing the pacing lead deep enough in the septum to reach the LBB area, yet not too deep to avoid perforation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the occurrence of the ectopic beats with qR/rsR' morphology in lead V (fixation beats) during lead fixation would predict whether the desired intraseptal lead depth had been reached, whereas the lack of fixation beats would indicate a too-shallow position and the need for more lead rotations.

Methods: Consecutive patients during LBB pacing device implantation were analyzed retrospectively and then prospectively with respect to the occurrence of fixation beats during each episode of lead rotation.

Increased preexcitation on electrocardiography improves accuracy of algorithms for accessory pathway localization in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

Background: Several electrocardiographic (ECG) algorithms have been developed for predicting accessory pathway (AP) location in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. However, their accuracy may be related to the manifested degree of preexcitation on ECG.

Aims: Our goal was to assess the effect of the degree of preexcitation on the accuracy of 4 traditional AP localization algorithms and to compare them with the algorithm specifically designed for ECGs with maximal preexcitation (Pambrun) Methods: The study included 300 patients who underwent successful ablation of an overt atrioventricular AP.

Programmed deep septal stimulation: A novel maneuver for the diagnosis of left bundle branch capture during permanent pacing.

Introduction: Permanent deep septal stimulation with capture of the left bundle branch (LBB) enables maintenance/restoration of the physiological activation of the left ventricle. However, it is almost always accompanied by the simultaneous engagement of the local septal myocardium, resulting in a fused (nonselective) QRS complex, therefore, confirmation of LBB capture remains difficult.

Methods: We hypothesized that programmed extrastimulus technique can differentiate nonselective LBB capture from myocardial-only capture as the effective refractory period (ERP) of the myocardium is different from the ERP of the LBB.

Diagnostic value of implantable loop recorder in patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Due to limited data, implantable loop recorders (ILR) are not currently recommended by the guidelines to routinely monitor patients after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Aims: To validate the diagnostic value of ILR after AF ablation, modern generation ILRs (LINQ) were implanted in patients scheduled for cryoballoon ablation of AF (CBA).

Methods: We included 29 patients with frequent and symptomatic episodes of paroxysmal AF.

Electrocardiographic characterization of non-selective His-bundle pacing: validation of novel diagnostic criteria.

Aims: Permanent His-bundle (HB) pacing is usually accompanied by simultaneous capture of the adjacent right ventricular (RV) myocardium-this is described as a non-selective (ns)-HB pacing. It is of clinical importance to confirm HB capture using standard electrocardiogram (ECG). Our aim was to identify ECG criteria for loss of HB capture during ns-HB pacing.

Inflammatory markers and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in a family-based population study.

Background: Heart failure affects patients with normal left ventricular systolic function (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction [HFPEF]) and those with reduced ejection fraction (HFREF). The treatment of HFPEF remains an unresolved issue.

Aim: We sought to determinate the relationship between inflammatory markers and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in a family-based population study.

Will Sodium Intake Reduction Improve Cardiovascular Outcomes in the General Population? A Critical Review of Current Evidence.

The data associating blood pressure to salt intake in humans comes from randomized clinical trials of interventions on dietary salt intake and population studies. Generally, estimates from meta-analyses are similar to those derived from prospective population studies (1.7 mm Hg change in systolic blood pressure per 100 mmol change in 24-hour urinary sodium).

Drosophila muller f elements maintain a distinct set of genomic properties over 40 million years of evolution.

The Muller F element (4.2 Mb, ~80 protein-coding genes) is an unusual autosome of Drosophila melanogaster; it is mostly heterochromatic with a low recombination rate. To investigate how these properties impact the evolution of repeats and genes, we manually improved the sequence and annotated the genes on the D.

A central support system can facilitate implementation and sustainability of a Classroom-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) in Genomics.

In their 2012 report, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology advocated "replacing standard science laboratory courses with discovery-based research courses"-a challenging proposition that presents practical and pedagogical difficulties. In this paper, we describe our collective experiences working with the Genomics Education Partnership, a nationwide faculty consortium that aims to provide undergraduates with a research experience in genomics through a scheduled course (a classroom-based undergraduate research experience, or CURE). We examine the common barriers encountered in implementing a CURE, program elements of most value to faculty, ways in which a shared core support system can help, and the incentives for and rewards of establishing a CURE on our diverse campuses.

A course-based research experience: how benefits change with increased investment in instructional time.

There is widespread agreement that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs should provide undergraduates with research experience. Practical issues and limited resources, however, make this a challenge. We have developed a bioinformatics project that provides a course-based research experience for students at a diverse group of schools and offers the opportunity to tailor this experience to local curriculum and institution-specific student needs.

[Prevention of atherosclerosis in children--the role of statins and aspirin].

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in Poland and in Europe. Children rarely suffer from them, although most of the risk factors which accelerate progression of atherosclerosis commence in childhood, including: dyslipidemias, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Moreover during last few years the incidence of some of risk factors in children, such as obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia has increased significantly.

Sodium and potassium and the pathogenesis of hypertension.

The evidence relating blood pressure to salt intake in humans originates from population studies and randomized clinical trials of interventions on dietary salt intake. Estimates from meta-analyses of trials in normotensive subjects generally are similar to estimates derived from prospective population studies (+1.7-mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure per 100 mmol increment in 24-hour urinary sodium).

Genome science: a video tour of the Washington University Genome Sequencing Center for high school and undergraduate students.

Sequencing of the human genome has ushered in a new era of biology. The technologies developed to facilitate the sequencing of the human genome are now being applied to the sequencing of other genomes. In 2004, a partnership was formed between Washington University School of Medicine Genome Sequencing Center's Outreach Program and Washington University Department of Biology Science Outreach to create a video tour depicting the processes involved in large-scale sequencing.

An inquiry into protein structure and genetic disease: introducing undergraduates to bioinformatics in a large introductory course.

This inquiry-based lab is designed around genetic diseases with a focus on protein structure and function. To allow students to work on their own investigatory projects, 10 projects on 10 different proteins were developed. Students are grouped in sections of 20 and work in pairs on each of the projects.