The impact of menopausal status on auditory brainstem responses.

Objective: To determine the effect of decreased estrogen levels due to menopause on auditory brainstem response measurements (ABR).

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Academic.

Identification and characterisation of peptides from a boarfish (Capros aper) protein hydrolysate displaying in vitro dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory and insulinotropic activity.

Twenty-two novel dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory peptides (with IC values <200 µM) and fifteen novel insulinotropic peptides were identified in a boarfish protein hydrolysate generated at semi-pilot scale using Alcalase 2.4L and Flavourzyme 500L. This was achieved by bioassay-driven semi-preparative reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography fractionation, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and confirmatory studies with synthetic peptides.

High Density, High Radiance $\mu$ LED Matrix for Optogenetic Retinal Prostheses and Planar Neural Stimulation.

Optical neuron stimulation arrays are important for both in-vitro biology and retinal prosthetic biomedical applications. Hence, in this work, we present an 8100 pixel high radiance photonic stimulator. The chip module vertically combines custom made gallium nitride μ LEDs with a CMOS application specific integrated circuit.

Arrays of microLEDs and astrocytes: biological amplifiers to optogenetically modulate neuronal networks reducing light requirement.

In the modern view of synaptic transmission, astrocytes are no longer confined to the role of merely supportive cells. Although they do not generate action potentials, they nonetheless exhibit electrical activity and can influence surrounding neurons through gliotransmitter release. In this work, we explored whether optogenetic activation of glial cells could act as an amplification mechanism to optical neural stimulation via gliotransmission to the neural network.

A processing platform for optoelectronic/optogenetic retinal prosthesis.

The field of retinal prosthesis has been steadily developing over the last two decades. Despite the many obstacles, clinical trials for electronic approaches are in progress and already demonstrating some success. Optogenetic/optoelectronic retinal prosthesis may prove to have even greater capabilities.

Multi-site optical excitation using ChR2 and micro-LED array.

Studying neuronal processes such as synaptic summation, dendritic physiology and neural network dynamics requires complex spatiotemporal control over neuronal activities. The recent development of neural photosensitization tools, such as channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2), offers new opportunities for non-invasive, flexible and cell-specific neuronal stimulation. Previously, complex spatiotemporal control of photosensitized neurons has been limited by the lack of appropriate optical devices which can provide 2D stimulation with sufficient irradiance.

Para-Hisian entrainment: a novel pacing maneuver to differentiate orthodromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia from atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

Introduction: Para-Hisian pacing during sinus rhythm can help to identify the presence of an accessory pathway (AP). In this maneuver, the retrograde activation time and pattern are compared during capture and loss-of-capture of the His bundle while pacing from a para-Hisian position. However, identification of a retrograde AP does not necessitate that it is operative during the tachycardia of interest; conversely, slowly conducting or "distant" bypass tracts may not be identified.

Variability in implantable cardioverter defibrillator pulse generator longevity between manufacturers.

ICDs are used frequently to treat malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Despite the expanding role of these devices, little is known about the manufacturer variability in the performance of ICD generators. The purpose of this study is to explore the indications for ICD pulse generator replacement and to examine performance differences between the three major manufacturers of ICDs in the United States.

Surgical coronary revascularization and antiarrhythmic therapy in survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Background: Patients who survive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are at high risk for recurrent arrest. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) confers a survival advantage, but it is unclear whether antiarrhythmic drugs or an implanted defibrillator confer added benefit. This study was designed to determine predictors for further treatment, survival, and therapeutic internal cardiac defibrillator (ICD) discharge in this patient population.

Magnesium deficiency during lactation as a precipitant of ventricular tachyarrhythmias.

A young ICD recipient with a history of syncope and idiopathic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation presented after an ICD discharge. She had delivered her first child 8 days prior to the event and she had been lactating. Numerous short runs of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation resolved with aggressive replacement of magnesium and elimination of breast-feeding.