High-Power Short-Duration Ablation of Paroxysmal and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

Catheter ablation has become a cornerstone in atrial fibrillation (AF) therapy, improving freedom from all-atrial arrhythmias, as well as outperforming antiarrhythmic drugs in alleviating AF-related symptoms, reducing hospitalizations, and enhancing quality of life. Nevertheless, the success rate of traditional radiofrequency ablation (RFA) methods remains less than ideal. To address these issues, refinement in RFA strategies has been developed to improve efficacy and laboratory efficiency during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Pulsed Field Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: A Comprehensive Review.

Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) has emerged as a promising nonthermal ablation alternative for treating atrial fibrillation (AF). By delivering ultra-rapid high-energy electrical pulses, PFA induces irreversible electroporation, selectively targeting myocardial tissue while sparing adjacent structures from thermal or other damage. This article provides a comprehensive review of multiple pre-clinical studies, clinical studies, and clinical trials evaluating the safety, efficacy, and long-term outcomes of PFA in various settings and patient populations.

Seasonal effect on Shiga toxin-producing O157:H7 and non-O157 in the beef industry in Colombia, South America.

This research investigated the variations in the occurrence of , STEC O157:H7 and non-O157 in the beef production chain in Colombia affected by seasons, hypothesizing that pathogen prevalence will be highest in the rainy season owing to soil moisture promoting bacteria multiplication and transfer between animals. To test this hypothesis, samples were obtained from five abattoirs, which represent 50% of the beef production in this country. A total of 1017 samples were collected, from which 606 were bovine feces, 206 were hide swabs, and 205 corresponded to carcass post-intervention.

CTCF-KDM4A complex correlates with histone modifications that negatively regulate gene expression in cancer cell lines.

Histone demethylase KDM4A is involved in H3K9me3 and H3K36me3 demethylation, which are epigenetic modifications associated with gene silencing and RNA Polymerase II elongation, respectively. is abnormally expressed in cancer, affecting the expression of multiple targets, such as the gene. This enzyme localizes at the first intron of , and the dissociation of KDM4A increases gene expression.

Respiratory syncytial virus infection as a cause of hospitalization in population under 1 year in Colombia.

Objective: to determine the frequency, complications and seasonality at which respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection of the lower respiratory tract causes hospitalization in infants of age 1 year or less in 6 cities of Colombia.

Methods: one-year prospective multicentric observational study that included 717 patients presenting to the emergency department with respiratory symptoms in 6 cities of Colombia. Hospitalized children were tested for RSV with an immunofluorescence rapid test in nasopharyngeal secretions.

A single-centre 10-year experience with Candida bloodstream infections.

Objective: To describe the clinical and microbiological features associated with Candida bloodstream infections observed at Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont (Montreal, Quebec) between August 1996 and July 2006.

Methods: Episodes were retrieved from the microbiology laboratory. Different patient episodes and different isolate episodes in the same patient were selected.

Risk factors for mortality following emergency colectomy for fulminant Clostridium difficile infection.

Purpose: This study evaluated risk factors for mortality after emergency colectomy for fulminant Clostridium difficile infection.

Methods: Retrospective study of 130 cases of Clostridium difficile infection that required a colectomy between 1994 and 2007 in four hospitals of Quebec, Canada. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality.

High incidence of invasive aspergillosis associated with intestinal graft-versus-host disease following nonmyeloablative transplantation.

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) remains a major complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). In contrast to conventional HSCT, few investigators have examined risk factors of IA associated with nonmyeloablative (NMA) regimens characterized by outpatient administration, immunosuppression rather than cytoreduction, and short duration of neutropenia posttransplant. We report our results on a cohort of 125 patients treated homogenously who received a 6/6 matched sibling NMA HSCT designed to be performed on an outpatient basis.

Impact of emergency colectomy on survival of patients with fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis during an epidemic caused by a hypervirulent strain.

Objectives: To determine whether emergency colectomy reduces mortality in patients with fulminant Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD), and to identify subgroups of patients more likely to benefit from the procedure.

Summary Background Data: Many hospitals in Quebec, Canada, have noted since 2003 a dramatic increase in CDAD incidence and in the proportion of cases severe enough to require intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The decision to perform an emergency colectomy remains largely empirical.

Genetic structure of Triatoma venosa (Hemiptera: Reduviidae): molecular and morphometric evidence.

Triatoma venosa presents a restricted geographical distribution in America and is considered as a secondary vector of Chagas disease in Colombia and Ecuador. A total of 120 adult insects were collected in domestic and peridomestic habitats in an endemic area of the department of Boyacá, Colombia, in order to determine their genetic structure through morphometric and molecular techniques. The head and wings of each specimen were used for the analyses of size, shape, and sexual dimorphism.

Bile duct-duodenal fistula caused by AIDS/HIV-associated tuberculosis.

Although infrequent, digestive fistulae in HIV/AIDS patients have been reported throughout the digestive tract from the esophagus to the anus, with predominance of esophageal fistulae. AIDS/HIV-associated opportunistic infections may invade the digestive system and lead to fistula formation. Tuberculosis is the most common infection associated with these esophageal fistulae.