Heart Rate Reduction Is Associated With Reverse Left Ventricular Remodeling and Mechanism-Specific Molecular Phenotypes in Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Heart rate (HR) affects heart failure outcomes, via uncertain mechanisms that may include left ventricular remodeling. However, in human ventricular myocardium, HR change has not been associated with a particular remodeling molecular phenotype.

Methods: Patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (N=22) in sinus rhythm and refractory to β-blockade for both HR lowering and reverse remodeling were randomized 2:1 double-blind to the HCN4 (hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated potassium channel 4) channel inhibitor ivabradine or placebo for 24 weeks treatment while maintaining target doses of β-blockers.

Vascular Microphysiological System for Investigating Endothelial Barrier Function During Organ Preservation and Reperfusion.

Endothelial cell damage after cold preservation and reperfusion injury causes deterioration of the endothelial barrier and ultimately results in edema, leading to transplant failure. Here, a vascular microphysiological system (MPS) is introduced as a testbed to investigate the combinational effect of thermal and fluid perturbations (i.e.

Trends in use of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy before Dobbs, after Dobbs leak, and after Dobbs final ruling.

Objective: To determine if the use of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) increased after the Dobbs decision leak on May 2, 2022, and after the Dobbs final ruling on June 24, 2022, compared with before the Dobbs decision.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Subjects: Patients who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) within a large fertility network geographically distributed across six states from June 2021 through June 2023.

Trainee-Reported Outcomes of Otology Simulation Training: Examining Effectiveness of the VOXEL-MAN Temporal Bone Simulator as a Training Adjunct in Mastoid Surgery.

Introduction: Mastoid surgery is technically challenging with complex three-dimensional (3D) anatomy. With reduced access to traditional training methods and increasing new technologies available, virtual reality simulation is being evaluated in a regional training program as an adjunct to existing training structures.

Methods: Twenty higher surgical trainees were instructed to complete a cortical mastoidectomy and posterior tympanotomy on a VOXEL-MAN simulator (VOXEL-MAN, Hamburg, Germany).

Harnessing Nanotechnology to Enhance Essential Oil Applications.

Essential oils (EOs) are versatile natural compounds with significant antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, and therapeutic properties, making them valuable in industries such as food preservation, agriculture, and healthcare. However, their inherent volatility, low water solubility, and susceptibility to environmental degradation limit their direct applications. Nanotechnology offers transformative solutions to these challenges, enhancing the stability, bioavailability, and efficacy of EOs through innovative nano systems such as nano emulsions, encapsulations, and nanocomposites.