Association of BLK and BANK1 gene polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematous in Egyptian patients.

This study examined the genotype, allelic frequencies (polymorphisms) in a sample of Egyptian patients and examined the relationship between disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the B lymphoid tyrosine kinase (BLK) and B-cell scaffold protein with ankyrin repeats 1 (BANK1) gene. This case control study involved 70 SLE patients and 40 subjects matched for age and sex as a control group. Clinical data were gathered from each participant, including SLE-related clinical activity indicators.

Flecainide to Prevent Atrial Arrhythmia After Patent Foramen Ovale Closure: AFLOAT Study, A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: The real incidence of atrial arrhythmia (AA) after patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure and whether this complication can be prevented remain unknown. We assessed whether flecainide is effective to prevent AA during the first 3 months after PFO closure, and whether 6 months of treatment with flecainide is more effective than 3 months to prevent AA after PFO closure.

Methods: AFLOAT (Assessment of Flecainide to Lower the Patent Foramen Ovale Closure Risk of Atrial Fibrillation or Tachycardia Trial) is a prospective, multicentre, randomized, open-label, superiority trial with a blind evaluation of all the end points (PROBE [Prospective Randomized Open, Blinded End Point] design).

Investigation into the Effects of Crystalline Admixtures and Coatings on the Properties of Self-Healing Concrete.

One fascinating concept for enhancing the durability and lifespan of concrete buildings involves the use of self-healing concrete. This study focuses on the effect of crystalline admixtures and coatings on various properties of self-healing concrete and provides a comparison with traditional concrete. Four different concrete mixtures were prepared to assess their effectiveness in bridging crack openings, their flexural and compressive strengths, and water absorption.

Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Compared with Warfarin in Patients with Low Bodyweight who have Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Introduction: oral anticoagulant (DOAC) agents are becoming the anticoagulation strategy of choice for most clinical risks for which they are indicated. However, residual uncertainty remains regarding their use in preventing stroke in patients with low bodyweight [< 60 kg or body mass index (BMI) < 18 kg/m]. We have carried out pooled systematic analyses of published studies to determine the efficacy and safety of these agents compared with warfarin in stroke prevention in patients with low bodyweight.

Flecainide to prevent atrial arrhythmia after patent foramen ovale closure, Rationale and design of the randomized AFLOAT study.

Introduction: Atrial arrhythmia is the most common complication of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure. The real incidence of post-PFO closure atrial arrhytmia and whether this complication can be prevented is unknown.

Methods/design: The Assessment of Flecainide to Lower the PFO closure risk of Atrial fibrillation or Tachycardia (AFLOAT) trial is a prospective, national, multicentre, randomized, open-label, superiority trial with a blind evaluation of all the endpoints (PROBE design).

Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Low Body Weight Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) agents are established as the anticoagulation strategy of choice for a variety of clinical risks. Despite this, uncertainty still exists with regard to their efficacy and safety for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in some patient populations; most notably those with low body weight (LBW) (<60 kg or body mass index [BMI] <18 kg/m). Currently, there is a paucity of trial and non-trial data to support a prescriptive recommendation for their use in these patient cohorts.

Experimental Investigation on Machinability of α/β Titanium Alloys with Different Microstructures.

In the current study, Ti-6Al-4V (Ti64) and Ti-6Al-7Nb (Ti67) alloys were prepared by vacuum arc melting. The produced samples were then subjected to different heat treatment regimes. The evolved microstructures and their corresponding hardness were investigated.

Double vitrification and warming does not compromise the chance of live birth after single unbiopsied blastocyst transfer.

Study Question: Does double vitrification and thawing of an embryo compromise the chance of live birth after a single blastocyst transfer?

Summary Answer: The live birth rate (LBR) obtained after double vitrification was comparable to that obtained after single vitrification.

What Is Known Already: Double vitrification-warming (DVW) is commonly practiced to accommodate surplus viable embryos suitable for transfer, to allow retesting of inconclusively diagnosed blastocysts in preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), and to circumvent limitations associated with national policies on embryo culture in certain countries. Despite its popularity, the evidence concerning the impact of DVW practice on ART outcomes is limited and lacking credibility.

Prognostic utility of MicroRNA-221 and interleukin-6 in cerebral ischemic stroke.

Cerebral ischemic stroke has a significant mortality rate and persistent impairment. The initial diagnosis of stroke occurs by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. There is a strong need for more accessible, less expensive, and non-invasive methods besides the neuroimaging methods.

Dysmenorrhea in adolescents requires careful investigation of endometriosis-an analysis of early menstrual experiences in a large case-control study.

Introduction: Recent evidence shows that endometriosis, a significant cause of infertility, may already present in adolescents. Dysmenorrhea, often leading to school absences, is a key symptom of the maturing menstrual cycle but also of endometriosis. However, it is often perceived as "normal" and left untreated.

Physical Activity in Women with Endometriosis: Less or More Compared with a Healthy Control?

Background: Endometriosis, i.e., endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting physical functioning.

Wire-based antegrade dissection re-entry technique for coronary chronic total occlusions percutaneous revascularization: Experience from the ERCTO Registry.

Background: The recent development and widespread adoption of antegrade dissection re-entry (ADR) techniques have been underlined as one of the antegrade strategies in all worldwide CTO consensus documents. However, historical wire-based ADR experience has suffered from disappointing long-term outcomes.

Aims: Compare technical success, procedural success, and long-term outcome of patients who underwent wire-based ADR technique versus antegrade wiring (AW).

Computed Tomography Scan Evidence for Left Atrial Appendage Short-Term Remodeling Following Percutaneous Occlusion: Impact of Device Oversizing.

Background The interrelationships between left atrial appendage (LAA) dimensions and device following implantation are unknown. We aimed to analyze the impact of Watchman device implantation on LAA dimensions following its percutaneous closure and potential predictors of remodeling. Methods and Results All consecutive LAA closure procedures performed at 2 centers between November 2017 and December 2020 were included in the WATCH-DUAL (Watchman 2.

Influence of heat treatment processes on microstructure evolution, tensile and tribological properties of Ti6Al4V alloy.

The influence of heat treatment processes on microstructure, tensile and tribological properties of Ti6Al4V alloy was investigated. The specimens were heated for 30 min at 925 °C and then cooled at various rates by water quenching, air cooling, and furnace cooling. After that, the samples were aged for four hours at 600 °C.

MASP2 inhibition by narsoplimab suppresses endotheliopathies characteristic of transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy: in vitro and ex vivo evidence.

Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is an endotheliopathy complicating up to 30% of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (alloHSCT). Positive feedback loops among complement, pro-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, and coagulation cascade likely assume dominant roles at different disease stages. We hypothesized that mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease 2 (MASP2), principal activator of the lectin complement system, is involved in the microvascular endothelial cell (MVEC) injury characteristic of TA-TMA through pathways that are susceptible to suppression by anti-MASP2 monoclonal antibody narsoplimab.

Higher miscarriage rate in subfertile women with endometriosis receiving unbiopsied frozen-warmed single blastocyst transfers.

Assisted reproductive technology treatment is recommended to overcome endometriosis-associated infertility but current evidence is controversial. Endometriosis is associated with lower antral follicle count (AFC) and oocyte yield but similar clinical outcomes compared to controls. Unaffected ovarian stimulation response and embryological outcomes but lower clinical pregnancy and live birth rates and higher miscarriage rates have been reported, implying direct impact on endometrial receptivity.

Metallurgical investigation of early failure of heater pipes in a gas complex.

An early corrosion failure of the piping system of a gas heater was reported by a gas complex company. Local corrosion rates of 0.90 and 0.

Defibrotide mitigates endothelial cell injury induced by plasmas from patients with COVID-19 and related vasculopathies.

Background And Objectives: COVID-19 progression is characterized by systemic small vessel arterial and venous thrombosis. Microvascular endothelial cell (MVEC) activation and injury, platelet activation, and histopathologic features characteristic of acute COVID-19 also describe certain thrombotic microangiopathies, including atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome (aHUS), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)-associated veno-occlusive disease (VOD). We explored the effect of clinically relevant doses of defibrotide, approved for HSCT-associated VOD, on MVEC activation/injury.

Influence of Microstructure and Alloy Composition on the Machinability of α/β Titanium Alloys.

A comparative study was conducted for the machining of two α/β titanium alloys, namely Ti-6Al-4V (Ti64) and Ti-6Al-7Nb (Ti67), using wire electric discharge machining (WEDM). The influence of cutting speed and cutting mode on the machined surfaces in terms of surface roughness (Ra), recast layer (RL), and micro-hardness have been evaluated. Rough cut (RC) mode at a cutting speed of 50 µm/s resulted in thermal damage; Ra was equal to 5.

Evaluation of circulating miR-16-5p and miR-223-5p in association with musculoskeletal ultrasonography seven-joint score in the assessment of rheumatoid arthritis activity.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by ongoing joint destruction. MicroRNAs (miRs) are blood-based biomarkers linked to RA pathogenesis. The musculoskeletal ultrasonography seven-joint score (US7) is an objective tool to assess RA activity.

Stage 2: The Vaginal Flora in Women Undergoing Fetal Spina Bifida Repair and Its Potential Association with Preterm Rupture of Membranes and Preterm Birth.

Introduction: Vaginal dysbiosis affects pregnancy outcomes, however, the relevance of abnormal findings on pre/post-surgical vaginal culture in women undergoing fetal spina bifida (fSB) repair is unknown.

Objectives: To describe the incidence of normal and abnormal pre- and post-surgical vaginal microorganisms in fSB patients and to investigate potential associations between the type of vaginal flora and the occurrence of preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) and preterm birth (PTB).

Methods: 99 women undergoing fSB repair were eligible (2010-2019).

Effect of Bi and Ca on the Solidification Parameters of Sr-Modified Al-S-Cu (Mg) Alloys.

The effect of tramp elements, mainly Bi and Ca, on the thermal characteristics of Sr-modified Al-Si-Cu and Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys has been investigated using thermal analysis, X-ray radiography, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) techniques. The high affinity of Bi to interact with Sr results in an increase in the Al-Si eutectic temperature, and hence an increase in the size of eutectic silicon particles. In contrast, the Ca-Sr interaction seems to have no significant effect on the alloy thermal behavior.

Five-year clinical outcomes using the bioresorbable vascular scaffold: Insights from the FRANCE ABSORB registry.

Background: Randomized trials comparing the first-generation absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA) with a drug-eluting stent showed a moderate but significant increase in the rate of 3-year major adverse cardiac events and scaffold thrombosis, followed by a decrease in adverse events after 3 years.

Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the 5-year outcomes of patients treated with at least one absorb BVS and included in the FRANCE ABSORB registry.

Methods: All patients treated in France with an absorb BVS were prospectively included in a large nationwide multicentre registry.