Remembering the Dead: What Community Newspaper Memorials Reveal.

People will understandably continue to remember significant persons long after their deaths. One possible remembrance practice is the placement of a memorial about the deceased person in a community newspaper. It is not clear what these memorials are intended to do, how they are constructed, who places them in a public sphere for open viewing, and what purpose or purposes they serve.

The Use of 3D-Echo in Edge-to-Edge Percutaneous Tricuspid Valve Repair.

The tricuspid valve (TV) is a complex anatomical entity. As surgical treatment for isolated tricuspid regurgitation has traditionally been associated with high peri- and post-operative mortality, advances in percutaneous transcatheter techniques of repair and replacement of the TV are emerging as safe and effective alternatives. This review summarizes the current evidence on the use of three-dimensional echocardiography to assist transcatheter-edge-to-edge repair (TEER) in patients with tricuspid regurgitation.

Validation of A Nationwide Digital Pediatric Pathology Consultation Network.

Background: Digital pathology facilitates remote pathology consultations. Pediatric pathologists in Canada formed a nationwide digital pathology consultation network, mostly for second opinion review of pediatric cancer cases. Validation of such a large network for clinical use is challenging.

Inference of entropy production for periodically driven systems.

The problem of estimating entropy production from incomplete information in stochastic thermodynamics is essential for theory and experiments. Whereas a considerable amount of work has been done on this topic, arguably, most of it is restricted to the case of nonequilibrium steady states driven by a fixed thermodynamic force. Based on a recent method that has been proposed for nonequilibrium steady states, we obtain an estimate of the entropy production based on the statistics of visible transitions and their waiting times for the case of periodically driven systems.

Freshwater sponges in the southeastern U.S. harbor unique microbiomes that are influenced by host and environmental factors.

Marine, and more recently, freshwater sponges are known to harbor unique microbial symbiotic communities relative to the surrounding water; however, our understanding of the microbial ecology and diversity of freshwater sponges is vastly limited compared to those of marine sponges. Here we analyzed the microbiomes of three freshwater sponge species: , , and , across four sites in western North Carolina, U.S.

Effect of the Membrane Environment on Pharmacologic Inhibition of hERG K Channel Activity.

Background: hERG encodes K11.1 voltage-gated K channels, which generate the rapidly activating delayed rectifier K current that contributes to repolarization of the cardiac action potential. In addition to being targeted by many class III antiarrhythmic agents, these channels are also inhibited by a multitude of other pharmacological compounds, which can produce acquired long QT syndrome, leading to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.

Sponge exhalent metabolites influence coral reef picoplankton dynamics.

Coral reef sponges efficiently take up particulate and dissolved organic matter (DOM) from the water column and release compounds such as nucleosides, amino acids, and other dissolved metabolites to the surrounding reef via their exhalent seawater, but the influence of this process on reef picoplankton and nutrient processing is relatively unexplored. Here we examined the impact of sponge exhalent on the reef picoplankon community and subsequent alterations to the reef dissolved metabolite pool. We exposed reef picoplankton communities to a sponge exhalent water mixture (Niphates digitalis and Xestospongia muta) or filtered reef seawater (control) in closed, container-based dark incubations.

Thermodynamics of underdamped Brownian collisional engines: General features and resonant phenomena.

Collisional Brownian engines have been proposed as alternatives to nonequilibrium nanoscale engines. However, most studies have focused on the simpler overdamped case, leaving the role of inertia much less explored. In this work, we introduce the idea of collisional engines to underdamped Brownian particles, where at each stage the particle is sequentially subjected to a distinct driving force.

Five-Year Outcomes of Deep Sclerectomy in Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma Compared to Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.

: This study aimed to investigate the five-year outcomes of deep sclerectomy (DS) in patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). : This retrospective, observational, unicentric study analyzed POAG and PEXG patients. Intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of IOP-lowering medications, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, the number of postoperative interventions, surgical success rates, and secondary surgery rates were evaluated at baseline and during follow-up appointments.

Evaluating microplastic emission from takeaway containers: A Micro-Raman approach across diverse exposure scenarios.

Based on inconsistencies observed in literature regarding microplastic levels released by takeaway plastic containers, this study investigates the release from takeaway containers composed of polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). To simulate real-world conditions, experiments were conducted using Milli-Q water at room temperature, 100 °C, and at pH 4.5.

Exploring the Complexities of Non-Bacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis: Highlights from Literature and Case Studies.

Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is a form of non-infective endocarditis characterized by the deposition of sterile fibrin and platelets on cardiac valves. Even though some studies have identified important pathophysiological features, many aspects remain poorly understood. Given its wide availability, transthoracic echocardiography is typically the initial diagnostic approach to the patient.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation and management of mitral valve prolapse - a comprehensive review.

Mitral valve prolapse is a common valve disorder that usually has a benign prognosis unless there is significant regurgitation or LV impairment. However, a subset of patients are at an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, which has led to the recognition of "arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse" as a clinical entity. Emerging risk factors include mitral annular disjunction and myocardial fibrosis.

Thermodynamics of a minimal interacting heat engine: Comparison between engine designs.

Collective effects stemming from many interacting units have attracted remarkable recent interest, not only for their presence in several systems in nature but also for the possibility of being used for the construction of efficient engine setups. Notwithstanding, little is known about the influence of the engine design, and most studies are restricted to the simplest cases (e.g.

Clinical and echocardiographic results of the MEMO 4D semi-rigid annuloplasty ring.

Background: Mitral regurgitation is a frequent valvular disease, with an increasing prevalence. We analyzed the short-term outcomes of mitral valve repair procedures conducted in our clinic using a new semirigid annuloplasty ring featuring a gradual saddle shape design.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed mitral valve repair surgeries performed at our Institution between December 2019 and November 2021 with the MEMO 4D semirigid annuloplasty ring.

Levofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin Co-Crystals with Flavonoids: Solid-State Investigation for a Multitarget Strategy against .

In this paper, we address the problem of antimicrobial resistance in the case of with a crystal engineering approach. Two antibiotics of the fluoroquinolone class, namely, levofloxacin (LEV) and ciprofloxacin (CIP), have been co-crystallized with the flavonoids quercetin (QUE), myricetin (MYR), and hesperetin (HES), resulting in the formation of four co-crystals, namely, LEV∙QUE, LEV∙MYR, LEV∙HES, and CIP∙QUE. The co-crystals were obtained from solution, slurry, or mechanochemical mixing of the reactants.

Sponge-derived matter is assimilated by coral holobionts.

Coral reef biodiversity is maintained by a complex network of nutrient recycling among organisms. Sponges assimilate nutrients produced by other organisms like coral and algae, releasing them as particulate and dissolved matter, but to date, only a single trophic link between sponge-derived dissolved matter and a macroalgae has been identified. We sought to determine if sponge-coral nutrient exchange is reciprocal using a stable isotope 'pulse-chase' experiment to trace the uptake of C and N sponge-derived matter by the coral holobiont for three coral species (Acropora cervicornis, Orbicella faveolata, and Eunicea flexuosa).

Early Changes in LIPI Score Predict Immune-Related Adverse Events: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients on Immune Checkpoint Blockade.

In advanced cancer patients undergoing immune checkpoint blockade, the burden of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) is high. The need for reliable biomarkers for irAEs remains unfulfilled in this expanding therapeutic field. The lung immune prognostic index (LIPI) is a noninvasive measure of systemic inflammation that has consistently shown a correlation with survival in various cancer types when assessed at baseline.

Herpes zoster after the third dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-BNT162b2 vaccine in actively treated cancer patients: a prospective study.

Several concerns have been raised about a causal relationship between COVID-19 mRNA-based vaccines and the development of herpes zoster (HZ). We performed a prospective analysis of the Vax-On-Third-Profile study to investigate the incidence of HZ after the third dose of mRNA-BNT162b2 (tozinameran) and its correlation with immune responses. Patients who had received a booster dose and had been actively treated for at least 8 weeks were eligible.

Immune responses and clinical outcomes following the third dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-BNT162b2 vaccine in advanced breast cancer patients receiving targeted therapies: a prospective study.

Purpose: Metastatic breast cancer patients are the most prevalent oncology population with advanced disease facing COVID-19 pandemic. Immune responses after mRNA-based vaccination during treatment with CDK4/6 inhibitors or HER2-directed agents remain unclear. We conducted a prospective analysis to elucidate changes in antibody titers and lymphocyte counts following full course of mRNA-BNT162b2 (tozinameran) vaccination in recipients undergoing these targeted therapies.

A review on methods for extracting and quantifying microplastic in biological tissues.

Literature about the occurrence of microplastic in biological tissues has increased over the last few years. This review aims to synthesis the evidence on the preparation of biological tissues, chemical identification of microplastic and accumulation in tissues. Several microplastic's extraction approaches from biological tissues emerged (i.

Are Microplastics a Macro Issue? A Review on the Sources of Contamination, Analytical Challenges and Impact on Human Health of Microplastics in Food.

In recent years, human populations' exposure to microplastics via foods is becoming a topic of concern. Although microplastics have been defined as "emerging contaminants", their occurrence in the environment and food is quite dated. This systematic review aims to investigate the discrepancies which are characterizing the research in the microplastics field in foods, with particular regard to sample preparations, microplastics' concentrations and their effect on humans.

Evaluation of the anatomic sinus after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: Following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI), the newly formed 'anatomic sinus'. may contribute to the formation of subclinical leaflet thrombosis (SLT).The evaluation of root geometry after TAVI is generally performed using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT), and the role of transthoracic echocardiography (2D TTE) requires further validation.

Effects of Acetaminophen Exposure on Outcomes of Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

(1) Background: Several studies have investigated potential interactions between immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and commonly prescribed medications. Although acetaminophen (APAP) has not been considered susceptible to interaction with ICIs, recent research has shown that detectable plasma levels of this drug can hinder the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapies. A reliable assessment of the potential interaction between APAP and ICIs in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients would be worthwhile since it is often prescribed in this condition.

Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in Aesthetic Surgery.

Purpose: Our study aimed to characterize and objectify the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and the use of psychotropic drugs in patients interested in undergoing aesthetic surgery. The psychiatric profile of this population is particularly interesting and is related to self-perception and the general concept of beauty.

Methods: We conducted an observational, retrospective, and bicenter study of 2092 patients seen in plastic surgery departments.

Examining the Contemporary Use of Hospitals in Canada for Palliative Care Purposes: A Population-Based Study to Enable Policy and Program Developments.

It is commonly thought that most deaths in developed countries take place in hospital. Death place is a palliative care quality indicator. To determine the use of Canadian hospitals by patients who died in hospital during the 2019-2020 year and any additional hospital utilization occurring over their last 365 days of life.