Association of left ventricular remodeling with cardiac resynchronization therapy outcomes.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) response stratified by left ventricular (LV) remodeling revealed differing mortality profiles for distinct patient cohorts. Measuring functional end points, as well as mortality, may better assess CRT efficacy and inform patient management. However, the association between LV remodeling and functional outcomes after CRT is not well understood.

Electrocardiogram Belt guidance for left ventricular lead placement and biventricular pacing optimization.

Background: Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, non-left bundle branch block, or QRS duration <150 ms have a lower response rate to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) than did other indicated patients. The ECG Belt system (EBS) is a novel surface mapping system designed to measure electrical dyssynchrony via the standard deviation of the activation times of the left ventricle.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of the EBS in patients less likely to respond to CRT and to determine whether EBS use in lead placement guidance and device programming was superior to standard CRT care.

Association of interventricular activation delay with clinical outcomes in cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Pacing at sites of longest interventricular delay has been associated with greater reverse remodeling in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). However, the effects of pacing at such sites on clinical outcomes is less well studied.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the association between interventricular delay and clinical outcomes in CRT patients implanted with quadripolar left ventricular (LV) leads.

Anaphylaxis: Revision of the Brighton collaboration case definition.

The Brighton Collaboration (BC) has formulated a number of case definitions which have primarily been applied to adverse events of special interest in the context of vaccine safety surveillance. This is a revision of the 2007 BC case definition for anaphylaxis. Recently, the BC definition has been widely used for evaluating reports of suspected anaphylaxis following COVID-19 vaccination.

Risk factors for the development of premature ventricular complex-induced cardiomyopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) are a potentially reversible cause of heart failure. However, the characteristics of patients most likely to develop impaired left ventricular function are unclear. Hence, the objective of this study is to systematically assess risk factors for the development of PVC-induced cardiomyopathy.

IGF1R expression by adult oligodendrocytes is not required in the steady-state but supports neuroinflammation.

In the central nervous system (CNS), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) regulates myelination by oligodendrocyte (ODC) precursor cells and shows anti-apoptotic properties in neuronal cells in different in vitro and in vivo systems. Previous work also suggests that IGF-1 protects ODCs from cell death and enhances remyelination in models of toxin-induced and autoimmune demyelination. However, since evidence remains controversial, the therapeutic potential of IGF-1 in demyelinating CNS conditions is unclear.

Improvements in acne and skin oiliness with tazarotene 0.045% lotion in patients with oily skin.

Background: Excessive sebum production is a factor in acne development. Tazarotene 0.045% lotion has demonstrated reductions in acne lesions and acne-induced sequelae.

Long-term outcomes in nonprogressors to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Among patients with heart failure undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), patients with a minimal change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) have recently been defined as "nonprogressors" rather than as "nonresponders." Little is known regarding long-term outcomes of nonprogressors.

Objective: We sought to evaluate outcomes in patients undergoing CRT on the basis of echocardiographically determined response status.

Outcomes of the roll-in cohort of the Amulet IDE trial of left atrial appendage occlusion.

Background: Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion is an alternative therapy to oral anticoagulants to reduce stroke risk in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). The Amulet IDE trial compared the Amplatzer™ Amulet™ occluder (Abbott) with the Watchman™ 2.5 device (Boston Scientific) for LAA occlusion in patients with NVAF.

Physical characterization of frozen fruits from eight cultivars of the North American pawpaw ().

Pawpaw ( [L.] Dunal) is an underutilized fruit native to North America. The fruit has a short shelf life, and browns and softens rapidly after harvesting.

Should Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) Be Considered an Umbrella Disorder for Mental Illness and Associated Genetic and Epigenetic Induced Dysregulation of Brain Reward Circuitry?

Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) is defined as a breakdown of reward neurotransmission that results in a wide range of addictive, compulsive, and impulsive behaviors. RDS is caused by a combination of environmental (epigenetic) influences and DNA-based (genetic) neurotransmission deficits that interfere with the normal satisfaction of human physiological drives (i.e.

Treatment of bruising after injection to reduce cellulite.

Background: Cellulite 80%-98% of post-pubertal women and results in cutaneous dimples in the affected area.

Aims: Therapies that target collagenous fibrous septae often provide successful outcomes.

Materials & Methods: Collagenase clostridium histolyticum-aaes (CCH) for injection consists of two collagenases which, under physiologic conditions, disrupt collagen structures by hydrolyzing Type I and III collagen.

Improvements in skin quality parameters in postmenopausal participants after use of topical growth factor serum.

Background: Photodamage can induce skin aging processes that can be particularly concerning for postmenopausal women. Growth factors from hypoxic human fibroblast-conditioned media have demonstrated improvements in skin quality parameters.

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess efficacy and tolerability of topical combination-treatment hypoxic growth factor serum (TNS A+) in postmenopausal women with moderate to severe facial photodamage.

Residues from black soldier fly () larvae rearing influence the plant-associated soil microbiome in the short term.

The larvae of the black soldier fly (BSFL, ) efficiently close resource cycles. Next to the nutrient-rich insect biomass used as animal feed, the residues from the process are promising plant fertilizers. Besides a high nutrient content, the residues contain a diverse microbial community and application to soil can potentially promote soil fertility and agricultural production through the introduction of beneficial microbes.

Supplement Individual Article: Algorithm for Pre-/Post-Procedure Measures in Racial/Ethnic Populations Treated With Facial Lasers, Nonenergy Devices, or Injectables.

Background: Cosmetic procedures with lasers, nonenergy devices, and injectables are increasing in popularity among patients with skin of color. Published algorithms address measures to reduce side effects related to aesthetic procedures; however, none focus on reducing adverse events in skin of color.

Methods: An expert panel of dermatologists and plastic surgeons conducted face-to-face and online meetings to develop an algorithm for measures before, during, and after using aesthetic devices (energy and nonenergy-based) and injectable treatments based on the best available evidence for skin of color.

Assessing needs for linguistic interpretation in hospital settings: A retrospective analysis of ad hoc interpreter requests.

Background: In Canada, healthcare professionals often rely on ad hoc interpreters, who are untrained volunteers recruited via intercom hospital announcements to interpret for patients with language barriers. This study analyzed the frequency of ad hoc interpreter requests via intercom announcements to estimate hospital interpretation needs.

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis from intercom requests for medical interpretation collected from five hospitals of the McGill University Health Center.

Combination non-invasive radiofrequency and electrical muscle stimulation: A synergistic combination for body contouring.

Introduction: Patients desiring noninvasive body contouring increasing require a more comprehensive approach to soft tissue laxity, muscle, and adipose hypertrophy. Previous devices have typically focused on only adipose reduction, without impact on muscle or skin laxity. This study describes the first use of noninvasive bipolar radiofrequency in combination with electromagnetic muscle stimulation.

Picture-based acne lesion counts: A validation study to assess accuracy and reliability of acne lesion counts via photography.

Background: Acne lesion counting (ALC) is widely used to evaluate efficacy of new acne treatments. Although such evaluations are precise and highly discriminative, if assessed live, it can be a time-consuming and intrusive measurement. Photographic assessment is a viable mode for ALCs and for training and/or qualifying evaluators.

Differences in Self-identification of Opioid Overdose Risk and Naloxone Perceptions Between Therapeutic and Nontherapeutic Opioid Populations.

Objectives: Efforts to improve low naloxone uptake to mitigate the current opioid crisis have included coprescribing naloxone with opioid medications and, more recently, expansion through over-the-counter availability, the latter of which necessitates self-identification of overdose risk by consumers. This study sought to understand perceptions of opioid overdose risk and naloxone among distinct opioid populations at elevated risk for overdose.

Methods: A cross-sectional, online survey was provided to 2 opioid populations in June 2020.

Statistical Validation of Risk Alleles in Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS) Test: Early Identification of Risk for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in 74,566 Case-Control Subjects.

Since 1990, when our laboratory published the association of the DRD2 Taq A1 allele and severe alcoholism in , there has been an explosion of genetic candidate association studies, including GWAS. To develop an accurate test to help identify those at risk for at least Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), Blum's group developed the Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS) test, consisting of ten genes and eleven associated risk alleles. In order to statistically validate the selection of these risk alleles measured by GARS, we applied strict analysis to studies that investigated the association of each polymorphism with AUD or AUD-related conditions published from 1990 until 2021.

Randomized Trial of Left Bundle Branch vs Biventricular Pacing for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Background: Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) is the most rapidly growing conduction system pacing technique that is capable of correcting intrinsic left bundle branch block (LBBB). As such, it is potentially an optimal alternative to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with biventricular pacing (BiVP).

Objectives: The authors sought to compare the efficacy of LBBP-CRT with BiVP-CRT in patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Seizing the moment: The opportunity and relevance of the California Conservation Genomics Project to state and federal conservation policy.

Conservation science and environmental regulation are sibling constructs of the latter half of the 20th century, part of a more general awakening to humanity's effect on the natural world in the wake of 2 world wars. Efforts to understand the evolution of biodiversity using the models of population genetics and the data derived from DNA sequencing, paired with legal and political mandates to protect biodiversity through novel laws, regulations, and conventions arose concurrently. The extremely rapid rate of development of new molecular tools to document and compare genetic identities, and the global goal of prioritizing species and habitats for protection are separate enterprises that have benefited from each other, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for each.