Diagnostic and Prognostic Performance of Aortic Valve Calcium Score with Cardiac CT for Aortic Stenosis: A Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic performance of the aortic valve calcium score (AVCS) with the Agatston method using CT in aortic stenosis (AS) and to assess mean AVCS according to AS severity.

Materials And Methods: In this meta-analysis, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were searched from January 1, 1980, to December 31, 2020, for studies reporting sensitivity and specificity of AVCS using CT for severe AS, mean AVCS in severe and nonsevere AS, and/or hazard ratios for all-cause mortality in AS. Data were pooled using random effect models and meta-analysis software.

Best practices in statistical computing.

The world is becoming increasingly complex, both in terms of the rich sources of data we have access to and the statistical and computational methods we can use on data. These factors create an ever-increasing risk for errors in code and the sensitivity of findings to data preparation and the execution of complex statistical and computing methods. The consequences of coding and data mistakes can be substantial.

Clinical and Echocardiographic Characteristics of Bartonella Infective Endocarditis: An 8-Year Single-Centre Experience in the United States.

Background: Infective endocarditis due to Bartonella species is rare. The clinical and echocardiographic characteristics are not well defined. We aimed to investigate the clinical and echocardiographic findings of Bartonella endocarditis in the contemporary era.

Early surgery is associated with improved long-term survival compared to class I indication for isolated severe tricuspid regurgitation.

Background: Isolated tricuspid valve (TV) surgery has higher mortality compared with other single-valve operations. The optimal timing and indications remain controversial, and earlier surgery before the development of class I surgical indications may improve outcomes. We aimed to compare the characteristics and outcomes of surgery for isolated tricuspid regurgitation (TR), based on class I indication versus an earlier operation.

An Initiative to Improve 30-Day Readmission Rates Using a Transitions-of-Care Clinic Among a Mixed Urban and Rural Veteran Population.

Background/objective: Hospital readmissions in the United States, especially in patients at high-risk, cost more than $17 billion annually. Although care transitions is an important area of research, data are limited regarding its efficacy, especially among rural patients. In this study, we describe a novel transitions-of-care clinic (TOCC) to reduce 30-day readmissions in a Veterans Health Administration setting that serves a high proportion of rural veterans.

Defining the reference range for right ventricular systolic strain by echocardiography in healthy subjects: A meta-analysis.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) systolic strain has recently demonstrated prognostic value in various cardiovascular diseases. Despite this, the reference range including the lower limit of normal (LLN) and factors associated with RV strain measurements are not well-established. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the mean and LLN of two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) right ventricular global (RVGLS), free wall (RVFWLS) and interventricular septal wall (IVSLS) longitudinal strains in healthy individuals and factors that affect strain measurements.

Cost-effectiveness of adjunctive negative pressure wound therapy in paediatric burn care: evidence from the SONATA in C randomised controlled trial.

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been shown to improve clinical outcomes for children with burns by accelerating wound re-epithelialisation. Its effects on healthcare costs, however, remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of NPWT from a healthcare provider perspective using evidence from the SONATA in C randomised controlled trial, in which 101 children with small-area burns were allocated to either standard care (silver-impregnated dressings) or standard care in combination with adjunctive NPWT.

Sexual violence victimization among American college students studying abroad.

Research has just begun to identify American college students who study abroad as a group at-risk for sexual violence victimization. The purpose of the current study was to examine the context of these incidents. We utilized a large longitudinal sample of 2,428 United States college students studying abroad for between 4 and 21 weeks in 12 different foreign countries.

Correlation of manual semi-quantitative and automated quantitative Ki-67 proliferative index with OncotypeDXTM recurrence score in invasive breast carcinoma.

Background: Ki-67 immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining is a widely used cancer proliferation assay; however, its limitations could be improved with automated scoring. The OncotypeDXTM Recurrence Score (ORS), which primarily evaluates cancer proliferation genes, is a prognostic indicator for breast cancer chemotherapy response; however, it is more expensive and slower than Ki-67.

Objective: To compare manual Ki-67 (mKi-67) with automated Ki-67 (aKi-67) algorithm results based on manually selected Ki-67 "hot spots" in breast cancer, and correlate both with ORS.

What to measure in biliary atresia research: study protocol for developing a core outcome set.

Aim: Extrahepatic biliary atresia is a rare disorder. This creates challenges in the quality and quantity of research conducted. This issue is exacerbated by the potential heterogeneity in the reported outcomes in research examining the management of biliary atresia.

Curricular Considerations for Preparing Student Pharmacists to Prescribe Hormonal Contraception.

In 2014, the pharmacist's role in the United States expanded to include prescribing hormonal contraception, and this practice is currently addressed by policy in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Training and education requirements for this expanded scope of practice vary between states and are changing rapidly. The objective of this review is to examine how student pharmacists are taught to provide contraceptive care, specifically for prescribing ongoing hormonal contraception and emergency contraception, and to identify potential gaps in the United States pharmacy curricula related to contraception.

Cardiac risk stratification in cancer patients: A longitudinal patient-patient network analysis.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in general population and the second leading cause of mortality and morbidity in cancer survivors after recurrent malignancy in the United States. The growing awareness of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) has led to an emerging field of cardio-oncology; yet, there is limited knowledge on how to predict which patients will experience adverse cardiac outcomes. We aimed to perform unbiased cardiac risk stratification for cancer patients using our large-scale, institutional electronic medical records.

Can buprenorphine be used for opioid use disorder during pregnancy?

New clinical studies indicate that buprenorphine can be a promising alternative to methadone for treating opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnant women. Various benefits for the mother have been identified with buprenorphine's unique pharmacokinetics, effect on clinical outcomes, and convenience for the patient. With the growing problem of OUD in pregnant women, clinicians must be aware of treatment options and their associated advantages and disadvantages.

Surgical Repair for Primary Tricuspid Valve Disease: Individualized Surgical Planning With 3-Dimensional Printing.

Primary tricuspid valve (TV) disease is rare and associated with high operative mortality. Optimal surgical planning requires a precise understanding of the pathological features; however, detailed imaging of the TV can be challenging. We present 4 cases of primary TV disease where 3-dimensional printing was pivotal to operative planning and success.

Subthreshold Aortic Valve Calcium Scores in Severe Aortic Stenosis and Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis.

We have clinically observed that some patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis and severe aortic stenosis may have lesser degrees of calcification than one might expect. We report a case series of 3 patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis and severe aortic stenosis despite discordant aortic valve calcium scores. ().

Coronavirus disease and the cardiovascular system: a narrative review of the mechanisms of injury and management implications.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, is now a pandemic, having already spread to 188 countries, with more than 28,280,000 infections worldwide. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the responsible infectious agent, and similar to other human coronaviruses, uses membrane-bound angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (membrane-bound ACE2) for entry into the host cells. COVID-19 has important cardiovascular implications, especially for patients with pre-existing cardiovascular co-morbidities, potentially mediated through several mechanisms, including direct myocardial injury, worsening of those pre-existing cardiovascular co-morbidities, and adverse cardiovascular effects of potential therapies for COVID-19.

Outcomes of contemporary imaging-guided management of sinus of Valsalva aneurysms.

Background: Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (SVAs) are rare. We assessed the role of multimodality imaging in guiding the contemporary management.

Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study over a 20-year period was performed.

Patient activation and patient-reported outcomes of men from a community pharmacy lifestyle intervention after prostate cancer treatment.

Purpose: To report patient activation, which is the knowledge, skills, and confidence in self-managing health conditions, and patient-reported outcomes of men after prostate cancer treatment from a community pharmacy lifestyle intervention.

Methods: The 3-month lifestyle intervention was delivered to 116 men in nine community pharmacies in the UK. Patient Activation Measure (PAM) was assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months.

Menstrual Patterns Among Patients With Anorexia Nervosa and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: Does "Junk Food" Play a Role?

Purpose: Few studies have examined menstrual differences between patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) versus avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). After observing that many patients with ARFID maintain regular menses despite weight loss, we sought to characterize these menstrual differences in the context of specific eating behaviors.

Methods: Patients with AN or ARFID in a disordered eating database at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center were included.

Treatment of Acute Pain in Adults With Sickle Cell Disease in an Infusion Center Versus the Emergency Department : A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) have vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs). Infusion centers (ICs) are alternatives to emergency department (ED) care and may improve patient outcomes.

Objective: To assess whether care in ICs or EDs leads to better outcomes for the treatment of uncomplicated VOCs.

Successful management of stage IV epithelioid trophoblastic tumor using multimodality treatment: A case report.

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) is a rare variant of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) that develops from chorionic-type intermediate trophoblast, is more resistant to chemotherapy than choriocarcinoma, and presents with metastatic disease in 25-35% of cases. We report a case of a 32-year-old who presented one week postpartum with severe abdominal pain and was found to have profound anemia and an elevated hCG level. CT scans and MRI revealed bleeding from hepatic masses, multiple hemorrhagic pulmonary nodules, a 7 cm uterine mass, and brain metastases.