Deep Learning Based Prediction of Atrial Fibrillation Disease Progression with Endocardial Electrograms in a Canine Model.

Objective: We sought to determine whether electrical patterns in endocardial wavefronts contained elements specific to atrial fibrillation (AF) disease progression.

Methods: A canine paced model (n=7, female mongrel, 29±2 kg) of persistent AF was endocardially mapped with a 64-electrode basket catheter during periods of AF at 1 month, 3 month, and 6 months post-implant of stimulator. A 50-layer residual network was then trained to map half-second electrogram samples to their source timepoint.

Global reporting of pulmonary embolism-related deaths in the World Health Organization mortality database: Vital registration data from 123 countries.

Introduction: Pulmonary embolism (PE) has not been accounted for as a cause of death contributing to cause-specific mortality in global reports.

Methods: We analyzed global PE-related mortality by focusing on the latest year available for each member state in the World Health Organization (WHO) mortality database, which provides age-sex-specific aggregated mortality data transmitted by national authorities for each underlying cause of death. PE-related deaths were defined by International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes for acute PE or nonfatal manifestations of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

CT radiomic features of photodynamic priming in clinical pancreatic adenocarcinoma treatment.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers localized focal ablation in unresectable pancreatic tumors while tissues surrounding the treatment volume experience a lower light dose, termed photodynamic priming (PDP). While PDP does not cause tissue damage, it has been demonstrated to promote vascular permeability, improve drug delivery, alleviate tumor cell density, and reduce desmoplasia and the resultant internal pressure in pre-clinical evaluation. Preclinical data supports PDP as a neoadjuvant therapy beneficial to subsequent chemotherapy or immunotherapy, yet it is challenging to quantify PDP effects in clinical treatment without additional imaging and testing.

Infrared thermography can detect previsual bacterial growth in a laboratory setting via metabolic heat detection.

Aims: Detection of bacterial contamination in healthcare and industry takes many hours if not days. Thermal imaging, the measurement of heat by an infrared camera, was investigated as a potential noninvasive method of detecting bacterial growth.

Methods And Results: Infrared thermography can detect the presence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus on solid growth media by an increase in temperature before they are visually observable.

Using data assimilation to train a hybrid forecast system that combines machine-learning and knowledge-based components.

We consider the problem of data-assisted forecasting of chaotic dynamical systems when the available data are in the form of noisy partial measurements of the past and present state of the dynamical system. Recently, there have been several promising data-driven approaches to forecasting of chaotic dynamical systems using machine learning. Particularly promising among these are hybrid approaches that combine machine learning with a knowledge-based model, where a machine-learning technique is used to correct the imperfections in the knowledge-based model.

Evaluation of the Cost-Effectiveness of Iron Formulations for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the UK.

Introduction: In patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) can impair quality of life and increase healthcare costs. Treatment options for IDA-associated IBD include oral iron and intravenous iron formulations (such as ferric carboxymaltose [FCM], ferric derisomaltose [FD, previously known as iron isomaltoside 1000], and iron sucrose [IS]). The present analysis compared the cost-effectiveness of FCM versus FD, IS, and oral iron sulfate in terms of additional cost per additional responder in the UK setting.

Coagulation derangement and risk factors for valve thrombosis following transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Aims: Durability of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is key to its expansion. We sought to identify incidence of valve thrombosis and predictors of valve thrombosis in our single centre with associated coagulation testing pre-TAVI and post-TAVI.

Methods And Results: This single-centre observational study comprised patients undergoing transfemoral TAVI discussed in the Heart Team meeting .

Pilot data from the Self-Blame and Perspective-Taking Intervention for eating disorders.

Eating disorders (EDs) are characterized by altered eating behaviors and valuation of self-image, as well as difficulty establishing supportive social relationships. This pilot study evaluated feasibility, acceptability, and clinical responses to a novel and brief group-therapy intervention for EDs, the Self-Blame and Perspective-Taking Intervention (SBPI). The SBPI consisted of four sessions of experiential art therapy activities in conjunction with psychoeducation targeting interpersonal attributions and mentalization.

High frame rate video mosaicking microendoscope to image large regions of intact tissue with subcellular resolution.

High-resolution microendoscopy (HRME) is a low-cost strategy to acquire images of intact tissue with subcellular resolution at frame rates ranging from 11 to 18 fps. Current HRME imaging strategies are limited by the small microendoscope field of view (∼0.5 mm); multiple images must be acquired and reliably registered to assess large regions of clinical interest.

Grant deadline: An escape room to simulate grant submissions.

Background And Purpose: Previous lectures for graduate trainees did not convey the urgency, complexity, and challenges of a successful grant submission. To increase engagement, instructors applied gamification principles to create an educational escape room. Serious games used in other settings engage participants to solve problems, build teamwork, and improve communication skills.

Suppression of Breast Cancer by Small Molecules That Block the Prolactin Receptor.

Prolactin (PRL) is a protein hormone which in humans is secreted by pituitary lactotrophs as well as by many normal and malignant non-pituitary sites. Many lines of evidence demonstrate that both circulating and locally produced PRL increase breast cancer (BC) growth and metastases and confer chemoresistance. Our objective was to identify and then characterize small molecules that block the tumorigenic actions of PRL in BC.

Outcomes of a Pharmacist-Led Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Program in an Urban Safety-Net Health System, Chicago, 2017-2019.

Objective: A recommendation in March 2020 to expand hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening to all adults in the United States will likely increase the need for HCV treatment programs and guidance on how to provide this service for diverse populations. We evaluated a pharmacist-led HCV treatment program within a routine screening program in an urban safety-net health system in Chicago, Illinois.

Methods: We collected data on all patient treatment applications submitted from January 1, 2017, through June 30, 2019, and assessed outcomes of and patient retention in the treatment cascade.

Deep Learning in Biomedical Optics.

This article reviews deep learning applications in biomedical optics with a particular emphasis on image formation. The review is organized by imaging domains within biomedical optics and includes microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging, in vivo microscopy, widefield endoscopy, optical coherence tomography, photoacoustic imaging, diffuse tomography, and functional optical brain imaging. For each of these domains, we summarize how deep learning has been applied and highlight methods by which deep learning can enable new capabilities for optics in medicine.

The developing relations between networks of cortical myelin and neurophysiological connectivity.

Recent work identified that patterns of distributed brain regions sharing similar myeloarchitecture are related to underlying functional connectivity, demonstrating cortical myelin's plasticity to changes in functional demand. However, the changing relations between functional and structural architecture throughout child and adulthood are poorly understood. We show that structural covariance connectivity (T1-weighted/T2-weighted ratio) and functional connectivity (magnetoencephalography) exhibit nonlinear developmental changes.

Degradation of the Endothelial Glycocalyx Contributes to Metabolic Acidosis in Children Following Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery.

Objectives: Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery is complicated by metabolic acidosis, microvascular dysfunction, and capillary leak. The glycocalyx-a layer of proteins and sugars lining the vascular endothelium-is degraded during cardiopulmonary bypass. We aimed to describe the kinetics of glycocalyx degradation during and following cardiopulmonary bypass.

Trauma-induced coagulopathy.

Uncontrolled haemorrhage is a major preventable cause of death in patients with traumatic injury. Trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) describes abnormal coagulation processes that are attributable to trauma. In the early hours of TIC development, hypocoagulability is typically present, resulting in bleeding, whereas later TIC is characterized by a hypercoagulable state associated with venous thromboembolism and multiple organ failure.

Field Analysis of Biological Factors Associated With Sites at High and Low to Moderate Risk for Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Winter Activity in Florida.

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is the most pathogenic arbovirus endemic to the United States. Studies have demonstrated Florida's role as a regional reservoir for the virus and its ability to support year-round transmission. Previous research has developed risk index models for mapping locations most at risk for EEEV transmission.

A Comparison of Thrombosis and Hemorrhage Rates in Patients With Severe Respiratory Failure Due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Influenza Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Objectives: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a lifesaving therapy for patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome refractory to conventional mechanical ventilation. It is frequently complicated by both thrombosis and hemorrhage. A markedly prothrombotic state associated with high rates of venous thromboembolism has been described in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (coronavirus disease 2019) infection.

Smartphone-based imaging systems for medical applications: a critical review.

Significance: Smartphones come with an enormous array of functionality and are being more widely utilized with specialized attachments in a range of healthcare applications. A review of key developments and uses, with an assessment of strengths/limitations in various clinical workflows, was completed.

Aim: Our review studies how smartphone-based imaging (SBI) systems are designed and tested for specialized applications in medicine and healthcare.