Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 Expression, γδ T-Cell/Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Interactions, and Prognosis in Merkel Cell Carcinoma.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous malignancy with a poor prognosis. One of the major mechanisms of immune evasion in MCC involves downregulation of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I). Anti-PD-1/programmed death ligand 1 checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized treatment for MCC, producing objective responses in approximately 50% of patients, and are now the standard of care; however, a substantial proportion of patients either fail to respond or develop resistance to checkpoint inhibitors.

Facilitating question identification through natural intensity eyebrow movements in virtual avatars.

In conversation, recognizing social actions (similar to 'speech acts') early is important to quickly understand the speaker's intended message and to provide a fast response. Fast turns are typical for fundamental social actions like questions, since a long gap can indicate a dispreferred response. In multimodal face-to-face interaction, visual signals may contribute to this fast dynamic.

Occurrence of Canker and Wood Rot Pathogens on Stone Fruit Propagation Material and Nursery Trees in the Western Cape of South Africa.

Dieback and canker of young stone fruit trees can cause suboptimal growth and even death under severe conditions. One source of inoculum of canker pathogens could be through nursery trees harboring latent infections that would not be visible to inspections done according to the deciduous fruit scheme. The objectives of this study were to identify the canker and wood rot fungal pathogens present in nursery stone fruit trees as well as in propagation material and to evaluate their pathogenicity.

Discovery of TITIN Gene Truncating Variant Mutations and 5-Year Outcomes in Patients With Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Genetic factors play an important role in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDC). However, prime opportunities remain for genetic discovery and prognostic understanding. TITIN gene truncating variant mutations (TTNtv) are of interest because of their frequent appearance in NIDC series.

Genetic Susceptibility for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Atrial Fibrillation Ablation.

Background: Ablation is a widely used therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF); however, arrhythmia recurrence and repeat procedures are common. Studies examining surrogate markers of genetic susceptibility to AF, such as family history and individual AF susceptibility alleles, suggest these may be associated with recurrence outcomes. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to test the association between AF genetic susceptibility and recurrence after ablation using a comprehensive polygenic risk score for AF.

Spontaneous Atrial Fibrillation in Transgenic Goats With TGF (Transforming Growth Factor)-β1 Induced Atrial Myopathy With Endurance Exercise.

Background: There is increasing evidence that endurance exercise is associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is unknown if the relationship between endurance exercise and AF is dependent on an atrial myopathy.

Methods: Six cardiac-specific TGF (transforming growth factor)-β1 transgenic and 6 wild-type (WT) goats were utilized for these studies.

Biomarkers in the risk assessment for stroke and dementia in atrial fibrillation.

Purpose Of Review: Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common clinically encountered arrhythmias exhibiting a strong association with a spectrum of cerebral injuries from the occurrence of clinical stroke, subclinical stroke, dementia, and cognitive decline. Dynamic noninvasive specific and sensitive diagnostic tests may allow a personalized approach to the atrial fibrillation patient's treatment based upon quantitative parameters, aiming to prevent or delay stroke, dementia, progressive cognitive decline, or to assess responses to these therapies. This review will explore molecular markers that have been shown to have an association with atrial fibrillation, and have a potential to be predictive for the risk for stroke, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia in these patients.

Free thyroxine within the normal reference range predicts risk of atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Hyperthyroidism is a known precipitating factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, recent reports have suggested an increased risk of AF with free thyroxine (fT4) levels even within the upper reference (normal) range. We sought to test whether higher fT4 levels within the reference range are associated with an increased risk of AF.

The Impact of Repeated Cardioversions for Atrial Fibrillation on Stroke, Hospitalizations, and Catheter Ablation Outcomes.

Background: Long-term outcomes after direct current cardioversion (DCCV) in patients that receive anticoagulation have demonstrated to have no adverse sequela. Less is known about the impact on atrial fibrillation (AF) outcomes and resource utilization of repeated DCCVs that are often required for long-term rhythm control.

Methods: A total of 4,135 AF patients >18 years of age that underwent DCCV with long-term system follow-up were evaluated.

Stroke and dementia risk in patients with and without atrial fibrillation and carotid arterial disease.

Background: Patients with carotid arterial disease (CD) with and without atrial fibrillation (AF) are at risk of stroke. Patients with AF are at a higher risk of stroke and dementia.

Objectives: We sought to understand the risks of stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and dementia in patients with and without AF and CD or a combination of both as well as to determine whether therapies for each disease may influence risks.

Augmented intelligence decision tool for stroke prediction combines factors from CHA DS -VASc and the intermountain risk score for patients with atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: CHA DS -VASc and CHADS are computationally simple risk prediction tools used to guide anticoagulation decisions for stroke prophylaxis, but they have modest risk discrimination ability and use static dichotomous variables. The Intermountain Mortality Risk Scores (IMRS) are dynamic decision tools using standard clinical laboratory tests. This study derived new stroke prediction scores using variables from both CHA DS -VASc and IMRS.

CHADS-VASc scores and Intermountain Mortality Risk Scores for the joint risk stratification of dementia among patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: High CHADS-VASc scores in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients are generally associated with increased risks of stroke and dementia. At lower CHADS-VASc scores, there remains an unquantifiable cranial injury risk, necessitating an improved risk assessment method within these lower-risk groups.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether sex-specific Intermountain Mortality Risk Scores (IMRS), a dynamic measures of systemic health that comprises commonly performed blood tests, can stratify dementia risk overall and among CHADS-VASc score strata in AF patients.

The role of microRNAs in the development, regulation, and treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNA)s regulate expression of genes involved in various processes including cardiac automaticity, conduction, excitability, and fibrosis and therefore may provide a diagnostic utility to identify high-risk patients for atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that specific profiles of circulating miRNAs can identify patients with AF and can also help to identify patients at high risk of AF recurrence after ablation.

Methods: Two patient populations were studied: 140 AF cases (93 paroxysmal and 47 persistent) and 50 healthy controls, and 141 AF ablation cases with (n = 86) and without (n = 55) 1-year recurrence.

Improving CHADS-VASc stratification of non-fatal stroke and mortality risk using the Intermountain Mortality Risk Score among patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy guidelines recommend using CHADS-VASc to determine OAC need in atrial fibrillation (AF). A usable tool, CHADS-VASc is challenged by its predictive ability. Applying components of the complete blood count and basic metabolic profile, the Intermountain Mortality Risk Score (IMRS) has been extensively validated.

Delivery of the second twin: influence of presentation on neonatal outcome, a case controlled study.

Background: Spontaneous vaginal twin delivery after 32nd week of gestation is safe when first twin presenting cephalic. Aim of this study is to identify obstetric factors influencing the condition of second twin and to verify whether non-cephalic presentation and vaginal breech delivery of the second twin is safe.

Methods: This is a retrospective case controlled cohort study of 717 uncomplicated twin deliveries ≥32 + 0 weeks of gestation from 2005 to 2014 in two tertiary perinatal centers.