Electrocardiographic abnormalities in COVID-19 patients visiting the emergency department: a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be associated with myocardial injury. Identification of at-risk patients and mechanisms underlying cardiac involvement in COVID-19 remains unclear. During hospitalization for COVID-19, high troponin level has been found to be an independent variable associated with in-hospital mortality and a greater risk of complications.

Tying different knots in a molecular strand.

The properties of knots are exploited in a range of applications, from shoelaces to the knots used for climbing, fishing and sailing. Although knots are found in DNA and proteins, and form randomly in other long polymer chains, methods for tying different sorts of knots in a synthetic nanoscale strand are lacking. Molecular knots of high symmetry have previously been synthesized by using non-covalent interactions to assemble and entangle molecular chains, but in such instances the template and/or strand structure intrinsically determines topology, which means that only one type of knot is usually possible.

Catalytic Dehydrative Lactonization of Allylic Alcohols.

A convenient strategy for the synthesis of phthalides and γ-butyrolactones is reported. The method utilizes readily prepared allylic alcohols in formal Au(I)- and Pd(II)-catalyzed S2' reactions. Using these catalysts, exclusive formation of the desired five-membered lactones is observed, completely avoiding the competing direct lactonization pathway that forms the undesired seven-membered ring with protic acids and alternative metal salts.

ECG interpretation in Emergency Department residents: an update and e-learning as a resource to improve skills.

Objective: ECG interpretation is a pivotal skill to acquire during residency, especially for Emergency Department (ED) residents. Previous studies reported that ECG interpretation competency among residents was rather low. However, the optimal resource to improve ECG interpretation skills remains unclear.

e-Learning versus lecture-based courses in ECG interpretation for undergraduate medical students: a randomized noninferiority study.

Objective: An ECG is pivotal for the diagnosis of coronary heart disease. Previous studies have reported deficiencies in ECG interpretation skills that have been responsible for misdiagnosis. However, the optimal way to acquire ECG interpretation skills is still under discussion.

Results of an outpatient transient ischemic attack evaluation: a 90-day follow-up study.

Background: Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is common and precedes 15% of strokes. TIA should be managed as a time-sensitive illness to prevent a subsequent stroke. However, management of TIA is heterogeneous, with little consensus about its optimal assessment.

Urgent computed tomography brain scan for elderly patients: can we improve its diagnostic yield?

We conducted a retrospective study of 291 patients aged 75 years or older who were admitted to the emergency department and who underwent a computed tomography (CT) brain scan. Our aims were to assess the reasons for requesting an urgent CT brain scan, to record the diagnostic yield of cerebral imaging, and to seek out predictive factors of an intracranial pathology. The three main reasons for requesting an urgent CT brain scan were the presence of localizing signs (60%), delirium (21%), and disorders of consciousness with a Glasgow Coma Score of less than 14 (14.

Base excess is an accurate predictor of elevated lactate in ED septic patients.

Background: Prior studies showed that lactate is a useful marker in sepsis. However, lactate is often not routinely drawn or rapidly available in the emergency department (ED).

Objective: The study aimed to determine if base excess (BE), widely and rapidly available in the ED, could be used as a surrogate marker for elevated lactate in ED septic patients.