Neuromodulating Alkaloids from Millipede Defensive Secretions.

Millipedes have long been known to produce structurally diverse chemical defenses, including hydrogen cyanide, terpenoid alkaloids, and oxidized aromatics. Although the hydrogen cyanide and oxidized aromatic producing millipedes have been well studied, less than 10% of the terpenoid alkaloid producers have been chemically investigated. Several previous studies have shown that alkaloids disorient predators, but their biochemical target is currently unknown.

Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Radiologically Detected Coronary Artery Disease in COPD: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Rationale: Unrecognised coronary artery disease (CAD) may contribute to adverse outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Improved identification of at-risk groups could inform better preventative care. We aimed to evaluate the burden and relationships of radiologically detectable CAD in COPD, establish frequency of occult disease, and examine potential cardiovascular screening methods.

Implementation of an EOS calculator-based protocol decreased infant antibiotic exposure in chorioamnionitis without correlation with placental histopathology.

Objective: To determine the impact of the Early Onset Sepsis (EOS) calculator on antibiotic exposure in infants born to mothers with clinical chorioamnionitis and correlate EOS calculator-guided recommendations with placental histopathology.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study comparing infants ≥ 36 weeks gestation exposed to maternal clinical chorioamnionitis admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before (Group 1, n = 69) and after (Group 2, n = 139) implementation of an EOS calculator protocol for chorioamnionitis. Infant antibiotic exposure and placental pathology were reviewed.

Metformin associates with higher myocardial perfusion reserve and survival in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Metformin is an antihyperglycemic used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients with T2DM are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We explored the association between metformin use and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) derived stress myocardial blood flow (MBF), myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; all cause death, MI, stroke, heart failure hospitalisation and coronary revascularisation) in patients with T2DM.

CMR is vital in the management of cardiology inpatients: a tertiary centre experience.

To review the utility of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in the management of hospital inpatients, we performed a retrospective review of all inpatient CMR scans performed over a six-month period at a tertiary referral cardiology centre. Patient demographics, indication for CMR imaging, results of the CMR scans and whether the results changed patient management were recorded. Change in management included medication changes, subsequent invasive procedures, or avoidance of such, and hospital discharge.