Biodegradable nanofiber coated human umbilical cord as nerve scaffold for sciatic nerve regeneration in albino Wistar rats.

Background: Human umbilical cord (hUC) is encompassed by a mucoid connective tissue called Wharton's jelly (WJ), made of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and stromal cells to support the blood vessels of hUC. This study was aimed to determine the in vitro neuronal differentiation of WJ-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs), and in vivo axonal regeneration potential of nanofiber coated human Wharton's jelly as a neuronal graft after sciatic nerve injury in immunosuppressed albino Wistar rats.

Materials And Methods: Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells could be differentiated to neuron-like cells by inducing with neuronic supplementing media.

Advanced imaging and digitization of preserved heart specimens using virtual reality - A primer.

Introduction: Preserved congenital heart specimens are an important component of training professionals working with children and adults with congenital heart disease. They are curated in few institutions worldwide and not freely accessible. This was a proof-of-concept project to explore the use of advanced cardiac imaging modalities (computed tomography [CT] and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) and virtual reality (VR) simulation to assess the feasibility and identify the best method of imaging curated cardiac pathology specimens.

PROSE: Prospective Randomized Trial of the On-X Mechanical Prosthesis and the St Jude Medical Mechanical Prosthesis Evaluation: Part 2: Study results-prostheses, positions, and economic development.

Objectives: The Prospective Randomized On-X Mechanical Prosthesis Versus St Jude Medical Mechanical Prosthesis Evaluation (PROSE) trial purpose was to investigate whether a current-generation mechanical prosthesis (On-X; On-X Life Technologies/Artivion Inc) reduced the incidence of thromboembolic-related complications compared with a previous-generation mechanical prosthesis (St Jude Medical Mechanical Prosthesis; Abbott/St Jude Medical). This second report documents the valve-related complications by individual prostheses and by Western and Developing populations.

Methods: The PROSE trial study was conducted in 28 worldwide centers and incorporated 855 subjects randomized between 2003 and 2016.

Deep sequencing unveils altered cardiac miRNome in congenital heart disease.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) surges from fetal cardiac dysmorphogenesis and chiefly contributes to perinatal morbidity and cardiovascular disease mortality. A continual rise in prevalence and prerequisite postoperative disease management creates need for better understanding and new strategies to control the disease. The interaction between genetic and non-genetic factors roots the multifactorial status of this disease, which remains incompletely explored.

PROSE: Prospective Randomized Trial of the On-X Mechanical Prosthesis and the St Jude Medical Mechanical Prosthesis Evaluation : Part 1(Patient Dynamics): Preoperative demographics and preoperative and operative risk factors.

Objectives: The PROSE trial purpose is to investigate whether the incidence of thromboembolic-related complications is reduced with a current generation mechanical prosthesis (On-X Life Technologies/CryoLife Inc.-On-X) compared with a previous generation mechanical prosthesis (St Jude Medical-SJM). The primary purpose of the initial report is to document the preoperative demographics, and the preoperative and operative risk factors by individual prosthesis and by Western and Developing populations.

Assessment of Squalor in Migrant Colonies of Thiruvalla Province of Kerala, India using Rapid Survey Technique.

Background: Domestic squalor refers to households that are extremely cluttered, in a filthy condition, and where the accumulation of items such as personal possessions, rubbish, excrement and decomposing food creates an environment that jeopardizes the health and wellbeing of the occupant(s). In India, an estimated 258 million are migrants. They are more likely to live in squalor due to inferior socio-economic status and no permanent residence.

Revisions in TB programme - boon or bane? A qualitative study exploring barriers and facilitators among health care workers in private and public sector, Kerala.

Background: Despite many serious and organized efforts worldwide, Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the major public health concerns in many countries. India accounts for more than one quarter of global TB cases and deaths each year. India's National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) is the largest TB control program in the world, placing more than 100,000 patients on treatment every month.

Linking world bank development indicators and outcomes of congenital heart surgery in low-income and middle-income countries: retrospective analysis of quality improvement data.

Objective: Many low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) struggle to provide the health services investment required for life-saving congenital heart disease (CHD) surgery. We explored associations between risk-adjusted CHD surgical mortality from 17 LMICs and global development indices to identify patterns that might inform investment strategies.

Design: Retrospective analysis: country-specific standardised mortality ratios were graphed against global development indices reflective of wealth and healthcare investment.

Fabrication and Electrospinning of 3D Biodegradable Poly-l-Lactic Acid (PLLA) Nanofibers for Clinical Application.

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a biodegradable synthetic polyester synthesized by polymerization or polycondensation. PLLA hydrolytically degrades into lactic acid, a biocompatible metabolic by-product, making it suitable for clinical applications. PLLA scaffolds or nanofibers have been used in various regenerative medicine and drug delivery applications.

Tetralogy of Fallot Repair in Developing Countries: International Quality Improvement Collaborative.

Background: Isolated reports from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for surgical results in tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are available. The International Quality Improvement Collaborative for Congenital Heart Disease (IQIC) seeks to improve surgical results promoting reductions in infection and mortality in LMICs.

Methods: All cases of TOF in the IQIC database performed between 2010 and 2014 at 32 centers in 20 LMICs were included.

Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction: a quest for ideal management.

Management of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction has undergone much change over the last century. Techniques described in the literature include anatomical repairs and the use of various patches, conduits, and innovative grafts. However, many of these approaches require reoperations or catheter-based interventions, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and cost.

Correlative Studies Unravelling the Possible Mechanism of Cell Death in Tideglusib-Treated Human Ovarian Teratocarcinoma-Derived PA-1 Cells.

This study aims to unravel the use of GSK-3 inhibitors as viable apoptotic inducers for teratocarcinoma-derived ovarian PA-1 cells. MTT assay was carried out to assess inhibitory concentrations of LiCl and TDG. AO/EB staining and Hoechst 33258 staining were employed to assess the damage.

GSK-3 Inhibitors: A Double-Edged Sword? - An Update on Tideglusib.

GSK-3 inhibitors are an emerging tool for clinical interventions in human diseases and represent a niche area in combinational therapy. They possess diverse facets in applications of nervous system disorders, Type 2 diabetes, regenerative medicine and cancer. However, conflicting reports suggest the controversial role of GSK-3 inhibitors in cancers.

In-stent restenosis: surgical and histopathological perspective.

Background In-stent restenosis has been recognized as a distinct clinical entity that warrants a repeat procedure either in the form of percutaneous reintervention or coronary artery bypass grafting. Multivessel grafting with endarterectomy and explantation of the stent is rarely performed, with few cases reported in the literature. We aim to study the pathomorphology of the stent-vascular interface in coronary vessels undergoing in-stent restenosis.

International quality improvement initiatives.

Across the globe, the implementation of quality improvement science and collaborative learning has positively affected the care and outcomes for children born with CHD. These efforts have advanced the collective expertise and performance of inter-professional healthcare teams. In this review, we highlight selected quality improvement initiatives and strategies impacting the field of cardiovascular care and describe implications for future practice and research.

MitraClip and mitral annuloplasty device as a bridge to transplantation.

A 42-year-old man with dilated cardiomyopathy and endstage heart failure was evaluated for heart transplantation. He received a MitraClip and Carillon annuloplasty device for functional mitral regurgitation as palliation for his heart failure. Subsequently, he underwent successful heart transplantation.

3D Printing to Model Surgical Repair of Complex Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries.

We report the use of three-dimensional (3D) modeling to plan surgery for physiologic repair of congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries with pulmonary atresia, dextrocardia, and complex intra cardiac anatomy. Based on measurements made from the 3D printed model of the actual patient's anatomy, we anticipated using a composite valved conduit (Dacron tube graft, decellularized bovine jugular vein, and aortic homograft) to establish left ventricle-to-pulmonary artery continuity with relief of stenosis involving the pulmonary artery confluence and bilateral branch pulmonary arteries.

Role of Antioxidants in Horse Serum-mediated Vasculitis in Swine: Potential Relevance to Early Treatment in Mitigation of Coronary Arteritis in Kawasaki Disease.

Background: Horse serum-induced immune complex coronary vasculitis in swine is the first experimental model to mimic most of the pictures of Kawasaki disease. Immune complex mechanism has been implicated as one of the possible mechanisms in the pathogenesis of vasculitis in Kawasaki disease. Antioxidants have a significant role in the reduction of cardiovascular diseases in both human and animal studies.

Tideglusib induces apoptosis in human neuroblastoma IMR32 cells, provoking sub-G0/G1 accumulation and ROS generation.

Neuroblastoma is the most common tumor amongst children amounting to nearly 15% of cancer deaths. This cancer is peculiar in its characteristics, exhibiting differentiation, maturation and metastatic transformation leading to poor prognosis and low survival rates among children. Chemotherapy, though toxic to normal cells, has shown to improve the survival of the patient with emphasis given more towards targeting angiogenesis.