The Effect of SGLT2 Inhibitor Therapy on Endothelial Progenitor Cell Function in Patients With Heart Failure.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality and hospitalizations in patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved or reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF or HFrEF). The mechanism for this benefit is not clear. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are bone marrow-derived cells able to differentiate into functional endothelial cells and participate in endothelial repair.

Puberty Blocker, Leuprolide, Reduces Sex Differences in Rough-and-Tumble Play and Anxiety-like Behavior in Juvenile Rats.

We examined the effect of the puberty blocker, leuprolide acetate, on sex differences in juvenile rough-and-tumble play behavior and anxiety-like behavior in adolescent male and female rats. We also evaluated leuprolide treatment on gonadal and pituitary hormone levels and activity-regulated cytoskeleton-protein messenger RNA levels within the adolescent amygdala, a region important both for rough-and-tumble play and anxiety-like behavior. Our findings suggest that leuprolide treatment lowered anxiety-like behavior during adolescent development, suggesting that the maturation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone systems may be linked to increased anxiety.

Pharmaceutical Terminology in Ancient and Medieval Time - and Others.

Ancient and medieval pharmacological and medical texts contain a substantial amount of plant and mineral names. In some cases, the identification is straightforward. But for the majority of the data, we are unable to identify these ingredients with high certainty.

Correlation between baseline immature platelets fraction levels and peak troponin in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Introduction: Elevated peak cardiac troponin levels have been linked with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Immature Platelets are young and relatively large platelets that are hyper-reactive and pro-thrombotic compared to regular platelets. Increased immature platelet fraction (IPF) has been associated with an elevated risk of thrombotic events.

Differential platelet activation through an interaction with spike proteins of different SARS-CoV-2 variants.

COVID-19 disease is associated with an increased risk of thrombotic complications, which contribute to high short-term mortality. Patients with COVID-19 demonstrate enhanced platelet turnover and reactivity, which may have a role in the development of thrombotic events and disease severity. Evidence has suggested direct interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and platelets, resulting in platelets activation.

Clinical Use of CathPCI Registry Risk Score and Its Validation to Predict Long-Term Mortality.

Risk models to estimate percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) mortality have limited value in complex high-risk patients. However, it was improved by a recently developed bedside model to predict in-hospital mortality using data from the American College of Cardiology CathPCI Registry that included 706,263 patients. The median risk-standardized in-hospital mortality rate was 1.

A novel robotic radiation shielding device for electrophysiologic procedures: A prospective study.

Background: A robotic Radiaction Shielding System (RSS) was developed to provide a full-body protection to all medical personnel during fluoroscopy-guided procedures, by encapsulating the imaging beam and blocking scattered radiation.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate its efficacy in real-world electrophysiologic (EP) laboratory- both during ablations and cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) procedures.

Methods: A prospective controlled study comparing consecutive real-life EP procedures with and without RSS using highly sensitive sensors in different locations.

[COMPLETE ATRIOVENTRICULAR BLOCK DUE TO PULMONARY EMBOLISM].

Pulmonary embolism, a common and potentially fatal clinical condition, occurs when a blood thrombus becomes lodged in the pulmonary vasculature and creates an acute increment in the pulmonary vascular resistance, which, in turn, creates a right ventricular strain. Among the more familiar electrocardiographic manifestations in acute pulmonary embolism is sinus tachycardia, right bundle branch block and ST-T abnormalities in the right precordium leads. Complete heart block or any type of bradycardia is uncommon.

Our pride, our joy: An intersectional constructivist grounded theory analysis of resources that promote resilience in SGM communities.

Introduction: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) communities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and Two-Spirit people, have historically been researched from a deficits-based approach that fails to highlight the ways communities survive and thrive in the face of adversity. This study endeavored to create a model of resources that promote SGM resilience using a sample that amplified traditionally underrepresented perspectives, including individuals from racial and/or ethnic minority groups, trans and/or gender diverse individuals, individuals on the asexual spectrum, and older adults.

Methods: Participant responses to three open-ended questions from The PRIDE Study's (an online national longitudinal cohort study of SGM people) 2018 Annual Questionnaire were analyzed using constructivist grounded theory.

Inflammatory cytokines differ between patients with high versus low CHA2DS2-VASc scores in sinus rhythm-a possible mechanism for adverse cardiovascular events.

Background: The CHADS-VASc score was shown to predict systemic thromboembolism and mortality in certain groups of patients in sinus rhythm (SR). Previous data showed that patients in SR with high CHADS-VASc score have higher plasma levels of inflammatory markers such as sP-selectin and -reactive protein. We further investigated this group.

Coronary artery disease among patients admitted with atrial fibrillation and chest pain.

Introduction: Patients who present to the emergency department with chest pain during an episode of atrial fibrillation (AF) impose a clinical challenge regarding the source of pain - being coronary artery disease (CAD) or AF in origin. The aim of this study was to identify clinical, imaging or laboratory markers which can predict significant CAD among patients with an AF episode and chest pain.

Methods: We included 57 consecutive patients admitted to our hospital with AF and chest pain.

Financial frauds' victim profiles in developing countries.

Recently, the variety of the financial frauds have increased, while the number of victims became difficult to estimate. The purpose of this paper is to present the main profiles of financial frauds' victims using a reviewing method. The analysis captures the main theoretical and empirical background regarding the motives and circumstances of becoming a victim, the dynamics of several social and demographical characteristics of this type of victims, as well as a sample of relevant case studies from some developing countries.

State-Level Policy Environments, Discrimination, and Victimization among Sexual and Gender Minority People.

Legislation has been passed in some states to reduce discrimination and victimization toward sexual and gender minority people (SGM; people who are not solely heterosexual and/or whose gender identity is not equal to what is socially associated with sex assigned at birth). The purpose of these analyses is to test whether state-level policy environments are associated with past-year discrimination and victimization among SGM people. Cross-sectional data from The Population Research in Identity and Disparities for Equality (PRIDE) Study annual questionnaire (collected 2018−2019), a national study of the health of SGM adults in the USA, were used for these analyses.

Identification of protective biologic factors in patients with high cardiovascular risk, but normal coronary arteries (NormCorn).

Background: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have an important role in repair following vascular injury. Telomere length has been shown to be correlated with genome stability and overall cell health. We hypothesized that both EPCs and telomere size are related to protective mechanisms against coronary artery disease.

Rheology of three-phase suspensions determined via dam-break experiments.

Three-phase suspensions, of liquid that suspends dispersed solid particles and gas bubbles, are common in both natural and industrial settings. Their rheology is poorly constrained, particularly for high total suspended fractions (≳0.5).

Crowd-sourcing observations of volcanic eruptions during the 2021 Fagradalsfjall and Cumbre Vieja events.

Two remarkable 2021 eruptions – Fagradalsfjall (Reykjanes, Iceland) and Cumbre Vieja (La Palma, Spain) – have been captured in imagery and videography at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution by tourists, volcano-enthusiasts, and media organizations. We propose this represents the start of a new era for observational volcanology, with the abundance of eruption imagery leveraged for scientific use.

Comparison of Factors Associated with Inflammation, Thrombosis, and Platelet Reactivity as well as Turnover between Patients with High versus Low CHA2DS2-VASc without Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: The CHA2DS2-VASc score has been shown to predict systemic thromboembolism and mortality in certain groups in sinus rhythm (SR), similar to its predictive value with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objectives: To compare factors of inflammation, thrombosis, platelet reactivity, and turnover in patients with high versus low CHA2DS2-VASc score in SR.

Methods: We enrolled consecutive patients in SR and no history of AF.

Simultaneous Noninvasive Detection and Therapy of Atherosclerosis Using HDL Coated Gold Nanorods.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. A real need exists in the development of new, improved therapeutic methods for treating CVD, while major advances in nanotechnology have opened new avenues in this field. In this paper, we report the use of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) coated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (GNP-HDL) for the simultaneous detection and therapy of unstable plaques.

Intravascular leiomyomatosis with cardiac extension: a case report.

Background: Intravascular leiomyomatosis (IVL) with intracardiac extension is a rare benign tumour seen exclusively in women, characterized by proliferation of uterine smooth muscle cells through the venous circulation into the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the right heart chambers.

Case Summary: A 47 years old women with history of previous hysterectomy due to myomatosis, presented with nausea, anorexia, and bilateral lower limb swelling over the preceding 2 months. An outpatient abdominal ultrasound discovered a mass in the IVC.

Comparison of Immature Platelet Fraction and Factors Associated with Inflammation, Thrombosis and Platelet Reactivity Between Left and Right Atria in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Recent trials found poor temporal relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes and strokes. Thus, stroke in AF patients probably involves more mechanisms than cardiac embolism. We compared factors of inflammation, thrombosis and platelet reactivity between left (LA) and right atria (RA) and femoral vein (FV) in patients with AF.