NT-proBNP/BNP ratio for prognostication in European Caucasian patients enrolled in a heart failure prevention programme.

Aims: Guidelines support the role of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) for risk stratification of patients in programmes to prevent heart failure (HF). Although biologically formed in a 1:1 ratio, the ratio of NT-proBNP to BNP exhibits wide inter-individual variability. A report on an Asian population suggests that molar NT-proBNP/BNP ratio is associated with incident HF.

Experiences and effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions delivered in the acute setting: a mixed methods systematic review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this review is to synthesize and integrate the best available evidence on the experiences and effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions delivered in the acute setting.

Introduction: Occupational therapy is a client-centered health profession promoting health and well-being through occupation. In acute hospital settings, occupational therapy interventions are provided to patients to maximize function, prevent readmission, and promote safe discharge.

Lewy Body Dementia Association's Research Centers of Excellence Program: Inaugural Meeting Proceedings.

The first Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) Research Centers of Excellence (RCOE) Investigator's meeting was held on December 14, 2017, in New Orleans. The program was established to increase patient access to clinical experts on Lewy body dementia (LBD), which includes dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), and to create a clinical trials-ready network. Four working groups (WG) were created to pursue the LBDA RCOE aims: (1) increase access to high-quality clinical care, (2) increase access to support for people living with LBD and their caregivers, (3) increase knowledge of LBD among medical and allied (or other) professionals, and (4) create infrastructure for a clinical trials-ready network as well as resources to advance the study of new therapeutics.

Elucidating steroid alkaloid biosynthesis in Veratrum californicum: production of verazine in Sf9 cells.

Steroid alkaloids have been shown to elicit a wide range of pharmacological effects that include anticancer and antifungal activities. Understanding the biosynthesis of these molecules is essential to bioengineering for sustainable production. Herein, we investigate the biosynthetic pathway to cyclopamine, a steroid alkaloid that shows promising antineoplastic activities.