Visual communication design: a neglected factor in nutrition promotion via packaged food labels.

Packaging design is a communication device and a critical component in branding strategy, and has relevance for food policy. Presently, packaging-related nutrition policy initiatives focus on the role of regulated claims, nutrition information panels and front-of-pack nutrition labels to help guide consumer food choices and address high prevalences of discretionary and ultra-processed food consumption in many countries. However, these nutrition labelling systems are not optimized as public health policy tools as many consumers do not use them to inform their food choices.

An experimental model of chronic severe mitral regurgitation.

Objective: To develop a minimally invasive, reproducible model of chronic severe mitral regurgitation (MR) that replicates the clinical phenotype of left atrial (LA) and left ventricular dilation and susceptibility to atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Under transesophageal echocardiographic guidance, chordae tendinae were avulsed using endovascular forceps until the ratio of regurgitant jet area to LA area was ≥70%. Animals survived for an average of 8.

Clinical Outcomes Following Percutaneous Ankle Fusion With Bone Graft Substitute.

Background: Percutaneous ankle fusion is an emerging technique with minimal published outcome data. The goal of the present study is to retrospectively review clinical and radiographic outcomes following percutaneous ankle fusion and provide technique tips to perform percutaneous ankle fusion.

Methods: Patients >18 years of age, treated by a single surgeon, from February 2018 to June 2021, who underwent primary isolated percutaneous ankle fusion supplemented with platelet-derived growth factor B (rhPDGF-BB) and beta-tricalcium phosphate, with at least 1-year follow-up were included.

Extubation of Patients Receiving Vasopressor Infusions: Results of a Survey on Statewide Practices.

Current guidelines recommend extubation only if a patient is not receiving vasopressor therapy or is receiving minimal doses of vasopressors. However, recent data indicate that extubation of patients receiving higher vasopressor doses may be safe. This study was undertaken to examine practices regarding extubation of patients receiving vasopressor therapy reported by clinician respondents to a survey by the Michigan Health and Hospital Association Keystone Center.

Surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation is efficacious in patients with giant left atria.

Objective: The Cox-Maze IV procedure (CMP-IV) is the most effective treatment for atrial fibrillation. Increased left atrial (LA) size has been identified as a risk factor for failure to restore sinus rhythm. This has biased many surgeons against ablation in patients with giant left atrium (GLA), defined as LA diameter >6.

Impact of aortic valve effective height following valve-sparing root replacement on postoperative insufficiency and reoperation.

Background: This study evaluated the impact of anatomic aortic root parameters during valve-sparing root replacement on the probability of postoperative aortic insufficiency and freedom from aortic valve reoperation.

Methods: From 1995 to 2020, 177 patients underwent valve-sparing root replacement (163 reimplantations, 14 remodeling). Preoperative and postoperative echocardiograms were analyzed to measure annulus and sinus diameters, effective height of leaflet coaptation, and degree of aortic insufficiency.

Ligand-Directed GPCR Antibody Discovery.

Developing affinity reagents recognizing and modulating G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) function by traditional animal immunization or in vitro screening methods is challenging. Some anti-GPCR antibodies exist on the market, but the success rate of development is still poor compared with antibodies targeting soluble or peripherally anchored proteins. More importantly, most of these antibodies do not modulate GPCR function.

MILKSHAKE: novel validation method for antibodies to post-translationally modified targets by surrogate Western blot.

Antibody (Ab) validation is the procedure in which an Ab is thoroughly assayed for sensitivity and specificity in a given application. Validation of Abs against post-translationally modified (PTM) targets is particularly challenging because it requires specifically prepared antigen. Here we describe a novel validation method using surrogate proteins in a Western blot.

Oncology Patients' Perspectives on Remote Patient Monitoring for COVID-19.

Purpose: Oncology patients are vulnerable to adverse outcomes associated with COVID-19, and clinical deterioration must be identified early. Several institutions launched remote patient monitoring programs (RPMPs) to care for patients with COVID-19. We describe patients' perspectives on a COVID-19 RPMP at a National Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Efficacy of the stand-alone Cox-Maze IV procedure in patients with longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, and results in significant morbidity and mortality. The Cox-Maze IV procedure (CMP-IV) has been shown to have excellent efficacy in returning patients to sinus rhythm, but there have been few reports of late follow-up in sizable cohorts of patients with longstanding persistent AF, the most difficult type of AF to treat.

Methods And Results: Between May 2003 and March 2020, 174 consecutive patients underwent a stand-alone CMP-IV for longstanding persistent AF.

Concomitant surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation is associated with increased risk of acute kidney injury but improved late survival.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery remains a common complication that has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This study implemented Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria to evaluate renal outcomes after concomitant surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Patients with a history of atrial fibrillation who underwent elective cardiac surgery at our institution from 2008 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed.

Enhancing Nursing Capacity to Provide Patient Care in a Pandemic.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, an immediate priority for nurse leaders was to develop a care delivery plan to address anticipated surges in patient volumes and potential staff shortages. This article describes actions taken to enhance patient care capacity. Strategies included reviewing the competencies of nurses and other health professionals, mapping out redeployment pathways, preparing nurses and other health professionals for redeployment as needed and creating a collaborative care team model.

Modern Open and Minimally Invasive Stabilization of Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability.

Chronic lateral ankle instability is the sensation of the ankle giving way along with recurrent sprains, chronic pain and swelling of the ankle for 1 year. The lateral ankle complex comprises the anterior talofibular ligament, calcaneofibular ligament, and posterior talofibular ligament. The anterior talofibular ligament is the most commonly injured ligament of the lateral ankle.

Pericardial Mitochondrial DNA Levels Are Associated With Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common complication after cardiac surgery, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Inflammation has been implicated as an etiology of POAF. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been shown to initiate inflammation.

Alterations in tibiotalar joint reaction force following syndesmotic injury are restored with static syndesmotic fixation.

Introduction: Syndesmotic injury alters joint mechanics, which may fail to be restored unless an anatomic reduction is obtained.

Methods: A minimally invasive method of measuring joint forces was utilized that does not require significant dissection or intraarticular placement of sensory instruments. Steinmann pins were placed in the tibia and talus of eight fresh-frozen human cadaveric lower extremities and a baseline joint reaction force was determined.

Spring ligament tear decreases static stability of the ankle joint.

Background: Spring ligament tear is often found in advanced adult acquired flatfoot deformity and its reconstruction in conjunction with the deltoid ligament has been proposed to restore the tibiotalar and talonavicular joint stability. The aim of the present study is to determine the effect of spring ligament injury and subsequent reconstruction on static joint reactive force using a non-invasive method of measurement.

Methods: Ten fresh-frozen human cadaveric lower legs were disarticulated at the knee joint.

PROMIS Pain Interference Is Superior vs Numeric Pain Rating Scale for Pain Assessment in Foot and Ankle Patients.

Background:: The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a popular method to assess pain. Recently, the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) has been suggested to be more accurate in measuring pain. This study aimed to compare NPRS and PROMIS Pain Interference (PI) scores in a population of foot and ankle patients to determine which method demonstrated a stronger correlation with preoperative and postoperative function, as measured by PROMIS Physical Function (PF).

Surgical management of U/H type sacral fractures: outcomes following iliosacral and lumbopelvic fixation.

Background: U and H-type sacral fractures are under diagnosed injuries resulting from significant axial loading that are often associated with neurological deficits. No studies to date have compared two common methods of surgical fixation, iliosacral screw fixation (ISF) and lumbopelvic fixation (LPF).

Methods: Patients with sacral fractures from 2009-2015 at one level 1 trauma center were identified by current procedural terminology (CPT) code and imaging reviewed for U/H type sacral fractures.

Dynamic Functional Assessment of Hand Motion Using an Animation Glove: The Effect of Stenosing Tenosynovitis.

Background: The aim of the present study is to determine whether an animation glove can be utilized to provide a reliable and reproducible assessment of dynamic hand function and whether this assessment is altered in the setting of hand pathology.

Methods: Ten subjects without known hand pathology and 11 subjects with known stenosing tenosynovitis were assessed on tasks involving hand function at varied speeds, including forceful and gradual making of a fist and the quick and slow grip of a baseball using an animation glove to record range of motion and measures of velocity (CyberGlove II).

Results: In normal subjects, peak extension and flexion velocity of the index and middle finger was highest in the metacarpophalangeal and lowest in the distal interphalangeal; however, the converse was true in the ring finger.

The Antitumor Activity of IMGN529, a CD37-Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate, Is Potentiated by Rituximab in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Models.

Naratuximab emtansine (IMGN529) is an investigational antibody-drug conjugate consisting of a CD37-targeting antibody conjugated to the maytansine-derived microtuble disruptor, DM1. IMGN529 has shown promising preclinical and clinical activity in non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Due to the aggressive nature of the disease, DLBCL is often treated with combination therapies to maximize clinical outcomes; therefore, we investigated the potential of combining IMGN529 with both standard-of-care and emerging therapies against multiple oncology-relevant targets and pathways.

Techniques of Force and Pressure Measurement in the Small Joints of the Wrist.

Background: The alteration of forces across joints can result in instability and subsequent disability. Previous methods of force measurements such as pressure-sensitive films, load cells, and pressure-sensing transducers have been utilized to estimate biomechanical forces across joints and more recent studies have utilized a nondestructive method that allows for assessment of joint forces under ligamentous restraints.

Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was performed to explore the numerous biomechanical methods utilized to estimate intra-articular forces.

Nasal high flow oxygen therapy in the ward setting: A prospective observational study.

Background: Whilst research demonstrates the benefits of nasal high flow oxygen in the intensive care setting, limited literature exists on its benefits in ward patients.

Objectives: This study evaluated the use of nasal high flow oxygen in adult ward patients with respiratory failure or at risk of respiratory deterioration. Primary outcome was an improvement in pulmonary function as indicated by decreases in respiratory and heart rates and an increase in arterial oxygen saturation via pulse oximetry RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: Using a prospective observational research design, purposeful sampling recruited 67 adult ward patients receiving nasal high flow oxygen between May and July 2015 (inclusive).