Effect of thrombophilia on clinical outcomes of chronic post-thrombotic patients after iliofemoral stenting with nitinol venous stents.

Objective: Thrombophilia is a prothrombotic condition that increases the risk of venous thromboembolism. It is unclear whether the presence of thrombophilia alters the clinical outcomes after deep venous stenting. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between thrombophilia and outcomes after stenting for post-thrombotic syndrome.

Comparison of Outcomes Using the First and Second Generation Cryoballoon to Treat Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation using cryoballoon ablation is an effective treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation. We sought to compare outcomes with the first and second generation cryoballoon, with the second generation balloon incorporating the Achieve Lasso catheter, in terms of freedom from symptomatic recurrence and major complications.

Methods: The first 200 patients who underwent cryoballoon ablation with the first generation balloon were compared with the first 200 patients using the second-generation balloon.

Dengue Vaccine Booster in Healthy Adolescents and Adults in Latin America: Evaluation 4-5 Years After a Primary 3-Dose Schedule.

Background: The tetravalent dengue vaccine (CYD-TDV, Dengvaxia, Sanofi Pasteur) demonstrated efficacy in 2 previous phase III trials conducted in endemic countries. Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) elicited by 3 doses of this vaccine have been associated with efficacy. Long-term follow-up data has shown that NAb immune responses tend to wane over time, after the third dose.

Improved Scaling of Molecular Network Calculations: The Emergence of Molecular Domains.

The design of materials needed for the storage, delivery, and conversion of (re)useable energy is still hindered by the lack of new, hierarchical molecular screening methodologies that encode information on more than one length scale. Using a molecular network theory as a foundation, we show that to describe charge transport in disordered materials the network methodology must be scaled-up. We detail the scale-up through the use of adjacency lists and depth first search algorithms for during operations on the adjacency matrix.

Persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defects after pulmonary vein isolation: long-term follow-up with contrast transesophageal echocardiography.

Purpose: Pulmonary vein isolation using cryoballoon ablation is an established approach to treating atrial fibrillation. The procedure involves insertion of a 15-Fr sheath into the left atrium across the interatrial septum. This creates an iatrogenic atrial septal defect, which may have important long-term clinical relevance, especially in younger patients.

Long Term Follow-up of Pulmonary Vein Isolation Using Cryoballoon Ablation.

Background: Cryoballoon ablation is an established catheter-based approach to treating atrial fibrillation (AF). There is little data regarding the long-term efficacy of this approach.

Methods: We enrolled 200 consecutive patients with symptomatic AF who had failed therapy with at least one anti-arrhythmic medication and followed them for five years.

The association between obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension by race/ethnicity in a nationally representative sample.

The association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hypertension by race/ethnicity has not been well characterized in a national sample. Adult participants in the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were reviewed by self-report of sleep apnea diagnosis, snorting, gasping or stopping breathing during sleep, and snoring to derive whether OSA was probable (pOSA). Multivariable logistic regression determined whether pOSA predicted hypertension in the overall cohort, and by body mass index (BMI) group and ethno-racial strata.

Treating atrial fibrillation: pulmonary vein isolation with the cryoballoon technique.

Background: Cryoballoon ablation is a recently introduced technique to isolate the pulmonary veins in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). It can potentially reduce procedural times and serious complications associated with radiofrequency ablation.

Method: We present data for 200 consecutive patients who underwent cryoballoon ablation for symptomatic AF with a mean follow-up of 16 months.

Combined bezafibrate and medroxyprogesterone acetate have efficacy without haematological toxicity in elderly and relapsed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) causes life-threatening deficits of functional blood cells that require management using red cell and platelet transfusion and aggressive treatment of neutropenic infections. Current cytotoxic chemotherapy further worsens the problem of reduced haemopoiesis and two-thirds of patients are too frail to tolerate intensive chemotherapy at all. Median survival amongst these patients remains at <3 months emphasizing the urgent need for anti-AML therapies that do not suppress haemopoiesis.

The potential impact of discrimination fears of older gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender individuals living in small- to moderate-sized cities on long-term health care.

As an exploration of the potential impact of fears of discrimination against GLBTs in long-term health care settings, this study compared perceptions of GLBT persons and heterosexuals. A total of 132 GLBT persons and 187 heterosexuals living in Eastern Washington completed a survey that contained demographic questions and perceptions of discrimination in long-term care settings. Most respondents suspected that staff and residents of care facilities discriminate against GLBTs.

Gay and lesbian perceptions of discrimination in retirement care facilities.

Much research on older gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) adults has focused on refuting the widely held misconceptions people have about GLBT lifestyles. To date, however, few studies on older GLBTs have examined their social and health care needs. Further, most studies have collected survey samples of older GLBT adults in large metropolitan areas and have not specifically addressed discrimination or bias in retirement care facilities.