Benefits and Challenges of Drug-Coated Balloons in Peripheral Artery Disease: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Practice.

Multiple clinical trials have reported favorable outcomes after drug-coated balloon therapy for peripheral artery disease in above-the-knee and below-the-knee lesions and in both de novo and in-stent restenosis. However, there are still insufficient data to identify and tackle the risk factors associated with a higher risk of restenosis, which is the primary concern for patients who are treated with an endovascular approach. A modern armamentarium, which includes improved lesion preparation techniques such as plaque modification balloons, mechanical atherectomy, intravascular lithotripsy, and imaging, is crucial for obtaining better long-term clinical outcomes.

A Review Paper on Optical Coherence Tomography Evaluation of Coronary Calcification Pattern: Is It Relevant Today?

The process of coronary calcification represents one of the numerous pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the atherosclerosis continuum. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) represents an ideal imaging modality to assess plaque components, especially calcium. Different calcification patterns have been contemporarily described in both early stages and advanced atherosclerosis.

Ultrasonography for the optimal selection of patients suitable for single session arteriography and endovascular revascularization in severe peripheral artery disease.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) represents a high burden on the healthcare and social assistance systems. Revascularization reduces symptoms, amputation rate and increases the chances of social reintegration. Our aim was to evaluate the benefits of vascular duplex ultrasonography (DUS) for identifying patients suitable for direct percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) without the need for a prior angiography.

Correlation between Ultrasound Peak Systolic Velocity and Angiography for Grading Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis.

(1) Background: The success of carotid revascularization depends on the accurate grading of carotid stenoses. Therefore, it is important for every vascular center to establish its protocols for the same. In this study, we aimed to determine the peak systolic velocity (PSV) thresholds that can predict moderate and severe internal carotid artery (ICA) stenoses.

Outcomes after stenting of renal artery stenosis in patients with high-risk clinical features.

Background: In patients with renal artery stenosis, revascularization was seen as a mean to improve outcomes, but large studies failed to show significant benefit in general population. However, data on benefits of renal artery stenting in patients with high-risk features, such as rapidly declining renal function and cardiac destabilization syndromes, are limited, as they were excluded from trials. In this descriptive study, we aimed to evaluate short- and long-term outcomes in high-risk patients with renal artery stenosis, treated by angioplasty and stenting.

Masters of Media: A longitudinal study of parental media efficacy, media monitoring, and child problematic media use across early childhood in the United States.

The development of problematic media use in early childhood is not well understood. The current study examined long-term associations between parental media efficacy, parental media monitoring, and problematic media use across a three-year period of time during early childhood. Participants included 432 parents who reported on their own parenting and their child's use of problematic media once a year for three years ( age of child at Wave 1 = 29.

Superficial Calcified Plates Associated to Plaque Erosions in Acute Coronary Syndromes.

This study investigates the clinical relevance and therapeutic implications of the OCT identification of intracoronary superficial calcified plates (SCPs) in acute coronary syndromes (ACSs). In 70 consecutive ACS patients (pts), we studied the three main underlying ACS mechanisms: plaque erosion (PE), plaque rupture and eruptive calcified nodule (CN). The PE lesions, occurring on an intact fibrous cap overlying a heterogeneous substrate, were identified in 12/70 pts (17.

STELLATE MULTIFORM AMELANOTIC CHOROIDOPATHY: Clinical and Multimodal Imaging Features.

Purpose: To describe the clinical and multimodal imaging features of stellate multiform amelanotic choroidopathy (SMACH; also known as serous maculopathy due to aspecific choroidopathy).

Methods: Retrospective observational case series of eyes presenting with SMACH. Multimodal imaging including fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography (OCTA), and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) was analyzed.

Silencing screaming with screens: The longitudinal relationship between media emotion regulation processes and children's emotional reactivity, emotional knowledge, and empathy.

Many parents use screens to regulate their young children's emotions. We know very little, however, about how this parenting practice is related to the development of emotional competencies (i.e.

Cyclophosphamide etoposide dexamethasone as salvage and bridging therapy in relapsed refractory and extramedullary multiple myeloma.

Patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) that are triple-exposed to immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors, and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies have a poor prognosis. Standard treatment for these patients has not been established. Patients with extramedullary disease or secondary plasma cell leukemia often display high tumor cell proliferation and might therefore be susceptible to chemotherapy.

Distinctive Morphological Patterns of Complicated Coronary Plaques in Acute Coronary Syndromes: Insights from an Optical Coherence Tomography Study.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an ideal imaging technique for assessing culprit coronary plaque anatomy. We investigated the morphological features and mechanisms leading to plaque complication in a single-center observational retrospective study on 70 consecutive patients with an established diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent OCT imaging after coronary angiography. Three prominent morphological entities were identified.

In situ small-angle X-ray scattering reveals strong condensation of DNA origami during silicification.

Silicification of DNA origami structures increases their stability and provides chemical protection. Yet, it is unclear whether the whole DNA framework is embedded or if silica just forms an outer shell and how silicification affects the origami's internal structure. Employing in situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), we show that addition of silica precursors induces substantial condensation of the DNA origami at early reaction times by almost 10 %.

Interventional Management of a Rare Combination of Nutcracker and Wilkie Syndromes.

Nutcracker and Wilkie syndromes are rare mesoaortic compression entities, and their association is even less common. Data on interventional treatment of these pathologies are still scarce, but results from limited case series are encouraging. We report the case of a previously healthy 45-year-old woman diagnosed with nutcracker and Wilkie syndromes who presented with macroscopic hematuria, intermittent pain in the left flank and hypogastric region, postprandial nausea, and unexplained significant weight loss.

3D-printed SAXS chamber for controlled in situ dialysis and optical characterization.

3D printing changes the scope of how samples can be mounted for small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). In this paper a 3D-printed X-ray chamber, which allows for in situ exchange of buffer and in situ optical transmission spectroscopy, is presented. The chamber is made of cyclic olefin copolymers (COC), including COC X-ray windows providing ultra-low SAXS background.

Development of a Rapid Live SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization Assay Based on a qPCR Readout.

Measuring SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies after vaccination or natural infection remains a priority in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to determine immunity, especially against newly emerging variants. The gold standard for assessing antibody-mediated immunity against SARS-CoV-2 are cell-based live virus neutralization assays. These assays usually take several days, thereby limiting test capacities and the availability of rapid results.

SAXS measurements of azobenzene lipid vesicles reveal buffer-dependent photoswitching and quantitative isomerisation by X-rays.

Photoresponsive materials feature properties that can be adjusted by light near-instantaneously, reversibly, and with high spatiotemporal precision. There is considerable interest in maximising the degree of photoswitching, and in measuring this degree during illumination in complex environments. We study the switching of photoresponsive lipid membranes that allow for precise and reversible manipulation of membrane shape, permeability, and fluidity.

Optical Membrane Control with Red Light Enabled by Red-Shifted Photolipids.

Photoswitchable phospholipids, or "photolipids", that harbor an azobenzene group in their lipid tails are versatile tools to manipulate and control lipid bilayer properties with light. So far, the limited ultraviolet-A/blue spectral range in which the photoisomerization of regular azobenzene operates has been a major obstacle for biophysical or photopharmaceutical applications. Here, we report on the synthesis of nano- and micrometer-sized liposomes from tetra--chloro azobenzene-substituted phosphatidylcholine (termed --) that undergoes photoisomerization on irradiation with tissue-penetrating red light (≥630 nm).

Modular Assembly of Vibrationally and Electronically Coupled Rhenium Bipyridine Carbonyl Complexes on Silicon.

Hybrid inorganic/organic heterointerfaces are promising systems for next-generation photocatalytic, photovoltaic, and chemical-sensing applications. Their performance relies strongly on the development of robust and reliable surface passivation and functionalization protocols with (sub)molecular control. The structure, stability, and chemistry of the semiconductor surface determine the functionality of the hybrid assembly.

Intravascular ultrasound insights into the unstable features of the coronary atherosclerotic plaques: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There is a lack of a comprehensive picture of plaque geometry and composition of unstable atherosclerotic lesions as observed with intravascular ultrasound techniques. We analysed through a systematic review with meta-analysis 39 characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques in three scenarios involving culprit and non-culprit lesions from acute coronary syndromes vs stable angina pectoris patients, and culprit vs non-culprit lesions in acute coronary syndromes patients.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and EMBASE, from inception to April 2020 was performed.

Effect of Shared Governance on Nurse-Sensitive Indicator and Satisfaction Outcomes by Magnet® Recognition Status.

Objective: Researchers examined associations between Index for Professional Nursing Governance (IPNG) types and outcomes.

Background: Effects of professional nursing governance on nurse-related outcomes by Magnet® status are not well studied.

Methods: Associations were evaluated between average IPNG scores from 2170 RNs, and nurse-sensitive indicators (NSIs) as well as patient and RN satisfaction outcomes (N = 205 study units; 20 hospitals), following Magnet requirements.

Equity + Wellness: A Call for More Inclusive Physician Wellness Efforts.

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. The challenges, importance, and state of physician wellness and burnout have been well documented throughout the literature.