Betaine lipids: Biosynthesis, functional diversity and evolutionary perspectives.

Betaine lipids (BL) are relatively understudied non‑phosphorus glycerolipids. They are predominantly found in algae but have also been detected in other unicellular eukaryotes, fungi, bacteria, and some bryophytes and pteridophytes. These extraplastidial lipids are considered as substitute for phospholipids in organisms, particularly under phosphate (Pi) deficiency.

Decoding medina 0.0.1 bifurcation: Are all codes equal? Results from a multicentric registry.

Objectives: This study aimed to detail the technical management of Medina 0.0.1 lesions, assess their outcomes, and identify predictors of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE).

Who Lives Longer, the Valve or the Patient? The Dilemma of TAVI Durability and How to Optimize Patient Outcomes.

Over the past few years, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) imposed itself as the first-choice therapy for symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) in elderly patients at surgical risk. There have been continuous technological advancements in the latest iterations of TAVI devices and implantation techniques, which have bolstered their adoption. Moreover, the favorable outcomes coming out from clinical trials represent an indisputable point of strength for TAVI.

Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Implantation in Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot and Anomalous Left Coronary Artery Origin.

We describe a rare and extremely challenging case of transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation in repaired tetralogy of Fallot and anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the right coronary sinus. Procedural planning based on advanced multimodality imaging and 3-dimensional technology proved to be the key to procedural success.

Right disc thrombosis of the new Gore Cardioform ASD Occluder.

Background: The GCA is a well performing device in terms of efficacy despite complex anatomies (aortic rim <5 mm and ASD diameter >17 mm) with a good safety profile.

Aims: To evaluate atrial septal defect (ASD) features impacting on right disc device thrombosis in patients who underwent Gore Cardioform ASD Occluder (GCA) implantation.

Methods: A total of 44 consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous ASD with GCA device from January 2020 to September 2022 at our tertiary care Center were evaluated.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease: Procedural Planning and Clinical Outcomes.

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart disease, with a prevalence of 1-2% and occurring in >20% of octogenarians referred for aortic valve replacement. However, BAV patients have been systematically excluded from pivotal randomized trials. Since TAVI indications are moving toward low-risk patients, an increase in the number of BAV patients who undergo TAVI is expected.

Phenotyping congestion in acute heart failure by renal flow and right heart to pulmonary circulation coupling.

Aims: In acute heart failure (AHF), kidney congestion is basic to treatment and prognosis. Its aetiology is manifold and quite unexplored in details mainly regarding the right heart to pulmonary circulation (Pc) coupling. We investigated the right heart to kidney interrelationship by Doppler renal flow pattern, right atrial dynamics, and right ventricular (RV) function to Pc coupling in AHF.

A CT-based deep learning system for automatic assessment of aortic root morphology for TAVI planning.

Accurate planning of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is important to minimize complications, and it requires anatomic evaluation of the aortic root (AR), commonly performed through 3D computed tomography (CT) image analysis. Currently, there is no standard automated solution for this process. Two convolutional neural networks with 3D U-Net architectures (model 1 and model 2) were trained on 310 CT scans for AR analysis.

Impact of Nodular Calcifications in the Aortic Annulus and Left Ventricular Outflow Tract on TAVI Outcome with New-Generation Devices.

Background: The impact of nodular calcifications in left ventricular outlow tract (LVOT) and aortic annulus on the procedural outcome of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with new-generation devices is yet to be elucidated. Similarly, computational simulations may provide a novel insight into the biomechanical features of TAVI devices and their interaction with nodular calcifications.

Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 232 patients submitted to TAVI with Evolut-R (53.

Prognostic significance of right ventricle to pulmonary artery coupling in patients with mitral regurgitation treated with the MitraClip system.

Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic impact of baseline tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/pulmonary artery systolic pressure (TAPSE/PASP) ratio, as an expression of the right ventricle-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) coupling, in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) treated with the MitraClip.

Background: Impaired RV to PA coupling is considered a marker of RV dysfunction.

Methods: From February 2016 to February 2020, a total of 165 patients were evaluated and stratified in two groups according to a prespecified value of TAPSE/PASP ratio ≤ 0.

Bailout From Sinus Jailing: In-Series TAVR-in-TAVR to Avoid Coronary Flow Obstruction.

Redo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may pose the risk of coronary flow obstruction. We report 2 cases of severe TAVR regurgitation due to different physiopathological mechanisms in which TAVR-in-TAVR could be at high risk for sinus sequestration. Both cases were successfully treated by in-series implantation of a second transcatheter heart valve, thus avoiding sinus sequestration.

In-Hospital Outcomes and Predictors of Paravalvular Leak and Deep Implantation With the Evolut R 34-mm Device: A Comparison With Smaller Evolut R Sizes.

Purpose: To compare in-hospital outcome of Evolut-R 34 mm vs. smaller Evolut-R devices and to identify predictors of paravalvular leak (PVL) and deep implantation specific for Evolut-R 34 mm.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 359 consecutive patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with Evolut-R 34 mm (N = 84,23.

Bilateral lateral rectus recession versus unilateral recession/resection for basic intermittent exotropia.

Introduction: Intermittent exotropia requires surgical resolution under some clinical circumstances. The main techniques are bilateral lateral rectus recession and unilateral recess/resection. Although bilateral recession is the most widely used, it is not clear whether it leads to better results.

Burden of influenza-associated deaths in the Americas, 2002-2008.

Background: Influenza disease is a vaccine-preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) region has invested in influenza vaccines, but few estimates of influenza burden exist to justify these investments. We estimated influenza-associated deaths for 35 PAHO countries during 2002-2008.

Heme oxygenase-1 protects corexit 9500A-induced respiratory epithelial injury across species.

The effects of Corexit 9500A (CE) on respiratory epithelial surfaces of terrestrial mammals and marine animals are largely unknown. This study investigated the role of CE-induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a cytoprotective enzyme with anti-apoptotic and antioxidant activity, in human bronchial airway epithelium and the gills of exposed aquatic animals. We evaluated CE-mediated alterations in human airway epithelial cells, mice lungs and gills from zebrafish and blue crabs.

Trends in mortality from respiratory disease in Latin America since 1998 and the impact of the 2009 influenza pandemic.

Objective: To determine trends in mortality from respiratory disease in several areas of Latin America between 1998 and 2009.

Methods: The numbers of deaths attributed to respiratory disease between 1998 and 2009 were extracted from mortality data from Argentina, southern Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and Paraguay. Robust linear models were then fitted to the rates of mortality from respiratory disease recorded between 2003 and 2009.

Pleural mesothelial cell differentiation and invasion in fibrogenic lung injury.

The origin of the myofibroblast in fibrotic lung disease is uncertain, and no effective medical therapy for fibrosis exists. We have previously demonstrated that transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) induces pleural mesothelial cell (PMC) transformation into myofibroblasts and haptotactic migration in vitro. Whether PMC differentiation and migration occurs in vivo, and whether this response can be modulated for therapeutic benefit, is unknown.

Incidence of influenza-associated mortality and hospitalizations in Argentina during 2002-2009.

Background: We estimated rates of influenza-associated deaths and hospitalizations in Argentina, a country that recommends annual influenza vaccination for persons at high risk of complications from influenza illness.

Methods: We identified hospitalized persons and deaths in persons diagnosed with pneumonia and influenza (P&I, ICD-10 codes J10-J18) and respiratory and circulatory illness (R&C, codes I00-I99 and J00-J99). We defined the influenza season as the months when the proportion of samples that tested positive for influenza exceeded the annual median.

Elimination of Onchocerca volvulus Transmission in the Huehuetenango Focus of Guatemala.

In Latin America, onchocerciasis is targeted for elimination by 2012 through twice-yearly mass treatment of the eligible population with ivermectin. In Guatemala, two of the four historical endemic foci have demonstrated elimination of transmission, following World Health Organization guidelines. Using established guidelines ophthalmological, serological, and entomological evaluations were conducted in 2007-8 to determine the transmission status of onchocerciasis in the Huehuetenango focus.