Impact of body mass index on in-hospital outcomes in patients receiving leadless pacemakers: A five-category analysis.

Background: The adoption of leadless pacemakers (LPMs) is increasing, yet the impact of body mass index (BMI) on procedural outcomes remains underexplored.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of BMI on in-hospital outcomes for patients receiving LPM implantation.

Methods: Data from the National Inpatient Sample from 2018-2021 were analyzed for patients older than 18 years who underwent LPM implantation, with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria applied.

A Possible Phenotype-to-Genotype Association of Novel Single-Nucleotide Variants in the Coding Exons of the Gene to Arterial Aneurysmal and Dissection Diseases.

After reporting the first known clinical case associating compound heterozygous single-nucleotide variants in Exon 2 of to aortic aneurysmal and iliac dissection, we began prospective surveillance in our vascular genetic practice for similar cases. Herein, we present nine (9) subjects from a total cohort of 135 with arterial aneurysms or dissections who revealed single-nucleotide variants in with no other alterations in a panel of 35 genes associated with aneurysmal and dissection disorders. Five out of nine (5/9) single-nucleotide variants were in Exon 1, and four out of nine (4/9) mutations were in Exon 2, both of which are principal coding exons for this gene.

The Association of a Single Nucleotide Variant in to Early Onset Keratoconus and Pectus Excavatum-Convergence of Extracellular Matrix Pathologies.

Keratoconus is a bilateral ocular condition characterized by irregularities and the thinning of the cornea. Decreased central corneal thickness is a hallmark of the condition, and numerous genes have played a role in altering corneal thickness and the subsequent development of keratoconus. Variants in the structural and regulatory genes of the extracellular matrix have been highly associated with keratoconus, as well as with pectus excavatum, a chest wall deformity commonly seen in connective tissue disorders.

An Eye into the Aorta: The Role of Extracellular Matrix Regulatory Genes and , from Their Previous Association with Brittle Cornea Syndrome to Their Novel Association with Aortic and Arterial Aneurysmal Diseases.

The extracellular matrix is a complex network of proteins and other molecules that are essential for the support, integrity, and structure of cells and tissues within the human body. The genes and each produce extracellular-matrix-related proteins that, when mutated, have been shown to result in the development of brittle cornea syndrome. This dysfunction results from aberrant protein function resulting in extracellular matrix disruption.

Low-dose warfarin with a novel mechanical aortic valve: Interim registry results at 5-year follow-up.

Objectives: To evaluate whether warfarin targeted at an international normalized ratio of 1.8 (range, 1.5-2.

More than meets the eye: rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis with diabetic ketoacidosis presenting as periorbital edema resulting in orbital exenteration and maxillectomy.

Mucormycosis is an invasive fungal infection that can cause acute clinical decompensation and death. The literature demonstrates case fatality rates around 50% with differential clinical courses contingent upon anatomical incursion. Rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis represents a rapidly hostile variant with poorer outcomes, warranting prompt recognition, workup, and intervention.

A Contemporary Review of the Genomic Associations of Coronary Artery Myocardial Bridging.

Background: Myocardial bridging (MB) is a congenital coronary artery anomaly that has limited molecular disease state characterization. Though a large portion of individuals may be asymptomatic, the myocardial ischemia caused by this anomaly can lead to angina, acute coronary syndrome, coronary artery disease, and sudden cardiac death in patients.

Objective: This study aims to summarize and consolidate the current literature regarding the genomic associations of myocardial bridge development and, in doing so, prompt further investigation into the molecular basis of myocardial bridge development.

The Association of Novel Single-Nucleotide Variants in the Collagen Matrix-Encoding Gene with Aortic Aneurysmal Disease.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms are clinical conditions that are associated with severe clinical endpoints including dissection and rupture, potentially leading to sudden death. Contrary to their abdominal counterparts, thoracic aortic aneurysms are well-recognized to have a genetic basis underlying their development. Among all patients with aneurysmal disease who underwent clinical genetic screening in our program (N = 145), two patients were found to have variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in the gene.

Therapeutic considerations for prevention and treatment of thrombotic events in COVID-19.

Thrombosis is a known complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly within a severely symptomatic subset of patients with COVID-19 disease, in whom an aggressive host immune response leads to cytokine storm syndrome (CSS). The incidence of thrombotic events coinciding with CSS may contribute to the severe morbidity and mortality observed in association with COVID-19. This review provides an overview of pharmacologic approaches based upon an emerging understanding of the mechanisms responsible for thrombosis across a spectrum of COVID-19 disease involving an interplay between immunologic and pro-thrombotic events, including endothelial injury, platelet activation, altered coagulation pathways, and impaired fibrinolysis.

The potential of polyethylene microplastics to transport copper in aquatic systems: Adsorption and desorption studies.

Heavy metals and microplastics are two types of general contaminants that can cause significant damage to water systems and organisms. However, the interaction of heavy metal ions with microplastic in aquatic systems received less attention compared with that of organic contaminants. This study aims to explore the interaction of copper (II) ions with microplastic (polyethylene) in aquatic systems.

The mechanistic basis linking cytokine storm to thrombosis in COVID-19.

It is now well established that infection with SARS-CoV-2 resulting in COVID-19 disease includes a severely symptomatic subset of patients in whom an aggressive and/or dysregulated host immune response leads to cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) that may be further complicated by thrombotic events, contributing to the severe morbidity and mortality observed in COVID-19. This review provides a brief overview of cytokine storm in COVID-19, and then presents a mechanistic discussion of how cytokine storm affects integrated pathways in thrombosis involving the endothelium, platelets, the coagulation cascade, eicosanoids, auto-antibody mediated thrombosis, and the fibrinolytic system.

The role of mechanical valves in the aortic position in the era of bioprostheses and TAVR: Evidence-based appraisal and focus on the On-X valve.

Patients who need a prosthetic aortic heart valve may decide, working with their cardiologist and cardiac surgeon, among a variety of options: surgical or transcatheter approach, bioprosthetic or mechanical valve, or a Ross procedure if suitable to their age and anatomy. This review article examines the evidence for survival benefit with mechanical aortic valves, discusses bioprosthetic structural valve degeneration and its consequences, and considers the risks of redo aortic valve surgery or subsequent valve-in-valve (ViV) transcatheter intervention. It highlights the unique characteristics of the On-X aortic valve, including the US Food and Drug Administration approved and American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline supported reduced anticoagulation target INR of 1.

Enhanced external counterpulsation for management of symptoms associated with long COVID.

Study Objective: Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) as a possible therapy for Long COVID.

Design: Retrospective analysis of a contemporary, consecutive patient cohort.

Setting: 7 outpatient treatment centers.

Management of Long-COVID Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome With Enhanced External Counterpulsation.

A growing number of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 disease have been reported to have postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) after the acute phase. A 57-year-old female was diagnosed with COVID-19 in December 2020. As a result of her acute illness, she was hospitalized for COVID pneumonia and respiratory failure, followed by stays at an acute care facility and home rehabilitation center.

Regenerative Effects of Hypoxia Primed Flowable Placental Formulation in Muscle and Dermal Injury.

The placental tissue, due to its angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antimicrobial, and anti-fibrotic properties, has become a compelling source towards a solution for several indications in regenerative medicine. However, methods to enhance and capture the therapeutic properties with formulations that can further the applications of viable placental tissue have not been explored. In this study, we investigated the regenerative effects of a hypoxia primed flowable placental formulation (FPF), composed of amnion/chorion and umbilical tissue, in two in vivo injury models.

Pediatric Pain Screening Tool: A Simple 9-Item Questionnaire Predicts Functional and Chronic Postsurgical Pain Outcomes After Major Musculoskeletal Surgeries.

Reliable, clinic-friendly screening for Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) risk is unavailable. Within a prospective, observational study, we evaluated Pediatric Pain Screening Tool (PPST), a concise 9-item questionnaire, as a preoperative screening tool to identify those at higher risk for CPSP (Numerical Rating Scale > 3/10 beyond 3 months post-surgery) and poor function (disability/Functional Disability Inventory [FDI]/quality of life/ Pediatric Quality of Life) after spine fusion and Nuss procedures. Incidence of CPSP was 34.

Comprehensive Comparison of Amnion Stromal Cells and Chorion Stromal Cells by RNA-Seq.

Mesenchymal stromal cells derived from the fetal placenta, composed of an amnion membrane, chorion membrane, and umbilical cord, have emerged as promising sources for regenerative medicine. Here, we used next-generation sequencing technology to comprehensively compare amniotic stromal cells (ASCs) with chorionic stromal cells (CSCs) at the molecular and signaling levels. Principal component analysis showed a clear dichotomy of gene expression profiles between ASCs and CSCs.

Exosomes Secreted from Amniotic Membrane Contribute to Its Anti-Fibrotic Activity.

Amniotic membranes (AM) have anti-fibrotic activity. Exosomes (nano-sized vesicles) function as conduits for intercellular transfer and contain all the necessary components to induce the resolution of fibrosis. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the anti-fibrotic activity of AM is mediated by exosomes.

First-attempt success rate of video laryngoscopy in small infants (VISI): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Orotracheal intubation of infants using direct laryngoscopy can be challenging. We aimed to investigate whether video laryngoscopy with a standard blade done by anaesthesia clinicians improves the first-attempt success rate of orotracheal intubation and reduces the risk of complications when compared with direct laryngoscopy. We hypothesised that the first-attempt success rate would be higher with video laryngoscopy than with direct laryngoscopy.

Structural and Functional Equivalency Between Lyopreserved and Cryopreserved Chorions with Viable Cells.

Clinical studies have demonstrated that the use of cryopreserved amnion or trophoblast (TR)-free chorion, containing viable cells, in the treatment of chronic wounds results in high rate of wound closure. Recently, a new lyopreservation method has been developed for preservation of amnion that also retains the endogenous viable cells. The objective of this study was to use this method for lyopreservation of TR-free chorionic membrane (viable lyopreserved chorionic membrane [VLCM]) and compare it with the viable cryopreserved chorionic membrane (VCCM).

Ventricular Septal Myectomy for the Treatment of Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction Due to Fabry Disease.

Fabry cardiomyopathy can cause symptomatic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. We review a case of Fabry cardiomyopathy mimicking hypertrophic cardiomyopathy on echocardiography with severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction treated with ventricular septal myectomy.

A Flowable Placental Formulation Prevents Bleomycin-Induced Dermal Fibrosis in Aged Mice.

Fibrosis, the thickening and scarring of injured connective tissue, leads to a loss of organ function. Multiple cell types, including T-cells, macrophages, fibrocytes, and fibroblasts/myofibroblasts contribute to scar formation via secretion of inflammatory factors. This event results in an increase in oxidative stress and deposition of excessive extracellular matrix (ECM), characteristic of fibrosis.

Tracking tidal volume noninvasively in volunteers using a tightly controlled temperature-based device: A proof of concept paper.

Introduction: There is a paucity of noninvasive respiratory monitors for patients outside of critical care settings. The Linshom respiratory monitoring device is a novel temperature-based respiratory monitor that measures the respiratory rate as accurately as capnography.

Objectives: Determine whether the amplitude of the Linshom temperature profile was an accurate, surrogate and qualitative metric of the tidal volume (V ) that tracks V in healthy volunteers.