Transoesophageal echocardiography beyond the echo-laboratory. An expert consensus paper of the working group of echocardiography of the hellenic society of cardiology.

Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is a well-established and valid imaging modality, providing more accurate and of higher quality information than transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for several specific diagnoses and recently a useful guide of an increasing number of catheter-based and surgical interventions. The present paper represents an effort by the Echocardiography Working Group (WG) of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology to state the essential steps of the TOE exam performed beyond the echo lab: a) in the operating rooms intraoperatively during either transcatheter interventions, or cardiothoracic surgery and b) in the intensive care unit for critically ill patients' monitoring. This paper includes information and tips and tricks about the pre-procedural evaluation, the procedural echocardiographic guidance, and post-procedural evaluation of the result and potential complications.

Practical guidance and clinical applications of transoesophageal echocardiography. A position paper of the working group of echocardiography of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology.

Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is a well-established imaging modality, providing more accurate and of higher quality information than transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for a wide spectrum cardiac and extra-cardiac diseases. The present paper represents an effort by the Echocardiography Working Group (WG) of the Hellenic Cardiology Society to state the essential steps of the typical TOE exam performed in echo lab. This is an educational text, describing the minimal requirements and the preparation of a meticulous TOE examination.

Atrial Septal Defect Detection in Children Based on Ultrasound Video Using Multiple Instances Learning.

Thoracic echocardiography (TTE) can provide sufficient cardiac structure information, evaluate hemodynamics and cardiac function, and is an effective method for atrial septal defect (ASD) examination. This paper aims to study a deep learning method based on cardiac ultrasound video to assist in ASD diagnosis. We chose four standard views in pediatric cardiac ultrasound to identify atrial septal defects; the four standard views were as follows: subcostal sagittal view of the atrium septum (subSAS), apical four-chamber view (A4C), the low parasternal four-chamber view (LPS4C), and parasternal short-axis view of large artery (PSAX).

Exercise and cardiac rehabilitation in hypertensive patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A position statement on behalf of the Working Group of Arterial Hypertension of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology.

Arterial hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and the most common cause of comorbidity in heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). As an adjunct to medication, healthy lifestyle modifications with emphasis on regular exercise are strongly recommended by both the hypertension and the HF guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology. Several long-term studies have shown that exercise is associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality, a favorable cardiac and metabolic risk profile, mental health, and other non-cardiovascular benefits, as well as an improvement in overall quality of life.

Mechanisms underlying the efficacy of a rodent model of vertical sleeve gastrectomy - A focus on energy expenditure.

Objective: Bariatric surgery remains the only effective and durable treatment option for morbid obesity. Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) is currently the most widely performed of these surgeries primarily because of its proven efficacy in generating rapid onset weight loss, improved glucose regulation and reduced mortality compared with other invasive procedures. VSG is associated with reduced appetite, however, the relative importance of energy expenditure to VSG-induced weight loss and changes in glucose regulation, particularly that in brown adipose tissue (BAT), remains unclear.

Deep learning fusion of satellite and social information to estimate human migratory flows.

Human migratory decisions are driven by a wide range of factors, including economic and environmental conditions, conflict, and evolving social dynamics. These factors are reflected in disparate data sources, including household surveys, satellite imagery, and even news and social media. Here, we present a deep learning-based data fusion technique integrating satellite and census data to estimate migratory flows from Mexico to the United States.

The BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism Does Not Increase Susceptibility to Activity-Based Anorexia in Rats.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is abundantly expressed in brain regions involved in both homeostatic and hedonic feeding, and it circulates at reduced levels in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). A single nucleotide polymorphism in the gene encoding for BDNF (Val66Met) has been associated with worse outcomes in patients with AN, and it is shown to promote anorectic behaviour in a mouse model of caloric restriction paired with social isolation stress. Previous animal models of the Val66Met polymorphism have been in mice because of the greater ease in modification of the mouse genome, however, the most widely-accepted animal model of AN, known as activity-based anorexia (ABA), is most commonly conducted in rats.

Pharmacist-Led Deprescribing for Patients With Polypharmacy and Chronic Disease States: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Current literature and practice have demonstrated that pharmacists have an integral role in deprescribing. However, research regarding their impact on patients with chronic diseases is limited. To assess the impact of a pharmacist-led intervention on deprescribing inappropriate medication for patients with chronic diseases within a four-month study period compared to patients receiving usual care.

Atrial fibrillation as a new independent risk factor for thromboembolic events: hemodynamics and vascular consequence of long ventricular pauses.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a leading risk factor of arterial thromboembolic events. Aim is to study the main arteries hemodynamics and kinetics in AF and to propose the functional classification of AF.

Methods: We included 188 patients (80 as the control).

Gut-brain mechanisms underlying changes in disordered eating behaviour after bariatric surgery: a review.

Bariatric surgery results in long-term weight loss and an improved metabolic phenotype due to changes in the gut-brain axis regulating appetite and glycaemia. Neuroendocrine alterations associated with bariatric surgery may also influence hedonic aspects of eating by inducing changes in taste preferences and central reward reactivity towards palatable food. However, the impact of bariatric surgery on disordered eating behaviours (e.

Staphylococcus lugdunensis Native Valve Endocarditis in a Patient With Confirmed COVID-19: A Cautionary Tale of an Old Disease Not to Be Forgotten in the Pandemic Era.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has radically altered priorities and planning in the global medical community with continuously increasing numbers of infected patients. Cardiovascular disease accounts for the most common comorbidity encountered in patients with COVID-19. Infective endocarditis (IE) represents a grave medical condition as it may compromise circulatory homeostasis, renal function, and lead to embolic complications.

Pharmacists' Utilization of Non-HDL-C Levels in Managing Patients With Lipid Disorders.

Since 2013 there have been cholesterol guideline changes impacting pharmacists' clinical practice in managing lipid disorders. For more than a decade, cholesterol management was based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol Adult Treatment Panel III guideline, highlighting non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) as a secondary target in persons with triglycerides ≥200 mg/dL, after low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment. The 2013 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guideline differed from the traditional management of dyslipidemia, in part no longer emphasizing the utilization of non-HDL-C levels.

Updated knowledge and practical implementations of stress echocardiography in ischemic and non-ischemic cardiac diseases: An expert consensus of the Working Group of Echocardiography of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology.

Stress echocardiography (SE) is a well established and valid technique, widely used for the diagnostic evaluation of patients with ischemic and nonischemic cardiac diseases. This statement of the Echocardiography Working Group of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology summarizes the consensus of the writing group regarding the applications of SE, based on the expertise of their members and on a critical review of present medical literature. The main objectives of the consensus document include a comprehensive review of SE methodology and training-which focus on the preparation, the protocols used, the analysis of the SE images, and updated, evidence-based knowledge about SE applications on ischemic and nonischemic heart diseases, such as in cardiomyopathies, heart failure, and valvular heart disease.

Prevention of Frey's Syndrome with the Use of Porcine Dermal Collagen Graft: Retrospective Analysis of 76 "Formal" Parotidectomies for Benign Pathologies.

Background: Frey's syndrome is a well-known complication of parotid surgery; its prevention may be achieved by the use of an interpositional barrier between the overlying flaps and the exposed parenchymal bed of parotid gland. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate clinical outcomes with and without the interpositional placement of a porcine dermal collagen graft (PDCG) for prevention of syndrome occurrence.

Methods: We conducted a 20-year retrospective study including the patients who had undergone "formal" (superficial, total, or subtotal) parotidectomies for benign pathologies.

Training, competence, and quality improvement in echocardiography: the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging Recommendations: update 2020.

The primary mission of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) is 'to promote excellence in clinical diagnosis, research, technical development, and education in cardiovascular imaging'. Echocardiography is a key component in the evaluation of patients with known or suspected cardiovascular disease and is essential for the high quality and effective practice of clinical cardiology. The EACVI aims to update the previously published recommendations for training, competence, and quality improvement in echocardiography since these activities are increasingly recognized by patients, physicians, and payers.

A heart failure themed escape room approach to enhance pharmacy student learning.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to design, pilot, and evaluate the efficacy of an educational escape room to enhance second professional year doctor of pharmacy students' knowledge of heart failure medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutics in an integrated Modular Organ Systems Therapeutics (MOST) course and to assess students' perceptions of the game.

Methods: Heart failure pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacotherapeutics were taught in MOST prior to the escape room activity. Students were randomized into groups of approximately eight.

Impact of Pharmacy Student-Driven Postdischarge Telephone Calls on Heart Failure Hospital Readmission Rates: A Pilot Program.

Heart failure (HF) hospitalization rates have remained high in the past 10 years. Numerous studies have shown significant improvement in HF readmission rates when pharmacists or pharmacy residents conduct postdischarge telephone calls. The purpose of this retrospective review of a pilot program was to evaluate the impact of pharmacy student-driven postdischarge phone calls on 30- and 90-day hospital readmission rates in patients recently discharged with HF.

From sensory circumventricular organs to cerebral cortex: Neural pathways controlling thirst and hunger.

Much progress has been made during the past 30 years with respect to elucidating the neural and endocrine pathways by which bodily needs for water and energy are brought to conscious awareness through the generation of thirst and hunger. One way that circulating hormones influence thirst and hunger is by acting on neurones within sensory circumventricular organs (CVOs). This is possible because the subfornical organ and organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), the sensory CVOs in the forebrain, and the area postrema in the hindbrain lack a normal blood-brain barrier such that neurones within them are exposed to blood-borne agents.

News coverage, digital activism, and geographical saliency: A case study of refugee camps and volunteered geographical information.

The last several decades have witnessed a shift in the way in which news is delivered and consumed by users. With the growth and advancements in mobile technologies, the Internet, and Web 2.0 technologies users are not only consumers of news, but also producers of online content.