Ex Vivo Modeling of Atrioventricular Valve Mechanics in Single Ventricle Physiology.

Single ventricle physiology (SVP) is used to describe any congenital heart lesion that is unable to support independent pulmonary and systemic circulations. Current treatment strategies rely on a series of palliation surgeries that culminate in the Fontan physiology, which relies on the single functioning ventricle to provide systemic circulation while passively routing venous return through the pulmonary circulation. Despite significant reductions in early mortality, the presence of atrioventricular valve (AVV) regurgitation is a key predictor of heart failure in these patients.

Force Profiles of Single Ventricle Atrioventricular Leaflets in Response to Annular Dilation and Leaflet Tethering.

We sought to understand how leaflet forces change in response to annular dilation and leaflet tethering (LT) in single ventricle physiology. Explanted fetal bovine tricuspid valves were sutured onto image-derived annuli and ventricular mounts. Control valves (CON) were secured to a size-matched hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS)-type annulus and compared to: (1) normal tricuspid valves secured to a size-matched saddle-shaped annulus, (2) HLHS-type annulus with LT, (3) HLHS-type annulus with annular dilation (dilation valves), or (4) a combined disease model with both dilation and tethering (disease valves).

Perimortem Demonstration and Treatment of Recipient-to-Donor Transfusion in Monochorionic-Diamniotic Twin Gestation.

Twin-twin transfusion syndrome is a complication of monochorionic-diamniotic placentation. Should one twin die, ≈30% of co-twins will also die, and if they survive, ≈30% experience severe morbidity rates, each believed secondary to hemorrhage of the co-twin into the deceased twin. We report apparently the first ultrasound-documented case of perimortem hemorrhage in twin-twin transfusion syndrome and its treatment by emergent ultrasound-guided percutaneous cord occlusion followed by percutaneous fetal intravascular transfusion.

Patterns and causes of observed piñon pine mortality in the southwestern United States.

Recently, widespread piñon pine die-off occurred in the southwestern United States. Here we synthesize observational studies of this event and compare findings to expected relationships with biotic and abiotic factors. Agreement exists on the occurrence of drought, presence of bark beetles and increased mortality of larger trees.

Observation-to-imitate plus practice could add little to physical therapy benefits within 31 days of stroke: translational randomized controlled trial.

Background And Purpose: Observation of action with intention-to-imitate (OTI) might enhance motor recovery. This early phase trial investigated whether OTI followed by physical practice (OTI + PP) enhanced the benefits of conventional physical therapy (CPT) on upper limb recovery early after stroke.

Methods: Participants were 3 to 31 days poststroke.