Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography Is Feasible and Reliable for Proximal Coronary Segment Interpretation in Patients with Elevated Body Mass Index.

Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) is under-utilised in detecting coronary artery disease (CAD) in obese patients due to concerns about non-evaluable testing. We hypothesise that these concerns are predominantly related to smaller and branch coronary vessels, and CTCA remains adequate for proximal segment stenosis interpretation, which has significant clinical implications. This retrospective cohort study, on consecutive patients referred for CTCA for suspected CAD, grouped patients by body mass index.

The Clinical Features and Outcomes of Pseudocirrhosis in Breast Cancer.

Pseudocirrhosis is a diffuse nodularity of the liver that radiologically mimics cirrhosis but is a distinct pathological process. It is seen almost exclusively in patients with liver metastases and may represent a response to systemic treatment. Data on the risk factors for pseudocirrhosis and outcomes are limited.

Green synthesis, characterization and functional validation of bio-transformed selenium nanoparticles.

Selenium, an essential micronutrient with potent anticancer and antioxidant properties, the inorganic form of selenium is highly toxic, while organic and elemental nanoforms are more bioavailable and less toxic and have gained attention owing to their dietary and clinical relevance. This study aims to optimize conditions for the biosynthesis and production of elemental selenium nanoparticles for selenium supplements using marine microalgae, Nannochloropsis oceanica CASA CC201. The 10 mM precursor solution treated with 1 % of the algal extract (10:1 ratio of precursor and algal extract, respectively) was shown to be the optimal concentration for synthesizing highly stable selenium nanoparticles with a size of 183 nm and a zeta potential of -38.

Ivabradine in the Prevention, and Reduction in Size, of Perioperative Myocardial Injury in Patients Undergoing Orthopedic Surgery for Acute Fracture.

Background: Perioperative myocardial injury is common after major noncardiac surgery and is associated with adverse outcomes. This study investigated the use of ivabradine in patients undergoing urgent surgery for fracture.

Methods And Results: This was a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.

Association of hypertension with mortality in patients hospitalised with COVID-19.

Objective: To assess whether hypertension is an independent risk factor for mortality among patients hospitalised with COVID-19, and to evaluate the impact of ACE inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) use on mortality in patients with a background of hypertension.

Method: This observational cohort study included all index hospitalisations with laboratory-proven COVID-19 aged ≥18 years across 21 Australian hospitals. Patients with suspected, but not laboratory-proven COVID-19, were excluded.

Cardiac Complications in Patients Hospitalised With COVID-19 in Australia.

Objectives: Describe the incidence of cardiac complications in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 in Australia.

Design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: Twenty-one (21) Australian hospitals.

Acute Coronary Syndrome in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Reduced Cases and Increased Ischaemic Time.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented stress on health care systems, and has affected acute coronary syndrome treatment at every step. This study aimed to examine the impact of COVID-19 on patient presentations with acute coronary syndromes during the first and second pandemic wave in Melbourne, Victoria.

Method: A retrospective cohort study of adults presenting with cute coronary syndrome during the first pandemic wave from 1 March 2020 to 31 April 2020 and the second pandemic wave from 1 July 2020 to 31 August 2020 was compared to a control period from 1 March to 31 April 2019 at a single sub-tertiary referral centre in Melbourne, Victoria servicing a catchment area with a relatively high incidence of COVID-19 cases.

Cation-translocation based isomerism offers a tool for the expansion of compressed helicates.

A series of compressed M[Li313Ti2] (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) and expanded helicates M4[13Ti2] has been obtained. The helicates Li3[M13Ti2] or M4[13Ti2] with M = Na+, K+, Rb+, or Cs+ adopt the expanded structure in solution. By crystallization the compressed structures M[Li313Ti2] (M = Na, Rb) are obtained.

Permanent pacing and conduction recovery in patients undergoing cardiac surgery for active infective endocarditis in an Australian Tertiary Center.

Background: Postoperative heart block is common among patients undergoing surgery for infective endocarditis (IE). Limited data exists allowing cardiologists to predict who will require permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation postoperatively. We aimed to determine the rate of postoperative PPM insertion, predictors for postoperative PPM, and describe PPM utilization and rates of device-related infection during follow-up.

Plasma endothelin-1 and adrenomedullin are associated with coronary artery function and cardiovascular outcomes in humans.

Background: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a vasoconstrictor associated with cardiovascular disease, whereas adrenomedullin (ADM) is a vasorelaxant with cardioprotective properties. We sought to determine the relationship between plasma ET-1 and ADM with coronary circulatory function and long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Methods: Thirty-two patients undergoing coronary angiography for chest pain were recruited.

Feasibility of exercise stress echocardiography for cardiac risk assessment in chronic kidney disease patients prior to renal transplantation.

Background: Pharmacologic stress testing is utilized in preference to exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) for cardiac risk evaluation in potential renal transplant recipients due to the perceived lower feasibility of ESE for achieving adequate workload and target heart rate (THR) in this population.

Methods: Consecutive patients referred for cardiac risk evaluation prior to potential kidney transplantation were evaluated. All patients attempted ESE before pharmacologic testing was considered.

Impact of insulin initiation on glycaemic variability and glucose profiles in a primary healthcare Type 2 diabetes cohort: analysis of continuous glucose monitoring data from the INITIATION study.

Aim: To use continuous glucose monitoring to examine the effects of insulin initiation with glargine, with or without glulisine, on glycaemic variability and glycaemia in a cohort of people with Type 2 diabetes receiving maximum oral hypoglycaemic agents in primary healthcare.

Methods: We conducted a post hoc analysis of continuous glucose monitoring data from 89 participants at baseline and at 24 weeks after insulin commencement. Indicators of glycaemic variability (standard deviation, J-index and mean amplitude of glycaemic excursion) and glycaemia (HbA1c , mean glucose, area under the glucose-time curve) were assessed.

Nanomedicine I: In vitro and in vivo evaluation of paclitaxel loaded poly-(ε-caprolactone), poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) and poly (DL-lactic acid) matrix nanoparticles in wistar rats.

Progress in nanoscience and nanotechnology laid foundation for nanotherapy-based approach in cancer drug delivery for improved therapy and quality of life. The prepared polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs), PCL, PLGA and PLA NPs help in delivering paclitaxel (TAX) in vivo by avoiding the use of unsafe excipient, Cremophore EL. The classy microscopic examination SEM, TEM and AFM analysis revealed the spherical and smooth structure of the NPs as well as their homogeneous solid matrix without any amorphous arrangements.

Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems for cancer chemotherapy.

Nanoparticles (NPs) are, in general, colloidal particles, less than 1000 nm, that can be used for better drug delivery and prepared either by encapsulating the drug within a vesicle and or by dispersing the drug molecules within a matrix. Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems have been extensively studied in recent years for spatial and temporal delivery, especially in tumour and brain targeting. NPs have great promise for better drug delivery as found in both pharmaceutical and clinical research.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of locust bean gum and chitosan combination as a carrier for buccal drug delivery.

The object of the study was to evaluate locust bean gum and chitosan in ratios of 2:3; 3:2 and 4:1 (F1, F2 and F3) as a mucoadhesive component in buccal tablets and to compare the bioavailability of a propranolol hydrochloride buccal tablet with the oral tablet in healthy human volunteers. Propranolol hydrochloride buccal tablets containing various weight ratios of locust bean gum and chitosan were prepared and coated with 5% w/v ethyl cellulose on one face, and oral tablets containing 10 mg propranolol hydrochloride alone were formulated using a direct compression technique. The strength of mucoadhesion of the tablets was quantified based on the tensile force required to break the adhesive bond between a model membrane (porcine buccal mucosa) and the test polymer.

Does feeding regime affect physiologic and thermal responses during exposure to 8, 20, and 27 degrees C?

When the loss of body heat is accelerated by exposure to low environmental temperatures, additional substrates must be oxidized to provide energy to sustain temperature homeostasis. Therefore, the present investigation examined the relation between feeding regime [pre-experimental carbohydrate feeding (FED) vs a fast (FAST)], during 120 min of exposure to 8, 20, and 27 degrees C in well-nourished men. The following were examined: tissue insulation (I; degrees C.