Risk factors that predict for presence of clinically significant, noncalcified plaque in younger adults.

Objective: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring may be a useful tool for assessing cardiovascular disease in young adults, particularly in those with risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, or smoking. In this study, we aimed to address the risk factors for developing noncalcified plaque in young adults by assessing total plaque burden.

Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted among 1026 consecutive patients aged 18-45 years who underwent CAC scoring and coronary computed tomography (CT) angiograms for clinical indications.

Previous surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis and association with amyloidosis and heart failure - A Danish nationwide study.

Introduction: Cardiac Amyloidosis (CA) is characterised by amyloid fibril deposits causing heart failure (HF). Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is recognised as a potential red flag for CA, but the association remains underexplored in large-scale studies.

Methods: This nationwide registry-based cohort study in Denmark included subjects ≥60 years with a history of LSS surgery.

Noncardiac chest computerized tomography scan as a predictor for plaque presence in coronary artery.

Background: Coronary artery calcium, a marker of coronary atherosclerosis, is often identified on noncoronary chest computed tomography (CT). We wanted to evaluate the correlation between the presence of coronary plaques in coronary artery catheterization and coronary calcifications as shown in noncardiac chest CT.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study consisting of cases (N = 63) and controls (N = 29), aged 18-70 years old, residing in northern Israel and treated in the Intensive Cardiac Care Unit of Ziv Medical Center, between January 2020 and November 2022.

The Association Between Blepharitis and Lower Eyelid Ectropion in a Large Cohort of Patients.

Purpose: Blepharitis and lower eyelid ectropion are highly prevalent ocular conditions occurring in 37%-46% and 2-3% of the general adult population, respectively. Blepharitis has multifactorial origins and involves anterior and posterior types of eyelid inflammation. Lower eyelid ectropion results in ocular surface exposure, epiphora and chronic conjunctivitis.

Associations of Traumatic Brain Injury and Mild Behavioral Impairment With Cognitive Function and Dementia.

Objective: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) may contribute additional complexity to the clinical picture of mild behavioral impairment (MBI). MBI, a behavioral analog to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), is comprised of five neuropsychiatric domains: decreased motivation, affective dysregulation, impulse dyscontrol, social inappropriateness, and abnormal perception/thought content. We investigated (1) if cross-sectional associations of cognitive status with MBI symptoms differ by TBI status and (2) if prospective associations of MBI domain positivity with incident dementia risk differ by TBI status.

Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Model for Prediction of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Shrinkage After Endovascular Repair ( the ART in EVAR study).

Purpose: The goal of the study described in this protocol is to build a multimodal artificial intelligence (AI) model to predict abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) shrinkage 1 year after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Methods: In this retrospective observational multicenter study, approximately 1000 patients will be enrolled from hospital records of 5 experienced vascular centers. Patients will be included if they underwent elective EVAR for infrarenal AAA with initial assisted technical success and had imaging available of the same modality preoperatively and at 1-year follow-up (CTA-CTA or US-US).

Brief Ectopic Banking and Immediate Plate Fixation With Free Omental Flap Addresses Multiple Fundamental Problems for Single-Stage Replant of Transhumeral Amputation.

High-velocity traumatic amputations of the proximal upper extremity are devastating to the patient and represent an extreme surgical challenge to the treatment team. The hand surgeon must simultaneously battle devascularization with timely microvascular anastomosis, gross contamination with meticulous debridement, and amputation with stable fixation. In restoring a functional extremity, many of these goals are in contention with each other.

Augmenting motion artifacts to enhance auto-contouring of complex structures in cone-beam computed tomography imaging.

. To develop an augmentation method that simulates cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) related motion artifacts, which can be used to generate training-data to increase the performance of artificial intelligence models dedicated to auto-contouring tasks.The augmentation technique generates data that simulates artifacts typically present in CBCT imaging.

Multivalvular vs single-valve infective endocarditis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Infective endocarditis is characterized by the colonization of heart valves by virulent microorganisms. It commonly manifests as involvement of a single heart valve -single-valve infective endocarditis (SIE), while in some patients, two or more heart valves are concomitantly infected -multivalvular infective endocarditis (MIE). The risk of complications and prognosis of MIE as opposed to SIE are unknown.

Developing a novel TaqMan qPCR assay for optimizing Pullorum detection in chickens.

Pullorum, the causative agent of pullorum disease, posing a significant threat to the global production of poultry meat and eggs. However, existing detection methods have substantial limitations in efficiency and accuracy. Herein, we developed a genomic deletion-targeted TaqMan qPCR assay for identification of Pullorum, enabling precise differentiation from other serovars.

Rational Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel c-Met Degraders for Lung Cancer Therapy.

Cellular-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (c-Met) is an attractive target for treating multiple cancers. Despite plentiful c-Met inhibitors have been developed, some issues, including the acquired drug resistance to c-Met inhibitors, have emerged to hamper their application in clinical treatment. Degradation of c-Met offers an opportunity to solve these issues.

Updates in atypical hemolytic syndrome.

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to summarize how scientific advances in complement biology have not only improved the diagnosis and management of aHUS but also continue to offer insights into the pathophysiology of complement-mediated disease that may be leveraged for future therapeutic developments.

Recent Findings: Updated information on the clinical and epidemiological features, pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and potential for future therapeutic advancements in the treatment of aHUS are reviewed.

Summary: aHUS is a rare but potentially life-threatening disease that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment as well as long-term management via a multidisciplinary team providing coordination of primary and specialty care as well as outreach and education for children and families affected by this life-long disease.

Yttrium-90 Radioembolization for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Non-University Tertiary Care Center Experience.

Background: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) presents a significant clinical challenge due to its high fatality rate and limited surgical candidacy. With only 30-40% of patients eligible for surgery upon diagnosis, alternative therapies are imperative. This study assesses the efficacy of Yttrium-90 (Y-90) radioembolization for unresectable ICC patients in a non-university tertiary care center (NUTCC).

Modelling a pathological GSX2 variant that selectively alters DNA binding reveals hypomorphic mouse basal ganglia and hindbrain defects.

Gsx2 is a homeodomain transcription factor critical for development of the ventral telencephalon and hindbrain of the mouse. Loss of Gsx2 function results in severe basal ganglia dysgenesis as well as defects in the nucleus tractus solitarius (nTS) of the hindbrain together with respiratory failure at birth. De Mori et al.

Emergent Carotid Stenting During Thrombectomy in Tandem Occlusions Secondary to Dissection: A STOP-CAD Secondary Study.

The optimal endovascular management of cervical carotid dissection causing tandem occlusion remains uncertain. We investigated the impact of emergent carotid stenting during endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in patients with tandem occlusion secondary to cervical carotid artery dissection. This was a secondary analysis of patients treated with EVT for AIS due to occlusive carotid artery dissection and tandem occlusion included in the retrospective international Antithrombotic Treatment for Stroke Prevention in Cervical Artery Dissection (STOP-CAD) study.

Impaired Exercise Capacity in High-Risk Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: The ARISE-HF Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Subanalysis.

Background: Objective indices of functional capacity in patients with diabetic cardiomyopathy and stage B heart failure (HF) have not been comprehensively defined. We sought to characterize the cardiopulmonary exercise characteristics of individuals with diabetic cardiomyopathy at high risk for overt HF.

Methods: The relationships from cardiopulmonary exercise testing with clinical and laboratory characteristics of participants with diabetic cardiomyopathy were evaluated using baseline data from the ARISE-HF trial (Aldose Reductase Inhibition for Stabilization of Exercise Capacity in Heart Failure).

Thrombolysis for Ischemic Stroke Beyond the 4.5-Hour Window: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Background: A minority of patients with stroke qualify for intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) within 4.5-hour window. The safety and efficacy of IVT beyond this period have not been well studied.

Cost-effectiveness of semaglutide in people with obesity and cardiovascular disease without diabetes.

AimsThe cardioprotective effects of semaglutide 2.4 mg reported in the SELECT cardiovascular (CV) outcomes trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03574597) provide clinical benefit for subjects with overweight or obesity and established CV disease without type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Retina-on-chip: engineering functional models of the human retina using organ-on-chip technology.

The retina is a complex and highly metabolic tissue in the back of the eye essential for human vision. Retinal diseases can lead to loss of vision in early and late stages of life, significantly affecting patients' quality of life. Due to its accessibility for surgical interventions and its isolated nature, the retina is an attractive target for novel genetic therapies and stem cell-based regenerative medicine.

Prevalence and clinical impact of disseminated intravascular coagulation in acute aortic dissection: a nationwide cohort study.

Background: Acute aortic dissection is a life-threatening cardiovascular emergency with high mortality rates. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a critical complication in patients with acute aortic dissection; however, its incidence and impact on outcomes remain inconclusive.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate DIC prevalence and prognosis in patients with aortic dissection.

Therapeutic benefits of glycerol in dry eye disease.

Dry eye disease (DED) is one of the most commonly diagnosed eye disorders, with a prevalence ranging from 5 to 50%, depending on the geographic location. DED is a multifactorial disorder of the tears and ocular surface, which results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface. It is also accompanied by increased osmolarity of the tear film and inflammation of the surface of the eye.

Acute kidney injury and ANCA positivity in a patient treated with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir: a case report.

Background: Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is an effective antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus infection and is generally regarded safe in patients with renal impairment. However, renal complications are a notable, albeit rare, concern.

Case Presentation: We report a case of acute kidney injury in a man in his 50s with chronic hepatitis C virus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, morbid obesity, a history of heroin dependence, and untreated type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Metabolic and functional factors associated with a change in resting metabolic rate among older adults with type 2 diabetes- results from the CEV-65 randomized trial.

Aims: This study evaluated the effects of circuit resistance training (CRT), a vegetarian/Mediterranean diet (VegMedD), and empagliflozin on Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) in older adults with Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM).

Methods: 67 participants from CEV-65 trial (≥65 years, 61 % female) were randomly assigned to CRT, VegMedD, or empagliflozin for 10 weeks. Assessments included RMR, medical, metabolic, nutritional, anthropometric and functional measurements.