Myocardial Fibroblast Activation After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Study.

Background: Myocardial fibrosis is a key healing response after myocardial infarction driven by activated fibroblasts. Gallium-68-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor ([Ga]-FAPI) is a novel positron-emitting radiotracer that binds activated fibroblasts.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the intensity, distribution, and time-course of fibroblast activation after acute myocardial infarction.

Worldwide Chronic Retrieval Experience of Helix-Fixation Leadless Cardiac Pacemakers.

Background: The growing use of leadless pacemaker (LP) technology requires safe and effective solutions for retrieving and removing these devices over the long term.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate retrieval and removal of an active helix-fixation LP studied in worldwide regulatory clinical trials.

Methods: Subjects enrolled in the LEADLESS II phase 1 investigational device exemption, LEADLESS Observational, or LEADLESS Japan trials with an attempted LP retrieval at least 6 weeks postimplantation were included.

A Perspective on the MARS2 Trial.

Introduction: The phase 3 randomized controlled trial of extended pleurectomy decortication and chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for pleural mesothelioma (PM) (MARS2) reported "extended pleurectomy decortication was associated with worse survival to 2 years, and more serious adverse events for individuals with resectable PM, compared with chemotherapy alone." These results have led to considerable discourse regarding the future role of surgery for PM, and there has not been unanimity in the mesothelioma surgical community regarding the trial interpretation. This "perspective" evaluates MARS2 using internationally renowned PM experts who either agreed with the trial interpretation or who found issues with its conduct which may have influenced the results.

Rectangular Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Monophasic vs Biphasic Stimulation for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

Objectives: Biphasic sinusoidal repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation treatment that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Recent advances suggest that standard rTMS may be improved by altering the pulse shape; however, there is a paucity of research investigating pulse shape, owing primarily to the technologic limitations of currently available devices. This pilot study examined the feasibility, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of biphasic and monophasic rectangular rTMS for TRD.

Cost-Effectiveness of Semaglutide in Patients With Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease.

Background: Randomized clinical trials have shown that semaglutide is associated with a clinically relevant reduction in body weight and a lower risk of adverse cardiovascular events in those who are overweight or obese with a history of cardiovascular disease but no diabetes. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of semaglutide for this indication.

Methods: A decision analytic Markov model was used to compare the lifetime benefits and costs of semaglutide 2.

Phenotypic Differences Between the Epidemic Strains of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Serotype Indiana 98COE and IN0919WYB2 Using an In-Vivo Pig () Model.

During the past 25 years, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) has produced multiple outbreaks in the US, resulting in the emergence of different viral lineages. Currently, very little is known about the pathogenesis of many of these lineages, thus limiting our understanding of the potential biological factors favoring each lineage in these outbreaks. In this study, we aimed to determine the potential phenotypic differences between two VSV Indiana (VSIV) serotype epidemic strains using a pig model.

Understanding Perceptions of Hepatitis C and Its Management Among People with Experience of Incarceration in Quebec, Canada: A Qualitative Study Guided by the Common Sense Self-Regulation Model.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) disproportionately affects certain sub-populations, including people with experience of incarceration (PWEI). Little is known about how perceptions of HCV and treatment have changed despite simplifications in testing and treatment in carceral settings. Nineteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with people living with or having a history of HCV infection released from Quebec provincial prison.

Evolutionary Relationships of Unclassified Coronaviruses in Canadian Bat Species.

Bats are recognized as natural reservoirs for an array of diverse viruses, particularly coronaviruses, which have been linked to major human diseases like SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. These viruses are believed to have originated in bats, highlighting their role in virus ecology and evolution. Our study focuses on the molecular characterization of bat-derived coronaviruses (CoVs) in Canada.

miR-24-3p Is Antiviral Against SARS-CoV-2 by Downregulating Critical Host Entry Factors.

Despite all the progress in treating SARS-CoV-2, escape mutants to current therapies remain a constant concern. Promising alternative treatments for current and future coronaviruses are those that limit escape mutants by inhibiting multiple pathogenic targets, analogous to the current strategies for treating HCV and HIV. With increasing popularity and ease of manufacturing of RNA technologies for vaccines and drugs, therapeutic microRNAs represent a promising option.

Reported Adverse Events Following SARS-CoV-2 Vaccinations in the Canadian Province of Alberta and Associated Risk Factors: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

: Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) vaccines represent a significant milestone in the fight against coronavirus disease. Ongoing post-marketing surveillance and research are crucial for ensuring vaccine safety and effectiveness, aiding public health planning. : Our retrospective cohort study included Albertans five years and older and vaccinated with at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine between 14 December 2020 and 30 April 2022.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Pediatric Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Patients.

Vaccine hesitancy among immunocompromised patients is complex and not well understood. This study aimed to determine the rate of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients and to understand associated factors. : Parents of patients (≤18 years) with cancer or post-BMT completed the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines Survey.

Addressing Barriers Newcomer Families Face When Obtaining Routine Childhood Vaccines in Alberta, Canada.

: As the newcomer population in Canada continues to grow, we aimed to collaborate with newcomer families arriving in an urban center in Alberta, Canada to identify strategies to overcome identified barriers newcomers face in obtaining routine childhood vaccines (RCVs). : We recruited newcomers living in Calgary, Alberta to participate in a workshop utilizing the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) to develop solutions addressing barriers to obtaining RCVs. Ranking exercises helped identify the top-proposed interventions based on perceived impact and feasibility for implementation.

The Impact of HIV on B Cell Compartment and Its Implications for COVID-19 Vaccinations in People with HIV.

HIV causes intense polyclonal activation of B cells, resulting in increased numbers of spontaneously antibody-secreting cells in the circulation and hypergammaglobulinemia. It is accompanied by significant perturbations in various B cell subsets, such as increased frequencies of immature/transitional B cells, activated memory B cells, atypical memory B cells, short-lived plasmablasts and regulatory B cells, as well as by decreased frequencies of resting memory and resting naïve B cells. Furthermore, both memory and antigen-inexperienced naïve B cells show exhausted and immune-senescent phenotypes.

Protein Expression Platforms and the Challenges of Viral Antigen Production.

Several protein expression platforms exist for a wide variety of biopharmaceutical needs. A substantial proportion of research and development into protein expression platforms and their optimization since the mid-1900s is a result of the production of viral antigens for use in subunit vaccine research. This review discusses the seven most popular forms of expression systems used in the past decade-bacterial, insect, mammalian, yeast, algal, plant and cell-free systems-in terms of advantages, uses and limitations for viral antigen production in the context of subunit vaccine research.

Bridging the Vaccination Equity Gap: A Community-Driven Approach to Reduce Vaccine Inequities in Polio High-Risk Areas of Pakistan.

Immunization saves millions of lives, and globally, vaccines have significantly contributed to reducing mortality and morbidity due to more than 20 life-threatening illnesses. However, there are considerable disparities in vaccination coverage among countries and within populations. This study evaluates the reduction in disparities in vaccination coverage across various socio-economic groups by adopting an integrated community-engagement approach combined with maternal and child health services through mobile health camps.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus: A WAidid Consensus Document on New Preventive Options.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory infections, particularly affecting young infants, older adults, and individuals with comorbidities. : This document, developed as a consensus by an international group of experts affiliated with the World Association of Infectious Diseases and Immunological Disorders (WAidid), focuses on recent advancements in RSV prevention, highlighting the introduction of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and vaccines. : Historically, RSV treatment options were limited to supportive care and the monoclonal antibody palivizumab, which required multiple doses.

Real-Time Freezing of Gait Prediction and Detection in Parkinson's Disease.

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a walking disturbance that can lead to postural instability, falling, and decreased mobility in people with Parkinson's disease. This research used machine learning to predict and detect FOG episodes from plantar-pressure data and compared the performance of decision tree ensemble classifiers when trained on three different datasets. Dataset 1 ( = 11) was collected in a previous study.

UAV Trajectory Control and Power Optimization for Low-Latency C-V2X Communications in a Federated Learning Environment.

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-enabled vehicular communications in the sixth generation (6G) are characterized by line-of-sight (LoS) and dynamically varying channel conditions. However, the presence of obstacles in the LoS path leads to shadowed fading environments. In UAV-assisted cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) communication, vehicle and UAV mobility and shadowing adversely impact latency and throughput.

High-Performance CP Magneto-Electric Dipole Antenna Fed by Printed Ridge Gap Waveguide at Millimeter-Wave.

This paper presents a high-performance circularly polarized (CP) magneto-electric (ME) dipole antenna optimized for wideband millimeter-wave (mm-wave) frequencies, specifically targeting advancements in 5G and 6G technologies. The CP antenna is excited through a transverse slot in a printed ridge gap waveguide (PRGW), which operates in a quasi-transverse electromagnetic (Q-TEM) mode. Fabricated on Rogers RT 3003 substrate, selected for its low-loss and cost-effective properties at high frequencies, the design significantly enhances both impedance and axial ratio (AR) bandwidths.

Game-Theoretic Motion Planning with Perception Uncertainty and Right-of-Way Constraints.

This paper addresses two challenges in AV motion planning: adherence to right-of-way and handling uncertainties, using two game-theoretic frameworks, namely Stackelberg and Nash Bayesian (Bayesian). By modeling the interactions between road users as a hierarchical relationship, the proposed approach enables the AV to strategically optimize its trajectory while considering the actions and priorities of other road users. Additionally, the Bayesian equilibrium aspect of the framework incorporates probabilistic beliefs and updates them based on sensor measurements, allowing the AV to make informed decisions in the presence of uncertainty in the sensory system.

Optimized Synthetic Correlated Diffusion Imaging for Improving Breast Cancer Tumor Delineation.

Breast cancer is a significant cause of death from cancer in women globally, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic imaging to enhance patient outcomes. Accurate tumor identification is essential for diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring, emphasizing the importance of advanced imaging technologies that provide detailed views of tumor characteristics and disease. Recently, a new imaging modality named synthetic correlated diffusion imaging (CDI) has been showing promise for enhanced prostate cancer delineation when compared to existing MRI imaging modalities.

Influence of Sudden Changes in Foot Strikes on Loading Rate Variability in Runners.

Foot strike patterns influence vertical loading rates during running. Running retraining interventions often include switching to a new foot strike pattern. Sudden changes in the foot strike pattern may be uncomfortable and may lead to higher step-to-step variability.

Multivariate Modelling and Prediction of High-Frequency Sensor-Based Cerebral Physiologic Signals: Narrative Review of Machine Learning Methodologies.

Monitoring cerebral oxygenation and metabolism, using a combination of invasive and non-invasive sensors, is vital due to frequent disruptions in hemodynamic regulation across various diseases. These sensors generate continuous high-frequency data streams, including intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), providing real-time insights into cerebral function. Analyzing these signals is crucial for understanding complex brain processes, identifying subtle patterns, and detecting anomalies.