Mammographic Vascular Microcalcifications as a Surrogate Parameter for Coronary Heart Disease: Correlation to Cardiac Computer Tomography and Proposal of a Classification Score.

Objective: This study develops a BI-RADS-like scoring system for vascular microcalcifications in mammographies, correlating breast arterial calcification (BAC) in a mammography with coronary artery calcification (CAC), and specifying differences between microcalcifications caused by BAC and microcalcifications potentially associated with malignant disease.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective single-center cohort study evaluated 124 consecutive female patients (with a median age of 57 years). The presence of CAC was evaluated based on the Agatston score obtained from non-enhanced coronary computed tomography, and the calcifications detected in the mammography were graded on a four-point Likert scale, with the following criteria: (1) no visible or sporadically scattered microcalcifications, (2) suspicious microcalcification not distinguishable from breast arterial calcification, (3) minor breast artery calcifications, and (4) major breast artery calcifications.

Prospective validation of a prespecified algorithm for the management of conduction disturbances after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: The PROMOTE study.

Background: There is a large variability in the management of conduction disturbances (CDs) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Objective: This study aimed to validate a prespecified algorithm for managing CDs in patients undergoing TAVR.

Methods: This was a prospective multicenter study including consecutive patients without prior pacemaker undergoing TAVR.

Preoperative and Intraoperative Imaging during Transvenous Lead Extraction.

Transvenous lead extraction is performed for device infection, lead failure, or to provide access for additional leads/device upgrade. A patient-centered risk assessment for transvenous lead extraction can be determined using a combination of clinical factors and several imaging modalities. Predicting a complex lead extraction, for example, one that will require powered tools or the use of a femoral approach, is aided by pre-procedural imaging and clinical assessment.

Clinical experience of pulmonary vein isolation via single transseptal puncture in atrial fibrillation patients: Comprehensive characterization and follow-up.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is the most commonly observed cardiac rhythm disorder. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an effective treatment option to maintain sinus rhythm. This study evaluates the safety, efficacy, clinical outcomes and radiation exposures using a standardized single transseptal puncture (STP)-strategy.

Fecal urgency and incontinence in inflammatory bowel disease perceived by physician and patient: Results from the Swiss fecal urgency survey.

Introduction: Although increasingly appreciated, little is known about the prevalence of fecal urgency, fecal incontinence and differences between patients' and physicians' perception in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: We performed an online patient and physician survey to evaluate the assessment, prevalence and impact of fecal urgency and incontinence in IBD.

Results: A total of 593 patients (44.

Odynophagia and Retrosternal Pain Are Common in Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Associated with an Increased Overall Symptom Severity.

Background And Aims: Dysphagia is the hallmark symptom in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). However, data are limited regarding the overall prevalence and potential implications of atypical symptoms like odynophagia and retrosternal pain.

Methods: Patients enrolled into the Swiss EoE cohort study (SEECS) were analyzed regarding the presence of odynophagia and retrosternal pain.

Dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic: prevalence of common mental disorders in "invisible" health workers and their association with occupational stressors.

Objective: To evaluate the association between occupational stressors and common mental disorders (CMD) among "invisible" health workers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: Cross-sectional study including a probabilistic sample of 1,014 health workers from three municipalities in Bahia. CMDs were assessed using the SRQ-20.

Detection of natural autoimmunity to ghrelin in diabetes mellitus.

Objective: Ghrelin is an orexigenic peptide that becomes post-translationally modified. Natural autoantibodies to ghrelin (ghrelin-aAb) have been described in healthy subjects, in eating disorders and rheumatic diseases, with potential clinical relevance. Despite these important reports, the data base on the prevalence and physiological role is small and technical approaches for assessing ghrelin-aAb are few, encouraging respective research for improving knowledge on the potential endocrine significance.

Pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur crystalline-free acid in plasma and seminal plasma in beef bulls.

The objective of this study was to compare the plasma (PL) and seminal plasma (SP) pharmacokinetic profile of ceftiofur (CEFT) and desuroylceftiofur acetamide (DFCA) after administration of CEFT crystalline-free acid (CCFA) by SC route in two sites of the ear in beef bulls. Four clinically healthy Hereford bulls received a comprehensive physical exam and subsequently a breeding-soundness examination, CBC, and chemistry profile panel. All bulls were diagnosed healthy and satisfactory potential breeders.

Safety and Efficacy of Radiosynoviorthesis: A Prospective Canadian Multicenter Study.

Radiosynoviorthesis is approved in several European countries and the United States to treat refractory synovitis in many inflammatory joint diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathies, and other arthritic joint diseases. No radiopharmaceuticals for radiosynoviorthesis are currently approved in Canada. The aim of this Health Canada-approved trial was to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of radiosynoviorthesis.

Genomic Answers for Kids: Toward more equitable access to genomic testing for rare diseases in rural populations.

Next-generation sequencing has revolutionized the speed of rare disease (RD) diagnoses. While clinical exome and genome sequencing represent an effective tool for many RD diagnoses, there is room to further improve the diagnostic odyssey of many RD patients. One recognizable intervention lies in increasing equitable access to genomic testing.

Landmark Evolutions in Time and Indication for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Results from a Multicenter Retrospective Registry.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has evolved into an established therapy for patients with chronic heart failure and a wide QRS complex. Data on long-term outcomes over time are scarce and the criteria for implantation remain a subject of investigation. An international, multicenter, retrospective registry includes 2275 patients who received CRT between 30 November 2000 and 31 December 2019, with a mean follow-up of 3.

Storylines of family medicine VI: ways of being-in the office with patients.

is a 12-part series of thematically linked mini-essays with accompanying illustrations that explore the many dimensions of family medicine, as interpreted by individual family physicians and medical educators in the USA and elsewhere around the world. In 'VI: ways of being-in the office with patients', authors address the following themes: 'Patient-centred care-cultivating deep listening skills', 'Doctor as witness', 'Words matter', 'Understanding others-metaphor and its use in medicine', 'Communicating with patients-making good use of time', 'The patient-centred medical home-aspirations for the future', 'Routine, ceremony or drama?' and 'The life course'. May readers better appreciate the nuances of patient care through these essays.

Endoscopic Features of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases.

Endoscopic evaluation with biopsies is a mainstay of the diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and non-EoE eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs). Increasing knowledge has resulted in the development of 2 standardized scoring systems: the Endoscopic REFerence Score (EREFS) for EoE and the EG-REFS for eosinophilic gastritis, although the latter has not been validated. In EGIDs, diagnosis and follow-up focus on eosinophil infiltration in biopsies.

Overcoming Understaging and Undergrading in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma. Comment on Ghoreifi et al. Modern Kidney-Sparing Management of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma. 2023, , 4495.

Kidney-sparing management for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) has become more common but is still most limited by inaccurate histopathologic diagnosis [...