Upstream targeting for the prevention of atrial fibrillation: Targeting Risk Interventions and Metformin for Atrial Fibrillation (TRIM-AF)-rationale and study design.

Background: Despite advances in ablation and other therapies for AF, progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a significant clinical problem, associated with worse prognosis and worse treatment outcomes. Upstream therapies targeting inflammatory or antifibrotic mechanisms have been disappointing in preventing AF progression, but more recently genetic and genomic studies in AF suggest novel cellular and metabolic stress targets, supporting prior studies of lifestyle and risk factor modification (LRFM) for AF. However, while obesity is a significant risk factor, weight loss and risk factor modification have not been successfully applied in a US population with AF.

Implantable continuous-flow total artificial heart for newborns and small pediatric patients: First report of working model.

Objective: The need for safe and reliable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) for smaller children with severe heart failure (HF) is well defined. More specifically, in pediatric patients with advanced congenital HF, there is no implantable total artificial heart (TAH) device available for small patients. Herein, we report the development of the infant continuous-flow total artificial heart (I-CFTAH), a fully implantable in infants and newborns.

Cefazolin shifts the kidney microbiota to promote a lithogenic environment.

Clinical studies of the urinary tract microbiome, termed urobiome, suggest a direct, antibiotic-dependent, impact of the urobiome on kidney physiology. However, evidence for kidney bacteria comes from indirect sources or infected tissue. Further, it is unclear how antibiotics impact kidney bacteria.

Serpiginous-Like Choroiditis with ANCA-PR3 Vasculitis in a Patient from Endemic Country: A Complex Phenotypic, Immunological and Epidemiological Puzzle.

Purpose: To report a complex case of serpiginous-like choroiditis (SLC) in a patient with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-anti-proteinase 3 (PR3)-associated vasculitis with systemic involvement.

Methods: Case report.

Results: A 40-year-old male from a tuberculosis (TB)-endemic region presented with bilateral active SLC lesions.

Pain Following Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Importance: Studies characterizing pain and pain management following obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) are limited.

Objectives: Our primary objective was to analyze time to pain resolution following OASI. Secondary objectives included analyzing pain severity, location, triggers, and patterns of pain medication use.

The pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase inhibitor dichloroacetate mitigates alcohol-induced hepatic inflammation and metabolic disturbances in mice.

Background: Dichloroacetate (DCA), a pan-pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase inhibitor, ameliorates multiple pathological conditions and tissue injury and shows strong potential for clinical applications. Here, we investigated the preventive effects of DCA in a murine model of alcohol-associated liver disease.

Methods: C57BL/6J mice were subjected to the acute-on-chronic model of alcohol-associated liver disease and treated with DCA.

Thickness Speed Progression Index: Machine Learning Approach for Keratoconus Detection.

Purpose: To develop and validate a pachymetry-based machine learning (ML) index for differentiating keratoconus, keratoconus suspect, and normal corneas.

Design: Development and validation of an ML diagnostic algorithm.

Methods: This retrospective study included 349 eyes of 349 patients with normal, frank keratoconus (KC), and KC suspect (KCS) corneas.

Characterizing Hand Function in Parkinson's Disease Patients with a Self-Administered Electronic Manual Dexterity Test.

Background: Dexterous dysfunction is a bothersome patient-reported symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). Current clinical assessments do not directly evaluate goal-directed hand function. This project sought to determine the capability of the electronic Manual Dexterity Test (MDT) to characterize dexterity across a range of PD patients.

miR-644a is a tumor cell-intrinsic mediator of sex bias in glioblastoma.

Background: Biological sex is an important risk factor for glioblastoma (GBM), with males having a higher incidence and poorer prognosis. The mechanisms for this sex bias are thought to be both tumor intrinsic and tumor extrinsic. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), key posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression, have been previously linked to sex differences in various cell types and diseases, but their role in the sex bias of GBM remains unknown.

Meta-analysis of predictors of healthcare-associated infection.

Our systematic review and meta-analysis of 40 studies ( = 3,905,559) identified gastric acid suppressants, recent hospitalization, antibiotic exposure, and certain comorbidities as independent predictors of healthcare-associated infection (HA-CDI) among adult inpatients. Targeted antibiotic stewardship and judicious use of gastric acid suppressants can reduce the incidence of HA-CDI.