SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Vaccines.

Viral variants of concern may emerge with dangerous resistance to the immunity generated by the current vaccines to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Moreover, if some variants of concern have increased transmissibility or virulence, the importance of efficient public health measures and vaccination programs will increase. The global response must be both timely and science based.

Foslevodopa/Foscarbidopa: A New Subcutaneous Treatment for Parkinson's Disease.

Objective: The aim was to demonstrate that continuous s.c. infusion of a soluble levodopa (LD)/carbidopa (CD) phosphate prodrug combination effectively delivers stable LD exposure via a minimally invasive and convenient mode and has the potential to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) patients who are not well controlled on oral medication.

Obese and Type 2 Diabetic Youth Have Increased Forward and Backward Wave Reflections.

Objective: Pulse wave analysis estimates arterial wave reflections relating to left ventricular dysfunction and cardiovascular event risk in adults. Forward and backward waves (Pf and Pb) may improve risk stratification for cardiovascular events. Data in youth are lacking.

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Dietary Intervention Improves Blood Pressure and Vascular Health in Youth With Elevated Blood Pressure.

This randomized control trial assessed the post-intervention and 18-month follow-up effects of a 6-month dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH)-focused behavioral nutrition intervention, initiated in clinic with subsequent telephone and mail contact, on blood pressure (BP) and endothelial function in adolescents with elevated BP. Adolescents (n=159) 11 to 18 years of age with newly diagnosed elevated BP or stage 1 hypertension treated at a hospital-based clinic were randomized. DASH participants received a take-home manual plus 2 face-to-face counseling sessions at baseline and 3 months with a dietitian regarding the DASH diet, 6 monthly mailings, and 8 weekly and then 7 biweekly telephone calls focused on behavioral strategies to promote DASH adherence.

The Effect of Simulated Visual Field Loss on Optokinetic Nystagmus.

Purpose: Assessment of functional vision across the visual field is hampered by a reliance on patients' subjective judgement of the presence of a stimulus, and the accompanying demands (time and attention) this places on them. As a first step toward determining whether an objective measure of an involuntary eye movement (optokinetic nystagmus [OKN]) could provide an objective measure of field loss, we determined how various measures of OKN depend on the extent of simulated visual field loss (SVFL).

Methods: We used infrared eye-tracking to measure the eye movements of 16 healthy participants viewing horizontally translating 2-dimensional noise patterns over trials of varying contrasts and different levels of SVFL.

Outcomes of Cardiac Catheterization in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation on Anticoagulation in Contemporary in Practice: An Analysis of the ORBIT II Registry.

Background: Patients with atrial fibrillation on oral anticoagulation (OAC) undergoing cardiac catheterization face risks for embolic and bleeding events, yet information on strategies to mitigate these risks in contemporary practice is lacking.

Methods: We aimed to describe the clinical/procedural characteristics of a contemporary cohort of patients with atrial fibrillation on OAC who underwent cardiac catheterization. Use of bleeding avoidance strategies and bridging therapy were described and outcomes including death, stroke, and major bleeding at 30 days and 1 year were compared by OAC type.

Factors Associated With Large Improvements in Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Results From ORBIT-AF.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) adversely impacts health-related quality of life (hrQoL). While some patients demonstrate improvements in hrQoL, the factors associated with large improvements in hrQoL are not well described.

Methods: We assessed factors associated with a 1-year increase in the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life score of 1 SD (≥18 points; 3× clinically important difference), among outpatients in the Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation I registry.

Efficacy and safety of dronedarone in patients with a prior ablation for atrial fibrillation/flutter: Insights from the ATHENA study.

Background: The role of antiarrhythmic drugs for atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL) after catheter ablation is not well established.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that changing the myocardial substrate by ablation may alter the responsiveness to dronedarone.

Methods: We assessed the efficacy and safety of dronedarone in the treatment of paroxysmal/persistent atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL) post-ablation, based on a post hoc analysis of the ATHENA study.

Outcomes and Anticoagulation Use After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Studies evaluating the effects of atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation versus antiarrhythmic therapy on outcomes have shown mixed results. In addition, guidelines recommend continuing oral anticoagulation (OAC) after ablation for those at risk of stroke, but real-world data are lacking.

Methods: We evaluated outcomes including death, myocardial infarction, stroke or systemic embolism, intracranial bleeding, major bleeding, and hospitalization in patients undergoing AF ablation compared with a propensity score matched cohort of patients treated with anti-arrhythmic medications only in the Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation registries.

Biological Characterization of F508delCFTR Protein Processing by the CFTR Corrector ABBV-2222/GLPG2222.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common monogenic autosomal recessive disease in Caucasians caused by pathogenic mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene (). Significant small molecule therapeutic advances over the past two decades have been made to target the defective CFTR protein and enhance its function. To address the most prevalent defect of the defective CFTR protein (i.

General Principles for the Validation of Proarrhythmia Risk Prediction Models: An Extension of the CiPA In Silico Strategy.

This white paper presents principles for validating proarrhythmia risk prediction models for regulatory use as discussed at the In Silico Breakout Session of a Cardiac Safety Research Consortium/Health and Environmental Sciences Institute/US Food and Drug Administration-sponsored Think Tank Meeting on May 22, 2018. The meeting was convened to evaluate the progress in the development of a new cardiac safety paradigm, the Comprehensive in Vitro Proarrhythmia Assay (CiPA). The opinions regarding these principles reflect the collective views of those who participated in the discussion of this topic both at and after the breakout session.

Lipoprotein(a)-Lowering by 50 mg/dL (105 nmol/L) May Be Needed to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease 20% in Secondary Prevention: A Population-Based Study.

Objective: High Lp(a) (lipoprotein[a]) cause cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a primary prevention setting; however, it is debated whether high Lp(a) lead to recurrent CVD events. We tested the latter hypothesis and estimated the Lp(a)-lowering needed for 5 years to reduce CVD events in a secondary prevention setting. Approach and Results: From the CGPS (Copenhagen General Population Study; 2003-2015) of 58 527 individuals with measurements of Lp(a), 2527 aged 20 to 79 with a history of CVD were studied.

Defining Clinically Important Difference in the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life Score.

Background The Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life (AFEQT) questionnaire has recently been validated to measure the impact of atrial fibrillation on quality of life, but a clinically important difference in AFEQT score has not been well defined. Methods and Results To determine the clinically important difference in overall AFEQT (score range= 0 [worst] to 100 [best]) and selected subscales, we analyzed data in the Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation (ORBIT-AF) registry, a United States-based outpatient atrial fibrillation registry. AFEQT was assessed at baseline and 1 year in a subset of 1347 ORBIT-AF patients from 80 US sites participating in ORBIT-AF from June 2010 to August 2011.

Relation of Blood Pressure in Childhood to Self-Reported Hypertension in Adulthood.

Blood pressure (BP) tracking (maintaining a BP percentile) across life is not well defined but is important in predicting which children will become hypertensive adults. We computed BP tracking in subjects with BP measured in childhood and adulthood and performed logistic regression to determine the ability of childhood BP to predict adult hypertension (N=5035, 46.7 years, 74.

Antimicrobial, anticoagulant and antiplatelet activities of green synthesized silver nanoparticles using Selaginella (Sanjeevini) plant extract.

The recent study deals with the synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles bounded to Selaginella bryopteris (Sanjeevini) Plant extract (SPE) as reducing and capping agents. Selaginella bryopteris plant extract silver nanoparticles (SPE@Ag-NPs) was characterized by PXRD, UV-Vis., FESEM, TEM and EDX.

TLR7 (Toll-Like Receptor 7) Facilitates Heme Scavenging Through the BTK (Bruton Tyrosine Kinase)-CRT (Calreticulin)-LRP1 (Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1)-Hx (Hemopexin) Pathway in Murine Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Background and Purpose- Heme and iron are considered to be key factors responsible for secondary insults after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Our previous study showed that LRP1 (low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1)-Hx (hemopexin) facilitates removal of heme. The TLR7 (Toll-like receptor 7)-BTK (Bruton tyrosine kinase)-CRT (calreticulin) pathway regulates the expression of LRP1-Hx.

Single crystal XRD, DFT investigations and molecular docking study of 2- ((1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)amino)naphthalene-1,4-dione as a potential anti- cancer lead molecule.

A derivative of naphthaquinone, 2-((1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)amino)naphthalene-1,4-dione (DPDHN) was synthesized from lawsone by ultrasound accelerated technique. The compound was characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis, NMR and mass spectral studies. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the compound crystallized in monoclinic space group P2/c.

Absence of Myocardial Fibrosis Predicts Favorable Long-Term Survival in New-Onset Heart Failure.

Background: Myocardial fibrosis, identified by late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance, predicts outcomes in chronic heart failure (HF). Its prognostic significance in new-onset HF and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is unclear. We investigated whether the pattern and extent of fibrosis predict survival in new-onset HF and reduced LVEF of initially uncertain pathogenesis.

Healthcare Resource Waste Associated with Patient Nonadherence and Early Discontinuation of Traditional Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Real-World Settings: A Multicountry Analysis.

Background: Traditional continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) provides detailed information on glucose patterns and trends to inform daily diabetes management decisions, which is particularly beneficial for patients with a history of hypoglycemia unawareness. However, a high level of patient adherence (≥70%) is required to achieve clinical benefits. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of real-world patient nonadherence and early discontinuation on healthcare resource use.