Valvular Heart Disease-Related Mortality Between Middle- and High-Income Countries During 2000 to 2019.

Background: Valvular heart disease (VHD) management has evolved rapidly in recent decades, but disparities in health care access persist among countries with varying socioeconomic backgrounds.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate global mortality trends from VHD and assess the difference between middle- and high-income countries.

Methods: We obtained mortality data from the World Health Organization Mortality Database for VHD and its subgroups (rheumatic valvular disease [RVD], infective endocarditis [IE], aortic stenosis [AS], and mitral regurgitation [MR]) from 2000 to 2019.

Disparities in mortality rates from aortic aneurysm and dissection by country-level income status and sex.

Objective: To investigate the impact of national income level and sex on mortality trends from aortic aneurysm and dissection in addition to all aortic disease as a whole.

Methods: Using data from the World Health Organization mortality database, we conducted an analysis of mortality trends from aortic disease between 2000 and 2019, Countries were categorized into middle-income and high-income countries (MICs and HICs) on the basis of income level. Age-standardized and sex-specific age-standardized mortality rates per 100,000 persons, along with male-to-female mortality ratios, were calculated.

A systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the use of tranexamic acid (TXA) in acute gastrointestinal bleeding.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal bleeding results in significant morbidity, cost and mortality. TXA, an antifibrinolytic agent, has been proposed to reduce mortality; however, many studies report conflicting results.

Methods: The aim of the study was to perform the first systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs to evaluate the efficacy TXA for both upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Temporal trends in mortality of aortic dissection and rupture in the UK, Japan, the USA and Canada.

Objective: Aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm rupture are aortic emergencies and their clinical outcomes have improved over the past two decades; however, whether this has translated into lower mortality across countries remains an open question. The purpose of this study was to compare mortality trends from aortic dissection and rupture between the UK, Japan, the USA and Canada.

Methods: We analysed the WHO mortality database to determine trends in mortality from aortic dissection and rupture in four countries from 2000 to 2019.

Metastatic lacrimal/salivary gland duct adenocarcinoma.

In this report, we present a case of a patient with a 30-year history of orbital asymmetry who presented with metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 () positive lacrimal/salivary gland ductal adenocarcinoma. The patient was treated with chemoradiotherapy and trastuzumab. Tumours of lacrimal gland origin are rare, and unfortunately can frequently present in late stage.

Age period cohort analysis of rheumatic heart disease in high-income countries.

Introduction: Rheumatic heart disease is considered well-controlled in high-income countries; however, its actual trends in mortality remain unclarified. We analyzed trends in mortality from rheumatic heart disease in association with age, period, and birth cohort.

Methods: We analyzed the WHO mortality database to determine trends in mortality from rheumatic heart disease in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Australia, USA, and Canada from 2000 to 2020.

Cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac surgery associated pulmonary hypertension: The need for proactivity and reactivity.

Pulmonary hypertension remains an important postcardiac surgical problem requiring prompt identification and management. In this edition of the Journal of Cardiac Surgery, Fayad and colleagues provide a detailed review of this topic, including epidemiology, mechanistic underpinnings, and available treatment options. In addition to responding to postoperative pulmonary hypertension, however, proactive measures including optimal timing of intervention are paramount to preventing the development of pulmonary hypertension and its associated complications.

Pressure ulcer risk profiles of hospitalized patients based on the Braden Scale: A cluster analysis.

Aim: The aim of this work is to identify the pressure ulcer risk profiles of hospitalized patients with reference to Braden Scale subscales.

Methods: A total of 2996 hospitalized Portuguese participants were screened using the Braden Scale. A hierarchical and nonhierarchical cluster analysis was conducted, with ethical approval.

Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers prevention: What is needed for patient safety? The perceptions of nurse stakeholders.

Aim: The aim of this study was to understand the perceptions of 11 Portuguese nurses' stakeholders regarding pressure ulcers prevention practice and reality in the hospital setting.

Methods: Convenience sampling was used to recruit nursing stakeholders for a heterogeneous focus group. A semi-structured interview was conducted with 11 nursing stakeholders involved in pressure ulcers prevention and/or patient safety.

Mediation effect of C-reactive protein in the relationship between abdominal obesity and intermediate hyperglycemia in Kuwaiti adolescents.

This study aimed to investigate the mediating effect of C-reactive protein (CRP) on obesity and hyperglycemia. Fasting blood glucose, high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) levels and waist circumference (WC) were measured on 353 participants. Multilevel regression modeling and mediation analyses were used to investigate the link between abdominal obesity, hs-CRP and hyperglycemia.

Author Correction: Effect of induced hypoglycemia on inflammation and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes and control subjects.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Managing heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is increasing in prevalence as the general population ages. Poorly managed heart failure symptoms of decompensated HFpEF is one of the most common reasons for prolonged hospital admission. The high rate of morbidity and mortality associated with HFpEF is compounded by a poor understanding of the underpinning pathophysiology.

Effect of induced hypoglycemia on inflammation and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes and control subjects.

Intensive diabetes control has been associated with increased mortality in type 2 diabetes (T2DM); this has been suggested to be due to increased hypoglycemia. We measured hypoglycemia-induced changes in endothelial parameters, oxidative stress markers and inflammation at baseline and after a 24-hour period in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) subjects versus age-matched controls. Case-control study: 10 T2DM and 8 control subjects.

Systematic evaluation of the microRNAome through miR-CATCHv2.0 identifies positive and negative regulators of -X1 mRNA.

Here we present miR-CATCHv2.0, an implemented experimental method that allows the identification of the microRNA species directly bound to an RNA of interest. After cross-linking of microRNA::RNA::Ago2 complexes using formaldehyde, the RNA is fragmented using sonication and then subjected to affinity purification using two sets of biotinylated tiling probes (ODD and EVEN).

Assembly 3: Basic and Translational Sciences.

http://ow.ly/66E830hFi7U.

Aorto-Uni-Iliac Stent Grafts with and without Crossover Femorofemoral Bypass for Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: A Parallel Observational Comparative Study.

We investigated the safety and efficacy of primary aorto-uni-iliac (AUI) endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) without fem-fem crossover in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and concomitant aortoiliac occlusive disease. 537 EVARs were implemented between 2002 and 2015 in University Hospital Galway, a tertiary referral center for aortic surgery and EVAR. We executed a parallel observational comparative study between 34 patients with AUI with femorofemoral crossover (group A) and six patients treated with AUI but without the crossover (group B).

Disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) L100P mutants have impaired activity-dependent plasticity in vivo and in vitro.

Major neuropsychiatric disorders are genetically complex but share overlapping etiology. Mice mutant for rare, highly penetrant risk variants can be useful in dissecting the molecular mechanisms involved. The gene disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) has been associated with increased risk for neuropsychiatric conditions.

Causes of end stage renal failure among haemodialysis patients in Khartoum State/Sudan.

Background: End stage renal failure (ESRF) has become a major health problem in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). There were limited data about causes of ESRF in the Sudan.

Methods: This is a cross sectional hospital based descriptive study.

The Irish experience of Symphysiotomy: 40 years onwards.

The art of symphysiotomy for delivery in the instance of cephalopelvic disproportion has been a dying art since the advent of caesarean section but in Ireland this surgical procedure was not abolished until 1992. This practice is still present in the developing world and in some circumstances used in developed countries. This study offers some insights on the 40-year follow-up of patients who had undergone symphysiotomy.