Contemporary Valvular Mechanisms of Aortic Regurgitation in Tricuspid Aortic Valves: Importance in Repair Versus Replacement Strategy.

Background: This study was performed to determine cusp causes of aortic regurgitation in patients with tricuspid aortic valves without significant aortic dilatation and define cusp pathologies amenable to surgical repair (aortic valve repair [AVr]) versus aortic valve replacement.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively reviewed surgical reports of consecutive adults with tricuspid aortic valves undergoing surgery for clinically significant aortic regurgitation within a prospective registry from January 2005 to September 2019. Valvular mechanisms were determined by systematic in vivo intraoperative quantification methods.

Impact of Empagliflozin in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction in Patients With Ischemic Versus Nonischemic Cause.

Background Outcomes and treatment effects of therapy may vary according to the cause of heart failure (HF). Methods and Results In this post hoc analysis of the EMPEROR-Reduced (Empagliflozin Outcome Trial in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction) trial, the effect of empagliflozin on cardiovascular and renal outcomes was assessed according to the cause of HF. The cause of HF was investigator reported and stratified as ischemic or nonischemic.

[The effect of intraocular pressure on refractive power of the cornea and the human eye, based on the Liou-Brennan model eye].

Introduction: It is a clinical experience that with significantly higher intraocular pressure, glass ordering may be inaccurate, therefore, it should be performed after adjustment of intraocular pressure.

Objective: To analyze the effect of intraocular pressure on the refractive power of the cornea and of the eye, using geometrical properties of the Liou-Brennan model eye and finite element modeling.

Methods: Using corneal parameters of the Liou-Brennan model eye, a parametric geometrical model and with these data finite element modelling, using the Ansys (Ansys, Canonsburg, PA, USA) program, has been performed.

B-cell receptors of EBV-negative Burkitt lymphoma bind modified isoforms of autoantigens.

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) represents the most aggressive B-cell-lymphoma. Beside the hallmark of -translocation, surface B-cell receptor (BCR) is expressed, and mutations in the BCR pathway are frequent. Coincidental infections in endemic BL, and specific extra-nodal sites suggest antigenic triggers.

C-reactive protein flare-response predicts long-term efficacy to first-line anti-PD-1-based combination therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Objectives: Immune checkpoint blockade (IO) has revolutionised the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Early C-reactive protein (CRP) kinetics, especially the recently introduced CRP flare-response phenomenon, has shown promising results to predict IO efficacy in mRCC, but has only been studied in second line or later. Here, we aimed to validate the predictive value of early CRP kinetics for 1st-line treatment of mRCC with αPD-1 plus either αCTLA-4 (IO+IO) or tyrosine kinase inhibitor (IO+TKI).

Adherence to Antihypertensive Drugs Assessed by Hyphenated High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Oral Fluids.

Background It is currently unknown if antihypertensive drugs can be monitored in oral fluid (OF) using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. Methods and Results We assessed adherence using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry in OF, plasma, and urine of 56 consecutive patients with hypertension referred to a tertiary hypertension unit. Of these patients, 59% were completely adherent (all drugs detectable in urine), whereas 29% and 13% were partially adherent (1 drug not detectable in urine) or nonadherent (>1 drug not detectable in urine), respectively.