Exploring the utility of a novel point-of-care whole blood thrombin generation assay following trauma: A pilot study.

Introduction: Plasma thrombin generation kinetics as measured by the calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT) assay is a predictor of symptomatic venous thromboembolism after trauma. We hypothesized that data from a new prototype assay for measurement of thrombin generation kinetics in fresh whole blood (near patient testing of thrombin generation), will correlate with the standard CAT assay in the same patients, making it a potential tool in the future care of trauma patients.

Methods: Patients were enrolled from June 2018 to February 2020.

Greater Acculturation is Associated With Poorer Cardiovascular Health in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background Greater acculturation is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the association between acculturation and ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) as measured by the American Heart Association's 7 CVH metrics. We investigated the association between acculturation and ideal CVH among a multi-ethnic cohort of US adults free of clinical cardiovascular disease at baseline.

Fracture Risks in Patients Treated With Different Oral Anticoagulants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background Evidence on the differences in fracture risk associated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) and warfarin is inconsistent and inconclusive. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the fracture risk associated with NOACs and warfarin. Methods and Results We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.

Associations Between HIV Serostatus and Cardiac Structure and Function Evaluated by 2-Dimensional Echocardiography in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study.

Background We aimed to investigate whether there are differences in cardiac structure and systolic and diastolic function evaluated by 2-dimensional echocardiography among men living with versus without HIV in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy. Methods and Results We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 1195 men from MACS (Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study) who completed a transthoracic echocardiogram examination between 2017 and 2019. Associations between HIV serostatus and echocardiographic indices were assessed by multivariable regression analyses, adjusting for demographics and cardiovascular risk factors.

Droplet-Based Single-Cell Measurements of 16S rRNA Enable Integrated Bacteria Identification and Pheno-Molecular Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing from Clinical Samples in 30 min.

Empiric broad-spectrum antimicrobial treatments of urinary tract infections (UTIs) have contributed to widespread antimicrobial resistance. Clinical adoption of evidence-based treatments necessitates rapid diagnostic methods for pathogen identification (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) with minimal sample preparation. In response, a microfluidic droplet-based platform is developed for achieving both ID and AST from urine samples within 30 min.

Metabolic Dyslipidemia and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Findings From the Look AHEAD Study.

Background Metabolic dyslipidemia (high triglyceride) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is highly prevalent in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The extent to which diabetes mellitus-related abnormalities in the triglyceride-HDL-C profile associates with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is incompletely understood. We evaluated the associations of triglyceride and HDL-C status with CVD outcomes in individuals with T2DM.

Effects of Influenza Vaccine on Mortality and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background Influenza infection causes considerable morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. We assessed the effects of the influenza vaccine on mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. Methods and Results We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library through January 2020 for randomized controlled trials and observational studies assessing the effects of influenza vaccine on mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Clinical Application of Serologic Testing for Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Contemporary Cardiovascular Practice.

In patients with cardiovascular disease, the use of antibody or serological testing is frequently encountered as the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic continues to evolve. Antibody testing detects one form of the acquired immunological response to a pathogenic antigen. Once the immune system recognizes a viral antigen or a protein as foreign, a humoral immune response is initiated, which is generally detected by laboratory testing in 5 to 10 days after the initial exposure.

Gender Differences in Publication Authorship During COVID-19: A Bibliometric Analysis of High-Impact Cardiology Journals.

Background The purpose of this study was to examine gender differences in authorship of manuscripts in select high-impact cardiology journals during the early coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods and Results All manuscripts published between March 1, 2019 to June 1, 2019 and March 1, 2020 to June 1, 2020 in 4 high-impact cardiology journals (, , , and ) were identified using bibliometric data. Authors' genders were determined by matching first name with predicted gender using a validated multinational database (Genderize.

Women in Cardiology Twitter Network: An Analysis of a Global Professional Virtual Community From 2016 to 2019.

Background Social media is an effective channel for the advancement of women physicians; however, its use by women in cardiology has not been systematically studied. Our study seeks to characterize the current Women in Cardiology Twitter network. Methods and Results Six women-specific cardiology Twitter hashtags were analyzed: #ACCWIC (American College of Cardiology Women in Cardiology), #AHAWIC (American Heart Association Women in Cardiology), #ilooklikeacardiologist, #SCAIWIN (Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions Women in Innovations), #WomeninCardiology, and #WomeninEP (Women in Electrophysiology).

Go Red for Women Strategically Focused Research Network: Summary of Findings and Network Outcomes.

The Go Red for Women movement was initiated by the American Heart Association (AHA) in the early 2000s to raise awareness concerning cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in women. In 2016, the AHA funded 5 research centers across the United States to advance our knowledge of the risks and presentation of CVD that are specific to women. This report highlights the findings of the centers, showing how insufficient sleep, sedentariness, and pregnancy-related complications may increase CVD risk in women, as well as presentation and factors associated with myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in women.

Bone Mineral Density in Antiretroviral Therapy-Naïve HIV-1-Infected Young Adult -Women Using Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate or Nonhormonal Contraceptives in Uganda.

Most studies evaluating BMD in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected populations have focused on antiretroviral therapy (ART)-experienced patients. In this study, the association between HIV-1 and/or depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and BMD among untreated HIV-1-infected women in a resource-limited setting was assessed before long-term exposure to ART. The data were then compared with that of the 2005-2008 United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data for non-Hispanic White and Black women.

Failure to meet extubation criteria in the setting of suspected buffalo chest physiology.

We report the case of a patient who failed to meet tracheal extubation criteria due to low tidal volumes from suspected buffalo chest, which is a single pleural space physiology. This presentation followed the resection of a large pleural mass in a 59-year-old woman with a history of exercise-induced asthma, hypertension and tumour-related chronic respiratory failure. Creation of a pleuro-pleural communication during the resection of this large, unilateral pleural mass led to bilateral pneumothoraces and contributed to patients inability to generate negative inspiratory force leading to failure to meet extubation criteria.

Common Medications and Intracerebral Hemorrhage: The ARIC Study.

Background Antiplatelets, anticoagulants, and statins are commonly prescribed for various indications. The associations between these medications and the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are unclear. Methods and Results We performed a retrospective study of the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study cohort, recruited from 4 US communities in 1987 to 1989 with follow-up.

Associations of Left Atrial Function and Structure With Supraventricular Ectopy: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background High levels of supraventricular ectopy are associated with greater risk of atrial fibrillation, stroke, and death. Little information is available about differences by race/ethnicity in the extent of supraventricular ectopy, or about whether high levels of supraventricular ectopy are associated with impaired left atrial (LA) function and LA enlargement. Methods and Results In the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis), 1148 participants (47% men; mean age, 67 years) had cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in 2010 to 2012, followed by 14-day ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring in 2016 to 2018.

Emergency Medicine Career Outcomes and Scholarly Pursuits: The Impact of Transitioning From a Three-year to a Four-year Niche-based Residency Curriculum.

Objectives: In 2008, our emergency medicine (EM) residency program transitioned from a 3-year to a 4-year format. We analyzed the effect that this change had on the scholarly productivity and career choice of graduates, hypothesizing that it would lead residents to be more scholarly productive and graduates to more frequently obtain academic appointments and leadership roles in their first postresidency positions.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of graduates ( = 95) from a single residency program that underwent a curriculum change from a 3-year to a 4-year format.

Development of -based activation tags for crop insertional mutagenesis.

Modern plant breeding increasingly relies on genomic information to guide crop improvement. Although some genes are characterized, additional tools are needed to effectively identify and characterize genes associated with crop traits. To address this need, the element from rice was modified to serve as an activation tag to induce expression of nearby genes.

Vaccine-related major cutaneous reaction size correlates with cellular-mediated immune responses after tularaemia immunisation.

Objectives: , the causative agent of tularaemia, is an exceptionally infectious bacterium, potentially fatal for humans if left untreated and with the potential to be developed as a bioweapon. Both natural infection and live-attenuated vaccine strain (LVS) confer good protection against tularaemia. LVS vaccination is traditionally administered by scarification, and the formation of a cutaneous reaction or take at the vaccination site is recognised as a clinical correlate of protection.

Melanoma metastatic to the hyoid bone.

Metastatic melanoma may be included in the differential diagnosis of hyoid masses in patients with a history of melanoma. Hyoid resection is well tolerated and of diagnostic and therapeutic benefit in patients with tumors metastatic to the hyoid bone.

Cost-Effectiveness of Primary Liver Transplantation Versus Hepatoportoenterostomy in the Management of Biliary Atresia in the United States.

Biliary atresia (BA) is the leading indication to perform a pediatric liver transplantation (LT). Timely hepatoportoenterostomy (HPE) attempts to interrupt the natural history and allow for enteric bile flow; however, most patients who are treated with HPE require LT by the age of 10 years. We determined the cost-effectiveness of foregoing HPE to perform primary LT (pLT) in children with BA compared with standard-of-care HPE management.

The Investigation of Left Atrial Structure and Stroke Etiology: The I-LASER Study.

Background Left atrial (LA) function is important in stroke, but often poorly characterized. We evaluated the association of 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography LA variables with stroke subtype (cardioembolic stroke [CS] cryptogenic stroke versus other). The hypothesis is worse LA active function is associated with CS, but not cryptogenic strokes.

Transition From an Open to Closed Staffing Model in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Improves Clinical Outcomes.

Background Several studies have shown improved outcomes in closed compared with open medical and surgical intensive care units. However, very little is known about the ideal organizational structure in the modern cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). Methods and Results We retrospectively reviewed consecutive unique admissions (n=3996) to our tertiary care CICU from September 2013 to October 2017.