Development and validation of a predictive model for the diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease in low-income countries based on two cross-sectional studies.

Objectives: We developed a questionnaire-based risk-scoring system to identify children at risk for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in rural India. The resulting predictive model was validated in Nepal, in a population with a similar demographic profile to rural India.

Methods: The study involved 8646 students (mean age 13.

Topological Data Analysis and Use of Mapper for Cerebral Aneurysm Rupture Status Discrimination Based on 3-Dimensional Shape Analysis.

Background And Objectives: Topological data analysis (TDA), which identifies patterns in data through simplified topological signatures, has yet to be applied to aneurysm research. We investigate TDA Mapper graphs (Mapper) for aneurysm rupture discrimination.

Methods: Two hundred sixteen bifurcation aneurysms (90 ruptured) from 3-dimensional rotational angiography were segmented from vasculature and evaluated for 12 size/shape and 18 enhanced radiomics features.

Novel Synergies and Isolate Specificities in the Drug Interaction Landscape of Mycobacterium abscessus.

Mycobacterium abscessus infections are difficult to treat and are often considered untreatable without tissue resection. Due to the intrinsic drug-resistant nature of the bacteria, combination therapy of three or more antibiotics is recommended. A major challenge in treating M.

Clinical impact of pulmonary artery catheter in patients with cardiogenic shock: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The clinical utility of the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) for the management of cardiogenic shock (CS) remains controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis exploring the association between PAC use and mortality among patients with CS.

Methods: Published studies of patients with CS treated with or without PAC hemodynamic guidance were retrieved from MEDLINE and PubMed databases from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2021.

Drug Development in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: Opportunities and Challenges.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a hereditary disorder characterized by relentless growth of innumerable renal cysts bilaterally, associated with decline in glomerular filtration rate over the course of decades. The burden of ADPKD and its treatment is associated with a significant economic and societal cost. Despite several clinical studies conducted over the past decade, only one treatment has been approved by regulatory agencies to slow disease progression in ADPKD.

Progress and challenges in experimental models for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma.

Experimental models for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma are needed for basic pathobiology research and for preclinical testing of drugs to improve treatment of patients with these tumors, especially patients with metastatic disease. The paucity of models reflects the rarity of the tumors, their slow growth, and their genetic complexity. While there are no human cell line or xenograft models that faithfully recapitulate the genotype or phenotype of these tumors, the past decade has shown progress in development and utilization of animal models, including a mouse and a rat model for SDH-deficient pheochromocytoma associated with germline Sdhb mutations.

Polycystic Kidney Disease Drug Development: A Conference Report.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is part of a spectrum of inherited diseases that also includes autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease, autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease, and an expanding group of recessively inherited disorders collectively termed hepatorenal fibrocystic disorders. ADPKD is the most common monogenic disorder frequently leading to chronic kidney failure with an estimated prevalence of 12 million people worldwide. Currently, only one drug (tolvaptan) has been approved by regulatory agencies as disease-modifying therapy for ADPKD, but, given its mechanism of action and side effect profile, the need for an improved therapy for ADPKD remains a priority.

Cardiometabolic deaths attributable to poor diet among Kuwaiti adults.

Background: Nutrition transition towards a Western diet is happening in parallel with the rapidly increasing rates of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors in Kuwait. The cardiometabolic deaths attributable to poor diet have not been quantified among Kuwaiti adults.

Methods: Using a Comparative Risk Assessment model that incorporated dietary intake data from Kuwait's first national nutrition survey, number of cardiometabolic deaths from the World Health Organization, and estimated associations of diet with cardiometabolic deaths from the Global Burden of Disease project, we estimated the number and proportion of cardiometabolic deaths attributable to suboptimal intake of 10 dietary factors among Kuwaiti adults ages 25+ years, and by population subgroups.

A Review of Nuclear Imaging in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS) is a reversible left ventricular dysfunction syndrome that is increasingly being recognized. Recent advances in nuclear imaging have allowed us to study TTS in greater detail. We searched the PubMed and Medline databases and identified 53 publications with 221 patients reporting nuclear imaging findings in TTS.

Infections precipitating Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, an uncommon complication of a common infection.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a non-ischemic cardiomyopathy precipitated by stress. Various infections are reported to precipitate this form of cardiomyopathy. We report a patient presenting with TTC secondary to influenza.

Association of neighborhood Walk Score with accelerometer-measured physical activity varies by neighborhood socioeconomic status in older women.

The built environment can influence physical activity behavior. Walk Score is a widely used measure of the neighborhood built environment to support walking. However, studies of the association between Walk Score and accelerometer-measured physical activity are equivocal and no studies have examined this relationship among older adults.

Clinical and histopathological principles for the diagnosis of a recurrent paraganglioma of the jugular foramen initially diagnosed as a middle ear adenoma: illustrative case.

Background: Paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare neoplasms that may be associated with hereditary PGL syndromes and variable risk of metastasis. Middle ear adenomas are extremely rare tumors with no known hereditary predisposition and extremely low risk of metastasis. Although often easily differentiated, they may share clinical and pathological features that misdirect and confuse the diagnosis.

Do Patients With Non-Viable Myocardium From Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Benefit From Revascularization? A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis.

Background: Myocardial viability assessment is used to select patients who will derive the greatest benefit from revascularization. It remains controversial whether revascularization only benefits patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy who have viable myocardium. The objective of this meta-analysis was to compare mortality between patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and non-viable myocardium who underwent revascularization and those who underwent medical therapy alone.

Outcomes in cardiogenic shock: the role of surrogate endpoints.

Purpose Of Review: Early revascularization, invasive hemodynamic profiling, and initiation of temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) have all become routine components of cardiogenic shock (CS) management. Despite this evolution in clinical practice, patient selection and timing of treatment initiation remain a significant barrier to achieving sustained improvement in CS outcomes. Recent efforts to standardize CS management, through the development of treatment algorithms, have relied heavily on surrogate endpoints to drive therapeutic decisions.