Unmasking Arrhythmogenic Hubs of Reentry Driving Persistent Atrial Fibrillation for Patient-Specific Treatment.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) driver mechanisms are obscured to clinical multielectrode mapping approaches that provide partial, surface-only visualization of unstable 3-dimensional atrial conduction. We hypothesized that transient modulation of refractoriness by pharmacologic challenge during multielectrode mapping improves visualization of hidden paths of reentrant AF drivers for targeted ablation. Methods and Results Pharmacologic challenge with adenosine was tested in ex vivo human hearts with a history of AF and cardiac diseases by multielectrode and high-resolution subsurface near-infrared optical mapping, integrated with 3-dimensional structural imaging and heart-specific computational simulations.

DNA degradation in fish: Practical solutions and guidelines to improve DNA preservation for genomic research.

The more demanding requirements of DNA preservation for genomic research can be difficult to meet when field conditions limit the methodological approaches that can be used or cause samples to be stored in suboptimal conditions. Such limitations may increase rates of DNA degradation, potentially rendering samples unusable for applications such as genome-wide sequencing. Nonetheless, little is known about the impact of suboptimal sampling conditions.

Spatially explicit models for exploring COVID-19 lockdown strategies.

This article describes two spatially explicit models created to allow experimentation with different societal responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. We outline the work to date on modeling spatially explicit infective diseases and show that there are gaps that remain important to fill. We demonstrate how geographical regions, rather than a single, national approach, are likely to lead to better outcomes for the population.

Climate dependent heating efficiency in the common lizard.

Regulation of body temperature is crucial for optimizing physiological performance in ectotherms but imposes constraints in time and energy. Time and energy spent thermoregulating can be reduced through behavioral (e.g.

Hemoconcentration is associated with early faster fluid rate and increased risk of persistent organ failure in acute pancreatitis patients.

Background: Controversies existed surrounding the use of hematocrit to guide early fluid therapy in acute pancreatitis (AP). The association between hematocrit, early fluid therapy, and clinical outcomes in ward AP patients needs to be investigated.

Methods: Data from prospectively maintained AP database and retrospectively collected details of fluid therapy were analyzed.

Diverse activation patterns during persistent atrial fibrillation by noncontact charge-density mapping of human atrium.

Background: Global simultaneous recording of atrial activation during atrial fibrillation (AF) can elucidate underlying mechanisms contributing to AF maintenance. A better understanding of these mechanisms may allow for an individualized ablation strategy to treat persistent AF. The study aims to characterize left atrial endocardial activation patterns during AF using noncontact charge-density mapping.

Changes of plasma cGP/IGF-1 molar ratio with age is associated with cognitive status of Parkinson disease.

Objective: Cognitive impairment is a common feature of Parkinson disease (PD), for which age is a major contributing factor. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) declines with age and contributes to age-related cognitive impairment in PD. Cyclic glycine-proline (cGP) is a metabolite of IGF-1 and normalizes bioavailable IGF-1.

Genotypic and phenotypic analyses reveal distinct population structures and ecotypes for sugar beet-associated in Oxford and Auckland.

Fluorescent pseudomonads represent one of the largest groups of bacteria inhabiting the surfaces of plants, but their genetic composition is poorly understood. Here, we examined the population structure and diversity of fluorescent pseudomonads isolated from sugar beet grown at two geographic locations (Oxford, United Kingdom and Auckland, New Zealand). To seek evidence for niche adaptation, bacteria were sampled from three types of leaves (immature, mature, and senescent) and then characterized using a combination of genotypic and phenotypic analysis.

Imaging the breastfeeding swallow: Pilot study utilizing real-time MRI.

Objective: Knowledge of the breastfeeding swallow is limited by practical challenges. Radiation exposure to both mother and infant and the radiolucent properties of breastmilk make videofluoroscopy an unsuitable imaging modality. Furthermore, ultrasound is not ideal for capturing the complex 3-dimensional functional anatomy of swallowing.

Recurrent hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy in an adult with bronchiectasis.

Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA) is a well-documented complication of pulmonary malignancy and cystic fibrosis (CF). However, HPOA associated with exacerbations of non-CF bronchiectasis has only been reported once previously in an adolescent. We describe a case of an adult patient with bronchiectasis and HPOA, whose joint symptoms flared during pulmonary exacerbations and improved with treatment of each exacerbation.

A Novel Disorder of Osteoporosis, Osteonecrosis, and Metaphyseal Fracture.

We describe two unrelated women who in their fifth decade developed a severe disorder characterized by large joint osteonecrosis and multiple minimal trauma fractures in both the axial and appendicular skeleton, including unusual metaphyseal fractures of the proximal tibia. Bone density testing showed borderline osteoporosis of the spine and osteopenia of the femur. Therapy with bisphosphonates and teriparatide failed to prevent further fractures.

A comparison of pedigree, genetic and genomic estimates of relatedness for informing pairing decisions in two critically endangered birds: Implications for conservation breeding programmes worldwide.

Conservation management strategies for many highly threatened species include conservation breeding to prevent extinction and enhance recovery. Pairing decisions for these conservation breeding programmes can be informed by pedigree data to minimize relatedness between individuals in an effort to avoid inbreeding, maximize diversity and maintain evolutionary potential. However, conservation breeding programmes struggle to use this approach when pedigrees are shallow or incomplete.

Dual or multiple drug loaded nanoparticles to target breast cancer stem cells.

Breast cancer stem(-like) cells (BCSCs) have been found to be responsible for therapeutic resistance and disease relapse. BCSCs are difficult to eradicate due to their high resistance to conventional treatments and high plasticity. Functionalised nanoparticles have been investigated as smart vehicles to transport across various barriers and increase the interaction of therapeutic agents with cancer cells, as well as BCSCs.

Mental Health Interventions during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Conceptual Framework by Early Career Psychiatrists.

The emergence of mental health (MH) problems during a pandemic is extremely common, though difficult to address due to the complexities of pandemics and the scarcity of evidence about the epidemiology of pandemic-related MH problems and the potential interventions to tackle them. Little attention has been devoted so far to this topic from policymakers, stakeholders and researchers, resulting in a lack of replicable, scalable and applicable frameworks to help plan, develop and deliver MH care during pandemics. As a response, we have attempted to develop a conceptual framework (CF) that could guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of MH interventions during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Design, characterization and evaluation of β-hairpin peptide hydrogels as a support for osteoblast cell growth and bovine lactoferrin delivery.

The use of peptide hydrogels is of growing interest in bone regeneration. Self-assembling peptides form hydrogels and can be used as injectable drug delivery matrices. Injected into the defect site, they can gel , and release factors that aid bone growth.

Thyrotoxicosis in an Indigenous New Zealand Population - a Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Reported international incidence rates of thyrotoxicosis vary markedly, ranging from 6 to 93 cases per 100 000 per annum. Along with population demographics, exposures, and study design factors, ethnicity is increasingly being recognized as a potential factor influencing incidence. This study aimed to document the epidemiology and clinical presentation of thyrotoxicosis for Māori, the indigenous population in New Zealand.

Highly efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution promoted by O-Mo-C interfaces of ultrafine β-MoC nanostructures.

Optimizing interfacial contacts and thus electron transfer phenomena in heterogeneous electrocatalysts is an effective approach for enhancing electrocatalytic performance. Herein, we successfully synthesized ultrafine β-MoC nanoparticles confined within hollow capsules of nitrogen-doped porous carbon (β-MoC@NPCC) and found that the surface layer of molybdenum atoms was further oxidized to a single Mo-O surface layer, thus producing intimate O-Mo-C interfaces. An arsenal of complementary technologies, including XPS, atomic-resolution HAADF-STEM, and XAS analysis clearly reveals the existence of O-Mo-C interfaces for these surface-engineered ultrafine nanostructures.

Impact of Intravenous Fluids and Enteral Nutrition on the Severity of Gastrointestinal Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal dysfunction (GDF) is one of the primary causes of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Intensive care interventions, such as intravenous fluids and enteral feeding, can exacerbate GDF. There exists a paucity of high-quality literature on the interaction between these two modalities (intravenous fluids and enteral feeding) as a combined therapy on its impact on GDF.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy use in New Zealand (ANZACS-QI 33).

Background: The ANZACS-QI Cardiac Implanted Device Registry (ANZACS-QI DEVICE) collects nationwide data on cardiac implantable electronic devices in New Zealand (NZ). We used the registry to describe contemporary NZ use of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Methods: All ICD and CRT Pacemaker implants recorded in ANZACS-QI DEVICE between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2017 were analyzed.

Education Into Policy: Embedding Health Informatics to Prepare Future Nurses-New Zealand Case Study.

Background: Preparing emerging health professionals for practicing in an ever-changing health care environment along with continually evolving technology is an international concern. This is particularly pertinent for nursing because nurses make up the largest part of the health workforce.

Objective: This study aimed to explore how health informatics can be included in undergraduate health professional education.

Genetic divergence and phenotypic plasticity contribute to variation in cuticular hydrocarbons in the seaweed fly .

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) form the boundary between insects and their environments and often act as essential cues for species, mate, and kin recognition. This complex polygenic trait can be highly variable both among and within species, but the causes of this variation, especially the genetic basis, are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated phenotypic and genetic variation of CHCs in the seaweed fly, and found that composition was affected by both genetic (sex and population) and environmental (larval diet) factors.

Bisphosphonate Use and Fractures in Adults with Hypophosphatasia.

Adults with hypophosphatasia (HPP) may suffer femoral fractures resembling the atypical femoral fractures that can occur with long-term bisphosphonate treatment, and there is an emerging consensus that bisphosphonates should not be used in adults with HPP and low bone mass. However, the spectrum of HPP in adults is wide: ranging from the severely affected-who commonly have osteomalacia-through to the minimally affected. The former typically have biallelic and the latter, heterozygous mutations.

Performance of metal-organic frameworks for the adsorptive removal of potentially toxic elements in a water system: a critical review.

Elevated levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in aqueous environments have drawn attention recently due to their presence and toxicity to living beings. There have been numerous attempts to remove PTEs from aqueous media. The potential of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in removing PTEs from aqueous media has been recognized due to their distinctive advantages (, increased removal capability, large surface area, adjustable porosity, and recyclability).