Primary Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation - The Path Untread.

The prevalence and incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is on the rapid rise. To slow down the AF epidemic, effective primary prevention strategies need to be instituted. Unfortunately, this is an area that has not been well-explored.

People living with HIV are receptive to HIV prevention interventions in clinical settings: a qualitative evaluation.

In the United States, HIV prevention services are increasingly being offered in the context of healthcare settings. This includes prioritizing prevention services for people living with HIV (PLWH), otherwise known as "prevention with positives." We conducted sixty in-depth interviews to explore patients' perceptions of clinic-based HIV prevention interventions targeting people living with HIV.

Assessing protein loop flexibility by hierarchical Monte Carlo sampling.

Loop flexibility is often crucial to protein biological function in solution. We report a new Monte Carlo method for generating conformational ensembles for protein loops and cyclic peptides. The approach incorporates the triaxial loop closure method which addresses the inverse kinematic problem for generating backbone move sets that do not break the loop.

The current state of beta blockers in hypertension therapy.

Beta adrenergic blockers have had a long history as frontline agents in hypertension therapy. They are the mainstay of treatment in ischemic heart disease, heart failure, high risk coronary artery disease and arrhythmias, as their importance in these compelling indications are well-established. However, the efficacy and relevance of beta blockers in the treatment of uncomplicated hypertension have been questioned because the traditional agents were deemed not atpar with drugs from other classes in terms of cardiovascular outcomes.

Benefits of statin therapy and compliance in high risk cardiovascular patients.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the top cause of global mortality. There is considerable evidence that supports the mortality and morbidity benefit of statin therapy in coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, both in primary and secondary prevention settings. Data also exist pointing to the advantage of statin treatment in other high-risk CVD conditions, such as diabetes, CKD, CHF, and PVD.

The role of renin-angiotensin agents in altering the natural history of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality worldwide. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers have been indispensable in diminishing the macrovascular and microvascular complications of diabetes. In addition, cumulative evidence from retrospective studies pointed toward a beneficial effect of RAS agents in preventing the development and progression of T2DM.

Assessment of tibiofemoral position in total knee arthroplasty using the active flexion lateral radiograph.

This study is a retrospective comparative cohort radiographic analysis of 114 consecutive patients who underwent posterior cruciate retaining (PCR) total knee arthroplasty (TKA), medial and patellofemoral compartment bicruciate retaining arthroplasty (BCR), or bicruciate substituting (BCS) TKA. In an effort to obtain a quantitative measurement of both anteroposterior (AP) tibiofemoral position and active knee flexion we have routinely taken post-operative lateral radiographs in a position of maximal active flexion. Passive range of motion (PRoM) after TKA was significantly greater than pre-operative passive range of motion for each cohort (p<0.

EndoImplantology: a retrospective in the paradigm shift in endodontic therapy.

EndoImplantology is a clinical approach which essentially blends the knowledge of endodontics, 3-D radiography, bone grafting, and implantology; the LTP is central to the decision of "saving or not saving" a tooth. Initially created as an answer to challenging endodontic retreatments, the scope of EndoImplantology was soon extended to the full spectrum of endodontic treatments. Saving the tooth remains the primary objective, while preserving the site for successful implant placement is also given consideration.

A general protocol for the crystallization of membrane proteins for X-ray structural investigation.

Protein crystallography is used to generate atomic resolution structures of protein molecules. These structures provide information about biological function, mechanism and interaction of a protein with substrates or effectors including DNA, RNA, cofactors or other small molecules, ions and other proteins. This technique can be applied to membrane proteins resident in the membranes of cells.

Staphylococcal infections: a historical perspective.

Staphylococcus aureus is an unusually successful and adaptive human pathogen that can cause epidemics of invasive disease despite its frequent carriage as a commensal. Over the past 100 years and more, S aureus has caused cycles of outbreaks in hospitals and the community and has developed resistance to every antibiotic used against it, yet the exact mechanisms leading to epidemics of virulent disease are not fully understood. Approaches such as bacterial interference have been effective in interrupting outbreaks, but to better prevent staphylococcal disease, we will need to be vigilant about environmental factors that facilitate its spread.

Crystal structure of the aquaglyceroporin PfAQP from the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

The 2.05-A resolution structure of the aquaglyceroporin from the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum (PfAQP), a protein important in the parasite's life cycle, has been solved. The structure provides key evidence for the basis of water versus glycerol selectivity in aquaporin family members.

Analysis of trabecular bone structure with multidetector spiral computed tomography in a simulated soft-tissue environment.

We investigated the influence of soft tissue (ST) on image quality by high-resolution multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans and assessed the effect of surrounding ST on the quantification of trabecular bone structure. Eight bone cores obtained from human proximal femoral heads discarded during hip replacement surgery were scanned with micro-computed tomography (microCT) as well as with MDCT both without (w/o) and with (w) simulated surrounding ST, where a phantom imitated a human torso. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured in all scans.

Virtual colonoscopy: technique and accuracy.

Virtual colonoscopy (VC) has acquired an important role in evaluation of the colon. In some situations it may be a safer method to visualize the colon effectively, or it may be the only available option when other techniques have failed. This article reviews state-of-the art VC technique and the results of current performance trials.

Cell labeling with the positive MR contrast agent Gadofluorine M.

The purpose of this study was to label human monocytes with Gadofluorine M by simple incubation for subsequent cell depiction at 1.5 and 3 T. Gadofluorine M displays a high r(1) relaxivity and is spontaneously phagocytosed by macrophages.

Optical imaging of experimental arthritis using allogeneic leukocytes labeled with a near-infrared fluorescent probe.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of inflammation detection in an antigen-induced arthritis model using fluorescent leukocytes and optical imaging.

Methods: Antigen-mediated monoarthritis was induced in the right knee of 12 Sprague-Dawley rats. Six rats remained untreated and six rats were treated with cortisone.

Survival of severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia has morbid consequences.

Background/purpose: Fetal tracheal occlusion (TO) was developed in an attempt to enhance prenatal lung growth and improve survival in fetuses with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). We conducted a randomized, controlled clinical trial in 24 fetuses with severe left CDH (liver herniated into the thorax and low lung-to-head ratio) to compare survival after endoscopic fetal TO vs standard perinatal care (control) and prospectively followed up the 16 survivors (9 control, 7 TO) to compare neurodevelopmental, respiratory, surgical, growth, and nutritional outcomes.

Methods: At 1 and 2 years old, subjects underwent evaluation consisting of medical and neurological history and physical, developmental testing, nutritional assessment, oxygen saturation and pulmonary function testing, chest radiograph, and echocardiogram.

Laser-assisted new attachment procedure in private practice.

Three private dental practices conducted a retrospective analysis of patients receiving the laser-assisted new attachment procedure (LANAP). Retrospective results were compared to clinical trial data from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio (UTHSCSA) to determine if outcomes from a controlled clinical trial can be duplicated in private practice. Results also are compared with published results of other surgical and nonsurgical therapies for inflammatory periodontal disease.

Diagnostic tests for HPV infection.

Human papillomavirus is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. HPV-associated neoplasms, such as cervical cancer, are significant causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent advances in molecular biology have facilitated testing methods for HPV infection.

Analytic density-functional self-consistent-field theory of diblock copolymers near patterned surfaces.

Analytical solutions are derived for the density profiles and the free energies of compressible diblock copolymer melts (or incompressible copolymer solutions) near patterned surfaces. The density-functional self-consistent-field theory is employed along with a Gaussian chain model for bonding constraints and a random mixing approximation for nonbonded interactions. An analytical solution is rendered possible by expanding the chain distribution function around an inhomogeneous reference state with a nontrivial analytical solution, by retaining the linear terms, and by requiring consistency with the homopolymer limit.

Cell tracking with gadophrin-2: a bifunctional contrast agent for MR imaging, optical imaging, and fluorescence microscopy.

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of use of gadophrin-2 to trace intravenously injected human hematopoietic cells in athymic mice, employing magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, optical imaging (OI), and fluorescence microscopy. Mononuclear peripheral blood cells from GCSF-primed patients were labeled with gadophrin-2 (Schering AG, Berlin, Germany), a paramagnetic and fluorescent metalloporphyrin, using established transfection techniques with cationic liposomes. The labeled cells were evaluated in vitro with electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry.