Social Isolation and Incident Heart Failure Hospitalization in Older Women: Women's Health Initiative Study Findings.

Background The association of social isolation or lack of social network ties in older adults is unknown. This knowledge gap is important since the risk of heart failure (HF) and social isolation increase with age. The study examines whether social isolation is associated with incident HF in older women, and examines depressive symptoms as a potential mediator and age and race and ethnicity as effect modifiers.

Lower diagnostic accuracy of hs-cTnI in patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and the ESC 0/1h-hs-cTnT-algorithm have worse performance in the early diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). It is unknown, whether this concern applies also to hs-cTnI, the most widely used analyte worldwide.

Methods: In an international multicenter diagnostic study, two cardiologists centrally adjudicated the final diagnosis in patients presenting to the emergency department with symptoms suggestive of MI according to the Third Universal Definition of MI.

Long-term outcomes of crossmatch positive simultaneous liver-kidney transplantations in the United States.

The long-term outcomes of positive crossmatch (+XM) simultaneous liver-kidney (SLK) transplantations are conflicting. We examined the association between crossmatch status and SLK outcomes in recipients discharged on tacrolimus and mycophenolate with or without steroids. We analyzed the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients for all primary SLK recipients between 2003 and 2020 with available crossmatch and induction data.

Low-pH seawater alters indirect interactions in rocky-shore tidepools.

Ocean acidification is expected to degrade marine ecosystems, yet most studies focus on organismal-level impacts rather than ecological perturbations. Field studies are especially sparse, particularly ones examining shifts in direct and indirect consumer interactions. Here we address such connections within tidepool communities of rocky shores, focusing on a three-level food web involving the keystone sea star predator, , a common herbivorous snail, , and a macroalgal basal resource, .

Gene expression profiling for metastatic risk in head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: Over 50% of newly diagnosed cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) lesions occur in the head and neck (cSCC-HN), and metastasis to nodal basins in this region further complicates surgical and adjuvant treatment. The current study addressed whether the 40-gene expression profile (40-GEP) test can predict metastatic risk in cSCC-HN with improved accuracy and provide independent prognostic value to complement current risk assessment methods.

Study Design: Multicenter, retrospective cohort study.

Long-term nitrogen enrichment mediates the effects of nitrogen supply and co-inoculation on a viral pathogen.

Host nutrient supply can mediate host-pathogen and pathogen-pathogen interactions. In terrestrial systems, plant nutrient supply is mediated by soil microbes, suggesting a potential role of soil microbes in plant diseases beyond soil-borne pathogens and induced plant defenses. Long-term nitrogen (N) enrichment can shift pathogenic and nonpathogenic soil microbial community composition and function, but it is unclear if these shifts affect plant-pathogen and pathogen-pathogen interactions.

Flu Vaccine and Mortality in Hypertension: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background Influenza infection may increase the risk of stroke and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Whether influenza vaccination may reduce mortality in patients with hypertension is currently unknown. Methods and Results We performed a nationwide cohort study including all patients with hypertension in Denmark during 9 consecutive influenza seasons in the period 2007 to 2016 who were prescribed at least 2 different classes of antihypertensive medication (renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, diuretics, calcium antagonists, or beta-blockers).

Associations Between Residential Segregation and Incident Hypertension: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background Residential segregation, a geospatial manifestation of structural racism, is a fundamental driver of racial and ethnic health inequities, and longitudinal studies examining segregation's influence on cardiovascular health are limited. This study investigates the impact of segregation on hypertension in a multiracial and multiethnic cohort and explores whether neighborhood environment modifies this association. Methods and Results Leveraging data from a diverse cohort of adults recruited from 6 sites in the United States with 2 decades of follow-up, we used race- and ethnicity-stratified Cox models to examine the association between time-varying segregation with incident hypertension in 1937 adults free of hypertension at baseline.

Colonoscopy-Related Adverse Events in Patients With Abnormal Stool-Based Tests: A Systematic Review of Literature and Meta-analysis of Outcomes.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs based on the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and guaiac-based fecal occult blood (gFOBT) are associated with a substantial reduction in CRC incidence and mortality. We conducted a systematic review and comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate colonoscopy-related adverse events in individuals with a positive FIT or gFOBT.

Methods: A systematic and detailed search was run in January 2021, with the assistance of a medical librarian for studies reporting on colonoscopy-related adverse events as part of organized CRC screening programs.

Potency and metabolic stability: a molecular hybrid case in the design of novel PF74-like small molecules targeting HIV-1 capsid protein.

PF74 (1) is a potent and well-characterized prototypical small molecule targeting human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) capsid protein (CA), but not a viable antiviral lead due to the lack of metabolic stability. We report herein our molecular hybridization-based medicinal chemistry efforts toward potent and metabolically stable PF74-like small molecules. The design of the new sub-chemotype 4 rationally combines binding features of two recently reported PF74-like compounds 2 and 3.

Effect of Shared Decision-Making for Stroke Prevention on Treatment Adherence and Safety Outcomes in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background Guidelines promote shared decision-making (SDM) for anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation. We recently showed that adding a within-encounter SDM tool to usual care (UC) increases patient involvement in decision-making and clinician satisfaction, without affecting encounter length. We aimed to estimate the extent to which use of an SDM tool changed adherence to the decided care plan and clinical safety end points.

Causal association of cognitive reserve on Alzheimer's disease with putative sex difference.

Introduction: Sex-dependent risk factors may underlie sex differences in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Using sex-stratified genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of AD, we evaluated associations of 12 traits with AD through polygenic risk scores (PRS) and Mendelian randomization (MR), and explored joint genetic architecture among significant traits by genomic structural equation modeling and network analysis.

Results: AD was associated with lower PRS for premorbid cognitive performance, intelligence, and educational attainment.

Advanced Endoscopic Resection Techniques in Cirrhosis-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Outcomes.

Background/aims: While safety and effectiveness of advanced endoscopic resection techniques such as endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been well established in general population, data regarding their utility in patients with cirrhosis is limited.

Methods: We searched multiple databases from inception through July 2021 to identify studies that reported on outcomes of EMR and/or ESD in patients with cirrhosis. Meta-analysis was performed to determine pooled rates of immediate and delayed bleeding, perforation, death as well as rates of successful en bloc and R0 resection.

Obesity Duration, Severity, and Distribution Trajectories and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Background Research examining the role of obesity in cardiovascular disease (CVD) often fails to adequately consider heterogeneity in obesity severity, distribution, and duration. Methods and Results We here use multivariate latent class mixed models in the biracial Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study (N=14 514; mean age=54 years; 55% female) to associate obesity subclasses (derived from body mass index, waist circumference, self-reported weight at age 25, tricep skinfold, and calf circumference across up to four triennial visits) with total mortality, incident CVD, and CVD risk factors. We identified four obesity subclasses, summarized by their body mass index and waist circumference slope as decline (4.

Baseline associations between biomarkers, cognitive function, and self-regulation indices in the Cognitive and Self-regulatory Mechanisms of Obesity Study.

Objective: Understanding how biological, cognitive, and self-regulatory factors are related to obesity, and weight regulation is clearly needed to optimize obesity prevention and treatment. The objective of this investigation was to understand how baseline biological, cognitive, and self-regulatory factors are related to adiposity at the initiation of a behavioral weight loss intervention among treatment-seeking adults with overweight/obesity.

Methods: Participants ( = 107) in the Cognitive and Self-regulatory Mechanisms of Obesity Study (Identifier-NCT02786238) completed a baseline assessment with anthropometric, cardiometabolic, inflammatory, cognitive function, and self-regulation measures as part of a larger on-going trial.

Association of Abdominal Aorta Calcium and Coronary Artery Calcium with Incident Cardiovascular and Coronary Heart Disease Events in Black and White Middle-Aged People: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study.

Background Assessing coronary artery calcium (CAC) is among AHA/ACC prevention guidelines for people at least 40 years old at intermediate risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). To study enhanced risk stratification, we investigated the predictive value of abdominal aorta calcium (AAC) relative to CAC for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CHD events in Black and White early middle-aged participants, initially free of overt CVD. Methods and Results In the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study, a multi-center, community-based, longitudinal cohort study of CVD risk, the CAC and AAC scores were assessed in 3011 participants in 2010-2011 with follow-up until 2019 for incident CVD and CHD events.

Patient-matched analysis identifies deregulated networks in prostate cancer to guide personalized therapeutic intervention.

Prostate cancer (PrCa) is the second most common malignancy in men. More than 50% of advanced prostate cancers display the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion. Despite extensive cancer genome/transcriptome data, little is known about the impact of mutations and altered transcription on regulatory networks in the PrCa of individual patients.

Use of therapeutic anticoagulation in splanchnic vein thrombosis associated with acute pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Splanchnic vein thrombosis is a well-recognized local vascular complication of acute pancreatitis (AP), estimated to occur in approximately 15% of patients. While splanchnic vein recanalization occurs spontaneously in approximately one third of patients, severe complications such as bowel ischemia and liver failure have also been reported. At present, there is no consensus on whether patients presenting with AP-associated splanchnic vein thrombosis should receive therapeutic anticoagulation.

Impact of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Insights From PARAGON-HF.

Background Little is known about the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods and Results We examined outcomes in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, according to COPD status, in the PARAGON-HF (Prospective Comparison of Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitor With Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Global Outcomes in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction) trial. The primary outcome was a composite of first and recurrent hospitalizations for heart failure and cardiovascular death.

Femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy - guided library mining leads to efficient singlet fission in rubrene derivatives.

Chromophores undergoing singlet fission are promising candidates for harnessing solar energy as they can generate a pair of charge carriers by the absorption of one photon. However, photovoltaic devices employing singlet fission are still lacking practical applications due to the limitations within the existing molecules undergoing singlet fission. Chemical modifications to acenes can lead to efficient singlet fission devices, but the influence of changes to molecular structure on the rate of singlet fission is challenging to model and predict.

Extracorporeal Life Support for Cardiac Arrest and Cardiogenic Shock.

The rising incidence and recognition of cardiogenic shock has led to an increase in the use of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). As clinical experience with this therapy has increased, there has also been a rapid growth in the body of observational and randomized data describing the clinical and logistical considerations required to institute a VA-ECMO program with successful clinical outcomes. The aim of this review is to summarize this contemporary data in the context of four key themes that pertain to VA-ECMO programs: the principles of patient selection; basic hemodynamic and technical principles underlying VA-ECMO; contraindications to VA-ECMO therapy; and common complications and intensive care considerations that are encountered in the setting of VA-ECMO therapy.