The ACTION VAD Registry: A Collective Five-Year Experience.

Background: The Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION) began in 2018 as a collaborative learning health system committed to improving outcomes in pediatric heart failure, including children and adults with congenital heart disease, supported with ventricular assist devices (VADs). This report describes patient and device characteristics, and outcomes through 1-year post-implant.

Methods: The ACTION VAD registry report was created from data submitted to the ACTION learning network from April 2018-June 2023.

Puerarin mitigates cognitive decline and white matter injury via CD36-Mediated microglial phagocytosis in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

Background: Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) contributes significantly to white matter injury (WMI) and cognitive impairment, often leading to vascular dementia (VaD). Inefficient clearance of myelin debris by microglia impedes white matter repair, making microglia-mediated myelin clearance a promising therapeutic strategy for WMI. Puerarin (Pu), an isoflavonoid monomer from Pueraria lobata, is known for its neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory properties.

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation using magnetic levitation centrifugal pumps for fulminant myocarditis in infants, children and young adults.

Background: Fulminant myocarditis (FM) is a potentially lethal disease with a wide spectrum of clinical presentation, thus making the diagnosis hard to depict. In cases where acute circulatory failure occurs venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is a valid management strategy, especially in the pediatric and adult patients. This study aims to report the results of VA ECMO for FM in our Institution.

Statin use and dementia risk: A systematic review and updated meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: Dementia affects 55 million people globally, with the number projected to triple by 2050. Statins, widely prescribed for cardiovascular benefits, may also have neuroprotective effects, although studies on their impact on dementia risk have shown contradictory results. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

Use of Cervical Approach for Insertion of the Impella 5.5 Ventricular Assist Device (Abiomed) in Pediatric Patients: Cohort Study.

Background: Impella 5.5 ventricular assist device (VAD) insertion is typically done via the axillary artery or directly through the aorta; however, an axillary artery must be ≥6 mm in diameter, which excludes many pediatric patients who do not meet this criterion. The innominate artery is a larger vessel that can better accommodate the Impella VAD in pediatric patients.

Eighth Annual Society of Thoracic Surgeons Pedimacs Report.

Background: The Pediatric Interagency Registry for Mechanical Circulatory Support (Pedimacs), supported by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, provides detailed information on pediatric patients supported with ventricular assist devices (VADs).

Methods: From September 19, 2012, to December 31, 2023, there were 1648 devices in 1349 patients (<19 years) from 39 North American Hospitals with 100 patients enrolled in 2023.

Results: Cardiomyopathy was the most common underlying etiology (59%), followed by congenital heart disease (26%) and myocarditis (8%).

Comparative Efficacy of Ventriculosubgaleal Shunt Versus Ventricular Reservoir in Achieving Shunt Independence for Infants With Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus by 6 Months.

Background And Objectives: Low-birth weight, premature infants often have severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), which can result in posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH), sometimes requiring cerebrospinal fluid diversion. Initial temporizing management of PHH includes placement of a ventriculosubgaleal shunt (VSGS) or ventricular access device (VAD). Studies have found similar permanent shunt conversion rates between VSGS and VAD but were limited by sample scope and size.

A responsive cocktail nano-strategy breaking the immune excluded state enhances immunotherapy for triple negative breast cancer.

The exclusion of immune cells from the tumor can limit the effectiveness of immunotherapy in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway plays a crucial role in priming adaptive anti-tumor immunity through the production of type I interferons (IFNs), facilitating the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and the function of T cells. Although the increased expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) upon STING activation is favorable for amplifying the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and realizing combination therapy, the penetration barrier remains a major obstacle.

Unraveling the bidirectional link between cancer and dementia and the impact of cancer therapies on dementia risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Observational studies on the cancer-dementia relationship have yielded controversial results. This study systematically reviews the evidence to clarify this association. We searched Embase, Global Health, Ovid Medline, and APA PsycInfo.

The association between dual sensory impairment and dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Sensory impairments have been linked to dementia. However, the impact of dual sensory impairment (DSI), combining both vision impairment and hearing impairment, on dementia has shown inconsistent results.

Objective: To systematically review the evidence on the association DSI and dementia.

Cardiovascular health, genetic predisposition, and dementia risk among atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patients.

Background: While optimal cardiovascular health (CVH) has been linked to a lower risk of dementia, few studies considered individuals' genetic background. We aimed to examine the interaction between CVH and genetic predisposition on dementia risk among individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

Methods: We included 30,818 ASCVD patients from the UK Biobank.

Effects of Hot Air, Vacuum, and Conductive Drying on the Fatty Acid Profile of Pulp and Its Processing By-Products.

Considering the short shelf life of fresh pumpkin due to its high water content and the extensive use of dried pumpkin in the food industry, it is necessary to find an efficient drying method that minimizes water activity and preserves nutritional properties. In this study, the effects of hot air drying (HAD), vacuum drying (VAD), and conductive drying (CD) at 50, 60, and 70 °C on fatty acid profiles were investigated to determine optimal drying conditions that preserve fatty acid (FA) quality and associated nutritional benefits. Results showed that drying methods had a significant effect ( < 0.

Anti-Inflammatory 8-Shogaol Mediates Apoptosis by Inducing Oxidative Stress and Sensitizes Radioresistance in Gastric Cancer.

Radiotherapy is a powerful tumor therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer patients. However, radioresistance is a major obstacle to kill cancer cells. Ginger ( Roscoe) exerts a potential function in various cancers and is a noble combined therapy to overcome radioresistance in gastric cancer radiotherapy.

Feasibility and Usage of a Virtual Assistant Device in Cognitively Impaired Homebound Older Adults.

Social technology in older adults can improve self-rated health; however, there can also be difficulties using it. Our study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptance of virtual assistant device (VAD) use in cognitively impaired homebound older adults. 52 newly referred Meals on Wheels clients aged 60 and older were recruited for a three-phase study: 6 weeks of meals alone (control), followed by 6 weeks of meals+Alexa Echo Show 8 (AES8) basic usage, and lastly 6 weeks of meals+AES8 advanced usage.

Bioanalysis, Analysis, Chemistry, and Pharmacological Aspects of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitors.

The development of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitors (HIFPHIs), such as Roxadustat (ROX), Enarodustat (ENA), Desidustat (DES), Vadadustat (VAD), Molidustat (MOL), and Daprodustat (DAP), has significant effects on anemia in chronic kidney disease. This review presents comprehensive information about the synthesis, pharmacology, and analysis of HIF-PHIs across several matrices. The literature has presented several approaches for quantifying HIF-PHIs in diverse sample matrices.

Voluntary Assisted Dying and Conscientious Objection: An Analysis from Victoria, Australia.

This article analyses qualitative empirical research conducted by this author to gain a deeper understanding of the rationale behind conscientious objection (CO) to voluntary assisted dying (VAD) and its impact on the operation of VAD in Victoria, Australia. It begins by providing an overview of the Australian legal approach to CO in the context of VAD. It then discusses the spectrum of attitudes that exist towards VAD, illuminating some of the nuance and complexity of the individual and institutional approaches.

Ionizing Radiation Combined with Gold Complex Compounds Causes Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells by Increasing the Level of Caspase-3.

Background: The anticancer activity and radiosensitizing effect of Auranofin, an an-tirheumatic and an approved gold metallic drug, have been investigated from multiple perspectives. In this study, the action of the new gold complex compound TPN-Au(I)-MM4 was compared with that of auranofin.

Methods: The inhibitory effect of 10 μM and 50 μM concentrations on cell proliferation was investigated using the human colon cancer cell lines HCT116 and SW480.

It's Getting Better All the Time: Decreased Cumulative Incidence of Waitlist Mortality in Pediatric Candidates Following 2018 Heart Allocation Policy Change.

Purpose: In October 2018, the OPTN changed adult heart transplant (HT) allocation policy, increasing the number of adult candidates that had higher priority than pediatric candidates, potentially disadvantaging pediatric waitlist registrants.

Methods: To understand the impact of this policy change, we used SRTR data to identify 1469 pre-policy (7/2016-9/2018) and 2901 (10/2018-12/2022) post-policy pediatric (< 18 years) HT registrants. We quantified mortality and transplant risks using weighted cause-specific hazard models, and then using weighted competing risks regression.

Outcomes for Children With Congenital Heart Disease Undergoing Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: An ACTION Registry Analysis.

Background: There are no contemporary reports that highlight the national outcomes for children with congenital heart disease (CHD) undergoing ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate differences in VAD outcomes for children with CHD to those with non-CHD as well as those with univentricular CHD to those with biventricular CHD.

Methods: Data for CHD and non-CHD patients from the multicenter ACTION (Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network) undergoing VAD implantation from April 2018 to February 2023 were included.

Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Effects of Kaurenoic Acid in Overcoming Radioresistance in Breast Cancer Radiotherapy.

: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) plays a key role in mediating anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects in the tumor microenvironment. Kaurenoic acid (KA), a diterpene compound isolated from (L.) Pruski, has been demonstrated to exert anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antihuman immunodeficiency virus effects.

Advancing LVAD Technology: Overcoming Challenges and Shaping the Future of Mechanical Circulatory Support.

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) invigorated the management of patients with advanced heart failure, providing a lifeline for patients awaiting transplantation or requiring long-term circulatory support. This article reviews recent advances in VAD technologies, focusing on key areas of progress to overcome existing challenges and the potential for future applications. The reduction or possible elimination of infection-prone components and the evolution to transcutaneous energy transfer systems are two main research fields to reach a new quality of life category for VADs patients.

Z-Ligustilide: A Potential Therapeutic Agent for Atherosclerosis Complicating Cerebrovascular Disease.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is one of the major catalysts of ischemic cerebrovascular disease, and the death and disease burden from AS and its cerebrovascular complications are increasing. Z-ligustilide (Z-LIG) is a key active ingredient in () and . In this paper, we first introduced LIG's physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetics.

A Novel PPARγ Modulator Falcarindiol Mediates ER Stress-Mediated Apoptosis by Regulating NOX4 and Overcomes Radioresistance in Breast Cancer.

The extract of the rhizome of Makino has potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects in many diseases, such as cancer. However, the biological functions of falcarindiol (FAD) in breast cancer are not fully understood. This study proved the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of FAD in breast cancer.

Targeting NLRP3 signaling with a novel sulfonylurea compound for the treatment of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia.

Background: As a key inflammatory factor, the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a crucial role in neuroinflammation and the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Dysregulation of NLRP3 signaling can trigger various inflammatory responses in the brain, contributing to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as ischemic stroke, vascular dementia (VaD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Therefore, the NLRP3 signaling pathway is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including VaD.

Autogene cevumeran with or without atezolizumab in advanced solid tumors: a phase 1 trial.

Effective targeting of somatic cancer mutations to enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy requires an individualized approach. Autogene cevumeran is a uridine messenger RNA lipoplex-based individualized neoantigen-specific immunotherapy designed from tumor-specific somatic mutation data obtained from tumor tissue of each individual patient to stimulate T cell responses against up to 20 neoantigens. This ongoing phase 1 study evaluated autogene cevumeran as monotherapy (n = 30) and in combination with atezolizumab (n = 183) in pretreated patients with advanced solid tumors.