Outcomes of Calcium-Channel Blocker Use in Patients With Multiple Myeloma: A Propensity-Matched Study From the Global Federated Health Research Network.

Introduction:  Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell hyperproliferative disorder resulting in a classic presentation including anemia, renal dysfunction, bone pain, and hypercalcemia. Many patients with MM also develop unrelated comorbid conditions, such as hypertension or congestive heart failure, that warrant the prescription of calcium-channel blockers (CCBs). Little is known about how MM-associated hypercalcemia could be impacted by CCB use.

Association of Estimated Plasma Volume Status With Invasive Hemodynamics and All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis.

Background: Estimated plasma volume status (ePVS) correlates with intravascular congestion and prognosis in patients with heart failure. The ePVS relationship with invasive hemodynamic profiling and clinical outcomes in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) remains unclear.

Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study included LC patients who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) between 2018 and 2023.

Pulmonary vasodilators in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension-A case series.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a prevalent complication among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In these patients, pulmonary vasodilators may be useful but are underused. We describe a group of patients with precapillary PH and advanced CKD treated with pulmonary vasodilators.

Shark fin sign: A rare EKG finding in a patient with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy from influenza A infection.

This case demonstrated the rare "shark fin" ECG pattern, an ST-segment elevation typically seen in acute myocardial infarction. We reported a case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy secondary to influenza A infection with multiple organ failure, showing the shark fin sign and resulting in in-patient mortality and various complication.

Impact of COVID-19 infection on the in-hospital outcome of patients hospitalized for heart failure with comorbid atrial fibrillation: Insight from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database 2020.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) commonly coexist, resulting in adverse health and economic consequences such as declining ventricular function, heightened mortality, and reduced quality of life. However, limited information exists on the impact of COVID-19 on AF patients that hospitalized for HF.

Methods: We analyzed the 2020 U.

Association of arteriovenous fistulae with precapillary pulmonary hypertension - A single center retrospective analysis of invasive hemodynamic parameters.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (pH) is a well-known complication among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) have been associated with pH mainly by increasing cardiac output. However, the burden of precapillary pH in individuals with CKD and an AVF is unclear.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes Associated With Distinct Hemodynamic Patterns in End-stage Liver Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Introduction: Despite advances in the diagnosis and therapeutics strategies for pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD), the impact of hemodynamic patterns among ESLD patients identified through right heart catheterization (RHC) on clinical outcomes remains poorly understood.

Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study identified patients diagnosed with ESLD who underwent RHC from August 2018 to June 2023. Demographic and clinical data, including comorbidities, transthoracic echocardiography, and RHC findings, were obtained.

Association of mildly elevated pulmonary vascular resistance with major cardiovascular events in pulmonary hypertension and chronic kidney disease: A retrospective cohort analysis.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with adverse outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Our study suggests mildly elevated pulmonary vascular resistance ( > 2 to ≤ 3) is independently associated with major adverse cardiovascular events at 1-year follow-up. Early diagnosis of precapillary PH in CKD patients can potentially improve clinical outcomes.

Robotic-assisted versus conventional off-pump coronary surgery in women: A propensity-matched study.

Background: Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) previously demonstrated its potential benefits in women; however, robotic-assisted OPCAB was scarcely studied.

Objectives: To investigate whether robotic-assisted OPCAB could further improve the outcomes in women and the potential impact of hybrid approaches with stents and completeness of revascularization on the late outcomes.

Methods: Women who underwent robotic-assisted or conventional OPCAB (with sternotomy) between May 2005 and January 2021 at Lankenau Heart Institute were included.

Late Outcomes After Aortic Root Enlargement During Aortic Valve Replacement: Meta-Analysis With Reconstructed Time-To-Event Data.

Objectives: The present authors aimed to assess the late outcomes of patients undergoing aortic root enlargement (ARE) at the time of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).

Design: Study-level meta-analysis with reconstructed time-to-event data.

Setting: Follow-up of patients after surgical procedure.

Complete transcatheter versus complete surgical treatment in patients with aortic valve stenosis and concomitant coronary artery disease: Study-level meta-analysis with reconstructed time-to-event data.

Objectives: To compare outcomes of complete transcatheter (TAVI plus PCI) versus complete surgical (SAVR plus CABG) approach to treat patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Study-level meta-analysis with reconstructed time-to-event data including studies published by November 2021. The primary endpoints were 30-day mortality, overall survival, and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE).

Transcatheter mitral valve implantation in the ongoing structural heart revolution.

Transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) has emerged as a less invasive approach potentially surmounting some of the current hurdles associated with transcatheter edge-to-edge repair and high-risk mitral valve surgery. In this review, we aimed to outline the main scenarios in the TMVI field, highlight current and upcoming devices, and describe challenges and clinical results. Finally, we briefly discuss the future perspectives for this emerging field and how TMVI might further advance the field of transcatheter treatments of mitral valve disease.

Early and late outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement with sutureless and rapid-deployment valves versus transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Meta-analysis with reconstructed time-to-event data of matched studies.

Sutureless/rapid-deployment (SURD) valves are options different from the stented prostheses included in the pivotal trials comparing surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We performed a meta-analysis with reconstructed time-to-event data of matched studies published by November 2021 to compare SURD-AVR and TAVI. Primary endpoints were 30-day mortality and overall survival in the follow-up.

Impact of left ventricle outflow tract calcification on the outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A study-level meta-analysis.

Objectives: To assess the impact of left ventricle outflow tract calcification (LVOT) on the outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods: Meta-analysis including studies published by October 2021. Primary endpoints were operative and 1-year mortality.

Hybrid robotic off-pump versus conventional on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery in women.

Objective: To compare outcomes of three methods of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG): robotic off-pump hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) versus conventional CABG off-pump (off-pump coronary artery bypass [OPCAB]) and on-pump (on-pump coronary artery bypass [ONCAB]) in women.

Methods: Data on women who underwent robotic off-pump HCR or conventional OPCAB or conventional ONCAB between May 2005 and January 2021 were collected. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) with doubly robust method was used to analyze the data.

CyanoGate: A Modular Cloning Suite for Engineering Cyanobacteria Based on the Plant MoClo Syntax.

Recent advances in synthetic biology research have been underpinned by an exponential increase in available genomic information and a proliferation of advanced DNA assembly tools. The adoption of plasmid vector assembly standards and parts libraries has greatly enhanced the reproducibility of research and the exchange of parts between different labs and biological systems. However, a standardized modular cloning (MoClo) system is not yet available for cyanobacteria, which lag behind other prokaryotes in synthetic biology despite their huge potential regarding biotechnological applications.

GnRH-mediated olfactory and visual inputs promote mating-like behaviors in male zebrafish.

The engagement of sexual behaviors is regulated by a number of factors which include gene expression, hormone circulation, and multi-sensory information integration. In zebrafish, when a male and a female are placed in the same container, they show mating-like behaviors regardless of whether they are kept together or separated by a net. No mating-like behaviors are observed when same-sex animals are put together.

Luminescence- and nanoparticle-mediated increase of light absorption by photoreceptor cells: Converting UV light to visible light.

We developed new optic devices - singly-doped luminescence glasses and nanoparticle-coated lenses that convert UV light to visible light - for improvement of visual system functions. Tb(3+) or Eu(3+) singly-doped borate glasses or CdS-quantum dot (CdS-QD) coated lenses efficiently convert UV light to 542 nm or 613 nm wavelength narrow-band green or red light, or wide-spectrum white light, and thereby provide extra visible light to the eye. In zebrafish (wild-type larvae and adult control animals, retinal degeneration mutants, and light-induced photoreceptor cell degeneration models), the use of Tb(3+) or Eu(3+) doped luminescence glass or CdS-QD coated glass lenses provide additional visible light to the rod and cone photoreceptor cells, and thereby improve the visual system functions.