Who is open to change after the COVID-19 pandemic? Some insights from Germany.

The COVID-19 pandemic as a disruptive event was initially considered an opportunity for a transformation towards more sustainable lifestyles. In two telephone surveys with more than 1000 participants each, this study explored in October 2020 and May 2021 how people in Germany experienced the COVID-19 related lockdown restrictions. Specifically, the study investigated how the respondents felt their lives had been impaired during the pandemic, which changes they had experienced as particularly bothersome and which ones they perceived to be beneficial.

Long-term outcomes of percutaneous versus surgical revascularization in patients with diabetes and left main coronary artery disease: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The efficacy and safety of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) relative to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with diabetes and unprotected left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) are not well established.

Objectives: To perform a meta-analysis evaluating the long-term outcomes after PCI with drug-eluting stents (DES), as compared with CABG, in patients with diabetes and unprotected LMCAD.

Methods: MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Embase were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported outcomes after PCI with DES versus CABG in unprotected LMCAD among patients with diabetes.

Covid-19 and small lodging establishments: A break-even calibration analysis (CBA) model.

The COVID-19 pandemic foiled the hospitality industry offering no clear insight as to what to expect regarding the emergence of possible new industry standards as likely corollaries of the pandemic. The accommodation sector is one of the most affected sectors in the hospitality industry, especially small lodging establishments incurring the most dramatic brunt of the pandemic's long-tail effects. This study employed a breakeven (BC) analysis to examine the pandemic's opportunity cost and the financial resilience efforts that SLEs should undertake to bounce back or bounce forward.

The relationship between career adaptability, hope, resilience, and life satisfaction for hospitality students in times of Covid-19.

This study investigates the antecedents and effects of hospitality students' coping mechanisms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The relationship between career adaptability, hope, resilience, and life satisfaction are explored to unveil students' adaptability during times of crisis. The findings confirmed that hope is an important driver of resilience and life satisfaction.

Meta-Analysis of Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Acute Coronary Syndrome Treated With Coronary Stenting.

We aimed to evaluate if a shorter course of DAPT followed by P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy is as effective as a 12-month course with fewer bleeding events. PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Central were searched for randomized controlled trials of ACS patients comparing dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for 1 to 3 months followed by a P2Y12 inhibitor to 12-month DAPT. Quality assessment was performed with the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias assessment tool.

Rivaroxaban versus warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation enrolled in Latin America: Insights from ROCKET AF.

Background: ROCKET AF demonstrated the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban compared with warfarin for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism (SE) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We examined baseline characteristics and outcomes in patients enrolled in Latin America compared with the rest of the world (ROW).

Methods: ROCKET AF enrolled 14,264 patients from 45 countries.

Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy due to SZT2 genomic variants: Emerging features of a syndromic condition.

Seizure threshold 2 (SZT2) gene mutations have been associated with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs). Following a literature review, we collected 22 patients and identified the main clinical features related to SZT2 variants that are epilepsy with onset within the first years of life, intellectual disability (ID), macrocephaly with dysmorphic facial features, corpus callosum (CC) shape abnormalities, and cortical migration disorders. Moreover, we identified the c.

Network meta-analysis of His bundle, biventricular, or right ventricular pacing as a primary strategy for advanced atrioventricular conduction disease with normal or mildly reduced ejection fraction.

Introduction: Although right ventricular pacing (RVP) may impair ventricular function, it is commonly used for advanced atrioventricular block (AVB) and normal or mildly reduced ejection fraction (EF). We aimed to compare His bundle pacing (HBP), biventricular pacing (BiVP), and RVP for advanced AVB in patients with normal or mildly reduced EF.

Methods And Results: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.

In-Hospital Management and Outcomes of Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Influenza.

Patients with influenza infection are at increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). There are limited data on the short-term prognosis and management of patients with AMI and concomitant influenza. We examined the National Inpatient Sample from 2010 to 2014 for adult patients with a diagnosis of AMI.

A meta-analysis of arrhythmia endpoints in randomized controlled trials of transendocardial stem cell injections for chronic ischemic heart disease.

Introduction: The electrophysiologic impact of cell-based therapy on the injured myocardium remains highly controversial. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis of studies comparing arrhythmia burden following transendocardial stem cell therapy vs placebo in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease (CIHD).

Methods And Results: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched.

Prevention of Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Stenting.

Background and Purpose- The optimal antithrombotic strategy to balance thromboembolic and bleeding events, especially acute stroke, for patients with atrial fibrillation following coronary stenting remains a matter of debate. We conducted a network meta-analysis to identify the antithrombotic regimen associated with the lowest rate of bleeding and thromboembolic events in atrial fibrillation after coronary stenting. Methods- PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Central were searched for randomized controlled trials and observational studies of patients with atrial fibrillation after coronary stenting.

Measurement of human body surface heat flux using a calorimetric sensor.

We have developed a calorimetric sensor that can perform local measurements of the heat flux transmitted by conduction between a human body and thermostat located inside the sensor. The sensor has a detection area of 2 × 2 cm and, in its current configuration, facilitates measurement with a resolution of 10 mW. In this paper, measurements of two healthy male subjects of different ages (24 and 60 years) are presented.

Modifying Effect of Statins on Fatal Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial: A Post Hoc Analysis.

Background: Management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients includes efforts directed toward modifying traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Such efforts include optimal management of hypertension together with the initiation of statin therapy.

Methods: In this observational study, we determine the modifying effect of statins on the relationship of systolic blood pressure (SBP) goal with mortality and other outcomes in patients with CKD participating in a clinical trial.

Dual versus single antiplatelet therapy after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: An updated meta-analysis.

Introduction: The potential benefit and risks of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) over single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) in patients who undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is controversial.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational and randomized clinical trial (RCT) data comparing DAPT to SAPT following urgent or elective CABG. Subanalyses were performed restricted to: a) RCTs; b) stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD); c) extended duration DAPT (≥6 months); and d) follow-up ≥2 years.

High-Performance and Self-Powered Deep UV Photodetectors Based on High Quality 2D Boron Nitride Nanosheets.

High-quality two-dimensional (2D) crystalline boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) were grown on silicon wafers by using pulsed plasma beam deposition techniques. Self-powered deep ultraviolet (DUV) photodetectors (PDs) based on BNNSs with Schottky contact structures are designed and fabricated. By connecting the fabricated DUV photodetector to an ammeter, the response strength, response time and recovery time to different DUV wavelengths at different intensities have been characterized using the output short circuit photocurrent without a power supply.

An updated meta-analysis of novel oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists for uninterrupted anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation catheter ablation.

Background: Catheter ablation is recommended as a first- or second-line rhythm control therapy for selected patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). There is a wide variability in the periprocedural management of oral anticoagulation in patients undergoing AF ablation.

Objective: We aimed to perform an updated meta-analysis of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) vs vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) as uninterrupted anticoagulation in patients undergoing AF ablation.

Exploring the Effects of Argon Plasma Treatment on Plasmon Frequency and the Chemiresistive Properties of Polymer-Carbon Nanotube Metacomposite.

Metacomposites, composite materials exhibiting negative permittivity, represent an opportunity to create materials with depressed plasmon frequency without the need to create complex structural geometries. Although many reports exist on the synthesis and characterizations of metacomposites, very few have ventured into exploring possible applications that could take advantage of the unique electrical properties of these materials. In this article, we report on the chemiresistive properties of a polymer-CNT metacomposite and explore how these are affected by Argon plasma treatment.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair With MitraClip for Symptomatic Functional Mitral Valve Regurgitation.

Transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TMVr) with MitraClip has proved to be safe and effective for high-risk surgical patients with severe symptomatic degenerative mitral regurgitation. There is paucity of data regarding its use in functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of MitraClip in patients with symptomatic moderate or severe FMR and a high surgical risk.

High Operating Temperature and Low Power Consumption Boron Nitride Nanosheets Based Broadband UV Photodetector.

We extend our work on the use of digitally controlled pulsed laser plasma deposition (PLPD) technique to synthesize high quality, 2-dimensional single crystalline boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) at a low substrate temperature for applications in high-performance deep UV photodetectors. The obtained sample consists of a large amount of BNNSs partially overlapping one another with random orientations. Each sheet is composed of a few (from 2 to 10) stacked atomic layers exhibiting high transparency due to its highly ordered hBN crystallinity.

A new approach for fabrications of SiC based photodetectors.

We report on a new approach to quickly synthesize high-quality single crystalline wide band gap silicon carbide (SiC) films for development of high-performance deep ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors. The fabricated SiC based UV photodetectors exhibited high response while maintaining cost-effectiveness and size miniaturization. Focus of the experiments was on studies of electrical and electronic properties, as well as responsivity, response and recovery times, and repeatability of the deep UV photodetectors.

Oral HPV infection in a clinic-based sample of Hispanic men.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated to the pathogenesis of various cancers, such as oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, which has a high incidence in Puerto Rican men. Despite the burden of oral cancer in Puerto Rico, little is known about the epidemiology of oral HPV infection, particularly in high-risk men. Therefore, this study is aimed at determining the prevalence of oral HPV infection, the genotype distribution and correlates associated with oral HPV infection in men of at least 16 years of age attending a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic in Puerto Rico.

Block of human CaV3 channels by the diuretic amiloride.

Previous studies in native T-type currents have suggested the existence of distinct isoforms with dissimilar pharmacology. Amiloride was the first organic blocker to selectively block the native T-type calcium channel, but the potency and mechanism of block of this drug on the three recombinant T-type calcium channels (Ca(V)3.1, Ca(V)3.