Echocardiographic Changes in Patients Implanted With a Fully Magnetically Levitated Left Ventricular Assist Device (Heartmate 3)

Background

The Heartmate 3 (HM3) is a Conformiteé Européenne mark–approved left ventricular (LV) assist device (LVAD) with fully magnetically levitated rotor and features consisting of a wide range operational speeds, wide flow paths, and artificial pulse. We performed a hemodynamic-echocardiographic speed optimization evaluation in HM3-implanted patients to achieve optimal LV- and right ventricular (RV) shape.

Infective endocarditis in diabetic and non-diabetic patients

We compared clinical, microbiological, and prognostic characteristics of infective endocarditis in patients with and without diabetes mellitus. In 1987--1996, 213 patients with definite or possible infective endocarditis were included, of which 39 (18%) had diabetes mellitus. Diabetic patients were older than non-diabetic (median age of 71 vs 65 y, respectively; p =0.04), had more aortic valve and less mitral valve involvement (71% vs 27%, and 21% vs 62%; p = 0.004). There was no significant difference in the frequency of Staphylococcus aureus involvement between the 2 groups (21% in diabetic vs 20% in non-diabetic group; p = ns). On multivariate analysis diabetes mellitus was not found to be an independent factor for mortality. Unlike other infections diabetes mellitus does not significantly affect clinical and microbiological features, and outcome of infective endocarditis.     

Effect of serum from leukapheresed mice on myelocytes, promyelocytes and colony-forming cells.

Leukapheresis of neutrophil granulocytes in mice increased the myelopoietic activity of their serum. Leukapheresed mouse serum (LMS) caused a threefold increase in the in vitro stathmokinetic index of myeloid precursors. Five to ten minutes of incubation were sufficient to change the colony-forming capacity of mouse bone marrow cells as expressed by the increase in the ratio of granuloid to erythroid cells in spleen colonies. The in vitro stathmokinetic index assay also showed that there are diurnal variations in levels of granulopoietic activity in normal mouse sera. However, at any time of the day, LMS had higher granulopoietic activity.     

Discovery of novel non-synonymous SNP variants in 988 candidate genes from 6 centenarians by target capture and next-generation sequencing

Despite evidence of a substantial genetic component, the genetic factors that underlie longevity in humans remain to be identified. Previous genome-wide linkage and association studies have not found strong evidence for the contribution of common variants besides the APOE gene, suggesting the role of rare variants in human longevity. To discover rare variants that might contribute to longevity, we selected 988 candidate genes and performed a pilot study to identify novel non-synonymous variants in 6 Ashkenazi Jewish centenarians older than 105. Our candidate genes act in pathways implicated in aging and longevity, including neurodegeneration, cognitive function, lipid metabolism, DNA repair, and genome maintenance. By implementing custom-designed Agilent SureSelect target capture and next-generation sequencing, we discovered a total of 89 novel non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) and validated 51 nsSNPs by iPLEX MassArray assays. Genotyping analysis of these novel SNPs in 410 Ashkenazi Jewish controls and 390 centenarians showed significant enrichment (5.3 fold, p = 0.02) of the p.Y318C variant in PMS2 and significant depletion (7.5 fold, p = 0.04) of the p.V465A variant in GABRR3 in centenarians compared to controls. Our study presents the potential of targeted next-generation sequencing for discovery of rare but functional genetic variation which may lead to exceptional longevity in humans.     

Changes in the EEG spectral power during dual-task walking with aging and Parkinson’s disease: initial findings using Event-Related Spectral Perturbation analysis

Journal of Neurology - The ability to maintain adequate motor-cognitive performance under increasing task demands depends on the regulation and coordination of neural resources. Studies have shown...     

Association between posterior crossbite and/or deep bite and temporomandibular disorders among Palestinian adolescents: A sex comparison

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and posterior crossbite and/or deep bite and any possible association between them.

Methods: One thousand-nineteen adolescents responded to a questionnaire regarding oral habits and TMD symptoms. Afterwards, they were diagnosed according to the Axis I of the DC/TMD and underwent a dental examination. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.

Results: A significant association was found between posterior crossbite and some TMD diagnosis, but no association was found between deep bite and TMD, nor between occlusal diagnosis and bruxism. TMDs were more prevalent in girls. There was a significant sex difference (more among females) in the prevalence of painful TMDs.

Conclusion: Posterior crossbite in the adolescent population analyzed may be related to TMDs, in contrary to deep-bite. The presence of posterior crossbite may have different impact on TMD findings between the sexes.