Comparison of baseline predictors of prognosis in pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients surviving ≤2 years and those surviving ≥5 years after baseline right-sided cardiac catheterization

Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is usually associated with a poor outcome but the prognosis with other forms of PAH is not well-described. Advances in therapy have furthered clouded the disease course. We sought to determine the baseline indicators of prognosis in patients with PAH. We reviewed the records of patients with PAH followed up at our institution to identify those who died within 2 years (reduced survival group; n = 21) and those who survived >5 years (long survival group; n = 60). The groups were compared for prognostic significance of the baseline clinical parameters. The reduced survival group were older (p = 0.001) and more likely to have scleroderma-associated PAH (p = 0.01), have pericardial effusion (p = 0.01), have a shorter 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance (p = 0.001), to require oxygen during 6MWT (p = 0.02), have a worse World Health Organization functional class (p <0.001), and have greater serum brain natriuretic peptide levels (p = 0.01). Regression analysis showed age, World Health Organization functional class, 6MWT distance, the need for oxygen during the 6MWT, and renal disease to be independently associated with a poor prognosis. In conclusion, age, PAH etiology, World Health Organization functional class, pericardial effusion, 6MWT distance, the need for oxygen during the 6MWT, and brain natriuretic peptide are predictors of prognosis in patients PAH receiving specific therapy and might help identify a group that could benefit from aggressive upfront therapy.     

Persistent suppression of subthalamic beta-band activity during rhythmic finger tapping in Parkinson’s disease

ObjectiveThe function of synchronous oscillatory activity at beta band (15–30 Hz) frequencies within the basal ganglia is unclear. Here we sought support for the hypothesis that beta activity has a global function within the basal ganglia and is not directly involved in the coding of specific biomechanical parameters of movement.MethodsWe recorded local field potential activity from the subthalamic nuclei of 11 patients with Parkinson’s disease during a synchronized tapping task at three different externally cued rates.ResultsBeta activity was suppressed during tapping, reaching a minimum that differed little across the different tapping rates despite an increase in velocity of finger movements. Thus beta power suppression was independent of specific motor parameters. Moreover, although beta oscillations remained suppressed during all tapping rates, periods of resynchronization between taps were markedly attenuated during high rate tapping. As such, a beta rebound above baseline between taps at the lower rates was absent at the high rate.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that beta desynchronization in the region of the subthalamic nucleus is independent of motor parameters and that the beta resynchronization is differentially modulated by rate of finger tapping,SignificanceThese findings implicate consistent beta suppression in the facilitation of continuous movement sequences.     

Reliability and longevity of implantable defibrillators

Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology - We hypothesized that data in manufacturers’ product performance reports (PPRs) can provide clinically valuable ICD and cardiac...     

Preparation and optimization of aloe ferox gel loaded with Finasteride-Oregano oil nanocubosomes for treatment of alopecia

Alopecia areata is a skin disorder characterized by scarless, localized hair loss that is usually managed by topical treatments that might further worsen the condition. Therefore, the current study aimed to develop nano-cubosomes loaded with finasteride (FI) and oregano oil (Or) to improve drug solubility and permeation through skin and then incorporate it into an aloe ferox gel base. An l-optimal coordinate exchange design was adopted to optimize nano-cubosomes. Phytantriol and Alkyl Acrylate were employed as the lipid material, and surfactant respectively for cubosomes manufacture. The produced formulations were assessed for their particle size, entrapment efficiency (EE%), FI steady-state flux (Jss) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Pro-pionibacterium acnes. Optimal FI-Or-NCu had a particle size of 135 nm, EE% equals 70%, Jss of 1.85 μg/cm2.h, and MIC of 0.44 μg/ml. The optimum formulation loaded gel gained the highest drug release percent and ex vivo skin permeation compared to FI aqueous suspension, and pure FI loaded gel. Aloe ferox and oregano oil in the optimized gel formulation had a synergistic activity on the FI permeation across the skin and against the growth of p. acne bacteria which could favor their use in treating alopecia. Thus, this investigation affirms the ability of FI-Or-NCu loaded aloe ferox gel could be an effective strategy that would enhance FI release and permeation through skin and maximize its favorable effects in treating alopecia.     

Liquid crystal behavior,photoluminescence and gas sensing: A new series of ionic liquid crystal imidazole and benzoimidazole bearing chalcone groups,synthesis and characterization

Four new series of chalcones containing imidazole bromonium and benzimidazole bromonium salts with spacer alkyl chains (C_n, n = 2 and 4) were synthesized and the chemical structure, thermal behavior, photoluminescence and gas sensing were characterized by several technical methods. The studies have indicated similar mesomorphic properties of the synthesized compounds, dependent on the terminal alkyl-chain and lengths of the alkoxy-spacer. Almost compounds with shorter alky chains, 4a–4e, 5a–5c, 6a–6c and 7a–7d, did not show liquid crystal properties, while the results of other compounds confirm the existence of smectic A in cooling and heating cycles. Photoluminescence of compounds 5a–5i and 7a–7i was also studied. The emission in the blue region reveals that the material has blue light emission properties. Sensing behavior of compounds 4i and 5i was investigated for NH₃ and NO₂ gases. The sensors exhibited high sensitivity toward NH₃, while sensitivity toward the oxidizing gas NO₂ is lower.

Four new series of chalcones containing imidazole bromonium and benzimidazole bromonium salts with spacer alkyl chains (C_n, n = 2 and 4) were synthesized and their chemical structure, thermal behavior, photoluminescence and gas sensing ability were characterized.     

Reopening Dental Offices for Routine Care Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Report From Palestine

ObjectivesThis study reports on the readiness of Palestinian dentists to reopen their practices for routine care during the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional study targeted dentists in the West Bank area of Palestine using an online survey during the first 2 weeks of May 2020. Questions mainly asked about dentists’ perception of the risks of COVID-19, readiness to reopen their clinics for routine care, and the level of confidence in dealing with patients suspected of having COVID-19.ResultsA total of 488 dentists completed the survey. Almost 60% believed that they were not ready to reopen their practices. Almost 13% had “no confidence” in dealing with patients with COVID-19, while 64% had “little to moderate” confidence. Confidence was correlated negatively with increased fear of becoming infected (ρ = -0.317, P < .0001) and positively with years of practice (ρ = 1.7, P < .0001). Dentists who received updated training on infection control or on COVID-19 reported higher levels of confidence (χ² = 53.8, P < .0001, χ² = 26.8, P < .0001, respectively). Although 88% preferred not to treat patients with COVID-19, 40% were willing to provide care to them. Almost 75% reported that they were already facing financial hardships and could not survive financially until the end of the current month.ConclusionsEthical and financial reasons were the main drivers for dentists in this sample to reopen their practices for routine care. Data from this study highlights the fragility of private dental practice in emergency situations. Ethical, health, and financial challenges that emerged during COVID-19 require dentists to adapt and be better prepared to face future crises.