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Risk factors for non-benefit of implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy
Abstract Studies have demonstrated overall prognostic benefits of ICD implantation in patients at increased risk of sudden cardiac death. However, results are inconsistent in certain subgroups. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic implications of comorbidities on ICD outcomes and compare trends in patient selection and outcomes over a decade-long inclusion period. This study analysed 422 patients undergoing ICD implantation between 2011 and 2020. The study endpoint “no-benefit” was characterized by death from any cause occurring without prior appropriate ICD therapy. Benefit of ICD implantation was defined as either receiving appropriate ICD therapy before death or surviving until the end of the observation period. During a mean follow-up of 4.2 ± 3.0 years, no-benefit of ICD implantation was observed in 84 patients (20%). Independent risk factors for no-benefit were age ≥ 68 years (HR 4.599, p < 0.001), anemia (HR 2.549, p < 0.001), peripheral artery disease (HR 2.066, p = 0.007), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR 1.939, p = 0.014). Subgroup analysis by age < 68 years and ≥ 68 years demonstrated that the risk of no-benefit increases with age and comorbidities. When comparing patients with ICD implantation in 2011–2015 with those in 2016–2020, there were no significant differences in one-, two- and three-year-no-benefit rates. Different comorbidities were associated with no-benefit in the early and late implantation groups. Risk factors such as older age and specific comorbidities are associated with a higher likelihood of no-benefit from ICD implantation. A careful patient selection and consideration of individual risk factors besides advanced age is important.
A structured exercise regimen enhances autonomic function compared to unstructured physical activities in geriatric horses
Effect of precise health management combined with physical rehabilitation on bone biomarkers in senile osteoporosis patients
A comparative analysis of alpha olefin sulfonate and dodecyl sulfate in aphronic fluid containing xanthan gum in a wide range of temperatures
Repeated axial compressive performance of GCFST columns: Test investigation and numerical analysis
Cesarean delivery on child health and development in Japanese nationwide birth cohort
Abstract The long-term effects of cesarean delivery (CD) on child health and development remain controversial. This study aimed to investigate these effects using an outcome-wide approach in a Japanese context, where perinatal mortality rates are among the world’s lowest. We analyzed data from 2,114 children in a nationwide Japanese birth cohort, linking the 21st Century Longitudinal Survey of Newborns with the Perinatal Research Network database. We examined associations between CD and various health and developmental outcomes up to 9 years of age, including hospitalizations, obesity, and developmental milestones. After adjusting for potential confounders, CD was not significantly associated with most outcomes, including all-cause hospitalization (adjusted risk ratio 1.25, 95% CI 0.997–1.56), obesity at 5.5 and 9 years, and various developmental milestones. Subgroup analyses for multiple births and preterm infants showed some differences in point estimates, but were limited by small sample sizes. CD was not significantly associated with adverse long-term child health or developmental outcomes in this Japanese cohort. These findings provide reassurance regarding CD safety when medically indicated in advanced perinatal care settings. Further research with larger samples and longer follow-up is needed, especially for specific subgroups.
A customizable multiplex protein microarray for antibody testing and its application for tick-borne and other infectious diseases
Evaluating non-utilization of deceased donor kidneys in Korea
Deep-learning based electromagnetic navigation system for transthoracic percutaneous puncture of small pulmonary nodules
Invasion of pancreatic ductal epithelial cells by Enterococcus faecalis is mediated by fibronectin and enterococcal fibronectin-binding protein A
Preparation of ZnAl layered double hydroxides supported by silica for the treatment of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) in aqueous solution
Evolving trends in the prevalence and treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in Korea from 2010 to 2023: a population-based study
Synthesis and evaluation of nitrochromene derivatives as potential antileishmanial therapeutics through biological and computational studies
Effects of forest age and stand density on the growth, soil moisture content, and soil carbon content of Populus simoni plantations in the sandy area of western Liaoning, Northeast China
Abstract Poplar (Populus simoni) plantations are crucial in the sandy regions of western Liaoning, serving key roles in wind protection, sand stabilization, soil moisture regulation, and carbon sequestration. However, challenges such as suboptimal stand quality and limited ecological benefits persist. This study aims to elucidate the growth dynamics of poplar plantations and their impact on soil moisture content and soil carbon content in this region. We established 75 standard plots across various age groups and stand densities in Fuxin City, measuring poplar diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height (TH), soil moisture content, and soil carbon content. We found that DBH and TH increase with increasing stand density in young and middle-aged forests, but the opposite is true at near-maturity, maturity, and over-maturity, where DBH and TH decrease with increasing stand density. Soil moisture content rises with stand density in younger forests, while soil carbon content increases with age, with surface soil layers exhibiting higher carbon concentrations. The soil carbon stock in these plantations is approximately 3.0 × 106 tons, the highest recorded in Fuxin City. This research provides a foundation for the effective management and development of poplar plantations in wind-prone, sandy areas. Overall, optimizing stand density and managing forest age distribution are essential for enhancing the ecological and carbon sequestration benefits of poplar plantations in this region.
The application of machine learning approaches to classify and predict fertility rate in Ethiopia
Population-level shape variation and otolith asymmetry in Diplodus annularis
Multi-branch LSTM encoded latent features with CNN-LSTM for Youtube popularity prediction
Seasonal forecasting of East African short rains
Proximal tubule-on-chip as a model for predicting cation transport and drug transporter dynamics
Abstract Deciphering the sources of variability in drug responses requires to understand the processes modulating drug pharmacokinetics. However, pharmacological research suffers from poor reproducibility across clinical, animal, and experimental models. Predictivity can be improved by using Organs-on-Chips, which are more physiological, human-oriented, micro-engineered devices that include microfluidics. OoC are particularly relevant at the fundamental and preclinical stages of drug development by providing more accurate assessment of key pharmacokinetic events. We have developed a proximal tubule-on-a-chip model combining commercial microfluidic and chip technologies. Using the RPTEC/TERT1 cell line, we set up a dual-flow system with antiparallel flows to mimic the dynamics of blood and urine. We assessed transporters mRNA expression, cellular polarization and protein expression via immunofluorescence, and monitored the transcellular transport of prototypic xenobiotics by determining their efflux ratios. Our results show that flow exposure significantly modulate mRNA expression of drug membrane transporters. Dynamic conditions also enhance cell polarization, as evidenced by preferential basal and apical expressions of Na + /K + -ATPase, P-gp, OCT2, and MATE1 , as well as the cellular secretory profile. We demonstrated unidirectional transcellular transport of metformin with a higher efflux than influx ratio, inhibited with OCT2 inhibitor, thus confirming the relevance of our proximal tubule-on-a-chip set up for cation transport investigations. Our proximal tubule-on-a-chip can also be used to explore the interactions between transporters, xenobiotics, and endogenous metabolites, possibly involved in the variability of individual drug responses. This study provides additional evidence that OoC can help bridge the gaps between systemic and local pharmacokinetics.