Trans-dimensional inversion for seafloor properties for three mud depocenters on the New England shelf under dynamical oceanographic conditionsa).

This paper presents inversion results for three datasets collected on three spatially separated mud depocenters (hereafter called mud ponds) during the 2022 Seabed Characterization Experiment (SBCEX). The data considered here represent modal time-frequency (TF) dispersion as estimated from a single hydrophone. Inversion is performed using a trans-dimensional (trans-D) Bayesian inference method that jointly estimates water-column and seabed properties along with associated uncertainties. This enables successful estimation of the seafloor properties, consistent with in situ acoustic core measurements, even when the water column is dynamical and mostly unknown. A quantitative analysis is performed to (1) compare results with previous modal TF trans-D studies for one mud pond but under different oceanographic condition, and (2) inter-compare the new SBCEX22 results for the three mud ponds. Overall, the estimated mud geoacoustic properties show no significant temporal variability. Further, no significant spatial variability is found between two of the mud ponds while the estimated geoacoustic properties of the third are different. Two hypotheses, considered to be equally likely, are explored to explain this apparent spatial variability: it may be the result of actual differences in the mud properties, or the mud properties may be similar but the inversion results are driven by difference in data information content.

Role of Guideline Directed Medical Therapy Doses and Optimization in Patients Hospitalized With Decompensated Systolic Heart Failure.

Despite significant advances in evidence-based treatments for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the use of guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) at recommended doses remains suboptimal. We examine the usage and modification of inpatient GDMT and its effect on outcomes in patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute on chronic HFrEF between 2013 and 2018. Overall use and modification of GDMT, which included heart failure appropriate beta-blockers (BB), renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) and aldosterone blockers (MRA) during the hospitalization were collected. Target dosages were based on guideline recommendations. Primary endpoints included 30-day hospitalization-free survival and 1-year survival. Among 1,655 patients, discharge use of BB, RASi, and MRA was 73.4%, 55.9% and 13.8%, respectively. Upon discharge, ≥50% target dose of BB, RASi, and MRA was used in 25.3%, 15.6%, and 13.7%, respectively. In multivariable analyses, there was a statistically significant improvement in 1-year survival and 30-day hospitalization-free survival in patients discharged on increasing number of medication classes optimized at ≥50% target dose (per extra medication, HR 0.74, 0.64-0.86, p <0.001, and HR 0.73, 0.62-0.86, p = 0.0002), respectively. Initiation and/or uptitration of BB and RASi was associated with improved 30-day hospitalization-free survival and 1-year survival, (HR 0.73 (0.57-0.92), p = 0.0087; HR 0.62 (0.46-0.82), p <0.001) for BB and (HR 0.77 (0.62-0.95), p <0.001; HR 0.62 (0.48-0.80), p <0.001) for RASi, respectively. In conclusion, inpatient optimization of GDMT in acute HFrEF is feasible and associated with improved 30-day hospitalization-free survival and 1-year survival.

Video Education to Promote Skin Cancer Awareness and Identification in Spanish-speaking Patients.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the efficacy of a Spanish-language educational video in teaching primary Spanish speaking patients to recognize benign and malignant lesions and to increase their awareness about skin cancer. Materials and Methods: Thirty-seven subjects were enrolled in study. An instructional video was developed to increase knowledge of benign and malignant lesions, skin cancer awareness, and prevention among Spanish-speaking patients. Two examples each of six common skin lesions (e.g., malignant melanoma, cherry angioma, seborrheic keratosis, benign melanocytic nevus, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma) were presented as high-quality images to the participants before and after watching the two-minute educational video. A pre- and postvideo survey was used to assess competency. Results: The prevideo baseline median score was six points (interquartile range [IQR]: 5-6 points); postviewing median score improved to 11 points (IQR: 11-12 points), which was statistically significant (Median=5 points, IQR: 4-6 points; p<.001). The ability of the participants to identify nonmelanoma skin cancers improved from 74 percent to 98 percent and from 35 percent to 99 percent for squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Initially, only 30 percent of participants could identify melanoma prior to viewing the video. Afterwards, 97 percent of participants could identify this malignancy. However, the video format preferences were not statistically significant: 67.6 percent of the participants preferred the video format. Conclusion: These results suggest that this educational video is an effective and valuable method to enhance knowledge about skin health and improve identification of skin cancer among Spanish-speaking patients.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor subtype 2 signaling in endothelial senescence-associated functional impairments and inflammation.

Endothelial inflammation is an important risk factor in the initiation and development of vascular disease. Therefore, signaling cascades and patho-physiological outcomes of endothelial inflammation are important questions in vascular biology. Recent studies suggest that sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor subtype 2 (S1PR2) signaling in endothelial cells (ECs) play a critical role in endothelial inflammation. For example, ECs present in atherosclerotic plaques exhibit senescence phenotype. Levels of S1PR2 are markedly increased in cultured senescent ECs and in lesion regions of atherosclerotic endothelium. Also, inflammatory cytokines and mechanical flow stress profoundly increase S1PR2 levels in ECs. Inhibition of endothelial S1PR2 signaling diminishes endothelial senescence-associated functional impairments and atherogenic stimuli-induced endothelial activation. In contrast, activation of endothelial S1PR2 stimulates the production of pro-inflammatory chemokines/cytokines and lipid mediators in ECs. In this article, we will review signaling and functions of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptors in endothelial biology, with particular focus on endothelial S1PR2 signaling-mediated endothelial inflammation.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de las cardiopatías congénitas: resultados de 213 procedimientos consecutivos / Surgical treatment of congenital Heart Disease: results from 213 consecutive procedures

Dado el progreso del tratamiento quirúrgico de las cardiopatías congénitas, y el predominio de las cirugíascorrectivas con respecto a las paliativas, hemos querido evaluar los resultados quirúrgicos, en forma individualy comparativa, de 213 procedimientos quirúrgicos por cardiopatía congénita realizados en un único centro denuestro país.Material y métodos: se revisaron retrospectivamente los registros médicos y quirúrgicos de la base de datosdel Centro Cardiológico Americano, identificándose 213 cirugías cardíacas consecutivas por cardiopatíacongénita en un período de 39 meses (desde enero de 2003 hasta marzo de 2006). Se analizó la morbimortalidadal alta, comparándose con la literatura internacional.Resultados: la mortalidad al alta fue de 7% y el porcentaje de complicaciones de 16%, 87,8% de losprocedimientos fueron correctivos.Conclusiones: la mortalidad total al alta se encuentra dentro de los límites referidos en muchos de los estudiospublicados. Hay una marcada tendencia en favorecer las cirugías correctivas. La mayor mortalidad la posee elgrupo de pacientes recién nacidos con cardiopatías complejas.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de las cardiopatías congénitas: resultados de 213 procedimientos consecutivos / Surgical treatment of congenital heart disease: results of 213 procedures

Dado el progreso del tratamiento quirúrgico de las cardiopatías congénitas, y el predominio de las cirugías correctivas con respecto a las paliativas, hemos querido evaluar los resultados quirúrgicos, en forma individual y comparativa, de 213 procedimientos quirúrgicos por cardiopatía congénita realizados en un único centro de nuestro país. Material y métodos: se revisaron retrospectivamente los registros médicos y quirúrgicos de la base de datos del Centro Cardiológico Americano, identificándose 213 cirugías cardíacas consecutivas por cardiopatía congénita en un período de 39 meses (desde enero de 2003 hasta marzo de 2006). Se analizó la morbimortalidad al alta, comparándose con la literatura internacional. Resultados: la mortalidad al alta fue de 7% y el porcentaje de complicaciones de 16%, 87,8% de los procedimientos fueron correctivos.Conclusiones: la mortalidad total al alta se encuentra dentro de los límites referidos en muchos de los estudios publicados. Hay una marcada tendencia en favorecer las cirugías correctivas. La mayor mortalidad la posee el grupo de pacientes recién nacidos con cardiopatías complejas.

Because of the dramatical improvements in the surgical treatment of congenital heart disease and the increasing number of corrective surgeries over palliation, we decided to evaluate and compare the surgical results of 213 procedures performed in a single center of our country. Material and methods: we reviewed retrospectively the medical and surgical records from the database of the Cardiological American Center. We enrolled 213 consecutive cardiac surgery procedures for congenital heart disease during a 39 month -period (January 2003-March 2006) and analyzed the morbidity and mortality at hospital discharge, comparing the results with previous data published.Results: mortality rate and complications at hospital discharge were 7% and 16% respectively. 87,8% were corrective surgical procedures.Conclusions: the mortality rate coincides with most of the published series. There is a great tendency towards the corrective surgical procedures. The highest mortality rate was in the neonates group with complex cardiac malformations.

Reemplazo total de la raíz aórtica en un niño portador de un aneurisma de aorta ascente / Total replacement of aortic root in a child carrying an aneurysm of ascending aorta

La dilación aneurismática de la aorta ascente es una entidad infrecuente en pacientes pediátricos, sobre todo en ausencia del síndrome de Marfan. Reportamos el caso de una niña de 6 años, sin signos externos de Marfan, que requirió en urgencia el reemplazo total de la raíz aórtica mediante un tuvo valvulado como consecuencia de una aneurisma de aorta ascendente, con signos clínicos de prerruptura.

Uso profiláctico de la milrinona en el postoperatorio inmediato de la cirugía correctiva de la transposición de grandes arterias / Prophylactic use of milrinone in immediate postoperatory of surgical correction for transposition of the great arteries

Objetivo: en las primeras horas del postoperatorio de la corrección quirúrgica de la transposición de grandes arterias, suele aparecer una caída del gasto cardíaco. Con el fin de disminuir su impacto en un grupo de neonatos con extrema labilidad hemodinámica, presentamos nuestra experiencia clínica preliminar con el empleo profiláctico de milrinona. Material y métodos: seis neonatos consecutivos portadores de transposición de grandes arterias y sometidos a corrección quirúrgica recibieron, antes de la separación de la circulación extracorpórea, una infusión intravenosa a dosis media (0,54 µg/kg/min) sin previa realización de dosis carga. Se analizaron la mortalidad intrahospitalaria, la presencia de signos clínicos y hemodinámicos de bajo gasto cardíaco y la aparición de efectos adversos ligados a la milrinona. Resultados: no hubo mortalidad, ni presencia de síndrome de bajo gasto cardíaco, así como tampoco detectamos efectos colaterales debido al fármaco en estudio. Conclusiones: la milrinona, utilizada de acuerdo a nuestro protocolo, se reveló eficaz y confiable para evitar la caída del gasto cardíaco en 6 neonatos consecutivos sometidos a la cirugía correctiva de la transposición de grandes arterias.

Transplante cardíaco en pediatría: a propósito del primer caso en Uruguay / Heart transplantation in children: apropos of the first case in Uruguay

En diciembre de 1996, el Instituto de Cardiología Infantil realizó el primer trasplante cardíaco exitoso en Uruguay. Un paciente de sexo masculino de 14 años, multioperado, con insuficiencia cardíaca terminal, fue sometido a trasplante cardíaco ortotópico. Se utilizó la técnica de anastomosis bicaval. El resultado fue muy satisfactorio y a los 18 meses del procedimiento el paciente se encuentra asintomático, realizando vida normal, con medicación monofármaco (ciclosporina), biopsia sin elementos de rechazo y cateterismo cardíaco normal. Se discuten las indicaciones y limitaciones de la técnica. Se concluye que el trasplante cardíaco constituye una opción terapéutica válida en nuestro país, para un grupo creciente de pacientes