Experimental Models of Brugada syndrome

Brugada syndrome is an inherited, rare cardiac arrhythmogenic disease, associated with sudden cardiac death. It accounts for up to 20% of sudden deaths in patients without structural cardiac abnormalities. The majority of mutations involve the cardiac sodium channel gene SCN5A and give rise to classical abnormal electrocardiogram with ST segment elevation in the right precordial leads V1 to V3 and a predisposition to ventricular fibrillation. The pathophysiological mechanisms of Brugada syndrome have been investigated using model systems including transgenic mice, canine heart preparations, and expression systems to study different SCN5A mutations. These models have a number of limitations. The recent development of pluripotent stem cell technology creates an opportunity to study cardiomyocytes derived from patients and healthy individuals. To date, only a few studies have been done using Brugada syndrome patient-specific iPS-CM, which have provided novel insights into the mechanisms and pathophysiology of Brugada syndrome. This review provides an evaluation of the strengths and limitations of each of these model systems and summarizes the key mechanisms that have been identified to date.</jats:p

The influence of the oral microbiome on general health

Background The oral microbiome hosts a large number of microorganisms that play a critical role in oral and general health. Many factors can cause dysbiosis of the otherwise beneficial interrelationship between host and microbiome. Understanding and identifying microbial shifts and keystone pathogens that correlate with general diseases of the body holds many opportunities. Objective The aim of this literature review is to present scientific evidence about disease-associated microbial shifts in the oral cavity, the effect on oral and general health and give the reader insights into alternative, new treatment approaches. This review is also intended to inspire practitioners to consider a more holistic care approach. Data sources A search was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect. The general key terms used were: “Oral microbiome AND health”, “Oral microbiome AND general disease”. Disease-specific searches were performed. Articles found by cross-referencing were included. Study selection Original studies and meta-analyses were included. Articles published in 2012 or later were preferentially considered. Reviews were included if deemed valuable and labelled in the text. Articles not written in English were excluded. Data extraction The reviewer assessed each article for their relevance and methodology. Results were evaluated according to their sample size and whether or not the same result was replicated in different studies. Data synthesis Individual etiological factors correlate with several, seemingly unrelated diseases. This article directs the reader towards understanding the more unusual interconnections and utilizing multidisciplinary treatment approaches, that are aimed at reestablishing an overall balance within the oral microbiome.</jats:p

5. Commission des Analyses de Travaux et de Bibliographie

Dans la note qu’il a rédigée en vue de ce rapport, M. J. Mascart rappelle les résolutions prises à la réunion de Leyde en 1928 (Trans, of the I.A.U. 3, 1928, p. 300). Il signale qu’il a mis au point toutes les abréviations; pour les sources allemandes il est d’accord avec MM. Kopff et Neugebauer, ce résultat est d’autant plus important qu’en Allemagne il existe, pour les abréviations, une entente entre astronomes et physiciens. Mais il faudrait publier les abréviations et ensuite que les auteurs s’y conforment. En ce qui concerne les résolutions de Leyde, M. Mascart rappelle que (résolution 3) l’Union a conseillé aux auteurs de fournir eux-mêmes un bref résumé de leur travail, cet usage s’est développé mais n’est pas encore assez général.</jats:p

5. Commission des Analyses de Travaux et de Bibliographie

M. Mascari a adressé, en vue des assemblées de Leyde (1928) et de Cambridge (Mass.) en 1932, un long rapport contenant les abréviations méthodiques (Transactions of the I. U.A . 3, pp. 19-39 et 4, pp. 21-2). M. Mascari a eu le regret de constater que beaucoup trop souvent, les auteurs ne font pas le plus léger effort pour lutter contre leurs habitudes et se soumettre à une discipline étroite.M. Grouiller suggère que l’Union publie une liste des abréviations concernant les publications astronomiques proprement dites; quant à celles qui ne renferment que très occasionnellement de l’astronomie, on pourrait toujours rétablir les abréviations en se servant des listes d’abréviations générales déjà publiées par l’Union transactions of the I.U.A. 3, pp. 34-7). En ce qui concerne la bibliographie mensuelle, dirigée actuellement par M. le Comte de la Baume-Pluvinel, M. Grouiller est d’avis que la Commission adopte une motion d’approbation telle que la suivante: “La Commission a appris avec satisfaction la réunion en un seul organe des publications bibliographiques assurées par la Société astronomique de France et l’Association française d’observateurs d’étoiles variables. Elle recommande la continuation de cette publication contrôlée par une commission spéciale représentant ces deux Sociétés.”</jats:p

5. Commission des Analyses de Travaux et de Bibliographie

At the Paris congress in 1935, Messrs Dittrich, Brasch and Pogo had proposed that Commission 5 should undertake the publication of classical works of astronomy (such as Ptolemy’s Almagest, the works of Copernicus, etc.) which were untranslated or for other reasons difficult of access. The commission decided to form a sub-commission, consisting of Mr Stroobant and the gentlemen named above, to study this question, especially the means for its realization. Mr Stroobant had announced his desire to take this work in hand personally. Prof. Stroobant, however, having deceased in July 1936, and his health having been deficient during several months in advance, the sub-commission has not been able to continue its work. This is a question that ought to be taken up at the Stockholm meeting.</jats:p

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium report, data summary of 50 countries for 2010-2015: Device-associated module

•We report INICC device-associated module data of 50 countries from 2010-2015.•We collected prospective data from 861,284 patients in 703 ICUs for 3,506,562 days.•DA-HAI rates and bacterial resistance were higher in the INICC ICUs than in CDC-NHSN's.•Device utilization ratio in the INICC ICUs was similar to CDC-NHSN's. Background: We report the results of International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) surveillance study from January 2010-December 2015 in 703 intensive care units (ICUs) in Latin America, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific. Methods: During the 6-year study period, using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC-NHSN) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infection (DA-HAI), we collected prospective data from 861,284 patients hospitalized in INICC hospital ICUs for an aggregate of 3,506,562 days. Results: Although device use in INICC ICUs was similar to that reported from CDC-NHSN ICUs, DA-HAI rates were higher in the INICC ICUs: in the INICC medical-surgical ICUs, the pooled rate of central line-associated bloodstream infection, 4.1 per 1,000 central line-days, was nearly 5-fold higher than the 0.8 per 1,000 central line-days reported from comparable US ICUs, the overall rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia was also higher, 13.1 versus 0.9 per 1,000 ventilator-days, as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection, 5.07 versus 1.7 per 1,000 catheter-days. From blood cultures samples, frequencies of resistance of Pseudomonas isolates to amikacin (29.87% vs 10%) and to imipenem (44.3% vs 26.1%), and of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to ceftazidime (73.2% vs 28.8%) and to imipenem (43.27% vs 12.8%) were also higher in the INICC ICUs compared with CDC-NHSN ICUs. Conclusions: Although DA-HAIs in INICC ICU patients continue to be higher than the rates reported in CDC-NSHN ICUs representing the developed world, we have observed a significant trend toward the reduction of DA-HAI rates in INICC ICUs as shown in each international report. It is INICC's main goal to continue facilitating education, training, and basic and cost-effective tools and resources, such as standardized forms and an online platform, to tackle this problem effectively and systematically