Preliminary Analysis of ULPC Light Curves Using Fourier Decomposition Technique

Recent work on Ultra Long Period Cepheids (ULPCs) has suggested their usefulness as a distance indicator, but has not commented on their relationship as compared with other types of variable stars. In this work, we use Fourier analysis to quantify the structure of ULPC light curves and compare them to Classical Cepheids and Mira variables. Our preliminary results suggest that the low order Fourier parameters of ULPCs show a continuous trend defined by Classical Cepheids after the resonance around 10 days. However their Fourier parameters also overlapped with those from Miras, which make the classification of long period variable stars difficult based on the light curves information alone.Comment: 6 pages, 3 tables and 4 figures. Published in IEEE Xplore for 2013 IEEE International Conference on Space Science and Communication (IconSpace2013

A Review of Transcatheter Ablation for the Treatment of AVNRT in Children

Background: Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is an arrhythmia due to re-entrant rhythm within the region of the atrioventricular (AV) node, which accounts for most supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) cases in children. There are two main pathways involved for the re-entrant rhythm, slow and fast pathways, with different anatomic locations and involvement in the circuit associated with AVNRT. AVNRT is rare in newborns, but an increase of prevalence throughout childhood was previously reported.Study Objective/Purpose: Currently, Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is the primary method for the treatment of AVNRT in pediatrics. However, multiple modalities with varying efficacies can also be utilized. In this study, we attempt to review indications and complications of the gold-standard use of RF compared to newer modalities for the ablation treatment of AVNRT in the pediatric population. Results/Discussion: Currently there are two transcatheter ablations methods widely applied as AVNRT treatment: RF ablation and Cryoablation (Cryo). Indications for these methods vary with blood flow in the target area, duration of procedure, and risk of recurrence of AVNRT. Both methods have success rates \u3e90% in AVNRT children, with a 3% complication rate. AV block is the most common complication of RF ablation cases, while Cryo, being a newer technology, requires further investigation. Factors that complicate ablation in AVNRT include anatomical and electrophysiological variations between individuals. Fluoroscopic visualization and 3D-voltage mapping of pathways can provide markers for catheter ablation in AVNRT cases to expedite ablation success and enhance safety. Other predictors of success include: reduced fluoroscopy time, lower patient weight, the ability to induce junctional rhythm in the patient during the procedure, and the utilization of image-based guidance and ice-mapping during the ablation. Conclusion: Radiofrequency catheter ablation remains the highly successful gold standard for the treatment of AVNRT in children, with low complication rates. Cryoablation and other advanced techniques are emerging as new methods tailored to the accessory pathways and more sophisticated structural variations underlying AVNRT in children

Feasibility Study to Assess Medical Student Visits to Developmentally Disabled Adults

Introduction The Probate Court of Kalamazoo appoints guardians to minors removed from the custody of their parents and to legally incapacitated or disabled adults. The state mandates that any child under age six placed into a guardianship be visited at least once a year to ensure proper care of the child, but there is no such mandate for the approximately 300 developmentally disabled (DD) adults under the care of the Probate Court. The purpose of this ongoing study is to determine the feasibility of annual visits to DD individuals conducted by volunteer medical students. Methods In this feasibility study, the parameters which involve medical students include the number of visits conducted to DD adults, time spent reviewing cases, travel time to and from the visitation site, time spent conducting the visit and completing the required court paperwork, and safety. For the Probate Court Staff we assessed the time spent training students, and preparation time prior to and after visitation. Results We collected data over 17 months, visiting DD wards on six separate occasions, totaling 32 DD adults in 12 homes. On average, we spent 38.4 minutes per location. Over the six occasions, we spent a total of 7.7 hours traveling, 6.1 hours preparing, 6.9 hours visiting wards, and 21 minutes finalizing reports, for a total of 21 hours to complete 32 visits. The average safety rating for these visits was 9.3/10, with a minimum safety of 7/10. Despite the short study, our results indicate that this is a feasible and worthwhile program. We were able to conduct 32 DD visits, which would not have been conducted without our participation. While the court needed 73.3 hours to prepare and review the cases, we saved the Probate Court at least 21 hours of home visitation time. Safety was not a major concern for a large majority of the homes, in part because of the use of a buddy system. Conclusion We believe that continuing program would be a valuable contribution to Probate Court. We suggest that this project continues as a longitudinal, comprehensive study that will assess not only feasibility, but outcomes and benefits of using medical students in particular. In the future we anticipate that the amount of hours contributed by medical students will increase, as a significant portion of our time was spent designing the study and defining its parameters

Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy for Refractory Electrical Storm After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

We report a patient with refractory electrical storm after coronary artery bypass grafting who was successfully treated with thoracoscopic sympathectomy. Cardiac arrest with ventricular tachycardia occurred on postoperative day 2, and the patient required emergency support with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Frequent episodes of ventricular tachycardia prevented cardiac recovery and weaning from mechanical circulatory support. A percutaneous left stellate ganglion block initially demonstrated successful prevention of ventricular tachycardia, and definitive sympathetic denervation was achieved by a left thoracoscopic sympathectomy. The patient remained in normal sinus rhythm and gained recovery of baseline ventricular function, permitting successful decannulation and weaning of inotropic support

Intralesional interferon alpha-2b as a novel treatment for periocular squamous cell carcinoma in horses.

ObjectiveTo determine the safety and efficacy of perilesional human recombinant interferon alpha-2b (IFNα2b) for treatment of periocular squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) in horses.Animals studiedEleven horses (12 eyes) with PSCC were enrolled in this prospective clinical study with owner consent.ProceduresSystemically healthy horses were included in the study following confirmation of PSCC via biopsy. Every two weeks for a maximum of six treatments, horses were sedated and perilesional injection of IFNα2b (10 million IU) was performed. Tumors were measured prior to each injection and at one, three, and 12 months after treatment completion. A greater than 50% reduction in tumor size was considered positive response to treatment (i.e., partial or complete response). Development of anti-IFNα2b antibodies was assessed using serum samples obtained after treatment initiation and compared with treatment responses. Antibody concentrations were analyzed using a mixed model. Statistical significance was considered p ResultsEach horse received four to six perilesional injections of IFNα2b. Five of 12 eyes (4/11 horses) responded to treatment. Two of five eyes showed complete resolution of gross PSCC. No systemic adverse effects were seen. Local swelling occurred during treatment protocol in 6/11 horses but resolved without intervention. All horses developed serum anti-IFNα2b antibodies. There was no evidence of statistical difference in antibody concentration between responders and non-responders.ConclusionsPerilesional administration of IFNα2b was found to be well-tolerated in horses with PSCC, and induced tumor regression in 42% of treated eyes. Treatment failure appears unrelated to the development of IFNα2b antibodies

“If I knew I could get that every hour instead of alcohol, I would take the cannabis”: need and feasibility of cannabis substitution implementation in Canadian managed alcohol programs

Background While there is robust evidence for strategies to reduce harms of illicit drug use, less attention has been paid to alcohol harm reduction for people experiencing severe alcohol use disorder (AUD), homelessness, and street-based illicit drinking. Managed Alcohol Programs (MAPs) provide safer and regulated sources of alcohol and other supports within a harm reduction framework. To reduce the impacts of heavy long-term alcohol use among MAP participants, cannabis substitution has been identified as a potential therapeutic tool. Methods To determine the feasibility of cannabis substitution, we conducted a pre-implementation mixed-methods study utilizing structured surveys and open-ended interviews. Data were collected from MAP organizational leaders (n = 7), program participants (n = 19), staff and managers (n = 17) across 6 MAPs in Canada. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to inform and organize our analysis. Results Five themes describing feasibility of CSP implementation in MAPs were identified. The first theme describes the characteristics of potential CSP participants. Among MAP participants, 63% (n = 12) were already substituting cannabis for alcohol, most often on a weekly basis (n = 8, 42.1%), for alcohol cravings (n = 15, 78.9%,) and withdrawal (n = 10, 52.6%). Most MAP participants expressed willingness to participate in a CSP (n = 16, 84.2%). The second theme describes the characteristics of a feasible and preferred CSP model according to participants and staff. Participants preferred staff administration of dry, smoked cannabis, followed by edibles and capsules with replacement of some doses of alcohol through a partial substitution model. Themes three and four highlight organizational and contextual factors related to feasibility of implementing CSPs. MAP participants requested peer, social, and counselling supports. Staff requested education resources and enhanced clinical staffing. Critically, program staff and leaders identified that sustainable funding and inexpensive, legal, and reliable sourcing of cannabis are needed to support CSP implementation. Conclusion Cannabis substitution was considered feasible by all three groups and in some MAPs residents are already using cannabis. Partial substitution of cannabis for doses of alcohol was preferred. All three groups identified a need for additional supports for implementation including peer support, staff education, and counselling. Sourcing and funding cannabis were identified as primary challenges to successful CSP implementation in MAPs.Medicine, Faculty ofNon UBCPopulation and Public Health (SPPH), School ofReviewedFacultyResearche

In Vitro Fermentation Characteristics of Select Nondigestible Oligosaccharides by Infant Fecal Inocula

This study sought to determine the fermentation potential of human milk oligosaccharides by mixed cultures of fecal microbiota from breast-fed (BF; <i>n </i>= 4) and formula-fed (FF; <i>n </i>= 4) infants. Infant fecal inocula were incubated with galactooligosaccharide (GOS), gum arabic (GA), HP inulin (HP), 2′-fucosyllactose (2′FL), 6′-sialyllactose (6′SL), and lacto-<i>N</i>-neotetraose (LNnt). GOS, 2′FL, and LNnT had a lower pH than other substrates after 3 h (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Total short chain fatty acids were greater in FF compared to BF infants at 6 h (<i>P</i> = 0.03) and 12 h (<i>P</i> = 0.01). GOS, 2′FL, and LNnT led to more lactate than 6′SL, HP, and GA (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Bifidobacteria populations were greater (<i>P</i> = 0.02) in FF at 6 and 12 h. Overall, GOS, 2′FL, and LNnT were rapidly fermented by infant fecal inocula, 6′SL and HP had intermediate fermentability, while GA had little fermentation. Inocula from FF infants fermented substrates more rapidly than inocula from BF infants, which should be accounted for when evaluating substrate fermentability. These data will aid in future infant formulas to promote optimal gut health in FF infants