Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: A Case Series of 9 Patients With Literature Review.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is an increasingly recognized nonatherosclerotic cause of acute coronary syndrome. Reports regarding the prognosis and natural history of this disease are limited. In addition to the diagnostic difficulty, this condition poses a significant therapeutic challenge due to the lack of specific management guidelines. We present here a case series of 9 patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Additionally, this article reviews the incidence, clinical characteristics, risk factors, diagnostic modalities, therapeutic approaches, and patterns of recurrence in patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Hepatocellular carcinoma with extrahepatic blood supply from right renal artery

Extrahepatic blood supply is seen in around 17-27% of hepatocellular carcinoma lesions. Evidence suggests that this extrahepatic supply most commonly originates from a right intercostal artery (70-83%) followed by left intercostal, omental and right renal arteries. Thus a comprehensive knowledge of variations in standard vascular anatomy and cognisance of factors influencing or predicting extrahepatic blood supply in HCC is instrumental in ensuring the success of surgical and interventional procedures. We present the unusual case of a 66-year-old male with HCC in Segment I of the liver with aberrant blood supply from the right renal artery in the absence of any risk factors for extrahepatic circulation. He successfully underwent transarterial chemoembolization. There was no evidence of residual disease on repeat imaging

Basic science232. Certolizumab pegol prevents pro-inflammatory alterations in endothelial cell function

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a major comorbidity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a leading cause of death. Chronic systemic inflammation involving tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF) could contribute to endothelial activation and atherogenesis. A number of anti-TNF therapies are in current use for the treatment of RA, including certolizumab pegol (CZP), (Cimzia ®; UCB, Belgium). Anti-TNF therapy has been associated with reduced clinical cardiovascular disease risk and ameliorated vascular function in RA patients. However, the specific effects of TNF inhibitors on endothelial cell function are largely unknown. Our aim was to investigate the mechanisms underpinning CZP effects on TNF-activated human endothelial cells. Methods: Human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs) were cultured in vitro and exposed to a) TNF alone, b) TNF plus CZP, or c) neither agent. Microarray analysis was used to examine the transcriptional profile of cells treated for 6 hrs and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysed gene expression at 1, 3, 6 and 24 hrs. NF-κB localization and IκB degradation were investigated using immunocytochemistry, high content analysis and western blotting. Flow cytometry was conducted to detect microparticle release from HAoECs. Results: Transcriptional profiling revealed that while TNF alone had strong effects on endothelial gene expression, TNF and CZP in combination produced a global gene expression pattern similar to untreated control. The two most highly up-regulated genes in response to TNF treatment were adhesion molecules E-selectin and VCAM-1 (q 0.2 compared to control; p > 0.05 compared to TNF alone). The NF-κB pathway was confirmed as a downstream target of TNF-induced HAoEC activation, via nuclear translocation of NF-κB and degradation of IκB, effects which were abolished by treatment with CZP. In addition, flow cytometry detected an increased production of endothelial microparticles in TNF-activated HAoECs, which was prevented by treatment with CZP. Conclusions: We have found at a cellular level that a clinically available TNF inhibitor, CZP reduces the expression of adhesion molecule expression, and prevents TNF-induced activation of the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, CZP prevents the production of microparticles by activated endothelial cells. This could be central to the prevention of inflammatory environments underlying these conditions and measurement of microparticles has potential as a novel prognostic marker for future cardiovascular events in this patient group. Disclosure statement: Y.A. received a research grant from UCB. I.B. received a research grant from UCB. S.H. received a research grant from UCB. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interes

Effects of fluoxetine on functional outcomes after acute stroke (FOCUS): a pragmatic, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial

Background Results of small trials indicate that fluoxetine might improve functional outcomes after stroke. The FOCUS trial aimed to provide a precise estimate of these effects. Methods FOCUS was a pragmatic, multicentre, parallel group, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial done at 103 hospitals in the UK. Patients were eligible if they were aged 18 years or older, had a clinical stroke diagnosis, were enrolled and randomly assigned between 2 days and 15 days after onset, and had focal neurological deficits. Patients were randomly allocated fluoxetine 20 mg or matching placebo orally once daily for 6 months via a web-based system by use of a minimisation algorithm. The primary outcome was functional status, measured with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), at 6 months. Patients, carers, health-care staff, and the trial team were masked to treatment allocation. Functional status was assessed at 6 months and 12 months after randomisation. Patients were analysed according to their treatment allocation. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN83290762. Findings Between Sept 10, 2012, and March 31, 2017, 3127 patients were recruited. 1564 patients were allocated fluoxetine and 1563 allocated placebo. mRS data at 6 months were available for 1553 (99·3%) patients in each treatment group. The distribution across mRS categories at 6 months was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (common odds ratio adjusted for minimisation variables 0·951 [95% CI 0·839–1·079]; p=0·439). Patients allocated fluoxetine were less likely than those allocated placebo to develop new depression by 6 months (210 [13·43%] patients vs 269 [17·21%]; difference 3·78% [95% CI 1·26–6·30]; p=0·0033), but they had more bone fractures (45 [2·88%] vs 23 [1·47%]; difference 1·41% [95% CI 0·38–2·43]; p=0·0070). There were no significant differences in any other event at 6 or 12 months. Interpretation Fluoxetine 20 mg given daily for 6 months after acute stroke does not seem to improve functional outcomes. Although the treatment reduced the occurrence of depression, it increased the frequency of bone fractures. These results do not support the routine use of fluoxetine either for the prevention of post-stroke depression or to promote recovery of function. Funding UK Stroke Association and NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme

Corporate Governance and Corporate Financial Failures: Evidence From Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX): Syed Asim Shah, Hassan Raza, Aijaz Mustafa Hashmi

The purpose of this study is to look into the impact of corporate governance on corporate business failure among Pakistan's publicly traded companies. The study utilized the publicly available corporate governance characteristics data representing explanatory variables along with the three-year negative position in earning per share for the determinant of the business success and failure representing an explained variable. Paired sampling based on 55 successful companies and 55 business failed companies has been used and empirically tested through logistic regression for the period 2010 to 2020. The results reveal that corporate governance mechanisms based on CEO duality and outsider ownership significantly explain the likeliness of business failures of firms. The designed study provides more likeliness of the business failures for the presence of the firms which have the evidence of larger board size and CEO duality. The business failed firms also lack board independence and become a more dispensable activity in the context of agency and stewardship theory. The results of the study support the recent modifications on account of renowned corporate failures to strengthen the adequacy of corporate boards, and their neglected committees. This research lessens the possibility of corporate failures and highlights the proposal of policymakers to enhance board and committee effectiveness. The earlier studies skip the incorporation of a categorical variable to project the corporate failures through logit modelling. This study is the first in its contextual settings to predict financial failures by logit modelling across various industrial sectors that insinuates corporate decision-makers to avoid practices exposing firms to failures

Implementation Of Pakistan-Us Defense Diplomacy For Capacity Building Of Pakistan Air Force To Undertake Counter-Terrorism Operations (2004-2017)

Pakistan and the US diplomatic relations have always been based on the common national interests of both countries and are defense and security-oriented. Despite many ups and downs convergence of interests in the region has always resulted in them becoming strategic partners. The 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, resulted in a major shift in the US foreign policy towards Pakistan. Pakistan became a partner in Global War on Terror (GWOT) and extended full help and support. This study aims to analyze the background of Defense cooperation between the US and Pakistan and the consequences leading to the capacity building of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) by the US to conduct Counter Terrorism Operations. The researcher used the National Interest Theory, with the concept of International Relations, Foreign Policy, and Defense Diplomacy. A Quasi-qualitative method was used with a case study approach to analyze the research topic. The results obtained show that Defense Diplomacy was implemented in various forms starting from the top leadership of both states, visits of top officials, Ministerial Level Strategic Dialogues, establishing offices, Defense wings, and Defense and Air Attaché’s roles.  Confidence-building measures were also in place through various actions, mainly taken by Pakistan. Air Force. Because of the Defense Diplomacy implemented between Pakistan and the US. PAF received state-of-the-art F-16 Fighter Aircraft and associated weapons and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capabilities. This enabled PAF to undertake counter-terrorism operations in support of the Pakistan Army as per the state’s interest in a more efficient manner. These operations resulted in curtailing terrorism in Pakistan and recovering the affected areas

Reducing post-operative length of stay, is it worth the effort?

Background: Studies show that reducing the length of hospital stay (LOS) for surgical patients leads to cost savings. We hypothesize that LOS has a nonlinear relationship to cost of care and reduction may not have a meaningful impact on it. We have attempted to define the relationship of LOS to cost of care. We utilized the itemized bill, generated in real time, for hospital services.Materials: Adult patients admitted under General, Neuro, and Orthopedic surgery over a 3-month period, with an LOS between 4 and 14 days, were the study population. Itemized bill details were analyzed. Charges in Pakistani rupees were converted to US dollar. Ethical exemption for study was obtained.Results: Of the 853 patients, 38% were admitted to General Surgery, 27% to Neurosurgery, and 35% to Orthopedics. A total of 64% of the patients had an LOS between 4 and 6 days; 36% had an LOS between 7 and 14 days. Operated and conservatively managed constituted 82% and 18%, respectively. Mean total charge for operated patients was higher $3387 versus$1347 for non-operated ones. LOS was seen to have a nonlinear relationship to in-hospital cost of care. The bulk of cost was centered on the day of surgery. This was consistent across all services. The last day of stay contributed 2.4%-3.2% of total charge.Conclusions: For surgical patients, the cost implications rapidly taper in the postoperative period. The contribution of the last day of stay cost to total cost is small. For meaningful cost containment, focus needs to be on the immediate perioperative period