Sex‐related difference in the use of percutaneous left ventricular assist device in patients undergoing complex high‐risk percutaneous coronary intervention: Insight from the cVAD registry

ObjectiveTo assess the in‐hospital and short‐term outcome differences between males and females who underwent high‐risk PCI with mechanical circulatory support (MCS).BackgroundSex differences have been noted in several percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) series with females less likely to be referred for PCI due increased risk of adverse events. However, data on sex differences in utilization and outcomes of high‐risk PCI with MCS is scarce.MethodsUsing the cVAD Registry, we identified 1,053 high‐risk patients who underwent PCI with MCS using Impella 2.5 or Impella CP. Patients with cardiogenic shock were excluded. A total of 792 (75.21%) males and 261 (24.79%) females were included in the analysis with median follow‐up of 81.5 days.ResultsFemales were more likely to be African American, older (72.05 ± 11.66 vs. 68.87 ± 11.17, p < .001), have a higher prevalence of diabetes (59.30 vs. 49.04%, p = .005), renal insufficiency (35.41 vs. 27.39%, p = .018), and peripheral vascular disease (31.89 vs. 25.39%, p of .05). Women had a higher mean STS score (8.21 ± 8.21 vs. 5.04 ± 5.97, p < .001) and lower cardiac output on presentation (3.64 ± 1.30 vs. 4.63 ± 1.49, p < .001). Although women had more comorbidities, there was no difference in in‐hospital mortality, stroke, MI or need for recurrent revascularization compared to males. Females were more likely to have multivessel revascularization than males. Ejection fraction improved in both males and females at the time of discharge (26.59 to 31.40% and 30.75 to 36.05%, respectively, p < .0001). However, females had higher rate of bleeding requiring transfusion compared with males (9.58 vs. 5.30%, p = .019).ConclusionFemale patients undergoing high PCI were older and had more comorbidities but had similar outcomes compared to males.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/162726/2/ccd28509_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/162726/1/ccd28509.pd

Enhanced melioidosis surveillance in patients attending four tertiary hospitals in Yangon, Myanmar.

Abstract To investigate the current epidemiology of melioidosis in Yangon, Myanmar, between June 2017 and May 2019 we conducted enhanced surveillance for melioidosis in four tertiary hospitals in Yangon, where the disease was first discovered in 1911. Oxidase-positive Gram-negative rods were obtained from the microbiology laboratories and further analysed at the Department of Medical Research. Analysis included culture on Ashdown agar, the three disc sensitivity test (gentamicin, colistin and co-amoxiclav), latex agglutination, API 20 NE, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and a subset underwent molecular confirmation with a Burkholderia pseudomallei specific assay. Twenty one of 364 isolates (5.7%) were confirmed as B. pseudomallei and were mostly susceptible to the antibiotics used in standard therapy for melioidosis. Ten patients were from Yangon Region, nine were from Ayeyarwaddy region, and one each was from Kayin and Rakhine States. A history of soil contact was given by seven patients, five had diabetes mellitus and one had renal insufficiency. The patients presented with septicaemia (12 cases), pneumonia (three cases), urinary tract infection (two cases) and wound infection (four cases). Eighteen patients survived to hospital discharge. This study highlights the likelihood that melioidosis may be far more common, but underdiagnosed, in more rural parts of Myanmar as in other countries in SE Asia.</jats:p

Sustainable Microfinance Performance: Improving Socioeconomic Status and Social Capital Leading to Rural Development in Myanmar

This study aims to explain how microfinance performances contribute the socioeconomic and social capital improvement in Myanmar rural society. Ayartaw township and Bogale township representing the dry zone and Ayeyarwady delta were selected as the study areas. Each eighty sample respondents from Myanma Agricultural Development Bank (MADB) and Private Agency Collaborating Together (PACT) were selected by purposive sampling for three villages in Ayartaw township. The same sampling procedure was conducted for five villages in Bogale township. Socioeconomic and social capital improvement of the clients was examined by using descriptive analysis. It was found that disbursing of MADB and PACT loans was respectively for agriculture and income generating activities, loans were also allocated in subsistence living requirements, education expenses and debt payment in the study areas. MADB and PACT loans help the clients respectively their works to some extent as well as their subsistence living requirements as a relief program. Both MADB and PACT clients described their satisfaction on the performances of MADB and PACT such as disbursed loan amount, interest rate and disbursing process. Suggestions on MADB are the current loan amount should cover the actual rice crop production cost and disburse for all cultivating rice areas. PACT’s schedule for collection of interest and loan should be convenient for the clients

Probiotic Lactobacillus species Inhibitory Effect on The Growth of Oral Streptococci

Oral and dental infections are among the most prevalent infections of man. All people suffer from dental caries at some phase oftheir life span. The mouth is indeed an important source of infections and poor oral health affects a variety of systemic diseases.The aim of this research is to isolate, identify acid-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from fermented fruits juice and followedby the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the isolated bacterial strains Lactobacillus Plantarum S1, Leuconostoc mesenteroides (SCand PP) and Burkholderia cenocepia NP were compared with reference strain sequences. Oral Streptococci were important inthe etiology of dental caries. We targeted for isolation and biochemical identification of oral bacteria (isolates grown in SMABagar) and screened antibacterial activity (agar well diffusion assay) of Lactobacillus species against oral Streptococci. Two Lactobacillus isolates (S1 and PP) were observed to behave a good antagonistic activity against oral Streptococcus strain withdifferences in the size of inhibition zone (mm). The zone diameter of NP broth against Streptococcus sp. was 10 mm. Oral Streptococci was not inhibited by SC broth. In this study, Leuconostoc mesenteroides (PP) showed the highest inhibition zone(13 mm) against oral Streptococci