BACKGROUND: Primary prophylactic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy is indicated for patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). We aimed to determine if preoperative clinical risk profiling can predict long-term benefit, and if clinical risk scores can be applied and improved in a patient cohort outside the clinical trial setting.METHODS: Using registry data

Although cardiac resynchronization therapy improves morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and electrical dyssynchrony, the rate of nonresponders using standard indications and implant techniques is still high. Optimal coronary sinus lead positioning is important to increase the chance of successful resynchronization. Patient factors such as cause of heart failure,

BACKGROUND: Prolongation of the baseline ECG PR interval is frequently encountered among cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) recipients. There are conflicting data regarding the association of a prolonged PR interval with long-term clinical outcome in this patient group.OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes and response to CRT in patients with normal (

Wrinkle structures are microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) formed by cyanobacteria and are common in pre-Cambrian and Cambrian siltstones and sandstones but are otherwise rare in the Phanerozoic geological record. This paper reports the first discovery of Mesozoic wrinkle structures from Sweden. These are preserved in fine-grained and organic-rich heterolithic strata of the Lower Jur

Reliable reconstructions of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations (pCO2) are required at higher resolution than currently available to help resolve the relationship between mass extinctions and changes in palaeo-pCO2 levels. Such reconstructions are needed: 1, at a high temporal resolution for constraining the pre- and post-extinction atmospheres; and 2, at a sufficient spatial resolution to c

Background: Five workers from a plant manufacturing concrete wall panels and beams were referred to our department because of suspected occupational dermatitis. When patch tested, 3 workers reacted to potassium dichromate. Four workers reacted to ethylenediamine dihydrochloride, without any obvious exposure. Owing to the high proportion of workers with recent-onset skin disease, an investigation o

Neurotensin (NT) is a gut hormone functioning proinflammatory through nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and interleukin (IL)−8 secretion or anti-inflammatory through epidermal growth factor receptors. NT mRNA is down-regulated in duodenal biopsies of children with untreated coeliac disease. The aim of this study was to investigate if plasma pro-NT levels correlated with the degree of intestinal mucos

Liabilities of newness and smallness as well as other issues (e.g., “imprinting”) that affect nascent firms represent foundational entrepreneurship issues. The articles in this Special Issue examine if and how these critical issues have changed over time, especially given recent innovations (e.g., crowdfunding) and other trends in society. We believe that a special issue devoted to these topics is

beta-Haemolytic streptococci of groups C (GCS) and G (GGS) from human infections typically belong to Streptococcus dysgalactiae and are important human pathogens. Among GGS (183 isolates), several emm-types were identified without significant differences between different sites of isolation. For GCS (79 isolates), the type-distribution was markedly different and more restricted.

We study a two compartment, nonlinear, age structured model for the cell cycle. The phases of the cell cycle G1, S, G2 and M are grouped into two phases, which we call Phase 1 and Phase 2, where Phase 1 consists of the phase G1 and Phase 2 consists of the phases S, G2 and M. It is assumed that Phase 1 has a variable duration while the duration of Phase 2 is fixed. The model consists of a system of

The contributions of cortico-cerebellar and cortico-striatal circuits to timing and time perception have often been a point of contention. In this review we propose that the cerebellum principally functions to reduce variability, through the detection of stimulus onsets and the sub-division of longer durations, thus contributing to both sub-second and supra-second timing. This sensitivity of the c

Whilst life cycle assessment (LCA) boundaries are expanded to account for negative indirect consequences of bioenergy such as indirect land use change (ILUC), ecosystem services such as water purification sometimes delivered by perennial bioenergy crops are typically neglected in LCA studies. Consequential LCA was applied to evaluate the significance of nutrient interception and retention on the e

Background. Sampling of submucosal lesions in the gastrointestinal tract through a flexible endoscope is a well-recognized clinical problem. One technique often used is endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration, but it does not provide solid tissue biopsies with preserved architecture for histopathological evaluation. To obtain solid tissue biopsies from submucosal lesions, we have const

To reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and help mitigate climate change, urban water systems need to be adapted so that electrical energy use is minimised. In this study, energy data from 2011 was used to quantify energy use in China’s urban water supply sector. The objective was to calculate the energy co-benefits of urban water conservation policies and compare energy use between China and oth

This section contains reviews of two Swedish books on international taxation. First, the book Skatteavtal och generalklausuler, Ett komparativt perspektiv (TaxAgreements and General Anti-Avoidance Regulations, A Comparative Perspective) is recommended for those who study and work with international tax law. The book analyses how tax treaties function to limit contracting states’taxing powers relat

The aim of this study is to describe the environmental and climate changes that occurred in the mountains of Aubrac at the transition between the Lateglacial and the Holocene, from a comparative analysis of fossil Coleoptera and pollen, and a series of 23 14C dates. The changes affecting the ecological categories of Coleoptera lead to a division of the sequence into 5 beetle assemblage zones (BAZ)