AIM Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) findings of positive remodeling (index ＞1.1) and low-attenuation plaque (＜30 Hounsfield units) are recognized as CT-verified high-risk plaque (CT-HRP). Therefore, we investigated the incremental prognostic value of evaluation of plaque characteristics using CCTA in asymptomatic patients. METHODS Overall, 495 consecutive patients without any ...

AIM Exertional angina in patients with no coronary flow limiting lesions remains a clinical puzzle. We aimed to assess the extent of coronary artery calcification (CAC) and its relationship to ventricular wall motion function using stress echocardiography in a group of patients limited by exertional angina, but no obstructive lesions. METHODS We compared CT coronary calcium score (CACS) and d...

Sovereign debt crises are difficult to solve. This paper studies the “holdout problem,” meaning risk that creditors refuse participate in a restructuring. We document large variation holdout rates, based on comprehensive new dataset of 23 bond restructurings with external since 1994. then study determinants holdouts and find size creditor losses (haircuts) is among best predictors at level. In ...

CADS (consumer appliance diagnostic system) is a diagnostic and advisory knowledge-based system that provides advice through call-taking representatives to consumers calling the Whirlpool Consumer Assistance Center (CAC). Even though this application is not an original AI application, valuable lessons can be learned from the process that was followed during its development and integration into ...

BACKGROUND The usefulness of the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines for the management of blood cholesterol in the Asian population remains controversial. In this study, we investigated whether eligibility for statin therapy determined by the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines is better aligned with the presence of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis detected by CCTA (coronary computed tomography angiography) compa...

Fetuin-A is an important inhibitor of extraosseous calcification, but some of the studies that used ELISAs did not identify a significant relationship between serum fetuin-A levels and vascular calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here, we used centrifugation to separate a fetuin-mineral complex (FMC) composed of fetuin-A, fibrinogen, fibronectin-1, and calcium from the ...

OBJECTIVE Cardiovascular disease (CVD) occurs frequently and may progress more rapidly in overt hypothyroidism (OVH). However, the role of mild thyroid failure as a risk factor for CVD is not clear. This study is aimed at exploring the association between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and coronary artery disease (CAD), as detected by cardiac computed tomography (CT), in apparently healthy su...

INTRODUCTION Community-based models of antiretroviral therapy (ART) delivery have been recommended to support ART expansion and retention in resource-limited settings. However, the evidence base for community-based models of care is limited. We describe the implementation of community-based adherence clubs (CACs) at a large, public-sector facility in peri-urban Cape Town, South Africa. METHOD...

Previous microarray analysis revealed beta-transducin repeat containing (Btrc) down-regulation in the retina of mouse embryos specifically lacking cholinergic amacrine cells (CACs) as a result of the absence of skeletal musculature and fetal ocular movements. To investigate the role of Btrc in the determination of retinal cell fate, the present study examined retinal morphology in Btrc-/- mouse...

Cancer anorexia-cachexia (CACS) is defined as a multifactorial syndrome characterized by ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass that cannot be fully reversed by conventional nutritional support and leads to progressive functional impairment [1]. Cancer cachexia occurs across a continuum, varying in severity and stage; according to new classification we have pre-cachexia (early clinical signs of c...