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Cancer of unknown primary is a challenging entity. We present an elderly woman with metastatic cancer of unknown primary despite comprehensive imaging and immunohistochemical analysis. Based on a thorough history, a gastrointestinal source was suspected and a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer concealed within a type IV hiatal hernia was made using multimodal imaging. On review of prior imaging, due to the highly complex anatomy within our patient’s hiatal hernia, the pancreatic mass was retroactively noted. While initial imaging may detect metastatic disease, identifying the primary malignancy requires a thorough history and physical examination, multimodal imaging where malignancy is suspected, and immunohistochemical analysis of metastatic deposits. Herniation of pancreatic cancer has not been previously described in the literature and serves as an important reminder of the importance of multimodal imaging in patients with significantly complex anatomy.

Introduction This prospective pharmacodynamic (PD) study assessed the effect of the sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), dapagliflozin, on platelet reactivity. Methods Patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (n = 27) who were on maintenance dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) of aspirin 81 mg daily, and clopidogrel 75 mg daily were recruited. Platelet function was evaluated with the VerifyNow™ P2Y12 assay (Werfen, Bedford, MA, USA) and assessed prior to initiation of and after 10 days of treatment with dapagliflozin 10 mg once-daily dose regimen. Results were compared with a paired t test. Results Treatment with dapagliflozin significantly decreased P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) by 20%, (95% confidence interval (CI) 8.5–32.6%, p value 0.002). The mean difference in PRU was 36.70 (95% CI 16.66–56.75). No patients experienced any serious adverse events (SAEs). Conclusions Significantly diminished platelet reactivity was observed on dapagliflozin as compared to without dapagliflozin. This dedicated pharmacodynamic study could be potentially informative and applicable for Trinidadian stable CAD patients with T2DM on DAPT. Further studies are required to confirm these exploratory findings. Clinical Trial Registration EDGE ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT04400760.

Introduction This prospective pharmacodynamic (PD) study aimed to assess the effect of the sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) empagliflozin on platelet reactivity. Methods Patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (n = 20) who were actively treated with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) of aspirin 81 mg daily and clopidogrel 75 mg daily were recruited. Platelet function was measured with the VerifyNow™ P2Y12 assay (Instrumentation Laboratory, Massachusetts, USA) and assessed before the initiation of and after 10 days of treatment with empagliflozin 25 mg once daily maintenance dose regimen. Results were compared with a paired t test. Results The mean P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) on empagliflozin was significantly less than without empagliflozin at baseline (187.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 155.38–219.32 vs. 217.25, CI 180.60–253.90; p

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) commonly manifests as an incidental, asymptomatic finding that is associated with several cardiovascular risk factors, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular death, and all-cause mortality. Very rarely, patients with severe MAC can have extensive dystrophic calcification extending into the left atrial wall, termed porcelain left atrium. In this case report, we describe a patient who experienced multiple calcific acute embolic strokes in the setting of severe mitral annular calcification and porcelain left atrium. Our patient presented with multiple, small bilateral acute infarcts scattered throughout the cerebrum and cerebellum confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). He was placed on continuous telemetry and underwent multimodal imaging with transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, carotid neck ultrasound (US), head and neck computed tomography angiogram (CTA), and cardiac MRI. There were no arrhythmic events detected on telemetry, and all imaging excluded left ventricular thrombi, aortic atheroma, carotid artery stenosis, intracardiac shunting, or large vessel stenosis. Noted on imaging, however, was severe mitral annular calcification with numerous, highly mobile calcific extensions and densely calcified plaque along the posterior left atrial wall, presumed to be the source of this patient's embolic stroke. Cardiac catheterization was significant for severe three-vessel disease requiring coronary artery bypass grafting, and our patient was subsequently discharged to outpatient follow-up on event monitoring and aspirin monotherapy. This case serves to highlight a previously unreported complication of calcific embolic stroke in severe MAC and porcelain left atrium, and highlight the need for further randomized controlled trials to determine the optimum management of these cases.

Often described as a clinico-radiological entity, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is being increasingly diagnosed nowadays. However, mystery still surrounds its exact etiology. Though there are no standardized diagnostic criteria for this syndrome, there is a consistent feature associated with it: brain vasogenic edema in combination with neurotoxicity. The nonspecific nature of this condition leaves room for the diagnosis to be overlooked, leading to delays in providing appropriate treatment and unfavorable patient outcomes. PRES is associated with a variety of medical conditions including hypertension, eclampsia, autoimmune conditions, renal failure, sepsis, and an immunocompromised state, such as that secondary to the use of immunosuppressive therapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and organ transplants. Treatment by a multidisciplinary team and prompt identification and reversal of the underlying cause can lead to beneficial outcomes, as in the case we present in this report.

The MIAB welding process was initially investigated by the E. O. Paton Electric Welding Institute during the 1950s. It was later developed for commercial applications by Kuka Welding systems, who named it the Magnet arc process.

The friction stir welding process was invented and patented by The Welding Institute (TWI), England in 1991 [1]. FSW process is a solid-state welding technique that is considered as a suitable joining technique for different weld type configurations such as T joints, butt joints, lap joints and butt joints.

Wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) technology has grown tremendously since it was first introduced about 40 years back. In 1974, D. H. Dulebohn applied the optical-line follower system to automatically control the shape of the components to be machined by the WEDM process. By 1975, its popularity rapidly increased, as the process and its capabilities were better understood by the industry.

The cold metal transfer process evolved from the MIG/MAG process to address the lacunas posed during the aluminium and other materials joining. CMT being controlled process permits the material transfer with the nominal flow of current thereby reducing power consumption and material wastage. Constant retraction of filler wire at very short intervals is one of the major sequential steps in CMT process.

Uni-ventricular cardiac disease accounts for 3.2% of congenital cardiac abnormalities (Theodoridis et al. 2005). The Fontan Procedure was initially performed for tricuspid atresia (Fontan and Baude...

Marked ethnic variations in complications and mortality have been noted following infection with COVID-19, with Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups (BAME) being particularly hard hit. We hypothesise that glucocorticoid resistance stemming from several intrinsic reasons such as chronic social stress and lower circulating levels of Vitamin D may contribute to the exaggerated inflammatory response, more severe disease and poorer outcomes observed in BAME.