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COVID-19 complications have been linked to worse outcomes among patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Less is known about the cumulative consequences of multiple ASCVD risk factors on COVID-19 outcomes. We evaluated the dose-response associations between 10-year ASCVD risk scores and COVID-19 complications. The National COVID-19 Cohort Collaborative collects electronic health record data from over 70 US health systems. Our analysis was limited to patients with positive COVID-19 tests without documented ASCVD events at the time of the first positive test. We evaluated the dose-response associations between 10-year ASCVD risk scores, categorized into categorized as low (<7.5%), intermediate (7.5% to 20.0%), or high (>20.0%), and COVID-19 complications, including hospitalizations and mortality. We reported the outcomes using multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Our cohort included 120,335 patients with documented positive COVID-19 test results who were free of ASCVD events. The mean age was 51.9 ± 16.1 years, 59.4% were women, 15.3% were Black, and 13.7% were Hispanic/Latino. Overall, 15,363 patients (12.8%) were hospitalized and 2,058 (1.7%) died. Patients at intermediate risk of developing ASCVD were had a 1.49 (95% CI 1.41 to 1.56) increased risk of hospitalization and 1.77 (95% CI 1.76 to 1.79) increased risk of mortality compared with patients at low risk. Patients at high risk had a 2.23 (95% CI 2.10 to 2.38) increased risk of hospitalization and a 5.98 (95% CI 5.93 to 6.03) increased risk of mortality. In conclusion, patients in this nationwide cohort at high risk of developing ASCVD are at substantially greater risk of COVID-19 complications. COVID-19 mitigation efforts should focus on these patient populations., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Many laboratories struggle with mycoplasma contamination and cell line misidentification when growing cells in culture. These well-documented issues affect the scientific research community and have detrimental downstream effects. Research published with suspect cultures can produce misleading results. There is increasing pressure to verify the integrity of experimental and established cell lines before publishing. Therefore, laboratories need to define how and when to perform these critical tests, analyze the results, and determine action plans if disparities exist. Our laboratory is committed to producing cell lines of the highest quality for use in experiments; thus, we created a surveillance strategy for these potential problems. We developed processes for both testing and tracing cell line authentication and mycoplasma detection data. Using these methods, we can protect the integrity of our patient and commercial cell lines, maintaining reliable cultures for our research.

Background: The ability of 3D printing using plastics and resins that are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible provides opportunities to tailor design features to specific imaging needs. In this study an MRI compatible cradle was designed to fit the need for repeatable serial images of mice within a mouse specific low field MRI., Methods: Several designs were reviewed which resulted in an open style stereotaxic cradle to fit within specific bore tolerances and allow maximum flexibility with interchangeable radiofrequency (RF) coils. CAD drawings were generated, cradle was printed and tested with phantom material and animals. Images were analyzed for quality and optimized using the new cradle. Testing with multiple phantoms was done to affirm that material choice did not create unwanted image artifact and to optimize imaging parameters. Once phantom testing was satisfied, mouse imaging began., Results: The 3D printed cradle fit instrument tolerances, accommodated multiple coil configurations and physiological monitoring equipment, and allowed for improved image quality and reproducibility while also reducing overall imaging time and animal safety., Conclusions: The generation of a 3D printed stereotaxic cradle was a low-cost option which functioned well for our laboratory., (© 2021. The Author(s).)