Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can be a therapeutic option in medically inoperable lung cancer patients. In this study, we evaluated a prototype bipolar RFA device applicator that can be deployed from a standard endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) bronchoscope to determine feasibility and histopathological analysis in animal models. Rabbit lung cancers were created by transbronchial injection of VX2 rabbit cancer cells. Once the tumors were developed, they were ablated transpleurally, under EBUS guidance using the prototype RFA device. The animals were then sacrificed for specimen resection. Pig inflammatory lung pseudo-tumors and lymphadenopathy were created by transbronchial injection of a talc paste and ablated transbronchially under EBUS guidance. Pigs were evaluated at 5 days, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks following ablation by bronchoscopy and cone beam computed tomography before necropsy. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen diaphorase staining was employed to measure the ablation area. Twenty-four VX2 rabbit tumors were ablated. The total ablated area ranged from 0.6 to 3.0 cm2 (mean 1.8 cm2), corresponding to a total energy range of 1 to 6 kJ.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/chir-98014.html  Six pig lung pseudo-tumors and 5 mediastinal lymph nodes were ablated. Adjacent airway ulceration was observed in 3 ablations of lymph nodes. These airway complications resolved within 4 weeks of RFA without any treatment. There was no hemoptysis, air embolism, respiratory distress, or other serious complication noted. In these 2 animal models, we provide evidence that EBUS-guided bipolar RFA is feasible and histopathology shows that can ablate lung tumors and mediastinal lymph nodes under real-time ultrasound guidance. Aorto-ventricular tunnel (AoVT), a rare congenital anomaly, is a channel originating in the ascending aorta just above the sinotubular junction and leading to the cavity of the left ventricle (AoLVT), or, rarely, the right (AoRVT). This study reviews our collective 30-year experience with the surgical treatment of AoVT. Data were submitted by 15 participating centers on 42 patients who underwent correction of AoVT between 1987 and 2018. Of these, 36 had AoLVT, and 6 AoRVT. The tunnel originated above the right coronary sinus in 28 (77.8%) patients. For AoLVT, most operations were performed early (median age 25 days, range 1 day-25 years). In contrast, AoRVT was diagnosed and repaired later (median age 6 years, range 1 month-12 years). Surgically important coronary ostial displacement was common. Patch closure of the aortic orifice only was the commonest surgical repair for AoLVT (23 patients), while in AoRVT, both orifices or only the ventricular one was closed. Aortic valvar insufficiency, severe or moderate, coexisted in 11 (30.5%) patients with AoLVT, and aortic valvuloplasty was performed in 8, mainly due to aortic valve stenosis. Aortic valvar insufficiency at discharge ranged from trivial to mild in almost all patients. Early mortality was 7.14%, with 3 patients with AoLVT succumbing to cardiac failure. There were 2 early reoperations and 1 late death. AoVT is a rare malformation. AoLVT usually necessitates surgery in early life. AoRVT is rarer, diagnosed and repaired later in life. Surgical repair by patch closure, with concomitant aortic valve repair as needed, is associated with good results. Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) deactivation may be considered in cases of left ventricular recovery, pump thrombosis, infection, and end-of-life palliation. Surgical pump explantation remains the principal method, but percutaneous deactivation presents a safe and effective alternative. We have developed a formal program for percutaneous LVAD deactivation within our advanced heart failure program including patient selection criteria, pre-procedure testing, a procedural algorithm, and a post-procedure care plan. Patient selection for percutaneous LVAD deactivation required review by an interdisciplinary heart transplant team including reason for deactivation, cardiac function, surgical risk, and patient preference. All candidates underwent LVAD ramp studies with both transthoracic echocardiography and right heart catheterization assessment. Deactivation was performed under general anesthesia with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance. Three Amplatzer Vascular Plug IIs (Abbott, St. Paul, MN) were deployed in the LVAD outflow cannula with the proximal edge of the third plug aligned with the aortic anastomosis of the graft as guided by angiography and 3-dimensional TEE. In a separate procedure, the LVAD drive line was transected below the skin, which was closed surgically over the driveline stump. Anticoagulation was continued for at least 3 months. Since initiation in January 2017, our program has performed 7 percutaneous LVAD deactivation procedures. All procedures have been successful, 5 of the patients remain medically managed, and 2 have proceeded to heart transplant. Percutaneous LVAD deactivation provides an alternative to surgical explantation. A percutaneous LVAD deactivation program is an important component of an advanced heart failure program. INTRODUCTION To assess the potential of galectin-3 and growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) biomarkers for the early detection of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). METHODOLOGY This was a cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 1.2 years. Patients were stratified based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria level. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to assess the diagnostic potential of biomarkers. RESULTS A total of 90 patients included in this study. Patients were grouped as normoalbuminuria (30 patients), microalbuminuria (30 patients), and macroalbuminuria (30 patients). Galectin-3 and GDF-15 levels were significantly elevated in T2DM patients with macroalbuminuria (p = less then 0.05). Higher levels of galectin-3 and GDF-15 were found in patients with poor kidney function (Stage IV-V CKD). Negative correlation was observed between galectin- 3 (r = -0.472) and eGFR (p = 0.000), GDF-15 (r = -0.917) and eGFR (p  less then 0.000). The ROC analysis yielded an area under curve (AUC) of 0.