Structural racism has been and remains a fundamental cause of persistent health disparities in the United States. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and multiple others have been reminders that structural racism persists and restricts the opportunities for long, healthy lives of Black Americans and other historically disenfranchised groups. The American Heart Association has previously published statements addressing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk and disparities among racial and ethnic groups in the United States, but these statements have not adequately recognized structural racism as a fundamental cause of poor health and disparities in cardiovascular disease. This presidential advisory reviews the historical context, current state, and potential solutions to address structural racism in our country. Several principles emerge from our review: racism persists; racism is experienced; and the task of dismantling racism must belong to all of society. It cannot be accomplished by affected individuals alone. The path forward requires our commitment to transforming the conditions of historically marginalized communities, improving the quality of housing and neighborhood environments of these populations, advocating for policies that eliminate inequities in access to economic opportunities, quality education, and health care, and enhancing allyship among racial and ethnic groups. Future research on racism must be accelerated and should investigate the joint effects of multiple domains of racism (structural, interpersonal, cultural, anti-Black). The American Heart Association must look internally to correct its own shortcomings and advance antiracist policies and practices regarding science, public and professional education, and advocacy. With this advisory, the American Heart Association declares its unequivocal support of antiracist principles.

Background Conventional biopsy fails to detect the presence of some prostate cancers (PCas). Men with a prior negative biopsy but persistently elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) pose a diagnostic dilemma, as some harbor elusive cancer. Objective To determine whether use of magnetic resonance–ultrasound (MR-US) fusion biopsy results in improved detection of PCa compared to repeat conventional biopsy. Design, setting, and participants In a consecutive-case series, 105 subjects with prior negative biopsy and elevated PSA values underwent multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fusion biopsy in an outpatient setting. Intervention Suspicious areas on multiparametric MRI were delineated and graded by a radiologist; MR–US fusion biopsy was performed by a urologist using the Artemis device; targeted and systematic biopsies were obtained regardless of MRI result. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Detection rates of all PCa and clinically significant PCa (Gleason ≥3 + 4 or Gleason 6 with maximal cancer core length ≥4 mm) were determined. The yield of targeted biopsy was compared to systematic biopsy. The ability of an MRI grading system to predict clinically significant cancer was investigated. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of significant cancer on biopsy. Results and limitations Fusion biopsy revealed PCa in 36 of 105 men (34%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 25–45). Seventy-two percent of men with PCa had clinically significant disease; 21 of 23 men (91%) with PCa on targeted biopsy had significant cancer compared to 15 of 28 (54%) with systematic biopsy. Degree of suspicion on MRI was the most powerful predictor of significant cancer on multivariate analysis. Twelve of 14 (86%) subjects with a highly suspicious MRI target were diagnosed with clinically significant cancer. Conclusions MR-US fusion biopsy provides improved detection of PCa in men with prior negative biopsies and elevated PSA values. Most cancers found were clinically significant.

The solubilities of acceptor impurities are strongly suppressed when BaTiO, is densified in highly reducing atmospheres. This is evidenced by a shift in the minimum in the equilibrium electrical conductivity to higher oxygen activities, a decrease in the ionic contribution to the conductivity, and a decrease in the leakage current and the rate of leakage current degradation under temperature-voltage stress. The normal solubility is restored by subsequent anneals in air that result in substantial grain growth, and the properties then revert to those of BaTiO, sintered in air. The solubility suppression is attributed to a mass-action interaction between the processes that generate oxygen vacancies, those that result from the compensation of acceptor centers, and those that result from reduction.

The high temperature equilibrium conductivity (950 °C–1050 °C) of congruent LiNbO3 can be resolved into two components: an electronic portion that is dependent on the oxygen partial pressure and an ionic portion that is pressure independent. It is shown that the two components can be obtained from an analysis of the total equilibrium conductivity measured as a function of oxygen partial pressure. The ionic transport number (fractional ionic conductivity) thus obtained is compared with that obtained from an oxygen concentration cell measurement. The two techniques are found to be in excellent agreement, confirming the experimental validity of the defect chemistry method. From the temperature dependence of the ionic conductivity, the activation energy (138 kJ/mol [1.43 eV]) for the ionic transport is obtained. The results are in good agreement with the value previously obtained for the oxygen chemical diffusivity.

NLP is a powerful tool that can be combined with administrative and laboratory data to identify patients with cirrhosis within a population.

Using intermediate risk eligibility criteria more than a third of men with a targeted biopsy proven lesion identified on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging would have been eligible for focal therapy. Eligibility determined by fusion biopsy was concordant with whole mount histology in 75% of cases. Improved selection criteria are needed to reliably determine focal therapy eligibility.

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The tracking function of magnetic resonance imaging-ultrasound fusion biopsy warrants further study. When specific sites are resampled in men undergoing active surveillance of prostate cancer, upgrading is detected more often than by nontracking biopsy.