Background: The World Alliance Societies of Echocardiography (WASE) Normal Values Study evaluates individuals from multiple countries and races with the aim of describing normative values that could be applied to the global community worldwide and to determine differences and similarities among people from different countries and races. The present report focuses specifically on two-dimensional (2D) left ventricular (LV) dimensions, volumes, and systolic function. Methods: The WASE Normal Values Study is a multicenter international, observational, prospective, crosssectional study of healthy adult individuals. Participants recruited in each country were evenly distributed among six predetermined subgroups according to age and gender. Comprehensive 2D transthoracic echocardiograms were acquired and analyzed following strict protocols based on recent American Society of Echocardiography and European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging guidelines. Analysis was performed at the WASE 2D core laboratory and included 2D LV dimensions, LV volumes, and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) by the biplane Simpson method and global longitudinal strain (GLS). Results: Two thousand eight subjects were enrolled in 15 countries. The median age was 45 years (interquartile range, 32-65 years), 42.8% were white, 41.8% were Asian, and 9.7% were black. LV dimensions and volumes were larger in male subjects, while LVEF and GLS were higher in female subjects. Global

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Background Data on complications associated with classical cesarean delivery are conflicting. In extremely preterm cesarean delivery (22 0/7–27 6/7 weeks’ gestation), the lower uterine segment is thicker. It is plausible that the rates of maternal complications may not differ between classical and low transverse cesarean. Objective To compare maternal outcomes associated with classical comparing with low transverse cesarean after stratifying by gestation (23 0/7–27 6/7 and 28 0/7–31 6/7 weeks’ gestation). Study design We conducted a multi-hospital retrospective cohort study of women undergoing cesarean delivery at 23 0/7–31 6/7 weeks’ gestation between 2005 and 2014. Composite maternal outcome (postpartum hemorrhage, transfusion, endometritis, sepsis, wound infection, deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism, hysterectomy, respiratory complications, and Intensive Care Unit admission) was compared between classical and low transverse cesarean. Outcomes were calculated using multivariable logistic regression models yielding adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and adjusted p-values controlling for maternal characteristics, emergency cesarean delivery, and comorbidities. Analyses were stratified by gestational age categories (23 0/7–27 6/7 and 28 0/7–31 6/7 weeks’ gestation). Results Of 902 women, 221(64%) and 91 (16%) underwent classical cesarean between 23 0/7 and 27 6/7 and between 28 0/7 and 31 6/7 weeks’ gestation, respectively. There was no increase in maternal complications for classical cesarean compared to low transverse cesarean between 23 0/7 and 27 6/7 weeks’ gestation. However, between 28 0/7 and 31 6/7 weeks’ gestation, classical cesarean was associated with increased risks of the composite maternal outcome (adjusted odds ratio=1.95; 95% confidence interval=1.10–3.45), transfusion (adjusted odds ratio=2.42; 95% confidence interval=1.06–5.52), endometritis (adjusted odds ratio=3.23; 95% confidence interval=1.02–10.21), and Intensive Care Unit admission (adjusted odds ratio=5.05; 95% confidence interval=1.37–18.52) compared to low transverse cesarean. Conclusion Classical cesarean delivery compared with low transverse was associated with higher maternal complication rates between 28 0/7 and 31 6/7 weeks, but not between 23 0/7 and 27 6/7 weeks’ gestation.

Background Our objective was to determine the effect of post‐diagnosis aspirin use on survival in veterans with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Methods Retrospective cohort study of 584 veterans with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated at the Washington DC VA Medical Center between 1995 and 2015. Charts were queried for clinical‐pathologic data, aspirin prescriptions, and outcome. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to determine overall survival (OS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) among aspirin users and nonusers. Results A total of 329 patients met inclusion criteria. Primary subsites included oropharynx (n = 143), larynx (n = 105), oral cavity (n = 62), and hypopharynx (n = 19). Eighty‐four patients were aspirin users (25.5%). Aspirin users demonstrated significantly better 3‐year OS and DSS (78.6% and 88.1%) compared to nonaspirin users (OS: 55.9% and DSS: 70.2%; P = .0003 and P = .0019, respectively). On multivariate analysis, aspirin use remained independently associated with improved survival. Conclusion Aspirin use following diagnosis and curative treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is associated with improved OS and DSS.