Harnessing the potential of copper-based nanoparticles in mitigating abiotic and biotic stresses in crops.

The demand for crops production continues to intensify with the rapid increase in population. Agricultural crops continue to encounter abiotic and biotic stresses, which can substantially hamper their productivity. Numerous strategies have been focused to tackle the abiotic and biotic stress factors in various plants.

Platinum Surface Water Orientation Dictates Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Kinetics in Alkaline Media.

The fundamental understanding of sluggish hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics on a platinum (Pt) surface in alkaline media is a topic of considerable debate. Herein, we combine cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrical transport spectroscopy (ETS) approaches to probe the Pt surface at different pH values and develop molecular-level insights into the pH-dependent HER kinetics in alkaline media. The change in HER Tafel slope from ∼110 mV/decade in pH 7-10 to ∼53 mV/decade in pH 11-13 suggests considerably enhanced kinetics at higher pH.

Isolation, expansion and characterization of ovine fetal adnexa-derived mesenchymal stem cells reveals a source dependent trilineage differentiation and growth kinetics.

This study was designed to isolate, cultivate, characterize and evaluate the growth kinetics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from fetal adnexa of sheep. The gravid uteri of ewes were collected from a local abattoir. The MSCs isolated from different fetal regions (Wharton's Jelly [oWJ], cord blood [oCB], amniotic fluid [oAF] and amniotic Sac [oAS]) were expanded and characterized for surface and pluripotency markers.

Amorphous nickel hydroxide shell tailors local chemical environment on platinum surface for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction.

In analogy to natural enzymes, an elaborated design of catalytic systems with a specifically tailored local chemical environment could substantially improve reaction kinetics, effectively combat catalyst poisoning effect and boost catalyst lifetime under unfavourable reaction conditions. Here we report a unique design of 'Ni(OH)-clothed Pt-tetrapods' with an amorphous Ni(OH) shell as a water dissociation catalyst and a proton conductive encapsulation layer to isolate the Pt core from bulk alkaline electrolyte while ensuring efficient proton supply to the active Pt sites. This design creates a favourable local chemical environment to result in acidic-like hydrogen evolution reaction kinetics with a lowest Tafel slope of 27 mV per decade and a record-high specific activity and mass activity in alkaline electrolyte.

Periodic Assembly of Diblock Pt-Au Heteronanowires for the Methanol Oxidation Reaction.

Periodic assembly of heterogeneous nanoparticles provides a strategy for integrating distinct nanocatalyst blocks where their synergic effects can be explored for diverse applications. To achieve the synergistic enhancement, an intimate clean interface is preferred which however is usually plagued by the bulky surfactant molecules used in the synthesis and assembly process. Herein, we showed the creation of one-dimensional Pt-Au nanowires (NWs) with periodic alternating Pt and Au nanoblocks, by assembling Pt-Au Janus nanoparticles with the assistance of peptide T7 (Ac-TLTTLTN-CONH).

Determining the hydronium pK[Formula: see text] at platinum surfaces and the effect on pH-dependent hydrogen evolution reaction kinetics.

Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is critical for green hydrogen generation and exhibits distinct pH-dependent kinetics that have been elusive to understand. A molecular-level understanding of the electrochemical interfaces is essential for developing more efficient electrochemical processes. Here we exploit an exclusively surface-specific electrical transport spectroscopy (ETS) approach to probe the Pt-surface water protonation status and experimentally determine the surface hydronium pK [Formula: see text] 4.

Percutaneous closure of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm using simultaneous transseptal and transapical approach: a case report.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) pseudoaneurysm (PSA), also referred to as contained LV wall rupture, is a clinically uncommon but potentially life-threatening condition that can occur after myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery. If the anatomic characteristics of LV PSA are not eligible for the transfemoral approach, percutaneous closure of LV PSA can be technically difficult and appropriate approach selection may contribute to procedural success.

Case Summary: An enlarging LV PSA was discovered in a 65-year-old man with Marfan syndrome and three prior cardiothoracic surgeries.

Salicylic acid underpins silicon in ameliorating chromium toxicity in rice by modulating antioxidant defense, ion homeostasis and cellular ultrastructure.

Chromium (Cr) phytotoxicity affirmed the need of mitigation strategies to remediate polluted soils and restricts its accumulation in the food chains. Salicylic acid (SA) and silicon (Si) play pivotal roles in stimulating the plant performance and stress resilience. So far, their interactive effects against Cr-phytotoxicities are less known.

Five-year outcomes of endovascular repair of complicated acute type B aortic dissections.

Objective: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is the standard of care for acute complicated type B aortic dissections, but long-term single-device outcomes are limited.

Methods: Fifty patients were treated with the Valiant Captivia thoracic stent graft (Medtronic Inc, Santa Rosa, Calif) for acute complicated type B aortic dissections in this prospective, nonrandomized Dissection Trial. All-cause mortality, secondary procedures, and serious adverse events were assessed, and a core lab evaluated images for aortic remodeling.

Successful Outcomes following Repair of a Type A Aortic Dissection during Pregnancy.

Type A aortic dissections during pregnancy are rare but lethal events, with reported mortalities as high as 60%. Unique changes in hemodynamics, hormone-related alterations in aortic tissue, and preexisting risk factors place patients at an elevated risk for dissection. We report a successful repair of a Type A aortic dissection at 32 weeks of gestation, with excellent outcomes in both mother and child.

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Octogenarians and Nonagenarians.

Background: The oldest segments of the population are expanding rapidly, and the number of thoracic endovascular aortic repairs (TEVARs) performed in the elderly parallels this trend. We describe our institutional TEVAR experience in octogenarians and nonagenarians.

Methods: All patients 80 years and older undergoing TEVAR at a single institution were reviewed using a prospectively maintained database.

Tripeptide Derivative-Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode: A Novel Electrochemical Sensor for Sensitive and Selective Detection of Cd Ions.

A -[(Benzyloxy)carbonyl]-l-alanyl-l-prolyl-l-leucine--cyclohexylcyclohexanamine (Cbz-APL) tripeptide-coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE)-based sensor was used for sensitive and selective recognition of cadmium ions in environmental water. Detailed cyclic voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic studies were performed to investigate the charge transfer and sensing activity of the developed electrochemical sensor. Square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) was employed to further investigate the sensitivity, selectivity, validity, and applicability of the developed sensor.

Use of a Dual-Filter Cerebral Embolic Protection Device in Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair.

Background: The risk of periprocedural stroke after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) ranges from 3% to 8%. Although cerebral embolic protection devices (CEPD) are widely utilized in transcatheter aortic valve replacement, there are currently no Food and Drug Administration approved CEPDs for use in TEVAR. We report our initial experience with the off-label use of a dual-filter CEPD in patients undergoing TEVAR.

New aspects of C2 selectivity in electrochemical CO reduction over oxide-derived copper.

The electrocatalytic CO reduction to yield C2 products is of particular interest in solar-to-fuel conversion schemes. The nanocrystalline oxide derived copper (ODCu) electrodes are specifically attractive due to their high faradaic efficiency towards C2 hydrocarbons like ethylene, ethane, acetate and ethanol. However, the mechanistic understanding of this special selectivity is still an impediment.

Calix[4]arene Derivative-Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode: A New Sensing Platform for Rapid, Simultaneous, and Picomolar Detection of Zn(II), Pb(II), As(III), and Hg(II).

The glassy carbon electrode was fabricated with multifunctional bis-triazole-appended calix[4]arene and then used for the simultaneous detection of Zn(II), Pb(II), As(III), and Hg(II). Before applying the square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry, the sensitivity and precision of the modified electrode was assured by optimizing various conditions such as the modifier concentration, pH of the solution, deposition potential, accumulation time, and supporting electrolytes. The modified glassy carbon electrode was found to be responsive up to picomolar limits for the aforementioned heavy metal ions, which is a concentration limit much lower than the threshold level permitted by the World Health Organization.

Radical-Triggered Chemiluminescence of Phenanthroline Derivatives: An Insight into Radical-Aromatic Interaction.

The hitherto unknown influence of 1,10-phenonthroline (1,10-phen) and its derivatives on the weak chemiluminescence (CL) of periodate-peroxide has been investigated, and a novel method for CL catalysis is described. Herein, we have deconvoluted the variation in CL intensity arising from the addition of various derivatives of 1,10-phen. Interestingly, similar derivatives of 1,10-phen show interesting differences in their reactivity toward CL.

Synthesis, pH dependent photometric and electrochemical investigation, redox mechanism and biological applications of novel Schiff base and its metallic derivatives.

A novel Schiff base, 1-((2, 4-dimethylphenylimino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol abbreviated as (HL) and its four metallic complexes were synthesized and confirmed by H and C NMR, FTIR, TGA and UV-Visible spectroscopy. Schiff base was also characterized by X-ray analysis. The photometric and electrochemical responses of all the synthesized compounds were investigated in a wide pH range.

Postoperative myocardial infarction in acute type A aortic dissection: A report from the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection.

Objective: Postoperative myocardial infarction remains a serious complication in cardiac surgery. The incidence and impact of this condition in acute type A aortic dissection are poorly understood.

Methods: A total of 1445 patients with acute type A aortic dissection who underwent surgery were enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection from 1996 to 2013.

Thoracic endovascular repair for acute type A aortic dissection: operative technique.

Acute type A aortic dissection is a potentially lethal condition which requires immediate diagnostic and therapeutic intervention. Open surgical repair remains the standard of care as survival rates continue to improve in the modern surgical era. Unfortunately, up to twenty percent of patients are denied surgical therapy because they are deemed medically unfit to undergo open repair.

Gaseous pollutants from brick kiln industry decreased the growth, photosynthesis, and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Gaseous pollutant emissions from brick kiln industries deteriorate the current state of ambient air quality in Pakistan and worldwide. These gaseous pollutants affect the health of plants and may decrease plant growth and yield. A field experiment that was conducted to monitor the concentration of gaseous pollutants emitted mainly from brick kilns in the ambient air and associated impacts on the growth and physiological attributes of the two wheat (Triticum spp.

Microaxial Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device as a Bridge to Transplantation after LVAD Malfunction.

Evolving technology and improvements in the design of modern, continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices have substantially reduced the rate of device malfunction. As the number of implanted devices increases and as survival prospects for patients with a device continue to improve, device malfunction is an increasingly common clinical challenge. Here, we present our initial experience with an endovascular microaxial flow left ventricular assist device as a successful bridge to transplantation in a 54-year-old man who experienced left ventricular assist device malfunction.

Left Subclavian Arterial Coverage and Stroke During Thoracic Aortic Endografting: A Systematic Review.

Stroke is a devastating complication of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Whether left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage and LSA revascularization affect stroke rate is debated. Whether patients with aneurysms or dissections undergoing TEVAR have higher stroke rates is also debated.

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in the Ascending Aorta.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair has become an attractive alternative treatment option for thoracic aortic disease. New devices and advanced image-guided procedures are continuously expanding the indications. This article focuses on technical aspects of transapical stent graft deployment for ascending aortic pathologies.