Co-transcriptional production of programmable RNA condensates and synthetic organelles.

Condensation of RNA and proteins is central to cellular functions, and the ability to program it would be valuable in synthetic biology and synthetic cell science. Here we introduce a modular platform for engineering synthetic RNA condensates from tailor-made, branched RNA nanostructures that fold and assemble co-transcriptionally. Up to three orthogonal condensates can form simultaneously and selectively accumulate fluorophores through embedded fluorescent light-up aptamers.

Modular RNA motifs for orthogonal phase separated compartments.

Recent discoveries in biology have highlighted the importance of protein and RNA-based condensates as an alternative to classical membrane-bound organelles. Here, we demonstrate the design of pure RNA condensates from nanostructured, star-shaped RNA motifs. We generate condensates using two different RNA nanostar architectures: multi-stranded nanostars whose binding interactions are programmed via linear overhangs, and single-stranded nanostars whose interactions are programmed via kissing loops.

Rapid, Multiplexed, and Enzyme-Free Nucleic Acid Detection Using Programmable Aptamer-Based RNA Switches.

Rapid, simple, and low-cost diagnostic technologies are crucial tools for combatting infectious disease. We describe a class of aptamer-based RNA switches or aptaswitches that recognize target nucleic acid molecules and initiate folding of a reporter aptamer. Aptaswitches can detect virtually any sequence and provide an intense fluorescent readout without intervening enzymes, generating signals in as little as 5 minutes and enabling detection by eye with minimal equipment.

Optimization of RNA Pepper Sensors for the Detection of Arbitrary RNA Targets.

The development of fluorescent light-up RNA aptamers (FLAPs) has paved the way for the creation of sensors to track RNA in live cells. A major challenge with FLAP sensors is their brightness and limited signal-to-background ratio both and . To address this, we develop sensors using the Pepper aptamer, which exhibits superior brightness and photostability when compared to other FLAPs.

Rapid and Multiplexed Nucleic Acid Detection using Programmable Aptamer-Based RNA Switches.

Rapid, simple, and low-cost diagnostic technologies are crucial tools for combatting infectious disease. Here, we describe a class of aptamer-based RNA switches called aptaswitches that recognize specific target nucleic acid molecules and respond by initiating folding of a reporter aptamer. Aptaswitches can detect virtually any sequence and provide a fast and intense fluorescent readout, generating signals in as little as 5 minutes and enabling detection by eye with minimal equipment.

Characteristics of submental muscles function and hyoid bone movement in patients with dysphagia after stroke.

Background: Dysphagia is one of the common complications after stroke. Dysphagia significantly increases the probability of serious adverse consequences. The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics of submental muscles electromyography and hyoid motion parameters between patients with dysphagia after stroke and healthy controls, and whether there is a synergistic effect between the function of the submental muscles and the movement of the hyoid.

Efficacy of ablation index-guided pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: Ablation index (AI) is a novel technology of ablation lesion quality to help improve homogeneity of lesion size and continuity. In this study, we aim to evaluate whether AI-guided PVI improves clinical outcomes compared to CF-guided PVI in patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF).

Methods: Patients undergoing first-time radiofrequency ablation for PAF were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to two groups: AI-guided PVI and CF-guided PVI.

Visually Perceived Negative Emotion Enhances Mismatch Negativity but Fails to Compensate for Age-Related Impairments.

: Automatic detection of auditory stimuli, represented by the mismatch negativity (MMN), facilitates rapid processing of salient stimuli in the environment. The amplitude of MMN declines with ageing. However, whether automatic detection of auditory stimuli is affected by visually perceived negative emotions with normal ageing remains unclear.

Multi-arm RNA junctions encoding molecular logic unconstrained by input sequence for versatile cell-free diagnostics.

Applications of RNA-based molecular logic have been hampered by sequence constraints imposed on the input and output of the circuits. Here we show that the sequence constraints can be substantially reduced by appropriately encoded multi-arm junctions of single-stranded RNA structures. To conditionally activate RNA translation, we integrated multi-arm junctions, self-assembled upstream of a regulated gene and designed to unfold sequentially in response to different RNA inputs, with motifs of loop-initiated RNA activators that function independently of the sequence of the input RNAs and that reduce interference with the output gene.

An electrographic AV optimization for the maximum integrative atrioventricular and ventricular resynchronization in CRT.

Background: Atrioventricular (AV) delay could affect AV and ventricular synchrony in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Strategies to optimize AV delay according to optimal AV synchrony (AV) or ventricular synchrony (AV) would potentially be discordant. This study aimed to explore a new AV delay optimization algorithm guided by electrograms to obtain the maximum integrative effects of AV and ventricular resynchronization (opt-AV).

Electrophysiological characteristics of epicardial to endocardial breakthrough in intractable cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent atrial flutter.

Background: Epicardial to endocardial breakthrough (EEB) exists widely in atrial arrhythmia and is a cause for intractable cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI)-dependent atrial flutter (AFL). This study aimed to investigate the electrophysiological features of EEB in EEB-related CTI dependent AFL.

Methods: Six patients with EEB-related CTI-dependent AFL were identified among 142 consecutive patients who underwent CTI-dependent AFL catheter ablation with an ultra-high-density, high-resolution mapping system in three institutions.

Automatic annotation of local activation time was improved in idiopathic right ventricular outflow tract ventricular arrhythmia by novel electrogram "Lumipoint" algorithm.

Purpose: Precise automatic annotation of local activation time (LAT) is crucial for rapid high-density activation mapping in arrhythmia. However, it is still challenging in voltage-transitional areas where local low-amplitude near-field potentials are often obscured by large far-field potentials. The aim of this study was to explore the viability and validity of automatic identification of the earliest activation (EA) in idiopathic right ventricular outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias (RVOT VAs) using a novel Lumipoint algorithm.

Rationale and study design for ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation guided by ablation index: a multi-center, prospective randomized trial (PAF-AI trial).

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has become the cornerstone of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, but long-term success rates remains suboptimal, due in large part to late PV reconnection and insufficient ostial substrate modification.

Objective: To evaluate whether ablation index (AI)-guided PVI with electrical isolation and quantified ostial substrate modification improves clinical outcomes when compared with contact force (CF)-guided ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).

Methods: The PAF-AI trial (ChiCTR1900022041) is a prospective, multi-center, randomized controlled clinical trial enrolling patients with PAF with an indication for catheter ablation.

Overdrive pacing mapping: An alternative approach used in scar associated localized atrial tachycardia.

Background: Mapping and ablation of localized reentry atrial tachycardia (AT) can be challenging, especially in those with varying cycle length (CL).

Objective: We attempted to use the traditional maneuver of overdrive pacing to facilitate AT mapping.

Methods: Data were collected from 12 patients with localized ATs.

Electrophysiological characteristics of the earliest activation site in idiopathic right ventricular outflow tract arrhythmias under mini-electrode mapping.

Introduction: Right ventricular outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias (RVOT VAs) often originate in the voltage-transitional zone. The target electrogram could be compromised by the architecture of the roving catheter. Mini-electrodes could improve the mapping resolution, especially in low-voltage areas.

Association between paced QRS duration and atrial fibrillation after permanent pacemaker implantation: A retrospective observational cohort study.

Right ventricular pacing often results in prolonged QRS duration (QRSd) as the result of right ventricular stimulation, and atrial fibrillation (AF) may result. The association of pacing-induced prolonged QRSd and AF in patients with permanent pacemakers is unknown.We selected 180 consecutive patients who underwent pacemaker implantation for complete/advanced atrioventricular block.

Real role of β-blockers in regression of left ventricular mass in hypertension patients: Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is commonly present in patients with hypertension (HT). According to the expert consensus document from American, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) were recommended as 1st-line therapeutic drugs. However, none noticed the different efficacy between fat-soluble and selective β1-receptor blockers (FS-β-B) and other β-blockers on regression of LVH before.

The ventriculoatrial relationship after atrial overdrive pacing can help differentiate atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia from junctional tachycardia.

Purpose: Differentiating between atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) and non-reentrant junctional tachycardia (JT) is difficult but highly necessary for catheter ablation. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the ventriculoatrial (VA) relationship after atrial overdrive pacing (AOP) could help to distinguish AVNRT from JT.

Methods: Thirty-eight AVNRT and 21 JT patients who were induced by infusion of isoproterenol after successful AVNRT ablation were paced through the high right atrium or coronary sinus until the ventricles were constantly captured.

A meta-analysis of low-dose dopamine in heart failure.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a major health problem worldwide with no proven therapy. Low-dose dopamine (LDD) has been applied to patients with HF to enhance diuresis and preserve renal function since the last century. However, the efficacy of LDD in HF has been questioned by several studies recently.

Is there still a role for additional linear ablation in addition to pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation? An Updated Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The benefits and risks of additional left atrium (LA) linear ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) remain unclear.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials were identified in the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane databases, and the relevant papers were examined. Pooled relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were estimated using random effects models.

AVE 0991 attenuates cardiac hypertrophy through reducing oxidative stress.

AVE 0991, the nonpeptide angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)) analog, is recognized as having beneficial cardiovascular effects. However, the mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. This study was designed to investigate the effects of AVE 0991 on cardiac hypertrophy and the mechanisms involved.

Catheter Ablation of Right-Sided Accessory Pathways in Adults Using the Three-Dimensional Mapping System: A Randomized Comparison to the Conventional Approach.

Three-dimensional (3D) mapping and navigation systems have been widely used for the ablation of atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, but the applicability of these systems for the ablation of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) due to right-sided accessory pathways (RAPs) remains unknown. The goal of this prospective randomized study was to compare the safety, efficiency, and efficacy of nonfluoroscopic and conventional fluoroscopic mapping techniques in guiding catheter ablation of SVT due to RAPs. Of the 393 consecutive patients with SVT who were randomized to receive either conventional fluoroscopic or Ensite NavX mapping-guided ablation, 64 patients with RAPs were included for analysis.

AVE 3085, a novel endothelial nitric oxide synthase enhancer, attenuates cardiac remodeling in mice through the Smad signaling pathway.

AVE 3085 is a novel endothelial nitric oxide synthase enhancer. Although AVE 3085 treatment has been shown to be effective in spontaneously restoring endothelial function in hypertensive rats, little is known about the effects and mechanisms of AVE 3085 with respect to cardiac remodeling. The present study was designed to examine the effects of AVE 3085 on cardiac remodeling and the mechanisms underlying the effects of this compound.