Fluoroscopic guide to an ideal implant position for Sapien XT and CoreValve during a valve-in-valve procedure.

Objectives: This study sought to provide a guide to the fluoroscopic appearances of various valve-in-valve (VIV) combinations by deploying a transcatheter heart valve (THV) within a degenerated surgical heart valve (SHV) in an ideal position.

Background: VIV procedures are being increasingly performed with substantial experience acquired in treating degenerated SHV in the aortic position with Sapien/Sapien XT (Edwards Lifesciences Ltd., Irvine, California) and CoreValve/Evolute (Medtronic Inc.

Successful surgical repair of acute type A aortic dissection without the use of blood products.

We report successful surgical treatment of type A aortic dissection in a Jehovah's Witness without the use of any blood products. An interposition graft replacement of the ascending aorta was carried out. This was under right axillo-atrial cardiopulmonary bypass with antegrade cerebral perfusion via right a subclavian and left carotid cannula for 24 minutes at 28°C.

Transaortic access is the key to success.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using either the Edwards SAPIEN Valve or Medtronic CoreValve is a well-established procedure. Although initially carried out through transfemoral and transapcial approaches, alternative approaches have become popular and have been utilised to optimise the outcomes. The transaortic (TAo) approach can be used for both these devices and is carried out through the ascending aorta, which can be approached through a partial upper J-sternotomy, T-sternotomy or a right anterior thoracotomy.

Delayed migration of Sapien valve following a transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve implantation.

We report two cases of delayed migration of the Sapien XT device after a successful mitral valve-in-valve (VIV) implantation. The procedure was performed through a transapical approach. Echocardiography was used to choose the size of the Sapien XT device.

Transaortic transcatheter aortic valve implantation for failed surgical aortic valve replacement due to 'porcelain aorta'.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an emerging surgical approach in patients with severe aortic stenosis unsuitable for conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR). TAVI has been performed through both transfemoral and transapical approaches, each with a specific suitability criterion. A transaortic (TAo-TAVI) approach has been recently established at the authors' institution for high-risk patients who are unsuited to the above techniques.

Statistically optimized biotransformation protocol for continuous production of L-DOPA using Mucuna monosperma callus culture.

L-DOPA (3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine), a modified amino acid, is an expansively used drug for the Parkinson's disease treatment. In the present study, optimization of nutritional parameters influencing L-DOPA production was attempted using the response surface methodology (RSM) from Mucuna monosperma callus. Optimization of the four factors was carried out using the Box-Behnken design.

Ascending aorta thrombus adjacent to a cholesterol-rich plaque as the source of multiple emboli.

Ascending aortic thrombus causing thromboembolism in the absence of hyper-coagulable states is a rare occurrence. We present a case of a 40-year old healthy female smoker who presented with a 6-month history of three transient ischaemic attacks, hand pain and numbness despite being on dual anti-platelet therapy. Computed tomography revealed a mid-ascending aorta thrombus.

Transaortic Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Step-by-Step Guide.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is currently used to treat high-risk and inoperable patients with aortic stenosis. The established routes of access are retrograde transfemoral (TF) and antegrade transapical (TA). Transubclavian and transaortic (TAo) routes have been described.

Use of transcatheter heart valves for a valve-in-valve implantation in patients with degenerated aortic bioprosthesis: technical considerations and results.

Objective: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation has been used to treat high-risk patients with bioprosthetic valve degeneration (valve-in-valve). We report our experience with transcatheter aortic valve implantation in the treatment of degenerated biologic aortic valve prostheses and discuss factors that can influence the outcome.

Methods: From February 2009 to October 2011, 278 patients underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation, of whom 23 underwent a valve-in-valve procedure with the Edwards Sapien valve to treat a failing bioprostheses in the aortic position.

The effects of VARC-defined acute kidney injury after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using the Edwards bioprosthesis.

Aims: The aim of this study was to identify the incidence and risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) after TAVI, a potentially serious complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) that has been redefined by the Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC).

Methods And Results: We performed a retrospective analysis of 248 patients undergoing TAVI. AKI was defined as a VARC-modified Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, and End-stage (RIFLE) kidney disease score ≥ 2.

Nopalea cochenillifera, a potential chromium (VI) hyperaccumulator plant.

Hexavalant chromium [Cr(VI)] tolerance and accumulation in in vitro grown Nopalea cochenillifera Salm. Dyck. plants was investigated.

Exploring the phytoremediation potential of cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm. Dyck.) cell cultures for textile dye degradation.

Cactaceae Nopalea cochenillifera cell cultures and intact plants (cladodes) transform various toxic textile dyes, including Red HE7B into less phytotoxic, non-hazardous metabolites. The [tentative] pathway analysis demonstrates that Red HE7B is transformed into 3-amino-5-imino-5,8-dihydronaphthalen-2-ol, 2-amino-6-(carboxycarbonyl)-3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 4-aminophenol, and phenoL The significant induction of the activities of intracellular laccase (687%), tyrosinase (219%), azoreductase (144%), and 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol reductase (167%) indicated the involvement of these enzymes in the transformation pathways of Red HE7B but these enzymes have not been definitively linked to the phytotransformation of this toxic dye. The present foundation work could add another plant candidate for phytoremediation of undesirable products from industry wastes and harmful chemicals.

Distribution of calcium in the ascending aorta in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation and its relevance to the transaortic approach.

Objectives: This study sought to identify how many patients suitable for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) would have a contraindication for the transaortic (TAo) approach due to ascending aortic calcification.

Background: TAo is an emerging approach for implantation of the Sapien valve through the ascending aorta. A "porcelain aorta" is often considered a contraindication for the TAo approach.

A guide to fluoroscopic identification and design of bioprosthetic valves: a reference for valve-in-valve procedure.

Surgical aortic valve replacement remains the therapy of choice in majority of patients with aortic stenosis. Bioprosthetic heart valves are often preferred over mechanical valves as they preclude the need for anticoagulation with its associated risks of bleeding and thromboembolism. However, bioprosthetic heart valves undergo structural deterioration and eventually fail.

Transaortic transcatheter aortic valve implantation using the Edwards Sapien valve.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation using Edwards Sapien Valve can be carried out through the ascending aorta. In the majority of patients, the ascending aorta is approached through a partial upper J-sternotomy. The sternotomy extends into the right second or third right intercostal space.

Transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation in a complex aortic surgical patient: A case involving the youngest valve-in-valve implantation with a 29 mm transcather valve.

The present article reports a case involving a 29-year-old man who developed severe cardiac failure (New York Heart Association class IV). He had a complex surgical history, beginning with the repair of an anterior sinus of Valsalva aneurysm and closure of a ventricular septal defect at eight months of age. His residual Valsalva aneurysm and mixed aortic valve disease necessitated mechanical aortic valve replacement at 14 years of age.

Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.) L.: a potential halophyte for the degradation of toxic textile dye, Green HE4B.

Sesuvium portulacastrum is a common halophyte growing well in adverse surroundings and is exploited mainly for the environmental protection including phytoremediation, desalination and stabilization of contaminated soil. In the present investigation, attempts have been made on the decolorization of a toxic textile dye Green HE4B (GHE4B) using in vitro grown Sesuvium plantlets. The plantlets exhibited significant (70%) decolorization of GHE4B (50 mg l(-1)) that sustain 200 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) within 5 days of incubation.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for treatment of failing homograft with preexisting mechanical mitral prosthesis.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is increasingly used to treat bioprosthetic degeneration. Valve-in-valve technique has been performed successfully to treat homograft, stentless, and stented bioprosthetic dysfunction. The presence of a prosthesis in the mitral position can make the transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedure challenging due to proximity of the mitral and aortic annuli.

Phytodegradation of the triphenylmethane dye Malachite Green mediated by cell suspension cultures of Blumea malcolmii Hook.

Cell cultures of Blumea malcolmii Hook., developed in the laboratory, rapidly decolorized textile industry effluent along with a variety of dyes with diverse structural properties. Most rapid decolorization was observed in case of Malachite Green (93.

Transaortic Transcatheter Aortic valve implantation using Edwards Sapien valve: a novel approach.

Objectives: To evaluate feasibility and outcome of Transoartic Transcatheter Sapien valve implantation.

Background: Transcatheter Aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using the Edwards SAPIEN device (Edwards LifeScience, Irvine, CA) is usually performed via the transfemoral (TF) or transapical (TA) routes. Some patients are not suitable for these approaches.

Biochemical characterization of laccase from hairy root culture of Brassica juncea L. and role of redox mediators to enhance its potential for the decolorization of textile dyes.

In vitro transgenic hairy root cultures provide a rapid system for physiological, biochemical studies and screening of plants for their phytoremediation potential. The hairy root cultures of Brassica juncea L. showed 92% decolorization of Methyl orange within 4 days.

Detoxification of a carcinogenic paint preservative by Blumea malcolmii Hook cell cultures.

Phytoremediation is considered as an effective viable alternative to remediate the contaminated sites, industrially hazardous chemicals and other toxic pollutants. This bioremediation option offers a safe, cheap and eco friendly alternative to existing physical and chemical remediation technologies as well as other biological sources. The wall paint preservatives consist of several harmful and carcinogenic compounds causing serious environmental concerns.

Role of RNA interference in plant improvement.

Research to alter crops for their better performance involving modern technology is underway in numerous plants, and achievements in transgenic plants are impacting crop improvements in unparalleled ways. Striking progress has been made using genetic engineering technology over the past two decades in manipulating genes from diverse and exotic sources, and inserting them into crop plants for inducing desirable characteristics. RNA interference (RNAi) has recently been identified as a natural mechanism for regulation of gene expression in all higher organisms from plants to humans and promises greater accuracy and precision to plant improvement.