Magnetic structure of the ferromagnetic new ternary silicide Nd5CoSi2.

Nd(5)CoSi(2) was obtained from the elements by arc-melting followed by annealing at 883 K. Its investigation by single-crystal x-ray and neutron powder diffraction shows that this ternary silicide crystallizes as Nd(5)Si(3) in a tetragonal structure deriving from the Cr(5)B(3)-type (I4/mcm space group; a = 7.7472(2) and c = 13.

True percutaneous approach for transfemoral aortic valve implantation using the Prostar XL device: impact of learning curve on vascular complications.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of vascular complications and the predictors of Prostar failure for a "true percutaneous approach" in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Background: Safety and efficacy of a true percutaneous approach in transfemoral-TAVI has not been described in a large prospective cohort.

Methods: Among 264 patients included in our prospective TAVI database (October 2006 to December 2010), transfemoral-TAVI was performed in 170 patients.

Prehospital abciximab in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: results of the randomized, double-blind MISTRAL study.

Background: The value of prehospital initiation of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors remains a controversial issue. We sought to investigate whether in-ambulance initiation of abciximab in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) improves ST-segment elevation resolution (STR) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods And Results: MISTRAL (Myocardial Infarction with ST-elevation Treated by Primary Percutaneous Intervention Facilitated by Early Reopro Administration in Alsace) is a prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

Sex-related differences in clinical presentation and outcome of transcatheter aortic valve implantation for severe aortic stenosis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to clarify the impact of sex-related differences in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Background: Although TAVI is becoming a mature technique, the impact of sex differences remains unclear.

Methods: The TAVI patients were included prospectively in a dedicated database from October 2006.

Clinical performance of a drug-eluting stent with a biodegradable polymer in an unselected patient population: the NOBORI 2 study.

Aims: Previous studies for approved indications (on-label) have shown the good safety and efficacy profiles of the Nobori DES. We conducted a prospective, multicentre study to validate the clinical performance of this stent in a real-world setting.

Methods And Results: A total of 3,067 consecutive patients undergoing a percutaneous coronary intervention with the Nobori DES were enrolled in the NOBORI 2 registry.

Circumferential evaluation of the neointima by optical coherence tomography after ABSORB bioresorbable vascular scaffold implantation: can the scaffold cap the plaque?

Objective: To quantify the circumferential healing process at 6 and 12 months following scaffold implantation.

Background: The healing process following stent implantation consists of tissue growing on the top of and in the space between each strut. With the ABSORB bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS), the outer circumference of the scaffold is detectable by optical coherence tomography (OCT), allowing a more accurate and complete evaluation of the intra-scaffold neointima.

Serial in vivo intravascular ultrasound-based echogenicity changes of everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold during the first 12 months after implantation insights from the ABSORB B trial.

Objectives: This study sought to investigate quantitative and homogeneity differential echogenicity changes of the ABSORB scaffold (1.1) during the first year after implantation.

Background: The imaging of the ABSORB bioresorbable vascular scaffold degradation by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has previously demonstrated diminishing gray-level intensity of the struts over time that can be evaluated by IVUS-based differential echogenicity.

Head-to-head comparison of the neointimal response between metallic and bioresorbable everolimus-eluting scaffolds using optical coherence tomography.

Objectives: This study sought to compare the neointimal response of metallic everolimus drug-eluting stents (DES) and polymeric everolimus bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) by optical coherence tomography at 1 year.

Background: DES decrease the risk of restenosis by reducing the neointimal response. However, DES may impair strut coverage, and this has been associated with late stent/scaffold thrombosis.

Development of a Protein Standard Absolute Quantification (PSAQ™) assay for the quantification of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin A in serum.

Enterotoxin A (SEA) is a staphylococcal virulence factor which is suspected to worsen septic shock prognosis. However, the presence of SEA in the blood of sepsis patients has never been demonstrated. We have developed a mass spectrometry-based assay for the targeted and absolute quantification of SEA in serum.

Duration of balloon inflation for optimal stent deployment: five seconds is not enough.

Objectives: To assess the effect of the duration of stent inflation on stent expansion using digital stent enhancement (DSE).

Background: Optimal stent expansion and apposition to the vessel wall are of critical importance to optimize the results of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, it is not known if stent inflation duration impacts on stent expansion.

Analysis of 1 year virtual histology changes in coronary plaque located behind the struts of the everolimus eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold.

Serial intravascular ultrasound virtual histology (IVUS-VH) after implantation of metallic stents has been unable to show any changes in the composition of the scaffolded plaque overtime. The everolimus-eluting ABSORB scaffold potentially allows for the formation of new fibrotic tissue on the scaffolded coronary plaque during bioresorption. We examined the 12 month IVUS-VH changes in composition of the plaque behind the struts (PBS) following the implantation of the ABSORB scaffold.

[Renal artery denervation for treating refractory hypertension].

Arterial hypertension is a major healthcare issue affecting between 30 and 40% of the adult population in industrialized countries. Despite the availability of numerous pharmaceutical treatments, arterial hypertension often remains uncontrolled. A non-negligible percentage of patients are refractory to multiple-drug therapy, which exposes them to an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Distinct epithelial gene expression phenotypes in childhood respiratory allergy.

Epithelial cell contribution to the natural history of childhood allergic respiratory disease remains poorly understood. Our aims were to identify epithelial pathways that are dysregulated in different phenotypes of respiratory allergy. We established gene expression signatures of nasal brushings from children with dust mite-allergic rhinitis, associated or not associated with controlled or uncontrolled asthma.

Drastic change of the ferromagnetic properties of the ternary germanide GdTiGe through hydrogen insertion.

Hydrogen absorption of the CeFeSi- and CeScSi-type forms of GdTiGe was performed. Before hydrogenation they show an antiferromagnetic transition at around 412 K and a ferromagnetic transition at 376 K, respectively. Hydrogenation of both forms leads to formation of the same hydride GdTiGeH which crystallizes with a filled CeScSi-type structure where all the [Gd(4)] tetrahedra are filled by hydrogen.

Unprotected left main stenting with a second-generation drug-eluting stent: one-year outcomes of the LEMAX Pilot study.

Aims: We sought to assess the efficacy and safety of everolimus-eluting stents for unprotected left main disease.

Methods And Results: A total of 173 consecutive patients with de novo significant unprotected left main stenosis received an everolimus-eluting stent in four French centres. Among them, 140 (81 %) had involvement of the distal portion of left main, and 129/140 (92%) were treated with provisional side branch T-stenting, with a side branch stenting rate of 20%.

Evaluation of the second generation of a bioresorbable everolimus-eluting vascular scaffold for the treatment of de novo coronary artery stenosis: 12-month clinical and imaging outcomes.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to demonstrate that the prevention of early scaffold area shrinkage of the ABSORB BVS (Rev.1.1, Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California) was sustained and not simply delayed by a few months.

Patient outcomes, economic benefits associated with a heparin change in hemodialysis, and nurses' satisfaction.

Heparin is commonly administered during hemodialysis to prevent clotting in the extracorporeal circuit. The authors' unit instituted a change in heparin type and preparation procedure based on patient safety and potential cost savings. Fifty patient charts were reviewed to determine whether the change affected specific patient outcomes.

MicroRNA-based silencing of Delta/Notch signaling promotes multiple cilia formation.

Multiciliated cells lining the surface of some vertebrate epithelia are essential for various physiological processes, such as airway cleansing. Their apical surface is constituted by hundreds of motile cilia, which beat in a coordinated manner to generate directional fluid flow. We recently reported the identification of microRNAs of the miR-449 family as evolutionary conserved key regulators of vertebrate multiciliogenesis.

Transfemoral aortic valve implantation new criteria to predict vascular complications.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the incidence, impact, and predictors of vascular complications in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Background: Vascular complications increase morbidity and mortality in transfemoral TAVI; however, there remains a paucity of data describing these serious events.

Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study of 130 consecutive transfemoral TAVI recipients.

Effective production of the biodiesel additive STBE by a continuous flow process.

A new fuel additive, namely solketal tert-butyl ether (STBE), was developed and optimized under continuous flow conditions using a Corning® Advanced-Flow™ glass reactor. STBE was obtained in two steps from glycerol, a renewable building-block produced in large amount in the processing of biodiesel. The advantages of the highly engineered Corning glass reactor included high mixing and heat-exchange efficiency, chemical resistance under corrosive flow conditions and a small hold-up.

Angiographic geometric changes of the lumen arterial wall after bioresorbable vascular scaffolds and metallic platform stents at 1-year follow-up.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the angiographic changes in coronary geometry of the bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) and metallic platform stent (MPS) between baseline and follow-up.

Background: Coronary geometry changes after stenting might result in wall shear stress changes and adverse events. The BVS have better conformability, compared with MPS, but still modify artery geometry.

6-month clinical outcomes following implantation of the bioresorbable everolimus-eluting vascular scaffold in vessels smaller or larger than 2.5 mm.

Objectives: We investigated the 6-month clinical outcomes after implantation of second-generation 3.0-mm bioresorbable everolimus-eluting vascular scaffolds (BVS) in small coronary vessels (<2.5 mm).

Control of vertebrate multiciliogenesis by miR-449 through direct repression of the Delta/Notch pathway.

Multiciliated cells lining the surface of some vertebrate epithelia are essential for various physiological processes, such as airway cleansing. However, the mechanisms governing motile cilia biosynthesis remain poorly elucidated. We identify miR-449 microRNAs as evolutionarily conserved key regulators of vertebrate multiciliogenesis.