In Situ Preparation of Silver Nanoparticles/Organophilic-Clay/Polyethylene Glycol Nanocomposites for the Reduction of Organic Pollutants.

This work focuses on the preparation and application of silver nanoparticles/organophilic clay/polyethylene glycol for the catalytic reduction of the contaminants methylene blue (MB) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in a simple and binary system. Algerian clay was subjected to a series of treatments including acid treatment, ion exchange with the surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTABr), immobilization of polyethylene glycol polymer, and finally dispersion of AgNPs. The molecular weight of polyethylene glycol was varied (100, 200, and 4000) to study its effect on the stabilization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and the catalytic activity of the resulting samples.

Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Sixteen Years of Single-Center Experience.

: Coronary artery disease is a major cause of death globally. Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB), using a small left anterior thoracotomy, aims to provide a less invasive alternative to traditional procedures, potentially improving patient outcomes with reduced recovery times. This retrospective, non-randomized study analyzed 310 patients who underwent MIDCAB between July 1999 and April 2022.

Hemodynamical Evaluation of a New Surgically Implanted Pulsatile Right Ventricular Assist Device Driven by a Conventional Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Console.

Severe right heart failure, often overlooked and challenging to manage, has prompted a growing interest in innovative approaches to provide functional support. This study uses experimentation in large porcine models to introduce a novel prototype of a pulsatile mechanical circulatory support device and document its effects when deployed as a right ventricular assist device (RVAD). The pulsatile ventricular assist platform (pVAP), featuring a membrane pump driven by an intra-aortic balloon pump console, actively generates pulsatile flow to propel right ventricular blood into the pulmonary artery.

Polyphosphate uses mTOR, pyrophosphate, and Rho GTPase components to potentiate bacterial survival in .

Although most bacteria are quickly killed after phagocytosis by a eukaryotic cell, some pathogenic bacteria escape death after phagocytosis. Pathogenic species secrete polyP, and the polyP is necessary for the bacteria to prevent their killing after phagocytosis. Conversely, exogenous polyP prevents the killing of ingested bacteria that are normally killed after phagocytosis by human macrophages and the eukaryotic microbe .

Removal of crystal violet dye using a three-dimensional network of date pits powder/sodium alginate hydrogel beads: Experimental optimization and DFT calculation.

Biodegradable and very low-cost adsorbent beads were prepared from date pits powder (DP) and sodium alginate (SA). DP to SA ratios was varied (1/2, 1/4 and 1/6) and used to eliminate Crystal violet (CV) a cationic dye. Adsorbents were characterized by FTIR, SEM-EDS, UV-vis DR, TGA and the point of zero charge (pH).

Zinc nanoparticles encapsulated in porous biopolymer beads for reduction of water pollutants and antimicrobial activity.

This work focuses on the preparation of composite beads from alginate crosslinked with copper at several loading percent and also loaded with ZnNPs. Th obtained samples were applied as catalysts for the reduction of the organic polluants 4-NP, MB, OG, MO, and CR in simple and binary systems. XRD results and TEM images confirmed the presence of ZnNPs in the polymer matrix.

Starvation Induces Extracellular Accumulation of Polyphosphate in to Inhibit Macropinocytosis, Phagocytosis, and Exocytosis.

is a soil-dwelling unicellular eukaryote that accumulates extracellular polyphosphate (polyP). At high cell densities, when the cells are about to overgrow their food supply and starve, the corresponding high extracellular concentrations of polyP allow the cells to preemptively anticipate starvation, inhibit proliferation, and prime themselves to begin development. In this report, we show that starved cells accumulate cell surface and extracellular polyP.

Starvation induces extracellular accumulation of polyphosphate in to inhibit macropinocytosis, phagocytosis, and exocytosis.

is a soil-dwelling unicellular eukaryote that accumulates extracellular polyphosphate (polyP). At high cell densities, when the cells are about to overgrow their food supply and starve, the corresponding high extracellular concentrations of polyP allow the cells to preemptively anticipate starvation, inhibit proliferation, and prime themselves to begin development. In this report, we show that starved cells accumulate cell surface and extracellular polyP.

Catalytic Reduction of Dyes and Antibacterial Activity of AgNPs@Zn@Alginate Composite Aerogel Beads.

This work focuses on the preparation of aerogel composite beads based on Zn(II)-crosslinked alginate and loaded with different percentages of AgNPs using a simple approach. The obtained samples were evaluated in two different applications: the first application consists in their use as catalysts for the reduction of MB, MO, OG and CR dyes in a simple and binary system under the presence of NaBH. For this, several parameters affecting the catalytic behavior of these catalysts have been investigated and discussed such as the catalyst mass, AgNPs content, dye nature, and the selectivity of the catalyst in a binary system.

Pre-surgery optimization of patients' expectations to improve outcome in heart surgery: Study protocol of the randomized controlled multi-center PSY-HEART-II trial.

The PSY-HEART-I trial indicated that a brief expectation-focused intervention prior to heart surgery improves disability and quality of life 6 months after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). However, to investigate the clinical utility of such an intervention, a large multi-center trial is needed to generalize the results and their implications for the health care system. The PSY-HEART-II study aims to examine whether a preoperative psychological intervention targeting patients' expectations (EXPECT) can improve outcomes 6 months after CABG (with or without heart valve replacement).

Non-enzymatic electrochemical dopamine sensing probe based on hexagonal shape zinc-doped cobalt oxide (Zn-CoO) nanostructure.

A non-enzymatic dopamine electrochemical sensing probe was developed. A hexagonal shape zinc-doped cobalt oxide (Zn-CoO) nanostructure was prepared by a facile hydrothermal approach. The combination of Zn, which has an abundance of electrons, and CoO exhibited a synergistically electron-rich nanocomposite.

Catalytic behavior and antibacterial/antifungal activities of new MNPs/zeolite@alginate composite beads.

In this paper, a new family of composite materials was prepared based on calcium alginate and metal nanoparticle-loaded zeolite omega. Different types of metal nanoparticles (MNPs), namely Cu, Co and Fe, were loaded onto zeolite omega to test the performance of the resulting metal/zeolite@alginate composites towards the catalytic reduction of methylene blue dye. To examine their application field as broadly as possible, these composite beads were also tested as antibacterial and antifungal agents against several types of bacteria.

Coronary artery bypass grafts to chronic occluded right coronary arteries.

Background: The benefit of revascularizing chronically occluded coronary arteries remains debatable, and available long-term outcome reports are sparse. Current guidelines recommend revascularization of chronically occluded arteries only in patients with myocardial ischemia and/or symptoms associated with angina. We investigated outcome of patients with total chronic occlusion of the right coronary artery (RCA) receiving coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery with and without revascularization of the RCA.

Mid-term Outcome of the Edge-To-Edge Mitral Valve Repair Via Aortic Outflow Tract in High-Risk Patients.

The edge-to-edge mitral valve repair technique, invented by Alfieri and colleagues, introduced valve repair as a treatment option for patients with complex diseases where standard annuloplasty and related repair techniques are insufficient, due to annular calcification and patient frailty. We retrospectively evaluated the results of a transaortic edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (Alfieri stitch) in high-risk patients who were undergoing aortic valve replacement. From February, 2012 to December, 2017, 43 patients underwent transaortic edge-to-edge mitral valve repair with concomitant aortic valve replacement at a single institution.

Echocardiographic guided, transatrial closure of a patent foramen ovale.

Background: The management of an incidental patent foramen ovale found during planned cardiac surgery remains a challenge, and current guidelines are not helpful. Although evidence is accumulating, that closure of an incidental found patent foramen ovale might be beneficial, especially in planned off-pump procedures, the diagnosis of a formerly unknown patent foramen ovale with the patient on the operation table has vast consequences by making it necessary to switch to on pump, bi-caval cannulation for patent foramen ovale closure. We therefore developed a technique for transatrial closure of a patent foramen ovale, guided by transesophageal echocardiography.

Advanced Single-Cell Mapping Reveals that in hESC Cardiomyocytes Contraction Kinetics and Action Potential Are Independent of Myosin Isoform.

Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) represent an attractive model to investigate CM function and disease mechanisms. One characteristic marker of ventricular specificity of human CMs is expression of the ventricular, slow β-myosin heavy chain (MyHC), as opposed to the atrial, fast α-MyHC. The main aim of this study was to investigate at the single-cell level whether contraction kinetics and electrical activity of hESC-CMs are influenced by the relative expression of α-MyHC versus β-MyHC.

PET/Graphene Compatibilization for Different Aspect Ratio Graphenes via Trimellitic Anhydride Functionalization.

Two trimellitic anhydride-functionalized, thermally reduced graphenes with different aspect ratios, , and the same C/O ratio (8:1) were prepared and melt-mixed into poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and the mechanical properties of the resulting nanocomposites were studied with a focus on plastic deformation behavior. A slight increase in the ' of the melt was observed for the surface-modified low- graphene composites ( = 20) below the percolation threshold, whereas a significant enhancement in ' was observed for higher- graphene composites ( = 80) at all graphene loadings, both below and above the percolation concentration. Furthermore, the use of modified low- graphene caused an improvement both in Young's modulus and elongation at break of the resulting PET nanocomposites because of enhancement of interfacial adhesion between filler and matrix which resulted in the formation of a coupled network via covalent bonding and the suppression both of strain-induced orientation and strain-induced crystallization.

Total Arterial Revascularization with Radial Artery and Internal Thoracic Artery T-Grafts Is Associated with Superior Long-Term Survival in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Aims: Compelling evidence encourages the use of the radial artery (RA) as the second arterial graft in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, its long-term benefits remain disputed. We sought to evaluate long-term outcome and survival by comparing patients receiving RAs with those receiving venous grafts to a single internal thoracic artery (ITA).

Early surgical myocardial revascularization in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Background: In non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) there is no consensus regarding optimal time point for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Recent findings suggest that long-term outcomes are improved in early-revascularized NSTEMI patients. However, it has been stated that early surgery is associated to increased operative risk.

Higher-Order Structure in Amorphous Poly(ethylene terephthalate)/Graphene Nanocomposites and Its Correlation with Bulk Mechanical Properties.

Graphene of two different aspect ratios, , was melt mixed with poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) to form amorphous PET/graphene composites with less than 5% crystallinity. The higher-order structure and mechanical properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) in these composites were investigated using techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis, whereas transmission electron microscopy, melt rheology, and electrical conductivity were used to study the graphene dispersion. A decrease in heat capacity changes, Δ , of PET in nanocomposites at the glass transition temperature, , without change suggests that a rigid amorphous fraction (RAF) of PET was formed at the PET/graphene interface.

Argatroban administration as therapy for thrombosis in patients with continuous-flow ventricular assist devices.

Background: Device thrombosis is one of the main complications in left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) therapy and remains a challenging issue. Data on device thrombosis management, especially on the application of direct thrombin inhibitors such as argatroban, is limited and a consensus on thrombosis management has not yet been established.

Methods: In this study we analysed retrospective clinical data obtained from 26 patients on VAD therapy who received argatroban for suspected VAD thrombosis, between April, 2012 and February, 2017.

Rupture of the Free Left Ventricular Wall: A Novel Approach for Reconstruction.

 A rupture of the free wall of the left ventricle is a rarely seen complication of myocardial infarction and represents an absolute cardiac emergency.  We hereby present a case of a 64-year-old patient with a rupture of the free left ventricular wall. The patient was treated in an emergent operation with a novel reconstruction method of the left ventricular wall and was discharged 30 days after the initial operation.

Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery in Re-Do Cases-The New Standard Procedure?

Background: Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) is superior to "classical" mitral valve surgery via a sternotomy regarding wound healing and postoperative pain. It is however a more challenging procedure. Patients' preference is leading clearly toward minimally invasive approaches, and surgeons are driven by upcoming new technologies in interventional procedures such as the MitraClip.

Erratum: Rupture of the Free Left Ventricular Wall: A Novel Approach for Reconstruction.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1642613.].