Clinical relevance of incomplete device endothelialization after left atrial appendage closure.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the incidence, potential risk factors and clinical impact of incomplete device endothelialization(IDE) after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC).

Methods: A total of 101 consecutive patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent successful LAAC and received antithrombotic treatment using a standard regimen were prospectively followed up to 6 months after the procedure. The status of device endothelialization and device-related thrombus (DRT) were evaluated using cardiac computed tomography (CT).

Instantly Detecting Catalysts' Hot Spots Temperature In Situ during Photocatalysis by Operando Raman Spectroscopy.

Precisely detecting the catalysts' hot spots temperature in situ instantly during photocatalysis is a great challenge but extremely important for chemical reactions. However, no efficient method has been developed to instantly detect the hot spots temperature in situ during photocatalysis. Herein, we designed a simple and convenient method to measure the instant hot spots temperature in situ on the nanostructure surface during photocatalysis by operando Raman spectroscopy using 4-methoxyphenyl isocyanide (MI) as the probe molecule.

Research on the Influence of Cosolvent on the Determination of the Contamination Degree of Jet Fuel.

The effect of cosolvent on trace free water in the determination of the contamination degree of jet fuel was investigated. The interference of trace free water on the automatic particle counter can be eliminated by adding isopropanol as a cosolvent to the measured oil sample. Isopropanol can dissolve trace free water in oil.

I-Mediated Iodobenzannulation of Yne-Allenones toward 1-Naphthols and Their Synthetic Application.

A new I-mediated iodobenzannulation of yne-allenones has been established, enabling breaking/rearranging of C≡C bonds to selectively access 4-iodonaphthalen-1-ols with generally good yields. The resulting 4-iodonaphthalen-1-ols could serve as a new and reliable coupling reagent, which further reacted with HO under the oxygen conditions to generate unexpected 1,2-carbonyls with good yields through Pd-catalyzed deiodinated carbonylation, whereas employment of benzene-1,2-diamine as the nucleophile rendered 3-(quinoxalin-2-yl)naphthalen-1-ols through Pd-catalyzed [4 + 2] heterocyclization. On the basis of the controlled experiments, the mechanism for forming 1,2-carbonyls was proposed, including an oxidative addition, 1,3-palladium migration, reductive elimination, and oxidative dehydrogenation sequence.

Atom-economic synthesis of cyclobuta[a]naphthalen-4-ols via a base-promoted [2 + 2] cycloaddition/1,6-nucleophilic addition cascade.

A first atom-economic [2 + 2] cycloaddition/1,6-conjugate addition cascade of yne-allenones with C-nucleophiles including 1,3-dicarbonyls and α,α-dicyanoolefins under base-promoted conditions has been established, enabling the direct construction of C(sp3)-C(sp3) bonds to generate cyclobuta[a]naphthalen-1-ols with generally good yields. These resulting products have a cyclobutene unit that contains both an aryl and alkyl group.

Understanding Mechanisms of Synergy between Acidification and Ultrasound Treatments for Activated Sludge Dewatering: From Bench to Pilot-Scale Investigation.

Enhancing activated sludge dewaterability is of scientific and engineering importance in the face of accelerated urbanization and stringent environmental regulations. In this study, we investigated the integration of acidification and ultrasound (A/US) treatment for improving sludge dewaterability at both bench- and pilot-scales. Our results showed that the A/US process exhibited significantly improved sludge dewatering performance, characterized by capillary suction time, cake moisture, and water/solid content of sludge cake.

Rapid decolorization of dye Orange G by microwave enhanced Fenton-like reaction with delafossite-type CuFeO.

Bimetallic oxide CuFeO as a new heterogeneous catalyst has shown much higher catalytic ability for activating peroxide than single-metal oxides. The present work demonstrated a synergistic microwave (MW) enhanced Fenton-like process with CuFeO for rapid decolorization of azo dye Orange G (OG). The MW irradiation dramatically enhanced the OG degradation efficiency, achieving 99.

Planar graphene oxide-based magnetic ionic liquid nanomaterial for extraction of chlorophenols from environmental water samples coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A planar graphene oxide-based magnetic ionic liquid nanomaterial (PGO-MILN) was synthesized. The prepared PGO-MILN was characterized by transmission electronmicroscopy (TEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR). The results of adsorption experiments showed that the PGO-MILN had great adsorption capacity for 2-chlorophenol (2-CP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol (2,3,4,6-TeCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP).

Identification and functional analysis of a novel PRKAG2 mutation responsible for Chinese PRKAG2 cardiac syndrome reveal an important role of non-CBS domains in regulating the AMPK pathway.

Background: PRKAG2 gene encodes the γ2 regulatory subunit of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) that acts as a sensor of cellular energy status, and its germline mutations are responsible for PRKAG2 cardiac syndrome (PCS). The majority of missense mutations of cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) domains found in PCS impair the binding activity of PRKAG2 to adenosine derivatives, and therefore lead to PRKAG2 function impairment and AMPK activity alteration, resulting in a familial syndrome of ventricular preexcitation, conduction defects, and cardiac hypertrophy. However, it is unclear about the PRKAG2 mutation in the non-CBS domain.

Animal experimental study of the fully biodegradable atrial septal defect (ASD) occluder.

This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility, safety, biocompatibility, and degradation features of a fully biodegradable occluder for closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) in an acute canine model. The ASD was created in 20 healthy mongrel dogs by the brockenbrough needle, and the fully biodegradable occluders were implanted by self-made delivery system. The success rate and complications were observed.

Intracoronary infusion of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells contributes to longstanding improvements of left ventricular performance and remodelling after acute myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis.

Background: Conflicting results exist now on the sustained effects of intracoronary bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) infusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: Systematical literature search of PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane databases was conducted. We included the randomised controlled trials with at least 12-month follow-up data for AMI patients receiving primary percutaneous coronary intervention in addition to intracoronary BMMNCs transfer or not (the control).

Development and preclinical evaluation of a biodegradable ventricular septal defect occluder.

Objectives: This study evaluated the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of a biodegradable (BD) occluder for closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD) in an acute canine model.

Background: All current available VSD occluders are permanent implants which consist of a metal framework and synthetic fabrics. However, the septal occluder in vivo plays the role of a temporary bridge that facilitates the ingrowth of fibrous connective tissue and endothelialization.

Identifying mass transfer influences on Au nanoparticles growth process by centrifugation.

A comparative study of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) growth employing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) adsorbent was performed. Au nanooctahedrons transformed into slightly truncated nanocubes without centrifugation, whereas they transformed into nanocubes with centrifugation. Our results indicate that the mass transfer of Au monomers can influence the shape evolution of NPs.

Potential candidate genes for alveolar hypoxia identified by transcriptome network analysis.

BACKGROUND. Alveolar hypoxia is an important condition related to many disorders such as chronic pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary vasoconstriction, and pulmonary vascular remodeling. The aim of present study was to disclose the biological response and the potential transcriptome networks regulating the hypoxia response in the lungs.

Symptomatic sinus tachycardia with perpetuating slow pathway: successful treatment with radiofrequency ablation.

We report a case of sinus tachycardia with perpetuating slow pathway (SP) conduction in a 42-year-old woman who developed severe symptoms as a result of atrioventricular (AV) desynchronization. The restoration of an AV synchrony, achieved with selective radiofrequency ablation of the SP, eliminated the symptomatic arrhythmia and may represent a reasonable therapeutic option despite the fact that the patient has no AV-node reentrant tachycardia. This case demonstrates the importance of AV timing.

Early diagnosis and rescue pericardiocentesis for acute cardiac tamponade during radiofrequency ablation for arrhythmias. Is fluoroscopy enough?

Background: With the number of complex catheter ablation procedures increasing, procedure-related acute cardiac tamponade is encountered more frequently in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Survival depends on prompt recognition and rescue pericardiocentesis.

Objective: The aim of this report was to validate fluoroscopic heart silhouette characteristics associated with cardiac tamponade as a diagnostic method, and evaluate the safety and effectiveness of fluoroscopy-guided pericardiocentesis during catheter ablation.

[Outcome of transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect with modified double-disk occluder device].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pmVSD) with modified double-disk occluder device (MDVO).

Methods: Clinical data including clinical examination, electrocardiography daily after the procedure for a week, chest-X-rays and TTE before discharge and at 3-5 days after the procedure were analyzed from 604 patients underwent percutaneous closure of a pmVSD with MDVO at our department between December 2001 and December 2008.

Results: Procedure was successful in 576 out of 604 patients (95.

Plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels are increased in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Obestatin, encoded by the same gene as ghrelin, was first described as a physiological opponent of ghrelin. We investigated fasting plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats. We found that ghrelin levels, obestatin levels and the ratio of ghrelin to obestatin were significantly higher in spontaneously hypertensive rats than Wistar-Kyoto rats.

A new pan-nitinol occluder for transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects in a canine model.

Background: The Amplatzer ventricular septal defect (VSD) occluder has a fixed stainless steel pin bottom protruding out of the surface at the center of the discs on both sides. Theoretically, this protruding bottom may interfere with epithelialization or, in some cases, cause thrombosis.

Objective: To evaluate a new type of pan-nitinol VSD occluder without the protruding stainless steel pin bottom on both sides in a canine VSD model designed to ensure safety, effectiveness, and feasibility.

Circulating preprandial ghrelin to obestatin ratio is increased in human obesity.

Context: Obestatin, a sibling of ghrelin derived from preproghrelin, opposes ghrelin's effects on food intake. Plasma obestatin profiles in relation to ghrelin have not been fully investigated in human obesity.

Objective: We hypothesize that obesity might present with imbalance of circulating ghrelin and obestatin levels.

[Synthesis and SERS characterization of silver nanocubes].

Silver nanocubes were synthesized by reducing silver nitrate with ethylene glycol in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) based on the report by Xia's group. Silver nanocubes were immobilized on silicon wafers by self-assembly processes. SERS activity of silver nanocubes was detected by using pyridine and SCN- respectively as probe molecules.