Post-Harvest Behavior of Seedless Conical and Mini-Conical Peppers: Weight Loss, Dry Matter Content, and Total Soluble Solids as Indicators of Quality and Commercial Shelf-Life.

This study aimed to assess the post-harvest dynamics of seedless conical and mini-conical pepper cultivars in terms of fruit weight loss, dry matter content, and soluble solid content. The above parameters were demonstrated to be effective commercial pepper shelf-life indicators. The commercial quality of pepper fruit intended for export was evaluated weekly under simulated fruit storage conditions for over 28 d.

Very long-term efficacy and safety of paclitaxel-eluting balloon after a bare-metal stent for the treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction: 8-year results of a randomized clinical trial (PEBSI study).

Background: Drug-eluting stents (DES) are considered the therapy of choice in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI); however, a low persistent rate of revascularizations and stent thrombosis exist over the time. We have previously shown that a paclitaxel (PTX)-drug-coated balloon (DCB) after a bare-metal stent (BMS) implantation (DCB-combined strategy) yields superior angiographic and clinical results compared to BMS in the short term. However, the long-term safety and efficacy of this approach remain uncertain.

Self-Healing Polymeric Soft Actuators.

Natural evolution has provided multicellular organisms with sophisticated functionalities and repair mechanisms for surviving and preserve their functions after an injury and/or infection. In this context, biological systems have inspired material scientists over decades to design and fabricate both self-healing polymeric materials and soft actuators with remarkable performance. The latter are capable of modifying their shape in response to environmental changes, such as temperature, pH, light, electrical/magnetic field, chemical additives, etc.

Temporal trend and potential impact of angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors on transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair.

Introduction And Objectives: Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) should be considered in patients with heart failure and secondary mitral regurgitation (MR). Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs) have been demonstrated to improve prognosis in heart failure. We aimed to evaluate the impact ARNIs on patient selection and outcomes.

Management and outcomes of patients with left atrial appendage thrombus prior to percutaneous closure.

Objective: Left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus has heretofore been considered a contraindication to percutaneous LAA closure (LAAC). Data regarding its management are very limited. The aim of this study was to analyse the medical and invasive treatment of patients referred for LAAC in the presence of LAA thrombus.

Prognostic Role of TAPSE to PASP Ratio in Patients Undergoing MitraClip Procedure.

Background: Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) is an effective therapy for high-risk patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) but heart failure (HF) readmissions and death remain substantial on mid-term follow-up. Recently, right ventricular (RV) to pulmonary arterial (PA) coupling has emerged as a relevant prognostic predictor in HF. In this study, we aimed to assess the prognostic value of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) to PA systolic pressure (PASP) ratio as a non-invasive measure of RV-to-PA coupling in patients undergoing TMVR with MitraClip (Abbott, CA, USA).

Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair: Outcome Improvement with Operator Experience and a Second-Generation Device.

Background And Aim: Recent randomized data comparing percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) versus optimal medical treatment in patients with functional MR (FMR) seemed to highlight the importance of the learning curve not only for procedural outcomes but also for patient selection. The aim of the study was to compare a contemporary series of patients undergoing PMVR using a second-generation Mitraclip device (Mitraclip NT) with previous cohorts treated with a first-generation system.

Methods: This multicenter study collected individual data from 18 centers between 2012 and 2017.

Acute Kidney Injury After Percutaneous Edge-to-Edge Mitral Repair.

Background: In catheter-based procedures, acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent, serious complication ranging from 10% to 30%. In MitraClip (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California), a usually contrast-free procedure, there is scarce data about its real incidence and impact.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate incidence, predictive factors, and midterm outcomes of AKI in patients with significant mitral regurgitation (MR) undergoing transcatheter valve repair with MitraClip.

Transcatheter Mitral Repair for Functional Mitral Regurgitation According to Left Ventricular Function: A Real-Life Propensity-Score Matched Study.

Background: Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) could improve survival in functional mitral regurgitation (FMR), but it is necessary to consider the influence of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Therefore, we compare the outcomes after TMVR with Mitraclip between two groups according to LVEF.

Methods: In an observational registry study, we compared the outcomes in patients with FMR who underwent TMVR with and without LVEF <30%.

Transcatheter mitral repair according to the cause of mitral regurgitation: real-life data from the Spanish MitraClip registry.

Introduction And Objectives: Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) with MitraClip is a therapeutic option for high surgical risk patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR). The main objective of this study was to analyze differences in outcomes in patients with severe MR according to the cause of MR.

Methods: Observational, multicenter, and prospective study with consecutive patient inclusion.

Prosthetic Mitral Surgical Valve in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Recipients: A Multicenter Analysis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prognosis and specific complications of patients with prosthetic mitral valves (PMVs) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Background: TAVR is performed relatively often in patients with PMVs, but specific risks are not well described.

Methods: A multicenter analysis was conducted, including patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR at 10 centers.

Long-term Follow-up of Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis Treated With a Self-expanding Prosthesis.

Introduction And Objectives: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a safe and effective alternative to surgical treatment in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and those who are inoperable or at high surgical risk. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term survival of consecutive patients with severe AS treated with TAVI.

Methods: Observational, multicenter, prospective, follow-up study of consecutive patients with severe symptomatic AS treated by TAVI in 3 high-volume hospitals in Spain.

Prognostic value of body mass index in transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A "J"-shaped curve.

Objectives: We aimed to determine whether body mass index (BMI) is a prognostic indicator for long-term, all-cause mortality in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Background: Obesity in patients with established cardiovascular disease has previously been identified as an indicator of good prognosis, a phenomenon known as the "obesity paradox". The prognostic significance of BMI in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AoS) undergoing TAVI is a matter of current debate, as published studies are scarce and their results conflicting.

Cardiopoietic cell therapy for advanced ischaemic heart failure: results at 39 weeks of the prospective, randomized, double blind, sham-controlled CHART-1 clinical trial.

Aims: Cardiopoietic cells, produced through cardiogenic conditioning of patients' mesenchymal stem cells, have shown preliminary efficacy. The Congestive Heart Failure Cardiopoietic Regenerative Therapy (CHART-1) trial aimed to validate cardiopoiesis-based biotherapy in a larger heart failure cohort.

Methods And Results: This multinational, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study was conducted in 39 hospitals.

A randomised trial of paclitaxel-eluting balloon after bare metal stent implantation vs. bare metal stent in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (the PEBSI study).

Aims: Our aim was to assess the safety and efficacy of paclitaxel-eluting balloon (PTX-B) treatment after bare metal stent (BMS) implantation in patients undergoing primary angioplasty.

Methods And Results: After BMS implantation, patients were randomised (1:1) to treatment with a PTX-B or no PTX-B treatment (BMS group). The primary endpoint was in-stent late luminal loss (LLL) at nine-month follow-up.

Mitral Regurgitation After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Prognosis, Imaging Predictors, and Potential Management.

Objectives: This study sought to analyze the clinical impact of the degree and improvement of mitral regurgitation in TAVR recipients, validate the main imaging determinants of this improvement, and assess the potential candidates for double valve repair with percutaneous techniques.

Background: Many patients with severe aortic stenosis present with concomitant mitral regurgitation (MR). Cardiac imaging plays a key role in identifying prognostic factors of MR persistence after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and for planning its treatment.

Puncture Versus Surgical Cutdown Complications of Transfemoral Aortic Valve Implantation (from the Spanish TAVI Registry).

Vascular complications in transcatheter aortic valve implantation using transfemoral approach are related to higher mortality. Complete percutaneous approach is currently the preferred technique for vascular access. However, some centers still perform surgical cutdown.

[Role of serum leptin in the severity of coronary artery disease in patients with stable angina].

Background And Objectives: Leptin is a plasmatic peptide hormone that has been related to cardiovascular homeostasis and atherosclerosis but much is still unknown about its relationship with coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of serum leptin in patients with stable angina and its relationship with the severity of coronary disease.

Patients And Methods: 204 patients, 152 with stable angina (coronary artery disease group) and 52 without coronary disease excluded by cardiac computerized tomography (control group) were included.