Three-Year Outcomes With a Supra-Annular, Self-Expanding Bioprosthesis and a Pericardial Wrap-The FORWARD PRO Study.

Background: The self-expanding, supra-annular Evolut valve is an established platform for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). Evolut PRO introduced an outer sealing wrap to mitigate paravalvular leakage. We evaluated the 3-year clinical outcomes and valve performance of the Evolut PRO in standard clinical practice for severe aortic stenosis (AS) patients at intermediate or higher risk for surgery.

Direct aortic TAVI via anterior right mini-thoracotomy using 32 mm myval for pure aortic regurgitation.

Background: Aortic regurgitation with dilated annulus presents a technical challenge for conventional transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures.

Case Presentation: We report a case of an 84-year-old frail patient with a history of breathlessness found to have severe aortic regurgitation and moderately impaired left ventricular systolic function. The patient underwent a successful TAVI procedure using the XL-Myval 32 mm transcatheter heart valve (THV) via an anterior right mini-thoracotomy with a direct aortic approach.

Identification of an H-Ras nanocluster disrupting peptide.

Hyperactive Ras signalling is found in most cancers. Ras proteins are only active in membrane nanoclusters, which are therefore potential drug targets. We previously showed that the nanocluster scaffold galectin-1 (Gal1) enhances H-Ras nanoclustering via direct interaction with the Ras binding domain (RBD) of Raf.

An Improved PDE6D Inhibitor Combines with Sildenafil To Inhibit Mutant Cancer Cell Growth.

The trafficking chaperone PDE6D (or PDEδ) was proposed as a surrogate target for K-Ras, leading to the development of a series of inhibitors that block its prenyl binding pocket. These inhibitors suffered from low solubility and suspected off-target effects, preventing their clinical development. Here, we developed a highly soluble, low nanomolar PDE6D inhibitor (PDE6Di), Deltaflexin3, which has the lowest off-target activity as compared to three prominent reference compounds.

Valve Hemodynamics by Valve Size and 1-Year Survival Following Implantation of the Portico Valve in the Multicenter CONFIDENCE Registry.

Background: The CONtrolled delivery For ImproveD outcomEs with cliNiCal Evidence registry was initiated to characterize the clinical safety and device performance from experienced transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) centers in Europe and Australia that use the Portico valve to treat patients with severe aortic stenosis. We herein report for the first time the valve performance at 30-day across all implanted valve sizes and the 1-year survival from this registry.

Methods: This was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm observational clinical investigation of patients clinically indicated for implantation of a Portico valve in experienced TAVI centers.

Case Report: causing prosthetic joint infection in an adult.

Introduction: is a Gram-negative micro-organism that is rarely isolated as a pathogen in the adult population. Although widely reported to affect prosthetic heart valves, there have been no previously reported cases of infecting prosthetic joints in adults.

Case Presentation: A 61-year-old patient with a history of rheumatoid arthritis presented with insidious onset of pain and swelling in her right shoulder, which had progressed to a discharging sinus.

Double Labial Talon Cusp on Permanent Incisior-An Unusual Occurrence.

A labial or lingual talon cusp is a well distinct extra cusp that is positioned on the plane or surface of the tooth of either upper or lower tooth usually covers an area of at least fifty percent of the teeth extends from the CEJ to the edge of the incisors. A talon cusp is considered be an extra or an accessory cusp enlarges from cingulum and to continually enlarge to be a fully formed cusp. Around three fourth of all documented talon cusps are present in the permanent dentition.

K-Ras Binds Calmodulin-Related Centrin1 with Potential Implications for K-Ras Driven Cancer Cell Stemness.

Recent data suggest that K-Ras4B (hereafter K-Ras) can drive cancer cell stemness via calmodulin (CaM)-dependent, non-canonical Wnt-signalling. Here we examined whether another Ca-binding protein, the CaM-related centrin1, binds to K-Ras and could mediate some K-Ras functions that were previously ascribed to CaM. While CaM and centrin1 appear to distinguish between peptides that were derived from their classical targets, they both bind to K-Ras in cells.

Redo aortic valve replacement valve-in-valve trans-catheter aortic valve implantation: a UK propensity-matched analysis.

This study sought to compare the morbidity and mortality of redo aortic valve replacement (redo-AVR) versus valve-in-valve trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (valve-in-valve TAVI) for patients with a failing bioprosthetic valve. A multicenter UK retrospective study of redo-AVR or valve-in-valve TAVI for patients referred for redo aortic valve intervention due to a degenerated aortic bioprosthesis. Propensity score matching was performed for confounding factors.

30-Day Clinical Outcomes of a Self-Expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valve: The International PORTICO NG Study.

Background: The self-expanding, intra-annular Navitor (Abbott Structural Heart) valve includes an outer cuff to reduce paravalvular leak (PVL) and large stent cells for future coronary access.

Objectives: The purpose of the PORTICO NG (Evaluation of the Portico NG [Next Generation] Transcatheter Aortic Valve in High and Extreme Risk Patients With Symptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis) study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Navitor valve in patients with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis who are at high or extreme surgical risk.

Methods: PORTICO NG is a prospective, multicenter, global study with follow-up at 30 days, 1 year, and annually through 5 years.

Click-Functionalization of Silanized Carbon Nanotubes: From Inorganic Heterostructures to Biosensing Nanohybrids.

Here we present an approach to functionalize silanized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) through copper-free click chemistry for the assembly of inorganic and biological nanohybrids. The nanotube functionalization route involves silanization and strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions (SPACC). This was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy.

Thirty-day and one-year outcomes of the Navitor transcatheter heart valve in patients with aortic stenosis: the prospective, multicentre, global PORTICO NG Study.

Background: The Navitor transcatheter heart valve (THV) is a self-expanding valve, with an intra-annular leaflet position and an outer cuff intended to reduce paravalvular leak (PVL).

Aims: The aim of the PORTICO NG Study is to assess the safety and performance of the Navitor THV in patients with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis who are at high or extreme surgical risk.

Methods: PORTICO NG is a prospective, multicentre, global, single-arm, investigational study with follow-up at 30 days, 1 year, and annually up to 5 years.

UK CoPACK Study: knowledge and confidence of healthcare workers in using personal protective equipment and related anxiety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection control guidelines help limit transmission. However, poor confidence leads to higher levels of anxiety rates and infection.

First-in-Human Dedicated Leaflet Splitting Device for Prevention of Coronary Obstruction in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Coronary artery obstruction is a life-threatening complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. Current preventive strategies are suboptimal.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe bench testing and clinical experience with a novel device that splits valve leaflets that are at risk for causing coronary obstruction after TAVR, allowing normal coronary flow.

One-Year Results of the Portico Transcatheter Aortic Heart Valve Using the Next-Generation FlexNav Delivery System.

Background: The FlexNav delivery system (DS) features a hydrophilic coating, stability layer, and integrated sheath to facilitate valve deployment in vessel diameters ≥5.0 mm.

Methods: Data were pooled from 2 concurrent prospective, multicenter, premarket studies (PORTICO IDE [n = 147] and FlexNav EU CE Mark [n = 46]) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the FlexNav DS to deliver the Portico valve in the Global FlexNav study.

Exciton tuning in monolayer WSe substrate induced electron doping.

We report large exciton tuning in WSe monolayers substrate induced non-degenerate doping. We observe a redshift of ∼62 meV for the A exciton together with a 1-2 orders of magnitude photoluminescence (PL) quenching when the monolayer WSe is brought in contact with highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) compared to dielectric substrates such as hBN and SiO. As the evidence of doping from HOPG to WSe, a drastic increase of the intensity ratio of trions to neutral excitons was observed.

Procedural Safety and Device Performance of the Portico™ Valve from Experienced TAVI Centers: 30-Day Outcomes in the Multicenter CONFIDENCE Registry.

A total of 1001 subjects (82.0 years, 62.5% female, 63.

Potential of phenothiazines to synergistically block calmodulin and reactivate PP2A in cancer cells.

Phenothiazines (PTZ) were developed as inhibitors of monoamine neurotransmitter receptors, notably dopamine receptors. Because of this activity they have been used for decades as antipsychotic drugs. In addition, they possess significant anti-cancer properties and several attempts for their repurposing were made.

Reframing Optimal Implantation of the Sapien 3 Transcatheter Heart Valve.

Objectives: To define the optimal implantation of the Sapien 3 (Edwards Lifesciences) transcatheter heart valve (THV), this study systematically analyzed the predeployment fluoroscopic THV position and correlated this to clinical outcomes.

Methods: This was an observational study of 279 patients treated with the Sapien 3 THV. Fluoroscopic imaging was used to categorize patients into low (n = 147), intermediate (n = 86), and high (n = 46) implantation zones.

Open transcatheter valve implantation for mitral annular calcification: One-year outcomes.

Background: Transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) for native mitral valve pathology with severe mitral annular calcification has emerged as an alternative treatment option to conventional mitral valve surgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate patients who were referred for TMVI with severe mitral annular calcification and their procedural outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients from 2017 to 2020 referred for TMVI was carried out.

Joint replacement surgery for elbow tumours: a systematic review of outcomes.

Background: Tumour resection followed by joint reconstruction is a surgical option in the appropriate patient. The evidence for such reconstructive surgery of the elbow joint is limited. The aim of this study is to review the literature to evaluate the outcomes of joint replacement surgery in tumours of the elbow.

Pharmacophore Model for SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro Small-Molecule Inhibitors and Experimental Validation of Computationally Screened Inhibitors.

Among the biomedical efforts in response to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, pharmacological strategies to reduce viral load in patients with severe forms of the disease are being studied intensively. One of the main drug target proteins proposed so far is the SARS-CoV-2 viral protease 3CLpro (also called Mpro), an essential component for viral replication. Ongoing ligand- and receptor-based computational screening efforts would be facilitated by an improved understanding of the electrostatic, hydrophobic, and steric features that characterize small-molecule inhibitors binding stably to 3CLpro and by an extended collection of known binders.

Final 3-year clinical outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve implantation with a supra-annular self-expanding repositionable valve in a real-world setting: Results from the multicenter FORWARD study.

Objectives: The Evolut R FORWARD study confirmed safety and effectivenesss of the Evolut R THV in routine clinical practice out to 1 year. Herein, we report the final 3-year clinical follow up of the FORWARD study.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a proven alternative to surgery in elderly patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

A Covalent Calmodulin Inhibitor as a Tool to Study Cellular Mechanisms of K-Ras-Driven Stemness.

Recently, the highly mutated oncoprotein K-Ras4B (hereafter K-Ras) was shown to drive cancer cell stemness in conjunction with calmodulin (CaM). We previously showed that the covalent CaM inhibitor ophiobolin A (OphA) can potently inhibit K-Ras stemness activity. However, OphA, a fungus-derived natural product, exhibits an unspecific, broad toxicity across all phyla.