Association of Handgrip Strength With Readmission, Mortality, and Exercise Capacity in Patients With Heart Failure.

Background: Patients with heart failure (HF) experience a marked reduction in overall skeletal muscle strength and exercise capacity, which is detrimental to their prognosis. This study examined the clinical implications of handgrip strength (HGS) in patients with HF.

Methods: Overall, 173 patients (mean age, 62 years; 81.

Pressure-Modulated Energy Transfer Dynamics in Mn-Doped CdS/ZnS Core/Shell Quantum Dots.

Transition metal doping in semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) significantly impacts their optical properties, thus expanding the range of their potential optoelectronic applications. This study investigates the pressure-dependent energy transfer dynamics in Mn-doped CdS/ZnS core/shell QDs, focusing on how external hydrostatic pressure modulates these dynamics and optical properties. By synthesizing Mn-doped QDs with varying Mn doping concentrations, we explore the effects of the pressure on photoluminescence (PL) spectra and energy transfer efficiency.

Phase angle in bioelectrical impedance analysis for assessing congestion in acute heart failure.

Background: The phase angle (PhA) in bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) reflects the cell membrane integrity or body fluid equilibrium. We examined how the PhA aligns with previously known markers of acute heart failure (HF) and assessed its value as a screening tool.

Methods: PhA was measured in 50 patients with HF and 20 non-HF controls along with the edema index (EI), another BIA parameter suggestive of edema.

Preparation of a Self-Assembled Nanoantiviral Pesticide with Strong Adhesion Performance for Efficiency Control of Destructive .

In this context, we reported for the first time the design and development of a self-assembled nanoantiviral pesticide based on the star polycation (SPc) and the broad-spectrum fungicide/antiviral agent seboctylamine for field control of (SMV), a highly destructive plant virus in soybean crops. The SPc could self-assemble with seboctylamine through hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces, and the complexation with SPc reduced the particle size of seboctylamine to form a spherical seboctylamine/SPc complex. In addition, the contact angle of seboctylamine decreased, and its retention increased with the aid of SPc, indicating excellent wetting properties and strong leaf surface adhesion performance.

Gold nanorods coated with self-assembled silk fibroin for improving their biocompatibility and facilitating targeted photothermal-photodynamic cancer therapy.

Gold nanorods (AuNRs) have shown great potential as photothermal agents for cancer therapy. However, the biosafety of AuNRs ordinarily synthesized using a cationic ligand assistance procedure has always been a subject of controversy, which limits their application in tumor therapy. In this study, we propose a novel strategy to enhance the biocompatibility of AuNRs by constructing a biological coating derived from silk fibroin (SF) on their surface.

Hydroxychloroquine-induced acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis with HLA-typing.

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a rare drug reaction characterized by numerous pustules on an erythematous base. In some cases, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) can cause AGEP. There is an association between HLA genes and AGEP according to pharmacogenomic studies.

Plain Language Summary of Publication: A comparison of once-monthly and once-every-2-months injectable formulations of aripiprazole in people with schizophrenia.

The purpose of this summary is to explain key findings from a study that included people with schizophrenia, as described in two separate articles (see the 'Further Information' section for more details). The study compared a new formulation of aripiprazole, given as an injection once every 2 months, with a once‑monthly injection of aripiprazole.

Use of an injection of aripiprazole given once every 2 months (Abilify Asimtufii) in people with bipolar I disorder: a Plain Language Summary of Publication.

The purpose of this summary is to explain key findings from a study that included people with bipolar I disorder, as described in two separate articles (see the 'Further Information' section for more details). The study compared a new formulation of aripiprazole, given as an injection once every 2 months, with a once‑monthly injection of aripiprazole.

Ketone Skeletal Modification via a Metallaphotoredox-Catalyzed Deacylation and Acylation Strategy.

Herein, we describe a dual catalytic strategy that employs dihydroquinazolinones, derived from ketone analogs, as versatile intermediates for acylation via α C-C cleavage with 2-pyridyl esters, facilitating the efficient synthesis of a variety of ketones. The reaction accommodates a wide range of ketones and carboxylic acids, showing tolerance to various functional groups. The versatility of this synthetic technique is further highlighted through its application in the late-stage modification of pharmaceuticals and biologically active natural products.

Prognostic Value of Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure in Severe Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis.

Background: Current guidelines recommend intervention for asymptomatic rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) with mitral valve area ≤1.5 cm based on indicators including pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) >50 mm Hg and new-onset atrial fibrillation; however, evidence supporting this is lacking.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study included patients with rheumatic MS between 2006 and 2022.

A comparative study of femoral artery and combined femoral and axillary artery cannulation in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients.

Objective: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a critical support technique for cardiac surgery patients. This study compares the outcomes of femoral artery cannulation vs. combined femoral and axillary artery cannulation in post-cardiotomy VA-ECMO patients.

Temporal trends in the prevalence, incidence, and mortality of cardiac amyloidosis in Korea over 12 years.

Objectives: This study investigated the prevalence, incidence, and prognosis of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) in Korea.

Methods: This retrospective nationwide population-based study used the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service databases between 2008 and 2020. All patients diagnosed with amyloidosis were included, and those with a diagnosis of heart failure or cardiomyopathy were classified as having CA.

Role of Neurotropic Viruses in Brain Metastasis of Breast Cancer: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications.

Neurotropic viruses have been implicated in altering the central nervous system microenvironment and promoting brain metastasis of breast cancer through complex interactions involving viral entry mechanisms, modulation of the blood-brain barrier, immune evasion, and alteration of the tumour microenvironment. This narrative review explores the molecular mechanisms by which neurotropic viruses such as Herpes Simplex Virus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Japanese Encephalitis Virus, and Rabies Virus facilitate brain metastasis, focusing on their ability to disrupt blood-brain barrier integrity, modulate immune responses, and create a permissive environment for metastatic cell survival and growth within the central nervous system. Current therapeutic implications and challenges in targeting neurotropic viruses to prevent or treat brain metastasis are discussed, highlighting the need for innovative strategies and multidisciplinary approaches in virology, oncology, and immunology.

Effects of MAFLD defined by fatty liver index or ultrasonography on kidney function decline in the general population.

This study aimed to investigate whether metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) defined by the fatty liver index (FLI) affects the decline in kidney function and whether this relationship is still observed in MAFLD defined by ultrasonography (USG). A retrospective cohort study was conducted using de-identified data from participants who received health checkups at Samsung Changwon Hospital between 2002 and 2018. The primary and secondary exposures were the presence of FLI- and USG-defined MAFLD, respectively.

Different diabetogenic effect of statins according to intensity and dose in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a nationwide cohort study.

Statin is crucial for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. However, the risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) associated with statin is a concern. This study aimed to determine the incremental diabetogenic effects of statins according to their intensity and dose in AMI patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Vaccination coverage of hepatitis B and associated factors among health care workers in Gansu province.

The investigation was conducted to describe the status of coverage of HBV vaccination among the health care workers in Gansu province and to explore the associated factors of HBV vaccination in this study. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1544 health care workers from 64 hospitals in Gansu province. A self-designed questionnaire was used to interview the health care workers about HBV vaccination coverage.

Gold nanoparticles-conjugation of irisin enhances therapeutic effect by improving cardiac function and attenuating inflammation in sepsis.

Irisin is considered to be a promising therapeutic approach for cardiac depression and inflammatory disorders. The short half-life of irisin impeded its use and drug efficacy in the treatment. This study aimed to examine if pegylated gold nanoparticles-conjugated to irisin would improve therapeutic effects in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis in mice.

Thromboembolism after coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination in atrial fibrillation/flutter: a self-controlled case series study.

Background And Aims: Concerns about the safety of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFL) have arisen due to reports of thrombo-embolic events following COVID-19 vaccination in the general population. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of thrombo-embolic events after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with AF/AFL.

Methods: This was a modified self-controlled case-series study using a comprehensive nationwide-linked database provided by the National Health Insurance Service in South Korea to calculate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of thrombo-embolic events.

Assessing lung fluid status using noninvasive bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients with acute heart failure: A pilot study.

Background: Outpatient monitoring of pulmonary congestion in heart failure (HF) patients may reduce hospitalization rates. This study tested the feasibility of non-invasive high-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (HF-BIA) for estimating lung fluid status.

Methods: This prospective study included 70 participants: 50 with acute HF (HF group) and 20 without HF (control group).

Dynamic Transformation of High-Architectural Nanocrystal Superlattices upon Solvent Molecule Exposure.

The cluster-based body-centered-cubic superlattice (cBCC SL) represents one of the most complicated structures among reported nanocrystal assemblies, comprised of 72 truncated tetrahedral quantum dots per unit cell. Our previous report revealed that truncated tetrahedral quantum dots within cBCC SLs possessed highly controlled translational and orientational order owing to an unusual energetic landscape based on the balancing of entropic and enthalpic contributions during the assembly process. However, the cBCC SL's structural transformability and mechanical properties, uniquely originating from such complicated nanostructures, have yet to be investigated.