The Prognostic Role of Pulmonary Arterial Elastance in Patients Undergoing Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: A Pilot Study.

: Pulmonary arterial elastance (Ea) is a helpful parameter to predict the risk of acute postoperative right ventricular failure (RVF) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. A new method for calculating Ea, obtained by the ratio between transpulmonary gradient and stroke volume (Ea), has been proposed as a more accurate measure than the Ea obtained as the ratio between pulmonary artery systolic pressure and stroke volume (Ea). However, the role of Ea in predicting acute RVF post-LVAD implantation remains unclear.

Nucleation-Limited Kinetics of GaAs Nanostructures Grown by Selective Area Epitaxy: Implications for Shape Engineering in Optoelectronics Devices.

The growth kinetics of vertical III-V nanowires (NWs) were clarified long ago. The increasing aspect ratio of NWs results in an increase in the surface area, which, in turn, enhances the material collection. The group III adatom diffusion from the NW sidewalls to the top sustains a superlinear growth regime.

New insights into the impact of leachates from in-field collected plastics on aquatic invertebrates and vertebrates.

The impact of leachates from micronized beached plastics of the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean on coastal marine ecosystems was investigated by using a multidisciplinary approach. Chemical analysis and ecotoxicological tests on phylogenetically distant species were performed on leachates from the following plastic categories: bottles, pellets, hard plastic (HP) containers, fishing nets (FN) and rapido trawling rubber (RTR). The bacteria Alivibrio fischeri, the nauplii of the crustaceans Amphibalanus amphitrite and Acartia tonsa, the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis, the embryos of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, the ephyrae of the jellyfish Aurelia sp.

High concentrations of phthalates affect the early development of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus.

The toxicity of three phthalates (PAEs) - butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) - was tested on the Mediterranean sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Fertilized eggs were exposed to environmental and high PAE concentrations for 72 h. The potential toxic effects on larval development and any morphological anomalies were then assessed to estimate PAEs impact.

4-aminopyridine improves evoked potentials and ambulation in the taiep rat: A model of hypomyelination with atrophy of basal ganglia and cerebellum.

The taiep rat is a tubulin mutant with an early hypomyelination followed by progressive demyelination of the central nervous system due to a point mutation in the Tubb4a gene. It shows clinical, radiological, and pathological signs like those of the human leukodystrophy hypomyelination with atrophy of the basal ganglia and cerebellum (H-ABC). Taiep rats had tremor, ataxia, immobility episodes, epilepsy, and paralysis; the acronym of these signs given the name to this autosomal recessive trait.

Direct and integrating sampling in terahertz receivers from wafer-scalable InAs nanowires.

Terahertz (THz) radiation will play a pivotal role in wireless communications, sensing, spectroscopy and imaging technologies in the decades to come. THz emitters and receivers should thus be simplified in their design and miniaturized to become a commodity. In this work we demonstrate scalable photoconductive THz receivers based on horizontally-grown InAs nanowires (NWs) embedded in a bow-tie antenna that work at room temperature.

: A Key Player in Regulating the - Symbiotic Interaction.

Cysteine-rich receptor-like kinases (CRKs) are a type of receptor-like kinases (RLKs) that are important for pathogen resistance, extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling, and programmed cell death in plants. In a previous study, we identified 46 CRK family members in the genome and found that was highly upregulated under root nodule symbiotic conditions. To better understand the role of in the - symbiotic interaction, we functionally characterized this gene by overexpressing (-OE) and silencing (-RNAi) it in a hairy root system.

The implementation of thermal and UV nanoimprint lithography for selective area epitaxy.

Semiconductor nanowires (NWs) in horizontal configuration could provide a path for scalable NW-based devices. Bottom-up large-scale manufacturing of these nanostructures by selective area epitaxy (SAE) relies on precise nanopatterning of various shapes on the growth masks. Electron beam lithography offers an extraordinary accuracy suited for the purpose.

From Layer-by-Layer Growth to Nanoridge Formation: Selective Area Epitaxy of GaAs by MOVPE.

Selective area epitaxy at the nanoscale enables fabrication of high-quality nanostructures in regular arrays with predefined geometry. Here, we investigate the growth mechanisms of GaAs nanoridges on GaAs (100) substrates in selective area trenches by metal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE). It is found that pre-growth annealing results in the formation of valley-like structures of GaAs with atomic terraces inside the trenches.

Trapping Layers Prevent Dopant Segregation and Enable Remote Doping of Templated Self-Assembled InGaAs Nanowires.

Selective area epitaxy is a promising approach to define nanowire networks for topological quantum computing. However, it is challenging to concurrently engineer nanowire morphology, for carrier confinement, and precision doping, to tune carrier density. We report a strategy to promote Si dopant incorporation and suppress dopant diffusion in remote doped InGaAs nanowires templated by GaAs nanomembrane networks.

Nanoplastic uptake temporarily affects the pulsing behavior in ephyrae of the moon jellyfish Aurelia sp.

The aim of this study is to investigate for the first time the uptake and ecotoxicological effects of nanoplastics (NPs) in a marine cnidarian. Ephyrae of the moon jellyfish Aurelia sp. of different ages (0 and 7 days old) were exposed to negatively charged polystyrene NPs for 24 h; then, the uptake was assessed through traditional and novel techniques, namely microscopy and three-dimensional (3D) holotomography.

Label-Free Non-Linear Optics for the Study of Tubulin-Dependent Defects in Central Myelin.

The satisfactory visualization of cytoskeletal components in the brain is challenging. The ubiquitous distribution of the networks of microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments in all the neural tissues, together with the variability in the outcomes of fluorescent protein fusion strategies and their limited applicability to dynamic studies of antibodies and drugs as chromophore vehicles, make classical optical approaches not as effective as for other proteins. When tubulin needs to be studied, the label-free generation of second harmonics is a very suitable option due to the non-centrosymmetric organization of the molecule.

Liver impact of growth hormone (GH) intermittent treatment during the growth period in mice.

Liver impact of prolonged GH-treatment given to non-GH-deficient growing mice between the third and eighth week of life was evaluated in both sexes. Tissues were collected 6 h after last dose or four weeks later. Somatometric, biochemical, histological, immunohistochemical, RT-qPCR and immunoblotting determinations were performed.

Concurrent optical inspection to boost characterization of plastic cortical bone under mechanical deformation.

The simultaneous surface and internal measurements from a chemically modified cortical bovine bone suffering a plastic range deformation are presented. Since the bone is an anisotropic structure, its mechanical response could be modified if its organic or inorganic phases change. The latter could result in high plastic deformations, where the interferometrical signal from an optical analysis is easily de-correlated.

H-ABC tubulinopathy revealed by label-free second harmonic generation microscopy.

Hypomyelination with atrophy of the basal ganglia and cerebellum is a recently described tubulinopathy caused by a mutation in the tubulin beta 4a isoform, expressed in oligodendrocytes. The taiep rat is the only spontaneous tubulin beta 4a mutant available for the study of this pathology. We aimed to identify the effects of the tubulin mutation on freshly collected, unstained samples of the central white matter of taiep rats using second harmonic generation microscopy.

Selective area epitaxy of GaAs: the unintuitive role of feature size and pitch.

Selective area epitaxy (SAE) provides the path for scalable fabrication of semiconductor nanostructures in a device-compatible configuration. In the current paradigm, SAE is understood as localized epitaxy, and is modelled by combining planar and self-assembled nanowire growth mechanisms. Here we use GaAs SAE as a model system to provide a different perspective.

Prediction of right ventricular failure after left ventricular assist device implantation: role of vasodilator challenge.

Aims: Pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) is an indicator of right ventricular (RV) function and an independent predictor of right ventricular failure (RVF) following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Administration of vasodilator challenge during right heart catheterization (RHC) could reduce RV workload allowing a better assessment of its functional reserve.

Methods And Results: Patients undergoing LVAD implantation at our Institution between May 2013 and August 2021 were enrolled.

Cold storage effects on lethal and sublethal responses of Amphibalanus amphitrite Nauplii.

Bioassays are extensively used in ecotoxicology and there is a constant need for even more sensitive, reliable and easy to rear and obtain model organisms. Larvae of the crustacean Amphibalanus amphitrite are a good ecotoxicological model, for their high sensitivity to a wide range of toxicants and emerging contaminants. A standardized protocol for this toxicity bioassay has been recently proposed.

Insulin signaling in the heart is impaired by growth hormone: a direct and early event.

Growth hormone (GH) exerts major actions in cardiac growth and metabolism. Considering the important role of insulin in the heart and the well-established anti-insulin effects of GH, cardiac insulin resistance may play a role in the cardiopathology observed in acromegalic patients. As conditions of prolonged exposure to GH are associated with a concomitant increase of circulating GH, IGF1 and insulin levels, to dissect the direct effects of GH, in this study, we evaluated the activation of insulin signaling in the heart using four different models: (i) transgenic mice overexpressing GH, with chronically elevated GH, IGF1 and insulin circulating levels; (ii) liver IGF1-deficient mice, with chronically elevated GH and insulin but decreased IGF1 circulating levels; (iii) mice treated with GH for a short period of time; (iv) primary culture of rat cardiomyocytes incubated with GH.

Nanoscale Mapping of Light Emission in Nanospade-Based InGaAs Quantum Wells Integrated on Si(100): Implications for Dual Light-Emitting Devices.

III-V semiconductors outperform Si in many optoelectronics applications due to their high carrier mobility, efficient light emission and absorption processes, and the possibility to engineer their band gap through alloying. However, complementing Si technology with III-V semiconductors by integration on Si(100) remains a challenge still today. Vertical nanospades (NSPDs) are quasi-bi-crystal III-V nanostructures that grow on Si(100).

Surface Profile Studies of Photoinduced Gratings Made with DCG Films with Optional Papain Development.

The use of surface relief structures is increasing in the field of optics. A study of photoinduced relief using dichromated gelatin films with different thickness is described in this paper. Two light sources were used: a laser (λ = 468 nm) and an ultraviolet mercury-metal halide lamp.

Total mesorectal excision laparoscopic versus transanal approach for rectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Total mesorectal excision (TME) performed for the first time by Held through an open approach, it has become the standard technique for the surgical treatment of rectal cancer. The aim the of this meta-analysis is to compare the outcomes provided by TaTME than LaTME.

Material And Methods: In this meta-analysis, we included all comparative studies, prospective and retrospective, which addressed in low and middle rectal cancer, a comparison between TaTME and LaTME.

Synthesis and Antifouling Activity Evaluation of Analogs of Bromosphaerol, a Brominated Diterpene Isolated from the Red Alga .

Marine biofouling is an epibiotic biological process that affects almost any kind of submerged surface, causing globally significant economic problems mainly for the shipping industry and aquaculture companies, and its prevention so far has been associated with adverse environmental effects for non-target organisms. Previously, we have identified bromosphaerol (), a brominated diterpene isolated from the red alga , as a promising agent with significant antifouling activity, exerting strong anti-settlement activity against larvae of () and very low toxicity. The significant antifouling activity and low toxicity of bromosphaerol () motivated us to explore its chemistry, aiming to optimize its antifouling potential through the preparation of a number of analogs.

Periprocedural Myocardial Injury in High-Risk Patients With NSTEMI Pretreated With Ticagrelor for Less or More Than 6 Hours Before PCI.

We assessed the impact on periprocedural myocardial injury of a ticagrelor loading dose given <6 or >6 hours before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients at high risk. All consecutive patients pretreated with ticagrelor and undergoing PCI for a high-risk NSTEMI have been included in the present analysis. Propensity-score matching was performed to compare the outcomes between patients pretreated with ticagrelor for >6 hours or ≤6 hours.