Epitaxial Growth of Large-Area Monolayers and van der Waals Heterostructures of Transition-Metal Chalcogenides via Assisted Nucleation.

The transition-metal chalcogenides include some of the most important and ubiquitous families of 2D materials. They host an exceptional variety of electronic and collective states, which can in principle be readily tuned by combining different compounds in van der Waals heterostructures. Achieving this, however, presents a significant materials challenge.

Electric-field-assisted proton coupling enhanced oxygen evolution reaction.

The discovery of Mn-Ca complex in photosystem II stimulates research of manganese-based catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, conventional chemical strategies face challenges in regulating the four electron-proton processes of OER. Herein, we investigate alpha-manganese dioxide (α-MnO) with typical Mn-O-Mn-HO motifs as a model for adjusting proton coupling.

Perioperative echocardiographic strain analysis: what anesthesiologists should know.

Purpose: Echocardiographic strain analysis by speckle tracking allows assessment of myocardial deformation during the cardiac cycle. Its clinical applications have significantly expanded over the last two decades as a sensitive marker of myocardial dysfunction with important diagnostic and prognostic values. Strain analysis has the potential to become a routine part of the perioperative echocardiographic examination for most anesthesiologist-echocardiographers but its exact role in the perioperative setting is still being defined.

Hemodynamic management during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: a narrative review of proper targets for safe execution and troubleshooting.

Off-pump coronary surgery requires mechanical cardiac displacement, which results in bi-ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Although transient, subsequent hemodynamic deterioration can be associated with poor prognosis and, in extreme cases, emergency conversion to on-pump surgery, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Thus, appropriate decision-making regarding whether the surgery can be proceeded based on objective hemodynamic targets is essential before coronary arteriotomy.

Diffusiophoresis-Driven Stratification in Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Films from Bimodal Waterborne Colloids.

The uses of pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are wide ranging, with applications including labels, tapes, and graphics. To achieve good adhesion, a PSA must exhibit a balance of viscous and elastic properties. Previous research has found that a thin, elastic surface layer on top of a softer, dissipative layer resulted in greater tack adhesion compared with the single layers.

How Particle Deformability Influences the Surfactant Distribution in Colloidal Polymer Films.

The distribution of surfactants in waterborne colloidal polymer films is of significant interest for scientific understanding and defining surface properties in applications including pressure-sensitive adhesives and coatings. Because of negative effects on appearance, wetting, and adhesion, it is desirable to prevent surfactant accumulation at film surfaces. The effect of particle deformation on surfactant migration during film formation was previously investigated by Gromer et al.

Radial-to-femoral pressure gradient quantification in cardiac surgery.

Background: A radial-to-femoral pressure gradient (RFPG) can occur in roughly one-third of cardiac surgical patients. Such a gradient has been associated with smaller stature and potentially smaller radial artery diameter. We hypothesized that preoperative radial artery diameter could be a predictor of RFPG.

Should we use diastolic function parameters to determine preload responsiveness in cardiac surgery? A pilot study.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) diastolic function (DF) may play an important role in predicting fluid responsiveness. However, few studies assessed the role of diastolic function in predicting fluid responsiveness. The aim of this pilot study was to assess whether parameters of right and left diastolic function assessed with transesophageal echocardiography, including the mitral E/e' ratio, is associated with fluid responsiveness among patients undergoing elective bypass graft surgery.

Endovascular Vena Cavae Occlusion Technique in Minimally Invasive Tricuspid Valve Surgery in Patients With Previous Cardiac Surgery.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to describe a bicaval endovascular occlusion technique in minimally invasive tricuspid valve (TV) surgery in patients with previous cardiac surgery.

Design: Case series.

Setting: Single tertiary university center.

In Vivo Protamine Titration Using Activated Coagulation Time to Neutralize Heparin Anticoagulation in Cardiac Surgery: Proof of Concept.

Objective: In vivo protamine titration (IVPT) is based on the observation of a plateau on the decay curve of the celite activated clotting times (ACTs) during protamine infusion for heparin reversal. The aim of the present study was to determine the optimal protamine/heparin ratio to reverse anticoagulation using IVPT curves.

Design: Prospective, randomized study.

Myocardial Protection in Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery: Retrograde Cardioplegia Alone Using Endovascular Coronary Sinus Catheter Compared With Combined Antegrade and Retrograde Cardioplegia.

Objective: To compare myocardial protection with retrograde cardioplegia alone with antegrade and retrograde cardioplegia in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMS).

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Tertiary care university hospital.

Perioperative Right Ventricular Pressure Monitoring in Cardiac Surgery.

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is a cause of increased morbidity and mortality in both cardiac surgery and noncardiac surgery and in the intensive care unit. Early diagnosis of this condition still poses a challenge. The diagnosis of RV dysfunction traditionally is based on a combination of echocardiography, hemodynamic measurements, and clinical symptoms.

Assessment of Left Ventricular Dimensions by Transoesophageal Echocardiography in Patients During Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

Objective: Normative values of left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic area and diameter (EDA and EDD) for intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) have not been established. We aimed to define the ranges of LV EDA and EDD for intraoperative TEE examinations in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Methods: A MEDLINE search for studies reporting LV EDA and EDD in CABG patients was performed.

Myocardial Protection in Mitral Valve Surgery: Comparison Between Minimally Invasive Approach and Standard Sternotomy.

Objective: To compare antegrade and retrograde cardioplegia administration in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMS) and open mitral valve surgery (OMS) for myocardial protection.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Tertiary care university hospital.

Risk Factors for Radial-to-Femoral Artery Pressure Gradient in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Objective: To identify risk factors associated with radial-to-femoral pressure gradient during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Design: This is a retrospective, observational study.

Setting: Single specialized cardiothoracic hospital in Montreal, Canada.

Low-Dose Versus High-Dose Tranexamic Acid Reduces the Risk of Nonischemic Seizures After Cardiac Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Objective: The incidence of postoperative nonischemic seizures associated with the use of tranexamic acid (TXA) and the possibility of prevention with a low-dose regimen of TXA were evaluated.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Tertiary care university hospital.

Transesophageal echocardiographic imaging of multiple complications following mitral valve replacement.

Unlabelled: We present a case of mitral valve (MV) replacement that resulted in multiple complications, as diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), including left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, aortic dissection and left ventricular rupture. We also describe that identification of bleeding originating from the posterior aspect of the heart by the surgical team should trigger a complete TEE evaluation for adequate diagnosis. An 84-year-old woman underwent a MV replacement.

Risk Factors Involved in Central-to-Radial Arterial Pressure Gradient During Cardiac Surgery.

Background: A central-to-radial arterial pressure gradient may occur after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), which, in some patients, may last for a prolonged time after CPB. Whenever there is a pressure gradient, the radial artery pressure measure may underestimate a more centrally measured systemic pressure, which may result in a misguided therapeutic strategy. It is clinically important to identify the risk factors that may predict the appearance of a central-to-radial pressure gradient, because more central sites of measurements might then be considered to monitor systemic arterial pressure in high-risk patients.

Right Ventricular Depression After Cardiopulmonary Bypass for Valvular Surgery.

Objective: To assess if right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is associated with increased mortality after cardiac surgery.

Design: Post-hoc analysis of a single-center double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Setting: University hospital.

Innovative approaches in the perioperative care of the cardiac surgical patient in the operating room and intensive care unit.

Perioperative care for cardiac surgery is undergoing rapid evolution. Many of the changes involve the application of novel technologies to tackle common challenges in optimizing perioperative management. Herein, we illustrate recent advances in perioperative management by focusing on a number of novel components that we judge to be particularly important.