Alterations in nasal airflow and air conditioning after endoscopic nasopharyngectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a pilot computational fluid dynamics study.

Endoscopic nasopharyngectomy represents a significant intervention for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Various surgical techniques, including transnasal and transoral approaches, are employed. However, the impact of these procedures on nasal airflow dynamics is not well understood.

Investigating the combinatorial effects of radiofrequency ablation and anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation and left atrial appendage thrombosis after successful thrombolysis.

The present study investigated the synergistic effects of radiofrequency ablation and various anticoagulants on adverse outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and left atrial appendage thrombosis following successful thrombolysis. Patients diagnosed with AF and left atrial appendage thrombosis post-successful thrombolysis (n=92) were retrospectively analysed. They were divided into two groups: Group A received radiofrequency ablation combined with an anticoagulant, while Group B received an anticoagulant alone and in combination with antiarrhythmic drugs.

Mechanisms and Risk Factors for Premature Ventricular Contraction Induced Cardiomyopathy.

Frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) can cause a reversible form of cardiomyopathy in patients without structural heart disease. Because of the challenging nature of PVC-induced cardiomyopathy (PVICM), the mechanisms and risk factors for PVICM are still unclear. Based on the evidence from retrospective and observational studies, the risk factors for the development of PVICM, in addition to PVC exposure, include QRS duration, coupling interval and male sex.

Activation of PKC affects the ventricular restitution properties and arrhythmogenesis through L-type Ca current.

Objective: To investigate the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in action potential duration (APD) restitution and ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VAs).

Methods And Results: Rabbits hearts were isolated and prepared for Langendorff perfusion technique. The stimuli-extra-stimulus (S-S) method and dynamic S pacing protocol were performed to construct APD restitution and to induce APD alternans or VA, respectively, at 10 sites throughout the ventricular chamber.

Short-term dietary teprenone improved thermal tolerance and mitigated liver damage caused by heat stress in juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).

Heat stress seriously threatens fish survival and health, demanding immediate attention. Teprenone is a gastric mucosal protective agent that can induce heat shock protein expression. This research investigated the effects of teprenone on largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) subjected to heat stress.

Value of the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio in refining the detection of prevalent heart failure: Insights from the NHANES 1999-2018.

The monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) is a novel marker that can help estimate the degree of atherosclerosis by considering inflammation and lipid abnormalities. This study aimed to assess the association between the MHR and prevalent heart failure (HF) and to explore the value of the MHR in detecting prevalent HF in the general US population. Our study included 25,374 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2018).

Adjunctive Right Atrial Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation With Right Atrial Enlargement: A Pilot Study.

Background: Persistent atrial fibrillation (PerAF) is often associated with right atrial (RA) enlargement. We investigated the efficacy of RA intervention in patients with PerAF and RA enlargement.

Methods: Patients with PerAF and RA enlargement were randomised (1:1) to receive adjunctive RA ablation (left atrial [LA] + RA group; n = 60) or to receive LA ablation alone (LA-only group; n = 60).

The interaction effect of pre-pregnancy body mass index and maternal age on the risk of pregnancy complications in twin pregnancies after assisted reproductive technology.

Objective: The widespread use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has led to an increased twin pregnancy rate and increased risk of pregnancy complications. Pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and maternal age are both risk factors for pregnancy complications. This study aimed to explore whether there is an interaction effect between pre-pregnancy BMI and maternal age on pregnancy complications in women with twin pregnancies after ART.

Multi-centre, prospective randomized comparison of three different substrate ablation strategies for persistent atrial fibrillation.

Aims: The optimal strategy for persistent atrial fibrillation (PerAF) is poorly defined. We conducted a multicentre, randomized, prospective trial to compare the outcomes of different ablation strategies for PerAF.

Methods And Results: We enrolled 450 patients and randomly assigned them in a 1:1:1 ratio to undergo pulmonary vein isolation and subsequently undergo the following three different ablation strategies: anatomical guided ablation (ANAT group, n = 150), electrogram guided ablation (EGM group, n = 150), and extensive electro-anatomical guided ablation (EXT group, n = 150).

Temporal and Spatial Changes of Proarrhythmic Substrate in Premature Ventricular Contraction-Induced Cardiomyopathy.

Background: The changes in proarrhythmic substrates and malignant ventricular arrhythmia mechanisms caused by premature ventricular contraction-induced cardiomyopathy (PVCCM) remain unclear.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to establish the electrophysiological mechanism of how high-load PVC causes malignant arrhythmia.

Methods: Thirteen swine were exposed to 50% paced PVC from the right ventricular apex for 12 weeks (PVCCM, n = 6) and no pacing for 12 weeks (control, n = 7).

Rotor mechanism and its mapping in atrial fibrillation.

Treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains challenging despite significant progress in understanding its underlying mechanisms. The first detailed, quantitative theory of functional re-entry, the 'leading circle' model, was developed more than 40 years ago. Subsequently, in decades of study, an alternative paradigm based on spiral waves has long been postulated to drive AF.

A novel approach for quantitative electrogram analysis for driver identification: Implications for ablation in persistent atrial fibrillation.

Objective: This study sought to study the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of using multiscale entropy (MSE) analysis to guide catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF) and predict ablation outcomes.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 108 patients undergoing initial ablation for PsAF. MSE was calculated based on bipolar intracardiac electrograms (iEGMs) to measure the dynamical complexity of biological signals.

Value of estimated glucose disposal rate to detect prevalent left ventricular hypertrophy: implications from a general population.

Background: Insulin resistance plays a pivotal role in developing left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Researchers have identified the estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) as a simple and cost-effective surrogate of insulin resistance. Our work aims to investigate the association between eGDR and the prevalent LVH and explore the incremental value of eGDR to detect prevalent LVH.

Usefulness of Triglyceride-glucose index for detecting prevalent atrial fibrillation in a type 2 diabetic population.

Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmias, which significantly jeopardizes global cardiovascular health through the complicated heart failure and stroke. Published studies have demonstrated the impact of insulin resistance on the genesis of AF. Hence, monitoring insulin resistance may be a possible way to improve the detection of early-stage AF.

Value of estimated pulse wave velocity to identify left ventricular hypertrophy prevalence: insights from a general population.

Background: Aortic stiffness shares a similar profile of risk factors with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and can also lead to LVH by itself. Published data have demonstrated the correlation between aortic stiffness and LVH. Recent data have revealed estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) to be a simple and cost-effective marker of the severity of aortic stiffness.

Right atrial appendage: an important structure to drive atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: Understanding of the atrial fibrillation (AF) driven by right atrial appendage (RAA) is limited. This study aimed to understand the characteristics of the AF driven by RAA and explore ablation methods.

Methods: This was a retrospective study and patients who were identified as having the AF driven by RAA were reviewed.

Role and mechanism of lncRNA under magnetic nanoparticles in atrial autonomic nerve remodeling during radiofrequency ablation of recurrent atrial fibrillation.

It aimed to investigate the mechanism of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) on atrial fibrillation and effect of n-isopropyl acrylamide coated MNPs (NIPA-co-MN) on the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Ten beagles weighing 20 - 25 kg were randomly divided into test group and control group. Dogs with atrial fibrillation were set as test group, and non-atrial fibrillation dogs as control group.

The callus formation capacity of strawberry leaf explant is modulated by DNA methylation.

Shoot regeneration from leaf tissue requires de-differentiation of cells from a highly differentiated state into an active dividing state, but how this physiological transition occurs and is regulated especially at epigenetic level remains obscure. Here we have characterized the DNA methylome represented by 5-methylcytosine (5mC) in leaf and the callus tissue derived from the leaf explant of woodland strawberry Fragaria vesca. We detected an overall increase of DNA methylation and distinct 5mC enrichment patterns in the CG, CHG and CHH sequence contexts in genetic and transposable elements.

Iron oxide nanoparticle targeted chemo-immunotherapy for triple negative breast cancer.

Triple negative breast cancer is difficult to treat effectively, due to its aggressiveness, drug resistance, and lack of the receptors required for hormonal therapy, particularly at the metastatic stage. Here, we report the development and evaluation of a multifunctional nanoparticle formulation containing an iron oxide core that can deliver doxorubicin, a cytotoxic agent, and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly IC), a TLR3 agonist, in a targeted and simultaneous fashion to both breast cancer and dendritic cells. Endoglin-binding peptide (EBP) is used to target both TNBC cells and vasculature epithelia.

Self-adaptive cardiac optogenetics device based on negative stretching-resistive strain sensor.

Precision medicine calls for high demand of continuous, closed-loop physiological monitoring and accurate control, especially for cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac optogenetics is promising for its superiority of cell selectivity and high time-space accuracy, but the efficacy of optogenetics relative to the input of light stimulus is detected and controlled separately by discrete instruments in vitro, which suffers from time retardation, energy consumption, and poor portability. Thus, a highly integrated system based on implantable sensors combining closed-loop self-monitoring with simultaneous treatment is highly desired.