A higher peak heart rate during head-up tilt test predicts the therapeutic efficacy of metoprolol in vasovagal syncope.

Background: Although beta blockers, such as metoprolol, have been widely used in the management of vasovagal syncope (VVS), their efficacy remains debated, with larger studies showing limited benefit. Identifying patient-specific characteristics that predict a positive response to metoprolol could optimize its use. This study aims to investigate the key factors that may determine which VVS patients are suitable candidates for metoprolol treatment.

Analysis of clinical characteristics of patients with pulmonary hypertension in Chaya County, Chamdo, Tibet.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a critical health issue marked by high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, with limited data on its clinical characteristics in the Tibetan population. The objective of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics of PH patients among Tibetan population residing in Chaya County, Changdu, Tibet.

Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study.

A machine learning-based predictive model for the in-hospital mortality of critically ill patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common among intensive care unit (ICU) patients and significantly raises the in-hospital mortality rate. Existing scoring systems or models have limited predictive capabilities for AF patients in ICU. Our study developed and validated machine learning models to predict the risk of in-hospital mortality in ICU patients with AF.

Coronary Sinus Metabolite 12,13-diHOME Is a Novel Biomarker for Left Atrial Remodeling in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: 12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid (12,13-diHOME) has shown potential in protecting against heart disease, but its relationship with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unknown.

Methods: Coronary sinus (CS) and femoral vein blood samplings were synchronously collected from AF and non-AF subjects (paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia or idiopathic premature ventricular complexes) who underwent catheter ablation. First, untargeted metabolomic profiling was performed in a discovery cohort (including 12 AF and 12 non-AF subjects) to identify the most promising CS or femoral vein metabolite.

Electrocardiogram Parameters Associated With the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension in High-Altitude Tibetan Populations: A Retrospective Single-Centre Study.

Background: Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a commonly used diagnostic method for pulmonary hypertension (PH) in Tibetan areas, but its sensitivity and specificity are not good enough. This study aimed to investigate the ECG parameters associated with the diagnosis of PH in Tibetan areas.

Methods: Ninety-four PH patients of Tibetan ethnicity who were treated at the hospital between March 2019 and October 2020, and 52 Tibetan individuals as controls, were included.

Apolipoprotein B is associated with CT-angiographic progression beyond low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Accumulating evidence indicated that apolipoprotein B (apoB) was the principal lipid determinant of coronary artery disease (CAD). Nevertheless, the connection between apoB and angiographic progression of CAD remained undetermined.

Methods: Five hundred and forty-four CAD patients with twice coronary computed tomography angiography experiences were enrolled.

Basic Amino Acids Modulated Neutral-pH PEDOT:PSS for Stable Blue Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes.

State-of-the-art external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) have exceeded 20% for near-infrared, red, and green perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) so far. Nevertheless, the cutting-edge blue counterparts demonstrate an inferior device performance, which impedes the commercialization and industrialization of PeLEDs in ultrahigh-definition displays. As the most popular hole transport layer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) bears the acidic and hygroscopic drawbacks, which deteriorates the device efficiency and long-term stability of blue PeLEDs.

Association of serum sclerostin and osteoprotegerin levels with the presence, severity and prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Bone-related proteins (such as sclerostin and osteoprotegerin [OPG]) are involved in the development of atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between bone-related proteins and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has not been extensively evaluated. The purpose of this study was to assess the association of serum sclerostin and OPG with the presence, severity and prognosis in patients with AMI.

Stable and Efficient Red Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Ca-Doped CsPbI Nanocrystals.

-CsPbI nanocrystals (NCs) with poor stability prevent their wide applications in optoelectronic fields. Ca (1.00 Å) as a new B-site doping ion can successfully boost CsPbI NC performance with both improved phase stability and optoelectronic properties.

Phosphomolybdic Acid-Modified Monolayer Graphene Anode for Efficient Organic and Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes.

Graphene is a promising flexible transparent electrode, and significant progress in graphene-based optoelectronic devices has been accomplished by reducing the sheet resistance and tuning the work function. Herein, phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) is proposed as a novel p-type chemical dopant for graphene, and the optical and electrical properties of graphene are investigated systematically. As a result, the monolayer graphene electrode with lower sheet resistance and work function are obtained while maintaining a high transmittance.

Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitors for the Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence After Ablation - A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence remains a tricky problem in patients undergoing ablation. This meta-analysis aimed to summarize the current literature to clarify whether renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASIs) prevent AF recurrence after ablation.

Methods and results: Relevant studies were searched on Pubmed and EMBASE through December 2019.

Predictive value of P wave terminal force in lead V1 for atrial fibrillation: A meta-analysis.

Background: Several studies have explored the association between P wave terminal force in lead V1 (PTFV1) and risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) occurrence, but the results were controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to examine whether abnormal PTFV1 could predict AF occurrence.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for articles published before August 25, 2018.

A molybdenum disulfide@Methylene Blue nanohybrid for electrochemical determination of microRNA-21, dopamine and uric acid.

Development of novel nanomaterials for biosensors has intrigued widespread interest. Here, we report a method to graft the redox-active dye Methylene Blue (MB) onto molybdenum disulfide (MoS) nanosheet surface via electrostatic and π-stacking interaction. The adsorption of MB on nanosheets was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), which proved that the adsorption isotherm fits a Temkin not a Langmuir model.

The resurgence of the norovirus GII.4 variant associated with sporadic gastroenteritis in the post-GII.17 period in South China, 2015 to 2017.

Background: Human norovirus is regarded as the leading cause of nonbacterial acute diarrhea in developing and developed countries. Among all genotypes, GII.4 has been the predominant genotype, but in East Asia, it was replaced by the GII.

Prevalence and genetic diversity of human sapovirus associated with sporadic acute gastroenteritis in South China from 2013 to 2017.

Human sapovirus (SaV) is an important viral agent for acute diarrhea worldwide, but timely prevalence data of human SaV in South China are still lacking. In this study, a 4-year surveillance was conducted to characterize the prevalence and genetic characteristics of the circulating SaV associated with sporadic diarrhea in South China. From November 2013 to October 2017, 569 fecal samples from patients with acute diarrhea were collected.

Genome characteristics and molecular evolution of the human sapovirus variant GII.8.

Human sapovirus is regarded as an important viral agent for acute diarrhea worldwide. GII.8, a recently reported genotype, has been detected in a few countries and regions.

Immunogenicity and Safety of a Chemically Synthesized Divalent Group A Streptococcal Vaccine.

Background: Group A streptococcus (GAS) infections and poststreptococcal sequelae remain a health problem worldwide, which necessitates searching for an effective vaccine, while no licensed GAS vaccine is available. We have developed a divalent peptide vaccine composed of 84 amino acids to cover the main GAS serotypes (M1 and M12 streptococci) in China, and herein, we aimed to evaluate immunogenicity and safety of this vaccine.

Methods: Mice were immunized with the vaccine.

The association between plasma homocysteine and ambulatory blood pressure variability in patients with untreated hypertension.

Background: Both homocysteine (Hcy) and blood pressure variability (BPV) are independent predictors of stroke, however, their relationship is rarely evaluated before. This study aimed to investigate the association Hcy and ambulatory BPV in subjects with untreated primary hypertension.

Methods: A total of 252 eligible patients were recruited.

Homozygous p.Ser267Phe in SLC10A1 is associated with a new type of hypercholanemia and implications for personalized medicine.

SLC10A1 codes for the sodium-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), which is a hepatocellular transporter for bile acids (BAs) and the receptor for hepatitis B and D viruses. NTCP is also a target of multiple drugs. We aimed to evaluate the medical consequences of the loss of function mutation p.

Comparative phylogenetic analyses of recombinant noroviruses based on different protein-encoding regions show the recombination-associated evolution pattern.

Noroviruses are the major cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, and recombination is recognized as the important mechanism for its continuous emergence. In this study, for the common GII.P12 and GII.

The prognostic value of exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias in patients with and without coronary artery disease: A meta-analysis.

Background: Significance of exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias (EIVAs) is controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the prognostic value of EIVAs in patients with and without coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Relevant studies were searched on Pubmed though December, 2015.

Molecular epidemiology of noroviruses associated with sporadic gastroenteritis in Guangzhou, China, 2013-2015.

Norovirus diarrhea is a great threat to public health worldwide. To characterize the prevalence of circulating noroviruses associated with sporadic gastroenteritis cases in Guangzhou, 215 stool specimens were collected during two consecutive cold seasons in 2013-2015. Noroviruses were detected in 25 (11.

Preprocedure and Postprocedure Predictive Values of Serum β2-Microglobulin for Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography: A Comparison With Creatinine-Based Parameters and Cystatin C.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the values of serum β2-microglobulin to predict contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) before and early after coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), comparing with creatinine-based parameters and cystatin C.

Methods: A total of 424 patients were enrolled. Serum β2-microglobulin, cystatin C, and creatinine were measured at 0, 24, and 48 hours of CCTA.

Use of concept maps to promote electrocardiogram diagnosis learning in undergraduate medical students.

Concept mapping is an effective method in teaching and learning, however this strategy has not been evaluated among electrocardiogram (ECG) diagnosis learning. This study explored the use of concept maps to assist ECG study, and sought to analyze whether this method could improve undergraduate students' ECG interpretation skills. There were 126 undergraduate medical students who were randomly selected and assigned to two groups, group A (n = 63) and group B (n = 63).

Advanced glycation end products upregulate angiopoietin-like protein 4 expression by activating the renin-angiotensin system in endothelial cells.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on the expression of angiopoietin-like protein 4 () and the mechanisms of the effects in endothelial cells. Endothelial cells were incubated with various concentrations of AGEs for 24 h and the expression of ANGPTL4 was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. The concentration of angiotensin II (Ang II) in conditioned media and cell lysates was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.