Barrier Energy Engineering Enables Efficient Carrier Transport of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Small Organic Molecules Hybrid Thermoelectrics.

Understanding the inherent charge carrier transport mechanism within carbon nanotube-organic hybrid thermoelectric (TE) materials is crucial for enhancing their TE performance. Although various carbon nanotube-organic hybrid TE materials have been developed, the influence of the barrier energy on the TE transport mechanism within these hybrids remains elusive. Our study focuses on the engineering of barrier energy between single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and small organic molecules (SOMs) by modulating the mesomeric effects of terminal functional groups on T-shaped SOMs.

Novel algorithm for non-invasive estimation of left atrial pressure in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Determining elevated left atrial (LA) pressure is crucial in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), yet non-invasive estimation using echocardiography remains unclear. This study aimed to identify useful echocardiographic indices for identifying elevated LA pressure in patients with AF.

Methods And Results: Patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF referred for catheter ablation at two tertiary hospitals were prospectively enrolled.

Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation With Versus Without Additional Right Atrial Linear Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: The CRALAL Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone is less effective in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) compared with those with paroxysmal AF. We investigate whether additional linear ablation from the superior vena cava to the right atrial septum and cavotricuspid isthmus ablation improves the rhythm outcome of patients with persistent AF undergoing cryoballoon PVI (Cryo-PVI).

Methods: In this investigator-initiated, multicenter, randomized clinical trial, 289 patients with persistent AF refractory to antiarrhythmic drug therapy were randomized 1:1 to either Cryo-PVI with additional right atrium (RA) linear ablation or Cryo-PVI alone.

Hamartomatous Polyp of the Palatine Tonsil in an Adolescent: A Case Report.

A hamartoma is a benign tumor that arises from the disorganized proliferation of tissue and can occur anywhere in the body. Hamartomas are notably found in the lung, skin, heart, brain, and breast, while their occurrence in the head and neck is rare. We describe a case involving a 17-year-old male patient who presented with a mass in a unilateral palatine tonsil, discovered incidentally.

Artificial intelligence-derived electrocardiographic aging and risk of atrial fibrillation: a multi-national study.

Background And Aims: Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) provides promising age prediction methods. This study investigated whether the discrepancy between ECG-derived AI-predicted age (AI-ECG age) and chronological age, termed electrocardiographic aging (ECG aging), is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) risk.

Methods: An AI-ECG age prediction model was developed using a large-scale dataset (1 533 042 ECGs from 689 639 participants) and validated with six independent and multi-national datasets (737 133 ECGs from 330 794 participants).

A unique unsupervised enhanced intuitionistic fuzzy C-means for MR brain tissue segmentation.

The human-brain is a vital and complicated organ within the body. Identifying brain-related diseases can be challenging. Typically, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanning methods are used to gain insights of the protected regions in the body.

Insect chitosan derived from Hermetia illucens larvae suppresses adipogenic signaling and promotes the restoration of gut microbiome balance.

Chitosan, the deacetylated form of chitin, is considered a valuable source of compounds in the feed and food industries. However, the impact of Hermetia illucens larvae chitosan (HCS) with specific physicochemical characteristics on obesity mediated by lipid accumulation and microbiome dysbiosis has not been fully elucidated. We purified HCS with a low molecular weight (84 kDa), low crystallinity, and a high deacetylation rate, characterizing it through several analytical techniques, including gel permeation chromatography, FT-IR, H NMR, FE-SEM, and XRD analysis.

Unveiling Biomarkers in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma through Bioinformatics: The Role of and .

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most common form of head and neck cancer, ranking sixth in global cancer incidence. Identifying molecular drivers of tumorigenesis and metastasis is essential for early detection and treatment. This study analyzed gene expression profiles from three datasets (GSE6791, GSE29330, and GSE58911) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HNSCC.

Using computed tomography atrial myocardial thickness maps in cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation: the UTMOST AF II randomized clinical trial.

Aims: Whether adjusting the duration of ablation based on left atrial wall thickness (LAWT) provides extra benefits for pulmonary vein (PV) isolation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is uncertain. We studied the safety and efficacy of tailored cryoballoon PV isolation (CB-PVI) based on LAWT for paroxysmal AF.

Methods And Results: Two hundred seventy-seven patients with paroxysmal AF refractory to anti-arrhythmic drug were randomized 1:1 to either LAWT-guided CB-PVI (n = 135) and empirical CB-PVI (n = 142).

Assessing the Complex Impact of Smoking Habits on Allergic Rhinitis: A National Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: Allergic rhinitis (AR) significantly affects quality of life and generates socioeconomic costs. The impact of smoking habits, including the use of conventional cigarettes (CC) and electronic cigarettes (EC), on AR prevalence and management remains controversial. To investigate the association between smoking status (CC and EC use) and AR prevalence and management among Koreans, data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VII (2018) and VIII (2019-2021) were analyzed.

Lead Integrity and Failure Evaluation in Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LIFE-LBBAP) Study.

Background: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has gained increased adoption globally with the use of both lumenless leads (LLLs) and stylet-driven leads (SDLs). As these leads have been developed for conventional endocardial pacing sites, concerns remain regarding the lead integrity with LBBAP.

Objectives: This study evaluates lead integrity of pacing leads used for LBBAP in a large, real-world cohort of patients with LBBAP.

Realizing the Electrode Engineering Significance Through Porous Organic Framework Materials for High-Capacity Aqueous Zn-Alkaline Battery.

Energy storage technologies are eminently developed to address renewable energy utilization efficiently. Porous framework materials possess high surface area and pore volume, allowing for efficient ion transportation and storage. Their unique structure facilitates fast electron transfer, leading to improved battery kinetics.

Clinical outcomes of Asian patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation and previously diagnosed atrial fibrillation: Insights from the CODE-AF Registry.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) may have different clinical features in its early phase.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics and clinical outcomes of early-phase AF with later-phase AF using a large multicenter prospective registry (CODE-AF [COmparison study of Drugs for symptom control and complication prEvention of Atrial Fibrillation]).

Methods: Patients enrolled between June 2016 and March 2021 were divided into 2 groups based on AF duration: (1) newly diagnosed (AF duration ≤90 days); and (2) previously diagnosed (AF duration >90 days).

Clinical usefulness of digital twin guided virtual amiodarone test in patients with atrial fibrillation ablation.

It would be clinically valuable if the efficacy of antiarrhythmic drugs could be simulated in advance. We developed a digital twin to predict amiodarone efficacy in high-risk atrial fibrillation (AF) patients post-ablation. Virtual left atrium models were created from computed tomography and electroanatomical maps to simulate AF and evaluate its response to varying amiodarone concentrations.

Do extra-pulmonary triggers or autonomic neural activity affect rhythm control by anti-arrhythmic drugs in patients with post-ablation atrial fibrillation recurrence?

Background: The role of anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs) in recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) after catheter ablation (CA) is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of AADs in patients who recurred after AFCA depending on extra-pulmonary vein triggers (ExPVTs) and post-ablation heart rate variability (HRV) parameters.

Methods: We analyzed 2,036 patients who underwent de-novo AFCA and 486 patients with post-AFCA recurrence who underwent rhythm control with AADs.

Identification of Bioactive Substances Derived from the Probiotic-Induced Bioconversion of Pers. Leaf Extract That Have Beneficial Effects on Diabetes and Obesity.

L. (Banaba) has been used as a functional food because of its diuretic, decongestant, antipyretic, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-adipogenic activities. Triterpene acids, including corosolic acid, oleanolic acid, and asiatic acid, are the principal phytochemicals in Banaba and are potentially anti-diabetic substances, owing to their effect on blood glucose concentration.

The anticoagulation one year after ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with atrial fibrillation (ALONE-AF) trial: Study protocol.

Background: The ideal long-term antithrombotic strategy for patients after successful catheter-based atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is still uncertain. Presently, practices vary, and the advantages of oral anticoagulation (OAC) for the post-ablation population are not clearly established. To date, no randomized trials have addressed this therapeutic question.