Predictive Factors for New-Onset Left Bundle Branch Block in Patients with Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction and Its Prognostic Value.

It remains unclear whether elevated ventricular wall pressure and left ventricular enlargement in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) can lead to left bundle branch block (LBBB). In this study, 801 consecutive hospitalized patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction of < 50% were enrolled. The primary outcome was the occurrence of new-onset LBBB or heart failure-related hospitalization, all-cause mortality, ventricular tachycardia, or implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) /cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Three cassava A20/AN1 family genes, Metip3 (5, and 7), can bestow on tolerance of plants to multiple abiotic stresses but show functional convergence and divergence.

A20/AN1 zinc-finger domain-containing genes are very promising candidates in improving plant tolerance to abiotic stresses, but considerably less is known about functions and mechanisms for many of them. In this study, Metip3 (5, and 7), cassava (Manihot esculenta) A20/AN1 genes carrying one A20 domain and one AN1 domain, were functionally characterized at different layers. Metip3 (5, and 7) proteins were all located in the nucleus.

Characterization of ZmPMP3g function in drought tolerance of maize.

The genes enconding proteins containing plasma membrane proteolipid 3 (PMP3) domain are responsive to abiotic stresses, but their functions in maize drought tolerance remain largely unknown. In this study, the transgenic maize lines overexpressing maize ZmPMP3g gene were featured by enhanced drought tolerance; increases in total root length, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and leaf water content; and decreases in leaf water potential, levels of Oand HO, and malondialdehyde content under drought. Under treatments with foliar spraying with abscisic acid (ABA), drought tolerance of both transgenic line Y7-1 overexpressing ZmPMP3g and wild type Ye478 was enhanced, of which Y7-1 showed an increased endogenous ABA and decreased endogenous gibberellin (GA) 1 (significantly) and GA3 (very slightly but not significantly) and Ye478 had a relatively lower ABA and no changes in GA1 and GA3.

s, functional generalists in interactions between cassava growth and development, and abiotic stresses.

The proteins with DNA-binding preference to the consensus DNA sequence (A/T) GATA (A/G) belong to a GATA transcription factor family, with a wide array of biological processes in plants. Cassava () is an important food crop with high production of starch in storage roots. Little was however known about cassava GATA domain-containing genes (s).

Effects of high air temperature, drought, and both combinations on maize: A case study.

High air temperature (HAT) and natural soil drought (NSD) have seriously affected crop yield and frequently take place in a HAT-NSD combination. Maize (Zea mays) is an important crop, thermophilic but not heat tolerant. In this study, HAT, NSD, and HAT-NSD effects on maize inbred line Huangzao4 -were characterized.

Association between complete right bundle branch block and atrial fibrillation development.

Background: Complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) is an important predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation. However, the association between CRBBB and AF development remains unclear.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 2639 patients (male, n = 1549; female, n = 1090; mean age, 58 ± 13 years).

Effect of catheter ablation on clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation and significant functional mitral regurgitation.

Background: In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and functional mitral regurgitation (MR), catheter ablation reduces the severity of MR and improves cardiac remodeling. However, its effects on prognosis are uncertain.

Methods: This retrospective study included 151 consecutive patients with AF and functional MR, 82 (54.

Analyses of open-access multi-omics data sets reveal genetic and expression characteristics of maize family genes.

Flowering in maize () is influenced by photoperiod. The CO, CO-like/COL and TOC1 (CCT) domain protein-encoding genes in maize, s, are particularly important for photoperiod sensitivity. However, little is known about CCT protein-encoding gene number across plant species or among maize inbred lines.

PU.1 inhibition attenuates atrial fibrosis and atrial fibrillation vulnerability induced by angiotensin-II by reducing TGF-β1/Smads pathway activation.

Fibrosis serves a critical role in driving atrial remodelling-mediated atrial fibrillation (AF). Abnormal levels of the transcription factor PU.1, a key regulator of fibrosis, are associated with cardiac injury and dysfunction following acute viral myocarditis.

Effect of pulmonary vein isolation on atrial fibrillation recurrence after accessory pathway ablation in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

Background: Although successful ablation of the accessory pathway (AP) eliminates atrial fibrillation (AF) in some of patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome and paroxysmal AF, in other patients it can recur.

Hypothesis: Whether adding pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) after successful AP ablation effectively prevents AF recurrence in patients with WPW syndrome is unknown.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 160 patients (102 men, 58 women; mean age, 46 ± 14 years) with WPW syndrome and paroxysmal AF who underwent AP ablation, namely 103 (64.

Dark response genes: a group of endogenous pendulum/timing players in maize?

Main Conclusion: Maize has a set of dark response genes, expression of which is influenced by multiple factor and varies with maize inbred lines but without germplasm specificity. The response to photoperiod is a common biological issue across the species kingdoms. Dark is as important as light in photoperiod.

Decrypting tubby-like protein gene family of multiple functions in starch root crop cassava.

Tubby-like proteins (TLPs) are ubiquitous in eukaryotes and function in abiotic stress tolerance of some plants. Cassava ( Crantz) is a high-yield starch root crop and has a high tolerance to poor soil conditions and abiotic stress. However, little is known about TLP gene characteristics and their expression in cassava.

Cassava AGPase genes and their encoded proteins are different from those of other plants.

Cassava AGPase and AGPase genes have some unique characteristics. ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) is a rate-limiting enzyme for starch synthesis. In this study, cassava AGPase genes (MeAGP) were analyzed based on six cultivars and one wild species.

Advanced interatrial block predicts recurrence of atrial fibrillation after accessory pathway ablation in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

Background: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently occurs in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. Although successful ablation of the accessory pathway (AP) eliminates paroxysmal AF in some patients, in other patients it can recur.

Hypothesis: We investigated the clinical utility of advanced interatrial block (IAB) for predicting the risk of AF recurrence in patients with verified paroxysmal AF and WPW syndrome after successful AP ablation.

Association Between CHADS Score and the Development of Interatrial Block.

Interatrial block (IAB) is associated with a multitude of medical conditions. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate whether CHADS (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥ 75 years, diabetes mellitus, prior stroke) score is positively associated with the development of IAB. A total of 1072 patients (men, 555; women, 517; mean age, 61 ± 14 years) were included in the study.

Cyanidin ameliorates cisplatin-induced cardiotoxicity via inhibition of ROS-mediated apoptosis.

Oxidative stress and apoptosis serve an essential role in cisplatin-induced cardiotoxicity, which limits its clinical use, and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. As a natural drug, the antioxidant and antitumor effects of cyanidin have been recognized, but its protective effect on cisplatin-induced cardiomyocyte cytotoxicity remains unclear. H9c2 cells were treated with cisplatin (1-40 µM) in the presence or absence of cyanidin (40-80 µM), subsequently; oxidative stress, apoptosis and mitochondrial function were assessed using several techniques.

Cordycepin inhibits vascular adhesion molecule expression in TNF-α-stimulated vascular muscle cells.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease, which is associated with the increased expression of adhesion molecules in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Cordycepin is one of the major bioactive components of that has been demonstrated to exert anti-atherogenic activity; however, its molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of cordycepin on the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced suppression of adhesion molecule expression.

Myricitrin inhibits vascular adhesion molecule expression in TNF‑α‑stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells.

Increased expression of adhesion molecules is thought to serve an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Myricitrin, a bioactive compound of Myrica cerifera, has been demonstrated to exhibit anti‑atherogenic effects. However, the effect of myricitrin on the expression of adhesion molecules in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) remains unknown.

A proteomic-based investigation of potential copper-responsive biomarkers: Proteins, conceptual networks, and metabolic pathways featuring Penicillium janthinellum from a heavy metal-polluted ecological niche.

Filamentous fungi-copper (Cu) interactions are very important in the formation of natural ecosystems and the bioremediation of heavy metal pollution. However, important issues at the proteome level remain unclear. We compared six proteomes from Cu-resistant wild-type (WT) Penicillium janthinellum strain GXCR and a Cu-sensitive mutant (EC-6) under 0, 0.

Molecule mechanism for regulating stomatal development in plants.

Stomata are small adjustable pores on the surface (epidermis) of land plants that act as a main conduit for gas exchange. They not only play an essential role in photosynthesis of green plants but also exert an important influence on the global carbon and water cycle. There are great differences between monocots and dicots in distribution and morphological structure of the stomata, affecting the species-specific regulation of stomatal development.

A photoperiod-responsive protein compendium and conceptual proteome roadmap outline in maize grown in growth chambers with controlled conditions.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the major staple food crops of the world. However, high photoperiod sensitivity, especially for tropical germplasms, impedes attempts to improve maize agronomical traits by integration of tropical and temperate maize germplasms.

A novel approach of utilization of the fungal conidia biomass to remove heavy metals from the aqueous solution through immobilization.

The biomass of filamentous fungi is an important cost-effective biomass for heavy metal biosorption. However, use of free fungal cells can cause difficulties in the separation of biomass from the effluent. In this study, we immobilized the living conidia of the heavy metal-resistant Penicillium janthinillum strain GXCR by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-sodium alginate (SA) beads to remove heavy metals from an aqueous solution containing a low concentration (70 mg/L) of Cu, Pb, and Cd.

Usefulness of a Combination of Interatrial Block and a High CHADS2 Score to Predict New Onset Atrial Fibrillation.

Interatrial block (IAB) is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the association of a combination of IAB and the CHADS2 score, an AF-related risk score for ischemic stroke, with new onset AF in patients in sinus rhythm. A total of 1,571 patients (803 males, 768 females; mean age: 58 ± 16 years) were included in this study.