Magneto-responsive optics in a chiral crystal with thermally triggered reversible phase transitions between chiral space groups.

Herein, a chiral charge transfer crystal that exhibits reversible phase transition between chiral space groups has been fabricated. When the phase switches from left-handed to right-handed chiral space group, more pronounced orbital angular momentum effects will be generated, where magneto-responsive optics are the opposite for chiral enantiomers. Moreover, circularly polarized light could enhance the chiral orbit of the crystal with the same spiral orientation to let spin have a better ability to resist external magnetic field. Thus, the magnetic field dependence of transmission and photoluminescence of chiral crystals are strongly dependent on the polarized state of incident light. Furthermore, by studying the coupling among spin, orbit, and circular photon, we obtained that the chiral orbit plays a key role in the coupling between the spin and circular photon. It is expected that this work could promote further exploration of organic chiral magneto-optical crystals in potential applications of sensing.

Multistage Modulation Formation of Hydrophilic-Hydrophobic Boron Carbon Nitride Nanomaterials.

Boron carbon nitride (BCN) ternary compounds are attractive due to their wide applications in adsorption, catalysis, protective coatings, etc. A simple way is provided to synthesize BCN materials with multistage modulation of hydrophilic-hydrophobic properties. Hydrophilic BCN nanoparticles with a contact angle of 31° and nearly superhydrophobic BCN sheets with a contact angle of 145° are obtained. The participation of a CuO additive in the synthesis process has the role of tuning morphologies, components, and properties of BCN materials. The addition of CuO would improve the hydrophobicity of BCN due to its microstructure with enhanced surface roughness. The interaction between melamine and boric acid on the surface of CuO(111) is investigated by first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). The tuned BCN materials have different photoelectric properties also, and their performance as photocatalysts has been verified in photocatalytic reactions for hydrogen from water. The achieved uniform hydrophilic BCN nanoparticles and hydrophobic BCN sheets have the potential for further practical applications.

Rapid start-up of PN/A process and efficient enrichment of functional bacteria: A novel aerobic-biofilm/anaerobic-granular nitrogen removal system (OANRS).

Reactor configuration, control strategy and inoculation method were key factors affecting the rapid start-up of partial nitrification/anammox (PN/A) process and the efficient enrichment of functional bacteria (anammox and ammonia oxidizing bacteria). At present, PN/A process was generally operated through single factor rather than forming a system. In this study, a novel aerobic-biofilm/anaerobic-granular nitrogen removal system (OANRS) was constructed, which consisted of a multi-stage aerobic-biofilm/anaerobic-granular baffle reactor (MOABR) and a control strategy on pH/aeration time. PN process was started within 10d, and PN/A process was started on the basis of stable PN process within 41d. The simultaneous enrichment of functional bacteria was achieved by combining the advantages of single-stage and two-stage PN/A process. The results of high-throughput sequencing showed that Candidatus Kuenenia (20.42 ± 15.88%) was highly enriched in each compartment at day 98, and the relative abundance of Candidatus Kuenenia in the anaerobic compartment R4 was as high as 43.13%.

Aquaporin 4 inhibition alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by restraining cardiomyocyte pyroptosis.

Myocardial injury caused by ischemia-reperfusion is the main pathological manifestation of coronary artery disease (CAD), which is characterized by high mortality and morbidity. Thus, there's an urgent need to develop efficacious strategies and elucidate the underlying mechanisms to prevent or alleviate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury to improve the clinical outcomes in patients. In this study, we took advantage of a typical myocardial cell line of mice (HL-1) and cultured with or without an aquaporin 4 inhibitor (TGN-20 denoted as AQP4i) under normal conditions (NC), ischemia (IS) and ischemia reperfusion (IR), respectively. The cytomorphology, ultrastructure, cell vitality and expression pattern of apoptotic proteins were verified with scanning electron microscope (SEM), immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, quantitative real-time PCR and western-blotting analysis, respectively. HL-1 under IS or IR condition revealed higher expression of Aquaporin 4 (Aqp4) compared to the NC group, whereas showed similarity in cytomorphology and ultrastructure. Aqp4 inhibition was sufficient to improve the apoptotic cells in HL-1 while showed minimal effects to the other cellular vitality. Furthermore, the expression pattern of apoptotic proteins and anti-apoptotic proteins together with proinflammatory factors in HL-1 was effectively rescued by Aqp4i treatment both at the mRNA level and protein level. Ischemia and ischemia reperfusion caused higher expression of Aqp4 and resultant increase of cardiomyocyte pyroptosis. Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury of HL-1 was effectively alleviated by Aqp4 and pyroptosis inhibition. Our findings provided new references for myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury management via targeting Aqp4-mediated pyroptosis of cardiomyocyte.

miR­351­5p aggravates lipopolysaccharide­induced acute lung injury via inhibiting AMPK.

Inflammation and oxidative stress have indispensable roles in the development of acute lung injury (ALI). MicroRNA (miRNA/miR)­351­5p was initially identified as a myogenesis­associated miRNA; however, its role in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)­induced ALI remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role and potential mechanisms of miR­351­5p in ALI. ALI was induced through a single intratracheal injection of LPS for 12 h, and miR­351­5p agomir, antagomir or their corresponding negative controls were injected into the tail vein before LPS stimulation. Compound C, 2',5'­dideoxyadenosine and H89 were used to inhibit AMP­activated protein kinase (AMPK), adenylate cyclase and protein kinase A (PKA), respectively. miR­351­5p levels in the lungs were significantly increased in response to LPS injection. miR­351­5p antagomir alleviated, while miR­351­5p agomir aggravated LPS­induced oxidative stress and inflammation in the lungs. The present results also demonstrated that miR­351­5p antagomir attenuated LPS­induced ALI via activating AMPK, and that the cAMP/PKA axis was required for the activation of AMPK by the miR­351­5p antagomir. In conclusion, the present study indicated that miR­351­5p aggravated LPS­induced ALI via inhibiting AMPK, suggesting that targeting miR­351­5p may help to develop efficient therapeutic approaches for treating ALI.

Coronary artery aneurysm combined with myocardial bridge: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery aneurysm combined with myocardial bridge is a very rare clinical situation. The prognosis of this clinical situation is not yet clear. CASE SUMMARY: A coronary artery aneurysm and myocardial bridge in the same segment of the coronary artery were found in a 54-year-old female patient who underwent coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound examination. Through conservative treatment, the patient was discharged from the hospital smoothly, and she was in good condition during 5 mo of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Coronary artery aneurysm combined with myocardial bridge seems to have a good prognosis, but due to the rarity of this clinical situation, further research and follow-up are needed.

Prevention of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy by Inferior Vena Cava Ultrasonography-Guided Hydration in Chronic Heart Failure Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a common complication resulting from the administration of contrast media. This study was designed to determine whether inferior vena cava (IVC) ultrasonography (IVCU)-guided hydration can reduce the risk of CIN in chronic heart failure patients undergoing coronary angiography or coronary angiography with percutaneous coronary intervention compared with standard hydration. METHODS: This prospective clinical trial enrolled 207 chronic heart failure patients from February 2016 to November 2017, who were randomly assigned to either the IVCU-guided hydration group (n = 104) or the routine hydration group (n = 103). In the IVCU-guided group, the hydration infusion rate was set according to the IVC diameter determined by IVCU, while the control group received intravenous infusion of 0.9% saline at 0.5 mL/(kg·h). Serum Cr was measured before and 48-72 h after the procedure. All patients were followed up for 18 months. The incidence of nephropathy and major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) was also compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference between the 2 groups regarding the occurrence of CIN was observed (12.5 vs. 29.1%, p = 0.004). The hydration volume of the IVCU-guided group was significantly higher than that of the routine group (p < 0.001). In addition, patients receiving IVCU-guided hydration had significantly lower risk of developing MACCEs than patients in the control group during the 18-month follow-up (14.4 vs. 27.2%, p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Our findings support that IVCU-guided hydration is superior to standard hydration in prevention of CIN and may substantially reduce longtime composite major adverse events.

Low Serum Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Level is Associated with Severity of Coronary Stenosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between the serum calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) level and severity of coronary stenosis. METHODS: A total of 233 eligible patients who underwent coronary angiography were divided into two groups: a control and a coronary heart disease (CHD) group. The angiographic severity of coronary stenosis was evaluated by SYNTAX and Gensini scores. The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events within two years was collected. RESULTS: A negative correlation between serum CGRP levels and Gensini scores was observed in all patients (r=-0.352, p<0.001), the control group (r=-0.422, p<0.001) and the CHD group (r=-0.393, p<0.001). Serum CGRP levels were negatively associated with SYNTAX scores in the CHD group (r=-0.522, p<0.001). The area under the curve of CGRP for identifying high SYNTAX scores (>22) was 0.772 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.673-0.870, p<0.001], and for identifying high Gensini scores was 0.744 (95% CI: 0.646-0.842, p<0.001). A CGRP concentration of 25.05 pg/ml was selected as the cutoff point. A low CGRP level (<25.05 pg/ml) was an independent predictor of severe coronary stenosis, a SYNTAX score >22 [odds ratio (OR) =5.819, 95% CI: 2.240-15.116; p<0.001] and a high Gensini score (>64) (OR=4.943, 95% CI: 2.020-12.095; p<0.001). The low CGRP group had a higher incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events within two years (11.1 vs. 3.1%, p=0.031). CONCLUSION: In coronary atherosclerosis patients without acute myocardial injury, serum CGRP levels were negatively associated with the severity of coronary stenosis.

A propensity score matched valuation on feasibility of low frame rate fluoroscopy during primary percutaneous coronary intervention for patients with STEMI.

The present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of low frame rate fluoroscopy during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). From January 2016 to December 2017, 165 consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent PPCI were retrospectively divided into two groups: the 7.5-frame group (fluoroscopy at 7.5 frames/s) and the 15-frame group (fluoroscopy at 15 frames/s), according to the frame rate of fluoroscopy used in their treatment. Reduction of radiation and safety of fluoroscopy at 7.5 frames/s were compared by a method of propensity score matching (PSM) with fluoroscopy at 15 frames/s. After PSM, there were 56 patients in each group. There were no differences in patients' baseline characteristics between two groups. The 7.5-frame protocol resulted in 48.9% reduction of DAP (9917 ± 5543 cGycm2 vs. 14766 ± 7272 cGycm2, P < 0.001) and 61.1% reduction of AK (1209 ± 562 mGy vs. 1948 ± 1105 mGy, P < 0.001) with comparable procedural time (38.1 ± 15.3 min vs. 38.8 ± 17.2 min, P = 0.830), fluoroscopy time (13.0 ± 7.2 min vs. 13.5 ± 8.1 min, P = 0.703) and contrast volume (122.3 ± 39.4 ml vs. 119.3 ± 49.4 ml, P = 0.725) to the 15-frame group. Meanwhile, this new protocol didn't increase the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (23.2% vs. 25.0%, OR = 0.907, 95% CI 0.381-2.157, P = 0.825) and peri-PPCI cumulative adverse events (30.4% vs. 28.6%, OR = 1.090, 95% CI 0.483-2.456, P = 0.836). In conclusion, low frame rate fluoroscopy at 7.5 frames/s is a safe and feasible strategy for reducing radiation during PPCI.

Ex vivo mono-ring technique simplifies culotte stenting for treatment of true bifurcation lesions: Insights from bench testing and clinical application.

BACKGROUND: Despite various culotte-based stenting techniques available clinically, the optimal one remains undetermined. The study aimed to test whether ex vivo mono-ring culotte stenting (MRC) was technically feasible and superior to mini culotte stenting (MCS) in treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions. METHODS: Mono-ring culotte stenting was characterized by ex vivo wiring of the most proximal cell of the side branch (SB) stent to ensure a mono-ring result of the culotte stenting. Comparison of MRC vs. MCS in treatment of true bifurcation lesions was performed in vitro (n = 15 for each group) and in clinical case-controlled study with propensity matching at a ratio of 1:2 (n = 21 for MRC group; n = 42 for MCS group). RESULTS: Compared to MCS, MRC had lower incidence of stent under-expansion band (0% vs. 53.3%, p = 0.002) and less residual ostial area stenosis of SB (9.2 ± 9.0% vs. 20.0 ± 14.8%, p = 0.023), as assessed in vitro by micro-computed tomography. In a case-controlled study, no adverse cardiac events were observed in the MRC group. The procedural success was similar between MRC and MCS (100% vs. 95.2%, p = 0.548), but MRC had less residual ostial stenosis of the SB (8.7% ± 11.0% vs. 16.8% ± 11.2%, p = 0.008), lower procedural (33.3 ± 9.5 min vs. 46.7 ± 15.6 min, p = 0.001) and fluoroscopic (19.7 ± 4.9 min vs. 26.2 ± 7.1 min, p < 0.001) time, and less contrast use (114.3 ± 28.9 mL vs. 156.5 ± 56.4 mL, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Mono-ring culotte stenting as compared to MCS is associated with better bifurcation stent morphology, less procedural complexity and residual ostial SB stenosis.

Elevated endocan concentration is associated with coronary slow flow.

We sought to assess whether serum endocan concentration is correlated with coronary slow flow (CSF). We measured serum endocan concentration in 93 patients with CSF and in 206 controls. Serum endocan concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The presence of CSF was assessed by thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) method. We demonstrated that serum endocan concentration is significantly higher in CSF patients (n = 93) than that in controls (n = 206) (1.03 [range 0.63-1.33] vs. 0.80 [range 0.52-1.09] ng/mL, p = 0.002). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that serum endocan concentration was independently associated with the presence of CSF (odds ratio 1.774, 95% confidence interval 1.064-2.958; p = 0.028). Serum endocan concentration was positively correlated with mean-TFC in CSF patients (r = 0.289, p = 0.005). These results revealed that endocan might be a useful biomarker for predicting the presence and severity of CSF. Therapeutic interventions by down-regulating endocan to delay the progressive process of CSF warrants further investigations.

DK mini-culotte stenting in the treatment of true coronary bifurcation lesions: a propensity score matching comparison with T-provisional stenting.

The conventional culotte technique remains not to be widely used for the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions due to its inherent drawbacks. Here, we developed a double kissing mini-culotte stenting (DK mini-culotte) and assessed its efficacy and safety by a propensity score matching comparison (PSM) with T-provisional stenting. From June 2010 to June 2012, a total of 223 consecutive patients with true coronary bifurcation lesions (TCBLs) were treated with DK mini-culotte (91 patients with 92 lesions) or T-provisional stenting (132 patients with 135 lesions). We performed a PSM to correct the confounders from clinical and lesion's characteristics. The primary endpoint was cumulative major adverse cardiac event (MACE) at 1 year including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization or target lesion revascularization (TVR/TLR). The secondary endpoint was the rate of side branch (SB) restenosis at 12 months. After a PSM, there were 66 patients in each group. Additional SB stenting in the T-provisional group was performed in 10 (15.2 %) lesions. The incidence of 1-year cumulative MACE was 4.55 % for the DK mini-culotte versus 13.6 % for T-provisional stenting (P = 0.127), the rate of TVR/TLR was 1.52 % for DK mini-culotte versus 12.12 % for T-provisional stenting (P = 0.033). The SB binary restenosis rate was 5.6 % in the DK mini-culotte group and 22.4 % in the T-provisional group (P = 0.014). In summary, despite that there is no difference in MACE between groups, DK mini-culotte significantly reduce TVR/TLR and SB restenosis in the treatment of true coronary bifurcation lesions.

Serum fetuin-A levels are associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the correlation between serum fetuin-A levels and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). METHODS: A total of 241 consecutive patients with T2DM and 69 controls were recruited. Serum fetuin-A levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The presence and severity of CAD were evaluated by coronary angiography (CAG). RESULTS: Serum fetuin-A levels are independently correlated with the presence and severity of CAD in T2DM patients. CONCLUSIONS: Fetuin-A might serve as a potential biomarker for reflecting the development and progression of CAD in T2DM patients.

Effects of disordered interchain interactions on polaron dynamics in semiconducting polymers.

Polaron dynamics in a system of two randomly coupled polymer chains is simulated using a nonadiabatic evolution method. The simulations are performed within the framework of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model modified to include disordered interchain interactions and an external electric field. By analysing the polaron velocity statistically, we find that the polaron motion is determined by the competition between the electric field and the disordered interchain interactions. Polaron dynamics are classified into two types, weak-coupling dynamics and strong-coupling dynamics. It is found that the strength of interchain interactions is the dominant factor controlling charge propagation in weak-coupling dynamics, whereas the effects of disorder are dominant in strong-coupling dynamics. The charge carriers tend to have higher mobility for stronger interchain coupling, and interchain coupling disorder can be favorable for charge transport depending on the coupling strength and the electric field.