Impact of Cognitive Impairment on Long-Term Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Background: Cognitive impairment assessed using the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) is associated with short-term mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We assessed the long-term prognostic impact of cognitive impairment in patients with severe aortic stenosis post-TAVI. Methods and Results: We enrolled 1,057 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI at the Kokura Memorial Hospital and prospectively assessed them using the MMSE. Results showed that 319 (30%) patients had cognitive impairment. Compared with normal cognition, cognitive impairment was associated with an increased risk for 5-year all-cause mortality (55% vs. 39%; P<0.001), cardiovascular mortality (23% vs. 14%; P=0.007), and non-cardiovascular mortality (42% vs. 29%; P<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that cognitive impairment was independently associated with all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.70; P=0.005), and this result was consistent regardless of stratification based on age, sex, body mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction and clinical frailty scale without significant interaction. Patients with MMSE scores <16 had a significantly higher mortality rate compared with patients with MMSE scores >25, 21-25, and 16-20, respectively. Conclusions: Cognitive impairment assessed using MMSE scores is independently associated with an increased risk for 5-year all-cause mortality in patients undergoing TAVI.

Influence of Initial Secondary Structure on Conformation and Mechanical Properties of Spider Silk Protein Gels.

Recombinant spider silk protein (RSP) is a promising biomaterial for developing high-performance materials independent of fossil fuels. In this study, we investigated the influence of the initial secondary structure of RSPs on the properties of RSP-based hydrogels. By altering the initial structure of RSP to ß-sheets (ß-RSP), α-helices (α-RSP), and random coils (rc-RSP) through solvent treatment, we compared the structures and mechanical properties of the resulting gels. Solid-state NMR revealed a ß-sheet-rich structure in all gels, with the α-RSP gel exhibiting significantly higher strength and Young's modulus compared to the rc-RSP gel. X-ray diffraction revealed that the α-RSP gel had a unique crystalline structure, distinguishing it from the ß-RSP and rc-RSP gels. The different initial secondary structures possibly lead to variations in the crystalline and network structures of the molecular chains within the gels, explaining the superior mechanical properties observed in the α-RSP gels.

Impact of the clinical frailty scale on long-term outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: The semiquantitative Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) is reportedly a useful marker for predicting short- and mid-term mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We assessed the long-term prognostic impact of CFS in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI. METHODS: We prospectively assessed patients undergoing TAVI in Kokura Memorial Hospital using a 9-level CFS and enrolled 1594 patients after excluding patients with CFS 8-9. The patients were divided into the low (CFS level, 1-3; N = 842), intermediate (4; N = 469), and high (5-7; N = 283) groups according to their CFS levels. RESULTS: In the low, intermediate, and high groups, 3-year all-cause mortality rates were 17.4%, 29.4%, and 41.7% (P < .001) and composite rates of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure hospitalization were 12.1%, 19.1%, and 23.9% (P < .001), respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that higher frailty was independently associated with all-cause mortality (intermediate group: adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-2.15, P < .001; high group: adjusted HR, 2.18, 95% CI, 1.59-2.99, P < .001) and composite of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure hospitalization (intermediate group: adjusted HR, 1.47, 95% CI, 1.04-2.08, P = .030; high group: adjusted HR, 1.66, 95% CI, 1.09-2.51, P = .018) and this result was consistent, irrespective of stratification based on age, sex, body mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction, Society of Thoracic Surgeons score, and New York Heart Association functional class without significant interaction. CONCLUSIONS: The simple CFS tool predicts the long-term adverse outcomes post-TAVI.

Development of interpretable machine learning models to predict in-hospital prognosis of acute heart failure patients.

AIMS: In recent years, there has been remarkable development in machine learning (ML) models, showing a trend towards high prediction performance. ML models with high prediction performance often become structurally complex and are frequently perceived as black boxes, hindering intuitive interpretation of the prediction results. We aimed to develop ML models with high prediction performance, interpretability, and superior risk stratification to predict in-hospital mortality and worsening heart failure (WHF) in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Based on the Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure registry, which enrolled 4056 patients with AHF, we developed prediction models for in-hospital mortality and WHF using information obtained on the first day of admission (demographics, physical examination, blood test results, etc.). After excluding 16 patients who died on the first or second day of admission, the original dataset (n = 4040) was split 4:1 into training (n = 3232) and test datasets (n = 808). Based on the training dataset, we developed three types of prediction models: (i) the classification and regression trees (CART) model; (ii) the random forest (RF) model; and (iii) the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) model. The performance of each model was evaluated using the test dataset, based on metrics including sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), Brier score, and calibration slope. For the complex structure of the XGBoost model, we performed SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis, classifying patients into interpretable clusters. In the original dataset, the proportion of females was 44.8% (1809/4040), and the average age was 77.9 ± 12.0. The in-hospital mortality rate was 6.3% (255/4040) and the WHF rate was 22.3% (900/4040) in the total study population. In the in-hospital mortality prediction, the AUC for the XGBoost model was 0.816 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.815-0.818], surpassing the AUC values for the CART model (0.683, 95% CI: 0.680-0.685) and the RF model (0.755, 95% CI: 0.753-0.757). Similarly, in the WHF prediction, the AUC for the XGBoost model was 0.766 (95% CI: 0.765-0.768), outperforming the AUC values for the CART model (0.688, 95% CI: 0.686-0.689) and the RF model (0.713, 95% CI: 0.711-0.714). In the XGBoost model, interpretable clusters were formed, and the rates of in-hospital mortality and WHF were similar among each cluster in both the training and test datasets. CONCLUSIONS: The XGBoost models with SHAP analysis provide high prediction performance, interpretability, and reproducible risk stratification for in-hospital mortality and WHF for patients with AHF.

Carcinoid Heart Disease With Hypoxemia.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) complicated with carcinoid heart disease (CHD) can cause severe hypoxia and worsening clinical conditions. We report the case of a patient with CHD in poor general condition with multiple severe valve regurgitations and PFO, who underwent successful percutaneous closure of the PFO.

Assessing Potential Risks of Future Redo Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Asian Patients.

Background: In the Asian cohort, data are limited on the risk for coronary obstruction due to sinus of Valsalva (SOV) sequestration in redo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the potential risk for coronary obstruction in simulated redo TAVR in Asian patients. Methods: Post-TAVR computed tomographic data from 788 patients who received balloon-expandable (BE) SAPIEN 3 transcatheter aortic valves (TAVs) and 334 patients who received self-expanding (SE) Evolut R or Evolut PRO TAVs were analyzed. The risk for coronary obstruction due to SOV sequestration in redo TAVR, defined as the TAV commissure level above the sinotubular junction (STJ) and a TAV-to-STJ distance <2.0 mm in each coronary sinus, was retrospectively evaluated. Results: The potential risks for coronary obstruction due to SOV sequestration at 1 or both coronary arteries were identified in 52.1% of the BE TAV group and 71.3% of the SE TAV group (P < 0.001). After adjusting for multiple covariates, STJ diameter, STJ height, TAV oversizing degree by area, and implantation depth were independently associated with SOV sequestration risk in the BE TAV group, whereas STJ diameter and implantation depth were independently associated with SOV sequestration risk in the SE TAV group. Conclusions: Coronary obstruction due to SOV sequestration in redo TAVR may occur in a substantial number of Asian patients. This finding suggests the importance of considering the structural feasibility of future redo TAVR when implanting the first TAV, especially in Asian patients with long life expectancy.

Impact of Transjugular Intracardiac Echocardiography-Guided Self-Expandable Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation on Reduction of Conduction Disturbances.

BACKGROUND: A high permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) risk remains a concern of self-expandable transcatheter aortic valve implantation, despite the continued improvements in implantation methodology. We aimed to assess the impact of real-time direct visualization of the membranous septum using transjugular intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) during transcatheter aortic valve implantation on reducing the rates of conduction disturbances including the need for PPI. METHODS: Consecutive patients treated with Evolut R and Evolut PRO/PRO+ from February 2017 to September 2022 were included in this study. We compared outcomes between the conventional implantation method using the 3-cusps view (3 cusps without ICE group), the recent method using cusp-overlap view (cusp overlap without ICE group), and our novel method using ICE (cusp overlap with ICE group). RESULTS: Of the 446 patients eligible for analysis, 211 (47.3%) were categorized as the 3 cusps without ICE group, 129 (28.9%) were in the cusp overlap without ICE group, and 106 (23.8%) comprised the cusp overlap with ICE group. Compared with the 3 cusps without ICE group, the cusp overlap without ICE group had a smaller implantation depth (2.2 [interquartile range, 1.0-3.5] mm versus 4.3 [interquartile range, 3.3-5.4] mm; P<0.001) and lower 30-day PPI rates (7.0% versus 14.2%; P=0.035). Compared with the cusp overlap without ICE group, the cusp overlap with ICE group had lower 30-day PPI rates (0.9%; P=0.014), albeit with comparable implantation depths (1.9 [interquartile range, 0.9-2.9] mm; P=0.150). Multivariable analysis showed that our novel method using ICE with the cusp-overlap view was independently associated with a 30-day PPI rate reduction. There were no group differences in 30-day all-cause mortality (1.4% versus 1.6% versus 0%; P=0.608). CONCLUSIONS: Our novel implantation method using transjugular ICE, which enable real-time direct visualization of the membranous septum, achieved a predictably high position of prostheses, resulting in a substantial reduction of conduction disturbances requiring PPI after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Zero-Contrast Left Atrial Appendage Closure in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) usually requires contrast medium during the procedure. However, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of developing contrast nephropathy. This study aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of zero-contrast LAAC in patients with CKD.Methods and Results: Zero-contrast LAAC was attempted in 15 patients with CKD Stages 3b-5 who were not on hemodialysis. All procedures were performed successfully, without any periprocedural complications. At the 45-day follow-up, no device-related complications or acute kidney disease were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The strategy of zero-contrast LAAC in patients with CKD can be an acceptable option.

The characteristics and outcomes in patients with acute heart failure who used tolvaptan: from KCHF registry.

AIMS: The use of tolvaptan is increasing in clinical practice in Japan. However, the characteristics of patients who used tolvaptan and the timing of its use in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) are not fully elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among consecutive 4056 patients in the Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure registry, we analysed 3802 patients after excluding patients on dialysis, prior or unknown tolvaptan use at admission, and unknown timing of tolvaptan use, and we divided them into two groups: tolvaptan use (N = 773) and no tolvaptan use (N = 3029). The prevalence of tolvaptan use varied widely from 48.7% to 0% across the participating centres. Factors independently associated with tolvaptan use were diabetes, poor medical adherence, oedema, pleural effusion, hyponatraemia, estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 , moderate/severe tricuspid regurgitation, dobutamine infusion within 24 h, and additional inotropes infusion beyond 24 h after admission. The mortality rate at 90 days after admission was significantly higher in the tolvaptan use group than in the no tolvaptan use group (14.3% vs. 8.6%, P = 0.049). However, after adjustment, the excess mortality risk of tolvaptan use relative to no tolvaptan use was no longer significant (hazard ratio = 1.53, 95% confidence interval = 0.77-3.02, P = 0.22). Patients with tolvaptan use had a longer hospital stay [median (interquartile range): 22 (15-34) days vs. 15 (11-21) days, P < 0.0001] and a higher prevalence of worsening renal failure (47.0% vs. 31.8%, P < 0.0001) and worsening heart failure (24.8% vs. 14.4%, P < 0.0001) than those without. CONCLUSIONS: AHF patients with tolvaptan use had more congestive status with poorer in-hospital outcomes and higher short-term mortality than those without tolvaptan use. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02334891 (NCT02334891) and https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000017241 (UMIN000015238).

Weight loss during follow-up in patients with acute heart failure: From the KCHF registry.

BACKGROUNDS: The prognostic implication of weight loss after discharge from acute heart failure (AHF) remains unclear. We sought to investigate the association of weight loss between discharge and 6-month visit with subsequent clinical outcomes in patients with AHF. METHODS: We analyzed 686 patients with AHF in the prospective longitudinal follow-up study derived from the Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure registry, and divided them into 2 groups based on the weight loss at 6-month index visit. We defined the weight loss as ≥ 5% decrease in body weight from discharge to 6-month index visit. RESULTS: There were 90 patients (13.1%) with a weight loss at 6-month visit. Patients in the weight loss group compared with those in the no weight loss group had higher body weight at discharge and lower body weight at 6-mont visit. Patients in the weight loss group had a lower systolic blood pressure, higher brain-type natriuretic peptide, lower serum albumin, lower hemoglobin, higher prevalence of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction at 6-month visit, and a lower prescription rate of inhibitors of renin-angiotensin system than those in the no weight loss group. The cumulative 6-month incidence of all-cause death was significantly higher in the weight loss group than in the no weight loss group (14.2% and 4.3%, log-rank P<0.001). The excess adjusted risk of the weight loss group relative to the no weight loss group remained significant for all-cause death (HR 2.39, 95%CI 1.01-5.65, P = 0.048). CONCLUSION: Body weight loss of ≥5% at 6-month visit after discharge was associated with subsequent all-cause death in patients with AHF.

Association between changes in loop diuretic dose and outcomes in acute heart failure.

AIMS: Little is known about the association between the starting of or dose changes in loop diuretics during acute heart failure (AHF) hospitalization and post-discharge outcomes. We investigated the clinical impact of starting loop diuretics and changing the loop diuretics dose during hospitalization on post-discharge outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: From the Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure registry, 3665 consecutive patients hospitalized for HF and discharged alive were included in this study. We analysed 1906 patients without loop diuretics on admission and were discharged alive and 1759 patients who received loop diuretics on admission and were discharged alive. The primary outcome measure was all-cause death. Of the 1906 patients without loop diuretics on admission, 1366 (71.7%) patients started loop diuretics during the index AHF hospitalization. Starting loop diuretics was not associated with lower post-discharge mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68-1.25]. Of the 1759 patients who received loop diuretics on admission, loop diuretic dose was decreased in 23.8%, unchanged in 44.6%, and increased in 31.6% of the patients. Changes in the dose at discharge compared with no change in dose were not associated with lower risk of post-discharge mortality (decrease relative to no change: adjusted HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.76-1.28; increase relative to no change: adjusted HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.78-1.27). Compared with no loop diuretics at discharge, a loop diuretics dose of ≥80 mg at discharge was associated with higher post-discharge mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AHF, we found no association between the starting of loop diuretics and post-discharge outcomes and between dose changes and post-discharge outcomes.

Tricuspid regurgitation in elderly patients with acute heart failure: insights from the KCHF registry.

AIMS: Several studies demonstrated that tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is associated with poor clinical outcomes. However, data on patients with TR who experienced acute heart failure (AHF) remains scarce. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between TR and clinical outcomes in patients admitted with AHF, using a large-scale Japanese AHF registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: The current study population consisted of 3735 hospitalized patients due to AHF in the Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure (KCHF) registry. TR grades were assessed according to the routine clinical practice at each participating centre. We compared the baseline characteristics and outcomes according to the severity of TR. The primary outcome was all-cause death. The secondary outcome was hospitalization for heart failure (HF). The median age of the entire study population was 80 (interquartile range: 72-86) years. One thousand two hundred five patients (32.3%) had no TR, while mild, moderate, and severe TR was found in 1537 patients (41.2%), 776 patients (20.8%), and 217 patients (5.8%), respectively. Pulmonary hypertension, significant mitral regurgitation, and atrial fibrillation/flutter were strongly associated with the development of moderate/severe of TR, while left ventricular ejection fraction <50% was inversely associated with it. Among 993 patients with moderate/severe TR, the number of patients who underwent surgical intervention for TR within 1 year was only 13 (1.3%). The median follow-up duration was 475 (interquartile range: 365-653) days with 94.0% follow-up at 1 year. As the TR severity increased, the cumulative 1 year incidence of all-cause death and HF admission proportionally increased ([14.8%, 20.3%, 23.4%, 27.0%] and [18.9%, 23.0%, 28.5%, 28.4%] in no, mild, moderate, and severe TR, respectively). Compared with no TR, the adjusted risks of patients with mild, moderate, and severe TR were significant for all-cause death (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.20 [1.00-1.43], P = 0.0498, 1.32 [1.07-1.62], P = 0.009, and 1.35 [1.00-1.83], P = 0.049, respectively), while those were not significant for hospitalization for HF (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.16 [0.97-1.38], P = 0.10, 1.19 [0.96-1.46], P = 0.11, and 1.20 [0.87-1.65], P = 0.27, respectively). The higher adjusted HRs of all the TR grades relative to no TR were significant for all-cause death in patients aged <80 years, but not in patients aged ≥80 years with significant interaction. CONCLUSIONS: In a large Japanese AHF population, the grades of TR could successfully stratify the risk of all-cause death. However, the association of TR with mortality was only modest and attenuated in patients aged 80 or more. Further research is warranted to evaluate how to follow up and manage TR in this elderly population.

Prognostic Value of the Severity of Clinical Congestion in Patients Hospitalized for Decompensated Heart Failure: Findings From the Japanese KCHF Registry.

BACKGROUND: Congestion is a leading cause of hospitalization and a major therapeutic target in patients with heart failure (HF). Clinical practice in Japan is characterized by a long hospital stay, which facilitates more extensive decongestion during hospitalization. We herein examined the time course and prognostic impact of clinical congestion in a large contemporary Japanese cohort of HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Peripheral edema, jugular venous pressure, and orthopnea were graded on a standardized 4-point scale (0-3) in 3787 hospitalized patients in a Japanese cohort of HF. Composite Congestion Scores (CCS) on admission and at discharge were calculated by summing individual scores. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death or HF hospitalization. The median admission CCS was 4 (interquartile range, 3-6). Overall, 255 patients died during the median hospitalization length of 16 days, and 1395 died or were hospitalized for HF over a median postdischarge follow-up of 396 days. The cumulative 1-year incidence of the primary outcome increased at higher tertiles of congestion on admission (32.5%, 39.3%, and 41.0% in the mild [CCS ≤3], moderate [CCS = 4 or 5], and severe [CCS ≥6] congestion groups, respectively, log-rank P < .001). The adjusted hazard ratios of moderate and severe congestion relative to mild congestion were 1.205 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.065-1.365; P = .003) and 1.247 (95% CI, 1.103-1.410; P < .001), respectively. Among 3445 patients discharged alive, 85% had CCS of 0 (complete decongestion) and 15% had a CCS of 1 or more (residual congestion) at discharge. Although residual congestion predicted a risk of postdischarge death or HF hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.314 [1.145-1.509]; P < .001), the admission CCS correlated with the risk of postdischarge death or HF hospitalization, even in the complete decongestion group. No correlation was observed for postdischarge death or HF hospitalization between residual congestion at discharge and admission CCS (P for the interaction = .316). CONCLUSIONS: In total, 85% of patients were discharged with complete decongestion in Japanese clinical practice. Clinical congestion, on admission and at discharge, was of prognostic value. The severity of congestion on admission was predictive of adverse outcomes, even in the absence of residual congestion. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02334891 (NCT02334891) https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000017241 (UMIN000015238).

A comparison between hospital follow-up and collaborative follow-up in patients with acute heart failure.

AIMS: There are no previous studies focusing on collaborative follow-ups between hospitals and clinics for patients discharged after acute heart failure (AHF) in Japan. The purpose of this study was to determine the status of collaboration between hospitals and clinics for patients with AHF in Japan and to compare patient characteristics and clinical outcomes using a large Japanese observational database. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 4056 consecutive patients hospitalized for AHF in the Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure registry, we analysed 2862 patients discharged to go home, who were divided into 1674 patients (58.5%) followed up at hospitals with index hospitalization (hospital follow-up group) and 1188 (41.5%) followed up in a collaborative fashion with clinics or other general hospitals (collaborative follow-up group). The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death or heart failure (HF) hospitalization within 1 year after discharge. Previous hospitalization for HF and length of hospital stay longer than 15 days were associated with hospital follow-up. Conversely, ≥80 years of age, hypertension, and cognitive dysfunction were associated with collaborative follow-up. The cumulative 1-year incidence of the primary outcome, all cause death, and cardiovascular death were similar between the hospital and collaborative follow-up groups (31.6% vs. 29.6%, P = 0.51, 13.1% vs, 13.9%, P = 0.35, 8.4% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.96). Even after adjusting for confounders, the difference in risk for patients in the hospital follow-up group relative to those in the collaborative follow-up group remained insignificant for the primary outcome, all-cause death, and cardiovascular death (HR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.97-1.27, P = 0.14, HR: 1.10, 95% CI: 0.91-1.33, P = 0.33, HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.87-1.05, P = 0.33). The cumulative 1-year incidence of HF hospitalization was higher in the hospital follow-up group than in the collaborative follow-up group (25.5% vs. 21.3%, P = 0.02). The risk of HF hospitalization was higher in the hospital follow-up group than in the collaborative follow-up group (HR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.01-1.39, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In patients hospitalized for AHF, 41.5% received collaborative follow-up after discharge. The risk of HF hospitalization was higher in the hospital follow-up group than in the collaborative follow-up, although risk of the primary outcome, all-cause death, and cardiovascular death were similar between groups.

Activating Nitrogen-doped Graphene Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts in Acidic Electrolytes using Hydrophobic Cavities and Proton-conductive Particles.

Although pyridinic-nitrogen (pyri-N) doped graphene is highly active for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of fuel cells in alkaline media, the activity critically decreases under acidic conditions. We report on how to prevent the deactivation based on the mechanistic understanding that O 2 + p y r i - N H + + e - → O 2 , a + p y r i - N H ${{{\rm O}}_{2}+{\rm p}{\rm y}{\rm r}{\rm i}{\rm { -}}{\rm N}{{\rm H}}^{+}+{{\rm e}}^{-}{\to }_{\ }^{{\rm \ }}{{\rm O}}_{2,{\rm a}}+{\rm p}{\rm y}{\rm r}{\rm i}{\rm { -}}{\rm N}{\rm H}}$ governs the ORR kinetics. First, we considered that the deactivation is due to the hydration of pyri-NH+ , leading to a lower shift of the redox potential. Introducing the hydrophobic cavity prevented the hydration of pyri-NH+ but inhibited the proton transport. We then increased proton conductivity in the hydrophobic cavity by introducing SiO2 particles coated with ionic liquid polymer/Nafion® which kept the high onset potentials with an increased current density even in acidic media.

Prevalence and Prognostic Significance of Malnutrition in Older Japanese Adults at High Surgical Risk Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Background The usefulness of preprocedural nutritional status to stratify prognosis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation has been evaluated; however, the studies conducted so far have been relatively small and/or focused on a single nutritional index. This study sought to assess the prevalence and prognostic impact of malnutrition in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Methods and Results We applied the Controlling Nutritional Status score, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, and Prognostic Nutritional Index to 1040 consecutive older Japanese patients at high surgical risk who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation. According to the Controlling Nutritional Status score, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, and Prognostic Nutritional Index, 16.6%, 60.5%, and 13.8% patients had moderate or severe malnutrition, respectively; 89.3% were at least mildly malnourished by at least 1 score. Worse nutritional status was associated with older age, lower body mass index, higher degree of frailty, worse symptoms and renal function, atrial fibrillation, and anemia. During a median follow-up of 986 days (interquartile range, 556-1402 days), 273 (26.3%) patients died. Compared with normal nutrition, malnutrition was associated with an increased risk for all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio for moderate and severe malnutrition, respectively: 2.19 (95% CI, 1.45-3.31; P<0.001) and 6.13 (95% CI, 2.75-13.70; P<0.001) for the Controlling Nutritional Status score, 2.02 (95% CI, 1.36-3.02; P=0.001) and 3.24 (95% CI, 1.86-5.65; P<0.001) for the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, and 1.60 (95% CI, 1.06-2.39; P=0.024) and 2.32 (95% CI, 1.50-3.60; P<0.001) for the Prognostic Nutritional Index). Conclusions Malnutrition is common in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation and is associated with increased mortality.

Mid-term impact of underfilling and overfilling of the SAPIEN 3 balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve implantation on mortality and valve function.

At present, underfilling or overfilling the volume of the balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valve (THV) is generally utilized in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However, no research has assessed the clinical impact of filling volume variations of the current-generation SAPIEN 3 THV. We analyzed the clinical data of 331 patients who underwent TAVI with SAPIEN 3 at our institution. Post-procedural echocardiographic and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scan data and 3-year prognoses according to each filling volume were assessed. The procedural outcomes and 3-year mortality rates were comparable among the underfilling, nominal filling, and overfilling groups. For all THV sizes, the THV area evaluated on post-procedural MDCT scan increased stepwise along with an elevated filling volume, thereby covering a wide range of native annulus area. Compared with patients in the nominal filling and overfilling groups, those with 23-mm THVs in the underfilling group had a smaller effective orifice area (EOA) (1.38 [IQR: 1.18-1.56] vs. 1.57 [IQR: 1.41-1.84] vs. 1.58 [IQR: 1.45-1.71] cm2, P = 0.02) and a higher mean transvalvular gradient (13.6 [IQR: 11.0-15.7] vs. 12.1 [IQR: 9.0-14.9] vs. 12.0 [IQR: 8.1-14.8] cm2, P = 0.04). In conclusion, by adjusting the filling volume of SAPIEN 3 using THV with limited sizes, continuously distributed native annulus areas were covered. The underfilling implantation technique had a minimal negative effect on the valve function of 23-mm THVs only. In the entire cohort, the filling volume variations did not affect the mid-term prognosis negatively.

Novel Dry Spinning Process of Natural Macromolecules for Sustainable Fiber Material -1- Proof of the Concept Using Silk Fibroin.

Researchers around the world are developing technologies to minimize carbon dioxide emissions or carbon neutrality in various fields. In this study, the dry spinning of regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) was achieved as a proof of concept for a process using ionic liquids as dissolution aids and plasticizers in developing natural polymeric materials. A dry spinning equipment system combining a stainless-steel syringe and a brushless motor was built to generate fiber compacts from a dope of silk fibroin obtained by degumming silkworm silk cocoons and ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride ([HMIM][Cl]) according to a general method. The maximum stress and maximum elongation of the RSF fibers were 159.9 MPa and 31.5%, respectively. RSF fibers containing ionic liquids have a homogeneous internal structure according to morphological investigations. Elemental analysis of fiber cross sections revealed the homogeneous distribution of nonvolatile ionic liquid [HMIM][Cl] in RSF fibers. Furthermore, the removal of ionic liquids from RSF fibers through impregnation washing with organic solvents was verified to enhance industrial applications. Tensile testing showed that the fiber strength could be maintained even after removing the ionic liquid. Thermogravimetric analysis results show that the organic solvent 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol is chemically coordinated to silk fibroin and, as a natural polymer, can withstand heat up to 250 °C.