Fabricating Ultrastrong Carbon Nanotube Fibers via a Microwave Welding Interface.

Liquid crystal wet-spun carbon nanotube fibers (CNTFs) offer notable advantages, such as precise alignment and scalability. However, these CNTFs usually suffer premature failure through intertube slippage due to the weak interfacial interactions between adjacent shells and bundles. Herein, we present a microwave (MW) welding strategy to enhance intertube interactions by partially carbonizing interstitial heterocyclic aramid polymers. The resulting CNTFs exhibit ultrahigh static tensile strength (6.74 ± 0.34 GPa) and dynamic tensile strength (9.52 ± 1.31 GPa), outperforming other traditional high-performance fibers. This work provides a straightforward yet effective approach to strengthening CNTFs for advanced engineering applications.

Value of red blood cell distribution width in prediction of diastolic dysfunction in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Clinical diagnosis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) often encounters challenges of lack of timeliness and disease severity, with the commonly positive indicator usually associated with advanced heart failure. AIM: To explore suitable biomarkers for early CCM prediction. METHODS: A total of 505 eligible patients were enrolled in this study and divided into four groups according to Child-Pugh classification: Group I, Class A without CCM (105 cases); Group II, Class A with CCM (175 cases); Group III, Class B with CCM (139 cases); and Group IV, Class C with CCM (86 cases). Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to determine whether red blood cell distribution width (RDW) was an independent risk factor for CCM risk. The relationships between RDW and Child-Pugh scores, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: A constant RDW increase was evident from Group I to Group IV (12.54 ± 0.85, 13.29 ± 1.19, 14.30 ± 1.96, and 16.25 ± 2.13, respectively). Pearson correlation analysis showed that RDW was positively correlated with Child-Pugh scores (r = 0.642, P < 0.001), MELD scores (r = 0.592, P < 0.001), and NT-proBNP (r = 0.715, P < 0.001). Furthermore, between Group I and Group II, RDW was the only significant index (odds ratio: 2.175, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.549-3.054, P < 0.001), and it reached statistical significance when examined by ROC curve analysis (area under the curve: 0.686, 95%CI: 0.624-0.748, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: RDW can serve as an effective and accessible clinical indicator for the prediction of diastolic dysfunction in CCM, in which a numerical value of more than 13.05% may indicate an increasing CCM risk.

The Stiffest and Strongest Predicted Material: C2 N Atomic Chains Approach the Theoretical Limits.

Though linear atomic chains exhibit extreme properties, it is presently unclear how these properties can be maximized by the choice of elemental composition. Considering that boron, carbon, and nitrogen can form high modulus and high strength atomic chains, here an algorithm is developed to construct 143 possible atomic chains of these elements with 6 or fewer atoms in the primitive cell and explore their stabilities and mechanical properties by first-principles calculations. It is found that the gravimetric modulus (1032 GPa g-1 cm3 ) and strength (108 GPa g-1 cm3 ) of the C2 N chain significantly exceed those of any known material, including the previously stiffest predicted material (C chain, 945 GPa g-1 cm3 ) and the previously strongest predicted material (BC chain, 92 GPa g-1 cm3 ), and also approach the theoretical limits of gravimetric modulus (1036 GPa g-1 cm3 ) and strength (130 GPa g-1 cm3 ). Mechanistic analyses demonstrate that the higher gravimetric modulus and strength of the C2 N chain, compared with the C and BC chains, originate from its short, stiff chemical bonding and the abnormal decrease in bond length alternation under tension. The likely ease of fabrication and potential synthesis routes for C2 N chains are discussed.

Irisin alleviates hyperoxia-induced bronchopulmonary dysplasia through activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common pulmonary injury among premature infants, which is often caused by hyperoxia exposure. Irisin is a novel hormone-like myokine derived mainly from skeletal muscles as well as adipose tissues. Many studies have indicated that Irisin exert a variety of properties against hyperoxia-induced inflammation and oxidative stress (OS). We aimed to evaluate the effects of irisin on hyperoxia-induced lung injury explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: BPD model was established after exposing newborn mouse to 85% oxygen. BPD mouse received continuous intraperitoneal injection of irisin at a dose of 25 µg/kg/day. Lung tissues were collected for histological examination at 7 and 14 days after birth. The alveolarization and alveolar vascularization of each animal was assessed. Levels of oxidative stress indicators, and the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in lung tissues were detected at 14 days after birth. RESULTS: Hyperoxia exposure induced a markedly alveolar simplification and a disrupted alveolar angiogenesis, which was ameliorated by irisin treatment. The hyperoxia-induced increase in these oxidative stress indicators was significantly reversed by irisin treatment. The Nrf2/HO-1 pathway is inducted in the hyperoxia-induced BPD mouse model, which is further activated by irisin treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated the beneficial effects of irisin in reducing the OS, enhancing alveolarization, and promoting vascular development through activation of Nrf2/HO-1 axis in a hyperoxia-induced experimental model of BPD.

The Early Predictive Value of Circulating Monocytes and Eosinophils in Coronary DES Restenosis.

Background: Monocytes and eosinophils are involved in intracoronary inflammatory responses, aggravating coronary artery plaque instability and in-stent restenosis (ISR). Aims: To investigate an early prediction of ISR in patients undergoing stenting by circulating monocytes and eosinophils. Methods: The single-center data of patients undergoing successful drug-eluting stents (DES) implantation from January 1, 2017 to April 30, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 4,392 patients assessed, 140 patients with restenosis and 141 patients without restenosis were enrolled. A scheduled postoperative follow-up was proceeded in four sessions: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, and >12 months. The hematological and biochemical measurement was collected. The angiographic review was completed within two postoperative years. Results: Significant associations of monocyte count and percentage with ISR were evident [odds ratio (OR): 1.44, 95% CI: 1.23-1.68, P < 0.001; OR: 1.47, 95%CI: 1.24-1.74, P < 0.001, respectively], which began at 3 months postoperatively and persisted throughout the follow-up period. Eosinophil count and percentage were associated with ISR (OR: 1.22, 95%CI: 1.09-1.36, P = 0.001; OR: 1.23, 95%CI: 1.07-1.40, P = 0.003, respectively), with ISR most significantly associated with the baseline eosinophils. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the cutoff points of monocyte count and percentage in the ISR prediction were 0.46× 109/L and 7.4%, respectively, and those of eosinophil count and percentage were 0.20 × 109/L and 2.5%, respectively. Conclusion: This study, with a long-term follow-up, first provides evidence that the elevated monocytes at three postoperative months and baseline eosinophils may be strong early predictors of ISR after drug-eluting stent implantation. Persistent elevation of monocytes may also be a signal of ISR after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Clinical efficacy and safety of tirofiban combined with conventional dual antiplatelet therapy in ACS patients undergoing PCI.

Challenges remain for clinicians over balancing the efficacy of active antithrombotic therapy and simultaneous bleeding reduction in patients. The clinical data of 347 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were retrospectively analyzed. On the basis of the given tirofiban, the patients were assigned into three different dose groups: high dose group (group H), medium dose group (group M), and low dose group (group L). The tirofiban efficacy was evaluated in terms of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) parameters and lab endpoints, including platelet count and function. The tirofiban safety was assessed by the occurrence of bleeding events. The patients were followed up for 1 month after the PCI. No significant difference in MACE events was evident among these groups (p > 0.05). Groups H and M reported an obvious reduction in platelet count (p < 0.05 for both) and an increased platelet inhibition rate (p < 0.05 for both). Group H showed a higher rate of total bleeding events than the other groups (Group H vs. Group M: 34.4% vs. 16.5%; Group H vs. Group L: 34.4% vs. 10.3%; p < 0.05 for both). A proper administration of a low dose of tirofiban may be a superior alternative in treating ACS patients, which can produce a similar favorable clinical outcome and a decrease in bleeding complication.