Self-Assembly and Photothermal Conversion of MetallaRussian Doll and Metalla[2]catenanes Induced via Multiple Stacking Interactions.

A variety of organometallic supramolecular architectures have been constructed over the past decades and their properties were also explored via different strategies. However, the synthesis of metalla-Russian doll is still a fascinating challenge. Herein, a series of new coordination supramolecular complexes, including a metalla-Russian doll, metalla[2]catenanes, and metallarectangles, were synthesized by using meticulously selected Cp*Rh (Cp* = η5-C5Me5) building units (E1, E2, and E3) and three rigid anthracylpyridine ligands (L1, L2, and L3) via a self-assembly strategy. While the combination of the short ligand L1 and E1 or E2 generated two metallarectangles, the longer ligand L2 containing an alkynyl group resulted in two new [2]catenanes, most likely due to which the strong electron-donating effect of alkynyl groups causes self-accumulation. Interestingly, an unusual Russian doll assembly was obtained through the reaction of L3 and E3 based on sextuple π···π stacking interactions. Furthermore, the dynamic structural conversion between [2]catenanes and the corresponding metallarectangles could be observed through concentration-, solvent-, and guest-induced effects. The [2]catenane complexes 4b displayed efficient photothermal conversion efficiency in solution (20.2%), in comparison with other organometallic macrocycles. We believe that π···π stacking interactions generate active nonradiative pathways and promote radiative photodeactivation pathways. This study proves the versatility of half-sandwich building units, not only to build complicated supramolecular topologies but also in effective functional materials for various appealing applications.

White thrombi on optical coherence tomography after rotational atherectomy of severely calcified coronary lesions.

PURPOSE: Rotational atherectomy (RA) has improved percutaneous treatment of severely calcified coronary lesions, but the "no-reflow" phenomenon remains a serious complication. Platelet activation by RA may contribute to no-reflow, and the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to test the effect of RA on white thrombus could confirm platelet activation indirectly. METHODS: We analyzed 53 consecutive patients with severely calcified lesions on coronary angiography. All patients were examined with OCT. In total, 20 patients who received RA and for whom OCT imaging was performed before and after RA and stent implantation comprised the RA group. The remaining 33 patients formed the control group, for whom OCT imaging was performed before balloon dilatation and after stent implantation. RESULTS: The patients in the RA group were older and had a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus. In the control group, there was no thrombogenesis during the procedure, whereas in the RA group, all the target vessels had white thrombi on OCT after RA. The average number of white thrombi per lesion after RA was 7.23 ± 4.4, and the average length of white thrombus was 0.51 ± 0.33 mm. Statistical analysis with Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that thrombus load was related to burr size (r = 0.575, p = 0.040) and number of rotations (r = 0.599, p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: White thrombi during RA can be verified by performing OCT. Treating calcified lesions with RA may enhance thrombogenesis. These data suggest using appropriate therapy to avoid no-reflow during RA.

Influence of seasonal temperature change on autotrophic nitrogen removal for mature landfill leachate treatment with high-ammonia by partial nitrification-Anammox process.

In this study, a denitrification (DN)-partial nitritation (PN)-anaerobic ammonia oxidation (Anammox) system for the efficient nitrogen removal of mature landfill leachate was built with a zone-partitioning self-reflux biological reactor as the core device, and the effects of changes in seasonal temperature on the nitrogen removal in non-temperature-control environment were explored. The results showed that as the seasonal temperature decreased from 34°C to 11.3°C, the total nitrogen removal rate of the DN-PN-Anammox system gradually decreased from the peak value of 1.42 kg/(m3•day) to 0.49 kg/(m3•day). At low temperatures (<20°C), when the nitrogen load (NLR) of the system is not appropriate, the fluctuation of high NH4+-N concentration in the landfill leachate greatly influenced the stability of the nitrogen removal. At temperatures of 11°C-15°C, the NLR of the system is controlled below 0.5 kg/(m3•day), which can achieve stable nitrogen removal and the nitrogen removal efficiency can reach above 96%. The abundance of Candidatus Brocadia gradually increased with the decrease of temperature. Nitrosomonas, Candidatus Brocadia and Candidatus Kuenenia as the main functional microorganisms in the low temperature.

Comparison of bailout and planned rotational atherectomy for severe coronary calcified lesions.

BACKGROUND: To compare outcomes of bailout and planned rotational atherectomy (RA) in the treatment of severe calcified coronary lesions. METHODS: Data of patients treated with RA from 2017 to 2018 at a single-center registry were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into planned RA and bailout RA groups, data between two groups were compared. RESULTS: A total of 190 patients were included in this study, 138 patients received planned RA and 52 patients received bailout RA. Baseline clinical characteristics had no significant differences between groups. The number of implanted stents and total stents length were similar. But the number of balloon (1.6 ± 0.8 vs. 2.7 ± 1.3, P < 0.001), procedure time (83.5 ± 26.2 vs. 100.8 ± 36.4 min, P = 0.007), fluoroscopy volume (941 ± 482 vs. 1227 ± 872 mGy, P = 0.012] and contrast amount (237 ± 62 vs. 275 ± 90 ml, P = 0.003) were all lower in planned RA group. Planned RA had a higher procedural success rate (99.3% vs. 92.3%, P = 0.007) and a lower complication incidence (4.3% vs. 17.3%, P = 0.009). But the primary outcomes at 3 years (9.2 and 16.6%, log rank p = 0.24) had no difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS: For severe coronary artery calcification, although planned RA did not improved the long term prognosis compared with bailout RA, but it can improve the immediate procedural success rate, reduce the incidence of complications, the procedure time and the volume of contrast.

[Safety and efficacy of rotational atherectomy followed by drug-eluting stenting for treating patients with heavily calcified coronary lesions].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of rotational atherectomy followed by drug-eluting stent implantation for treating patients with heavily calcified coronary lesions. METHODS: From March 1, 2010 to September 1, 2012, 65 cases with 78 heavily calcified coronary lesions which were treated with rotational atherectomy followed by drug-eluting stent implantation in Peking University People's Hospital were included, and 36 cases also underwent intravascular ultrasound to guide the rotational atherectomy procedure and drug-eluting stent implantation.All patients were followed up in hospital and post discharge. Procedure parameters, complications and major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention related myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, recurrent angina, intra-stent restenosis and stent thrombosis) were analyzed. RESULTS: Direct rotational atherectomy was performed in 64.6%(42/65) patients, rescued rotational atherectomy in 35.4%(23/65) patients, drug-eluting stents implantation was applied to all cases after rotational atherectomy. The immediate procedural success rate was 100% (78/78). The average burr/artery ratio was 0.50 ± 0.04, the average number of burr used per case was 1.15 ± 0.36. The average burr/artery ratio was 0.52 ± 0.03 and the average number of burr used per cases was 1.19 ± 0.40 in 36 cases guided with intravascular ultrasound. Five cases (7.7%) developed complications and were treated accordingly during procedure with satisfactory results. The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events was 13.8% (9/65) during (17.6 ± 8.5) months follow-up. CONCLUSION: Rotational atherectomy followed by drug-eluting stent implantation is a safe and efficient technique for treating heavily calcified coronary lesions.

[Correlation study on different dyslipidemia classification and glucose metabolism in patients with hyperlipidemia].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the impaired glucose metabolism in dyslipidemic patients and explore whether the type of dyslipidemia affects the type of impaired glucose metabolism. METHODS: In our study, 197 patients without diabetes or cardiovascular disease history were divided into 4 groups according to fasting serum lipid levels: hypercholesterolemic group (HCh group, 45 patients); hypertriglyceridemic group (HTG group, 46 patients); combined dyslipidemic group (58 patients) and control group (48 patients). Serum insulin and glucose levels were detected in fasting situation. HOMA-IR was calculated. And then the patients received 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and their GLU120 levels were detected. RESULTS: The GLU120 levels in HTG group [(10.5±3.2) mmol/L] and combined dyslipidemic group [(12.0±5.4) mmol/L] were significantly higher than those in control group [(8.7±3.5) mmol/L, P=0.045 and 0.024, respectively]. HTG group (39.1%) and combined dyslipidemic group (31.0%) also had higher impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) incidence ratios than those in control group (22.9%, P=0.009 and 0.014, respectively). In subgroup study of patients with fasting glucose levels below 6.1 mmol/L, the incidence ratios of IGT in HTG group and combined dyslipidemic group were 51.4% and 43.9%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in control group (29.7%, P=0.009 and 0.015, respectively). CONCLUSION: There exists a definite ratio of undiscovered impaired glucose metabolism in dyslipidemic patients who have not suffered from cardiovascular disease, especially in hypertriglyceridemic and combined dyslipidemic group. OGTT is suggested to be brought into effect in order that impaired glucose metabolism would be detected in earlier stage.

[Microbial Community Analysis of Different DN and PN-ANAMMOX Coupling Modes for Mature Landfill Leachate Treatment].

To promote the application of ANAMMOX process in landfill leachate treatment, a pilot reactor based on the ANAMMOX process was established at a landfill site. In this paper, we aim to further analyze the influence of different coupling modes of denitrification (DN) and partial nitrification and ANAMMOX (PN-ANAMMOX) on the diversity of microbial community. The DN+(PN-ANAMMOX) process could effectively treat the mature leachate. However, with an increase in organic matter in the influent, the oxygen demand of PN zone increased, and the enrichment of Nitrosomonadaceae in the PN zone was limited. The lack of substrate supply for ANAMMOX zone further limited the enrichment of Brocadiaceae as well; thus, the total nitrogen removal rate (TNRR) remained at 0.44 kg ·(m3 ·d)-1. In the DN-(PN-ANAMMOX) process, Saprospiraceae with denitrifying ability was enriched in the DN zone, and the organic matter was gradually degraded and removed; thus, a good low-carbon environment was provided for the subsequent PN-ANAMMOX process. Nitrosomonadaceae and Brocadiaceae were enriched in the functional zones, and the TNRR and total nitrogen removal efficiency (TNRE) of the DN-(PN-ANAMMOX) were further elevated to 0.55 kg ·(m3 ·d)-1 and 94.65%, respectively. Moreover, the direct treatment of mature leachate with 2233 mg ·L-1 NH4+-N and 2712 mg ·L-1 COD was finally realized. In addition, Candidatus Kuenenia was better adapted to leachate and high substrate concentration wastewater, and it became the dominant genus in the ANAMMOX zone.

The effect of different denitrification and partial nitrification-Anammox coupling forms on nitrogen removal from mature landfill leachate at the pilot-scale.

The effects on nitrogen removal from landfill leachate were compared between the denitrification (DN) direct coupling in Partial nitrification (PN)-Anammox (DN+(PN-Anammox)) and pre-DN followed by PN-Anammox (DN-PN-Anammox). Both processes can achieve coupling and high nitrogen removal. However, the DN+(PN-Anammox) process was not conducive to the treatment of high-COD wastewater. The total nitrogen removal rate (TNRR) and total nitrogen removal efficiency (TNRE) were stable at 0.31 kg/(m3·d) and 76.3%. When UASB was added to denitrification and transform the process into DN-PN-Anammox, the influent NH4+-N and COD concentrations were increased to 2230 and 2612 mg/L, TNRR and TNRE reached 0.45 kg/(m3·d) and 96.7%, respectively. The DN-PN-Anammox process not only was able to make full use of degradable COD in wastewater to realize the NO3--N removal, but also benefited the growth of autotrophic bacteria. The DN-PN-Anammox reduced the oxygen supply and was more conducive to the treatment of highly-concentrated mature landfill leachate.

[Treatment of Old Landfill Leachate via a Denitrification-Partial Nitritation-ANAMMOX Process].

To research the performance of removing nitrogen and organics from old landfill leachate via denitrification-partial nitritation-ANAMMOX (DN-PN-ANAMMOX) process, an integrated reactor seeded with mature ANAMMOX sludge and nitritation sludge connected to a denitrification (DN) reactor was studied. The result showed that before the pre-denitrification reactor was connected, the PN-ANAMMOX reactor achieved a nitrogen removal rate (NRR) of 1.88 kg·(m3·d)-1 and a nitrogen removal efficiency (NRE) of 90.3% when the concentration of influent ammonia nitrogen and COD were 600 mg·L-1 and 483 mg·L-1, respectively. The NRR of the PN-ANAMMOX process dropped to 1.50 kg·(m3·d)-1 when the concentration of influent COD>483 mg·L-1, which corresponds to C/N>0.8. To relieve the influence of organic matter on ANAMMOX, a DN reactor was put in front of the PN-ANAMMOX reactor. The DN-PN-ANAMMOX process achieved an NRR and NRE of 1.37 kg·(m3·d)-1 and 98.6%, respectively, under the conditions of influent ammonia nitrogen and COD concentrations of 1100 mg·L-1 and 1150 mg·L-1, respectively. The NRR of ANAMMOX reached 15.6 kg·(m3·d)-1. The whole system realized a highly efficient and deep removal of nitrogen without any additional carbon source. When treating old landfill leachate, most of the biodegradable organics can be removed by the system.

[Granular Characteristics of Anaerobic Ammonia Oxidation Sludge During the Recovery Process].

Operation instability has become one of the factors restricting the application of the anaerobic ammonia oxidation (ANAMMOX) process. Under the condition that the substrate is not suppressed, the effects of the substrate concentration on the granulation and activity of ANAMMOX granular sludge in the recovery process were studied by restoring the activity of ANAMMOX sludge, which was derived from early-stage operation instability of the continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The results show that the activity of ANAMMOX sludge was recovered and the denitrification capacity increased significantly after 126 days of operation. When the NH4+-N and NO2--N concentrations were 450 mg·L-1 and 560 mg·L-1, respectively, the nitrogen removal was achieved in both the high-and low-substrate concentration reactors and the maximum NRR was 16.97 kg·(m3·d)-1 and 14.43 kg·(m3·d)-1, respectively. With the improvement of the nitrogen removal capacity of the reactor (the granular diameter of the sludge is increased), the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) content increased in both reactors from 34.45 to 77.52 and to 94.18 mg·g-1, respectively, and the PN/PS increased from 1.89 to 6.25 and 6.84, respectively. To a certain extent, the increase of PN/PS is conducive to the granulation of ANAMMOX sludge, but a too large PN/PS would lead to the instability of granular sludge and sludge loss.

[Impact of normal flow (TIMI-3) before coronary intervention therapy on the survival of patients suffering acute myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To define impact of spontaneous TIMI-3 flow before angioplasty on outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention strategy and the prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: The consecutive 301 patients enrolled in the ongoing register of emergent coronary angioplasty within 12 hours from symptoms who were diagnosed as having ST elevation AMI in our hospital from 2000 to 2006 were analyzed, they were followed up for one year and the clinical characteristics and survival rates were analysed. RESULTS: Among the 301 patients enrolled in the ongoing register of emergent coronary angioplasty, spontaneous reperfusion (TIMI-3 flow) was present in 14.6% at initial angiography. Compared with patients without TIMI-3 flow, those with TIMI-3 flow before coronary intervention were less likely to present in new-onset heart failure(2.3% versus 16%, P=0.016), Patients with initial TIMI-3 flow had significantly lower 30-day mortality (0% versus 9.3%, P=0.035) , and cardiogenic shock (0%versus 8.6%, P=0.044) and had a shorter hospital stay (P=0.008). Cumulative 1-year mortality was 0% in patients with initial TIMI-3 flow, 11.3% with TIMI 0-2 flow (P=0.019). By COX regression analysis, post procedural TIMI-3 flow was an independent determinant of survival (OR=0.285,P=0.004) , however,TIMI-3 flow before coronary intervention was not found as an independent determinant of survival significantly. The lenitive symptoms and current smoking were the independent determinants of TIMI-3 flow before coronary intervention (P=0.005, P=0.048, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing primary percutaneous transluminal coronary intervention in whom TIMI-3 flow is present before angioplasty may present with greater clinical and angiographic evidence of myocardial salvage, be less likely to develop complications related to left ventricular failure, and improve early and late survival.

Intravascular ultrasound-based analysis of factors affecting minimum lumen area in coronary artery intermediate lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical characteristics associated with the minimum lumen area (MLA) of proximal or middle intermediate lesions in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, and to develop a model to predict MLA. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed demographic data, medical history, and intravascular ultrasound findings for 90 patients with intermediate lesions in the LAD artery. Linear regression was used to identify factors affecting MLA, and multiple regression was used to develop a model for predicting MLA. RESULTS: Age, number of lesions, and diabetes mellitus correlated significantly with MLA of proximal or middle intermediate lesions. A regression model for predicting MLA (mm(2)) was derived from the data: 7.00 - 0.05 × (age) - 0.50 × (number of lesions). A cut-off value of 3.1 mm(2) was proposed for deciding when to perform percutaneous coronary intervention. CONCLUSION: This model for predicting MLA of proximal or middle intermediate lesions in the LAD artery showed high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, indicating good diagnostic potential.

Generation of murine induced pluripotent stem cells by using high-density distributed electrodes network.

This study reports a robust method of gene transfection in a murine primary cell model by using a high-density electrodes network (HDEN). By demonstrating high cell viability after gene transfection and successful expression of transgenes including fluorescent proteins, the HDEN device shows great promise as a solution in which reprogramming efficiency using non-viral induction for generation of murine induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is optimized. High and steady transgene expression levels in host cells of iPSCs can be demonstrated using this method. Moreover, the HDEN device achieved successful gene transfection with a low voltage of less than 180 V while requiring relatively low cell numbers (less than 1.5 × 10(4) cells). The results are comparable to current conventional methods, demonstrating a reasonable fluorescent-plasmid transfection rate (42.4% in single transfection and 24.5% in triple transfection) and high cell viability of over 95%. The gene expression levels of each iPSC factor was measured to be over 10-fold higher than that reported in previous studies using a single mouse embryonic fibroblast cell. Our results demonstrate that the generation of iPSCs using HDEN transfection of plasmid DNA may be a feasible and safe alternative to using viral transfection methods in the near future.

Feasibility of diagnosing unstable plaque in patients with acute coronary syndrome using iMap-IVUS.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the plaque composition between stable and unstable plaques, characterize unstable plaque by using iMap-intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and quantify the diagnostic criteria for unstable plaque. METHODS: Thirty-three acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients who had undergone coronary angiography and IVUS from February 19, 2014 to December 19, 2014 at Peking University People's Hospital were enrolled in the study. Baseline data were collected. The patients were divided into two groups according to their gray-scale IVUS imaging, stable plaque and unstable plaque. A difference-in-difference evaluation was performed using the baseline data and off-line iMap imaging results between the two groups. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to obtain the optimal cut-off value to diagnose unstable plaque. RESULTS: Percentages of fibrotic and necrotic tissues, absolute values of lipidic, necrotic, and calcified tissues, and plaque burden were independent predictors for unstable plaque. Absolute necrotic area was the best predictor and exhibited the highest diagnostic value for plaque vulnerability (area under the curve (AUC)=0.806, P=0.000, 95% CI (0.718, 0.894)). The cut-off score for predicting unstable plaque was 4.0 mm(2). CONCLUSIONS: This study attempted to propose a cut-off value based on absolute necrotic area using iMap-IVUS to predict plaque vulnerability in patients with ACS. This score might provide a valuable reference for diagnosing unstable plaque.

Cardioprotection by ischemic postconditioning is lost in isolated perfused heart from diabetic rats: Involvement of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P.

We previously found that the expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and contents of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP), two main neuropeptides released from TRPV1, were decreased in diabetic hearts. This study aimed to test whether decreased TRPV1, CGRP and SP levels were responsible for the loss of cardioprotection by ischemic postconditioning (IPostC) in isolated perfused heart from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. IPostC effectively protected non-diabetic hearts against ischemia/reperfusion injury by improving cardiac function and lowering creatine kinase (CK) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) release, which could be abolished by inhibiting TRPV1, CGRP receptor or SP receptor. However, IPostC had no effect on cardiac function and the release of CK and cTnI in diabetic hearts regardless of whether TRPV1, CGRP receptor or SP receptor were inhibited. CGRP or SP-induced postconditioning significantly prevented both non-diabetic and diabetic hearts from ischemia/reperfusion injury by improving cardiac function and lowering CK and cTnI release. Additionally, IPostC markedly increased CGRP and SP release in non-diabetic hearts, which could be reversed with TRPV1 inhibition, but not CGRP receptor or SP receptor inhibition. However, IPostC failed to affect CGRP and SP release in diabetic hearts in the presence or absence of TRPV1, CGRP receptor or SP receptor inhibition. These results indicate that the loss of cardioprotection by IPostC during diabetes is partly associated with a failure to increase CGRP and SP release, likely due to decreased TRPV1 expression and CGRP and SP contents in diabetic hearts.

Assessment of culprit lesions by intravascular ultrasound in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Intravascular ultrasound has become the standard invasive method for diagnosing coronary artery disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of intravascular ultrasound for assessment of culprit lesion morphology during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: We performed 18 intravascular ultrasound assessments preintervention during the primary PCI for AMI. intravascular ultrasound analysis included qualitative and quantitative measurements of reference and lesion external elastic membrane (EEM), lumen, and plaque plus media (P&M) area. Positive remodeling was defined as lesion/mean reference EEM >1.0. Culprit lesions were identified by a combination of electrocardiogram (ECG) and coronary angiography. RESULTS: There was an average of 1.44 infarct-related artery (IRA) plaques per patient. The incidences of thrombus and plaque ruptures were 28% (5) and 33% (6), respectively. Hypoechoic plaque was observed in 72% (13) of AMI patients. Calcified lesions could be found in 33% (6) of culprit lesions. Sixty percent of the culprit lesion sites presented with positive remodeling. CONCLUSIONS: Intravascular ultrasound is a safe and feasible imaging modality in patients with AMI and can help identify plaque rupture, intracoronary thrombus or calcification. The culprit lesion site in AMI cases often presents with positive remodeling.