First-principles prediction of superconducting properties of monolayer 1T'-WS2 under biaxial tensile strain.

High-purity 1T'-WS2 film has been experimentally synthesized [Nature Materials, 20, 1113-1120 (2021)] and theoretically predicted to be a two-dimensional (2D) superconducting material with Dirac cones [arXiv:2301.11425]. In the present work, we further study the superconducting properties of monolayer 1T'-WS2 by applying biaxial tensile strain. It is shown that the superconducting critical temperature Tc firstly increases and then decreases with respect to tensile strains, with the highest superconducting critical temperature Tc of 7.25 K under the biaxial tensile strain of 3%. In particular, we find that Dirac cones also exist in several tensile strained cases. Our studies show that monolayer 1T'-WS2 may provide a good platform for understanding the superconductivity of 2D Dirac materials.

Effectiveness of single-lead ECG devices for detecting atrial fibrillation: An overview of systematic reviews.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at an increased risk for stroke. Early detection of undiagnosed AF by screening is recommended. Single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is the most widely used technology in AF detection. Several systematic reviews on the diagnostic accuracy of single-lead ECG devices for AF detection have been performed but have yielded inconclusive results. AIMS: The aim of this study was to synthesize the available evidence on the effectiveness of single-lead ECG devices in detecting AF. METHODS: An overview of systematic reviews was conducted. Five English databases (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, Embase, Ovid, and Web of Science) and two Chinese databases (Wanfang and CNKI) were searched from inception to July 31, 2021. Systematic reviews that examined the accuracy of tools based on single-lead ECG technology for detecting AF were included. A narrative data synthesis was performed. RESULTS: Eight systematic reviews were finally included. Systematic reviews with meta-analysis showed that single-lead ECG-based devices had good sensitivity and specificity (both ≥90%) in detecting AF. According to subgroup analysis, the sensitivities of tools used in populations with a history of AF were all >90%. However, among handheld and thoracic placed single-lead ECG devices, large variations in diagnostic performance were observed. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: Single-lead ECG devices can potentially be used for AF detection. Due to the heterogeneity in the study population and tools, future studies are warranted to explore the suitable circumstances in which each tool could be applied for AF screening in an effective and cost-effective manner.

Superconductivity of monolayer functionalized biphenylene with Dirac cones.

Monolayer biphenylene is a new two-dimensional (2D) carbon allotrope, which has been experimentally synthesized and theoretically predicted to show superconductivity. In this work, we investigate functionalized biphenylene with the adsorption of Li. The superconducting critical temperature (Tc) can be pushed from 0.59 K up to 3.91 K after Li adsorption. Our calculations confirm that the adsorption pushes the peak showing a high electronic density of states closer to the Fermi level, which usually leads to a larger Tc. Furthermore, the application of biaxial tensile strain can soften phonons and further enhance the Tc up to 15.86 K in Li-deposited biphenylene. Interestingly, a pair of type-II Dirac cones below the Fermi level has been observed, expanding the range of Dirac materials. It suggests that monolayer biphenylene deposited with Li may be a material with potential applications and improves the understanding of Dirac-type superconductors.

Profile and outcomes of patients with mediastinal hematoma after cardiac catheterization: A retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a comprehensive introduction of mediastinal hematoma. BACKGROUND: Mediastinal hematoma is a rare complication that is usually not considered in the differential diagnosis of chest pain after cardiac catheterization. METHODS: From January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2013, at Fuwai Hospital, 126,265 patients underwent coronary angiography (CAG); 121,215 of them underwent CAG via the radial artery. Ultimately, 10 patients with mediastinal hematoma due to cardiac catheterization were included. Patients' clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The incidences of mediastinal hematoma in cardiac catheterization and transradial cardiac catheterization were 0.79‱ and 0.74‱, respectively. A super slide hydrophilic guidewire was used in all 10 patients with mediastinal hematoma. These patients felt chest pain and dyspnea during/after the procedure, and computed tomography (CT) was used to diagnose mediastinal hematoma. Among them, two patients had a neck hematoma. The post-procedural hemoglobin level decreased substantially in all patients. Antiplatelet therapy was discontinued for 8-20 days in three patients without stents implanted, and then only oral aspirin was prescribed. Aspirin was transiently discontinued for 2 days in one patient undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The others continued taking dual antiplatelet drugs. Two patients received blood transfusion. There was no case of stent thrombosis, and surgery was not indicated for any patient. No complication was observed after discharge during the 9.0 ± 2.5-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: CT should be performed as early as possible in patients with suspected mediastinal hematoma. The prognosis of mediastinal hematoma is usually good with early diagnosis and suitable therapy.

Clinical and prognostic features of Heidenhain variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: A retrospective case series study.

BACKGROUND: Heidenhain variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) remains a diagnostic challenge in clinical practice. We aimed to describe the clinical and prognostic features of Heidenhain cases, through a case series study. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the definite or probable CJD cases admitted to two tertiary referral university hospitals over a decade to identify Heidenhain cases and investigated their survival status by telephone follow-up. Their clinical characteristics, neuroimaging features, electroencephalography (EEG) results, cerebrospinal fluid profiles, and PRNP gene mutations were also analyzed. RESULTS: Of a total of 85 CJD cases, 20 (24%) Heidenhain cases (11 women [55%]; median age, 64 years [range, 44-72 years]) were identified. The median survival time was 22 weeks (range, 5-155 weeks). The median duration of isolated visual symptoms was 3 weeks (range, 1-12 weeks). The most common early visual symptom was blurred vision (16/20, 80%), followed by diplopia (6/20, 30%). The prevalence significantly increased for complex visual hallucination (p = 0.005) and cortical blindness (p = 0.046) as the disease progressed. The positive rate of serial magnetic resonance images (20/20, 100%) was higher than that of serial EEGs (16/20, 80%). Two patients (2/10, 20%) had pathogenic PRNP mutations, E196A and T188K, respectively. Heidenhain cases with PRNP mutations had significantly longer survival time than those without PRNP mutations (p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Besides blurred vision (80%), diplopia (30%) was also a frequent early visual symptom among Heidenhain cases. Heidenhain phenotype can occur in genetic CJD cases. PRNP mutation status might be an important prognostic factor for Heidenhain cases.

The effect of doping and strain on superconductivity of T-graphene.

As an allotrope of graphene, T-graphene was predicted to be an intrinsic two-dimensional (2D) superconductor with a superconducting critical temperature (Tc) of about 20.8 K [Gu et al., Chin. Phys. Lett. 36, 097401 (2019)]. In this work, based on first-principles calculations, hole doping and biaxial tensile strain (BTS) are considered to modulate the electron-phonon coupling (EPC) and superconductivity of T-graphene. It is found that the EPC constant of T-graphene is 0.807 and the calculated critical temperature Tc is 28.2 K at a doping level of 0.5 hole per unit cell (3.31 × 1014 cm-2) and 12% BTS. Furthermore, when 0.8 hole per unit cell (5.43 × 1014 cm-2) doping and 10% BTS are applied, the EPC constant is 0.939, and the Tc can be boosted to 35.2 K, which is higher than those of the pristine T-graphene and many other 2D carbon-based superconductors.

Long-term clinical outcomes in transradial versus transfemoral access for left main percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVE: The present study compared 10-year clinical outcomes between transradial access (TRA) and transfemoral access (TFA) for left main (LM) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: There are limited data regarding the long-term safety and efficacy of TRA for LM PCI. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated consecutive patients who underwent unprotected LM PCI between January 2004 and December 2008 at Fu Wai Hospital. The exclusion criteria were age of less than 18 years and presentation with acute myocardial infarction. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE), which was defined as a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and any revascularization at the 10-year follow-up. RESULTS: Among 913 eligible patients, TRA was used for 417 patients (45.7%) and TFA was used for 496 patients (54.3%). The 30-day clinical outcomes were similar between the two groups. Results from the 10-year follow-up revealed that MACCE occurred in 180 patients (46.7%) from the TRA group and in 239 patients (51.2%) from the TFA group (log-rank p = .3). The TRA and TFA groups also had low and comparable cumulative rates of all-cause death (14.6% vs. 17.3%, log-rank p = .56) and cardiac death (7.9% vs. 9.1%, log-rank p = .7). CONCLUSION: The present study revealed no significant differences in long-term clinical outcomes when TRA or TFA were used for LM PCI.

The relationship between ß1 -adrenergic and M2 -muscarinic receptor autoantibodies and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? The concentrations of ß1 -adrenergic receptor and M2 -muscarinic receptor autoantibodies in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients and the relationship between the cardiac autoantibodies and clinical manifestations of HCM have rarely been reported. What is the main finding and its importance? We found that the concentrations of the two autoantibodies in HCM patients were significantly higher than those in control subjects. Furthermore, we found that the concentrations of the two autoantibodies could reflect myocardial injury and diastolic dysfunction in HCM patients to some extent and might be involved in the occurrence of arrhythmia. These findings might be valuable in exploration of the mechanisms of occurrence and progression of HCM. ABSTRACT: Increasing attention is being given to the role of immunological mechanisms in the development of heart failure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentration of serum ß1 -adrenergic receptor autoantibody (ß1 -AAb) and M2 -muscarinic receptor autoantibody (M2 -AAb) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and the relationship between ß1 -AAb, M2 -AAb and clinical indices. One hundred and thirty-four patients with HCM were recruited consecutively into the HCM group. Forty healthy subjects were assigned as the normal controls (NCs). Serum samples were collected to measure the concentrations of ß1 -AAb and M2 -AAb by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The clinical data of HCM patients were collected. The serum concentrations of ß1 -AAb and M2 -AAb of HCM patients were significantly higher than those of NCs. In HCM patients, those with a left atrial diameter ≥50 mm or moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation had significantly higher concentrations of the two autoantibodies. Patients with a history of syncope had higher concentrations of ß1 -AAb. Female patients and patients with a family history of sudden cardiac death or atrial fibrillation had higher concentrations of M2 -AAb. Maximal wall thickness, interventricular septum thickness and resting left ventricular outflow tract gradient were positively correlated with log ß1 -AAb or log M2 -AAb in HCM patients. In conclusion, the serum concentrations of ß1 -AAb and M2 -AAb of HCM patients were significantly higher than those of NCs. Being female, syncope, a family history of sudden death, atrial fibrillation, left atrial diameter ≥50 mm, moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation, maximal wall thickness, interventricular septum thickness and resting left ventricular outflow tract gradient may affect the concentrations of the two autoantibodies.

Design and Construction of a Metal-Organic Framework as an Efficient Luminescent Sensor for Detecting Antibiotics.

We first design and synthesize a dendritic aromatic 6-carboxyl linker (H6TDCPB), which is successfully assembled with Cd(II) ion to construct a porous metal-organic framework with a raw Cd6 cluster, {[Cd3(TDCPB)·2DMAc]·DMAc·4H2O}n (namely, complex 1). More interestingly, six adjacent linkers are packed together by π-π-stacking interactions to form an amazing six-molecule accumulation in the crystal structure. By virtue of high stability and luminescent properties, the as-synthesized sample not merely owns an excellent detectable ability but also possesses an outstanding selectivity for nitrofurans with remarkable recursitivity.

Biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stents versus second-generation drug-eluting stents in patients with and without diabetes mellitus: a single-center study.

BACKGROUND: To improve outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention remain an unmet clinical need. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of G2-DESs and BP-DESs in patients with and without DM in a single center in China. METHODS: A total of 7666 consecutive patients who exclusively had G2-DES or BP-DES implantation throughout 2013 in our center were studied. The primary efficacy endpoint was any target lesion revascularization (TLR), whereas the primary safety endpoint was a composite of death or myocardial infarction (MI) at 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: G2-DESs had a similar occurrence of death, non-fatal MI, TLR, stroke, and stent thrombosis compared with BP-DESs in patients with DM (all P > 0.05). The incidence of TVR and TLR was lower for G2-DESs than for BP-DESs in patients without DM (3.2% vs. 5.1%, P = 0.002; 2.2% vs. 4.5%, P < 0.001, respectively). Kaplan-Meier analysis also showed better TVR- and TLR-free survival rates for G2-DESs than for BP-DESs in patients without DM. Multivariate analysis showed that a BP-DES was an independent risk factor for TLR (hazard ratio 1.963, 95% confidence interval 1.390-2.772, P < 0.001) in patients without DM, which was not predictive of other components of major adverse cardiac events (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: G2-DESs have better efficacy, represented by a reduced risk of TLR, and similar safety compared with BP-DESs in patients without DM. G2-DESs have similar efficacy and safety compared with BP-DESs in patients with DM at 2-year follow-up.

Dual antiplatelet therapy after coronary drug-eluting stent implantation in China: A large single center study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the actual dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) duration after drug-eluting stent (DES) treatment in China. BACKGROUND: Currently, less is known about actual DAPT duration after drug-eluting stent (DES) treatment in China. Here, we performed a study in the largest cardiovascular center in China to investigate DAPT duration and identify associated factors after DES implantation. METHODS: A total of 9,919 consecutive patients with DES implantation from January 2013 to December 2013 were enrolled. DAPT cessation was observed, and factors associated with different DAPT durations were analyzed. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 882 days. The proportion of patients with DAPT coverage at 1-year of follow-up was 97.3%, and it decreased to 30.1% for 2 years. The distribution of DAPT duration was not significantly different among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) versus non-AMI (P = 0.41) and with new-generation DES versus first-generation DES (P = 0.54). The multivariable analysis indicated some independent predictors prolonging DAPT duration, including target vessel revascularization (OR 2.50, 95% CI 2.04-3.06, P < 0.001), stent numbers (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.05-1.15, P < 0.001), and previous coronary artery bypass grafting (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.61-0.96, P = 0.02). Other clinical factors, such as the increased risk of bleeding and high ischemic risk, were not associated with DAPT duration. CONCLUSIONS: The 1-year DAPT after DES was applied to 97.3% of Chinese patients in the studied clinical center. However, the DAPT duration after 1 year was not adjusted according to the patients' bleeding situation and ischemic risks.

Sex-based differences in bleeding and long-term adverse events after percutaneous coronary intervention in older patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: Differences in outcomes for women and men after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in older patients remain controversial. Herein, we compared 2-year outcomes by sex in Chinese older patients undergoing PCI. METHODS: A total of 4926 consecutive patients (33.6% women, age ≥60 years, mean age 67.4 ± 5.7 years) who underwent PCI at a single center in China from January 2013 to December 2013 were included in this study. The primary endpoint was 2-year risk of bleeding according to the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium definitions. The secondary endpoints included 2-year risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Hazard ratios were generated using multivariable Cox regression. RESULTS: Compared with men, women had significantly higher rates of in-hospital all-cause mortality (0.8% vs 0.2%, P = 0.001), cardiac death (0.5% vs 0.1%, P = 0.006), MACCE (2.4% vs 1.5%, P = 0.017), and bleeding (0.4% vs 0.1%, P = 0.015). At 2-year follow up, there were no differences between men and women for all-cause mortality (1.9% vs 1.8%, P = 0.839) and 2-year MACCE (13.1% vs 11.8%, P = 0.216). However, women had a higher risk of 2-year bleeding (9.2% vs 6.2%, P < 0.001), which persisted after adjusting for baseline differences and treatment characteristics (hazard ratio 1.35, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.71; P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: We found that older women undergoing PCI were at increased risk of 2-year bleeding compared with men. Further dedicated studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Effect of sex difference in clinical presentation (stable coronary artery disease vs unstable angina pectoris or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction vs ST-elevation myocardial infarction) on 2-year outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is a difference in 2-year prognosis among patients across the spectrum of coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We analyzed all consecutive patients undergoing PCI at a single center from 1/1-12/31/2013. Clinical presentations were compared between sexes according to baseline clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics and 2-year (mean 730 ± 30-day) outcomes. RESULTS: We grouped 10 724 consecutive patients based on sex and clinical presentation. Among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), rates of all-cause death (6.7% vs 1.4%) and cardiac death (3.8% vs 1.1%) were significantly higher in women than in men (P < 0.05), but these rates did not differ between men and women with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) and non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome ((NSTE-ACS). Incidence of major bleeding was greater than in men only in those women presenting with ACS. After multivariable adjustment, female sex was not an independent predictor of outcomes in STEMI (hazard ratio [HR] for all-cause death: 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.52-3.38; P = 0.55; HR for cardiac death: 0.69, 95%CI: 0.23-2.09, P = 0.51], but was still an independent predictor of bleeding in STEMI (HR: 3.53, 95%CI: 1.26-9.91, P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Among STEMI patients, women had worse 2-year mortality after PCI therapy, but female sex was not an independent predictor of mortality after adjustment for baseline characteristics. In STEMI patients, women were at higher bleeding risk than men after PCI, even after multivariable adjustment.

Prognostic Value of NT-proBNP in Stable Coronary Artery Disease in Chinese Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the Drug-eluting Stent Era.

OBJECTIVE: The predictive value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) in the drug-eluting stent era is not yet clear. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of NT-proBNP in SCAD patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We examined 4,293 consecutive SCAD patients who underwent PCI between January 2013 and December 2013 in Fuwai Hospital, China. The primary endpoint was all-cause death. NT-proBNP levels were measured before PCI using Elisa kits (Biomedica, Austria). The indication for PCI was based on the degree of coronary stenosis and evidence of ischemia. RESULTS: Among 3,187 SCAD patients with NT-proBNP data, after a 2-year follow-up, NT-proBNP levels were predictive for all-cause death in the SCAD population [area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.768; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.687-0.849; P < 0.001]. At the optimum cutoff point of 732 pg/mL, the sensitivity and specificity of death was 75.0% and 72.3%, respectively. In a multivariable Cox regression model, the death hazard ratio was 6.43 (95% CI, 2.99-13.82; P < 0.001) for patients with NT-proBNP levels ⪖ 732 pg/mL, compared with < 732 pg/mL. CONCLUSION: NT-proBNP is a strong predictor of 2-year death with SCAD after PCI in the drug-eluting stent era.

Dual-Functional Carbon Dots Pattern on Paper Chips for Fe3+ and Ferritin Analysis in Whole Blood.

Though microfluidic paper analytical devices (µPADs) have attracted paramounting attentions in recent years as promising devices for low cost point-of-care tests, their real applications for blood analysis are still challenged by integrating sample preparation with different detection modes on a same µPAD. Herein, we developed a novel µPAD, which well coupled automatic serum extraction with reliable dual mode iron health tests: fluorescent analysis for Fe3+ and colorimetric ELISA for ferritin. All these functions are made available by in situ carbon dots (CDs) and AuNPs sequential patterning techniques. For CDs immobilization, hydrothermal reaction was taken on paper, to which a patterned through-hole polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mask was applied. None fluorescence CDs (nF-CDs) were generated on exposed regions, while the fluorescent CDs (F-CDs) were generated simultaneously on covered regions. Sensitive serum iron quantification was realized on the F-CDs modified regions, where Fe3+ ion can selectively quench the fluorescence of F-CDs. For AuNPs immobilization, electroless plating was taken on nF-CDs modified regions. The resulting AuNPs on nF-CDs layer on one hand triggered the coagulation of blood cells and thus led to the longest ever wicking distance for serum separation, on the other hand facilitated colorimetric enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of serum ferritin. Combining the two readings, the µPAD can provide reliable measurement for serum iron and serum ferritin in whole blood. Furthermore, as CDs and AuNPs modified µPAD has the features of easy handling, low-cost, lightweight, and disposability, it is accounting for a promising prototype for whole blood point-of-care analysis.

Transradial Versus Transfemoral Approach for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Elderly Patients in China: A Retrospective Analysis.

Objective To compare hospital costs and clinical outcomes between transradial intervention (TRI) and transfemoral intervention (TFI) in elderly patients aged over 65 years. Methods We identified 1229 patients aged over 65 years who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Fuwai Hospital, Beijing, China, between January 1 and December 31, 2010. Total hospital costs and in-hospital outcomes were compared between TRI and TFI. An inverse probability weighting (IPW) model was introduced to control potential biases. Results Patients who underwent TRI were younger, less often female, more likely to receive PCI for single-vessel lesions, and less likely to undergo the procedure for ostial lesions. TRI was associated with a cost saving of CNY7495 (95%CI: CNY4419-10 420). Such differences were mainly driven by lower PCI-related costs. TRI patients had shorter length of stay (1.9 days, 95%CI: 1.1-2.7 days), shorter post-procedural stay (0.7 days, 95%CI: 0.3-1.1 days), and fewer major adverse cardiac events (adjusted odds ratio = 0.47, 95%CI: 0.31-0.73). There was no statistical significance in the incidence of post-PCI bleeding between TRI and TFI (P>0.05). Such differences remained consistent in clinically relevant subgroups of acute myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, and stable angina. Conclusion The use of TRI in patients aged over 65 years was associated with significantly reduced hospital costs and more favorable clinical outcomes.

Allogeneic Compact Bone-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Attenuates the Severity of Idiopathic Pneumonia Syndrome in a Murine Bone Marrow Transplantation Model.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS) is a serious and life-threatening lung complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and currently no effective therapies exist. This study was designed to determine whether transplantation of allogeneic murine compact bone derived- mesenchymal stem cells (CB-MSCs) could prevent the development of IPS. METHODS: We tested the effects of CB-MSCs transplantation on IPS using an established murine model of C57BL/6 (H-2b)→BALB/c (H-2d). Survival rates, body weight change, clinical GVHD scores, lung histological changes were assessed after IPS induction. Mechanistically, concentrations of cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-4) and chemokines (CCL5, CXCL9 and CXCL10) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from the recipient mice were measured at different time point post-transplantation. CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cell (Treg) percentage, CCR5, CXCR3 and CCR7 expression on CD3+ T cells, and lung CXCR3, CCR5, CCR7, T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA levels were also evaluated at different time point post-transplantation. RESULTS: Co-transplantation of CB-MSCs significantly attenuated the severity of lung injuries and increased survival rate of mice compared to non-cotransplanted mice. A higher Treg percentage, reduction of TNF-α, IFN-γ, CCL5, CXCL9 and CXCL10 levels, down-regulation of CXCR3 and CCR5, as well as up-regulation of CCR7, were observed in MSCs co-transplantation mice. Also, the prophylactic effect of CB-MSCs was associated with a shift of Th1/Th2 balance toward anti-inflammatory Th2 polarization. CONCLUSIONS: Allogeneic CB-MSCs effectively controlled the occurrence of IPS due to its profound immunomodulatory capacity. This may offer a novel prophylactic approach for IPS after allo-HSCT.

Effectiveness of Alcohol Septal Ablation Versus Transaortic Extended Myectomy in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Midventricular Obstruction.

OBJECTIVES: Investigate the effectiveness of alcohol septal ablation (ASA) and transaortic extended myectomy (TEM) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with midventricular obstruction (MVO). BACKGROUND: MVO is less common than subaortic obstruction. Data on the effectiveness of ASA and TEM in MVO are lacking. METHODS: The clinical profiles of 22 patients undergoing ASA and 37 patients undergoing TEM were compared. No patient had apical aneurysm, abnormal chordae, mitral valve replacement or repair. RESULTS: Baseline midventricular pressure gradient and symptoms were comparable between the ASA and TEM groups. During follow-up, both groups demonstrated substantial reduction in pressure gradient (the ASA group: 79.7 ± 21.2 mm Hg to 43.7 ± 28.9 mm Hg, P < 0.001; the TEM group: 69.0 ± 23.9 mm Hg to 15.0 ± 16.9 mm Hg, P < 0.001). The reduction in pressure gradient was greater (78.9 ± 18.6% vs. 46.4 ± 33.4%, P < 0.001) and the residual pressure gradient was lower after TEM versus ASA (P < 0.001). Patients with New York Heart Association class III/IV dyspnea decreased from 59.1 to 18.2% (P = 0.022) in the ASA group and from 56.8 to 5.6% (P < 0.001) in the TEM group. Patients with Canadian Cardiovascular Society class III/IV angina decreased from 40.9 to 9.1% (P = 0.016) in the ASA group and from 32.4 to 0% (P < 0.001) in the TEM group. CONCLUSIONS: While ASA and TEM both improve gradients and symptoms, TEM may provide a more reliable reduction in gradients compared to ASA.

Effects of alcohol septal ablation on left ventricular diastolic filling patterns in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) has been shown to improve left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, its beneficial effect on diastolic function assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has not been reported. We investigated the mid-term changes of diastolic function by CMR combined with echocardiography in HCM patients after ASA at a median of 14-month follow-up. CMR parameters of diastolic function including peak filling rate (PFR), and time to peak filling rate (TPFR) were evaluated in 43 patients (aged 48 ± 9 years). LV diastolic function improved significantly measured by echocardiography with the decrease in ratio of transmitral early LV filling velocity (E) to early diastolic mitral lateral annular velocity (E') (14.20 ± 1.17 to 11.58 ± 1.16, p < 0.001) and E-wave deceleration time (194.04 ± 19.30 to 168.45 ± 12.58 ms, p < 0.001). PFR increased significantly with associated decrease in TPFR after ASA (both p < 0.001) at follow-up. Furthermore, patients with larger decrease in LVOT gradients had a greater improvement of LV diastolic function, as measured by the reduction of E/E' (p < 0.001) and increase of PFR (p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that successful ASA results in both echocardiographic and CMR indices of diastolic function improvement after ASA at 14-month follow-up. ASA therapy can significantly reduce LVOT gradient and mitral regurgitation, both of which may contribute to the improvement of diastolic function.

[Study of Reaction Dynamics between Bovine Serum Albumin and Folic Acid by Stopped-Flow/Fluorescence].

As a kind of coenzyme of one-carbon enzymes in vivo, folic acid belongs to B vitamins, which can interact with other vitamins and has great significance for converting among amino acids, dividing growth of cells and protein synthesis reactions. Half-life, concentration and reaction rate constant of drugs are important parameters in pharmacokinetic study. In this paper, by utilizing fluorescence spectrophotometer and stopped-flow spectrum analyzer, reaction kinetic parameters between bovine serum albumin(BSA) and folic acid in a bionic system have been investigated, which provide references for parameters of drug metabolism related to folic acid. By using Stern-Volmer equation dealing with fluorescence quenching experiments data, we concluded that under 25, 30, and 37 degrees C, the static quenching constants of folic acid to intrinsic fluorescence from bovine serum albumin were 2.455 x 10(10), 4.900 x 10(10) and 6.427 x 10(10) L x mol(-1) x s(-1) respectively; The results of kinetic reaction rate have shown that the reaction rate of BSA and folic acid are greater than 100 mol x L(-1) x s(-1) at different temperatures, pH and buffering media, illustrating that the quenching mechanism between BSA and folic acid is to form composite static quenching process. Reaction concentration of bovine serum albumin and its initial concentration were equal to the secondary reaction formula, and the correlation coefficient was 0.998 7, while the half-life (t1/2) was 0.059 s at physiological temperature. With the increase of folic acid concentration, the apparent rate constant of this reaction had a linear increasing trend, the BSA fluorescence quenching rate constant catalyzed by folic acid was 3.174 x 10(5) mol x L(-1) x s(-1). Furthermore, with different buffer, the apparent rate constant and reaction rate constant of BSA interacting with folic acid were detected to explore the influence on the reaction under physiological medium, which is of great significance to determine the clinical regimen, forecast the efficacy and toxicity of drugs and rational drug.