The injury-induced transcription factor SOX9 alters the expression of LBR, HMGA2, and HIPK3 in the human kidney.

Induction of SRY box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) has been shown to occur in response to kidney injury in rodents, where SOX9-positive cells proliferate and regenerate the proximal tubules of injured kidneys. Additionally, SOX9-positive cells demonstrate a capacity to differentiate toward other nephron segments. Here, we characterized the role of SOX9 in normal and injured human kidneys. SOX9 expression was found to colocalize with a proportion of so-called scattered tubular cells in the uninjured kidney, a cell population previously shown to be involved in kidney injury and regeneration. Following injury and in areas adjacent to inflammatory cell infiltrates, SOX9-positive cells were increased in number. With the use of primary tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) obtained from human kidney tissue, SOX9 expression was spontaneously induced in culture and further increased by transforming growth factor-ß1, whereas it was suppressed by interferon-γ. siRNA-mediated knockdown of SOX9 in PTECs followed by analysis of differential gene expression, immunohistochemical expression, and luciferase promoter assays suggested lamin B receptor (LBR), high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2), and homeodomain interacting protein kinase 3 (HIPK3) as possible target genes of SOX9. Moreover, a kidney explant model was used to demonstrate that only SOX9-positive cells survive the massive injury associated with kidney ischemia and that the surviving SOX9-positive cells spread and repopulate the tubules. Using a wound healing assay, we also showed that SOX9 positively regulated the migratory capacity of PTECs. These findings shed light on the functional and regulatory aspects of SOX9 activation in the human kidney during injury and regeneration.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Recent studies using murine models have shown that SRY box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) is activated during repair of renal tubular cells. In this study, we showed that SOX9-positive cells represent a proportion of scattered tubular cells found in the uninjured human kidney. Furthermore, we suggest that expression of LBR, HMGA2, and HIPK3 is altered by SOX9 in the kidney tubular epithelium, suggesting the involvement of these gene products in kidney injury and regeneration.

Cytotoxic effects of halophilic archaea metabolites on ovarian cancer cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is one of the most frequent and deadly gynaecological cancers, often resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy, the current standard of care. Halophilic microorganisms have been shown to produce a large variety of metabolites, some of which show toxicity to various cancer cell lines. However, none have yet been shown to be active against ovarian cancer cells. Here, we examined the effects of metabolites secreted by the halophilic archaea Halorhabdus rudnickae and Natrinema salaciae on various cancer cell lines, including ovarian cancer cell lines. RESULTS: 1H NMR analyses of Hrd. rudnickae and Nnm. salaciae culture supernatants contain a complex mixture of metabolites that differ between species, and even between two different strains of the same species, such as Hrd. rudnickae strains 64T and 66. By using the MTT and the xCELLigence RTCA assays, we found that the secreted metabolites of all three halophilic strains expressed cytotoxicity to the ovarian cancer cell lines, especially A2780, as well as its cisplatin-resistant derivative A2780cis, in a dose-dependent manner. The other tested cell lines A549, HepG2, SK-OV-3 and HeLa were only minimally, or not at all affected by the archaeal metabolites, and this was only seen with the MTT assay. CONCLUSIONS: The halophilic archaea Hrd. rudnickae and Nnm. salaciae, isolated from a Polish salt mine and Lake Medee in the Mediterranean Sea, respectively, secrete metabolites that are active against ovarian cancer cells, including those that are resistant to cisplatin. This opens potential new possibilities for the treatment of these frequent and deadly gynaecological cancers.

Insect Gut Bacteria Promoting the Growth of Tomato Plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.).

We investigated gut bacteria from three insect species for the presence of plant growth properties (PGP). Out of 146 bacterial strains obtained from 20 adult specimens of Scolytidae sp., 50 specimens of Oulema melanopus, and 150 specimens of Diabrotica virgifera, we selected 11 strains displaying the following: PGP, phosphate solubility, production of cellulase, siderophore, lipase, protease, and hydrogen cyanide. The strains were tested for growth promotion ability on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants. Each strain was tested individually, and all strains were tested together as a bacterial consortium. Tomato fruit yield was compared with the negative control. The plants treated with bacterial consortium showed a significant increase in fruit yield, in both number of fruits (+41%) and weight of fruits (+44%). The second highest yield was obtained for treatment with Serratia liquefaciens Dv032 strain, where the number and weight of yielded fruits increased by 35% and 30%, respectively. All selected 11 strains were obtained from Western Corn Rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera. The consortium comprised: Ewingella americana, Lactococcus garvieae, L. lactis, Pseudomonas putida, Serratia liquefaciens, and S. plymuthica. To our knowledge, this is the first successful application of D. virgifera gut bacteria for tomato plant growth stimulation that has been described.

Control of gene expression in engineered mammalian cells with a programmable shear-stress inducer.

In humans, cellular mechanoperception serves as the basis of touch sensation and proprioception, contributes to the proper programming of cell fate during embryonic development, and plays a pivotal role in the development of mechanosensitive tissues. Molecular mechanoreceptors can respond to their environment by mediating transient adjustments of ion homeostasis, which subsequently trigger calcium-dependent alteration of gene expression via specific signaling pathways such as the nuclear factor of the activated T-cells pathway. Although, mechanoreceptors are potential drug targets for various diseases, current techniques to study mechanically gated processes are often based on custom-tailored microfluidic systems, which require special setups or have limited throughput. Here, we present a platform to characterize shear-stress-triggered, calcium-mediated gene expression, which employs a programmable, 96-well-format, shear-stress induction device to examine the effects of imposing various mechanical loads on mammalian adherent cell lines. The presented method is suitable for high-throughput experiments and provides a large tunable parameter space to optimize conditions for different cell types. Our findings indicate that the device is an effective tool to explore conditions in terms of frequency, intensity, intervals as well as extracellular matrix composition alongside the evaluation of different combinations of mechanosensitive proteins for mechanically activated gene expression. We believe our results can serve as a platform for further investigations into shear stress-controlled gene expression in basic research and drug screening.

Removal of Bromocresol Green from aqueous solution by electro-Fenton and electro-Fenton-like processes with different catalysts: laboratory and kinetic model investigation.

This study presents the removal of triarylmethane dye Bromocresol Green from aqueous solution by the electro-Fenton process. As catalysts five different cations were used: Fe2+, Ce3+, Ni2+, Mn2+, and Co2+. They play crucial roles in the whole process because they react with H2O2 producing hydroxyl radicals that are capable of breaking down dye molecules. Based on this, a comparison of catalytic activity of these cations in the electro-Fenton process is made for Bromocresol Green degradation. A simple and universal kinetic model is also applied to study the catalytic activity of investigated catalysts. Due to its multidimensionality it is fitted to experimental data using a genetic algorithm. The procedure of fitting using a genetic algorithm is thoroughly described and demonstrated. The activity of utilized catalysts is compared based on both experimental and model data revealing that for Bromocresol Green removal all alternative catalysts (Ni2+, Co2+, Ce3+, Mn2+) are better than the typical one (Fe2+, 51.83% degradation). The best catalyst is Co2+ with 78.35% degradation efficiency. Moreover, the adopted kinetic model proved its universality and outlined different interactions between catalysts and dye molecules.

Localization and Regulation of Polymeric Ig Receptor in Healthy and Diseased Human Kidney.

The polymeric Ig receptor (PIgR) constitutes an important part of the immune system by mediating transcytosis of dimeric IgA into mucosal fluids. Although well studied in organs such as the intestine, the regulation and localization of PIgR in human kidney are incompletely characterized. Herein, using immunohistochemistry, we show that in healthy human kidneys, PIgR is expressed by the progenitor-like tubular scattered cells of the proximal tubules and by parietal epithelial cells of glomeruli. We further show that proximal tubular expression of PIgR becomes widespread during kidney disease, correlating to elevated levels of urinary secretory IgA. Urinary secretory IgA levels also correlated to the degree of tubular fibrosis, plasma creatinine, and urea levels. In addition, primary tubular cells were cultured to study the function and regulation of PIgR in vitro. Cellular PIgR expression was induced by conditioned medium from activated human leukocytes, as well as by inflammatory cytokines, whereas transforming growth factor-ß1 caused decreased expression. Furthermore, interferon-γ increased the transcytosis of dimeric IgA in cultured tubular cells. Finally, a correlation study of mRNA data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression portal indicated that PIGR mRNA expression in kidney correlates to the expression of TNFSF13, a cytokine involved in plasma cell class switching to IgA. These results indicate that PIgR induction is an integral part of the injury phenotype of renal tubular cells.

Blocking histone deacetylase activity as a novel target for epithelial barrier defects in patients with allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: A defective epithelial barrier is found in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity has been identified as a crucial driver of allergic inflammation and tight junction dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether HDAC activity has been altered in patients with AR and in a mouse model of house dust mite (HDM)-induced allergic asthma and whether it contributed to epithelial barrier dysfunction. METHODS: Primary nasal epithelial cells of control subjects and patients with AR were cultured at the air-liquid interface to study transepithelial electrical resistance and paracellular flux of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (4 kDa) together with mRNA expression and immunofluorescence staining of tight junctions. Air-liquid interface cultures were stimulated with different concentrations of JNJ-26481585, a broad-spectrum HDAC inhibitor. In vivo the effect of JNJ-26481585 on mucosal permeability and tight junction function was evaluated in a mouse model of HDM-induced allergic airway inflammation. RESULTS: General HDAC activity was greater in nasal epithelial cells of patients with AR and correlated inversely with epithelial integrity. Treatment of nasal epithelial cells with JNJ-26481585 restored epithelial integrity by promoting tight junction expression and protein reorganization. HDM-sensitized mice were treated with JNJ-26481585 to demonstrate the in vivo role of HDACs. Treated mice did not have allergic airway inflammation and had no bronchial hyperreactivity. Moreover, JNJ-26481585 treatment restored nasal mucosal function by promoting tight junction expression. CONCLUSION: Our findings identify increased HDAC activity as a potential tissue-injury mechanism responsible for dysregulated epithelial cell repair, leading to defective epithelial barriers in AR. Blocking HDAC activity is a promising novel target for therapeutic intervention in patients with airway diseases.

Bacterial secretion of histamine within the gut influences immune responses within the lung.

BACKGROUND: Histamine is an important immunomodulator influencing both the innate and adaptive immune system. Certain host cells express the histidine decarboxylase enzyme (HDC), which is responsible for catalysing the decarboxylation of histidine to histamine. We and others have shown that bacterial strains can also express HDC and secrete histamine; however, the influence of bacterial-derived histamine on the host immune responses distant to the gut is unclear. METHODS: The Escherichia coli BL21 (E coli BL21) strain was genetically modified to express the Morganella morganii (M morganii)-derived HDC gene (E coli BL21_HTW). E coli BL21 and E coli BL21_HTW were gavaged to ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized and challenged mice to investigate the effect of bacterial-derived histamine on lung inflammatory responses. RESULTS: Oral administration of E coli BL21_HTW, which is able to secrete histamine, to wild-type mice reduced lung eosinophilia and suppressed ex vivo OVA-stimulated cytokine secretion from lung cells in the OVA respiratory inflammation mouse model. In histamine receptor 2 (H2R)-deficient mice, administration of histamine-secreting bacteria also reduced inflammatory cell numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). However, the suppressive effect of bacterial-derived histamine on BAL inflammation was lost in HDC-deficient mice. This loss of activity was associated with increased expression of histamine degrading enzymes and reduced histamine receptor expression. CONCLUSION: Histamine secretion from bacteria within the gut can have immunological consequences at distant mucosal sites, such as within the lung. These effects are influenced by host histamine receptor expression and the expression of histamine degrading enzymes.

Papillary renal cell carcinoma-derived chemerin, IL-8, and CXCL16 promote monocyte recruitment and differentiation into foam-cell macrophages.

Papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) is the second most common type of renal cell carcinoma. The only curative treatment available for pRCC is radical surgery. If the disease becomes widespread, neither chemo- nor radiotherapy will have therapeutic effect, hence further research on pRCC is of utmost importance. Histologically, pRCC is characterized by a papillary growth pattern with focal aggregation of macrophages of the foam cell phenotype. In other forms of cancer, a clear role for tumor-associated macrophages during cancer growth and progression has been shown. Although the presence of foamy macrophages is a histological hallmark of pRCC tumors, little is known regarding their role in pRCC biology. In order to study the interaction between pRCC tumor and myeloid cells, we established primary cultures from pRCC tissue. We show that human pRCC cells secrete the chemokines IL-8, CXCL16, and chemerin, and that these factors attract primary human monocytes in vitro. RNAseq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas confirmed a high expression of these factors in pRCC tissue. Conditioned medium from pRCC cultures induced a shift in human monocytes toward the M2 macrophage phenotype. In extended cultures, these macrophages became enlarged and loaded with lipids, adopting the foam cell morphology found in pRCC tissue. These results show for the first time that pRCC primary tumor cells secrete factors that attract and differentiate monocytes into anti-inflammatory tumor-associated macrophages with foam cell histology.

Injury induced expression of caveolar proteins in human kidney tubules - role of megakaryoblastic leukemia 1.

BACKGROUND: Caveolae are membrane invaginations measuring 50-100 nm. These organelles, composed of caveolin and cavin proteins, are important for cellular signaling and survival. Caveolae play incompletely defined roles in human kidneys. Induction of caveolin-1/CAV1 in diseased tubules has been described previously, but the responsible mechanism remains to be defined. METHODS: Healthy and atrophying human kidneys were stained for caveolar proteins, (caveolin 1-3 and cavin 1-4) and examined by electron microscopy. Induction of caveolar proteins was studied in isolated proximal tubules and primary renal epithelial cells. These cells were challenged with hypoxia or H2O2. Primary tubular cells were also subjected to viral overexpression of megakaryoblastic leukemia 1 (MKL1) and MKL1 inhibition by the MKL1 inhibitor CCG-1423. Putative coregulators of MKL1 activity were investigated by Western blotting for suppressor of cancer cell invasion (SCAI) and filamin A (FLNA). Finally, correlative bioinformatic studies of mRNA expression of caveolar proteins and MKL1 were performed. RESULTS: In healthy kidneys, caveolar proteins were expressed by the parietal epithelial cells (PECs) of Bowman's capsule, endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle. Electron microscopy confirmed caveolae in the PECs. No expression was seen in proximal tubules. In contrast, caveolar proteins were expressed in proximal tubules undergoing atrophy. Caveolar proteins were also induced in cultures of primary epithelial tubular cells. Expression was not enhanced by hypoxia or free radical stress (H2O2), but proved sensitive to inhibition of MKL1. Viral overexpression of MKL1 induced caveolin-1/CAV1, caveolin-2/CAV2 and SDPR/CAVIN2. In kidney tissue, the mRNA level of MKL1 correlated with the mRNA levels for caveolin-1/CAV1, caveolin-2/CAV2 and the archetypal MKL1 target tenascin C (TNC), as did the MKL1 coactivator FLNA. Costaining for TNC as readout for MKL1 activity demonstrated overlap with caveolin-1/CAV1 expression in PECs as well as in atrophic segments of proximal tubules. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the view that MKL1 contributes to the expression of caveolar proteins in healthy kidneys and orchestrates the induction of tubular caveolar proteins in renal injury.

General Overview of Psychotherapeutic Practice in Poland. Results from a Nationwide Survey.

A total of 1196 persons conducting psychotherapy in Poland fully completed a nationwide online survey (or, alternatively, a paper and pencil enquiry) concerning their education, training, experience, and clinical work (professional environment, patients treated). The results are described in detail and compared with findings of similar studies from other countries. Among the primary findings were: (1) psychotherapy in Poland is conducted mostly by women (80 %); (2) almost all participants have an MA degree (91 %), including 75.2 % having graduated in psychology; (3) the therapists are well trained (mean number of training hours is above 942) and established (average experience is about 9.8 years), however, more than half of the therapists have no type of certificate; (4) 54 % of respondents identify with the integrative or eclectic orientation and, simultaneously, for 48.6 % of the therapists the most important approach is either psychodynamic or psychoanalytic; (5) the most common form of therapy is individual psychotherapy in private practice; (6) the majority of the therapists treat adult patients with anxiety or personality disorders. In sum, the results show that psychotherapeutic practice is well established in Poland and many indices are similar to those found in Western countries.

Formal synthesis of (-)-podophyllotoxin through the photocyclization of an axially chiral 3,4-bisbenzylidene succinate amide ester--a flow photochemistry approach.

We have developed a strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of cyclolignans related to podophyllotoxin and its derivatives. The crucial step of the synthesis is the photocyclization of a chiral atropoisomeric 1,2-bisbenzylidenesuccinate amide ester, which can be prepared from suitable aromatic aldehydes, diethyl succinate and l-prolinol. The photocyclization was found to be more efficient when irradiation was performed in a home-built continuous flow photochemical reactor. The in-flow irradiation also allowed us to perform the reaction on a multigram scale. The chiral auxiliary was removed by reductive cleavage with the Schwartz's reagent to give the cytotoxic 1R,2R-cis-podophyllic aldehyde, which in turn could be easily reduced to the corresponding alcohol, completing the formal synthesis of (-)-podophyllotoxin.

Prevalence of Endosymbionts in Polish Populations of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

Colorado potato beetle (CPB, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is one of the most serious insect pest feeding on wild and cultivated Solanaceae plants. This pest poses a significant threat to potato crops. CPB originated from North America but has become widespread and has adapted in new localizations. Currently, it is reported in many countries worldwide. Endosymbiotic bacteria might have an influence on insect adaptation to new conditions. They are known to play a role in invasiveness of insect hosts and to facilitate colonization of new niches; however, information on endosymbionts of the CPB is very limited. In this study, we screened CPB populations collected from 20 evenly distributed locations in Poland for the presence of Arsenophonus, Cardinium, Wolbachia, and Flavobacterium. We found the presence of Flavobacterium in the studied insects. Little is known about CPB-endosymbionts interactions, thus this study may provide a reference for future studies in this subject.

Percutaneous transaxillary approach through the first segment of the axillary artery for the Impella-supported PCI Versus TAVR.

Percutaneous transaxillary approach (PTAX) through the first segment of the axillary artery is not widely recognized as a safe method. Furthermore, PTAX has never been directly compared between Impella-supported percutaneous coronary interventions (Impella-PCI) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of PTAX through the first axillary segment in Impella-PCI versus TAVR. In cases where standard imaging guidance was insufficient, a technique involving puncturing the axillary artery "on-the-balloon" was employed. The endpoints were bleeding and vascular complications, as defined by BARC and VARC-3 criteria. PTAX was successfully performed in all 46 attempted cases: 23 for Impella-PCI and 23 for TAVR. Strict adherence to BARC and VARC-3 criteria led to the frequent identification of major bleeding (57%) and a moderately frequent diagnosis of vascular complications (17%). These incidences were primarily based on post-procedural hemoglobin reduction (> 3 g/dl) but not overt bleeding. The Impella group exhibited a higher rate of BARC 3b bleeding due to a greater hemoglobin decline resulting from the prolonged implant duration and PCI itself. Left axillary access was linked to smaller blood loss. Bleeding and vascular complications, as per BARC and VARC-3 definitions, did not affect short-term prognosis, with only 3 Impella patients succumbing to heart failure unrelated to the procedures during one-month follow-up period.

Induction of volatile organic compounds in chrysanthemum plants following infection by Rhizoctonia solani.

This study investigated the effects of Rhizoctonia solani J.G. Kühn infestation on the volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and biochemical composition of ten cultivars of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × morifolium /Ramat./ Hemsl.) to bring new insights for future disease management strategies and the development of resistant chrysanthemum cultivars. The chrysanthemum plants were propagated vegetatively and cultivated in a greenhouse under semi-controlled conditions. VOCs emitted by the plants were collected using a specialized system and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Biochemical analyses of the leaves were performed, including the extraction and quantification of chlorophylls, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds. The emission of VOCs varied among the cultivars, with some cultivars producing a wider range of VOCs compared to others. The analysis of the VOC emissions from control plants revealed differences in both their quality and quantity among the tested cultivars. R. solani infection influenced the VOC emissions, with different cultivars exhibiting varying responses to the infection. Statistical analyses confirmed the significant effects of cultivar, collection time, and their interaction on the VOCs. Correlation analyses revealed positive relationships between certain pairs of VOCs. The results show significant differences in the biochemical composition among the cultivars, with variations in chlorophyll, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds content. Interestingly, R. solani soil and leaf infestation decreased the content of carotenoids in chrysanthemums. Plants subjected to soil infestation were characterized with the highest content of phenolics. This study unveils alterations in the volatile and biochemical responses of chrysanthemum plants to R. solani infestation, which can contribute to the development of strategies for disease management and the improvement of chrysanthemum cultivars with enhanced resistance to R. solani.

High contrast breast cancer biomarker semi-quantification and immunohistochemistry imaging using upconverting nanoparticles.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Current clinical treatment stratification practices open up an avenue for significant improvements, potentially through advancements in immunohistochemistry (IHC) assessments of biopsies. We report a high contrast upconverting nanoparticles (UCNP) labeling to distinguish different levels of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in HER2 control pellet arrays (CPAs) and HER2-positive breast cancer tissue. A simple Fourier transform algorithm trained on CPAs was sufficient to provide a semi-quantitative HER2 assessment tool for breast cancer tissues. The UCNP labeling had a signal-to-background ratio of 40 compared to the negative control.

Sonochemical synthesis of SnS and SnS2 quantum dots from aqueous solutions, and their photo- and sonocatalytic activity.

Our study reports the ultrasound-assisted synthesis of SnS and SnS2 in the form of nanoparticles using aqueous solutions of respective tin chloride and thioacetamide varying sonication time. The presence of both compounds is confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, as well as Raman and FT-IR spectroscopic techniques. The existence of nanoparticles is proven by powder X-ray diffraction investigation and by high resolution transmission electron microscopy observations. The size of nanocrystallites are in the range of 3-8 nm and 30 50 nm for SnS, and 1.5-10 nm for SnS2. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, used to investigate the chemical state of tin and sulphur atoms on the surface of nanoparticles, reveal that they are typically covered with tin on the same oxidation degree as respective bulk compound. Values of optical bandgaps of synthesized nanoparticles, according to the Tauc method, were 2.31, 1.47 and 1.05 eV for SnS (60, 90 and 120 min long synthesis, respectively), and 2.81, 2.78 and 2.70 eV for SnS2 (60, 90 and 120 min long synthesis, respectively). Obtained nanoparticles were utilized as photo- and sonocatalysts in the process of degradation of model azo-dye molecules by UV-C light or ultrasound. Quantum dots of SnS2 obtained under sonication lasting 120 min were the best photocatalyst (66.9 % color removal), while quantum dots of SnS obtained under similar sonication time were the best sonocatalyst (85.2 % color removal).

Procedural success in transaxillary transcatheter aortic valve implantation according to type of transcatheter heart valve: results from the multicenter TAXI registry.

BACKGROUND: Transaxillary (TAx) transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a preferred alternative access in patients ineligible for transfemoral TAVI. AIMS: This study used the Trans-AXillary Intervention (TAXI) registry to compare procedural success according to different types of transcatheter heart valves (THV). METHODS: For the TAXI registry anonymized data of patients treated with TAx-TAVI were collected from 18 centers. Acute procedural, early and 1-month clinical outcomes were adjudicated in accordance with standardized VARC-3 definitions. RESULTS: From 432 patients, 368 patients (85.3%, SE group) received self-expanding (SE) THV and 64 patients (14.8%, BE group) received balloon-expandable (BE) THV. Imaging revealed lower axillary artery diameters in the SE group (max/min diameter in mm: 8.4/6.6 vs 9.4/6.8 mm; p < 0.001/p = 0.04) but a higher proportion of axillary tortuosity in BE group (62/368, 23.6% vs 26/64, 42.6%; p = 0.004) with steeper aorta-left ventricle (LV) inflow (55° vs 51°; p = 0.002) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT)-LV inflow angles (40.0° vs 24.5°; 0.002). TAx-TAVI was more often conducted by right sided axillary artery in the BE group (33/368, 9.0% vs 17/64, 26.6%; p < 0.001). Device success was higher in the SE group (317/368, 86.1% vs 44/64, 68.8%, p = 0.0015). In logistic regression analysis, BE THV were a risk factor for vascular complications and axillary stent implantation. CONCLUSIONS: Both, SE and BE THV can be safely used in TAx-TAVI. However, SE THV were more often used and were associated with a higher rate of device success. While SE THV were associated with lower rates of vascular complications, BE THV were more often used in cases with challenging anatomical circumstances.

Effect of Water Content on Ethanol Steam Reforming in the Nonthermal Plasma.

Ethanol steam reforming can be a source of green hydrogen. The process of producing hydrogen from ethanol is very complex. Catalysts designed for this process often become deactivated due to coke deposition. In this work, a plasma reactor was used, which is insensitive to disturbance induced by coke. The research focused on determining the influence of steam on the course of the process. The optimal water/ethanol molar ratio was found to be 4. The energy efficiency was the highest at this ratio, 22.5 mol(H2)/kW h. At the same time, a high ethanol conversion (92%) was obtained. It was also observed that the conversion of steam was many times lower than that of ethanol. However, water shortage caused a rapid increase in coke, acetylene, and ethylene production.