The Arabidopsis Rab protein RABC1 affects stomatal development by regulating lipid droplet dynamics.

Lipid droplets (LDs) are evolutionarily conserved organelles that serve as hubs of cellular lipid and energy metabolism in virtually all organisms. Mobilization of LDs is important in light-induced stomatal opening. However, whether and how LDs are involved in stomatal development remains unknown. We show here that Arabidopsis thaliana LIPID DROPLETS AND STOMATA 1 (LDS1)/RABC1 (At1g43890) encodes a member of the Rab GTPase family that is involved in regulating LD dynamics and stomatal morphogenesis. The expression of RABC1 is coordinated with the different phases of stomatal development. RABC1 targets to the surface of LDs in response to oleic acid application in a RABC1GEF1-dependent manner. RABC1 physically interacts with SEIPIN2/3, two orthologues of mammalian seipin, which function in the formation of LDs. Disruption of RABC1, RABC1GEF1, or SEIPIN2/3 resulted in aberrantly large LDs, severe defects in guard cell vacuole morphology, and stomatal function. In conclusion, these findings reveal an aspect of LD function and uncover a role for lipid metabolism in stomatal development in plants.

Two adjacent NAC transcription factors regulate fruit maturity date and flavor in peach.

Although maturity date (MD) is an essential factor affecting fresh fruit marketing and has a pleiotropic effect on fruit taste qualities, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. In this study, we functionally characterized two adjacent NAM-ATAF1/2-CUC2 (NAC) transcription factors (TFs), PpNAC1 and PpNAC5, both of which were associated with fruit MD in peach. PpNAC1 and PpNAC5 were found capable of activating transcription of genes associated with cell elongation, cell wall degradation and ethylene biosynthesis, suggesting their regulatory roles in fruit enlargement and ripening. Furthermore, PpNAC1 and PpNAC5 had pleiotropic effects on fruit taste due to their ability to activate transcription of genes for sugar accumulation and organic acid degradation. Interestingly, both PpNAC1 and PpNAC5 orthologues were found in fruit-producing angiosperms and adjacently arranged in all 91 tested dicots but absent in fruitless gymnosperms, suggesting their important roles in fruit development. Our results provide insight into the regulatory roles of NAC TFs in MD and fruit taste.

The dualistic model of passion and the service quality of five-star hotel employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Given the generally stressful job demands of the hospitality industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the work passion and emotions of hotel employees is particularly important. Based on the conservation of resources theory and the job demands-resources model, this study develops a multiple mediation model to investigate how frontline hotel employees with different types of work passion choose emotional labor strategies under the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of different choices on their service quality. A two-stage survey using data from 206 frontline employees of five-star hotels in China explored how work passion influences emotional labor and thereby affects emotional expression as well as service quality. The results showed emotional labor partially mediates the relationship between work passion and emotional expression, which in turn mediates the relationship between emotional labor and service quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. The theoretical and practical implications of this study are discussed.

BIG Modulates Stem Cell Niche and Meristem Development via SCR/SHR Pathway in Arabidopsis Roots.

BIG, a regulator of polar auxin transport, is necessary to regulate the growth and development of Arabidopsis. Although mutations in the BIG gene cause severe root developmental defects, the exact mechanism remains unclear. Here, we report that disruption of the BIG gene resulted in decreased quiescent center (QC) activity and columella cell numbers, which was accompanied by the downregulation of WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX5 (WOX5) gene expression. BIG affected auxin distribution by regulating the expression of PIN-FORMED proteins (PINs), but the root morphological defects of big mutants could not be rescued solely by increasing auxin transport. Although the loss of BIG gene function resulted in decreased expression of the PLT1 and PLT2 genes, genetic interaction assays indicate that this is not the main reason for the root morphological defects of big mutants. Furthermore, genetic interaction assays suggest that BIG affects the stem cell niche (SCN) activity through the SCRSCARECROW (SCR)/SHORT ROOT (SHR) pathway and BIG disruption reduces the expression of SCR and SHR genes. In conclusion, our findings reveal that the BIG gene maintains root meristem activity and SCN integrity mainly through the SCR/SHR pathway.

STING1 in sepsis: Mechanisms, functions, and implications.

Sepsis is a life-threatening clinical syndrome and one of the most challenging health problems in the world. Pathologically, sepsis and septic shock are caused by a dysregulated host immune response to infection, which can eventually lead to multiple organ failure and even death. As an adaptor transporter between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, stimulator of interferon response cGAMP interactor 1 (STING1, also known as STING or TMEM173) has been found to play a vital role at the intersection of innate immunity, inflammation, autophagy, and cell death in response to invading microbial pathogens or endogenous host damage. There is ample evidence that impaired STING1, through its immune and non-immune functions, is involved in the pathological process of sepsis. In this review, we discuss the regulation and function of the STING1 pathway in sepsis and highlight it as a suitable drug target for the treatment of lethal infection.

Atomic-Scale Visualization of Stepwise Growth Mechanism of Metal-Alkynyl Networks on Surfaces.

One of the most appealing topics in the study of metal-organic networks is the growth mechanism. However, its study is still considered a significant challenge. Herein, using scanning tunneling microscopy, the growth mechanisms of metal-alkynyl networks on Ag(111) and Au(111) surfaces were investigated at the atomic scale. During the reaction of 1,3,5-tris(chloroethynyl)benzene on Ag(111), honeycomb Ag-alkynyl networks formed at 393 K, and only short chain intermediates were observed. By contrast, the same precursor formed honeycomb Au-alkynyl networks on Au(111) at 503 K. Progression annealing led to a stepwise evolution process, in which the sequential activation of three Cl-alkynyl bonds led to the formation of dimers, zigzag chains, and novel chiral networks as the intermediates. Moreover, density functional theory calculations indicate that chlorine atoms are crucial in assisting the breakage of metal-alkynyl bonds to form Cl-metal-alkynyl, which guarantees the reversibility of the break/formation equilibration as the key to forming regular large-scale organometallic networks.

BIG regulates stomatal immunity and jasmonate production in Arabidopsis.

Plants have evolved an array of responses that provide them with protection from attack by microorganisms and other predators. Many of these mechanisms depend upon interactions between the plant hormones jasmonate (JA) and ethylene (ET). However, the molecular basis of these interactions is insufficiently understood. Gene expression and physiological assays with mutants were performed to investigate the role of Arabidopsis BIG gene in stress responses. BIG transcription is downregulated by methyl JA (MeJA), necrotrophic infection or mechanical injury. BIG deficiency promotes JA-dependent gene induction, increases JA production but restricts the accumulation of both ET and salicylic acid. JA-induced anthocyanin accumulation and chlorophyll degradation are enhanced and stomatal immunity is impaired by BIG disruption. Bacteria- and lipopolysaccaride (LPS)-induced stomatal closure is reduced in BIG gene mutants, which are hyper-susceptible to microbial pathogens with different lifestyles, but these mutants are less attractive to phytophagous insects. Our results indicate that BIG negatively and positively regulate the MYC2 and ERF1 arms of the JA signalling pathway. BIG warrants recognition as a new and distinct regulator that regulates JA responses, the synergistic interactions of JA and ET, and other hormonal interactions that reconcile the growth and defense dilemma in Arabidopsis.

The BIG protein distinguishes the process of CO2 -induced stomatal closure from the inhibition of stomatal opening by CO2.

We conducted an infrared thermal imaging-based genetic screen to identify Arabidopsis mutants displaying aberrant stomatal behavior in response to elevated concentrations of CO2 . This approach resulted in the isolation of a novel allele of the Arabidopsis BIG locus (At3g02260) that we have called CO2 insensitive 1 (cis1). BIG mutants are compromised in elevated CO2 -induced stomatal closure and bicarbonate activation of S-type anion channel currents. In contrast with the wild-type, they fail to exhibit reductions in stomatal density and index when grown in elevated CO2 . However, like the wild-type, BIG mutants display inhibition of stomatal opening when exposed to elevated CO2 . BIG mutants also display wild-type stomatal aperture responses to the closure-inducing stimulus abscisic acid (ABA). Our results indicate that BIG is a signaling component involved in the elevated CO2 -mediated control of stomatal development. In the control of stomatal aperture by CO2 , BIG is only required in elevated CO2 -induced closure and not in the inhibition of stomatal opening by this environmental signal. These data show that, at the molecular level, the CO2 -mediated inhibition of opening and promotion of stomatal closure signaling pathways are separable and BIG represents a distinguishing element in these two CO2 -mediated responses.

BDNF-GSK-3ß-ß-Catenin Pathway in the mPFC Is Involved in Antidepressant-Like Effects of Morinda officinalis Oligosaccharides in Rats.

Background: Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides have been reported to exert neuroprotective and antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test in mice. However, the mechanisms that underlie the antidepressant-like effects of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides are unclear. Methods: Chronic unpredictable stress and forced swim test were used to explore the antidepressant-like effects of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides and resilience to stress in rats. The phosphoinositide-3 kinase inhibitor LY294002 was microinjected in the medial prefrontal cortex to explore the role of glycogen synthase kinase-3ß in the antidepressant-like effects of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, phosphorylated-Ser9-glycogen synthase kinase 3ß, ß-catenin, and synaptic proteins was determined in the medial prefrontal cortex and the orbitofrontal cortex by western blot. Results: We found that Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides effectively ameliorated chronic unpredictable stress-induced depression-like behaviors in the sucrose preference test and forced swim test. The Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides also significantly rescued chronic unpredictable stress-induced abnormalities in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-glycogen synthase kinase-3ß-ß-catenin pathway and synaptic protein deficits in the medial prefrontal cortex but not orbitofrontal cortex. The activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3ß by the phosphoinositide-3 kinase inhibitor LY294002 abolished the antidepressant-like effects of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the forced swim test. Naïve rats that were treated with Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides exhibited resilience to chronic unpredictable stress, accompanied by increases in the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, phosphorylated-Ser9-glycogen synthase kinase-3ß, and ß-catenin in the medial prefrontal cortex. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-glycogen synthase kinase-3ß-ß-catenin pathway in the medial prefrontal cortex may underlie the antidepressant-like effect of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides and resilience to stress.

A Mathematical Model for Determining Carbon Coating Thickness and Its Application in Electron Probe Microanalysis.

In electron probe microanalysis where materials are coated with a thin conductive carbon coat before analysis, the X-ray intensity detected from a specimen may be affected to various degrees by the thickness of the carbon coating. Differences in the carbon film thickness between specimens and standards may lead to errors in analytical results, particular for lower energy X-rays. In this study, we demonstrate that the location and the distance of the specimen relative to the carbon tip in the coating chamber can affect the thickness of the carbon film produced on the specimen surface during carbon coating. The closer the specimen is to the carbon tip contacting point, the thicker is the carbon film deposited. A mathematical model to calculate the carbon film thickness at different locations on the coater plate is established, based on the assumption that carbon atoms evaporate from the carbon tip equally in all directions during the coating process. In order to reduce the differences in the carbon coating thickness, we suggest moving the carbon rod to a higher position, moving the thinner samples to the center and thicker samples to the edge of the coater plate, and using a rotating circular coater plate during coating.

Monocyte mediated brain targeting delivery of macromolecular drug for the therapy of depression.

Leukocytes can cross intact blood-brain barrier under healthy conditions and in many neurological diseases, including psychiatric diseases. In present study, a cyclic RGD (cRGD) peptide with high affinity for integrin receptors of leukocytes was used to modify liposomes. The cRGD-modified liposomes (cRGDL) showed high affinity for monocytes in vitro and in vivo and co-migrated across in vitro BBB model with THP-1. The trefoil factor 3 (TFF3), a macromolecular drug, was rapidly and persistently delivered to brain for at least 12 h when loaded into cRGDL while 2.8-fold increase in drug concentration in basolateral amygdala regions related to depression was observed. A systemic administration of cRGDL-TFF3 mimicked antidepressant-like effect of direct intra-basolateral amygdala administration of TFF3 solution in rats subjected to chronic mild stress. The effective dual-brain targeting delivery resulting from the combination and co-migration of cRGDL with leukocyte cross BBB may be a promising strategy for targeted brain delivery. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: In an effort to treat depression, brain targeted delivery via monocyte-cRGD liposome complexes capable of crossing the intact BBB was performed in this study in a murine model. Similar approaches may be helpful in the treatment of other neuropsychiatric conditions.

Glycine site N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist 7-CTKA produces rapid antidepressant-like effects in male rats.

BACKGROUND: Glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists exert fast-acting antidepressant effects, providing a promising way to develop a new classification of antidepressant that targets the glutamatergic system. In the present study, we examined the potential antidepressant action of 7-chlorokynurenic acid (7-CTKA), a glycine recognition site NMDA receptor antagonist, in a series of behavioural models of depression and determined the molecular mechanisms that underlie the behavioural actions of 7-CTKA. METHODS: We administered the forced swim test, novelty-suppressed feeding test, learned helplessness paradigm and chronic mild stress (CMS) paradigm in male rats to evaluate the possible rapid antidepressant-like actions of 7-CTKA. In addition, we assessed phospho-glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (p-GSK3ß) level, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) function, and postsynaptic protein expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus. RESULTS: Acute 7-CTKA administration produced rapid antidepressant-like actions in several behavioural tests. It increased p-GSK3ß, enhanced mTOR function and increased postsynaptic protein levels in the mPFC. Activation of GSK3ß by LY294002 completely blocked the antidepressant-like effects of 7-CTKA. Moreover, 7-CTKA did not produce rewarding properties or abuse potential. LIMITATIONS: It is possible that 7-CTKA modulates glutamatergic transmission, thereby causing enduring alterations of GSK3ß and mTOR signalling, although we did not provide direct evidence to support this possibility. Thus, the therapeutic involvement of synaptic adaptions engaged by 7-CTKA requires further study. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that acute 7-CTKA administration produced rapid antidepressant-like effects, indicating that the behavioural response to 7-CTKA is mediated by GSK3ß and mTOR signalling function in the mPFC.

[Comparison of Cyclosporine A and Cyclosporine A Combined with Corticosteroid in the Treatment of Acquired Pure Red Cell Aplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy, safety and relapse of cyclosporine A (CsA) and CsA combined with corticosteroid (CS) as the frontline therapy for patients with newly diagnosed acquired pure red cell aplasia (aPRCA). METHODS: The clinical features, treatment responses, relapses and clinical outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed aPRCA in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) from January 2015 to May 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. All the enrolled patients had been treated with either CsA or CsA+CS for at least 6 months and had been followed up for at least 12 months, with complete clinical data and consent forms. RESULTS: 96 patients including 72 treated with CsA and 24 treated with CsA+CS were enrolled. With comparable baseline characteristics and follow-up periods, patients treated with CsA or with CsA+CS had similar overall response rates (ORRs) and complete response rates (CRRs) at the 3rd, 6th and 12th month and at the end of follow-up (P>0.05). Meanwhile, no significant difference was found between the two groups in the optimal ORR, optimal CRR, time to response or time to complete response. CsA+CS and CsA groups had similar adverse event (AE) rates, but CsA+CS group had higher CS-related infection rate (P <0.05). One patient in CsA+CS group died of multiple infections. As for the relapse, the two groups had compatible relapse rates at different time points, time to relapse, overall relapse rate and relapse-free survival (P>0.05). CsA exposure time, rather than different therapy regimens, was the only influence factor for either ORR or relapse rate (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: CsA monotherapy has similar efficacy, AE rate and relapse rate as compared with CsA+CS for patients with newly diagnosed aPRCA, and shows less CS-related AEs such as infection.

A contractile injection system is required for developmentally regulated cell death in Streptomyces coelicolor.

Diverse bacterial species produce extracellular contractile injection systems (eCISs). Although closely related to contractile phage tails, eCISs can inject toxic proteins into eukaryotic cells. Thus, these systems are commonly viewed as cytotoxic defense mechanisms that are not central to other aspects of bacterial biology. Here, we provide evidence that eCISs appear to participate in the complex developmental process of the bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor. In particular, we show that S. coelicolor produces eCIS particles during its normal growth cycle, and that strains lacking functional eCIS particles exhibit pronounced alterations in their developmental program. Furthermore, eCIS-deficient mutants display reduced levels of cell death and altered morphology during growth in liquid media. Our results suggest that the main role of eCISs in S. coelicolor is to modulate the developmental switch that leads to aerial hyphae formation and sporulation, rather than to attack other species.

PpARF6 acts as an integrator of auxin and ethylene signaling to promote fruit ripening in peach.

Although auxin is known to induce ethylene biosynthesis in some Rosaceae fruit crops, the mechanisms underlying the auxin-ethylene interaction during fruit ripening remain largely unknown. Here, the regulatory role of an auxin response factor, PpARF6, in fruit ripening was investigated in peach. Peach fruits showed accelerated ripening after treatment with auxin and PpARF6 was found to be significantly induced. PpARF6 not only could induce ethylene synthesis by directly activating the transcription of ethylene biosynthetic genes, but also competed with EIN3-binding F-box proteins PpEBF1/2 for binding to ethylene-insensitive3-like proteins PpEIL2/3, thereby keeping PpEIL2/3 active. Moreover, PpARF6 showed an interaction with PpEIL2/3 to enhance the PpEIL2/3-activated transcription of ethylene biosynthetic genes. Additionally, ectopic overexpression of PpARF6 in tomato accelerated fruit ripening by promoting the expression of genes involved in ethylene synthesis and fruit texture. In summary, our results revealed a positive regulatory role of PpARF6 in peach fruit ripening via integrating auxin and ethylene signaling.

Steering Metal-Organic Network Structures through Conformations and Configurations on Surfaces.

Molecular adsorption conformations and arrangement configurations on surfaces are important structural aspects of surface stereochemistry, but their roles in steering the structures of metal-organic networks (MONs) remain vague and unexplored. In this study, we constructed MONs by the coordination self-assembly of isocyanides on Cu(111) and Ag(111) surfaces and demonstrated that the MON structures can be steered by surface stereochemistry, including the adsorption conformations of the isocyanide molecules and the arrangement configurations of the coordination nodes and subunits. The coordination self-assembly of 1,4-phenylene diisocyanobenzene afforded a honeycomb MON consisting of 3-fold (isocyano)3-Cu motifs on a Cu(111) surface. In contrast, geometrically different chevron-shaped 1,3-phenylene diisocyanobenzene (m-DICB) failed to generate a MON, which is ascribable to its standing conformation on the Cu(111) surface. However, m-DICB was adsorbed in a flat conformation on a Ag(111) surface, which has a larger lattice constant than a Cu(111) surface, and smoothly underwent coordination self-assembly to form a MON consisting of (isocyano)3-Ag motifs. Interestingly, only C3-Ag nodes with heterotactic configurations could grow into larger subunits; those subunits with heterotactic configurations further grew into Sierpinski triangle fractals (up to fourth order), while subunits with homotactic configurations afforded a triangular MON.

Surges of hospital-based rhinovirus infection during the 2020 coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic in Beijing, China.

BACKGROUND: A series of public health preventive measures has been widely implemented in Beijing to control the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic since January 2020. An evaluation of the effects of these preventive measures on the spread of other respiratory viruses is necessary. METHODS: Respiratory specimens collected from children with acute respiratory infections were tested by NxTAG™ respiratory pathogen panel assays during January 2017 and December 2020. Specimens characterized as rhinoviruses (RVs) were sequenced to identify the RV species and types. Then, the epidemiology results of respiratory pathogens in 2020 were compared with those from 2017 to 2019 using SPSS statistics 22.0. RESULTS: The positive rates of adenovirus (ADV), influenza virus (flu), RVs, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) dropped abruptly by 86.31%, 94.67%, 94.59%, and 92.17%, respectively, from February to May 2020, compared with the average level in the same period during 2017-2019. Positive rates of RVs then steeply increased from June 2020 (13.77%), to an apex (37.25%) in August 2020, significantly higher than the average rates (22.51%) in August 2017-2019 (P = 0.005). The increase, especially in group ≥ 3 years, was accompanied by the reopening of schools and kindergartens after the 23rd and 24th week of 2020 in Beijing. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas the abrupt drop in viral pathogen positive rates from February to May 2020 revealed the remarkable effects of the COVID-19 preventive measures, the sharp increase in positive rates of RVs from the 23rd week of 2020 might be explained by the reopening of schools and kindergartens in Beijing.

ROS of Distinct Sources and Salicylic Acid Separate Elevated CO2-Mediated Stomatal Movements in Arabidopsis.

Elevated CO2 (eCO2) often reduces leaf stomatal aperture and density thus impacts plant physiology and productivity. We have previously demonstrated that the Arabidopsis BIG protein distinguishes between the processes of eCO2-induced stomatal closure and eCO2-inhibited stomatal opening. However, the mechanistic basis of this action is not fully understood. Here we show that eCO2-elicited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in big mutants was compromised in stomatal closure induction but not in stomatal opening inhibition. Pharmacological and genetic studies show that ROS generated by both NADPH oxidases and cell wall peroxidases contribute to eCO2-induced stomatal closure, whereas inhibition of light-induced stomatal opening by eCO2 may rely on the ROS derived from NADPH oxidases but not from cell wall peroxidases. As with JA and ABA, SA is required for eCO2-induced ROS generation and stomatal closure. In contrast, none of these three signals has a significant role in eCO2-inhibited stomatal opening, unveiling the distinct roles of plant hormonal signaling pathways in the induction of stomatal closure and the inhibition of stomatal opening by eCO2. In conclusion, this study adds SA to a list of plant hormones that together with ROS from distinct sources distinguish two branches of eCO2-mediated stomatal movements.

Uncovering the mechanism of Jueyin granules in the treatment of psoriasis using network pharmacology.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Our clinical practice demonstrated that Jueyin granules (JYG) benefit patients with mild to moderate psoriasis vulgaris without apparent adverse effects. JYG have been shown to inhibit epidermal proliferation in an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like mouse model, as well as keratinocyte proliferation. Moreover, JYG causes no acute or chronic toxicity in animal models. However, its related molecular mechanism has still not been elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the mechanism of JYG against psoriasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study combined network pharmacology analysis with experiments to investigate the mechanism of JYG against psoriasis. First, the molecular docking technology was used to construct the network of medicinal materials-core active plant ingredients-core targets and identify possible drug targets. Next, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for quality control of JYG. Finally, a mice model of psoriasis was used to further verify the effects of JYG. RESULTS: (1) Molecular docking analysis of network pharmacology revealed that the therapeutic effects of JYG on psoriasis might be achieved through Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) effects. (2) The concentrations of chlorogenic acid and paeoniflorin were determined using HPLC to establish quality control of JYG. (3) JYG ameliorated pathological characteristics that included in vivo reductions in erythema, scale, and infiltration scores of back and ear lesions in IMQ-induced psoriasis-like mice. Moreover, a reduced number of PCNA-positive and Ki67-positive cells were observed in the epidermis of JYG-treated lesions. JYG also reduced inflammation (interleukin (IL)-17, IL-23) in the peripheral blood of IMQ-induced psoriasis-like mice. As expected, JYG was found to upregulate VDR expression and downregulate p-STAT3 expression in the IMQ group, which may contribute to its mechanism against psoriasis. CONCLUSION: Overall, this study clarifies the mechanism of JYG against psoriasis and provides evidence to support its clinical use.

[Experience of transcather closure in patients with postinfarction ventricular septal defects].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of transcather closure in patients with postinfarction ventricular septal defects (VSD). METHODS: Transcatheter VSD closure was performed in 12 patients with postinfarction VSD (10 muscular and 2 membranes defects) on top of standard pharmacotherapy and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) as indicated. RESULTS: (1) Percutaneous interventional VSD closure was successful in 9 out 12 patients (75%) and these 9 patients survived post procedure. (2) The medial time between VSD occurrence and closure was (15.5 +/- 9.2) days. Procedure-related complications such as device embolization and malignant arrhythmia occurred in 3 patients (25%). The medial time between procedure and discharge from hospital was (11.3 +/- 5.2) days. (3) Coronary angiography was performed in 2 patients and 4 stents were implanted in diseased lesions. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter closure could be successfully performed in selected patients with postinfarction VSD.