Echinacoside inhibited cardiomyocyte pyroptosis and improved heart function of HF rats induced by isoproterenol via suppressing NADPH/ROS/ER stress.

Prevalence of heart failure (HF) continues to rise over time and is a global difficult problem; new drug targets are urgently needed. In recent years, pyroptosis is confirmed to promote cardiac remodelling and HF. Echinacoside (ECH) is a natural phenylethanoid glycoside and is the major active component of traditional Chinese medicine Cistanches Herba, which is reported to possess powerful anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, we previously reported that ECH reversed cardiac remodelling and improved heart function, but the effect of ECH on pyroptosis has not been studied. So, we investigated the effects of ECH on cardiomyocyte pyroptosis and the underlying mechanisms. In vivo, we established HF rat models induced by isoproterenol (ISO) and pre-treated with ECH. Indexes of heart function, pyroptotic marker proteins, ROS levels, and the expressions of NOX2, NOX4 and ER stress were measured. In vitro, primary cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats were treated with ISO and ECH; ASC speckles and caspase-1 mediated pyroptosis in cardiomyocytes were detected. Hoechst/PI staining was also used to evaluate pyroptosis. ROS levels, pyroptotic marker proteins, NOX2, NOX4 and ER stress levels were all tested. In vivo, we found that ECH effectively inhibited pyroptosis, down-regulated NOX2 and NOX4, decreased ROS levels, suppressed ER stress and improved heart function. In vitro, ECH reduced cardiomyocyte pyroptosis and suppressed NADPH/ROS/ER stress. We concluded that ECH inhibited cardiomyocyte pyroptosis and improved heart function via suppressing NADPH/ROS/ER stress.

Enhancement in photoluminescence performance of carbon-decorated T-ZnO.

The facile preparation of ZnO possessing high visible luminescence intensity remains challenging due to an unclear luminescence mechanism. Here, two basic approaches are proposed to enhance the luminescent intensity based on the theoretical analysis over surface defects. Based on the deduction, we introduce a methodology for obtaining hybrid tetrapod-like zinc oxide (T-ZnO), decorated by carbon nanomarterials on T-ZnO surfaces through the catalytic chemical vapor deposition approach. The intensity of the T-ZnO green emission can be modulated by topography and the proportion of carbon. Under proper experiment conditions, the carbon decorating leads to dramatically enhanced luminescence intensity of T-ZnO from 400 to 700 nm compared with no carbon decorated, which elevates this approach to a simple and effective method for the betterment of fluorescent materials in practical applications.

Higher serum sST2 is associated with increased left atrial low-voltage areas and atrial fibrillation recurrence in patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a comprehensive analysis of prospectively measuring the concentration of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) to predict left atrial (LA) low-voltage areas (LVAs) and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA). METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study. A total of 84 patients, including 54 paroxysmal AF cases and 30 persistent AF cases who underwent RFA, were recruited. Electroanatomical voltage mapping determined the extent of LVAs. The serum level of sST2 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All patients were followed for 12 months after the RFA procedure to verify AF recurrence. RESULTS: The concentration of sST2 measured in the sample was 17.90-198.77 pg/mL, and the range of LA LVAs was 0-85.6%. The sST2 level positively correlated with LVAs (r = 0.40; P = 0.005). When comparing the top and bottom quartile, sST2 is significantly associated with LA LVAs (OR = 1.833, 95% CI: 1.582-2.011, P = 0.004). When compared with the 1st quartile group, the multivariable adjusted hazard ratios for AF recurrence after RFA were 1.57 (95% CI: 1.182-1.795) for the 4th quartile group, 1.44 (95% CI: 1.085-1.598) for the 3rd quartile group, and 1.27 (95% CI: 0.954-1.318) for the 2nd quartile group. The AF-free survival rates of patients with 1st quartile and 4th quartile sST2 levels after ablation were 95% and 59.6%, respectively (Log Rank test, P = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Elevated sST2 levels of AF patients were associated with higher LA LVAs and a significantly increased risk of recurrence. The circulating sST2 concentration might be a pre-diagnostic marker of AF recurrence after RFA.

High-purity Cu nanocrystal synthesis by a dynamic decomposition method.

Cu nanocrystals are applied extensively in several fields, particularly in the microelectron, sensor, and catalysis. The catalytic behavior of Cu nanocrystals depends mainly on the structure and particle size. In this work, formation of high-purity Cu nanocrystals is studied using a common chemical vapor deposition precursor of cupric tartrate. This process is investigated through a combined experimental and computational approach. The decomposition kinetics is researched via differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis using Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, Kissinger, and Starink methods. The growth was found to be influenced by the factors of reaction temperature, protective gas, and time. And microstructural and thermal characterizations were performed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. Decomposition of cupric tartrate at different temperatures was simulated by density functional theory calculations under the generalized gradient approximation. High crystalline Cu nanocrystals without floccules were obtained from thermal decomposition of cupric tartrate at 271°C for 8 h under Ar. This general approach paves a way to controllable synthesis of Cu nanocrystals with high purity.