Characteristics of Right-Sided Accessory Pathways Associated With Right Cardiac Veins.

BACKGROUND: The anatomy of myocardial fibers around the right cardiac veins (RCVs) and their roles in accessory pathways (APs) are rarely reported. METHODS: Six RCV-APs were identified from 566 patients with right-sided APs. Mapping of retrograde atrial activation was performed using CARTO 3 system under orthodromic tachycardia or right ventricular pacing. Venography of RCVs was acquired at the earliest retrograde atrial activation. RESULTS: Patients enrolled had a median age of 30 (11-51) years, 5 of them were male. Venography of RCVs could be classified into 3 distinct patterns based on the identified ventricular branches, right marginal vein only (type I; n=3), both right marginal vein and anterior cardiac veins (type II; n=2), and anterior cardiac vein only (type III; n=1). Patients with type I venography had rS QRS pattern in lead V1, negative delta wave in lead III and negative or isoelectric delta wave in lead aVF. However, patients with type II and III venography had QS QRS patterns in lead V1 and variable patterns of delta wave in inferior leads. Earliest retrograde atrial activation was found at a median of 16.75 (14.60-20.00) mm away from the tricuspid annulus, all with A larger than V. At the earliest retrograde atrial activation, far-field ventricular electrogram was found 30 ms later than QRS onset in 1 patient under sinus rhythm. AP conduction was eliminated by mechanical pressure in 2 and by radiofrequency ablation in 4 at the ostium of the veins colocalizing with the earliest retrograde activation of the right atrium. No recurrence was observed during 36 (10-60) months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The RCV-AP is a rare form of right-sided APs characterized by atrial insertions distant from the annulus. ECG-speculated ventricular insertion sites conformed to the location of identified RCVs.

Single-sEV profiling identifies the TACSTD2 + sEV subpopulation as a factor of tumor susceptibility in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Aging is a very complex physiological phenomenon, and sEVs are involved in the regulation of this mechanism. Serum samples from healthy individuals under 30 and over 60 years of age were collected to analyze differences in sEVs proteomics. RESULTS: Based on PBA analysis, we found that sEVs from the serum of elderly individuals highly express TACSTD2 and identified a subpopulation marked by TACSTD2. Using ELISA, we verified the upregulation of TACSTD2 in serum from elderly human and aged mouse. In addition, we discovered that TACSTD2 was significantly increased in samples from tumor patients and had better diagnostic value than CEA. Specifically, 9 of the 13 tumor groups exhibited elevated TACSTD2, particularly for cervical cancer, colon cancer, esophageal carcinoma, liver cancer and thyroid carcinoma. Moreover, we found that serum sEVs from the elderly (especially those with high TACSTD2 levels) promoted tumor cell (SW480, HuCCT1 and HeLa) proliferation and migration. CONCLUSION: TACSTD2 was upregulated in the serum of elderly individuals and patients with tumors, and could serve as a dual biomarker for aging and tumors.

Analysis of nearly 3000 archaeal genomes from terrestrial geothermal springs sheds light on interconnected biogeochemical processes.

Terrestrial geothermal springs are physicochemically diverse and host abundant populations of Archaea. However, the diversity, functionality, and geological influences of these Archaea are not well understood. Here we explore the genomic diversity of Archaea in 152 metagenomes from 48 geothermal springs in Tengchong, China, collected from 2016 to 2021. Our dataset is comprised of 2949 archaeal metagenome-assembled genomes spanning 12 phyla and 392 newly identified species, which increases the known species diversity of Archaea by ~48.6%. The structures and potential functions of the archaeal communities are strongly influenced by temperature and pH, with high-temperature acidic and alkaline springs favoring archaeal abundance over Bacteria. Genome-resolved metagenomics and metatranscriptomics provide insights into the potential ecological niches of these Archaea and their potential roles in carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, and hydrogen metabolism. Furthermore, our findings illustrate the interplay of competition and cooperation among Archaea in biogeochemical cycles, possibly arising from overlapping functional niches and metabolic handoffs. Taken together, our study expands the genomic diversity of Archaea inhabiting geothermal springs and provides a foundation for more incisive study of biogeochemical processes mediated by Archaea in geothermal ecosystems.

Joint effect of abnormal systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) levels and diabetes on cognitive function and survival rate: A population-based study from the NHANES 2011-2014.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the combination of abnormal systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) levels and hyperglycemia increased the risk of cognitive function decline and reduced survival rate in the United States. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 2011-2014 and enrolled 1,447 participants aged 60 years or older. Restricted cubic splines (RCS), linear regression and kaplan-meier(KM) curve were employed to explore the combined effects of abnormal SII and hyperglycemia on cognitive function and survival rate, and subgroup analysis was also conducted. RESULTS: The RCS analysis revealed an inverted U-shaped relationship between lgSII levels and cognitive function. Linear regression analysis indicated that neither abnormal SII nor diabetes alone significantly contributed to the decline in cognitive function compared to participants with normal SII levels and blood glucose. However, when abnormal SII coexisted with diabetes (but not prediabetes), it resulted to a significant decline in cognitive function. After adjusting for various confounding factors, these results remained significant in Delayed Word Recall (ß:-0.76, P<0.05) and Digit Symbol Substitution tests (ß:-5.02, P<0.05). Nevertheless, these results showed marginal significance in Total Word Recall test as well as Animal Fluency test. Among all subgroup analyses performed, participants with both abnormal SII levels and diabetes exhibited the greatest decline in cognitive function compared to those with only diabetes. Furthermore, KM curve demonstrated that the combination of abnormal SII levels and diabetes decreased survival rate among participants. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the impact of diabetes on cognitive function/survival rate is correlated with SII levels, indicating that their combination enhances predictive power.

Short- and long-term effects of different forage types supplemented in preweaning dairy calves on performance and milk production into first lactation.

We investigated the short- and long-term effects of different forage types supplemented in preweaning dairy calves on growth performance, blood metabolites, rumen fermentation, bacterial community, and milk production during first lactation. Sixty healthy 1-mo-old female Holstein calves were blocked by birth date and body weight and randomly assigned to one of 3 groups (n = 20): normal milk and pelleted starter feeding (CON), supplemented with chopped oat hay [75.0 g/d/calf (dry matter (DM) basis); OAH], or alfalfa hay [75.0 g/d/calf (DM basis); ALF]. The forage supplementation started when calves were 30 d old (D1 of the experimental period) and ended when they were 73 d old (D44 of the experimental period when calves were weaned. Milk and feed intakes and fecal consistency scores were recorded daily. Growth performance, rumen fluid, and blood samples were collected bi-weekly. After weaning, all the calves were integrated with the same barn and diets. After calving, the milk production was recorded daily. During the experimental period, the OAH group had greater solid feed and total DM intakes and greater rumen pH than the CON group (P ≤ 0.04), but had lower forage intake and crude protein digestibility than the ALF group (P ≤ 0.04). The ALF group had higher rumen pH and blood ß-hydroxybutyrate concentration (P ≤ 0.04), lower fecal score (P = 0.02), and greater ether extract digestibility (P = 0.02) than the CON group. The ALF and OAH groups had lower concentrations of ruminal total volatile fatty acids (P = 0.01). Still, the ALF group had a greater proportion of acetate and a relative abundance of cellulose degradation-related bacteria (Lachnoclostridium_1 and Oribacterium) and a lower relative abundance of inflammation-related bacteria (Erysipelotrichaceae_UCG-009) in the rumen compared with CON. Interestingly, the average milk production from 6 to 200 d in milk (DIM) was greater in the ALF group (P < 0.01) even though no significant effects were found on the rumen fermentation parameters and blood metabolites at 200 DIM. Generally, alfalfa hay supplementation in preweaning dairy calves had positive effects in the short- and long-term in terms of rumen development, health status, and future milk production.

Biomaterial-Based CRISPR/Cas9 Delivery Systems for Tumor Treatment.

CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology is characterized by high specificity and efficiency, and has been applied to the treatment of human diseases, especially tumors involving multiple genetic modifications. However, the clinical application of CRISPR/Cas9 still faces some major challenges, the most urgent of which is the development of optimized delivery vectors. Biomaterials are currently the best choice for use in CRISPR/Cas9 delivery vectors owing to their tunability, biocompatibility, and efficiency. As research on biomaterial vectors continues to progress, hope for the application of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for clinical oncology therapy builds. In this review, we first detail the CRISPR/Cas9 system and its potential applications in tumor therapy. Then, we introduce the different delivery forms and compare the physical, viral, and non-viral vectors. In addition, we analyze the characteristics of different types of biomaterial vectors. We further review recent research progress in the use of biomaterials as vectors for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery to treat specific tumors. Finally, we summarize the shortcomings and prospects of biomaterial-based CRISPR/Cas9 delivery systems.

Gate-Tunable Positive and Negative Photoconductance in Near-Infrared Organic Heterostructures for In-Sensor Computing.

The rapid growth of sensor data in the artificial intelligence often causes significant reductions in processing speed and power efficiency. Addressing this challenge, in-sensor computing is introduced as an advanced sensor architecture that simultaneously senses, memorizes, and processes images at the sensor level. However, this is rarely reported for organic semiconductors that possess inherent flexibility and tunable bandgap. Herein, an organic heterostructure that exhibits a robust photoresponse to near-infrared (NIR) light is introduced, making it ideal for in-sensor computing applications. This heterostructure, consisting of partially overlapping p-type and n-type organic thin films, is compatible with conventional photolithography techniques, allowing for high integration density of up to 520 devices cm-2 with a 5 µm channel length. Importantly, by modulating gate voltage, both positive and negative photoresponses to NIR light (1050 nm) are attained, which establishes a linear correlation between responsivity and gate voltage and consequently enables real-time matrix multiplication within the sensor. As a result, this organic heterostructure facilitates efficient and precise NIR in-sensor computing, including image processing and nondestructive reading and classification, achieving a recognition accuracy of 97.06%. This work serves as a foundation for the development of reconfigurable and multifunctional NIR neuromorphic vision systems.

Unlocking the power of postbiotics: A revolutionary approach to nutrition for humans and animals.

Postbiotics, which comprise inanimate microorganisms or their constituents, have recently gained significant attention for their potential health benefits. Extensive research on postbiotics has uncovered many beneficial effects on hosts, including antioxidant activity, immunomodulatory effects, gut microbiota modulation, and enhancement of epithelial barrier function. Although these features resemble those of probiotics, the stability and safety of postbiotics make them an appealing alternative. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the latest research on postbiotics, emphasizing their positive impacts on both human and animal health. As our understanding of the influence of postbiotics on living organisms continues to grow, their application in clinical and nutritional settings, as well as animal husbandry, is expected to expand. Moreover, by substituting postbiotics for antibiotics, we can promote health and productivity while minimizing adverse effects. This alternative approach holds immense potential for improving health outcomes and revolutionizing the food and animal products industries.

Understanding erosion resistance mechanisms of sodium aluminate silicate hydrate in erosion environments: a molecular dynamics study.

Sodium-aluminate-silicate-hydrate (NASH) gel, as the primary reaction product stimulated by alkali in silica-aluminum-rich minerals, influences the mechanical and durability properties of geopolymers. In erosion environments, NASH demonstrates superior compressive strength and erosion resistance compared to hydration products of ordinary Portland cement. However, the underlying erosion resistance mechanism of NASH under such conditions remains unclear. Therefore, this study employs molecular dynamics research methodology to investigate the alteration in performance and deterioration mechanism of NASH in erosive environments. The findings reveal that in Na2SO4 solution, the infiltration of H2O molecules and Na+ ions into the three-dimensional mesh structure of NASH results in slight expansion and reduced tensile strength. Although H2O intrusion induces hydrolysis of the three-dimensional skeleton, the adsorption sites within NASH possess the capability to capture externally introduced Na+ ions. During tensile loading, Na+ ions can interact with reactive oxygen species produced through stretching or H2O molecule-induced decomposition of the internal framework, facilitating the repair of fractured structures. Consequently, this process partially alleviates tensile rupture, modifies the fracture damage mode, enhances overall toughness, and improves resistance against sulfate attack.

Single-Molecule Electrical Profiling of Peptides and Proteins.

In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the application of single-molecule electrical analysis platforms in studying proteins and peptides. These advanced analysis methods have the potential for deep investigation of enzymatic working mechanisms and accurate monitoring of dynamic changes in protein configurations, which are often challenging to achieve in ensemble measurements. In this work, the prominent research progress in peptide and protein-related studies are surveyed using electronic devices with single-molecule/single-event sensitivity, including single-molecule junctions, single-molecule field-effect transistors, and nanopores. In particular, the successful commercial application of nanopores in DNA sequencing has made it one of the most promising techniques in protein sequencing at the single-molecule level. From single peptides to protein complexes, the correlation between their electrical characteristics, structures, and biological functions is gradually being established. This enables to distinguish different molecular configurations of these biomacromolecules through real-time electrical monitoring of their life activities, significantly improving the understanding of the mechanisms underlying various life processes.

Effects of oropharyngeal exercises on CPAP compliance: A prospective intervention study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of oropharyngeal exercise on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) compliance in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea over a period of 6 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted as a prospective, observational, and interventional investigation. A total of 70 patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea were randomly assigned to either the oropharyngeal exercise group (n = 44) or the sham-therapy group (n = 26). The compliance of the enrolled patients with CPAP therapy was assessed at baseline, 3-month follow-up and 6-month follow-up. Objective sleep data, questionnaire and CPAP use time were collected over a half-year period (i.e., baseline, 6 months, and 12 months). RESULTS: The study found that the average use time of CPAP within one month was significantly longer in the oropharyngeal exercises group compared to the sham-therapy group at the 3-month assessment (5.5 ± 1.2 vs 4.8 ± 1.3 h per night; p=0.030), and much significantly longer at 6-months assessment (6.0 ± 1.4 vs 4.9 ± 1.3 h per night; p=0.001). Furthermore, the average use time of CPAP increased over time, with the oropharyngeal exercises group exhibiting a more pronounced growth from baseline to the six-month follow-up (4.8 ± 1.0 h per night to 6.0 ± 1.3 h per night, p < 0.001) compared to the sham-therapy group (4.8 ± 1.3 h per night to 4.9 ± 1.3 h per night, p=0.952). Additionally, the oropharyngeal exercise group demonstrated an improvement in the Epworth sleepiness scale compared to the sham-therapy group at the 3-month follow-up (6.0 ± 2.0 vs 8.8 ± 3.2; p < 0.001), as well as decreased significantly at 6-month follow-up (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: CPAP adherence can be improved with oropharyngeal exercises therapy among moderate to severe OSA patients. Notably, the average duration of CPAP usage and reduction in daytime sleepiness were maintained even after six months of oropharyngeal exercise therapy.

A new triterpenoid saponin and a new natural saponin from the roots of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium willd.

Sixteen triterpenoid saponins were isolated from the roots of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd., including a new triterpenoid saponin and new natural saponin that was characterised by NMR for the first time, along with 14 known triterpenoid saponins. The structures of the compounds were established by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, HR-ESI-MS, and comparison with the literature. The cytotoxic activity of the compounds against 4T1 cells was determined using the CCK8 method. Compounds 9 and 6 showed the strongest cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 2.75 ± 0.86 and 3.78 ± 0.50 µM, respectively. Compounds 2-5 and 8 showed potent cytotoxic activity. Compounds 14 and 16 showed moderate cytotoxicity.

Rising trend and regional disparities of the global burden of disease attributable to ambient low temperature, 1990-2019: An analysis of data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study.

Background: Previous studies on the effect of global warming on the global burden of disease have mainly focussed on the impact of high temperatures, thereby providing limited evidence of the effect of lower temperatures. Methods: We adopted a three-stage analysis approach using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study. First, we explored the global burden of disease attributable to low temperatures, examining variations by gender, age, cause, region, and country. Second, we analysed temporal trends in low-temperature-related disease burdens from 1990 to 2019 by meta-regression. Finally, we fitted a mixed-effects meta-regression model to explore the effect modification of country-level characteristics. Results: In 2019, low temperatures were responsible for 2.92% of global deaths and 1.03% of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), corresponding to a death rate of 21.36 (95% uncertainty interval (UI) = 18.26, 24.73) and a DALY rate of 335 (95% UI = 280, 399) per 100 000 population. Most of the deaths (85.12%) and DALYs (94.38%) attributable to low temperatures were associated with ischaemic heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In the last three decades, we observed an upward trend for the annual number of attributable deaths (P < 0.001) and a downward trend for the rates of death (P < 0.001) and DALYs (P < 0.001). The disease burden associated with low temperatures varied considerably among regions and countries, with higher burdens observed in regions with middle or high-middle socio-demographic indices, as well as countries with higher gross domestic product per capita and a larger proportion of ageing population. Conclusions: Our findings emphasise the significance of raising public awareness and prioritising policies to protect global population health from the adverse effects of low temperatures, even in the face of global warming. Particular efforts should be targeted towards individuals with underlying diseases (e.g. cardiovascular diseases) and vulnerable countries or regions (e.g. Central Asia and central Europe).

Cardiac resident macrophages: The core of cardiac immune homeostasis.

Cardiac resident macrophages (CRMs) are essential in maintaining the balance of the immune homeostasis in the heart. One of the main factors in the progression of cardiovascular diseases, such as myocarditis, myocardial infarction(MI), and heart failure(HF), is the imbalance in the regulatory mechanisms of CRMs. Recent studies have reported novel heterogeneity and spatiotemporal complexity of CRMs, and their role in maintaining cardiac immune homeostasis and treating cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we focus on the functions of CRMs, including immune surveillance, immune phagocytosis, and immune metabolism, and explore the impact of CRM's homeostasis imbalance on cardiac injury and cardiac repair. We also discuss the therapeutic approaches linked to CRMs. The immunomodulatory strategies targeting CRMs may be a therapeutic approach for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Smart osteoclasts targeted nanomedicine based on amorphous CaCO3 for effective osteoporosis reversal.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is characterized by an imbalance in bone homeostasis, resulting in the excessive dissolution of bone minerals due to the acidified microenvironment mediated by overactive osteoclasts. Oroxylin A (ORO), a natural flavonoid, has shown potential in reversing osteoporosis by inhibiting osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. The limited water solubility and lack of targeting specificity hinder the effective accumulation of Oroxylin A within the pathological environment of osteoporosis. RESULTS: Osteoclasts' microenvironment-responsive nanoparticles are prepared by incorporating Oroxylin A with amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) and coated with glutamic acid hexapeptide-modified phospholipids, aiming at reinforcing the drug delivery efficiency as well as therapeutic effect. The obtained smart nanoparticles, coined as OAPLG, could instantly neutralize acid and release Oroxylin A in the extracellular microenvironment of osteoclasts. The combination of Oroxylin A and ACC synergistically inhibits osteoclast formation and activity, leading to a significant reversal of systemic bone loss in the ovariectomized mice model. CONCLUSION: The work highlights an intelligent nanoplatform based on ACC for spatiotemporally controlled release of lipophilic drugs, and illustrates prominent therapeutic promise against osteoporosis.

Cytotoxicity phenylpropanoid amides from the seed of Cannabis sativa L.

Two novel phenylpropanoid amides, namely huomarenamide A (1) and huomarenamide B (2), along with twelve known compounds (3-14), were isolated from the seeds of Cannabis sativa L. The structures with absolute configurations of new compounds were unequivocally determined by spectroscopic analyses and the ECD method. The identification of the known compounds was based on a comparison of their 1D NMR data with literature references. All compounds were assessed for cytotoxic activity against LN229 cells, revealing that compounds 2, 13, and 14 exhibited significant cytotoxicity with IC50 values ranging from 9.02 to 21.26 µM.

Efficiency and Durability of EIVOM on Acute Reconnection After Mitral Isthmus Bidirectional Block.

BACKGROUND: Reconnection after mitral isthmus (MI) block with radiofrequency ablation is common. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ethanol infusion in the vein of Marshall (EIVOM) on acute reconnection after MI bidirectional block. METHODS: Patients with persistent atrial fibrillation who were scheduled to receive radiofrequency ablation for the first time were randomly assigned to the radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) group (n = 44) or the EIVOM group (n = 45). The RFCA group's strategy was bilateral pulmonary vein ablation and linear ablation; in the EIVOM group, EIVOM was performed first. The primary endpoint was acute reconnection 30 minutes after MI bidirectional block. RESULTS: A total of 89 patients (average age 62.9 years; 57.3% male) were enrolled. The average duration for persistent atrial fibrillation was 2.3 years. Before observation, all patients in the EIVOM group achieved MI bidirectional block (45 of 45 [100%]), compared with 84.1% (37 of 44) in the RFCA group. After the observation, 3 cases of MI reconnection occurred in the EIVOM group and 13 cases in the RFCA group (6.7% vs 35.1%; P < 0.05). After additional ablation, the final MI block rates in the EIVOM and RFCA groups were 97.8% (44 of 45) and 72.7% (32 of 44), respectively. During a 1-year follow-up, 8 of 45 patients who underwent EIVOM had recurrent atrial fibrillation, compared with 14 of 44 in the RFCA group (17.8% vs 31.8%; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: EIVOM can reduce acute reconnection after MI bidirectional block and significantly increase first-pass MI block.

Progress of Micro-Stimulation Techniques to Alter Pigeons' Motor Behavior: A Review from the Perspectives of the Neural Basis and Neuro-Devices.

Pigeons have natural advantages in robotics research, including a wide range of activities, low energy consumption, good concealment performance, strong long-distance weight bearing and continuous flight ability, excellent navigation, and spatial cognitive ability, etc. They are typical model animals in the field of animal robot research and have important application value. A hot interdisciplinary research topic and the core content of pigeon robot research, altering pigeon motor behavior using brain stimulation involves multiple disciplines including animal ethology, neuroscience, electronic information technology and artificial intelligence technology, etc. In this paper, we review the progress of altering pigeon motor behavior using brain stimulation from the perspectives of the neural basis and neuro-devices. The recent literature on altering pigeon motor behavior using brain stimulation was investigated first. The neural basis, structure and function of a system to alter pigeon motor behavior using brain stimulation are briefly introduced below. Furthermore, a classified review was carried out based on the representative research achievements in this field in recent years. Our summary and discussion of the related research progress cover five aspects including the control targets, control parameters, control environment, control objectives, and control system. Future directions that need to be further studied are discussed, and the development trend in altering pigeon motor behavior using brain stimulation is projected.