Repetition of Paclitaxel-Coated Devices for the Treatment of Lower Extremity Artery Disease: Mortality Outcomes and Predictors.

Background: A recent meta-analysis reported late excess mortality in patients treated with paclitaxel-coated devices (PCDs) for symptomatic femoropopliteal disease. However, this finding is controversial. Objectives: To investigate the impact on mortality and predictors of repeat exposure to PCDs in patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (LE-PAD). Methods: We analyzed registry patient-level data from two centers. A total of 214 patients were enrolled, and stratified based on terciles of cumulative dose of paclitaxel. We treated 134 patients with a single PCD exposure and 80 with multiple PCD exposures. We used the follow-up index (FUI) in Kaplan-Meier survival estimates to minimize potential selection bias. We used Cox proportional hazard and splines models to determine the predictors of mortality and assess their relationships with mortality. Results: The mean cumulative dose of paclitaxel was significantly different among groups (6.40 mg vs. 15.06 mg vs. 38.57 mg, p < 0.001). The 5-year FUI (0.93 ± 0.19 vs. 0.94 ± 0.18 vs. 0.95 ± 0.15, p = 0.836) and survival rates were not different (65.4% vs. 51.9% vs. 72.0%, p = 0.148). There was no dose-response association between paclitaxel dosage and death (p = 0.297). The predictors of death were congestive heart failure, stroke, dialysis dependence, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) > 3, age > 71 years, and body mass index (BMI) < 20 kg/m2. Spline model analysis validated the non-linear associations between mortality, age, BMI, and NLR. Conclusions: Repeated PCD exposure for LE-PAD did not result in excess late mortality. Predictors of mortality might change over time, and continuous variables had non-linear relationships with death.

ChiroVox: a public library of bat calls.

Recordings of bat echolocation and social calls are used for many research purposes from ecological studies to taxonomy. Effective use of these relies on identification of species from the recordings, but comparative recordings or detailed call descriptions to support identification are often lacking for areas with high biodiversity. The ChiroVox website (https://www.chirovox.org) was created to facilitate the sharing of bat sound recordings together with their metadata, including biodiversity data and recording circumstances. To date, more than 30 researchers have contributed over 3,900 recordings of nearly 200 species, making ChiroVox the largest open-access bat call library currently available. Each recording has a unique identifier that can be cited in publications; hence the acoustic analyses are repeatable. Most of the recordings available through the website are from bats whose species identities are confirmed, so they can be used to determine species in recordings where the bats were not captured or could not be identified. We hope that with the help of the bat researcher community, the website will grow rapidly and will serve as a solid source for bat acoustic research and monitoring.

Mortality prediction using CHADS2/CHA2DS2-VASc/R2CHADS2 scores in systolic heart failure patients with or without atrial fibrillation.

The CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and R2CHADS2 scores are well-known predictors of stroke caused by atrial fibrillation (AF), but no studies have evaluated their use for stratifying all-cause mortality risk in patients discharged for systolic heart failure (SHF) with or without AF.This study analyzed data in the Taiwan Society of Cardiology-heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (TSOC-HFrEF) registry. These data were obtained by a prospective, multicenter, observational survey of patients treated at 21 medical centers in Taiwan after hospitalization for acute, pre-existing or new onset SHF from May, 2013 to October, 2014. During 1 year follow-up, 198 patients were lost follow-up, and final 1311 (86.8%) patients were included for further analysis. During the follow-up period, 250 (19%) patients died. Multivariate analysis revealed that body mass index, thyroid disorder, valvular surgery history, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and scores for CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and R2CHADS2 were significant independent predictors of mortality in the overall population of SHF patients (all P < .05) The c-indexes showed that CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and R2CHADS2 scores were significantly associated with mortality in SHF patients with or without AF (all P < 005). However, R2CHADS2 had significantly higher accuracy in predicting mortality in all SHF patients compared with CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc (DeLong test, P < .0001), especially in SHF without AF (DeLong test, P = .0003).Scores for CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and R2CHADS2 can be used to predict 1-year all-cause mortality in SHF patients with or without AF. For predicting all-cause mortality in SHF patients, R2CHADS2 is more accurate than CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc.

One-Year Outcomes of Acute Decompensated Systolic Heart Failure in Taiwan: Lessons from TSOC-HFrEF Registry.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a global health problem. The Taiwan Society of Cardiology-Heart Failure with reduced Ejection Fraction (TSOC-HFrEF) registry was a multicenter, observational survey of patients admitted with HFrEF in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to report the one-year outcome in this large-cohort of hospitalized patients presenting with acute decompensated HFrEF. METHODS: Patients hospitalized for acute HFrEF were recruited in 21 hospitals in Taiwan. A total of 1509 patients were enrolled into the registry by the end of October 2014. Clinical status, readmission rates and dispensed medications were collected and analyzed 1 year after patient index hospitalization. RESULTS: Our study indicated that re-hospitalization rates after HFrEF were 31.9% and 38.5% at 6 and 12 months after index hospitalization, respectively. Of these patients, 9.7% of them were readmitted more than once. At 6 and 12 months after hospital discharge, all-cause mortality rates were 9.5% and 15.9%, respectively, and cardiovascular mortality rates were 6.8% and 10.5%, respectively. Twenty-three patients (1.5%) underwent heart transplantation. During a follow-up period of 1 year, 46.4% of patients were free from mortality, HF re-hospitalization, left ventricular assist device use and heart transplantation. At the conclusion of follow-up, 57.5% of patients were prescribed either with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers; also, 66.3% were prescribed with beta-blockers and 40.8% were prescribed with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. CONCLUSIONS: The TSOC-HFrEF registry showed evidence of suboptimal practice of guideline-directed medical therapy and high HF re-hospitalization rate in Taiwan. The one-year mortality rate of the TSOC-HFrEF registry remained high. Ultimately, our data indicated a need for further improvement in HF care.

TSOC-HFrEF Registry: A Registry of Hospitalized Patients with Decompensated Systolic Heart Failure: Description of Population and Management.

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure (HF) is a medical condition with a rapidly increasing incidence both in Taiwan and worldwide. The objective of the TSOC-HFrEF registry was to assess epidemiology, etiology, clinical management, and outcomes in a large sample of hospitalized patients presenting with acute decompensated systolic HF. METHODS: The TSOC-HFrEF registry was a prospective, multicenter, observational survey of patients presenting to 21 medical centers or teaching hospitals in Taiwan. Hospitalized patients with either acute new-onset HF or acute decompensation of chronic HFrEF were enrolled. Data including demographic characteristics, medical history, primary etiology of HF, precipitating factors for HF hospitalization, presenting symptoms and signs, diagnostic and treatment procedures, in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and discharge medications, were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1509 patients were enrolled into the registry by the end of October 2014, with a mean age of 64 years (72% were male). Ischemic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy were diagnosed in 44% and 33% of patients, respectively. Coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic renal insufficiency were the common comorbid conditions. Acute coronary syndrome, non-compliant to treatment, and concurrent infection were the major precipitating factors for acute decompensation. The median length of hospital stay was 8 days, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 2.4%. At discharge, 62% of patients were prescribed either angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, 60% were prescribed beta-blockers, and 49% were prescribed mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. CONCLUSIONS: The TSOC-HFrEF registry provided important insights into the current clinical characteristics and management of hospitalized decompensated systolic HF patients in Taiwan. One important observation was that adherence to guideline-directed medical therapy was suboptimal.

Gold Nanocluster-Assisted Fluorescent Detection for Hydrogen Peroxide and Cholesterol Based on the Inner Filter Effect of Gold Nanoparticles.

We developed a simple, sensitive inner filter effect (IFE)-based fluorescent assay for sensing H2O2 and cholesterol. In the process, poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-protected gold nanoparticles (PVP-AuNPs) and fluorescent BSA-protected gold nanoclusters (BSA-AuNCs) were used as an IFE absorber/fluorophore pair. PVP-AuNPs can be a powerful absorber to influence the emission of the fluorophore, BSA-AuNCs, in the IFE-based fluorescent assays. That is due to the high extinction coefficient of AuNPs and the complementary overlap between the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption of PVP-AuNPs and the excitation of BSA-AuNCs. The PVP-Au seeds, produced by directly mixing PVP with HAuCl4, were able to catalyze H2O2 to enlarge AuNPs. The SPR absorption of PVP-AuNPs was enhanced with an increased concentration of H2O2 and, subsequently, induced significant fluorescence quenching of BSA-AuNCs. The IFE-based fluorescent assay enabled the detection of H2O2 and generation of H2O2 in the presence of O2/cholesterol and cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) by the fluorescence response of BSA-AuNCs. The present IFE-based approach can detect H2O2 ranging from 1 to 100 µM with a detection limit of 0.8 µM and cholesterol ranging from 1 to 100 µM with a detection limit of 1.4 µM.

A Novel Technique for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Anomalous Right Coronary Artery Arising from the Left Sinus of Valsalva.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for anomalous right coronary artery (RCA) arising from the left sinus of Valsalva (LSOV) is a technical challenge due to inadequate guiding catheter support to overcome the acute rightward course of the anomalous RCA. In this study we describe a novel technique for PCI for an anomalous RCA arising from the LSOV. METHODS: Six patient cases with anomalous RCA arising from the LSOV who underwent PCI from January 2001 to January 2014. The Judkins left (JL) guiding catheter tip orientation is modified by manually bending at the distal tip 90° vertically to fit the acute rightward course. RESULTS: Of the six patients (mean age: 63 ± 16.7 years), the indication for PCI was acute inferior myocardial infarction (MI) in two, recent inferior MI in two, and angina in two of the cases. Three procedures were performed via a transfemoral approach and the other three via a transradial approach. The median duration of the intervention and total procedure time were 44 and 69.5 minutes, respectively. All patients received successful revascularization without complications. CONCLUSIONS: This novel technique is simple, safe and effective with a 100% procedure success rate for PCI for anomalous RCA arising from the LSOV. KEY WORDS: Anomalous right coronary artery; Left sinus of Valsalva; Percutaneous coronary intervention.

Facile preparation of high-quantum-yield gold nanoclusters: application to probing mercuric ions and biothiols.

This paper describes an eco-friendly, one-pot strategy for the synthesis of water-soluble, high-quantum-yield gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) stabilized with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) on their surfaces. The as-prepared ultrasmall MUA-AuNCs (1.9 nm) exhibited a quantum yield (QY) of 13%, higher than those of most previously described thiol-protected AuNCs. We applied these MUA-AuNCs as a versatile probe to develop a fluorescence "turn-off" assay for sensing Hg(2+) ions as well as a fluorescence "turn-on" assay for sensing biothiols. The former assay operated through aggregation-induced fluorescence quenching upon interaction of the MUA-AuNCs with Hg(2+) ions in a buffer containing 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (PDCA); this probe provided high sensitivity and remarkable selectivity over other selected metal ions with a limit of detection (LOD) for Hg(2+) ions of 450 pM and linearity from 2 to 50 nM. In the latter assay for biothiols [i.e., cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), glutathione (GSH)], the fluorescence of the Hg(2+)-MUA-AuNCs complexes was turned on because the affinity of Hg(2+) ions toward the SH group of the biothiols was greater than that toward the COOH groups of the MUA units on the surface of the AuNCs. This assay provided good linearity for the tested biothiols, ranging from 10 to 100 nM for Cys, from 10 to 100 nM for Hcy, and from 5 to 75 nM for GSH, with LODs of 5.4, 4.2, and 2.1 nM, respectively. In addition, these environmentally and biologically friendly AuNC probes tested satisfactorily against interference from a range of amino acids.

Endovascular intervention in Taiwanese patients with critical limb ischemia: patient outcomes in 333 consecutive limb procedures with a 3-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Midterm outcomes of endovascular intervention (EVI) for critical limb ischemia (CLI) have not been previously reported in Taiwan. This study assessed the safety, feasibility, and patient-oriented outcomes for CLI patients after EVI. METHODS: From June 2005 to December 2011, 270 patients underwent EVI for CLI of 333 limbs. Primary patency (PP), assisted primary patency (AP), limb salvage, sustained clinical success (SCS), secondary SCS (SSCS), and survival were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: The procedural success rate was 89%, and the periprocedural mortality and major complication rates within 30 days were 0.6% and 6.9%, respectively. During the mean follow-up time of 27 ± 20 months (1-77), 64 patients died and 25 legs required major amputation. Eighty-one percent of the patients with tissue loss had wound healing at 6 months and 75% of the patients were ambulatory, with or without assisting devices, at 1 year. The overall survival and limb salvage rates at 3 years were 70% and 90%, respectively. The PP and AP at 1 and 3 years were 58% and 37% and 79% and 61%, respectively. The SCS and SSCS were 65% and 46% and 80% and 64% at 1 and 3 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: In Taiwan, EVI was a safe and feasible procedure for CLI patients, with a high procedural success rate and lower complication rate. Sustained limb salvage and clinical success can be afforded with an active surveillance program and prompt intervention during midterm follow-up.

Correlates of impaired global right ventricular function in patients with a reperfused acute myocardial infarction and without right ventricular infarction.

BACKGROUND: The frequency and clinical correlates of global right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention for a first acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) without a coexisting RV infarction is not well known. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred seven consecutive patients underwent conventional echocardiography and pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) within 72 hours after a successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention to assess their RV function. Global RV function was quantified with the RV myocardial performance index (MPI) by pulsed-wave TDI. An abnormal TDI-derived RV MPI was defined as greater than the upper reference limit of 0.55. RESULTS: Global RV dysfunction was present in 18 (17%) of the 107 patients enrolled. The patients with global RV dysfunction had significantly higher glucose levels on admission (216 ± 102 vs 163 ± 86 mg/dL; P = 0.027), higher peak creatine kinase (4027 ± 2171 vs 2660 ± 1980 IU/L; P = 0.014), and more frequently had anterior infarcts (89% vs 58%; P = 0.016) than those without RV dysfunction. Patients with global RV dysfunction also had a significantly lower left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (45.1 ± 10.8% vs 51.1 ± 9.7%; P = 0.021), a higher global wall motion score index (1.9 ± 0.3 vs 1.7 ± 0.4; P = 0.007), and greater LV MPI (0.65 ± 0.19 vs 0.47 ± 0.11; P = 0.001) than patients without. With the use of multivariate regression analysis, TDI-derived LV MPI (odds ratio [OR], 3.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-9.67; P = 0.022), the ratio of transmitral peak early (E) to late diastolic filling (A) velocities (E/A ratio) (OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.18-0.92; P = 0.031), and admission plasma glucose level (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.0-1.02; P = 0.039) were independently associated with the presence of global RV dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a first acute STEMI without an associated RV infarction, depressed global LV function reflected by increased TDI-derived LV MPI, a lower mitral E/A ratio, and a higher glucose level on admission are independent correlates of early global RV dysfunction. Routine assessment of global RV function should be implemented in patients with STEMI with these characteristics.

DOPA-mediated reduction allows the facile synthesis of fluorescent gold nanoclusters for use as sensing probes for ferric ions.

In this paper, we describe a simple one-pot method, employing l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) as a reducing/capping reagent, for the synthesis of fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs). Within a short reaction time of 15 min (excluding the time required for purification), this strategy allows the fabrication of homogeneous AuNCs having the capability to sense ferric ions (Fe(3+)). The as-prepared AuNCs exhibited a fluorescence emission at 525 nm and a quantum yield of 1.7%. On the basis of an aggregation-induced fluorescence quenching mechanism, these fluorescent AuNCs offer acceptable sensitivity, high selectivity, and a limit of detection of 3.5 µM for the determination of Fe(3+) ions, which is lower than the maximum level (0.3 mg L(-1), equivalent to 5.4 µM) of Fe(3+) permitted in drinking water by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Data feedback reduces door-to-balloon time in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Current guidelines recommend a goal of door-to-balloon (D2B) time < 90 min for patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aim to prospectively determine the effect of data feedback on D2B time and its seven individual components in primary PCI. From December 7, 2007, to June 2, 2009, 116 consecutive patients with STEMI who received PCI within 12 h of symptom onset were enrolled, including 56 patients before and 60 patients after the implementation of data feedback on July 28, 2008. The proportion of patients treated within 90 min increased from 26.8 to 55.0% (p = 0.002). On multivariable analyses, data feedback (OR 5.3, p = 0.003), known coronary artery disease (OR 5.6, p = 0.043), regular hours presentation (OR 3.3, p = 0.048), and arrival by transfer (OR 14.0, p = 0.003) were independent predictors of a D2B time less than 90 min. Median D2B time decreased from 112 min before data feedback to 87 min after data feedback (p < 0.001). The most significant decrease occurred in median door-to-ECG (11 vs. 3 min, p < 0.001), consult-to-cardiologist (5 vs. 3 min, p < 0.001), and puncture-to-balloon (21 vs. 17 min, p = 0.004) time. Data feedback to the emergency department and catheterization laboratory staff decreases D2B time in primary PCI. This simple approach may be the best first step to decrease D2B time in hospitals that are still striving to achieve the goal of D2B time < 90 min.

Ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of biotin using electrically addressable site-oriented antibody immobilization approach via aminophenyl boronic acid.

A common approach towards developing immunoassays is to attach antibodies onto the surfaces of assay devices via a solid support. When directly adsorbed onto surfaces, however, antibodies generally adopt random orientations and therefore, often fail to exhibit their immunoaffinity. To preserve the antigen-binding activity of antibodies, there is an urgent need to develop specific and novel linking chemistries for attaching the antibodies to the solid surfaces in an oriented manner. In this paper, we report 2 alternative immobilization methods to enhance the orientation of antibodies onto screen-printed graphite electrodes (SPGEs). The first approach involves the deposition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto the SPGE and subsequent adsorption of monovalent half-antibody (monoAb) fragments of the anti-biotin antibody via Au-thiol bonds. For the second technique, we exploited the affinity of boronic acid towards sugar moieties by preparing a boronic acid-presenting SPGE surface to interact with the carbohydrate unit of this anti-biotin antibody. Using such approaches, we prepared an ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor, possessing a maximized epitope density, for the detection of biotin at concentrations as low as 0.19pg.

Diagnostic detection of human lung cancer-associated antigen using a gold nanoparticle-based electrochemical immunosensor.

The development of rapid and sensitive methods for the detection of immunogenic tumor-associated antigen is important not only for understanding their roles in cancer immunology but also for the development of clinical diagnostics. Alpha-enolase (ENO1), a p48 molecule, is widely distributed in a variety of tissues, whereas gamma-enolase (ENO2) and beta-enolase (ENO3) are found exclusively in neuron/neuroendocrine and muscle tissues, respectively. Because ENO1 has been correlated with small cell lung cancer, nonsmall cell lung cancer, and head and neck cancer, it can be used as a potential diagnostic marker for lung cancer. In this study, we developed a simple, yet novel and sensitive, electrochemical sandwich immunosensor for the detection of ENO1; it operates through physisorption of anti-ENO1 monoclonal antibody on polyethylene glycol-modified disposable screen-printed electrode as the detection platform, with polyclonal secondary anti-ENO1-tagged, gold nanoparticle (AuNP) congregates as electrochemical signal probes. The immunorecognition of the sample ENO1 by the congregated AuNP@antibody occurred on the surface of the electrodes; the electrochemical signal from the bound AuNP congregates was obtained after oxidizing them in 0.1 M HCl at 1.2 V for 120 s, followed by the reduction of AuCl(4-) in square wave voltammetry (SWV) mode. The resulting sigmoidally shaped dose-response curves possessed a linear dynamic working range from 10(-8) to 10(-12) g/mL. This AuNP congregate-based assay provides an amplification approach for detecting ENO1 at trace levels, leading to a detection limit as low as 11.9 fg (equivalent to 5 microL of a 2.38 pg/mL solution).

Massive pulmonary embolism with anterolateral ST-segment elevation: electrocardiogram limitations and the role of echocardiogram.

Although acute pulmonary embolism (PE) may give rise to certain electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, most of these changes have low sensitivity and specificity and are of limited value alone in the diagnosis. Possible ECG changes with acute PE include S(1)Q(3)T(3) pattern, atrial tachyarrhythmias, incomplete right bundle-branch block, or negative T wave over right and midprecordial leads. Elevation of ST segment is a rare ECG manifestation with PE. We present a case of PE that went unrecognized in the emergency department (ED). The patient presented with anterior chest pain and dyspnea, and ECG showed ST elevation in V3 through V6. The differential diagnosis included acute coronary syndrome and acute pericarditis. Echocardiography revealed dilatation and dysfunction of right ventricle. Emergent computed tomographic pulmonary angiography showed bilateral pulmonary artery thrombosis and confirmed the diagnosis. Thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator was initiated, and symptoms subsided dramatically. We proposed that the ST elevation in anterolateral leads might be the reciprocal changes of myocardial strain in the interventricular septum or right ventricle lateral wall. In a patient with such a critical condition and a confusing ECG, echocardiography played an important role in the diagnostic procedure, enabling prompt therapeutic intervention.

Gas exchange detection of right-to-left shunt in dyspneic patients: report of three cases.

We evaluated three patients with undiagnosed complaints of progressive dyspnea. Based on gas-exchange findings as the initial diagnostic tool, the high ventilatory equivalents for CO2, low sustained end-tidal PCO2, hypoxemia, and central cardiovascular dysfunction during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) suggested that each had significant pulmonary vasculopathy with right-to-left shunting. The diagnoses of Osler-Rendu-Weber syndrome, ventricular septal defect with Eisenmenger's complex, and hepatopulmonary syndrome were later confirmed by pulmonary angiography, cardiac catheterization, and contrast enhanced echocardiography respectively. We suggest that CPET is an appropriate noninvasive tool to begin and guide the evaluation of undiagnosed dyspnea.