Mesopic pupil indices as potential risk factors for disability glare after intraocular Implantable Collamer Lens implantation: A prospective study.

PURPOSE: To explore the influence of preoperative factors, including varying pupil sizes and refractive attributes, on postoperative disability glare in patients undergoing Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) implantation. SETTING: Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. METHODS: We analyzed the preoperative ocular characteristics and six-month postoperative glare status in eligible patients who underwent EVO-Visian ICL V4c (VICMO) implantation. The disability glare criteria encompassed a glare symptom score >6 and glare sensitivity exceeding 1:2.7. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between the preoperative ocular parameters and post-ICL glare. RESULTS: The study included 95 patients (mean age, 26.04 ± 6.29 years), comprising 30 males (58 eyes) and 65 females (129 eyes). Multivariate analysis revealed a significant correlation between postoperative disability glare and increased spherical power in preoperative mesopic pupils (ß = -0.124, p = 0.039), as well as elevated cylinder power in preoperative mesopic (ß = -0.412, p = 0.009) and photopic pupils (ß = -0.430, p = 0.007). Moreover, a larger preoperative mesopic pupil diameter (ß = 0.561, p = 0.005) demonstrated a significant correlation with disability glare. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative mesopic pupil dimensions and associated refractive parameters, such as sphere and cylinder were correlated with disability glare, including the cylinder aspect in photopic pupils, which can assist clinicians in optimizing preoperative selection for ICL implantation, aiding in the anticipation of potential disability glare risks.

Effective Optical Zone and Centration Following SMILE and FS-LASIK for High Myopia Calculated With a Novel Method.

PURPOSE: To compare the effective optical zone (EOZ) and centration in eyes with high myopia after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) using a novel method. METHODS: Forty eyes of 40 consecutive patients with high myopia scheduled for SMILE or FS-LASIK were enrolled in the study. The EOZ, optical zone decentration, and corneal aberrations were analyzed using Scheimpflug imaging. These values were then analyzed and compared between the two procedures 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: The mean EOZ diameter for SMILE (4.41 ± 0.14 mm) was larger than that for FS-LASIK (4.24 ± 0.28 mm; P = .002), corresponding to reductions of 1.60 ± 0.11 and 1.71 ± 0.21 mm, respectively, compared with the programmed optical zone (POZ) (P = .007). Moreover, the total decentration for SMILE (0.33 ± 0.12 mm) was greater than that for FS-LASIK (0.27 ± 0.15 mm; P = .020). The induction of spherical aberration (SA) was lower with SMILE than with FS-LASIK (P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: A larger EOZ and less SA were observed after SMILE than after FS-LASIK in eyes with high myopia. [J Refract Surg. 2023;39(11):736-740.].

Development and Validation of a Novel Risk Score for All-Cause Mortality Risk Stratification Prior to Permanent Pacemaker Implantation in Octogenarians or Older.

Background and Objectives: The demand for permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation for extremely old patients is increasing. Prior to implanting PPMs, life expectancy evaluation is essential but difficult. We aimed to develop and validate a scoring system for all-cause mortality risk stratification prior to PPM implantation in patients aged ≥80. Materials and Methods: A total of 210 patients aged ≥80 who received PPM implantation were included. Multivariable analysis was performed to assess the effects of different variables on all-cause mortality in a derivation cohort (n = 100). We developed the MELODY score for stratifying all-cause mortality prior to PPM implantation and tested the scoring system in a validation cohort (n = 102). Results: After 4.0 ± 2.7 years of follow-up, 54 patients (54%) had died. The 0.5-, 1- and 2-year all-cause mortality rates were 7%, 10% and 24%, respectively. The MELODY score based on body mass index <21 kg/m2 (HR: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.06-4.61), estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (3.35, 1.77-6.35), length of hospitalization before PPM implantation >7 days (1.87, 1.02-3.43) and dyspnea as the major presenting symptom (1.90, 1.03-3.50) successfully distinguished patients at high risk of mortality. Patients with MELODY scores ≥3 had a higher risk of mortality compared to those with MELODY scores <3 (8.49, 4.24-17.00). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves in predicting 0.5, 1 and 2 years mortality rates were 0.86, 0.81 and 0.74, respectively. The predictive value of the model was confirmed in a validation cohort. Conclusions: The novel scoring system is a simple and effective tool for all-cause mortality risk stratification prior to PPM implantation in patients aged ≥80.

Visual outcomes and corneal densitometry after allogenic and autologous lenticule intrastromal keratoplasty for the correction of moderate-to-high hyperopia.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the visual outcomes and corneal densitometry (CD) after allogenic lenticule intrastromal keratoplasty (AL-LIKE) and autologous lenticule intrastromal keratoplasty (AU-LIKE) for the correction of moderate-to-high hyperopia. METHODS: Ten subjects (14 eyes) underwent AL-LIKE and eight (8 eyes) underwent AU-LIKE. Patients were examined preoperatively and 1 day, 1 month, and 6 months postoperatively. The visual outcomes and CD for both surgical methods were evaluated. RESULTS: No postoperative complications were observed with either method. The efficacy index was 0.85±0.18 and 0.90±0.33 in the AL-LIKE and AU-LIKE groups, respectively. The safety indices were 1.07±0.21 and 1.25±0.37 in the AL-LIKE and AU-LIKE groups, respectively. The CD values of the anterior, central, and posterior layers in the AL-LIKE group increased significantly at 1 day postoperatively (all P < 0.05). The CD values of the anterior and central layers remained significantly higher than the preoperative values at 6 months postoperatively (all P < 0.05). The CD values of the anterior layer in the AU-LIKE group increased significantly 1 day postoperatively (all P < 0.05) and decreased to preoperative values (all P > 0.05) 1 month postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Both AL-LIKE and AU-LIKE exhibit good efficacy and safety in correcting hyperopia. However, AU-LIKE may have a smaller affected area and faster recovery time than those associated with AU-LIKE related to changes in corneal transparency.

Efficacy Comparison Between Steep-Meridian Incision and Non-Steep-Meridian Incision in Implantable Collamer Lens Surgery with Low-to-Moderate Astigmatism.

INTRODUCTION: To compare the visual outcomes of astigmatism correction with implantable collamer lens (ICL) surgery with low-to-moderate astigmatism through a steep-meridian corneal relaxing incision (SM-CRI) and non-steep-meridian corneal relaxing incision (NSM-CRI). METHODS: Seventy eyes of 70 patients with myopia and myopic astigmatism who underwent ICL V4c implantation were classified into two groups: SM-CRI and NSM-CRI. Refractive outcomes and vector analysis were evaluated preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: At the postoperative 6 month visit, all participants in both groups achieved an uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/20 or better. The difference vector (DV) showed that the residual astigmatism in the SM-CRI group was much smaller than that in the NSM-CRI group (P = 0.021), and the correction index (CI) was 0.84 ± 0.30 and 0.67 ± 0.35 for the SM-CRI and NSM-CRI groups, respectively, with a significant statistical difference (P = 0.013). Approximately 71% of eyes in the SM-CRI group had an angle of error (AE) within ± 15°, whereas 55% of eyes in the NSM-CRI group were within that range. The absolute mean AE was 10.13 ± 14.57° in the SM-CRI group, compared with 23.88 ± 28.22° in the NSM-CRI group (P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: SM-CRI can alleviate corneal astigmatism and decrease the cylindrical diopter of the ICL, thus improving postoperative visual quality compared with NSM-CRI.

Optimal Heart Rate Control Improves Long-Term Prognosis of Decompensated Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Background and Objectives: An elevated heart rate is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease; however, the relationship between heart rate control and the long-term outcomes of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains unclear. This study explored the long-term prognostic importance of heart rate control in patients hospitalized with HFrEF. Materials and Methods: We retrieved the records of patients admitted for decompensated heart failure with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≤40%, from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2019. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) during follow-up. We analyzed the outcomes using Cox proportional hazard ratios calculated using the patients' heart rates, as measured at baseline and approximately 3 months later. The mean follow-up duration was 49.0 ± 38.1 months. Results: We identified 5236 eligible patients, and divided them into five groups on the basis of changes in their heart rates. The mean LVEFs of the groups ranged from 29.1% to 30.6%. After adjustment for all covariates, the results demonstrated that lesser heart rate reductions at the 3-month screening period were associated with long-term cardiovascular death, HHF, and all-cause mortality (p for linear trend = 0.033, 0.042, and 0.003, respectively). The restricted cubic spline model revealed a linear relationship between reduction in heart rate and risk of outcomes (p for nonlinearity > 0.2). Conclusions: Greater reductions in heart rate were associated with a lower risk of long-term cardiovascular death, HHF, and all-cause mortality among patients discharged after hospitalization for decompensated HFrEF.

Effect of keratometric astigmatism on visual outcomes following small incision lenticule extraction.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of keratometric astigmatism on visual outcomes following small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). Methods: Eighty eyes undergoing SMILE for myopia correction were classified into two groups based on preoperative keratometric astigmatism: low keratometric astigmatism (LA) and high keratometric astigmatism (HA) groups. Refractive outcomes, vector components, and changes in higher order aberrations (HOAs) were evaluated preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Results: At the postoperative 6-month visit, no significant difference was observed in the decentered distance between the HA and LA groups (HA: 0.17 ± 0.08 mm, LA: 0.16 ± 0.08 mm, P = 0.189). No significant differences in the correction index (P = 0.481), absolute angle of error (P = 0.104), or index of success (P = 0.147) were observed between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the induction of corneal aberrations between the two groups. Furthermore, there were no significant associations between the decentered distance and the vector components of astigmatic correction or induction of higher-order aberration in the HA group (P ≥ 0.294, P ≥ 0.112) or the LA group (P ≥ 0.323, P ≥ 0.080). Conclusions: SMILE for high keratometric astigmatism could achieve comparable treatment centration and visual quality to that of low keratometric astigmatism.

Factors associated with elevated plasma phenylalanine in patients with heart failure.

Elevated phenylalanine has been observed in patients with advanced heart failure (HF) and in community cohorts at risk of HF, and has been shown to have prognostic value. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with elevated phenylalanine in HF patients. Mass spectrometry was performed on blood from 669 participants, including 75 normal controls and 594 HF patients (stages A, B, and C). We measured phenylalanine and associated degradation products on the catecholamine pathway, C-reactive protein, valerylcarnitine, methionine sulfoxide, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and B-type natriuretic peptide. Longitudinal analysis was conducted on 61 stage C HF patients who had recovered systolic function after 1 year. Phenylalanine and tyrosine levels increased from normal through stages A, B and C. Cross-sectional analysis in patients at stage C showed that phenylalanine levels were related to total bilirubin, eGFR, valerylcarnitine, methionine sulfoxide, C-reactive protein, and male gender. Longitudinal analysis in the patients at stage C with recovered systolic function after 1 year revealed that phenylalanine, tyrosine, methionine sulfoxide, total bilirubin, and C-reactive protein levels significantly decreased from baseline to 12 months. Based on a generalized estimating equations analysis model with time interaction considered, the only significant factor associated with changes in phenylalanine was changes in C-reactive protein concentrations from baseline to 12 months [B (coefficient) = 0.81, P < 0.001] after adjusting for methionine sulfoxide and total bilirubin levels. In conclusion, phenylalanine levels respond sensitively to HF improvement. Our findings suggest that inflammation plays a pivotal role in the elevation of phenylalanine levels in patients with HF.

Elevated plasma phenylalanine predicts mortality in critical patients with heart failure.

AIMS: Previous studies found a relationship between elevated phenylalanine levels and poor cardiovascular outcomes. Potential strategies are available to manipulate phenylalanine metabolism. This study investigated whether increased phenylalanine predicted mortality in critical patients with either acute heart failure (HF) or acute on chronic HF, and its correlation with inflammation and immune cytokines. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study recruited 152 subjects, including 115 patients with HF admitted for critical conditions and 37 normal controls. We measured left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), plasma concentrations of phenylalanine, C-reactive protein, albumin, pre-albumin, transferrin, and pro-inflammatory and immune cytokines. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and maximal vasoactive-inotropic scores (VISmax ) were calculated. Patients were followed up until death or a maximum of 1 year. The primary endpoint was all-cause death. Of the 115 patients, 37 (32.2%) were admitted owing to acute HF, and 78 (67.8%) were admitted owing to acute on chronic HF; 64 (55.7%) had ST elevation/non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. An LVEF measured during the hospitalization of <40%, 40-50%, and ≥50% was noted in 51 (44.3%), 15 (13.1%), and 49 (42.6%) patients, respectively. During 1 year follow-up, 51 (44.3%) patients died. Death was associated with higher APACHE II, SOFA, and VISmax scores; higher levels of C-reactive protein and phenylalanine; higher incidence of atrial fibrillation and use of inotropic agents; lower cholesterol, albumin, pre-albumin, and transferrin levels; and significant changes in pro-inflammatory and immune cytokines. Phenylalanine levels demonstrated an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.80 for mortality, with an optimal cut-off value set at 112 µM. Phenylalanine ≥ 112 µM was associated with a higher mortality rate than was phenylalanine < 112 µM (80.5% vs. 24.3%, P < 0.001) [hazard ratio = 5.07 (2.83-9.05), P < 0.001]. The Kaplan-Meier curves revealed that phenylalanine ≥ 112 µM was associated with a lower accumulative survival rate (log rank = 36.9, P < 0.001). Higher phenylalanine levels were correlated with higher APACHE II and SOFA scores, higher C-reactive protein levels and incidence of using inotropic agents, and changes in cytokines suggestive of immunosuppression, but lower levels of pre-albumin and transferrin. Further multivariable analysis showed that phenylalanine ≥ 112 µM predicted death over 1 year independently of age, APACHE II and SOFA scores, atrial fibrillation, C-reactive protein, cholesterol, pre-albumin, transferrin, and interleukin-8 and interleukin-10. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated phenylalanine levels predicted mortality in critical patients, phenotypically predominantly presenting with HF, independently of traditional prognostic factors and cytokines associated with inflammation and immunity.

Predictors of infection-related rehospitalization in heart failure patients and its impact on long-term survival.

BACKGROUND: Infection is the most common non-cardiovascular cause of re-hospitalizations for heart failure patients. We therefore investigated the predictors of infection-related re-hospitalization (IRRH) in heart failure patients and its impact on long-term survival. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively recruited 622 patients after the index hospitalization for decompensated heart fail with primary endpoints of IRRH and all-cause mortality. During follow-up of 3.9 ±â€Š2.7 years, IRRHs occurred in 104 (16.7%) patients. Of the 104 patients who experienced IRRHs, the time from the index hospitalization to IRRH was 1.0 (interquartile range: 0.4-2.6) years. Independent predictors of IRRH were age (hazard ratio: 1.02, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.04), diabetes mellitus (2.12, 1.42-3.17), not taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (1.67, 1.01-2.78), needing maintenance therapy with a loop diuretic (2.10, 1.36-3.26), hemoglobin levels (0.87, 0.79-0.96), and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) (0.99, 0.98-0.99). IRRH independently predicted all-cause mortality (1.99, 1.32-2.98) after adjusting for age, body mass index, New York Heart Association functional class, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, brain natriuretic peptide, hemoglobin, and eGFR. The increased risk of death associated with IRRHs was predominantly for lower respiratory tract infections (3.71, 2.28-6.04), urogenital tract infections (2.83, 1.32-6.10), and sepsis (3.26, 1.20-8.85). CONCLUSION: IRRHs in patients discharged for acute decompensated heart fail independently predicted worse long-term survival. We further identified independent predictors of IRRHs. These findings warrant future studies for tackling IRRH.

Sulfonated Polyaniline as Zwitterionic and Conductive Interfaces for Anti-Biofouling on Open Electrode Surfaces in Electrodynamic Systems.

Electrodynamic systems for bioanalytical applications constantly suffer from biofouling due to electrical field-induced nonspecific bioadsorption on electrode surfaces. To minimize this issue, surface modification using anti-biofouling and conductive materials is necessary to not only protect the electrode surface from nonspecific bioadsorption but also maintain desired electrodynamic properties for electrode operation. In this study, we designed and prepared a conductive, zwitterionic, and self-doped sulfonated polyaniline (SPANI) coating on Au electrode surfaces for anti-biofouling applications. The zwitterionic coating was fabricated by electrochemical polymerization of aniline on the Au electrode surface functionalized with cysteamine (HS-CH2CH2-NH2) and then a post-polymerization treatment with fuming sulfuric acid. We found that the SPANI-coated electrodes exhibited an excellent anti-biofouling ability in dielectrophoresis (DEP) capturing-and-releasing processes, with a very low average residual mass rate of 1.44% for the SPANI-5s electrode, whereas electrodes modified with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) gave an average residual mass rate of 14.30%. Even under continuous operation for more than 1 h, the SPANI-5s electrode still showed stable anti-biofouling ability for an 11-cycle E. coli capturing-and-releasing DEP process, with the residual mass rate for all 11 cycles being kept at or below 2.18% to give an average residual mass rate of 1.62% with a standard deviation of 0.40%. This study demonstrates that electrodynamic systems with zwitterionic SPANI coated on open electrode surfaces can excellently function with decent conductance and anti-biofouling performance.

Observational study of dronedarone in Taiwanese patients with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Currently, data on the real-world use of dronedarone, an antiarrhythmic drug for atrial fibrillation (AF), are contradictory and often based on patient populations comprised of Caucasians. We prospectively investigated the efficacy and safety of dronedarone and risk factors related to treatment outcomes in a real-world use setting. METHODS: The prospective, observational, single-arm, multi-center study included a total of 824 Taiwanese patients with a diagnosis of paroxysmal or persistent AF and receiving dronedarone treatment. Risk factors analysis, efficacy, and safety of dronedarone were assessed with a follow-up of six months. RESULTS: Of the 824 patients enrolled (mean age, 75.3 ± 7.2 years), 95.2% had at least one cardiovascular risk factor. An increase in the proportion of patients with sinus rhythm following treatment was seen (52.1% at baseline vs. 67.4% at 6 months). A decrease in the mean duration of AF episodes (388.4 min vs. 62.3 min) and an increase in total AFEQT (65.4 ± 16.2 vs. 74.0 ± 11.8) were also observed after 6 months of treatment. Females, those under the age of 75, and those with symptomatic AF had higher odds of treatment success. At 6 months, 10.5% of patients reported treatment-related AEs. However, only 0.2% of the AEs were both severe in nature and causally related to dronedarone. CONCLUSION: This six-month study showed dronedarone to be relatively safe and efficacious and to improve quality-of-life in Taiwanese patients with atrial fibrillation. Odds of treatment success were related to the patient's gender, age, and AF type.

Phenylalanine- and leucine-defined metabolic types identify high mortality risk in patients with severe infection.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic value of phenylalanine and leucine in patients with severe infection. METHODS: Ninety-three patients with infection who had a quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score ≥2 were enrolled. Plasma phenylalanine, leucine, albumin, C-reactive protein, pre-albumin, and transferrin were measured and the SOFA score at enrollment was calculated after hospitalization. RESULTS: During the 3-month follow-up, 30 (32.3%) patients died. Death was associated with higher SOFA scores, a higher incidence of bacteremia and admission to the intensive care unit, higher C-reactive protein and phenylalanine levels, worse kidney function, and lower pre-albumin and transferrin levels. Patients were categorized into three groups: high-risk type 1 (phenylalanine ≥84µM), high-risk type 2 (phenylalanine <84µM and leucine <93µM), and low-risk (other). Compared to the low-risk type patients, high-risk type 1 and 2 patients had higher mortality rates (hazard ratio 10.1 (95% CI 2.33-43.5) and hazard ratio 5.56 (95% CI 1.22-25.4), respectively). Type 1 patients had higher SOFA scores, a higher incidence of admission to the intensive care unit, and higher C-reactive protein and leucine levels. Type 2 patients had lower albumin and hemoglobin levels. Multivariable analysis showed that both high-risk types were independent predictors of death. CONCLUSIONS: Phenylalanine- and leucine-defined risk classifications provide metabolic information with prognostic value for patients with severe infection.

Predictors of long-term survival prior to permanent pacemaker implantation in octogenarians or older.

BACKGROUND: There is an increased need for permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation for older patients with multiple comorbidities. The current guidelines recommend that, before implanting PPM, clinicians should discuss life expectancy with patients and their families as part of the decision-making process. However, estimating individual life expectancy is always a challenge. AIMS: We investigated predictors of long-term survival prior to PPM implantation in patients aged 80 or older. METHODS AND RESULTS: From September 2004 to September 2015, 100 patients aged ≥ 80 years who received PPM implantation were included for retrospective survival analysis. The end point was all-cause mortality. Follow-up duration was 4.0 ± 2.7 years. By the end of the study, 54 patients (54%) had died. Of the 54 who died, 40 patients (74.1%) died of non-cardiac causes. Their survival rates at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 years were 90%, 76%, 54%, 32%, and 16%, respectively. Patients with a longer length of hospital stay before PPM implantation (LOS-B) [hazard ratio (HR) 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.05, p < 0.001], estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 (HR 4.07, 95% CI 1.95-8.52, p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) < 21 kg/m2 (HR 2.50, 95% CI 1.16-5.39, p = 0.02), and dyspnea as the major presenting symptom (HR 2.88, 95% CI 1.27-6.55, p = 0.01) were associated with lower cumulative survival. CONCLUSIONS: Longer LOS-B, lower eGFR and BMI, and dyspnea as the major presenting symptom are pre-PPM implantation predictors of long-term survival in patients aged 80 or older.

Metastatic cardiac tumor presenting as atrial fibrillation in a previously healthy woman: A case report.

RATIONALE: Metastatic cardiac tumor (MCT) is rare in clinical practice. MCT presenting initially as atrial fibrillation (AF) is even rarer. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a 47-year-old woman with no previous medical history presented with intermittent palpitation for 3 days. DIAGNOSES: The electrocardiography showed AF with rapid ventricular rate. The transthoracic echocardiography showed a 4 × 4 cm mass occupying the left atrium (LA). The contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a left lower lung mass with invasion to the LA and left upper pulmonary vein (PV). The chest CT guided biopsy revealed poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Further workup including bone scan showed no significant findings. The diagnosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma with cardiac invasion was made. INTERVENTIONS: She went on to received palliative chemotherapy. OUTCOMES: She is being followed up regularly at the outpatient department. LESSONS: Tumor invasion of the LA and PV was thought to be the cause of the AF. This condition is rare, but clinically important. Physicians should be alert that MCT could be an important differential diagnosis in patients presenting with unexplained AF.

Effects of hydrogen bonding on internal conversion of GFP-like chromophores. II. The meta-amino systems.

To rationalize the efficient quenching of the fluorescence and the Z → E photoisomerization of m-ABDI, the meta-amino analogue of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) chromophore, in protic solvents, the femtosecond time-resolved fluorescence and transient infrared (TRIR) spectra of m-ABDI in CD3CN, CH3OH, and CD3OD are determined. For solutions in CD3CN, the fluorescence decay lifetime is ∼7.9 ns and IR absorption lines near 1513, 1531, 1557, and 1613 cm(-1) of m-ABDI in its electronically excited state were observed with a decay time >5 ns. For solutions in CH3OH, the fluorescence decay is double exponential with time constants of ∼16 and 62 ps. In addition to IR absorption lines of m-ABDI in its electronically excited state with a decay time of ∼16 ps, new features near 1513, 1532, 1554, and 1592 cm(-1) were observed to have a rise time of ∼19 ps and a decay constant of ∼58 ps, indicating formation of an intermediate. The assignments for the IR spectra of the ground and excited states were assisted with DFT and TDDFT calculations, respectively. We conclude that the torsion of the exocyclic C═C bond (the τ torsion) is responsible for the nonradiative decay of electronically excited m-ABDI in CD3CN. However, in CH3OH and CD3OD, the solute-solvent hydrogen bonding (SSHB) interactions diminish significantly the barrier of the τ torsion and induce a new pathway that competes successfully with the τ torsion, consistent with the efficient fluorescence quenching and the diminished yield for Z → E photoisomerization. The new pathway is likely associated with excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) from the solvent to m-ABDI, particularly the carbonyl group, and generates an intermediate (ESPT*) that is weakly fluorescent.

Effects of hydrogen bonding on internal conversion of GFP-like chromophores. I. The para-amino systems.

To understand the effects of solvent-solute hydrogen bonding (SSHB) on the excited-state dynamics of two GFP-like chromophores, p-ABDI and p-CFABDI, we have determined the quantum yields for fluorescence (Φf) and the isomerization Z → E (ΦZE) and the femtosecond fluorescence and transient infrared absorption in selected solvents. The behavior that ΦZE ≅ 0.50 in aprotic solvents, such as CH3CN, indicates that the E-Z photoisomerization adopts a one-bond-flip mechanism through the torsion of the exocyclic C═C bond (the τ torsion) to form a perpendicular species (τ ∼90°) in the singlet excited state followed by internal conversion (IC) to the ground state and partition to form the E and Z isomers with equal probabilities. The observed ΦZE decreased from 0.50 to 0.15-0.28 when CH3CN was replaced with the protic solvents CH3OH and CF3CH2OH. In conjunction with the solvent-independent rapid (<1 ps) kinetics for the fluorescence decay and the solvent-dependent slow (7-20 ps) kinetics for the ground-state recovery, we conclude that the SSHB modifies the potential energy surface for the τ torsion in a way that the IC occurs also for the twisted intermediates with a τ-torsion angle smaller than 90°, which favors the formation of the Z isomers. The possibility of IC induced by torsion of the exocyclic C-C bond (the φ torsion) is also considered but excluded.

Increased leukocyte Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase activity predicts the presence and severity of coronary vasospastic angina.

OBJECTIVE: Although inhibition of Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) has been shown to prevent coronary vasospastic angina (CVA), direct evidence linking ROCK activity and CVA is lacking. Accordingly, we investigated whether ROCK activity is an independent marker for CVA and is altered after treatment with antispastic medications. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively studied 31 Taiwanese patients who were diagnosed with CVA and 33 control subjects. Subject demographics were recorded, and blood samples were obtained at baseline in all participants and in CVA patients after 3 months of antispastic treatment. Compared with control subjects, leukocyte ROCK activity was greater in CVA patients (136% versus 91%, P<0.001). A cutoff value for leukocyte ROCK activity of 104% predicted the presence of CVA with specificity and sensitivity rates of 88% and 84%, respectively. ROCK activity increased with the severity of CVA (P for trend<0.001). Following 3-month treatment of antispastic agents, leukocyte ROCK activity, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6 levels were reduced by 43%, 42% and 27%, respectively (P<0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of leukocyte ROCK activity independently predicted the presence of CVA and correlated with CVA severity. Treatment with antispastic agents substantially reduced the level of leukocyte ROCK activity.

Levels of blood periostin decrease after acute myocardial infarction and are negatively associated with ventricular function after 3 months.

BACKGROUND: A recent study showed that periostin (PN) induced reentry of differentiated cardiomyocytes into the cell cycle and improved heart function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study sought to investigate whether PN levels increase after AMI and whether they provide prognostic value. METHODS AND RESULTS: We recruited 123 patients: 45 with AMI, 45 with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), and 33 healthy controls (CON). Blood PN and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) levels were measured. Echocardiography was repeated 3 months after AMI. In the AMI group, the PN levels 1.3 ± 1.2 days after AMI were significantly lower than those in the CAD and CON groups (175 ± 60, 245 ± 68, and 232 ± 63 ng/mL, respectively, P = 0.001). The NT-pro-BNP levels were significantly higher in the AMI group, compared to the CON and CAD groups (10.07 ± 28.2 [median, 0.70] vs 0.08 ± 0.06 [median, 0.05] and 1.1 ± 4.2 [median, 0.09] ng/mL, respectively; P = 0.02). The PN levels further decreased 8 ± 2 days after AMI (from 175 ± 60 to 143 ± 57 ng/mL; P = 0.003). However, NT-pro-BNP levels did not significantly change. With respect to the echocardiographic parameters 3 months after AMI, the PN levels measured before discharge were negatively associated with the left ventricular ejection fraction (rs = -0.50; P = 0.001), end diastolic (rs = 0.42; P = 0.009) and systolic (rs = 0.46; P = 0.004) diameters. The NT-pro-BNP levels were not significantly correlated with these parameters. CONCLUSION: Acute myocardial infarction is associated with a decrease in blood PN levels, and PN concentrations predict cardiac function 3 months after AMI.