A 7-Day Decitabine-Included Conditioning Regimen Accelerated Donor Hematopoietic Engraftment while Reduced the Occurrence of Mucositis without Interfering with Prognosis.

INTRODUCTION: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is the standard and curative treatment strategy for patients with hematologic malignancies. Recently, decitabine-included regimens have been investigated by several studies including ours, which may prevent relapse of primary malignant diseases. METHODS: This study was to retrospectively evaluate a 7-day decitabine-included regimen with reduced dose of idarubicin for patients with hematologic malignancies who underwent allo-HSCT. RESULTS: A total of 84 patients were enrolled, including 24 cases in 7-day and 60 cases in 5-day decitabine groups, respectively. Patients conditioned with 7-day decitabine regimen showed accelerated neutrophil (12.05 ± 1.97 vs. 13.86 ± 3.15; u = 9.309, p < 0.001) and platelet (16.32 ± 6.27 vs. 21.37 ± 8.57; u = 8.887, p < 0.001) engraftment compared with those treated with 5-day decitabine regimen. Patients in the 7-day decitabine group showed a significantly lower incidence rate of total (50.00% [12/24] versus 78.33% [47/60]; χ2 = 6.583, p = 0.010) and grade III or above (4.17% [1/24] vs. 31.67% [19/60]; χ2 = 7.147, p = 0.008) oral mucositis compared to those in the 5-day decitabine group. However, the occurrence of other major complications post-allo-HSCT and outcomes of patients in these two groups were comparable. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that this 7-day decitabine-contained new conditioning regimen seems to be feasible and safe for patients with myeloid neoplasms who receive allo-HSCT, and a large-scale prospective study is needed to confirm the findings of this study.

Poor pretransplantation minimal residual disease clearance as an independent prognostic risk factor for survival in myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Minimal residual disease (MRD) is an important prognostic factor for survival in adults with acute leukemia. The role of pretransplantation MRD status in myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts (MDS-EB) is unknown. This study retrospectively analyzed the relationship between pretransplantation MRD status and long-term survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with MDS-EB who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) from March 5, 2005, to November 8, 2020, were included. The relationship between pretransplantation MRD status and long-term survival was analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of 220 patients with MDS-EB who underwent allo-HSCT, 198 were eligible for inclusion in this multicenter, retrospective cohort study. Complete remission was attained in 121 (61.1%) patients, and 103 patients underwent detection of MRD pretransplantation, with 67 patients being MRD-positive and 36 patients being MRD-negative. The median follow-up time was 16 months, the median age was 41 years (6-65 years), and 58% of the patients were men. The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) probabilities for all patients were 70.1% and 72.9%, respectively. For patients in complete remission, the 3-year DFS and OS probabilities were 72.2% and 74.8%, respectively. Further analysis found that the 3-year DFS rates of MRD-negative and MRD-positive patients were 85.6% and 66.5% (p = .045), respectively, whereas the 3-year OS rates were 91.3% and 66.4% (p = .035), respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that poor pretransplantation MRD clearance was an independent prognostic risk factor for DFS and OS. CONCLUSION: Poor pretransplantation MRD clearance is an independent prognostic risk factor for long-term survival after allo-HSCT for patients with MDS-EB. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Poor minimal residual disease clearance pretransplanation is an independent prognostic risk factor for long-term survival after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts.

Effect and safety of 10-day decitabine-containing conditioning regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in 31 patients with acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To investigate the early effect and safety of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) with a 10-day decitabine-containing conditioning regimen in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) /myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) . Methods: From April 2021 to May 2022, 31 AML/MDS patients who received allo-HSCT with a 10-day decitabine-containing conditioning regimen were analyzed. Results: AML (n=10), MDS-AML (n=6), CMML-AML (n=1), and MDS (n=14) were identified in 31 patients, 16 males, and 15 females, with a median age of 41 (20-55) yr. Neutrophils and platelets were successfully implanted in 31 patients (100%), with a median implantation duration of 12 (9-30) and 14 (9-42) days, respectively. During the preconditioning period, 16 patients (51.6%) developed oral mucositis, with 15 cases of Ⅰ/Ⅱ grade (48.4%) and one case of Ⅲ grade (3.2%). After transplantation, 13 patients (41.9%) developed CMV viremia, six patients (19.4%) developed hemorrhagic cystitis, and four patients (12.9%) developed a local infection. The median time of acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) following transplantation was 33 (12-111) days. The cumulative incidence of aGVHD and Ⅲ/Ⅳ grade aGVHD was 41.9% (95% CI 26.9%-61.0%) and 22.9% (95% CI 13.5%-47.5%), respectively. There was no severe cGVHD, and mild and moderate chronic GVHD (cGVHD) incidence was 23.5% (95% CI 12.1%-43.6%). As of November 30, 2022, only one of the 31 patients had relapsed, with a 1-yr cumulative relapse rate (CIR) of 3.2% (95% CI 0.5%-20.7%). There was only one relapse patient death and no non-relapse deaths. The 1-yr overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 92.9% (95% CI 80.3%-100%) and 96.8% (95% CI 90.8%-100%), respectively. Conclusions: A 10-day decitabine-containing conditioning regimen for allo-HSCT reduced relapse and was safe and feasible in treating AML/MDS.

Lactotransferrin promotes intervertebral disc degeneration by regulating Fas and inhibiting human nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD) has increased in age. There is still a lack of effective treatment in clinics, which cannot improve the condition of IDD at the level of etiology. OBJECTIVE: To explore IDD pathogenesis at the cellular and gene levels and investigate lactotransferrin (LTF) expression in IDD patients and its possible mechanism. METHODS: We downloaded the IDD data set from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, screened the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and hub genes and performed Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Subsequently, we verified LTF's regulatory mechanism through cell experiments. IL-1ß was used to intervene in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) to construct the IDD cell model, and LTF and Fas expression was detected by qRT-PCR. LTF inhibitor, Fas inhibitor, LTF mimic, and Fas mimic were used to intervene in each group. Western blotting was used to detect Fas, Caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 expression. RESULTS: A total of 131 DEGs and 10 hub genes were screened. LTF mRNA in the IDD model was significantly higher than that in the control group, while Fas' mRNA was significantly lower. When LTF was upregulated or downregulated in NPCs, apoptosis marker expression showed the opposite trend. The rescue test showed that LTF and Fas' overexpression greatly enhanced NPC apoptosis. CONCLUSION: LTF promotes IDD progression by regulating Fas in NPCs, and it may be an effective gene therapy target.

Chronic myocardial and coronary arterial effects of intracoronary supersaturated oxygen therapy in swine with normal and ischemic-reperfused myocardium.

The study assessed chronic myocardial, coronary and systemic effects of intracoronary supersaturated oxygen (SSO2) therapy. Left anterior descending coronary arteries of 40 swine were stented and randomized to 90-min selective intracoronary infusion of SSO2 (pO2 760-1000 mmHg) or normoxemic saline. In 20 out of 40 animals, SSO2 delivery followed a 60-min balloon occlusion to induce myocardial infarction (MI). In both normal and MI models, intracoronary treatment with hyperoxemic SSO2 therapy showed no evidence of coronary thrombosis. There were no biologically relevant differences between treatments at either time point in regard to coronary intervention site healing and neointimal growth. No signs of any myocardial or systemic toxicity were observed after 7 or 30 days. A trend was observed toward reduced incidence of microscopic MI scars and reduced infarct size in histopathology, as well as toward better recovery of echocardiographically evaluated global and regional contractility at 30 days. No treatment related infarcts or thromboemboli were observed in the downstream organs.

Clinicopathological analysis of ten cases of mucinous nevi / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To investigate clinical and histopathological features of mucinous nevi.Methods:Clinical and pathological data were collected from 10 patients with clinically and histopathologically confirmed mucinous nevi in Hospital of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2014 to December 2019, and retrospectively analyzed.Results:All cases developed mucinous nevi in childhood, with an average age of onset being 6.5 years. Of the 10 patients, 7 had lesions on the trunk, among whom 4 had lesions on the back; the remaining 2 had lesions on the limbs, and 1 had generalized lesions on the trunk and limbs. The skin lesions were locally arranged in lines, bands or clusters, and skin-colored, reddish or yellow in color, with the texture varying from soft to hard. Histopathological examination showed that 10 patients presented with disordered arrangement of collagen fiber bundles in the dermis and mucin deposition at varying locations and to different degrees among them, 6 with thickened and red-stained collagen fibers in the deposition area, and the remaining 4 with sparse and decreased collagen; focal liquefaction degeneration of the basal layer was observed in 2 cases, and different amounts of mature adipose tissue in the dermis were seen in 3 cases.Conclusions:Mucinous nevus pathologically manifests as mucin deposition of varying degrees among disorderedly arrangd collagen fiber bundles in the dermis, which is similar to some other diseases, and is easily misdiagnosed. Close combination of clinical and pathological features facilitates confirmed diagnosis.

Artificial Antigen Presentosomes for T Cell Activation.

CD8+ T cells constitute an essential component of the adaptive immune system. They are activated through T cell receptor (TCR) recognizing antigenic peptides presented by MHC class I molecules expressed by antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs). Harvesting a large number of activated, antigen-specific human CD8+ T cells for functional studies has been a laborious task for immunologists, largely because of the variables associated with DC preparations. Here we describe a robust, cost-effective DC-free antigen-presenting system capable of generating a large number of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in vitro.

Conditioning Regimen of 5-Day Decitabine Administration for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a potentially curative treatment for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN). However, post-HSCT relapse remains a major cause of treatment failure. Here we assessed the efficacy of a new conditioning regimen comprising decitabine (Dec), busulfan (Bu), cyclophosphamide (Cy), fludarabine (Flu), and cytarabine (Ara-c) for allo-HSCT in patients with MDS and MDS/MPN. A total of 48 patients were enrolled, including 44 with MDS and 4 with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Patients received Dec 20 mg/m2/day on days -9 to -5, combined with a Bu/Cy/Flu/Ara-c-modified preparative regimen. At a median follow-up of 522 days (range, 15 to 1313 days), the overall survival (OS) was 86%, relapse incidence was 12%, and nonrelapse mortality was 12%. The incidence of severe acute (grade III-IV) graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 23% and that of chronic GVHD was 15%. At 2 years, OS was 74% and 86%, respectively for high-risk and very-high-risk patients with MDS. Survival was promising in patients with poor-risk gene mutations, such as TP53 and ASXL1 (88%), and in those with ≥3 gene mutations (79%). Results of immunomonitoring studies revealed that proper natural killer cells made essential contributions to these favorable clinical outcomes. Overall, this new regimen was associated with a low relapse rate, low incidence and severity of GVHD, and satisfactory survival in allo-HSCT recipients with MDS and MDS/MPN.

The in vitro and in vivo depigmenting activity of Coenzyme Q10 through the down-regulation of α-MSH signaling pathways and induction of Nrf2/ARE-mediated antioxidant genes in UVA-irradiated skin keratinocytes.

Coenzyme CoQ10 (CoQ10), a ubiquinone compound, has been reported to inhibit tyrosinase activity and melanin production in melanoma B16F10 cells. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this inhibitory effect is poorly understood. In this paper we aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in the anti-melanogenic activity of CoQ10 (1-2 µM) in UVA (5 J/cm2)-irradiated keratinocyte HaCaT cells and α-MSH stimulated B16-F10 cells. It was observed that CoQ10 suppressed p53/POMC, α-MSH production as well as inhibited ROS generation in UVA-irradiated keratinocyte HaCaT cells. CoQ10 down-regulated the melanin synthesis in α-MSH-stimulated B16-F10 cells by suppressing the MITF expression by down regulating the cAMP mediated CREB signaling cascades. Furthermore, in vivo evidence demonstrated the inhibitory effect of CoQ10 on endogenous pigmentation in zebrafish. Increased nuclear Nrf2 translocation accompanied by the induction of HO-1 and γ-GCLC genes were observed in CoQ10 treated keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Notably, silencing of Nrf2 (siRNA transfection) significantly diminished CoQ10-mediated anti-melanogenic activity, as evidenced by impaired antioxidant HO-1 gene, uncontrolled ROS generation, and α-MSH production following UVA irradiation. To conclude, CoQ10 is an effective de-pigmention or skin-whitening agent and could be used in cosmetics for topical application.

Generalized oscillator strengths of the low-lying valence-shell excitations of N2, O2, and C2H2 studied by fast electron and inelastic x-ray scattering.

The generalized oscillator strengths of the low-lying valence-shell excitations of N2, O2, and C2H2 have been studied by the high-energy electron scattering, the high-resolution inelastic X-ray scattering, and the multireference single- and double-excitation configuration-interaction methods. Good agreement between the present electron-scattering results and the X-ray-scattering ones for the a''1Σg +v'=0 and a''1Σg +v'=1+b1Πuv'=0 excitations of N2 and the A'3Δu excitation of O2 is achieved in the small squared momentum transfer region, while obvious discrepancies among them are observed in the large squared momentum transfer region. This phenomenon indicates that the first Born approximation is satisfied in the small squared momentum transfer region, while it does not hold in the large squared momentum transfer region at an incident electron energy of 1500 eV, in view of the fact that the first Born approximation is satisfied in the X-ray scattering. In addition, the present calculation for the a''1Σg + excitation shows that the traditional assigned v' = 0 and 1 of the a″1Σg + excitation correspond to v' = 9 and 13 of the 21Σg + excitation and reproduces the X-ray-scattering results of the a''1Σg +v'=0 excitation very well except the ones in the small squared momentum transfer region. We also report the generalized oscillator strengths of the à + B̃ excitations of C2H2, and its profile shows that the bending geometry has great influence on the transition feature.

Elizabethkingia miricola infection in Chinese spiny frog (Quasipaa spinosa).

Elizabethkingia miricola is a Gram-negative rod which has been incriminated in severe infections in humans. Recently, a serious infectious disease was identified in Chinese spiny frogs (Quasipaa spinosa), in the Sichuan Province of China; the disease was characterized by corneal opacity, the presence of ascites and neurological symptoms. A Gram-negative bacillus was isolated from the liver, spleen and kidney of the diseased frogs. Experimental infection test revealed that the bacillus could infect the frogs Q. spinosa and the LD50 value was 1.19 × 106  cfu per frog. The isolated Gram-negative bacillus was identified as E. miricola according to phenotypic characteristics, 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequence analysis. The isolated strain was only susceptible to florfenicol among all investigated chemotherapeutic agents. Histological examination revealed that E. miricola infection caused pathological lesions to multiple organs and tissues, especially in the liver, brain, kidney. These results confirmed that E. miricola is an emerging pathogen of Chinese spiny frogs.

Curative effect observation of erlotinib plus temozolomide for recurrence/progression in patients with EGFR gene mutation in NSCLC with brain metastases after whole brain radiotherapy / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of erlotinib plus temozolomide for recurrence/progression patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with brain metastases after whole brain radiotherapy.Methods A total of 68 EGFR gene mutation NSCLC patients with brain metastases of intracranial recurrence/progression after whole brain radiotherapy were selected from August 2013 to June 2018 in Baoji Central Hospital of Shaanxi Province and Xintai People's Hospital of Shandong Province.All the patients were randomly divided into erlotinib group and combined treatment group (erlotinib combined with temozolomide) using random number table method.The patients in erlotinib group (34 cases) were treated with oral erlotinib 150 mg/d until progression or unacceptable adverse reaction,and the patients in combined treatment group (34 cases) were given erlotinib and oral temozolomide 150 mg/(m2 · d) for 1-5 day,every 28 days was a cycle,temozolamide for 6 cycles.Comparison was made on curative effects and occurrence condition of adverse reactions between the two groups.Results The overall response rates in the erlotinib group and combined treatment group were 11.8％ (4/34)and 32.4％ (11/34) respectively,and the disease control rates in the two groups were 35.3％ (12/34) and 64.7％ (22/34) respectively,with significant differences (x2 =4.191,P =0.041;x2 =5.882,P =0.015).The median progression-free survival in the erlotinib group and combined treatment group were 3.22 months and 5.29 months respectively,and the median overall survival in the two groups were 5.60 months and 7.90 months respectively,with significant differences (x2 =9.269,P =0.002;x2 =11.005,P =0.001).The incidence of nausea and vomiting in combined treatment group was significantly higher than that in erlotinib group [67.6％ (23/34) vs.14.7％ (5/34)],with a significant difference (x2 =19.671,P ＜ 0.001),but there were no significant differences in the incidences of other adverse reactions (all P ＞ 0.05).The patients in the two groups had no more than grade Ⅲ of adverse reactions.Conclusion The curative effect of erlotinib combined with temozolomide is better in the treatment of recurrence/progression patients with EGFR gene mutation in NSCLC with brain metastases after whole brain radiotherapy,with mild adverse reactions and good patients' tolerance.

Subinhibitory Concentrations of Prim-O-Glucosylcimifugin Decrease the Expression of Alpha-Hemolysin in Staphylococcus aureus (USA300).

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), an important opportunistic pathogen in human and animal, causes a series of diseases in the impairing of immunity of host and even then death. Alpha-hemolysin (Hla), a primary virulence factor, plays a major role in the pathogenic progress of S. aureus, especially in pneumonia. Prim-O-glucosylcimifugin (POG), a nature chromone compound, is an active ingredient in many Chinese Medicines. In this study, POG investigated the inhibitory effect of the secretion of Hla in S. aureus strain USA300 at the subinhibitory concentrations. The hemolysis assays and western blotting assays showed that POG can decrease the production of Hla in the USA300 growth cell cultures in a dose-dependent manner. The results of RT-PCR revealed that reduction of Hla was related to inhibit the transcription of hla and RNAIII. In the cells experiment, POG was proved to protect A549 cells from Hla-medicated injury. In conclusion, POG was shown the capacity of decreased the production of S. aureus Hla. POG can be developed as a candidate agent to treat S. aureus infections against Hla.

Sclareol Protects Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Lung Cell Injury via Inhibiting Alpha-Hemolysin Expression.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common gram-positive bacterium that causes serious infections in humans and animals. With the continuous emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains, antibiotics have limited efficacy in treating MRSA infections. Accordingly, novel agents that act on new targets are desperately needed to combat these infections. S. aureus alpha-hemolysin plays an indispensable role in its pathogenicity. In this study, we demonstrate that sclareol, a fragrant chemical compound found in clary sage, can prominently decrease alpha-hemolysin secretion in S. aureus strain USA300 at sub-inhibitory concentrations. Hemolysis assays, western-blotting, and RT-PCR were used to detect the production of alpha-hemolysin in the culture supernatant. When USA300 was co-cultured with A549 epithelial cells, sclareol could protect the A549 cells at a final concentration of 8 µg/ml. The protective capability of sclareol against the USA300-mediated injury of A549 cells was further shown by cytotoxicity assays and live/dead analysis. In conclusion, sclareol was shown to inhibit the production of S. aureus alpha-hemolysin. Sclareol has potential for development as a new agent to treat S. aureus infections.

Efficacy observation of apapatinib combined with oxaliplatin and tiggio for treatment of advanced gastric cancer / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of apapatinib-targeted therapy combined with oxaliplatin and tiggio for treatment of gastric cancer. Methods A total of 150 patients with advanced gastric cancer were enrolled from March 2015 to March 2017. According to the random number table method, the patients were divided into the study group (apocitinib combined with oxaliplatin+tiggio) and the control group (oxaliplatin + tiggio), 75 cases each. The recent treatment effects and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results The objective response rate (46.7 % vs. 25.3 %) and disease control rate (76.0 % vs.48.0 %)in the study group and the control group were statistically significant(all P <0.05).There were no statistical differences in the incidence of complications such as myelosuppression, digestive tract reaction, fatigue and oral ulcer between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The incidence of complications such as hypertension, proteinuria and hand-foot syndrome in the study group was higher than those in the control group (all P < 0.05), but it was in a state of grade Ⅰ~Ⅱ and tolerance. Conclusion Apotiphene combined with oxaliplatin and tiggio as a chemotherapy regimen for advanced gastric cancer may have a better effect.

Informatized management of medical consumables in new situation / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To explore informatized management of medical consumables in new situation.Methods lntormatized management of medical consumables was executed with the involvement of multi-dimension data analysis,medical consumables supervision and approval system under early warning mechanism,secondary development of sunshine purchase platform as well as big data rebuilding and etc.Results The whole-course supervision from purchase to utilization was realized for medical consumables,which provided data support to medical consumables utilization.Conclusion Wholecourse,professional and informatized management is implemented for medical consumables,which lays a foundation for clinical service and hospital transformation.

Informatized management of medical consumables in new situation / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To explore informatized management of medical consumables in new situation.Methods lntormatized management of medical consumables was executed with the involvement of multi-dimension data analysis,medical consumables supervision and approval system under early warning mechanism,secondary development of sunshine purchase platform as well as big data rebuilding and etc.Results The whole-course supervision from purchase to utilization was realized for medical consumables,which provided data support to medical consumables utilization.Conclusion Wholecourse,professional and informatized management is implemented for medical consumables,which lays a foundation for clinical service and hospital transformation.

Occupational Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Associated with Diesel Motor Operation in an Air-raid Shelter in June 2015, Jinan City, China-An Epidemiological Investigation / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Occupational carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning related to diesel motor fumes in an air-raid shelter (ARS) was first identified in Jinan City, China, in June 2015. A total of 17 cases were identified, including 14 possible cases of firemen and 3 confirmed cases of water channel clean-up workers. The overall attack rate (AR) of firemen was 42% (14/33). The firemen had a significantly higher AR with a longer exposure and more protracted time of rescue in the ARS (P < 0.05). All the cases stated that they did not realize the potentially high level of exposure to CO in the ARS. CO poisoning posed a risk to both patients and service providers. Occupational safety and health education should be promoted and enforced in all workplaces where CO sources exist.

Biological effect on restenosis and vascular healing of encapsulated paclitaxel nanocrystals delivered via coated balloon technology in the familial hypercholesterolaemic swine model of in-stent restenosis.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological efficacy of a novel lower-dose (2.5 µg/mm2) encapsulated paclitaxel nanocrystal-coated balloon (Nano-PCB) in the familial hypercholesterolaemic swine (FHS) model of iliofemoral in-stent restenosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nano-PCB pharmacokinetics were assessed in 20 femoral arteries (domestic swine). Biological efficacy was evaluated in ten FHS: 14 days following bare metal stent implantation each stent segment was randomised to a clinically available PCB (IN.PACT, n=14), the Nano-PCB (n=14) or an uncoated balloon (n=12). Angiographic, optical coherence tomography and histological evaluation was performed at 28 days after treatment. Arterial paclitaxel concentration was 120.7 ng/mg at one hour and 7.65 ng/mg of tissue at 28 days with the Nano-PCB. Compared to the control uncoated group, both PCBs significantly reduced percent area stenosis (Nano-PCB: 36.0±14.2%, IN.PACT: 29.3±9.2% vs control: 67.9±15.1%, p<0.001). Neointimal distribution in the entire stent length was more homogenous in the Nano-PCB. Histological evaluation showed comparable degrees of neointimal proliferation in both PCBs; however, the Nano-PCB showed slightly higher levels of neointimal maturity and endothelialisation. CONCLUSIONS: Lower-dose encapsulated paclitaxel nanocrystals delivered via a coated balloon displayed comparable biological efficacy with superior healing features compared to a clinically validated PCB technology.

Complex multireference configuration interaction calculations for the K-vacancy Auger states of N(q+) (q = 2-5) ions.

K-vacancy Auger states of N(q+) (q = 2-5) ions are studied by using the complex multireference single- and double-excitation configuration interaction (CMRD-CI) method. The calculated resonance parameters are in good agreement with the available experimental and theoretical data. It shows that the resonance positions and widths converge quickly with the increase of the atomic basis sets in the CMRD-CI calculations; the standard atomic basis set can be employed to describe the atomic K-vacancy Auger states well. The strong correlations between the valence and core electrons play important roles in accurately determining those resonance parameters, Rydberg electrons contribute negligibly in the calculations. Note that it is the first time that the complex scaling method has been successfully applied for the B-like nitrogen. CMRD-CI is readily extended to treat the resonance states of molecules in the near future.