BiVO4-Based Heterojunction Photocathode for High-Performance Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Peroxide Production.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells provide a promising solution for the synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Herein, an integrated photocathode of p-type BiVO4 (p-BVO) array with tetragonal zircon structure coupled with different metal oxide (MOx, M = Sn, Ti, Ni, and Zn) heterostructure and NiNC cocatalyst (p-BVO/MOx/NiNC) was synthesized for the PEC oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in production of H2O2. The p-BVO/SnO2/NiNC array achieves the production rate 65.46 µmol L-1 h-1 of H2O2 with a Faraday efficiency (FE) of 76.12%. Combined with the H2O2 generation of water oxidation from the n-type Mo-doped BiVO4 (n-Mo:BVO) photoanode, the unbiased photoelectrochemical cell composed of a p-BVO/SnO2/NiNC photocathode and n-Mo:BVO photoanode achieves a total FE of 97.67% for H2O2 generation. The large area BiVO4-based tandem cell of 3 × 3 cm2 can reach a total H2O2 production yield of 338.84 µmol L-1. This work paves the way for the rational design and fabrication of artificial photosynthetic cells for the production of liquid solar fuel.

Improved performance of UV-blue dual-band Bi2O3/TiO2 photodetectors and application of visible light communication with UV light encryption.

In this paper, self-powered photodetectors (PDs) with a dual-band photoresponse and excellent photodetection capabilities in complex environments can meet the needs of diverse detection targets, complex environments and diverse tasks. Herein, Bi2O3 nanosheets were deposited on the surface of TiO2 nanorod arrays (NRs) by chemical bath deposition (CBD) to construct self-powered heterojunction PDs with a UV-blue dual-band photoresponse. The nucleation and growth of Bi2O3 nanosheets on TiO2 NRs substrates were controlled by varying the concentration of the complexing agent triethanolamine (TEA) in the precursor solution, which regulated the morphology, crystalline quality and energy band structure as well as the photoelectronic properties of Bi2O3 films. The devices fabricated at a TEA concentration of 0.3 M exhibited excellent self-powered UV-blue dual-band photoresponse characteristics, achieving a photocurrent (Iph) of 144 nA, a responsivity of 1.79 mA W-1 and a detectivity of 5.94 × 1010 Jones under 405 nm illumination at 0 V, which can be attributed to the large built-in electric field (Eb) of Bi2O3/TiO2 heterojunctions, the low interfacial transfer resistance and suitable carrier transport path. In addition, Bi2O3/TiO2 heterojunction PDs with the UV-blue dual-band photoresponse characteristics can be applied in UV-encrypted visible light communication (VLC) with a light-controlled logic gate to improve the security of information transmission.

Metal-Organic Framework Glass Catalysts from Melting Glass-Forming Cobalt-Based Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework for Boosting Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation.

Sluggish oxygen evolution kinetics and serious charge recombination restrict the development of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. The advancement of novel metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) catalysts bears practical significance for improving PEC water splitting performance. Herein, a MOF glass catalyst through melting glass-forming cobalt-based zeolitic imidazolate framework (Co-ag ZIF-62) was introduced on various metal oxide (MO: Fe2 O3 , WO3 and BiVO4 ) semiconductor substrates coupled with NiO hole transport layer, constructing the integrated Co-ag ZIF-62/NiO/MO photoanodes. Owing to the excellent conductivity, stability and open active sites of MOF glass, Co-ag ZIF-62/NiO/MO photoanodes exhibit a significantly enhanced photoelectrochemical water oxidation activity and stability in comparison to pristine MO photoanodes. From experimental analyses and density functional theory calculations, Co-ag ZIF-62 can effectively promote charge transfer and separation, improve carrier mobility, accelerate the kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and thus improve PEC performance. This MOF glass not only serves as an excellent OER cocatalyst on tunable photoelectrodes, but also enables promising opportunities for PEC devices for solar energy conversion.

Dapagliflozin reduces the vulnerability of rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension-induced right heart failure to ventricular arrhythmia by restoring calcium handling.

BACKGROUND: Malignant ventricular arrhythmia (VA) is a major contributor to sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)-induced right heart failure (RHF). Recently, dapagliflozin (DAPA), a sodium/glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), has been found to exhibit cardioprotective effects in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. In this study, we examined the effects of DAPA on VA vulnerability in a rat model of PAH-induced RHF. METHODS: Rats randomly received monocrotaline (MCT, 60 mg/kg) or vehicle via a single intraperitoneal injection. A day later, MCT-injected rats were randomly treated with placebo, low-dose DAPA (1 mg/kg/day), or high-dose (3 mg/kg/day) DAPA orally for 35 days. Echocardiographic analysis, haemodynamic experiments, and histological assessments were subsequently performed to confirm the presence of PAH-induced RHF. Right ventricle (RV) expression of calcium (Ca2+) handling proteins were detected via Western blotting. RV expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) was determined via immunohistochemical staining. An optical mapping study was performed to assess the electrophysiological characteristics in isolated hearts. Cellular Ca2+ imaging from RV cardiomyocytes (RVCMs) was recorded using Fura-2 AM or Fluo-4 AM. RESULTS: High-dose DAPA treatment attenuated RV structural remodelling, improved RV function, alleviated Cx43 remodelling, increased the conduction velocity, restored the expression of key Ca2+ handling proteins, increased the threshold for Ca2+ and action potential duration (APD) alternans, decreased susceptibility to spatially discordant APD alternans and spontaneous Ca2+ events, promoted cellular Ca2+ handling, and reduced VA vulnerability in PAH-induced RHF rats. Low-dose DAPA treatment also showed antiarrhythmic effects in hearts with PAH-induced RHF, although with a lower level of efficacy. CONCLUSION: DAPA administration reduced VA vulnerability in rats with PAH-induced RHF by improving RVCM Ca2+ handling.

Persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic properties of liquid crystal monomers and their detection in indoor residential dust.

Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) are used widely in liquid crystal displays (LCDs), which are dramatically changing the world due to the provision of convenient communication. However, there are essentially no published reports on the fate and/or effects of LCMs in the environment. Of 362 currently produced LCMs, 87 were identified as persistent and bioaccumulative (P&B) chemicals, which indicated that these chemicals would exhibit resistance to degradation and exhibit mobility after entering the environment. Following exposure to mixtures of LCM collected from 6 LCD devices, significant modulation of 5 genes, CYP1A4, PDK4, FGF19, LBFABP, and THRSP, was observed in vitro. Modulation of expressions of mRNAs coding for these genes has frequently been reported for toxic (T) persistent organic pollutants (POPs). In LCM mixtures, 33 individual LCMs were identified by use of mass spectrometry and screened for in 53 samples of dust from indoor environments. LCMs were detectable in 47% of analyzed samples, and 17 of the 33 LCMs were detectable in at least 1 sample of dust. Based on chemical properties, including P&B&T of LCMs and their ubiquitous detection in dust samples, the initial screening information suggests a need for studies to determine status and trends in concentrations of LCMs in various environmental matrices as well as tissues of humans and wildlife. There is also a need for more comprehensive in vivo studies to determine toxic effects and potencies of LCMs during chronic, sublethal exposures.

[Comparison on the clinical characteristics of patients with Takotsubo syndrome from China and from Europe/North America].

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) from China and compare these features with patients from Europe/North America. Methods: We reviewed case reports published between 1990 and 2020 with the key words of "Takotsubo syndrome" "stress cardiomyopathy" "apical balloon syndrome" and "broken heart syndrome", in Wanfang, CNKI, Pubmed and Web of Science databases, and 1 294 articles were identified, including 128 articles reporting 163 cases in China and 1 166 articles reporting 1 256 cases in Europe/North America. The characteristics of demographics, triggers, symptoms, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, left ventriculogram,coronary angiography, treatment and prognosis were analyzed and compared between Chinese and European/North American cases. Results: A total of 1 294 articles (1 419 cases: 163 from China, 1 256 from Europe/North America) were included in the final analysis. The characteristics of Chinese cases included: (1) demographic:the age was (59.6±16.9) years, which was similar with that of European/North American ((59.7±17.4) years, P=0.90), and female accounting for 78.5% (128/163), which was lower than that of European/North American (85.4% (1 073/1 256), P=0.02). (2) Triggers:mental triggers accounted for 48.5% (79/163), physical triggers accounted for 43.6% (71/163), and no triggers accounted for 7.9% (13/163), respectively. Compared with Europe/North America, the ratio of patients with mental triggers was higher in China, while the ratio of patients with physical triggers and no triggers was lower (P<0.05). (3) Symptoms: chest pain (52.8% (86/163)), chest tightness (35.0% (57/163)), shortness of breath (33.1% (54/163)), dizziness (16.0% (26/163)), sweating (15.3% (25/163)), palpitations (12.3% (20/163)), syncope (9.2% (15/163)) abdominal pain/diarrhea (8.6% (14/163)), hypotension (7.4% (12/163)), and fatigue (1.2% (2/163)) were illustrated in sequence. Compared with patients in Europe/North America, the ratio of patients with chest tightness, dizziness, sweating, palpitations, abdominal pain/diarrhea was higher in Chinese patients, while the ratio of patients with hypotension was lower in Chinese patients (P<0.05). (4) Electrocardiogram: main manifestations were myocardial ischemia symptoms, such as ST-segment elevation (63.8% (104/163)), T wave inversion (46.0% (75/163)), ST-segment depression (8.6% (14/163)). Compared with European/North American, the ratio of patients with ST-segment elevation, T wave inversion, and atrioventricular block was higher in Chinese patients (P<0.05). (5) Echocardiography and imaging:apical dyskinesia (59.5% (97/163)) and apical/left ventricular bulbar dilation (36.2%(59/163)) dominated the echocardiography findings. Compared with European/North American, the ratio of patients with apical dyskinesia, apical/left ventricular bulbar dilation, and mitral regurgitation was higher in Chinese patients, while the ratio of patients with dyskinesia in other parts and left ventricular ejection fraction<50% was lower in Chinese patients (P<0.05). Left ventricular angiography showed 36.2% (59/163) of apical dyskinesia in Chinese patients, which was higher than that reported in European/North American patients, and 38.7% (63/163) of apical/left ventricular bulbar dilation was reported in Chinese patients, which was similar to that reported in European/North American patients. Coronary angiography showed percent of no stenosis or stenosis less than 50% was 87.1% (142/163), which was similar to that reported in European/North American patients (P>0.05). The typical type of TTS accounted for 96.3% (157/163), which was significantly higher than that reported in European/ American patients, while the ratio of basal type and midventricular type was lower (P<0.01). (6) Treatment and prognosis:the applied drugs in China were listed in order as following, ß-blockers (41.1% (67/163)), antiplatelet agents (37.4%(61/163)), ACEI/ARB (36.2%(59/163)), anticoagulants (27.0%(44/163)), diuretics (19.6% (32/163)), etc. Compared with Europe/North America, the ratio of antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, statins, diuretics, and nitrates use was higher in China (P<0.05), while the use of oxygen therapy and IABP was similar (P>0.05). The hospital mortality in China was 5.5% (9/163), during 1-year follow-up the recurrence rate was 3.7% (6/163) and the mortality was 0. The prognosis was similar with that in Europe/North America. Conclusions: Compared with TTS cases in Europe/North America, TTS cases in China also occur usually in middle-aged and elderly women, most of whom have mental/physical triggers and typical imaging manifestations, followed by a low hospital mortality rate and recurrence rate.

Liquid Crystal Monomers (LCMs) in Sediments: Method Validation and Detection in Sediment Samples from Three Typical Areas.

Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) have been proposed to be persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) substances; however, there is a dearth of information regarding their occurrence in sediment samples. Here, an analytical method was developed for the quantitative determination of LCMs in sediment samples, and n = 76 sediment samples were collected and analyzed to determine accurate concentrations of LCMs. Our results indicated that the developed pretreatment procedure was applicable for the determination of LCM concentrations in sediments. We observed that LCMs were detected in 75 out of the 76 sediment samples, and 23, 18, and 14 out of the 39 target LCMs were quantified in at least one of the analyzed sediments from rivers around LCM or liquid crystal device (LCD) manufacturers, Taihu Lake, and rivers around e-waste recycling sites, respectively. The LCMs in the samples from rivers around LCM/LCD manufacturers exhibited the greatest mean concentrations of 26.1 ng/g dry weight (dw), followed by those from e-waste recycling site areas (1.15 ng/g dw) and Taihu Lake (0.076 ng/g dw). Collectively, this study provided the first analytical method that was able to quantify the concentrations of LCMs in sediment samples and provided the first evidence for the occurrence of LCMs in sediment samples.

Characteristics and clinical significance of myocardial injury in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019.

AIMS: To investigate the characteristics and clinical significance of myocardial injury in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS AND RESULTS: We enrolled 671 eligible hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 from 1 January to 23 February 2020, with a median age of 63 years. Clinical, laboratory, and treatment data were collected and compared between patients who died and survivors. Risk factors of death and myocardial injury were analysed using multivariable regression models. A total of 62 patients (9.2%) died, who more often had myocardial injury (75.8% vs. 9.7%; P < 0.001) than survivors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of initial cardiac troponin I (cTnI) for predicting in-hospital mortality was 0.92 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.87-0.96; sensitivity, 0.86; specificity, 0.86; P < 0.001]. The single cut-off point and high level of cTnI predicted risk of in-hospital death, hazard ratio (HR) was 4.56 (95% CI, 1.28-16.28; P = 0.019) and 1.25 (95% CI, 1.07-1.46; P = 0.004), respectively. In multivariable logistic regression, senior age, comorbidities (e.g. hypertension, coronary heart disease, chronic renal failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and high level of C-reactive protein were predictors of myocardial injury. CONCLUSION: The risk of in-hospital death among patients with severe COVID-19 can be predicted by markers of myocardial injury, and was significantly associated with senior age, inflammatory response, and cardiovascular comorbidities.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of cancer patients with COVID-19.

This retrospective study aimed to analysis clinical characteristics and outcomes of cancer patients with novel coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Medical records, laboratory results and radiologic findings of 52 cancer patients with COVID-19 were collected, clinical characteristics and outcomes were summarized. A total of 52 cancer patients with COVID-19 were included. Median age of 52 cancer patients with COVID-19 was 63 years (34-98). Thirty-three (63.5%) patients were mild and 19 (36.5%) were severe/critical. Lung cancer was the most frequent cancer type (10, 19.2%). The common symptoms were as follows: fever (25%), dry cough (17.3%), chest distress (11.5%), and fatigue (9.6%). There were 33 (63.5%) patients had comorbidities, the most common symptom was hypertension (17, 51.5%). Twenty-six (78.8%) patients developed pneumonia on admission. Lymphocytes (0.6 × 109/L) decreased in both mild and severe/critical patients. Median levels of D-dimer, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and lactate dehydrogenase were 2.8 mg/L, 70.5 mg/L, 0.3 ng/mL, and 318 U/L, respectively, which increased significantly in severe/critical patients compared with the mild patients. Interleukin-6 (12.6 pg/mL) increased in both mild and severe/critical patients, there was a significant difference between them. Complications were observed in 29 (55.8%) patients, such as liver injury (19, 36.5%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (9, 17.3%), sepsis (8, 15.4%), myocardial injury (8, 15.4%), renal insufficiency (4, 7.7%), and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (3, 5.8%). Eleven (21.2%) patients with cancer died. The infection rate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in patients with cancer was higher than the general population, cancer patients with COVID-19 showed deteriorating conditions and poor outcomes.

Analysis of 92 deceased patients with COVID-19.

This retrospective study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and complications in death cases with novel coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). We collected the medical records of 92 patients with COVID-19, who died in the time period ranging from 6 January 2020 to 25 February 2020, in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University and summarized the clinical characteristics of complications. There were 91 death cases in which different complications were developed, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (73/91), myocardial injury (31/91), liver injury (15/91), renal insufficiency (14/91), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) (14/91), and pneumothorax (1/91). Among these patients, 83 patients had at least one complication. However, one patient who died of recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding was not directly linked to COVID-19. The main complications of deceased patients with COVID-19 were ARDS, myocardial injury, liver injury, renal insufficiency, and MODS.

Chronic stimulation of the sigma-1 receptor ameliorates autonomic nerve dysfunction and atrial fibrillation susceptibility in a rat model of depression.

The present study aimed to assess the effect of sigma-1 receptor (S1R) stimulation on autonomic nerve dysfunction and susceptibility to atrial fibrillation (AF) in a rat depression model. Male rats were randomly divided into one of the following four treatment groups: saline [control (CTL)]; saline + intragastric administration of SA4503, an agonist of S1R (CTS); chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) to produce depression (MDD); and CUMS + intragastric administration of SA4503 (MDS). Depression-like behaviors, such as reduced sucrose preference, decreased body weight gain, and increased immobility time during forced swimming, improved in the MDS group after 4 wk of SA4503 treatment. Compared with rats in the CTL group, rats in the MDD group showed significantly augmented sympathetic activity, reduced parasympathetic activity, decreased heart rate variability, and lowered S1R expression in the atrium and hippocampus (all P < 0.01). However, rats in the MDS group showed mitigated aforementioned alterations and improved electrical remodeling compared with rats in the MDD group (all P < 0.01). Furthermore, rats in the MDS group showed shortened activation latencies, increased effective refractory periods, and lowered frequency of AF incidence duration and fibrosis compared with rats in the MDD group (all P < 0.01). The results indicate that S1R stimulation reduces sympathetic activity and susceptibility to AF by improving depressive behaviors, modulating cardiac autonomic nerve balance, lightening nerve remodeling, and upregulating S1R and ion channel protein expression. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Chronic stimulation of the sigma-1 receptor (S1R) ameliorates depression-induced autonomic nerve dysfunction by modulating the imbalance between overactivated sympathetic activity and decreased vagal activity. Chronic S1R stimulation alleviates atrial electrical remodeling, fibrosis, and susceptibility to atrial fibrillation (AF). The S1R agonist may target the underlying mechanisms related to AF occurrence. The results indicate that the S1R could be a potential clinical target for atrial arrhythmia, especially when it is combined with major depressive disorders.

Usefulness of Red Blood Cell Distribution Width to Predict Heart Failure Hospitalization in Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Red cell distribution width (RDW) has been associated with heart failure (HF) hospitalization in the general population, but the correlation to HF hospitalization in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is unclear.Ninety-eight HCM patients without a history of HF were enrolled and RDW was assessed as a predictor.During a 16.8 ± 9.0 month follow-up period, 17 subjects were hospitalized due to HF. HF hospitalization patients had higher RDW than non-HF patients (14.7 ± 1.4% versus 13.0 ± 0.9%, P < 0.001). The cut-off value of RDW for predicting HF hospitalization was 14% with a sensitivity of 83.2% and a specificity of 82.7%. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that brain natriuretic protein (BNP) (HR 1.028, 95% CI 1.011-1.045, P = 0.001) and RDW (HR 1.711, 95% CI 1.042-2.809, P = 0.034) were predictors of HF hospitalization.High RDW is an independent predictor of HF hospitalization and might be useful for predicting the prognosis in HCM patients.

Effect of lamotrigine on cognitive function and serum inflammatory factors in patients with depression of recurrent bipolar disorder.

In the present study, an effort was made to investigate the effect of lamotrigine on cognitive function and serum inflammatory factors in patients with depression of recurrent bipolar disorder and to explore its possible mechanism.140 patients with depression of recurrent bipolar disorder, admitted from June 2015 to April 2017, were selected as the research subjects, followed by random division into the research group and the control group with 70 cases (n=70) in each group. The control group was treated with sodium valproate and the research group was treated with lamotrigine. After 2 months of treatment, comparison was made between the two groups for the emotional state, cognitive function and serum inflammatory factors. Results showed that the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD) score and Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Rating Scale BRMS score in the research group were significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.05). The time of Trail Making Test-A(TMT-A) and Trail Making Test-B(TMT-B) in the research group was significantly shorter than that of the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The serum levels of MIF, IL-1ß and IL-6 in the research group were significantly lower than those in the control group and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Research concluded that lamotrigine may help alleviate the clinical symptoms and improve cognitive function in patients with depression of recurrent bipolar disorder.

The activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors downregulates transient outward potassium and L-type calcium currents in rat models of depression.

Major depression is an important clinical factor in ventricular arrhythmia. Patients diagnosed with major depression overexpress N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). Previous studies found that chronic NMDAR activation increases susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias. We aimed to explore the mechanisms by which NMDAR activation may increase susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias. Male rats were randomly assigned to either normal environments as control (CTL) group or 4 wk of chronic mild stress (CMS) to produce a major depression disorder (MDD) model group. After 4 wk of CMS, depression-like behaviors were measured in both groups. Varying doses (1-100 µM) of NMDA and 10 µM NMDA antagonist (MK-801) were perfused through ventricular myocytes isolated from MDD rats to measure the L-type calcium current (ICa-L) and transient outward potassium current (Ito). Structural remodeling was assessed using serial histopathology including Masson's trichrome dye. Electrophysiological characteristics were evaluated using Langendorff perfusion. Depression-like behaviors were observed in MDD rats. MDD rats showed longer action potential durations at 90% repolarization and higher susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias than CTL rats. MDD rats showed lower ICa-L and Ito current densities than CTL rats. Additionally, NMDA reduced both currents in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas there was no significant impact on the currents when perfused with MK-801. MDD rats exhibited significantly more fibrosis areas in heart tissue and reduced expression of Kv4.2, Kv4.3, and Cav1.2. We observed that acute NMDAR activation led to downregulation of potassium and L-type calcium currents in a rat model of depression, which may be the mechanism underlying ventricular arrhythmia promotion by depression.

Depression and Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death and Arrhythmias: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Depression is an independent risk factor for cardiac events and mortality in individuals with or without cardiovascular disease (CVD), although the underlying mechanisms involved in sudden cardiac death (SCD) and arrhythmias remain unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the relationship between depression and risk of SCD and arrhythmias. METHODS: We systematically searched MEDLINE, Elsevier, and PsycINFO databases for articles (January 1990 to June 2015) describing the correlation of depression ("depressive symptoms," "depression," or "depressive disorder") with SCD or arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation [VT/VF], or atrial fibrillation [AF]). Data were meta-analyzed with random-effects models. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies met the inclusion criteria: 4 of SCD (n = 83,659), 8 of VT/VF (n = 4,048), and 5 of AF (n = 31,247). The total sample consisted of 8,533 individuals with and 110,421 individuals without previous CVD. Depression was associated with increased risk of SCD (hazard risk [HR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37-1.92; p < .001), VT/VF (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.23-1.76; p < .001) and AF recurrence (HR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.54-2.30; p < .001). There was no significant association, however, between depression and risk of new-onset AF (HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.87-1.04; p = .311). CONCLUSIONS: Depression (clinical depression and depressive symptoms) is associated with increased risk of SCD, VT/VF, and AF recurrence. These findings suggest that arrhythmias play an important role in the association between depression and increased mortality in individuals with or without CVD. Systematic evaluation and treatment of depression may contribute to the prevention of lethal cardiac events in the general population and in high-risk individuals with CVD.

Activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors reduces heart rate variability and facilitates atrial fibrillation in rats.

AIMS: The goal of this study was to assess the effects of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors activation on heart rate variability (HRV) and susceptibility to atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Rats were randomized for treatment with saline, NMDA (agonist of NMDA receptors), or NMDA plus MK-801 (antagonist of NMDA receptors) for 2 weeks. Heart rate variability was evaluated by using implantable electrocardiogram telemeters. Atrial fibrillation susceptibility was assessed with programmed stimulation in isolated hearts. Compared with the controls, the NMDA-treated rats displayed a decrease in the standard deviation of normal RR intervals, the standard deviation of the average RR intervals, the mean of the 5-min standard deviations of RR intervals, the root mean square of successive differences, and high frequency (HF); and an increase in low frequency (LF) and LF/HF (all P< 0.01). Additionally, the NMDA-treated rats showed prolonged activation latency and reduced effective refractory period (all P< 0.01). Importantly, AF was induced in all NMDA-treated rats. While atrial fibrosis developed, connexin40 downgraded and metalloproteinase 9 upgraded in the NMDA-treated rats (all P< 0.01). Most of the above alterations were mitigated by co-administering with MK-801. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that NMDA receptors activation reduces HRV and enhances AF inducibility, with cardiac autonomic imbalance, atrial fibrosis, and degradation of gap junction protein identified as potential mechanistic contributors.

Photoelectric response properties under UV/red light irradiation of ZnO nanorod arrays coated with vertically aligned MoS2 nanosheets.

MoS2 with layered structure and distinct physical properties has attracted attention for electronic or optoelectronic devices. The photoelectric response properties of MoS2/ZnO heterojunctions based devices fabricated by spin-coating MoS2 nanosheets solutions on ZnO nanorod arrays (NRs) were investigated. The results revealed that MoS2 nanosheets were vertically aligned on the surface of ZnO NRs and the devices exhibit good photoresponse stability and reproducibility under UV and red light illuminations. The vertically aligned MoS2 nanosheets facilitate the fast photogenerated carrier separation and transport. The devices with few-layered MoS2 nanosheets show a high responsivity and detectivity under UV and red light illuminations, which can be attributed to small contact resistance between MoS2 nanosheets and ZnO NRs. These results provide important insights in the facile fabrication strategy and understanding electronic and optoelectronic devices based on the heterostructures with vertically aligned MoS2.

Efficacy of Ivabradine versus ß-Blockers for Heart Rate Reduction during Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the efficacy of pretreatment with ivabradine compared to ß-blockers before computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) via a meta-analysis of clinical randomized controlled trial data. METHODS: We conducted a search for randomized controlled trials of pretreatment with ivabradine compared to ß-blockers before CTCA in Medline, PubMed, Embase, SCI/SSCI/A&HCI, SAS Publishers, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register. The Jadad quality score of the included studies, and the mean difference (MD) in heart rate reduction, were indicators of efficacy. RevMan 5.2 and Stata 12.0 software were used for the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Eight studies involving a total of 1,324 patients were included in the final analysis. The results showed that ivabradine was significantly more effective at improving the heart rate of patients achieving the target heart rate (<65 bpm) during CTCA (OR 5.02; 95% CI 3.16-7.98, p < 0.00001, I2 = 20%). A comparison of efficacy between ivabradine and ß-blockers showed a statistically significant effect of ivabradine on heart rate reduction during CTCA (MD -4.39; 95% CI -4.80 to -3.99, p < 0.00001, I2 = 0%). Ivabradine also led to a significant reduction in heart rate prior to CTCA (MD -5.33; 95% CI -10.26 to -0.39, p = 0.03, I2 = 92%). In terms of the total reduction in heart rate during CTCA, significant differences were noted between the ivabradine group and the ß-blocker group (MD 2.64; 95% CI 1.25-4.02, p = 0.0002, I2 = 0%). The mean percentage reduction in heart rate in the ivabradine group was significantly higher than that in the ß-blocker group (MD 7.18; 95% CI 5.64-8.72, p < 0.00001, I2 = 43%). Ivabradine had no significant effect on either systolic blood pressure (BP) (MD 11.41; 95% CI 6.43-16.40, p < 0.00001, I2 = 85%) or diastolic BP (MD 1.79; 95% CI -0.00 to 3.58, p = 0.05, I2 = 56%). CONCLUSION: Compared to ß-blockers for heart rate reduction, ivabradine is a potentially attractive alternative for patients undergoing CTCA.

Chronic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation induces cardiac electrical remodeling and increases susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias.

BACKGROUND: N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptors, also known as NMDA Receptors or NMDAR, are glutamate receptors that control calcium ion channels and regulate synaptic plasticity. Acute NMDAR activation can induce ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). However, the influence of chronic NMDAR activation on cardiac electrophysiology remains unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: Wistar rats were randomly administered 0.9% saline (CTL group), NMDA (N group), or NMDA plus MK801 (N+M group) for 14 days. Compared with the CTL group, the N group displayed elevated heart rate and prolonged QT, QTc, and TpTe intervals in the electrocardiogram (P < 0.05 for all). Then, the S1 S2 , S1 S1 , and Burst pacing were performed to assess the characteristics of repolarization; threshold of action potential duration (APD) alternans; beat-to-beat variability of repolarization (BVR); and VAs susceptibility in the left ventricular. The prolonged APD at 90% repolarization (APD90 ); decreased ERP/APD90 ; increased dispersion of APD90 , ERP, and ERP/APD90 ; decreased threshold of APD alternans; increased BVR; and incidence of VAs were showed in the N group compared with those of the CTL group (P < 0.01 for all). Moreover, chronic NMDA administration reduced the expression of Kv4.2, Kv4.3, KChIP2, and Kv11.1 proteins, and induced mild myocardial interstitial fibrosis (P < 0.01 for all). Importantly, these alterations induced by NMDA were normalized by co-treatment with MK801. CONCLUSION: Chronic NMDAR activation prolonged repolarization, induced electrical instability, and facilitated VAs, which may be associated with reduced Ito and IKr and myocardial fibrosis.