Rhodium-Catalyzed Tandem Asymmetric Allylic Decarboxylative Addition and Cyclization of Vinylethylene Carbonates with N-Nosylimines.

A enantioselective tandem transformation, concerning asymmetric allylic decarboxylative addition and cyclization of N-nosylimines with vinylethylene carbonates (VECs), in the presence of [Rh(C2H4)2Cl]2, chiral sulfoxide-N-olefin tridentate ligand has been developed. The reaction of VECs with various substituted N-nosylimines proceeded smoothly under mild conditions, providing highly functionalized oxazolidine frameworks in good to high yields with good to excellent enantioselectivity.

Percutaneous valved stent implantation in the ascending aorta for the treatment of very high-risk aortic regurgitation: an animal study.

PURPOSE: We investigated the effects of percutaneous valved stent implantation in the ascending aorta as an alternative treatment for aortic regurgitation in a canine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 16 healthy dogs weighing an average of 18.3 ± 2.1 kg were used for the establishment of animal models of chronic aortic regurgitation by percutaneous aortic valve perforation and balloon dilation. At 2 mo after successful model establishment, all experimental animals underwent valved stent implantation in the ascending aorta and then were followed up for 3 mo. RESULTS: Experimental models of chronic aortic regurgitation were successfully established in 10 dogs. Surviving dogs underwent successful valved stent implantation in the ascending aorta and were subsequently followed up for 3 mo. The level of instantaneous aortic regurgitation at 3-mo follow-up was significantly reduced compared with that before valved stent implantation (2.4 ± 0.9 versus 10.6 ± 2.1 mL/s, P < 0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly increased (53.8 ± 4.2% versus 37.8 ± 3.7%, P < 0.05), and the left ventricular end-diastolic volume was also significantly reduced (30.3 ± 2.2 versus 40.1 ± 3.6 mL, P < 0.05). No paravalvular leak, stroke, atrioventricular block, or other complications occurred in dogs undergoing valved stent implantation. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous valved stent implantation in the ascending aorta is feasible, effective, and safe as an alternative treatment for very high-risk aortic regurgitation in a canine model.

[Effects of Different Fertilization Patterns on Nitrogen Leaching Loss from Paddy Fields Under Reduced Nitrogen].

Nitrogen leaching loss in paddy fields is one of the main ways of farmland non-point source pollution. To explore the suitable fertilization of rice fields in the Erhai Lake Basin and reduce the nitrogen loss from paddy fields, a field experiment was conducted by setting single applications of chemical or organic fertilizer, combined organic and inorganic application, and single application of controlled release fertilizer under reduced nitrogen conditions. The results showed that, compared with the conventional fertilization treatment(CF), there was no significant difference in rice grain and straw yield between the single chemical fertilizer treatment(T1) and the organic-inorganic combined treatment(T3); the single organic fertilizer treatment(T2) decreased the rice grain yield by 13.0%, and decreased straw yield by 17.1%; single application of controlled-release fertilizer(T4) increased rice grain and straw yield by 15.7% and 21.0%, respectively. Further, compared with CF, the single application of chemical fertilizer(T1), organic fertilizer(T2), and organic-inorganic combined application(T3) reduced the total nitrogen leaching loss at 30 cm depths by 26.9%, 18.0%, and 33.9%, respectively. The loss of ammonia nitrogen leaching with T1, T2, and T3 decreased by 24.4%, 36.9%, and 36.6%, respectively, and the loss of nitrate nitrogen leaching decreased by 40.2%, 4.8% and 46.4%. The total nitrogen leaching at 60 cm soil depths was reduced by 34.2%, 26.3%, and 42.1%, the loss of ammonia nitrogen leaching was reduced by 31.4%, 35.7%, and 46.6%, and the loss of nitrate nitrogen leaching was reduced by 8.0%, 10.1%, and 23.9% for T1, T2, and T3, respectively. The total nitrogen loss at 30 and 60 cm depths increased by 41.6% and 14.0% in the single application of controlled release fertilizer(T4) treatment. Considering factors such as agronomic and environmental benefits of different fertilization modes, T1 and T3 are suitable environmentally friendly alternative fertilization modes.

[Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement in sheep: 6-month evaluation of self-expanding valved stents].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement in sheep up to 6 months post procedure. METHODS: Fresh sheep pericardium treated with a 0.6% glutaraldehyde solution for 36 hours was sutured to a valvular ring and then fixed onto a newly designed nitinol self-expandable stent. Thoracotomy was performed in sheep (23.5 +/- 3.1) kg under general anesthesia and the device was delivered into the native pulmonary valve of the sheep via the anterior wall of right ventricle by catheter and fooled for 6 months. RESULTS: One sheep died 4 months after the procedure due to in-stent thrombosis. Another 4 animals survived the 6-month observing period. Angiographic and hemodynamic measurements confirmed good positioning and function of the stents with a competent valve immediately post procedure and 6 months post the procedure in surviving animals. CONCLUSION: Implantation of the nitinol self-expandable stent in the pulmonary valve position by a transcatheter approach is feasible and good function of transcatheter implanted memory nitinol valved stents was shown after 6 months of implantation in sheep.

Derivation of Porcine Embryonic Stem-Like Cells from In Vitro-Produced Blastocyst-Stage Embryos.

Efficient isolation of embryonic stem (ES) cells from pre-implantation porcine embryos has remained a challenge. Here, we describe the derivation of porcine embryonic stem-like cells (pESLCs) by seeding the isolated inner cell mass (ICM) from in vitro-produced porcine blastocyst into α-MEM with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The pESL cells kept the normal karyotype and displayed flatten clones, similar in phenotype to human embryonic stem cells (hES cells) and rodent epiblast stem cells. These cells exhibited alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and expressed pluripotency markers such as OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60, and TRA-1-81 as determined by both immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. Additionally, these cells formed embryoid body (EB), teratomas and also differentiated into 3 germ layers in vitro and in vivo. Microarray analysis showed the expression of the pluripotency markers, PODXL, REX1, SOX2, KLF5 and NR6A1, was significantly higher compared with porcine embryonic fibroblasts (PEF), but expression of OCT4, TBX3, REX1, LIN28A and DPPA5, was lower compared to the whole blastocysts or ICM of blastocyst. Our results showed that porcine embryonic stem-like cells can be established from in vitro-produced blastocyst-stage embryos, which promote porcine naive ES cells to be established.

Pan-nitinol occluder and special delivery device for closure of patent ductus arteriosus: a canine-model feasibility study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a new type of occluder for patent ductus arteriosus. Patent ductus arteriosus was established in a canine model by anastomosing a length of autologous jugular vein to the descending aorta and the left pulmonary artery in an end-to-side fashion. Transcatheter closure of each patent ductus arteriosus was performed on 10 dogs, which were then monitored for as long as 6 months with aortography, echocardiography, and histologic evaluation. Transcatheter closure with use of the novel pan-nitinol device was successful in all canine models. Postoperative echocardiography showed that the location and shape of the occluders were normal, without any residual shunting. Further histologic evaluation confirmed that the occluder surface was completely endothelialized 3 months after implantation. Transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus closure with the pan-nitinol occluder can be performed safely and successfully in a canine model and shows good biological compatibility and low mortality rates.

Eighteen-month outcome of pulmonary valve stent implantation by direct right ventricle puncture: an animal study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of pulmonary valve implantation via direct right ventricle puncture. METHODS: A standard thoracotomy and direct right ventricle puncture were performed in 8 healthy sheep to implant the pulmonary valve stents. Animals were followed up for 18 months. RESULTS: Three sheep died within the first 4 months after stent placement. The remaining 5 animals survived. After 18 months, examinations by color echocardiography, 64-slice computed tomography scan, and cardiac catheter showed an ideal position of each stent. The function of the pulmonary valves and hearts was not different compared with the preoperative conditions of the sheep. Anatomic examination revealed that the stent was covered by a layer of endothelial tissue with no stent fracture or valvular calcification. The histologic evaluation of the stent and surrounding tissue showed that the surface of the stent was smooth and covered by a complete layer of endothelial cells without obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells. The vascular wall was integrative without tear phenomenon in each layer of tissue. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that pulmonary valve stents can be implanted via direct right ventricle puncture. Further studies evaluating xenograft valve material and the effect of implantation in vivo are needed.

Use of a novel valve stent for transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement: an animal study.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate valvular functionality after transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement in sheep using a novel pulmonary valve stent. METHODS: Fresh porcine pericardium cross-linked with 0.6% glutaraldehyde was treated with L-glutamine to eliminate glutaraldehyde toxicity and sutured onto a valve ring before mounting on a nitinol stent to construct the pulmonary valve stent. Percutaneous femoral vein transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement was performed with the newly constructed valve stent. Pulmonary valve stents were implanted in 10 healthy sheep (6 males and 4 females) weighing an average of 25.7 +/- 4.1 kg. Color Doppler echocardiography, 64-row computed tomography, and direct catheter examination were used to assess valvular function. RESULTS: Implantation was successful in 8 sheep. Shortly after surgery, all artificial valve stents exhibited normal open and close functionality and no stenosis or insufficiency. Heart rate was slightly elevated at this time, while all other hemodynamic parameters were normal. Six-month follow-up revealed no evidence of valve stent dislocation and normal valvular and cardiac functionality. There was no evidence of stent fracture. Repeated valve stent implantation was well tolerated as indicated by good valvular functionality 2 months postdelivery. CONCLUSION: The novel pulmonary valve stent described herein can be delivered via percutaneous femoral vein transcatheter implantation and is highly efficacious at 6 months postdelivery. Furthermore, repeated valve stent replacement was successful.

Percutaneous aortic valve replacement using a W-model valved stent: a preliminary feasibility study in sheep.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous aortic valve replacement is a promising strategy in the treatment of patients with aortic valve stenosis. And many kinds of valved stents have been implanted in selected patients worldwide. However, the clinical experience is still limited. We developed a W-model valved stent and evaluated the feasibility and safety of percutaneous implantation of the device in the native aortic valve position. METHODS: A self expanding nitinol stent with W-model, containing porcine pericardium valves in its proximal part, was implanted in six sheep by means of a 14 French catheter through the right common iliac artery under guidance of fluoroscopy. During stent deployment the original aortic valve was pushed against the aortic wall by the self expanding force of the stent while the new valve was expanded. These sheep were followed up shortly after procedure with supra-aortic angiogram and left ventriculography. Additionally, one sheep was sacrificed after the procedure for anatomic evaluation. RESULTS: It was possible to replace the aortic valve in the beating heart in four sheep. The procedure failed in two sheep due to coronary orifice occlusion in one case and severe aortic valve regurgitation in the other case. One sheep was killed one hour after percutaneous aortic valve replacement for anatomic evaluation. There were no signs of damage of the aortic intima, or of obstruction of the coronary orifice. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous aortic valve replacement with a W-model valved stent in the beating heart is possible. Further studies are mandatory to assess safety and efficacy of this kind of valved stent in larger sample size and by longer follow-up period.