Boron deficiency decreased the root activity of Ga-exposed rice seedlings by reducing iron accumulation and increasing Ga in iron plaque.

Gallium (Ga) is an emerging chemical pollutant chiefly associated with high-tech industries. Boron (B) alleviates the negative effects of toxic elements on plant growth. Thereby, the effects of B fertilization on Ga toxicity in rice seedlings was studied to clarify the role of iron plaque in the distribution of Ga, Fe, and B in Ga-treated rice seedlings in the presence or absence of B. Gallium exposure significantly reduced the biomass of rice seedlings. Boron deficiency induced a significant change in the distribution of B in Ga-treated rice seedlings compared with "Ga+B" treatments. Accumulation of Ga in roots, dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate (DCB) extracts, and shoots showed a dose-dependent manner from both +B and -B rice seedlings. Boron nutrition levels affect the distribution of Fe in roots, DCB extracts, and shoots, in which DCB-extractable Fe was significantly decreased from "Ga-B" treatments compared with "Ga+B" treatments. Root activity was significantly decreased in both Ga-exposed rice seedlings; however, B-deficient seedlings showed a severe reduction than +B rice seedlings. These results reveal that Fe plaque might be a temporary sink for B accumulation when plants are grown with proper B, wherein the re-utilization of DCB-extractable B stored in Fe plaque is mandatory for plant growth under B deficiency. Correlation analysis revealed that B deficiency decreased the root activity of Ga-exposed rice seedlings by reducing DCB-extractable Fe and increasing DCB-extractable Ga in Fe plaque. This study enhances our understanding of how B nutritional levels affect Ga toxicity in rice plants.

Degradation of o-dichlorobenzene by DBD-NTP co-modified titanium gel catalyst.

In order to study the degradation process of dioxins in industrial flue gas, the decomposition of o-dichlorobenzene (o-DCB) in a DBD plasma catalytic reactor was investigated. The results showed that an NTP-catalyzed system, especially using the CuMnTiOx catalyst, had better o-DCB degradation performance compared to plasma alone. The combination of the CuMnTiOx catalyst with NTP can achieve a degradation efficiency of up to 97.2% for o-DCB; the selectivity of CO and CO2 and the carbon balance were 40%, 45%, and 85%, respectively. The dielectric constant and electrical property results indicated that the surface discharge capacity of the catalysts played a major role in the degradation of o-DCB, and a higher dielectric constant could suppress the plasma expansion and enhance the duration of the plasma discharge per discharge cycle. According to the O1s XPS and O2-TPD results, the conversion of CO to CO2 follows the M-v-K mechanism; thus, the active species on the catalyst surface play an important role. Moreover, the CuMnTiOx and NTP mixed system exhibited excellent stability, which is probably because Cu doping improved the lifetime of the catalyst. This work can provide an experimental and theoretical basis for research in the degradation of o-DCB by plasma catalyst systems.

N-terminal domain of ARF-GEF GNOM prevents heterodimerization with functionally divergent GNL1 in Arabidopsis.

Evolutionary change following gene duplication can lead to functionally divergent paralogous proteins. If comprising identical subunits their random assortment would also form potentially detrimental heteromeric proteins. In Arabidopsis, the ARF GTPase guanine-nucleotide exchange factor GNOM is essential for polar recycling of auxin-efflux transporter PIN1 from endosomes to the basal plasma membrane whereas its paralog GNL1 mediates retrograde Golgi-endoplasmic reticulum traffic. Here we show that both GNOM and GNL1 form homodimers but no heterodimers. To assess the biological significance of this, we generated transgenic plants expressing engineered heterodimer-compatible GNOM variants. Those plants showed developmental defects such as the failure to produce lateral roots. To identify mechanisms underlying heterodimer prevention, we analyzed interactions of the N-terminal dimerization and cyclophilin-binding (DCB) domain. Each DCB domain interacted with the complementary fragment (ΔDCB) both of their own and of the paralogous protein. However, only DCBGNOM interacted with itself whereas DCBGNL1 failed to interact with itself and with DCBGNOM . GNOM variants in which the DCB domain was removed or replaced by DCBGNL1 revealed a role for DCB-DCB interaction in the prevention of GNOM-GNL1 heterodimers whereas DCB-ΔDCB interaction was essential for dimer formation and GNOM function. Our data suggest a model of early DCB-DCB interaction that facilitates GNOM homodimer formation, indirectly precluding formation of detrimental heterodimers.

Comparing the impact of the loss of patency between treatment with drug-coated balloon angioplasty and drug-eluting stent placement.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of endovascular treatment with drug-eluting stents (DES) and drug-coated balloons (DCB) in atherosclerotic lesions in the femoropopliteal artery, as well as to assess restenotic patterns. METHODS: Clinical data from 617 cases treated with DES or DCB for femoropopliteal diseases were analyzed in this multicenter, retrospective cohort study. From these, 290 DES and 145 DCB cases were extracted by propensity score matching. Outcomes investigated were 1- and 2-year primary patency, reintervention, and restenotic pattern and its impact on symptoms in each group. RESULTS: The primary patency rates at 1 and 2 years in the DES group were superior to those in the DCB group (84.8% and 71.1% vs 81.3% and 66.6%, P = .043), whereas there was no significant difference in freedom from target lesion revascularization (91.6% and 82.6% vs 88.3% and 78.8%, P = .13). Compared with what was measured before the index procedures, exacerbated symptoms, rate of occlusion, and an increase in the occluded length at loss of patency were more frequent in the DES group than in the DCB group. The odds ratios were 3.53 (95% confidence interval, 1.31-9.49; P = .012), 3.61 (1.09-11.9; P = .036), and 3.82 (1.15-12.7; P = .029), respectively. On the other hand, the frequency of an increase in lesion length and requirement of target lesion revascularization were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Primary patency was significantly higher at 1 and 2 years in the DES than in the DCB group. However, DES were associated with exacerbated clinical symptoms and complicated lesion characteristics at the point of loss of patency.

The evolution and revolution of drug coated balloons in coronary angioplasty: An up-to-date review of literature data.

European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines gave class I A indication for use of DCB in in-stent restenosis. However, no indication exists for the usage of DCB in de novo lesions. Although the current generation DES offer excellent results, as we embark more complex lesions such as calcified lesion and chronic total occlusion, restenosis and stent thrombosis are higher and tend to increase within the years. There is increasing desire to leave nothing behind to abolish the risk of restenosis and stent thrombosis and hence the absorbable scaffolds were introduced, but with disappointing results. In addition, they take several years to be absorbed. Drug coated balloons offer an alternative to stents with no permanent implant of metal or polymer. They are already in use in in Europe and Asia and they have been approved for the first time in the United States for clinical trials specifically for restenotic lesions. There is emerging data in de novo lesions which have shown that DCB are noninferior and in some studies maybe even superior to current generation DES especially in small vessels. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the literature on this expanding technology focussing on the evidence in both re-stenotic and de novo lesions.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Atherectomy Plus Balloon Angioplasty Versus Balloon Angioplasty Alone for Infrapopliteal Arterial Disease.

OBJECTIVE: The article aimed to compare the efficiency and safety of atherectomy plus balloon angioplasty (BA) with BA alone for the treatment of infrapopliteal arterial disease. METHODS: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library database were searched for studies comparing atherectomy plus angioplasty and angioplasty alone in treating infrapopliteal artery lesions until November 2022. The endpoints included technical success, primary patency, clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR), periprocedural complications, distal embolization, target limb major amputation, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Ten studies met the requirements of our meta-analysis, including 7723 patients in the atherectomy plus BA group and 2299 patients in the BA alone group. The meta-analysis showed that atherectomy plus BA was associated with reduced CD-TLR (odds ratio [OR]: 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34, 0.78, p=0.002) and target limb major amputation (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.19, 1.01, p=0.05) at 12-month follow-up. No statistically significant difference was found in technical success, primary patency, periprocedural complications, distal embolization, or all-cause mortality. Subgroup analysis found a higher rate of primary patency at 6 and 12 months (6 months: OR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.11, 4.60, p=0.02; 12 months: OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.16, 4.86, p=0.02), and lower rates of CD-TLR (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.25, 0.82, p=0.009) and target limb major amputation (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.19, 1.01, p=0.05) at 12 months in patients treated with atherectomy plus drug-coated balloon (DCB) but not in patients treated with atherectomy plus plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that compared with BA alone, atherectomy plus BA may reduce the need for CD-TLR and the incidence of target limb major amputation at 12-month follow-up in the treatment of infrapopliteal artery occlusive lesions, even though there are no significant advantages in technical success, primary patency, periprocedural complications, distal embolization, or all-cause mortality. To go further, atherectomy plus DCB shows significant benefits in primary patency, CD-TLR, and target limb major amputation rate but atherectomy plus POBA does not'. However, due to the limitations of this article, more randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to confirm these conclusions. CLINICAL IMPACT: According to our research, atherectomy combined with BA has the advantages of higher primary patency rate, lower CD-TLR and target limb significant amputation rate in treating infrapopliteal artery occlusive lesions, which may replace the current mainstream surgical method ---BA alone. For the clinician, although the surgery may take longer, it will significantly improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients and hold considerable significance for the management of patients with infrapopliteal arterial disease. Based on the characteristics of infrapopliteal artery disease, this study explored the feasibility of atherectomy combined with BA for infrapopliteal artery disease. Moreover, we found that atherectomy combined with DCB had better clinical efficacy, which should be the innovation of this study.

Intravascular Lithotripsy and Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty for Severely Calcified Femoropopliteal Arterial Disease.

INTRODUCTION: The combination of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) and drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty for calcified peripheral lesions is associated with promising short-term results. However, data regarding the 12 months performance of this treatment option is missing. This study reports on the outcomes of IVL and DCB angioplasty for calcified femoropopliteal disease. METHODS: Patients treated with IVL and DCB for calcified femoropopliteal lesions between February 2017 and September 2020 were included into this study. The primary outcome measure of this analysis was primary patency. Secondary patency, freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR) and overall mortality were additionally analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty-five (n = 55) patients and 71 lesions were analyzed. Most patients presented with long-term limb-threatening ischemia (n = 31, 56%), 47% (n = 26) were diabetics, and 66% (n = 36) had long-term kidney disease. The median lesion length was 77 mm (interquartile range: 45-136), and 20% (n = 14) of the lesions were chronic total occlusions (CTOs). Eccentric calcification was found in 23% of the vessels (n = 16), and circumferential calcium (peripheral arterial calcium scoring system [PACSS] Class 3 and 4) was present in 78% (n = 55) of the treated lesions.The technical success after IVL amounted to 87% (n = 62) and the procedural success to 97% (n = 69). A flow-limiting dissection was observed in 2 cases (3%). Both the rates of target lesion perforation and distal embolization were 1% (n = 1). A bail-out scaffold was deployed in 5 lesions (7%). At 12 months the Kaplan-Meier estimate of primary patency was 81%, the freedom from TLR was 92% and the secondary patency 98%. The overall survival amounted to 89%, while the freedom from major amputation to 98%. The presence of eccentric disease, CTOs, or PACSS Class 4 did not increase the risk for loss of patency or TLR. CONCLUSIONS: In this challenging cohort of patients, the use of IVL and DCB for calcified femoropopliteal lesions was associated with promising 12 months outcomes and an excellent safety profile.

Drug-coated balloons versus drug-eluting stents in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: an updated meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.

BACKGROUND: Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) are an established strategy for coronary artery disease. However, the new generation drug-eluting stent (DES) is recommended for patients with Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) for coronary artery revascularization. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive appraisal of the efficacy of DCBs in patients with AMI undergoing PCI. METHODS: We searched the WOS, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL till March 2023, for studies that compared DCBs versus DES in patients with AMI undergoing PCI. We used a random-effects model to compare major adverse cardiac events (MACE), cardiac death, all-cause death, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization (TLR), stent thrombosis, Late lumen Loss (LLL), and minimum lumen diameter (MLD) between the two groups. RESULTS: Thirteen studies comprising 2644 patients were included. The pooled OR showed non-inferiority of DCB over DES in terms of MACE (OR = 0.89, 95% CI [0.57 to 1.40], p = 0.63). When we defined MACE as a composite of cardiac death, MI, and TLR; the pooled OR favored DCB over DES (OR = 0.50, 95% CI [0.28 to 0.9], p = 0.02). Moreover, DCB was not inferior to DES in terms of all-cause mortality (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.43 to 1.8, p = 0.73), cardiac mortality, (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.22 to 1.56, p = 0.29), MI (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.34 to 2.29, p = 0.79), stent thrombosis (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.35 to 4.23, p = 0.76), TLR (OR = 0.9, 95% CI: 0.43 to 1.93, p = 0.8), LLL (MD = -0.6, 95% CI: -0.3 to 0.19, p = 0.64), or MLD (MD = -0.4, 95% CI: -0.33 to 0.25, p = 0.76). CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis indicated that DCB intervention was not inferior to DES in the PCI setting in patients with AMI, and can be recommended as a feasible strategy in AMI. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD42023412757.

Assessment of tolerance limits of petroleum residues in soil organic matter: sorption of dichlorobenzene by soil.

Soil organic matter can protect plants and microorganisms from toxic substances. Beyond the tolerance limit, the toxicity of petroleum pollution to soil organisms may increase rapidly with the increase of petroleum content. However, the method for evaluating the petroleum tolerance limit of soil organic matter (SOM) is still lacking. In this study, the petroleum saturation limit in SOM was first evaluated by the sorption coefficient (Kd) of 1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB) from water to soils containing different petroleum levels. The sorption isotherm of dichlorobenzene in several petroleum-contaminated soils with different organic matter content and the microbial toxicity test of several petroleum-contaminated soils were determined. It is found that when the petroleum content is about 5% of the soil organic matter content, the sorption of petroleum to organic matter reached saturation limit. When organic matter reaches petroleum saturation limit, the sorption coefficient of DCB by soil particles increased linearly with the increase of petroleum content (R2 > 0.991). The results provided important insights into the understanding the fate of petroleum pollutants in soil and the analysis of soil toxicity.

DCBs as an adjuvant tool to DES for very complex coronary lesions.

Drug eluting stents (DES) have revolutionised interventional cardiology and currently represent the standard for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). However, due to several limitations, new strategies are required, especially in very complex lesions. Drug-coated balloons (DCB) offer an attractive therapeutic alternative, and have already obtained a Class I recommendation for the treatment of in stent restenosis (ISR) with Level A of evidence. Moreover, the role of DCB has been tested in several other settings, such as de novo large vessel disease, multivessel disease or very complex lesions, with promising results regarding safety and effectiveness. In this context, a hybrid strategy consisting in the use of a DES and DCB with the aim of reducing the amount of metal implanted and minimising the risk of ISR and stent thrombosis could become the solution for very complex lesions. Several important studies already demonstrated very good angiographic results in terms of late lumen loss and restenosis for this approach in bifurcation lesions. Moreover, for long diffuse coronary disease similar rates of MACE, TVR, and TLR at 2-year follow-up in comparison to a DES-alone strategy were found. What is more, the use of this strategy in high-bleeding risk patients could safely permit the practitioners to reduce the DAPT duration, as data is suggesting. As our daily practice already strongly incorporated this strategy and with more data expected from important trials, it is our strong believe that the hybrid approach can become a standard treatment choice in the near future.

Orbital Atherectomy Prior to Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty in Calcified Infrapopliteal Lesions: A Randomized, Multicenter Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: Optimal balloon angioplasty for infrapopliteal lesions is often limited by severe calcification, which has been associated with decreased procedural success and lower long-term patency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, multicenter pilot trial that included adult subjects with calcified lesions located from the popliteal segment below the knee (BTK) joint to within 5 cm above the ankle with ≥70% diameter stenosis by angiography. Patients were randomized 1:1 to undergo orbital atherectomy (OA) with adjunctive drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty versus plain balloon angioplasty (BA) and DCB angioplasty (control). The periprocedural and 12 month outcomes of both procedures were compared. RESULTS: Overall, 66 subjects (OA + DCB = 32 vs control = 34) were included in an intention to treat analysis. Baseline demographics and lesion characteristics were well-balanced. The mean lesion length was 101.3 mm (SD = 72.8 mm) and 78.8 (SD = 61.0 mm) in the OA + DCB and control groups, respectively, with almost all lesions having severe calcification per the Peripheral Academic Research Consortium (PARC) criteria. Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) were present in 43.8% and 35.3% of the patients in the OA + DCB and control groups, respectively. The technical success of OA + DCB versus DCB was 81.8% and 89.2%, respectively, with 3 slow flow/no reflow, 1 perforation, 1 severe dissection occurred in OA + DCB group, and one distal embolization occurred in the control group. The target lesion primary patency rate was numerically higher in the OA + DCB versus control group at 6 (88.2% vs 50.0%, p=0.065) and 12 month follow-up (88.2% vs 54.5%, p=0.076). The 12 month freedom from major adverse events, clinically-driven target lesion revascularization, major amputation, and all-cause mortality rates were similar between both groups. CONCLUSION: The results of the Orbital Vessel PreparaTIon to MaximIZe Dcb Efficacy in Calcified BTK (OPTIMIZE BTK) pilot study indicated that utilization of OA + DCB is safe for infrapopliteal disease. Further prospective adequately powered studies should investigate the potential benefit of combined OA + DCB for BTK lesions.

The RANGER II superficial femoral artery trial: 1-year results of the long lesion cohort.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the RANGER II SFA long lesion cohort analysis was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Ranger drug-coated balloon (DCB) in patients with lesion lengths greater than 100 mm. METHODS: Patients from the RANGER II SFA randomized controlled trial and long balloon sub-study were included in the long lesion cohort if their baseline lesion measurement was > 100 mm and if they had been treated with a RANGER DCB. Patients had symptomatic lower limb peripheral artery disease and Rutherford classification 2-4 symptomatology. The endpoints of interest included the 12-month target lesion primary patency and freedom from major adverse events (MAEs).Additional patient outcomes including changes in Rutherford classification were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 129 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the long lesion cohort. Mean lesion length was 144.5 ± 31.7 mm. Seventy-five lesions had Peripheral Arterial Calcium Scoring System (PACSS) grades 3 (33.3%, 43/129) and 4 (24.8%, 32/129). The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the primary patency rate at 12 months was 88.0%. The rate of freedom from MAEs at 12 months was 95.1% (117/123; 95% CI: 89.7%, 98.2%); all MAEs were clinically driven target lesion revascularization (4.9%, 6/123). The 12-month mortality rate was 2.4% (3/125). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with lesions > 100 mm treated with Ranger DCBs demonstrated excellent 1-year safety and efficacy results, comparable to those of the overall RANGER II SFA randomized clinical trial. This suggests that the Ranger DCB can provide consistent results regardless of lesion length. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03064126).

Efficacy and Safety of Paclitaxel-Coated Balloon Angioplasty for Dysfunctional Arteriovenous Fistulas: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have illustrated the potential superiority of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) in maintaining patency after initial angioplasty for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) dysfunction due to stenosis. Our trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of DCBs for preventing fistula restenosis in Chinese hemodialysis patients. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end point, controlled trial. SETTINGS & PARTICIPANTS: A total of 161 hemodialysis patients with fistula dysfunction from 10 centers in China. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized 1:1 to treatment with initial dilation followed by DCB angioplasty or conventional high-pressure balloon (HPB) angioplasty. OUTCOMES: The primary end point was target lesion primary patency defined as the target lesion intervention-free survival in conjunction with an ultrasonography-measured peak systolic velocity ratio (PSVR) ≤2.0 at 6 months. The secondary end points included 1) device, technical, clinical, and procedural success; 2) major adverse events; 3) degree of target lesion stenosis at 6 months; and 4) clinically driven target lesion and target shunt revascularization within 12 months. RESULTS: The percentage with target lesion primary patency as defined by a PSVR ≤2.0 was higher in the DCB group than in the control group (65% vs 37%, respectively; rate difference, 28% [95% CI, 13%-43%]; P <0.001) at 6 months. The target lesion and target shunt intervention-free survival of the DCB group were not superior to those of the control group at 6 months (P = 0.3 and P = 0.2, respectively) but were superior at 12 months (target lesion intervention-free survival: 73% for DCB vs 58% for control [P = 0.04]; target shunt intervention-free survival: 73% for DCB vs 57% for control [P = 0.04]). The average degree of target lesion stenoses at 6 months was not significantly different between the 2 groups (44% ± 16% for DCB vs 49% ± 18% for control; P = 0.09). There were no significant differences in major adverse events or in device, technical, clinical, or procedural success rates between the groups. LIMITATIONS: Small sample size; short follow-up period; procedural differences between the 2 groups such as unequal inflation times and balloon lengths. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to conventional HPB angioplasty, DCB treatment achieved superior primary patency defined using PSVR measured at 6 months and superior intervention-free survival of both the target lesion and the target shunt at 12 months without evidence of greater adverse events. FUNDING: Funded by ZhuHai Cardionovum Medical Device Co., Ltd. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with study number NCT02962141.

Should paclitaxel be considered an old generation DCB? The limus era.

Since their introduction Drug Coated Balloons (DCBs) have slowly gained their spot into everyday cath-lab practice, first for treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR), more recently for small vessels disease; today a growing body of evidence start supporting their use in more complex lesions, from bifurcations, to large vessels, to acute lesions. Although the new generation of DCBs showed a better performance and safety than the older one, the drug of choice has always been the Paclitaxel; last year some concerns were raised on the safety of Paclitaxel devices, in particular the balloons mining their use. Recently Sirolimus ventured in the DCBs world, making its appearance on cath-lab shelves and becoming a good alternative to Paclitaxel (DCB).

Optical coherence tomography analysis of late lumen enlargement after paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty for de-novo coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty for de-novo coronary artery lesions causes late lumen enlargement (LLE), however, the mechanisms and predictors of LLE have not been elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively analyzed 91 consecutive patients with 95 de-novo coronary lesions, who underwent paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty without stenting from August 2018 to July 2019 as well as follow-up coronary angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The mean follow-up duration was 8.2 ± 2.9 months. The target lesion revascularization rate was 7.3%. OCT demonstrated LLE in 50.5% of lesions. The lesions with LLE had a higher incidence of vessel enlargement (76.6 vs. 29.2%, p < .01), regression of plaque or dissection flap (55.3 vs. 10.4%, p < 0.01; 40.4 vs. 14.6%, p < .01, respectively), and reattachment and healing of dissection flaps (74.5 vs. 27.1%, p < .01) compared with those without LLE. Preprocedure thick-cap fibroatheroma plaques and postprocedure deep dissection reaching the tunica media were positive predictors of LLE (hazard ratio, HR 3.74 [1.93-7.25], p < .001; HR 2.04 [1.02-4.05], p < .05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: OCT analysis after paclitaxel-coated balloon treatment of de-novo coronary artery lesions revealed that the mechanism of LLE was associated with vessel enlargement, healing of dissection flaps, and regression of plaque or dissection flap. Preprocedure thick-cap fibroatheroma plaques and postprocedure deep dissection reaching the tunica media on OCT were predictors of LLE.

Drug-coated balloon versus drug-eluting stent for treating de novo coronary lesions in large vessels: a meta-analysis of clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Studies examining the efficiency of drug-coated balloon (DCB) compared to drug-eluting stents (DES) for de novo lesions in large vessels have reported inconsistent results. OBJECTIVE: This comprehensive meta-analysis of clinical trials compared the efficacy and safety of DCB and DES for the treatment of de novo coronary lesions. METHODS: The authors formally searched electronic databases before October 2019 to identify randomized and non-randomized clinical trials (RCTs and non-RCTs, respectively). Clinical trials were eligible for inclusion if they compared DCB with DES in patients with coronary lumen diameters >2.5 mm. RESULTS: Three RCTs and one non-RCT with a total of 321 patients were included in our meta-analysis (DCB group = 152, DES group = 169). The primary endpoint was in-segment late lumen loss (LLL) with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of -0.07 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.31, 0.316; P = 0.548) and the secondary endpoint was target lesion revascularization (TLR) with a risk ratio (RR) of 1.17 (95% CI: 0.46, 2.95; P = 0.746). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis indicated that DCB might be non-inferior to DES as evidenced by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) assessed at 6-9 months after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients presenting with coronary artery disease.

Estimation and Analysis of GNSS Differential Code Biases (DCBs) Using a Multi-Spacing Software Receiver.

In the use of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) to monitor ionosphere variations by estimating total electron content (TEC), differential code biases (DCBs) in GNSS measurements are a primary source of errors. Satellite DCBs are currently estimated and broadcast to users by International GNSS Service (IGS) using a network of GNSS hardware receivers which are inside structure fixed. We propose an approach for satellite DCB estimation using a multi-spacing GNSS software receiver to analyze the influence of the correlator spacing on satellite DCB estimates and estimate satellite DCBs based on different correlator spacing observations from the software receiver. This software receiver-based approach is called multi-spacing DCB (MSDCB) estimation. In the software receiver approach, GNSS observations with different correlator spacings from intermediate frequency datasets can be generated. Since each correlator spacing allows the software receiver to output observations like a local GNSS receiver station, GNSS observations from different correlator spacings constitute a network of GNSS receivers, which makes it possible to use a single software receiver to estimate satellite DCBs. By comparing the MSDCBs to the IGS DCB products, the results show that the proposed correlator spacing flexible software receiver is able to predict satellite DCBs with increased flexibility and cost-effectiveness than the current hardware receiver-based DCB estimation approach.

Fe-Mn Plaque Formation Mechanism Underlying the Inhibition of Cadmium Absorption by Rice Under Oxygation Conditions.

Oxygation (O) is a water-saving and energy-saving irrigation method that can also influence the absorption of cadmium (Cd) by rice, but the related mechanism is still unclear. In this study, the relationship between O method and Fe-Mn plaque formation was tested through pot experiments. The Fe-Mn plaque content and Cd concentration were measured during different rice growth periods, and the fitted models based on their correlation were established. The results show that, Fe-Mn plaque formation was the most significant factor affecting Cd accumulation in rice under O conditions. The content of rice root Fe-Mn plaque was higher after the application of O during the filling and maturity stages of rice growth, and Fe-Mn plaque inhibited Cd accumulation in the rice roots and grains and reduced the translocation factors (TFs) from the rice dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate extract (DCB) to the roots (TFDCB-R) and from the roots to the straw (TFStraw-G). O may influence the Fe-Mn plaque formation on the root surface to impede Cd absorption by rice. This research provides theoretical support for the Cd absorption under O conditions.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of debulking devices for in-stent restenosis of the femoropopliteal artery.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to perform a meta-analysis based on current evidence to investigate the efficacy of different debulking devices in the treatment of femoropopliteal in-stent restenosis (FP-ISR). METHODS: We systematically searched for articles reporting treatment of FP-ISR patients in the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and retrospective studies were included, and clinical characteristic outcomes were extracted and pooled. The efficacy end points included primary patency and freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 1 year. Pooled estimates were calculated using the random effects model. For each point, effect size and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: We identified 12 studies with 743 patients that could be included in this meta-analysis. The overall primary patency at 1 year was 58.3% (95% CI, 44.7%-71.9%), and freedom from TLR at 1 year was 67.0% (95% CI, 60.5%-74.6%). Subgroup analysis showed that the laser debulking + percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) group was associated with a similar primary patency and freedom from TLR compared with the mechanical debulking + PTA group (53.8% vs 52.8; 65.4% vs 62.1%). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the long lesion and short lesion groups and the occlusive and stenosis groups shared similar results of primary patency and freedom from TLR. Laser + drug-coated balloon was associated with higher primary patency and freedom from TLR compared with laser + PTA (78.5% vs 58.3%; 76.7% vs 66.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Debulking devices show promising and favorable results for FP-ISR patients with complex lesions. Debulking devices combined with a drug-coated balloon might be an efficacious way to treat FP-ISR complex lesions in the future.

Day case discharge of patients treated with drug coated balloon only angioplasty for de novo coronary artery disease: A single center experience.

OBJECTIVE: To report our initial experience with drug coated balloon (DCB) only angioplasty and propose a protocol to achieve this safely. BACKGROUND: There are no articles published in the literature currently regarding the safety of same day discharge in patients treated with DCB-only angioplasty. METHODS: Retrospective review of all our patients treated with DCB-only angioplasty from September 2017 to April 2018 with identification of potential complications relating to same day discharge. RESULTS: A total of 100 consecutive patients who underwent elective DCB-only angioplasty for de novo coronary artery disease and were discharged on the same day as the procedure were included. In 99% no cardiac symptoms relating to the procedure requiring urgent hospitalization or urgent investigations were identified. One patient was readmitted the next day requiring stenting of the previously treated lesion. Our 30-day mortality was zero. Some 97 hospital bed days were saved with 100 patients treated. CONCLUSION: Elective day-case DCB-only angioplasty according to our local protocol is safe and cost-effective and should be considered for the majority of the patients.