Multicenter Practice of Non/Minimized Fluoroscopy Ablation for Paroxysmal AF in China: The PAF-ICE Trial.

Background: Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)-guided non/minimized-fluoroscopy catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) has been reported, but its effectiveness and safety still lack multicenter evidence.

Objectives: The authors sought to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ICE-guided non/minimized-fluoroscopy catheter ablation compared with the traditional fluoroscopy-guided approach in patients with paroxysmal AF.

Methods: A total of 448 patients with paroxysmal AF, from 15 centers in China, were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to a non/minimized-fluoroscopy group (n = 223) and a traditional approach group (n = 225).

Targeting phase separation: a promising treatment option for hepatocellular carcinoma.

The spontaneous phenomena known as liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is caused by weak interactions between substances. Under specific circumstances, macromolecules like proteins and nucleic acids can dynamically aggregate to form biomolecular condensates. This phenomenon offers a novel perspective on the intricate spatiotemporal coordination within living cells.

Manganese exposure: a study on apoptosis and Ferroptosis in mouse Leydig and Sertoli cells.

Manganese (Mn), a vital trace element for biological functions, has raised health concerns due to potential toxicity. Excessive Mn impairs male reproduction by reducing testosterone, inducing oxidative stress, and disrupting spermatogenesis. However, its mechanisms targeting Leydig and Sertoli cells remain unclear.

Predictive value of surface electrocardiogram in localizing right ventricular outflow tract premature beats: a study combining intracardiac echocardiography and electroanatomical mapping under all-zero fluoroscopy ablation.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate how well surface electrocardiograms (ECG) predict premature ventricular contraction (PVCs) originating from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and to examine the role of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) during their radiofrequency ablation.

Methods: From October 2022 to December 2023, we conducted a prospective study at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, enrolling 20 consecutive patients with RVOT-PVCs. In our study, utilizing ICE and the CARTO 3D electroanatomical mapping system, all procedures were performed under a completely fluoroless condition.

Enhancing Contact Properties in Organic Thin-Film Transistors by Incorporating Organic Solid-Solution Semiconductor Buffer Layers.

The interface between organic semiconductors and metal electrodes remains a major challenge in organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs), which limits the transit frequency of OTFTs in logic circuits and leads to inaccurate assessment of charge transport. In this work, we propose a novel strategy to enhance interfacial contact by employing organic solid-solution films (SSFs) as buffer layers between electrodes and semiconductors. Finite organic solid-solution semiconductors, (P5)(C8-BTBT), were successfully fabricated via coevaporation of P5 and C8-BTBT molecules.

The Notch Signaling Pathway: A Potential Target for Mental Disorders.

The highly conserved Notch signaling pathway plays a critical role in cell fate determination during metazoan development through cell-to-cell communication. The classical pathway consists of Notch receptors, ligands, intracellular effectors, DNA-binding proteins, and other regulatory molecules. Recent research has highlighted its involvement in the pathogenesis of several diseases.

Mesenchymal stem cells and exosomes: A novel therapeutic approach for aging.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a vital component of the adult stem cell repertoire, are distinguished by their dual capacity for self-renewal and multilineage differentiation. The therapeutic effects of MSCs are primarily mediated through mechanisms such as homing, paracrine signaling, and cellular differentiation. Exosomes (Exos), a type of extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by MSCs via the paracrine pathway, play a pivotal role in conveying the biological functions of MSCs.

From non-coding RNAs to cancer regulators: The fascinating world of micropeptides.

Micropeptides are commonly identified as peptides encoded by non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). In the short open reading frame (sORF) of ncRNAs, there is a base sequence encoding functional micropeptides, which is of great significance in the biological field. Recently, micropeptides regulate diverse processes, including mitochondrial metabolism, calcium transport, mRNA splicing, signal transduction, myocyte fusion, and cellular senescence, regulating the homeostasis of the internal environment and cancer's incidence and progression.

Network Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Traditional Chinese Exercise on Stroke Patients.

Background: Stroke is a common cerebrovascular disease characterized by a high incidence rate, significant disability, frequent recurrence, and elevated mortality. Exercise plays a crucial role in stroke rehabilitation, yet the relationship between traditional Chinese exercise and stroke recovery remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of various conventional Chinese exercises through a systematic network meta-analysis and identify the most effective interventions for improving the rehabilitation outcomes of stroke patients.

12-month outcomes of pulsed-field ablation with a variable-diameter circular catheter for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: Insights into conscious sedation and fluoroscopy use.

Background: Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) emerges as an innovative nonthermal energy modality for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of a novel PFA system that uses a multichannel, circular ablation catheter with adjustable diameters in treating paroxysmal AF.

Methods: This clinical trial (PF-Beat-AF) was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm study.

Baicalin: a potential therapeutic agent for acute kidney injury and renal fibrosis.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common critical clinical disease that is linked to significant morbidity, recurrence, and mortality. It is characterized by a fast and prolonged loss in renal function arising from numerous etiologies and pathogenic pathways. Renal fibrosis, defined as the excessive accumulation of collagen and proliferation of fibroblasts within renal tissues, contributes to the structural damage and functional decline of the kidneys, playing a pivotal role in the advancement of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Targeted and Synergistic Codelivery of Chemotherapeutic and Nucleic Acid Drugs by Liposome-Coated MPDA Nanoparticles for Advanced Prostate Cancer Treatment.

Docetaxel (DTX)-based chemotherapy is the primary therapeutic approach for advanced prostate cancer (PCa) when endocrine therapy proves ineffective. Traditional chemotherapy exhibits poor specificity and induces severe side effects, such as immunosuppression, neurotoxicity, and hypersensitivity. In this study, we aimed to develop a new targeted nanodrug delivery system to accurately identify PCa cells and deliver drugs.

Infinite Organic Solid-Solution Semiconductors with Continuous Evolution in Film Morphology, Crystalline Lattice and Electrical Properties.

Constructing a solid solution is an effective strategy for regulating the properties of composite organic semiconductors. However, there presents significant challenges in fabrication and understanding of organic solid-solution semiconductors. In this study, infinite solid-solution semiconductors are successfully achieved by integrating rod-like organic molecules, thereby overcoming the limitations of current organic composite semiconductors.

Permeation enhancer decorated nanoparticles for oral delivery of insulin: manipulating the surface density of borneol and PEG for absorption barriers.

Oral protein drugs' delivery faces challenges due to multiple absorption barriers for macromolecules. Co-administration with permeation enhancers and encapsulation in nano-carriers are two promising strategies to enhance their oral absorption. Herein, the poly(lactic--glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA NPs) are decorated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and a traditional Chinese medicine-derived permeation enhancer borneol (BO) for oral insulin delivery.

Enhanced flame retardancy of polyurethane foam with alginate-based flame-retardant coating.

Polyurethane (PU) foam is widely used in industrial and civil fields, but it is highly flammable. An eco-friendly flame-retardant coating has been fabricated from sodium alginate (SA) and mica powder, it has been applied to PU foam using a facile direct dip coating method, followed by crosslinking with Ca and modification with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), respectively. The original porous network structure is maintained in the coated PU (SMPU) foam with a porosity of 90.

[Evaluation of Clinical Benefits of IoT Device Solutions in Operating Rooms].

Objective: To explore device solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance the efficiency of daytime operating rooms and process management in inpatient departments, and to address the issues of frequent and lengthy movements by anesthesiologists and circulating nurses. The study aims to evaluate the impact on surgical patients, determine the benefits of the proposed plan, reduce the duration of surgery for patients, and increase medical staff satisfaction.

Methods: A comparative experiment was conducted between operating rooms with the implementation of IoT device solutions and those without.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes: Emerging as a Promising Cell-Free Therapeutic Strategy for Autoimmune Hepatitis.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an immune-mediated liver disease that currently faces limited treatment options. In its advanced stages, AIH can progress to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Recent research has increasingly focused on cell-free therapies, particularly the use of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes (Exos), which have shown promise in treating autoimmune diseases, including AIH.

The potential hazards of high doses of vitamin B6 in treating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: A systematic review.

Vitamin B6 is frequently utilized as a therapeutic agent for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP). Research indicates that excessive intake of vitamin B6 can have implications on neurological function, underscoring the importance of cautious consideration when administering vitamin B6 treatment during early pregnancy. This systematic review investigates the effects of high doses of vitamin B6 on pregnant women experiencing NVP.

CSF3R as a potential prognostic biomarker and immunotherapy target in glioma.

Introduction: Gliomas are the most common malignant brain tumors, with complicated etiology and poor prognosis. However, there is still a lack of specific biomarkers for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis assessment for glioma patients. Hence, the purpose of this study was to screen biomarkers for prognostic assessment and therapeutic interventions in gliomas.

Association of visceral adiposity index and lipid accumulation products with prediabetes in US adults from NHANES 2007-2020: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The lipid accumulation product (LAP) and the visceral adiposity index (VAI) are suggested as dependable measures for assessing visceral fat levels. Prediabetes is recognized as a condition that precedes the potential onset of diabetes. The objective of this research is to investigate how VAI and LAP are related to prediabetes among the adult population in the United States.

Detonation performance and shock sensitivity of energetic material NTO with embedded small molecules: a deep neural network potential accelerated molecular dynamics study.

Accurate description of detonation performance for explosives remains a challenge for current experimental and theoretical methodologies. Herein, we address this issue through combining a multi-scale shock technique and a first-principles based deep neural network potential. This approach enables us to conduct molecular dynamics simulations encompassing over a thousand atoms and extending for several nanoseconds, allowing us to evaluate the detonation performance of the insensitive explosive NTO crystal.

Case Report: A Chinese child with Barth syndrome caused by a novel mutation.

Barth syndrome (BTHS) is a rare X-linked recessive genetic disorder characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical features including cardiomyopathy, skeletal myopathy, neutropenia, growth delay, and 3-methylglutaconic aciduria. This disease is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the gene located on chromosome Xq28, resulting in cardiolipin deficiency. Most patients are diagnosed in childhood, and the mortality rate is highest in the early years.