Isoproterenol for Unmasking Dormant Conduction and Non-Pulmonary Vein Triggers During Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Prospective Multicenter Study.

Background: Pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection and the onset of non-PV triggers are frequently the cause of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). The effectiveness of using isoproterenol for unmasking dormant conduction and non-PV-triggers during AF RFCA and its effect on improving procedural and clinical outcomes is still controversial.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of isoproterenol for unmasking dormant conduction and non-PV triggers during RFCA for paroxysmal AF (PAF) and its effects on procedural and long-term clinical outcomes.

Xylan-chitosan based films with deep eutectic solvents for wound healing applications.

Wound care is a critical issue for healthcare systems, which translates into an increased demand for innovative wound dressings that can expedite the healing process while ensuring patient comfort and safety. In this context, the development of sustainable biopolymeric materials for wound care applications has gained considerable interest. In this study, functional biopolymeric films, composed of xylans, chitosan, and a deep eutectic solvent (DES), were prepared by solvent casting.

Comparative analysis of phenolic extracts obtained from Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Brown leaves by microwave-assisted extraction using eco-friendly solvents.

This study demonstrated that microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was more effective for the recovery of phenolic compounds from L. alba leaves, compared to traditional methods such as Soxhlet extraction, infusion, and decoction, and resulted in higher antioxidant activity. Ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis enabled the identification of important phenolic compounds, such as acteoside/isoacteoside and theveside, in addition to several flavonoids, which could explain the high antioxidant activities.

Resonance assignments of cytochrome MtoD from the extracellular electron uptake pathway of sideroxydans lithotrophicus ES-1.

The contribution of Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria to iron cycling in freshwater, groundwater, and marine environments has been widely recognized in recent years. These organisms perform extracellular electron transfer (EET), which constitutes the foundations of bioelectrochemical systems for the production of biofuels and bioenergy. It was proposed that the Gram-negative bacterium Sideroxydans lithotrophicus ES-1 oxidizes soluble ferrous Fe(II) at the surface of the cell and performs EET through the Mto redox pathway.

Wood inspired biobased nanocomposite films composed of xylans, lignosulfonates and cellulose nanofibers for active food packaging.

The growing concerns on environmental pollution and sustainability have raised the interest on the development of functional biobased materials for different applications, including food packaging, as an alternative to the fossil resources-based counterparts, currently available in the market. In this work, functional wood inspired biopolymeric nanocomposite films were prepared by solvent casting of suspensions containing commercial beechwood xylans, cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and lignosulfonates (magnesium or sodium), in a proportion of 2:5:3 wt%, respectively. All films presented good homogeneity, translucency, and thermal stability up to 153 °C.

Biochemical and cellular characterization of the CISD3 protein: Molecular bases of cluster release and destabilizing effects of nitric oxide.

The NEET proteins, an important family of iron-sulfur (Fe-S) proteins, have generated a strong interest due to their involvement in diverse diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. Among the human NEET proteins, CISD3 has been the least studied, and its functional role is still largely unknown. We have investigated the biochemical features of CISD3 at the atomic and in cellulo levels upon challenge with different stress conditions i.

A noncanonical IRAK4-IRAK1 pathway counters DNA damage-induced apoptosis independently of TLR/IL-1R signaling.

Interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R)-associated kinases (IRAKs) are core effectors of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and IL-1R in innate immunity. Here, we found that IRAK4 and IRAK1 together inhibited DNA damage-induced cell death independently of TLR or IL-1R signaling. In human cancer cells, IRAK4 was activated downstream of ATR kinase in response to double-strand breaks (DSBs) induced by ionizing radiation (IR).

Infection of Multiple Tunneled Dialysis Catheters Resulting From the Contamination of the Chlorhexidine Solution by Serratia marcescens.

Tunnelled dialysis catheters continue to be a choice in several patients as hemodialysis access. According to Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines, its handling implies disinfection, that can be performed using chlorhexidine solutions. Theoretically, these solutions have bactericidal capacity at concentrations greater than 0.

Paramagnetic NMR to study iron sulfur proteins: C detected experiments illuminate the vicinity of the metal center.

The robustness of NMR coherence transfer in proximity of a paramagnetic center depends on the relaxation properties of the nuclei involved. In the case of Iron-Sulfur Proteins, different pulse schemes or different parameter sets often provide complementary results. Tailored versions of HCACO and CACO experiments significantly increase the number of observed C/C' connectivities in highly paramagnetic systems, by recovering many resonances that were lost due to paramagnetic relaxation.

An Incidental Myxoma Hidden in Chest Pain.

Chest pain is a very common symptom in an emergency context. Its differential diagnosis is extensive and includes some conditions that require immediate recognition and intervention. It can also be a symptom associated with rarer diagnostic possibilities.

A Compelling Case of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia and Its Potential Association With SARS-CoV-2.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia can be caused by infections, lymphoproliferative disorders, autoimmune disorders, or triggered by drugs or toxins. We present the case of a 92-year-old man admitted with gastrointestinal symptoms. He presented with autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Elucidating the concentration-dependent effects of thiocyanate binding to carbonic anhydrase.

Many proteins naturally carry metal centers, with a large share of them being in the active sites of several enzymes. Paramagnetic effects are a powerful source of structural information and, therefore, if the native metal is paramagnetic, or it can be functionally substituted with a paramagnetic one, paramagnetic effects can be used to study the metal sites, as well as the overall structure of the protein. One notable example is cobalt(II) substitution for zinc(II) in carbonic anhydrase.

A New Perspective for Vineyard Terroir Identity: Looking for Microbial Indicator Species by Long Read Nanopore Sequencing.

Grapevine is one of the most important fruit crops worldwide, being Portugal one of the top wine producers. It is well established that wine sensory characteristics from a particular region are defined by the physiological responses of the grapevine to its environment and thus, the concept of terroir in viticulture was established. Among all the factors that contribute to terroir definition, soil microorganisms play a major role from nutrient recycling to a drastic influence on plant fitness (growth and protection) and of course wine production.

Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome: A Case Report.

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is a serious complication of group A infection with a high mortality rate. Rapid detection, early intensive care support, and surgical management are paramount in treating these patients. We present a case of a 65-year-old male, with a documented medical history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and peripheral arterial disease.

H, C and N assignment of the human mitochondrial paramagnetic iron-sulfur protein CISD3.

CISD3 is a mitochondrial protein that contains two [2Fe-2S] clusters. This protein is overexpressed in some types of cancer, so it has emerged as a potential drug target. A detailed characterization of this protein is crucial to understand how CISD3 is involved in these physiopathologies.

Relaxation-based NMR assignment: Spotlights on ligand binding sites in human CISD3.

CISD3 is a mitochondrial protein belonging to the NEET proteins family, bearing two [FeS] clusters coordinated by CDGSH domains. At variance with the other proteins of the NEET family, very little is known about its structure-function relationships. NMR is the only technique to obtain information at the atomic level in solution on the residues involved in intermolecular interactions; however, in paramagnetic proteins this is limited by the broadening of signals of residues around the paramagnetic center.

Performance of the artificial urinary sphincter implantation in men with urinary incontinence: Results from a contemporary long-term real-world nationwide analysis.

Purpose: The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is one of the most effective surgical treatments for male urinary incontinence regardless of its severity. Current knowledge comes from high-volume centers, but little is known about the performance of this surgery from community practices. This study aims to report contemporary AUS performance in a nationwide observational study in Colombia.

Smurf2 inhibition enhances chemotherapy and radiation sensitivity in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer has been the most common cancer worldwide for several decades. The outcomes of patients with locally advanced lung cancer remain dismal, and only a minority of patients survive more than 5 years. However, tumor therapeutic resistance mechanisms are poorly studied.

Interconversion between [2Fe-2S] and [4Fe-4S] cluster glutathione complexes.

We present here how different iron-sulfide-glutathione ratios, applied in conditions comparable to those present in the mitochondrial matrix, affect the speciation of iron-sulfur cluster glutathione complexes. An excess of sulfide with respect to iron ions promotes the formation of a tetranuclear [FeFeS(GS)] complex, while an excess of iron ions favors the formation of a dinuclear [FeFeS(GS)] complex. These two complexes establish an interconversion equilibrium.

A microRNA Cluster Controls Fat Cell Differentiation and Adipose Tissue Expansion By Regulating SNCG.

The H19X-encoded miR-424(322)/503 cluster regulates multiple cellular functions. Here, it is reported for the first time that it is also a critical linchpin of fat mass expansion. Deletion of this miRNA cluster in mice results in obesity, while increasing the pool of early adipocyte progenitors and hypertrophied adipocytes.

The miR-424(322)/503 gene cluster regulates pro- versus anti-inflammatory skin DC subset differentiation by modulating TGF-β signaling.

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family ligands are key regulators of dendritic cell (DC) differentiation and activation. Epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) require TGF-β family signaling for their differentiation, and canonical TGF-β1 signaling secures a non-activated LC state. LCs reportedly control skin inflammation and are replenished from peripheral blood monocytes, which also give rise to pro-inflammatory monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs).