Construction of a Rice Glutelin-Rhamnolipid-Pectin Nanoparticle Delivery System for Curcumin Delivery: Effect of Pectin Esterification on Characterization, Stability, and Bioaccessibility.

Riceglutelin (RG)-rhamnolipids (Rha)-high-methoxyl pectin (HMP)/medium-methoxy pectin (MMP)/low-methoxy pectin (LMP) were used to attract self-assembled nanoparticles by electrostatic attraction, and the effects of pectin esterification degree and concentration on the characteristics of nanoparticles and the bioavailability of curcumin were evaluated. The minimum particle size and the highest encapsulation efficiency of the nanoparticles were at mass ratios of RG:HMP = 2:1, RG:MMP = 4:1, and RG:LMP = 2:1. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and circular dichroism spectroscopy show that hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interaction, and electrostatic attraction are the main driving forces for the formation of complexes.

Association Between Size of Left Ventricle and Long-Term Cardiovascular Events.

Background: The prognostic significance of small left ventricle (LV) in the general population and its association with cardiovascular disease remain elusive.

Methods: Using data from the UK Biobank, 39 363 participants underwent baseline cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and were categorized into 3 groups based on left ventricular end-diastolic volume index: small, normal, and large LV. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to evaluate the association between LV size and composite cardiovascular outcomes.

Development of a rice glutelin-based nanoparticle delivery system: fabrication, characterization, and stability.

Background: Curcumin has been shown to regulate the expression of receptor complexes, growth factors, and other pathways, ultimately displaying biological functions such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidiabetic effects. However, it is precarious and susceptible to damage by complex environmental factors both inside and outside the body, making the development of biocompatible delivery systems critical.

Results: Rice glutelin-rhamnolipid-curcumin (RG-Rha-Cur) nanoparticles were constructed using a pH-driven method.

Association Between Age at Diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation and Subsequent Risk of Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) significantly increases the ischemic stroke risk. However, the relationship between age at diagnosis of AF and subsequent stroke risk remains poorly understood.

Methods And Results: We analyzed data from 5 prospective cohorts: ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study, CHS (Cardiovascular Health Study), CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults), MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis), and Framingham Heart Study (including Offspring cohort and the Third-Generation cohorts).

Bibliometric Analysis of Global Pediatric Research on Cow's Milk Protein Allergy.

Background: Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is a prevalent food allergy in early childhood, significantly impacting the quality of life for affected children. Current palliative measures, such as specialized formula milk, offer temporary relief but are costly and fail to address the underlying issue. Thus, there is a critical need to better understand CMPA and explore new treatment options.

Rationale and Design of the InsightPFA Trial: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial of the Irreversible Electroporation-Based Pulsed Field Ablation Versus Radiofrequency Ablation in Chinese Patients With Symptomatic Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is gaining recognition as a nonthermal, tissue-specific technique for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). The preclinical evaluation of the investigated novel PFA system from Insight Medtech Co. Ltd has demonstrated feasibility, safety, and 30-day efficacy for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in the swine model.

Oxometallate-Based Ionic Liquid Catalyzed CO-Promoted Hydration of Propargylic Alcohols for α-Hydroxy Ketones Synthesis.

α-Hydroxy ketones are a crucial class of organic compounds prevalent in natural products and pharmaceutical molecules. The CO-promoted hydration of propargylic alcohols is an efficient method for the synthesis of α-hydroxy ketones. Herein, an ionic liquid (IL) was designed to catalyze this reaction individually under atmospheric CO pressure, volatile organic solvents, and additives.

Altered zygotic gene expression caused by sperm with variants disrupts early embryonic development.

The precise mechanisms behind early embryonic arrest due to sperm-related factors and the most effective strategies are not yet fully understood. Here, we present two cases of male infertility linked to novel variants, associated with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) and early embryonic arrest. To investigate the underlying mechanisms and promising therapeutic approaches, knock-in and knock-out mice were generated.

Achieving over 20 % Efficiency in Laminated HTM-Free Carbon Electrode Perovskite Solar Cells through In Situ Interface Reconstruction.

Laminating a free-standing carbon electrode film onto perovskite film is a promising method for fabricating HTM (hole transport material)-free carbon electrode perovskite solar cells (c-PSCs), offering more flexibility by decoupling the processes of carbon electrode and perovskite layer formation. However, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of laminated HTM-free c-PSCs (<16.5 %) remains lower compared to c-PSCs with printed carbon pastes (>20 %), primarily due to poor interfacial contact between the perovskite and carbon layers.

Air Pollution, Genetic Susceptibility, and the Risk of Ventricular Arrhythmias: A prospective cohort study in the UK Biobank.

Aims: Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). However, the extent to which genetic susceptibility modifies the effects of air pollutants on the risk of VAs remains poorly understood.

Methods: This study included 491,305 participants without VAs at baseline from UK Biobank.

Induction Chemotherapy-Related Covert Cardiac Remodeling in Pre-Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Background: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has emerged as a cornerstone in multiple myeloma (MM) management, offering the prospect of prolonged disease control. However, the induction chemotherapy drugs required prior to ASCT carry cardiovascular toxicity (CVT), potentially leading to a range of cardiovascular complications.

Methods And Results: This retrospective observational study, conducted at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2023, analyzed 47 of the initial 173 patients who met the criteria.

Effectiveness of a Triple Antiarrhythmic Drug Strategy for Arrhythmia Recurrence after Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Ablation.

Background And Objective: Treating recurrent atrial arrhythmias after persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF) ablation is often challenging. This single-center, prospective study aimed to observe the effectiveness of different combinations of oral antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) in reverting to sinus rhythm (SR) in patients with recurrent atrial arrhythmias after PeAF ablation.

Methods: Forty-five patients who experienced recurrent atrial arrhythmias after PeAF ablation were included.

BAFF promotes follicular helper T cell development and germinal center formation through BR3 signal.

T follicular helper (Tfh) cells represent an important subset of CD4+ T cells that is crucial to the maturation and differentiation of B cells and the production of high-affinity antibodies. Because B cell activating-factor (BAFF), a vital B cell survival factor, is also crucial to B cell maturation and differentiation, we assessed the effects of BAFF on Tfh cell development and function. We demonstrated that deficiency of BAFF, but not of APRIL, markedly inhibited Tfh cell development, germinal center (GC) formation, and antigen-specific antibody production.

Impact of hyperuricemia and chronic kidney disease on the prevalence and mortality of cardiovascular disease in cancer survivors.

Background: The risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD mortality are prevalent among cancer survivors (CS) population. The 2022 ESC Guidelines on cardio-oncology have recommended that modifying cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) could potentially improve long-term outcomes in CS.

Objectives: To identify the independent and joint chronic kidney disease (CKD) associations of hyperuricemia with the incidence of CVD and mortality outcomes among CS.

miRNA-148a-containing GMSC-derived EVs modulate Treg/Th17 balance via IKKB/NF-κB pathway and treat a rheumatoid arthritis model.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have demonstrated potent immunomodulatory properties that have shown promise in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the inherent heterogeneity of MSCs triggered conflicting therapeutic outcomes, raising safety concerns and limiting their clinical application. This study aimed to investigate the potential of extracellular vesicles derived from human gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSC-EVs) as a therapeutic strategy for RA.

A case report of right bundle branch block and junctional beats during ablation at the right ventricle outflow tract: metallic occluder's unanticipated effect.

Background: Previously, ablation at the outflow tract was considered to be safe and rarely affected the His-Purkinje system due to their spatial distance. However, we have reported a case of right bundle branch block (RBBB) and junctional beats that were recorded during radiofrequency catheter ablation in a patient who had a history of peri-membranous ventricular septal defect (pmVSD) closure and the implantation of a metallic occluder.

Case Summary: A 16-year-old girl with a metallic occluder for peri-membranous ventricular septum defect underwent an ablation procedure for premature ventricular complexes.

'Single-shot' pulmonary vein isolation using a novel lotos pulsed field ablation catheter: a pre-clinical evaluation of feasibility, safety, and 30-day efficacy.

Aims: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is emerging as a non-thermal, tissue-specific technique for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in atrial fibrillation therapy. This pre-clinical study aims to investigate the feasibility and safety of PVI using a novel PFA system including a nanosecond-scale PFA generator, a novel lotos PFA catheter, and a customized 12 Fr steerable sheath.

Methods And Results: A total of 11 Yorkshire swine were included in this study, with 4 in the acute cohort and 7 in the chronic cohort.

Higher Cumulative Blood Pressure in Midlife Predicts an Increased Risk of Atrial Fibrillation: Evidence From the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Background: Elevated blood pressure (BP) is reportedly associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the association between cumulative BP exposure in midlife and incident AF in mid-to-late life remains unclear.

Methods And Results: Participants enrolled in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study with 4 consecutive BP measurements and no prevalent AF at baseline were included.

The Synergistic Effect of Additives for Formamidinium-Based Inverted Dion-Jacobson 2D Perovskite Solar Cells with Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance.

Two-dimensional (2D) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted rapid growing attention due to their excellent environmental and operational stability. As an important type of 2D perovskite, Dion-Jacobson (DJ) 2D perovskites exhibit better structural integrity and more stable optoelectronic properties than those of Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) ones because of the elimination of weak van der Waals interactions. Random phase distribution, phase impurity, and weak crystallinity, however, can lead to severe nonradiative recombination losses in 2D perovskites and inferior device stability.

Muscle quality index and cardiovascular disease among US population-findings from NHANES 2011-2014.

Background And Objective: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. However, current evidence on the association between muscle quality and CVD is limited. This study investigates the potential association between the muscle quality index (MQI) and the prevalence of CVD and CVD-related mortality.

Role of ideal cardiovascular health metrics in reducing risk of incident arrhythmias.

Aims: Cardiovascular health (CVH) has been proven to reduce cardiovascular disease burden and mortality, but data are lacking regarding cardiac arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to assess the association between CVH metrics and atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF), ventricular arrhythmias, and bradyarrhythmias.

Methods And Results: This study analysed data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) cohort, with participants recruited from four different communities across the United States.

Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicle-derived activates the Wnt/Β-catenin Pathway by Targeting SMAD4 and Aggravates Hepatic Ischemia-reperfusion Injury.

Background: To investigate the roles of extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and (highly expressed in BMSC EVs) in hepatic ischemia‒ reperfusion injury (HIRI).

Approaches And Results: We constructed a HIRI mouse model and pretreated it with an injection of agomir-, agomir-NC, BMSC-EVs or control normal PBS into the abdominal cavity. Compared with the HIRI group, HIRI mice preinjected with BMSC-EVs had significantly decreased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and alleviated liver necrosis (P<0.

BMSC-exosomes miR-25-3p Regulates the p53 Signaling Pathway Through PTEN to Inhibit Cell Apoptosis and Ameliorate Liver Ischemia‒reperfusion Injury.

Background: Hepatic ischemia‒reperfusion injury (HIRI) is a pathological phenomenon during liver surgery, and bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) exosomes (BMSC-Exos) regulate cell apoptosis and reduce ischemia‒reperfusion injury. We aimed to investigate the roles of BMSC-Exos and miR-25b-3p (enriched in BMSC-Exos) in HIRI and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Approaches And Results: An HIRI mouse model was constructed and preinjected with BMSC-Exos, agomir-miR-25, agomir-miR-NC, or PBS via the tail vein.

Microwave-activated Cu-doped zirconium metal-organic framework for a highly effective combination of microwave dynamic and thermal therapy.

Percutaneous microwave ablation (PMA) is a thermoablative method used as a minimally invasive treatment for liver cancer. However, the application of PMA is limited by its insufficient ROS generation efficiency and thermal effects. Herein, a new microwave-activated Cu-doped zirconium metal-organic framework (MOF) (CuZr MOF) used for enhanced PMA has a significantly improved microwave sensitizing effect.

Specific -promoter targeting by CRISPRi reverses myotonic dystrophy type 1-associated defects in patient muscle cells.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a neuromuscular disease that originates from an expansion of CTG microsatellites in the 3' untranslated region of the gene, thus leading to the expression of transcripts containing expanded CUG repeats (). The pathophysiology is explained by a toxic RNA gain of function where RNAs form nuclear aggregates that sequester and alter the function of MBNL splicing factors, triggering splicing misregulation linked to the DM1 symptoms. There is currently no cure for DM1, and most therapeutic strategies aim at eliminating transcripts.