Kinetically Controlled Direct Synthesis of Ag Nanoclusters as Precursor of Luminescent AgAu Alloy Nanoclusters for Aluminum Ions Detection.

Direct preparation of silver nanoclusters is of great significance for their applications. In this work, by selecting sodium cyanoborohydride as a weak reducing agent to control the kinetics of the reduction reaction, we successfully prepared silver nanoclusters protected by thiol-containing ligands, including mercaptosuccinic acid, cysteine, and glutathione. Based on the silver nanoclusters protected by mercaptosuccinic acid, silver-gold alloy nanoclusters were obtained through a gold doping reaction.

Effect of Bi(iii)-to-metal ion concentration ratios on stripping voltammetric response of bismuth-film glassy carbon electrodes.

The effect of Bi-to-metal ion concentration ratio ( / ratio) on key evaluation indicators, including sensitivity, precision, and cathodic potential range, has been investigated for the determination of Cd and Pb at prepared bismuth film electrodes. Unlike the usual recommendation of at least a 10-fold excess of Hg(ii) for anodic stripping experiments at prepared mercury film electrodes, it is found that the / ratios in the 1-10 range are sufficient to obtain a high determination sensitivity, but that the signal decreases significantly when the ratio exceeds 40. Further analysis shows that the precision of the analytical results is good when the / ratio is in the range of 5-10.

Temperature-dependent luminescent copper nanoclusters with noncovalent interactions for determination of β-galactosidase activity.

The synthesis of a novel bidentate ligand-protected copper nanocluster via a solid-state strategy is reported. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis result reveals that the copper nanocluster features an octahedral core (Cu) coordinated by six ligands. Noncovalent interactions (C-Hπ and ππ) exist between the copper nanoclusters.

Bidirectional Relationship between Adolescent Gender Egalitarianism and Prosocial Behavior.

This study investigates the bidirectional associations between gender egalitarianism and prosocial behavior in adolescents, and the moderating effect of gender in the associations, as well as gender differences and longitudinal changes in both. We recruited 543 Chinese adolescents (284 girls, 259 boys; mean age at Time 1 = 11.27 years) and collected three waves of data measuring gender egalitarianism and prosocial behavior at one-year intervals.

Effect of Solvent Polarity on the Spectral Characteristics of 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(p-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin.

The electronic absorption and vibrational spectra of deprotonated 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(p-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (THPP) are studied as a function of solvent polarity in HO-DMF, HO-acetone, HO-methanol, and DMF-acetone mixtures. The maximum absorption wavelength () of the lowest energy electronic absorption band of deprotonated THPP shows an unusual solvatochromism-a bathochromic followed by a hypsochromic shift with reduced polarity. According to the correlation analysis, both specific interactions (H-bonds) and nonspecific interactions affect the spectral changes of this porphyrin.

Rationale and design of the SMall Annuli Randomized To Evolut or SAPIEN Trial (SMART Trial).

Background: The SMall Annuli Randomized To Evolut or SAPIEN (SMART) Trial was designed to compare the performance of the two most widely available commercial transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) devices in patients with symptomatic severe native aortic stenosis with a small aortic valve annulus undergoing transfemoral TAVR. Patients with small aortic valve annuli are typically female and are often underrepresented in clinical trials.

Methods: The SMART Trial is an international, prospective, multi-center, randomized controlled, post-market trial.

Complete 2-Year Results Confirm Bayesian Analysis of the SURTAVI Trial.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to report the 2-year results of the SURTAVI (Surgical Replacement and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) trial and confirm the interim Bayesian analysis.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with a self-expanding valve was noninferior to surgery in patients with severe aortic stenosis and intermediate operative risk using Bayesian statistical methods. Novel Bayesian designs have been used to shorten the time to primary endpoint analysis in randomized clinical trials, although the predictive value of Bayesian analysis compared with frequentist approaches remains debated.

Comparison of a Complete Percutaneous Versus Surgical Approach to Aortic Valve Replacement and Revascularization in Patients at Intermediate Surgical Risk: Results From the Randomized SURTAVI Trial.

Background: For patients with severe aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease, the completely percutaneous approach to aortic valve replacement and revascularization has not been compared with the standard surgical approach.

Methods: The prospective SURTAVI trial (Safety and Efficiency Study of the Medtronic CoreValve System in the Treatment of Severe, Symptomatic Aortic Stenosis in Intermediate Risk Subjects Who Need Aortic Valve Replacement) enrolled intermediate-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis from 87 centers in the United States, Canada, and Europe between June 2012 and June 2016. Complex coronary artery disease with SYNTAX score (Synergy Between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery Trial) >22 was an exclusion criterion.

Computed Tomography-Based Indexed Aortic Annulus Size to Predict Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch.

Background: Hemodynamic performance of prostheses after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is generally better than after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), especially in patients with a small native annulus size. However, it remains unclear whether differences are consistent for patients with a different propensity for developing prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM), considering annulus size and body size of patients.

Methods And Results: The SURTAVI trial (Surgical Replacement and Transcatheter Aortic Implantation) compared TAVR using a self-expandable valve with SAVR in intermediate-risk patients.

Durability of Transcatheter and Surgical Bioprosthetic Aortic Valves in Patients at Lower Surgical Risk.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis and intermediate or high surgical risk.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the durability of transcatheter and surgical bioprosthetic aortic valves using standardized criteria.

Methods: In the NOTION (Nordic Aortic Valve Intervention) trial, all-comer patients with severe aortic stenosis and lower surgical risk for mortality were randomized 1:1 to TAVR (n = 139) or SAVR (n = 135).

Five-Year Clinical and Echocardiographic Outcomes From the NOTION Randomized Clinical Trial in Patients at Lower Surgical Risk.

Background: The NOTION trial (Nordic Aortic Valve Intervention) was designed to compare transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients ≥70 years old with isolated severe aortic valve stenosis. Clinical and echocardiographic outcomes are presented after 5 years.

Methods: Patients were enrolled at 3 Nordic centers and randomized 1:1 to TAVR using the self-expanding CoreValve prosthesis (n=145) or SAVR using any stented bioprostheses (n=135).

Neurological Complications After Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Intermediate-Risk Patients.

Background: Neurological events after aortic valve interventions are associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is increasingly offered for lower-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis, previously considered candidates for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Differences in post-procedural neurological events have important implications in treatment allocation.

One-year outcomes of patients with severe aortic stenosis and an STS PROM of less than three percent in the SURTAVI trial.

Aims: The indication for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has evolved from inoperable patients to patients at increased surgical risk. In low-risk patients, surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) remains the standard of care. The aim of this study was to explore the outcomes of TAVI and SAVR in patients with a Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) predicted risk of mortality (PROM) score below 3% in the SURTAVI trial.

Surgical or Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement in Intermediate-Risk Patients.

Background: Although transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR) is an accepted alternative to surgery in patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at high surgical risk, less is known about comparative outcomes among patients with aortic stenosis who are at intermediate surgical risk.

Methods: We evaluated the clinical outcomes in intermediate-risk patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis in a randomized trial comparing TAVR (performed with the use of a self-expanding prosthesis) with surgical aortic-valve replacement. The primary end point was a composite of death from any cause or disabling stroke at 24 months in patients undergoing attempted aortic-valve replacement.

Balloon Post-Dilation Following Implantation of a Self-Expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valve Bioprosthesis.

Objectives: This study sought to explore the impact of balloon post-dilation (BPD) on outcomes in the CoreValve US Clinical Trials.

Background: BPD following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been used in selected cases to optimize hemodynamic results.

Methods: Procedural details of 3,532 patients were examined to determine whether BPD was performed after self-expanding TAVR.

Relationship of Annular Sizing Using Multidetector Computed Tomographic Imaging and Clinical Outcomes After Self-Expanding CoreValve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Multidetector computed tomography is useful for determining the appropriate transcatheter heart valve (THV) size in patients with severe aortic stenosis who are suboptimal surgical candidates. The relationship between adherence to the recommended CoreValve sizing algorithm and clinical outcomes is not known.

Methods And Results: We evaluated 1023 patients with severe aortic stenosis deemed high or extreme risk for surgery treated with the CoreValve THV.

Two-Year Outcomes in Patients With Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis Randomized to Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement: The All-Comers Nordic Aortic Valve Intervention Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: The Nordic Aortic Valve Intervention (NOTION) trial was the first to randomize all-comers with severe native aortic valve stenosis to either transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the CoreValve self-expanding bioprosthesis or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), including a lower-risk patient population than previous trials. This article reports 2-year clinical and echocardiographic outcomes from the NOTION trial.

Methods And Results: Two-hundred eighty patients from 3 centers in Denmark and Sweden were randomized to either TAVR (n=145) or SAVR (n=135) with follow-up planned for 5 years.

No clinical effect of prosthesis-patient mismatch after transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement in intermediate- and low-risk patients with severe aortic valve stenosis at mid-term follow-up: an analysis from the NOTION trial.

Objectives: Prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for severe aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is common, but less common after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients considered at high risk for death after surgery. The objectives of this study were to determine incidence and clinical effect of PPM after SAVR and TAVR in a primarily low-risk patient group.

Methods: Patients 70 years or older with severe isolated AVS, regardless of predicted operative mortality risk, were consecutively randomized 1:1 to TAVR using a self-expandable bioprosthesis (n = 145) or SAVR (n = 135).

Improvement and transcriptome analysis of root architecture by overexpression of Fraxinus pennsylvanica DREB2A transcription factor in Robinia pseudoacacia L. 'Idaho'.

Transcription factors play a key role to enable plants to cope with abiotic stresses. DREB2 regulates the expression of several stress-inducible genes and constitutes major hubs in the water stress signalling webs. We cloned and characterized a novel gene encoding the FpDREB2A transcription factor from Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and a yeast activity assay confirmed its DRE binding and transcription activation.

Regression of Paravalvular Aortic Regurgitation and Remodeling of Self-Expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valve: An Observation From the CoreValve U.S. Pivotal Trial.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the natural history and clinical importance of paravalvular aortic regurgitation (PVAR) after CoreValve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and to relate these findings to the structural and hemodynamic changes documented by serial echocardiographic analysis.

Background: PVAR after TAVR with the self-expanding CoreValve bioprosthesis has been shown to regress over time, but the time course and the mechanism of PVAR regression has not been completely characterized.

Methods: Patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent CoreValve TAVR and followed up to 1 year in the multicenter CoreValve U.

Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis: 1-Year Results From the All-Comers NOTION Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an option in certain high-risk surgical patients with severe aortic valve stenosis. It is unknown whether TAVR can be safely introduced to lower-risk patients.

Objectives: The NOTION (Nordic Aortic Valve Intervention Trial) randomized clinical trial compared TAVR with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in an all-comers patient cohort.

Microbial community structure and diversity in the soil spatial profile of 5-year-old Robinia pseudoacacia 'Idaho,' determined by 454 sequencing of the 16S RNA gene.

Relatively little information is available regarding the variability of microbial communities inhabiting deeper soil layers. We investigated the distribution of soil microbial communities down to 1.2 m in 5-year-old Robinia pseudoacacia 'Idaho' soil by 454 sequencing of the 16S RNA gene.

Short- and long-term electrical performance of the 5086MRI pacing lead.

Background: Owing to potential patient harm, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices has traditionally been contraindicated. Following the EnRhythm MRI SureScan Study, an MR conditional pacemaker with modified leads was approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Electrical and handling characteristics of MR conditional pacing leads compared with those of traditional leads have not been established.

Impact of the Advisa MRI pacing system on the diagnostic quality of cardiac MR images and contraction patterns of cardiac muscle during scans: Advisa MRI randomized clinical multicenter study results.

Background: The Advisa MRI system is designed to safely undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Its influence on image quality is not well known.

Objective: To evaluate cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) image quality and to characterize myocardial contraction patterns by using the Advisa MRI system.

Randomized trial of pacemaker and lead system for safe scanning at 1.5 Tesla.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of pacemakers is a relative contraindication because of the risks to the patient from potentially hazardous interactions between the MRI and the pacemaker system. Chest scans (ie, cardiac magnetic resonance scans) are of particular importance and higher risk. The previously Food and Drug Administration-approved magnetic resonance conditional system includes positioning restrictions, limiting the powerful utility of MRI.