Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Quadricuspid vs Bicuspid Aortic Valve.

Importance: Congenital aortic valve disease predominantly manifests as bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), while quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is considerably rarer. Whether outcomes vary between these 2 types of congenital aortic valve disease remains unknown.

Objective: To compare outcomes between patients with QAV and patients with BAV.

Validation with the Dynamic Prediction Model of Protein and Amino Acid Requirements for Growth Performance and Health in Layer Chicks.

This study evaluated an established dynamic prediction model for protein and amino acid nutritional requirements on growth performance and health in layer chicks. A total of 288 one-day-old healthy Jing Tint 6 chicks were randomly divided into four treatment groups with 6 replicates of 12 chicks each. The chicks in the four groups were fed a basal diet (BD) according to the feeding standards and a model diet (MD) based on the dynamic prediction model for protein and amino acid values at 90%, 100%, or 110% for 6 weeks.

AMPK-mediated energy metabolism disorders are associated with impaired type IIB muscle fiber regeneration in broiler chickens with wooden breast myopathy.

Wooden breast (WB) myopathy is a myodegenerative muscle disease, in which muscle regeneration is also commonly observed, and has been increasingly reported in fast-growing broilers in recent years. This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanism of energy metabolism abnormalities on muscle regeneration in WB. A total of 300 male Ross 308 broilers were evaluated at 42 days of age based on physical and biochemical examinations to classify the severity of WB.

[Short-term outcomes of transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement with Venus-P valve in patients with moderate-to-severe pulmonary regurgitation and right ventricular systolic dysfunction].

Objectives: To evaluate the short-term outcomes of transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) using the Venus-P valve in patients with moderate-to-severe pulmonary regurgitation and right ventricular systolic dysfunction (RVSD) following surgical repair of complex congenital heart disease.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients undergoing Venus-P valve implantation (TPVR group, =28) or surgical pulmonary valve replacement (SPVR group, =19) at Fuwai Hospital between February 2014 and February 2024. All patients had moderate-to-severe pulmonary regurgitation with right ventricular ejection fraction less than 45% preoperatively.

Feasibility of Self-Expanding Transcatheter Pulmonary Valves in Patients with Pyramidal RVOT: Favorable Mid-term Outcomes.

Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) is effective for treating significant pulmonary regurgitation (PR), but mid-term data in patients with pyramidal right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) anatomy are limited. This multi-center retrospective study included patients who underwent TPVR between May 2014 and September 2023. Baseline and echocardiographic data were compared between patients with pyramidal and non-pyramidal RVOT.

Contamination of aflatoxin B, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in feeds in China from 2021 to 2024.

Background: This study was carried out to investigate the individual and combined contamination of aflatoxin B (AFB), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEN) in feeds in China between 2021 and 2024. A total of 23,003 feed samples, including 17,489 feedstuff samples and 5,514 complete feed samples, were collected from different provinces of China for mycotoxin analysis.

Results: The analyzed mycotoxins displayed considerably high contamination in the feed samples, with the individual contamination of AFB, DON, and ZEN were 20.

Heart Function, Valvular Hemodynamics, and Early-term Outcomes of Possible Thrombosis in Self-Expanding Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve.

Background: The clinical implications of hypoattenuating leaflet thickening (HALT) and its potential link to thrombosis detected via computed tomography (CT) scans in post transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) patients are unknown. In this study we aimed to explore the prevalence, heart function, valvular hemodynamics, and early outcomes of HALT after TPVR.

Methods: We studied 64 of 76 consecutive multicentre patients who underwent TPVR, with the implantation of a Venus-P device (Venus MedTech Inc, Hangzhou, China).

Five glutathione S-transferase isozymes played crucial role in the detoxification of aflatoxin B in chicken liver.

Background: AFB-8,9-exo-epoxide (AFBO) is the highly toxic product of Aflatoxin B (AFB). Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) play pivotal roles in detoxifying AFB by catalyzing the conjugation of AFBO with glutathione (GSH). Although there are over 20 GST isozymes that have been identified in chicken, GST isozymes involved in the detoxification process of AFB have not been identified yet.

Lattice-Confined Ru Electrocatalysts with Optimal Localized Interfacial Electrons for Efficient Alkaline Hydrogen Oxidation.

The interfacial electronic structure has a significant influence on the electrocatalytic activity and durability of metal oxide-supported ruthenium (Ru) electrocatalysts for the alkaline hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). Herein, we optimize the interfacial electronic structure by tuning the Ru-O bonds within MnO lattice-confined Ru electrocatalysts, creating efficient and stable sites for alkaline HOR. The formed Ru-O bonds generate localized interfacial electrons and a downshifted d-band center of interfacial Ru atoms, which results in optimal adsorption ability of H* and OH* together with the reduced energy barrier of HO formation.

Butyric acid-based products, alone or in combination with hydroxy-selenomethionine, improve performance of laying hens in post-peak period by modulating their antioxidant, metabolic and immune status.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of butyrate, butyric glycerides (BG) and their combination with sodium selenite (SeNa) or hydroxy-selenomethionine (OH-SeMet) on the performance and egg quality of the laying hens in post-peak period as well as the potential mechanism. A total of 900 45-week-old Hy-Line brown laying hens were randomly allocated to 5 treatment groups (n = 10 replicates/diet, 18 hens/replicate). The hens were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.

T-2 toxin-induced splenic injury by disrupting the gut microbiota-spleen axis via promoting IL-6/JAK/STAT1 signaling-mediated inflammation and apoptosis and its mitigation by elemental nano-selenium.

T-2 toxin is one of the most toxic A trichothecene mycotoxins prevalent in the environment and food chain, which brings severe health hazards to both animals and humans and it can significantly damage immune function. In this study, we comprehensively explained the impact of T-2 toxin on the spleen through gut microbiota-spleen axis by integrating the transcriptome and microbiome. Our results revealed that dietary T-2 toxin ≥ 1.

Targeted metabolomics reveals novel diagnostic biomarkers for colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignant tumor worldwide, with a high mortality rate due to its complex etiology and limited early screening techniques. This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers for early detection of CRC utilizing targeted metabolite profiling of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Based on multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis identified metabolites in PRP collected from patients with CRC (n = 70) and healthy controls (n = 30).

Strong and Fatigue-Resistant Carbon Nanotube Composites Enabled by Amorphous/Crystalline Heterophase Shell.

Lightweight materials with high strength and long cyclic lifespan are greatly demanded in practical applications, yet these properties are usually mutually exclusive. Here, we present a strong, lightweight, highly deformation-tolerant, and fatigue-resistant carbon nanotube (CNT) composite enabled by an amorphous/crystalline heterophase carbon shell. In particular, we obtain nanocrystallites with CNT-induced crystalline orientation uniformly embedded within an amorphous matrix by controlled thermal annealing.

Prognostic implications of residual mild coarctation gradient after interventional repair.

There is limited data on the prognostic implications of residual mild coarctation (RMC) in patients with repaired native coarctation of the aorta (CoA). To explore the association of RMC with mid-term comorbidities in post-interventional patients, and the predictive value of the residual pressure gradient. The authors retrospectively analyzed 79 native CoA patients who received successful intervention at our hospital between October 2010 and June 2023.

Ultra-Large Stress and Strain Polymer Nanocomposite Actuators Incorporating a Mutually-Interpenetrated, Collective-Deformation Carbon Nanotube Network.

Stimulus-responsive polymer-based actuators are extensively studied, with the challenging goal of achieving comprehensive performance metrics that include large output stress and strain, fast response, and versatile actuation modes. The design and fabrication of nanocomposites offer a promising route to integrate the advantages of both polymers and nanoscale fillers, thus ensuring superior performance. Here, it is started from a three-dimensional (3D) porous sponge to fabricate a mutually interpenetrated nanocomposite, in which the embedded carbon nanotube (CNT) network undergoes collective deformation with the shape memory polymer (SMP) matrix during large-degree stretching and releasing, increases junction density with polymer chains and enhances molecular orientation.

Estimation of Protein and Amino Acid Requirements in Layer Chicks Depending on Dynamic Model.

Four trials were conducted to establish a protein and amino acid requirement model for layer chicks over 0-6 weeks by using the analytical factorization method. In trial 1, a total of 90 one-day-old Jing Tint 6 chicks with similar body weight were selected to determine the growth curve, carcass and feather protein deposition, and amino acid patterns of carcass and feather proteins. In trials 2 and 3, 24 seven-day-old and 24 thirty-five-day-old Jing Tint 6 chicks were selected to determine the protein maintenance requirements, amino acid pattern, and net protein utilization rate.

Patient preferences and willingness to pay for central venous access devices in breast cancer: A multicenter discrete choice experiment.

Background: Despite being a significant management decision in clinical or nursing practice, there is limited understanding of the preferences regarding risks, benefits, costs, and other attributes of patients with breast cancer when selecting peripherally inserted central catheters or totally implanted ports. The objective of this study is to investigate the preferences of patients with breast cancer who require chemotherapy when selecting an optimal central venous access device.

Methods: Data on patients' preferences for central venous access devices were collected using a face-to-face discrete choice experiment from the oncology departments of three public hospitals in China representing the eastern (Zhejiang province), central (Henan province), and western (Sichuan province) regions.

Circulating tumor DNA analysis predicts recurrence and avoids unnecessary adjuvant chemotherapy in I-IV colorectal cancer.

Background: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a biomarker that can define the risk of recurrence after curative-intent surgery for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). However, beyond the predictive power of postoperative ctDNA detection, the efficacy and potential limitations of ctDNA detection urgently need to be fully elucidated in a large cohort of CRC.

Objectives: To define potentially cured CRC patients through ctDNA monitoring following surgery.

Shape-changing electrode array for minimally invasive large-scale intracranial brain activity mapping.

Large-scale brain activity mapping is important for understanding the neural basis of behaviour. Electrocorticograms (ECoGs) have high spatiotemporal resolution, bandwidth, and signal quality. However, the invasiveness and surgical risks of electrode array implantation limit its application scope.

Hemodynamics, anatomy, and outcomes of quadricuspid aortic valves: Multimodality imaging assessment.

Background: Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a rare congenital heart disease with a limited body of literature. This retrospective cohort study investigates QAV morphology, function, and clinical outcomes.

Methods: Echocardiography was used to assess valvular function.

An integrated mycotoxin-mitigating agent can effectively mitigate the combined toxicity of AFB, DON and OTA on the production performance, liver and oviduct health in broiler breeder hens.

This study was to evaluate the efficacy of an integrated mycotoxin-mitigating agent in reducing the adverse effects of co-occurring dietary aflatoxin B deoxynivalenol and ochratoxin A on broiler breeder hens. 360 30-week-old Hubbard Efficiency Plus broiler breeder hens were allocated into four groups and received a basal diet (BD; Control), BD added 0.15 mg/kg aflatoxin B+1.

Orthogonal-Channel, Low-Tortuosity Carbon Nanotube Platforms for High-Performance Li-O Batteries.

Aerogels and foams are promising electrode materials owing to their lightweight, high porosity, and large surface area for creating abundant active/catalytic sites. Tailoring their porous structure is essential toward maximum electrode performance yet remains challenging in the field. Here, by modifying a pristine carbon nanotube (CNT) sponge with random internal distribution, we present a CNT platform consisting of regular, orthogonally intercrossed through-channels centered at a suitable lateral size (around 5 μm), with low tortuosity and enhanced electrochemical kinetics under predefined compression.