Structural stability and aromaticity of pristine and doped graphene nanoflakes

We have quantitatively investigated the relationship between the aromaticity and structural stability of graphene nanoflakes (GNFs) using first-principles calculations. The aromaticity of each six-membered ring of GNFs is evaluated with the nucleus-independent chemical shifts (NICS). We have found that for armchair-edge GNFs, the degree of stability, that is, the edge formation energy, is proportional to the average NICS for all six-membered rings. Even for nitrogen- and boron-doped GNFs, the average NICS strongly correlates with the doping formation energy. Our results indicate that NICS is a good measure not only for the aromaticity but also for the structural stability of pristine/doped nanographene systems

Guideline from Japanese Society of Echocardiography : 2018 focused update incorporated into Guidance for the Management and Maintenance of Echocardiography Equipment

Echocardiography plays a pivotal role as an imaging modality in the modern cardiology practice. Information derived from echocardiography is definitely helpful for a patient care. The Japanese Society of Echocardiography has promoted echocardiography for a routine clinical and research use. One of the missions of the Society is to provide information that is useful for high-quality examinations. To ensure it, we believe equipment in good conditions and a comfortable environment are important for both a patient and an examiner. Thus, the Committee for Guideline Writing, the Japanese Society of Echocardiography published brief guidance for the routine use of echocardiography equipment in 2015. Recently, the importance of international standardization has been emphasized in the medical laboratories. Accordingly, the committee has revised and updated our guidance for the routine use of echocardiography equipment

Impact of ischemic postconditioning with lactate-enriched blood on early inflammation after myocardial infarction

AbstractBackgroundExcessive early inflammation after myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with poor outcomes. However, an approach for suppressing this early inflammation has not been reported. We previously reported that postconditioning with lactate-enriched blood (PCLeB) induced excellent microcirculation recovery in patients with acute MI. We therefore tested the hypothesis that early inflammation after MI could be suppressed by PCLeB.Methods and resultsWe treated 17 consecutive patients with ST-elevation MI using primary percutaneous intervention with our modified postconditioning protocol within 12h of onset. In this protocol, the duration of each brief reperfusion was prolonged from 10 to 60s in a stepwise manner. Lactated Ringer's solution (20–30mL) was injected directly into the culprit coronary artery at the end of each brief reperfusion, and the balloon was quickly inflated at the site of the lesion to trap lactate within the ischemic myocardium. Each brief ischemic period lasted 60s. After 7cycles of balloon inflation and deflation, full reperfusion was performed; subsequently, stenting was performed. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured daily and the peak values within the first 7days post-admission were recorded. Peak CRP values were compared with those in matched control patients with acute MI treated without postconditioning. In both groups, only patients with CRP values <0.3mg/dL on admission were included. Peak CRP values were significantly lower in the postconditioned group (control group vs. postconditioned group, 5.05±4.85 vs. 1.66±1.57mg/dL; p<0.01).ConclusionPCLeB may suppress early inflammation after MI