Management of Ascending Aorta Calcification in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Neurological complications are one of the most common complications after coronary artery bypass grafting. With the development of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG), the incidence of postoperative neurological complications caused by aortic intubation decreased significantly; however, the continuous suture of the great saphenous vein-aortic anastomosis in the coronary artery bypass grafting requires the operation of surgical clamp and perforation on the ascending aorta, which may lead to potential plaque detachment. Calcification of ascending aorta is an independent risk factor for cerebrovascular events after OPCABG. Therefore, it is crucial to explore and operate on the ascending aorta. There are three main methods of proximal anastomosis in OPCABG: (1) partial blocking of ascending aorta with side wall clamp for anastomosis; (2) application of proximal anastomosis auxiliary device (Enclose, Heartstring, etc.) for proximal anastomosis; and (3) original auxiliary device (urethra catheter-water sac) or no-clamp surgical techniques for proximal anastomosis

Extension rates across the northern Shanxi Grabens, China, from Quaternary geology, seismicity and geodesy

Discrepancies between geological, seismic and geodetic rates of strain can indicate that rates of crustal deformation, and hence seismic hazard, are varying through time. Previous studies in the northern Shanxi Grabens, at the northeastern corner of the Ordos Plateau in northern China, have found extension rates of anywhere between 0 and 6 mm a−1 at an azimuth of between 95° and 180°. In this paper we determine extension rates across the northern Shanxi Grabens from offset geomorphological features and a variety of Quaternary dating techniques (including new IRSL and Ar-Ar ages), a Kostrov summation using a 700 yr catalogue of historical earthquakes, and recent campaign GPS measurements. We observe good agreement between Quaternary, seismic and geodetic rates of strain, and we find that the northern Shanxi Grabens are extending at around 1–2 mm a−1 at an azimuth of ≈151°. The azimuth of extension is particularly well constrained and can be reliably inferred from catalogues of small earthquakes. We do not find evidence for any substantial variations in extension rate through time, though there is a notable seismic moment rate deficit since 1750. This deficit could indicate complex fault interactions across large regions, aseismic accommodation of deformation, or that we are quite late in the earthquake cycle with the potential for larger earthquakes in the relatively near future

Numerical and experimental analysis on green laser crystallization of amorphous silicon thin films

The laser fluence effect on crystallization of amorphous silicon irradiated by a frequency-doubled Nd: YAG laser has been studied both theoretically and experimentally. An effective numerical model is set up to predict the melting threshold and the optimized laser fluence for crystallization of 200nm amorphous silicon. Temperature distribution with time and melt depth are analyzed. Besides the model, Raman spectra of thin films treated with different fluences are measured to confirm the phase transition and to determine the optimized fluence. The calculating results accord well with those obtained from the experimental data in this research

Biomedical applications of artificial exosomes for intranasal drug delivery

Intranasal administration offers a feasible, non-invasive method of delivering therapeutic drugs to the brain, allowing therapeutic pharmaceuticals to be administered directly to the central nervous system by bypassing the blood-brain barrier. Furthermore, exosomes are naturally occurring cell-derived nanovesicles that can serve as carriers for a variety of chemical compounds. Many studies have focused on artificial exosomes as innovative medication delivery methods. As a result, trans-nasal delivery of artificial exosomes might be employed to treat brain illnesses in a novel method. This review will outline the drug delivery mechanism of artificial extracellular vesicles, emphasize its advantages as a nasal drug carrier, particularly its application as a novel nanocarriers in brain diseases, and focus on its prospective application in chronic inflammatory nose disorders. Finally, artificial exosomes may become a unique drug delivery mode for clinical therapeutic usage

Cassava genome from a wild ancestor to cultivated varieties

Cassava is a major tropical food crop in the Euphorbiaceae family that has high carbohydrate production potential and adaptability to diverse environments. Here we present the draft genome sequences of a wild ancestor and a domesticated variety of cassava and comparative analyses with a partial inbred line. We identify 1,584 and 1,678 gene models specific to the wild and domesticated varieties, respectively, and discover high heterozygosity and millions of single-nucleotide variations. Our analyses reveal that genes involved in photosynthesis, starch accumulation and abiotic stresses have been positively selected, whereas those involved in cell wall biosynthesis and secondary metabolism, including cyanogenic glucoside formation, have been negatively selected in the cultivated varieties, reflecting the result of natural selection and domestication. Differences in microRNA genes and retrotransposon regulation could partly explain an increased carbon flux towards starch accumulation and reduced cyanogenic glucoside accumulation in domesticated cassava. These results may contribute to genetic improvement of cassava through better understanding of its biology