The role of plasma-activated water on the growth of freshwater algae Chlorella Pyrenoidosa and Chlorella Sorokiniana

In the present work we have conducted two studies. In the first study, we investigated the role of plasma-activated water (PAW) in algae growth inhibition and in the second study, efforts are made to understand the role of PAW as a nitrogen source for algae growth enhancement. Two freshwater algae species are selected for the present study named Chlorella Pyrenoidosa and Chlorella Sorokiniana. The PAW is prepared using a pencil plasma jet and air as a plasma forming gas. The plasma is characterized electrically and identification of generated species in plasma is carried out using optical emission spectroscopy. The study clearly indicated that more oxidizing PAW exhibits algicidal effect. The PAW treatment with both the algae species substantially decreased their growth compared to control. Moreover, the morphology of algae cells showed damage and cells structure get ruptured after PAW treatment. In the second study, a less reactive PAW (low oxidizing potential) used as a nitrogen replacement in Bolds Basal Medium. The PAW-grown Chlorella Pyrenoidosa and Chlorella Sorokiniana showed higher growth compared to control. Also, a higher concentration of chlorophyll a and b, sugar, and protein observed compared to control. Further, we observed lower antioxidant enzymatic activities in PAW-grown algae compared to control. In conclusion, the PAW has algicidal efficacy as well as can be used as nitrogen source in aquaculture to enhance algae growth

Enhancing the Properties of Plasma Activated Water using an Air Bubble Diffuser

In this study, the impact of an air bubbler on the properties of plasma-activated water (PAW) was investigated in different configurations. A pencil plasma jet (PPJ) using a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was used to prepare PAW. In one configuration, the air bubbler was fitted at the tip of the pencil plasma jet, causing the discharge gases to emerge as bubbles in the water. In another configuration, the water was agitated using the bubbler during plasma-water interaction. The plasma generated in the PPJ setup was a filamentary DBD micro-discharge. However, water agitation using the bubbler changed this filamentary DBD to a diffusive DBD, which showed higher discharge current and lower electrode voltage compared to filamentary DBD. PAW produced using the fitted bubbler in the PPJ setup showed enhanced physicochemical properties, including NO2, NO3, dissolved O3, and non-traceable H2O2 compared to PAW produced without a bubbler. Additionally, PAW produced using water agitation by the bubbler showed a substantial increase in physicochemical properties and reactive species concentrations. The PAW process parameters such as air flow rate, plasma-water treatment time, and plasma discharge power showed monotonically increasing properties of PAW. The maximum concentrations of NO2, NO3, H2O2, and dissolved O3 (flow rate: 20 L/min, time: 5 min, power: 15 W) observed in this study were 0.334 g/L, 0.078 g/L, 0.045 g/L, and 0.016 g/L, respectively. This enhancement in the properties of PAW using a bubbler adds value to the current PAW technology in fields such as microbial inactivation, medicine, agriculture, and aquaculture, etc

A Novel Modification of the Retrograde Approach for the Recanalization of Chronic Total Occlusion of the Coronary Arteries Intravascular Ultrasound-Guided Reverse Controlled Antegrade and Retrograde Tracking

ObjectivesThe study evaluates the feasibility and efficacy of the novel modification of the retrograde recanalization of the chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the coronary arteries by using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided reverse controlled antegrade and retrograde tracking (CART).BackgroundDespite improvement in the techniques and materials, CTO recanalization is still suboptimal. The CART procedure has improved success rates, but there are certain inherent technical uncertainties and risk with this procedure.MethodsThis first series involves 31 patients, with 22 patients having previous failed attempts at CTO recanalization. All patients were treated with bilateral approach and using IVUS-guided reverse CART concept.ResultsSuccessful recanalization of the CTO was achieved in all cases (100%). The access route was septal collateral in 20 (70%) cases and epicardial collateral in 11 (30%) cases. IVUS guidance was used successfully in 30 cases, and the channel dilator (microcatheter) was used in 27 cases. Guidewire injury and grade 1 perforation was seen in 3 (9%) cases, which were managed conservatively. There was no death, coronary artery bypass surgery, or pericardiocentesis in this group of patients. Mean fluoroscopy time was 65.84 ± 23.16 min, ranging from 31 to 106 min and total contrast volume used 321.32 ± 137.77 ml (range 115 to 650 ml).ConclusionsThis first series describes a high success rate of CTO recanalization with IVUS-guided reverse CART in selected patients performed by an experienced operator

Anatomical classification of chronic total occlusions in coronary bifurcations

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusions (CTO) in coronary bifurcation lesions (CBL) is undergoing substantial technical progress and standardization, paralleling the evolution of dedicated devices, tools, and techniques. A standard consensus to classify CTO-CBL might be instrumental to homogenize data collection and description of procedures for scientific and educational purposes. The Medina-CTO classification replicates the classical three digits in Medina classification for bifurcations, representing the proximal main vessel, distal main vessel, and side branch, respectively. Each digit can take a value of 1 if it concerns atherosclerosis and is anatomically stenosed, or 0 if it is not. In addition, the occluded segment(s) of the bifurcation are noted by a subscript, which describes key interventional features of the cap: t (tapered), b (blunt), or a (ambiguous). This approach results in 56 basic categories that can be grouped by means of different elements, depending on the specific needs of each study. Medina-CTO classification, consisting of adding a subscript describing the basic cap characteristics to the totally occluded segment(s) of the standard Medina triplet, might be a useful methodological tool to standardize percutaneous intervention of bifurcational CTO lesions, with interesting scientific and educational applications

Different Patterns of Vascular Response Between Patients With or Without Diabetes Mellitus After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation Optical Coherence Tomographic Analysis

ObjectivesWe performed this study to investigate with optical coherence tomography (OCT) the vascular response after sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation between patients with and those without diabetes mellitus (DM).BackgroundThe difference in vascular response after SES implantation between patients with and those without DM has not been fully evaluated with OCT.MethodsOptical coherence tomography was performed to examine 74 nonrestenotic SES implanted in 63 patients (32 with DM and 31 without DM) at 9 months after SES implantation. For struts showing neointimal coverage, the neointimal thickness on the luminal side of each strut section was measured, and neointimal characteristics were classified into high, low, and layered signal pattern.ResultsBaseline patient characteristics and lesion and procedural characteristics data were similar between the 2 groups. In total, 11,422 struts were analyzed. High signal neointima was observed in 90.2 ± 13.9%, low signal neointima in 7.3 ± 10.0%, and layered neointima in 2.7 ± 5.8%/stents. There was higher incidence of low signal neointima (10.5 ± 10.3% vs. 4.5 ± 5.6%, p = 0.003), neointimal thickness was larger (median: 106.8 μm, interquartile range: 79.3 to 130.4 μm vs. median: 83.5 μm, interquartile range: 62.3 to 89.3 μm; p < 0.0001), and neointimal coverage of stent struts was higher (92.1 ± 6.2% vs. 87.2 ± 11.9%; p = 0.03) in DM patients.ConclusionsHigh signal neointimal pattern was predominantly observed, and low or layered signal pattern was observed in some cases. In DM patients, low signal neointima was observed with high frequency. Neointimal coverage and neointimal thickness was also higher in DM patients as compared with non-DM patients

Anatomical classification of chronic total occlusions in coronary bifurcations

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusions (CTO) in coronary bifurcation lesions (CBL) is undergoing substantial technical progress and standardization, paralleling the evolution of dedicated devices, tools, and techniques. A standard consensus to classify CTO-CBL might be instrumental to homogenize data collection and description of procedures for scientific and educational purposes. The Medina-CTO classification replicates the classical three digits in Medina classification for bifurcations, representing the proximal main vessel, distal main vessel, and side branch, respectively. Each digit can take a value of 1 if it concerns atherosclerosis and is anatomically stenosed, or 0 if it is not. In addition, the occluded segment(s) of the bifurcation are noted by a subscript, which describes key interventional features of the cap: t (tapered), b (blunt), or a (ambiguous). This approach results in 56 basic categories that can be grouped by means of different elements, depending on the specific needs of each study. Medina-CTO classification, consisting of adding a subscript describing the basic cap characteristics to the totally occluded segment(s) of the standard Medina triplet, might be a useful methodological tool to standardize percutaneous intervention of bifurcational CTO lesions, with interesting scientific and educational applications

Small coronary vessel angioplasty: outcomes and technical considerations

Sudhir RathoreDepartment of Cardiology, Atkinson Morley wing, St George&amp;rsquo;s Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UKAbstract: Small vessel (&amp;lt;3 mm) coronary artery disease is common and has been identified as independent predictor of restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention. It remains controversial whether bare-metal stent (BMS) implantation in small vessels has an advantage over balloon angioplasty in terms of angiographic and clinical outcomes. Introduction of drug-eluting stent (DES) has resulted in significant reduction in restenosis and the need for repeat revascularization. Several DESs have been introduced resulting in varying reduction in outcomes as compared with BMS. However, their impact on outcomes in small vessels is not clearly known. It is expected that DES could substantially reduce restenosis in smaller vessels. Large, randomized studies are warranted to assess the impact of different DESs on outcomes in patients with small coronary arteries.Keywords: small coronary arteries, coronary artery disease, stent, drug-eluting stent, restenosis&amp;nbsp