Percutaneous closure of a post-traumatic ventricular septal defect with a patent ductus arteriosus occluder

OBJECTIVE: Ventricular septal defects resulting from post-traumatic cardiac injury are very rare. Percutaneous closure has emerged as a method for treating this disorder. We wish to report our experience in three patients who underwent percutaneous closure of a post-traumatic ventricular septal defect with a patent ductus arteriosus occluder. METHODS: We treated three patients with post-traumatic ventricular septal defects caused by stab wounds with knives. After the heart wound was repaired, patient examinations revealed ventricular septal defects with pulmonary/systemic flow ratios (Qp/Qs) of over 1.7. The post-traumatic ventricular septal defects were closed percutaneously with a patent ductus arteriosus occluder (Lifetech Scientific (Shenzhen) Co., LTD, Guangdong, China) utilizing standard techniques. RESULTS: Post-operative transthoracic echocardiography revealed no residual left-to-right shunt and indicated normal ventricular function. In addition, 320-slice computerized tomography showed that the occluder was well placed and exhibited normal morphology. CONCLUSION: Our experiences indicate that closure of a post-traumatic ventricular septal defect using a patent ductus arteriosus occluder is feasible, safe, and effective

Non–contact real–time detection of trace nitro-explosives by MOF composites visible–light chemiresistor

To create an artificial structure to remarkably surpass the sensitivity, selectivity and speed of the olfaction system of animals is still a daunting challenge. Herein, we propose a core-sheath pillar (CSP) architecture with a perfect synergistic interface that effectively integrates the advantages of metal–organic frameworks and metal oxides to tackle the above-mentioned challenge. The sheath material, NH₂-MIL-125, can concentrate target analyte, nitro-explosives, by 10¹² times from its vapour. The perfect band-matched synergistic interface enables the TiO₂ core to effectively harvest and utilize visible light. At room temperature and under visible light, CSP (TiO₂, NH₂-MIL-125) shows an unexpected self-promoting analyte-sensing behaviour. Its experimentally reached limit of detection (～0.8 ppq, hexogeon) is 10³ times lower than the lowest one achieved by a sniffer dog or all sensing techniques without analyte pre-concentration. Moreover, the sensor exhibits excellent selectivity against commonly existing interferences, with a short response time of 0.14 min

Identification of 10 SUMOylation-Related Genes From Yellow Catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, and Their Transcriptional Responses to Carbohydrate Addition in vivo and in vitro

SUMOylation is a kind of important post-translational modification. In the present study, we identified 10 key genes involved in SUMOylation and deSUMOylation (sumo1, sumo2, sumo3, sae1, uba2, ubc9, pias1, senp1, senp2, and senp3) in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, investigated their tissue expression patterns and transcriptional responses to carbohydrate addition both in vivo and in vitro. All of these members shared similar domains to their orthologous genes of other vertebrates. Their mRNAs were widely expressed in all the tested tissues, but at variable levels. Dietary carbohydrate levels differentially influenced the mRNA levels of these genes in liver, muscle, testis, and ovary of yellow catfish. Their mRNA levels in primary hepatocytes were differentially responsive to glucose addition. Our study would contribute to our understanding into the molecular basis of SUMOylation modification and into the potential SUMOylation function in the carbohydrate utilization in fish

Analysis of the refraction error and the influencing factors after phacoemulsification in acute primary angle-closure glaucoma with cataract

AIM: To compare the refraction error(RE)3mo after phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation(PHACO+IOL)between patients with acute primary angle-closure glaucoma(APACG)with cataract(APACG group)and patients with simple cataract(cataract group), and the biological parameters of the eye(axial length,corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth)associated with the postoperative RE in the APACG and cataract groups. METHODS: This was a prospective, non-randomized, case-control study. Each group had 30 cases(30 eyes). Intraocular pressure, axial length, corneal curvature, and anterior chamber depth were measured. The reserved refractive power was calculated using the SRK-II formula. Three months postoperatively, subjective RE was calculated as the postoperative refractive power which subtracted the preoperative reserved diopter(RE was considered as +0.50D; -0.50D to +0.50D not considered as RE). An independent sample t-test was used to compare the difference in RE between the two groups and to compare the differences among relevant parameters such as axial length, corneal curvature, and anterior chamber depth. Paired t-test was used to compare preoperative and postoperative parameters such as axial length, corneal curvature, and difference in anterior chamber depth. RESULTS: Mean RE in the cataract group was -0.46D±0.46D, with 24 cases of myopic RE(80%)and 6 cases of hyperopic RE(20%). Mean RE in the APACG group was +0.56D±0.79D, with 9 cases of myopic RE(30%)and 21 cases of hyperopic RE(70%). The difference in RE between the two groups was statistically significant(PP>0.05). In the APACG group, pre- and postoperative axial length was 21.71±0.46mm and 21.52±0.54mm, respectively; the difference was statistically significant(PPP>0.05). On comparison of biological parameters between the two groups, postoperative ocular axial length shortening in the APACG group was statistically significant compared with the ocular axial changes in the cataract group(PPCONCLUSION:Postoperative RE in patients with APACG and cataract who underwent PHACO+IOL is relatively large compared with patients with simple cataracts. These patients with APACG and cataract also show hyperopia drift, which is more significantly correlated with postoperative ocular axial length shortening and increased anterior chamber depth

Plasmoid ejection and secondary current sheet generation from magnetic reconnection in laser-plasma interaction

Reconnection of the self-generated magnetic fields in laser-plasma interaction was first investigated experimentally by Nilson {\it et al.} [Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 255001 (2006)] by shining two laser pulses a distance apart on a solid target layer. An elongated current sheet (CS) was observed in the plasma between the two laser spots. In order to more closely model magnetotail reconnection, here two side-by-side thin target layers, instead of a single one, are used. It is found that at one end of the elongated CS a fan-like electron outflow region including three well-collimated electron jets appears. The ($>1$ MeV) tail of the jet energy distribution exhibits a power-law scaling. The enhanced electron acceleration is attributed to the intense inductive electric field in the narrow electron dominated reconnection region, as well as additional acceleration as they are trapped inside the rapidly moving plasmoid formed in and ejected from the CS. The ejection also induces a secondary CS

RNA aptamers that functionally interact with green fluorescent protein and its derivatives

Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and related fluorescent proteins (FPs) have been widely used to tag proteins, allowing their expression and subcellular localization to be examined in real time in living cells and animals. Similar fluorescent methods are highly desirable to detect and track RNA and other biological molecules in living cells. For this purpose, we have developed a group of RNA aptamers that bind GFP and related proteins, which we term Fluorescent Protein-Binding Aptamers (FPBA). These aptamers bind GFP, YFP and CFP with low nanomolar affinity and binding decreases GFP fluorescence, whereas slightly augmenting YFP and CFP brightness. Aptamer binding results in an increase in the pKa of EGFP, decreasing the 475 nm excited green fluorescence at a given pH. We report the secondary structure of FPBA and the ability to synthesize functional multivalent dendrimers. FPBA expressed in live cells decreased GFP fluorescence in a valency-dependent manner, indicating that the RNA aptamers function within cells. The development of aptamers that bind fluorescent proteins with high affinity and alter their function, markedly expands their use in the study of biological pathways

Circular Permutation of Red Fluorescent Proteins

Circular permutation of fluorescent proteins provides a substrate for the design of molecular sensors. Here we describe a systematic exploration of permutation sites for mCherry and mKate using a tandem fusion template approach. Circular permutants retaining more than 60% (mCherry) and 90% (mKate) brightness of the parent molecules are reported, as well as a quantitative evaluation of the fluorescence from neighboring mutations. Truncations of circular permutants indicated essential N- and C- terminal segments and substantial flexibility in the use of these molecules. Structural evaluation of two cp-mKate variants indicated no major conformational changes from the previously reported wild-type structure, and cis conformation of the chromophores. Four cp-mKates were identified with over 80% of native fluorescence, providing important new building blocks for sensor and complementation experiments

Metabolically Healthy Obesity and High Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Children and Adolescents: International Childhood Vascular Structure Evaluation Consortium

OBJECTIVE It has been argued that metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) does not increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study examines the association of MHO with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), a proxy of CVD risk, in children and adolescents. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data were available for 3,497 children and adolescents aged 6–17 years from five population-based cross-sectional studies in Brazil, China, Greece, Italy, and Spain. Weight status categories (normal, overweight, and obese) were defined using BMI cutoffs from the International Obesity Task Force. Metabolic status (defined as "healthy" [no risk factors] or "unhealthy" [one or more risk factors]) was based on four CVD risk factors: elevated blood pressure, elevated triglyceride levels, reduced HDL cholesterol, and elevated fasting glucose. High cIMT was defined as cIMT ≥90th percentile for sex, age, and study population. Logistic regression model was used to examine the association of weight and metabolic status with high cIMT, with adjustment for sex, age, race/ethnicity, and study center. RESULTS In comparison with metabolically healthy normal weight, odds ratios (ORs) for high cIMT were 2.29 (95% CI 1.58–3.32) for metabolically healthy overweight and 3.91 (2.46–6.21) for MHO. ORs for high cIMT were 1.44 (1.03–2.02) for unhealthy normal weight, 3.49 (2.51–4.85) for unhealthy overweight, and 6.96 (5.05–9.61) for unhealthy obesity. CONCLUSIONS Among children and adolescents, cIMT was higher for both MHO and metabolically healthy overweight compared with metabolically healthy normal weight. Our findings reinforce the need for weight control in children and adolescents irrespective of their metabolic status

Molecular Mechanism of a Green-Shifted, pH-Dependent Red Fluorescent Protein mKate Variant

Fluorescent proteins that can switch between distinct colors have contributed significantly to modern biomedical imaging technologies and molecular cell biology. Here we report the identification and biochemical analysis of a green-shifted red fluorescent protein variant GmKate, produced by the introduction of two mutations into mKate. Although the mutations decrease the overall brightness of the protein, GmKate is subject to pH-dependent, reversible green-to-red color conversion. At physiological pH, GmKate absorbs blue light (445 nm) and emits green fluorescence (525 nm). At pH above 9.0, GmKate absorbs 598 nm light and emits 646 nm, far-red fluorescence, similar to its sequence homolog mNeptune. Based on optical spectra and crystal structures of GmKate in its green and red states, the reversible color transition is attributed to the different protonation states of the cis-chromophore, an interpretation that was confirmed by quantum chemical calculations. Crystal structures reveal potential hydrogen bond networks around the chromophore that may facilitate the protonation switch, and indicate a molecular basis for the unusual bathochromic shift observed at high pH. This study provides mechanistic insights into the color tuning of mKate variants, which may aid the development of green-to-red color-convertible fluorescent sensors, and suggests GmKate as a prototype of genetically encoded pH sensors for biological studies