Sol-gel chemistry mediated Zn/Al-based complex dispersant for SWCNT in water without foam formation

We report a bimetallic Zn/Al complex as an efficient inorganic dispersant for SWCNT, synthesized from Zn(CH3COO)(2) and Al(NO3)(3). The Zn/Al complex shows more than four times greater efficiency at dispersing SWCNT than widely used surfactants (CTAB and SDS). Besides remarkable dispersibility, the Zn/Al complex does not foam upon any shaking treatment and it can be used just after quick dissolution of the powdered form, which is a marked advantage over surfactants. The Zn/Al complex, containing amorphous Al(CH3COO)(3) and a complex of Zn2+ and NO3- ions, should have a unique dispersion mechanism, differing from the surfactants. Al(CH3COO)(3) has higher affinity for SWCNT than ions, adsorbing onto its surface in the first layer and attracting Zn2+ and NO3- ions. Charge transfer interactions between the Zn/Al complex and SWCNT, as evidenced by optical absorption spectroscopy, should induce a charge on SWCNT; the zeta potential of such coated SWCNT was +55 mV, indicating a high dispersion stability in aqueous media. Hence, the Zn/Al complex can widen the applications of SWCNT to various technologies such as the transparent and conductive films, as well as high performance composite polymers. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.ArticleCARBON. 94:518-523 (2015)journal articl

Extensive ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation patients with mitral regurgitation: Insights from the EARNEST-PVI prospective randomized trial

Sunaga A., Matsuoka Y., Nakatani D., et al. Extensive ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation patients with mitral regurgitation: Insights from the EARNEST-PVI prospective randomized trial. International Journal of Cardiology 410, 132231 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.132231.Background: Extensive ablation in addition to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) has not yielded consistent results, indicating diversity in their efficacy. Mitral regurgitation (MR) associated with AF may indicate a higher prevalence of arrhythmogenic substrate, suggesting potential benefits of extensive ablation for these patients. Methods: This post-hoc analysis of the EARNEST-PVI trial compared PVI alone versus an extensive ablation strategy (PVI-plus) in persistent AF patients, stratified by MR presence. The primary endpoint of the study was the recurrence of AF. The secondary endpoints included death, cerebral infarction, and procedure-related complications. Results: The trial included 495 eligible patients divided into MR and non-MR groups. The MR group consisted of 192 patients (89 in the PVI-alone arm and 103 in the PVI-plus arm), while the non-MR group had 303 patients (158 in the PVI-alone arm and 145 in the PVI-plus arm). In the non-MR group, recurrence rates were similar between PVI-alone and PVI-plus arms (Log-rank P = 0.47, Hazard ratio = 0.85 [95%CI: 0.54–1.33], P = 0.472). However, in the MR group, PVI-plus was significantly more effective in preventing AF recurrence (Log-rank P = 0.0014, Hazard ratio = 0.40 [95%CI: 0.22–0.72], P = 0.0021). No significant differences were observed in secondary endpoints between the two arms. Conclusions: For persistent AF patients with mild or greater MR, receiving PVI-plus was superior to PVI-alone in preventing AF recurrence. Conversely, for patients without MR, the effectiveness of extensive ablation was not demonstrated. These findings suggest tailoring ablation strategies based on MR presence can lead to better outcomes in AF management

Sol–gel chemistry mediated Zn/Al-based complex dispersant for SWCNT in water without foam formation

We report a bimetallic Zn/Al complex as an efficient inorganic dispersant for SWCNT, synthesized from Zn(CH3COO)(2) and Al(NO3)(3). The Zn/Al complex shows more than four times greater efficiency at dispersing SWCNT than widely used surfactants (CTAB and SDS). Besides remarkable dispersibility, the Zn/Al complex does not foam upon any shaking treatment and it can be used just after quick dissolution of the powdered form, which is a marked advantage over surfactants. The Zn/Al complex, containing amorphous Al(CH3COO)(3) and a complex of Zn2+ and NO3- ions, should have a unique dispersion mechanism, differing from the surfactants. Al(CH3COO)(3) has higher affinity for SWCNT than ions, adsorbing onto its surface in the first layer and attracting Zn2+ and NO3- ions. Charge transfer interactions between the Zn/Al complex and SWCNT, as evidenced by optical absorption spectroscopy, should induce a charge on SWCNT; the zeta potential of such coated SWCNT was +55 mV, indicating a high dispersion stability in aqueous media. Hence, the Zn/Al complex can widen the applications of SWCNT to various technologies such as the transparent and conductive films, as well as high performance composite polymers. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.ArticleCARBON. 94:518-523 (2015)journal articl

Alterations in characteristics of canine articular chondrocytes in non-passaged long-term monolayer culture: Matter of differentiation, dedifferentiation and redifferentiation

This study investigated the effects of culture time on phenotype stability of canine articular chondrocytes (CACs) in non-passaged long-term monolayer culture.Third passage (P3) CACs isolated from four cartilage samples were seeded at three different initial seeding densities (0.2 x 10(4),1.0 x 10(4) and 5.0 x 10(4) cells/cm(2)) and maintained in monolayer condition up to 8 weeks without undergoing subculture after confluence. The characteristic changes of chondrocytes during the culture period were evaluated based on the cell morphology, cell proliferation, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) content, DNA quantification, mRNA expression and ultrastructure of chondrocytes. Chondrocytes maintained under post-confluence condition exhibited a capability to grow and proliferate up to 4 weeks. Alcian blue staining and Dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) assay revealed that the extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis was increased in a time-dependent manner from 2 to 8 weeks. The chondrocyte mRNA expression profile was dramatically affected by prolonged culture time, with a significant downregulation of collagen type 1, whereas the expression of collagen type II, aggrecan, Sox9 and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) were significantly upregulated. In addition, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) result indicated dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) in these long-term monolayer cultured chondrocytes. These findings demonstrate that the chondrocytes phenotype could be partially redifferentiated through the spontaneous redifferentiation process in long-term cultures using standard culture medium without the addition of chondrogenic supplements or tissue-culture scaffolds