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Journal of the American Heart... Jan 2024Protruding aortic plaque is known to be associated with an increased risk for future cardiac and cerebrovascular events. However, the relationship between protruding...
BACKGROUND
Protruding aortic plaque is known to be associated with an increased risk for future cardiac and cerebrovascular events. However, the relationship between protruding aortic plaque and coronary plaque characteristics has not been systematically investigated.
METHODS AND RESULTS
A total of 615 patients who underwent computed tomography angiography, and preintervention optical coherence tomography imaging were included. Coronary plaque characteristics were compared to evaluate coronary plaque vulnerability in patients with protruding aortic plaque on computed tomography angiography. 615 patients, the 186 (30.2%) patients with protruding aortic plaque were older and had more comorbidities such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and a prior myocardial infarction than those without. They also had a higher prevalence of coronary plaques with vulnerable features such as thin-cap fibroatheroma (85 [45.7%] versus 120 [28.0%], <0.001), lipid-rich plaque (165 [88.7%] versus 346 [80.7%], =0.014), macrophages (147 [79.0%] versus 294 [68.5%], =0.008), layered plaque (117 [62.9%] versus 213 [49.7%], =0.002), and plaque rupture (96 [51.6%] versus 111 [25.9%], <0.001). Patients with protruding aortic plaque experienced more major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, including all-cause mortality, nonfatal acute coronary syndromes, and stroke (27 [14.7%] versus 21 [4.9%], <0.001; 8 [4.3%] versus 1 [0.2%], <0.001; 5 [2.7%] versus 3 [0.7%], =0.030; and 5 [2.7%] versus 2 [0.5%], =0.013, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
The current study demonstrates that patients with protruding aortic plaque have more features of coronary plaque vulnerability and are at increased risk of future adverse events.
Topics: Humans; Plaque, Atherosclerotic; Coronary Angiography; Coronary Vessels; Myocardial Infarction; Heart; Acute Coronary Syndrome; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Coronary Artery Disease
PubMed: 38193293
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.123.032742 -
Medicine Aug 2022To determine the ultrasound imaging characteristics of patients with bronchial anthracofibrosis (BAF) and identify clinical markers for prevention and treatment. We...
To determine the ultrasound imaging characteristics of patients with bronchial anthracofibrosis (BAF) and identify clinical markers for prevention and treatment. We randomly selected 1243 participants (113 with BAF) who underwent bronchoscopy and received treatment at our institution between April 2018 and October 2019. BAF was classified as flat, deep-seated retracted, or black mucosal protruding based on microscopic findings. Ultrasound probes were used to determine the maximum thickness of the tube walls and submucosa. The average values of the submucosal and bony tissue areas in the BAF subtypes were compared. The BAF group included 13 participants with a history of tuberculosis (11.5%) and 57 participants with biofuel exposure (50.4%). The average exposure time was 17.4 ± 6.2 years; BAF accounted for 10% of the bronchoscopies performed. The maximum tube-wall thicknesses of the deep-seated retracted (17.3 ± 5.7) and black mucosal protruding (19.3 ± 5.4) groups were significantly greater than those of the flat group (12.5 ± 5.0; P < .05). The maximum thicknesses of the submucosa in the deep-retracted (9.8 ± 3.0) and black mucosal protruding (14.5 ± 5.0) groups were significantly greater than that of the flat group (6.6 ± 3.5; P < .05). The ratios of bone tissue in the flat and black mucosal protruding groups were 33.3 ± 9.3% and 34.9% ± 12.1%, respectively. The ratio in the deep-seated retracted group (65.2% ± 8.7%) was significantly reduced (P < .05). The flat group showed no significant change (P > .05). Differences in BAF airway remodeling among different subtypes may lead to varying clinical symptoms. Analyzing the characteristics of BAF airway remodeling and the regulatory pathway may provide new clues for treatment.
Topics: Airway Remodeling; Anthracosis; Bronchial Diseases; Bronchoscopy; Case-Control Studies; Humans; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 35984209
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000030055 -
Supramolecular Chemistry 2021We report the design and synthesis of the acyclic cucurbit[n]uril-β-cyclodextrin chimeric host . The goal of the study is to deepen the cavity of the receptor to allow...
We report the design and synthesis of the acyclic cucurbit[n]uril-β-cyclodextrin chimeric host . The goal of the study is to deepen the cavity of the receptor to allow β-CD complexation of moieties on the guest (especially fentanyl) that protrude from the cavity of the primary acyclic CB[n] binding site to enhance binding affinity and deliver new supramolecular antidotes for fentanyl intoxication. H NMR spectroscopy was used to deduce the geometry of the complexes between and and the guest panel ( - and fentanyl) whereas isothermal titration calorimetry was used to determine the thermodynamic parameters of complexation. Hosts and retain the essential molecular recognition features of CB[n] receptors, but chimeric host binds slightly stronger toward the guest panel than for reasons that remain unclear. Compared to tetraanionic hosts and , the dianionic hosts and are less potent receptors which reflects the importance of electrostatic (ion-ion and ion-dipole) interactions in this series of hosts. The work highlights the challenges inherent in the optimization of binding affinity of hosts as potential supramolecular antidotes.
PubMed: 34305377
DOI: 10.1080/10610278.2021.1927033 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces May 2023Dropwise condensation on superhydrophobic surfaces could potentially enhance heat transfer by droplet spontaneous departure coalescence-induced jumping. However, an...
Dropwise condensation on superhydrophobic surfaces could potentially enhance heat transfer by droplet spontaneous departure coalescence-induced jumping. However, an uncontrolled droplet size could lead to a significant reduction of heat transfer by condensation, due to large droplets that resulted in a flooding phenomenon on the surface. Here, we introduced a dropwise condensate comb, which consisted of U-shaped protruding hydrophilic stripes and hierarchical micro-nanostructured superhydrophobic background, for a better control of condensation droplet size and departure processes. The dropwise condensate comb with a wettability-contrast surface structure induced droplet removal by flank contact rather than three-phase line contact. We showed that dropwise condensation in this structure could be controlled by designing the width of the superhydrophobic region and height of the protruding hydrophilic stripes. In comparison with a superhydrophobic surface, the average droplet radius was decreased to 12 μm, and the maximum droplet departure radius was decreased to 189 μm by a dropwise condensate comb with 500 μm width of a superhydrophobic region and 258 μm height of a protruding hydrophilic stripe. By controlling the droplet size and departure on hierarchical micro-nanostructured superhydrophobic surfaces, it was experimentally demonstrated that both the heat transfer coefficient and heat flux could be enhanced significantly. Moreover, the dropwise condensate comb showed a maximum heat transfer coefficient of 379 kW m K at a low subcooling temperature, which was 85% higher than that of a superhydrophobic surface, and it showed 113% improvement of high heat flux or heat transfer coefficient when it was compared with that of the hierarchical micro-nanostructured superhydrophobic surface at a high subcooling temperature of ∼10.6 K. This work could potentially transform the design and fabrication space for high-performance heat transfer devices by spatial control of condensation droplet size and departure processes.
PubMed: 37083343
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c20874 -
ELife Mar 2022In times of environmental change species have two options to survive: they either relocate to a new habitat or they adapt to the altered environment. Adaptation requires...
In times of environmental change species have two options to survive: they either relocate to a new habitat or they adapt to the altered environment. Adaptation requires physiological plasticity and provides a selection benefit. In this regard, the Western honeybee () protrudes with its thermoregulatory capabilities, which enables a nearly worldwide distribution. Especially in the cold, shivering thermogenesis enables foraging as well as proper brood development and thus survival. In this study, we present octopamine signaling as a neurochemical prerequisite for honeybee thermogenesis: we were able to induce hypothermia by depleting octopamine in the flight muscles. Additionally, we could restore the ability to increase body temperature by administering octopamine. Thus, we conclude that octopamine signaling in the flight muscles is necessary for thermogenesis. Moreover, we show that these effects are mediated by β octopamine receptors. The significance of our results is highlighted by the fact the respective receptor genes underlie enormous selective pressure due to adaptation to cold climates. Finally, octopamine signaling in the service of thermogenesis might be a key strategy to survive in a changing environment.
Topics: Adaptation, Physiological; Animals; Bees; Body Temperature; Body Temperature Regulation; Octopamine; Thermogenesis
PubMed: 35289743
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.74334 -
Gynecology and Minimally Invasive... 2023In the "boat at the dock" theory, pelvic organ prolapse (POP) may happen when the ropes (uterine supportive ligaments) break and/or the water level drops (pelvic floor... (Review)
Review
In the "boat at the dock" theory, pelvic organ prolapse (POP) may happen when the ropes (uterine supportive ligaments) break and/or the water level drops (pelvic floor muscles). Thus, it causes the boat (uterus and other pelvic organs) to slip from normal position and protrude out of the vagina. Surgical intervention with or without hysterectomy (hystero-preservation) is the most effective treatment for POP. Both hysterectomy and hystero-preservation for POP had a high anatomic and clinical cure rate. There is an increasing trend of hystero-preservation for POP during the past decades. The choices of either hysterectomy or hystero-preservation depend on the surgical factors, psychosocial factors, self-esteem and sexuality factors, and surgeon factors. Pelvic reconstructive surgery, either hysterectomy or hystero-preservation, can be performed via different approaches, including abdominal, laparoscopic, and vaginal routes, with native tissue or with mesh. This review will elucidate their related pros and cons, with further discussion and comparison of hystero-preservation via different routes.
PubMed: 38034113
DOI: 10.4103/gmit.gmit_21_23 -
Spinal Cord Aug 2022Spinal gout is uncommon. The clinical manifestations of spinal gout are not characteristic. Huge tophi can invade the vertebral joints and protrude into the spinal...
BACKGROUND
Spinal gout is uncommon. The clinical manifestations of spinal gout are not characteristic. Huge tophi can invade the vertebral joints and protrude into the spinal canal, even causing spinal canal stenosis, which may result in irreparable spinal cord injury. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment is very important. Summarizing the imaging features of spinal gout may help clinicians with an early diagnosis and promptly intervention.
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective case series.
OBJECTIVES
To describe the findings from computed tomography (CT) images of spinal gout, including the tophi location, growth pattern, involvement of adjacent joints, and differentiation from other spinal lesions.
METHODS
We analyzed CT images from the atlantoaxial joint and lumbar spine in 17 cases with spinal gout.
RESULTS
17 cases had tophi as high-density masses. 14 (82.4%) cases involved lumbar facet joints, including 7(41.2%)cases involving single vertebral facet joints and 7(41.2%) cases involving multiple vertebral facets. CT imaging showed bone resorption and erosion of the facet joints, as well as narrowing of the joint space. The other three cases (17.6%) involved the atlantoaxial joint, showing a high-density mass around the odontoid process with bone resorption and invasion under the articular surface. One case was secondary to a pathological fracture. Four cases (23.6%) showed a huge mass protruding into the spinal canal where the nerve root was compressed, and even spinal cord injury, leading to serious lower back pain symptomatic of brachial plexus or sciatic nerve compression, and even affected the motor function of lower limbs.
CONCLUSIONS
In cases with gouty arthritis involving the axial spine, the lower lumbar spine is mainly involved, high-density tophi grow forward and backward around the facet joints, CT image shows bone resorption, erosion of facet joints, and narrowing of the joint space. With atlantoaxial joint involvement, there was evidence of bone resorption combined with joint.
Topics: Bone Resorption; Gout; Humans; Lumbar Vertebrae; Retrospective Studies; Spinal Cord Injuries; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 35177799
DOI: 10.1038/s41393-022-00773-2 -
Yi Chuan = Hereditas Nov 2021Eukaryotic cilia and flagella are evolutionarily conserved organelles that protrude from the cell surface. The unique location and properties of cilia allow them to... (Review)
Review
Eukaryotic cilia and flagella are evolutionarily conserved organelles that protrude from the cell surface. The unique location and properties of cilia allow them to function in vital processes such as motility and signaling. Ciliary assembly and maintenance rely on intraflagellar transport (IFT). Bidirectional movement of IFT particles composed of IFT-A and IFT-B complexes is powered by kinesin-2 and dynein-2 motors. IFT delivers building blocks between their site of synthesis in the cell body and the ciliary assembly site at the tip of the cilium. The integrity of the flagellum, a specialized organelle of mammalian sperm to generate the motility, is critical for normal sperm function. Recent findings suggest that IFT is indispensable for sperm flagellum formation and male fertility in mice and human. In this review, we summarize the role and mechanisms of IFT proteins during enflagellation in spermiogenesis, thereby discussing the pathological mechanisms of male infertility and providing theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Cilia; Flagella; Kinesins; Male; Mice; Spermatogenesis
PubMed: 34815207
DOI: 10.16288/j.yczz.21-206