Search

Background. Pulmonary hypertension is a well-known risk factor for hemodynamic instability after heart transplantation. However, it remains unclear whether a mild elevation of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) is associated with higher risks of graft dysfunction and resultant extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Methods. From 2016 to 2021, 102 adult recipients undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation at our institution were investigated (mean age, 48.5 ± 13.2 years; 22.5% female). This study cohort was stratified into 3 groups based on the PASP measured by right heart catheterization before surgery: >50 mmHg, 35–50 mmHg, and <35 mmHg. The primary end point was ECMO support after procedure. Results. ECMO was implemented in 24 (23.5%) patients due to difficult weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass or cardiac low output in the intensive care unit, which was likely to be associated with higher mortality (P = 0.053). Age, gender, comorbidities, preoperative medications, and graft ischemia time were comparable across the 3 groups. The use of ECMO was significantly more common in patients with baseline PASP >50 mmHg (11/36, 30.6%) and 35–50 mmHg (12/38, 31.6%), while only 1 (3.6%) patient with baseline PASP <35 mmHg required ECMO support after transplant (P = 0.007). Multivariate logistic models demonstrated that PASP (odds ratio = 2.34; P = 0.028) and cardiopulmonary bypass time (odds ratio = 1.01; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for postoperative ECMO. Conclusions. A mild elevation of pretransplant PASP (e.g., 35–50 mmHg) is related to low cardiac output and subsequent ECMO after heart transplantation, for which prompt administration of vasodilators before transplant may be protective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A unique Mo/SEP catalyst using low‐cost and available sepiolite as support was prepared by wet impregnation method. All catalyst performances of the Mo/SEP catalysts were studied in process of lignin catalytic depolymerization (LCD) under supercritical ethanol with nitrogen pressure, and the effects of reaction temperatures and reaction time on LCD process were also investigated. X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques were used to characterize the structural characteristics of the fresh and spent catalysts, and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) was employed to analyze the compositions of the obtained liquid product. The results indicated that Mo/SEP catalyst had unique performance for LCD, and the highest soluble fraction yield of petroleum ether of 47.6% and yield of liquid product of 63.5% were obtained with constantly reacting for 4 hours at 290°C and 6.5 MPa N2. In addition, relevant characterizations demonstrated that the reaction temperature could cause the phase transfer of catalyst and change of Mo6+ to Mo5+ species. The conversion degree of Mo6+ to Mo5+ was the major reason responding for the catalytic performance of Mo/SEP catalyst during LCD process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stem cell therapy has attracted increasing attention as a promising treatment strategy for cardiac repair in ischemic heart disease. Nanoparticles (NPs), with their superior physical and chemical properties, have been widely utilized to assist stem cell therapy. With the help of NPs, stem cells can be genetically engineered for enhanced paracrine profile. To further understand the fate and behaviors of stem cells in ischemic myocardium, imaging NPs can label stem cells and be tracked in vivo under multiple modalities. Besides that, NPs can also be used to enhance stem cell retention in myocardium. These facts have raised efforts on the development of more intelligent and multifunctional NPs for cellular application. Herein, an overview of the applications of NPs-assisted stem cell therapy is given. Key issues and future prospects are also critically addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 34-year-old man who is asymptomatic and was found with a large mass in the superior vena cava extending into the right atrium.