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Lithium‐ion cells encompassing LiPF6 as the lithium salt and high‐voltage (LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4, LNMO) or high‐capacity (LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2, NMC811) cathode materials are prone to transition metal (TM) dissolution caused by HF, whose formation is catalyzed by H2O traces. TM ions can shuttle to the anodic compartment, increasing the cell degradation rate. Accordingly, specific self‐healing strategies are helpful to develop scavengers able to eliminate HF and absorb TM ions so avoiding their shuttling. In this work, the fabrication and test of a bi‐functional, autonomous scavenging agent made of Al2O3 particles decorated is reported with chitosan. The nanometric Al2O3 core is a trap for HF by chemical bonding. The chitosan coating is acid‐sensitive, and the opening of such a capping layer is triggered in the presence of even small amounts of HF, leading to an efficient TM ion‐trapping. In addition, chitosan is biocompatible, biodegradable, and abundant, which is relevant for design‐for‐recycling scopes. With ≈200 ppm of water in the electrolyte, 12 wt% of scavenger causes, after 200 cycles at 1C, an increase of capacity retention from 73% to 88% for LNMO, and, impressively, from 46% to 84% for NMC811. This autonomous self‐healing mechanism is promising for application in next‐generation smart cells without requiring any external sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of six non-invasive remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) interventions during the nursing care of patients with heart failure (HF) prior to cardiac catheterization. Methods: A comprehensive search of nine Chinese and English online databases was conducted from the date of their inception to June 2023 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating RIPC in patients with HF prior to cardiac catheterization. Two independent investigators screened the articles, extracted data, and assessed their quality. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and a network meta-analysis was conducted using R software. Results: Four trials involving 511 patients with a low risk of bias were included in the analysis. Six non-invasive RIPC interventions were identified, all demonstrating effectiveness in reducing the incidence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). Among these, Intervention F (applying up to 50 mmHg above the resting systolic pressure for 5 min to the dominant leg or upper limb, repeated three times with an 18-minute interval) was deemed optimal, although the timing of the procedure was not specified. Intervention D (applying up to 200 mmHg pressure to the upper limb for 5 min, repeated four times with 5-minute intervals, within 45 min prior to cardiac catheterization,) was considered suboptimal. Conclusion: Although Intervention D was recommended as the preferred option, none of the four trials examined its impact on the cardiac function of patients with HF. Large-scale, multi-center RCTs are required, with outcome indicators including cardiac function and the occurrence of CI-AKI, to better understand the therapeutic effects of RIPC on HF and reduce the incidence of CI-AKI. This will provide a more robust foundation for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: To review the most recent clinical trials and data regarding epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction with an emphasis on the recent trends in cardiometabolic interventions. Recent Findings: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction makes up approximately half of overall heart failure and is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and overall burden on the healthcare system. It is a complex, heterogenous syndrome and clinical trials, to this point, have not revealed quite as many effective treatment options when compared to heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Nevertheless, there is an expanding amount of data insight into the pathogenesis of this disease and the potential for newer therapies and management strategies. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction pathology has been found to be linked to abnormal energetics, myocyte hypertrophy, cell signaling, inflammation, ischemia, and fibrosis. These mechanisms also intricately overlap with the significant comorbidities often associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction including, but not limited to, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, obesity and coronary artery disease. Treatment of this disease, therefore, should focus on the management and strict regulation of these comorbidities by pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic means. Summary: In this review, a clinical update is provided reviewing the most recent clinical trials and data regarding epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction with an emphasis on the recent trend in cardiometabolic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lithium-ion battery (LIB) thermal runaway (TR) emits a wide size range of particles with diverse chemical compositions. When inhaled, these particles can cause serious adverse health effects. This study measured the size distributions of particles with diameters less than 10 µm released throughout the TR-driven combustion of cylindrical lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and pouch-style lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) LIB cells. The chemical composition of fine particles (PM2.5) and some acidic gases were also characterized from filter samples. The emission factors of particle number and mass as well as chemical components were calculated. Particle number concentrations were dominated by those smaller than 500 nm with geometric number mean diameters below 130 nm. Mass concentrations were also dominated by smaller particles, with PM1 particles making up 81–95% of the measured PM10 mass. A significant amount of organic and elemental carbon, phosphate, and fluoride was released as PM2.5 constituents. The emission factor of gaseous hydrogen fluoride was 10–81 mg/Wh, posing the most immediate danger to human health. The tested LFP cells had higher emission factors of particles and HF than the LCO cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the impact characteristics of the 4 November 2021 magnetic storm across different frequency bands based on the electric field data (EFD) from the China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES), categorized into four frequency bands: ULF (Ultra-Low-Frequency, DC to 16 Hz), ELF (Extremely Low-Frequency, 6 Hz to 2.2 kHz), VLF (Very Low-Frequency, 1.8 to 20 kHz), and HF (High-Frequency, 18 kHz to 3.5 MHz). The study reveals that in the ULF band, magnetic storm-induced electric field disturbances are primarily in the range of 0 to 5 Hz, with a significant disturbance frequency at 3.9 ± 1.0 Hz. Magnetic storms also enhance Schumann waves in the ULF band, with 8 Hz Schumann waves dominating in the southern hemisphere and 13 Hz Schumann waves dominating in the northern hemisphere. In the ELF band, the more pronounced anomalies occur at 300 Hz–900 Hz and above 1.8 kHz, with the 300 Hz–900 Hz band anomalies around 780 Hz being the most significant. In the VLF band, the electric field anomalies are mainly concentrated in the 3–15 kHz range. The ELF and VLF bands exhibit lower absolute and relative disturbance increments compared to the ULF band, with the relative perturbation growth rate in the ULF band being approximately 10% higher than in the ELF and VLF bands. Magnetic storm-induced electric field disturbances predominantly occur in the ULF, ELF, and VLF bands, with the most significant disturbances in the ULF band. The electric field perturbations in these three frequency bands exhibit hemispheric asymmetry, with strong perturbations in the northern hemisphere occurring earlier than in the southern hemisphere, corresponding to different Dst minima. No electric field disturbances were observed in the HF band (above 18 kHz). The conclusions of this paper are highly significant for future anti-jamming designs in spacecraft and communication equipment, as well as for the further study of magnetic storms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: The ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) is present in both the heart and kidneys, and plays a crucial role in maintaining intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in cells in these organs. This study aimed to investigate the impact of M201‐A on RyR2, as well as studying its effects on cardiac and renal functions in preclinical and clinical studies. Experimental Approach: Following the administration of M201‐A (1,4‐benzothiazepine‐1‐oxide derivative), we monitored diastolic Ca2+ leak via RyR2 and intracellular Ca2+ concentration in isolated rat cardiomyocytes and in cardiac and renal function in animals. In a clinical study, M201‐A was administered intravenously at doses of 0.2 and 0.4 mg·kg−1 once daily for 20 min for four consecutive days in healthy males, with the assessment of haemodynamic responses. Key Results: In rat heart cells, M201‐A effectively inhibited spontaneous diastolic Ca2+ leakage through RyR2 and exhibited positive lusi‐inotropic effects on the rat heart. Additionally, it enhanced natriuresis and improved renal function in dogs. In human clinical studies, when administered intravenously, M201‐A demonstrated an increase in natriuresis, glomerular filtration rate and creatinine clearance, while maintaining acceptable levels of drug safety and tolerability. Conclusions and Implications: The novel drug M201‐A inhibited diastolic Ca2+ leak via RyR2, improved cardiac lusi‐inotropic effects in rats, and enhanced natriuresis and renal function in humans. These findings suggest that this drug may offer a potential new treatment option for chronic kidney disease and heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ion-pair extraction enables the recovery of anionic metal ions, such as pertechnetate and chlorinated rhodium ions, by protonated extractants with tertiary amino N atom in their structures. We expand this technique for other anionic species dissolved in different mineral acids. Extractions of Zr, Hf, Nb, and Ta, metal anions present in sulfuric and hydrofluoric acids (H2SO4 and HF), are examined. Zr and Hf in H2SO4, and Zr, Hf, Nb, and Ta in HF can be extracted by ion-pair extraction using NTAamide (nitrilotriacetamide), methylimino-N, N'-dioctylacetamide (MIDOA), and trioctylamine (TOA). Basic information about their extraction behavior was obtained through this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) is a leading technology in semiconductor manufacturing, enabling the creation of high-resolution patterns essential for advanced microelectronics. This review highlights recent progress in inorganic metal-oxide-based photoresists, with a focus on their applications in EUVL. The unique properties of zinc-based, tin–oxygen, and IVB group inorganic photoresists are examined, showcasing their enhanced chemical reactivity and precise patterning capabilities. Key advancements include the development of zinc oxide and tin oxide nanoparticles, which demonstrate significant improvements in photon absorption and solubility under extreme ultraviolet exposure. Additionally, the review delves into the photochemical reactions of tin–oxygen clusters and the influence of various ligands on film density and cross-linking. The findings suggest that these inorganic photoresists not only improve photolithographic performance but also hold potential for broader applications, such as pyroelectric infrared sensors and 3D printing. Future research directions are outlined, including the optimization of process parameters, the exploration of new ligand and metal combinations, and the evaluation of the environmental benefits of inorganic photoresists over traditional organic ones. These advancements are poised to further enhance the resolution and patterning capabilities required for next-generation semiconductor devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure (HF) is the predominant terminal stage and the leading cause of mortality in cardiac disease. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) affects roughly 50% of HF patients globally. Due to the global aging population, the prevalence, morbidity, and mortality of HFpEF have gradually increased. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), as a key visceral adipose tissue around the heart, affects cardiac diastolic function and exercise reserve capacity. EAT closely adheres to the myocardium and can produce inflammatory factors, neurotransmitters, and other factors through autocrine or paracrine mechanisms, affecting the heart function by inflammatory response, cardiac metabolism and energy supply, cardiomyocyte structure and electrical activity, and pericardial vascular function. Currently, research on the mechanism and treatment methods of HFpEF is constantly improving. EAT may play a multi-level impact on the occurrence and development of HFpEF. This review also summarizes the potential impact of EAT on the heart in HFpEF combined with other metabolism-related diseases such as obesity or diabetes over other obesity-related measures, such as body mass index (BMI) or other adipose tissue. Above all, this review comprehensively summarizes the potential mechanisms by which EAT may affect HFpEF. The objective is to enhance our comprehension and management of HFpEF. Future research should delve into the mechanistic relationship between EAT and HFpEF, and investigate interventions aimed at EAT to improve the prognosis of patients with HFpEF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure are often co-existing conditions due to a shared pathophysiological process involving neurohormonal activation and hemodynamic maladaptation. A wide range of pharmaceutical and interventional tools are available to patients with CKD, consisting of traditional ones with decades of experience and newer emerging therapies that are rapidly reshaping the landscape of medical care for this population. Management of patients with heart failure and CKD requires a stepwise approach based on renal function and the clinical phenotype of heart failure. This is often challenging due to altered drug pharmacokinetics interactions with various degrees of kidney function and frequent adverse effects from the therapy that lead to poor patient tolerance. Despite a great body of clinical evidence and guidelines that have offered various treatment options for patients with heart failure and CKD, respectively, patients with CKD are still underrepresented in heart failure clinical trials, especially for those with advanced CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Future studies are needed to better understand the generalizability of these therapeutic options among heart failures with different stages of CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of six non-invasive remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) interventions during the nursing care of patients with heart failure (HF) prior to cardiac catheterization. Methods A comprehensive search of nine Chinese and English online databases was conducted from the date of their inception to June 2023 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating RIPC in patients with HF prior to cardiac catheterization. Two independent investigators screened the articles, extracted data, and assessed their quality. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and a network meta-analysis was conducted using R software. Results Four trials involving 511 patients with a low risk of bias were included in the analysis. Six non-invasive RIPC interventions were identified, all demonstrating effectiveness in reducing the incidence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). Among these, Intervention F (applying up to 50 mmHg above the resting systolic pressure for 5 min to the dominant leg or upper limb, repeated three times with an 18-minute interval) was deemed optimal, although the timing of the procedure was not specified. Intervention D (applying up to 200 mmHg pressure to the upper limb for 5 min, repeated four times with 5-minute intervals, within 45 min prior to cardiac catheterization, ) was considered suboptimal. Conclusion Although Intervention D was recommended as the preferred option, none of the four trials examined its impact on the cardiac function of patients with HF. Large-scale, multi-center RCTs are required, with outcome indicators including cardiac function and the occurrence of CI-AKI, to better understand the therapeutic effects of RIPC on HF and reduce the incidence of CI-AKI. This will provide a more robust foundation for clinical practice.

Aims Ablation of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (MMVT) has been shown to reduce shock frequency and improve survival. We aimed to compare cause-specific risk factors for MMVT and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT)/ventricular fibrillation (VF) and to develop predictive models. Methods and results The multicentre retrospective cohort study included 2668 patients (age 63.1 ± 13.0 years; 23% female; 78% white; 43% non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy; left ventricular ejection fraction 28.2 ± 11.1%). Cox models were adjusted for demographic characteristics, heart failure severity and treatment, device programming, and electrocardiogram metrics. Global electrical heterogeneity was measured by spatial QRS-T angle (QRSTa), spatial ventricular gradient elevation (SVGel), azimuth, magnitude (SVGmag), and sum absolute QRST integral (SAIQRST). We compared the out-of-sample performance of the lasso and elastic net for Cox proportional hazards and the Fine–Gray competing risk model. During a median follow-up of 4 years, 359 patients experienced their first sustained MMVT with appropriate implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD) therapy, and 129 patients had their first PVT/VF with appropriate ICD shock. The risk of MMVT was associated with wider QRSTa [hazard ratio (HR) 1.16; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.34], larger SVGel (HR 1.17; 95% CI 1.05–1.30), and smaller SVGmag (HR 0.74; 95% CI 0.63–0.86) and SAIQRST (HR 0.84; 95% CI 0.71–0.99). The best-performing 3-year competing risk Fine–Gray model for MMVT [time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC(t)AUC) 0.728; 95% CI 0.668–0.788] identified high-risk (> 50%) patients with 75% sensitivity and 65% specificity, and PVT/VF prediction model had ROC(t)AUC 0.915 (95% CI 0.868–0.962), both satisfactory calibration. Conclusion We developed and validated models to predict the competing risks of MMVT or PVT/VF that could inform procedural planning and future randomized controlled trials of prophylactic ventricular tachycardia ablation. Clinical Trial Registration URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov Unique identifier:NCT03210883. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ibuprofen is a typical Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) commonly used to treat mild to moderate pain, inflammation, and fever. However, long-term oral use of ibuprofen for chronic diseases such as arthritis can cause serious side effects, including stomach ulcers. Therefore, a topical gel formula containing 5% ibuprofen, ethanol, propylene glycol, and poloxamer 407 has been researched and developed to solve the above problem. This article presents the results of the previously mentioned ibuprofen gel evaluation. As a result, according to ISO 10993:2009 (ISO, 2015) criteria, the given ibuprofen gel is not likely to be hazardous to L-929 mouse fibroblasts and hF human fibroblasts. Furthermore, ibuprofen gel can distribute uniformly, release active substances from the Gel scaffold at a rate of more than 90% in 05 hours, and penetrate the skin of white mice. This study approach may be expanded with various research topics, such as assessing the capacity of active substances to permeate human skin, examining the amount of irritation, and assessing stability.

Propylene is an important resource for large petrochemicals production. Propane dehydrogenation (PDH), which directly produces propylene while producing hydrogen as a by-product, has attracted extensive attention in recent years. Among various PDH catalysts, Zn-based catalyst has great potentials in industrial implementation because of its low cost and eco-friendly. Herein, we synthesized Zn– O –Zr active center via atom trapping strategy for effectively catalyzing PDH reaction. The ability of phase transition upon Zn deposition is supposed to be a possible indicator to assess active degree of ZrO 2 , which is directly related to the proportion of surface absorbed oxygen species (SAOS) on ZrO 2. We demonstrate that SAOS concentration can be promoted through stabilizing tetragonal-phase and doping Hf, results in more Zn–O–Zr species, lower active energy, and easier phase transition. This study reveals the electronic effect on atom trapping process used in Zn–ZrO 2 system and provides guidance to design and prepare high-performance Zn-based PDH catalysts. [Display omitted] • An efficient Zn–O–Zr structure was prepared by atom trapping method. • The interaction between metals is quantified by binding energy shifting. • Periodic phase transition of support during the reaction. • The surface defect degree of Zn species was regulated by crystal phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Among 762 patients with LDL-C≥190 mg/dL without a history of ASCVD or heart failure, coronary artery calcification (CAC), and thoracic aortic calcification (TAC) scores were associated with increased rates of HF hospitalizations. However, only CAC demonstrated an independent association with HF hospitalizations. • EAT, and NAFLD are known cardiometabolic risk factors but were not associated with increased HF hospitalizations in this cohort. • Adding ordinal CAC score to traditional risk factors improved risk stratification for HF hospitalizations. • Given the number of non-cardiac chest CT scans performed in clinical practice, this could represent an opportunity to capitalize on risk information. Coronary artery calcium (CAC), thoracic aorta calcification (TAC), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) are associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and heart failure (HF). We aimed to determine whether these cardiometabolic and atherosclerotic risk factors identified by non-contrast chest computed tomography (CT) are associated with HF hospitalizations in patients with LDL-C≥ 190 mg/dL. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with LDL-C ≥190 mg/dL, aged ≥40 years without established ASCVD or HF, who had a non-contrast chest CT within 3 years of LDL-C measurement. Ordinal CAC, ordinal TAC, EAT, and NAFLD were measured. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox regression models were built to ascertain the association with HF hospitalization. We included 762 patients with median age 60 (53–68) years, 68% (n=520) female, and median LDL-C level of 203 (194–216) mg/dL. Patients were followed for 4.7 (interquartile range 2.75–6.16) years, and 107 (14%) had a HF hospitalization. Overall, 355 (47%) patients had CAC=0, 210 (28%) had TAC=0, 116 (15%) had NAFLD, and median EAT was 79 mL (49-114). Moderate-Severe CAC (log-rank p <0.001) and TAC (log-rank p=0.006) groups were associated with increased HF hospitalizations. This association persisted when considering myocardial infarction (MI) as a competing risk. NAFLD and EAT volume were not associated with HF. In patients without established ASCVD and LDL-C≥190 mg/dL, CAC was independently associated with increased HF hospitalizations while TAC, NAFLD, and EAT were not. Association of cardiometabolic and atherosclerotic markers on non-contrast Chest CT with Heart Failure Hospitalization in Patients with Severe Hypercholesterolemia. * Unadjusted Hazard Ratio for the moderate-to-severe category. ASCVD: atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, CAC: coronary artery calcification. HF: heart failure, LDL-C: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, NAFLD: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, TAC: thoracic aorta calcification. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure (HF) is a pervasive clinical challenge characterized by compromised cardiac function and reduced quality of life. The kinin-kallikrein system (KSS), a multifaceted peptide cascade, has garnered substantial attention due to its potential role in HF. Through activation of B1 and/or B2 receptors and downstream signaling, kinins modulate various physiological processes, including inflammation, coagulation, pain, blood pressure control, and vascular permeability. Notably, aberrations in KKS components have been linked to HF risk. The elevation of vasodilatory bradykinin (BK) due to kallikrein activity reduces preload and afterload, while concurrently fostering sodium reabsorption inhibition. However, kallikrein's conversion of prorenin to renin leads to angiotensinsII upregulation, resulting in vasoconstriction and fluid retention, alongside increased immune cell activity that fuels inflammation and cardiac remodeling. Importantly, prolonged KKS activation resulting from volume overload and tissue stretch contributes to cardiac collagen loss. The conventional renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors used in HF management may inadvertently intensify KKS activity, exacerbating collagen depletion and cardiac remodeling. It is crucial to balance the KKS's role in acute cardiac damage, which may temporarily enhance function and metabolic parameters against its detrimental long-term effects. Thus, KKS blockade emerges as a promising strategy to impede HF progression. By attenuating the link between immune system function and tissue damage, KKS inhibition can potentially reduce cardiac remodeling and alleviate HF symptoms. However, the nuanced roles of BK in various acute conditions necessitate further investigation into the sustained benefits of kallikrein inhibitors in patients with chronic HF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The LaTiO3 perovskite (where Ti is in a d1 state) is investigated by using an all electron Gaussian basis and many functionals, ranging from pure GGA (PBE), to hybrids (full range, B3LYP and PBE0, and range separated, HSE06) to Hartree Fock. Recently, Varignon et al. (Phys. Rev. Res 1, 033131, 2019), showed that, when GGA+U or HSE06 are used, a metallic solution and fractional occupancy of the t2g subshell are obtained. Here, it is shown that when a full range hybrid functional is used, an integer occupancy is obtained, as suggested by the Jahn-Teller theorem. When the exact exchange percentage varies from 0 to 100, the system is insulating when it exceeds 20. By reducing progressively the symmetry from cubic down to orthorhombic, the relative importance of the Jahn-Teller deformation and of the rotation of the octahedra is explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The LaTiO3 perovskite (where Ti is in a d1 state) is investigated by using an all electron Gaussian basis and many functionals, ranging from pure GGA (PBE), to hybrids (full range, B3LYP and PBE0, and range separated, HSE06) to Hartree Fock. Recently, Varignon et al. (Phys. Rev. Res 1, 033131, 2019), showed that, when GGA+U or HSE06 are used, a metallic solution and fractional occupancy of the t2g subshell are obtained. Here, it is shown that when a full range hybrid functional is used, an integer occupancy is obtained, as suggested by the Jahn-Teller theorem. When the exact exchange percentage varies from 0 to 100, the system is insulating when it exceeds 20. By reducing progressively the symmetry from cubic down to orthorhombic, the relative importance of the Jahn-Teller deformation and of the rotation of the octahedra is explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure (HF) affects millions of people around the world and is a prevalent health issue in the United States. In many cases, HF has an intricate connection with mitral valvular disease (MVD), which can alter a patient’s disease course. Factors such as gender, race, ethnicity, and social determinants of health impact the prevalence, etiology, and treatment of MVD associated with HF. This literature review examines the connection between MVD and HF among adult patients, considering MVD as both a cause and an outcome of HF. This article also identifies the differences in epidemiology and treatment of MVD associated with HF across different gender, ethnicity, race, and socioeconomic groups. This is in an effort to not only identify currently overlooked disparities but to highlight potential ways to improve them. MVD was analyzed based on its hemodynamic subtypes, mitral regurgitation (MR) and mitral stenosis (MS), as these subtypes encompass different etiologies of MVD. The purpose of this article was to identify broad disparities in MVD in association with HF in the adult population. The results of this study found stark differences between prevalence, treatment, and disease outcomes across groups. Women and Black patients were identified as high-risk for under-utilization and prescription delay of treatment options. Women were often treated at more advanced stages of MVD, while treatment was often delayed in Black patient populations. Factors such as these impact treatment outcomes. Conversely, men and White patients were identified as lower-risk groups for treatment inadequacies and poor HF and MVD related outcomes. Socioeconomic status (SES) was also found to play a role, with low SES being a risk factor for developing rheumatic heart disease. Low SES groups are also more likely to develop HF, which predisposes to secondary MR. Despite general knowledge of these disparities, few studies analyze HF and MVD for specific groups. This literature review is thus necessary to identify current inequities in care and underscore potential solutions to raise awareness for further research efforts and funding. This analysis identifies MVD treatment guidelines and contributing social determinants of health as areas that must be addressed to minimize HF and MVD disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure (HF) has become a subject of continuous interest since it was declared a new pandemic in 1997 because of the exponential increase in hospitalizations for HF in the latest years. HF is the final state to which all heart diseases of different etiologies lead if not adequately treated. It is highly prevalent worldwide, with a progressive increase with age, reaching a prevalence of 10% in subjects over the age of 65 years. During the last two decades, it was possible to see that the prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) was increasing while that of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) was decreasing. HFpEF is typically characterized by concentric remodeling of the left ventricle (LV) with impaired diastolic function and increased filling pressures. Over the years, also the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR)/hyperinsulinemia (Hyperins) in the general adult population has progressively increased, primarily due to lifestyle changes, particularly in developed and developing countries, with a range that globally ranges between 15.5% and 46.5%. Notably, over 50% of patients with HF also have IR/Hyperins, and the percentage is even higher in those with HFpEF. In the scientific literature, it has been well highlighted that the increased circulating levels of insulin, associated with conditions of insulin resistance, are responsible for progressive cardiovascular alterations over the years that could stimulate the development and/or the worsening of HFpEF. The aim of this manuscript was to review the scientific literature that supports a pathophysiologic connection between IR/Hyperins and HFpEF to stimulate the scientific community toward the identification of hyperinsulinemia associated with insulin resistance as an independent cardiovascular risk factor in the development and worsening of HF, believing that its adequate screening in the general population and an appropriate treatment could reduce the prevalence of HFpEF and improve its progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan is a natural biopolymer that is classified among the most important biodegradable polysaccharides widely used in different environmental and industrial applications, such as tissue engineering, biomedical devices, electronics and supercapacitors, water filtration, and food packaging. Theoretical infrared spectra of chitosan were computed using both Hartree–Fock (HF) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods, with different basis sets, including 3-21g, 6-31g, 6-311g, LANL2DZ, and LANL2MB, to identify the ideal basis set that is closest to the experimental results. DFT:B3LYP/3-21g** was the best model for chitosan and was used to investigate its functionalization with various functional groups such as (OH, NH2, COOH, CH3, CHO, CN, SH) and graphene oxide (GO). Molecular electrostatic potential, total dipole moment, and HOMO–LUMO band gap (∆E) calculations indicated that Chitosan-GO is the most reactive and stable structure, with a ∆E of 0.3023 eV. Consequently, Chitosan–GO composite was prepared and analyzed using ATR–FTIR spectroscopy. The spectra revealed a new band at 1620 cm−1, which was attributed to the COOH group of GO and was red-shifted owing to the hydrogen bonding between the GO and NH2 of chitosan, confirming the synthesis of Chitosan–GO composite. The significant improvement in the electronic properties of Chitosan-GO based on the obtained results promotes it to be used in electronic applications such as the development of electrodes for supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors improve outcomes in patients with heart failure, with or without diabetes. We sought to assess whether there is an interaction of these effects with body mass index (BMI). A systematic review of the MEDLINE and Scopus databases (last search: November 15th, 2022) was performed according to the PRISMA statement. Studies eligible for this review were randomized control trials (RCTs) with patients with chronic heart failure with either preserved or reduced ejection fraction randomly assigned to SGLT2 inhibitors or placebo. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. BMI was classified according to the WHO classification into under/normal weight (BMI: < 25 kg/m2), overweight (BMI: 25–29.9 kg/m2), obesity class I (BMI: 30–34.9 kg/m2), and obesity classes II/III (BMI: ≥ 35 kg/m2). All analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4. Among 1461 studies identified in the literature search, 3 were eligible and included in the meta-analysis. Among 14,737 patients (32.2% were women), 7,367 were randomized to an SGLT2 inhibitor (dapagliflozin or empagliflozin) and 7,370 to placebo. There were significantly fewer hospitalizations for HF (OR: 0.70, 95%CI: 0.64–0.76), cardiovascular deaths (OR:0.86, 95%CI: 0.77–0.97) and all-cause deaths (OR:0.90, 95%CI: 0.82–0.98) in the SGLT2 inhibitors group compared to the placebo group, without any interaction with BMI group (test for subgroup differences: x2 = 1.79, p = 0.62; x2 = 0.27, p = 0.97; x2 = 0.39, p = 0.94, respectively). There is no interaction between the efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors and BMI in patients with HF with either preserved or reduced ejection fraction. SGLT2 inhibitors are associated with improved outcomes regardless of the BMI. Trial registration: PROSPERO ID: CRD42022383643. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Aims Physical activity (PA) is an important target for improving clinical outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients. Nonetheless, assessing the daily PA profile in this population is a challenging task, traditionally performed using self‐report questionnaires such as the International PA Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ‐SF). This study aimed to evaluate the concurrent validity of the IPAQ‐SF and accelerometer‐assessed PA using six published cut‐points in patients with HF and reduced or mildly reduced ejection fraction. Methods and results The concordance between the IPAQ‐SF and a hip‐worn accelerometer regarding daily time spent performing moderate to vigorous PA in bouts of at least 10 min was assessed in 53 participants for seven consecutive days using six different cut‐points (Barnett, Dibben, Mark, Sanders, Troiano, and Vaha‐Ypya). Spearman's correlation and Bland–Altman plots were used to evaluate concurrent validity between methods. Regressions were used to study the association between patient variables, wear protocol (waking hour or 24 h), and absolute bias. The kappa index was used to evaluate the concordance between IPAQ‐SF and accelerometry for classifying patients as active or non‐active. All analyses were re‐run using non‐bouted metrics to investigate the effect of bouted versus non‐bouted analysis. The IPAQ‐SF and accelerometry showed low to negligible correlation (ρ = 0.12 to 0.37), depending on the cut‐point used. The regression analysis showed that the absolute bias was higher in participants following the waking‐hour protocol at all cut‐points except Dibben's (P ≤ 0.007). The concordance between the two methods to classify patients as active and non‐active was low when using Mark (κ = 0.23) and Barnett (κ = 0.34) cut‐points and poor for the remaining cut‐points (κ = 0.03 to 0.18). The results of the sensitivity analysis showed negligible to low correlation using non‐bouted metrics (ρ = 0.27 to 0.33). Conclusions Moderate to vigorous PA measures using IPAQ‐SF and accelerometers are not equivalent, and we do not encourage researchers to use IPAQ‐SF alone when assessing PA in HF patients. Moreover, applying personalized collection and processing criteria is important when assessing PA in HF patients. We recommend following the 24 h protocol and selecting cut‐points calibrated in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Finally, it is necessary to develop a new tailored questionnaire that considers walking intensity and is adjusted to the current World Health Organisation recommendations, which use non‐bouted metrics.

Indonesia, located in the zone of “Ring of Fire,” has a high tsunami risk, specifically from those induced by earthquakes. The 2004 Aceh Tsunami and the 2006 Pangandaran Tsunami demonstrated that tsunamis could cause major damage to coastal areas. The Indonesian Tsunami Early Warning System (Ina-TEWS) typically relies on buoys connected to satellites, transmitting information about 5 minutes after the tsunami earthquake begins. Though Indonesia relies on this system, many buoys have gone missing, emphasizing the need for a faster and more reliable backup early warning system. This study proposes a new early warning system by integrating maritime wireless communication between vessels in the open sea and coastal radio stations in the Pangandaran coastal area by using VHF and HF radio communication systems. 200 Gross Tonnage (GT) fishing vessels equipped with the VHF radio communication system are used for the first signal propagation option. The HF radio communication system is applied as a second option, for when there is a hop number limit. Three scenarios of tsunami numerical modeling were carried out using Delft3D and Delft Dashboard based on the earthquake and fault parameters from PUSGEN. The output from this study is the propagation time of VHF and HF signals of the early warning system for each scenario, which was less than 1 minute. The development of an early warning system based on maritime wireless communication is expected to be a part of Indonesia’s tsunami mitigation system in place of buoys.

Heart failure (HF) is the predominant terminal stage and the leading cause ofmortality in cardiac disease. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF) affects roughly 50% of HF patients globally. Due to the global agingpopulation, the prevalence, morbidity, and mortality of HFpEF have graduallyincreased. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), as a key visceral adipose tissuearound the heart, affects cardiac diastolic function and exercise reservecapacity. EAT closely adheres to the myocardium and can produce inflammatoryfactors, neurotransmitters, and other factors through autocrine or paracrinemechanisms, affecting the heart function by inflammatory response, cardiacmetabolism and energy supply, cardiomyocyte structure and electrical activity,and pericardial vascular function. Currently, research on the mechanism andtreatment methods of HFpEF is constantly improving. EAT may play a multi-levelimpact on the occurrence and development of HFpEF. This review also summarizesthe potential impact of EAT on the heart in HFpEF combined with othermetabolism-related diseases such as obesity or diabetes over otherobesity-related measures, such as body mass index (BMI) or other adipose tissue.Above all, this review comprehensively summarizes the potential mechanisms bywhich EAT may affect HFpEF. The objective is to enhance our comprehension andmanagement of HFpEF. Future research should delve into the mechanisticrelationship between EAT and HFpEF, and investigate interventions aimed at EAT toimprove the prognosis of patients with HFpEF.

The gutmicrobiome is a heterogeneous population ofmicrobes comprising viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. Such a microbiome is essential for sustaining host equilibrium, and its impact on human health can be altered by a variety of factors such as external variables, social behavior, age, nutrition, and genetics. Gut microbes' imbalances are related to a variety of chronic diseases including cancer, obesity, and digestive disorders. Globally, recent findings show that intestinal microbes have a significant role in the formation of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is still the primary cause of fatalities. Atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, inflammation, and some inherited variables are all cardiovascular risk variables. However, studies found correlations betweenmetabolism, intestinal flora, and dietary intake. Variations in the diversity of gut microbes and changes in their activity are thought to influence CVD etiology. Furthermore, the gut microbiota acts as an endocrine organ, producing bioactive metabolites such as TMA (trimethylamine)/TMAO (trimethylamine Noxide), SCFA (short-chain fatty acids), and bile acids, which have a substantial impact on host wellness and disease by multiple mechanisms. The purpose of this overview is to compile current evidence highlighting the intricate links between gut microbiota, metabolites, and the development of CVD. It focuses on how intestinal dysbiosis promotes CVD risk factors such as heart failure, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. This review explores the normal physiology of intestinal microbes and potential techniques for targeting gut bacteria for CVD treatment using various microbial metabolites. It also examines the significance of gut bacteria in disease treatment, including supplements, prebiotics, probiotics, antibiotic therapies, and fecal transplantation, which is an innovative approach to the management of CVD. As a result, gut bacteria and metabolic pathways become increasingly attractive as potential targets for CVD intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the compounds of refractory metal foils (Ti, Hf, Ta, and Ni) with ceramic layers formed as a result of combustion of reaction tapes rolled from Ti + 0.65C, Ti + 1.7B, and 5Ti + 3Si powder mixtures. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis are applied to study the microstructure, elemental composition, and phase composition of multilayer composites obtained by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis. The effect of synthesis conditions (initial temperature and applied pressure) and the initial structure of the samples on various parameters (combustion wave front propagation velocity, microstructure, phase composition, and strength properties) of the resulting layered materials is revealed. It is shown that compounds of metal foils and reaction tapes rolled from powder mixtures during combustion are ensured due to reaction diffusion, mutual impregnation, and chemical reactions occurring in the reaction tapes and on the surface of metal foils. The strength properties of the resulting materials (up to 275 MPa at 25°C and up to 72 MPa at 1100°C) are determined using a three-point loading scheme. The results of this study can contribute to the development of structural materials operating under extreme conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Supercritical water gasification mechanism of R410A is studied. • Gasification process of R410A in supercritical water is described. • Hydrogen bonds are formed between R125 and H 2 O, and between R125 and R32 molecules. • Hydrogen bonds promote the decomposition of R32 and inhibit the decomposition of R125. • HF, H 2 and CO rich products could be selectively obtained. Harmless treatment and resource utilization of the waste HFC refrigerants have gradually become the focus of attention. As a clean waste resource utilization technology, supercritical water gasification has good potential in converting waste refrigerant into high value-added chemicals and fuels. In this study, the supercritical water gasification mechanism of R410A, and the interaction mechanism between R125 and R32, and between H 2 O and R410A during the gasification process are investigated by using ReaxFF reactive molecular dynamic simulation and density functional theory calculation study. The results show that the main products obtained from the supercritical water gasification of R410A are HF, H 2 , CO and CO 2. More than 90 % of F atoms in R410A can be mineralized to form HF molecules. H 2 and CO are two important syngas products during the supercritical water gasification process. Hydrogen bonds are generated between R125 and H 2 O molecules and between R125 and R32 molecules, which leads to the decomposition of R125 molecules more easily, and the decomposition of R32 molecules more difficult. This work provides a possible way to convert waste HFC refrigerant mixture into high value-added chemicals and syngas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C5F10O has been put into practical application as a new environmental protection insulating gas that can replace SF6. Partial discharge and other faults will inevitably occur in the insulation equipment, resulting in the decomposition of C5F10O to produce harmful components such as weak insulation CF4, C2F6 and highly toxic CF2O, HF, etc. In order to ensure the safe operation of insulation equipment, these decomposition components need to be selectively removed by adsorption. The new graphene-like C3N material has a good application prospect in the field of gas detection. In this paper, the adsorption process of CuO-C3N on the main decomposition components CF4, C2F6 and highly toxic products CF2O and HF is calculated based on the first-principle. The adsorption energy, density of states, charge transfer amount, differential charge density and recovery time at different ambient temperatures are calculated and analyzed. The results show that CuO-C3N has good adsorption for HF, followed by CF2O, but it can not adsorb CF4 and C2F6. Therefore, CuO-C3N can be used as a high-performance gas adsorbent to remove the highly toxic HF gas in C5F10O insulation equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Physical activity (PA) is an important target for improving clinical outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients. Nonetheless, assessing the daily PA profile in this population is a challenging task, traditionally performed using self‐report questionnaires such as the International PA Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ‐SF). This study aimed to evaluate the concurrent validity of the IPAQ‐SF and accelerometer‐assessed PA using six published cut‐points in patients with HF and reduced or mildly reduced ejection fraction. Methods and results: The concordance between the IPAQ‐SF and a hip‐worn accelerometer regarding daily time spent performing moderate to vigorous PA in bouts of at least 10 min was assessed in 53 participants for seven consecutive days using six different cut‐points (Barnett, Dibben, Mark, Sanders, Troiano, and Vaha‐Ypya). Spearman's correlation and Bland–Altman plots were used to evaluate concurrent validity between methods. Regressions were used to study the association between patient variables, wear protocol (waking hour or 24 h), and absolute bias. The kappa index was used to evaluate the concordance between IPAQ‐SF and accelerometry for classifying patients as active or non‐active. All analyses were re‐run using non‐bouted metrics to investigate the effect of bouted versus non‐bouted analysis. The IPAQ‐SF and accelerometry showed low to negligible correlation (ρ = 0.12 to 0.37), depending on the cut‐point used. The regression analysis showed that the absolute bias was higher in participants following the waking‐hour protocol at all cut‐points except Dibben's (P ≤ 0.007). The concordance between the two methods to classify patients as active and non‐active was low when using Mark (κ = 0.23) and Barnett (κ = 0.34) cut‐points and poor for the remaining cut‐points (κ = 0.03 to 0.18). The results of the sensitivity analysis showed negligible to low correlation using non‐bouted metrics (ρ = 0.27 to 0.33). Conclusions: Moderate to vigorous PA measures using IPAQ‐SF and accelerometers are not equivalent, and we do not encourage researchers to use IPAQ‐SF alone when assessing PA in HF patients. Moreover, applying personalized collection and processing criteria is important when assessing PA in HF patients. We recommend following the 24 h protocol and selecting cut‐points calibrated in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Finally, it is necessary to develop a new tailored questionnaire that considers walking intensity and is adjusted to the current World Health Organisation recommendations, which use non‐bouted metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are frequently interconnected and their association leads to an exponential increase in the risk of both fatal and non-fatal events. In addition, the burden of arrhythmias in CKD patients is increased. On the other hand, the presence of CKD is an important factor that influences the decision to pursue cardiac device therapy. Data on CKD patients with device therapy are scarce and mostly derives from observational studies and case reports. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is associated with decreased mortality, reduced heart failure symptoms, and improved renal function in early stages of CKD. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are associated with a significant reduction in the mortality of CKD patients only for the secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D) is preferred in patients who meet the established criteria. The need for cardiac pacing is increased three-fold in dialysis patients. CKD is an independent risk factor for infections associated with cardiac devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuel cells are one excellent option for converting energy through green technology. Due to its accessibility and high-energy density, glucose can be employed as a fuel in fuel cells. In this study, hydroxyapatite (HAp) was prepared by the precipitation method, and carbon-doped HAp supported PbHfCd (PbHfCd/C-HAp) composite electrocatalysts at varying metal ratios for the glucose electrooxidation were synthesized via NaBH4 reduction method. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), elemental mapping, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to evaluate the chemical structure, crystallinity, and morphological characteristics of the PbHfCd/C-HAp. Chronoamperometry (CA), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were utilized to scrutinize the electrocatalytic activity and stability of PbHfCd/C-Haps for glucose electrooxidation. The findings demonstrate that HAp enhances the glucose electrooxidation of PbHfCd alloy. With a specific activity of 4.73 mA/cm2, Pb80Hf10Cd10/C-HAp is the most stable and active anode electrocatalyst in this work, outperforming HAp by 4.9 times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied an Archean mafic dike in the Trans-North China Orogen of the North China Craton, which has a magmatic age of 2701 ± 83 Ma and is currently the oldest mafic dike in the North China Craton. Such an old dike is extremely rare in the world. The presence of mafic dikes indicates that the North China Craton was in a tensional tectonic environment at 2.7 Ga. Geochemical characteristics reveal that this mafic dike belongs to continental tholeiitic basalt. Results from Hf isotope analysis reveal that the mafic dike originates from a depleted mantle. The plate assembly in the North China landmass was realized during the Archean era (2.7 Ga), and a thick and stable continental crust was formed. Therefore, the first cratonization of the North China Craton was completed before 2.7 Ga. The intrusion of the 2.7-Ga-old mafic dike from the deep lithospheric mantle of the continent indicates that the North China Craton has undergone a period of extensional tectonic activity. This event marks a significant extensional event that occurred after the cratonization of the North China Craton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the geometry of BPHB (4-buthoxyphenyl 4'-hexylbenzoate), a thermotropic nematic liquid crystal with uniaxial molecular symmetry, was optimized and spectral analyses were performed. Gaussian09 software package and GaussView 5.0 graphical interface software programs were used for this purpose. Calculations were performed by Hartree-Fock HF/6- 31G(d,p) and density functional theory DFT/B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) methods. Molecular and thermodynamic structural parameters (electronic properties, electron affinity, electronegativity, molecular hardness and softness, electrophilic index, chemical potential), molecular charge distribution (Mulliken atomic charges), FT-IR spectra, molecular electrostatic potential map (MEP), HOMO-LUMO energies, dipole moments, total energies and electronic structure parameters of the optimized structure were calculated. The calculated values for both methods were compared and analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New, open access tools have been developed to validate ionospheric models in terms of technologically relevant metrics. These are ionospheric errors on GPS 3D position, HF ham radio communications, and peak F‐region density. To demonstrate these tools, we have used output from Sami is Another Model of the Ionosphere (SAMI3) driven by high‐latitude electric potentials derived from Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment, covering the first available month of operation using Iridium‐NEXT data (March 2019). Output of this model is now available for visualization and download via https://sami3.jhuapl.edu. The GPS test indicates SAMI3 reduces ionospheric errors on 3D position solutions from 1.9 m with no model to 1.6 m on average (maximum error: 14.2 m without correction, 13.9 m with correction). SAMI3 predicts 55.5% of reported amateur radio links between 2–30 MHz and 500–2,000 km. Autoscaled and then machine learning "cleaned" Digisonde NmF2 data indicate a 1.0 × 1011 el. m3 median positive bias in SAMI3 (equivalent to a 27% overestimation). The positive NmF2 bias is largest during the daytime, which may explain the relatively good performance in predicting HF links then. The underlying data sources and software used here are publicly available, so that interested groups may apply these tests to other models and time intervals. Plain Language Summary: Multiple research groups are developing models of the ionosphere to address effects on technology that depends on radio signal propagation. Here we present tests of these models that capture the model performance as it relates to some relevant applications. These are GPS position, long‐distance HF communication and ionospheric critical frequency (which is proportional to the square root of the peak ionospheric density). All the data sets, testing code and model output used are made available in the public domain for reuse and development. For the test of critical frequency, we use machine learning to "clean up" the input data, removing errors introduced in the data generation process. Key Points: New, open access tools developed to validate ionospheric modelsMetrics are GPS position, HF communications, and critical frequency/NmF2Machine learning applied to "clean up" auto‐scaled ionosonde data, removing 94% of badly scaled NmF2 values [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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BackgroundBreast cancer (BC) survivors experience an increased burden of long-term comorbidities, including heart failure (HF). However, there is limited understanding of the risk for the development of HF subtypes, such as HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), in BC survivors.ObjectivesThis study sought to estimate the incidence of HFpEF and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in postmenopausal BC survivors and to identify lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors associated with HF subtypes.MethodsWithin the Women's Health Initiative, participants with an adjudicated diagnosis of invasive BC were followed to determine the incidence of hospitalized HF, for which adjudication procedures determined left ventricular ejection fraction. We calculated cumulative incidences of HF, HFpEF, and HFrEF. We estimated HRs for risk factors in relation to HF, HFpEF, and HFrEF using Cox proportional hazards survival models.ResultsIn 2,272 BC survivors (28.6% Black and 64.9% White), the cumulative incidences of hospitalized HFpEF and HFrEF were 6.68% and 3.96%, respectively, over a median of 7.2 years (IQR: 3.6-12.3 years). For HFpEF, prior myocardial infarction (HR: 2.83; 95% CI: 1.28-6.28), greater waist circumference (HR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.14-3.49), and smoking history (HR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.01-2.67) were the strongest risk factors in multivariable models. With the exception of waist circumference, similar patterns were observed for HFrEF, although none were significant. In relation to those without HF, the risk of overall mortality in BC survivors with hospitalized HFpEF was 5.65 (95% CI: 4.11-7.76), and in those with hospitalized HFrEF, it was 3.77 (95% CI: 2.51-5.66).ConclusionsIn this population of older, racially diverse BC survivors, the incidence of HFpEF, as defined by HF hospitalizations, was higher than HFrEF. HF was also associated with an increased mortality risk. Risk factors for HF were largely similar to the general population with the exception of prior myocardial infarction for HFpEF. Notably, both waist circumference and smoking represent potentially modifiable factors.

This virtual workshop was convened by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, in partnership with the Office of Strategic Coordination of the Office of the National Institutes of Health Director, and held September 2 to 3, 2020. The intent was to assemble a multidisciplinary group of experts in basic, translational, and clinical research in neuroscience and cardiopulmonary disorders to identify knowledge gaps, guide future research efforts, and foster multidisciplinary collaborations pertaining to autonomic neural mechanisms of cardiopulmonary regulation. The group critically evaluated the current state of knowledge of the roles that the autonomic nervous system plays in regulation of cardiopulmonary function in health and in pathophysiology of arrhythmias, heart failure, sleep and circadian dysfunction, and breathing disorders. Opportunities to leverage the Common Fund's SPARC (Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions) program were characterized as related to nonpharmacologic neuromodulation and device-based therapies. Common themes discussed include knowledge gaps, research priorities, and approaches to develop novel predictive markers of autonomic dysfunction. Approaches to precisely target neural pathophysiological mechanisms to herald new therapies for arrhythmias, heart failure, sleep and circadian rhythm physiology, and breathing disorders were also detailed.

Extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) is a leading technology in semiconductor manufacturing, enabling the creation of high-resolution patterns essential for advanced microelectronics. This review highlights recent progress in inorganic metal-oxide-based photoresists, with a focus on their applications in EUVL. The unique properties of zinc-based, tin–oxygen, and IVB group inorganic photoresists are examined, showcasing their enhanced chemical reactivity and precise patterning capabilities. Key advancements include the development of zinc oxide and tin oxide nanoparticles, which demonstrate significant improvements in photon absorption and solubility under extreme ultraviolet exposure. Additionally, the review delves into the photochemical reactions of tin–oxygen clusters and the influence of various ligands on film density and cross-linking. The findings suggest that these inorganic photoresists not only improve photolithographic performance but also hold potential for broader applications, such as pyroelectric infrared sensors and 3D printing. Future research directions are outlined, including the optimization of process parameters, the exploration of new ligand and metal combinations, and the evaluation of the environmental benefits of inorganic photoresists over traditional organic ones. These advancements are poised to further enhance the resolution and patterning capabilities required for next-generation semiconductor devices.

The gut microbiome is a heterogeneous population of microbes comprising viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. Such a microbiome is essential for sustaining host equilibrium, and its impact on human health can be altered by a variety of factors such as external variables, social behavior, age, nutrition, and genetics. Gut microbes’ imbalances are related to a variety of chronic diseases including cancer, obesity, and digestive disorders. Globally, recent findings show that intestinal microbes have a significant role in the formation of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is still the primary cause of fatalities. Atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, inflammation, and some inherited variables are all cardiovascular risk variables. However, studies found correlations between metabolism, intestinal flora, and dietary intake. Variations in the diversity of gut microbes and changes in their activity are thought to influence CVD etiology. Furthermore, the gut microbiota acts as an endocrine organ, producing bioactive metabolites such as TMA (trimethylamine)/TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide), SCFA (short-chain fatty acids), and bile acids, which have a substantial impact on host wellness and disease by multiple mechanisms. The purpose of this overview is to compile current evidence highlighting the intricate links between gut microbiota, metabolites, and the development of CVD. It focuses on how intestinal dysbiosis promotes CVD risk factors such as heart failure, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. This review explores the normal physiology of intestinal microbes and potential techniques for targeting gut bacteria for CVD treatment using various microbial metabolites. It also examines the significance of gut bacteria in disease treatment, including supplements, prebiotics, probiotics, antibiotic therapies, and fecal transplantation, which is an innovative approach to the management of CVD. As a result, gut bacteria and metabolic pathways become increasingly attractive as potential targets for CVD intervention.

IntroductionThe influence of sex on the prognosis of heart failure with preserved or intermediate ejection fraction (HFpEF and HFmrEF) remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate whether sex differences impact the prognosis of patients diagnosed with HFpEF and HFmrEF.MethodsA comprehensive search across three databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase) was conducted to identify sex-related prognostic cohort studies focusing on HFpEF and HFmrEF. Risk estimates were synthesized using the random effects model. The analysis included 14 cohorts comprising 41,508 HFpEF patients (44.65% males) and 10,692 HFmrEF patients (61.79% males).ResultsAmong HFpEF patients, men exhibited significantly higher rates of all-cause mortality (13 studies; hazard ratio (HR): 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15 to 1.33)) and cardiovascular disease mortality (5 studies; HR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.31) compared to women. However, no significant difference was observed in HF admissions. For HFmrEF patients, men displayed notably higher all-cause mortality (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.31) but no significant differences in cardiovascular mortality or HF admissions.DiscussionThese findings suggest that male patients diagnosed with HFpEF and HFmrEF may face a more unfavorable prognosis in terms of all-cause mortality. Variations were noted in cardiovascular mortality and HF admissions, indicating potential complexities in sex-related prognostic factors within these heart failure categories. In summary, male patients with HFpEF and HFmrEF may have a more unfavorable prognosis.

Context: With the advent of fast computing facilities, combined with rapid emerges of many new and intricate quantum mechanical functionals, computations with pure Hartree–Fock (HF) theory are now-a-days regarded as trivial or obsolete, or even considered as not reliable by many researchers. Consequently, current trends in computational chemistry show extensive use of post-HF theories for smaller molecular systems and various DFT methods for organic and inorganic chemistry related problems (larger molecules/systems). In this contribution, I have tried to show that sometimes, HF might be more suitable over DFT methodologies in addressing structure–property correlations. Molecules studied here were previously synthesized by Boyd in 1966 and important experimental data were produced by Alcalde and co-workers in 1987. Comparison of computed and experimental results clearly shows that HF method was more effective in reproducing the experimental data compared to especially the DFT methodologies. Reliability of HF method was further assured from the very similar results shown by the CCSD, CASSCF, CISD and QCISD methods. Current study also indicates that the localization issue associated with HF proved to be advantageous over delocalization issue of DFT based methodologies, in correctly describing the structure–property correlation for zwitterion systems. Methods: All computations were performed with Gaussian 09. A wide-range of quantum mechanical methodologies, HF, B3LYP, CAM-B3LYP, BMK, B3PW91, TPSSh, LC-ωPBE, M06-2X, M06-HF, ωB97xD, MP2, CASSCF, CCSD, QCISD, CISD and semi-empirical methods like, Huckel, CNDO, AM1, PM3MM and PM6, were used for investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum refinement (Q|R) of crystallographic or cryo-EM-derived structures of biomolecules within the Q|R project aims at using ab initio computations instead of library-based chemical restraints. An atomic model refinement requires the calculation of the gradient of the objective function. While it is not a computational bottleneck in classic refinement it is a roadblock if the objective function requires ab initio calculations. A solution to this problem adopted in Q|R is to divide the molecular system into manageable parts and do computations for these parts rather than using the whole macromolecule. This work focuses on the validation and optimization of the automatic divide-and-conquer procedure developed within the Q|R project. Also, we propose an atomic gradient error score that can be easily examined with common molecular visualization programs. While the tool is designed to work within the Q|R setting the error score can be adapted to similar fragmentation methods. The gradient testing tool presented here allows a priori determination of the computationally efficient strategy given available resources for the potentially time-expensive refinement process. The procedure is illustrated using a peptide and small protein models considering different quantum mechanical (QM) methodologies from Hartree–Fock, including basis set and dispersion corrections, to the modern semi-empirical method from the GFN-xTB family. The results obtained provide some general recommendations for the reliable and effective quantum refinement of larger peptides and proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease is one of the major diseases threatening the health of Chinese residents, and the death rate has long been the highest on the disease spectrum in China. With the progress of population aging, the prevalence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases remain on the rise, and the current treatment effect on and prognosis of heart failure (HF) are not satisfactory. It is particularly important to explore the potential pathogenic mechanisms of HF and identify new therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High rates of hospital readmission and the cost of treating heart failure (HF) are significant public health issues globally and in Rwanda. Using machine learning (ML) to predict which patients are at high risk for HF hospital readmission 20 days after their discharge has the potential to improve HF management by enabling early interventions and individualized treatment approaches. In this paper, we compared six different ML models for this task, including multi-layer perceptron (MLP), K-nearest neighbors (KNN), logistic regression (LR), decision trees (DT), random forests (RF), and support vector machines (SVM) with both linear and radial basis kernels. The outputs of the classifiers are compared using performance metrics including the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. We found that RF outperforms all the remaining models with an AUC of 94% while SVM, MLP, and KNN all yield 88% AUC. In contrast, DT performs poorly, with an AUC value of 57%. Hence, hospitals in Rwanda can benefit from using the RF classifier to determine which HF patients are at high risk of hospital readmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: There are limited data to guide oncology and cardiology decision-making in patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and concurrent active malignancy. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to describe cancer treatment approaches, complications, and survival among patients with active cancer on LVAD support in 2 tertiary heart failure and oncology programs. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, LVAD databases were reviewed to identify patients with a cancer diagnosis at the time of or after LVAD implantation. We created a 3:1 matched cohort based on age, sex, etiology of cardiomyopathy, LVAD implant strategy, and INTERMACS profile stratified by site. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare survival between patients with cancer and non-cancer comparators. RESULTS: Among 1,123 patients who underwent LVAD implantation between 2005 and 2019, 22 patients with LVADs with active cancer and 66 matched non-cancer comparators were identified. Median age was 62 years (range 41 to 73 years); 50% of patients with cancer were African-American, and 27% were women. Prostate cancer, followed by renal cell cancer and hematologic malignancies were the most common diagnoses. There was no significant difference in unadjusted Kaplan-Meier median survival estimates from the time of LVAD placement between patients with cancer (3.53 years; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41 to 5.33) and non-cancer comparators (3.03 years; 95% CI: 1.83 to 5.26; log-rank P = 0.99). In Cox proportional hazard models, cancer diagnosis as a time-varying variable was associated with a statistically significant increase in death (hazard ratio: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.03 to 4.12; P = 0.04). Patients with cancer had less gastrointestinal bleeding compared with matched non-cancer comparators (P = 0.016). Other complications were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides initial feasibility and safety data and set a framework for multidisciplinary team management of patients with cancer and LVADs.