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Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA Introduction Increasing evidence suggests early rhythm-control therapy in atrial fibrillation (AF) results in higher freedom from atrial arrhythmia (AA) recurrence and improved cardiovascular outcomes. However, the impact of specifically early cryoballoon ablation (CBA) is not well known. Purpose To assess the impact of early CBA of atrial fibrillation on efficacy and safety outcomes. Methods We evaluated AA recurrence (≥30 sec after a 90-day blanking period), repeat ablation, and serious procedure-related complications in patients with early vs. later CBA (≤12 vs. >12 months from diagnosis) in patients enrolled in the prospective, multicenter (121 centers in 37 countries). Subjects underwent CBA and were followed either 12 or 24 months per local standard of care. Results A total of 3447 subjects were followed through 12 months and a subset of 1220 through 24 months. In summary, 1573 patients (46%) had early CBA treatment at a median [IQR] of 0.3 [0.1 – 0.6] years from AF diagnosis (age 62±12 years, 35.8% female, 71.4% paroxysmal AF), and 1874 (54%) had later treatment at a median of 3.4 [1.9 – 6.7] years after diagnosis (age 61±11 years, 36.2% female, 75.0% paroxysmal AF). Early treatment patients were less hypertensive (53.5% vs 57.9%, p=0.01), had smaller left atrial diameters (41±7mm vs 42±7mm, p Conclusions After AF diagnosis, early vs. later CBA results in higher freedom from AA recurrence and is associated with fewer safety events in a real-world evaluation. The difference in comorbidities at baseline between the two cohorts may contribute to the CBA being less effective in the later treatment cohort.

Background Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using second generation cryoballoon (CB) ablation has become an established treatment for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) patients. On the other hand, PVI with radiofrequency (RF) has been an established treatment for non-PAF patients, in addition to PAF patients. Purpose The data on second generation CB ablation for non-PAF patients is limited. We assessed the application of PVI with CB for non-PAF patients and compared the outcomes of success rate, radiational time, and procedural time. Methods A total of 2632 AF patients (age 64±10; 1873 males) underwent initial PVI from September 2014 to June 2018. Second-generation CB was employed to 1587 patients (CB-PAF: 80%, CB-non-PAF: 20%) and RF using irrigation-tip catheter was employed to other 1045 patients (RF-PAF: 40%, RF-non-PAF: 60%). In CB group, PV touch-up ablation with RF was needed for 113 patients (7%) (CB-PAF: 6%, CB-non-PAF: 13%; p Results AF free survival rate was almost equivalent in both non-PAF group (2-years Kaplan-Meir event rate, CB-non-PAF 66.3%, RF-non-PAF 69.8%; log-rank p=0.297). There was significantly difference in procedural time (CB-non-PAF 132±56min, RF-non-PAF: 189±52min, p Conclusions For non-PAF patients with PV triggers, PVI with CB might be non-inferior to PVI with RF. Our study showed the efficacy of CB in terms of the shortening of procedural time, and the reduction of radiational exposure. PVI with CB for non-PAF patients was inferior to that for PAF patients.

Background Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using radiofrequency (RF) or cryoballoon (CB) has been an established treatment for atrial fibrillation. PVI using RF is the most common method with a rather complex technique of a point-by-point tissue heating and navigation of electro-anatomical-guided mapping system, and PVI with CB is also the common method with a relatively simple technique of freezing balloon occlusion. These 2 types of ablation are comparable in terms of the efficacy of the PVI procedure. Purpose The data on the clinical outcome of each AF type with PV triggers has been limited. We compared the outcome of success rate between RF and CB group with respect to each AF type, and further assessed the efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation for AF patients with the origin of only PV. Methods A total of 3402 AF patients (age 64±11; 2463 males) underwent initial PVI from May 2009 to July 2018 (PAF: 67%, non-PAF: 37%). Radiofrequency using irrigation-tip catheter was employed to 1796 patients since May 2009 (RF-PAF: 55%, RF-non-PAF: 45%). Second-generation cryoballoon was employed to other 1606 patients since September 2014 (CB-PAF: 81%, CB-non-PAF: 19%). In CB group, PV touch-up ablation with RF was needed for 113 patients (7%) (CB-PAF: 6%, CB-non-PAF: 13%; p Results In all PAF patients, AF free survival rate was significantly superior in CB group (2-years Kaplan-Meir event rate, CB 83.2%, RF 75.2%; log-rank p Conclusions Our study showed better outcome of PVI with CB for PAF patients with PV triggers, and indicated the non-inferiority of PVI with CB for non-PAF patients with PV triggers to PVI with RF.

Moderately halophilic strain DT-W was isolated from the mud of the Mariana Trench. Cells of the organism were rod-shaped (1.5-2 m x 0.5-0.8 µm) with some flagella extruding from the cells. Growth occurred in an NaCl concentration of about 0.1-15% (optimal: 3-5%), at pH of 6-9, and at temperatures ranging from 4-51 °C (optimal: 30-37 °C). The results of 16S rDNA analysis and DNA-DNA hybridization analyses showed that DT-W was closely related to Halomonas aquamarina, Halomonas axialensis and Halomonas meridiana. Furthermore, additional physiological properties and the cytochrome contents of DT-W were also analyzed.

The onset of shear band in FCC crystalline material is discussed by perturbation method with crystal plasticity theory. The critical condition can be calculated after the perturbation distribution ratio is evaluated numerically. Latent hardening can be included in the formulation. The shear band prediction routine is implemented in finite element polycrystal model. Plane strain tension after pure shear is analysed in single crystal. The results show the effects of crystal orientation and latent hardening on the occurrence of shear band.

Spin injection across a hybrid ferromagnet/semiconductor junction has proven to be difficult, unlike in an all-metal junction used in giant magnetoresistance devices. The difference responsible is highlighted in a simple model. We perform spin-injection-detection experiments on devices with two ferromagnetic contacts on a two-dimensional electron gas confined in an InAs quantum well. We demonstrate that spin injection allows the hybrid device to combine both the advantage of the ferromagnet as well as that of the semiconductor.

An alternative plate and screw method of advancement of the supraorbital osteotomy bar in cranial remodelling surgery for craniosynostosis is described. The lateral orbital rim is transversely cut and using miniplates, screws are implanted into its advanced cut ends. Appropriate screws and miniplates are used to suit the size of the orbital rim in patients of different age groups. The technique was used in 12 cases and the authors have found the results extremely gratifying. It offered the advantage of providing a firm, secure and desired advancement, and height of the supraorbital bar maintaining a smooth lateral rim contour. The procedure was technically relatively straightforward. Further observation is warranted to determine whether the stabilization will last into adulthood or if there will be any problem related to the metal screws and plates.

We previously identified 62, 39, 27 and 7 kDa porcine sperm plasma membrane proteins that demonstrated a predominant affinity for the porcine oocyte plasma membrane by Western ligand blotting. The current experiments were designed to further investigate the potential roles of these molecules in sperm-oocyte plasma membrane interaction. Abilities of these proteins to bind to the oocyte plasma membrane and to inhibit sperm-oocyte interaction were evaluated. Plasma membrane was isolated primarily from the head of ejaculated porcine sperm by nitrogen cavitation and density gradient centrifugation. Fractions containing the 62, 39, 27 and 7 kDa proteins were electroeluted from one dimensional SDS polyacrylamide gels, dialysed and proteins biotinylated. Following incubation with zona-free porcine oocytes, bound protein was visualized with 20 μg TRITC-avidin/ml using confocal microscopy. Fractions of the dialysed, electroeluted proteins were added to porcine in vitro fertilization assays. The 62, 39, 27 and 7 kDa proteins all demonstrated binding to the oocyte plasma membrane in contrast to a biotinylated control protein. Addition of unlabelled sperm plasma membrane proteins to the biotinylated protein visibly reduced binding. Addition of each of these protein fractions to in vitro fertilization assays reduced sperm interaction with the porcine oocyte plasma membrane in a concentration-dependent manner. Binding of these sperm plasma membrane proteins to the oocyte plasma membrane and inhibition of fertilization are consistent with these proteins being involved in sperm-oocyte plasma membrane interaction.

In this paper, we propose a neural network model which incorporates neurophysiological knowledge into Jones's hypothesis, i.e., the association cortex - entorhinal cortex - hippocampal formation model (AEH model). In this model, the inhibitory action from the inferotemporal cortex to parietal cortex has a gating role for activation of the reverberatory closed circuit between the entorhinal cortex and hippocampal formation. The successive recognition performance of the AEH model was tested using human face images. In the experiments, face images were presented to the AEH model twice. Twenty human faces were tested to learn and recollect successively either in a series or in a block. In both tests, the recognition performance of the AEH model was nearly 100 percent. In the memory consolidation experiments, when face images were presented five times in series, potentiation of long-term memory occurred without any distortions.

The significance of isocentering in head fixation during micro-neurosurgery is described. The approach angle to the lesion could be changeable without adjusting the focus and placement of the operating microscope by rotating the head holder when the lesion is fixed at the isocenter of the rotatable.

Permanent pacemaker implantation after heart transplantation is contentious. Indications for these devices in this population are uncertain. The goals of this project were to (1) analyze the time course of donor sinus node dysfunction and atrioventricular block after heart transplantation; (2) evaluate which selected parameters (donor age, ischemic time, heart rate before pacer insertion, and number of rejection episodes) might relate to persistent permanent pacing need, and (3) assess pacemaker complications during follow-up.A retrospective analysis of pacemaker implantations (22 cases) was performed in 286 consecutive heart transplantations performed between February 1984 and April 1994 at The Methodist Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.Permanent pacemakers were inserted early after transplantation in 19 patients (mean 24 days); 14 pacemakers were for sinus node dysfunction (bradycardia in five, sinus arrest with junctional escape in eight, and optimization of hemodynamics in one). Symptomatic complete heart block prompted insertion late in two patients (3 and 47 months), and symptomatic sinus pause was the indication for late insertion in one. Recipient mean age was 52.4 years, with mean donor age 29.7 years in patients with pacemakers. By 3 months, 13 of 19 patients receiving pacemakers early (mean preinsertion heart rate 58.3 beats/min) became pacer independent with subsequent mean intrinsic heart rate of 97 beats/min. Recipient or donor age, ischemic time, and rejection episodes did not appear related to long-term pacing need early or late after transplantation.Inferences from these observations include the fact that many patients with early sinus node dysfunction and bradycardia are not pacer dependent at 3 months. However, those with atrioventricular block early appear to require long-term pacing support. However, the possibility that more aggressive and long-term oral chronotropic medication use after transplantation would obviate early permanent pacemaker need is not addressed. Finally, prospective clinical trials are necessary to precisely characterize benefit of permanent pacemakers and define optimal pacing modes after heart transplantation.

Novel C(7)-derivatives of 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-quinolone carboxylic acid (3a-o) have been synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity. Compounds 3e (3-aminocyclobutyl), 3g (1-aminocyclopropyl), 3m ((2-aminomethyl)vinyl), and 3o ((1-aminomethyl)vinyl) showed significant inhibitory activity, comparable to that of ciprofloxacin, against gram-negative bacteria including P. aeruginosa. A good pharmacokinetic profile (serum and brain concentrations and urinary recovery) was obtained for the two cyclic compounds (3e and 3g), but that of the vinylic compounds (3m and 3o) was less favorable. Compound 3g was less toxic than 3e, ciprofloxacin, or ofloxacin in terms of acute toxicity and convulsion-induction.

This textbook is intended for students of engineering, material science, and/or applied physics to study the field of spintronics, otherwise known as electrogmagnetics. Provides the fundamental concepts in quantum mechanics and their applications to spintronic devices. It contains much algebra but it is not heavily theoretical. Students can follow the equations step by step. Each chapter contains problems and references to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Fifteen patients with right ventricular tachycardia without evidence of coronary artery disease or dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were evaluated, by means of electrophysiologic study and right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy. Six cases were diagnosed as definite arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD), while 2 cases without characteristic findings of ARVD by noninvasive studies and angiography were diagnosed as probable ARVD on the basis of their electrophysiologic and histopathologic data. In conclusion, ARVD is relatively common as an etiology of right ventricular tachycardia, and detailed electrophysiologic study and endomyocardial biopsy appear to be useful for diagnosis of ARVD.

Magnetisation reversal processes of microstructured NiFe rings are studied by fringing-field-induced local Hall effect (LHE) and numerical model calculations. This semiconductor-based technique yields a high sensitivity of magnetic stray fields and allows the authors to detect magnetisation hysteresis loops of single NiFe rings. For narrow rings, sharp transitions from so called ‘onion’ to the ‘vortex’ state are detected. Only onion and global vortex states are possible magnetisation configurations in narrow rings. In rings with smaller inner diameter, the transitions are more complex. The minor loop analysis of rings shows that onion and global vortex states are stable and independent of the magnetic history, but the local vortex state depends on the way the magnetic field has been swept beforehand. The switching fields can be controlled by the inner diameter in good agreement with the computational results.

The dynamics of membrane microstructure was studied as molecular motions of phospholipids for bullfrog erythrocyte ghosts by the DPH fluorescence depolarization technique with a nanosecond fluorometer. The bullfrog erythrocyte ghosts were obtained by hypotonic lysis and collagenase treatment. The constituents of membrane proteins were confirmed by the disk gel electrophoresis. The viscosity of erythrocyte membrane ghosts was estimated to be 3.3 +/- 1.0 at 10 degrees C, and 2.1 +/- 0.1 at 20 degrees C and 1.3 +/- 0.2 at 30 degrees C in the unit of poise and the wobbling angle of lipid molecule was 35 +/- 1, 41 +/- 1 and 43 +/- 1 degree at the respective temperatures on an average and +/- S.D. The viscosity is lower than that of human erythrocytes. The relatively low viscous phospholipid bilayer may be one of the factors for the deformability of bullfrog erythrocytes.

A velocimeter for measurements of blood flow velocity in microvessels was constructed with a microscope, a grating, a photomultiplier and a wave-period measuring circuit. A differential detection system seemed to be useful when the probing area was extremely small. A pulsating flow velocity contour and the velocity reduction caused by an application of noradrenaline were on-line recorded in an arteriole of foot web of frogs.

The viscosity and the order in the interior of human erythrocyte membranes were investigated by the fluorescence depolarization technique in the nanosecond region with 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH). After pulsed excitation with a polarized light, the fluorescence anisotropy ratio of DPH in membranes rapidly decreased and gave a final value (r infinity). The rate of initial decrease and the value of r infinity related to the viscosity in the interior of the membranes and a wobbling angle of DPH which reflects a size of range for the phospholipid motion relating to the order of membrane structure. For normal human erythrocyte membranes the viscosity and the wobbling angle were obtained to be 0.82 poise and 42 degrees, at 37 degrees C. Similar values were obtained for spectrin-free membranes. Hardened membranes by the cross-linking of the cytoskeletal proteins with glutaraldehyde showed a small wobbling angle of 37 degrees, but the viscosity of them was unchanged.