Prognostic value of chronic total occlusions detected on coronary computed tomographic angiography

Opolski, Maksymilian P,Gransar, Heidi,Lu, Yao,Achenbach, Stephan,Al-Mallah, Mouaz H,Andreini, Daniele,Bax, Jeroen J,Berman, Daniel S,Budoff, Matthew J,Cademartiri, Filippo,Callister, Tracy Q,Chang, Hy BMJ Group 2019 Heart Vol.105 No.3

<P><B>Objective</B></P><P>Data describing clinical relevance of chronic total occlusion (CTO) identified by coronary CT angiography (CCTA) have not been reported to date. We investigated the prognosis of CTO on CCTA.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>We identified 22 828 patients without prior known coronary artery disease (CAD), who were followed for a median of 26 months. Based on CCTA, coronary lesions were graded as normal (no atherosclerosis), non-obstructive (1%–49%), moderate-to-severe (50%–99%) or totally occluded (100%). All-cause mortality, and major adverse cardiac events defined as mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction and late coronary revascularisation (≥90 days after CCTA) were assessed.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>The distribution of patients with normal coronaries, non-obstructive CAD, moderate-to-severe CAD and CTO was 10 034 (44%), 7965 (34.9%), 4598 (20.1%) and 231 (1%), respectively. The mortality rate per 1000 person-years of CTO patients was non-significantly different from patients with moderate-to-severe CAD (22.95; 95% CI 12.71 to 41.45 vs 14.46; 95% CI 12.34 to 16.94; p=0.163), and significantly higher than of those with normal coronaries and non-obstructive CAD (p<0.001 for both). Among 14 382 individuals with follow-up for the composite end point, patients with CTO had a higher rate of events than those with moderate-to-severe CAD (106.56; 95% CI 76.51 to 148.42 vs 65.45; 95% CI 58.01 to 73.84, p=0.009). This difference was primarily driven by an increase in late revascularisations in CTO patients (27 of 35 events). After multivariable adjustment, compared with individuals with normal coronaries, the presence of CTO conferred the highest risk for adverse cardiac events (14.54; 95% CI 9.11 to 23.20, p<0.001).</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>The detection of CTO on non-invasive CCTA is associated with increased rate of late revascularisation but similar 2-year mortality as compared with moderate-to-severe CAD.</P><P><B>Trial registration number</B></P><P> NCT01443637.</P>

Determination of N* amplitudes from associated strangeness production in p+p collisions

Mü,nzer, R.,Fabbietti, L.,Epple, E.,Lu, S.,Klose, P.,Hauenstein, F.,Herrmann, N.,Grzonka, D.,Leifels, Y.,Maggiora, M.,Pleiner, D.,Ramstein, B.,Ritman, J.,Roderburg, E.,Salabura, P.,Sarantsev, A.,B North-Holland Pub. Co 2018 Physics letters. Section B Vol.785 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>We present the first determination of the energy-dependent amplitudes of N<SUP>⁎</SUP> resonances extracted from their decay in KΛ pairs in p+p → <SUP> pK + </SUP> Λ reactions. A combined Partial Wave Analysis of seven data samples with exclusively reconstructed p+p → <SUP> pK + </SUP> Λ events measured by the COSY-TOF, DISTO, FOPI and HADES Collaborations in fixed target experiments at kinetic energies between 2.14 to 3.5 GeV is used to determine the amplitude of the resonant and non-resonant contributions into the associated strangeness final state. The contribution of seven N<SUP>⁎</SUP> resonances with masses between 1650 MeV/c<SUP>2</SUP> and 1900 MeV/c<SUP>2</SUP> for an excess energy between 0 and 600 MeV has been considered. The Σ–p cusp and final state interactions for the p–Λ channel are also included as coherent contributions in the PWA. The N<SUP>⁎</SUP> contribution is found to be dominant with respect to the phase space emission of the pK Λ + final state at all energies demonstrating the important role played by both N<SUP>⁎</SUP> and interference effects in hadron–hadron collisions.</P>

Effect of Replacing Corn and Wheat Bran With Soyhulls in Lactation Cow Diets on In Situ Digestion Characteristics of Dietary Dry Matter and Fiber and Lactation Performance

Meng, Qingxiang,Lu, Lin,Min, Xiaomei,McKinnon, P.J.,Xiong, Yiqiang Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2000 Animal Bioscience Vol.13 No.12

An in situ digestion trial (Experiment 1) and a lactation trial (Experiment 2) were conducted to determine the effects of replacing corn and wheat bran with soyhulls (SH) in lactating dairy cow diets on the extent and kinetics of digestion of DM and NDF, and lactation performance. In experiment 1, five mixed feeds consisting of mixed concentrate and roughages (50:50 on a DM basis) were formulated on isonitrogenous and isoenergetic bases to produce five levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) of SH replacement for corn and wheat bran. SH had high in situ digestion (92 and 89% for potentially digestible DM and NDF) and fairly fast digestion rate (7.2 and 6.3 %/h for DM and NDF). Increasing level of SH replacement resulted in increased NDF digestibility (linear, p=0.001-0.04) and similar DM digestibility (beyond 12 h incubation, p=0.10-0.41). As level of SH replacement increased, percentage of slowly digestible fraction (b) of DM increased (linear, p=0.03), percentage of rapidly digestible fraction (a) of DM tended to decrease (linear, p=0.14), and DM digestion lag time tended to be longer (linear, p=0.13). Percentage of potentially digestible fraction (a+b) and digestion rate (c) of slowly digestible fraction of dietary DM remained unaltered (p=0.36-0.90) with increasing SH in the diet. Increasing level of SH for replacing corn and wheat bran in the diet resulted in increases in percentages of b (quadratic, p<0.001), a (linear, p=0.08), a+b (quadratic, p=0.001) and a tendency to increase in c for NDF (linear, p<0.19). It was also observed that there was a satisfactory fit of a non-linear regression model to NDF digestion data ($R^2=0.986-0.998$), but a relatively poor fit of the model to DM digestion data ($R^2=0.915-0.968$). In experiment 2, 42 lactating Holstein cows were used in a randomized complete block design. SH replaced corn and wheat bran in mixed concentrates at 0, 25, and 50%, respectively. These mixed concentrates were mixed with roughages and fed ad libitum as complete diets. Replacing corn and wheat bran with SH at 0, 25 and 50% levels did not influence (p=0.56-0.95) DM intakes (18.4, 18.6, and 18.5 kg/d), milk yields (27.7, 28.4 and 27.6 kg/d), 4% fat-corrected-milk (FCM) yields (26.2, 27.6, and 27.3 kg/d) and percentages of milk protein (3.12, 3.17 and 3.18%), milk lactose (4.69, 4.76 and 4.68%) and SNF (8.50, 8.64, and 8.54%). On the other hand, milk fat percentges linearly increased (3.63, 3.85 and 3.90% for SH replacement rates of 0, 25 and 50% in the diet, p=0.08), while feed costs per kg FCM production were reduced.

Effects of Dietary Nitrogen Sources on Fiber Digestion and Ruminal Fluid Characteristics in Sheep Fed Wheat Straw

Tan, Z.-L.,Lu, D.-X.,Hu, M.,Niu, W.-Y.,Han, C.-Y.,Ren, X.-P.,Na, R.,Lin, S.-L. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2001 Animal Bioscience Vol.14 No.10

Fifteen Inner Mongolian wethers with permanent ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used to study the effects of dietary rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) to rumen-degradable protein (RDP) ratios or protein sources on fiber digestion in the gastrointestinal tract and ruminal fluid characteristics. Fiber digestion and ruminal fermentation were not affected (p>0.05) by dietary RUP to RDP ratios (from 1.54 to 0.72). Soybean meal supplementation improved ruminal digestion. Fish meal supplementation increased (p<0.05) the ruminal degradability of fiber. The different RUP to RDP ratios (from 1.54 to 0.72) did not influence (p>0.05) ruminal fluid pH, but there were differences (p<0.05) in ruminal fluid $NH_3-N$ concentration because of urea replacement. Soybean meal as a dietary protein source decreased (p<0.05) ruminal fluid pH and increased (p<0.05 or p<0.01) $NH_3-N$, acetate, propionate and butyrate concentrations in the rumen. Fish meal as a dietary protein source decreased (p<0.05 or p<0.01) ruminal $NH_3-N$ and acetate concentrations and increased (p<0.05) ruminal propionate concentration. It can be concluded that dietary protein sources have more significant effect on fiber digestion and ruminal fermentation than different dietary RUP to RDP ratios, when the dietary crude protein requirements of growing sheep are satisfied.

Fabrication of Nitrogen Doped p-ZnO and ZnO Light-Emitting Diodes on Sapphire

Y. M. Lu,Z. P. Wei,D. Z. Shen,Z. Z. Zhang,B. Yao,B. H. Li,J. Y. Zhang,D. X. Zhao,X. W. Fan,Z. K. Tang 한국물리학회 2008 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.53 No.5

Nitrogen-doped p-type ZnO thin films were grown on c-plane sapphire (Al2O3) substrates by plasma-assistant molecular beam epitaxy, where O2 and N2 were introduced via a RF plasma source simultaneously. In situ optical emission spectra of the plasma were employed to monitor the chemical species in the active gas sources, one of the most important growth parameters. By adjusting the growth parameters, we confirm the optimal condition for p-type doping growth. The reproducible p-type ZnO thin films have the hole concentration (NA −ND) up to 1.0 × 1018 cm−3 and the resistivity of 6 cm. A ZnO LED was fabricated by depositing undoped n-type ZnO on the p-type layer. Electroluminescence spectra centered about 430 nm were obtained even at 350 K.

Fabrication of p-Type Nitrogen-Doped MgZnO by Depressing N-Related Donors

B. Yao,Z. P. Wei,Y. F. Li,D. Z. Shen,Y. M. Lu,Z. Z. Zhang,B. H. Li,C. J. Zheng,X. H. Wang,J. Y. Zhang,D. X. Zhao,X. W. Fan,Z. K. Tang 한국물리학회 2008 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.53 No.5

Wurtzite nitrogen-doped MgZnO (MgZnO:N) films were grown on c-plane sapphire by using plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy with radical NO as the oxygen source and nitrogen dopant. P-type conduction of MgZnO:N was obtained by decreasing the donor defects ((N2)O, VO, etc.) through annealing, revealing a hole concentration of 6.1 × 1017 cm−3 and a mobility of 6.42 cm2/Vs. Furthermore, as-grown p-type films with a hole concentration of 1 × 1017 cm−3 and a mobility of 3 cm2/Vs were obtained by decreasing the (N2)O double donor defect through control of the plasma conditions. ZnMgO:N/ZnO p-n junctions were obtained by using these p-type films. ode-like, rectifying I-V characteristics with a threshold voltage of about 5 V and a different reverse leakage current were observed at room temperature.

Feasibility of Atmospheric-Pressure CO Cold Plasma for Reduction of Supported Metal Ions

Di, L.,Zhang, X.,Lee, B.,Lu, P.,Ahn, W. S.,Park, D. W. Springer Science + Business Media 2017 Plasma chemistry and plasma processing Vol.37 No.6

<P>An atmospheric pressure (AP) carbon monoxide (CO) cold plasma method was developed and employed to reduce supported metal ions for the first time. HAuCl4, AgNO3, H2PtCl6, and Pd(NO3)(2) ions supported on a commercial sample of TiO2 (Degussa P25) were reduced by AP CO cold plasma. The results of UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicate that the supported metal ions are reduced to their metallic states. Au/P25-CP and Au/P25-HP were prepared by CO and H-2 cold plasma, respectively, to investigate the reduction ability of CO cold plasma. XPS and transmission electron spectroscopy analyses show that the gold nanoparticles in Au/P25-CP and Au/P25-HP exist in the form of metallic gold, and exhibit similar size. Interestingly, a blue shift of the surface plasmon resonance peak was observed for Au/P25-CP because of the amorphous carbon formed by CO dissociation. In situ optical emission spectrum of the CO cold plasma was recorded and excited CO molecules were deemed to be the reducing agents. CO cold plasma was also adopted to reduce P25 supported copper ions, while metallic copper nanoparticles were obtained accompanied by a certain amount of oxidized copper species. AP CO cold plasma is as effective as H-2 plasma for reducing supported metal ions, and has great potential for tuning the SPR absorption.</P>

Variable number of tandem repeats of 9 Plasmodium vivax genes among Southeast Asian isolates

Wang, B.,Nyunt, M.H.,Yun, S.G.,Lu, F.,Cheng, Y.,Han, J.H.,Ha, K.S.,Park, W.S.,Hong, S.H.,Lim, C.S.,Cao, J.,Sattabongkot, J.,Kyaw, M.P.,Cui, L.,Han, E.T. Verlag fur Recht und Gesellschaft 2017 Acta tropica Vol.170 No.-

<P>The variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs) provides valuable information about both the functional and evolutionary aspects of genetic diversity. Comparative analysis of 3 Plasmodium falciparum genomes has shown that more than 9% of its open reading frames (ORFs) harbor VNTRs. Although microsatellites and VNTR genes of P. vivax were reported, the VNTR polymorphism of genes has not been examined widely. In this study, 230 P. vivax genes were analyzed for VNTRs by SERV, and 33 kinds of TR deletions or insertions from 29P. vivax genes (12.6%) were found. Of these, 9 VNTR fragments from 8 P. vivax genes were used for PCR amplification and sequence analysis to examine the genetic diversity among 134 isolates from four Southeast Asian countries (China, Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Myanmar) with different malaria endemicity. We confirmed the existence of extensive polymorphism of VNTR fragments in field isolates. This detection provides several suitable markers for analysis of the molecular epidemiology of P. vivax field isolates. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Effects of Keratinase on Performance, Nutrient Utilization, Intestinal Morphology, Intestinal Ecology and Inflammatory Response of Weaned Piglets Fed Diets with Different Levels of Crude Protein

Wang, D.,Piao, X.S.,Zeng, Z.K.,Lu, T.,Zhang, Q.,Li, P.F.,Xue, L.F.,Kim, S.W. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.12

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the in vitro ability of keratinase to hydrolyze soybean glycinin and ${\beta}$-conglycinin and to evaluate the in vivo effects of keratinase when included in corn-soybean diets with different levels of crude protein and fed to nursery pigs. In experiment 1, a saturated keratinase solution (1 ml) was added to two blank controls of either glycinin or ${\beta}$-conglycinin resulting in the hydrolysis of 94.74% glycinin and 88.89% ${\beta}$-conglycinin. In experiment 2, 190 pigs (8.3${\pm}$0.63 kg BW) were allotted to one of four treatments in a 2${\times}$2 factorial arrangement on the basis of body weight, and sex was balanced among the pens. The effects of crude protein (19 vs. 22%) and keratinase (0 vs. 0.05%) were studied. Each treatment was applied to six pens with seven (two pens) or eight pigs per pen. Pigs were fed the experimental diets for 21 d. Weight gain and feed conversion ratio were improved (p<0.05) with keratinase supplementation while feed intake was reduced (p<0.05). Keratinase supplementation increased (p<0.05) the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, energy, crude protein and phosphorus. Keratinase supplementation also increased n-butyric acid in the cecum and colon, lactobacilli and total anaerobe counts in the colon as well as the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the ileum. Additionally, fecal score, ammonia nitrogen and branch chain volatile fatty acids in the colon, E. coli and total aerobe counts in the colon, crypt depth in the jejunum and ileum as well as serum interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 concentrations were also decreased (p<0.05) by keratinase supplementation. A reduction in dietary crude protein decreased (p<0.05) colon ammonia nitrogen concentration and cecal propionic acid and branch chain volatile fatty acid concentrations. In addition, cecal E. coli counts, colon total anaerobe counts, ileal crypt depth, and serum interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 concentrations were also decreased (p<0.05) with the reduction of dietary crude protein. With the exception of fecal scores, there were no significant interactions between crude protein and keratinase. This study provides evidence that dietary keratinase supplementation improved nursery pig performance by improving intestinal morphology and ecology, thus improving nutrient digestibility and alleviating the inflammatory response.

Functional Characterization of Mammary Gland of Holstein Cows under Humid Tropical Summer Climates

Lu, C.H.,Chang, C.J.,Lee, P.N.,Wu, C.P.,Chen, M.T.,Zhao, X. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2003 Animal Bioscience Vol.16 No.7

Physiological parameters were measured on six primiparous, non-pregnant Holstein cows prior to peak lactation over a 3-month summer season in southwestern Taiwan. The objectives were to characterize heat stress-induced change in functionality of mammary gland under natural climates of tropical summer and to establish physiological indices applicable to this environment in referring to this change. Environmental and physiological readings, milk and blood samples were taken at 15:00 h biweekly for totally five time points during the study. Climate readings showed that the afternoon humidex value reached the highest (53.5) around mid summer. Rectal temperature of cows taken simultaneously varied between $38.26^{\circ}C$ and $40.02^{\circ}C$ in parallel to humidex. Milk production declined drastically from 29.2 to 22.2 kg/d the first month entering summer but leveled up at end of the summer season suggesting effects exerted by heat stress rather than stages of lactation. Lactose content decreased linearly (p<0.05) with times in summer, from 4.69 to 4.38%. On the other hand, activity of N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGase) in milk increased linearly to over two folds (p<0.05) during the same intervals. Elevations of fractional constituent of BSA in whey protein and serum cortisol level were also noticed in the course. Measurement of arteriovenous concentration (A-V) difference across the mammary gland demonstrated net uptake of glucose and net release of urea throughout the study period. The amount of urea released from mammary gland increased (p<0.05) progressively from 1.54 to 7.76 mg/dl during summer. It is concluded that gradual regression of mammary gland occurred along the humid tropical summer season. This regression is likely initiated through elevation of body temperature, which is irreversible above certain point. The increased release of urea from mammary gland during heat stress suggests its potential role as an early indicator of suboptimal mammary function.