Long-term outcome of patients with atrial myxoma after surgical intervention: analysis of 403 cases

Objective To assess long-term survival and late cardiovascular events in patients with atrial myxoma after surgical intervention. Methods Retrospective analysis of 403 patients undergoing resection of atrial myxoma from January 2002 to December 2016 was conducted with a median follow-up period of 4.5 (range: 0.5?15) years. Results The cross-clamp time and cardiopulmonary bypass times were 41.1 ± 21.4 and 65.2 ± 27.3 min,respectively. A diagnosis of myxoma was histopathologically confirmed in all cases. The early in-hospital mortality rate was 0.7%(n = 3). During the follow-up period,tumor recurrence occurred in six patients and cerebral infarction in nine. There were 48 (11.9%) patients with late onset atrial fibrillation (AF). By multivariate analysis,age (HR = 1.05,95% CI: 1.02–1.09,P < 0.001),left atrial diameter (HR = 1.23,95% CI: 1.08–1.36,P = 0.012),and mitral valve surgery (HR = 1.17,95% CI: 1.05–1.29,P = 0.027) were independent predictors of late onset AF. Twenty-one (5.2%) patients died during the follow-up period. Advanced age (HR = 1.07,95% CI: 1.04–1.10,P = 0.003) and multiple surgical procedures (HR = 1.18,95% CI: 1.06–1.29,P = 0.012) were significantly associated with overall mortality. Conclusions Atrial myxoma can be resected with good long-term survival. Late onset AF is common after surgery in patients with atrial myxoma. Advanced age,left atrial diameter,and mitral valve surgery were independent predictors of outcomes.

Thermoelectric properties of orthorhombic silicon allotrope Si(oP32)from first-principles calculations

The diamond-like cubic silicon(d-Si)is widely used in modern electronics and solar cell industries.However,it is not an optimal candidate for thermoelectric application due to its high lattice thermal conductivity.Si(oP32)is a recently predicted orthorhombic silicon allotrope,whose total energy is close to that of d-Si.Using first-principles calculations and Boltzmann transport theory,we systematically investigate the thermoelectric properties of Si(oP32).The lower phonon thermal conductivity and higher power factor are obtained in Si(oP32)than those in diamond silicon.The low phonon thermal conductivity(33.77 W/mK at 300 K)is mainly due to the reduction of the phonon group velocity and enhancement of phonon-phonon scattering(including scattering phase space and strength).Meanwhile,the results also show that the thermoelectric performance along the zz lattice direction is better than that along the xx and yy lattice directions,and the figure of merit(700 K)along the zz lattice direction could approach to 2.45 and 1.75 for p-type and n-type Si(oP32),respectively.The values are much higher than those of d-Si(about 0.06))and Si24(0.6),indicating that the Si(oP32)is a promising candidate for thermoelectric applications.Our theoretical studies shed light on the thermoelectric properties of Si(oP32)and could stimulate further experimental studies.

Recent progress in ether-based electrolytes for high-voltage lithium metal batteries

Ether-based solvents generally show better affinity for lithium metal,and thus ether-based electrolytes(EBEs)are more inclined to form a uniform and thin solid electrolyte interface(SEI),ensuring the long cycle stability of the lithium metal batteries(LMBs).Nonetheless,EBEs still face the challenge of oxidative decomposition under high voltage,which will corrode the structure of cathodes,destroy the stability of the electrode−electrolyte interface,and even cause safety risks.Herein,the types and challenges of EBEs are reviewed,the strategies for improving the high voltage stability of EBEs and constructing stable electrode−electrolyte interfaces are discussed in detail.Finally,the future perspectives and potential directions for composition optimization of EBEs and electrolyte−electrode interface regulation of high-voltage LMBs are explored.

Severity and outcomes of influenza-related pneumonia in type A and B strains in China, 2013-2019

Background:Inconsistencies exist regarding the severity of illness caused by different influenza strains.The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of hospitalized adults and adolescents with influenza-related pneumonia(Flu-p)from type A and type B strains in China.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed data from Flu-p patients in five hospitals in China from January 2013 to May 2019.Multivariate logistic and Cox regression models were used to assess the effects of influenza virus subtypes on clinical outcomes,and to explore the risk factors of 30-day mortality for Flu-p patients.Results:In total,963 laboratory-confirmed influenza A-related pneumonia(FluA-p)and 386 influenza B-related pneumonia(FluB-p)patients were included.Upon adjustment for confounders,multivariate logistic regression models showed that FluA-p was associated with an increased risk of invasive ventilation(adjusted odds ratio[αOR]:3.824,95%confidence interval[CI]:2.279-6.414;P<0.001),admittance to intensive care unit(αOR:1.630,95%CI:1.074-2.473,P=0.022)and 30-day mortality(αOR:2.427,95%Cl:1.568-3756,P<0.001)compared to FluB-p.Multivariate Cox regression models confirmed that influenza A virus infection(hazard ratio:2.637,9596 CI:1.134-6.131,P=0.024)was an independent predictor for 30~day mortality in Flu-p patients.Conclusions:The severity of illness and clinical outcomes of FluA-p patients are more severe than FluB-p.This highlights the importance of identifying the virus strain during the management of severe influenza.