Outcomes of Self-Expanding Transcatheter Pulmonary Valves:Extended Follow-Up of a Prospective Trial

Background:The Venus-P valve was the first self-expanding valve used world-wide for transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement(TPVR)in patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation(PR).We intended to report the extended follow-up results from the prospective trial(No.NCT02590679).Methods:A total of 38 patients with severe PR(mean age 24.2±13.2)were included.Follow-up data were obtained after implanted at 1,6,and 12 months and yearly after.The frame geometry was assessed on post-implant computer tomography(CT)scanning by calculating the non-circularity[circularity ratio(minimum diameter/maximum diameter)<0.9]and under-expansion[expansion ratio(derived external valve area/nominal external valve area)<0.9).Adverse events(all-cause mortality,reintervention,valve dysfunction,stent fracture and endocarditis)were recorded.Results:All valves were implanted successfully with normal function at discharge.Geometric CT analysis showed underexpanded valve was detected in 22 patients(63%)and non-circular valve was seen in 16 patients(46%).During a median follow-up of 4.8 years(range 0.3-8.1),there were 1 death and 1 surgical explant,both resulting from endocarditis.Five-year freedom from valve dysfunction and stent fracture were 84.8%(95%CI 74.8-94.7)and 83.5%(95%CI 73.8-93.2).Endocarditis occurred in 3 patients at a median time of 7 months.Stent fracture was more common in patients with non-circularity stents.Conclusion:TPVR using Venus-P valve is associated with favorable outcomes at 5 years.Non-circular shapes in the valve level may have a higher risk of stent fracture.

Advancements in assessing soil health through functional traits and energy flow analysis of soil

We examined the development of soil nematodes ecological indices from the perspective off unctionaltraits.We found that soil nematode energy flow analyses based on multiple functional traits quantify the dynamics of energy flow across multipletrophic levels to provide a more comprehensive perspective.We conducted comparative analyses of the sensitivities of NMF and energy flow to verify that the energy flow analyses are more sensitive and have greater potential to reveal soil health and ecosystem function.Future in-depth studies of functional traits and energy flow analysis can help us achieve informed soil management practices,sustainable agriculture,andhealthiersoilecosystems.nignerEauc Tess CT Nematode ecological index based on functional traits:MI El,S,BI,C1 NMF Bongen.1990 Ferrisetal,2001 Ferris,2010 energs low analysis of soil nematodes Compare thecological index(NMf)and Bacterivores(Ba)Functional traits Energy flux Fungihores(Fn)rahn Soilnematodes latitude Lindicator Plant-parasites(PP)PF Energflus Soilhealth Omnivores-predators(oP)latitude Energy flow analysis of soil nematodes:By quantifying energy fux among trophic groups Barbes et al.,2014,2018 This paper examines the development of ecological indices for soil nematodes from the perspective of functional traits.It emphasizes the increasing significance of integrating multiple functional traits to achieve a more accurate assessment of soil health.Ecological indices based on life history strategies,feeding habits,and body size provide useful tools for assessing soil health.However,these indices do not fully capture the dynamics ofenergyflow across multiple-trophic levels inthesoil foodweb,which is critical fora deeperunderstanding of the intrinsic properties of soil health.By combining functional traits such as functional group,body size,feeding preference and metabolic rate,nematode energy flow analyses provide a more comprehensive perspective.This approach establishes a direct correlation between changes in the morphology,physiology,and metabolism of soil organisms and alterations in their habitat environment.We conducted comparative analyses of the sensitivity of nematode metabolic footprints and energy flow to latitudinal variation using a nematode dataset from the northeastern black soil region in China.The findings suggest that energy flow analyses are more sensitive to latitude and have greater potential to reveal soil health and ecosystem function.Therefore,future research should prioritize the development of automated and efficient methods for analyzing nematode traits.This will enhance the application of energy flow analyses in nematode food webs and support the development of sustainable soil management and agriculturalpractices.

Isotoosendanin exerts inhibition on triple-negative breast cancer through abrogating TGF-β-induced epithelial—mesenchymal transition via directly targeting TGFβR1

As the most aggressive breast cancer,triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC) is still incurable and very prone to metastasis.The transform growth factor β(TGF-β)-induced epithelial—mesenchymal transition(EMT) is crucially involved in the growth and metastasis of TNBC.This study reported that a natural compound isotoosendanin(ITSN) reduced TNBC metastasis by inhibiting TGF-β-induced EMT and the formation of invadopodia.ITSN can directly interact with TGF-β receptor type-1(TGFβR1) and abrogated the kinase activity of TGFβR1,thereby blocking the TGF-β-initiated downstream signaling pathway.Moreover,the ITSN-provided inhibition on metastasis obviously disappeared in TGFβR1-overexpressed TNBC cells in vitro as well as in mice bearing TNBC cells overexpressed TGFβR1.Furthermore,Lys232 and Asp351 residues in the kinase domain of TGFβR1 were found to be crucial for the interaction of ITSN with TGFβR1.Additionally,ITSN also improved the inhibitory efficacy of programmed cell death 1 ligand 1(PD-L1) antibody for TNBC in vivo via inhibiting the TGF-β-mediated EMT in the tumor microenvironment.Our findings not only highlight the key role of TGFβR1 in TNBC metastasis,but also provide a leading compound targeting TGFβR1 for the treatment of TNBC metastasis.Moreover,this study also points out a potential strategy for TNBC treatment by using the combined application of anti-PD-L1 with a TGFβR1 inhibitor.