Left bundle branch pacing vs biventricular pacing in heart failure patients with left bundle branch block:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Left bundle branch pacing(LBBP)is a novel pacing modality of cardiac resynchronization therapy(CRT)that achieves more physiologic native ventricular activation than biventricular pacing(BiVP).AIM To explore the validity of electromechanical resynchronization,clinical and echocardiographic response of LBBP-CRT.METHODS Systematic review and Meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the standard guidelines as mentioned in detail in the methodology section.RESULTS In our analysis,the success rate of LBBP-CRT was determined to be 91.1%.LBBP CRT significantly shortened QRS duration,with significant improvement in echocardiographic parameters,including left ventricular ejection fraction,left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and left ventricular end-systolic diameter in comparison with BiVP-CRT.CONCLUSION A significant reduction in New York Heart Association class and B-type natriuretic peptide levels was also observed in the LBBP-CRT group vs BiVP-CRT group.Lastly,the LBBP-CRT cohort had a reduced pacing threshold at follow-up as compared to BiVP-CRT.

Thermal pretreatment of willow branches impacts yield and pore development of activated carbon in subsequent activation with ZnCl_(2) via modifying cellulose structure

Development of pore structures of activated carbon(AC)from activation of biomass with ZnCl_(2) relies on content and structure of cellulose/hemicellulose in the feedstock.Thermal pretreatment of biomass could induce dehydration and/or aromatization to change the structure of cellulose/hemicellulose.This might interfere with evolution of structures of AC,which was investigated herein via thermal pretreatment of willow branch(WB)from 200 to 360℃and the subsequent activation with ZnCl_(2) at 550℃.The results showed that thermal pretreatment at 360℃(WB-360)could lead to substantial pyrolysis to form biochar,with a yield of 31.9%,accompanying with nearly complete destruction of cellulose crystals and remarkably enhanced aromatic degree.However,cellulose residual in WB-360 could still be activated to form AC-360 with specific surface area of 1837.9 m~2·g^(-1),which was lower than that in AC from activation of untreated WB(AC-blank,2077.8 m~2·g^(-1)).Nonetheless,the AC-200 from activation of WB-200 had more developed pores(2113.9 m~2·g^(-1))and superior capability for adsorption of phenol,due to increased permeability of ZnCl_(2) to the largely intact cellulose structure in WB-200.The thermal pretreatment did increase diameters of micropores of AC but reduced the overall yield of AC(26.8%for AC-blank versus 18.0%for AC-360),resulting from accelerated cracking but reduced intensity of condensation.In-situ infrared characterization of the activation showed that ZnCl_(2) mainly catalyzed dehydration,dehydrogenation,condensation,and aromatization but not cracking,suppressing the formation of derivatives of cellulose and lignin in bio-oil.The thermal pretreatment formed phenolic-OH and C=O with higher chemical innerness,which changed the reaction network in activation,shifting morphology of fibrous structures in AC-blank to“melting surface”in AC-200 or AC-280.

The Channel Branches & Network Vessels on the Tianhui Lacquered Meridian Figurine——Taking the Heart-Regulated Channel as an Example

Along with the surge of unearthed medical literature and cultural relics in recent years,a network of channels in the system of medical conduit vessels(meridians) during the early Western Han dynasty has become much clearer gradually.In it,the increasing number of channel branches,network vessels and needle insertion holes(acupoints) is an important feature of the development of channel medicine during the Western Han dynasty.This is not only a reflection of the expanding requirements of the theoretical system of the main trunk channels and other vessels,but also an inevitable result of the continuous enrichment and accumulation of clinical experience.This article integrates the information about channel branches,network vessels,inscriptions,dots and further relics on the Tianhui(天回) Lacquered Meridian Figurine to compare the unearthed literature of the channel genre with the transmitted classical literature about acupuncture.The “Heart-Regulated Channel” in Medical Manuscripts on Bamboo Slips from Tianhui(《天回医简》) serves as an example to explain the occurrence,development and changes of the channel branches and network vessels in the early system of medical channels.

Nonreciprocity of energy transfer in a nonlinear asymmetric oscillator system with various vibration states

The nonreciprocity of energy transfer is constructed in a nonlinear asymmetric oscillator system that comprises two nonlinear oscillators with different parameters placed between two identical linear oscillators.The slow-flow equation of the system is derived by the complexification-averaging method.The semi-analytical solutions to this equation are obtained by the least squares method,which are compared with the numerical solutions obtained by the Runge-Kutta method.The distribution of the average energy in the system is studied under periodic and chaotic vibration states,and the energy transfer along two opposite directions is compared.The effect of the excitation amplitude on the nonreciprocity of the system producing the periodic responses is analyzed,where a three-stage energy transfer phenomenon is observed.In the first stage,the energy transfer along the two opposite directions is approximately equal,whereas in the second stage,the asymmetric energy transfer is observed.The energy transfer is also asymmetric in the third stage,but the direction is reversed compared with the second stage.Moreover,the excitation amplitude for exciting the bifurcation also shows an asymmetric characteristic.Chaotic vibrations are generated around the resonant frequency,irrespective of which linear oscillator is excited.The excitation threshold of these chaotic vibrations is dependent on the linear oscillator that is being excited.In addition,the difference between the energy transfer in the two opposite directions is used to further analyze the nonreciprocity in the system.The results show that the nonreciprocity significantly depends on the excitation frequency and the excitation amplitude.

Quality Standard of Barberry Branches

[Objectives] To establish the quality standard of barberry branches. [Methods] Microscopic identification and thin layer identification were used to qualitatively identify barberry branches. Berberine content was determined by HPLC method, and the content of water, total ash, acid insoluble ash and extract was detected according to the method of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition). [Results] The microscopic identification showed that the features were obvious, and stone cells, cork cells, epidermal cells, stomata, fibers and catheter with reticulated pores could be found. Berberine was detected in barberry branches by thin layer chromatography, and the characteristic spots were separated clearly. Moisture, total ash, and acid insoluble ash content shall not exceed 13%, 6%, and 3%, respectively, and extract content shall not be less than 10%. Berberine hydrochloride (C_(20)H_(18)ClNO_(4)) should be calculated in the branches of Berberis wilsonae Hemsley and Berberis aggregata C. K. Schneid., and berberine (C_(20)H_(17)NO_(4)) content should not be less than 0.05%. The linear relationship was good in the range of 0.002-0.240 mg/mL ( R^(2)=0.999 5). The average recovery was 89.63%, and RSD was 5.28%. [Conclusions] The method was simple, accurate and reproducible, and can be used for the quality control of barberry branches.

Changes in Soil Organic Matter,Nitrogen and Phosphorus Contents during Decomposition of Pear Branches

[Objectives]To investigate the changes in soil organic matter,nitrogen and phosphorus content in the decomposition process of Korla fragrant pear branches by indoor mixed culture.[Methods]The branches of Korla fragrant pear in the orchard were collected and returned to the field for a period of 150 d for indoor mixed culture.[Results]Different ages of Korla fragrant pear branches have different effects on soil nutrient content during the simulated return to field decomposition process.Compared with the control in the same period,the treatment of returning to field reached a significant level(P<0.05).Compared with the control,the average values of organic matter,total nitrogen and available phosphorus content in treatment 1 and treatment 2 increased by 2.16 times and 1.93 times,61%and 59%,5.88 times and 6.88 times,respectively;compared with the control,the average increase performance of the alkaline hydrolysis nitrogen content of the two treatments was basically the same,and the treatment 2 was the best;compared with the control,the average total phosphorus content of treatment 1 and treatment 2 increased but not significantly.[Conclusions]The contents of soil organic matter,nitrogen and phosphorus were all increased during the decomposition of pear branches,and the overall improvement effect of 10-year-old trees was better than that of 5-year-old trees.Returning the pruned branches to the field can provide a reliable theoretical basis for solving the problem of organic fertilizer shortage in orchards,and also can ensure technical support for improving soil fertility and improving the rhizosphere micro-environment of pear trees.

Analysis on the Composition and Structure of Branches of Two Kinds of Tree Shapes in Korla Fragrant Pear

ObjectiveThe thesis aims at investigating the distribution and structural characteristics of various branches in canopy of Korla fragrant pear. MethodStatistic work and analysis were conducted on the numbers and distribution characteristics of various branches in each cubic lattice by using the canopy cellular method. ResultThe results showed that： The total number of scaffold branches of evacuation layered tree shape was 97, which mainly distributed in the lower layer and middle part of the canopy; the total number of scaffold branches of open-center tree shape was 94, which mainly distributed in the lower layer and middle part of the canopy. The total number of annual branches of evacuation layered tree shape was 3 920, which mainly distributed in the middle layer and outer part of the canopy; and the total number of annual branches of the open-center tree shape was 3 183, which mainly distributed in middle layer and outer part of the canopy. The total number of perennial branches of evacuation layered tree shape was 2 184, which mainly distributed in lower layer and outer part of the canopy; the total number of perennial branches of open-center tree shape was 1 444, which mainly distributed in middle layer and outer part of the canopy. ConclusionThe total number and the distribution positions of scaffold branches in the canopy of each tree shape were basically the same. The total numbers of annual branches of the two kinds of tree shapes were different, but the distribution positions were basically the same. The total numbers and the distribution positions of perennial branches in the canopy of the two kinds of tree shapes were different.

Left bundle branch pacing set to outshine biventricular pacing for cardiac resynchronization therapy?

The deleterious effects of long-term right ventricular pacing necessitated the search for alternative pacing sites which could prevent or alleviate pacinginduced cardiomyopathy.Until recently,biventricular pacing(BiVP)was the only modality which could mitigate or prevent pacing induced dysfunction.Further,BiVP could resynchronize the baseline electromechanical dssynchrony in heart failure and improve outcomes.However,the high non-response rate of around 20%-30%remains a major limitation.This non-response has been largely attributable to the direct non-physiological stimulation of the left ventricular myocardium bypassing the conduction system.To overcome this limitation,the concept of conduction system pacing(CSP)came up.Despite initial success of the first CSP via His bundle pacing(HBP),certain drawbacks including lead instability and dislodgements,steep learning curve and rapid battery depletion on many occasions prevented its widespread use for cardiac resynchronization therapy(CRT).Subsequently,CSP via left bundle branch-area pacing(LBBP)was developed in 2018,which over the last few years has shown efficacy comparable to BiVP-CRT in small observational studies.Further,its safety has also been well established and is largely free of the pitfalls of the HBP-CRT.In the recent metanalysis by Yasmin et al,comprising of 6 studies with 389 participants,LBBPCRT was superior to BiVP-CRT in terms of QRS duration,left ventricular ejection fraction,cardiac chamber dimensions,lead thresholds,and functional status amongst heart failure patients with left bundle branch block.However,there are important limitations of the study including the small overall numbers,inclusion of only a single small randomized controlled trial(RCT)and a small follow-up duration.Further,the entire study population analyzed was from China which makes generalizability a concern.Despite the concerns,the meta-analysis adds to the growing body of evidence demonstrating the efficacy of LBBP-CRT.At this stage,one must acknowledge that the fact that still our opinions on this technique are largely based on observational data and there is a dire need for larger RCTs to ascertain the position of LBBPCRT in management of heart failure patients with left bundle branch block.

Study on the Cutting Rooting of Syriga Microphylla with Tender Branches

[Objective] The study was carried out in order to find out the best method of rapid cutting rooting of Syriga microphylla with tender branches.[Method] Effect of rooting reagent with different concentrations on the rapid cutting rooting of Syriga microphylla with tender branches was studied in our paper.[Result] There was great difference between cuttings with auxin and without auxin.[Conclusion] Tender branches treated by 90 mg/L indole butyric acid（IBA）had the best cutting rooting.

Information for Authors

Chinese Physics Letters(CPL)is a peer-reviewed,international and multidisciplinary journal sponsored by the Chinese Physical Society(CPS)and Institute of Physics,CAS,and hosted online by IOP Publishing Ltd.Launched in 1984 as the flagship journal of CPS,CPL has become one of the most prestigious periodicals published in China,and been among the good choices for worldw ide physicists to disseminate their most important breakthroughs.Nowadays it is dedicated to build an internationally recognized platform for researchers to pub-lish original research works in all the branches of fundamental,applied,and interdisciplinary physics.

Information for Authors

Chinese Physics Letters(CPL)is a peer-reviewed,international and multidisciplinary journal sponsored by the Chinese Physical Society(CPS)and Institute of Physics,CAS,and hosted online by IOP Publishing Ltd.Launched in 1984 as the flagship journal of CPS,CPL has become one of the most prestigious periodicals published in China,and been among the good choices for worldwide physicists to disseminate their most important breakthroughs.Nowadays it is dedicated to build an internationally recognized platform for researchers to publish original research works in all the branches of fundamental,applied,and interdisciplinary physics.

Information for Authors

Chinese Physics Letters(CPL)is a peer-reviewed,inter-national and multidisciplinary journal sponsored by the Chi-nese Physical Society(CPS)and Institute of Physics,CAS,and hosted online by IOP Publishing Ltd.Launched in 1984 as the flagship journal of CPS,CPL has become one of the most prestigious periodicals published in China,and been among the good choices for worldwide physicists to disseminate their most important breakthroughs.Nowadays it is dedicated to build an internationally recognized platform for researchers to pub-lish original research works in all the branches of fundamental,applied,and interdisciplinary physics.

Engineering high amylose and resistant starch in maize by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of starch branching enzymes

To improve the amylose content(AC)and resistant starch content(RSC)of maize kernel starch,we employed the CRISPR/Cas9 system to create mutants of starch branching enzyme I(SBEI)and starch branching enzyme IIb(SBEIIb).A frameshift mutation in SBEI(E1,a nucleotide insertion in exon 6)led to plants with higher RSC(1.07%),lower hundred-kernel weight(HKW,24.71±0.14 g),and lower plant height(PH,218.50±9.42 cm)compared to the wild type(WT).Like the WT,E1 kernel starch had irregular,polygonal shapes with sharp edges.A frameshift mutation in SBEIIb(E2,a four-nucleotide deletion in exon 8)led to higher AC(53.48%)and higher RSC(26.93%)than that for the WT.E2 kernel starch was significantly different from the WT regarding granule morphology,chain length distribution pattern,X-ray diffraction pattern,and thermal characteristics;the starch granules were more irregular in shape and comprised typical B-type crystals.Mutating SBEI and SBEIIb(E12)had a synergistic effect on RSC,HKW,PH,starch properties,and starch biosynthesis-associated gene expression.SBEIIa,SS1,SSIIa,SSIIIa,and SSIIIb were upregulated in E12 endosperm compared to WT endosperm.This study lays the foundation for rapidly improving the starch properties of elite maize lines.

Information for Authors

Chinese Physics Letters(CPL)is a peer-reviewed,international and multidisciplinary journal sponsored by the Chinese Physical Society(CPS)and Institute of Physics,CAS,and hosted online by IOP Publishing Ltd.Launched in 1984 as the flagship journal of CPS,CPL has become one of the most prestigious periodicals published in China,and been among the good choices for worldwide physicists to disseminate their most important breakthroughs.Nowadays it is dedicated to build an internationally recognized platform for researchers to publish original research works in all the branches of fundamental,applied,and interdisciplinary physics.

Information for Authors

Chinese Physics Letters(CPL)is a peer-reviewed,international and multidisciplinary journal sponsored by the Chinese Physical Society(CPS)and Institute of Physics,CAS,and hosted online by IOP Publishing Ltd.Launched in 1984 as the flagship journal of CPS,CPL has become one of the most prestigious periodicals published in China,and been among the good choices for worldwide physicists to disseminate their most important breakthroughs.Nowadays it is dedicated to build an internationally recognized platform for researchers to publish original research works in all the branches of fundamental,applied,and interdisciplinary physics.

Information for Authors

Chinese Physics Letters(CPL)is a peer-reviewed,international and multidisciplinary journal sponsored by the Chinese Physical Society(CPS)and Institute of Physics,CAS,and hosted online by IOP Publishing Ltd.Launched in 1984 as the flagship journal of CPS,CPL has become one of the most prestigious periodicals published in China,and been among the good choices for worldwide physicists to disseminate their most important breakthroughs.Nowadays it is dedicated to build an internationally recognized platform for researchers to publish original research works in all the branches of fundamental,applied,and interdisciplinary physics.

ON THE EMPTY BALLS OF A CRITICAL OR SUBCRITICAL BRANCHING RANDOM WALK

Let{Z_(n)}_(n)≥0 be a critical or subcritical d-dimensional branching random walk started from a Poisson random measure whose intensity measure is the Lebesugue measure onℝ^(d).Denote by R_(n):=sup{u>0:Z_(n)({x∈ℝ^(d):∣x∣<u})=0}the radius of the largest empty ball centered at the origin of Zn.In this work,we prove that after suitable renormalization,Rn converges in law to some non-degenerate distribution as n→∈.Furthermore,our work shows that the renormalization scales depend on the offspring law and the dimension of the branching random walk.This completes the results of Révész[13]for the critical binary branching Wiener process.

Predicting cardiovascular events in out-of-hospital patients presenting with atypical chest pain and complete left bundle branch block: role of CTA and echocardiographic Global Longitudinal Strain

Background Out-of-hospital patients presenting with atypical chest pain and complete left bundle branch block(LBBB)have to be stratified for the presence of coronary artery disease and the risk of developing heart failure(HF).We investigated the pro-gnostic role of coronary CT-angiography(CTA)and echocardiographic global longitudinal strain(GLS)in those patients in a mid-term follow-up.Methods Out-of-hospital patients with LBBB underwent echocardiography and a 64-slice CT angiography were evaluated ret-rospectively.Development of HF or a cardiovascular death were the events scheduled.Results Seventy-eight patients(32 female;mean age:66.0±10.4 years were enrolled.During a follow-up of 33 months(IQR:17-77),one patient(1.5%)experienced a cardiovascular death,14 patients(17.9%)required urgent outpatient visits due to acute de-compensated HF(12 hospitalizations).Echocardiography showed a slightly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)(50.0%±9.8%)and GLS within the normal range(-16.2%±4.1%).CTA analysis showed coronary stenosis>50%in 28 patients(35.9%).A high Agatston score(>100)was observed in 29.5%.Notably,25 patients(32.1%)were diagnosed with left main coron-ary artery disease and 15 patients(16.7%)underwent revascularization during the follow up.Significant associations were ob-served between events and LVEF(P=0.001),diastolic dysfunction grade≥2(P=0.02),GLS(P<0.001),multiple coronary stenos-is(P=0.04)and Agatston score(P=0.05).Multivariate analysis confirmed the relationships with LVEF(R^(2)=0.89,P<0.001),dia-stolic dysfunction(R^(2)=3.30,P=0.04),GLS(R^(2)=1.43,P<0.001),and Agatston score(R^(2)=1.01,P=0.05).Conclusions In patients with complete LBBB,CTA and GLS identified those at a high risk of development HF.

Left bundle branch area pacing combined with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator treatment for heart failure after myocardial infarction

Left bundle branch area pacing(LBBAP)has emerged as a new physiological pacing mode.Previous studies have confirmed the feasibility and efficacy of LBBAP for cardiac resynchronization therapy(CRT)in heart failure(HF)patients with left bundle branch block(LBBB)and a narrower QRS duration(QRSd)to have a higher percentage of super responders,and lower pacing thresholds than biventricular pacing(BiVP).

Particle Discontinuous Deformation Analysis of Static and Dynamic Crack Propagation in Brittle Material

Crack propagation in brittle material is not only crucial for structural safety evaluation,but also has a wideranging impact on material design,damage assessment,resource extraction,and scientific research.A thorough investigation into the behavior of crack propagation contributes to a better understanding and control of the properties of brittle materials,thereby enhancing the reliability and safety of both materials and structures.As an implicit discrete elementmethod,the Discontinuous Deformation Analysis(DDA)has gained significant attention for its developments and applications in recent years.Among these developments,the particle DDA equipped with the bonded particle model is a powerful tool for predicting the whole process of material from continuity to failure.The primary objective of this research is to develop and utilize the particle DDAtomodel and understand the complex behavior of cracks in brittle materials under both static and dynamic loadings.The particle DDA is applied to several classical crack propagation problems,including the crack branching,compact tensile test,Kalthoff impact experiment,and tensile test of a rectangular plate with a hole.The evolutions of cracks under various stress or geometrical conditions are carefully investigated.The simulated results are compared with the experiments and other numerical results.It is found that the crack propagation patterns,including crack branching and the formation of secondary cracks,can be well reproduced.The results show that the particle DDA is a qualified method for crack propagation problems,providing valuable insights into the fracture mechanism of brittle materials.