Han Zhang, Gang Li, Xiangming Fan, Junwu Su^*

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.15, No.5, pp. 361-367, 2020, DOI:10.32604/CHD.2020.013020

Abstract Background: To identify factors associated with shunt failure in patients with a systemic pulmonary shunt (SPS). Methods: We retrospectively assessed 451 patients who received SPS. Perioperative parameters such as hemoglobin, Nakata Index, and shunt size were assessed, and factors influencing shunt failure after an initial palliative shunt operation were analyzed. Results: We analyzed 451 patients who underwent isolated SPS surgery at Anzhen Hospital. Of these, shunt failure occurred in 48 (10.6%) cases after a median of 6.5 days. The 30-day mortality rate was 2.1%. Univariate and logistic regression analysis revealed that a Nakata Index ≤ 105 and vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS)… More >

Navaneetha Sasikumar, Antony Hermuzi, Chun-Po Steve Fan, Kyong-Jin Lee, Rajiv Chaturvedi, Edward Hickey, Osami Honjo, Glen S. Van Arsdell, Christopher A. Caldarone, Arnav Agarwal, Lee Benson

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.6, pp. 808-814, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12516

Abstract Objectives: Mortality associated with the modified Blalock–Taussig shunt (MBTS) remains high despite advanced perioperative management. This study was formulated to provide data on (1) current indications, (2) outcomes, and (3) factors affecting mortality and morbidity.
Design: A retrospective single center chart review identified 95 children (excluding hypoplastic left heart lesions) requiring a MBTS. Mortality and major morbidity were analyzed using the Kaplan Meier method and risk factor analysis using Cox’s proportional hazard regression.
Results: Median age was 8 (0–126) days, weight 3.1(1.7–5.4) kg. Seventy-three percent were neonates, 58% duct dependent and 73% had single ventricle physiology. Ninety-seven percent had a… More >

Mehmet Salih Bilal¹, Arda Özyüksel^1,2, Mustafa Kemal Avşar¹, Şener Demiroluk³, Osman Küçükosmanoğlu⁴, Yalım Yalçın⁵

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.3, pp. 464-469, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12749

Abstract Objective: Management of the patients with transposition of the great arteries and intact ventricular septum may be challenging beyond the newborn period. Herein, we would like to present our alternative strategy for training the left ventricle in these patients.
Methods: Six patients with transposition of the great arteries and intact ventricular septum were evaluated in our clinic. Two of them were palliated with Glenn procedure and pulmonary banding as a definitive treatment strategy at other centers. Four patients were operated on and a bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis in combination with pulmonary artery banding was performed (stage‐1: palliation and ventricular training) in… More >

Anthony Merlocco

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.1, pp. 100-104, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12719

Abstract The ductus arteriosus (DA) has been studied since Galen. Initially after birth in neo‐ nates with obstruction to pulmonary blood flow, DA patency is integral to ensure out‐ put and oxygenation. While DA stenting dates back 25 years, there is emerging interest in better understanding how and when to utilize this strategy as an alternative to surgi‐ cal shunt placement or ongoing prostaglandin administration. Understanding the nor‐ mal fetal circulation and the perturbations that affect flow and oxygenation is integral to comprehending how normal DA anatomy and morphology may change and how this may influence technical and clinical considerations. In… More >

Dana M. Boucek¹, Athar M. Qureshi², Bryan H. Goldstein ³, Christopher J. Petit⁴, Andrew C. Glatz^1,5

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.1, pp. 105-109, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12707

Abstract Background: Infants with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow (PBF) often undergo a palliative procedure to provide a stable source of PBF prior to definitive palliation or repair. In the current era, a surgical shunt or ductal stent is used to provide PBF. We aimed to review the current literature comparing ductal stents to surgical shunts.
Methods and Results: Four small, single-center studies and two larger multicenter studies were identified comparing ductal stent to surgical shunt. Combined, these studies showed ductal stent resulted in similar or improved pulmonary artery growth, fewer complications, shorter length of stay, less diuretic use, and improved survival… More >

Tshisikhawe MP¹, NM Siaga¹, RB Bhat¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.80, pp. 127-132, 2011, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2011.80.127

Abstract The population dynamics of Millettia stuhlmannii Taub. was investigated to determine its current structure in Ha- Makhuvha. Plant populations are being utilized only for medicinal purposes under the close supervision of a local headman. It is used in treating stomach aches, as well as protecting homesteads and properties. Given the dependence of many rural communities on plants for medicine, timber, and various other non-timber resources, plant populations experience human pressures. These pressures demand great effort for in situ conservation and associated management needs of medicinal plants. Efforts also apply to sustainable usage and ex situ cultivation practices. The size-class distribution… More >

Hong TIAN^{1, 2}, Peiyu CONG³, Ruiqun QI⁴, Xinghua GAO⁵, Xin LIU⁶, Hongsheng LIU⁷, Fengping SHAN^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.41, No.1, pp. 27-32, 2017, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2017.41.027

Abstract Glioma is one of the lethal central nervous system tumors. The infiltrative and invasive growth nature makes it difficult to identify the boundary between glioma and the normal tissues, resulting in inevitable recurrence after surgery operation. Gliomas do not metastasize, so to prevent the residual tumor from proliferating or invading is a key challenge. Previous report indicated that hypotaurine could facilitate glioma invasion and suppress demethylases’ activities. Using a hypotaurine synthesis deficient U251 cell line, we proved that the cells invasion ability was impaired. Gene expression profile analysis exhibited that knocking down one of the key enzymes of hypotaurine synthesis,… More >

Rubén Avila¹, Eduardo Ramos², S. N. Atluri³

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.51, No.1, pp. 73-92, 2009, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2009.051.073

Abstract A Chebyshev Tau numerical algorithm is presented to solve the perturbation equations that result from the linear stability analysis of the convective motion of a fluid layer that appears when an unconfined solid melts in the presence of gravity. The system of equations that describe the phenomenon constitute an eigenvalue problem whose accurate solution requires a robust method. We solve the equations with our method and briefly describe examples of the results. In the limit where the liquid-solid interface recedes at zero velocity the Rayleigh-Bénard solution is recovered. We show that the critical Rayleigh number Ra_c and the critical wave… More >