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There are growing concerns about potential delayed, neuropsychiatric consequences (e.g, cognitive decline, mood or anxiety disorders) of sports-related traumatic brain injury (TBI). Autopsy studies of brains from a limited number of former athletes have described characteristic, pathologic changes of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) leading to questions about the relationship between these pathologic and the neuropsychiatric disturbances seen in former athletes. Research in this area will depend on in vivo methods that characterize molecular changes in the brain, linking CTE and other sports-related pathologies with delayed emergence of neuropsychiatric symptoms. In this pilot project we studied former National Football League (NFL) players using new neuroimaging techniques and clinical measures of cognitive functioning. We hypothesized that former NFL players would show molecular and structural changes in medial temporal and parietal lobe structures as well as specific cognitive deficits, namely those of verbal learning and memory. We observed a significant increase in binding of [11C]DPA-713 to the translocator protein (TSPO), a marker of brain injury and repair, in several brain regions, such as the supramarginal gyrus and right amygdala, in 9 former NFL players compared to 9 age-matched, healthy controls. We also observed significant atrophy of the right hippocampus. Finally, we report that these same former players had varied performance on a test of verbal learning and memory, suggesting that these molecular and pathologic changes may play a role in cognitive decline. These results suggest that localized brain injury and repair, indicated by increased [11C]DPA-713 binding to TSPO, may be linked to history of NFL play. [11C]DPA-713 PET is a promising new tool that can be used in future study design to examine further the relationship between TSPO expression in brain injury and repair, selective regional brain atrophy, and the potential link to deficits in verbal learning and memory after NFL play.

An ingenious interface re-engineering strategy was applied to in situ prepare a manipulated LiHPO protective layer on the surface of Li anode for circumventing the intrinsic chemical stability issues of LiGePS (LGPS) to Li metal, specifically the migration of mixed ionic-electronic reactants to the inner of LGPS, and the kinetically sluggish reactions in the interface. As consequence, the stability of LGPS with Li metal increased substantially and the cycling of symmetric Li/Li cell showed that the polarization voltage could keep relative stable for over 950 h at 0.1 mA cm within ±0.05 V. The optimized ASSLiB of LiCoO (LCO)/LGPS/Li with interface-engineered structure was able to deliver long cycle life and high capacity, i.e., a reversible discharge capacity of 131.1 mAh g at the initial cycle and 113.7 mAh g at the 500th cycle under 0.1 C with a retention of 86.7%. In addition, the factors effected on the interphases formation of the LGPS/Li interface were analyzed, and the mechanism of the stability between LGPS and Li anode with protective layer was further investigated. Moreover, the probable causes of battery degradation were also explored. Above all, this work would give an alternative strategy for the modification of Li anode in high energy density solid-state lithium metal batteries.

a total of 513 consecutive patients who were referred to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University for treatment of RVOT VPBs were © 2014 American Heart Association, Inc. Original ArticleBackground-The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) versus antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) for treatment of patients with frequent ventricular premature beats (VPBs) originating from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). Methods and Results-A total of 330 eligible patients were included in the study and were randomly assigned to RFCA or AADs group. The absolute number and the burden of VPBs on 12-lead Holter monitors were measured at baseline and at 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months after randomization. Left ventricular eject fraction was evaluated by transthoracic echocardiogram at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after randomization.

PC (pancreatic cancer) is the fourth most common cause of death due to cancer worldwide. The incidence and mortality rates have been increasing year by year worldwide, and this review has analyzed the most recent incidence and mortality data for pancreatic cancer occurrence in China. Several possible risk factors have been discussed here, involving known established risk factors and novel possible risk factors. The development of this cancer is a stepwise progression through intraepithelial neoplasia to carcinoma. Though early and accurate diagnosis is promising based on a combination of recent techniques including tumor markers and imaging modalities, lacking early clinical symptoms makes the diagnosis late. Correct staging is critical because treatment is generally based on this parameter. Treatment options have improved throughout the last decades. However, surgical excision remains the primary therapy and efficacy of conventional chemoradiotherapy for PC is limited. Recently, some novel new therapies have been developed and will be applied in clinics soon. This review will provide an overview of pancreatic cancer, including an understanding of the developments and controversies.

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Background Radiofrequency high‐power ablation appears to be a novel concept for atrial fibrillation (AF). The ablation index (AI) value has been associated with durability of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Objectives This study aimed to report the procedural data and initial results of a combined ablation technique using AI‐guided high‐power (AI‐HP; 50 W) ablation for PVI. Methods Symptomatic AF patients were consecutively enrolled and underwent wide‐area contiguous circumferential PVI. Contact‐force catheters were used, ablation power was set to 50 W targeting AI values (550 anterior and 400 posterior). Esophageal temperature was monitored during procedure, all patients underwent postablation esophageal endoscopy. Results PVI was achieved in all (n = 50, mean age: 68 ± 9 years, female: 60%) patients, rate of first‐round PVI was 92%. A total of N = 2105 AI‐guided ablation lesions were analyzed. Comparing left anterior wall vs left posterior wall and right anterior wall vs right posterior wall, mean ablation time (s) per lesion was 20.5 ± 8 vs 8.6 ± 3 and 12.2 ± 4 vs 9.3 ± 3; mean contact force (g): 17.1 ± 12 vs 25.4 ± 14 and 33.7 ± 13 vs 21.0 ± 11; mean AI: 547 ± 48 vs 445 ± 55 and 555 ± 56 vs 440 ± 47 (all P < .0001). Procedure and fluoroscopy time (minute) were 55.6 ± 6.6 and 6 ± 1.7, respectively. Only one (2%) patient had a minimal esophageal lesion. During In‐hospital and 1‐month follow‐up no major complications such as death, stroke, tamponade, or atriaesophageal fistula (AE) occurred. Preliminary 6‐month follow‐up showed 48 of 50 (96%) patients were free from clinical AF/atrial tachycardia recurrence. Conclusion AI‐HP (50 W) ablation appears to be a feasible, safe, fast, and effective ablation technique for PVI.