Background Clinical data regarding the association between the left atrial function index (LAFI) and outcome in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are limited. Objectives We aimed to investigate the association between the left atrial function index (LAFI) and outcome in patients undergoing TAVR. Methods In this retrospective multicenter study, we assessed baseline LAFI in 733 patients undergoing TAVR for severe aortic stenosis in two German high-volume centers between 2008 and 2019. Based on receiver operating characteristic curves, patients were stratified according to their baseline LAFI into two groups (LAFI ≤ 13.5 vs. LAFI > 13.5) and assessed for post-procedural outcome. The primary endpoint of our study was the 1-year all-cause mortality. Results Patients with a LAFI ≤ 13.5 had significantly more often atrial fibrillation (p < 0.001), lower LVEF (p < 0.001) and higher levels of NT-proBNP (p < 0.001). After TAVR, a significant improvement in the LAFI as compared to baseline was observed at 12 months after the procedure (28.4 vs. 32.9; p = 0.001). Compared to patients with a LAFI > 13.5, those with a LAFI ≤ 13.5 showed significantly higher rate of 1-year mortality (7.9% vs. 4.0%; p = 0.03). A lower LAFI has been identified as independent predictor of mortality in multivariate analysis (HR (95% CI) 2.0 (1.1–3.9); p = 0.03). Conclusion A reduced LAFI is associated with adverse outcome and an independent predictor of mortality in TAVR patients. TAVR improves LAFI within 12 months after the procedure. Graphical abstract Left Atrial Function Index (LAFI) in Patients undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation. A Kaplan–Meier survival analysis of 1-year all-cause mortality in patients with LAFI ≤ 13.5 compared with patients with LAFI > 13.5. Comparing rates of 1-year all-cause mortality between the different LAFI groups, we found a significant association between left atrial function and mortality. LAFI Left atrial function index. B Comparison of the mean LAFI before and after TAVR. After long-term follow-up the LAFI improved significantly. LAFI Left atrial function index; FU follow-up. C Assessment of the left atrial function index using the pre-procedural transthoracic echocardiography. A Measurement of the minimal left atrial volume (LAEDV). B Assessment of the maximal left atrial volume (LAESV).
An Giang province is one of the largest rice producer regions in Vietnam with 600,000 hectares of paddy field and 4 million tons of rice production every year. The rice milling industry generates a huge amount of rice husk (~23% of paddy rice). The rice husk is currently used as fuel around the province generating rice husk ash (RHA) which causes environmental and health issues. This study focuses on surveying and analyzing the current situation for utilization, management, treatment, and awareness of enterprises and community about generated RHA via a household investigation method. The results showed that, in average, a factory generates 862.4 tons of RHA per year, whereas half of them are reused or are sold for re-utilization in other factories, 56.3% are disposed in the private landfill of the factory, and 1.6 to 6.3 % are directly disposed to nearby rivers or in soil. Most of the interviewed citizens reported that they were aware of the RHA impact on the environment nevertheless, only 2% knew that RHA can be re-utilized for other purposes. Therefore, it is necessary to raise public awareness about the reuse and utilization of RHA to reduce the environmental impact and contribute to the sustainable development of the rice production. Tỉnh An Giang là một trong những vựa lúa lớn nhất Việt Nam, với diện tích khoảng 600.000 ha và sản lượng gần 4 triệu tấn/năm. Cùng với lúa, lượng trấu phát sinh từ quá trình xay xát đang được tái sử dụng làm nhiên liệu đốt cho các quá trình sản xuất khác ở địa phương. Tuy nhiên lượng tro sau quá trình đốt nhiên liệu trấu cũng đang tạo nên một áp lực lên chất lượng môi trường. Do vậy, nghiên cứu này tập trung vào việc khảo sát và phân tích hiện trạng sử dụng, quản lý, xử lý và nhận thức của cơ sở sản xuất hay cộng đồng đối với vấn đề phát thải tro trấu thông qua phương pháp điều tra thực tế. Kết quả cho thấy trung bình mỗi cơ sở phát sinh 862,4 tấn tro trấu/năm với khoảng phân nửa trong số đó được tái sử dụng, 56,3% xử lý bằng cách chôn lấp; 1,6% đến 6,3% xử lý bằng cách đổ bỏ. Hầu hết những người được phỏng vấn biết việc phát thải tro trấu có ảnh hưởng đến chất lượng môi trường, tuy nhiên chỉ có 2% hộ nhận thức được tro trấu có thể tái sử dụng cho các mục đích khác. Điều này cho thấy cần có biện pháp nâng cao nhận thức của cộng đồng đối với việc tái sử dụng tro trấu, nhằm góp phần giảm áp lực của phát thải lên môi trường và đóng góp vào sự phát triển của ngành sản xuất lúa gạo theo định hướng bền vững.
In this study, a facile low-temperature hydrothermal method was applied for the synthesis of bismuth subcarbonate nanoplates (Bi2O2CO3). The material was then characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, BET, and TGA. The applicability of Bi2O2CO3 was evaluated via the treatment of methyl blue (MB) in water by adsorption and photocatalytic degradation. The experiment results with different pH from 2 to 12 indicate that the pH of the solution affected the surface charge of the synthesized Bi2O2CO3, thus having strong effects on the adsorption and photocatalytic degradation abilities of Bi2O2CO3 for MB removal. In adsorption tests, pH 6–7 is the most suitable condition for the adsorption of Bi2O2CO3. In photocatalytic tests, Bi2O2CO3 had the highest and lowest efficiencies of 64.19% (pH 5) and 17.59% (pH 2), respectively, under UV irradiation for 300 min. Copyright © 2022 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
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