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Objective: Sacubitril/valsartan is a commonly used medicine for treating heart failure (HF) patients, but the treatment effects significantly vary. Neprilysin (NEP) and carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) play an important role in the efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between NEP and CES1 gene polymorphisms and the efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan treatment in HF patients. Methods: Genotyping of 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the NEP and CES1 genes in 116 HF patients was performed by the Sequenom MassARRAY method, and logistic regression and haplotype analysis were used to evaluate the associations between SNPs and the clinical efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan in HF patients. Results: A total of 116 Chinese patients with HF completed the whole trial, and T variations in rs701109 in NEP gene were an independent risk factor (P = 0.013, OR = 3.292, 95% CI:1.287–8.422) for the clinical efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan. Furthermore, haplotype analysis of 6 NEP SNPs (including rs701109) was performed and showed that the CGTACC and TGTACC haplotypes were significantly associated with clinical efficacy (OR = 0.095, 95%CI: 0.012–0.723, P = 0.003; OR = 5.586, 95% CI: 1.621–19.248, P = 0.005). Moreover, no association was found between SNPs of other selected genes in terms of efficacy in HF patients, and no association was observed between SNPs and symptomatic hypotension. Conclusion: Our results suggest an association between rs701109 and sacubitril/valsartan response in HF patients. Symptomatic hypotension is not associated with the presence of NEP polymorphisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) films with embedded BaZrO3 and BaTiO3 nanoparticles were fabricated by metalorganic deposition using trifluoroacetates (TFA-MOD). Both X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy revealed that these BaZrO3 and BaTiO3 nanoparticles had random orientations and were distributed stochastically in the YBCO matrix. The unique combined microstructure enhances the critical current density (Jc) of the BaZrO3/BaTiO3 doped-YBCO films, while keeping the critical transition temperature (Tc) close to that in the pure YBCO films. These results indicate that BaZrO3 and BaTiO3 nanoparticles provide strong flux pinning in YBCO films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, BaTiO3 (BTO)-doped YBCO films are prepared on LaAlO3 (100) single-crystal substrates by metal—organic decomposition (MOD) using trifluoroacetate (TFA) precursor solutions. The critical current density (Jc) of BTO/YBCO film is as high as 10 MA/cm2 (77 K, 0 T). The BTO peak is found in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of a final YBCO superconductivity film. Moreover, a comprehensive study of the precursor evolution is conducted mainly by X-ray analysis and μ-Raman spectroscopy. It is found that the TFA begins to decompose at the beginning of the thermal process, and then further decomposes as temperature increases, and at 700 °C BTO nanoparticles begin to appear. It suggests that the YBCO film embedded with BTO nanoparticles, whose critical current density (Jc) is enhanced, is successfully prepared by an easily scalable chemical solution deposition technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]