The limit of detection of the proposed biosensor for microRNA-21 and microRNA-141 was respectively 204 aM and 138 aM with a wide linear range from 500 aM to 50 nM. As a proof of concept, this newly-developed strategy was coupled with a 96-well adaptive sensing device to successfully profile three cancer plasma samples based on their altered oncomiR abundances. Tau protein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a central and relevant biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) that correlates with the severity of dementia. Unfortunately, so far, direct label-free detection of tau remains a challenge. Here, we present a transistor-based biosensor that detects the net charge of tau protein directly under physiological conditions. To achieve this, readily available whole anti-tau IgG antibodies are co-immobilized on the sensor surface with polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules of different molecular weight. We show that by increasing the PEG size from 10 kDa to 20 kDa, the electrical response upon binding of tau improves significantly. These results support recent theoretical work that predicted larger PEGs to form a thicker surface layer with a higher detectable analyte charge. With 20 kDa PEG, we demonstrate label-free tau detection in a wide concentration range with detection limits less then 1 pM in 150 mM buffer and cell culture media, as well as less then 10 pM in artificial CSF. this website This purely electrical method allows fast and simple tau detection within 30 min without sample processing, washing steps, or labeled detection antibodies. By exchanging the capture antibody, the platform is also amenable to different biomarkers and may enable future diagnostic tools for AD and other diseases. STUDY OBJECTIVES Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often report poor sleep quality, but they commonly exhibit obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of OSA severity and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) impairment on objective sleep quality in non-dialyzed patients with CKD, defined as eGFR less then 60 ml/min/1.73m². METHODS Polysomnographic sleep characteristics were compared between patients with (n=430) and without CKD (n=6,639) of the European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA) cohort. Comparisons were repeated in 375 CKD patients and 375 non-CKD control subjects matched for sleep center, age, sex and apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), and in 310 matched cases and controls without psychiatric disturbances. RESULTS Among all patients with and without CKD, total sleep time was similar, but stage N1 (8.7 [4.8-18.0] vs 6.7 [3.6-12.7]%, respectively) and stage R (12.6 [6.8-17.7] vs 14.2 [8.8-19.8]%, respectively) significantly differed (p less then 0.0001). No difference in sleep characteristics was observed between matched cases and controls, either with or without psychiatric disturbances. After subdividing the matched subjects according to AHI tertile ( less then 25, ≥25 to less then 49, and ≥49 events/h) and eGFR (≥60, 45 to less then 60, less then 45 ml/min/1.73m²), a significant effect of AHI on stages N2, N3 and R was found (p less then 0.001), but no effect of CKD. CONCLUSIONS In non dialyzed CKD patients, objective sleep quality is influenced similarly by AHI as in non-CKD subjects, but is not affected by CKD severity. Previously reported poor sleep quality in CKD may partly be due to the high prevalence of OSA in CKD. © 2020 American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Complicated Type A intramural hematoma involving the arcus aorta requires emergency correction of the aortic arch. Surgical options include reimplantation of the brachiocephalic vessels as an island to a vascular graft, debranching aortic arch surgery, and Kazui technique. This report describes a modified technique for aortic arch repair in a patient with vascular diameter mismatch between the ascending and descending aorta, as well as an intimal tear between the brachiocephalic vessels. 2020 Forum Multimedia Publishing, LLCBACKGROUND In candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), preoperative computed tomography (CT) may detect clinically relevant non-cardiac findings. In particular, when malignant findings are detected, patients may be less likely to undergo the procedure. Additionally, they might require further examinations, which may prolong their time to treatment. We investigated how malignant findings affect candidacy for TAVI. METHODS In this single-center retrospective study, 98 patients with severe aortic stenosis who had undergone preoperative CT between September 2013 and October 2016 were evaluated for malignant findings. RESULTS Seven patients (7.1%) had malignant findings. 74 of 91 patients who did not have malignant findings underwent TAVI, SAVR, or balloon aortic valvuloplasty (81.3%). All patients who had malignant findings underwent TAVI or SAVR, and they underwent the procedure sooner after CT than the rest of the patients (mean time to TAVI or SAVR 24.6 ± 16.8 versus 48.5 ± 45.4 days; P = .003). All 5 patients who had malignant findings without metastatic cancer and who underwent TAVI were still alive during the follow-up period (the mean duration of the follow-up period was 22.3 ± 8.8 months). However, 1 patient who had a malignant finding with metastatic cancer died 7 months after CT. CONCLUSION Our outcomes indicated that the mean duration before TAVI or SAVR was reduced when malignant findings were detected by CT; and TAVI may be a safe and effective treatment for patients with aortic stenosis and a malignant tumor. 2020 Forum Multimedia Publishing, LLCBACKGROUND To investigate the association between preoperative pulmonary function evaluations and surgical outcomes of patients with chronic lung disease following cardiac surgery. METHODS This retrospective observational study evaluated 148 patients using preoperative pulmonary function tests before undergoing cardiac surgery. Patients were divided into 4 groups (normal, obstructive, restrictive, and combined disorder), based on the result of the pulmonary function tests. Additionally, we evaluated the percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second. Finally, we investigated the mechanical ventilation duration, length of postoperative hospital stay, and the 30-day mortality rate between the groups in each study. RESULTS The mechanical ventilation duration and length of postoperative hospital stay in the combined group was significantly longer than that in the other groups (P less then .0001, P less then .0001, respectively). Patients in the restrictive group had a significantly longer postoperative ventilation or hospitalization than those in the normal group (P = .