Diversity in metacommunities is traditionally viewed to consist of the diversity within communities ([Formula see text]) that is complemented by the differences between communities ([Formula see text]) so as to result in the total diversity ([Formula see text]) of the metacommunity. This perception of the partitioning of diversity, where [Formula see text] is a function of [Formula see text] and [Formula see text] (usually [Formula see text] with all components specified as effective numbers), has several drawbacks, among which are (1) [Formula see text] is an average that can be taken over communities in many ways, (2) complete differentiation among communities cannot always be uniquely inferred from [Formula see text] and [Formula see text], (3) different interpretations of [Formula see text] as effective number of communities (e.g., distinct or monomorphic) are possible, depending on the choice of ideal situations to which the respective effective numbers refer, and (4) associations between types (species,ne arrives at the dual factorization with leading minimum number of types and associated effective number of communities. The two dual factorizations are unambiguously defined for all measures of diversity and can be used, for example, to indicate structural characteristics of metacommunities, such as type differentiation among communities and associated type polymorphism. The information gain of the factorization approach is pointed out in comparison with the classical and more recent modified approaches to partitioning total type diversity into diversity within and between communities. The use of factorization in analyses of latent community subdivision is indicated.Purpose Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is well acknowledged as an effective treatment for dyssynchronous heart failure. However, the molecular mechanism is unclear to date. Mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired energetic metabolism are two important mechanisms that lead to heart failure. Therefore, we aim to screen the changes of mitochondria-associated proteins and signaling pathways involved in heart failure and CRT treatment. Methods A total of 24 beagle dogs were randomly assigned into control (CON), heart failure (HF), or CRT group. Myocardial mitochondria from the free wall of left ventricle was extracted for isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) labeling coupled with two-dimensional liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis (2DLC-MS/MS). Results A total of 2190 proteins were identified, among which 234 proteins were differentially expressed in HF compared with CON group, 151 proteins were differentially expressed in CRT compared with HF group. A total of 192 of the 234 differentially expressed proteins in HF group were changed oppositely by CRT treatment, and 128 of the 151 CRT-induced differentially expressed proteins showed opposite trend of expression to HF/CON. FDI-6 inhibitor Gene Ontology analysis of the 128 proteins revealed that 16 were localized in mitochondria, 17 were associated with calcium signaling, and 7 could be secreted extracellularly for cell-to-cell signaling. Calpain-1 (CAPN1), which is localized to mitochondria and related to calcium signaling, was upregulated in HF and downregulated after CRT treatment. CRT treatment also improved mitochondrial morphology and function and reduced collagen areas of both interstitial and perivascular fibrosis. Conclusions CRT treatment significantly improved cardiac function, reduced myocardial fibrosis, and enhanced mitochondrial function in the failing heart through CAPN1 downregulation.Purpose Since the introduction of the Biotronik Linox S/SD leads in 2006, there have been multiple reports of premature lead failure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the longevity of the Linox S/SD leads and to identify the possible predictors of lead failure in a single tertiary implant center. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent implantation of Linox S/SD leads or Sorin Vigila 1CR/2CR leads (the same Linox S/SD leads marketed by Sorin) at our center. The cumulative lead survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier curve, and variables associated with lead failure were assessed by Cox proportional hazard model. Results A total of 187 patients (154 (82%) male) underwent Linox S/SD or Vigila 1CR/2CR implantation between 2007 and 2013. During follow-up with a median time of 75 months, nine lead failures were identified (4.8%). The mean and median times from lead implantation to lead failure were 70.7 ± 21 months and 64 (45-111) months, respectively. The cumulative survival probability for the Linox S/SD at 5 years was 97.1% and at 12 years was 90.3%. Non-physiological high-rate sensing was the most common type of lead failure in patients. In two-thirds of these patients, this led to inappropriate shock. We did not find any significant relationships between patients’ clinical and procedural characteristics and lead failure. Conclusions At our center, the 5-year lead survival of the Linox S/SD has been better than reports from other centers. The majority of lead failures presented as non-physiological high-rate sensing with subsequent inappropriate therapy.Background It has been recently reported that sinus rhythm (SR) maintenance with catheter ablation therapy improves exercise tolerance (ET) in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it remains to be elucidated whether this is also the case for patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF). Methods We enrolled consecutive 54 patients with PAF (age; 63 ± 10 [SD] years old, male/female 46/8) and 26 patients with persistent AF (non-PAF) (age; 57 ± 12 [SD] years old, male/female 23/3) who underwent AF ablation without recurrence. ET and cardiac function were evaluated by cardio-pulmonary exercise test and ultrasound echocardiography before and 6 months after ablation. Results The parameters of cardiopulmonary exercise test were comparable between the 2 groups. When PAF group was divided into 2 groups according to the time since diagnosis, peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) before ablation was significantly lower in patients with PAF duration of more than 1 year (n = 26), compared with those with less than 1 year (n = 28) (18.