Short Length Research Articles

Atlantic Meridional Overturning Response to Increased Southern Ocean Wind Stress in a Climate Model with an Eddy-Rich Ocean

Abstract The Southern Hemisphere westerly winds experienced significant changes over recent decades and are projected to further strengthen, altering ocean hydrography and dynamics. While anomalies of Southern Hemisphere origin are hypothesized to impact the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), many details of this relationship remain unknown as previous modeling studies are limited by the application of forced, coarse-resolution ocean models, or a short integration length. Here, a coupled, nested climate model configuration, covering the Atlantic Ocean at an eddy-rich 1/10° resolution is applied to study the adjustment of the large-scale circulation to a 30% increase in the Southern Ocean wind stress. The AMOC responds to the stronger wind stress with a strengthening of 0.6–1.4 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) across the entire Atlantic after approximately 80 years. At that time, anomalous watermass transformation mainly occurs at the entry into the Nordic seas. A density anomaly in the overflow water then induces anomalous sinking in the eastern subpolar gyre, providing a link between AMOC changes in density and depth coordinates. Our study suggests that these watermass changes are caused by northward-propagating anomalies and provides a detailed hypothesis for the link between the Indian Ocean inflow via Agulhas leakage and the AMOC. Nevertheless, due to coupled ocean–atmosphere adjustments, anomalies do not simply follow the main volume transport pathways along the western boundary. Mixing between advectively transported and locally forced anomalies leads to an increasingly complex evolution of watermass anomalies and less certainty in the relative contributions of involved mechanisms toward subpolar latitudes.

Realizing 0.7 dB/m gain in O + E band by promoting BACs-P formation in bismuth-doped phosphosilicate fiber with double-pass configuration

The long fiber length required for the amplification of bismuth-doped fiber (BDF) has hindered its practical application. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a feasible method to improve the active absorption of bismuth active centers (BACs) by optimizing the drawing conditions, achieving a high gain with a short fiber length. The bismuth-doped phosphosilicate fiber (BPSF) preform was fabricated by the modified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD) process and drawn into fiber under nine different conditions. The results indicate that the active absorption of BACs increases as the drawing temperature increases and the drawing speed decreases within these drawing parameters. Meanwhile, the corresponding gain per unit length is improved. Furthermore, a maximum gain of 31.6 dB at 1350 nm with the >20 dB gain wavelength range of 1311–1401 nm was achieved in a double-pass double-pump configuration, using only 45 m BPSF. Meanwhile, the −3 dB bandwidth was 1328–1370 nm. The gain per unit length is 0.7 dB/m, which, to the best of our knowledge, is the highest gain per unit length reported for the BPSF.

The Adeno-Associated Virus Replication Protein Rep78 Contains a Strictly C-Terminal Sequence Motif Conserved Across Dependoparvoviruses

Adeno-Associated Viruses (AAVs, genus Dependoparvovirus) are the leading gene therapy vector. Until recently, efforts to enhance their capacity for gene delivery had focused on their capsids. However, efforts are increasingly shifting towards improving the viral replication protein, Rep78. We discovered that Rep78 and its shorter isoform Rep52 contain a strictly C-terminal sequence motif, DDx3EQ, conserved in most dependoparvoviruses. The motif is highly negatively charged and devoid of prolines. Its wide conservation suggests that it is required for the life cycle of dependoparvoviruses. Despite its short length, the motif’s strictly C-terminal position has the potential to endow it with a high recognition specificity. A candidate target of the DDx3EQ motif might be the DNA-binding interface of the origin-binding domain of Rep78, which is highly positively charged. Published studies suggest that this motif is not required for recombinant AAV production, but that substitutions within it might improve production.

Somatostatin receptor‐linked α‐particle therapy in neuroendocrine tumours

AbstractThe incidence and prevalence of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are on the rise, but to date, only complete surgical resection is curative. Among the various therapeutic options for metastatic disease, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), linking a radioactive moiety to an octreotide derivative, has been shown to be highly efficacious and a well‐tolerated therapy, improving progression‐free survival and prolonging overall survival. Nevertheless, complete responses are rare, and the current β‐particle emitters have non‐optimal radiobiological properties. A new generation of α‐particle‐emitting radionuclides is being developed, with the advantages of very high energy and a short path length. We survey the most recent developments in this field, summarising the result of currently performed studies in this potentially ground‐breaking novel form of therapy for NETs.

Meta-connected Oligo-Azobenzenes Outperform Their Para Counterparts.

Systems with multiple photoswitchable units in one molecule have attracted considerable attention in the past years as they are useful for a broad variety of possible applications. Especially, linked azobenzenes sharing one benzene ring are of high interest since their direct linkage introduces an additional photoswitchable unit at only small increase in molecular weight. In this spirit, linear oligoazobenzenes had been synthesized, though their photochemical properties have only been investigated for short chain lengths. In this study, we use (time-dependent) density functional methodology for the evaluation of the excitations of meta- and para-connected oligo-azobenzenes to predict their switching ability. It becomes apparent, that the meta connection pattern enables each azobenzene subunit to act as an individual switchable unit, whereas they are strongly coupled and loose their individuality in para connection. Therefore, meta-oligo-azobenzenes are ideal candidates for future studies of azobenzene-based functional polymers, while para-oligo-azobenzenes are not.

No evidence that mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern derive from homologous fragments in gut microbiota.

Understanding the origin and evolution of mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) is a critical area of research. B. Cao, X. Wang, W. Yin, Z. Gao, and B. Xia (mBio 15:e03187-23, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.03187-23) proposed that these mutations originated from bacterial sequences incorporated into the viral genome through stochastic template-switching by the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Their analysis suggested that 62% of the viral mutation fragments (VMFs) in key SARS-CoV-2 proteins were identical to bacterial protein sequences. Given the implications of this finding, we re-examined the methods employed and argue that they resulted in false-positive findings. Specifically, the short query length of VMFs, seven amino acids, leads to spurious matches in large protein databases, as indicated by high BLAST Expect values. Furthermore, we analyzed the nucleotide sequence of VMFs, revealing no unique homology between SARS-CoV-2 and bacterial sequences. Consequently, the evidence does not support the hypothesis that bacterial sequences contribute to the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs. Instead, the emergence of these variants is more plausibly attributed to factors intrinsic to viral replication and evolution, such as the error-prone nature of RdRp, intrahost diversity, and recombination of related viral sublineages.

Competition, Drought, Season Length? Disentangling Key Factors for Local Adaptation in Two Mediterranean Annuals across Combined Macroclimatic and Microclimatic Aridity Gradients

ABSTRACTCompetition in mesic sites and drought stress combined with short growing seasons in drier sites are key environmental factors along macroclimatic aridity gradients. They impose a triangular trade‐off for local adaptation. However, as experiments have rarely disentangled their effects on plant fitness, uncertainty remained whether mesic populations are indeed better competitors and drier populations better adapted to drought stress and short season length. Aridity differs also at microclimatic scale between north (more mesic) and south (more arid) exposed hill‐slopes. Little is known whether local adaptation occurs among exposures and whether south exposures harbor conspecifics better adapted to drier climates that could provide adaptive reservoirs under climate change. We sampled two Mediterranean annuals (Brachypodium hybridum, Hedypnois rhagadioloides) in 15 sites along a macroclimatic aridity gradient (89–926 mm rainfall) on corresponding north and south exposures. In a large greenhouse experiment, we measured their fitness under drought stress, competition, and short vs. long growing seasons. Along the macroclimatic gradient, mesic populations were better competitors under benign conditions. Drier populations performed no better under drought stress per se but coped better with the short growing seasons typical for drier macroclimates. At microclimatic scale, north exposure plants were slightly better competitors in H. rhagadioloides; in B. hybridum, south exposure plants coped better with drought under short season length. We demonstrate that local adaptation to drier macroclimates is trading‐off with competitive ability under benign conditions and vice‐versa. Drought escape via short life‐cycles was the primary adaptation to drier macroclimates, suggesting that intensified drought stress within the growing season under climate change challenges arid and mesic populations alike. Moreover, the drier microclimates at south exposures exhibited some potential as nearby reservoirs of drier‐adapted genotypes. This potential needs further investigation, yet may assist populations to persist under climate change and lessen the need for long‐distance migration.

Protein-bridged size-permeable DNAzyme@PEG hollow nanosphere reactor facilitates direct and rapid monitoring of trace circulating microRNAs in undiluted cancer patient serums

The direct monitoring of low levels of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in undiluted human serums is of significant clinical importance for the diagnosis of different diseases in the early stages; however, this is highly challenged by both the short lengths, low abundance and homogeneity nature of miRNAs and the complicated sample matrix of human serums. In this work, we show the synthesis of a new protein-bridged and size-permeable DNAzyme@PEG hollow nanosphere reactor (p-DPHNR) that enables direct and rapid detection of trace circulating microRNAs in undiluted serums from prostate carcinoma patients. The hydrophilic PEG shell of p-DPHNR efficiently reduces protein adsorption; its size-permeability only allows short miRNAs to enter the core cavity and protects the core DNA signal probes from digestion; and the confinement of the NIR signal amplification DNA probes in the nanosphere core accelerates the reaction kinetics and minimizes the serum background fluorescence. Such p-DPHNR exhibits a 1.8 pM detection limit with a short 20 min assay time for miRNA-141 and can realize clear discrimination of prostate carcinoma patients from healthy donors, thereby manifesting its robust clinical applications for the convenient and early diagnosis of various diseases

Novel method to estimate horizontal variability of shear wave velocity through multichannel analysis of surface waves

Scale of fluctuations (SOFs) of spatially variable soil properties have been regarded as one of the important parameters for performing reliability-based design in geotechnical engineering. However, the information required to estimate the SOFs in practice is limited, especially in the horizontal direction. In this study, the potential use of Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) to estimate the SOFs of shear wave velocity (VS) in horizontal direction is investigated through a series of numerical investigations. 2D random field models with a vertically increasing trend of VS were first simulated with different levels of variability controlled by the coefficient of variation (COV) and SOF. Afterwards, a large number of numerical MASW tests were performed using a 2D finite difference method, where the survey lines were progressively shifted. Results show that the COV of VS can be determined from the scatter of the dispersion curves, whereas the horizontal SOF of VS can be appropriately estimated from the phase velocity profile presented in the wavelength form. Additionally, in-situ MASW tests were conducted to estimate the horizontal SOF, and the obtained results align with those estimated by different methods. It is highlighted that the accuracy of the estimation depends on survey length. The interpretation using a long array reflects an averaged site condition of the survey area, thus losing the variability information. Favorable predictions are produced when survey length is shorter than 1.0 SOF. However, it should be noted that use of short survey length may limit the depth of investigation.

Elliptic curve cryptography: Theory, security, and applications in modern network security

Abstract. Due to the swift advancement of Internet and computer technology in the 21st century, the demand for network security is increasing. Classic cryptographic algorithms like Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) and Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA) are insufficient in the face of modern network environments, while elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) has become a research hotspot due to its high security and high efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the theoretical basis, security analysis, and practical application cases of elliptic curve cryptography, to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding and trigger further research and thinking. This paper analyzes the theoretical basis of ECC, including group theory, domain theory, and the definition and properties of elliptic curves, and analyzes the application of ECC in combination with practical application cases, such as the SM2 algorithm. The article first introduces the concept of groups, the definition of domains, and the basic properties of elliptic curves. Then, the security of ECC is analyzed, especially the complexity of the Elliptic Curve Discrete Logarithm Problem (ECDLP) and the selection of key length. In addition, the security of ECC in practical applications is discussed, including digital signatures, key exchange protocols, and applications in blockchain technology. The results show that ECC provides comparable security to traditional public key algorithms at a short key length, and shows strong security and efficiency in practical applications. As technology progresses and new threats arise, research in ECC will also evolve.

Inverse design of ultra-compact high-efficiency broadband interlayer couplers based on random gratings

Ultra-compact high-efficiency broadband interlayer couplers based on random gratings are inversely designed by particle swarm optimization algorithm. The optimal structure is obtained by adjusting the pixel state to achieve a maximum coupling efficiency in 1550 nm band. The two-layer coupler consists of two vertically overlapping inverse taper waveguides with random gratings. With a short coupling length of 4 μm and interlayer gap of 200 nm, the coupling efficiency reaches 93% at a wavelength of 1550 nm, and exceeds 90% over a broadband wavelength range of 1503∼1600 nm, for both TE and TM mode. The coupling efficiency can maintain no less than 90% at a large waveguide misalignment of >100 nm, exhibiting high process error tolerance. The performance of the 4 μm-long inverse-designed coupler is higher than the conventional waveguide with a much large length of 10 μm. To achieve longer transmission distance, a tri-layer interlayer coupler is proposed by cascading two bi-layer couplers, which exhibits a remarkable coupling efficiency of 85% at a gap of 600 nm, more than 30 times higher than the bi-layer structure. This work may pave the way for the development of ultra-compact high-performance interlayer couplers supporting high-integration Si-based photonic integrated circuits.

Poria cocos polysaccharides alleviate dextran sulphate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis in mice by modulating intestinal inflammatory responses and microbial dysbiosis

Poria cocos polysaccharide (PCP), one of the main active components of P. cocos, is extensively used worldwide and exhibits strong pharmacological effects. However, whether PCP can attenuate inflammatory bowel disease remains unclear. In this study, we assessed the effects of PCP supplementation on dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. We found that PCP supplementation mitigated UC symptoms in DSS-treated mice, as evidenced by reductions in body weight loss, colon length shortening and disease activity index score. Importantly, PCP supplementation enhanced colonic barrier integrity by increasing tight junction protein abundance and exerted anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation in DSS-treated mice. Furthermore, PCP supplementation reversed DSS-induced dysbiosis in colonic microbiota by increasing the colonic abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g. Akkermansiaceae) and decreasing the colonic abundance of harmful bacteria (e.g. Erysipelotrichaceae) in DSS-treated mice. Although PCP supplementation failed to ameliorate DSS-induced UC in antibiotic-treated mice, faecal microbiota transplantation from PCP-administered mice ameliorated DSS-induced UC in antibiotic-treated mice. In summary, PCP alleviates UC in mice by attenuating intestinal inflammation via the inhibition of NF-κB activation and modulating the intestinal microbiota.

Different interventions to prevent preterm birth in pregnant women with cervical shortening during pregnancy: a protocol for a network meta-analysis

IntroductionPremature birth is the leading cause of neonatal mortality. Cervical length shortening during pregnancy serves as the gold standard for predicting preterm birth. Although several interventions have been applied to...

Telomere length across the spectrum of metabolic health – an analysis from the LIPIDOGEN2015 study

IntroductionBackground: Telomere length is a cellular aging marker and correlates with various cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The current study assessed the association between obesity, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and telomere length.Material and methodsMaterial and methods: The LIPIDOGRAM&LIPIDOGEN2015 study was conducted in primary care in 2015-2016. Recruited patients to the LIPIDOGEN2015 cohort (n=1788) were a random subset of patients of the LIPIDOGRAM2015 (n=13,724) study. For the aims of this analysis, the recruited patients were divided into four groups based on the presence of MetS: healthy slim (HS), metabolically healthy obese (MHO), non-obese with MetS (NOMS), and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). Relative telomere length (RTL) was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).ResultsResults: 1516 patients (85%; females - 59.7%, mean age- 50.3 years) were included for final analyses. An increase in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and history of myocardial infarction moving from HS to MUO were observed. MUO group exhibited the highest triglycerides and lowest high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) levels. Univariable regression analyses indicated that NOMS (p=0.038) and MUO (p=0.003) were associated with significantly decreased RTL. After adjustment for age, gender, education, smoking, place of residence, and myocardial infarction, the association was no longer statistically significant.ConclusionsConclusions: Despite the lack of statistical significance in the multivariate analysis, the univariate results suggest that both MUO and NOMS phenotypes contribute to the shortening of telomere length. These results may also indicate that MetS, irrespectively on obesity occurrence, is responsible for the shortened lifespan.

1.8 mJ pulses at 1560 nm based on a 55 µm core pure-erbium-doped VLMA fiber.

Despite the increasing demand for high-energy erbium lasers for LIDAR imaging applications, the scaling of the current Er-Yb co-doped technology is still hindered by a 1 µm parasitic emission. In this study, we present the first, to the best of our knowledge, utilization of the REPUSIL powder synthesis method to fabricate a 55 µm double-clad fiber with a remarkably large modal area. Doped solely with erbium and free of ytterbium, its estimated cladding absorption is 2 dB/m at 976 nm, enabling short amplification lengths. We demonstrate its potential through direct amplification of a GHz femtosecond laser (M2 = 1.12) and notably, the generation of 1.8 mJ, 37 ns Q-switched pulses in oscillator configuration (M2 = 1.46).

Genome-wide association studies of bundle and single fiber length traits reveal the genetic basis of within-sample variation in upland cotton fiber length

Within-sample variation in cotton fiber len,gth is a major factor influencing the production and quality of yarns. The textile industry has been searching for approaches of improving the long fiber fraction and minimizing the short fiber fraction within a cotton sample to produce superior fiber and yarn quality. USTER® High Volume Instrument (HVI) has been widely used for a rapid assessment of cotton fiber length traits from a fiber bundle. However, its effectiveness for genetic studies has been questioned due to the indirect estimations of the cotton fiber traits that cannot be measured from a fiber bundle. To overcome the limits of the HVI fiber length traits, we utilized the Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS) measuring fiber length traits directly from individual fibers based on weight or number. Comparative fiber length analyses showed AFIS provided higher sensitivity in detecting the fiber length variations within and among cotton samples than HVI. The weight-based AFIS length traits were strongly correlated with the corresponding HVI lengths, whereas the number-based AFIS mean length showed a relatively weaker correlation with the HVI lengths. Integrations of the weight based-length traits with genome-wide association studies (GWAS) enabled classifying the QTLs specifically associated with long, mean, or short fiber length traits and identified a false positive associated with the indirectly estimated HVI short fiber trait. Unlike the weight based-AFIS length traits, the number-based AFIS length trait did not show a negative correlation with a weight related-HVI property, and identified a single QTL that was not detected by the corresponding HVI trait. These results suggested that integrating the AFIS method with GWAS helped discoveries of the genome loci involved in the within-sample variation in cotton fiber length and characterizations of the fiber length QTLs.

Feasibility and early outcomes of atrial septal defect prostheses use for percutaneous closure of widely open patent foramen ovale

Abstract Background The efficient closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) with short canal length and large width, usually associated with atrial septal aneurysm (ASA), remains challenging. These cases frequently require the use of larger PFO devices to avoid the risk of device embolism at the cost of a higher rate of residual shunting, mostly due to interdisk spacing. The use of atrial septal defect (ASD) prosthesis could be useful in these patients. Purpose To describe feasibility and early outcomes of the use of ASD device for percutaneous closure of widely open PFO representing an "ASD-like anatomy". Methods Since January 2022 in a high volume French university center, we started to use ASD device for percutaneous closure of selected cases of PFO with complex anatomy as mainly defined by a sheathed width of PFO ≥ 5 mm and sheathed canal length ≤ 10 mm (Figure 1) facing major per-operative residual shunt with PFO prostheses in some patients. In addition to the descriptive results, we compared this ASD device subgroup with a cohort of patients with similar anatomy but previously treated in our center with PFO device. All available transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examinations were reviewed. The main objective was to describe the feasibility of the procedure (success and safety), the secondary endpoint was immediate post-procedural moderate to severe residual right-to-left shunt (RLS), defined as ≥ 10 bubbles in the left atrium within 3 cardiac cycles after transfemoral agitated saline injection. Results A total of 65 patients was treated with ASD devices, procedural success was achieved in all patients with a low rate (4,2%) of intrahospital complications (two supraventricular arrythmia, one anaphylactic shock and one minor laryngeal injury) and without device embolism. As compared with a cohort of 127 patients of similar anatomy treated with PFO device, patients in the ASD device group had more complex characteristics especially higher mean sheathed PFO width and shorter mean sheathed PFO canal length. Immediate post-procedural residual moderate to severe RLS did not differ significatively between groups (Table 1). No or minimal shunting was observed in 91% and 92% of cases (p=NS) but the three patients with severe RLS were all in the PFO device group. Conclusion Percutaneous closure of "ASD-like" PFO with ASD prostheses is feasible and safe. Larger studies and longer follow-ups are now required to confirm the expected improved sealing effect with this strategy.

Association of leukocyte telomere length and the risk of disease severity and metabolic comorbidities in Arab patients with psoriasis.

Several studies have related shortened leukocyte telomere length (LTL) with age-related diseases and worse prognosis. Telomere length attrition has recently been associated with inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis. However, no study has demonstrated an association between LTL and the risk of disease severity and metabolic comorbidities in Arab patients with psoriasis (Ps). 68 Ps and 42 normal controls (NC) were included. LTL and oxidative damage were determined by quantitative (q) PCR. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using logistic regression. Statistical differences between the groups were determined using 2 and t-tests. Patients with psoriasis had significantly shorter LTL (P= 0.032) and higher oxidative damage (P= 0.015) than those without psoriasis. Patients with moderate-to-severe index (P= 0.03) and metabolic comorbidity showed significantly shorter LTL (P= 0.003) compared to patients with mild index and without metabolic comorbidity, respectively. Patients with short LTL (≤ 0.9) were correlated with higher risk of moderate-to-severe conditions (OR= 6.98, 95% CI= 2.3-20.8, P= 0.001) and metabolic comorbidities (OR= 2.89, 95% CI= 1.02- 8.2, P= 0.04). LTL shortening may be a consequence of increased oxidative damage, and is related to the risk of severe psoriasis and metabolic comorbidities. Therefore, LTL may be a good candidate biomarker for predicting the risk of poor prognosis in patients with psoriasis.

Ultrafast Charge and Exciton Diffusion in Monolayer Films of 9-Armchair Graphene Nanoribbons.

Determining the electronic transport properties of graphene nanoribbons is crucial for assessing their suitability for applications. So far, this has been highly challenging both through experimental and theoretical approaches. This is particularly the case for graphene nanoribbons that are prepared by chemical vapor deposition, which is a scalable and industry-compatible bottom-up growth method that results in closely packed arrays of ribbons with relatively short lengths of a few tens of nanometers. In this study, the experimental technique of spatiotemporal microscopy is applied to study monolayer films of 9-armchair graphene nanoribbons prepared using this growth method, and combined with linear-scaling quantum transport calculations of arrays of thousands of nanoribbons. Both approaches directly resolve electronic spreading in space and time through diffusion and give an initial diffusivity approaching 200 cm2 s-1 during the first picosecond after photoexcitation. This corresponds to a mobility up to 550 cm2 V-1 s-1. The quasi-free carriers then form excitons, which spread with a diffusivity of tens of cm2 s-1. The results indicate that this relatively large charge carrier mobility is the result of electronic transport not being hindered by defects nor inter-ribbon hopping. This confirms their suitability for applications that require efficient electronictransport.

Safety and efficacy of perventricular device closure of ventricular septal defects in children

Abstract Objectives To evaluate safety and efficacy of perventricular device closure techniques for the closure of ventricular septal defects (VSD) in children in United Arab Emirates. Methods In the year 2023-24, 13 children underwent per-ventricular device closures of VSD under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography without cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB). The mean age at operation was 3.76 years (range 3 months-14 years). The ventricular septal defect sizes ranged from 2.7-6 mm. The device sizes ranged from 5-12mm. All patients except two required symmetrical device. Eight defects were peri membranous, 3 were sub-aortic and 2 were muscular. Ventricular septal defect occlusion device (Memoport, Beijing, China) were used through a 3-cm skin incision in the lower third of the sternum. Results All patients underwent VSD device closure successfully. The mean procedural duration was 42 minutes. None of the patients required CPB. The mean ventilation time and ICU stay was 3 hrs. and 24 hrs. respectively. None of the patients required inotropic support or blood transfusions. There were no residual shunt (except small shunt through the device), arrhythmias including heart block post operatively. At follow up, (3 months-7 months) there were no residual shunts, conduction disturbances, device dislodgement or major aortic or tricuspid valve complications. There was no mortality. Conclusions Perventricular device closure of VSD is highly successful, less invasive, safe and effective. It is associated with quick recovery, short length of stay and better cosmetic incision. Moreover, it avoids CPB.