The Role of Serial Right Heart Catheterization Survey in Patients Awaiting Heart Transplant on Ventricular Assist Device.

Current guidelines recommend serial right heart catheterization (RHC) to survey pulmonary hypertension in patients awaiting heart transplant. However, the role and impact of this surveillance is unclear in patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). We reviewed our surveillance RHC protocol to determine whether useful data were obtained to justify the risks of serial invasive procedures (i.

Engineering 'Enzymelink' for screening lead compounds to inhibit mPGES-1 while maintaining prostacyclin synthase activity.

This study investigated our Enzymelinks, COX-2-10aa-mPGES-1 and COX-2-10aa-PGIS, as cellular cross-screening targets for quick identification of lead compounds to inhibit inflammatory PGE biosynthesis while maintaining prostacyclin synthesis. We integrated virtual and wet cross-screening using Enzymelinks to rapidly identify lead compounds from a large compound library. From 380,000 compounds virtually cross-screened with the Enzymelinks, 1576 compounds were identified and used for wet cross-screening using HEK293 cells that overexpressed individual Enzymelinks as targets.

Predicting Chronic Subdural Hematoma Resolution and Time to Resolution Following Surgical Evacuation.

Growing evidence suggests that chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) may have long-term adverse effects even after surgical evacuation. Hematoma recurrence is commonly reported as a short-term, postoperative outcome measure for CSDH, but other measures such as hematoma resolution may provide better insight regarding mechanisms behind longer-term sequelae. This study aims to characterize postoperative resolution times and identify predictors for this relatively unexplored metric.

Differential expression of microRNA and arachidonic acid metabolism in aspirin-treated human cardiac and peri-cardiac fat-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Aspirin is a widely used drug with anti-coagulating and anti-inflammatory effects on atherosclerotic vascular disease. The goal of this study was to investigate expression of microRNA (miR) in association with changes in arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism in cardiac and surrounding fat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) treated with or without aspirin. Aspirin-targeted endogenous lipid metabolites that impact specific miRNA expression were examined by mass spectrometry.

Novel method to detect, isolate, and culture prostate culturing circulating tumor cells.

Background: Effectively detecting and culturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs), is critical for diagnosis of early metastasis, monitoring anti-cancer therapeutic efficacy, and drug screening. However, most current FDA approved CTC detection methods are based on antibody binding, which has limitations due to the nature of variations in antibody preparation and antibody-CTC size mismatches. Thus, searching for alternative and advanced methods is urgent and necessary.

Considerations for Referral: What Happens to Patients After Being Turned Down for Left Ventricular Assist Device Therapy.

Background: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy has revolutionized the treatment options for patients with advanced heart failure. Patient selection is essential for obtaining successful results. However, few data exist concerning the outcomes of patients evaluated for LVAD therapy but subsequently rejected or deferred.

Characteristics and status of Korean medicine use in whiplash-associated disorder patients.

Background: Patients are free to choose conventional or Korean medicine treatment under the dual medical system in Korea, and the prevalence of patients who choose Korean medicine treatment for whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) is high. This study analyzed the sociodemographic characteristics and medical service use in this population to provide healthcare providers with basic usage information of complementary and alternative medicine for WAD.

Methods: A total of 8291 outpatients who registered under automobile insurance coverage and visited the main branch of Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine from April 1, 2014 to August 10, 2016 were included.

Prostaglandin E2 produced by inducible COX-2 and mPGES-1 promoting cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo.

Aim: Many cancers originate and flourish in a prolonged inflammatory environment. Our aim is to understand the mechanisms of how the pathway of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) biosynthesis and signaling can promote cancer growth in inflammatory environment at cellular and animal model levels.

Main Methods: In this study, a chronic inflammation pathway was mimicked with a stable cell line that over-expressed a novel human enzyme consisting of cyclooxygenase isoform-2 (COX-2) linked to microsomal (PGE2 synthase-1 (mPGES-1)) for the overproduction of pathogenic PGE2.

Screening and identification of dietary oils and unsaturated fatty acids in inhibiting inflammatory prostaglandin E2 signaling in fat stromal cells.

Background: The molecular mechanisms of dietary oils (such as fish oil) and unsaturated fatty acids, which are widely used by the public for anti-inflammation and vascular protection, have not been settled yet. In this study, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2))-mediated calcium signaling was used to screen dietary oils and eight unsaturated fatty acids for identification of their anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Isolated fat/stromal cells expressing endogenous PGE(2) receptors and an HEK293 cell line specifically expressing the recombinant human PGE(2) receptor subtype-1 (EP(1)) were cultured and used in live cell calcium signaling assays.