Survival benefit of IABP in pre- versus post-primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with cardiogenic shock.

Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) remains a major cause of in-hospital mortality in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, little evidence is available regarding the optimal order of intra-aortic balloon counter-pulsation (IABP) insertion and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). The aim of this study was to assess the hospital and short-term survival benefits of two different IABP insertion approaches, before versus after PPCI in patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock.

Integrating Experimental and Computational Analyses for Mechanical Characterization of Titanium Carbide/Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites.

This study investigates the mechanical properties of titanium carbide/aluminum metal matrix composites (AMMCs) using both experimental and computational methods. Through accumulative roll bonding (ARB) and cryorolling (CR) processes, AA1050 alloy surfaces were reinforced with TiCp particles to create the Al-TiCp composite. The experimental analysis shows significant improvements in tensile strength, yield strength, elastic modulus, and hardness.

Association between bifurcation angle of the left main coronary artery and severity of stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending artery.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the left main coronary artery (LM) bifurcation angle and the severity of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) stenosis.

Methods: Two hundred patients with suspected coronary artery disease who had coronary angiography were included in this observational study. The severity of coronary artery stenosis was analysed using quantitative coronary angiography software (QCA analysis).

Gastrointestinal transit tolerance, cell surface hydrophobicity, and functional attributes of strains isolated from Indigenous Dahi.

Strains of WFA1 (KU877440), WFA2 (KU877441), and WFA3 (KU877442) were isolated from indigenous Dahi (yogurt), screened, and selected based on acid and bile tolerance along with the antimicrobial activity. These selected strains were further assessed for their probiotic and functional attributes. Results for simulated gastric and intestinal tolerance/ resistance revealed that all three strains can resist and survive under the following mentioned conditions.

The predictive value of aVR in determining the infarct related artery during primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Isolation of infract related artery and timely revascularisation remains vital in the setting of primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objectives: To analyse the predictive value of ST-T changes in lead aVR in inferior myocardial infarction in terms of prognosis and timely risk stratification.

Methods: We conducted a prospective analysis of acute inferior wall myocardial infarction patients.

Polarized release of hepatic microRNAs into bile and serum in response to cellular injury and impaired liver function.

Background & Aims: Extracellular microRNAs (miRNAs) in serum and bile are currently under intense investigation for biomarker purposes in liver disease. However, the directions and pathways by which miRNAs are released from hepatic cells remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the release of hepatocyte and cholangiocyte-derived miRNAs (HDmiRs and CDmiRs) into blood and bile during various (patho)physiological hepatic conditions.

The ins and outs of microRNAs as biomarkers in liver disease and transplantation.

Ongoing research is being conducted in the field of transplantation to discover novel, noninvasive biomarkers for assessment of graft quality before transplantation and monitoring of graft injury after transplantation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are among the most promising in this field. MiRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that function as important regulators of gene expression in response to cellular stress and disease.

MicroRNA profiles in graft preservation solution are predictive of ischemic-type biliary lesions after liver transplantation.

Background & Aims: Ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBL) are the second most common cause of graft loss after liver transplantation. Though the exact pathophysiology of ITBL is unknown, bile duct injury during graft preservation is considered to be a major cause. Here we investigated whether the release of cholangiocyte-derived microRNAs (CDmiRs) during graft preservation is predictive of the development of ITBL after liver transplantation.

Relationship between the histological appearance of the portal vein and development of ischemic-type biliary lesions after liver transplantation.

Ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBLs) are a major cause of morbidity after liver transplantation (LT). Their assumed underlying pathophysiological mechanism is ischemia/reperfusion injury of the biliary tree, in which the portal circulation has been proposed recently to have a role. The aim of this study was to investigate whether early histological changes, particularly in the portal vein, predispose patients to ITBLs.

Role of international registries in enhancing the care of familial hypercholesterolaemia.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a relatively common genetic disorder associated with high risk of coronary heart disease that is preventable by early diagnosis and treatment. In a previous article, we reviewed the evidence for clinical management, models of care and health economic evaluations. The present commentary emphasises that collective action is needed to strengthen our approaches to evidence-based care, including better diagnosis and access to effective therapies.

Sensitive detection of hepatocellular injury in chronic hepatitis C patients with circulating hepatocyte-derived microRNA-122.

As chronic hepatitis C patients with progressive disease can present themselves with normal ALT levels, more sensitive biomarkers are needed. MicroRNAs are newly discovered small noncoding RNAs that are stable and detectable in the circulation. We aimed to investigate the association between hepatocyte-derived microRNAs in serum and liver injury in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Maternally administered sustained-release naltrexone in rats affects offspring neurochemistry and behaviour in adulthood.

Naltrexone is not recommended during pregnancy. However, sustained-release naltrexone implant use in humans has resulted in cases of inadvertent foetal exposure. Here, we used clinically relevant dosing to examine the effects of maternally administered sustained-release naltrexone on the rat brain by examining offspring at birth and in adulthood.

Secreted factors of human liver-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote liver regeneration early after partial hepatectomy.

Rapid liver regeneration is required after living-donor liver transplantation and oncologic liver resections to warrant sufficient liver function and prevent small-for-size syndrome. Recent evidence highlights the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) for treatment of toxic liver injury, but whether MSC and their secreted factors stimulate liver regeneration after surgical injury remains unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of human liver-derived MSC-secreted factors in an experimental liver resection model.

Significant contribution of the portal vein to blood flow through the common bile duct.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of the hepatic artery, gastroduodenal artery, and portal vein to the microvascular blood flow in the common bile duct (CBD).

Background: Biliary complications are a common cause of graft loss after liver transplantation. The occurrence is, partly, attributed to hepatic artery thrombosis, which is considered to be the sole provider of blood flow to the bile ducts.

Hepatocyte-derived microRNAs as serum biomarkers of hepatic injury and rejection after liver transplantation.

Recent animal and human studies have highlighted the potential of hepatocyte-derived microRNAs (HDmiRs) in serum as early, stable, sensitive, and specific biomarkers of liver injury. Their usefulness in human liver transplantation, however, has not been addressed. The aim of this study was to investigate serum HDmiRs as markers of hepatic injury and rejection in liver transplantation.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia: a model of care for Australasia.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a dominantly inherited disorder present from birth that causes marked elevation in plasma cholesterol and premature coronary heart disease. There are at least 45,000 people with FH in Australia and New Zealand, but the vast majority remains undetected and those diagnosed with the condition are inadequately treated. To bridge this major gap in coronary prevention the FH Australasia Network (Australian Atherosclerosis Society) has developed a consensus model of care (MoC) for FH.

Taq1B polymorphism of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) in Egyptian patients with metabolic syndrome.

Aim: We aimed at evaluation of the possible association of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) Taq1B polymorphism with the components of metabolic syndrome in a cohort of Egyptian patients compared to their healthy counterparts.

Patients And Methods: Blood samples were collected for lipid profile, fasting glucose, insulin and routine biochemical tests. The Taq1B genotypes of CETP were determined using RFLP-PCR technique.

The importance of portal venous blood flow in ischemic-type biliary lesions after liver transplantation.

Ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBL) are the most frequent cause of nonanastomotic biliary strictures after liver transplantation. This complication develops in up to 25% of patients, with a 50% retransplantation rate in affected patients. Traditionally, ischemia-reperfusion injury to the biliary system is considered to be the major risk factor for ITBL.

Similar liver transplantation survival with selected cardiac death donors and brain death donors.

Background: The outcome of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) with controlled graft donation after cardiac death (DCD) is usually inferior to that with graft donation after brain death (DBD). This study compared outcomes from OLT with DBD versus controlled DCD donors with predefined restrictive acceptance criteria.

Methods: All adult recipients in the Netherlands in 2001-2006 with full-size OLT from DCD (n = 55) and DBD (n = 471) donors were included.

The effects of maternally administered methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone on offspring: review of human and animal data.

Most women using heroin are of reproductive age with major risks for their infants. We review clinical and experimental data on fetal, neonatal and postnatal complications associated with methadone, the current "gold standard", and compare these with more recent, but limited, data on developmental effects of buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Methadone is a micro-opioid receptor agonist and is commonly recommended for treatment of opioid dependence during pregnancy.

Minor pathological changes are induced by naltrexone-poly(DL-lactide) implants in pregnant rats.

Oral naltrexone is used to treat alcohol and heroin dependence but is associated with poor patient compliance. Sustained-release preparations have been developed to overcome noncompliance. Many sustained-release preparations are composed of polymers combined with naltrexone.