Applying harmonic optical microscopy for spatial alignment of atrial collagen fibers.

Background: Atrial fibrosis creates a vulnerable tissue for atrial fibrillation (AF), but the spatial disarray of collagen fibers underlying atrial fibrosis is not fully elucidated.

Objective: This study hypothesizes that harmonics optical microscopy can illuminate the spatial mal-alignment of collagen fibers in AF via a layer-by-layer approach.

Patients And Methods: Atrial tissues taken from patients who underwent open-heart surgery were examined by harmonics optical microscopy.

The relationship between aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen and heart rate variability parameters in heart failure patients: a potential serum marker to evaluate cardiac autonomic control and sudden cardiac death.

Background: Cardiac extra-cellular matrix (ECM) fibrosis plays an important role in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF). It may provide electrical heterogeneity and a substrate for arrhythmogenicity, which may cause sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Methods: Twenty-one patients with manifestations of HF and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤50% were enrolled.

Predicting hearing thresholds and occupational hearing loss with multiple-frequency auditory steady-state responses.

Objective: An objective investigation is needed to verify the existence and severity of hearing impairments resulting from work-related, noise-induced hearing loss in arbitration of medicolegal aspects. We investigated the accuracy of multiple-frequency auditory steady-state responses (Mf-ASSRs) between subjects with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) with and without occupational noise exposure.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

An integrated microfluidic system for isolation, counting, and sorting of hematopoietic stem cells.

This study reports an integrated microfluidic system capable of isolation, counting, and sorting of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from cord blood in an automatic format by utilizing a magnetic-bead-based immunoassay. Three functional modules, including cell isolation, cell counting, and cell sorting modules are integrated on a single chip by using microfluidic technology. The cell isolation module is comprised of a four-membrane-type micromixer for binding of target stem cells and magnetic beads, two pneumatic micropumps for sample transport, and an S-shaped channel for isolation of HSCs using a permanent magnet underneath.

Role of the supine lateral radiograph of the spine in vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: a prospective study.

Background: Severely collapsed vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is usually considered as a contraindication for vertebroplasty because of critically decreased vertebral height (less than one-third the original height). However, osteoporotic VCF can possess dynamic mobility with intravertebral cleft (IVC), which can be demonstrated on supine lateral radiographs (SuLR) and standing lateral radiographs (StLR). The purposes of this study were to: (1) evaluate the efficacy of SuLR to detect IVCs and assess the intravertebral mobility in VCFs, and (2) evaluate the short-term results of vertebroplasty in severely collapsed VCFs with IVCs.

Morphology and optical properties of single- and multi-layer InAs quantum dots.

An understanding of the structural and optical properties of quantum dots (QDs) is critical for their use in optical communication devices. In this study, single- and multi-layer self-organized InAs QDs grown on (001) GaAs substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) were investigated. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) images show that the lateral size of multi-layer InAs QDs are larger and flatter than single-layer InAs QDs, which are oval-shaped.

Improved antibiotic impregnated cement prosthesis for treating deep hip infection: a novel design using hip compression screw.

A 2-stage revision arthroplasty has been suggested as the optimal treatment for deep infections in the hip joint. Improvement of the surgical technique to increase the interim function is subject to investigation. From 2004 to 2007, we collected a cohort of 15 consecutive patients who were treated by a novel design augmented with a modified hip compression screw.

End-stage renal disease after orthotopic heart transplantation: a single-institute experience.

Orthotopic heart transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage heart failure, and calcineurin inhibitor agents allow for better allograft survival. However, pretransplantation low cardiac output status and posttransplantation immunosuppressants contribute toward deterioration of renal function. From 1987 to 2008, 350 patients underwent orthotopic heart transplantation in our hospital.

Effect of preoperative deformity on postoperative leg axis in total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized study.

Computer-assisted surgery-total knee arthroplasty (CAS-TKA) has been suggested to afford greater precision than conventional TKA; however, it is unclear whether this is influenced by preoperative angular deformity. This prospective study was conducted to determine the effect of preoperative angular deformity on the postoperative mechanical axis. Sixty patients underwent stage bilateral TKA; CAS-TKA was performed on one side and conventional TKA on the other side.

Nanohybrids of magnetic iron-oxide particles in hydrophobic organoclays for oil recovery.

Nanohybrids with magnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (FeNPs) embedded in the multilayered silicate clay were synthesized by in situ Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) coprecipitation. The natural clay, sodium montmorillonite (Na(+)-MMT), was first modified with hydrophobic poly(oxypropylene)amine salts (POP at 2000 and 4000 g/mol M(w)). The two POP-intercalated organoclays, with a silicate interlayer expansion from 1.

Treatment of osteomyelitis with teicoplanin-encapsulated biodegradable thermosensitive hydrogel nanoparticles.

Osteomyelitis characterized by an inflammatory response often leads to bone loss and the spread of bacterial infection to surrounding soft tissues. To overcome the side effects induced by the systemic antibiotic treatment for osteomyelitis, recent investigations have explored the use of antibiotic-loaded undegradable or biodegradable delivery implants at the infected bone. Here, we show a novel biodegradable thermosensitive implant composed of poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (mPEG) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) copolymer as a sol-gel drug delivery system for treating bone infection.

Tin-oxide-coated single-walled carbon nanotube bundles supporting platinum electrocatalysts for direct ethanol fuel cells.

Novel tin-oxide (SnO(2))-coated single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) bundles supporting platinum (Pt) electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation were developed for direct ethanol fuel cells. SnO(2)-coated SWNT (SnO(2)-SWNT) bundles were synthesized by a simple chemical-solution route. SnO(2)-SWNT bundles supporting Pt (Pt/SnO(2)-SWNTs) electrocatalysts and SWNT-supported Pt (Pt/SWNT) electrocatalysts were prepared by an ethylene glycol reduction method.

Management of giant pseudomeningoceles after spinal surgery.

Background: Pseudomeningoceles are a rare complication after spinal surgery, and studies on these complex formations are few.

Methods: Between October 2000 and March 2008, 11 patients who developed symptomatic pseudomeningoceles after spinal surgery were recruited. In this retrospective study, we reported our experiences in the management of these complex, symptomatic pseudomeningoceles after spinal surgery.

Novel intronic microRNA represses zebrafish myf5 promoter activity through silencing dickkopf-3 gene.

A strong, negative cis-element located at the first intron +502/+835 (I300) of zebrafish myf5 has been reported. To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying this repression network, we microinjected zebrafish single-cell embryos with I300 RNA, resulting in the dramatic reduction of luciferase activity driven by the myf5 promoter. Within this I300 segment, we identified an intronic microRNA (miR-In300) located at +609/+632 and found that it was more highly expressed in the older mature somites than those newly formed, which negatively correlated with the distribution of zebrafish myf5 transcripts.

Laboratory indicators for early detection and surgical treatment of vibrio necrotizing fasciitis.

Background: Vibrio necrotizing fasciitis is a rare and life-threatening soft tissue infection, with fulminant clinical courses and high mortality rates. However, the lack of specific disease characteristics and diagnostic tools during the initial examination may delay diagnosis.

Questions/purposes: We (1) asked whether the clinical indicators could predict laboratory findings during the initial stage of Vibrio necrotizing fasciitis and (2) determined the relationships between the laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing fasciitis (LRINEC) score and the diagnosis of Vibrio infection.

Long-term prognosis in ethnic Chinese patients with unprotected left main coronary artery disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term outcome of unprotected left main coronary artery disease (LMCA) with different therapeutic modalities in Chinese patients.

Background: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) has been considered standard therapy for patients with LMCA disease. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has recently been alternative choice for unprotected LMCA.

Attenuating ischemia-induced H9c2 myoblasts apoptosis by therapeutic hypothermia.

Although inducing mild hypothermia (32 degrees C) in animal models of cardiac arrest with highly attenuated cardiac and neurological injury, the protective effects of hypothermia molecular mechanisms were not fully elucidated, and thus, were examined here on the H9c2 rat ventricular myoblasts that underwent cell loss as well as apoptosis in conditions of simulated ischemia, represented by serum withdrawal plus hypoxia. The H9c2 cells apoptosis was evidenced by flow cytometry-, DNA fragmentation-, and caspase 3 activation-increased apoptotic cells (Annexin-V positive and propidium iodide negative). For the simulated ischemia, both cell loss and apoptosis of these cardiomyoblasts were associated with downregulated small molecular weight proteins (heat shock protein 20, heat shock protein 27, and alphaB-crystallin).

BF3-promoted synthesis of diarylhexahydrobenzo[f]isoquinoline.

An easy and straightforward synthesis of 6,10b-diarylhexahydrobenzo[f]isoquinoline by the repeated treatment of boron trifluoride etherate (BF(3) x OEt(2)) is reported. The overall transformation from 4-arylpiperidin-3-one to benzo[f]isoquinoline proceeds via ring contraction, chain elongation, and intramolecular electrophilic cyclization in moderate yields. It presents a novel rearrangement reaction catalyzed by boron trifluoride etherate and broadens the scope of application.

Low incidence of malignancy in heart-transplant recipients in Taiwan: an update and comparison with kidney-transplant recipients.

Objective: Malignancy is the leading cause of death among heart-transplant recipients. There is a higher incidence of post-transplant malignancy in heart-transplant recipients than in kidney-transplant recipients. This study sought to assess the incidence of malignancy in heart-transplant recipients in Taiwan.

Identification of MYO18A as a novel interacting partner of the PAK2/betaPIX/GIT1 complex and its potential function in modulating epithelial cell migration.

The p21-activated kinase (PAK) 2 is known to be involved in numerous biological functions, including the regulation of actin reorganization and cell motility. To better understand the mechanisms underlying this regulation, we herein used a proteomic approach to identify PAK2-interacting proteins in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. We found that MYO18A, an emerging member of the myosin superfamily, is a novel PAK2 binding partner.

Seizure sensitivity is ameliorated by targeted expression of K+-Cl- cotransporter function in the mushroom body of the Drosophila brain.

The kcc(DHS1) allele of kazachoc (kcc) was identified as a seizure-enhancer mutation exacerbating the bang-sensitive (BS) paralytic behavioral phenotypes of several seizure-sensitive Drosophila mutants. On their own, young kcc(DHS1) flies also display seizure-like behavior and demonstrate a reduced threshold for seizures induced by electroconvulsive shock. The product of kcc shows substantial homology to KCC2, the mammalian neuronal K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter.

A novel approach to sonographic examination in a patient with a calf muscle tear: a case report.

Introduction: Rupture of the distal musculotendinous junction of the medial head of the gastrocnemius, also known as "tennis leg", can be readily examined using a soft tissue ultrasound. Loss of muscle fiber continuity and the occurrence of bloody fluid accumulation can be observed using ultrasound with the patient in the prone position; however, some cases may have normal ultrasound findings in this conventional position. We report a case of a middle-aged man with tennis leg.

The relationship between serum galectin-3 and serum markers of cardiac extracellular matrix turnover in heart failure patients.

Background: A growing body of evidence links macrophage activation and fibrosis to the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF). Galectin-3 is one of the most likely mediators between macrophage activation and myocardial fibrosis. However, the exact relationship is unknown in humans.