Androgen receptor activation inhibits endothelial cell migration in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo.

Our previous research revealed that androgen receptor (AR) activation reduces endothelial cell proliferation via non-genomic pathways. We hypothesized that AR activation might also affect endothelial cell migration, a critical step in angiogenesis. Our data demonstrates that treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with AR agonists, metribolone (R1881) or dihydrotestosterone (DHT), results in a dose-dependent reduction in migration, which can be reversed by AR antagonists or AR knockdown.

Heat stress-induced platelet dysfunction is associated with loss of fibrinogen and is improved by fibrinogen supplementation.

Introduction: Heatstroke is a critical heat-related condition characterized by coagulopathy and multiple organ dysfunction. One of the most severe complications of heatstroke is disseminated intravascular coagulation. This condition manifests as excessive clot formation and bleeding that are primarily due to platelet depletion and dysfunction.

A Man with Severe, Left Lower Quadrant Abdominal Pain.

Case Presentation: An 84-year-old man presented to the emergency department with sudden, left lower quadrant cramping pain. Because critical hypotension was noted, point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) was performed immediately. The study revealed a pulsatile flow extravasating from the left common iliac artery into the left psoas muscle with hypoechoic para-aortic fluid collection.

Antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin LL-37 preserves intestinal barrier and organ function in rats with heat stroke.

Global warming increases the incidence of heat stroke (HS) and HS causes the reduction of visceral blood flow during hyperthermia, leading to intestinal barrier disruption, microbial translocation, systemic inflammation and multiple organ failure. Cathelicidin LL-37 exhibits antimicrobial activities, helps innate immunity within the gut to maintain intestinal homeostasis, and augments intestinal wound healing and barrier function. Thus, we evaluated the effects and possible mechanisms of cathelicidin LL-37 on HS.

Extracorporeal Life Support for Severely Burned Patients with Concurrent Inhalation Injury and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Experience from a Military Medical Burn Center.

Background: Both inhalation injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are risk factors that predict mortality in severely burned patients. Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is widely used to rescue these patients; however, its efficacy and safety in this critical population have not been well defined. We report our experience of using ECLS for the treatment of severely burned patients with concurrent inhalation injury and ARDS.

Cerebral Oximetry-Monitored Nitroglycerin Infusion and Tissue Perfusion during Rewarming of Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

Background: Nitroglycerin facilitates microcirculation and oxygen delivery through vasodilation. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of nitroglycerin-induced vasodilation and potential hypotension on tissue perfusion under cerebral oximetry monitoring during rewarming in cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods: Elective cardiac surgical patients were randomly assigned to either a nitroglycerin group ( = 32) with an intravenous infusion of 1-5 mcg/kg/min or a control group ( = 31) with 0-0.

Risk of Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection in Patients with Tuberculosis: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Tuberculosis (TB) can cause chronic inflammation. The occurrence of aortic aneurysm (AA) and aortic dissection (AD) may be associated with chronic inflammatory disease, but whether TB increases the risk of AA and AD remains to be determined. This study aimed to investigate the association between TB and the development of AA and AD.

Cardiac calcium dysregulation in mice with chronic kidney disease.

Cardiovascular complications are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD significantly affects cardiac calcium (Ca ) regulation, but the underlying mechanisms are not clear. The present study investigated the modulation of Ca homeostasis in CKD mice.

Blood Mixing Upregulates Platelet Membrane-Bound CD40 Ligand Expression In Vitro Independent of Abo Compatibility.

Platelets play a central role in the inflammation response via CD40 ligand (CD40L) expression, which may lead to transfusion reactions. The precise role of platelet CD40L-mediated inflammation in transfusion reactions is unclear. Therefore, we assessed the effects of in vitro blood mixing on platelet CD40L expression.

A Thrombomodulin Gene Polymorphism (C1418T) Is Associated with Early Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery with a Conventional Cardiopulmonary Bypass during Hospitalization.

Thrombomodulin (TM) is a type of cell membrane-bound anticoagulant protein cofactor in the thrombin-mediated activation of protein C. Previous evidence has shown an association between TM polymorphisms and systemic inflammation. Conventional cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), beating-heart CPB, and off-pump techniques have been widely used in cardiac surgery.

Impact of Blood Mixing and ABO Compatibility on Platelet-Leukocyte Aggregations and Platelet P-Selectin Expression: An in Vitro Study.

Effects of blood transfusions on platelet- and leukocyte-related inflammation are unclear. We simulated transfusion using in vitro blood mixing to evaluate platelet-leukocyte aggregations (PLA) and platelet P-selectin expression, and the mechanism of PLA. Donor packed red blood cells (pRBCs) were obtained from a blood bank.

A penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer rupture in the ascending aorta with hemopericardium: a case report.

Background: Acute aortic syndrome, including classic aortic dissection, intramural aortic hematoma, and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU), is a term used to describe a group of conditions with similar clinical symptoms, but with different pathophysiological mechanisms. PAU is a lesion that penetrates the internal elastic lamina through the media. It is usually located in the descending aorta and rarely observed in the ascending aorta.

Cancer Incidence among Heart, Kidney, and Liver Transplant Recipients in Taiwan.

Population-based evidence of the relative risk of cancer among heart, kidney, and liver transplant recipients from Asia is lacking. The Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was used to conduct a population-based cohort study of transplant recipients (n = 5396), comprising 801 heart, 2847 kidney, and 1748 liver transplant recipients between 2001 and 2012. Standardized incidence ratios and Cox regression models were used.

Assessment of the Risk Factors and Outcomes for Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation Patients Undergoing Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is the most common complication of cardiac surgery and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recognizing patients at high risk for developing postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) may help identify those who could benefit from strategies to prevent POAF. This study was conducted to delineate outcomes and to assess risk factors for POAF among Taiwanese patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Monotherapy with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody in a heart transplant recipient with sick sinus syndrome and posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder: a case report.

Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a serious complication of organ transplantation, with an incidence of 0.8% to 20% in heart transplant (HTx) recipients, and standard treatment may be too toxic in some cases. Rituximab is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that has demonstrated efficacy in patients with various lymphoid malignancies and has been demonstrated effective in combination with chemotherapy regimens such as CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone).