Effect of Standardized Bundle Care and Bundle Compliance on Reducing Surgical Site Infections: A Pragmatic Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND Care bundles for infection control consist of a set of evidence-based measures to prevent infections. This retrospective study aimed to compare surgical site infections (SSIs) from a single hospital surveillance system between 2017 and 2020, before and after implementing a standardized care bundle across specialties in 2019. It also aimed to assess whether bundle compliance affects the rate of SSIs.

Paclitaxel exerts antiplatelet and antithrombotic activities: Additional benefit from use of paclitaxel-coated balloons and -eluting stents in coronary revascularization and prevention of in-stent restenosis.

Introduction: Paclitaxel is a microtubule-stabilizing drug used to treat several types of cancer, including ovarian and breast cancer. Because of its antiproliferative effect on vascular smooth muscle cells, balloons and stents are coated with paclitaxel for use in coronary revascularization and prevention of in-stent restenosis (ISR). However, mechanisms underlying ISR are complicated.

Non-prompt surgery for patients with acute type A aortic dissection without pre-operative shock and malperfusion.

Background: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) requires urgent surgical treatment. However, during daily practice, there were some patients with ATAAD sought for medical attention several days after symptoms occurred and some other patients hesitated to receive aortic surgery after the diagnosis of ATAAD was made. This study aims to investigate the surgical outcomes of non-prompt aortic surgery (delayed diagnosis caused by the patient or delayed surgery despite immediate diagnosis) for ATAAD patients.

Development and testing of the shared decision-making attitudes scale among nurses in Taiwan: a cross-sectional scale development study.

Objective: Shared decision-making (SDM) enhances medical care, but an appropriate tool for evaluating nursing staff's attitudes towards SDM in clinical practice is lacking. The objective of this study is to develop the Nursing Shared Decision-Making Attitude (NSDMA) scale and verify its psychometric properties.

Design: Instrument design study.

Retrograde cerebral perfusion for surgery of type A aortic dissection.

Background: For type A aortic dissection (TAAD), antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) was proposed as a more physiological method than retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) for intra-operative brain protection, but it is still debatable whether antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) or retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) is related to the better clinical outcome. The present study was undertaken to compare the results in our patients receiving surgery for TAAD with ACP or RCP. The primary aim of this study was focused on the incidence of and the factors associated with surgical mortality, post-operative neurological outcomes and long-term survival.

Heart Transplantation Under Biventricular Mechanical Circulatory Support for Fulminant Myocarditis After a Bee Sting: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Venom related fulminant myocarditis is uncommon. The clinical course varies, and histopathology is usually unclear, however, refractory cardiogenic shock is rare. CASE REPORT We reported a case of a 36-year-old female who developed fever and cardiogenic shock 3 days after a bee sting.

Staged surgical repair for infants with interrupted aortic arch.

Background: Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly, which necessitates surgical treatment. There are several surgical strategies for corrective repair of IAA, such as one-stage repair, rapid two-stage repair and two-stage repair. Here, we reported our surgical result of staged-repair policy for the patients with IAA.

[Corrigendum] Structure‑activity relationship of three synthesized benzimidazole‑based oligosaccharides in human platelet activation.

Following the publication of the above paper, the authors noted that the third author affiliation was presented incorrectly. The third author affiliation should have been written as 'Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, and Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan'. Therefore, the author and affiliation details for this paper should have been presented as follows (the changes are highlighted in bold): YI CHANg1‑3*, WEN‑HsIEN HsU2,4*, WEN‑BIN YANg5, THANAsEKARAN JAYAKUMAR3, TZU‑YIN LEE3, JOEN‑RONg sHEU3, WAN‑JUNg LU3,6 and JIUN‑YI LI3,7.

[Corrigendum] Nobiletin, a citrus flavonoid, activates vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein in human platelets through non‑cyclic nucleotide‑related mechanisms.

Following the publication of the above paper, the authors noted that the first author affiliation was presented incorrectly. Essentially, 'School of Medicine' had been omitted from the address. Therefore, the author and affiliation details for this paper should have been presented as follows (the changes are highlighted in bold): THANASEKARAN JAYAKUMAR1*, KAO‑CHANG LIN1,2*, WAN-JUNG LU1,3, CHIA‑YING LIN4, GERALDINE PITCHAIRAJ5, JIUN‑YI LI4,6 and JOEN‑RONG SHEU1,4.

VAS2870 and VAS3947 attenuate platelet activation and thrombus formation via a NOX-independent pathway downstream of PKC.

NADPH oxidase (NOX) enzymes are involved in a various physiological and pathological processes such as platelet activation and inflammation. Interestingly, we found that the pan-NOX inhibitors VAS compounds (VAS2870 and its analog VAS3947) exerted a highly potent antiplatelet effect. Unlike VAS compounds, concurrent inhibition of NOX1, 2, and 4 by treatment with ML171, GSK2795039, and GKT136901/GKT137831 did not affect thrombin and U46619-induced platelet aggregation.

Suppression of Human Platelet Activation via Integrin αβ Outside-In Independent Signal and Reduction of the Mortality in Pulmonary Thrombosis by Auraptene.

Auraptene is the most abundant coumarin derivative from plants. The pharmacological value of this compound has been well demonstrated, especially in the prevention of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Platelet activation is a major factor contributing to arterial thrombosis.

Embelin as a Novel Inhibitor of PKC in the Prevention of Platelet Activation and Thrombus Formation.

Embelin is a quinone derivative and found in the fruits of Burm.f. Embelin has been identified as a small molecular inhibitor of X-chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis proteins, and has multiple biological activities, including antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and antitumor effects.

[Corrigendum] Novel iridium (III)‑derived organometallic compound for the inhibition of human platelet activation.

After the publication of the above paper, the authors noted that an incomplete version of the address was presented for the second author affiliation; essentially, 'School of Medicine' had been omitted from the address. Therefore, the author and affiliation details for this paper should have been presented as follows: Kou‑Gi Shyu1,2, Marappan Velusamy3, Chih‑Wei Hsia2, Chih‑Hao Yang2, Chih‑Hsuan Hsia2, Duen‑Suey Chou2, Thanasekaran Jayakumar2, Joen‑Rong Sheu2 And Jiun‑Yi Li2,4. 1Division of Cardiology, Shin Kong Wu Ho‑Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei 111; 2Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan, R.

Inhibitory effect of PDGF-BB and serum-stimulated responses in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by hinokitiol via up-regulation of p21 and p53.

Introduction: Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation plays a major role in the progression of vascular diseases. In the present study, we established the efficacy and the mechanisms of action of hinokitiol, a tropolone derivative found in , Cupressaceae, in relation to platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and serum-dependent VSMC proliferation.

Material And Methods: Primary cultured rat VSMCs were pre-treated with hinokitiol and then stimulated by PDGF-BB (10 ng/ml) or serum (10% fetal bovine serum).

Novel iridium (III)‑derived organometallic compound for the inhibition of human platelet activation.

Since cisplatin achieved clinical success, transition metal platinum (Pt) drugs have been effectively used for the treatment of cancer. Iridium (Ir) compounds are considered to be potential alternatives to Pt compounds, as they possess promising anticancer effects with minor side effects. Platelet activation is associated with the metastasis and progression of cancer, and also with arterial thrombosis.

New Therapeutic Agent against Arterial Thrombosis: An Iridium(III)-Derived Organometallic Compound.

Platelet activation plays a major role in cardio and cerebrovascular diseases, and cancer progression. Disruption of platelet activation represents an attractive therapeutic target for reducing the bidirectional cross talk between platelets and tumor cells. Platinum (Pt) compounds have been used for treating cancer.

Ketamine, a Clinically Used Anesthetic, Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation via PP2A-Activated PI3K/Akt/ERK Inhibition.

Abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) gives rise to major pathological processes involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases. The use of anti-proliferative agents for VSMCs offers potential for the treatment of vascular disorders. Intravenous anesthetics are firmly established to have direct effects on VSMCs, resulting in modulation of blood pressure.

Structure-activity relationship of three synthesized benzimidazole-based oligosaccharides in human platelet activation.

Antiplatelet agents have considerable benefits in the treatment of thromboembolic diseases; however, these agents still have substantial limitations due to their severe side-effects. In this study, the antiplatelet activity of three newly synthesized saccharide based benzimidazole derivatives, M3BIM, Malto-BIM and Melibio-BIM, in collagen and thrombin-stimulated human platelets in vitro was examined. Among the compounds tested, only compound M3BIM exerted concentration (20-60 µM)-dependent inhibitory effects against collagen (1 µg/ml) and thrombin (0.

Anti-embolic effect of Taorenchengqi Tang in rats with embolic stroke induced by occluding middle cerebral artery.

Objective: To investigate the anti-embolic effect of Taorenchengqi Tang (TRCQT), a formulas from Traditional Chinese Medicine, plus aspirin in rats with embolic stroke induced by selective occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Possible side effects of hemorrhagic incident and other bleeding events and anti-platelet effect were also explored.

Methods: Ninety rats were randomly separated into 9 groups (n = 10): group 1 a sham-operated group (n = 10); groups 2 and 3 orally treated with an isovolumetric solvent (distilled water) for 1 and 3 months, followed by thromboembolic occlusion (n = 10); groups 4 and 5 orally treated with aspirin (5 mg/kg) alone for 1 and 3 months, followed by thromboembolic occlusion (n = 10); groups 6 and 7 orally treated with TRCQT (0.

Nobiletin, a citrus flavonoid, activates vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein in human platelets through non-cyclic nucleotide-related mechanisms.

Nobiletin, a bioactive polymethoxylated flavone, has been described to possess a diversity of biological effects through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) is a common substrate for cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP-regulated protein kinases [i.e.

Reduction of connexin43 in human endothelial progenitor cells impairs the angiogenic potential.

Our previous work showed that arsenic trioxide down-regulated Cx43 and attenuated the angiogenic potential of human late endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). However, the relation between Cx43 and angiogenic activity of the EPC remained unclear. In the study, human late EPC were treated with siRNA specific to Cx43 (Cx43siRNA).

[Difference in predictors of self efficacy and compliance between diabetic and non diabetic patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery].

Background: Compared to their non-diabetic peers, diabetic patients who undergo coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) face greater complications and poorer outcomes. Identifying related risk factors is essential to improving post-CABG outcomes in this vulnerable population. Improving self-efficacy and compliance can further improve patient outcomes over the long term.

The Clinical Role of CT-Based Morphologic Description in Severely Calcified Coronary Arteries Ectasia Encountering Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Diffuse coronary arteries ectasia combined with calcification is seldom reported. Acute coronary syndrome, a potentially life-threatening disease, accompanied with coronary ectasia and diffuse calcification, made percutaneous coronary intervention difficult and risky owing to increasing complications rate. Dual-source computed tomography and three-dimensional volume rendering images help cardiovascular surgeon easier to localize the ideal site and facilitate the procedure.