Non-invasive optical imaging of cathepsin B with activatable fluorogenic nanoprobes in various metastatic models.

An increasing number of treatments of metastases rely on diagnostics and imaging these days. The facts that the activity of cathepsin B (CB) is markedly linked to the metastatic process and that CB is found highly expressed in the pericellular regions in this process make CB an attractive target for diagnosing metastases. We have developed a CB-sensitive nanoprobe (CB-CNP) consisting of self-quenched CB-sensitive fluorogenic peptide probes conjugated onto the surface of tumor-targeting glycol chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs).

Does the amount of atrial mass reduction improve clinical outcomes after radiofrequency catheter ablation for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation? Comparison between linear ablation and defragmentation.

Background: Although a large isolated surface area of the left atrium (LA) may improve the success rate of catheter ablation (CA) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), little is known about the relation between clinical outcomes and the amount of atrial mass reduction (AMR: ratio of total isolated and ablated areas to LA surface area) in different ablation strategies for patients with long-standing persistent AF (L-PeAF).

Methods: We randomly assigned 119 consecutive L-PeAF patients to adjunctive linear ablation (n=60) or complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE)-guided ablation (n=59) after circumferential antral pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Linear lesions included roof and anterior lines with conduction block.

The impact of high sensitivity C-reactive protein level on coronary artery spasm as assessed by intracoronary acetylcholine provocation test.

Purpose: High sensitive C-reactive protein (hs CRP) is well known as a strong risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of elevated hs CRP on coronary artery spasm (CAS) as assessed by intracoronary acetylcholine (ACh) provocation test.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1729 consecutive patients without significant CVD who underwent coronary angiography and intracoronary ACh test between November 2004 and August 2010 were analyzed.

Significant response to lower acetylcholine dose is associated with worse clinical and angiographic characteristics in patients with vasospastic angina.

Background And Objectives: The intracoronary injection of acetylcholine (Ach) has been shown to induce coronary spasms in patients with variant angina. Clinical significance and angiographic characteristics of patients with a significant response to lower Ach dosages are as-yet non-clarified compared with patients responding to higher Ach doses.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 3034 consecutive patients underwent coronary angiography with Ach provocation tests from January 2004 to August 2010.

Biocompatible glycol chitosan-coated gold nanoparticles for tumor-targeting CT imaging.

Purpose: The application of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in biomedical field was limited due to the low stability in the biological condition. Herein, to enhance stability and tumor targeting ability of AuNPs, their surface was modified with biocompatible glycol chitosan (GC) and the in vivo biodistribution of GC coated AuNPs (GC-AuNPs) were studied through computed tomography (CT).

Methods: Polymer-coated gold nanoparticles were produced using GC as a reducing agent and a stabilizer.

Extracellular fluid adjusted for body size is contracted in hypertension.

Extracellular fluid (ECF) is associated with blood pressure, but reports on the status of the ECF volume in hypertension have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to assess the ECF volume status in hypertensives with regard to body size in a large cohort. We performed a single-center case-control observation study for patients who visited the outpatient hypertension clinic and health examination center.

Angiographic and clinical characteristics according to intracoronary acetylcholine dose in patients with myocardial bridge.

Objectives: It is well known that myocardial bridge (MB) is a risk factor of vasospastic angina. However, clinical and angiographic characteristics according to different acetylcholine (ACh) dose in patients with MB are not clarified yet.

Methods: A total 483 consecutive patients who had angiographically proven MB underwent the intracoronary ACh provocation test.

Long-term safety and tolerability of aripiprazole once-monthly in maintenance treatment of patients with schizophrenia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of aripiprazole once-monthly (ARI-OM) for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia. This long-term, pivotal study had four phases: oral conversion (phase 1, 4-6 weeks); oral stabilization (phase 2, 4-12 weeks); ARI-OM stabilization with coadministration of oral aripiprazole in the first 2 weeks (phase 3, 12-36 weeks); and a 52-week, randomized [phase 4, ARI-OM vs. placebo (2 : 1)], double-blind, maintenance phase.

Facile method to radiolabel glycol chitosan nanoparticles with (64)Cu via copper-free click chemistry for MicroPET imaging.

An efficient and straightforward method for radiolabeling nanoparticles is urgently needed to understand the in vivo biodistribution of nanoparticles. Herein, we investigated a facile and highly efficient strategy to prepare radiolabeled glycol chitosan nanoparticles with (64)Cu via a strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition strategy, which is often referred to as click chemistry. First, the azide (N3) group, which allows for the preparation of radiolabeled nanoparticles by copper-free click chemistry, was incorporated to glycol chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs).

Effects of iatrogenic myocardial injury on coronary microvascular function in patients undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Iatrogenic myocardial injury by radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) releases proinflammatory substances from damaged myocardium, and these may contribute to endothelial dysfunction in systemic vascular structure. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of nonischemic myocardial damage on coronary microvascular function in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Methods And Results: We included 49 patients who underwent AF ablation (paroxysmal AF=25, persistent AF=24) and 34 controls.

Aripiprazole for the treatment of pediatric bipolar I disorder: a 30-week, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Objective:   To evaluate the long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of aripiprazole in pediatric subjects with bipolar I disorder.

Methods:   A randomized, double-blind, 30-week, placebo-controlled study of aripiprazole (10 or 30 mg/day) in youths (10-17 years) with bipolar I disorder (manic or mixed) ± psychotic features (n = 296) was performed. After four weeks, acute treatment completers continued receiving ≤26 weeks of double-blind treatment (n = 210).

[Investigation of microstructure of CVD carbon coating on SiC fiber by Raman spectrometer].

The microstructure and fracture morphology of carbon coatings were investigated by means of Raman spectrometer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which were prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on the surface of SiC fiber with C2 H2 + H2 and C2 H2 +C3 H8 + Ar as the reactants. The results show that the spectra of the carbon coating contain characteristic D, D" and G peaks around 1 350, 1 400-1 500 and 1 600 cm(-1) respectively, indicating a disordered-graphite structure with a small amount of amorphous carbon. The size of microcrystallite increased with the increase in temperature, and the degree of order, together with the uniformity in the carbon coating was improved simultaneously.

Effect of StentBoost imaging guided percutaneous coronary intervention on mid-term angiographic and clinical outcomes.

Introduction: The gold standard for evaluating stent expansion after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). However, the routine use of this modality is costly and time consuming. StentBoost is a new imaging technique that improves fluoroscopy-based assessments of stent expansion.

Impact of insulin resistance on 1-year clinical outcomes in non-diabetic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents.

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is known to be a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to evaluate the impact of IR on 1-year clinical outcomes in non-diabetic CAD patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DESs).

Methods And Results: A total of 229 consecutive non-diabetic CAD patients treated with DESs were enrolled.

[Effect of acrylonitrile on the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in spermatogenic cell of mice].

Objective: To explore the effect of acrylonitrile exposure on the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in mice spermatogenic cells.

Methods: Based on body weight, 250 SPF Kunming adult male mice were randomly divided into five groups: negative control group (normal saline 0.01ml/g), three AN exposure groups (intraperitoneal injection of 1.

Blood-pool multifunctional nanoparticles formed by temperature-induced phase transition for cancer-targeting therapy and molecular imaging.

Multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared based on temperature-induced phase transition in a molten mixture of Lipiodol(®), Tween 80, paclitaxel (PTX), and Pluronic F-68, wherein the Lipiodol(®)/Tween 80 mixture is used as a solubilizer for PTX, and Pluronic F-68 is used for the stabilization of the molten mixture. The morphology and size distribution of optimized multifunctional NPs were observed using transmittance electron microscopy (TEM) and a particle size analyzer. In the optical imaging of tumor-bearing mice using a near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging system, the multifunctional NPs were evaluated in terms of a time-dependent excretion profile, in vivo biodistribution and tumor-targeting capability compared to free fluorescence dye.

Effect of the stability and deformability of self-assembled glycol chitosan nanoparticles on tumor-targeting efficiency.

To evaluate the tumor targeting efficiency of self-assembled polymeric nanoparticles, four glycol chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) with different degrees of hydrophobic substitution were prepared by coupling 7.5, 12, 23, and 35 wt.% of 5β-cholanic acid to hydrophilic glycol chitosan polymer (GC).

Relationship between depression and subclinical left ventricular changes in the general population.

Objective: Individuals with depression are at risk of heart failure. This study was designed to elucidate the relationship between depression and subclinical left ventricular (LV) changes in the general Korean population.

Design: Cross-sectional cohort study.

Impact of heterogeneous overlapping drug-eluting stents on the arterial responses of rabbit iliac arteries: a comparison with overlapping bare metal stents.

Background And Objectives: Although the use of heterogeneous overlapping drug-eluting stents (DES) is not uncommon in clinical practice, whether the implantation sequences of heterogeneous DES will influence the endothelialization or arterial responses differently remains unclear.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-one rabbits were randomized to receive overlapping stents in the iliac artery for 3 months {distal sirolimus-eluting stent (SES, Cypher™)+proximal paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES, Taxus™) (C+T, n=7), distal Taxus+proximal Cypher (T+C, n=7) and bare metal stent (BMS)+BMS (B+B, n=7)}. Endothelial function was evaluated by the acetylcholine provocation test during follow-up angiography.

Impact of low-dose aspirin on coronary artery spasm as assessed by intracoronary acetylcholine provocation test in Korean patients.

High-dose aspirin has been reported to aggravate coronary artery spasm (CAS). However, it is unknown whether low-dose aspirin (LDA; 100 mg) has deleterious impact on CAS. We assessed the impact of LDA on CAS induced by intracoronary acetylcholine (ACh) provocation test.

Aripiprazole intramuscular depot as maintenance treatment in patients with schizophrenia: a 52-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a once-monthly intramuscular (IM) depot formulation of the dopamine partial agonist aripiprazole as maintenance treatment in adults meeting DSM-IV-TR schizophrenia criteria.

Method: The study was conducted from July 2008 until February 2011. Subjects requiring chronic treatment with an antipsychotic entered a 4- to 12-week oral stabilization phase and received oral aripiprazole (10-30 mg/d).

Theranostic nanoparticles based on PEGylated hyaluronic acid for the diagnosis, therapy and monitoring of colon cancer.

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. The considerable mortality from colon cancer is due to metastasis to other organs, mainly the liver. In the management of colon cancer, early detection and targeted therapy are crucial.