Electrospun Ibuprofen-Loaded Blend PCL/PEO Fibers for Topical Drug Delivery Applications.

Electrospun drug-eluting fibers have demonstrated potentials in topical drug delivery applications, where drug releases can be modulated by polymer fiber compositions. In this study, blend fibers of polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) at various compositions were electrospun from 10 wt% of polymer solutions to encapsulate a model drug of ibuprofen (IBP). The results showed that the average polymer solution viscosities determined the electrospinning parameters and the resulting average fiber diameters.

Bacteriophage therapy for the treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections in humanized mice.

The continuing emergence of new strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has renewed interest in phage therapy; however, there has been limited progress in applying phage therapy to multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infections. In this study, we show that bacteriophage strains D29 and DS6A can efficiently lyse Mtb H37Rv in 7H10 agar plates. However, only phage DS6A efficiently kills H37Rv in liquid culture and in Mtb-infected human primary macrophages.

Autopsy of Drug-induced Lung Injury with Atypical Diffuse Alveolar Disorder due to Amiodarone.

Amiodarone, a prominent antiarrhythmic drug, may cause lung injury. We herein report the case of an 87-year-old man who had been taking amiodarone for 5 years and was subsequently referred due to respiratory failure. Chest computed tomography revealed multiple consolidations with air bronchograms in both lungs.

Myocardin regulates fibronectin expression and secretion from human pleural mesothelial cells.

During the progression of pleural fibrosis, pleural mesothelial cells (PMCs) undergo a phenotype switching process known as mesothelial-mesenchymal transition (MesoMT). During MesoMT, transformed PMCs become myofibroblasts that produce increased extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, including collagen and fibronectin (FN1) that is critical to develop fibrosis. Here, we studied the mechanism that regulates FN1 expression in myofibroblasts derived from human pleural mesothelial cells (HPMCs).

Role of ZIP kinase in development of myofibroblast differentiation from HPMCs.

During the development of pleural fibrosis, pleural mesothelial cells (PMCs) undergo phenotypic switching from differentiated mesothelial cells to mesenchymal cells (MesoMT). Here, we investigated how external stimuli such as TGF-β induce HPMC-derived myofibroblast differentiation to facilitate the development of pleural fibrosis. TGF-β significantly increased di-phosphorylation but not mono-phosphorylation of myosin II regulatory light chain (RLC) in HPMCs.

Myo5b Transports Fibronectin-Containing Vesicles and Facilitates FN1 Secretion from Human Pleural Mesothelial Cells.

Pleural mesothelial cells (PMCs) play a central role in the progression of pleural fibrosis. As pleural injury progresses to fibrosis, PMCs transition to mesenchymal myofibroblast via mesothelial mesenchymal transition (MesoMT), and produce extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins including collagen and fibronectin (FN1). FN1 plays an important role in ECM maturation and facilitates ECM-myofibroblast interaction, thus facilitating fibrosis.

Mitochondria-associated myosin 19 processively transports mitochondria on actin tracks in living cells.

Mitochondria are fundamentally important in cell function, and their malfunction can cause the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neuronal disorders. Myosin 19 (Myo19) shows discrete localization with mitochondria and is thought to play an important role in mitochondrial dynamics and function; however, the function of Myo19 in mitochondrial dynamics at the cellular and molecular levels is poorly understood. Critical missing information is whether Myo19 is a processive motor that is suitable for transportation of mitochondria.

Bedside Electrophysiological Study Using a Temporary Pacemaker May Predict Recurrence of Atrioventricular Block After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

High-degree atrioventricular block (HAVB) or complete heart block (CHB) is a common complication associated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, some patients with HAVB/CHB recover with time. The results of electrophysiological studies (EPSs) using permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) in patients with suspicious HAVB/CHB are considered controversial.

Use of the orbital atherectomy system backed up with the guide-extension catheter for a severely tortuous calcified coronary lesion.

A 68-year-old man was scheduled to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention for in-stent total occlusion of the severely tortuous right coronary artery. Intravascular ultrasound revealed heavy in-stent calcification. Lesion atherectomy was required; however, severe proximal vessel tortuosity was detected.

Additional debulking efficacy of low-speed rotational atherectomy after high-speed rotational atherectomy for calcified coronary lesion.

We aimed to evaluate the additional debulking efficacy of low-speed rotational atherectomy (RA) after high-speed RA by using intravascular imaging. A total of 22 severe calcified coronary lesions in 19 patients (age, 74 ± 10 years; 74% male) were retrospectively analyzed. All of these lesions underwent RA under optical coherence tomography (OCT) or optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) guidance.

Sustained drug retention after paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty for superficial femoral artery disease: Follow-up intravascular imaging.

A 63 year-old woman with claudication underwent endovascular therapy for diffuse stenosis of the right superficial femoral artery in our hospital. We performed paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty using the IN.PACT™ Admiral™ and achieved acceptable results.

Clinical Impact and Predictors of the Slow-Flow Phenomenon after Endovascular Treatment of Infrapopliteal Lesions Using the Crosser Catheter in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia.

Purpose: To determine the clinical impact and predictors of slow flow after endovascular treatment (EVT) using the Crosser catheter for debulking infrapopliteal lesions associated with critical limb ischemia.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 65 patients with critical limb ischemia (70 limbs, 90 infrapopliteal lesions), who underwent EVT using the Crosser catheter between November 2011 and February 2017. The Crosser catheter was used when the balloon catheter could not be passed through the lesion or could not be dilated sufficiently.

Revelation of early repolarization by eliminating accessory pathway in manifest Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: A case report.

A 23-year-old male with manifest Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome presented with a first occurrence of ventricular fibrillation (VF). Initially, we anticipated the occurrence of atrial fibrillation, causing rapid antegrade conduction over the accessory pathway and, thus, resulting in hemodynamic deterioration. Electrophysiological study revealed that the atrioventricular accessory pathway was located at the mid-septum.

Comparison of Balloon Angioplasty and Stent Implantation for Femoropopliteal Disease According to Patient and Lesion Subgroup.

Little is known about the superiority of balloon angioplasty vs. stent implantation for femoropopliteal (FP) lesions according to subgroup. This study involved 1,018 de novo (balloon angioplasty, n=462; stent implantation, n=556) and 114 in-stent restenosis (ISR) FP lesions (balloon angioplasty, n=69; stent implantation, n=45) treated with endovascular therapy.

Myocardin Is Involved in Mesothelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Human Pleural Mesothelial Cells.

Pleural fibrosis is characterized by severe inflammation of the pleural space and pleural reorganization. Subsequent thickening of the visceral pleura contributes to lung stiffness and impaired lung function. Pleural mesothelial cells (PMCs) can become myofibroblasts mesothelial-mesenchymal transition (MesoMT) and contribute to pleural organization, fibrosis, and rind formation.

Prognostic value of objective nutritional status after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: This study aimed to elucidate the prognostic value of objective nutritional status after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods: This study enrolled 150 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR between February 2014 and March 2017. Nutritional status was assessed using the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score before TAVR.

Successful Treatment of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome with Both Diffuse Peritonitis and Necrotizing Fasciitis.

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a life-threatening disease caused by infection of . Here, we report an uncommon case of STSS with both diffuse peritonitis and necrotizing fasciitis and summarize previous cases. The patient was diagnosed with STSS due to an infection of the soft tissue of the lower extremity after surgery for diffuse peritonitis.

Distal embolization of coronary calcified nodule after rotational atherectomy.

A 62-year-old man with effort angina underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in our hospital. The target lesion was severely calcified at the mid part of the right coronary artery. Pre-procedural intravascular imaging and optical frequency domain imaging showed a calcified nodule at the lesion.

Differences between first-generation and second-generation drug-eluting stent regarding in-stent neoatherosclerosis characteristics: an optical coherence tomography analysis.

We compared first-generation and second-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) with respect to neoatherosclerosis using optical coherence tomography or optical frequency domain imaging. In-stent restenoses in 102 first-generation and 114 second-generation DES were retrospectively assessed. Neoatherosclerosis, which was defined as the presence of lipid-laden neointima or calcification inside a stent, was observed in 33 (27.

Sinus Standstill in a Patient after Intracoronary Papaverine Administration for a Coronary Fractional Flow Reserve.

A 78-year-old woman had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and effort angina. Two months before she was admitted for a coronary angiography, she had been feeling dizzy. A Holter 24-hour electrocardiography monitor exhibited an asymptomatic episode of 2.

Optical frequency-domain imaging findings to predict good stent expansion after rotational atherectomy for severely calcified coronary lesions.

We aimed to evaluate the optical frequency-domain imaging (OFDI) findings after rotational atherectomy (RA) that predict good stent expansion for severely calcified coronary lesions. Fifty consecutive calcified lesions were subjected to RA under OFDI guidance. We performed OFDI just after RA and stenting.

Simple classification and clinical outcomes of angiographic dissection after balloon angioplasty for femoropopliteal disease.

Objective: Angiographic dissection is considered to be associated with restenosis. However, little is known about the impact of the severity of angiographic dissection on future restenosis.

Methods: A total of 319 consecutive de novo femoropopliteal lesions were treated by balloon angioplasty alone.

Very early neointimal coverage of new biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stent compared with durable polymer everolimus-eluting stent evaluated by optical frequency domain imaging.

Polymeric component is associated with the increased risk of delayed vessel healing and stent endothelialization. We aimed to clarify neointimal coverage within 1 month after implantation of the new-generation abluminal biodegradable polymer (BP) drug-eluting stent (DES) compared with the second-generation durable polymer (DP) everolimus-eluting stent (EES). Between November 2015 and October 2016, 32 BP-DES and 25 DP-EES were evaluated by optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) within 1 month after the procedure.