Discontinuation of β-blocker therapy in stabilised patients after acute myocardial infarction (SMART-DECISION): rationale and design of the randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: There is a lack of evidence to support the effectiveness of prolonged β-blocker therapy after stabilisation of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) without heart failure (HF) or left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Methods And Analysis: The SMart Angioplasty Research Team: DEcision on Medical Therapy in Patients with Coronary Artery DIsease or Structural Heart Disease Undergoing InterventiON (SMART-DECISION) trial is a multicentre, prospective, open-label, randomised, non-inferiority trial designed to determine whether discontinuing β-blocker therapy after ≥1 year of maintenance in stabilised patients after AMI is non-inferior to continuing it. Patients eligible for participation are those without HF or left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction >40%) who have been continuing β-blocker therapy for ≥1 year after AMI.

Prognostic impact of intravascular imaging in percutaneous coronary intervention according to atherothrombotic risk: a post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

Introduction And Objectives: Recent randomized controlled trials support the use of intravascular imaging-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to improve patient prognosis. However, the subsequent risk of clinical events in patients with coronary artery disease is not determined solely by lesion characteristics or how these lesions are treated. The current study investigated whether the effects of intravascular imaging in complex PCI vary according to atherothrombotic risks.

UG0712, A Ginsenoside Complex, Improved Endurance Performance and Changed Hepatic and Muscular Transcriptomic Signatures in C57BL/6N Male Mice.

Ginsenosides, active compounds derived from Panax ginseng, exhibit promising potential in enhancing physical performance. This study investigates the impact of UG0712 (UG), a novel ginsenoside compound, on endurance capacity, body weight, organ weights, blood parameters, and specific transcriptomic changes in liver and muscle tissues using a C57BL/6N mouse model. The mice received UGs orally at three doses: UG50 (50 mg/kg), UG100 (100 mg/kg), and UG200 (200 mg/kg) for a specified duration.

Single-Port Versus Multi-Port Robotic Retroperitoneal Partial Nephrectomy: A Propensity Score-Matched Comparison.

To compare the surgical results of retroperitoneal (RP) robot partial nephrectomy (PNx) using either a single-port robot (SP) or a multi-port robot (MP). We retrospectively reviewed all RP robotic PNx performed at a single institution from September 2021-when the SP robot was introduced to the institution-through April 2023. In total, 125 patients underwent the surgery; 81 patients were treated with surgery using a MP robot whereas 44 patients were treated with surgery using a SP.

The anti-inflammatory effect of a magnoliae cortex and Zea mays L. extract mixture in a canine model of ligature-induced periodontitis.

Background: Periodontitis is common in dogs. It is characterized by destruction of the supporting tissues of the teeth due to the host-immune response triggered by plaque. Magnoliae cortex and Zea mays L.

Optimal timing of revascularization for patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and severe left ventricular dysfunction.

Optimal timing of revascularization for patients who presented with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is unclear. A total of 386 NSTEMI patients with severe LV dysfunction from the nationwide, multicenter, and prospective Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry V (KAMIR-V) were enrolled. Severe LV dysfunction was defined as LV ejection fraction ≤ 35%.

NLRP3 Negative Regulation Mechanisms in the Resting State and Its Implications for Therapeutic Development.

The NACHT-, leucine-rich-repeat-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) is a critical intracellular sensor of the innate immune system that detects various pathogen- and danger-associated molecular patterns, leading to the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome and release of interleukin (IL) 1β and IL-18. However, the abnormal activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome has been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoinflammatory diseases such as cryopyrin-associated autoinflammatory syndromes (CAPS) and common diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and asthma. Recent studies have revealed that pyrin functions as an indirect sensor, similar to the plant guard system, and is regulated by binding to inhibitory 14-3-3 proteins.

Investigating the impact of environmental enrichment on proteome and neurotransmitter-related profiles in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with behavioral and cognitive impairments. Unfortunately, the drugs the Food and Drug Administration currently approved for AD have shown low effectiveness in delaying the progression of the disease. The focus has shifted to non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) because of the challenges associated with pharmacological treatments for AD.

Effect of intravenous palonosetron on hypotension induced by spinal anesthesia for cesarean section: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of intravenous palonosetron compared to ondansetron on hypotension induced by spinal anesthesia in women undergoing cesarean section.

Methods: Fifty-four women scheduled for elective cesarean section were, randomly allocated to ondansetron group (n = 27) or palonosetron group (n = 27). Ten minutes prior to the administration of spinal anesthesia, participants received an intravenous injection of either ondansetron or palonosetron.

Intravascular Imaging and Angiography Guidance in Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Among Patients With Diabetes: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Data are limited regarding the effects of intravascular imaging guidance during complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with diabetes.

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of intravascular imaging-guided vs angiography-guided complex PCI in patients with or without diabetes.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This prespecified secondary analysis of a subgroup of patients in RENOVATE-COMPLEX-PCI (Randomized Controlled Trial of Intravascular Imaging Guidance Versus Angiography-Guidance on Clinical Outcomes After Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention), an investigator-initiated, open-label multicenter trial, analyzed enrolled patients who underwent complex PCI at 20 sites in Korea from May 2018 through May 2021.

Impact of Intravascular Imaging-Guided Stent Optimization According to Clinical Presentation in Patients Undergoing Complex PCI.

Background: It is unclear whether the beneficial effects of intravascular imaging-guided stent optimization vary by clinical presentation during complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Objectives: In this prespecified, stratified subgroup analysis from RENOVATE-COMPLEX-PCI (Randomized Controlled Trial of Intravascular Imaging Guidance versus Angiography-Guidance on Clinical Outcomes After Complex PCI), we sought to compare the outcomes between intravascular imaging vs angiography guidance according to clinical presentation.

Methods: Patients with complex coronary artery lesions were randomly assigned to undergo either intravascular imaging-guided PCI or angiography-guided PCI in a 2:1 ratio.

Skin-brain axis in Alzheimer's disease - Pathologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic implications: A Hypothetical Review.

The dynamic interaction between the brain and the skin is termed the 'skin-brain axis.' Changes in the skin not only reflect conditions in the brain but also exert direct and indirect effects on the brain. Interestingly, the connection between the skin and brain is crucial for understanding aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

Multi-System-Level Analysis with RNA-Seq on Pterygium Inflammation Discovers Association between Inflammatory Responses, Oxidative Stress, and Oxidative Phosphorylation.

A pterygium is a common conjunctival degeneration and inflammatory condition. It grows onto the corneal surface or limbus, causing blurred vision and cosmetic issues. Ultraviolet is a well-known risk factor for the development of a pterygium, although its pathogenesis remains unclear, with only limited understanding of its hereditary basis.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Trichospira verticillata via suppression of the NLRP3 inflammasome in neutrophilic asthma.

Trichospira verticillata is an annual herb that belongs to the family Asteraceae. Trichospira verticillata extract (TVE) elicits anti-plasmodial activity; however, there has been no detailed report about its anti-inflammatory effects and molecular mechanisms. In addition, herbal plants exhibit anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Intravascular imaging-guided percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock.

Introduction And Objectives: There are no clinical data on the efficacy of intravascular imaging-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with angiography-guided PCI in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and cardiogenic shock. The current study sought to evaluate the impact of intravascular imaging-guided PCI in patients with AMI and cardiogenic shock.

Methods: Among a total of 28 732 patients from the nationwide pooled registry of KAMIR-NIH (November, 2011 to December, 2015) and KAMIR-V (January, 2016 to June, 2020), we selected a total of 1833 patients (6.

Prognostic Implications of N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients With Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Limited data exist regarding the prognostic implications of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods and results: Of 13,104 patients in the nationwide Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institutes of Health, 3,083 patients with NSTEMI who underwent PCI were included in the present study. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at 3 years, a composite of all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction, unplanned repeat revascularization, and admission for heart failure.

Downregulation of otulin induces inflammasome activation in neutrophilic asthma.

Background: Neutrophilic asthma (NA) is a severe asthma phenotype associated with steroid resistance and IL-1β overproduction; however, the exact mechanism remains unclear. Moreover, the dysfunction of TNF-α signaling pathway, a regulator of IL-1β production, was associated with the deficiency of ovarian tumor protease deubiquitinase with linear linkage specificity (otulin) in autoimmune patients.

Objective: We hypothesized that otulin downregulation in macrophages (Mφ) could trigger Mφ activation via the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome signaling pathway.

Intravascular Imaging-Guided Optimization of Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention by Sex: A Subgroup Analysis of the RENOVATE-COMPLEX-PCI Trial.

Importance: There have been heterogeneous results related to sex differences in prognosis after percutaneous coronary artery intervention (PCI) for complex coronary artery lesions.

Objective: To evaluate potential differences in outcomes with intravascular imaging-guided PCI of complex coronary artery lesions between women and men.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This prespecified substudy evaluates the interaction of sex in the investigator-initiated, open-label, multicenter RENOVATE-COMPLEX-PCI randomized clinical trial, which demonstrated the superiority of intravascular imaging-guided PCI compared with angiography-guided PCI in patients with complex coronary artery lesions.

Novel percutaneous technique for creation of porcine model of tricuspid regurgitation via two routes.

Objective: To develop an experimental porcine model of tricuspid regurgitation using two induction routes: the inferior vena cava and superior vena cava.

Methods: Tricuspid regurgitation was generated using the loop wire cutting method. The tricuspid regurgitation jet direction was controlled by accessing the valve through the inferior (n = 7) or superior (n = 6) vena cava.

Therapeutic Potential of Traditional Oriental Medicines in Targeting Tau Pathology: Insights from Cell-free and Cell-based Screening.

Background: Traditional Oriental Medicines (TOMs) formulated using a variety of medicinal plants have a low risk of side effects. In previous studies, five TOMs, namely Dangguijakyaksan, Hwanglyeonhaedoktang, Ukgansan, Palmijihwanghwan, and Jowiseungchungtang have been commonly used to treat patients with Alzheimer's disease. However, only a few studies have investigated the effects of these five TOMs on tau pathology.

Cost-Effectiveness of Intravascular Imaging-Guided Complex PCI: Prespecified Analysis of RENOVATE-COMPLEX-PCI Trial.

Background: Although clinical benefits of intravascular imaging-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with complex coronary artery lesions have been observed in previous trials, the cost-effectiveness of this strategy is uncertain.

Methods: RENOVATE-COMPLEX-PCI (Randomized Controlled Trial of Intravascular Imaging Guidance vs Angiography-Guidance on Clinical Outcomes After Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) was conducted in Korea between May 2018 and May 2021. This prespecified cost-effectiveness substudy was conducted using Markov model that simulated 3 states: (1) post-PCI, (2) spontaneous myocardial infarction, and (3) death.

Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis Identified ASNS and DDIT3 as the Therapeutic Target in Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

Many studies have demonstrated the mechanisms of progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and novel strategies for its treatment. Despite these advances, the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression to CRPC remain unclear, and currently, no effective treatments for CRPC are available. Here, we characterized the key genes involved in CRPC progression to gain insight into potential therapeutic targets.