Safety and Efficacy of Pivot-Balloon for Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation: The First-in-Man Experiences.

Background And Objectives: Among various emerging catheter-based treatments for severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), the spacer device can reduce the regurgitation orifice without manipulating the valve leaflet. However, its clinical application has been hampered by traumatic anchoring to the myocardium and the coaxial alignment of the balloon resulting in insufficient TR reduction. This study aimed to evaluate the early-stage safety, technical feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of the novel atraumatic vertical spacer in patients with isolated severe TR.

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.

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.

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.

Ambient particulate matter exposure and urologic cancer: a longitudinal nationwide cohort study.

Increased particulate matter (PM) exposure is positively associated with increased incidence and mortality of many human malignancies. However, evidence of urologic cancer is limited. We aimed to evaluate the association between PM exposure and the relative risk of urologic cancer.

The Development of a Permanent Implantable Spacer with the Function of Size Adjustability for Customized Treatment of Regurgitant Heart Valve Disease.

The Pivot Mandu is an innovative device featuring a leak-tight adjustable 3D balloon spacer, incorporating inner mesh support, an outer e-PTFE layer, and a compliant balloon in the middle layer with a specialized detachable system. To assess its feasibility, proof of concept was rigorously evaluated through bench testing and survival porcine animal experiments. The results demonstrated successful remote inflation of the balloon system, with the balloon spacer exhibiting sustained patent and functional integrity over an extended observation period of up to 6 months.

The Association of Subspecialty and Sex with Industry Payments to Internal Medicine Physicians Who Recently Completed Training.

Background: Financial relationships with drug and medical device companies may impact quality of care and academic research. However, little is known when and how these financial relationships develop among newly independent physicians who recently completed from residency or fellowship programs in internal medicine (IM).

Objective: To compare patterns of industry payments among IM graduates.

Impact of Particulate Matter With an Aerodynamic Diameter <2.5 μm Concentration on Postoperative Renal Function in Living Kidney Donors.

Background: Ambient air pollution has become 1 of the most important public health issues worldwide. In particular, particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm (PM) is a fatal component of air pollution.

Identification of Lineage-specific Transcriptional Factor-defined Molecular Subtypes in Small Cell Bladder Cancer.

Small cell/neuroendocrine bladder cancers (SCBCs) are rare and highly aggressive tumors that are associated with poor clinical outcomes. We discovered that lineage-specific transcription factors (ASCL1, NEUROD1, and POU2F3) defined three SCBC molecular subtypes that resemble well-characterized subtypes in small cell lung cancer. The subtypes expressed various levels of neuroendocrine (NE) markers and distinct downstream transcriptional targets.

Comparing 12-core and 20-core biopsy for prostate cancer diagnosis with transperineal MR/US fusion biopsy: assessing the effective number of systemic cores using propensity score matching.

Purpose: For transperineal (TP) prostate biopsy, target biopsy for visible lesions on MRI is important, but there is no consensus of the number of systemic biopsy cores. Our study aimed to confirm the diagnostic efficiency of 20-core systemic biopsy by comparison with 12-core using propensity score matching (PSM).

Methods: The 494 patients conducted the naive TP biopsy were retrospectively analyzed.

Impact of modified bladder neck suspension on early recovery of continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

The incontinence after RARP significantly decreases the quality of life in prostate cancer patients. A number of techniques have been introduced for the recovery of continence after RARP. Although, the mechanism of the continence recovery is still unclear.

Direct Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Bridged Heart Transplantation: The Importance of Multi-Organ Failure.

Background And Objectives: Recently, approximately 40% of all heart transplantation (HTx) in South Korea are performed using the direct extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) bridging method. We conducted a study to examine the clinical outcome of direct ECMO-bridged HTx and to investigate the impact of multi-organ failure (MOF).

Methods: From June 2014 to September 2022, a total of 96 adult patients who underwent isolated HTx at a single tertiary hospital were included in the study.

The Clinical Outcomes of Marginal Donor Hearts: A Single Center Experience.

Background And Objectives: Although the shortage of donor is a common problem worldwide, a significant portion of unutilized hearts are classified as marginal donor (MD) hearts. However, research on the correlation between the MD and the prognosis of heart transplantation (HTx) is lacking. This study was conducted to investigate the clinical impact of MD in HTx.

Cancer Research Line (CAREL): Development of Expanded Distributed Research Networks for Prostate Cancer and Lung Cancer.

Big data-based multicenter medical research is expected to bring significant advances to cancer treatment worldwide. However, there are concerns related to data sharing among multicenter networks. Clinical data can be shielded by firewalls using distributed research networks (DRNs).

Irreversible electroporation for prostate cancer using PSMA PET-CT.

Background: To demonstrate the clinical usefulness of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) computerized tomography (CT) for irreversible electroporation (IRE) in prostate cancer patients.

Methods: From January to May 2021, 17 men were diagnosed with localized prostate cancer through preoperative mpMRI and [F] florastamin PSMA PET-CT imaging, followed by transperineal MRI-ultrasound fusion-guided biopsy. The patients underwent IRE focal therapy at the target lesions under general anesthesia.

A Single Dose of Novel PSMA-Targeting Radiopharmaceutical Agent [Lu]Ludotadipep for Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Phase I Clinical Trial.

[Lu]Ludotadipep, which enables targeted delivery of beta-particle radiation to prostate tumor cells, had been suggested as a promising therapeutic option for mCRPC. From November 2020 to March 2022, a total of 30 patients were enrolled for single dose of [Lu]Ludotadipep RPT, 6 subjects in each of the 5 different activity groups of 1.9 GBq, 2.