Publications by authors named "Yung C Chen"

Background: CRP (C-reactive protein) is a prototypical acute phase reactant. Upon dissociation of the pentameric isoform (pCRP [pentameric CRP]) into its monomeric subunits (mCRP [monomeric CRP]), it exhibits prothrombotic and proinflammatory activity. Pathophysiological shear rates as observed in aortic valve stenosis (AS) can influence protein conformation and function as observed with vWF (von Willebrand factor).

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Multimodal microendoscopes enable co-located structural and molecular measurements in vivo, thus providing useful insights into the pathological changes associated with disease. However, different optical imaging modalities often have conflicting optical requirements for optimal lens design. For example, a high numerical aperture (NA) lens is needed to realize high-sensitivity fluorescence measurements.

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Mechanosensitive ion channels mediate endothelial responses to blood flow and orchestrate their physiological function in response to hemodynamic forces. In this study, we utilized microfluidic technologies to study the shear-induced sensitization of endothelial Piezo-1 to its selective agonist, Yoda-1. We demonstrated that shear stress-induced sensitization is brief and can be impaired when exposing aortic endothelial cells to low and proatherogenic levels of shear stress.

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Those who are challenged by dependency on prescription drugs or suffer drug addictions have few options available to them for recovery, such as psychotherapy and physiotherapy. Here we present a new approach with clinical examples involving stimulant addiction or overdose of hypnotic drugs that were received BIOCERAMIC Resonance, which was developed based on concept of 12 meridian channels of traditional Chinese medicine, and has successful withdrawal or dose reduction benefits. We describe the whole process and the clinical outcome.

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Background:  Microvesicles (MVs) are small cell-derived vesicles, which are mainly released by activated cells. They are part of a communication network delivering biomolecules, for example, inflammatory molecules, via the blood circulation to remote cells in the body. Platelet-derived MVs are known to induce vascular inflammation.

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Atherosclerosis is a major cause of mortality and morbidity, which is mainly driven by complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke. These complications are caused by thrombotic arterial occlusion localized at the site of high-risk atherosclerotic plaques, of which early detection and therapeutic stabilization are urgently needed. Here we show that near-infrared autofluorescence is associated with the presence of intraplaque hemorrhage and heme degradation products, particularly bilirubin by using our recently created mouse model, which uniquely reflects plaque instability as seen in humans, and human carotid endarterectomy samples.

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Background: Aggregation of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has been observed in families of European origin, as well as those of African origin. However, it is not well documented if this disease aggregates in Asian families. Furthermore, the contribution of genetic factors and shared environmental factors to family aggregation remains unclear.

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Rationale: Myocardial infarction and stroke are leading causes of morbidity/mortality. The typical underlying pathology is the formation of thrombi/emboli and subsequent vessel occlusion. Systemically administered fibrinolytic drugs are the most effective pharmacological therapy.

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PreImplantation factor (PIF) is a 15-amino acid peptide endogenously secreted by viable embryos, regulating/enabling maternal (host) acceptance/tolerance to the "invading" embryo (allograft) all-while preserving maternal immunity to fight infections. Such attributes make PIF a potential therapeutic agent for chronic inflammatory diseases. We investigated whether PIF's immunomodulatory properties prevent progression of atherosclerosis in the hyper-cholesterolaemic ApoE-deficient murine model.

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Objective: It was postulated in our previous publications that the meridian channels as conceived in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are various standing waves arising from harmonic rhythmic sound frequencies originating from the human heart beat. BIOCERAMIC is an artificial material able to produce a weak force field causing different biophysical and systemic health benefits, with the key characteristics of hydrogen bonds weakening and microcirculation enhancement. Since discovering that the effects of a BIOCERAMIC field can be transmitted via sound waves propagation, we then also developed a BIOCERAMIC Resonance device to produce weak force field throughout the body, and achieve resonance with the body's meridian channels to reinforce microcirculation.

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Despite the number of animal models of atherosclerosis, a major limitation in research on mechanisms of plaque rupture is the lack of appropriate atherosclerotic mouse models where lesions develop and progress to a vulnerable and thus rupture-prone phenotype that is typically observed in humans. Most animal models of atherosclerosis typically represent a few but not the full combination of the characteristics seen in human unstable/ruptured plaques. Such characteristics most importantly include a thin and ruptured fibrous cap, plaque inflammation, neovascularization within the plaque (vasa vasorum), plaque hemorrhage, and intravascular (often occlusive) thrombus formation.

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Although blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) is well recognized for its significance in the military population, the unique mechanisms of primary bTBI remain undefined. Animate models of primary bTBI are critical for determining these potentially unique mechanisms, but the biomechanical characteristics of many bTBI models are poorly understood. In this study, we examine some common shock tube configurations used to study blast-induced brain injury in the laboratory and define the optimal configuration to minimize the effect of torso overpressure and blast-induced head accelerations.

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We demonstrated that the levels of enzymes responsible for the synthesis of glutathione (GSH) such as glutathione synthase (GSS), glutamate-cysteine ligase-catalytic subunit (GCLC), and glutathione reductase (GSR) were significantly reduced in the red blood cells (RBCs) isolated from individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and this reduction correlated with decreased levels of intracellular GSH. GSH content in RBCs can be used as a marker for increased overall oxidative stress and immune dysfunctions caused by HIV infection. Our data supports our hypothesis that compromised levels of GSH in HIV infected individuals' is due to decreased levels of GSH-synthetic enzymes.

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Background: Costimulatory cascades such as the CD40L-CD40 dyad enhance immune cell activation and inflammation during atherosclerosis. Here, we tested the hypothesis that CD40 directly modulates traits of the metabolic syndrome in diet-induced obesity in mice.

Methods And Results: To induce the metabolic syndrome, wild-type or CD40(-/-) mice consumed a high-fat diet for 20 weeks.

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Noninvasive diagnosis of atherosclerosis via single biomarkers has been attempted but remains elusive. However, a previous polymarker or pattern approach of urine polypeptides in humans reflected coronary artery disease with high accuracy. The aim of the current study is to use urine proteomics in ApoE(-/-) mice to discover proteins with pathophysiological roles in atherogenesis and to identify urinary polypeptide patterns reflecting early stages of atherosclerosis.

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The adhesion of leukocytes to endothelium plays a central role in the development of atherosclerosis and thus represents an attractive therapeutic target for anti-atherosclerotic therapies. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) mediates both the initial tethering and the firm adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial cells. Our work evaluates the feasibility of using the cytoskeletal anchorage of VCAM-1 as a target for gene therapy.

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Traumatic brain injury caused by explosive or blast events is currently divided into four phases: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary blast injury. These phases of blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) are biomechanically distinct, and can be modeled in both in-vivo and in-vitro systems. The purpose of this review is to consider the mechanical phases of bTBI, how these phases are reproduced with in-vitro models, and to review findings from these models to assess how each phase of bTBI can be examined in more detail.

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Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Noninvasive proteome analysis could guide clinical evaluation and early/preventive treatment. Under routine clinical conditions, urine of 67 patients presenting with symptoms suspicious for CAD were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis directly coupled with mass spectrometry (CE-MS).

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Selenium therapy in patients with severe sepsis improves clinical outcome and has been associated with increased activity of the selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase. However, the mechanism of the observed beneficial effects remains unclear. We determined the effect of selenium treatment on the monocyte adhesion molecule L-selectin and L-selectin-related monocyte functions in vitro and transferred our findings to an in vivo mouse model.

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Pulmonary toxicity is a rare but potentially fatal side effect occurring during interferon (IFN) alpha treatment for chronic hepatitis C. We present a 47-year-old woman who had chronic hepatitis C and was treated with pegylated IFN alpha-2b in combination with ribavirin, with a good virological response by week 10 of therapy. Then the patient began to complain of dyspnea on exertion and a dry cough.

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Objective: Therapeutic anticoagulation is widely used, but limitations in efficacy and bleeding complications cause an ongoing search for new agents. However, with new agents developed it seems to be an inherent problem that increased efficiency is accompanied by an increase in bleeding complications. We investigate whether targeting of anticoagulants to activated platelets provides a means to overcome this association of potency and bleeding.

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Platelet activation causes conformational changes of integrin GPIIb/IIIa (alpha(IIb)beta3), resulting in the exposure of its ligand-binding pocket. This provides the unique possibility to design agents that specifically block activated platelets only. We used phage display of single-chain antibody (scFv) libraries in combination with several rounds of depletion/selection to obtain human scFvs that bind specifically to the activated conformation of GPIIb/IIIa.

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Background Context: Intradiscal electrothermal annuloplasty (IDET) is a minimally invasive procedure for managing chronic discogenic low back pain (LBP). Although there have been numerous reports of IDET outcome rates, few have dissected the detailed factors affecting those outcomes.

Purpose: To evaluate how heating variables and the number of catheters used affect the outcomes and pain flare-up in LBP patients treated with IDET.

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Background Context: Partial removal of the nucleus has been shown to decompress herniated discs, relieving pressure on nerve roots and, in some cases, offering relief from disc pain. The nucleoplasty technique builds on earlier surgical approaches that helped validate the strategy of intranuclear tissue removal. Nucleoplasty, a new minimally invasive procedure using patented coblation technology, combines coagulation and ablation for partial removal of the nucleus pulposus to decompress the disc.

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