Compositions and Methods of Modulating 15-PGDH Activity

Compounds and methods of modulating 15-PGDH activity, modulating tissue prostaglandin levels, treating disease, diseases disorders, or conditions in which it is desired to modulate 15-PGDH activity and/or prostaglandin levels include 15-PGDH inhibitors and 15-PGDH activators described herein

Compositions and Methods of Modulating 15-PGDH Activity

Compounds and methods of modulating 15-PGDH activity, modulating tissue prostaglandin levels, treating disease, diseases disorders, or conditions in which it is desired to modulate 15-PGDH activity and/or prostaglandin levels include 15-PGDH inhibitors and 15-PGDH activators described herein

Low driving voltage and long lifetime organic light-emitting diodes with molybdenum oxide (MoO3) doped hole transport layer

We report low-operating-voltage, long-lifetime organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with a molybdenum-oxide (MoO$_3$)-doped N,N'-di(1-naphthyl)-N,N'-diphenylbenzidine ($\alpha$-NPD) layer between the indium tin oxide and the $\alpha$-NPD. The current density-voltage-luminance characteristics and the lifetime were studied for various MoO$_3$ doping concentrations and thicknesses. The devices with $\alpha$-NPD layers of various MoO$_3$ doping concentrations and thicknesses exhibited lower driving voltage and higher power efficiency compared with the undoped devices. Furthermore, the device with MoO$_3$-doped hole transport layer showed a longer lifetime and a much reduced operational voltage variation. The optical absorption spectra of the MoO$_3$-doped $\alpha$-NPD layer showed two new peaks, around 500 and 1400 nm, indicating that charge transfer complexes had formed between MoO$_3$ and $\alpha$-NPD. The p-type doping of $\alpha$-NPD by MoO$_3$ improved hole injection. In addition, AFM images show that the morphology of the MoO$_3$-doped $\alpha$-NPD layer improved with increasing MoO$_3$ doping concentration. Therefore, the improved device performance can be attributed to the higher hole-injection efficiency and the improved morphology of the MoO$_3$-doped $\alpha$-NPD layer.This work was supported by \Samsung SDI - Seoul National University Display Innovation Program" and \New Growth Engine Display Center", Ministry of Com- merce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE), Korea

Electrospun Silk Fibroin Nanofibrous Scaffolds with Two-Stage Hydroxyapatite Functionalization for Enhancing the Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The development of functional scaffolds with improved osteogenic potential is important for successful bone formation and mineralization in bone tissue engineering. In this study, we developed a functional electrospun silk fibroin (SF) nanofibrous scaffold functionalized with two-stage hydroxyapatite (HAp) particles, using mussel adhesive-inspired polydopamine (PDA) chemistry. HAp particles were first incorporated into SF scaffolds during the electrospinning process, and then immobilized onto the electrospun SF nanofibrous scaffolds containing HAp via PDA-mediated adhesive chemistry. We obtained two-stage HAp-functionalized SF nanofibrous scaffolds with improved mechanical properties and capable of providing a bone-specific physiological microenvironment. The developed scaffolds were tested for their ability to enhance the osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSCs) in vitro and repair bone defect in vivo. To boost their ability for bone repair, we genetically modified hADMSCs with the transcriptional coactivator with PDZbinding motif (TAZ) via polymer nanoparticle-mediated gene delivery. TAZ is a well-known transcriptional modulator that activates the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Two-stage HAp-functionalized SF scaffolds significantly promoted the osteogenic differentiation of TAZ-transfected hADMSCs in vitro and enhanced mineralized bone formation in a critical-sized calvarial bone defect model. Our study shows the potential utility of SF scaffolds with nanofibrous structures and enriched inorganic components in bone tissue engineering.© 2017 American Chemical Societ

The successful clinical outcomes of pregnant women with advanced chronic kidney disease

AbstractBackgroundSuccessful pregnancy outcomes in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) are increasingly common in Western countries. However, in Korea, the available literature addressing this clinical issue is scarce.MethodsWe reviewed 5 successful parturitions [1 patient with Stage 5 CKD and 4 with maintenance hemodialysis (HD)] at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital over 3 years and investigated changes in dialysis prescription, anemia management, and the incidence of maternal and neonatal complications.ResultsThere were no maternal or neonatal deaths in this cohort. The mean age at the time of conception and delivery was 35.8 ± 3.7 and 36.2 ± 3.5 years, respectively. Dialysis patients received more frequent and intensified HD during pregnancy, 20.0 ± 5.7 h/wk of HD over 5 visits with the ultrafiltration dose maintained between 1 and 2 kg per session. All patients received erythropoietin-stimulating agents and iron replacement therapy during pregnancy. The mean hematocrit was 33.1 ± 1.9% before pregnancy and was well maintained during gestation (33.9 ± 3.8% at the first trimester, 29.2 ± 4.2% at the second trimester, and 33.6 ± 8.7% at delivery). The mean gestation period was 32.7 ± 4.7 weeks, with 60% of patients experiencing premature delivery. The primary maternal complication was pre-eclampsia; 3 women developed pre-eclampsia and underwent emergency cesarean sections. Most neonatal complications were related to preterm birth.ConclusionDialysis-related care and general clinical management improved the clinical outcome of pregnancy for patients with advanced CKD

Failure of Conservative Treatment in Two Cases of Polyarteritis Nodosa with Superior Mesenteric Artery Involvement Presenting with Abdominal Pain

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis affecting medium- or small-sized arteries. Its diagnosis may be delayed because it is a rare disease, and patients presenting with PAN demonstrate variable clinical manifestations and non-specific laboratory abnormalities. Gastrointestinal involvement occurs in 14∼65% of patients with PAN and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Thus, early diagnosis is very important in PAN with gastrointestinal involvement. We report two cases of rapidly progressive PAN presenting with abdominal pain, having failed conservative treatment