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Copper Sulfide Perfluorocarbon Nanodroplets as Clinically Relevant Photoacoustic/Ultrasound Imaging Agents
We have developed laser-activated perfluorocarbon nanodroplets containing copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS NPs) for contrast-enhanced ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging. As potential clinical contrast agents, CuS NPs have favorable properties including …
Publication
Blunting of cardioprotective actions of estrogen in female rodent heart linked to altered expression of cardiac tissue chymase and ACE2
Background:Diastolic dysfunction develops in response to hypertension and estrogen (E2) loss and is a forerunner to heart failure (HF) in women. The cardiac renin?angiotensin system (RAS) contributes to diastolic dysfunction, but its role with respect to …
Publication
PM 2.5 exposure in utero contributes to neonatal cardiac dysfunction in mice
Objective: Exposure of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) to pregnant dams has been shown to be strongly associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in offspring at adulthood, however, effects evident during neonatal periods are unclear. We designed this …
Publication
Cardiac hyporesponsiveness in severe sepsis is associated with nitric oxide-dependent activation of G protein receptor kinase
G protein-coupled receptor kinase isoform 2 (GRK2) has a critical role in physiological and pharmacological responses to endogenous and exogenous substances. Sepsis causes an important cardiovascular dysfunction in which nitric oxide (NO) has a relevant …
Publication
Photoacoustic-Guided Surgery with Indocyanine Green-Coated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Clusters
A common cause of local tumor recurrence in brain tumor surgery results from incomplete surgical resection. Adjunctive technologies meant to facilitate gross total resection have had limited efficacy to date. Contrast agents used to delineate tumors …
Publication
Interleukin-6 deficiency facilitates myocardial dysfunction during high fat diet-induced obesity by promoting lipotoxicity and inflammation
Objective Obesity is associated with metabolic disorder and chronic inflammation that plays a crucial role in cardiovascular diseases. IL-6 is involved in regulating obesity-related lipid metabolism and inflammation. In this study, we sought to determine …
Publication
Nilotinib Enhances Tumor Angiogenesis and Counteracts VEGFR2 Blockade in an Orthotopic Breast Cancer Xenograft Model with Desmoplastic Response
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-targeted therapies predominantly affect nascent, immature tumor vessels. Since platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) blockade inhibits vessel maturation and thus increases the …
Publication
Qiliqiangxin Attenuates Adverse Cardiac Remodeling after Myocardial Infarction in Ovariectomized Mice via Activation of PPARγ
Background/Aims: This study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medication Qiliqiangxin (QLQX) on adverse cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) in bilateral ovariectomized (OVX) female mice. Methods: …
Publication
Recombinant Decorin Fusion Protein Attenuates Murine Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation and Rupture
Decorin (DCN) is a small-leucine rich proteoglycan that mediates collagen fibrillogenesis, organization, and tensile strength. Adventitial DCN is reduced in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) resulting in vessel wall instability thereby predisposing the …
Publication
Human amnion cells reverse acute and chronic pulmonary damage in experimental neonatal lung injury
Background: Despite advances in neonatal care, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a significant contributor to infant mortality and morbidity. While human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs) have shown promise in small and large animal models of BPD, …