Supermicrosurgical lymphovenous anastomosis for the treatment of recurrent cellulitis-associated lymphedema in the lower limb.

Recurrent leg cellulitis can damage the lymphatic system and result in chronic lymphedema. Antibiotic therapy is administered to prevent cellulitis; however, antibiotic-resistant bacteria frequently occur. Supermicrosurgical lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) can play a role in stopping the vicious circle by improving lymph circulation.

The predictive value of global longitudinal strain in patients with heart failure mid-range ejection fraction.

Background: Heart failure (HF) with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) is defined as HF with a left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) of 41-49%. However, the change in LV function and the subsequent prognosis in these patients remain unclear. We aimed to investigate whether LV global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) could differentiate the changes in LVEF and predict the clinical outcomes in patients with HFmrEF.

Clinical outcomes of detrusor underactivity in female with advanced pelvic organ prolapse following vaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery.

Aim: To determine the impact of vaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery (PRS) on detrusor underactivity (DU) patients having advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods: A retrospective study of patients who underwent PRS for advanced POP (POP-Q ≥ 3) with DU. Data regarding preoperative evaluation, surgical procedure, and post-operative management were collated.

Clinical Relevance and Treatment Selection of Ureteral Injury After Cesarean Section.

Introduction: The aim of this case series was to report the clinical relevance and management outcomes of ureteral injuries acquired secondary to cesarean section.

Methods: This was a retrospective case series from January 2007 to September 2014. Description of the patients' characteristics, diagnostic tools for investigation, management, and postoperative follow-up was conducted on postcesarean section patients who developed symptoms of urine leakage after cesarean section and necessitated secondary surgery for ureteral injury.

Immediate tissue transplantation in upper limb trauma: spare parts reconstruction.

The management of mutilated upper extremity wounds offers challenges for all hand surgeons. Loss of composite tissues usually requires grafts or flaps to gain coverage and restore function. Nonsalvagable digits or amputated parts are a source of spare tissues that can be used for reconstruction of the hand or limb.

Secondary reconstructive surgery following major upper extremity replantation.

Background: Little literature currently exists on reconstructive strategies following successful upper extremity replantation. The authors hypothesized that the type of secondary surgery would vary predictably depending on mechanism and amputation level.

Methods: The authors performed a retrospective review of upper extremity replantations performed at their institution between 2003 and 2012.

Quantitative analyses of CTP-499 and five major metabolites by core-structure analysis.

CTP-499 is a novel oral multi-subtype selective inhibitor of PDEs that is currently in clinical testing, in combination with angiotensin modulators, as a potentially first-in-class treatment for diabetic kidney disease. The compound was discovered and developed by using Concert's proprietary DCE Platform(®) in which deuterium was incorporated at select positions of 1-((S)-5-hydroxyhexyl)-3,7-dimethylxanthine (HDX). CTP-499 metabolizes to five major metabolites: C-21256, D-M2, D-M3, D-M4 and M5, of which all contains deuterium except M5.

Survival and secondary surgery following lower extremity replantation.

Background:  The limited and inconsistent literature exists on survival and secondary surgery following lower limb replantation. The purpose of this study was to review our institutional experience in lower extremity replantation to quantify survival and characterize secondary surgeries.

Methods:  We performed a retrospective chart review of all lower extremity replantations at our institution between 2000 and 2012.

Increasing the success of reverse sural flap from proximal part of posterior calf for traumatic foot and ankle reconstruction: patient selection and surgical refinement.

In this report, we present our experience on the use of the reverse sural flap for traumatic foot and ankle reconstruction. The patient selection and surgical refinement are discussed. From 2007 to 2010, 11 consecutive patients underwent modified reverse sural flap at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of helioxanthin analogues.

Helioxanthin and analogues have been demonstrated to suppress gene expression of human hepatitis B virus. In the continuous attempt to optimize antiviral activity, various structural motifs were grafted on the helioxanthin scaffold. Many such analogues were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-hepatitis B virus activity.

Safety and Efficacy of Tien-Hsien Liquid Practical in Patients with Refractory Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, Phase IIa Trial.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Tien-Hsien Liquid Practical (THL-P), a Chinese herbal mixture, in patients with refractory metastatic breast cancer, we performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase IIa pilot trial. Patients were randomly assigned to either receive THL-P or matching placebo and followed up every 4 weeks for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was changes in the global health status/quality of life (GHS/QOL) scale.

Synthesis and the biological evaluation of arylnaphthalene lignans as anti-hepatitis B virus agents.

We have previously shown that helioxanthin can suppress human hepatitis B virus gene expression. A series of helioxanthin analogues were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-hepatitis B virus activity. Modifications at the lactone rings and methylenedioxy unit of helioxanthin can modulate the antiviral activity.

The role of helioxanthin in inhibiting human hepatitis B viral replication and gene expression by interfering with the host transcriptional machinery of viral promoters.

A non-nucleosidic compound, Helioxanthin (HE-145), was found to suppress HBV gene expression and replication in HCC cells. To understand the molecular mode of action of HE-145 on HBV gene expression, the effects of HE-145 on four viral promoter activities using luciferase as a reporter were examined. It was found that HE-145 selectively suppresses surface antigen promoter II (SPII) and core promoter (CP) but has no effect on surface antigen promoter I (SPI) or promoter for X gene (Xp).

Survival of second and multiple primary tumors in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma in the betel quid chewing area.

We report the incidence, risk factor(s), and overall survival (OS) of second/multiple primary tumors (SPTs/MPTs) in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients in betel quid chewing areas. Of 816 untreated OSCC patients who had radical surgery, 15.7% had either synchronous or metachronous SPTs.

Surgical outcome of T4a and resected T4b oral cavity cancer.

Background: The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 2002 staging system (AJCC 2002) suggested that squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC) with T4b is unresectable. The current retrospective results show that selected T4b patients were resectable with favorable outcomes.

Methods: From January 1996 to December 2000, 103 consecutive untreated T4 OSCC patients (reclassified by AJCC 2002) without carotid artery encasement and skull base extension were eligible for radical treatment.

Higher distant failure in young age tongue cancer patients.

The objective of this study was to understand if the age of the patient at onset of tongue cancer was an adverse factor for patient survival and distant metastasis (DM). Data were collected from a retrospective database (January 1996-June 2003, n=296). Local control rates, neck control rates, DM rates, and survival curves were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method.