miR-211 regulates the expression of in tumoral metastasis and recurrence in colorectal cancer patients with a gene mutation.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third-leading cause of cancer-associated mortalities in Taiwan. The expression of ribonucleotide reductase M2 () and is associated with tumoral malignancy and progression in several types of cancer. The aim of the present study was to determine the association of with the upstream expression of microRNA ( and the association of expression levels of and with clinical outcomes in patients with CRC.

MicroRNA expression profiling in PBMCs: a potential diagnostic biomarker of chronic hepatitis C.

The expression levels of miR-16, miR-193b, miR-199a, miR-222, and miR-324 in PBMCs were significantly higher in CHC patients compared with healthy controls and significantly different between CHC patients with HCV genotype 1 (GT-1) and non-genotype-1 (non-GT-1). Multivariate logistic regression analysis also showed that patients with high expression levels of the six target miRNAs had an approximately 7.202-fold risk of CHC compared with those with low expression levels of the target miRNAs.

Assessment of health-related quality of life in antiviral-treated Taiwanese chronic hepatitis C patients using SF-36 and CLDQ.

Background: Interferon (IFN) therapy can cause significant side effects in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients; however, the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of antiviral-treated CHC patients has not been established in Taiwan. This study evaluated domains and the degree to which antiviral treatment affects the HRQOL in CHC patients and identifies factors associated with variations between patients.

Methods: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) in 108 antiviral-treated CHC patients.

Safety and efficacy of adefovir therapy for lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus infection in renal transplant recipients.

Background/purpose: The emergence of lamivudine (LAM)-resistant mutants after prolonged LAM therapy may reduce its therapeutic effects against hepatitis B virus (HBV). Adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) is an effective treatment of LAM-resistant HBV infections. However, only limited data are available regarding the safety and efficacy of ADV for treating HBsAg-positive renal transplant recipients.