Exploring knowledge, attitude, and intention towards advance care planning, advance directive, and the patient self-determination act among hemodialysis patients.

Background: Hemodialysis holds the highest incidence and prevalence rate in Taiwan globally. However, the implementation of advance care planning (ACP), advance directives (AD), and patient self-determination acts (PSDA) remains limited. Our objective was to examine the current status of ACP, AD and PSDA and potential opportunities for enhancement.

ZEB1-mediated vasculogenic mimicry formation associates with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cell phenotypes in prostate cancer.

The zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) induced the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and altered ZEB1 expression could lead to aggressive and cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotypes in various cancers. Tissue specimens from 96 prostate cancer patients were collected for immunohistochemistry and CD34/periodic acid-Schiff double staining. Prostate cancer cells were subjected to ZEB1 knockdown or overexpression and assessment of the effects on vasculogenic mimicry formation in vitro and in vivo.

MiR-126 regulates proliferation and invasion in the bladder cancer BLS cell line by targeting the PIK3R2-mediated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Objective: To assess whether microRNA-126 (miR-126) targets phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit beta (PIK3R2) and to determine the potential roles of miR-126 in regulating proliferation and invasion via the PIK3R2-mediated phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway in the human bladder BLS cell line.

Materials And Methods: A recombinant lentivirus (Lv) vector expressing miR-216 (Lv-miR-126) was successfully constructed, and Lv-miR-126 and Lv vector were transfected into the BLS cell line. A direct regulatory relationship between miR-126 and the PIK3R2 gene was demonstrated by luciferase reporter assays.

[The analysis of perioperative complications during radical cystectomy using a standardized reporting system].

Objectives: To analyze the perioperative complications of radical cystectomy using a standardized reporting methodology.

Methods: The clinical data of 233 cases of radical cystectomy from January 1996 to December 2008 were reviewed. Two hundred male patients and 33 female patients were included.

[Factors associated with increased blood loss in patients undergoing radical cystectomy in a contemporary series].

Objective: To evaluate factors predictive of blood loss in radical cystectomy in a contemporary series.

Methods: From December 1996 to December 2008, clinical data of 233 patients who underwent radical cystectomy were reviewed retrospectively. Various preoperative and operative factors were assessed for their association with blood loss using univariate, multivariate regression and correlation analysis.

Construction of a recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid containing human PDLIM2 gene and its biological activity.

In order to obtain a full-length expression plasmid for human PDLIM2 gene, fragment amplification was used to clone its full-length coding sequence (CDS) region. The amplified PCR product was then digested and inserted into the pMD 18-T vector and subcloned into the pIRES2-EGFP plasmid to form the pIRES2-EGFP-PDLIM2 eukaryotic expression vector. After it was transfected to the bladder cancer cell line, BIU-87, the biological activities of high expression were verified by RT-PCR and Western blotting.

The prognostic value of hydronephrosis in bladder cancer treated by radical cystectomy.

Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic impact of hydronephrosis in bladder cancer treated by radical cystectomy.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 126 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of bladder, who underwent radical cystectomy at our hospital from January 2003 through May 2010. The relationship between hydronephrosis, tumor stage, and lymph node status was analyzed.

Comparison of surgical stress response to laparoscopic and open radical cystectomy.

Objectives: To prospectively compare stress response to laparoscopic and open radical cystectomy by the measurement of humoral mediators and the incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).

Methods: Thirty-eight patients undergoing radical cystectomy were prospectively assessed. Blood samples were obtained from all patients before surgery, during surgery, 72 h after surgery.

Comparison of hand-assisted laparoscopic and open radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Purpose: To present our experience of hand-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (HALRC) and compare it with open radical cystectomy (ORC).

Patients And Methods: During the period between May 2004 and November 2007, 31 patients underwent HALRC and 39 patients underwent ORC for bladder cancer. The patient demographics, intraoperative variables and postoperative outcomes were compared retrospectively.

Hand-assisted versus pure laparoscopic radical cystectomy: a clinical outcome comparison.

Objectives: To compare hand-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (HALRC) with the standard laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) in an attempt to delineate their role in bladder cancer treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 51 patients who underwent HALRC (HALRC group, 31 cases) or LRC (LRC group, 20 cases). Urinary diversion was performed extracorporeally through the hand port or the incision for specimen retrieval, respectively, in the two groups.