Using media exposure to predict the initiation and persistence of youth alcohol use in Taiwan.

Background: Youth consumption of alcohol is a major public health problem in Taiwan, yet little research has been conducted to examine the potential influence of exposure to alcohol advertising. The present study examined the prospective influence that exposure to alcohol advertising has on the initiation and persistence of youthful drinking in Taiwan.

Methods: A total of 2315 students from 26 high schools in Taipei, Taiwan were assessed in the 10th grade with follow-up conducted in the 11th grade.

[Correlation between the expression of neuropilin-2 and tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis in gastric cancer and clinicopathological parameters].

Objective: To explore the correlation between the expression of neuropilin-2 (NRP2) and tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis and clinicopathological parameters in gastric carcinoma (GC).

Methods: All GC, margin and normal tissues of 65 cases through surgical resection were retrospectively collected at our hospital and Tangshan People's Hospital from October 2011 to October 2013. The expressions of NRP2 in GC, tumor margin and normal gastric tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.

The association of media exposure and media literacy with adolescent alcohol and tobacco use.

This study examined the relationship of media exposure and media literacy to alcohol and tobacco use among adolescents in Taiwan. A total of 2992 10th-grade students recruited from 26 high schools in Taipei, Taiwan, completed a questionnaire in 2010. The multivariable analysis results indicated that the students with higher alcohol and tobacco media exposure were more likely to use alcohol and tobacco and have intentions to drink and smoke, while students with higher media literacy were less likely to use alcohol and have intentions to drink and smoke.

Comparison of low molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch and human albumin as priming solutions in children undergoing cardiac surgery.

Human albumin is the conventional cardiopulmonary bypass circuit primer. However, it has high manufacturing costs. Crystalloid and colloid solutions have been developed as alternatives, including a new generation of non-ionic hydroxyethyl starch (HES).

Comparison between the EQ-5D-5L and the EQ-5D-3L in patients with hepatitis B.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to compare psychometric properties of the EQ-5D-5L (5L) and the EQ-5D-3L (3L) health outcomes assessment instruments in patients with hepatitis B in China.

Methods: Patients, including hepatitis B virus carriers and those with active or inactive chronic hepatitis B, compensated cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma, answered a questionnaire composed of 5L, socio-demographic information, 3L, and the visual analog scale (VAS), respectively. After 1 week, a retest was conducted for inpatients.

effects of imatinib on CD34 cells of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the megakaryocytic crisis phase.

Imatinib is a tailored drug for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and has substantial activity and a favorable safety profile when used as a single agent in patients with CML in myeloid blast crisis. The megakaryocytic blast crisis in CML occurs rarely and carries a poor prognosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of imatinib on cluster of differentiation (CD)34 cells from patients with CML in the megakaryocytic crisis phase.

The protective effects of the combination of sodium ferulate and oxymatrine on ethanol-induced liver damage in mice.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the combination of SF and OMT on ethanol-induced liver damage in mice. The animal liver wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio and liver tissue histopathology, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxidase dismutase (SOD), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) levels were measured. The data indicated that the levels of ALT, AST, TG, CRP, IL-6, NF-κB and MDA significantly decreased and that SOD activity improved after treatment with the combination of SF and OMT; the same effects were not observed with the same dose of SF or OMT when used alone.

First-principles study of the lattice dynamical properties of strontium ruthenate.

By means of first-principles calculations, various properties of SrRuO3 are investigated, focusing on its lattice dynamical properties. Despite having a Goldschmidt tolerance factor very close to 1, the phonon dispersion curves of the high-temperature cubic phase of SrRuO3 show strong antiferrodistortive instabilities. The energetics of metastable phases with different tilt patterns are discussed, concluding that the coupling of oxygen rotation modes with anti-polar Sr motion plays a key role in stabilizing the Pnma phase with respect to alternative rotation patterns.

Evaluation of immunization injection safety in China, 2010: achievements, future sustainability.

Objective: The study objectives were to evaluate injection practices in China in the post GAVI project era and provide guidance for policy makers to update national standards for injection practices and further improve vaccination services.

Methods: We conducted a national stratified, cross-sectional survey in October 2010, according to WHO recommended sampling methods. First, we stratified China into three regions (Eastern, Central and Western) based on economic criteria.

Evaluation of policies and practices to prevent mother to child transmission of hepatitis B virus in China: results from China GAVI project final evaluation.

Background: Mother to Child Transmission (MTCT) has remained a leading cause of HBV infection in China, accounting for 40% of total infections. Providing hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) to all infants within 24h of birth (Timely Birth Dose, TBD), and subsequent completion of at least 3 vaccine doses is key to preventing perinatal HBV infection. In 2002, with the financial support of the Global Alliance on Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) targeted to Western region and 223 poverty-affected counties in Central region, hepatitis B vaccine was provided for free.

Preventing hepatitis B though universal vaccination: reduction of inequalities through the GAVI China project.

Objective: In order to measure hepatitis B coverage and progress in equality with respect to protection against hepatitis B in poverty-affected areas funded by the Global Alliance on Vaccine and Immunization project funded in poverty-affected counties.

Methods: We reviewed routinely reported coverage data and conducted a national stratified, validation, cross-sectional survey in October 2010, according to WHO recommended sampling method. First, we stratified China into three regions (Eastern, Central and Western) based on economic criteria.

The features of extrahepatic collateral arteries related to hepatic artery occlusion and benefits in the transarterial management of liver tumors.

Purpose. To investigate the extrahepatic collateral arteries related to hepatic artery occlusion (HAO) and to determine its benefits in the transarterial management of liver tumors. Methods and Findings.

[Study on the risk of HBV infection among spouses of HBsAg carriers].

Objective: To investigate the risk of HBV infection among the spouses of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers and to provide a reference for developing strategies on hepatitis B control and prevention.

Methods: A case-control study including HBsAg carriers aged 20 - 45 years-old from the nationwide sero-epidemiological survey for Hepatitis B in both Guangdong and Jiangxi provinces in 2006, together with their spouses were selected as case group, while. HBsAg negative persons and their spouses were among the control groups, under the same residential areas, gender, age and age of marriage to the HBsAg carriers.

Correlation of AIM2 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from humans with acute and chronic hepatitis B.

The AIM2 (absent in melanoma 2) protein promotes host defenses against invading viruses and pathogenic bacteria through corresponding adapter molecules leading to the initiation of innate immune responses. We investigated the expression of AIM2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with acute hepatitis B (AHB) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during different clinical phases, and analyzed the correlation between AIM2 and clinical profiles in these groups. This study indicated that there is higher expression of AIM2, IL-1β, and IL-18 in AHB compared with expression in CHB.

[Atorvastatin attenuates parathyroid hormone 1-34 induced cardiomyocytes hypertrophy through downregulating K-Ras-ERK1/2 pathway].

Objective: To investigate the effects of atorvastatin on parathyroid hormone 1-34 (PTH1-34) induced neonatal rat cardiomyocytes hypertrophy and on the expression changes of small GTP-binding protein (K-Ras) and extracellular signal regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2).

Methods: Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes hypertrophy was established with 10(-7) mol/L rPTH1-34 in the presence or absence of 10(-5) mol/L atorvastatin or 10(-4) mol/L mevalonic acid (MVA). Cardiomyocyte diameter was measured by Motic Images Advanced 3.

[Clinicopathologic significance of β-catenin protein and loss of heterozygosity on 10q in medulloblastoma].

Objective: To study the expression of β-catenin protein and the status of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromsome 10q in medulloblastoma, with clinical correlation.

Methods: Immunohistochemical study for β-catenin protein was carried out in 50 cases of medulloblastoma encountered in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University during the period from 2002 to 2011, including 32 cases of classic medulloblastoma, 13 cases of desmoplastic medulloblastoma and 5 cases of medulloblastoma with extensive nodularity. The status of LOH on 10q was also detected by fluorescence in-situ hybridization.

Factors associated with parents’ perceptions of parental smoking in the presence of children and its consequences on children.

Parental smoking is the major source of children's secondhand smoke exposure and is influenced by parents' perception of children's exposure. However, the factors associated with these perceptions remain unclear. The objective of this study was to examine factors associated with parents' perceptions about parental smoking in the presence of children and its consequences.

[Clinical and pathologic analysis of astrocytic tumors with loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 10q].

Objective: To study the correlation between loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 10q and pathologic features, pathogenesis, prognosis of astrocytic tumors.

Methods: LOH on 10q was studied by interphase fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) in 85 cases of astrocytic tumor, including 35 cases of WHO grade II tumors and 50 cases of WHO grade IV tumors.

Results: LOH on 10q was detected in 6 cases (17.

Propofol decreases in vivo binding of 11C-PBR28 to translocator protein (18 kDa) in the human brain.

Unlabelled: The PET radioligand (11)C-PBR28 targets translocator protein (18 kDa) (TSPO) and is a potential marker of neuroimmune activation in vivo. Although several patient populations have been studied using (11)C-PBR28, no investigators have studied cognitively impaired patients who would require anesthesia for the PET procedure, nor have any reports investigated the effects that anesthesia may have on radioligand uptake. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the anesthetic propofol alters brain uptake of (11)C-PBR28 in healthy subjects.

Expression of c-Jun, p73, Casp9, and N-ras in thymic epithelial tumors: relationship with the current WHO classification systems.

Background: To evaluate the expression and differential significance of c-Jun, p73, Casp-9 and N-ras in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) with the aim to provide useful information for tumor biology and prospective therapy.

Methods: In this study, we analyzed the expression of four chromosome 1-related genes, namely c-Jun, p73, Casp-9 and N-ras, in 60 cases of thymic epithelial tumors. The tumors included 52 thymomas and 8 thymic carcinomas which were categorized according to the current WHO classification systems.

[Natural regeneration and its affecting factors of Fargesia robusta clone population after Wenchuan earthquake in 2008].

To explore the natural regeneration and its affecting factors of Fargesia robusta clone population, the main diet bamboo for giant panda, after Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008, an investigation was conducted on the growth and emergence of the bamboo shoots at three habitats with different intensities (strong, moderate, and null) of earthquake disturbance. In the moderately and undisturbed habitats, the basal diameter of the survived bamboo shoots was significantly greater, as compared with that in strongly disturbed habitat, and the height of the survived shoots decreased in the order of undisturbed > moderately disturbed > strongly disturbed habitat. No significant difference was observed in the density of new bamboo shoots among the three habitats, but the density of the survived bamboo shoots was significantly higher in the strongly and moderately disturbed habitats than in the undisturbed habitat, and the density of 1- and 2 years old bamboos showed a significant positive correlation with the density of dead bamboos.

Niemann-pick disease type C: implications for sedation and anesthesia for diagnostic procedures.

Niemann-Pick disease type C, an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder, can present with severe visceral and neurologic involvement and is associated with a significant decrease in life expectancy. As little is known about anesthetic considerations of this disease, we examined the perianesthetic course of patients with Niemann-Pick disease type C. Thirty-two patients with Niemann-Pick disease type C, median age 6.

Real-time continuous neuromonitoring combines transcranial cerebral Doppler with near-infrared spectroscopy cerebral oxygen saturation during total aortic arch replacement procedure: a pilot study.

The purpose of this investigation was to use combined transcranial cerebral Doppler (TCD) and near-infrared spectroscopy cerebral oxygen saturation (NIRS) during total aortic arch replacement (TAAR) to monitor middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity and regional cerebral oximetry (rSO(2)) changes to provide a clinical basis for protective measures that may decrease injury of the central nervous system. Consecutive 12 adult patients underwent deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) and antegrade selective cerebral perfusion (ASCP) during TAAR. A TCD probe was placed at the temporal windows after induction of anesthesia and the NIRS probe placed on the forehead of patients to collect perioperative, intraoperative, and postoperative hemodynamic parameters, and cerebral blood flow (CBF) and rSO(2) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Exploration of parental smokers' experience, perceptions, and family's influences on their smoking in the presence of children.

The purpose of this study was to explore parents' experience and perceptions of smoking in the presence of children. Findings regarding patterns of parents' smoking in the presence of children were situation specific. When thinking of smoking with children around, parents engaged in a process of weighing the importance of the need to smoke and adverse effects from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, a consideration based mostly on their experience.

Age versus clinical virological characteristics in chronic hepatitis B virus infection: a case series study in China.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the clinical virological characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in chronic HBV infection patients of different ages, especially in relapse patients and patients with immune clearance.

Methods: The HBV clinical virological characteristics of chronic HBV infection were investigated in 1572 Chinese patients of different age groups (<20, 20-40, and >40 years old).

Results: Of the patients in the below 20 age group, those with evidence of immune tolerance accounted for 86.