Low-Level Laser Therapy Induces Melanoma Tumor Growth by Promoting Angiogenesis.

The effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on tumor growth are inconsistent. In this study, we investigated the effects of LLLT on melanoma tumor growth and angiogenesis. C57/BL6 mice were challenged with B16F10 melanoma cells and treated with LLLT for 5 consecutive days; untreated mice were used as controls.

Action Research on Applying Compound Stimulus Approach to Improve Empathetic Communication: The Case of Physical Therapy Students.

(1) Background: Empathetic communicative skills are the first step in establishing a good therapeutic relationship. The purpose of this study is to understand the effectiveness of improving the empathetic communicative skills applied to obtain accurate and precise information from patients via compound stimulus-drama in education. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional, one-group, pre- and post-test design was used for this study.

Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasms of the Pancreas Across Races Demonstrate Disparities with Comparably Good Prognosis.

Background: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) of the pancreas are rare with low-grade malignancy and unclarified clinicopathological features. This study aimed to examine their characteristics and re-evaluate current treatments.

Methods: Databases from three sources were screened for patients with SPNs.

Inappropriate manipulation and drainage exacerbate post-operative pain and prolong the hospital stay after laparoscopic appendectomy for pediatric complicated appendicitis.

Background: This study examined whether drain placement or not is associated with the postoperative outcomes of pediatric patients following trans-umbilical single-port laparoscopic appendectomy (TUSPLA) for complicated appendicitis.

Methods: The medical records of pediatric patients undergoing TUSPLA for acute complicated appendicitis from January 2012 to September 2018 in Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. They were classified according to whether they received passive drainage with a Penrose drain (Penrose group) (19), active drainage with a Jackson-Pratt drain with a vacuum bulb (JP group) (16), or no drain (non-drain group) (86).

Photobiomodulation Therapy to Promote Angiogenesis in Diabetic Mice with Hindlimb Ischemia.

To assess whether photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) induces angiogenesis in diabetic mice with hindlimb ischemia (HLI). Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at high risk of developing peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the lower extremities. PBMT has been shown to promote angiogenesis both and and could be a treatment for DM patients with PAD.

Isoorientin Decreases Cell Migration via Decreasing Functional Activity and Molecular Expression of Proton-Linked Monocarboxylate Transporters in Human Lung Cancer Cells.

Aggressive tumor cells mainly rely on glycolysis, and further release vast amounts of lactate and protons by monocarboxylate transporter (MCT), which causes a higher intracellular pH (pH) and acidic extracellular pH. Isoorientin, a principle flavonoid compound extracted from several plant species, shows various pharmacological activities. However, effects of isoorientin on anticancer and MCT await to explore in human lung cancer cells.

Rebound thymic hyperplasia after liver transplantation for a child with biliary atresia; a case report.

The thymus gland possesses the ability to regrow in children leading to a newly developed anterior mediastinal mass. This condition may represent a rebound phenomenon during recovery from a stressful event such as post-chemotherapy and hence was described as RTH. RTH after LT has not been well documented.

Differences in the distribution and presentation of bronchogenic cysts between adults and children.

Background: Bronchogenic cysts are rare congenital malformations that occur in adults and children, with differences in distribution and presentation.

Methods: The study population comprised 16 infants and children (aged 7 days to 18 years) and 23 adults (aged 20-78 years) who received pathological diagnoses of bronchogenic cysts over a 14-year period (1999-2012). Cyst distribution and presentation were reviewed.

Daily intake of probiotics with high IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio increases the cytotoxicity of human natural killer cells: a personalized probiotic approach.

A personalized probiotic microfluidic chip system has been established and used to screen the probiotics which had the highest value of IFN-γ/IL-10 or IL-10/IFN-γ among six probiotics, including L. paracasei BRAP01, L. acidophilus AD300, B.

A new simplified one-port laparoscopic technique for peritoneal dialysis catheter placement.

Background: Various techniques for laparoscopic insertion of a peritoneal dialysis catheter have been described. Usually 2 - 3 ports are required, and complications related to the port sites (such as abdominal wall hernia, leakage, and hemorrhage) cannot be avoided. To minimize the potential complications, we designed a simplified 1-port laparoscopic technique for peritoneal dialysis catheter placement.

Dislodgement of port-A catheters in pediatric oncology patients: 11 years of experience.

Background: Port-A catheters are frequently used in pediatric cancer patients. Their dislodgement is potentially seriously risky although the incidence is not high. We analyzed our 11 years of data to address this important problem.

Development of in situ forming thermosensitive hydrogel for radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy in a mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma.

This study evaluated a system for local cancer radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. The delivery system is a thermosensitive hydrogel containing a therapeutic radionuclide ((188)Re-Tin colloid) and a chemotherapeutic drug (liposomal doxorubicin). The thermosensitive PCL-PEG-PCL copolymer was designed to spontaneously undergo a sol-gel phase transition in response to temperature, remaining liquid at room temperature and rapidly forming a gel at body temperature.

Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy in the management of all stages of acute appendicitis in children: a retrospective study.

Background: We conducted this study in order to evaluate whether laparoscopic appendectomy was an alternative therapeutic tool to open appendectomy for all stages of pediatric appendicitis.

Materials And Methods: Between January 2000 and November 2004, the charts of 177 children who underwent appendectomy by a single surgeon were reviewed. The patients were divided into open and laparoscopic appendectomy groups.

Reappraise the effect of redo-Kasai for recurrent jaundice following Kasai operation for biliary atresia in the era of liver transplantation.

Purpose: This study was conducted to reappraise the efficacy of redo-Kasai (or revision) in the era of liver transplantation as a treatment option in those patients with recurrent jaundice after initially successful Kasai procedure.

Methods: We studied ten patients that received redo-Kasai, among a total of 102 patients diagnosed with biliary atresia after receiving Kasai operation from 1986 to 2011.

Results: Kasai operation was done at a median age of 55 days and redo-Kasai at 150 days.

Transumbilical 1-port laparoscopic resection of benign ovarian tumor.

Background/purpose: We evaluated the effectiveness of transumbilical 1-port laparoscopic resection of benign ovarian tumors in children with limited working space.

Methods: This study involved 15 children and adolescents with benign ovarian tumors treated from January 2006 to December 2010. Preoperative evaluation included physical findings, tumor markers, and imaging studies.

Voice and emotion processing in the human neonatal brain.

Although the voice-sensitive neural system emerges very early in development, it has yet to be demonstrated whether the neonatal brain is sensitive to voice perception. We measured the EEG mismatch response (MMR) elicited by emotionally spoken syllables "dada" along with correspondingly synthesized nonvocal sounds, whose fundamental frequency contours were matched, in 98 full-term newborns aged 1-5 days. In Experiment 1, happy syllables relative to nonvocal sounds elicited an MMR lateralized to the right hemisphere.

Clinical presentation of children with gastroschisis and small for gestational age.

Background: Gastroschisis (GS) is defined as a full-thickness paraumbilical abdominal wall defect associated with evisceration of fetal abdominal organ. Although the concomitant nongastrointestinal anomalies and aneuploidy are rarely presented, fetal growth restriction is common. The aim of this study is to compare the primary and secondary outcomes of GS between infants small for gestational age (SGA) and those appropriate for gestational age as well as term and late preterm infants.

A study of J-coupling spectroscopy using the Earth's field nuclear magnetic resonance inside a laboratory.

In this paper, an instrumentation of the Earth's field nuclear magnetic resonance (EFNMR) inside a laboratory is presented. A lock-in analysis (LIA) technique was proposed to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). A SNR of 137.

Late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia in childhood.

Aim: To characterize the clinical manifestations of late-presenting diaphragmatic hernia and its associated anomalies, diagnostic methods and outcomes.

Methods: The records of patients aged 1 month-18 years old diagnosed with Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernia from February 1987-June 2008 were reviewed.

Results:   Fifteen children (nine boys, six girls) met inclusion criteria.

Transumbilical laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis: a reliable one-port procedure.

Background: Emergency surgical procedures frequently must be performed at times when availability of adequately trained personnel is problematic yet the requirements for maintaining surgical quality and patient safety remain unchanged. This report aims to describe a safe, effective, transumbilical, one-port laparoscopic technique for appendectomy that can be performed by one surgeon.

Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2008, transumbilical one-port laparoscopic appendectomy (TOPLA) was used by two pediatric surgeons in the authors' department to treat 152 consecutive patients presenting with simple and complicated appendicitis.

Urachal catheter provides new choice for long-term urinary diversion in prune belly syndrome.

Prune belly syndrome has been identified as a clinical triad of abdominal muscle deficiency, bilateral cryptorchidism, and urologic abnormalities. We present the case of a discordant monozygotic twin with prune belly syndrome and voiding dysfunction that was relieved by long-term urinary catheterization by way of the urachus. To the best of our knowledge, this alternative method has not been previously reported.

Comparison of clinical characteristics and neutrophil values in omental infarction and acute appendicitis in children.

Background: Omental infarction is a rare occurrence in children. It is often diagnosed during surgery for suspected appendicitis. This study investigated the use of clinical and laboratory data for distinguishing between omental infarction and acute appendicitis.