Alveolar hemorrhage after scuba diving: a case report.

Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) diving is increasingly popular in Taiwan. There are few references in the literature regarding pulmonary hemorrhage as the sole manifestation of pulmonary barotrauma in scuba divers, and no study from Taiwan was found in the literature. We present the case of a 25-year-old man who suffered alveolar hemorrhage related to pulmonary barotrauma as a complication of scuba diving.

Great potential of a panel of multiple hMTH1, SPD, ITGA11 and COL11A1 markers for diagnosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Research on molecular mechanisms underlying the carcinogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may provide gene targets in critical pathways valuable for improving the efficacy of therapy and survival of patients with NSCLC. However, the molecular markers highly sensitive for the prognosis and treatment evaluation of NSCLC are not yet available. To explore candidates, we conducted an oligonucleotide microarray study with three pairs of NSCLC and normal lung tissue, and determined 8 differentially expressed genes including the Human MutT homologue (hMTH1), Surfactant protein D (SPD), Human hyaluronan binding protein 2 (HABP2), Crystalline-mu (CRYM), Ceruloplasmin (CP), Integrin alpha-11 subunit (ITGA11), Collagen type XI alpha I (COL11A1), and Lung-specific X protein (Lun X).

A subset of clinical status of pulmonary tuberculosis in Southern Taiwan.

The aims of this study were to present the clinical status of pulmonary tuberculosis in Southern Taiwan and to analyze the reasons for failure of antituberculosis treatment in order to achieve a higher rate of success after treatment. Two hundred and senventeen adult patients, aged 15 to 90 years old who presented to the Chest Division, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital from 1999 to 2002 with a diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, were retrospectively studied. We compared the rate of recurrence of pulmonary tuberculosis by dividing the cases into 2 groups: those who completed treatment and those who did not.

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia: serial chest plain roentgenography and high-resolution computerized tomography findings.

Between May 1988 and July 2002, six patients with pneumonia due to diesel, animal, or vegetable oil aspiration were admitted to Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate distinctive radiographic findings of oil-induced lipoid pneumonitis on initial serial chest roentgenograms and high-resolution computerized tomography (CT) scans. Initial chest roentgenograms (n = 6), CT scans (n = 6), and roentgenography and CT follow-up studies were analyzed retrospectively by two chest radiologists and two surgeons, focusing on the pattern and distribution of parenchymal abnormalities.

Splenic abscesses: review of 29 cases.

Splenic abscess is an unusual and potentially life-threatening disease. Due to the nonspecific clinical picture, it remains a diagnostic challenge. Splenic abscess should be suspected in febrile patients with left upper quadrant tenderness and leukocytosis, and diagnosis confirmed based mostly on imaging studies, microbiologic and / or pathologic evidence, or by response to antibiotic or antifungal treatment.

Acute poisonings with Breynia officinalis--an outbreak of hepatotoxicity.

Background: In combination with other traditional Chinese medicines, Breynia officinalis, a species of Euphorbiaceae, has long been used to treat contusions, heart failure, venereal diseases, growth retardation, and conjunctivitis. B. officinalis, regarded as a poison, was mistaken for a similar plant, Securinega suffruticosa, and cooked in a soup used for the treatment of muscle soreness, lumbago, and as a tonic in this outbreak.

Paraoxonase activities in Minnan and Hakka.

Three phenotypes of paraoxonase (PON) have been found in population studies. The B type gene frequency varies among different populations. The Singaporean Chinese gene frequency is trimodal.

Eight cases of acute renal failure from Vipera russelli formosensis venom after administration of antivenom.

The six-valent antivenom from Vipera russelli formosensis in Taiwan has recently become available in Taiwan. Between June 1998 and December 2001 8 Vipera russelli formosensis snakebite victims were treated with antivenom within 24 h of snakebite. Bleeding stopped and coagulopathy improved after antivenom use, and neurotoxic symptoms were mild.

Removal of a mis-swallowed long spoon via gastrotomy--a case report.

Foreign body ingestions are a frequent occurrence, a common presentation at emergency departments, but long, pointed-end metallic spoon swallowing is an uncommon occurrence. Unlike most cases of foreign-body ingestion, there have been no cases of spontaneous passage reported. Consequently, prompt removal is recommended before complications develop.

Relationship of paraoxonase and serum lipids in Taiwan.

Paraoxonase (PON) is structurally associated with the high-density lipoprotein fraction of serum, suggesting a role for this enzyme in lipoprotein metabolism. In Chinese Singaporeans, triglycerides (TG) had significant positive correlation with PON but high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) did not. Our paper investigates the influence of PON on serum lipids under controlling confounding factors in Taiwanese.

Analysis of factors associated with successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation in non-traumatic dead-on-arrival patients in emergency department.

Out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest has a dismal prognosis. Successful resuscitation of these patients depends on the "chain of survival". In Taiwan, the emergency medical services (EMS) system is under development and the links of "chain of survival" are weak and frequently broken.

Hepatotoxicity caused by Breynia officinalis.

Breynia officinalis has the Chinese proprietary name, Chi R Yun, which means dizziness or vertigo for 7 d. In daily practice, it has been used to treat venereal diseases, contusion, heart failure, growth retardation and conjunctivitis in combination with other traditional Chinese medicines. Two hospital-based cases of Breynia officinalis poisoning have been reported to the Poison Control Center.