Combining Different Natural Plant Extracts to Stabilize the Antioxidative Activity of Dragon's Blood.

Dragon's blood () is a traditional Chinese medicine known for its wound hemostasis, blood circulation, and stasis properties. Recently, it has also been utilized in cosmetics, though its antioxidant capacity remains unclear. This study aims to stabilize the bioactivity of dragon's blood using various plant extracts.

Clinicopathological and genetic landscape of plasmablastic lymphoma in Taiwan.

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an aggressive large B-cell lymphoma with a terminal B-cell differentiation phenotype and is frequently associated with immunodeficiency. We aimed to investigate the clinicopathological and immunophenotypic features, genetic alterations, and mutational landscape of PBL in Taiwan. We retrospectively recruited 26 cases.

Plasmablastic myeloma in Taiwan frequently presents with extramedullary and extranodal mass mimicking plasmablastic lymphoma.

Plasmablastic myeloma (PBM) is a blastic morphologic variant of plasma cell myeloma with less favorable prognosis than those with non-blastic morphology. PBM is rare, without clear-cut definition and detailed clinicopathologic features in the literature. PBM may mimic plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) as they share nearly identical morphology and immunophenotype.

Primary cutaneous gamma/delta T-cell lymphoma in Taiwan: A series of six cases with frequent solitary presentation and relatively indolent behavior.

Background: Primary cutaneous gamma/delta T-cell lymphoma (PCDG-TCL) is aggressive, frequently presenting as multiple plaques, tumors, and/or subcutaneous nodules.

Methods: In this study, we conducted a retrospective study in a tertiary center in Taiwan to characterize this rare tumor.

Results: We identified six patients.

Lymphomatous effusion of monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma is characterized by azurophilic granules and is a dismal sign: Report of two new cases with literature review.

Lymphoma involving serous effusion is uncommon. The diagnosis of effusion lymphoma may be challenging, particularly when the lymphoid cells are small to medium-sized, which would be difficult for differentiating reactive effusions from low grade lymphomas. Monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL) is an uncommon type of aggressive intestinal T cell lymphoma with a median survival of 7 months.

MYD88 L265P mutation analysis is a useful diagnostic adjunct for lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with pleural effusion.

Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) is a marrow-based lymphoma, rarely involving extramedullary sites, particularly the pleural cavities. The distinction of lymphomatous pleural effusion (PE) in LPL patients from benign effusion is challenging. We conducted this study to examine whether MYD88 L265P mutation analysis is useful in distinguishing benign from lymphomatous PE in four patients with LPL, in which the initial marrow specimens were all positive for MYD88 mutation.

Effusion-based lymphoma with morphological regression but with clonal genetic features after aspiration.

Effusion-based lymphoma (EBL) is a rare but distinct entity of large B-cell lymphoma in effusion without association with human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8). Spontaneous regression after pleurocentesis has been observed; but to our knowledge, there are no reports on the morphological and molecular features of subsequent aspirations in regressing cases. Here, we report the case of a 92-year-old male with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who presented with right pleural effusion.

Evaluation of PIMA point-of-care CD4 analyzer in Yunnan, China.

Background: CD4 count is used to determine antiretroviral therapy (ART) eligibility. In China, flow cytometers are mostly located in urban areas with limited access by patients residing in remote areas. In an attempt to address this issue, we conducted a study to validate the performance of Alere PIMA point-of-care CD4 analyzer.

Angiopep-pluronic F127-conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as nanotheranostic agents for BBB targeting.

Pluronic® F127-modified water-dispersible poly(acrylic acid)-bound iron oxide (PF127-PAAIO) nanoparticles have been prepared as diagnostic agents. A blood-brain-barrier penetrating peptide, angiopep-2 (ANG), was further conjugated onto the surface of the PF127-PAAIO (ANG-PF127-PAAIO) for brain targeting. The ANG-PF127-PAAIO shows negligible cell cytotoxicity, better cellular uptake, and higher T-weighted image enhancement than the PF127-PAAIO in U87 cells.

[Evaluation of PIMA analyzer detecting CD4 cell count of venous and capillary blood in HIV-infected individuals].

Objective: This study is aimed at evaluating the utility of the portable CD4 analyzers (PIMA).

Methods: The paired finger prick blood (25 µl) and 5 ml venous blood samples were collected from 196 HIV infected patients, who came to Yunnan CDC voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clinic for CD4 test services, from May to August, 2012. The absolute CD4 cell counts were measured by PIMA (using venous and finger-prick blood) and by Calibur (using venous blood) as the reference.

[Estimation on the HIV-1 incidence among high risk groups using the pooling RNA technique].

Objective: To timely identify the HIV-1 infection in window-period and to estimate the HIV-1 incidence among people who came for voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) service as well as men who have sex with men (MSM), respectively.

Methods: HIV antibody negative samples that were determined by screening tests between January and October 2012, were collected and tested with pooling HIV-1 RNA testing technique (2-staged pooling by 50:1, 10:1). Positive cases were followed-up for HIV antibody testing while HIV incidence was calculated under Ron Brookmeyer' s method, among VCT and MSM populations.

Rapidly fatal leukemia comprising pleomorphic large granular lymphocytes: a report of 2 cases.

Background: Large granular lymphocytes (LGLs) are either cytotoxic T or natural killer (NK) cells exhibiting round nuclei and azurophilic cytoplasmic granules. Morphologically, neoplastic LGLs of T cell lineage (T-LGLLs) are usually indistinguishable from normal LGLs, while there is a wide morphological range of aggressive NK cell leukemia (ANKL).

Cases: We present 2 consecutive cases of leukemia comprising pleomorphic LGLs.

[Distribution of HIV-1 subtypes among different populations in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province, in 2011].

Objective: To investigate the distribution of HIV-1 subtypes in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province, in 2011.

Methods: 300 HIV-1 positive plasma samples were collected from Jan. 2011 to May 2011 in Dehong prefecture.

[Early detection of HIV infection with Dried Blood Spot testing among infants in Yunnan province].

Objective: To explore the application of Dried Blood Spot (DBS) testing for early detection of HIV infection among infants.

Methods: All of the infants aged between 6 weeks and 18 months and born by HIV positive mothers from 14 Maternity and Child Health Care Hospitals in Kunming, Dali, Dehong, Lincang of Yunnan province were investigated from 2010 to 2011. By using DBS and Roche HIV-1 DNA test techniques, 286 infants were tested for HIV early diagnosis and compared with HIV antibody results of 18 months infants.

[Survey on the transmission of HIV drug resistance in Kunming, Yunnan province in 2010].

Objective: To study the HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) transmission in Kunming city of Yunnan province in 2010.

Methods: Referring to the guidelines for HIV drug resistance threshold survey (HIVDR-TS) set by WHO, 62 plasma samples of recently reported HIV-infected individuals who were older than 25 years of age, were collected from January to August 2010. Genotyping of pol genetic mutations associated with HIVDR with reverse transcriptional PCR was performed and the prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance transmission was evaluated.

Flavokawain B, a novel chalcone from Alpinia pricei Hayata with potent apoptotic activity: Involvement of ROS and GADD153 upstream of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in HCT116 cells.

Flavonoids synthesized from chalcone precursors in plants have been shown to possess cytotoxic activities with therapeutic potential. We have isolated the novel chalcone flavokawain B from Alpinia pricei Hayata, a plant native to Taiwan that is used in food and traditional Chinese medicine. Here, we report for the first time that flavokawain B significantly inhibits the growth of colon cancer cells and provide novel insight into the molecular mechanisms that underlie its apoptotic activity.

[The analysis of human immunodeficiency virus-1 subtypes in Yunnan province].

Objective: To analyze the geographical distribution and risk factors of HIV-1 subtypes in Yunnan province.

Methods: Blood samples from 1319 HIV positives were collected in Yunnan Province from 2001 to 2006. The nested polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the gag (p24)-protease fragments from RNA extracted from plasma or sera.