Flow versus permeability weighting in estimating the forward volumetric transfer constant (K) obtained by DCE-MRI with contrast agents of differing molecular sizes.

Purpose: To quantify the differential plasma flow- (F-) and permeability surface area product per unit mass of tissue- (PS-) weighting in forward volumetric transfer constant (K) estimates by using a low molecular (Gd-DTPA) versus high molecular (Gadomer) weight contrast agent in dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI.

Materials And Methods: DCE MRI was performed using a 7T animal scanner in 14 C57BL/6J mice syngeneic for TRAMP tumors, by administering Gd-DTPA (0.9kD) in eight mice and Gadomer (35kD) in the remainder.

Adjuvant radiotherapy for locally advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

There is relatively little literature on adjuvant radiotherapy after radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision (RNU) for patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). This study was designed to determine the efficacy of adjuvant radiotherapy for patients with pT3N0M0 UTUC. We retrospectively reviewed 198 patients treated with RNU between December 2001 and January 2015.

Clinical assessment of children with renal abscesses presenting to the pediatric emergency department.

Background: Renal abscesses are relatively uncommon in children but may result in prolonged hospital stays and life-threatening events. We undertook this study to analyze the clinical spectrum of renal abscesses in children admitted to the pediatric emergency department (ED) and to find helpful clinical characteristics that can potentially aid emergency physicians for detecting renal abscesses in children earlier.

Methods: From 2004 to 2011, we retrospectively analyzed 17 patients, aged 18 years or younger, with a definite diagnosis of renal abscess admitted to the ED.

Tympanic temperature versus temporal temperature in patients with pyrexia and chills.

Accurate body temperature (BT) measurement is critical for immediate and correct estimation of core BT; measurement of changes in BT can provide physicians the initial information for selecting appropriate diagnostic approach and may prevent unnecessary diagnostic investigation. This study aimed to assess differences in tympanic and temporal temperatures among patients with fever in different conditions, especially in those with and without chills. This prospective study included patients from the emergency department between 2011 and 2012.

Child protection medical service demonstration centers in approaching child abuse and neglect in Taiwan.

Child abuse includes all forms of physical and emotional ill treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation that results in actual or potential harm to the child's health, development, or dignity. In Taiwan, the Child Protection Medical Service Demonstration Center (CPMSDC) was established to protect children from abuse and neglect. We further analyzed and compared the trends and clinical characteristics of cases reported by CPMSDC to evaluate the function of CPMSDC in approaching child abuse and neglect in Taiwan.

An Initial Attack of Urinary Stone Disease Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Developing New-Onset Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Background: The neurotransmitter pathways in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and urinary stone attacks are both related to serotonin, and each disease may be influenced by viscero-visceral hyperalgesia. However, the relationship between urinary tract stone disease and IBS has never been addressed. We aimed to investigate the risk of suffering new-onset IBS after an initial urinary stone attack using a nationwide database.

Prognostic Significance of Central Pulse Pressure for Mortality in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Receiving Repeated Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a life-threatening medical emergency which needs urgent medical attention. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is common and necessary for patients with CAD, but it has not completely evaluated in cases with repeated PCI. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the risk factors and prognosis in patients with CAD requiring repeated PCI.

The role of PD-L1 in the radiation response and clinical outcome for bladder cancer.

Identification of potential factors that can stratify a tumor's response to specific therapies will aid in the selection of cancer therapy. The aim was to highlight the role of programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) in bladder cancer. In this study, 92 of muscle-invasive bladder cancers and 28 of non-muscle invasive bladder cancers were selected for immunohistochemical staining analysis.

Recurrent Streptococcus Pneumoniae 23 F meningitis due to cerebrospinal fluid leakage from the ear cannel: a case report.

Background: Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency, and immediate diagnostic steps must be taken to establish the specific cause. Recurrence of bacterial meningitis in children is not only potentially life-threatening, but also involves or induces psychological trauma to the patients through repeated hospitalization with many invasive investigations.

Case Presentation: A 6-year-old boy was diagnosed with recurrent bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus Pneumonia 23 F.

Nasal Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus Carriage among Janitors Working in Hospitals in Northern Taiwan.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of infection, and brings additional concern with methicillin resistance. In addition, nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization rates among health care workers are higher than that for general population. To determine the prevalence rate and risk factors for the colonization of S.

Electrocautery device does not provide adequate pulmonary vessel sealing in transumbilical anatomic pulmonary lobectomy.

Introduction: Safe pulmonary vessel sealing device plays a crucial role in anatomic lung resection. In 2014, we reported high rates of massive bleeding complications during transumbilical lobectomy in a canine model due to difficulty in managing the pulmonary vessel with an endostapler. In this animal survival series, we aimed to evaluate the outcome of pulmonary vessel sealing with an electrocautery device to simplify the transumbilical thoracic surgery.

TGF Beta1 Expression Correlates with Survival and Tumor Aggressiveness of Prostate Cancer.

Background: Although biopsy Gleason score and clinical stage can be used to inform treatment decisions for prostate cancer, identifying molecular markers of tumor aggressiveness could lead to a more tailored approaches to therapy. In the present study, we investigated the association of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 levels and various markers of tumor aggressiveness and explore some potential mechanisms underlying the associations.

Methods: We used human and murine prostate cancer cell lines and their respective hormone resistance sub-lines, in vitro and in vivo to examine the changes in tumor aggressiveness, as well as the pathway responsible for these changes.

Gender Differences in the Behavioral Symptoms and Neuropsychological Performance of Patients with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treated with Methylphenidate: A Two-Year Follow-up Study.

Objective: This study investigated the gender differences in behavioral symptoms, as rated by various informants, and in neuropsychological performance, among patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treated with methylphenidate during 24 months in a clinical setting.

Methods: Study participants comprised 128 boys (mean age: 13.2±2.

DNMT1-dependent suppression of microRNA424 regulates tumor progression in human bladder cancer.

The aim of this study was to examine the role of miRNAs regulation by DNMT1 and its underlying mechanisms in bladder cancer. The choice of target miRNAs was based on the analysis of a TaqMan MicroRNA Panel assay. The role of target miRNA in tumor behavior and the related signaling pathways were assessed using the human bladder cancer cell lines.

Depression: An important factor associated with disability among patients with chronic low back pain.

Objective: The study aimed to compare the associations of pain indices, depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms with disability among outpatients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Method: Consecutive orthopedics outpatients with CLBP in a medical center were enrolled. The Oswestry Disability Index and physical functioning and role limitations-physical of the Short-Form 36 were used as disability indices.

EGFR over-expression in non-small cell lung cancers harboring EGFR mutations is associated with marked down-regulation of CD82.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations are strongly associated with lung adenocarcinoma and favorable response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. The mutated EGFR proteins (EGFRs) are hyper-phosphorylated and refractory to receptor down-regulation. To address the discrepancy between hyper-phosphorylation and lack of down-regulation of mutant EGFRs, we have examined the expression of EGFR negative regulators in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines.

Transumbilical Thoracoscopy Versus Conventional Thoracoscopy for Lung Wedge Resection: Safety and Efficacy in a Live Canine Model.

Purpose: Transumbilical single-port surgery has been associated with less postoperative pain and offers better cosmetic outcomes than conventional 3-port laparoscopic surgery. This study compares the safety and efficacy of transumbilical thoracoscopy and conventional thoracoscopy for lung wedge resection.

Methods: The animals (n = 16) were randomly assigned to the transumbilical thoracoscopic approach group (n = 8) or conventional thoracoscopic approach group (n = 8).

IL-6-stimulated CD11b+ CD14+ HLA-DR- myeloid-derived suppressor cells, are associated with progression and poor prognosis in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

The aim of this study was to assess the significance of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and their association with IL-6 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We examined the percentage of CD11b+CD14+HLA-DR- myeloid cells and the levels of IL-6 in the peripheral blood of 50 patients with esophageal SCC and 12 healthy controls. Moreover, we evaluated the relationship between MDSC recruitment, IL-6 levels, and tumor progression by adding 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO) to the drinking water of mice to induce esophageal tumors.

Osteogenic potential: Comparison between bone marrow and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is now a promising research issue to improve the drawbacks from traditional bone grafting procedure such as limited donor sources and possible complications. Stem cells are one of the major factors in BTE due to the capability of self renewal and multi-lineage differentiation. Unlike embryonic stem cells, which are more controversial in ethical problem, adult mesenchymal stem cells are considered to be a more appropriate cell source for BTE.

Comparison of IHC, FISH and RT-PCR methods for detection of ALK rearrangements in 312 non-small cell lung cancer patients in Taiwan.

Background: Recently Echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4- anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4-ALK) fusion gene has become an important biomarker for ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (crizotinib) treatment in NSCLC. However, the best detection method and the significance of EML4-ALK variant types remain uncertain.

Methods: Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), fluorescence in Situ hybridization (FISH) and Immunohistochemical (IHC) stain were performed on tumor tissues of 312 NSCLC patients for detection of ALK rearrangements.

Evidence for the benefits of nonantipsychotic pharmacological augmentation in the treatment of depression.

Failure to achieve an adequate response after initial antidepressant treatment in patients with depression is common and remains a clinical challenge. In recent years, some atypical antipsychotic agents have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in an augmentation strategy for major depressive disorder, and other agents are already in common use in clinical practice. We conducted a search of MEDLINE for relevant studies of augmentation strategies using randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, and we summarize and discuss the various agents other than atypical antipsychotics.

Feasibility and safety of endoscopic transumbilical thoracic surgical lung biopsy: a survival study in a canine model.

Background: Transumbilical laparoscopy allows the patient to undergo various surgical procedures associated with abdominal disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of transumbilical thoracic exploration and surgical lung biopsy in a canine survival model.

Methods: We performed the procedure in 12 dogs weighting 7.

The Trend in Morning Levels of Salivary Cortisol in Children With ADHD During 6 Months of Methylphenidate Treatment.

Objective: To determine the trend in cortisol levels in children with ADHD treated with methylphenidate (MPH) and nontreated healthy controls over a 6-month period.

Method: The morning salivary cortisol levels of 50 patients with ADHD (40 boys and 10 girls, mean age = 7.6 years) and 50 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were measured at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months from baseline.

Attitudes toward menstruation in females with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders in Taiwan.

Objective: The aims of this cross-sectional, case-controlled, observational study were to examine attitudes toward menstruation in female patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and in a control group, and to explore the associations between attitudes toward menstruation and psychopathology, menstrual regularity during antipsychotic treatment, and menstrual distress symptoms.

Methods: Fifty-eight patients treated with anti-psychotic medications for at least the previous 6 months were placed in irregular (irregular menstrual cycle) (n = 31) and regular (regular menstrual cycle) (n = 27) groups. Sixty-two, age-matched, healthy female participants with regular menstrual cycles were enrolled as a control group.