Biocompatible quantum dot-antibody conjugate for cell imaging, targeting and fluorometric immunoassay: crosslinking, characterization and applications.

Quantum dots (QDs) are important fluorescent probes that offer great promise for bio-imaging research due to their superior optical properties. However, QDs for live cell imaging and the tracking of cells need more investigation to simplify processing procedures, improving labeling efficiency, and reducing chronic toxicity. In this study, QDs were functionalized with bovine serum albumin (BSA) a chemical linker.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the median nerve facilitates low motor cortex excitability in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia.

The neuromodulation of motor excitability has been shown to improve functional movement in people with central nervous system damage. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of peripheral neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in motor excitability and its effects in people with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). This single-blind case-control study was conducted on young control (n=9), age-matched control (n=9), and SCA participants (n=9; 7 SCAIII and 2 sporadic).

Does intrapartum epidural analgesia affect nulliparous labor and postpartum urinary incontinence?

Background: The effect of epidural analgesia on nulliparous labor and delivery remains controversial. In addition, pregnancy and delivery have long been considered risk factors in the genesis of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). We sought to determine the effect of epidural analgesia and timing of administration on labor course and postpartum SUI.

Comparison of the effects of swimming and Tai Chi Chuan on body fat composition in elderly people.

Background: Accumulation of fat and substantial loss of muscle mass are common phenomena in the elderly. In this study, we observed the effects of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) and swimming, two exercises suitable for elderly people, on the percentage body fat and fat distribution by measuring subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness and body composition.

Methods: Subjects were divided into three groups: regular swimmers (n = 20), regular TCC practitioners (n = 32), and age-matched control subjects (n = 31).

Osteoradionecrosis of external auditory canal in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is one of the most serious complications of radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). ORN rarely occurs in the external auditory canal.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of 11 NPC patients who had ORN in the external auditory canal.

Ahmed glaucoma valve implant for childhood glaucoma in Sturge-Weber syndrome with choroidal hemangioma.

We present our experience with implantation of an Ahmed glaucoma valve in a 9-year-old girl with Sturge-Weber syndrome with choroidal hemangioma. In this case of childhood glaucoma, the choice of surgical procedure should be based on the efficacy and elimination of intra-and post-operative complications. An Ahmed glaucoma valve offered safety and efficacy in controlling glaucoma.

Radioguided sentinel lymph node biopsy in early breast cancer: experience at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy can identify regional metastases and provides an alternative to axillary dissection that avoids arm morbidity. This investigation assessed the accuracy of SLN biopsy for predicting axillary node status.

Methods: A total of 174 clinical node-negative breast cancer patients and 165 SLN biopsies were enrolled.

A case of huge primary liposarcoma in the liver.

Primary liver liposarcoma is a rare disease. Because of its rarity, the knowledge of the clinical course, management, and prognosis of primary liver liposarcoma are all limited for clinicians. A 61-year-old female patient who suffered from a huge primary liposarcoma in the central portion of the liver had the clinical presentations of fever, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, and body weight loss.

Trapezoidal titanium cage in anterior cervical interbody fusion: a clinical experience.

Background: Use of autogenous bone grafting taken from anterior iliac crest for anterior cervical interbody fusion has been the "gold-standard" for decades. Substitutes for autogenous bone graft continue to be sought to avoid potential donor site morbidity. A titanium-alloy square-shaped hollow cage was applied to facilitate the process of fusion as a bone graft substitute, then assessed in this retrospective clinical study.

Acute appendicitis during pregnancy: a clinical assessment.

Background: Acute appendicitis is the most common non-obstetric reason for laparotomy during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of the clinical presentations and postoperative outcomes of these patients and their fetuses.

Methods: Patients who underwent appendectomies during pregnancy from July 1991 to June 1997 were retrospectively identified.