Titrated oral misoprostol solution compared with intravenous oxytocin for labor augmentation: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare titrated oral misoprostol to intravenous oxytocin for labor augmentation among women at 36 to 42 weeks of gestation with spontaneous onset of active labor.

Methods: Women meeting the general selection criteria with regular contractions and an effaced cervix dilated between 3 and 9 cm, and who had inadequate uterine contractions (two or fewer contractions every 10 minutes) during the first stage of labor, were randomly assigned to titrated oral misoprostol or intravenous oxytocin. Augmentation-to-vaginal delivery interval and vaginal delivery within 12 or 24 hours were the primary outcomes.

The association between ankle-brachial index and quality of life in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is an important indicator of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and PAD has a negative impact on quality of life (QOL). However, the correlation between ABI and QOL is unknown among chronic hemodialysis patients. Ankle-brachial index was measured, and WHOQOL-BRIEF (TW) questionnaire was completed.

Adiponectin increases BMP-2 expression in osteoblasts via AdipoR receptor signaling pathway.

Adiponectin is a protein hormone secreted predominantly by differentiated adipocytes and involved in energy homeostasis. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) plays important roles in osteoblastic differentiation and bone formation. However, the effects of adiponectin on BMPs expression in cultured osteoblasts are largely unknown.

Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) inhibits migration and invasion of human colon cancer HT29 cells by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-2/-9 and urokinase plasminogen (uPA) through PKC and MAPK signaling pathway.

Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), a component of dietary cruciferous vegetables, has antioxidant and anticancer properties. In this study, we show for the first time the antimetastatic effects of BITC in human colon cancer HT29 cells. BITC had an inhibitory effect on cell migration and invasion.

Bradykinin enhances cell migration in human chondrosarcoma cells through BK receptor signaling pathways.

Bradykinin (BK) is an inflammatory mediator, and shows elevated levels in regions of severe injury and inflammatory diseases. BK has recently been shown to be involved in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. In this study, we found that BK increased the migration and the expression of alpha2beta1 integrin in human chondrosarcoma cells.

Stromal cell-derived factor-1/CXCR4 enhanced motility of human osteosarcoma cells involves MEK1/2, ERK and NF-kappaB-dependent pathways.

Osteosarcoma is characterized by a high malignant and metastatic potential. The chemokine stromal-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) and its receptor, CXCR4, play a crucial role in adhesion and migration of human cancer cells. Integrins are the major adhesive molecules in mammalian cells, and has been associated with metastasis of cancer cells.

Ultrasound in peripheral pulmonary air-fluid lesions. Color Doppler imaging as an aid in differentiating empyema and abscess.

Background: The aim of this study was to reevaluate the clinical significance of sonographic appearances, in particular the application of color Doppler ultrasound imaging, in discriminating peripheral air-fluid lung abscess from empyema.

Methods: We retrospectively studied patients who had had peripheral air-fluid lesions due to empyema or lung abscess and who had undergone color Doppler ultrasound and grayscale ultrasound examinations between January 2003 and October 2007. A total of 34 patients with confirmed lung abscess and 30 patients with empyema were identified.

CCL5 increases lung cancer migration via PI3K, Akt and NF-kappaB pathways.

CCL5 (previously called RANTES) is in the CC-chemokine family and plays a crucial role in the migration and metastasis of human cancer cells. Besides, integrins are the major adhesive molecules in mammalian cells. Here we found CCL5 increased the migration and cell surface expression of alphavbeta3 integrin in human lung cancer cells (A549 cells).

Influence of intravenous drug abuse on native arteriovenous fistula thrombosis in chronic hemodialysis patients.

The influence of intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) on native arteriovenous fistula thrombosis (NAT) in chronic hemodialysis patients is unknown. We conducted a retrospective study of 123 chronic hemodialysis patients incarcerated in a male prison in Mid-Taiwan. All patients were dialyzed three times per week, 4 h per session.

Community-acquired thoracic empyema in young adults.

Background: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, bacteriology, and therapeutic outcomes of community-acquired thoracic empyema (CATE) in young adults.

Methods: From December 2000 to December 2005, 428 adult patients with a diagnosis of thoracic empyema in a tertiary hospital were retrospectively reviewed. In total, there were 64 young adult patients who were diagnosed with CATE enrolled in our series, including 56 men (87.

C-reactive protein predicts ischaemic stroke in haemodialysis patients.

Dialysis patients have a higher incidence of cerebrovascular events compared with the general population. However, the value of C-reactive protein (CRP) in predicting stroke in chronic haemodialysis patients is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the association between serum CRP levels and ischaemic stoke in chronic haemodialysis patients.

Association between betelnut chewing and chronic kidney disease in adults.

Objective: This study was conduced to access the association between betelnut chewing and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 3,552 participants (1,418 men and 2,134 women) younger than 65 in this hospital-based cross-sectional study from 2003 to 2006.

Results: A total of 198 (5.

Pigtail catheters vs large-bore chest tubes for management of secondary spontaneous pneumothoraces in adults.

It is still uncertain if large-bore chest tubes (20F-28F) is superior to pigtail catheter (10F-14F) in terms of the management of secondary spontaneous pneumothoraces (SSP). This study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety associated with placement of large-bore chest tubes vs pigtail catheters in adults experiencing the first episode of SSP. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 91 patients experiencing the first episode of SSP in a university hospital over a 3.