Direct-acting antiviral treatment for Hepatitis C Virus in geriatric patients: a real-world retrospective comparison between early and late elderly patients.

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection rates are high in the geriatric population considering that interferon-based therapy is usually intolerable. With the introduction of oral antiviral therapy for HCV, increased treatment tolerability and good treatment responses have been observed. However, treatment data regarding the geriatric population have been limited.

Predictive values of stool-based tests for mucosal healing among Taiwanese patients with ulcerative colitis: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Background/purpose: Over the past two decades, ulcerative colitis (UC) has emerged in the Asia Pacific area, and its treatment goal has shifted from symptom relief to endoscopic remission. Endoscopy is the gold standard for the assessment of mucosal healing; however, it is an invasive method. Fecal calprotectin (FC) is a non-invasive stool-based inflammatory marker which has been used to monitor mucosal healing status, but it is expensive.

Risk factors for and prevalence of clonorchiasis in Miaoli County, Taiwan.

The objective of this study was to investigate the risk factors for and prevalence of clonorchiasis in Miaoli County, Taiwan. In 2009, 6,929 subjects were randomly selected in Miaoli County and given a questionnaire to fill out regarding risk factors for clonorchiasis; the response rate was 69%. Stool sample was obtained from each participant who filled out the questionnaire and examined using the merthiolate-iodine-formaldehyde concentration (MIFC) technique to determine the presence and concentration of Clonorchis sinensis eggs.

Health effects of waste incineration: a review of epidemiologic studies.

There is an increasing trend toward using incineration to solve the problem of waste management; thus, there are concerns about the potential health impact of waste incineration. A critical review of epidemiologic studies will enhance understanding of the potential health effects of waste incineration and will provide important information regarding what needs to be investigated further. This study reviews the epidemiologic research on the potential health impact of waste incineration.

Influence of auditory deprivation upon the tonopic organization in the inferior colliculus: a Fos immunocytochemical study in the rat.

The frequency organization in the inferior colliculus of neonatally-deafened rats was investigated using electrical stimulation of the cochlea and immunoreactivity for Fos as a marker of neuronal activity. An electrode implanted either at the base or at the apex of the right cochlea delivered a unique 45-min stimulation at two different level intensities and at two time points, i.e.

Prevalence and correlation of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder in Taiwanese women.

Aims: We randomly sampled a community-based, healthy population to evaluate the prevalence and correlation of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder. We also assessed the influences of these conditions on quality of life and associated risk factors.

Methods: Of the 1,581 women sampled (2.

Relationship between intracellular glutathione level and the mode of cell death induced by pingyangmycin.

The effects of intracellular glutathione (GSH) concentration on the toxicity of pingyangmycin in human squamous cell carcinoma cell line were evaluated. By using the GSH synthesis inhibitor D,L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine and the precursor of cysteine 2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate (OTZ), intracellular glutathione levels were artificially changed. After exposed to different GSH concentrations cultured tumor cells were treated with pingyangmycin and the resultant mode of cell death was analyzed using morphological and biochemical criteria.

The anticorrosion ability of titanium nitride (TiN) plating on an orthodontic metal bracket and its biocompatibility.

Typically, an orthodontic metal bracket is made from stainless steel. It has been shown that such metal may corrode in an acid- and chloride-rich environment. The purpose of the current study was to investigate a titanium nitride (TiN) ion-plated stainless steel orthodontic bracket's anticorrosion properties and compare its biocompatibility with that of non-TiN-plated brackets.

Study of an outbreak of Enterobacter cloacae sepsis in a neonatal intensive care unit: the application of epidemiologic chromosome profiling by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

Objective: From October 1996 to March 1997, a cluster of 11 cases of neonatal sepsis caused by Enterobacter cloacae with similar antimicrobial susceptibility patterns occurred in a neonatal intensive care unit. This outbreak prompted an investigation.

Method: Twelve isolates obtained from 6 neonatal patients who developed E cloacae sepsis during the outbreak were analyzed.

Imaging comparison of basic cardiac views between two- and three-dimensional ultrasound in normal fetuses in anterior spine positions.

Objective: When the fetal spine is in anterior position, it shadows the fetal heart, resulting in the difficult visualization using two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound. The purpose of this study was to compare the basic cardiac views of normal fetuses between 2D and 3D ultrasound to demonstrate whether 3D ultrasound improved the visualization of these views in fetuses in anterior spine positions. In addition, inter- and intra-observation reliabilities of basic cardiac views using 3D ultrasound were evaluated for their clinical applicability.

Hippocampal volume and antidepressant response in geriatric depression.

Background: Biological markers of treatment response may include structural brain changes seen on neuroimaging. While most imaging studies have focused on cerebrovascular disease, evidence is growing that the hippocampus may play a role in depression, particularly geriatric depression.

Method: We studied 60 depressed elderly patients enrolled in a longitudinal study who were treated with antidepressant medications using a treatment guideline-based approach.

Elevated vimentin expression in buccal mucosal fibroblasts by arecoline in vitro as a possible pathogenesis for oral submucous fibrosis.

Areca quid chewing is strongly correlated with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) in Taiwan. The cytotoxicity of arecoline, a major areca nut alkaloid, on human oral fibroblasts has been extensively studied. To date, however, there has been little research exploring the possible effects of arecoline on cytoskeleton components.

Cytotoxic effects of denture base materials on a permanent human oral epithelial cell line and on primary human oral fibroblasts in vitro.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the cytocompatibility of three different extracts of denture base resins and to compare the cytotoxic effect of these materials on a human oral epithelial KB cell line and primary human oral fibroblasts derived from buccal mucosa.

Materials And Methods: Set specimens from a heat-cured resin, a self-cured resin, and a light-cured resin were eluted with culture medium for 1, 3, and 5 days. Cytotoxicity was judged using tetrazolium bromide reduction assay.

Resinous perforation-repair materials inhibit the growth, attachment, and proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts.

The choice of repair material is one of the important factors in the prognosis of the endodontically treated tooth with a perforation defect. The cytotoxicity of perforation-repair materials must be investigated to ensure a safe biological response. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of resin-modified, glass-ionomer cement, compomer, and resin on human-gingival fibroblasts.

Measurement of polyethylene wear - a new three-dimensional methodology.

Studies in the field of polyethylene wear of the acetabular cup have been generally discussed using a two-dimensional assumption on the coronal plane; significant errors thus appear. The present study proposes a new, advanced methodology in order to accurately estimate the polyethylene wear. Through the usage of the distance between X-ray focus and film and only one follow-up, anteroposterior (AP) radiograph, a three-dimensional (3D) algorithm is introduced here.

Primary bronchopulmonary leiomyosarcoma of the left main bronchus in a child presenting with wheezing and atelectasis of the left lung.

Primary lung tumors are rare in children, and primary bronchopulmonary leiomyosarcomas are very rare in children, with only 10 cases reported in the English-language literature. We report on the eleventh case of primary bronchopulmonary leiomyosarcoma in a child, and it is the first case in Taiwan, and also in Asia. In addition, this is the second case of this tumor arising in the left main bronchus.

Inter-rater reliability and validity of the stroke rehabilitation assessment of movement (stream) instrument.

The Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM) instrument is used to measure motor and mobility problems in patients who have experienced a stroke. The purposes of the study were to examine the interrater reliability, concurrent and convergent validity of the STREAM instrument in stroke patients. Fifty-four stroke patients participated in the study.

Increased tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 expression and inhibition of gelatinase A activity in buccal mucosal fibroblasts by arecoline as possible mechanisms for oral submucous fibrosis.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a pre-malignant fibrotic lesion of the mouth in areca quid chewers. It is probably a consequence of disturbances in the hemeostatic equilibrium between synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix molecules (ECM). To date, there has been little research about the role of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMPs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the pathogenesis of OSF.

Cytotoxicity of resin-, zinc oxide-eugenol-, and calcium hydroxide-based root canal sealers on human periodontal ligament cells and permanent V79 cells.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity of three different types of root canal sealer on human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells and a permanent hamster cell line (V79 cells).

Methodology: Set specimens from two resin based sealers (AH26 and AHPlus), three zinc oxide-eugenol-based sealers (Canals, Endomethasone and N2) and one calcium hydroxide-based sealer (Sealapex) were eluted with culture medium for 1, 2, 3 and 7 days. Cytotoxicity was judged using tetrazolium bromide reduction assay on human primary PDL cells and V79 cells derived from a Chinese hamster.

Stimulation of matrix metalloproteinases by black-pigmented Bacteroides in human pulp and periodontal ligament cell cultures.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of proteolytic enzymes capable of degrading most components of the extracellular matrix. Recently, evidence has shown that MMPs may play a role in tissue degradation in inflamed dental pulp. To date very little is known regarding the mechanism of extracellular matrix destruction at the site of bacterial infection.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis in children-report of one case.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is rare in pediatric patients. The three main manifestations, defined by Klein et al. in 1970, were (a) predominant mucosal, (b) predominant muscular-layer, and (c) predominant subserosal disease.

Electroacupuncture at Hoku elicits dual effect on autonomic nervous system in anesthetized rats.

To address the effect of electroacupuncture (Ea) on the autonomic nerve activity, responses of arteriole blood pressure (BP), intragastric pressure (IGP) and parasympathetic vagal nerve activity (VNA) to Ea were investigated in alpha-chloralose anesthetized rats. The acupoint: Hoku (Li-4) was tested with two different stimulation frequencies (2 and 20 Hz). Decrease in VNA and basal IGP associated with elevation of BP were elicited during Ea at Hoku with stimulation intensity of 20 times of motor threshold.

Antimicrobial activity of four root canal sealers against endodontic pathogens.

The antibacterial effects of various types of widely used endodontic sealers have not been compared systematically on facultative or obligate anaerobic endodontic pathogens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of four commonly used endodontic sealers: two epoxy-resin-based sealers (AH26, AH plus), one zinc-oxide eugenol-based sealer (N2), and one calcium hydroxide-based sealer (Sealapex). The testing microbes were four facultative anaerobic species (Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus) and four obligate anaerobic species (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Porphyromonas endodontalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Prevotella intermedia).