Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes of Postmastectomy Radiotherapy between Breast Cancer Patients with and without Immediate Flap Reconstruction.

Purpose: To compare the long-term clinical outcomes of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) between breast cancer patients with and without immediate transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstruction.

Methods: The study included 492 patients with stage II or III breast cancer who underwent modified radical mastectomy (MRM) and chemotherapy followed by PMRT between 1997 and 2011. Cox regression model and Kaplan-Meier curves were calculated, and the log-rank test was used to evaluate the differences between overall and disease-free survival rates in the 2 groups.

Sedanolide induces autophagy through the PI3K, p53 and NF-κB signaling pathways in human liver cancer cells.

Sedanolide (SN), a phthalide-like compound from celery seed oil, possesses antioxidant effects. However, the effect of SN on cell death in human liver cancer cells has yet to be determined. In this study, cell viability determination, monodansylcadaverine (MDC) fluorescent staining and immunoblot analysis were performed to determine autophagy induction and autophagy-induced protein expression changes via molecular examination after human liver cancer (J5) cells were treated with SN.

Comparison of Second-Line Quadruple Therapies with or without Bismuth for Helicobacter pylori Infection.

The bismuth-based quadruple regimen has been applied in Helicobacter pylori rescue therapy worldwide. The non-bismuth-based quadruple therapy or "concomitant therapy" is an alternative option in first-line eradication but has not been used in second-line therapy. Discovering a valid regimen for rescue therapy in bismuth-unavailable countries is important.

18F-FDG PET/CT of Liver Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma.

A 48-year-old woman, chronic hepatitis B virus carrier, was presented with a 3.2-cm hepatic tumor accidentally noted 1 month ago by regular sonography. Serum α-fetoprotein level was within reference range, and tumor biopsy showed lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma.

RTOG, CTCAE and WHO criteria for acute radiation dermatitis correlate with cutaneous blood flow measurements.

Background: Various clinician-assessed scoring criteria have been used to grade acute radiation dermatitis. However, it is not known whether these scoring criteria correlate with changes in objective skin biophysical parameters and patient-reported symptoms following radiotherapy. We seek to correlate three different clinician-assessed scoring criteria with skin biophysical changes and patient-reported symptoms in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Induction of α-phellandrene on autophagy in human liver tumor cells.

α-Phellandrene (α-PA) is a cyclic monoterpene. To investigate the induction of autophagy by α-PA and its mechanism, human liver tumor cells (J5) were incubated with α-PA and analyzed for cell viability and the molecular regulation of pre-autophagosome origination and autophagosome formation. According to the results, PI3K-I, mTOR, and Akt protein levels were decreased after α-PA treatment compared to those of the control group (p < 0.

Prevalence of gout with comorbidity aggregations in southern Taiwan.

Objective: Comorbidity is an important concern for chronic gout patients. We evaluated the relationship between comorbidity profiles and gout in Taiwan aborigines and Taiwanese Han.

Methods: We used the claims data from the Taiwan national health insurance database for 2004 to 2006.

Sliding and lower limb mechanics during sit-stand-sit transitions with a standing wheelchair.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the shear displacement between the body and backrest/seat, range of motion (ROM), and force acting on the lower limb joints during sit-stand-sit transitions by operating an electric-powered standing wheelchair.

Methods And Materials: The amounts of sliding along the backrest and the seat plane, ROM of lower limb joints, and force acting on the knee/foot were measured in twenty-four people with paraplegia.

Results: Without an antishear mechanism, the shear displacement was approximately 9 cm between the user's body and the backrest/seat surfaces.

P wave dispersion and maximum P wave duration are associated with renal outcomes in chronic kidney disease.

P wave parameters measured by 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) are commonly used as a noninvasive tool to evaluate left atrial enlargement. This study was designed to assess whether P wave parameters were associated with renal outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This longitudinal study enrolled 439 patients with CKD stages 3-5.

Eugenosedin-A ameliorates hyperlipidemia-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction via inhibition of α1-adrenoceptor/5-HT activity and NADPH oxidase expression.

Eugenosedin-A (Eu-A) effects on vascular endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in a hyperlipidemic rat model were investigated. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: two control groups and two treatment groups. The control rats received a regular diet or high fat diet (HFD); the treatment rats fed received an HFD with 5 mg/kg Eu-A or atorvastatin for 10 weeks.

Acute pesticide poisoning outcomes: a nationwide study in Taiwan.

Background: This study presents the findings of a nationwide study of acute pesticide poisoning (APP) outcomes, including outcome predictors such as physician and hospital volume and associated factors.

Methods: This study of data contained in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database analysed 27 046 patients who had been hospitalised for APP from January 1996 to December 2007. Patient characteristics were then compared among quartiles.

Interferon-associated hepatic steatosis is related to discrepancies in biochemical and virological responses of chronic hepatitis C to IFN-based therapy.

Background And Aims: A discrepancy in virological and biochemical responses may occur throughout interferon-based therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV). We aimed to explore the risk, associated factors, potential mechanisms, and impact on the treatment outcome of the discrepancy.

Subjects And Methods: Consecutive 496, chronic HCV-infected patients receiving interferon/ribavirin or peginterferon/ribavirin for 24 weeks with a 24-week follow-up period were enrolled.

Catheter-related Mycobacterium abscessus bacteremia manifested with skin nodules, pneumonia, and mediastinal lymphadenopathy.

Although previously rare, catheter-related bloodstream infection caused by rapidly growing mycobacteria is now increasingly encountered, especially among cancer patients who have catheters implanted for chemotherapy treatments. A 73-year-old female patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) had Mycobacterium abscessus bacteremia with manifestations of multiple skin nodules, pneumonia, and mediastinal lymphadenopathy 4 months after the implantation of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) for the delivery of chemotherapy. The catheter-related M.

Triple positioning of tibial tubercle osteotomy for patellofemoral disorders.

Background And Purpose: Patellofemoral disorders are often associated with patellofemoral malalignment. Tibial tubercle transfer is an effective method to correct the patellofemoral malalignment. This study evaluated the long-term results of triple positioning of tibial tubercle osteotomy for refractory patellofemoral disorders with 10-year follow-up.

Preliminary results of dancing exercise on postural stability in adolescent females.

Twenty-six female student dancers of Chung-hua school of Art (mean age 17.5 ± 0.5 years) and twenty-five healthy active female collegiate students (mean age 18.

Long-term prediction of emergency department revenue and visitor volume using autoregressive integrated moving average model.

This study analyzed meteorological, clinical and economic factors in terms of their effects on monthly ED revenue and visitor volume. Monthly data from January 1, 2005 to September 30, 2009 were analyzed. Spearman correlation and cross-correlation analyses were performed to identify the correlation between each independent variable, ED revenue, and visitor volume.

Factors influencing breast symptoms in breastfeeding women after cesarean section delivery.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to explore postpartum stress and breast symptoms in postpar-tum breastfeeding of parturient mothers as well as to identify the factors influencing the breast symptoms in breastfeeding women after cesarean section delivery.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 162 breastfeeding women after cesarean section delivery were recruited from five hospitals in Taiwan.

Evolution of interferon-based therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

Since 1986, interferon-alfa (IFN-α) monotherapy has been administered for patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). However, sustained response rate is only about 8% to 9%. Subsequent introduction of ribavirin in combination with IFN-α was a major breakthrough in the treatment of CHC.

Cesarean and VBAC rates among immigrant vs. native-born women: a retrospective observational study from Taiwan Cesarean delivery and VBAC among immigrant women in Taiwan.

Background: Cultural and ethnic roots impact women's fertility and delivery preferences This study investigated whether the likelihood of cesarean delivery, primary cesarean, and vaginal delivery after cesarean (VBAC) varies by maternal national origin.

Methods: We conducted a nation-wide, population-based, observational study using secondary data from Taiwan. De-identified data were obtained on all 392,246 singleton live births (≥500 g; ≥20 weeks) born to native-born Taiwanese, Vietnamese and mainland Chinese-born mothers between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2007 from Taiwan's nation-wide birth certificate data.

Effects of flow rate on delivery of bubble continuous positive airway pressure in an in vitro model.

Background: There has been concern over the effect of vigorous bubbling on the delivery pressure during the operation of the bubble nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system. We investigated the relationship between intra-tubing pressure changes and flow rates in a closed bubble CPAP system in vitro.

Methods: Using an experimental (in vitro) model, the distal connecting tube of the CPAP system was immersed under the water seal to a depth of 5 cm.

Clinical features and outcomes of spinal tuberculosis in southern Taiwan.

Background/purpose: The early diagnosis and appropriate management of spinal tuberculosis (TB) is challenging for clinicians. This study aimed to characterize the clinical features and factors affecting treatment outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective study of patients with spinal TB over a 7-year period at a medical center in southern Taiwan was conducted.

Growth hormone deficiency in a case of crouzon syndrome with hydrocephalus.

Crouzon syndrome is one of the most common craniofacial syndromes and is inherited as autosomal dominant with variable expression. We report an 11 and a half-year-old boy with Crouzon syndrome with severe growth retardation. He had hydrocephalus since infancy and recently suffered from frequent dizziness.

Effect of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate on protein metabolism in bed-ridden elderly receiving tube feeding.

Malnutrition and muscle loss are common in bed-ridden elderly nursing home residents. Supplementation of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) has been shown to prevent muscle loss in several catabolic conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of HMB supplementation on body composition and protein metabolism in bed-ridden elderly nursing home residents receiving tube feeding.

Chronic kidney disease care program improves quality of pre-end-stage renal disease care and reduces medical costs.

Aim: Multidisciplinary care of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) provides better care outcomes. This study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a CKD care program on pre-end-stage renal disease (ESRD) care.

Methods: One hundred and forty incident haemodialysis patients were classified into the CKD Care Group (n = 71) and the Nephrologist Care Group (n = 69) according to participation in the CKD care program before dialysis initiation.

Association between wall shear stress and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with never treated essential hypertension.

Background: Wall shear stress (WSS) has been shown to be a critical determinant of vessel diameter implicated in vascular remodeling and atherogenesis. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), resistive index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) have been used as relevant indictors for carotid atherosclerosis. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between hemodynamic parameters in the common carotid artery (CCA) and the severity of carotid atherosclerosis in untreated hypertensive patients.