The preconditioning pulmonary protective effect of volatile isoflurane in acute lung injury is mediated by activation of endogenous iNOS.

Purpose: There is still a lack of evidence to support the use of specific anesthetic agents during major operations that could affect the development of postoperative acute lung injury (ALI). This study determined the protective effect of inhaled isoflurane in a rat model of endotoxin-induced ALI.

Methods: Rats were exposed to volatile isoflurane (1.

Hepatitis B virus X protein upregulates mTOR signaling through IKKβ to increase cell proliferation and VEGF production in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a major cause of cancer-related death in Southeast Asia, is frequently associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. HBV X protein (HBx), encoded by a viral non-structural gene, is a multifunctional regulator in HBV-associated tumor development. We investigated novel signaling pathways underlying HBx-induced liver tumorigenesis and found that the signaling pathway involving IκB kinase β (IKKβ), tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (TSC1), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) downstream effector S6 kinase (S6K1), was upregulated when HBx was overexpressed in hepatoma cells.

Systemic lupus erythematosus with initial presentation of empyematous pleural effusion in an elderly male patient: a diagnostic challenge.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) poses great difficulty in making an early diagnosis in elderly males, often presenting with atypical manifestations. Acute onset of empyematous pleural effusion has rarely been seen. Herein, we report a 66-year-old man with SLE presenting with rapid progression of bilateral pleural effusion.

Cardiovascular protection of activating KATP channel during ischemia-reperfusion acidosis.

In clinical practice, prolonged occlusion of main arteries causes accumulation of metabolic waste and lactate. Reperfusion of blood flow is usually accompanied by circulatory shock. This study investigates the molecular mechanisms responsible for acidosis-induced hypotension and proposes therapeutic strategies for improving hemodynamic stability following ischemia-reperfusion acidosis.

Effects of rosiglitazone on the cardiovascular profile in postmenopausal women without diabetes mellitus: interplay of thiazolidinediones and hormone therapy.

Objective: Thiazolidinediones have antiatherothrombotic effects on persons with diabetes. Hormone therapy among postmenopausal women has both positive and negative cardiovascular effects. However, the effects of rosiglitazone with or without concurrent long-term hormone therapy on the cardiovascular profile of nondiabetic postmenopausal women are unknown.

A novel vasculo-angiogenic effect of cilostazol mediated by cross-talk between multiple signalling pathways including the ERK/p38 MAPK signalling transduction cascade.

Cilostazol is an anti-platelet agent with vasodilatory activity that acts by increasing intracellular concentrations of cAMP. Recent reports have suggested that cilostazol may promote angiogenesis. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of cilostazol in promoting angiogenesis and vasculogenesis in a hindlimb ischaemia model and have also examined its potential mechanism of action in vitro and in vivo.

Treatment of early Acanthamoeba keratitis with alcohol-assisted epithelial debridement.

Purpose: To study the safety and efficacy of treating early-stage Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) with 20% alcohol-assisted epithelial debridement.

Methods: Four consecutive patients (2 wearing orthokeratology lenses and 2 wearing soft contact lenses) presented with pseudodendrites, radial keratoneuritis, and epithelial irregularities. Using a technique similar to laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis, we performed alcohol-assisted full-thickness debridement of the corneal epithelium and sent portions for smears, histopathologic and ultrastructural examinations, and culture for evidence of Acanthamoeba.

Linear lupus panniculitis of the scalp presenting as alopecia along Blaschko's lines: a distinct variant of lupus panniculitis in East Asians?

A 32-year-old Taiwanese man presented to our clinic with a 6-month history of linear hair loss in a wavy and curved pattern across the parietal and occipital scalp, resembling the distribution of Blaschko's lines. Physical examination showed interfollicular erythema and follicular plugging without skin atrophy or sclerotic change. Histopathology revealed a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate in the perifollicular dermis and subcutis with abundant mucin deposition, consistent with the diagnosis of lupus panniculitis.

SPECT study of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system in Huntington's disease.

Background And Purpose: The pathological process of Huntington's disease (HD) preferentially targets spiny neurons in the striatum, with later involvement of the substantia nigra and other structures. The purpose of this study is to investigate the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system in a genetically confirmed HD family.

Methods: We used single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with the radiotracers [(99m) Tc]TRODAT-1 and [123I]IBZM to study the binding potentials of dopamine transporter (DAT) and dopamine D2 receptors in the striatum of 3 symptomatic HD patients, 1 mutation-negative member of the HD family, and 7 healthy controls.

A muscle-sparing modified Gibson incision for hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff excision--an approach through a window behind the rectus abdominis muscle.

Objective: To report our technique using a modified muscle-sparing Gibson incision for hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy (HARN) and open bladder cuff excision.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-four patients with upper tract transitional cell carcinoma received HARN and open bladder cuff excision using the modified muscle-sparing Gibson incision-an approach through a window behind the rectus abdominis muscle with the patient in a supine position with the legs extended and abducted at 45-60° with the surgeon standing between the legs of the patient. The window behind the rectus muscle was identified with ease.

Surgical consideration of in situ prosthetic replacement for primary infected abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objectives: To review our surgical experience of primary infected abdominal aortic aneurysms, with the aim of assessing the safety and durability of in situ prosthetic replacement.

Design: Retrospective study in a university hospital.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-four patients who underwent surgery for primary infected abdominal aortic aneurysms over the past 18 years were reviewed.

Novel feedback inhibition of surface antigen synthesis by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signal and its implication for hepatitis B virus tumorigenesis and therapy.

Unlabelled: Ground glass hepatocytes (GGHs) harboring hepatitis B virus (HBV) pre-S mutants have been recognized as precursor lesions of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previously, we observed the activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in GGHs and HCCs, together with a decreased expression of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) in HCC tissues. It is, therefore, hypothesized that the activation of mTOR during HBV tumorigenesis may potentially down-regulate HBsAg expression.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 14 is a novel sperm-motility biomarker.

Purpose: To understand the molecular basis of sperm-motility and to identify related novel motility biomarkers.

Methods: Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) followed by Reverse-phase-nano-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (RP-nano-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) were applied to establish the human sperm proteome. Then the sperm proteome of moderate-motile human sperm fraction and that of good-motile human sperm fraction from pooled spermatozoa of forty normozoospermic donors (Group 1 subjects) were compared to identify the dysregulated proteins.

Solanum incanum extract (SR-T100) induces human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma apoptosis through modulating tumor necrosis factor receptor signaling pathway.

Background: The Solanum species herbs have been used to treat cancer for centuries; however, the underlying mechanisms and effectiveness in vivo remain unclear.

Objectives: SR-T100, extracted from the Solanum incanum, contains solamargine alkaloid as the main active ingredient. Here, we investigated the apoptosis-inducing effects of SR-T100 for targeting squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in vitro and in vivo.

The association of serum lipids with the histological pattern of rectosigmoid adenoma in Taiwanese adults.

Background: The mortality rate of colorectal cancer ranks third behind lung and hepatic cancer in Taiwan. Colorectal cancer mostly arises from adenomatous polyps of left colon. The aim of our study was to examine the association of serum lipids with the histological pattern of rectosigmoid adenoma.

Left ventricular systolic strain in chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis patients.

Background: The impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hemodialysis on heart function is not fully understood. We aimed to investigate the influence of different stages of CKD and maintenance hemodialysis on heart function.

Methods: One hundred fifty-three patients were categorized into 3 subgroups [56 without CKD as controls; 37 with moderate-advanced CKD, stages 3, 4 or 5, and 60 with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing maintenance hemodialysis].

Influence of post material and length on endodontically treated incisors: an in vitro and finite element study.

Statement Of Problem: Cast posts require sufficient length for prosthesis retention and root strength. For prefabricated metal and fiber posts, the effects of different post lengths on the strength and internal stress of the surrounding root need evaluation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine, using both experimental and finite element (FE) approaches, the influence of post material and length on the mechanical response of endodontically treated teeth.

Spatially resolved assessments of composite shrinkage in MOD restorations using a digital-image-correlation technique.

Objectives: To analyze the influence of cavity geometry and lining materials in MOD composite restorations by characterizing the polymerization shrinkage and cusp deflection.

Methods: Eighty intact molars with similar sizes were collected and randomly divided into eight groups. MOD cavities with various widths and depths were prepared on these teeth: Group I, 2((W)) × 2((D)) mm; Group II, 4((W)) × 2((D)) mm; Groups III, IIIf, IIIg, 2((W)) × 4((D)) mm; and Groups IV, IVf, IVg, 4((W)) × 4((D)) mm.

Composite skull and dura defect reconstruction using combined latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous and serratus anterior muscle-rib free flap coupled with vascularized galea transfer: a case report.

Recalcitrant epidural abscess following cranioplasty is a complicated problem, which becomes even more trying when large span of dura and skull bone are being replaced by alloplastic materials. A 22-year-old male underwent right fronto-temporo-parietal craniectomy and duroplasty with artificial dura graft after traumatic brain injury. Epidural abscesses recurred after cranioplasty with autologous bone graft as well as with a methyl methacrylate bone plate.

The expression pattern of SEPT7 correlates with sperm morphology.

Purpose: To investigate the expression pattern of the SEPT7 protein during spermatogenesis and its potential role in sperm function.

Methods: We first investigated the expression pattern of SEPT7 during different steps of mouse spermiogenesis using an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). IFA was also applied to study the expression pattern of SEPT7 in human ejaculated spermatozoa.

Modified, weekly dosing with docetaxel and cisplatin as first-line therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Platinum-based combination chemotherapy regimens provide modest improvement in both survival and quality of life for patients with non-small cell lung cancers and docetaxel is the first agent approved for both first- and second-line treatment in patients with advanced disease. However, the regimens are associated with adverse effects.

Methods: We used a modified, shortened regimen with only 2 consecutive weekly infusions of docetaxel followed by rest for 1 week, and evaluated the efficacy and toxicity profiles in patients undergoing treatment for non-small cell lung cancers.

A novel inhibitory effect of Antrodia camphorata extract on vascular smooth muscle cell migration and neointima formation in mice.

Antrodia camphorata (AC) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that has been shown to inhibit proliferation and migration of cancer cells. We examined whether AC could inhibit rat aortic smooth muscle cell (RASMC) proliferation and migration and evaluated its effect on neointima formation in mouse carotid artery after injury. In Transwell migration assay and wound scratch assay, RASMCs were treated with AC or saline, and the number of migrated cells was counted or the distance was determined.

Autologous transplantation of endothelial progenitor cells attenuates acute lung injury in rabbits.

Background: Acute lung injury (ALI) and end-stage acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are among the most common causes of death in intensive care units. Activation and damage of pulmonary endothelium is the hallmark of ALI/ARDS. Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in maintaining normal endothelial function as well as endothelial repairing after vascular injury.