ribonuclease induces cell apoptosis via the caspase-9/-3 signaling pathway in human glioblastoma DBTRG, GBM8901 and GBM8401 cell lines.

Human glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most aggressive malignant brain tumor types, and the mean survival time of patients with a brain tumor is <2 years when traditional therapies are administered. Thus, numerous studies have focused on the development of novel treatments for brain tumors. Frog ribonucleases, such as Onconase and ribonuclease (RC-RNase), exert antitumor effects on various tumor cells, including cervical cancer, breast cancer, hepatoma, leukemia, pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer cells.

Vitamin C enhances anticancer activity in methotrexate‑treated Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Methotrexate (MTX) has been widely used for rheumatoid arthritis therapy for a long time. MTX is also used as an anticancer drug for various tumors. However, many studies have shown that high-dose MTX treatment for cancer therapy may cause liver and renal damage.

Dual role of acetaminophen in promoting hepatoma cell apoptosis and kidney fibroblast proliferation.

Acetaminophen (APAP), is a safe analgesic and antipyretic drug at therapeutic dose, and is widely used in the clinic. However, high doses of APAP can induce hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Most studies have focused on high‑dose APAP‑induced acute liver and kidney injury.

RC-6 ribonuclease induces caspase activation, cellular senescence and neuron-like morphology in NT2 embryonal carcinoma cells.

Frog ribonucleases have been demonstrated to have anticancer activities. However, whether RC-6 ribonuclease exerts anticancer activity on human embryonal carcinoma cells remains unclear. In the present study, RC-6 induced cytotoxicity in NT2 cells (a human embryonal carcinoma cell line) and our studies showed that RC-6 can exert anticancer effects and induce caspase-9 and -3 activities.

Restrictive dermopathy: report of two siblings.

Restrictive dermopathy (RD) is a rare and lethal autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by very tight, thin, and easily eroded skin and contracture of joints. We present two siblings in a family. Case 1, a female neonate, showed mild characteristic presentations of RD and survived for 16 days, and Case 2, a male neonate, was stillborn with typical severe features of RD.

U-curve association between timing of renal replacement therapy initiation and in-hospital mortality in postoperative acute kidney injury.

Background: Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with poor outcomes in surgical patients. This study aims to evaluate whether the timing of renal replacement therapy (RRT) initiation affects the in-hospital mortality of patients with postoperative AKI.

Methodology: This multicenter retrospective observational study, which was conducted in the intensive care units (ICUs) in a tertiary hospital (National Taiwan University Hospital) and its branch hospitals in Taiwan between January, 2002, and April, 2009, included adult patients with postoperative AKI who underwent RRT for predefined indications.

A pediatric clinic-based approach to early literacy promotion--experience in a well-baby clinic in Taiwan.

Background/purpose: Reach Out and Read (ROR) is an evidence-based intervention situated in pediatric offices and can help pediatricians to promote parents' reading to their children. The objective of this study was to determine if the program could also achieve good results in different culture, such as in Taiwan.

Methods: The intervention group (n=205) was enrolled from a well-baby clinic participated in a program modified from ROR (receiving anticipatory guidance and an appropriate children's book at a well-baby clinic) at a mean age of 9 months.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in older patients: clinical experience from 56 consecutive patients in a rural community hospital in Taiwan.

Purpose: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a safe and effective treatment for gallbladder disease in elderly patients. However, there is little convincing prospective data regarding the outcome of LC in patients above 75 years of age.

Methods: Fifty-six cholecystitis patients were enrolled.