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Yeh HL, Kuo HC, Tsai CH, Lee RP. Reasons for Altering Bladder Management and Satisfaction with Current Bladder Management in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Patients. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:17032. [PMID: 36554912 PMCID: PMC9779055 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192417032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) often require bladder management. However, patients routinely change their bladder management for better satisfaction. The reasons for altering a bladder management method in SCI patients remain insufficiently understood. The purposes of this study are to assess current satisfaction with bladder management and the reasons for changing bladder management in SCI patients. A prospective cross-sectional survey with a convenience sampling method was used. The study was conducted from January 2018 to December 2019. The inclusion criteria included an age ≥18 years and a diagnosis of SCI more than one year previously. The questionnaires were self-administered and collected from eligible patients during a free clinic service. A total of 515 SCI participants were enrolled. Two hundred and eighty-three (55.0%) participants had experienced changing their bladder management. The most used method of current bladder management was self-voiding. About 84.7% of participants reported being satisfied with their current bladder management. Bladder management changes were most often made due to frequent urinary tract infections. Furthermore, the participants dissatisfied with their management had more urological complications. This study indicates that appropriate bladder management can improve the subjective satisfaction of patients. For long-term care, preventing urinary tract infections is a helpful strategy for patients' satisfaction with bladder management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ling Yeh
- Department of Nursing, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 970473, Taiwan
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
| | - Hann-Chorng Kuo
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
- Department of Urology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 970473, Taiwan
| | - Chuan-Hsiu Tsai
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
| | - Ru-Ping Lee
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
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2
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Chang MC, Hsieh JG, Wei MH, Tsai CH, Yu JH, Wang YW. Familiarity, Attitude, and Confidence of Health Literacy Practice among Community Healthcare Providers in Taiwan. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph182312610. [PMID: 34886334 PMCID: PMC8656928 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Health literacy (HL), which is a determinant of individuals’ health as well as a personal and public asset, can be improved by community healthcare providers (CHPs) with the capability of providing HL services. The purpose of this study was to explore CHPs’ familiarity with and attitudes toward HL and their confidence in implementing HL practices. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted involving a total of 104 CHPs from 20 public health centers in Taiwan. It was based on a structured questionnaire involving self-evaluation by participants. The scores for familiarity, attitudes, and confidence in implementing HL practices were mean = 4.36, SD = 1.99; mean = 7.45, SD = 1.93; and mean = 6.10, SD = 1.77 (out of 10 points), respectively. The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that the two independent variables of familiarity and attitude could predict confidence in implementing HL practices (R2 = 0.57, F(2101) = 58.96, p < 0.001). The CHPs surveyed were not especially familiar with HL; thus, they recognized its importance, but they lacked confidence in implementing HL practices. Increasing practitioners’ familiarity with HL may therefore boost their confidence in implementation. The research results can serve as a reference when planning HL education and training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Chuan Chang
- Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan; (M.-C.C.); (C.-H.T.)
| | - Jyh-Gang Hsieh
- Department of Family Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 970, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Humanities, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
| | - Mi-Hsiu Wei
- Department of Communication Studies, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan;
| | - Chuan-Hsiu Tsai
- Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan; (M.-C.C.); (C.-H.T.)
| | - Jui-Hung Yu
- Department of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan;
| | - Ying-Wei Wang
- Department of Family Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 970, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Humanities, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-933-484-050
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Kuo CL, Wang SY, Tsai CH, Pan YF, Chuang YH. Nurses' perceptions regarding providing psychological care for older residents in long-term care facilities: A qualitative study. Int J Older People Nurs 2019; 14:e12242. [PMID: 31070867 DOI: 10.1111/opn.12242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To explore nurses' perceptions regarding providing psychological health care for older residents in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). BACKGROUND Loneliness and depressive symptoms are commonly observed among older residents living in LTCFs. Nurses are expected to provide holistic care including physical, psychological and social care for older residents in LTCFs to fulfil their needs. Therefore, understanding nurses' feelings and thoughts regarding providing care for older residents who feel lonely, sad, unhappy or depressed is important for delivering better care. DESIGN A qualitative research design was employed. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) was used to enhance for reporting quality. METHODS Purposive sampling and snowball sampling were applied in Northern Taiwan. One-to-one in-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Twenty-one nurses with a mean age of 38.4 years were interviewed. Content analysis was performed for data analysis. FINDINGS Four themes were generated from the data: "insufficient psychological healthcare competency," "having a willing heart but not adequate support," "families playing an essential role in residents' mood" and "physical-oriented care model." CONCLUSIONS Long-term care facilitie nurses felt that they were not adequately prepared for taking care of older adults' psychological problems before their nursing career or during their practice. Unreasonable nurse-to-resident ratios and an absence of care consensus among healthcare providers can make nurses feel that they have a willing heart but not adequate support. Family members are essential in older residents' emotional status within the Taiwanese cultural context. Physical care evaluation indicators emphasised by LTCF accreditation resulted in the current care practice model. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE This study provides valuable information for LTCF nurses, managers and directors to develop appropriate strategies to assist nurses in providing better psychological health care for older residents. Evaluation indicators required by LTCF accreditation in Taiwan must be re-examined at the earliest stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Lin Kuo
- Department of Allied Health Education & Digital Learning, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shou-Yu Wang
- Discipline of Nursing, School of Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Yu-Fan Pan
- School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yeu-Hui Chuang
- School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Shih MH, Tsai CH. [Factors associated with adherence to immunosuppressive therapy among transplant recipients]. Hu Li Za Zhi 2019; 61:21-5. [PMID: 25116311 DOI: 10.6224/jn.61.4.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Advancing medical technology has made organ transplantation an emerging surgical treatment option for organ failure. Patients who receive transplants must take immunosuppressive agents for the remainder of their life in order to maintain good graft function. Failure to take these agents may affect the function of the transplanted graft, reduce quality of life, and even cause death. Thus, encouraging patients to take immunosuppressive agents as directed is critical to minimizing the long-term medical burdens and social costs of organ transplantation. The purpose of this study is to explore the factors associated with adherence to immunosuppressive therapy among transplant recipients using the WHO adherence model. Findings are provided as a reference to health education and clinical care planners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Hui Shih
- Department of Nursing, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Taiwan, ROC
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Chiu PE, Tsao HM, Tsai CH. WITHDRAWN: A Multifaceted Approach to Assessing the Medication Adherence of Patients on Warfarin Therapy. J Nurs Res 2019:1. [PMID: 30870260 DOI: 10.1097/jnr.0000000000000318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pai-En Chiu
- MSN, RN, Head Nurse, Department of Nursing, National Yang-Ming University Hospital
| | - Hsuan-Ming Tsao
- MD, Professor, Division of Cardiology, National Yang-Ming University Hospital, and National Yang Ming University
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Lyu JY, Chang LI, Tsai CH. [Pelvic Health: Healthcare Needs From Medical and Women Perspectives]. Hu Li Za Zhi 2017; 64:12-18. [PMID: 28393334 DOI: 10.6224/jn.000020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The pelvis, one of the most important cavities in the human body, is involved in human reproduction health. The pelvis changes in females with age and reproduction-related changes in hormones. Women generally lack sufficient knowledge regarding their pelvic-health needs and feel embarrassed to seek pelvic-health-related medical advice. Conversely, medical care related to women's health focuses mainly on maternal health and cancer prevention. When facing the challenges of pelvic floor dysfunction, surgical procedures are the most common treatment modality. The present article aims to define pelvic health and to compare the differences in perspective on this issue between the medical and women. Lastly, suggestions for pelvic healthcare that focus on women's needs are made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Yan Lyu
- Department of Nursing, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Lu-I Chang
- Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi University, Taiwan, ROC
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Hu FW, Tsai CH, Lin HS, Chen CH, Chang CM. Inappropriate urinary catheter reinsertion in hospitalized older patients. Am J Infect Control 2017; 45:8-12. [PMID: 28065334 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2016.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Revised: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We investigated the incidence and rationale for inappropriate reinsertion of urinary catheters and elucidated whether reinsertion is an independent predictor of adverse outcomes. METHODS A longitudinal study was adopted. Patients aged ≥65 years with urinary catheters placed within 24 hours of hospitalization were enrolled. Data collection, including demographic variables and health conditions, was conducted within 48 hours after admission. Patients with catheters in place were followed-up every day. If the patient had catheter reinsertion, the reinsertion information was reviewed from medical records. Adverse outcomes were collected at discharge. RESULTS A total of 321 patients were enrolled. Urinary catheters were reinserted in 66 patients (20.6%), with 95 reinsertions; 49.5% of catheter reinsertions were found to be inappropriate. "No evident reason for urinary catheter use" was the most common rationale for inappropriate reinsertion. Inappropriate reinsertion was found to be a significant predictor for prolonged length of hospital stay, development of catheter-associated urinary tract infections and catheter-related complications, and decline in activities of daily living. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates a considerable percentage of inappropriate urinary catheter reinsertions in hospitalized older patients. Inappropriate reinsertion was significantly associated with worsening outcomes. Efforts to improve appropriateness of reinsertion and setting clinical policies for catheterization are necessary to reduce the high rate of inappropriate reinsertion.
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Tsai CH, Fordyce RE. Archaic baleen whale from the Kokoamu Greensand: earbones distinguish a new late Oligocene mysticete (Cetacea: Mysticeti) from New Zealand. J R Soc N Z 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/03036758.2016.1156552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- CH Tsai
- Department of Geology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - RE Fordyce
- Department of Geology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Departments of Paleobiology and Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA
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Chuang TL, Wang YF, Tsai CH, Chiu JE, Lee MS, Chiou WY, Lin HY, Tsai WT, Hung SK. Evaluation of salivary function by sialoscintigraphy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer patients after intensity modulated radiotherapy. Indian J Cancer 2016; 52:398-401. [PMID: 26905151 DOI: 10.4103/0019-509x.176733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate the salivary gland function changes by sialoscintigraphy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) after intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS Salivary function was assessed by sialoscintigraphy. Quantitative sialoscintigraphy was performed in 24 NPC patients prior to and after IMRT. Results were categorized in four groups according to the duration of treatment. The sialoscintigraphy parameters were examined. RESULTS Sialoscintigraphy showed a significant difference in the secretion of each interval groups. The parameters of scintigraphy, except maximum accumulation (MA) of submandibular glands, decreased first after radiotherapy, and then recovered. However, the MA of submandibular glands was continuously downhill after radiation. CONCLUSIONS The sialoscintigraphy parameters of each gland changed with the different radiation dose and follow-up intervals. The salivary function was influenced after radiotherapy in locally advanced NPC, especially, in the submandibular gland. Strategies to improve the salivary function should be assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - S K Hung
- School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualian; Department of Radiation Oncology, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
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10
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Hu FW, Chang CM, Tsai CH, Chen CH. Exploring initial inappropriate use of urinary catheters among hospitalised older patients in Taiwan. J Clin Nurs 2015; 24:1656-65. [DOI: 10.1111/jocn.12767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Wen Hu
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences; College of Medicine; National Cheng Kung University; Tainan City Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ming Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine; Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology; National Cheng Kung University; Tainan City Taiwan
| | - Chuan-Hsiu Tsai
- Department of Nursing; College of Medicine; Tzu Chi University; Hualien City Taiwan
| | - Ching-Huey Chen
- Department of Nursing and Institute of Allied Health Sciences; College of Medicine; National Cheng Kung University; Tainan City Taiwan
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11
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Kao HT, Hayter M, Hinchliff S, Tsai CH, Hsu MT. Experience of pelvic floor muscle exercises among women in Taiwan: a qualitative study of improvement in urinary incontinence and sexuality. J Clin Nurs 2015; 24:1985-94. [PMID: 25662587 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.12783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To gain an in-depth understanding of women's experiences of performing pelvic floor muscle exercises for urinary incontinence and the impact on their sexuality. BACKGROUND Urinary incontinence is not a life-threatening disorder; however, it has been shown to have detrimental effects on quality of life in terms of psychological, social and sexual dysfunction. Pelvic floor muscle exercises is the first recommended strategy for managing mild to moderate urinary incontinence as it is noninvasive and cost effective. Pelvic floor muscle exercises reduce incontinence and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which positively affects sexual function in women. Currently, the data are scarce for qualitative literature regarding the subjective experiences of Taiwanese women undergoing pelvic floor muscle exercises and the impact on their urinary incontinence and sexuality. DESIGN Qualitative exploratory study. METHODS Semi-structured in depth interviews were undertaken with twelve women who had completed a pelvic floor muscle exercises program in Taiwan. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Themes were related to Taiwanese women's initial feelings that urinary incontinence was inevitable and the effects on their sexuality. Three core themes were identified: perceptions of inevitability, developing awareness and gaining control and sexual taboo. Through developing awareness and control of their pelvic floor muscles women expressed improvement in urinary incontinence. Sexual enjoyment, body image, self confidence and sexuality were also enhanced. CONCLUSION Pelvic floor muscle exercises had a positive effect on urinary incontinence and sexuality. The findings demonstrated that sex is a taboo topic for many Taiwanese women. With the sensitive management of pelvic floor muscle exercises programs this issue can be addressed. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE This study raises awareness of healthcare professionals by identifying how Taiwanese women perceive pelvic floor muscles. The positive impact of pelvic floor muscle exercises upon both urinary incontinence and sexuality within the Taiwanese context are addressed. Nurses may also, with greater confidence initiate discussion of women's sexual concerns as part of managing urinary incontinence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsia-Tzu Kao
- Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi College of Technology, Hualien City, Taiwan.,School of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Mark Hayter
- Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of Hull, UK
| | - Sharron Hinchliff
- The School of Nursing & Midwifery, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Chuan-Hsiu Tsai
- Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi University, Hualien City, Taiwan
| | - Min-Tao Hsu
- School of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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12
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Dittrich T, Macor L, Gervaldo M, Fungo F, Otero L, Lin CY, Chi LC, Fang FC, Lii SW, Wong KT, Tsai CH, Wu CC. Charge separation in donor-acceptor spiro compounds at metal and metal oxide surfaces investigated by surface photovoltage. J Nanosci Nanotechnol 2013; 13:5158-5163. [PMID: 23901546 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2013.7506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Molecules with donor (diphenylamine) and acceptor moieties (dicyano or cyanoacrylic acid moieties) were linked by fluorene or spirobisfluorene cores and the chain length has been changed by introducing a thiophene group between fluorene and diphenylamine. Four different kinds of fluorene and spirobisfluorene compounds were adsorbed from highly diluted solutions at ultra-thin nanoporous TiO2 (np-TiO2), Au and ITO surfaces. Charge separation has been investigated by surface photovoltage spectroscopy in the fixed capacitor and Kelvin probe arrangements in vacuum. Striking differences between the interaction of linking (dicyano or cyanoacrylic moieties) and different substrates were observed. Intra-molecular charge separation and electron injection have been distinguished and the directed adsorption of spiro compounds was deduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Th Dittrich
- Helmholtz Center Berlin for Materials and Energy, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, D-14109 Berlin, Germany
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Liu HP, Lin WY, Wang WF, Tsai CH, Wu WC, Chiou MT, Shen CP, Wu BT, Tsai FJ. Genetic variability in copper-transporting P-type adenosine triphosphatase (ATP7B) is associated with Alzheimer's disease in a Chinese population. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2013; 27:319-327. [PMID: 23830383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Previous experiments demonstrated that transgenic mice carrying both amyloid precursor protein and mutant ATP7B transgenes reduce amyloid plaques and diminish plasma Abeta levels. These experiments showed that a structural change of ATP7B may affect Alzheimers disease (AD) susceptibility. In this study three missense SNPs in ATP7B gene (rs1801243, rs1801244, and rs1801249) were chosen to test whether they were associated with AD. We tested this hypothesis using a case control design. The experimental data showed that there was a significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) for SNP rs1801249 (c.3419 T greater than C, Val1140Ala) in the case group (p = 0.014) but not in the control group and that there was an association between SNP rs1801249 and AD under a recessive model (p = 0.003). The data also showed that the genotype frequency distribution of the ATP7B c.1366 G greater than C polymorphism (rs1801244, Val456Leu) differed significantly between the AD patients and the normal subjects (p = 0.012). In addition, the frequency of the TGC haplotype of SNPs rs1801243, rs1801244, and rs1801249 was significantly higher in the AD patients compared with the normal subjects (p = 8.49×10-7). These observations suggested that genetic variations in the copper transporter gene ATP7B might contribute to AD pathogenesis in the Taiwanese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- H P Liu
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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14
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Lin WY, Wu BT, Lee CC, Sheu JJ, Liu SH, Wang WF, Tsai CH, Liu HP, Tsai FJ. Association analysis of dopaminergic gene variants (Comt, Drd4 And Dat1) with Alzheimer s disease. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2012; 26:401-410. [PMID: 23034259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Defects in dopaminergic transmission play important roles in the disturbance of synaptic plasticity and even in advanced cognitive behavior. However, the relationship between genes involved in the regulation of dopamine levels and predisposition for Alzheimer s disease (AD) remains unclear. The potential association of dopamine-modulating gene polymorphisms with AD was evaluated. We performed a case-control study with 120 patients and 86 healthy controls. Two catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs2020917 and rs4646312), two dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) SNPs (rs3758653 and rs916455), and four dopamine transporter (DAT1) SNPs (rs2937639, rs6347, rs12516948 and rs11133762) were investigated. The T allele at the DRD4 SNP (rs3758653) was found to be significantly associated with AD. Our results also showed that haplotype frequencies, observed from the analyzed SNPs, were distributed significantly differently in AD patients vs control subjects. Moreover, a strong association was observed between the A allele at rs6347 of DAT1 and moderate stage of dementia. These observations suggest that genetic variations in the dopamine-modulating genes, COMT, DRD4 and DAT1, may contribute to AD pathogenesis in the Taiwanese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Y Lin
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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15
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Hung TC, Lu SK, Su CH, Wu YJ, Hsieh CL, Lee WH, Tsai CH, Yeh HI. Remodeling of rabbit abdominal aorta and Cx43 gap junctions after stent placement: effect of balloon injury plus cholesterol-enriched diet. INT ANGIOL 2012; 31:62-69. [PMID: 22330626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
AIM To examine the effect of stenting and cholesterol-enriched diet (CED) on vascular remodeling, including the expression of connexin43 (Cx43) gap junctions in smooth muscle cells (SMC). METHODS Rabbits abdominal aortae were either implanted stent made of 316 stainless steel (group 1) or denuded followed by stent placement 28 days later (groups 2 and 3). Animals were given normal chow except those of group 3, which were fed CED after the denudation. Eight weeks later, the development of neointima and the expression of connexin43 (Cx43) were examined. In parallel, human aortic SMC were grown on 316 stainless steel or treated with C-reactive protein (CRP) followed by analysis of Cx43. RESULTS The results showed that, serum CRP levels became transiently elevated after denudation and stent implantation. For the stented aortic segments, the dimensions of neointima were group 3 > group 2 > group 1 (P<0.05). In groups 1 and 2, Cx43 gap junctions are less in amount in neointima of the stented segment, compared to the unstented upstream neointima or medial layer (all P<0.01). In culture experiments, Cx43 in SMC grown on stent material was up-regulated in growth medium but down-regulated in differentiation medium, and CRP did not affect Cx43 expression. CONCLUSION Vascular remodeling post stent implantation varied according to the presence of balloon injury, CED, or both. Cx43 expression in SMC is altered after exposure to stent and the regulation depended on the milieu.
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MESH Headings
- Angioplasty, Balloon/instrumentation
- Animals
- Aorta, Abdominal/injuries
- Aorta, Abdominal/metabolism
- Aorta, Abdominal/pathology
- C-Reactive Protein/metabolism
- Cell Culture Techniques
- Cells, Cultured
- Cholesterol, Dietary/blood
- Connexin 43/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gap Junctions/metabolism
- Gap Junctions/pathology
- Hypercholesterolemia/blood
- Hypercholesterolemia/complications
- Hypercholesterolemia/etiology
- Male
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/injuries
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Neointima/etiology
- Neointima/metabolism
- Neointima/pathology
- Prosthesis Design
- Rabbits
- Stainless Steel
- Stents
- Time Factors
- Vascular System Injuries/etiology
- Vascular System Injuries/metabolism
- Vascular System Injuries/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Hung
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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16
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Chiu AF, Liao CH, Wang CC, Wang JH, Tsai CH, Kuo HC. High classification of chronic heart failure increases risk of overactive bladder syndrome and lower urinary tract symptoms. Urology 2011; 79:260-5. [PMID: 22137542 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2011.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2011] [Revised: 10/04/2011] [Accepted: 10/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the urologic symptoms among patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and to explore whether a higher classification of CHF increases the risk associated with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) and lower urinary tract symptoms. METHODS A total of 214 ambulatory patients with CHF (129 men and 85 women) and 378 age-matched subjects (222 men and 156 women) were enrolled in the present study. The urologic symptoms were evaluated using the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) from January to June 2010. RESULTS Compared with the controls, the patients with CHF had a significantly greater mean OABSS (4.6±3.6 vs 3.4±3.1, P<.001), total IPSS (8.3±6.9 vs 6.9±7.6, P=.021), and storage IPSS (4.8±3.5 vs 3.7±3.3, P<.001). Of the patients with CHF, 34.1% had moderate/severe OAB symptoms (OABSS≥6), and 43.5% had moderate/severe lower urinary tract symptoms (IPSS≥8). Compared with patients who had New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I CHF, the patients with NYHA class III CHF had a significantly greater OABSS and total, storage, and voiding IPSSs. Patients with NYHA class II CHF did not. A greater body mass index and stroke were significantly associated with the OABSS and storage IPSS, and pulmonary disease was significantly associated with the voiding IPSS. CONCLUSION The patients with CHF had more storage urinary symptoms suggestive of OAB than did the age-matched controls. Among the patients with CHF, greater NYHA class heart function was significantly associated with OAB and lower urinary tract symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aih-Fung Chiu
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University and Tzu Chi College of Technology, and Department of Cardiology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
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17
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Wei PC, Tsai CH, Chiu PS, Lai SC. Matrix metalloproteinase-12 leads to elastin degradation in BALB/c mice with eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Int J Parasitol 2011; 41:1175-83. [PMID: 21856305 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2011.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2011] [Revised: 07/07/2011] [Accepted: 07/08/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The rat lugworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis can cause eosinophilic meningitis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 and its substrate elastin participate in this inflammatory response. We showed that the MMP-12/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 ratio was significantly increased in the CSF of A. cantonensis-infected mice from day 10 p.i., and reached high levels on days 20 and 25 p.i. MMP-12 production was correlated with elastin degradation, eosinophil count, blood-CSF barrier permeability and pathological changes in the subarachnoid space. Also, MMP-12 might contribute to elastin degradation in the meningeal vessel of the subarachnoid space. Simultaneous administration of albendazole and doxycycline significantly reduced the levels of MMP-12, elastin and Evans blue in mice with meningitis. These results imply that MMP-12 contributes to the elastin degradation that occurs in angiostrongyliasis meningitis, and doxycycline can reverse related inflammatory events by inhibition of MMP-12.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Wei
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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18
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Chen CJ, Tsai CH, Chen YC. [Introduction to nursing aesthetics]. Hu Li Za Zhi 2011; 58:93-97. [PMID: 21455899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Empirical, aesthetic, ethical, and personal knowing are the four fundamental patterns of knowledge inquiry. Of these, the aesthetic knowing pattern is least discussed in nursing literature. This article discusses the definition of nursing aesthetics; its utilization in practice; and correlations between aesthetics and clinical practice. One of the advantages inherent to nursing is its ability to deliver skillful care directly to patients. Skillful performance is essential to reduce discrepancies between goals and patterns. Aesthetic nursing addresses more than the form of nursing. It further addresses the crucial elements of nursing knowledge. The science of nursing is influential in its ability to attain harmony among abundant empiric content, power of beneficence, and pleasure of aesthetic experience. In clinical practice, nurses can employ aesthetic nursing through various channels to create meaning and promote the professional image of nurses. Concepts listed in this article may be utilized in clinical supervision, practice and education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Jung Chen
- School of Nursing, Jen-Teh Junior of Medicine Nursing and Management, & Doctoral Student, Institute of Medical Science, Tzu Chi University, ROC
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19
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Chen SY, Wan L, Huang CM, Huang YC, Sheu JJC, Lin YJ, Liu SP, Lan YC, Lai CH, Lin CW, Tsai CH, Tsai FJ. Genetic polymorphisms of the DNA repair gene MPG may be associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis. J Appl Genet 2011; 51:519-21. [PMID: 21063071 DOI: 10.1007/bf03208883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease and can lead to deformities and severe disabilities, due to irreversible damage of tendons, joints, and bones. A previous study indicated that a DNA repair system was involved in the development of RA. In this study, we investigated the association of four N-methylpurine-DNA glycosylase (MPG) gene polymorphisms (rs3176364, rs710079, rs2858056, and rs2541632) with susceptibility to RA in 384 Taiwanese individuals (192 RA patients and 192 control subjects). Our data show a statistically significant difference in genotype frequency distributions at rs710079 and rs2858056 SNPs between RA patients and control groups (P = 0.040 and 0.029, respectively). Our data also indicated that individuals with the GG genotype at rs2858056 SNP may have a higher risk of developing RA. In addition, compared with the haplotype frequencies between case and control groups, individuals with the GCGC haplotype appeared to be at a greater risk of RA progression (P = 0.003, OR = 1.75; 95% CI = 1.20-1.55). Our results suggest that rs710079 and rs2858056 polymorphisms and the GCGC haplotype in the MPG gene are associated with the risk of RA progression, and thus may be used as molecular markers of RA if they are confirmed by further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Y Chen
- Genetic Center, Department of Medical Research, Taichung, Taiwan
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20
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Liu YC, Tsai CH, Lan CW. Faceted ice growth in hydrophilic and hydrophobic channels. Cryo Letters 2010; 31:513-524. [PMID: 21410020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
This study is motivated by the cryo-preservation for tissues, which is related to the solidification of blood in a confined space. The morphological behavior of growing ice facet in 1.3 mm hydrophilic and hydrophobic channels is the focus of this study. Both DI water and KCl solution were solidified without seeds in the channels and the growing front facet was discussed in regards to contact angle, in-situ morphology, conductivity difference between two phases and solute segregation. For DI water, the formation of facets was observed during ice growth in both hydrophilic and hydrophobic channels and could be classified into two modes according to the local curvature of the interface. The facet was formed at different positions of the interface in hydrophilic and hydrophobic channels. Solutal segregation effect was taken into consideration to partially govern the interface morphology and the facet formation during solidification of the KCl solution. In addition, the growth rates of the ice growth with a facet were also compared and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y C Liu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, R.O.C
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21
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Wang CH, Lin WD, Bau DT, Chou IC, Tsai CH, Tsai FJ. The involvement of insulin receptor genotypes in pre- and co-obese acanthosis Nigricans children and adolescent. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2010; 23:653-60. [PMID: 20857837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is most commonly related to obesity as a manifestation of cutaneous insulin resistance in children and adolescents, while the interaction and time course between AN and obesity and detailed mechanism for the pre- and co-obese appearance of AN (PCOAN) in child are unclear. In this study, the involvement of insulin receptor in child PCOAN was investigated via studying the association of polymorphisms of INSR gene with PCOAN. In total, 99 children with PCOAN and 100 healthy controls recruited were genotyped and analyzed by PCR-RFLP method. Significantly different distributions were found in the frequency of the INSR His1085His genotypes, but not in other INSR genotypes, between the two groups. Our results provide not only the evidence that the T allele of INSR His1085His is correlated with the appearance of PCOAN but revealed that the insulin receptor pathway may play an important role in this PCOAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung.
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22
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Huang CM, Tsai CH, Tsai JJP, Kung PT, Chen CL, Tsai FJ. The relationship between insulin‐like growth factor‐II geneApaI polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis. Scand J Rheumatol 2009; 33:126-7. [PMID: 15163116 DOI: 10.1080/03009740410006079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C M Huang
- Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Wan L, Lin YJ, Sheu JJ, Huang CM, Tsai Y, Tsai CH, Wong W, Tsai FJ. Analysis of ERCC2/XPD functional polymorphisms in systemic lupus erythematosus. Int J Immunogenet 2008; 36:33-7. [PMID: 19055600 DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-313x.2008.00817.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Sunlight/ultraviolet (UV) irradiation has been recognized as an important risk factor for developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the interpretation of genetic variations involved in UV-light sensitivity is largely unknown. Recent studies indicated that two genetic variations of ERCC2/XPD gene (rs1799793 in exon 10 and rs13181 in exon 23) have been found to exert negative influences on nucleotide excision repair system. To analyse the possible contribution of the ERCC2/XPD functional single nucleotide polymorphisms in genetic susceptibility to SLE, the rs13181 and rs1799793 SNPs in ERCC2/XPD were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Association was studied by case-control analyses using samples from 172 SLE patients and 160 healthy controls. Haplotype analysis was performed to detect the association with genetic predisposition to SLE and the clinical features. Although these two functional genetic variations are linked to several immune dysfunction-induced diseases, no statistically significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies were observed between SLE patients and controls. Haplotype analysis showed that none of ERCC2/XPD haplotypes was associated with the incidence of SLE disease, nor the preference of clinical features. In conclusion, the ERCC2/XPD functional polymorphisms analysed in this study showed no association in genetic susceptibility to SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Wan
- Human Genetic Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Tsai CH, Ju CP, Chern Lin JH. Morphology and mechanical behavior of TTCP-derived calcium phosphate cement subcutaneously implanted in rats. J Mater Sci Mater Med 2008; 19:2407-2415. [PMID: 18185915 DOI: 10.1007/s10856-006-0055-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2006] [Accepted: 11/27/2006] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
A pre-hardened, TTCP-derived CPC was immersed in Hanks' solution as well as subcutaneously implanted into abdomen of rats. The implant-soft tissue interfacial morphology was examined and properties of the CPC were evaluated and compared under in vitro and in vivo conditions. The results indicate that the surface of immersed samples appeared rougher and more porous than that of implanted samples and was covered with a layer of fine apatite crystals. The CPC samples implanted for 4 weeks or longer were surrounded by a layer of fibrous tissue, which was further surrounded by a soft tissue capsule comprising numerous fat cells. The soft tissue capsule had a non-uniform distribution in thickness, which increased most significantly between 4 weeks and 12 weeks after implantation. None of polymorphic cells, osteoblast cells or bone cells adjacent to the implant were observed. The majority of original TTCP powder was transformed into apatite after 1 day of either immersion in Hanks' solution or implantation. The average porosity values of samples immersed in Hanks' solution for 4 weeks or longer were significantly larger than those immersed for 1 day or 1 week. The porosity values of samples implanted for different times were not significantly different. The DTS values of Hanks' solution-immersed samples largely decreased after a few weeks of immersion. The implanted samples maintained their strengths throughout the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Tsai
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan, ROC
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25
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Tsai CH, Chuang CS, Chi KW. SU-GG-I-118: A Novel Method of MRI Correlate with Electron Density Information for Radiotherapy Treatment Planning. Med Phys 2008. [DOI: 10.1118/1.2961516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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26
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Chen TW, Tsai CH, Chou SJ, Yu CY, Shih ML, Yu JC, Hsieh CB. Intrapericardial isolation of the inferior vena cava through a transdiaphragmatic pericardial window for tumor resection without sternotomy or thoracotomy. Eur J Surg Oncol 2007; 33:239-42. [PMID: 17174512 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2006.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2006] [Accepted: 11/09/2006] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The prognosis for patients with advanced tumors invading the inferior vena cava (IVC) is dismal and surgical treatments for these tumors are challenging. A surgical approach that avoids sternotomy and thoracotomy for tumors invading the IVC even to the level of the hepatocaval junction would be extremely helpful. METHODS The intrapericardial IVC was isolated via a transdiaphragmatic pericardial window using a transabdominal approach. Hepatectomy was then applied via an anterior approach until the IVC was seen. Total hepatic vascular exclusion was achieved by clamping the portal triad, intrapericardial IVC and infrahepatic IVC. We removed the primary tumor, the liver portion involved and the tumor thrombi, with segmental resection of the IVC. Vascular continuity was reestablished using a 20-mm-diameter polytetrafluoroethylene graft. RESULTS Four patients with tumors invading the IVC were treated with this method. All underwent gross en-bloc tumor resections and all survived. CONCLUSION This method for the resection of IVC tumors could avoid emboli dislodging from the tumor thrombi, prevent the complications of sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass and shorten operative times.
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Affiliation(s)
- T W Chen
- Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, 325, Sec 2, Cheng-kung Rd, Taipei 114, Taiwan, ROC
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27
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Peng CT, Wu KH, Lan SJ, Tsai JJP, Tsai FJ, Tsai CH. Amino acid concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing chemotherapy. Eur J Cancer 2005; 41:1158-63. [PMID: 15911239 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2005.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2004] [Revised: 01/27/2005] [Accepted: 02/17/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amino acid concentrations were measured in 45 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Central nervous system (CNS) disease was absent in 34 and present in 11 (Groups L and M, respectively) at diagnosis. Thirty-two otherwise healthy children with febrile convulsions were studied for comparison. Results from this study show that glutamine levels at Day 0 were significantly higher in patients than in controls. Patients in Group M had elevated glutamine levels compared to Group L. In comparison, at Day 14, concentrations of glutamine and asparagine decreased, while glutamic acid amounts increased significantly in Group L. Glutamine levels fell at Day 42 in Group M, which may have resulted from more intensive treatment. From this study we hypothesise that higher baseline glutamine levels are indicative of a greater risk for CNS leukemia. Large-scale prospective trials are required to confirm increased baseline CSF glutamine levels in ALL patients, to identify glutamine as a marker for CNS disease and to clarify underlying mechanisms regulating glutamine in ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- C T Peng
- Department of Pediatrics, China Medical University Hospital, No. 2, Yuh Der Road, Taichung, Taiwan.
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28
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Christie PE, Jonas M, Tsai CH, Chi EY, Henderson WR. Increase in laminin expression in allergic airway remodelling and decrease by dexamethasone. Eur Respir J 2005; 24:107-15. [PMID: 15293612 DOI: 10.1183/09031936.04.00013303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Lung expression of the extracellular matrix protein, laminin, and its receptor, laminin-1 receptor, were examined in a mouse model of asthma with airway remodelling. Ovalbumin (OVA) was administered to BALB/c mice, intraperitoneally on days 0 and 14, and intranasally periodically between days 14 and 75. The mice developed airway eosinophil and mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis. On day 76, a marked increase in total laminin was seen in the airways of OVA-treated mice compared to controls by Western blot analysis. The increased laminin expression was detected immunocytochemically in the thickened subepithelial basement membrane and around airways and blood vessels. The OVA-treated mice showed increased expression of the alpha1, beta1, and gamma1 chains of the laminin-1 isoform in monocytes, macrophages and eosinophils infiltrating the airways. Laminin-1 receptor expression was increased in inflammatory and endothelial cells in the lungs of OVA-treated mice compared to controls. Treatment of OVA-sensitised/challenged mice with dexamethasone reduced airway expression of laminin and laminin-1 receptor in OVA-treated mice but not airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine. Laminin deposition may be an important component of the airway remodelling observed in chronic allergic lung inflammation and is a process modulated by corticosteroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- P E Christie
- Dept of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-6523, USA
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29
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Wu CI, Changlai SP, Huang WS, Tsai CH, Lee CC, Kao CH. Usefulness of 99mTc ethyl cysteinate dimer brain SPECT to detect abnormal regional cerebral blood flow in patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Nucl Med Commun 2005; 24:1185-8. [PMID: 14569173 DOI: 10.1097/00006231-200311000-00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
99mTc ethyl cysteinate dimer (99mTc-ECD) brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used to detect abnormal regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in patients with acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Ten patients with acute CO poisoning and no past histories of psychoneurological disorders were enrolled in this study. After oxygen treatment, all of the 10 patients were investigated using 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT and brain computed tomography (CT) scan. Brain CT scan findings were normal in all of the 10 patients. 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT showed the hypoperfusion lesions of the basal ganglia and brain cortex in five and seven patients, respectively. Only three of the 10 patients had normal 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT findings. This study suggests that, in comparison with brain CT scan, 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT is a better tool for the early detection of hypoperfusion brain lesions in acute CO poisoning in patients with normal brain CT findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- C I Wu
- Divisions of Plastic-Reconstruction Surgery and Hyperbaric Oxygentherapy, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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31
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Lo SF, Huang CM, Tsai CH, Chen ML, Tsai FJ. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphism in Taiwanese patients with gout. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2005; 23:85-8. [PMID: 15789892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine whether interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) gene polymorphism is a marker of susceptibility to or of the clinical characteristics of gout in Taiwanese patients. METHODS 196 Taiwanese patients with gout and 103 unrelated normal healthy control subjects living in central Taiwan were studied. Polymorphism of the gene for IL-1Ra was typed from genomic DNA. Allelic frequencies and carriage rates were compared between gout patients and control subjects. The relationship between IL-1Ra genotypes and the clinical characteristics of gout was also evaluated. RESULTS No significant differences were observed in genetic and allelic frequencies of the IL-1Ra gene polymorphism between patients with gout and healthy control subjects. Furthermore, we did not detect any association of IL-1Ra genotype with the clinical and laboratory profiles in patients with gout. CONCLUSION The results from the present study suggest that the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphism is not a genetic marker of susceptibility to gout for Taiwanese. Furthermore, our study also suggests that the IL-1Ra gene polymorphism is unrelated to the clinical characteristics of gout.
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Affiliation(s)
- S F Lo
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan
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32
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Tsai CH, Chang FC, Su YC, Tsai FJ, Lu MK, Lee CC, Kuo CC, Yang YW, Lu CS. Two novel mutations of the glycine receptor gene in a Taiwanese hyperekplexia family. Neurology 2004; 63:893-6. [PMID: 15365143 DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000138566.65519.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The authors report a Taiwanese family with autosomal recessive hyperekplexia. Two novel mutations, W96C (from the paternal allele) and R344X (from the maternal allele), which are located in exon 4 and exon 7 of the GLRA1 gene, were identified in this family. A series of electrophysiologic investigations were conducted in one of the probands, and the results suggest that the "startle center" is located subcortically.
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MESH Headings
- Acoustic Stimulation
- Adult
- Amino Acid Substitution
- Brain/physiopathology
- DNA Mutational Analysis
- Electromyography
- Evoked Potentials, Motor
- Female
- Genes, Recessive
- Humans
- Magnetics
- Mutation, Missense
- Pedigree
- Physical Stimulation
- Point Mutation
- Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational
- Receptors, Glycine/genetics
- Reflex, Abnormal/genetics
- Reflex, Startle/genetics
- Reflex, Startle/physiology
- Reflex, Stretch/genetics
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Taiwan/epidemiology
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Tsai
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Neurology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Liu FY, Shiau YC, Kao A, Hsu WH, Wang JJ, Tsai CH. Comparison of quantitative 99mTc-HMPAO and 67Ga citrate lung scans in patients with active diffuse infiltrative lung disease. Nucl Med Commun 2004; 24:1243-6. [PMID: 14627851 DOI: 10.1097/00006231-200312000-00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Diffuse infiltrative lung disease (ILD) is a heterogeneous group of disorders that predominantly affect the lung parenchyma and spare the airway. To objectively assess the degree of pulmonary vascular endothelium damage in active ILD, lung/liver uptake ratios (L/L ratios) on 99mTc hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (99mTc-HMPAO) lung scans were determined in 21 patients with active ILD. Meanwhile, the 67Ga citrate uptake index (GUI) on 67Ga lung scans was measured in order to evaluate the severity of lung inflammation in active ILD. The results show there were statistically significant differences between normal controls and patients with active ILD, as shown in the L/L ratio and GUI. However, when the patients were divided into two groups: (1) eight patients with normal chest X-ray findings, and (2) 13 patients with abnormal X-ray findings, there was no significant difference between groups 1 and 2 for the results of L/L ratio and GUI. In addition, no correlation between the degree of damage to the pulmonary vascular endothelium and the severity of lung inflammation was found. In conclusion, L/L ratios on 99mTc-HMPAO lung scans and GUI on 67Ga lung scans are different to the findings of chest X-rays and have the potential to objectively detect the degree of damage to the pulmonary vascular endothelium and the severity of lung inflammation in active IDL. However, the relationship between L/L ratio and GUI in active ILD is not significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Y Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Tsai YY, Tsai YY, Cheng YW, Lee H, Tseng SH, Tsai CH, Tsai FJ. No association of p53 codon 72 and p21 codon 31 polymorphisms in Taiwan Chinese patients with pterygium. Br J Ophthalmol 2004; 88:975-6. [PMID: 15205257 PMCID: PMC1772236 DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2003.040428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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35
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Chou IC, Tsai CH, Hsieh YY, Peng CT, Tsai FJ. Association between polymorphism of interleukin-1beta-511 promoter and susceptibility to febrile convulsions in Taiwanese children. Acta Paediatr 2004; 92:1356. [PMID: 14696863 DOI: 10.1080/08035250310006133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2022]
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Huang CM, Chen CL, Tsai JJP, Tsai CH, Tsai FJ. Association between urokinase gene 3'-UTR T/C polymorphism and Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Taiwan. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2004; 22:219-22. [PMID: 15083890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the urokinase gene 3'-UTR C/T polymorphism is a marker of susceptibility to or severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Chinese patients. METHODS A total of 145 RA patients and 134 healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study. We identified the C/T polymorphism of the urokinase gene, which is mapped on the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) on chromosome 10 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS There were significant differences in the distribution of the urokinase gene 3'-UTR C/T polymorphism frequency between RA patients and subjects in the control group. However, we did not detect an, association between the urokinase gene 3'-UTR C/T polymorphism and rheumatoid factor (RF), extraarticular involvement or bone erosion in RA patients. CONCLUSION The urokinase gene 3'-UTR "T" allele was associated with RA in Chinese patients in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Huang
- Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Chen AC, Tsai FJ, Tsai CH, Lin CC, Lee CC, Kao CH. Simultaneously evaluating the effects of one-week fluticasone propionate inhalation therapy on lung ventilation and permeability in children with asthma. Lung 2004; 181:283-9. [PMID: 14705772 DOI: 10.1007/s00408-003-1032-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of fluticasone propionate inhalation therapy on lung ventilation and alveolar permeability by quantitative Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosol inhalation lung scintigraphy in 15 children with asthma. Lung ventilation was evaluated as the distribution percentage (D%) of Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosols in the central, intermediate and peripheral regions of the right lung. Alveolar permeability was measured by the rate of Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosol clearance curve from the peripheral alveoli of the right lung and represented as slope. The D% and slopes were calculated before and after one-week inhalation therapy (100 microg fluticasone propionate two times daily for one-week) to evaluate the effects of inhalation therapy on lung ventilation and alveolar permeability. The preliminary results revealed statistically significantly improved lung ventilation but no significant change of alveolar permeability in the right lung after one-week fluticasone propionate inhalation therapy in children with asthma. We suggest that the widely available and noninvasive Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosol inhalation lung scintigraphy can simultaneously evaluate lung ventilation and alveolar permeability in one study and should contribute to any disorder involving both alveoli and airways.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Wu KH, Chang JS, Tsai CH, Peng CT. Combined therapy with deferiprone and desferrioxamine successfully regresses severe heart failure in patients with beta-thalassemia major. Ann Hematol 2003; 83:471-3. [PMID: 14658011 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-003-0820-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2003] [Accepted: 10/22/2003] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac complications caused by iron deposition are major causes of death in patients with beta-thalassemia major. Deferiprone (L1) was found to have greater efficacy at depleting myocardial iron than desferrioxamine (DFX). Furthermore, combined therapy with L1 and DFX produced an additive or synergistic iron chelating effect. We report the successful treatment of severe heart failure in two patients with beta-thalassemia major with the combined therapy. Magnetic resonance images showed a marked recovery of signal intensity in the heart, indicating a significant reduction of iron load in the heart. No significant adverse effects were noted. Therefore, combined therapy with L1 and DFX should be considered in patients with beta-thalassemia major and cardiac complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, North District, 404 Taichung, Taiwan
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39
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Tsai PC, Chang FC, Tsai CH, Jang FR, Shen AN, Huang YT, Lai SC, Yeh TH, Lu MK, Lu CS. Focal hand myoclonus caused by a small hematoma underneath the cerebral motor cortex. Eur Neurol 2003; 50:114-7. [PMID: 12944720 DOI: 10.1159/000072512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P C Tsai
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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40
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Affiliation(s)
- Y J Huang
- Department of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Chung Hwa College of Medical Technology, Tainan County, Taiwan, Republic of China
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41
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Huang WS, Chiu PY, Kao A, Tsai CH, Lee CC. Detecting abnormal regional cerebral blood flow in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome by technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer single photon emission computed tomography of the brain--a preliminary report. Rheumatol Int 2003; 23:174-7. [PMID: 12856142 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-002-0272-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2002] [Accepted: 09/26/2002] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer (Tc-99m ECD) brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used to detect abnormal regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in 32 female patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS) showing definite neuropsychiatric symptoms/signs and normal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. It demonstrated hypoperfusion brain lesions in 18 (56.3%) of the patients, most frequently in the parietal lobes, and appears to be a sensitive tool for this clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- W S Huang
- Department of Neurology, China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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43
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Abstract
Anti-'Mia' is the most common alloantibody of potential clinical significance in the Taiwanese population. The Mi.III phenotype is rare among Caucasians but has a high incidence in various Oriental populations. We describe a nulliparous woman with no history of transfusions, who had hydrops foetalis at 28 weeks gestation. Foetal haemoglobin was 4.4 g dL-1, and a positive direct antiglobulin test was positive in the foetal blood. Intrauterine intravascular transfusion was given, and the baby was discharged healthy. Anti-'Mia' was identified in the maternal serum, the cord blood serum and the eluate from red cells of the cord blood. Anti-'Mia' in the maternal serum was confirmed to be anti-Mur. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method confirmed that both the baby and her father had the Mi.III gene. Therefore, our report documents that anti-Mur has the potential to cause hydrops foetalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Wu
- China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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44
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Huang WS, Chiu PY, Tsai CH, Kao A, Lee CC. Objective evidence of abnormal regional cerebral blood flow in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus on Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT. Rheumatol Int 2002; 22:178-81. [PMID: 12215861 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-002-0224-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2002] [Accepted: 06/09/2002] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer (Tc-99m ECD) brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used to detect abnormal regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in 78 SLE patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations. These patients were separated into two subgroups: group 1 including 48 cases with definite neuropsychiatric symptoms/signs and group 2 with 30 cases having no neuropsychiatric symptoms/signs. Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT demonstrated hypoperfusion brain lesions in 90% and 20% of patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively. In both groups, parietal lobe and cerebellum are the most and least common areas with hypoperfusion lesions, respectively. This study suggests that Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT may provide objective information for detection of hypoperfusion brain lesions in SLE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- W S Huang
- Department of Neurology, China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Tsai CH, Lo SK, See LC, Chen HZ, Chen RS, Weng YH, Chang FC, Lu CS. Environmental risk factors of young onset Parkinson's disease: a case-control study. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2002; 104:328-33. [PMID: 12140099 DOI: 10.1016/s0303-8467(02)00027-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
While the cause of Parkinson's disease (PD) remains unknown, recent evidence suggests certain environmental factors, such as well water drinking, herbicides and pesticides exposure, and neurotoxins, may trigger the chain of oxidative reactions culminating in the death of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra to cause parkinsonism. Most studies to date focused on PD with old age onset. However, there is a peculiar group of parkinsonian patients, the young onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD), in whom the age of onset is before 40. It is intriguing to know whether earlier exposure to the putative neurotoxin(s) may contribute to the earlier onset. We therefore conducted this case-control study in which 60 PD patients, 30 YOPD patients and the same number of age- and sex-matched young controls were included. Using logistic regression, we found well water drinking and head injury were risk factors for the development of YOPD. When YOPD patients were compared with PD, we found head injury and exercise were the significant predictors. Keeping all other variables constant, head injury was a risk factor and exercise appeared to be a protective factor. We conclude early exposure to well water drinking and head trauma may trigger and expedite the appearance of parkinsonian features, but such acceleration may be prevented through regular exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Tsai
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Neurology, China Medical College Hospital, 2, Yuh-Der road, 404, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
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Yeh HI, Lai YJ, Lee SH, Lee YN, Ko YS, Chen SA, Severs NJ, Tsai CH. Heterogeneity of myocardial sleeve morphology and gap junctions in canine superior vena cava. Circulation 2001; 104:3152-7. [PMID: 11748116 DOI: 10.1161/hc5001.100836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The myocardial sleeve of the superior vena cava (SVC) has been identified as a potential initiating focus in atrial fibrillation, but information on cell-to-cell linkage at this site is lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS We examined the SVC in 8 dogs by immunoconfocal and electron microscopy. Cardiomyocytes outlined with vinculin and bearing striations positive for alpha-actinin are found in the proximal segment of the SVC. These cells, grouped in bundles of various orientations according to location, extend cephalically as far as 3 cm from the right atrium (RA)-SVC junction. Comparison between the junctional level and the level 2 cm distal shows that the myocardial layer in the latter is thinner and not as compact and is composed of longer cells (87.3+/-15.7 versus 71.6+/-14.4 micrometer, P<0.01). Gap junctions made of connexin43 (Cx43), Cx40, and Cx45 are aggregated mainly at the intercalated disks, and colocalization of connexins is a common feature throughout the myocardial sleeve. Areas of atypical expression exist, however, characterized by a center of abundant Cx43 labels surrounded by a periphery of scattered tiny Cx40-labeled spots. Although in the ventral subluminal compact myocardial layer, individual cells at both levels are surrounded by similar numbers of cells, the number of aggregation of labeled gap junctions at the distal level is less (2.3+/-0.6 versus 3.7+/-0.9, P<0.01). In addition, electron-microscopic examination demonstrates that the gap junctions at the distal level are smaller in size (0.37+/-0.30 versus 0.55+/-0.34 micrometer, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS The myocardial sleeve in the canine SVC is a heterogeneous structure, which could potentially form a substrate for heterogeneity of electrical coupling.
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Affiliation(s)
- H I Yeh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan
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Chen HY, Chen WC, Hsu CD, Tsai FJ, Tsai CH, Li CW. Relation of BsmI vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism to bone mineral density and occurrence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan. Osteoporos Int 2001; 12:1036-41. [PMID: 11846330 DOI: 10.1007/s001980170014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Osteoporosis is a common disorder with a strong genetic component. Our aim was to evaluate the correlation of the vitamin D receptor gene intron 8 BsmI polymorphism with bone mineral density (BMD) and their relationship to osteoporosis. We determined the vitamin D receptor gene intron 8 BsmI polymorphfsm using polymerase chain reaction-based restriction analysis in 171 postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan. The polymorphism was detected using the restriction enzyme BsmI, where the B allele indicated absence of the cuttable site and the b allele its presence. BMD of the lumbar spine and proximal femur were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The allelic frequencies for postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan were 12.3% for B and 87.7% for b in BsmI restriction fragment length polymorphisms. The prevalence of each genotype in the study population was: 6.4% BB, 11.7% Bb and 81.9% bb. The three genotypic groups differed significantly in BMD at the lumbar spine and the femoral neck. These differences corresponded to significant gene-dose effects at the lumbar spine and femoral neck (p<0.001 for both sites). The relative risk for the development of osteoporosis was about 2-3 times as great as that predicted by the differences between genotypes in BMD, and remained significant even after adjustment for age, height and weight. The vitamin D receptor gene intron 8 BsmI polymorphism is associated with reduced BMD and predisposes women to osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Y Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China Medical College Hospital, School of Medicine, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan
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48
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Abstract
Syntactic priming of Chinese nouns and verbs was investigated in word recognition (cued shadowing of auditory targets) and production (picture naming). Disyllabic compound words were presented after syntactically congruent, incongruent, or neutral auditory contexts, with a zero delay between offset of the context and onset of the target. Significant priming was observed in both tasks, including facilitation as well as inhibition. Post hoc analyses showed that reaction times were also affected by sublexical variables that are especially relevant for Chinese, including syllable density (number of word types and tokens in the language with the same first or second syllable) and semantic transparency (whether the meaning of the whole word is predictable from the separate meanings of the two syllables within the compound). These patterns suggest competitive effects at the sublexical level. Implications for interactive models of lexical access are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Lu
- National Hsinchu Teachers College, Taiwan
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Lin WD, Wu JY, Hsu HB, Tsai FJ, Lee CC, Tsai CH. Mutation analysis of a family with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia associated with hepatic arteriovenous malformation. J Formos Med Assoc 2001; 100:817-9. [PMID: 11802521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multisystemic vascular dysplasia. Two related genes, endoglin and activin receptor-like kinase (ALK-1), have been mapped to chromosomes 9q34 and 12q13, respectively. We describe a Taiwanese HHT family with hepatic arteriovenous malformation. Clinical and molecular evaluations were performed in eight members of this family, and HHT symptoms were found in three adults. Short tandem repeat markers were used to perform linkage analysis, and this family was classified as HHT type 2 (ALK-1 gene). The exons of ALK-1 were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction and subjected to direct DNA sequencing. The mutation causing the disease was located at ALK-1 codon 411, causing an arginine to glutamine substitution. Five members of this family carried the mutated ALK-1 gene. This investigation successfully used linkage and sequencing techniques to perform molecular diagnosis of HHT.
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MESH Headings
- Activin Receptors, Type I/genetics
- Activin Receptors, Type II
- Aged
- Amino Acid Substitution
- Antigens, CD
- Arteriovenous Malformations/complications
- Arteriovenous Malformations/genetics
- Chromosome Mapping
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9
- Endoglin
- Hepatic Artery/abnormalities
- Hepatic Veins/abnormalities
- Humans
- Male
- Mutation, Missense
- Pedigree
- Receptors, Cell Surface
- Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic/complications
- Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic/genetics
- Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- W D Lin
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical College Hospital, 2 Yuh Der Road, Taichung, Taiwan
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50
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Abstract
BACKGROUND A recent study shows that a C1019T polymorphism of the gene encoding the gap junction protein connexin37 contributes to the genesis of atherosclerotic plaques in human carotid artery. However, whether such a polymorphism can be used as a prognostic marker in atherosclerotic disease of other arterial sites, such as coronary artery disease, is not known. METHODS We analyzed the allelic status in 177 subjects with coronary artery disease (age, 61+/-11 years; male/female, 120/57) and 102 controls (60+/-11 years; male/female, 70/32). Both groups were matched, before genotype analysis, for a variety of other traditional risk factors, including body mass index, smoking status, levels of blood pressure, sugar, creatinine, and lipid profiles, in addition to age and sex. RESULTS The T allele was less frequently seen in the control group, compared to the disease group (10.7 vs. 20.1%, TT+TC vs. CC, P<0.01). Subsequent analysis demonstrated that a significant difference existed in the male (9.2 vs. 22.8%, TT+TC vs. CC, P<0.005), but not in the female. Another finding was that the T allele frequency in all participants was less than 15%, markedly lower than that reported in non-Taiwanese. CONCLUSIONS The observation indicates that the polymorphism in the connexin37 gene potentially plays a role in the manifestation of coronary atherosclerosis in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- H I Yeh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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