Objective To investigate the changing features of microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2) expression, which was a neural dendrite marker, of epileptic rat and the intervention results after using Diazepam. The relations between MAP2 and epileptogenesis were also explored.Methods Model of epileptic rat was established by Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and divided into PTZ-NA group,PTZ-Diazepam group, Diazepam-PTZ group and normal control group. Immunohistochemistry method was applied on hippocampus of epileptic rats to determine the change of MAP2 immunoreactivity (MAP2-IR) with or without Diazepam intervention at various time points. MAP2-IR was showed by mean optical density (COD).Results In the PTZ-NA group and PTZ-Diazepam group, MAP2-IR in molecular cell layer of hippocampal dentate gyrus increased after 3 days (all P

South Korea and Taiwan have had similar experiences of economic development in the post-war era. The two societies have also successfully overcome the threat of liver cancer by using mass hepatitis B vaccinations. However, to reach their current states, they followed different directions, and experienced differing effects on their national health governance systems. In South Korea, vaccine production occurred prior to effectively introducing immunization programs. In contrast, Taiwan established an effective immunization program first. However, industrialization of vaccines against hepatitis B has failed. Taiwan has to import vaccines for domestic use. This article provides a contextual overview on the different methods South Korea and Taiwan have used to arrive at their modern status of hepatitis B immunization.
Economic Development ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; Immunization ; Immunization Programs ; Liver Neoplasms ; Republic of Korea ; Taiwan ; Vaccination ; Vaccines ; Industrial Development

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is usually a nodal lymphoma expressing CD10, rarely with leukaemic presentation (FL-LP). Materials and Methods: We searched for FL-LP in our institution from 2000 to 2018 and characterised the neoplastic cells by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Thirteen (6.1%) of 212 FL cases were FL-LP, all de novo neoplasms. The leukaemic cells were small in 12 cases and large in one. All had concurrent FL, mostly (92%; 12/13) low-grade. The single case with large leukaemic cells had a concurrent primary splenic low-grade FL and a double-hit large B-cell lymphoma in the marrow. Results: CD10 was expressed in the leukaemic cells in 38% (5/13) cases by flow cytometry and in 77% (10/13) cases in tumours (p= 0.0471). IGH/BCL2 reciprocal translocation was identified in 85% (11/13) cases. Most patients were treated with chemotherapy. In a median follow-up time of 36 months, nine patients were in complete remission. The 2- and 5-year survival rates were at 100% and 83%, respectively. In this study, we characterised a series of de novo FL-LP in Taiwan. All patients had concurrent nodal and/or tissue tumours, which might suggest that these patients seek medical help too late. Conclusion: The lower CD10 expression rate by flow cytometry than by immunohistochemistry might be due to different epitopes for these assays. Alternatively, loss of CD10 expression might play a role in the pathogenesis of leukaemic change. The clinical course of FL-LP could be aggressive, but a significant proportion of the patients obtained complete remission with chemotherapy.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) combined with thermochemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC).Methods From June 2008 to June 2011,70 patients with LAPC were divided into radiotherapy group (30 patients) and combination group (40 patients).Radiotherapy used 3D-CRT with a 90％ to 95％ isodose curve,a single dose of 1.8 to 2.OGy,and total radiation dose 50 ～ 70 Gy.The combination group patients received simultaneous thermotherapy at 41.5 ～43.5 ℃ (1 h/fraction,twice a week for 6 times),and hyperthermia given simultaneously injected using arsenic trioxide 20 mg,recombinant mutant human tumor necrosis factor(rmhTNF) intravenous infusion of 10 million U,4 to 6 times,or 3D-CRT at the same time and the treatment given after gemcitabine(0.6 ～ 1.0 g/m2) on Days dl and 8 and cisplatin (DDP) (20 ～ 30 mg/m2) on Days d1-3 intravenous infusion,repeated every 28 days for 3 ～ 6 cycles.Results At 3 months after treatment,the total response (complete remission and partial remission) rate was 70.0％ (49/70),the efficiency of radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy,and radiotherapy combined with thermo-chemotherapy were 56.5％ and 88.2％,and the radiotherapy alone group was 56.7％.There were significant difference in efficiency between radiotherapy combined with thermo-chemotherapy group compared to radiotherapy-chemotherapy group and radiotherapy group (x2 =4.68,4.98,P ＜ 0.05),the last two groups showed no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).The 1-year and 2-year survival rate was 46.8％ and 20.3％,respectively.The 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 52.4％ and 26.7％ in combination group,and 42.5％ and 16.2％ in radiotherapy group (x2 =14.17,P ＜ 0.05 ; x2 =9.74,P ＜ 0.05).No serious complications such as perforation,bleeding,and high fever were seen during treatment and follow-up.Conclusions 3D-CRT combined with thermochemotherapy is well tolerated and is relatively effective for the LAPC patients.

ObjectiveTo determine the peripheral serum expressions and clinical value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen CA19-9,CA242,CA72-4 and a single sialic acid ganglioside (CA50) antigen in advanced pancreatic cancer patients treated by three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) combined with endogenous field hyperthermia.Methods60 patients inoperable,advanced pancreatic cancer were treated by 3D-CRT combined with endogenous field hyperthermia.Radiation dose (DT) was 46 ～ 66 GY/23 ～ 33 F.Hyperthermia temperature was 41 ～ 43 ℃ 2 times/week,lasted 60 min each time.The expressions of CEA,CA19-9,CA242,CA72-4 and CA50 in peripheral serum were detected by Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) every 2 weeks during treatment,and correlation were analyzed with tumor diameter,clinical stage,lymph node metastasis.Results From the 8th week,with 3D-CRT combined with endogenous field hyperthermia ongoing,CEA,CA19-9,CA50 andCA242 expression levels showed a gradual decline.CEA,CA19-9,CA50 and CA242 expression levels were (6.22 ± 2.71 ) μg/L,(43.44 ± 12.93 ) μg/L,(23.21 ± 7.71 )g/L and (24.26 ± 8.92) μg/L in 6 weeks,respectively.The difference was statistically significant among week 6 and week 0,week2,week 4 ( P ＜0.05),however there was no significant difference between week 6 and week 8 ( P ＞ 0.05 ).The CA724 expression did not change significantly ( P ＞ 0.05 ).There were positively correlation between CEA,CA199,CA50 and CA242 with pancreatic cancer tumor size,clinical stage and lymph node metastasis( respectively r =0.877,0.725,0.826,all P ＜ 0.01 ),however CA72-4 had no correlations ( P ＞ 0.05).ConclusionsCEA,CA19-9,CA50 and CA242 expressions in peripheral serum of pancreatic cancer patients were closely related to the treatment.Their joint detection can be served as independent objective evaluation reference information for the treatment efficacy and prognosis.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between Parkinson’s disease and pancreatic cancer in Taiwan. Methods: This was a case-control study using claim data of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program. There were 13,861 subjects aged 20- 84 with newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer as cases and 55,444 randomly selected subjects without pancreatic cancer as controls from 1998 to 2011. Cases and controls were matched by sex, age and index year of diagnosing pancreatic cancer. The association of pancreatic cancer with Parkinson’s disease was evaluated by the multivariable logistic regression model to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: After adjusting for confounding factors including acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, biliary stone, alcoholism, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, the multivariable logistic regression analysis showed the adjusted OR of pancreatic cancer was 0.82 for subjects with Parkinson’s disease (95% CI 0.55, 1.21), as compared with subjects without Parkinson’s disease. Conclusion: No association is detected between Parkinson’s disease and pancreatic cancer.
Parkinson Disease ; Pancreatic Neoplasms

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy(MPCNL)in the treatment of lower caliceal calculi.Methods We retrospectively re- viewed the clinical outcomes and complications of 33 patients who underwent MPCNL for lower caliceal cal- culi from March 2001 to April 2005.The average diameter of the calculi was 2.8 cm.Single tract nephrosto- my was performed in all 33 cases;among them renal access was obtained through a middle calyx in 10 cases and a lower calyx in 23.Nine cases had F14 renal access;and 24 cases,F16.Results Of 33 cases,28 (85%)achieved stone-free at 1 session.A second-look was needed in 3 cases due to intraoperative bleed- ing;ESWL,in 1 case with residual,calculi;no treatment,in 1 case with residual calculi＜4 ram.The mean operative time was 93 min;mean blood loss was 113 ml;mean hospital stay was 11 d.Blood transfusion was needed in 1 patient who suffered from hepatic cirrhosis preoperatively;another experienced severe bleeding 7 d after operation and was cured with hyperselective spongia gelatinosa embolization of the renal artery.Fol- low-up was available in 19 cases for 2-48 months,and no recurrence of renal calculi was noted.Conclu- sions Minimally invasive percutaneous nepbrolithotomy has advantages of safety,less invasion,and easy re- covery for the treatment of lower caliceal calculi.

Objective To investigate and compare the different effects of soluble adult wornl antigen(SWA)and soluble egg antigen(SEA)of Schistosoma japonicum on the apoptosis and cell-cycle of routine CD4~+T cells.Methods Purified CD4~+T ceUs from normal C57BL/6 mice were cultured with CFSE labeled antigen presenting clls in the presence of different stimuli for 36 h.Flow cytometry(FCM)was used to detect the apoptosis of CD4~+T cells by fluorescence conjugated caspase-3 antibodie staining.The flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell-cycle of CD4~+T cells cultured as described above for 96 h by propidium iodide staining.Results Compared with the apoptosis percentage of CD4~+T cells[(1.24±0.29)%]in the SEA stimulated group,that in the SWA stimulated group[(1.52±0.38)%]did not show statistically significant difference(P>0.05).Compared with the cell percentages in G1 phase[(78.91±2.98)%],S phase[(7.39±0.85)%]and G2/M phase[(10.69±1.05)%] in the SWA stimulated group,that of the G1 phase[(59.42±1.32)%]was significantly lower,but those in the S phase[(21.07±O.88)%] and G2/M phase[(18.88±1.21)%]were significantly increased in the SEA stimulated group(P<0.01).Conclusions There is no statistically significant difference between the apoptosis levels of CD4~+T ceHs stimulated by SWA and SEA.However,SEA significantly promotes the progression of the cell-cycle of CD4~+T cells compared with SWA.

OBJECTIVETo present a method of quantitative diagnosis of craniofacial skeleton deformities based on three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT).

METHODS20 cases with facial asymmetric deformities underwent 3D CT and the 3D images were reconstructed by Mimics 10.0 (Belgium). Anatomical landmarks were located and the coordinate of the landmarks obtained. Axial images of 1 patient with Romberg disease was used as representative case. The differences in the distance between the right landmarks and the left were calculated and analyzed.

RESULTSThe measurement results were not significantly different between two stages with an interval of 4 weeks ( P > 0.05), showing a reproducible resutls. The deviation of landmarks at facial midline increased gradually from upward to downward, reaching (2.63 +/- 0.54) mm at menton point. Paired landmarks showed asymmetry in three dimensions, especially gonion point on the left side, which was deviated 10.21 mm inward, 9.26 mm forward, 6.30 mm upward, compared to the opposite side.

CONCLUSIONSThe method of 3D CT quantitative analysis can provide precise information in the diagnosis and treatment planning of facial asymmetry deformity.

Anatomic Landmarks ; diagnostic imaging ; Cephalometry ; Craniofacial Abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Facial Asymmetry ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of C-phycocyanin (C-PC) from Spirulina platensis on paraquat (PQ)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

METHODSA total of 90 healthy Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into normal control group, model group (PQ group), and C-PC treatment group (C-PC group). Each rat in the PQ group and C-PC group were orally administered with a single dose of PQ (50 mg/kg) to establish a rat model of PQ poisoning. Then, the rats in the normal control group and PQ group were orally given saline solution (1 ml/100 g) every day, and the rats in the C-PC group were orally given C-PC (50 mg/kg) every day. Six rats were randomly selected from each group on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28. The inferior lobe of each rat's right lung was homogenized for the measurement of hydroxyproline (HYP) and maleic dialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Parts of each rat's left lung were subject to HE staining and Masson staining for pathological observation, and the expression of transforming growth factor-β(1) (TGF-β(1)), nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in lung tissue was measured by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe HYP levels on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 and MDA levels on days 14 and 28 were significantly lower in the C-PC group than in the PQ group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The SOD activity was significantly higher in the C-PC group than in the PQ group on days 1, 7, 14, and 28 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The protein content of TGF-β(1) and the activities of NF-κB p65 and TNF-α in the PQ group and C-PC group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group, while the indices in the C-PC group were significantly lower than those in the PQ group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The pathological observation showed that C-PC could alleviate pulmonary alveolitis and fibrosis in rats with PQ poisoning.

CONCLUSIONC-PC can significantly inhibit PQ-induced pulmonary alveolitis and fibrosis in rats.

Animals ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Phycocyanin ; pharmacology ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism