3.Clinical diagnosis rather than aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin status predicts the cognitive performance in central demyelinating disease
Min-Chien Tu ; Wen-Neng Chang ; Chun-Chung Lui ; Nai-Ching Chen ; Chi-Wei Huang ; Chen-Chang Lee ; Ching Chen ; Chiung-Chih Chang
Neurology Asia 2012;17(4):331-340
Background:Reports on the aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG) status for cognitive performance
and neuroimaging correlations are limited in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and multiple sclerosis (MS)
literature. Methods: Cognitive results of 19 MS and 15 NMO patients were compared with 47 agematched
controls. Apparent diffusion coeffi cient (ADC) values were used to delineate gray matter
and white matter damages and correlate with neuropsychological results. Results: Verbal memory test
showed signifi cant differences between MS and NMO in the late registration, early and delay recall
(p<0.05), while their retention rates were even. In MS, ADC values were signifi cantly elevated in the
dorsolateral prefrontal and occipital gray matter which was in contrast with NMO group that showed
elevation in the dorsolateral prefrontal gray matter and parieto-occcipital white matter. AQP4-IgG
status exerted a limited effect on ADC values and neuropsychological results.
Conclusions: Verbal memory test might be helpful in differentiating NMO and MS. ADC values
can be used as a surrogate marker for tissue injury in NMO and MS since they were in line with the
cognition scores. Anatomical regions with elevated ADC values were different in NMO and MS.
4.Coronary Artery Fistula With a Huge Aneurysm Formation Presenting as Heart Failure.
Ching Wei LEE ; Shih Hsien SUNG ; Wen Chung YU
Korean Circulation Journal 2012;42(1):69-70
No abstract available.
Aneurysm
;
Coronary Vessels
;
Fistula
;
Heart
;
Heart Failure
5.Correlation between the atypical presentation of myasthenia gravis and radio-pathological classification of the thymus – A retrospective cohort study
Kang-Po Lee ; Chou-Ching K. Lin ; Pei-Fang Su ; Yu-Lin Mau ; Fei-Ci Sie ; Han-Wei Huang
Neurology Asia 2020;25(3):293-298
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a disease of neuromuscular junction and mainly autoimmune in aetiology.
The state of thymus is a critical determinant for the prognosis. In this retrospective review study, we
aimed at clarifying the relationship between the mode of clinical presentation of MG and the radiopathological classification of the thymus. We identified patients with MG from the database of our
medical center from 1988 – 2017. The patients were classified into two groups according to their
clinical presentation: those with a typical presentation with diurnal variation, and those with an atypical
presentation of persistent weakness or respiratory failure from the beginning. The underlying thymic
state was categorized into six groups: normal, abnormal by imaging (if no operation was performed),
hyperplasia, benign thymoma, cortical type thymoma, and malignant thymoma. In total, 227 patients
(133 females and 94 males) were included in the analysis, of whom 68% were classified into the
typical presentation group. The atypical presentation correlated significantly with thymic categories
(p = 0.014) and sex (p = 0.026) but not age at onset (p = 0.232). The atypical presentation was more
common in the male patients and in those with thymic carcinoma.
6.New Frontiers or the Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome - Focused on Stem Cells, Platelet-Rich Plasma, and Low-Energy Shock Wave
Chih-Chieh LIN ; Yun-Ching HUANG ; Wei-Chia LEE ; Yao-Chi CHUANG
International Neurourology Journal 2020;24(3):211-221
Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), which is characterized by bladder pain and irritative voiding symptoms, is a frustrating disease without effective treatment. The cause is still largely not understood, although urothelium ischemia/hypoxia, apoptosis, denudation, and infiltration of inflammatory cells are common histopathological findings. The current uncertainty regarding the etiology and pathology of IC/BPS has a negative impact on its timely and successful treatment; therefore, the development of new treatment modalities is urgently needed. Herein, we present advances in our knowledge on this topic and review the potential application of regenerative medicine for the treatment of IC/BPS. This article provides information on the basic characteristics and clinical evidence of stem cells, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and low-energy shock waves (LESWs) based on a literature review with a search strategy for articles related to IC/BPS, stem cells, PRP, and LESW published in MEDLINE and PubMed. Stem cells, PRP, and LESW, which modulate inflammatory processes and promote tissue repair, have been proven to improve bladder regeneration, relieve bladder pain, inhibit bladder inflammation, and increase bladder capacity in some preclinical studies. However, clinical studies are still in their infancy. Based on the mechanisms of action of stem cells, PRP, and LESW documented in many preclinical studies, the potential applications of regenerative medicine for the treatment of IC/BPS is an emerging frontier of interest. However, solid evidence from clinical studies remains to be obtained.
7.Iceberg in Small Pulmonary Embolism.
Ching Wei LEE ; Fa Po CHUNG ; Kang Ling WANG ; Ching Lan WU ; Tse Min LU
Korean Circulation Journal 2013;43(3):212-213
No abstract available.
Pulmonary Embolism
8.Antipsychotic Medication in Schizophrenic Patients is Associated with Higher Risks of Developing Bone Fractures and Refractures
Ching-Min KUO ; Wei-Jen LIAO ; Chun-Che HUANG ; Tsuo-Hung LAN ; Ching-Heng LIN ; Shun-Ping WANG ; Cheng-Hung LEE ; Ping-Wing LUI
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2020;18(4):562-570
Objective:
The relationship of antipsychotics and the risk of refracture in treated patients is unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between prolonged antipsychotic and the incidences of bone fractures and refractures in schizophrenia.
Methods:
This is a retrospective nested case-control study using Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database recorded from 2000 to 2005, with cases followed up to end of 2011. Total of 7,842 schizophrenic patients, 3,955 had developed bone fractures were compared with 3,887 control subjects matched in age, sex, and index date.Antipsychotic drug exposure was classified based on the drug type and medication duration. Conditional logistic regression analyses were performed. Odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI) were calculated.
Results:
We found (after adjustments) higher risks of developing fractures under continued use of typical (OR = 1.70; 95% CI, 1.51−1.91) or atypical antipsychotics (OR = 1.43; 95% CI, 1.28−1.60) were found. Additionally, continued use typical (OR = 1.84; 95% CI, 1.35−2.50) or atypical antipsychotics (OR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.06−1.95) was positively associated with refracture risks. Moreover, refractures were associated with continuous use of chlorpromazine (one typical antipsychotics, OR = 2.45; 95% CI, 1.14−5.25), and risperidone (OR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.01−2.16) or zotepine (OR = 2.15; 95% CI, 1.06−4.36) (two atypical antipsychotics).
Conclusion
Higher risks of bone fracture and refracture were found in schizophrenia under prolonged medication with typical or atypical antipsychotics. We therefore recommend that clinicians should pay more attention on bone density monitoring for patients using long-term antipsychotics.
9.Esophageal Submucosal Tumor-A Red Flag in Patients Receiving Thoracic Aortic Aneurysmal Stent-Graft.
Ching Wei LEE ; Wei Yu KAO ; Shih Hsien WENG ; I Fan LIU
Korean Circulation Journal 2014;44(6):444-445
No abstract available.
Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic*
;
Humans
10.Epidemiological characteristics of the 2005 and 2007 dengue epidemics in Singapore – similarities and distinctions
Teck Siang Ler ; Li Wei Ang ; Grace Siew Lian Yap ; Lee Ching Ng ; Ji Choong Tai ; Lyn James ; Kee Tai Goh
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2011;2(2):24-29
INTRODUCTION: We investigated the epidemiological features of the 2007 dengue outbreak to determine the factors that could have triggered it two years after the previous large outbreak in 2005.
METHODS: All laboratory-confirmed cases of dengue reported during the year, as well as entomological and virological data, were analysed.
RESULTS: A total of 8826 cases including 24 deaths were reported in 2007, giving an incidence of 192.3 cases per 100 000 residents and a case-fatality rate of 0.27%. The median age of the cases was 37 years (interquartile range 25 to 50), with an age range from two days to 101 years, which was higher than the median age of 31 years (interquartile range 20 to 42), with a range from four days to 98 years, in 2005. The overall Aedes premises index in 2007 was 0.68%, lower than the 1.15% observed in 2005. The predominant dengue serotype in 2007 was dengue virus DENV-2 which re-emerged with a clade replacement in early 2007, and overtook the predominant serotype (DENV-1) of 2005. Seroprevalence studies conducted in the three largest outbreak clusters revealed that 73.2% of residents with recent infection were asymptomatic.
DISCUSSION: With the exception of an increase in the median age of the cases, and a change in the predominant dengue serotype, the epidemiological features of the 2007 epidemic were largely similar to those of 2005. Singapore remains vulnerable to major outbreaks of dengue, despite sustained vector control measures to maintain a consistently low Aedes premises index.