Arteriovenous Fistula ; complications ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Child ; Contrast Media ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vena Cava, Superior ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging

Adolescent ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; pathology

Child ; Female ; Heart Block ; etiology ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; complications ; therapy ; Humans

The pandemic of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in Asia has caused enormous economic loss in poultry industry and human health threat, especially clade 2.3.4.4 H5 and H7 subtypes in recent years. The endemic chicken H6 virus in Taiwan has also brought about human and dog infections. Since wild waterfowls is the major AIV reservoir, it is important to monitor the diversified subtypes in wildfowl flocks in early stage to prevent viral reassortment and transmission. To develop a more efficient and sensitive approach is a key issue in epidemic control. In this study, we integrate multiplex reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) for high-throughput detection and differentiation of AIVs in wild waterfowls in Taiwan. Four viral genes were detected simultaneously, including nucleoprotein (NP) gene of all AIVs, hemagglutinin (HA) gene of clade 2.3.4.4 H5, H6 and H7 subtypes. The detection limit of the developed detection system could achieve as low as one copy number for each of the four viral gene targets. Sixty wild waterfowl field samples were tested and all of the four gene signals were unambiguously identified within 6 h, including the initial sample processing and the final CE data analysis.The results indicated that multiplex RT-RPA combined with CE was an excellent alternative for instant simultaneous AIV detection and subtype differentiation. The high efficiency and sensitivity of the proposed method could greatly assist in wild bird monitoring and epidemic control of poultry.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Qingfei Huatan Quyu method (QHQ, a Chinese medicinal therapy for clearing Fei-heat and dissolving phlegm-stasis) combined with hormone-antibiotic therapy (HAT) on radiation pneumonia (RP).

METHODSEighty-one patients with RP were randomized into two groups, 41 patients in the control group and 40 in the treatment group were treated with HAT alone and HAT combined with QHQ respectively for 21 days. The severity of RP was evaluated before and after treatment according to the criteria of the radiation therapy oncology group. The effect on TCM symptoms and chest roentgenogram, as well as on plasma levels of interleukin-6 ( IL-6) and transform growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) were detected.

RESULTSAfter treatment, number of patients with RP graded as 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the treatment group was 23, 10, 4, 2, and 1, respectively, while in the control group, 14, 9, 11, 4, and 3, respectively. The combined therapy showed effects in improving RP grading (P <0.01) and TCM syndromes were superior to those of HAT respectively (P < 0.05). Besides, levels of IL-6 and TGF-beta were lowered after treatment in the treatment group, showing a significant difference to those in the control group (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONQHQ combined with HAT has a definite therapeutic effect on RP. It could efficiently decrease the plasma levels of IL-6 and TGF-beta in patients with RP.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Radiation Pneumonitis ; drug therapy ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; blood

Canine MDR1 gene mutations produce translated P-glycoprotein, an active drug efflux transporter, resulting in dysfunction or over-expression. The 4-base deletion at exon 4 of MDR1 at nucleotide position 230 (nt230[del4]) in exon 4 makes P-glycoprotein lose function, leading to drug accumulation and toxicity. The G allele of the c.-6-180T>G variation in intron 1 of MDR1 (single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP] 180) causes P-glycoprotein over-expression, making epileptic dogs resistant to phenobarbital treatment. Both of these mutations are reported to be common in collies. This study develops a more efficient method to detect these two mutations simultaneously, and clarifies the genotype association with the side effects of chemotherapy. Genotype distribution in Taiwan was also investigated. An oligonucleotide microarray was successfully developed for the detection of both genotypes and was applied to clinical samples. No 4-base deletion mutant allele was detected in dogs in Taiwan. However, the G allele variation of SNP 180 was spread across all dog breeds, not only in collies. The chemotherapy adverse effect percentages of the SNP 180 T/T, T/G, and G/G genotypes were 16.7%, 6.3%, and 0%, respectively. This study describes an efficient way for MDR1 gene mutation detection, clarifying genotype distribution, and the association with chemotherapy.
Alleles ; Animals ; Dogs ; Drug Therapy ; Exons ; Genotype ; Introns ; Methods ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; P-Glycoprotein ; Phenobarbital ; Taiwan

The purpose of this article was to evaluate the accuracy of predicting amnionicity using the number of yolk sacs by diagnostic ultrasound examination in monochorionic (MC) multifetal pregnancies between 7 + 0 and 9 + 6 gestational weeks. A total of 97 patients with MC multifetal pregnancies underwent early ultrasound examination from 2004 to 2014 at Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center. All patients for whom the number of yolk sacs was reported were included in this study. We compared the number of yolk sacs with amnionicity confirmed by an intertwine membrane. Overall, there was a 9.3% (9 cases) discrepancy in number of yolk sacs and amnionicity (4.3% for monochorionic diamniotic, 36.4% for monochorionic monoamniotic, and 33% for monochorionic triamniotic). Among the 9 cases with discrepancies, 4 cases with 2 yolk sacs were confirmed as monoamniotic pregnancies and 4 MC twin pregnancies showing a single yolk sac were diagnosed as diamniotic twin pregnancies. One case with 2 yolk sacs was identified as a triamniotic triplet pregnancy. In 9.3% of MC gestations, the number of yolk sacs was not correlated with the number of amnions in our study. To determine amnionicity in MC multifetal pregnancies, we recommend careful evaluation not of the number of yolk sacs but the presence or absence of intertwine dividing membrane after 8 gestational weeks.
Amnion* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Membranes ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Triplet ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Twins ; Ultrasonography ; Yolk Sac*

OBJECTIVETo transfect a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against survivin gene into human T lymphoblastic leukemia cell line Jurkat, and to explore the effects on apoptosis and proliferation of transfected cells.

METHODSThe survivin-shRNA expression vector were constructed and transfected into Jurkat cells. Expression of survivin mRNA and protein were assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis respectively. Apoptosis index of transfected Jurkat cells was quantified by flow cytometry. The potential of cell proliferation was described by cell growth curves.

RESULTSIn survivin-shRNA transfected Jurkat cells, survivin mRNA levels were significantly reduced by 66.67% ( transient transfection) and 60.69% ( stable transfection) respectively, compared with that in control-shRNA treated group and PBS treated group (P < 0.05); and the levels of survivin protein were significantly reduced by 63.41% (transient transfection) and 60.18% (stable transfection), compared with that in the two control groups (P < 0.05). Apoptosis index was significantly increased during both transient and stable transfection, respectively [(22. 41 +/- 2.83)% and (20.73 +/- 2.56)% (P < 0.05)]. Survivin-shRNA also inhibited the proliferation of Jurkat cells.

CONCLUSIONSVector-based survivin-shRNA can effectively reduce the expression of survivin gene, induce apoptosis

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Gene Expression ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Jurkat Cells ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; RNA, Small Interfering ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effects of surgical treatment for open dislocation of talus.

METHODSFrom June 2001 to July 2008,the complete data of 11 patients with open dislocations of talus were retrospectively analyzed, including 8 males and 3 females with an average age of 39.5 years (ranged 19 to 52). According to Gustilo typing, type I was in 2 cases, type II in 6 cases, type III A in 2 cases, type III B in 1 case. Five cases were tibial astragaloid joint dislocation in which 3 cases associated with subtalar joint dislocation, 4 cases were subtalar joint dislocation and 2 cases were total dislocation of talus. Among them, 8 dislocations associated with talus fractures. All patients were treated with debridement, open reduction, internal fixation with K-wires or screws and external fixation with plaster or external fixator within 8 hours after injury. External fixations were removed at 6 weeks after operation. Partial weight bearing was permitted only when X-rays indicated bony healing. Clinical effects were evaluated according to AOFAS system and X-ray films during follow-up.

RESULTSThe mean time of follow-up was 13.8 months(ranged 10 to 15 months). Eight patients with fractures obtained bone healing in 4-7 months with an average of 4.3 months. No infection of wound or deep tissue was found. At final follow-up, talus necrosis was in 2 cases and traumatic arthritis was in 2 cases. The AOFAS score was 71.3 +/- 8.6, among the total, the pain, function, alignment was respectively (32.4 +/- 7.1), (31.0 +/- 15.7), (7.6 +/- 2.3) scores.

CONCLUSIONComplete debridement may avoid infection in treating open dislocation of talus, early reduction and fixation is a key point during treatment.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Talus ; injuries ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Adult ; Agranulocytosis ; microbiology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Daptomycin ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult