1.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.
2.Animal Models for the Study of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Oliver OAKLEY ; Po Ching LIN ; Phillip BRIDGES ; CheMyong KO
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2011;26(3):193-202
No abstract available.
Animals
;
Models, Animal
;
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
3.Sleep Quality and Self-Stigma Mediate the Association Between Problematic Use of Social Media and Quality of Life Among People With Schizophrenia in Taiwan: A Longitudinal Study
Mohsen SAFFARI ; Kun-Chia CHANG ; Jung-Sheng CHEN ; Marc N. POTENZA ; Cheng-Fang YEN ; Ching-Wen CHANG ; Po-Ching HUANG ; Hsin-Chi TSAI ; Chung-Ying LIN
Psychiatry Investigation 2023;20(11):1034-1044
Objective:
Problematic use of social media (PUSM) may affect sleep quality and self-stigma in people with schizophrenia and consequently reduce their quality of life (QoL). This longitudinal study investigated if sleep quality and self-stigma mediated relationships between PUSM and QoL.
Methods:
One-hundred-and-ninety-three outpatients with schizophrenia were recruited from a psychiatric center in Taiwan from April 2019 to August 2021 and participated in a longitudinal study at intervals of three months between measurements. QoL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire Brief Version; sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; self-stigma using the Self-Stigma Scale-Short; and PUSM using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale. Via SPSS 20.0, general estimating equation models assessed temporal associations between variables. Via R software, mediating effects of self-stigma and sleep quality were examined through Monte Carlo simulations with 20,000 repetitions.
Results:
Mean scores of physical, psychological, social and environmental QoL ranged from 11.86 to 13.02. Mean scores of sleep quality and self-stigma were 9.1±4.5 and 2.2±0.8, respectively. Sleep quality and self-stigma were directly related to QoL (p<0.001) and mediated indirect relationships between PUSM and all components of QoL with a range of 95% confidence intervals spanning from -0.0591 to -0.0107 for physical QoL; -0.0564 to -0.0095 for psychological QoL; -0.0292 to -0.0035 for social QoL; and -0.0357 to -0.0052 for environmental QoL.
Conclusion
Sleep quality and self-stigma mediated relationships between PUSM and QoL in people with schizophrenia. Developing interventions targeting PUSM, sleep, and self-stigma may help improve QoL in people with schizophrenia.
4.Harm Avoidance is Correlated with the Reward System in Adult Patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Tsung-Hua LU ; Shih-Hsien LIN ; Mei Hung CHI ; Ching-Lin CHU ; Dong-Yu YANG ; Wei Hung CHANG ; Po See CHEN ; Yen Kuang YANG
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2023;21(1):99-107
Objective:
Hypoactivity in the reward system among patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a well-known phenomenon. Whether the activity in the reward pathway is related to harm avoidance, such as in sensitivity to punishment, is unclear. Evidence regarding the potential difference between ADHD patients and controls in terms of this association is scarce.
Methods:
Event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging was conducted on subjects performing the Iowa gambling test. Fourteen adults with ADHD and 14 controls were enrolled in the study.
Results:
Harm avoidance was found to be positively correlated with the activities of the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex and right insula in individuals with ADHD. A group difference was also confirmed.
Conclusion
Understanding the roles of harm avoidance and brain activation during risk tasks is important.
5.Grasping the Pseudo-Cleft in the Case of a Small, Severely Tethered Posterior Mitral Leaflet.
Ching Wei LEE ; Shih Hsien SUNG ; Ting Yung CHANG ; I Lin TSAI ; Chih Po HSU ; Chun Che SHIH
Korean Circulation Journal 2017;47(4):536-537
No abstract available.
Hand Strength*
6.Altered Auditory P300 Performance in Parents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Offspring
Mei Hung CHI ; Ching Lin CHU ; I Hui LEE ; Yi Ting HSIEH ; Ko Chin CHEN ; Po See CHEN ; Yen Kuang YANG
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2019;17(4):509-516
OBJECTIVE: Altered event-related potential (ERP) performances have been noted in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients and reflect neurocognitive dysfunction. Whether these ERP alterations and correlated dysfunctions exist in healthy parents with ADHD offspring is worth exploring. METHODS: Thirteen healthy parents with ADHD offspring and thirteen healthy controls matched for age, sex and years of education were recruited. The auditory oddball paradigm was used to evaluate the P300 wave complex of the ERP, and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and continuous performance test were used to measure neurocognitive performance. RESULTS: Healthy parents with ADHD offspring had significantly longer auditory P300 latency at Fz than control group. However, no significant differences were found in cognitive performance. CONCLUSION: The presence of a subtle alteration in electro-neurophysiological activity without explicit neurocognitive dysfunction suggests potential candidate of biological marker for parents with ADHD offspring.
Adult
;
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
;
Biomarkers
;
Cognition
;
Education
;
Evoked Potentials
;
Humans
;
Intelligence
;
Parents
;
Wisconsin
7.Predicting the surgical reparability of large-to-massive rotator cuff tears by B-mode ultrasonography: a cross-sectional study
Po-Cheng CHEN ; Kuan-Ting WU ; Yi-Cun CHEN ; Yu-Chi HUANG ; Ching-Di CHANG ; Wei-Che LIN ; Wen-Yi CHOU
Ultrasonography 2022;41(1):177-188
Purpose:
This study aimed to compare the ability of B-mode ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict the repairability of large-to-massive rotator cuff tears (RCTs).
Methods:
This cross-sectional study included participants with large-to-massive RCTs who underwent arthroscopic repair. B-mode ultrasonography and MRI were conducted prior to arthroscopic repair. B-mode ultrasonography was used to evaluate the echogenicity of the rotator cuff muscle using the Heckmatt scale. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities were examined for two independent physicians. MRI was used to evaluate the degrees of tendon retraction, fatty infiltration of rotator cuff muscles, and muscle atrophy. Finally, two experienced orthopedic surgeons performed surgery and decided whether the torn stump could be completely repaired intraoperatively.
Results:
Fifty participants were included, and 32 complete repairs and 18 partial repairs were performed. B-mode ultrasonography showed good intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability for assessment of the muscle echogenicity of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. The correlation coefficients between B-mode ultrasound findings and MRI findings showed medium to large effect sizes (r=0.4-0.8). The Goutallier classification of the infraspinatus muscles was the MRI predictor with the best discriminative power for surgical reparability (area under the curve [AUC], 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81 to 0.98), while the Heckmatt scale for infraspinatus muscles was the most accurate ultrasound predictor (AUC, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.96). No significant differences in AUCs among the MRI and ultrasound predictors were found.
Conclusion
B-mode ultrasonography was a reliable examination tool and had a similar ability to predict surgical reparability to that of MRI among patients with large-to-massive RCTs.
8.Porcine intestinal lymphoid tissues synthesize estradiol
Chan Jin PARK ; Heehyen KIM ; Jooyoung JIN ; Radwa BARAKAT ; Po Ching LIN ; Jeong Moon CHOI ; CheMyong Jay KO
Journal of Veterinary Science 2018;19(4):477-482
Estradiol (17β-estradiol) is synthesized primarily in the gonads of both sexes and regulates the development and function of reproductive organs. Recently, we reported that intestinal lymphocyte homeostasis is regulated by estradiol synthesized de novo in the endothelial cells of the high endothelial venules (HEVs) of mesenteric lymph nodes and Peyer's patches in mice. This observation prompted us to hypothesize that HEVs of intestinal lymphoid tissues are sites of estradiol synthesis across species. In this study, we examined whether estradiol is synthesized in the intestinal lymphoid tissues of adolescent piglets. Comparisons of estradiol levels in blood and tissue showed that estradiol concentrations in mesenteric lymph nodes and Peyer's patches were significantly higher than the level in serum. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that porcine intestinal lymphoid tissues express mRNAs for steroidogenic enzymes (StAR, 17β-Hsd, 3β-Hsd, Cyp17a1, and Cyp19a1), and immunohistochemical results in ilial tissue showed expression of aromatase (CYP19) in Peyer's patch-localized endothelial cells of HEVs. When mesenteric lymph node and Peyer's patch tissues were cultured in vitro, they produced estradiol. Taken together, the results indicate that mesenteric lymph nodes and Peyer's patches are sites of estradiol synthesis in adolescent piglets.
Adolescent
;
Animals
;
Aromatase
;
Endothelial Cells
;
Estradiol
;
Gonads
;
Homeostasis
;
Humans
;
In Vitro Techniques
;
Intestines
;
Lymph Nodes
;
Lymphocytes
;
Lymphoid Tissue
;
Mice
;
Peyer's Patches
;
Polymerase Chain Reaction
;
Reverse Transcription
;
RNA, Messenger
;
Swine
;
Venules
9.Can Elderly Patients with Severe Mitral Regurgitation Benefit from Trans-catheter Mitral Valve Repair?
Ching Wei LEE ; Shih Hsien SUNG ; Wei Ming HUANG ; Yi Lin TSAI ; Hsiang Yao CHEN ; Chiao Po HSU ; Chun Che SHIH ; Kuo Piao CHUNG
Korean Circulation Journal 2019;49(6):532-541
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Age is a traditional risk factor for open-heart surgery. The efficacy and safety of transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair, using MitraClip (Abbott Vascular), has been demonstrated in patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Since octogenarians or older patients are usually deferred to receive open-heart surgery, the main interest of this study is to elucidate the procedural safety and long-term clinical impact of MitraClip in elderly patients. METHODS: Patients with symptomatic severe MR were evaluated by the heart team. For those with high or prohibitive surgical risks, transcatheter mitral valve repair was performed in hybrid operation room. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), blood tests, and six-minute walk test (6MWT) were performed before, 1-month, 6-months, and 1 year after index procedure. RESULTS: A total of 46 consecutive patients receiving MitraClip procedure were enrolled. Nineteen patients (84.2±4.0 years) were over 80-year-old and 27 (73.4±11.1 years) were younger than 80. Compare to baseline, the significant reduction in MR severity was achieved after the procedure and sustained. All the patients benefited from significant improvement in New York Heart Association functional class. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) increased from 259±114 to 319±92 meters (p=0.03) at 1 year. The overall 1-year survival rate was 80% in the elderly and 88% in those <80 years, p=0.590. Baseline 6MWT was a predictor for all-cause mortality (odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.982–0.999; p=0.026) after the MitraClip procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Trans-catheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repairs are safe and have positive clinical impact in subjects with severe MR, even in advanced age.
Aged
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Echocardiography
;
Heart
;
Hematologic Tests
;
Humans
;
Mitral Valve Insufficiency
;
Mitral Valve
;
Mortality
;
Risk Factors
;
Survival Rate
10.Can Elderly Patients with Severe Mitral Regurgitation Benefit from Trans-catheter Mitral Valve Repair?
Ching Wei LEE ; Shih Hsien SUNG ; Wei Ming HUANG ; Yi Lin TSAI ; Hsiang Yao CHEN ; Chiao Po HSU ; Chun Che SHIH ; Kuo Piao CHUNG
Korean Circulation Journal 2019;49(6):532-541
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Age is a traditional risk factor for open-heart surgery. The efficacy and safety of transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair, using MitraClip (Abbott Vascular), has been demonstrated in patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Since octogenarians or older patients are usually deferred to receive open-heart surgery, the main interest of this study is to elucidate the procedural safety and long-term clinical impact of MitraClip in elderly patients.
METHODS:
Patients with symptomatic severe MR were evaluated by the heart team. For those with high or prohibitive surgical risks, transcatheter mitral valve repair was performed in hybrid operation room. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), blood tests, and six-minute walk test (6MWT) were performed before, 1-month, 6-months, and 1 year after index procedure.
RESULTS:
A total of 46 consecutive patients receiving MitraClip procedure were enrolled. Nineteen patients (84.2±4.0 years) were over 80-year-old and 27 (73.4±11.1 years) were younger than 80. Compare to baseline, the significant reduction in MR severity was achieved after the procedure and sustained. All the patients benefited from significant improvement in New York Heart Association functional class. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) increased from 259±114 to 319±92 meters (p=0.03) at 1 year. The overall 1-year survival rate was 80% in the elderly and 88% in those <80 years, p=0.590. Baseline 6MWT was a predictor for all-cause mortality (odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.982–0.999; p=0.026) after the MitraClip procedure.
CONCLUSIONS
Trans-catheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repairs are safe and have positive clinical impact in subjects with severe MR, even in advanced age.