ObjectiveTo observe the effect of mild hypothermia on vital signs of the elderly patients with anterior circulation brain infarction (massive hemispheric infarction) and hyperpyrexia.Methods46 elderly patients with massive hemispheric infarction and hyperpyrexia within the first 24 hours after onset were randomly divided into the control group and the hypothermia group with 23 cases in each group. The patients of the hypothermia group were treated with mild hypothermia therapy (33℃～35℃). Those of the control group were treated with routine hypothermal treatment. The temperature and heart rate of all patients were measured after 10 days; the prognosis was evaluated according to mortality and scores of Neurological Deficit Scale (NDS).ResultsFor patients of the hypothermia group, the temperature and heart rate significantly reduced, death rate was significantly lower, the neurological function distinctly improved and prognosis was better than the control group after 10 days treatment ( P<0.05).Conclusion Mild hypothermia is safe and effective to elderly patients with massive hemispheric infarction and hyperpyrexia.

With more and more attention and investment on acupuncture scientific researches, considerable outcomes and achievements has been acquired, but the shortcoming of low transformation rate of acupuncture research achievements is gradually exposed. Nowadays there is no related report on this problem, so based on achievement translational research in other areas and practical situation of acupuncture, the existing problems and solutions are analyzed. As a result, the existing problems include (1) the research content is mainly basic research and clinical research but less acupuncture device research, leading to limited transformation efficiency; (2) the evaluation system and transformation pattern are still needed to be perfect. The solutions are (1) to properly evaluate the research achievements of acupuncture, (2) to advocate the concept and method of translational medicine, (3) to reform the policy and system, and (4) to establish valid platforms covering research, outcomes and transformation.
Acupuncture ; economics ; legislation & jurisprudence ; manpower ; Biomedical Research ; Biotechnology ; economics ; legislation & jurisprudence ; manpower ; China ; Humans ; Technology Transfer

The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a leading cause of encephalitis, exists as quasispecies in clinical isolates. Using a limiting dilution method combined with immunohistochemistry to detect viral antigens, 10 biological clones were isolated and purified from a clinical JEV isolate (CNS138/9) derived from an autopsy brain. These biological clones were tested for neurovirulence in SK-N-MC and NIE-115 neuronal cells, and a 2-week-old, footpad-infected, JE mouse model. Nine clones were found to be neurovirulent; one clone neuroattenuated. Although further studies are needed to determine genotypic differences, if any, in these clones, the limiting dilution purification and neurovirulence testing methods described herein should be useful for phenotypic studies of quasispecies of neurotropic viruses in general, and JEV and other flaviviruses in particular.

Background: and Purpose Mutations in the FIG4 gene have been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) type 11 in Caucasian populations. The purpose of this study was to identify FIG4 variants in a cohort of 15 familial ALS (FALS) indexes and 275 sporadic ALS (SALS) patients of Han Chinese origin. Methods: All 23 exons of FIG4 were sequenced using targeted next-generation sequencing.An extensive literature review was performed to detect genotype-phenotype associations of FIG4 mutations. Results: No FIG4 variants were identified in the FALS patients. One novel heterozygous missense variant (c.352G>T [p.D118Y]) and one novel heterozygous nonsense variant (c.2158G>T [p.E720X]) in FIG4 were identified in two SALS patients. The p.E720X variant is interpreted as likely pathogenic while the p.D118Y variant is a variant of uncertain significance. The patient carrying the p.E720X mutation developed lower-limb-onset slowly progressive ALS, and survived for 11.5 years. The patient harboring the FIG4 p.D118Y variant also presented with progressive ALS, with the score on the ALS Functional Rating Scale–Revised (ALSFRS-R) decreasing by 0.4 per month. The rate of decrease in the ALSFRS-R scores from symptom onset to diagnosis seemed to be lower in the patients carrying FIG4 variants than the no-FIG4-mutation ALS patients in this study. Conclusions Our findings suggest that ALS patients carrying FIG4 mutations are not common in the Chinese population and are more likely to exhibit slow progression.

The aim of study was to explore the incidence, risk factors, outcome and efficacious treatment of late-onset noninfectious pulmonary complications (LNIPC) after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-PBSCT). Seventy patients received allo-PBSCT were analyzed retrospectively. The results showed that 9 out of 63 patients surviving more than 3 months occurred late-onset noninfectious pulmonary complications (14.3%). Five out of the 9 patients developed secondary pulmonary infections. In 4 patients, LNIPC caused death directly. Advanced stage of disease at transplantation and extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) happened in association with LNIPC. However, other transplantation-related factors including age at transplantation, gender of patient, conditioning regimen, HLA matching and GVHD prophylaxis were not significantly correlated with the incidence of LNIPC. It is concluded that performing pulmonary function test (PFT) and thoracic computer tomography should be taken routinely after transplantation. Most patients who get correct and early diagnosis for LNIPC will show a positive response to prednisone with or without CsA.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Cyclosporine ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leukemia ; therapy ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; classification ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Male ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo explore the incidence, pathogenesis, risk factors and effective treatment of pulmonary complications after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-PBSCT).

METHODSPulmonary complications in 70 patients received allo-PBSCT were analyzed.

RESULTSThirty one episodes were observed in 26 patients. Among them episodes were infectious complications, including bacteria pneumonia, pulmonary fungus disease, CMV interstitial pneumonia and tuberculosis, some cases were caused by two pathogens, and 11 episodes were noninfectious complications, including late-onset noninfectious pulmonary complications (LONIPCs) (n=9), pulmonary edema (n=1) and interstitial pneumonia (n=1). The overall mortality was 12.9%. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis without MTX, severe acute GVHD and extensive chronic GVHD were high risk factors for pulmonary complications and advanced disease at transplantation, extensive chronic GVHD were significantly associated with the incidence of LONIPCs.

CONCLUSIONPulmonary disease is the main complication occurred in patients undergoing allo-PBSCT. It is of greatly importance to treat pathogens specifically and diagnose LONIPCs in its early stage.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; prevention & control ; Hematologic Diseases ; surgery ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate effects of retinol on the expressions of epidermal growth factor (EGF), stem cell factor (SCF), colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in cultured human umbilical-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs).

METHODSHuman UCMSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord and identified for immunophenotypes. The cells were then cultured in DMEM/F12 media supplemented with 12% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 12% FBS+1 µmol/L retinol, 15% knockout serum replacement (KSR) and 15% KSR+ 1 µmol/L retinol. The expressions of the cytokines EGF, SCF, CSF1 and LIF in the cells were detected using RT-PCR and ELISA.

RESULTSThe isolated cells exhibited characteristic immunophenotypes of human UCMSCs and expressed EGF, CSF1 and SCF at both mRNA and protein levels but not LIF protein. Retinol (1 µmol/L) significantly promoted the expressions of SCF and CSF1 at both mRNA and protein levels but did not result in changes of EGF and LIF expressions in human UCMSCs.

CONCLUSIONRetinol at the concentration of 1 µmol/L can promote expression of SCF and CSF1 in human UCMSCs in vitro.

Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; EGF Family of Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ; metabolism ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; metabolism ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Stem Cell Factor ; metabolism ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology ; Vitamin A ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of capecitabine as first-line therapy in patients with advanced and recurrent colorectal cancer.

METHODSFrom December 2000 to November 2001, sixty patients with advanced and recurrent colorectal cancer received first-line capecitabine treatment given at a dose of 1250 mg/m(2) twice daily, on days 1 - 14 every 21 days. At least 2 cycles were administered.

RESULTSThe overall response rate was 23.3% with 14 PR, 24 SD (40.0%) and 15 PD. The median survival time was 14.7 months. The survival rate was 63.9% at 12-months and 33.4% at 24-months. Grade III-IV adverse effects were diarrhea in 4 patients (6.6%), anemia in 2 (3.3%) and hand-foot syndrome (HFS) in 1 (1.7%); Grade I-II adverse effects were hyperpigmentation in 20 (33.3%), HFS in 18 (30.0%) and diarrhea in 10 (16.7%).

CONCLUSIONCapecitabine is an efficacious and better-tolerated alternative treatment for the patients with advanced and recurrent colorectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; therapeutic use ; Capecitabine ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Deoxycytidine ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; analogs & derivatives ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inductive therapeutic effects of imatinib combined with VP low dose regiment on adult patients with Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph(+) ALL).

METHODSFourteen newly diagnosed adult patients with Ph(+) ALL were treated with VP regimen, and imatinib (400 mg/d) was added at the 8(th) day. VP regimen would be stopped when neutropenia lasted for 1 week or complicated with infection, fever, etc. Therapeutic effects were assessed by bone marrow morphology and quantitative analysis of BCR/ABL:ABL at the 28(th) - 33(rd) day. Patients could be treated with imatinib combined with chemotherapy for consolidation and maintenance therapy or were treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after complete remission.

RESULTSFourteen cases obtained CR1 after first course of treatment, the median decline of BCR/ABA:ABL was 55.89 (10.25 -180.97) %; during the induction chemotherapy, pulmonary infection occurred in 3 patients, diarrhea in 1 patients, facial edema in 3 patients, however, all these patients were cured after symptomatic treatment, only 1 patient died of relapse after transplantation.

CONCLUSIONIn the period of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), inductive chemotherapy combined with imatinib and low dose VP can obtaine satisfactory CR rate and decrease the toxicity of the traditional drugs. It is suggested that TKI combined with VP regimen chemotherapy can achieve CR1 and make possible for allo-HSCT, from which patients can achieve the long-term survival.

Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Bone Marrow ; Cisplatin ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Induction Chemotherapy ; Neutropenia ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; Recurrence ; Remission Induction ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Vindesine

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and is characterized by alternating periods of inflammation and remission. Although UC incidence is lower in Taiwan than in Western countries, its impact remains considerable, demanding updated guidelines for addressing local healthcare challenges and patient needs. The revised guidelines employ international standards and recent research, emphasizing practical implementation within the Taiwanese healthcare system. Since the inception of the guidelines in 2017, the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease has acknowledged the need for ongoing revisions to incorporate emerging therapeutic options and evolving disease management practices. This updated guideline aims to align UC management with local contexts, ensuring comprehensive and context-specific recommendations, thereby raising the standard of care for UC patients in Taiwan. By adapting and optimizing international protocols for local relevance, these efforts seek to enhance health outcomes for patients with UC.