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.

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Heart Defects, Congenital* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Tongue Neoplasms* ; Tongue*

INTRODUCTIONSingapore has experienced remarkable socioeconomic progress over the last few decades, with a corresponding rise in standards of sanitation and living conditions. We undertook a study to describe its epidemiological trends of hepatitis A over the last 2 decades.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe analysed the epidemiological data on all laboratory-confirmed cases of hepatitis A from 1990 to 2009. We also described 3 outbreaks which occurred in 1991, 1992 and 2002. To determine the changing prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, we compared the findings from a seroepidemiological study conducted in 1993 with earlier surveys in 1975 and 1984/1985.

RESULTSThe incidence of indigenous hepatitis A cases per 100,000 population declined significantly from 1.8 in 1989 to 0.7 in 2009, and more than half were imported. While majority of the imported cases were Singapore residents, the proportion of imported cases among Singapore residents had decreased significantly. Most of the Singapore residents contracted the disease from Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. The overall prevalence of HAV infection in the population declined from 31.8% in 1984/85 to 25.9% in 1993.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence and seroprevalence of hepatitis A in Singapore are comparable to other developed countries. As Singapore is situated in a region highly endemic for HAV, it is very vulnerable to the introduction of the disease because of the high volume of regional travel and import of food, especially shellfish. While we note that there have been no further shellfish-associated outbreaks since 2002, sustained vigilance, strict control of food import by the authorities and public health education on the risk of consuming shellfish, especially cockles, raw and half-cooked, should be maintained.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Hepatitis A ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Hepatitis A Virus, Human ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Shellfish ; virology ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

Subclavian artery (SCA) perforation is a rare complication while performing SCA intervention. In our present report, a 73-year-old female, with stenosis of the left SCA and situs inversus, presented with exercise-induced left arm weakness. The SCA stenosis was treated with direct stenting with a balloon-expansible Express LD 10×25 mm stent. However, it caused iatrogenic SCA perforation and hemothorax. The perforation was sealed by endovascular repair with operator-modified Endurant II graft stent, which complicated with occlusion of left common carotid artery. And, the carotid artery was rescued by another stent. The graft stent, which was originally designed for abdominal aortic aneurysm, can be modified to suitable length and take as a rescue stent of large vessel with iatrogenic perforation. Due to strong radial force of graft stent, preservation of large side branches should been watched out.
Aged ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; Arm ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Female ; Hemothorax ; Humans ; Situs Inversus ; Stents* ; Subclavian Artery* ; Subclavian Steal Syndrome ; Transplants*

BACKGROUNDThe public vaccination program of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was launched during 1984 in Taiwan, China. However, the long-lasting protective efficacy of HBV vaccination among adolescents older than 15 years of age was seldom recorded.

METHODSA seroepidemiological survey was conducted among 4575 first-year university students in Taiwan, China during 2000 to 2003, including the serological data of HBV by testing HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), surface antibody (anti-HBs), HBV core antibody (anti-HBc) and demographic information.

RESULTSHBsAg carrier rate among male university students born before the initiation of the HBV vaccination program decreased from 12.8% to 4.8% among those born after the vaccination program (P < 0.001, chi(2) test for linear trend). Similarly, HBsAg carrier rate among female university students born before the initiation of the HBV vaccination program decreased from 8.1% to 2.7% among those born after the vaccination program (P < 0.001, chi(2) test for linear trend). Both male and female students in eastern Taiwan had the highest HBsAg carrier rate compared with the other places. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, compared with students born after July 1984, the adjusted OR of HBsAg carrier rate decreased from 3.10 for students born before June 1981 to 1.56 for students born from July 1983 to June 1984 (95% CI 1.96 - 4.91, P < 0.001; 95% CI 1.06 - 2.28, P = 0.024; respectively).

CONCLUSIONSPublic vaccination provides long-lasting protection again HBV infection among the university students in Taiwan, China older than 18 years of age. There is a geographic variation of HBV infection among young adults in Taiwan, China.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Carrier State ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Vaccination ; Taiwan ; epidemiology ; Time Factors

Objective To investigate the value of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of large hepatic carcinoma adjacent to diaphragm.Methods Totally 176 patients with larger hepatic carcinoma adjacent to diaphragm (adjacent diaphragm group) and 157 patients with larger hepatic carcinoma not adjacent to the diaphragm (control group) underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA treatment,and the data of these patients were retrospectively analyzed.The patients,age,gender,the largest diameter of lesions,ablation information,early necrosis rate,recurrence rate,new tumor rate and survival rate were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Results Cases of injection physiological saline below the diaphragm during RFA were significantly higher in adjacent diaphragm group than that in control group (P=0.016).The recurrence rate of adjacent diaphragm group was significantly higher than that of control group (P=0.028).There was no significant difference of patients,age,gender,the largest diameter of lesion,RFA instrument,RFA needles,early necrosis rate,new tumor rate,nor complications rate between the two groups (all P＞0.05).There was no significant difference of the 1-,2-,3-,4-and 5-year survival rate between the two groups (P=0.203).Conclusion Large hepatic carcinoma adjacent to diaphragm is more likely to recur after ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA.The method of injection physiological saline below diaphragm and other individualized treatment plan and strategy should be used during RFA treatment.