Metabolic abnormalities were identified and carotid intima-media-thickness(IMT)was measured in 221 individuals at risk for metabolic syndrome(MS).The results indicated that IMT was significantly thicker in MS individuals than that in non-MS individuals(P＜0.01).And there was a tendency of progressive increase in IMT with increasing components of metabolic syndrome.

Objective To establish a suitable evaluation index system to track implementation effect of clinical research program.Methods Delphi method was used to creat the evaluation index system.The weighted average method was adopted to determine the weight of each index.Results After two rounds of expert consultation,twenty seven evaluation indices were selected,including three first-class indices,eight second-class indices and sixteen third-class indices,and the weight of each index was determined.Conclusions The evaluation index system reflects the purpose of tracking clinical research to a certain extent.This index system is simple and easy to be used.

Objective To explore effects of two intravenous infusion methods on elderly patients.Methods Self-control method was used on 568 cases of elderly patients.Traditional method was used on Day 1:The adjustable clamp was fully opened when a free flow of blood appeared during venipuncture.The experimental method was used on Day 2:The adjustable clamp was opened 1/3 when a free flow of blood appeared during venipuncture.Success rate of venipuncture and value of pain were compared between the two groups.Results The experimental method had a higher success rate of venipuncture than the tranditional method (97.89％ vs 93.31％,x2 =13.098,P ＜ 0.01 ).There was no significant difference in the mean value of pain during a successful venipuncture ( P ＞ 0.05 ).During an unsuccessful venipuncture,mean value of pain in the experimental group was lower than that in the traditional method group,and the difference was statistically significant [ ( 1.97 ±0.52) vs (2.35 ± 0.66 ),t =4.987,P ＜ 0.01 ].Conclusions Opening the adjustable clamp for 1/3 when a free flow of blood appeared during venipuncture on elderly patients could improve the success rate of venipuncture and decrease pain during an unsuccessful venipuncture.

Emerging data indicated that HCV subverts the antiviral activity of interferon (IF); however,whether HCV core protein contributes to the process remains controversial. In the present study, we examined the effect of HCV core protein on interferon-induced antiviral gene expression and whether the effect is involved in the activation and negative regulation of the Jak/STAT signaling pathway. Our results showed that, following treatment with IFN-α, the transcription of PKR, MxA and 2'-5'OAS were down-regulated in HepG2 cells expressing the core protein. In the presence of HCV core protein,ISRE-dependent luciferase activity also decreased. Further study indicated that the core protein could inhibit the tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1, whereas the level of STAT1 expression was unchanged.Accordingly, SOCS3, the negative regulator of the Jak/STAT pathway, was induced by HCV core protein. These results suggests that HCV core protein may interfere with the expression of some interferon-induced antiviral genes by inhibiting STAT1 phosphorylation and induction of SOCS3.

Adult ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Chorioamnionitis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture ; blood ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; blood ; Pregnancy

Background: Delivering a poor prognosis to patients and their families is critically challenging in pediatric populations. The application of palliative care (PC) provides a bridge between accepting the occurrence of mortality and offering lifelong support.However, little is known about the specifics of PC. This study aims to explore the unmet need for PC in pediatric populations. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of mortality cases in the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Statistical tests, including Chi-square and Student’s t-tests, were applied to determine the differences between early and late intervention groups in terms of the timing of PC introduction. Results: During the study period, 41 patients were included. Their median age was 11.8 years (IQR, 7.6-15.9). The majority of the disease statuses were refractory or relapsing (R/R). The incidence of memento application was significantly higher in the early intervention group (47.6% vs. 10%, P=0.0081). Vital signs variations tended to be end-of-life (EoL) indicators in this study. Conclusion The early introduction of PC encourages families to accompany their beloved child. EoL signs in the pediatric population include vital sign variations. With the presence of relevant EoL signs, clinical physicians can apply PC earlier to meet the needs.

Background: Delivering a poor prognosis to patients and their families is critically challenging in pediatric populations. The application of palliative care (PC) provides a bridge between accepting the occurrence of mortality and offering lifelong support.However, little is known about the specifics of PC. This study aims to explore the unmet need for PC in pediatric populations. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of mortality cases in the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Statistical tests, including Chi-square and Student’s t-tests, were applied to determine the differences between early and late intervention groups in terms of the timing of PC introduction. Results: During the study period, 41 patients were included. Their median age was 11.8 years (IQR, 7.6-15.9). The majority of the disease statuses were refractory or relapsing (R/R). The incidence of memento application was significantly higher in the early intervention group (47.6% vs. 10%, P=0.0081). Vital signs variations tended to be end-of-life (EoL) indicators in this study. Conclusion The early introduction of PC encourages families to accompany their beloved child. EoL signs in the pediatric population include vital sign variations. With the presence of relevant EoL signs, clinical physicians can apply PC earlier to meet the needs.

Background: Delivering a poor prognosis to patients and their families is critically challenging in pediatric populations. The application of palliative care (PC) provides a bridge between accepting the occurrence of mortality and offering lifelong support.However, little is known about the specifics of PC. This study aims to explore the unmet need for PC in pediatric populations. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of mortality cases in the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Statistical tests, including Chi-square and Student’s t-tests, were applied to determine the differences between early and late intervention groups in terms of the timing of PC introduction. Results: During the study period, 41 patients were included. Their median age was 11.8 years (IQR, 7.6-15.9). The majority of the disease statuses were refractory or relapsing (R/R). The incidence of memento application was significantly higher in the early intervention group (47.6% vs. 10%, P=0.0081). Vital signs variations tended to be end-of-life (EoL) indicators in this study. Conclusion The early introduction of PC encourages families to accompany their beloved child. EoL signs in the pediatric population include vital sign variations. With the presence of relevant EoL signs, clinical physicians can apply PC earlier to meet the needs.

Background: Delivering a poor prognosis to patients and their families is critically challenging in pediatric populations. The application of palliative care (PC) provides a bridge between accepting the occurrence of mortality and offering lifelong support.However, little is known about the specifics of PC. This study aims to explore the unmet need for PC in pediatric populations. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of mortality cases in the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Statistical tests, including Chi-square and Student’s t-tests, were applied to determine the differences between early and late intervention groups in terms of the timing of PC introduction. Results: During the study period, 41 patients were included. Their median age was 11.8 years (IQR, 7.6-15.9). The majority of the disease statuses were refractory or relapsing (R/R). The incidence of memento application was significantly higher in the early intervention group (47.6% vs. 10%, P=0.0081). Vital signs variations tended to be end-of-life (EoL) indicators in this study. Conclusion The early introduction of PC encourages families to accompany their beloved child. EoL signs in the pediatric population include vital sign variations. With the presence of relevant EoL signs, clinical physicians can apply PC earlier to meet the needs.