Background The scar formation of filtering bleb is a cause of filtering operation failure.The topical application of mitomycin C (MMC) can inhibit the growth of collagenous fiber and improve function of bleb.However,some adverse effects of MMC are being closely concerned.Many studies have conformed the efficacy of amniotic membrane in filtering operation,but the comparison study between MMC and amniotic membrane is still lack.Objective Purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-scarring effectiveness of amniotic membrane after its use in the filtrating surgery.Methods A randomized,controlled trial was designed.This study was approved by Ethic Committee of Peking University Third Hospital Eye Center.Written informed consent was obtained from each patient initial of this study.Fifty-two eyes of 47 patients with primary glaucoma were included in Peking University Third Hospital Eye Center from October 2009 to October 2011.The eyes were divided into two groups according to single blindness design and randomized digital table.Trabeculectomy combined with amniotic implantation was performed in the patients of the amniotic group,and trabeculectomy combined with 0.02％ MMC in the patients of the MMC group.The patients were followed-up for 3 months.Intraocular pressure (IOP),the anterior chamber depth,filtering bleb shape,incidence of complication and operative efficacy were measured and evaluated.Results No significant difference was found in the demography between two groups (P＞0.05).Seventeen patients in the MMC group and twenty-two patients in the amniotic group finished the trial.The IOP in the amniotic membrane group was (16.60-±5.04) mmHg on the third month after operation and that before operation was(23.52±-6.52) mmHg.In the MMC group,the IOP was(24.09± 12.79) mmHg on the third months after operation,and that before operation was (17.04±3.69) mmHg.Significant difference was found in the IOP between preoperation and postoperation in both groups(P＜0.05).IOP differential value on the third month was 6.98 mmHg in the amniotic membrane group and 6.94 mmHg in the MMC group.No significant differences were seen in the IOP between the amniotic membrane group and the MMC group in 1 week,2 weeks,1 month and 3 months(t=0.972,P=0.336;t=-0.512,P=0.611;t =-0.372,P =0.712 ; t =0.427,P =0.672).There were no significant differences in the number of eyes in the height grade,vascularization and perimeter classification of the filtering blebs 1 week,2 weeks and 1 month after surgery between these two groups (x2 =0.991,P =0.320 ; x2 =0.474,P =0.491 ; x2 =2.008,P =0.156).The total effective rate of surgery was 90.49％ in the amniotic membrane group and 100％ in MMC group,with a significant difference between them(x2 =26.180,P=0.000).There were not significantly different in the incidences of bleb leakage in 1 week,2 weeks and 1 month after operation between the MMC group and the amniotic group(x2 =3.556,P =0.059;x2=1.129,P=0.800; x2=0.434,P =0.510).Conclusions Combination of trabeculectomy with amniotic implantation has a similar lowing-IOP effect to trabeculectomy combined with MMC.The incidence of bleb leakage in the trabeculectomy combined with amniotic implantation dose not increase when compare with trabeculectomy combined MMC.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) is the most common spinal vascular malformation, however it is still rare and underdiagnosed. Magnetic resonance imaging findings such as spinal cord edema and dilated and tortuous perimedullary veins play a pivotal role in the confirmation of the diagnosis. However, spinal angiography remains the gold standard in the diagnosis of SDAVF. Classic angiographic findings of SDAVF are early filling of radicular veins, delayed venous return, and an extensive network of dilated perimedullary venous plexus. A series of angiograms of SDAVF at different locations along the spinal column, and mimics of serpentine perimedullary venous plexus on MR images, are demonstrated. Thorough knowledge of SDAVF aids correct diagnosis and prevents irreversible complications.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations/*diagnosis/epidemiology/etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Cord Diseases/diagnosis ; Spine/radiography

In this study, we summarize the clinical role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of patients with malignant uterine neoplasms, including leiomyosarcoma, endometrial stromal sarcoma, adenosarcoma, uterine carcinosarcoma, and endometrial cancer, with emphasis on the challenges and disadvantages. MRI plays an essential role in patients with uterine malignancy, for the purpose of tumor detection, primary staging, and treatment planning. MRI has advanced in scope beyond the visualization of the many aspects of anatomical structures, including diffusion-weighted imaging, dynamic contrast enhancement-MRI, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Emerging technologies coupled with the use of artificial intelligence in MRI are expected to lead to progressive improvement in case management of malignant uterine neoplasms.
Adenosarcoma ; Artificial Intelligence ; Carcinosarcoma ; Case Management ; Diagnosis ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Female ; Humans ; Leiomyosarcoma ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Sarcoma ; Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal ; Uterine Neoplasms*

Since the introduction of pancreas transplantation more than 40 years ago, surgical techniques and immunosuppressive regiments have improved and both have contributed to increase the number and success rate of this procedure. However, graft survival corresponds to early diagnosis of organ-related complications. Thus, knowledge of the transplantation procedure and postoperative image anatomy are basic requirements for radiologists. In this article, we demonstrate the imaging spectrum of pancreas transplantation with enteric exocrine drainage.
Adult ; Anastomosis, Surgical/methods ; Diagnostic Imaging/methods ; Drainage/methods ; Female ; Graft Rejection/pathology ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Iliac Artery/radiography/surgery ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; *Medical Illustration ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior/radiography/surgery ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas/*blood supply/radiography ; Pancreas Transplantation/adverse effects/*methods ; Pancreatitis, Graft/etiology ; Portal Vein/radiography/surgery ; Postoperative Complications/radiography ; Postoperative Hemorrhage/etiology ; Survival Rate

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is an increasingly common liver disease worldwide. MAFLD is diagnosed based on the presence of steatosis on images, histological findings, or serum marker levels as well as the presence of at least one of the three metabolic features: overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic risk factors. MAFLD is not only a liver disease but also a factor contributing to or related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which is the major etiology responsible for morbidity and mortality in patients with MAFLD. Hence, understanding the association between MAFLD and CVD, surveillance and risk stratification of MAFLD in patients with CVD, and assessment of the current status of MAFLD management are urgent requirements for both hepatologists and cardiologists. This Taiwan position statement reviews the literature and provides suggestions regarding the epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, risk stratification, nonpharmacological interventions, and potential drug treatments of MAFLD, focusing on its association with CVD.

OBJECTIVE: Autonomic imbalance is considered a psychopathological mechanism underlying major depressive disorder (MDD). Heart rate variability (HRV) is an index for autonomic activation. Poor sleep quality is common among patients with MDD. HRV biofeedback (BF) has been used for regulating autonomic balance among patients with physical illness and mental disorders. The purpose of present study was to examine the effects of HRV-BF on depressive symptoms, sleep quality, pre-sleep arousal, and HRV indices, in patients with MDD and insomnia. METHODS: In this case-controlled study, patients with MDD and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score higher than 6 were recruited. The HRV-BF group received weekly 60-minute protocol for 6 weeks, and the control group who have matched the age and sex received medical care only. All participants were assessed on Beck Depression Inventory-II, Back Anxiety Inventory, PSQI, and Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale. Breathing rates and electrocardiography were also performed under resting state at pre-testing, and post-testing conditions and for the HRV-BF group, also at 1-month follow-up. RESULTS: In the HRV-BF group, symptoms of depression and anxiety, sleep quality, and pre-sleep arousal were significantly improved, and increased HRV indices, compared with the control group. Moreover, in the HRV-BF group, significantly improved symptoms of depression and anxiety, decreased breathing rates, and increased HRV indices were detected at post-testing and at 1-month follow-up, compared with pre-testing values. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that HRV-BF is a useful psychosocial intervention for improving autonomic balance, baroreflex, and symptoms of depression and insomnia in MDD patients.
Anxiety ; Arousal ; Baroreflex ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; Case-Control Studies ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Electrocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Rate ; Heart ; Humans ; Mental Disorders ; Respiration ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

The title should be corrected as follows: Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Increased Autonomic Activation and Improved Symptoms of Depression and Insomnia among Patients with Major Depressive Disorder.

Boron neutron capture therapy and Y-90 radioembolization are emerging therapeutic methods for uncontrolled brain cancers and hepatic cancers, respectively. These advanced radiation therapies are heavily relied on theranostic nuclear medicine imaging before the therapy for the eligibility of patients and the prescribed-dose simulation, as well as the post-therapy scanning for assessing the treatment efficacy. In Taiwan, the Taipei Veterans General Hospital is the only institute performing the BNCT and also the leading institute performing Y-90 radioembolization. In this article, we present our single institute experiences and associated theranostic nuclear medicine approaches for these therapies.
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy ; Brain Neoplasms ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Nuclear Medicine ; Taiwan ; Theranostic Nanomedicine ; Treatment Outcome ; Veterans

Objective: aaWilson’s disease (WD) is a rare genetic disorder of copper metabolism, and longitudinal follow-up studies are limited. We performed a retrospective analysis to determine the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes in a large WD cohort. Methods: aaMedical records of WD patients diagnosed from 2006–2021 at National Taiwan University Hospital were retrospectively evaluated for clinical presentations, neuroimages, genetic information, and follow-up outcomes. Results: aaThe present study enrolled 123 WD patients (mean follow-up: 11.12 ± 7.41 years), including 74 patients (60.2%) with hepatic features and 49 patients (39.8%) with predominantly neuropsychiatric symptoms. Compared to the hepatic group, the neuropsychiatric group exhibited more Kayser-Fleischer rings (77.6% vs. 41.9%, p < 0.01), lower serum ceruloplasmin levels (4.9 ± 3.9 vs. 6.3 ± 3.9 mg/dL, p < 0.01), smaller total brain and subcortical gray matter volumes (p < 0.0001), and worse functional outcomes during follow-up (p = 0.0003). Among patients with available DNA samples (n = 59), the most common mutations were p.R778L (allelic frequency of 22.03%) followed by p.P992L (11.86%) and p.T935M (9.32%). Patients with at least one allele of p.R778L had a younger onset age (p = 0.04), lower ceruloplasmin levels (p < 0.01), lower serum copper levels (p = 0.03), higher percentage of the hepatic form (p = 0.03), and a better functional outcome during follow-up (p = 0.0012) compared to patients with other genetic variations. Conclusion aaThe distinct clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of patients in our cohort support the ethnic differences regarding the mutational spectrum and clinical presentations in WD.

Boron neutron capture therapy and Y-90 radioembolization are emerging therapeutic methods for uncontrolled brain cancers and hepatic cancers, respectively. These advanced radiation therapies are heavily relied on theranostic nuclear medicine imaging before the therapy for the eligibility of patients and the prescribed-dose simulation, as well as the post-therapy scanning for assessing the treatment efficacy. In Taiwan, the Taipei Veterans General Hospital is the only institute performing the BNCT and also the leading institute performing Y-90 radioembolization. In this article, we present our single institute experiences and associated theranostic nuclear medicine approaches for these therapies.