Fu Jen Catholic University

About: Fu Jen Catholic University is a education organization based out in Taipei, Taiwan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 6842 authors who have published 9512 publications receiving 171005 citations. The organization is also known as: FJU & Fu Jen.

Transcranial color doppler study for reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes

Abstract: Objective Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes (RCVS) are characterized by thunderclap headaches and reversible cerebral vasoconstrictions. No systematic studies on cerebral hemodynamics have been published. Methods Patients with RCVS were consecutively recruited. Sequential transcranial color-coded sonography studies were performed on the middle cerebral artery (MCA) for 3 months. Mean flow velocities (VMCA) and Lindegaard Index (LI) were recorded and compared with those of controls. Results Thirty-two patients (all female; average age, 49.7 ± 6.8 years) were enrolled. Four developed of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, and two of them, ischemic strokes. One hundred and twenty-six sonography studies were performed on 57 eligible MCAs. The mean maximum VMCA (109.5 ± 30.8cm/sec) and LI (2.2 ± 0.7) of RCVS patients exceeded those of controls (VMCA: 66.3 ± 9.5cm/sec, p < 0.001; LI: 1.4 ± 0.3, p < 0.001). The VMCA and LI levels were still at their plateau at the mean time (day 22 after headache onset) of headache resolution. Fifteen (46.9%) patients had VMCA exceeding 120cm/sec, and 5 (16%) had LI exceeding 3. Patients fulfilling the criteria of subarachnoid hemorrhage mild vasospasm (n = 4; 13%), that is, both VMCA greater than 120cm/sec and LI greater than 3, had a greater risk of posterior leukoencephalopathy (75 vs 4%; p = 0.003) and ischemic strokes (50 vs 0%; p = 0.01) than those without. Interpretation Patients with RCVS experienced prolonged vasoconstriction, making the risk for posterior leukoencephalopathy and ischemic strokes outlast headache resolution. Patients fulfilling mild vasospasm criteria for subarachnoid hemorrhage carry a high risk. Ann Neurol 2008

Impaired phagocytosis of capsular serotypes K1 or K2 Klebsiella pneumoniae in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with poor glycemic control.

Abstract: Context: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and capsular serotypes K1 and K2 Klebsiella pneumoniae have been identified as risk factors for liver abscess and complicated endophthalmitis. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether poor glycemic control contributes to the development of capsular serotype K1 or K2 K. pneumoniae liver abscess. Design and Setting: Neutrophil phagocytosis in patients with type 2 DM and nondiabetic controls was compared with isolates from liver abscess. Phagocytic rates of 18 K1/K2 and nine non-K1/K2 K. pneumoniae strains were evaluated by flow cytometry and electron microscopy. Patients or Study Participants: Forty patients with type 2 diabetes, 14 with good glycemic control, 26 with poor glycemic control, and 13 age-matched healthy normal subjects, were studied. Main Outcome Measures: Phagocytic rate of K. pneumoniae was measured. Results: Phagocytosis of serotype K1/K2 isolates by neutrophils from diabetics was significantly less than normal controls (P < 0.01). Furt...

Role of Hepatitis B Viral Load and Basal Core Promoter Mutation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hepatitis B Carriers

Abstract: Background. Several hepatitis B viral factors correlate with the progression of chronic liver disease. However the independent and interactive effects of each known viral factor on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unknown. Methods. In a cross-sectional retrospective hospital-based setting we comprehensively compared viral factors in 160 chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers and 200 patients with HCC to clarify the independent and joint effect of each factor. Results: In univariate analysis statistically significant odds ratios (ORs) were obtained for male sex (P<.001) advanced age (P < .001) HBV genotype C infection (P =.005) the precore A1896 mutation (P < .001) and the basal core promoter (BCP) T1762/A1764 mutation (P < .001). According to the results of multiple logistic-regression analysis advanced age male sex the precore A1896 mutation the BCP T1762/A1764 mutation and an HBV load =10(5) copies/mL were independently associated with the development of HCC. Compared with patients with an HBV load <10(5) copies/mL and the BCP A1762/G1764 wild-type strain the adjusted OR of developing HCC was =30 in patients with an HBV load =10(5) copies/mL and the BCP T1762/A1764 mutant irrespective of the presence of the precore A1896 mutation and viral genotype. Conclusions. HBV load and the BCP T1762/A1764 mutation are important in hepatocarcinogenesis. (authors)