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This study aims to evaluate associations between the immunochromatographic rapid test technique and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) in Taiwan. All patients received post-prostate massage urine (VB3) Trichomonas rapid tests. The demographic characteristics and urogenital symptoms of CP/CPPS were recorded. Routine urinalysis of VB3 was also performed, and laboratory examination results of semen were recorded if available. A total of 29 patients with TV infection and 109 without TV infection were enrolled, which reflected that the prevalence in patients with TV infection was approximately 21%. Patients with TV infection displayed a significantly higher frequency of suprapubic/lower abdominal pain (p = 0.034), semen leukocyte > 5/high-power field (HPF) (p = 0.020), and an inflammatory type (category IIIA) (p = 0.005) than patients without TV infection. A higher prevalence of TV infection was found in patients with category IIIA (47.37%). No significant difference was found in the symptom duration and other clinical symptoms. In conclusion, the high prevalence of TV infection was revealed in CP/CPPS patients using the VB3 rapid Trichomonas test, especially in CP/CPPS patients with category IIIA. Thus, rapid TV testing might be vital for CP/CPPS patients in the hospital.

This study is intended to explore the feasibility of the textbooks in the format of digital publishing to be employed by NOU. This study is conducted via the survey of the NOU students and the interviews with the faculty members and administrators. The students can express their opinions in the two different ways, either via an online questionnaire, referred to as the online group, or with a hardcopy, referred to as the hardcopy group. The results of this study indicate the following major findings: After performing the survey, we found out that the students and faculty members in NOU prefer paper text the most. Statistically, paper textbooks are still what both the students and faculty members online survey. This research shows that currently in NOU, both paper and digitalized textbooks should be utilized in the same pace. Digitalizing textbooks utilizes POD (Published On Demand) and online publication. This could solve the problem of students unable to purchase the required textbooks, and it is also environmentally friendly, saving papers and printing costs. It should be able to build on the management idea of actual "zero storage" textbook publication. It is strongly recommended that digitalizing textbooks can speed up the process of editing, reviewing, and renewal of a textbook's life cycle. It is recommended that the PDF file format can be considered as the standard of the NOU textbooks of digital publishing. It is concluded that the textbook in the digital format that link to the development of the digital media and contents can lay a solid ground for integrating with the online learning in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we present the complete genome sequence of Siansivirga zeaxanthinifaciens CC-SAMT-1 T , a flavobacterium isolated from coastal surface seawater. A 3.3Mb genome revealed remarkable specialization of this bacterium particularly in the degradation of sulfated polysaccharides available as detritus or in dissolved phase. Besides utilizing high molecular weight organic biopolymers, this strain appears to accomplish assimilatory sulfate reduction, sulfide oxidation, and acquisition and inter-conversion of inorganic carbon. Genes encoding zeaxanthin and three different kinds of DNA photolyase/cryptochrome (senses blue light) were present, while genes that code for blue light sensing BLUF domain proteins and red/far-red light sensing phytochromes were absent. Furthermore, CC-SAMT-1 T lacked the rhodopsin photosystem and all other genes that confer any other known forms of phototrophy. The genomic data revealed that CC-SAMT-1 T is highly adapted to sulfur-rich coastal environments, where it most likely contributes to marine carbon and sulfur cycles by metabolizing sulfated polysaccharides as well as inorganic sulfur., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: There are presently several options for the management of posterior urethral disruption. However, these options remain controversial for several reasons. Thus, this medical issue has been continuously investigated., Methods: From 1991 to 2001, 22 patients with complete posterior urethral disruption out of 720 urethral injury cases were retrospectively reviewed using strict criteria. The 22 cases were grouped into two different management groups, the endoscopic early realignment (ER) group and the delayed urethrotomy (DU) group. The frequency of optic internal urethrotomy for urethral strictures and individual medical costs were evaluated over a two-year period., Results: The ER group had a mean frequency of 1.3 ± 0.82 urethrotomies in the first year and 1.8 ± 1.23 over two years while the DU group had a significantly higher urethrotomy frequency, 2.5 ± 1.35 in the first year and 4.1 ± 1.91 over two years. The costs for the DU group were 50% higher than the ER group at the end of second year., Conclusion: An early endoscopic realignment operation saved up to NT 36,000 (New Taiwan Dollars) in costs with an average of 2.3 fewer further urethrotomy procedures in each case during the 2-year follow-up period. Therefore, early urethral realignment for traumatic complete posterior urethral disruption should be encouraged to prevent intractable urethral stricture and lower medical costs.

Natural products including plants, microorganisms and marine life provide rich resources for anticancer drug discovery. The root bark of Hibiscus syriacus has been used as an antipyretic, anthelmintic and antifungal agent in Asia. The antiproliferative effects of H. syriacus on human lung cancer cells were evaluated with bio-assays. The apoptotic activity was detected by Hoechst 33342 DNA staining and annexin V staining. The expression of caspases, p53, apoptosis induced factor (AIF), Bcl-2 and Bax were evaluated with Western blotting. The in vivo anticancer activity was evaluated using A549-xenograft model. The acetone extract of H. syriacus (HS-AE) exhibited a better cytotoxic effect on lung cancer cells than its methanol extract (HS-ME) or water extract (HS-WE). The IC(50) values of HS-AE on A549 (adenocarcinoma), H209 (squamous cell carcinoma) or H661 (large cell carcinoma) lung cancer cells ranged from 14 to 22 microg/ml after 48 hours of treatment. After 48 hours of exposure, HS-AE (15 microg/ml) induced A549 cell apoptosis to 48 +/- 3.6% of the control. Using Western blotting, HS-AE appears to suppress the expression of p53 and AIF. The results of the in vivo study showed that HS-AE suppresses growth in A549 subcutaneous xenograft tumors. These results indicate that HS-AE exerts significant and dose-dependent antiproliferative effects on cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, which prompts us to further evaluate and elucidate the bioactive component(s) of H. syriacus.

Background: A retrospective review was made of patients who received vasectomy reversal from 1989 to 1998 at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH) in Linkou, Taiwan. The patency rate and partner pregnancy rates were also analyzed., Methods: Seventy patients underwent a vasovasostomy at CGMH from 1989 to 1998. Postoperative semen analysis and achievement of pregnancy in a partner were examined. Various preoperative factors were also examined and analyzed., Results: Patients ranged from 30 to 58 (average, 40.8 +/- 6.5) years old. The most common reason for requesting a vasovasostomy was divorce (42.3%). The patency rate was 85.7% (36/42), and the pregnancy rate was 40.6% (13/32). However, if patients receiving a vasovasostomy for reasons other than to achieve pregnancy (i.e., pain, erectile dysfunction, or infertility of the wife) were excluded, the pregnancy rate reached 50.0% (13/26). Three patients received a second vasovasostomy; patency was noted in 2, and pregnancy was achieved in the partner of 1. Of the 5 patients receiving a vasovasostomy due to post-vasectomy pain syndrome, 3 felt that their condition had improved., Conclusion: The patency and pregnancy rates of vasovasostomies in CGMH were 85.7% and 50.0%, respectively. Repeat surgery could be considered an effective means of restoring fertility if an initial vasovasostomy failed. Moreover, a vasovasostomy appeared to be an effective means of treating post-vasectomy pain syndrome.