Publications (4) View all
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Article: The Misdiagnosis of Steroid-Responsive Encephalopathy Associated with Autoimmune Thyroiditis as Masked Depression in an Elderly Euthyroid Woman.
Psychosomatics 02/2013; · 2.12 Impact Factor -
Article: Early neuropsychiatric involvement in antiphospholipid syndrome.
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ABSTRACT: Neuropsychiatric symptoms may be the main manifestations and very early symptoms of developing autoimmune diseases. Early detection and treatment could reverse psychotic symptoms and restore cognitive function. A 24-year-old woman presented with acute psychotic symptoms. Routine physical examinations revealed only mild fever. Due to positive antiphospholipid antibodies, low protein S with elevated d-dimer and brain hypoperfusion, early-phase antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) was suspected. Early immunomodulation treatment led to complete remission of the psychotic symptoms, preservation of cognitive function and prevention of APS progression. Since early detection and treatment can reverse the progression of autoimmune diseases with central nervous system involvement, these should be highlighted when managing high-risk patients.General hospital psychiatry 03/2012; 34(5):579.e1-3. · 2.67 Impact Factor -
Article: Disseminated Mycobacterium abscessus infection and showerheads, Taiwan.
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ABSTRACT: To the Editor: Infections with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are being increasingly identified. Several factors may contribute to this finding, including increased awareness of these organisms as pathogens, improved ability of laboratories to isolate and identify these organisms, and increasing prevalence (1). We describe a case of osteomyelitis and soft tissue infection with Mycobacterium doricum after trauma in a previously healthy adult.Emerging Infectious Diseases 11/2011; 17(11):2077-8. · 6.79 Impact Factor -
Article: Spontaneous resolution of acute gouty arthritis is associated with rapid induction of the anti-inflammatory factors TGFβ1, IL-10 and soluble TNF receptors and the intracellular cytokine negative regulators CIS and SOCS3.
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ABSTRACT: The molecular basis for spontaneous resolution of acute gouty arthritis (GA) remains unclear. The hypothesis that extracellular and intracellular mechanisms play roles in resolving acute GA was tested. Synovial fluid (SF) levels of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), interleukin 1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-10 and soluble tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor I (sTNFRI) and II (sTNFRII) were measured by ELISA in patients with acute GA and osteoarthritis (OA). Monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-stimulated RAW264.7 mouse macrophages were analysed for cytokine inducible SH2-containing protein (CIS) and suppressors of cytokine signalling (SOCS)1-7 mRNA expression by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. Immunohistochemical analysis, quantitative PCR and immunoblotting were performed to detect CIS and SOCS3 expression in synovial tissue, SF mononuclear cells (SFMCs) from patients with GA and MSU crystal-stimulated monocyte-derived macrophages from healthy donors. CIS overexpression and small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown in RAW264.7 cells were used to investigate the role of CIS in resolving MSU crystal-induced acute inflammation. SF levels of anti-inflammatory molecules TGFβ1, IL-1ra, IL-10 and sTNFR-I/II were significantly elevated in GA compared to OA. CIS and SOCS3 were upregulated in the synovium and SFMCs from acute GA and MSU crystal-stimulated monocyte-derived macrophages and RAW264.7 cells. CIS overexpression in RAW264.7 cells attenuated MSU crystal-induced IL-1β and TNFα but enhanced TGFβ1 production via increased binding of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) to the TGFβ1 promoter. Conversely, CIS knockdown reversed the effect of CIS overexpression, resulting in enhanced IL-1β and TNFα but reduced TGFβ1 production in MSU crystal-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Increased production of TGFβ1, IL-1ra, IL-10 and sTNFR-I/II and upregulation of intracellular CIS and SOCS3 expression are associated with spontaneous resolution of acute GA.Annals of the rheumatic diseases 05/2011; 70(9):1655-63. · 8.11 Impact Factor
