Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
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To investigate the effectiveness of the three-step supporting technique for prevention of eyelid malposition in the transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty. ⋯ Three-step supporting technique is safe and effective for lower blepharoplasty with minimal chance of eyelid malposition.
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Acromegaly is associated with cardiovascular alterations. Up to 50% acromegalic patients suffered from treatment failure after multiple modalities. We investigated correlation between cardiovascular function and control of growth hormone (GH) in acromegalic patients following transsphenoidal adenomectomy (TSA). ⋯ In the patients with acromegaly who had undergone TSA, cardiac structure and vascular stiffness did not differ among the groups with different levels of GH control.
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Kisspeptin and its receptor KISS1R have been found to be essential regulators of reproductive function. Previous data have revealed the presence of Kiss1 and Kiss1r mRNAs in the hypothalamus and the testis of humans and rodents. However, the precise location and possible physiological role of the kisspeptin/KISS1R system in the testis remain ambiguous. ⋯ We discovered that Kiss1 expression in mouse Leydig cells was induced by LH through the cAMP/PKA pathway. Based on the presence of kisspeptin receptors on spermatids, we inferred that kisspeptin- and development-related factors have synergistic effects on spermatogenesis. Nevertheless, more studies are required to elaborate the role of the kisspeptin/KISS1R system in testicular development.
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Taiwan transitioned to an aged society in 2018. Appropriate dental treatment is important for elderly individuals. Previously, reconstruction of the dentition was thought to help regain chewing function. ⋯ For the elderly population, treatment must be aimed at restoring as much chewing function as possible with minimal changes. Additionally, regular oral hygiene care, proper design of fixed partial dentures, and implant placement greatly reduce the difficulty in adapting to a new prosthesis. These measures allow us to provide better quality of life for elderly individuals.
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Since COVID-19 outbreak, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been tested for effective therapies, and the relevant researches have shown controversial results. ⋯ Our results indicated that HCQ-AZI combination treatment increased mortality rate in patients with COVID-19, but it also showed benefits associated with viral clearance in patients. HCQ-alone used for treatment has revealed benefits in decreasing the mortality rate among severely infected COVID-19 group and showed potential to be used for COVID-19 treatment in long-term follow-up period group. Accordingly, more rigorous, large-scale, and long follow-up period studies in patients with COVID-19 are needed.