Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
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Totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs) are widely applied in patients who require chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, or frequent intravenous drug infusion. Although various venous access routes are possible for TIVAP insertion, the best method remains a topic of controversy. We present a single-center retrospective study of radiologically guided placement of TIVAPs through the basilic vein, with analysis of technical feasibility, patient safety, and device-related complications. ⋯ Real-time ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance provides a safe method for TIVAP implantation through the basilic vein, with a high technical success rate and few device-related complications.
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In late December 2019, a previous unidentified coronavirus, currently named as the 2019 novel coronavirus#, emerged from Wuhan, China, and resulted in a formidable outbreak in many cities in China and expanded globally, including Thailand, Republic of Korea, Japan, United States, Philippines, Viet Nam, and our country (as of 2/6/2020 at least 25 countries). The disease is officially named as Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19, by WHO on February 11, 2020). It is also named as Severe Pneumonia with Novel Pathogens on January 15, 2019 by the Taiwan CDC, the Ministry of Health and is a notifiable communicable disease of the fifth category. ⋯ Person-to-person transmission may occur through droplet or contact transmission and if there is a lack of stringent infection control or if no proper personal protective equipment available, it may jeopardize the first-line healthcare workers. Currently, there is no definite treatment for COVID-19 although some drugs are under investigation. To promptly identify patients and prevent further spreading, physicians should be aware of the travel or contact history of the patient with compatible symptoms.
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The regulator of G-protein signaling protein 5 (RGS5) has been demonstrated to play a role in regulating blood pressure and cardiovascular function. Studies have shown that RGS5 polymorphisms exhibit susceptibility to hypertension. However, no study has yet been performed among stroke patients. ⋯ Our findings, obtained among Taiwan Han Chinese subjects, provide the first evidence that RGS5 rs4657251 polymorphism is an independent risk factor for SVO.
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Although previous studies have suggested a stimulatory role of heparanase in physiological bone turnover, the potential therapeutic role of heparanase in bone healing has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of topical application of heparanase-1 on bone healing. ⋯ These results indicated that with the appropriate dose of topical heparanase-1, the progress of bone healing could be accelerated in vivo.
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Longxuetongluo capsule (LTC), derived from the total phenolic compounds of Chinese dragon's blood, is now used in the treatment of ischemic stroke in convalescence. The aim of this study is to explore the neuroprotective effect of LTC from the perspective of neuroinflammation. ⋯ The present study showed that LTC exhibited a strong antineuroinflammatory activity and neuroprotective effects on LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells and PC12 cells.