Medicine
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Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) is a genetic disease, which is characterized by muscle atrophy and weakness mainly involving proximal muscles. Accurate diagnosis of LGMD patient is very important for the appropriate management and long-term prognosis. ⋯ NGS might be a helpful tool for the diagnosis of LGMD. A novel variant of c.4010delT in DYSF was identified in this case, which broadens the genetic spectrum of LGMD2B.
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Dieulafoy lesion (DL), a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding, is easily covered by blood scab formation on the mucous membrane for its small size, which makes it difficult to be identified under endoscope. In clinical practice, it is also very easy to miss gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma that exhibits atypical early manifestations under gastroendoscope and is difficult to be diagnosed by routine superficial biopsy. Most patients only experience nonspecific dyspepsia symptoms. ⋯ From endoscopy, it is easy to miss DL. When the hemostatic equipment is fully prepared, biopsy can be performed. After biopsy, pulsatile bleeding is convincing evidence for Dieulafoy disease. OTSC represents an effective and low-risk method for DL and it could replace surgery. Moreover, the mucosa surrounding Dieulafoy disease should be carefully observed to exclude coexisting diseases such as lymphoma or gastric cancer.
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Observational Study
Herpes Zoster in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving tofacitinib, a single center experience from Taiwan.
In clinical trials of tofacitinib for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Japanese and Korean patients had higher incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) than subjects from elsewhere; however, post-market data from Asia are lacking. Hence, we investigated the incidence of HZ and its risk factors in Taiwanese RA patients receiving tofacitinib. At a medical center in Taichung, Taiwan, we enrolled patients with active RA treated with tofacitinib between January 4, 2015 and December 9, 2017, following unsuccessful methotrexate therapy and no tofacitinib exposure RA patients as a control group. ⋯ Incidence of HZ in tofacitinib-treated Taiwanese RA patients is lower than rates in Japan or Korea, and commensurate with the global average. HZ may occur soon after commencing tofacitinib therapy. The role of interferon-gamma and activated T cells in tofacitinib-related HZ deserves further investigation.
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The incidence of psoriasis vulgaris is increasing worldwide. Chronic recurrence of the disease, as well as accompanying cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and depression has affected the physical and mental health of these patients. Psoriasis vulgaris is a difficult and major disease in the dermatology field. Short-term curative effects using conventional therapy for psoriasis vulgaris has made major strides. However, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment has long-term curative advantages for psoriasis vulgaris but lacks the scientific and clinical evidence for its use. This study intends to demonstrate and provide scientific and clinical evidence for the use of TCM to delay the recurrence of psoriasis vulgaris. ⋯ The clinical trial protocol for this study was approved by the ethics committee of the Beijing hospital of TCM affiliated to capital medical university (Ethics number: 2019BL02-010-02). We will publish and present our results at national and international conferences and in peer-reviewed journals specialized in dermatology.
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Case Reports
Acute ischemic stroke due to unruptured small aneurysm of internal carotid artery: A case report.
Intracranial small aneurysm is a rare cause of ischemic stroke, and been described only in sparse case reports. The exact pathophysiology, treatment strategies, and prognosis remain incompletely understood. ⋯ It is crucial for clinicians to be aware of this entity, as cerebral infarction caused by small cerebral aneurysm is extremely rare.