J Formos Med Assoc
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There are still oral cancer patients without surgery. To improve the survival, it is necessary to know the causes of the oral cancer patients without surgery. ⋯ One-sevenths of patients were not treated surgically because of refusal, poor condition, older age, low BMI, and advanced stage. It is necessary to encourage the patients to undergo surgery with shortening the diagnosis-to-treatment interval.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Observational study of dronedarone in Taiwanese patients with atrial fibrillation.
Currently, data on the real-world use of dronedarone, an antiarrhythmic drug for atrial fibrillation (AF), are contradictory and often based on patient populations comprised of Caucasians. We prospectively investigated the efficacy and safety of dronedarone and risk factors related to treatment outcomes in a real-world use setting. ⋯ This six-month study showed dronedarone to be relatively safe and efficacious and to improve quality-of-life in Taiwanese patients with atrial fibrillation. Odds of treatment success were related to the patient's gender, age, and AF type.
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Mitochondrial assembly receptor (MasR), a receptor of angiotensin-(1-7), plays an important role in the anti-cancer effect of the peptide hormone. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the crucial role of angiotensin-(1-7)/MasR axis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients who received curative esophagectomy. ⋯ Low expression of MasR may be associated with poor prognosis in ESCC patients receiving curative esophagectomy. Further cohort study with larger population, or a prospective study is warranted to validate this finding.
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Multicenter Study
Risk stratification of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease across body mass index in a community basis.
The features and risk analysis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a community-based setting remain elusive. The predictors between obese and lean subjects need further clarification. We aimed to assess the characteristics of NAFLD during a community screening. The associated metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular risk assessment were also analyzed. ⋯ IR is predictive of NAFLD irrespective of BMI. The cardiovascular risk may exist in lean NAFLD subjects.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of electroacupuncture merged with rehabilitation for frozen shoulder syndrome: A single-blind randomized sham-acupuncture controlled study.
Frozen shoulder syndrome (FSS) causes pain and reduces the range of motion in the shoulder joint. To investigate the short and medium-term effects of electroacupuncture in people with FSS, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of true and sham electroacupuncture on pain relief and improvement of shoulder function. ⋯ These results suggest that electroacupuncture plus rehabilitation may provide earlier pain relief for patients with FSS and could be applied clinically.