J Formos Med Assoc
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Multicenter Study
Nivolumab safety and efficacy in advanced, platinum-resistant, non-small cell lung cancer, radical radiotherapy-ineligible patients: A phase II study in Taiwan.
There is a lack of data on nivolumab treatment outcomes in Taiwanese patients with advanced or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ineligible for radical radiotherapy and resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy. We investigated the safety and efficacy of nivolumab in this population. ⋯ NCT02582125.
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Epidemiological findings showed the increased risk of allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma in the children with preceding atopic dermatitis (AD). In this study, we aimed to observe the development of allergic diseases in infantile AD patients. ⋯ The early-onset-early-resolving AD was not associated with allergic diseases development at age 3. The parental atopy history and early-onset-persistent AD might be the risk factors for development of allergic diseases at age 3.
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Taiwan is a hepatitis C virus (HCV) endemic country with geographic variation of prevalence and main genotypes(GTs) are 1 b and 2a. We recently reported high GT6 prevalence in Tainan of southern Taiwan. To clarify this special genotype as a local endemic disease and its geographic variation, the prevalence rates of HCV GTs of 37 districts of Tainan were analyzed. ⋯ Four districts with GT6 prevalence >30% are located between Jishui and Zengwen rivers. Preliminary subtyping data were 6 g/a/w. This geographic variation with spatial restriction by two rivers with 6 g/w is suggestive of local endemic infection of preexisting GT 6 HCV for centuries.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of a comprehensive physical therapy on moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea- a preliminary randomized controlled trial.
Critically compromised by upper airway anatomical impaired properties, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be categorized into different phenotypic traits, mainly including oropharyngeal muscle dysfunction. The upper airway muscle strength training was targeted on oropharyngeal muscle dysfunction by re-educating the oropharyngeal muscles to maintain the upper airway patency. OSA was characterized with multilevel collapsibility of the upper airway; however, the programs are still inconsistent and the effects are unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a comprehensive physical therapy on OSA. ⋯ This comprehensive physical therapy can be prescribed for the significant clinical improvement on sleep apnea for the patients with moderate and severe OSA.
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Sarcopenia, which is a common risk factor for falls and fractures, affects the functional outcome and mortality in geriatric populations. However, the prevalence of sarcopenia among geriatric Taiwanese patients with a hip fracture is unknown, nor is the effect of sarcopenia on the outcome of hip surgery. ⋯ A high prevalence of sarcopenia among geriatric hip fracture patients is associated with a poor mid-term outcome following hip surgery. Clinicians must recognize the risk of sarcopenia, especially for male hip fracture patients with a lower BMI and a weaker handgrip.