J Formos Med Assoc
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Our previous study found 284 gastric parietal cell antibody (GPCA)-positive atrophic glossitis (AG) patients (so-called GPCA+AG patients in this study) in a group of 1064 AG patients. This study evaluated whether high-titer (GPCA titer ≥ 160) GPCA+AG patients had greater frequencies of anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, macrocytosis, and hyperhomocysteinemia than low-titer (GPCA titer < 160) GPCA+AG patients. ⋯ For GPCA+AG patients, high-titer GPCA+AG patients have greater frequencies of anemia, serum vitamin B12 deficiency, macrocytosis, and hyperhomocysteinemia than low-titer GPCA+AG patients.
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To evaluate the efficacy of microincision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS) for the treatment of post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis, and to report the factors which influence the outcome. ⋯ MIVS is an efficient management for post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis. BCVA is significantly improved after MIVS. No matter in univariate or multivariate analysis, positive culture results and longer duration between cataract surgery and MIVS have significant negative effects on the outcome of post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis. Multicenter collaboration should be conducted in order to formulate better management protocols of this vision-threatening complication of cataract surgery.
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) should be regarded as a high risk factor for myocardial infarction (MI). In addition to anti-hypertensive effect, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) were frequently used as anti-angina drugs in patients with MI. However, the association between CCBs and MI in RA remains unclear. We investigated whether CCBs could decrease incidence of myocardial infarction in patients with hypertension and RA. ⋯ Therapy of CCBs is associated with a lower risk of MI among hypertensive patients with RA. Hence, the prescription of CCBs may be a compelling indication of BP lowering in RA population.
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In recent years, 3D printing technology has flourished and applied to tissue engineering regeneration. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of gap width between struts (GWbS) of three-dimensional-printed polylactic acid scaffolds (3DP-PLASs) on neural differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). ⋯ We conclude that 3DP-PLASs with 150 μm gaps can induce cellular orientations more easily than those with 200 μm gaps. In addition, 3DP-PLASs seem to improve cell adhesion after being coated with poly-l-lysine or soaked with alcohol.
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Abbott RealTime Genotype II assay can effectively identify hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes (GTs), but some GT 6 subtypes might not be differentiated from GT 1. Abbott RealTime Genotype II PLUS and sequencing might be needed to resolve these ambiguous results. Unlike the high prevalence of GT 6 in Southeast Asia, GT 6 had rarely been reported in Taiwan except in intravenous drug abusers (IDU). But the prevalence of GT 6 in Taiwan might be underestimated. We conducted this study to determine the GTs in a HCV endemic area in Southern Taiwan. ⋯ GT 6 is the major factor for high ambiguous rate by GT II. Unexpected high prevalence of GT 6 (18.3%) in Southern Taiwan, especially subtype 6 g, closely related to Indonesian strains, is first reported.