J Formos Med Assoc
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Duodenal obstruction is uncommon in patients with pancreatic cancer. However, the obstruction rate is increasing as a result of advancements in chemotherapy and target therapy. This study aimed to investigate the effect of self-expandable metal stent placement on outcomes of patients with duodenal obstruction secondary to pancreatic carcinoma. ⋯ Metallic stent placement is an effective treatment for patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer leading to gastric outlet obstruction. Chemotherapy may be considered following stent placement.
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Little remains known regarding whether newer FQ with less anti-mycobacterial activity (gemifloxacin) would reduce treatment delay. ⋯ While limited by relatively low case number, our study showed that use of gemifloxacin neither results in nor reduces delay in TB treatment. The issue of FQ use on TB treatment delay was also not observed in our study. Early survey and maintaining high clinical alertness remains the key to reducing TB treatment delay.
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Thyroid disorders are common in children with Down syndrome (DS), however, such data have rarely been reported in Taiwanese children. This study presents our experience with the management of these children. ⋯ The prevalence of thyroid disorders is higher in Taiwanese children with DS than in the general population. Because symptoms of hypothyroidism overlap those inherent to DS, regular follow-up of thyroid function in children with DS is indicated.
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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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This study analyzed the effects of the General Medicine Faculty Training Program (GMFTP), which was implemented in 2009. The training program includes a 7-hour basic training (BT) to introduce ways of teaching and assessing the 6 core competencies identified by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, and a 40-hour clinical training program. ⋯ Knowledge of teaching core competencies improved immediately after BT, but KIs did not correlate with TCs in long-term follow-up. After the training program, physicians' teaching confidence increased over time.