J Formos Med Assoc
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Cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a distinct pathological entity with much higher incidence and unique risk factors compared to general VTE. A previous study reported that cancer associated-VTE incidence in Taiwan is much lower than that reported for western countries and also lower than our anecdotal observations. To address this issue further, we initiated an investigation locally using a more detailed approach than used previously with comprehensive review of medical records to gain new insight into the incidence and risk factors for cancer-associated VTE. ⋯ We reported higher incidence of cancer associated VTE in Taiwan. Low BMI and short aPTT were found to be related to higher VTE risk that was not reported before.
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Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been known to be implicated in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). In this study, we aimed to investigate whether magnolol, a polyphenolic component derived from Magnolia officinalis, exhibited the anti-CSCs properties. ⋯ Our data suggest that magnolol is able to target CSCs and suppress the cancer stemness properties, at least in part, via IL-6/Stat3 signaling. Besides, a dietary supplement of magnolol may function as an adjunct to cisplatin treatment.
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Hypertension is a risk factor of incident diabetes. In 2017, the ACC/AHA updated the definition of hypertension to above 130/80 mmHg, while the 2018 ESC/ESH guideline and the JNC7 criteria remained the cutoff of 140/90 mmHg. This study was aimed to investigate how different cutoffs of hypertension affect the association of hypertension to incident diabetes and the progression of insulin resistance. ⋯ Hypertension by both criteria is associated with incident diabetes and accelerated progression of insulin resistance, and the associations are attenuated by the 2017 ACC/AHA criteria.
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Three first-line epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are widely available to treat advanced lung adenocarcinoma harboring EGFR mutation. However, studies comparing efficacy or effectiveness of these EGFR TKIs came out with inconclusive results. ⋯ Afatinib, compared with gefitinib, might provide better effectiveness as the first-line targeted therapy for patients of advanced lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR mutation.
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The intracavernosal (IC) injection of chitosan activated platelet rich plasma (cPRP) has shown to improve the erectile dysfunction in cavernous nerve injury rat model. However, the action target of PRP in improving neurogenic erectile dysfunction remains unclear. We aimed to determine the effect of cPRP action at early stage that further mediates its effect on erectile function (EF) recovery in the bilateral cavernous nerve crushing (BCNC) injury rat model. ⋯ These results suggest that the application of cPRP was beneficial to restore EF via neuroprotective and tissue-protective effects at early stage.