J Formos Med Assoc
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The incidence of pediatric hospitalizations has significantly increased since the spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19. Changes of characteristics in respiratory and neurological symptoms have been reported. We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional study to characterize the MRI change in children with an emphasis on the change of cerebral vasculatures. ⋯ A high proportion of vascular abnormalities was observed in pediatric patients with neurological involvements, suggesting that vascular involvement is an important mechanism of neurological manifestations in omicron variant infection.
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Social detachment includes the subjective aspect "loneliness" and the objective aspect "social isolation," but tools to assess both dimensions are limited. This study aims to develop a questionnaire, the Social Detachment Questionnaire for Older Population (SDQO), that considers multiple dimensions of social detachment simultaneously. ⋯ The 17-item version of SDQO exhibited good reliability and validity, measuring various aspects of social detachment behavior, feelings, and resources. It holds value for future research applications.
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Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a time-sensitive treatment for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion. To optimize transfer efficiency, a web-based platform was introduced in the Tainan Stroke Network (TSN). We assessed its application and effectiveness in regional stroke care. ⋯ This new web-based EVT transfer system provides notable improvements in clinical outcomes, transfer efficiency, and EVT execution for potential EVT candidates without markedly changing the regional stroke care paradigm.
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There are no reported case series of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) from southern Taiwan. A 20-year review was performed in adult CVID from a southern Taiwan medical center. Patients with ages of 18 years or older were enrolled from May, 2003 to April, 2023. ⋯ Patients with higher IgG trough levels (above 500 mg/dL) had a better survival than those with lower IgG trough levels. Adult CVID in southern Taiwan has a high occurrence of autoimmune and lymphoproliferative manifestations. Early diagnosis with IVIg infusion might improve the presentations.
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Facial asymmetry is common in Class III patients requiring orthognathic surgery. This study aimed to analyze jaw bone position after surgical-orthodontic treatment in three types of skeletal Class III asymmetry patients. ⋯ The positional changes of osteotomy segments differed among three types of mandibular asymmetry. Special attention should be given to the atypical mandibular asymmetry with mandibular body and ramus deviating to opposite directions during surgical correction of jaw deflection.