J Formos Med Assoc
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Rituximab (RTX),an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody can effectively treat minimal change disease (MCD),with low toxicity and a reduced steroid dosage. The optimal dosage of RTX for treating MCD remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of an ultra-low-dose regimen of RTX (100 mg per week for 4 weeks) for treating MCD. ⋯ Ultra-low-dose RTX is effective at inducing remission in patients with MCD at a lower cost.
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This study aims to describe the dome-type manual morcellation technique, a modified form of C-type incision, its comparative advantages over existing morcellation methods, the perioperative outcomes of trainees with varying experience levels, and the variables influencing morcellation speed based on our two years of experience. ⋯ Dome-type manual morcellation is an intuitive, efficient and safe method for specimen removal and is easy to learn for beginners.
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Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a noninvasive examination for excellent visualization of small bowel mucosal lesions. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of CE in pediatric patients. ⋯ CE is a safe and feasible diagnostic method to study the small intestine in children, especially for IBD. Incomplete study could be an indicator of positive finding and can potentially be a guide to identify the site of possible strictures.
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Phosphorus is a vital mineral crucial for various physiological functions. Critically ill trauma patients frequently experience hypophosphatemia during the immediate post-traumatic phase, potentially impacting outcomes. This study aims to investigate the incidence of early hypophosphatemia in critically major trauma patients. ⋯ Critically ill trauma patients exhibited a significantly higher incidence of early hypophosphatemia than typical ICU rates, indicating their heightened vulnerability. The significantly high urine FEPO4 underscores the crucial role of renal loss in disrupting phosphate metabolism in this early acute phase after trauma. A significant correlation was observed between hypophosphatemia and longer ICU stays. Monitoring and managing phosphate levels may influence outcomes, warranting further investigation.