J Formos Med Assoc
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Reactivation of herpes viruses poses threat to corneal graft survival. This study evaluated the presence of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), HSV type 2 (HSV-2), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in recipient corneas and the aqueous humor of patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), and the impact on graft survival. ⋯ There were high positive rates of HSV-1, HSV-2, and CMV DNA in recipient corneas and aqueous humor at the time of PKP, even among patients not suspected of latent viral infection. The presence of aqueous HSV-1 DNA was associated with higher risk of graft failure.
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Vitrectomy may affect intravitreal drug clearance and efficacy for treating diabetic macular edema (DME). This study aimed to evaluate functional and anatomical outcomes of intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implant for vitrectomized and nonvitrectomized eyes with treatment-naïve DME in Taiwanese patients. ⋯ In this 6-month retrospective study, intravitreal DEX implant was effective in Taiwanese patients with treatment-naïve DME regardless of vitrectomy status.
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A nationwide program initiated by Taiwan CDC was conducted by the Taiwan Society of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease to improve the appropriateness of anti-TB prescriptions in Taiwan. ⋯ Prescription review by TB experts is an effective approach to improve the appropriateness of anti-TB prescriptions.
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The inflammatory milieu has been firmly established to affect cancer progression. However, the connection between natural killer (NK) cells and prostate cancer (PCa) has not been elucidated. ⋯ NKA was significantly higher postoperatively than preoperatively. Patients with positive surgical margins had lower postoperative NKA than those with negative margins. Lower postoperative NKA was also observed in higher-stage PCa. NKA could be used as a supplemental marker for detecting the remaining tumor cells after prostatectomy in combination of PSA.