J Formos Med Assoc
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) should be regarded as a high risk factor for myocardial infarction (MI). In addition to anti-hypertensive effect, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) were frequently used as anti-angina drugs in patients with MI. However, the association between CCBs and MI in RA remains unclear. We investigated whether CCBs could decrease incidence of myocardial infarction in patients with hypertension and RA. ⋯ Therapy of CCBs is associated with a lower risk of MI among hypertensive patients with RA. Hence, the prescription of CCBs may be a compelling indication of BP lowering in RA population.
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In recent years, 3D printing technology has flourished and applied to tissue engineering regeneration. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of gap width between struts (GWbS) of three-dimensional-printed polylactic acid scaffolds (3DP-PLASs) on neural differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). ⋯ We conclude that 3DP-PLASs with 150 μm gaps can induce cellular orientations more easily than those with 200 μm gaps. In addition, 3DP-PLASs seem to improve cell adhesion after being coated with poly-l-lysine or soaked with alcohol.
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Abbott RealTime Genotype II assay can effectively identify hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes (GTs), but some GT 6 subtypes might not be differentiated from GT 1. Abbott RealTime Genotype II PLUS and sequencing might be needed to resolve these ambiguous results. Unlike the high prevalence of GT 6 in Southeast Asia, GT 6 had rarely been reported in Taiwan except in intravenous drug abusers (IDU). But the prevalence of GT 6 in Taiwan might be underestimated. We conducted this study to determine the GTs in a HCV endemic area in Southern Taiwan. ⋯ GT 6 is the major factor for high ambiguous rate by GT II. Unexpected high prevalence of GT 6 (18.3%) in Southern Taiwan, especially subtype 6 g, closely related to Indonesian strains, is first reported.
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Patients who have symptoms of sicca, such as dry eyes and mouth, may have Sjögren's syndrome (SS). However, the conservative culture makes patients hesitate to undergo an invasive biopsy, which contributes to the difficulty of confirming a diagnosis. We aimed to identify the characteristics of patients with sicca symptoms to develop a better predictive value for each item included in the three different diagnostic criteria for SS and clarify the best diagnostic tools for the local population. ⋯ Our results indicate the cut-off point for defining a positive test result in the Schirmer's test is worth modified to <10 mm/5 minutes in either eye.
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The aims of the study were to examine the role of mental health in peoples' attitude toward same-sex marriage in Taiwan, as well as the moderating effects of gender, age, and sexual orientation on the association between mental health and attitude toward same-sex marriage. ⋯ Our findings suggest that poor mental health was significantly associated with opposition to same-sex marriage. This relationship is more pronounced among older and heterosexual people.