J Formos Med Assoc
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The clinical analyses and prognoses of mitochondrial diseases with A3243G mutation are rarely documented in Taiwan. Our study investigated the clinical phenotypes and the outcomes of patients with mitochondrial disease and the A3243G mutation of mtDNA in a Taiwanese population, and compared these with previous reports. ⋯ Our study found that seizures and status epilepticus are the most important predictive values for a poor outcome in patients with the mtA3243G mutation of mtDNA. Age of onset and visceral organ involvement had no prominent influence on the prognosis. Some medical complications could be well controlled or even reversed after management.
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Readmission to the intensive care unit (ICU) results in increased consumption of medical resources and costs, and has been proposed as a marker for quality of care. ICU readmission rates have been estimated at 4-14% and different risk factors have been proposed by various studies. ⋯ This study uses a novel approach to assess risk factors for readmission to the ICU. Higher risk patients should be assessed more carefully before discharge or transfer from the ICU to prevent readmission episodes.
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We present two events of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, which spread out through ventilation pipes to kill or injure neighbors. This is a previously undocumented poisoning process. In the first event, three people died and eight others suffered CO poisoning from a gas-powered water heater in an apartment building. ⋯ CO is one of the most common causes of poisoning worldwide and these cases often result in tragedy. Early recognition of CO poisoning resulting from obstructed ventilation pipes will facilitate proper management and prevent possible lethal disasters. Additionally, all clinicians and other paramedical personnel ought to raise the suspicion of chemical-related casualties when encountering clusters of patients from a single locale.
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Letter Case Reports
Single laparoscopic hepatectomy for a 11-cm hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Multicenter Study
Risk factors for candidemia with non-albicans Candida spp. in intensive care unit patients with end-stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis.
The objective of this study was to describe factors associated with bloodstream infections (BSIs) with non-albicans Candida species (NAC), compared with Candida albicans BSIs, and antifungal susceptibility patterns in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the potential factors for NAC candidemia in ICU patients with end-stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis. ⋯ Central venous catheterization was the only factor significantly associated with BSI due to NAC in ICU patients with end-stage renal disease.