J Formos Med Assoc
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The relationship between lumbar facet joint (LFJ) osteoarthritis (OA) and back pain remains unclear. An OA model associated with joint pain was successfully induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) in rat knees. We aimed to establish an experimental OA model with facet-mediated mechanical hyperalgesia in the LFJ in rats. ⋯ An experimental LFJ OA model associated with facet-mediated mechanical hyperalgesia can be established by intra-articular injection of MIA. This model might provide a useful tool for further study to ascertain the complex mechanism of facet joint pain.
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It has been shown that herbs that contain aristolochic acid induce urological cancer. Chinese herbalists have easy access to such herbs. Our previous mortality study has shown a significantly increased risk of urological cancer in female but not male herbalists. To re-examine this risk in male herbalists, the incidence of urological cancer was analyzed. ⋯ The significant risk of urothelial carcinoma noted in male herbalists increases our suspicion that this is an occupational disease that renders regular health assessment of herbalists an urgent necessity.
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Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of diseases related to insulin resistance and is an important cardiovascular risk factor. In addition, MS has been linked to some malignancies, including colorectal cancer. Colon adenoma is a well-established pre-malignant lesion of colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of various components of MS on the risk of colorectal adenoma. ⋯ Subjects with metabolic syndrome have increased risk of developing colorectal adenoma. Screening colonoscopy for prevention of colorectal adenoma might be warranted when abdominal obesity or more than three components of MS are present.
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Comparative Study
Cost-effectiveness of drug-eluting stents in patients with stable coronary artery disease.
Drug-eluting stents (DESs) have been shown to reduce in-stent restenosis and target vessel revascularization (TVR) in large clinical trials. We conducted this study to elucidate the differences in the cost and clinical outcome of DESs and bare metal stents (BMSs). ⋯ The use of DESs reduces the rate of TVR at 2 years after intervention, but is probably not cost-effective compared with BMSs in patients with stable coronary artery disease.
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Anatomical pathology was not popular in Taiwan a few decades ago, with a severe shortage of pathologists. However, there has been a steady increase in recent years, and now there is a threat of oversupply We evaluated supply and demand over the past three decades and compared the findings with other countries. ⋯ Anatomical pathology is no longer a specialty that is facing a physician shortage in Taiwan, and there is now a relatively high pathologist/physician ratio among Asian countries. We suggest that a decrease in the number of R1s in pathology is needed to maintain a balance between supply and demand.