Successful kidney transplantation from a live donor with immune thrombocytopenia: a case report.

Organ transplantation from donors with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), a condition involving the autoantibody-mediated destruction of platelets, is a topic of debate due to the potential for transplantation-mediated autoimmune thrombocytopenia (TMAT), a rare but potentially fatal complication. Previous reports have described transplants from deceased liver donors with ITP who had very low platelet counts and disease largely refractory to treatment. Here, we present the first case of living kidney transplantation from a donor with ITP who underwent preoperative treatment, with concurrent splenectomy performed to reduce the long-term risk of spontaneous hemorrhage.

Effects of photobiomodulation as an adjunctive treatment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a narrative review.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation and remodeling and lung parenchymal inflammation and destruction, which result in many pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations. The anti-inflammatory effect of photobiomodulation (PBM) has been reported in previous studies. This review was conducted to evaluate the direct effect of PBM on lung inflammation in COPD.

Comparing the Efficacy of Intra-Articular Single Platelet-Rich Plasma(PRP) versus Novel Crosslinked Hyaluronic Acid for Early-Stage Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

: For the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA), intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and novel crosslinked single-dose hyaluronic acid (HA) have both been reported to improve outcomes, but no study has compared them for the treatment of knee OA. We hypothesized patients with early-stage knee OA who received PRP injections would have more WOMAC score changes than those who received HA injections. This is the first prospective, double-blind, parallel, randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of intra-articular single-dose PRP versus novel crosslinked HA (HyajointPlus) for treating early-stage knee OA.

Efficacy of Intra-Articular Injection of Biofermentation-Derived High-Molecular Hyaluronic Acid in Knee Osteoarthritis: An Ultrasonographic Study.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular injection with HYAJOINT Plus, a biofermentation-derived, high-molecular hyaluronic acid (HA), on the progression of structural changes of cartilage in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) by using objectively promised ultrasonography (US) evaluation.

Design: In this prospective clinical trial, 56 OA patients completed the study. One single dose of injection of HYAJOINT Plus into the knee cavity was performed.

Machine Learning in Prediction of Bladder Cancer on Clinical Laboratory Data.

Bladder cancer has been increasing globally. Urinary cytology is considered a major screening method for bladder cancer, but it has poor sensitivity. This study aimed to utilize clinical laboratory data and machine learning methods to build predictive models of bladder cancer.

Postoperative extremity gangrene in a patient with type 2 diabetes taking SGLT2 inhibitors: A case report.

Rationale: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been approved and marketed since March 2013. The proportion of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) taking SGLT2 inhibitors is increasing. The perioperative adverse effects of SGLT2 inhibitors, especially euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (euDKA), should be taken into consideration in perioperative patient evaluation in both elective and emergency surgeries.

Pectin of cacao pod husk, an efficient immunostimulant for white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei.

The disposal of cacao pod husk, a byproduct of cacao bean processing, can cause serious adverse environmental impacts, motivating scientist to explore and develop potential beneficial applications of this resource. Dried cacao pod husk was extracted with ethanol to obtain a 10.6% pectin of cacao pod husks (pCPH), and its effects on the immunocompetence of Litopenaeus vannamei were estimated.

Injection of an extract of fresh cacao pod husks into Litopenaeus vannamei upregulates immune responses via innate immune signaling pathways.

Immunostimulation is a novel method and a promising development in aquaculture. Products derived from plants exhibit various biological activities. In this study, the hot-water extract isolated from fresh cacao (Theobroma cacao) pod husks (CPHs) was administered by injection to evaluate cellular signaling pathways of innate immunity, the immunostimulating potential, disease resistance, and hypothermal tolerance of white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei.

Immediate responses of multi-focal low level laser therapy on quadriceps in knee osteoarthritis patients.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) applying on knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients has shown positive outcomes in analgesic effect and functional recovery. However, few studies applied such therapy on large area of quadriceps muscle in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate immediate effect of multi-focal LLLT on quadriceps of knee OA patients in pain and functional performance.

Comprehensive Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life Assessments Predict Mortality in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Background: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) are exercise tests associated with physical function, quality of life and hemodynamic data in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This study was conducted to assess correlations between exercise capacity, quality of life and disease functional classification, and to analyze the value of comprehensive assessments in predicting mortality in patients with PAH.

Methods: Fifty-four patients with PAH were enrolled.

Comparison of Visual Outcome and Morphologic Change between Different Surgical Techniques in Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane Surgery.

Purpose: To investigate the morphological and functional outcomes of idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery between three different surgical techniques: ERM peeling only, whole-piece ILM peeling, and maculorrhexis ILM peeling.

Patients And Methods: This is a retrospective, consecutive, and comparative study enrolling 60 patients from Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Surgery performed between July 2011 and June 2012 was done with ERM peeling only (group I).

Inhalation of volatile anesthetics via a laryngeal mask is associated with lower incidence of intraoperative awareness in non-critically ill patients.

Background: Increased incidence of intraoperative awareness was reported in critically ill patients during major operations, particularly under total intravenous (TIVA) or endotracheal general anesthesia (ETGA). However, the incidence and effect of anesthesia techniques on awareness in generally healthy, non-critically ill patients during operations have yet to receive significant attention.

Methods And Results: This retrospective matched case-control study was conducted between January 2009 to December 2014.

Abciximab/Heparin Therapy for Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation in Patients With Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia.

Background: Optimal anticoagulation strategy remains uncertain in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. We describe our protocol of abciximab and heparin in these patients.

Methods: Our protocol is to administer abciximab, 0.

An unusual echocardiographic presentation of left atrial dissection following cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation.

Left atrial dissection (LatD) is a relatively rare perioperative complication during mitral valve repair. Here, we report a 64-year-old man who developed LatD after cardiopulmonary resuscitation was needed due to an extensive myocardial infarction. Aggressive cardiac massage resulted in cardiac rupture and massive bloody pleura effusion.

Comparison between the Trachway video intubating stylet and Macintosh laryngoscope in four simulated difficult tracheal intubations: A manikin study.

Objectives: It remains to be determined whether the TVI-4000 Trachway video intubating (TVI) stylet (Markstein Sichtec Medical Corp, Taichung, Taiwan), an airway device for novices, improves airway management practice by experienced anesthesiologists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using the TVI stylet in difficult tracheal intubation situations compared with that of using the Macintosh laryngoscope on an airway manikin.

Materials And Methods: Ten anesthesiologists (with 3-21 years' experience), including three senior residents, participated.

Modified internal limiting membrane peeling technique (maculorrhexis) for myopic foveoschisis surgery.

Purpose: Myopic foveoschisis occurs in 9-34% of highly myopic eyes with posterior staphyloma. The pathogenesis is still not fully understood. But the relative inflexibility of the inner retina and a tangential traction induced inward traction force in the posterior staphyloma are possible mechanisms.

The Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Patients with Coccydynia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Unlabelled: Coccydynia is pain in the coccygeal region, and usually treated conservatively. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) was incorporated as non-invasive treatment of many musculoskeletal conditions. However, the effects of ESWT on coccydynia are less discussed.

The efficacy of ultrasound-guided extracorporeal shockwave therapy in patients with cervical spondylosis and nuchal ligament calcification.

We investigated the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on the rehabilitation of cervical spondylosis with nuchal ligament (NL) calcification under X-ray and ultrasound guidance. Sixty patients with cervical spondylosis and calcification of NL were selected and randomly assigned to three groups: A, B, and C. Patients in Group A received rehabilitation with 20 minutes of hot packs and underwent 15 minutes of intermittent cervical traction three times/week for 6 weeks.

Correlation Between the Dynamic Postoperative Visual Outcome and the Restoration of Foveal Microstructures After Macular Hole Surgery.

Purpose: To analyze the long-term dynamic healing process of outer retinal changes for 1 year in patients who underwent a standard vitrectomy procedure for idiopathic macular hole (MH) repair.

Design: Retrospective, consecutive, observational case series.

Methods: Data were collected on 60 eyes of 56 patients (30 women, 26 men) that underwent successful pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for idiopathic MH from January 2011 to December 2012.

Association between the severity of femoral condylar cartilage erosion related to knee osteoarthritis by ultrasonographic evaluation and the clinical symptoms and functions.

Objective: To determine the association between the severity of femoral condylar cartilage erosion resulting from knee osteoarthritis (OA) by an ultrasonographic grading system and the clinical symptoms and functions.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: A tertiary center.

The efficacy of shock wave therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis and popliteal cyamella.

This randomized, controlled study was performed to compare the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and ultrasound on the rehabilitation of knee osteoarthritis with popliteal cyamella. One hundred and twenty patients with bilateral moderate knee osteoarthritis (Altman III) and popliteal cyamella were selected and randomly assigned to four groups (GI-GIV). Patients in Groups I-III received isokinetic muscular strengthening exercises three times weekly for 8 weeks.

[Relationship of the effectiveness of care management services and burdens of primary family caregivers].

Background: In Taiwan, long-term care management centers hold primary responsibility for administering long-term care services, assisting with long-term care placements, and sharing the care burden with family caregivers in need. Research into the effectiveness of current care management services and the effectiveness of these services in reducing care burdens remains limited.

Purpose: This study investigates the relationship among care management center service effectiveness, care management personnel, and burdens in relation to the provision of care services from the prospective of caregivers.

Effect of biofeedback cycling training on functional recovery and walking ability of lower extremity in patients with stroke.

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of biofeedback cycling training on lower limb functional recovery, walking endurance, and walking speed for patients with chronic stroke. Thirty-one patients with stroke (stroke onset >3 months) were randomly assigned into two groups using a crossover design. One group (N = 16; mean: 53.

Microgravity induces pelvic bone loss through osteoclastic activity, osteocytic osteolysis, and osteoblastic cell cycle inhibition by CDKN1a/p21.

Bone is a dynamically remodeled tissue that requires gravity-mediated mechanical stimulation for maintenance of mineral content and structure. Homeostasis in bone occurs through a balance in the activities and signaling of osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and osteocytes, as well as proliferation and differentiation of their stem cell progenitors. Microgravity and unloading are known to cause osteoclast-mediated bone resorption; however, we hypothesize that osteocytic osteolysis, and cell cycle arrest during osteogenesis may also contribute to bone loss in space.