Association between Appendectomy and Demyelinating Disorders in Subjects 40 Years and Older.

Background: The association between appendectomy and multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown. In this study, we explored the association between appendectomy and MS and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

Patients And Methods: MS and NMOSD patients older than 40 were identified from neurology records from hospitals in Malaysia.

Bedside pleuroscopy in the Intensive Care Unit.

Objectives: It is not always possible to move critically ill patients to the operating or endoscopy room for a pleuroscopy. Bedside pleuroscopy is indicated for these patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and complications of bedside pleuroscopy in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

CHA2DS2-VASc scores predict major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Introduction: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently experience concurrent comorbidities; therefore, risk assessment for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) is very important.

Objectives: We explored the association between COPD and risk of MACEs with three common clinical events: acute myocardial infarction (AMI), ischemic stroke (IS), and cardiovascular death (CVD).

Methods: We evaluated the predictive value of the CHA2DS2-VASc score (congestive heart failure [C], hypertension [H], age [A], diabetes [D], stroke [S], and vascular disease [VASc]) for MACEs in COPD patients.

Bedside pleuroscopy in Taiwan : a great vision for critically-ill patients and intensivists.

Bedside pleuroscopy can be used in daily practice by medical pulmonologists if a patient cannot tolerate either general anesthesia or being moved to an operating or endoscopy room due to their critical condition. It is a simple and safe technique that rarely has complications. The aim of this review is to summarize recent literatures about bedside pleuroscopy and share our experiences with using it in Taiwan.

Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake in Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer With and Without Pulmonary Lymphangitic Carcinomatosis.

Aim: To assess the correlation between advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with or without pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis (PLC) and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake and its effect on survival outcomes.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 157 patients with NSCLC. The mean and maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmean and SUVmax, respectively), metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were evaluated for their effect on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

Identification of five driver gene mutations in patients with treatment-naïve lung adenocarcinoma in Taiwan.

Background: It is important to select appropriate targeted therapies for subgroups of patients with lung adenocarcinoma who have specific gene alterations.

Methods: This prospective study was a multicenter project conducted in Taiwan for assessment of lung adenocarcinoma genetic tests. Five oncogenic drivers, including EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, HER2 and EML4-ALK fusion mutations, were tested.

Influence of thyroid transcription factor-1 on fluorodeoxyglucose uptake and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer.

Aim: To assess the correlation between thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF1) protein expression in primary tumors from patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake, and to determine its effect on survival outcomes.

Patients And Methods: We categorized 112 patients with NSCLC according to TTF1 expression (TTF1(+): n=59, TTF1(-): n=53), and retrospectively determined whether positron-emission topography measurements, including standardized uptake values [mean (SUVm) and maximum (SUVmax)], metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and other clinical factors could predict progression-free (PFS) or overall (OS) survival of these patients.

Results: The SUVm, SUVmax, MTV, and TLG values were lower in the TTF1(+) group; their survival outcomes were also better.