A Review of the Systemic Treatment of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are uncommon but life-threatening diseases mostly caused by drugs. Although various systemic immunomodulating agents have been used, their therapeutic efficacy has been inconsistent. This study aimed to provide an evidence-based review of systemic immunomodulating treatments for SJS/TEN.

Comparison of Chemical Matricectomy with Trichloroacetic Acid, Phenol, or Sodium Hydroxide for Ingrown Toenails: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

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Serum lipids and risk of atherosclerosis in xanthelasma palpebrarum: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The association between dyslipidemia and xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) remains controversial, and no definite evidence has indicated atherosclerosis risk in patients with XP.

Objective: The present study was a systematic review and meta-analysis to elucidate the association of serum lipid profiles and risk of atherosclerotic diseases with XP.

Methods: We systematically searched for the eligible comparative studies published before April 15, 2019, in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library.

Efficacy of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Combined With Ablative Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser for Acne Scars: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Acne scars are common and challenging clinical complications of acne vulgaris. Ablative fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is a well-established treatment for acne scars; however, some postlaser adverse effects have been noted. Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can improve tissue regeneration.

Efficacy of autologous whole blood or serum therapy for chronic spontaneous urticaria: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is chronic wheals without identifiable exogenous stimuli. Autologous whole blood (AWB) injection and autologous serum therapy (AST) are alternative therapies for CSU that induce tolerance to circulating histamine-releasing factors. We elucidated currently available evidence for the efficacy and safety of AWB therapy and AST for CSU.

The efficacy of oral acyclovir during early course of pityriasis rosea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Acyclovir has been reported as a potential therapy for pityriasis rosea (PR) in several clinical trials on the basis of evidence of the involvement of human herpes viruses 6 and 7.

Objective: We evaluated the efficacy of acyclovir for abating PR skin lesions within a fixed period.

Methods: We searched 4 databases for clinical trials that used oral acyclovir to treat PR and performed systematic review and meta-analysis to determine oral acyclovir's effect on skin lesions on the 14th day after commencing treatment.

Epidemiologic characteristics and outcomes of major trauma patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation.

The epidemiologic characteristics and outcomes of severe trauma patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) remain unclear. This retrospective study aims to investigate the outcomes of PMV in this specific group. All patients with major trauma admitted to the respiratory care center (RCC) requiring PMV (duration ≥21 days between January 2014 and December 2016) were enrolled.

Utility of overnight pulse oximeter as a screening tool for sleep apnea to assess the 8-year risk of cardiovascular disease: Data from a large-scale bus driver cohort study.

Background: Professional drivers' work under conditions predisposes them for development of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the effect of SDB on CVD risk among professional drivers has never been investigated. A cohort study was used to evaluate the effectiveness of overnight pulse oximeter as a sleep apnea screening tool to assess the 8-year risk of CVD events.

Usefulness of overnight pulse oximeter as the sleep assessment tool to assess the 6-year risk of road traffic collision: evidence from the Taiwan Bus Driver Cohort Study.

Background: In order to support health service organizations in arranging a system for prevention of road traffic collisions (RTC), it is important to study the usefulness of sleep assessment tools. A cohort study was used to evaluate the effectiveness of subjective and objective sleep assessment tools to assess for the 6-year risk of both first RTC event only and recurrent RTC events.

Methods: The Taiwan Bus Driver Cohort Study (TBDCS) recruited 1650 professional drivers from a large bus company in Taiwan in 2005.

The Association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Metabolic Markers and Lipid Profiles.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and metabolic markers and whether the elevated risk of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is related to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 246 male bus drivers from one transportation company in Taiwan. Each participant was evaluated by a polysomnography (PSG) test and by blood lipids examination.

The impact of obstructive sleep apnea on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in subjects with or without metabolic syndrome.

Background: It is unclear whether obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is independently associated with increased levels of the acute-phase reactant C-reactive protein (CRP). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between OSA and high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) levels according to the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: This study recruited 245 male bus drivers from one transportation company in Taiwan.

Predictors for Progression of Sleep Disordered Breathing among Public Transport Drivers: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study.

Study Objectives: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is associated with an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes. This study aimed to understand SDB progression and related factors among professional drivers.

Methods: A total of 524 professional male drivers from a transportation company were included in this study.

High job strain is associated with inflammatory markers of disease in young long-haul bus drivers.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. The study was aimed to investigate the association between job strain and inflammation markers and to examine factors contributing to high strain. The long-haul bus drivers (n = 825) were recruited from a Taiwanese transportation company.

Sneezing and allergic dermatitis were increased in engineered nanomaterial handling workers.

The aim of this study was to survey the work-relatedness of symptoms and diseases among engineered nanomaterials handling workers by questionnaire. A total of 258 exposed workers and 200 comparison workers were recruited from 14 nanomaterials handling factories in Taiwan. In addition to current disease status (prevalence), we classified the diseases worsened by employment (worsened by work).

Effect of nanoparticles exposure on fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) in workers exposed to nanomaterials.

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) measurement is a useful diagnostic test of airway inflammation. However, there have been few studies of FENO in workers exposed to nanomaterials. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of nanoparticle (NP) exposure on FENO and to assess whether the FENO is increased in workers exposed to nanomaterials (NM).

Six-month follow-up study of health markers of nanomaterials among workers handling engineered nanomaterials.

The aim of this study was to identify the health hazards and possible exposure surveillance markers of workers exposed to nanoparticles during manufacturing and application in comparison to a group of unexposed workers. For this longitudinal study, we recruited 158 nanomaterial-handling workers and 104 non-exposed workers from 14 manufacturing plants in Taiwan (baseline). Among them, 124 nanomaterial-handling workers and 77 unexposed workers were monitored 6 months later.

A simple therapeutic approach to pincer nail deformity using a memory alloy: measurement of response.

Background: Pincer nail deformity (PND) is a dystrophy characterized by transverse overcurvature of the nail plate that may cause intractable pain and decrease the quality of life of patients.

Objectives: To evaluated the efficacy of a superelastic nickel-titanium (SE NiTi) wire for the treatment of PND using transverse curvature improvement and subjective assessment of pain relief during and after the treatment.

Methods: SE NiTi wire was implanted over the distal tip of the nail for the treatment of PND in 43 patients (28 female, 15 male), with a total of 73 digits receiving treatment.