A novel mesophilic, hydrogenotrophic methanogen, strain CWC-01, was isolated from the sediment sample of the piston core collected at station 3 at Good Weather Ridge area offshore southwestern Taiwan from ORI-902A cruise in 2009. Cells of strain CWC-01 are rod-shaped, measuring 0.4-0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA novel mesophilic, hydrogenotrophic methanogen, strain CWC-04, was obtained from a sediment sample extracted from a gravity core retrieved at station 22 within the KP-9 area off the southwestern coast of Taiwan during the ORIII-1368 cruise in 2009. Cells of strain CWC-04 were rod-shaped, 1.4-2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Various postoperative staging systems were developed to assess the outcome of differentiated thyroid cancer from initial risk after surgery to dynamic changing prognosis during follow-up. The objective of our retrospective cohort study was to identify risk factors contributing to macroscopic positive surgical margin (R2 resection) and parameters in discriminating the treatment responses and prognosis among R2 patients.
Methods: In total, 242 differentiated thyroid cancer patients with extrathyroidal extension who underwent a thyroidectomy at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between January 2013 and July 2018, were included.
Introduction: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) with autoreactivity is often resistant to antihistamines. Autologous whole blood injection (AWBI) has shown potential efficacy in the treatment of this disease, but it is controversial. It is necessary to screen patients who are suitable for this therapy in advance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive management strategy that has been widely applied for benign and recurrent malignant thyroid lesions as an alternative to surgery in Taiwan. Members of academic societies for specialists in interventional radiology, endocrinology, and endocrine surgery collaborated to develop the first consensus regarding thyroid RFA in Taiwan. The modified Delphi method was used to reach a consensus.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFKaohsiung J Med Sci
February 2023
This retrospective study was designed to compare the treatment response of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) prepared for radioiodine ablation (RIA) with thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) or recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) stimulation. Patients with DTC were followed-up retrospectively between 2013 and 2018 in Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan. We compared the excellent response ratios between THW (49.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The application of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for recurrent thyroid cancer has been demonstrated to effectively manage lesions at critical locations, such as abutting the trachea, with limited complications. Comprehensive investigation of both biochemical (B) and structural (S) change after RFA remains limited. We herein present the first single-center experience of RFA for the treatment of locoregional recurrent thyroid cancer in Taiwan.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Growth differentiation factor (GDF15) is a superfamily of transforming growth factor-beta which has been suggested to be correlated with various pathological conditions. The current study aimed to investigate the predicted role of circulating GDF15 in diabetic metabolism characteristics and diabetic neuropathy. Methods: 241 diabetic patients and 42 non-diabetic subjects were included to participate in the study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Nodule rupture is a relatively uncommon yet severe complication of radiofrequency ablation (RFA). When nodule rupture occurs, determining suitable therapeutic management is a critical issue. A study herein aimed to identify the predictive factors affecting the management of post-RFA nodule rupture.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The incidence of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) has increased rapidly in recent decades, with a favorable overall prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treating low-risk PTMC in Taiwan.
Methods: This prospective study included patients with PTMC who were ineligible or refused surgery and underwent US-guided RFA between October 2018 and June 2020.
Blastocystis is a common enteric protist that is linked to intestinal and extra-intestinal diseases. At least 24 subtypes (STs) have been described, with the main colonization of ST1-ST4 in humans. In our attempt to determine the distribution of Blastocystis STs in Olsztyn and surroundings in northeastern Poland, 319 stool samples from volunteers were subjected to copro-ELISA and PCR testing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcute urticaria (AU) is the most frequently reported immediate hypersensitivity reaction in skin by administration of iodinated contrast media (ICM). We aimed to establish the pattern and identify the risk factors of AU among inpatients undergoing non-emergent coronary angiography (CAG) with prophylactic corticosteroids in China. Medical records of 19,326 adult inpatients undergoing non-emergent CAG with prophylactic methylprednisolone in 2013-2019 were retrospectively investigated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: An intrathoracic goiter (ITG) is defined as a thyroid extension below the sternal notch. Compared to cervical goiters, surgery for ITG is more challenging, with a higher risk of an extracervical approach. Ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To evaluate the feasibility of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on follicular neoplasm with low standard uptake value (SUV) in a Positron emission tomography (PET/CT) study.
Methods: From January 2018 to July 2019, 86 consecutive patients were diagnosed with follicular neoplasm. Of the patients, 28 with PET/CT scans were enrolled in this study.
Background: Acne vulgaris is a common pilosebaceous disease associated with Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). Resolution of comedones may occur in association with shrunken sebaceous glands (SGs) containing de-differentiated cells, however the role of P.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcne is an androgen-dependent inflammatory disease of sebaceous follicles. Herein, we reviewed and discussed the underlying pathways of androgen biosynthesis and metabolism, non-genomic regulation of androgen receptor expression and function, posttranslational regulation of androgen excess in acne and acne-associated syndromes, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. We provide insights into the involvement of sex hormones, particularly androgens, in skin homeostasis and acne pathogenesis, including comedogenesis, lipogenesis, microbiota, and inflammation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Allergic contact dermatitis to cosmetics (ACDC) complicates the diagnosis and treatment of rosacea, and is increasingly observed in daily practice.
Aims: The present study aimed to identify the contact allergens responsible for ACDC in Chinese female rosacea patients with or without suspected ACDC (SACDC).
Methods: From a total of 1267 women with rosacea, 122 with SACDC, 145 without SACDC, and 100 age-matched healthy controls without rosacea or SACDC were examined on a voluntary basis.
Inconsistent data exist regarding the diagnostic value of acanthosis nigricans (AN) or skin tags as clinical markers for obesity or diabetes. In an outpatient department-based prospective study, we designed a scoring for AN severity (SCANS) to evaluate AN and skin tags, their correlation with obesity or diabetes. Quantification of AN in six anatomic sites, in consideration of the affected skin surface areas, texture changes, number of skin tags, leads to a total severity score between 0 and 46.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: DOORS syndrome (deafness, onychodystrophy, osteodystrophy, mental retardation and seizures; MIM 220500) is a rare multisystem genetic disorder, mainly characterized by sensorineural deafness, shortened terminal phalanges with small nails of hands and feet, intellectual deficit, and seizures. The disease is caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in the TBC1 domain family member 24 (TBC1D24) gene (gene locus/MIM 613577) on chromosome 16p13.
Objectives: We report the first case of DOORS syndrome from Indonesia.
Antibiotic resistance in acne was first observed in the 1970s, and since the 1980s has become a major concern in dermatologic daily practice. The mechanisms for this type of resistance include biofilm formation that promotes virulence and the transmission of resistant bacterial strains. Genetic mutations with modification of ribosomal RNA, alteration in efflux pumps, and enzymatic inactivation are able to create resistance to tetracyclines and macrolides.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDifferentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) survivors are at increased risk of developing double primary malignancy (DPM). The aim of this study was to investigate clinicopathological characteristics and survival in DTC patients diagnosed with DPM. A total of 975 patients with DTC diagnosed between 2013 and 2017, treated, and followed at a medical center in Taiwan were retrospectively reviewed.
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