Low-Dose Neubotulinum Toxin A versus Low-Dose Abobotulinum Toxin A Injection for the Treatment of Cervical Dystonia: A Multicenter, 48-Week, Prospective, Double-Blinded, Randomized Crossover Design Study.

Various types of botulinum toxin (BoNT) have been studied to treat cervical dystonia (CD). Although high-dose BoNT has proven efficacy, it increases the risk of adverse events. For this reason, this study was planned to identify the non-inferiority efficacy, tolerability, and safety of low-dose neubotulinum toxin A (Neu-BoNT-A) versus low-dose abobotulinum toxin A (Abo-BoNT-A) in CD treatment.

Modification of immunosuppressive agents in a kidney transplant recipient with COVID-19 and acute kidney injury.

Introduction: An outbreak of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has occurred in different parts of the world. Although a large piece of information regarding the epidemiology, clinical features, and management of COVID-19 has been reported in the general population, there is very limited data regarding organ transplant recipients, particularly regarding the management of maintenance immunosuppressive agents during infection.

Methodology: We described a case of kidney transplant recipient from Thailand who had COVID-19 pneumonia and severe acute kidney injury.

Randomized clinical trial: 7-day vonoprazan-based versus 14-day omeprazole-based triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori.

Background And Aim: Vonoprazan has more potent and sustained acid inhibitory effects than proton pump inhibitors; therefore, Helicobacter pylori eradication rates are expected to improve with the use of vonoprazan-based regimens. To date, no randomized trial has compared the efficacy of 7-day vonoprazan-based triple therapy (7-VAC) with 14-day omeprazole-based triple therapy (14-OAC). This study aimed to compare the H.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy for local allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Local allergic rhinitis (LAR) is a phenotype of chronic rhinitis exhibiting a local Th2-driven inflammation without positive clinical markers of atopy. Immunomodulatory effects of allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) induce allergen-specific tolerance. However, AIT is not well-recognized as a treatment for LAR.

Perception of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Personnel on Society Recommendations on Personal Protective Equipment, Case Selection, and Scope Cleaning During Covid-19 Pandemic: An International Survey Study.

Background/aims: The Thai Association for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy published recommendations on safe endoscopy during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to assess the practicality and applicability of the recommendations and the perceptions of endoscopy personnel on them.

Methods: A validated questionnaire was sent to 1290 endoscopy personnel globally.

Recurrence of high-grade vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia after various treatments.

To assess the recurrence of high-grade vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) after various treatments and to determine the factors affecting recurrence. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients with a histologic diagnosis of high-grade VAIN who underwent treatment between 1986 and 2013. Recurrence rates, life table analysis of recurrence-free intervals following treatment, and factors affecting recurrence were analyzed.

Outcomes of an Ear Camp Conducted in Bhutan by Thai Rural ENT Foundation-A Descriptive Study.

Background: The Thai Rural ENT foundation has been conducting ear camps in Bhutan for many years to address the shortage of ENT specialists in the kingdom where patients are examined and treated for various ear illnesses. However, there has been no study conducted to assess the outcomes of such camps. This is the first study of its kind to be carried out in Bhutan.

Droplet-based digital PCR for non-invasive prenatal genetic diagnosis of α and β-thalassemia.

Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) of isolated cell-free DNA from maternal plasma has been applied to detect monogenic diseases in the fetus. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is a sensitive and quantitative technique for NIPD. In the present study, the development and evaluation of ddPCR-based assays for common α and β-thalassemia variants amongst the Asian population was described; specifically, Southeast Asian (SEA) deletion, HbE, and 41/42 (-CTTT).

Feasibility and Performance of Self-Collected Nasal Swabs for Detection of Influenza Virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and Human Metapneumovirus.

Background: We assessed performance of participant-collected midturbinate nasal swabs compared to study staff-collected midturbinate nasal swabs for the detection of respiratory viruses among pregnant women in Bangkok, Thailand.

Methods: We enrolled pregnant women aged ≥18 years and followed them throughout the 2018 influenza season. Women with acute respiratory illness self-collected midturbinate nasal swabs at home for influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV), and human metapneumoviruses (hMPV) real-time RT-PCR testing and the study nurse collected a second midturbinate nasal swab during home visits.

Antioxidant Activity and Anti-Photoaging Effects on UVA-Irradiated Human Fibroblasts of Rosmarinic Acid Enriched Extract Prepared from Leaves.

The current study investigated the inhibiting effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) production in a cell-based study of standardized rosmarinic acid enriched extract (SRAEE) prepared from leaves. HPLC chromatogram revealed that rosmarinic acid is a major component in prepared SRAEE, followed by caffeic acid. SRAEE exhibited antioxidant activity both in vitro and cell-based studies.

24-month outcomes of XEN45 gel implant versus trabeculectomy in primary glaucoma.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety profiles of XEN implant versus trabeculectomy as a surgical intervention for primary glaucoma.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of mild to moderate stage glaucoma patients, who had undergone either XEN implantation or trabeculectomy with adjunctive mitomycin C, was performed in a tertiary eye center.

Results: Fifty-seven eyes for XEN implant and 57 eyes for trabeculectomy with medically uncontrolled glaucoma were included.

Magnetic compression anastomosis via EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy for recanalization of complete common hepatic bile duct transection.

Video 1Magnetic compression anastomosis via EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy for recanalization of complete common hepatic bile duct transection.

Drainage of pancreatic fluid collections using a lumen-apposing metal stent with an electrocautery-enhanced delivery system.

Background And Aim: Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a lumen-apposing metal stent with an electrocautery-enhanced delivery system (EDS-LAMS) for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) in regular clinical practice.

Methods: A retrospective and subsequent prospective analysis was undertaken of all patients who underwent EUS-guided drainage of their PFCs using the EDS-LAMS at 17 tertiary therapeutic endoscopy centers.

Results: Two hundred eight cases of EDS-LAMS deployment were attempted in 202 patients (mean age 52.

COVID-19 and the Liver: Lessons Learnt from the EAST and the WEST, A Year Later.

Globally, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 virus) has been a major cause for significant morbidity and mortality. Since the start of the pandemic, several hepato-biliary manifestations in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been described and unique considerations raised. The review aims to summarize the pathogenesis and hepato-biliary manifestations in COVID-19 and discuss the similarities, contrasting features and disease-specific management across a range of hepato-biliary diseases from the EAST and the WEST.

Oral health status and behaviors of pregnant migrant workers in Bangkok, Thailand: a cross-sectional study.

Background: There is evidence to show that immigrants have poorer oral health status than their local counterparts, and low-skilled migrant workers may also be more prone to poor oral health. This study aims to evaluate the oral health status and oral health behaviors of pregnant migrant workers compared to those of local pregnant women.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a public general hospital in Bangkok.

A Comprehensive Strategy for Improving Nasal Outcomes After Large Maxillomandibular Advancement for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Rate of corrective nasal surgery after maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been reported to be 18.7% for functional and aesthetic indications. Describe a comprehensive strategy to optimize nasal outcomes with MMA for OSA.

Evolving treatment paradigms for PCV.

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a subtype of neovascular AMD (nAMD) that accounts for a significant proportion of nAMD cases worldwide, and particularly in Asia. Contemporary PCV treatment strategies have closely followed those used in typical nAMD, though there are significant gaps in knowledge on PCV management and it remains unclear if these strategies are appropriate. Current clinical trial data suggest intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy alone or in combination with photodynamic therapy is effective in managing haemorrhage and exudation in PCV, although the optimal treatment interval, including as-needed and treat-and-extend approaches, is unclear.

Economic Evaluations of Artificial Intelligence in Ophthalmology.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to cause significant medical quality enhancements and cost-saving improvements in ophthalmology. Although there has been a rapid growth of studies on AI in the recent years, real-world adoption of AI is still rare. One reason may be because the data derived from economic evaluations of AI in health care, which policy makers used for adopting new technology, have been fragmented and scarce.

Real-world Surgical Outcomes of Primary Angle-closure Glaucoma.

Purpose: To evaluate surgical outcomes of the four common procedures utilized for primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG).

Methods: A retrospective study of survival rate in surgical management of PACG was conducted in a referral eye center. One hundred and ninety-nine eyes from 173 PACG patients were collected for chart review.

Current treatment for hepatitis C virus/human immunodeficiency virus coinfection in adults.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection is a major problem among HIV-infected patients, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality rates due to the acceleration of liver fibrosis progression by HIV, leading to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although the efficacy of direct-acting antiviral therapy in patients with HIV/HCV coinfection and HCV monoinfection are similar in terms of sustained virologic response rate, there are some additional complications that arise in the treatment of patients with HIV/HCV coinfection, including drug-drug interactions and HCV reinfection due to the high risk behavior of these patients. This review will summarize the current management of HIV/HCV coinfection.

Coronary artery changes in congenital coronary-cameral fistulas evaluated by computed tomographic angiography.

Purpose: The study sought to determine coronary artery diameter in congenital coronary-cameral fistula (cCCF), factors associated with coronary artery aneurysm, coronary artery changes after fistula closure, and computed tomographic (CT) findings after treatment.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed CT findings of the cCCF for origins, terminations, fistula length, complexities, and Sakakibara classification. Coronary artery diameter was expressed as coronary artery Z score.