J Formos Med Assoc
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Although social cognitive deficits were found in euthymic patients of bipolar disorder (BD), the characteristics of social cognition in Han Chinese euthymic BD patients remain obscure. This study aimed to examine social cognition in Han Chinese euthymic BD patients relative to healthy controls (HC). Moreover, we explore the differences in social cognition between euthymic BD I and BD II patients. ⋯ Euthymic Han Chinese BD patients exhibit significant social cognitive deficits in understanding emotion and cognitive dysfunction in attention and executive function. Furthermore, Han Chinese BD I patients showed similar social cognitive and general cognitive ability as compared with BD II patients. Social cognitive rehabilitation on both euthymic BD I and II patients should be considered.
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For locally advanced head and neck cancers, intra-arterial (IA) chemotherapy is utilized for locoregional control with favorable results. The study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes of microsurgical reconstruction in head and neck cancer patients with IA chemotherapy METHODS: This cohort study retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent head and neck microsurgical reconstruction from January 2014 to August 2018. Patients with prior history of chemotherapy were included and categorized into two groups according to history of IA chemotherapy (IA group)/intravenous chemotherapy (IV group). Flap survival was evaluated along with microsurgical revision rates and complications. Recipient vessel specimens were analyzed by histological examination. A 1:1 propensity score matched analysis was performed. ⋯ The study cohort included 45 patients with IA chemotherapy and 201 patients with IV chemotherapy. After propensity score matching, the difference in total flap loss and microsurgical revision rates were nonsignificant between two groups. However, the IA group had significantly higher rates of arterial thrombosis (Odds ratio [OR] 4.98; 95%CI, 1.28-19.38; p = 0.021), wound-related complications (OR 3.30; 95%CI, 1.21-9.02; p = 0.02) and revision surgery within one month (OR 3.73; 95%CI, 1.10-12.64; p = 0.035). Based on histology, IA group vessels showed a higher intima/media ratio than the IV group (0.45 ± 0.06 versus 0.23 ± 0.03, p = 0.02) CONCLUSION: Despite treating local advanced head and neck cancers with good results, IA chemotherapy may cause subsequent deleterious effects on local tissue due to the high concentration of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents. Surgeons should be cautious in selection of recipient vessels when performing microvascular reconstruction.
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The purpose of this study was to determine the pathogens and to estimate the incidence of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Taiwan. ⋯ CAP related pathogens have changed after increased conjugated pneumococcal vaccination rates. This study described the latest incidences and trends of CAP pathogens, which are crucial for prompt delivery of appropriate therapy.
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Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a novel treatment option for cancer therapy, which help direct the immune system to recognize and target cancer cells. ICIs have been shown to provide significant mortality benefits for cancer patients, but they are also associated with immune-mediated toxicity. ⋯ The present review summarizes the current understanding of ICI-associated cardiotoxicities, examining the epidemiology and timing of onset, as well as their clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, pathophysiology, clinical management and outcomes. Although the literature describing ICI-associated cardiotoxicity remains limited to case reports, case series and early clinical trials, strategies for the surveillance, diagnosis and management of this potentially fatal cardiovascular complication of cancer therapy have been proposed.
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Long-term nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy has been shown to improve the survival in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and factors associated with survival in HBV-related cirrhotic patients receiving long-term NA treatment. ⋯ Antiviral therapy improves liver function of HBV-related cirrhotic patients and provides a better chance of curative treatment in those with HCC development. Decompensated cirrhosis is a risk factor for liver-related mortality in this special clinical setting.