J Formos Med Assoc
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To analyze the outcomes of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in terms of different clinical presentations in a tertiary hospital in Taiwan over a 20- year period. ⋯ Even in advanced cases with ring infiltrate, eradication of infection with anti-amoebic drugs is possible. In those requiring keratoplasty, the surgical timing should be made meticulously considering graft size and signs of dilated pupil/iris atrophy in terms of post-operative glaucoma.
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Corneal avascularity is critical for corneal transparency; therefore, a tailored process has been presumed to minimize corneal neovascularization (NV). In most cell types, the transcription of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is up-regulated, and the stability of VEGF mRNA is sustained by human antigen R (HuR) during hypoxia; however, whether such response applies to corneal epithelial cells is unclear. ⋯ Our study revealed a distinct regulation of VEGF via HuR in HCECs following hypoxia, which likely contributes to minimizing corneal NV and/or maintenance of corneal avascularity.
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Although the lung function test has played an important role in respiratory care for a long time, valid spirometry reference values in the Chinese population in Taiwan remain to be elucidated. ⋯ This study addressed the up-to-date spirometry reference equations and values for a healthy adult Chinese population in Taiwan.
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Although interferon (IFN)-based therapy has been shown to reduce hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development once patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection achieve sustained virologic response (SVR), IFN-based therapy is limited by its multiple adverse effects, non-oral administration, and unsatisfactory SVR rate. In recent years, IFN-free all-oral direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have replaced IFN-based therapy as the standard of care for HCV infection worldwide because of the higher SVR rate and lower incidence of adverse effects. ⋯ Since 2016, the risk of de novo occurrence or recurrence of HCC in hepatitis C patients receiving DAAs has been debatable because of a report addressing an unexpected high early tumor recurrence rate. To solve this important, interesting, yet controversial issue, we thus reviewed the latest and most relevant articles on this subject and proposed recommendations to manage such patients for healthcare providers.