J Formos Med Assoc
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Meta Analysis
Efficacy of levetiracetam for migraine prophylaxis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Migraine is characterized by moderate to severe recurrent headache lasting for 4-72 h. Cortical hyperexcitability may play a crucial role in migraine onset. Therefore, antiepileptic drugs, such as levetiracetam, may be beneficial. ⋯ Our study indicated that levetiracetam can significantly reduce headache frequency and severity in adults and children. Thus, oral levetiracetam can be a therapeutic option for migraine prophylaxis, especially concerning with the adverse effects or teratogenicity of other preventive treatments.
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Autoimmune diseases are diseases in which the body produces an abnormal immune response to self-antigens and damages its own tissues. Programmed death-1 (PD-1) and its ligands (PD-Ls) have been discovered to be important negative regulators of the immune system, playing crucial roles in autoimmunity. ⋯ The PD-1/PD-L pathway plays crucial roles in rheumatic disease. More work is needed to provide a better mechanistic understanding of the PD-1/PD-L pathway and to facilitate the precise therapeutic manipulation of this pathway.
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Prophylactic hemodialysis after coronary angiography in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevents contrast nephropathy; however, the one-year outcomes are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the one-year outcomes of prophylactic hemodialysis against standard treatment in patients with CKD who underwent coronary angiography. ⋯ Prophylactic Hemodialysis following coronary angiography was associated with reduced ESRD and mortality risks in CKD patients with CAD, who did not routinely undergo dialysis.
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Currently, consensus reports on the nutritional management for gastric cancer patients receiving gastric resection are lacking. The Gastroenterological Society of Taiwan therefore organized the Taiwan Gastric Cancer Nutritional Consensus Team to provide an overview of evidence and recommendations on nutritional support for gastric cancer patients undergoing gastrectomy. This consensus statement on the nutritional support for gastric cancer patients has two major sections:(1)perioperative nutritional support; and (2)long-term postoperative nutritional care. ⋯ Compared to late oral feeding, early oral feeding can reduce hospital stay in gastric cancer patients receiving gastrectomy without an increase in complication rate. Routine supplementation with vitamin B12 is indicated for gastric cancer patients undergoing a total gastrectomy. Both high-dose oral vitamin B12 supplementation and intramuscular administration of vitamin B12 are equally effective in the treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency.
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This study aimed to evaluate geographic variations and differences in the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia between Taiwan's townships. ⋯ Geographic variations exist in the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesterolemia. Our findings indicate that the prevention and treatment services in these high prevalence areas should be a priority.