J Formos Med Assoc
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The rating result reflects not only the performance of the candidate but some extent of the examiner's preference. Examiner bias could be objective, which means it can't be changed by the examiner like gender, age, race, educational level, or professional experience. No study about examiner bias was performed in the dental education realm, especially in the orthodontic field. Therefore, this study aimed to figure out possible influencing factors in examiners from examples of the Taiwan Board of Orthodontist examination. ⋯ As for the multivariate model of self-prepared exams, the elder and the examiner who work in private practice clinics tend to rate more leniently. As for the multivariate model of the assigned case exam, the score would be only affected by age. However, further studies are necessary to determine the direct relation among these factors.
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Increased uses rather an extensive misuse of antibiotics due to easy availability and easy access have resulted in antibiotic resistance as a global crisis. The speed of discovery of new antibiotics has slowed down recently. Therefore, there is a need to reduce the rate of increase in resistance against the presently available antibiotics, or else many infections may be left untreatable or difficult to be treated due to the high prevalence of resistance. ⋯ Hence, recent molecular methods like qPCR can be used for detection. In this review, we present an overview of various methods useful for the detection of antibiotic resistance, with emphasis on their advantages and limitations. The review also emphasizes qPCR to be the most preferred method out of all because of various advantageous factors.
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Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a novel disease associated with COVID-19. The COVID-19 epidemic peaked in May 2022 in Taiwan, and we encountered our first case of MIS-C in late May 2022. We aimed to present patients' clinical manifestations and identify risk factors for shock. ⋯ MIS-C patients with high initial procalcitonin levels have higher risks of experiencing shock and may need ICU admission.
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Newly developed temporary anchorage devices (TADs) serve a strong orthodontic anchorage to intrude molars for correction of anterior open bite (AOB). We measured cephalometric changes in skeletal open bite patients which developed subsequently to temporomandibular joint disorders with bilateral point contacts at terminal molars. ⋯ Orthodontic correction of OJ remained relatively stable among 90 % of patients with TMJ degeneration by intrusion via TADs. This modern but conservative orthodontic approach can improve occlusal functions in skeletal open bites.