J Formos Med Assoc
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The objectives of this retrospective study are to analyze post-surgical gingival thickness after connective tissue grafting in the Asian population and to assess its tissue stability for up to approximately 3.5 years. ⋯ Connective tissue grafting is a predictable treatment modality for gingival phenotype conversion, even in Asians, achieving nearly 2 mm of gingival thickness on average, post-operation. Tissue stability after connective tissue grafting has been presented in our study. This quantitative assessment of the gingival thickness in Asians may encourage clinicians to deal with soft tissue architecture ahead of main surgical, restorative and orthodontic treatments in order to achieve pleasing treatment outcomes.
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Until now, there are no approved treatment against COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was hypothesized to be active against SARS-CoV2 via antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect; however, HCQ for COVID-19 in clinical use remained debating. In this preliminary report, we presented six patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. ⋯ Low level of interferon-gamma was noted in all patients of different stage of infection and three patients had elevation of IL-17 level. Prolonged virus shedding is still observed regardless HCQ. The impact of HCQ on cytokine kinetics remained unclear; however, IL-17 could be an inflammatory marker for disease status monitor and a potential therapeutic target.
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The study aim was to develop a model for predicting patients with emergency medical service (EMS) witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). ⋯ This newly developed prediction model will help identify high-risk patients with EMS-witnessed OHCA.
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Long non-coding RNA HOXA transcript at the distal tip (HOTTIP) has been reported to contribute to multiple carcinomas, but whether it involves in the progression of precancerous conditions remains to be determined. Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) has been known as an oral potentially malignant disorder and attributed to the persistent activation of the myofibroblast. ⋯ Collectively, our results suggest that HOTTIP plays a crucial role in the persistent activation of myofibroblasts as well as the chronic inflammation and collagen deposition.
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Prognostic factors remain unclear in patients undergoing transcatheter implantation of Venus P-valve for their severe pulmonary regurgitation associated with native right ventricular (RV) outflow tract. ⋯ In the small cohort with severe pulmonary regurgitation, implantation of a Venus P-valve led to promising reductions in RV volume. However, no definite improvement in cardiopulmonary exercise capacity or RV ejection fraction was achieved. Levels of NT-proBNP and LVEDP may be helpful for refining the indications of the Venus P-valve implantation.