J Formos Med Assoc
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Review
Small airways dysfunction in severe asthma: Current treatment approaches and future directions.
Severe asthma is a significant health concern due to its association with higher mortality rates, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs. These challenges make it a persistent issue for both clinicians and researchers. ⋯ Recent studies demonstrated that small airways dysfunction is found in all asthma severity levels, but it is most pronounced in severe asthma, and greater small airways dysfunction severity correlates with poorer asthma control and a higher frequency of exacerbations. Therefore, therapies aimed at targeting small airways dysfunction are essential for effective asthma management, especially in severe asthma.
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Despite industrialization and advances in healthcare, the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which encompasses Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is increasing in Taiwan. Population-based studies can estimate the incidence or prevalence of IBD; however, there is a lack of information regarding the disease phenotype. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the epidemiologic trends of IBD in Taiwan to gain a more comprehensive understanding. ⋯ In Taiwan, similar to high-income countries, the ratio of UC to CD cases has declined. The reduced of colonic and penetrating CD indicates that diagnostic awareness has improved and colonoscopic examination has become more comprehensive in Taiwan.
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Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs), rare soft tissue neoplasms, are characterized by a blend of myofibroblastic proliferation and inflammatory features. While generally characterized by slow growth, IMTs can exhibit locally aggressive behavior, and in rare instances, metastasize to distant sites. This study elucidated the clinical characteristics, molecular profile, and tumor microenvironment of thoracic IMTs. ⋯ Patients with thoracic IMT patients are typically young with early-stage disease. ALK fusion were the most common genetic alteration, particularly in spindle-cell patterns. Characterization of the tumor microenvironment indicates the potential of immune profiling in the tumor biology and targeted immunotherapy approaches.
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The prone position is commonly used in surgical procedures and is known to cause significant hemodynamic changes, particularly a reduction in cardiac output. This study aimed to explore the relationship between intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), airway pressure, and cardiac output during spine surgeries under general anesthesia. ⋯ Airway pressure is a reliable and noninvasive predictor of significant cardiac output reduction in patients undergoing prone position surgery. Monitoring airway pressure may help identify patients at risk for hemodynamic instability during surgery.