Single-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy and segmentectomy are feasible, and perioperative outcomes are comparable with those of the multiple-incision approach.

The total number of dissected lymph nodes for primary lung cancer surgery by single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was higher than by multiport VATS in univariable, multivariable linear regression and Box-Cox transformed multivariable analyses. This study confirmed that highly effective lymph node dissection could be achieved through single-port VATS in our setting.

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Since 100% inspiratory automatic tube compensation with 5 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure and 5 cm H2O pressure support ventilation with 5 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure reduce the predictive performance of breathing pattern variability, breathing pattern variability measurement during the T-piece trial is the best choice for predicting extubation outcome in intensive care unit patients patients.

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In Taiwan, we found two hepatitis B virus (HBV)- and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-endemic townships, Paisha and Tzukuan, with an anti-HCV prevalence of 19 and 37% in men, and 26 and 38% in women, respectively. The hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive rates were 25 and 18%, for men and women in Paisha, and 25 and 22% in Tzukuan, respectively. According to the national death certification database (1982 to 1991), the annual age-adjusted mortality rates per 100,000 population for liver cancer among men and women were 83.0 and 13.8, respectively, in Paisha, and 55.9 and 17.0 in Tzukuan compared with 30.9 and 9.1 in Taiwan as a whole. The male-to-female ratios were 6.0 in Paisha and 3.3 in Tzukuan. Aetiology of 11 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from Paisha and 14 cases from Tzukuan were analysed. All HCC cases from Paisha were HBsAg positive, while 13/14 HCC cases from Tzukuan were anti-HCV positive. The endemic duration of HCV in Tzukuan seemed long enough to induce HCC, but the HCV appeared to be a newly introduced infection in Paisha.

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