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The clinical outcomes of pyogenic liver abscess treated with cefazolin were comparable to those treated by extended-spectrum cephalosporins. Extended-spectrum cephalosporins should be used for severe complications, such as meningitis and endophthalmitis. Further surveillance of epidemiology and cohort analysis of antimicrobial therapy are important.

ObjectiveTo investigate the risk of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter in patients with periodontitis (PD) in comparison with individuals without PD.MethodsWe used the 1999–2010 Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database to identify cases of PD in the year 2000 matching (1:1) with persons without PD during 1999–2000 according to sex and individual age as the control group. Using Cox proportional regression analysis adjusting for potential confounders, including age, sex, and comorbidities at baseline, and average annual number of ambulatory visits and dental scaling frequency during the follow-up period, we estimated hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to examine the risk of atrial fibrillation or flutter in PD patients in comparison with the control group. Subgroup analyses according to age, gender, or comorbidities were conducted to study the robustness of the association and investigate possible interaction effects.ResultsWe enrolled 393,745 patients with PD and 393,745 non-PD individuals. The incidence rates of atrial fibrillation or flutter were 200 per 105 years among the PD group and 181 per 105 years in the non-PD group (incidence rate ratio, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.06–1.14). After adjusting for potential confounders, we found an increased risk of atrial fibrillation or flutter in the PD group compared with the non-PD group (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.25–1.36). The greater risk of atrial fibrillation or flutter in the PD group remained significant across all disease subgroups except hyperthyroidism and sleep apnea.ConclusionThe present study results indicate an increased risk of atrial fibrillation or flutter in patients with PD. Lack of individual information about alcohol consumption, obesity, and tobacco use was a major limitation.

Objective To examine the feasibility and efficacy of a home-based gait observation intervention for improving walking in Parkinson disease (PD). Design Participants were randomized to an intervention or control condition. A baseline walking assessment, a training period at home, and a post-training assessment were conducted. Setting The laboratory and participants' home and community environments. Participants 23 non-demented individuals with PD experiencing walking difficulty. Intervention In the Gait Observation (intervention) condition, participants viewed videos of healthy and parkinsonian gait. In the Landscape Observation (control) condition, participants viewed videos of moving water. These tasks were completed daily for eight days. Main Outcome Measures Spatiotemporal walking variables were assessed using accelerometers in the laboratory (baseline and post-training assessments) and continuously at home during the training period. Variables included daily activity, walking speed, stride length, stride frequency, leg swing time, and gait asymmetry. Questionnaires including the 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) were administered to determine self-reported change in walking, as well as feasibility. Results At post-training assessment, only the Gait Observation group reported significantly improved mobility (PDQ-39). No improvements were seen in accelerometer-derived walking data. Participants found the at-home training tasks and accelerometer feasible to use. Conclusion Participants found procedures feasible and reported improved mobility, suggesting that observational training holds promise in the rehabilitation of walking in PD. Observational training alone, however, may not be sufficient to enhance walking in PD. A more challenging and adaptive task, and the use of explicit perceptual learning and practice of actions, may be required to effect change.

The incidence of LEA in the Taiwan diabetic population decreased over the study period. The results indicate that efforts to improve diabetic care should be supported and sustainable, especially for those at high risk.