Using machine learning-based algorithms to construct cardiovascular risk prediction models for Taiwanese adults based on traditional and novel risk factors.

Objective: To develop and validate machine learning models for predicting coronary artery disease (CAD) within a Taiwanese cohort, with an emphasis on identifying significant predictors and comparing the performance of various models.

Methods: This study involved a comprehensive analysis of clinical, demographic, and laboratory data from 8,495 subjects in Taiwan Biobank (TWB) after propensity score matching to address potential confounding factors. Key variables included age, gender, lipid profiles (T-CHO, HDL_C, LDL_C, TG), smoking and alcohol consumption habits, and renal and liver function markers.

Incidence and management of metabolic acidosis with sodium bicarbonate in the ICU: An international observational study.

Background: Metabolic acidosis is a major complication of critical illness. However, its current epidemiology and its treatment with sodium bicarbonate given to correct metabolic acidosis in the ICU are poorly understood.

Method: This was an international retrospective observational study in 18 ICUs in Australia, Japan, and Taiwan.

The risks of ubiquinone and β-carotene deficiency and metabolic disorders in patients with oral cancer.

Background: Cancer development is mediated by oxidative stress and inflammation, which may correlate with metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant vitamins status and metabolic parameters in patients with oral cancer according to tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages.

Methods: A total of 194 patients with oral cancer were enrolled in this study.

Antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants increased the bleeding risk of bedside percutaneous dilational tracheostomy in critically ill patients.

Background: The main objective of this study was to investigate the safety of bedside percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) by pulmonologists in critically ill patients, and the factors associated with complications resulting from PDT.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled critically ill patients who had undergone bedside PDT in the intensive care units (ICUs) and respiratory care center from February 2016 to December 2018.

Results: A total of 312 patients were included for analysis, with a mean age of 69.

Miliary Tuberculosis-Related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Complicated with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Syndrome.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) are accompanied with poor outcome and high mortality when miliary tuberculosis is a causative pathogen for both of them. A patient complicated with ARDS and HLH is unusual in critical care, and few case reports are present in PudMed. Besides, the relationship between HLH and ARDS is still unknown and has not been reviewed in the literature.

Ruptured Multifocal Hepatic Aneurysms in a Woman with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Successfully Treated with Transcatheter Arterial Embolization: A Case Report and Literature Review.

To present a first reported case of ruptured multifocal hepatic aneurysms in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who was treated successfully with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in literature, similar cases in the previous English literature were also reviewed and analyzed to summarize the clinical manifestations, management, and outcome in these patients. The data were gathered from the medical record and literature reviews were searched from PudMed. In our review, patients with SLE-related hepatic aneurysms were often middle-aged females.

Optimal Time and Target for Evaluating Energy Delivery after Adjuvant Feeding with Small Bowel Enteral Nutrition in Critically Ill Patients at High Nutrition Risk.

Small bowel enteral nutrition (SBEN) may improve nutrient delivery to critically ill patients intolerant of gastric enteral nutrition. However, the optimal time and target for evaluating SBEN efficacy are unknown. This retrospective cohort study investigates these parameters in 55 critically ill patients at high nutrition risk (modified NUTRIC score ≥ 5).

Targeted Energy Intake Is the Important Determinant of Clinical Outcomes in Medical Critically Ill Patients with High Nutrition Risk.

The clinical conditions of critically ill patients are highly heterogeneous; therefore, nutrient requirements should be personalized based on the patient's nutritional status. However, nutritional status is not always considered when evaluating a patient's nutritional therapy in the medical intensive care unit (ICU). We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study to assess the effect of ICU patients' nutrition risk status on the association between energy intake and clinical outcomes (i.

Relationship of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Oral Cancer.

Oral cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in Taiwan, and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) has also increased globally. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations between the components of MS and oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with oral cancer based on their areca-nut-chewing habits. Two hundred patients diagnosed with oral cancer were recruited, and metabolic parameters, oxidative stress, antioxidant enzyme activities, and inflammatory markers were measured.

Effect of liquid ubiquinol supplementation on glucose, lipids and antioxidant capacity in type 2 diabetes patients: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Ubiquinone is a lipid antioxidant, and a novel liquid ubiquinol (a hydro-soluble, reduced form of coenzyme Q10) supplement was recently developed. The purpose of this study was to examine the levels of glucose, lipids and antioxidant capacity of type 2 diabetes patients after liquid ubiquinol supplementation. This study was designed as a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Young-Adult Polycystic Kidney Disease is Associated with Major Cardiovascular Complications.

Patients with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) might have a risk of cardiovascular diseases because several cardiovascular risk factors are occasionally associated with PKD patients. Data on the association between PKD and the risk of cardiovascular events, including acute coronary syndrome (ACS), stroke, and congestive heart failure (CHF), are scant. Patients aged ≥20 years who were newly diagnosed with PKD (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes 753.

Effects of L-carnitine supplementation on lipid profiles in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: L-carnitine (LC) plays an important physiologic role in lipid metabolism. To date, no clinical study has been performed to examine the effect of LC supplementation on the lipid status of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the lipid lowering effects of LC supplementation (1000 mg/d) in CAD patients.

Risk factors associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis: a nationwide population-based analysis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS). Information about the study participants was extracted from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan for the years 1999 through 2011. We conducted this retrospective cohort study of patients with ARAS to identify the potential risk factors associated with long-term renal outcomes.

Prior statin use and the outcomes in patients with first-attack acute pancreatitis: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: We investigated whether prior stain use before admission for a first-attack AP would reduce the severity and mortality rate of a first-attack of AP with a dose-response relationship.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study from a tertiary medical center's database in Taiwan. We evaluated the dose-response relationship between statin use and the first-attack of AP by defining the daily dose (DDD).

Antiinflammatory effects of L-carnitine supplementation (1000 mg/d) in coronary artery disease patients.

Objective: Inflammation mediators have been recognized as risk factors for the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of L-carnitine supplementation (LC, 1000 mg/d) on inflammation markers in patients with CAD.

Methods: We enrolled 47 patients with CAD in the study.

Acetazolamide-related life-threatening hypophosphatemia in a glaucoma patient.

Acetazolamide-related hypophosphatemia leading to cardiac arrest is extremely rare. Herein we report a 78-year-old female glaucoma patient who developed general weakness and acute respiratory failure, followed by cardiac arrest 1 day after taking acetazolamide. The patient was successfully weaned from the ventilator after correction of hypophosphatemia and fully recovered.

Effects of L-carnitine supplementation on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes activities in patients with coronary artery disease: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Higher oxidative stress may contribute to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of L-carnitine (LC, 1000 mg/d) on the markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes activities in CAD patients.

Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation (300 mg/day) on antioxidation and anti-inflammation in coronary artery disease patients during statins therapy: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: High oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can contribute to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Coenzyme Q10 is an endogenous lipid-soluble antioxidant. Statins therapy can reduce the biosynthesis of coenzyme Q10.

The antioxidant status and concentrations of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E in metabolic syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E and the antioxidant status in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS). Subjects with MS (n = 72) were included according to the criteria for MS. The non-MS group (n = 105) was comprised of healthy individuals with normal blood biochemical values.

A significant correlation between the plasma levels of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin B-6 and a reduced risk of coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma levels of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin B-6 and the risk of CAD. Patients with at least 50% stenosis of one major coronary artery identified by cardiac catheterization were assigned to the case group (n = 45).

Extensive hepatic infarction in severe preeclampsia as part of the HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets): evolution of CT findings and successful treatment with plasma exchange therapy.

Objective: We describe the serial computed tomography (CT) findings of extensive hepatic infarction and successful plasma exchange therapy in a severe preeclamptic woman with postpartum HELLP syndrome.

Case Report: A 38 year-old woman presented with elevated blood pressure of 140-180/90-120 mmHg and 3+ proteinuria at 28 weeks of gestation. Two days after admission, the patient suddenly complained of severe epigastric pain and headache.