Effectiveness and Safety of Regorafenib and TAS-102 in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Taiwan.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the real-world effectiveness and safety of regorafenib and trifluridine/tipiracil (TAS-102) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients in Taiwan.

Materials And Methods: Data were extracted from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database to evaluate the clinical outcomes of mCRC patients treated with either regorafenib or TAS-102 between 2016 and 2019. Overall survival (OS) was compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox's proportional hazard models, adjusting for age, gender, Quan-CCI score, liver metastases, number of metastatic sites, and the use of anti-EGFR medications.

Comparing the Oncologic Outcomes of Proton Therapy and Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose: To compare the oncologic outcomes between proton therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients undergoing curative radiotherapy (RT).

Experimental Design: We studied HNSCC patients who underwent curative-intent RT from 2015 to 2019, comparing the oncologic outcomes of proton therapy and IMRT. Our national retrospective HNSCC cohort study involved three institutes with proton therapy and 17 institutes (medical center levels) with IMRT in Taiwan.

Comparative effectiveness of netupitant-palonosetron plus dexamethasone versus aprepitant-based regimens in mitigating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Despite guidelines for managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), there remains a need to clarify the optimal use of neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonists. Comparing the effectiveness of NEPA (netupitant-palonosetron) plus dexamethasone with other NK1 antagonist-based regimens combined with a 5HT3 receptor antagonist and dexamethasone is crucial for informed decision-making and improving patient outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature to assess randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of NEPA plus dexamethasone and other NK1 antagonist-based regimens combined with a 5HT3 receptor antagonist and dexamethasone.

Statin therapy enhances survival in unresectable stage III lung squamous cell carcinoma with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

To evaluate the impact of statin use on overall survival and lung cancer-specific survival in patients with unresectable stage III lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) undergoing standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Using data from the Taiwan Cancer Registry Database and National Health Insurance Research Database, this propensity score matching cohort study analyzed the influence of statin use during CCRT on overall survival and lung cancer-specific survival. Statin use during CCRT was independently associated with significant improvements in overall survival and lung cancer-specific survival.

How to Prevent Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) in 2024: Theory and Evidence.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. We review emerging concepts and clinical evidence addressing the pathogenesis and prevention of AD. We examine several interventions ranging from skin barrier enhancement strategies to probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics; and conversely, from antimicrobial exposure to vitamin D and omega fatty acid supplementation; breastfeeding and hydrolyzed formula; and house dust mite avoidance and immunotherapy.

Safety, Tolerability, and Preliminary Efficacy of Serplulimab, a Novel Anti-PD-1 Antibody, in Patients with Metastatic or Recurrent Solid Tumors: A Phase I Study.

Background: Serplulimab is a novel, recombinant, humanized, monoclonal, anti-programmed death 1 antibody with a similar or better affinity and pre-clinical antitumor activity than pembrolizumab and nivolumab.

Objective: This phase I, open-label, dose-escalation study evaluated serplulimab in patients with advanced solid tumors. The second interim analysis of the dose-finding phase is reported here.

Comparative Effectiveness of Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy Versus Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy for Patients With Inoperable Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Curative-Intent Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy.

Introduction: This study compared outcomes in patients with inoperable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing curative-intent concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) versus intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT).

Methods: The study encompassed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with inoperable ESCC who underwent curative-intent CCRT from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2020, with data sourced from the Taiwan Cancer Registry Database. In this study, both IMRT and IMPT delivered a total equivalent effective dose of approximately 5040 cGy in 28 fractions, accompanied by platinum-based chemotherapy administered as per established protocols.

Statin use reduces radiation-induced stroke risk in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

Objective: This cohort study aimed to evaluate the impact of statin use on ischemic stroke risk in patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) undergoing standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Methods: Using data from the Taiwan Cancer Registry Database, we conducted an inverse probability of treatment-weighted Cox regression analysis to examine the association between statin use during CCRT and ischemic stroke risk.

Results: The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for ischemic stroke in the statin group compared to the non-statin group was 0.

Antihistamines H1 use on survival outcomes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Taiwan, with poor survival rates despite standard treatment with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Antihistamines H1 (AH1) may have anticancer effects by reducing allergic reactions, activating mitogen-activated protein kinases, and regulating the immune system. However, the impact of AH1 use during CCRT on survival outcomes in patients with ESCC remains uncertain.

Effectiveness of various treatment modalities in children with vesicoureteral reflux grades II-IV: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is one of the most common risk factors of urinary tract infection (UTI) among children. Various treatment modalities including antibiotic prophylaxis, surgical or endoscopic corrections and conservative treatment were used depending on the severity of VUR. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of these treatment modalities in children with VUR grades II-IV by conducting a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Childhood body mass index trajectories and asthma and allergies: A systematic review.

Background: Previous systematic reviews have focused on associations between single time point measures of Body Mass Index (BMI) and asthma and allergic diseases. As BMI changes dynamically during childhood, examination of associations between longitudinal trajectories in BMI and allergic diseases is needed to fully understand the nature of these relationships.

Objective: To systematically synthesise the association between BMI trajectories in childhood (0-18 years) and allergic diseases (asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis, or food allergies outcomes).

Understanding the medication experience of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer taking epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors: A phenomenological study.

Background And Objective: Patients with cancer taking oral antineoplastic medications may encounter problems including suboptimal adherence as well as physical and psychological disease burden. Despite increase in the use of oncology pharmacy services, there are wide variations between healthcare professionals and patient perceptions of patients' medication experiences. The objective of the study was to explore the medication experience of taking oral targeted therapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Is antenatal or early-life vitamin D associated with eczema or food allergy in childhood? A systematic review.

Objective: To summarise the associations between antenatal or early-life blood vitamin D and the development of eczema/food allergy in childhood.

Design: A systematic review and meta-analyses were conducted to synthesize the published literature. Two reviewers independently performed the study selection and data extraction on Covidence.

σ-NagA-L1/L2 Regulatory Circuit Involved in -Mediated Increase in β-Lactam Susceptibility in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

OmpA, the most abundant porin in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia KJ, exists as a two-domain structure with an N-terminal domain of β-barrel structure embedded in the outer membrane and a C-terminal domain collocated in the periplasm. KJΔOmpA, an mutant of S. maltophilia KJ with a truncated OmpA devoid of 299 to 356 amino acids (aa), was able to stably embed in the outer membrane.

Facilitators and barriers to participation in health mothers' groups in improving maternal and child health and nutrition in Nepal : A mixed-methods study.

Background: In Nepal, Health Mother's Groups (HMG) are women's group-based programmes for improving maternal and child health. However, they remain underutilised with only 27% of reproductive-aged women participating in an HMG meeting in 2016. This study aimed to understand the facilitators and barriers to HMG meeting participation.

Association between long-term opioid use and cancer risk in patients with chronic pain: a propensity score-matched cohort study.

Background: Whether long-term opioid use is an independent risk factor for cancer progression remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted a propensity score-matched population-based cohort study to compare cancer incidence between patients with chronic pain with and without opioid use.

Methods: Data from January 2008 to December 2019 were obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

Sarcopenia as an Independent Risk Factor for Specific Cancers: A Propensity Score-Matched Asian Population-Based Cohort Study.

Purpose: Whether preexisting sarcopenia is an independent risk factor for cancer incidence remains unclear. Therefore, we performed this propensity score (PS)-matched (PSM) population-based cohort study to compare the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of specific cancers between patients with and without sarcopenia. Patients and Methods: The patients were categorized into two groups according to the presence or absence of sarcopenia, matched at a 4:1 ratio.

Associations between Body Mass Index Trajectories in the first two years of life and Allergic Rhinitis, Eczema and Food Allergy outcomes up to early adulthood.

Background: Early life body mass index (BMI) trajectories influence the risk of asthma at 18 years of age. However, it is unclear if these are also associated with other allergic diseases.

Objectives: We investigated the associations between BMI trajectories and subsequent allergic rhinitis, eczema and food sensitisation/allergies.