Effectiveness of tofacitinib in patients with ulcerative colitis: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of real-world studies.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of tofacitinib for treating moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC).

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were searched from inception up to 18 July 2023.

Perioperative administration of sub-anesthetic ketamine/esketamine for preventing postpartum depression symptoms: A trial sequential meta-analysis.

Objective: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major mental health issue affecting 10%-15% of women globally. This meta-analysis synthesized updated evidence on sub-anesthetic ketamine/esketamine's efficacy in preventing PPD.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ketamine/esketamine to a placebo for PPD prevention were searched without language restriction.

The Use of the Perfusion Index to Predict Post-Induction Hypotension in Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Post-induction hypotension (PIH) is a common and potentially serious complication of general anesthesia. This meta-analysis (Prospero registration number: CRD42024566321) aimed to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the perfusion index (PI) for PIH in patients undergoing general anesthesia. A comprehensive literature search was performed using multiple electronic databases (Google Scholar, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE).

PPARγ activation ameliorates PM2.5-induced renal tubular injury by inhibiting ferroptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been associated with the development and progression of renal disease. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), a key transcription factor involved in inflammation as well as lipid and glucose metabolism, helps maintain the integrity of tubular epithelial cells.

How renal toxins respond to renal function deterioration and oral toxic adsorbent in pH-controlled releasing capsule.

The number of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing. Oral toxin adsorbents may provide some value. Several uremic toxins, including indoxyl sulfate (IS), p-cresol (PCS), acrolein, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and inflammation markers (interleukin 6 [IL-6] and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha) have been shown to be related to CKD progression.

Comparison of Short-Tau Inversion Recovery With Short-Tau Inversion Recovery-Slice Encoding for Metal Artifact Correction for Spine Imaging at 1.5 T in the Setting of Metallic Implants.

Objective: To compare the image quality of short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) and the STIR-slice encoding for metal artifact correction (SEMAC) sequence for postsurgery spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: Twenty-nine patients with metallic spinal implants who underwent spinal 1.5 T MRI with STIR and STIR-SEMAC sequences between July 2016 and November 2020 were retrospectively enrolled.

Assessing the Efficacy of Inferior Vena Cava Collapsibility Index for Predicting Hypotension after Central Neuraxial Block: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The use of ultrasonography to predict spinal-induced hypotension (SIH) has gained significant attention. This diagnostic meta-analysis aimed to investigate the reliability of the inferior vena cava collapsibility index (IVCCI) in predicting SIH in patients undergoing various surgeries. Databases, including Embase, Cochrane Library, Medline, and Google Scholar, were screened until 28 July 2023, yielding 12 studies with 1076 patients (age range: 25.

Association of prognostic nutritional index with prognostic outcomes in patients with glioma: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background: The potential link between Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) and prognosis in patients with glioma remains uncertain. This meta-analysis was conducted to assess the clinical value of PNI in glioma patients by integrating all available evidence to enhance statistical power.

Method: A systematic search of databases including Medline, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library was conducted from inception to January 8, 2023 to retrieve all pertinent peer-reviewed articles.

Micro-elimination of hepatitis C virus infection in the rural and remote areas of Taiwan - A multi-center collaborative care model.

Introduction: Taiwan has several hepatitis C virus (HCV) hyper-endemic areas. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a collaborative HCV care system with an outreach decentralized strategy among the resource-constrained rural/remote areas of Taiwan.

Methods: The pilot study was conducted in four high HCV-endemic townships in the rural/remote areas of Taoyuan, Alishan, Zhuoxi and Xiulin.

Bilateral Simultaneous Central Retinal Vein Occlusion Secondary to COVID-19: A Case Report.

Herein, we report a case of bilateral simultaneous central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) secondary to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A 48-year-old man, with hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and stage 4 chronic kidney disease, diagnosed with COVID-19 1 month ago presented to the ophthalmology department with blurred vision in both eyes for 2 weeks. Ocular examination revealed a classic clinical presentation of CRVO in both eyes.

The Associations between Erythropoietic Response with Inflammation Markers and Perfluorinated Chemicals in Hemodialysis Patients.

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) are used to treat anemia in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We investigated the role of inflammation and accumulation of environmental toxins (perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), such as perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate) in the erythropoietic response of HD patients who receive a fixed monthly continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA) dosage. Forty-five patients underwent three successive phases of ESA treatment for two months each (phase one: 100 µg CERA once monthly; phase two: 50 µg CERA twice monthly; phase three: 100 µg CERA once monthly).

Diagnostic efficacy of sonographic measurement of laryngeal air column width difference for predicting the risk of post-extubation stridor: A meta-analysis of observational studies.

Background: This meta-analysis aimed at assessing the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound-measured laryngeal air column width difference (ACWD) in predicting post-extubation stridor (PES) in intubated adult patients.

Methods: We searched the Medline, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Google scholar databases from inception to October, 2022 to identify studies that examined the diagnostic accuracy of ACWD for PES. The primary outcome was the diagnostic performance by calculating the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC).

The Effects of Yoga Exercise on Blood Pressure and Hand Grip Strength in Chronic Stroke Patients: A Pilot Controlled Study.

Background: We investigated the beneficial effect of add-on yoga with rehabilitation on blood pressure (BP) and hand grip strength in patients with chronic stroke (more than 90 days).

Methods: The study included patients 30-80 years of age who could stand independently for 1 min. Patients with psychiatric diseases or undergoing other therapies (like acupuncture) were excluded.

Double Filtration Plasmapheresis with Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Membrane Lowers Serum Inflammation and Toxins in Patients with Hyperlipidemia.

Hyperlipidemia is increasing in prevalence and is highly correlated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lipid-lowering medications prevent CVD but may not be suitable when the side effects are intolerable or hypercholesterolemia is too severe. Double-filtration plasmapheresis (DF) has shown its therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemia, but its side effects are not yet known.

Particulate Cell Wall Materials of as Vaccine Adjuvant.

We evaluated (LA) for adjuvant application in animal vaccines. LA particles (LAPs) are made by treating LA with purification processes and high-pressure homogenization (HPH). We found that LAPs treated with HPH with trehalose and emulsifiers had an average particle size of 179 nm, considerably smaller than LAPs without additives.

Effect of moxibustion on meridian in a warm needling model: A protocol for a prospective observational study.

Background: Warm needling is a type of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which uses burned moxa to generate warmth and exerts a therapeutic effect on human skin. Additionally, based on TCM theory, warm needling could improve deficiency-cold syndrome. Research has found that warm needling has analgesic effects as well as effects on the immune system, endocrine system, nervous system, and lower urinary tract symptoms.

Feasibility of Arterial Spin Labeling Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Musculoskeletal Tumors with Optimized Post-Labeling Delay.

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to perform perfusion imaging without administration of contrast media. However, the reliability of ASL for musculoskeletal tumors and the influence of post-labeling delay (PLD) have not been fully clarified. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of ASL with different PLDs in the imaging of musculoskeletal tumors.

Modified Albumin-Bilirubin Model for Stratifying Survival in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving Anticancer Therapy.

Albumin−bilirubin (ALBI) grade is an objective and reproducible model for evaluating overall survival (OS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the original ALBI grade was established for patients with Child−Pugh classes A−C. HCC patients with Child−Pugh class C or poor performance status (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage D) usually receive hospice care.

Resveratrol Mitigates Oxygen and Glucose Deprivation-Induced Inflammation, NLRP3 Inflammasome, and Oxidative Stress in 3D Neuronal Culture.

Oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) can produce hypoxia-induced neurotoxicity and is a mature in vitro model of hypoxic cell damage. Activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulates a downstream pathway that substantially increases bioenergy production, which may be a key player in physiological energy and has also been shown to play a role in regulating neuroprotective processes. Resveratrol is an effective activator of AMPK, indicating that it may have therapeutic potential as a neuroprotective agent.

Pentraxin 3 mediates early inflammatory response and EMT process in human tubule epithelial cells induced by PM2.5.

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a multifunctional molecule that mainly expressed in response to proinflammatory stimuli under physiological and pathological conditions. It is produced in tubule epithelial cells that is involved in the innate immune response and inflammatory reactions in the kidney. However, its role in fine particulate matter (PM2.

Meridian study on the response current affected by acupuncture needling direction.

Acupuncture manipulation with needling direction is important for the therapeutic effect based on traditional Chinese medicine theory. However, there is controversy over directional manipulation and therapeutic effect, despite some research showing that acupuncture manipulations may have something to do with therapeutic effect. Moreover, research usually focuses on the therapeutic effects on the acupoints and acupuncture time rather than exploring the manipulation method.

Perfluorooctanesulfonate Can Cause Negative Bias in Creatinine Measurement in Hemodialysis Patients Using Polysulfone Dialysis Membranes.

Serum creatinine is an important clinical marker for renal clearance. However, two conventional methods (Jaffe and enzymatic) are prone to interferences with organic compounds as compared to the standard method (isotope dilution-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) and can cause a significant negative bias. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are two common perfluorochemicals (PFCs) that can easily be accumulated in humans.

Analysis of Meridian Flow Direction by Electrical Stimulation Method.

Meridians constitute the theoretical foundation of acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and they have been described for 2000 years. Classical TCM advocates for the directionality of meridians. Finding an accurate method to verify this directionality is an important goal of TCM doctors and researchers.