Characterization and evaluation of the adsorption of uremic toxins through the pyrolysis of pineapple leaves and peels and by forming a bio-complex with sodium alginate.

This study was performed to develop an optimal process for manufacturing activated carbon (AC) from pineapples' off-cuts (leaves and peels; PL and PP) by pyrolysis and for forming a bio-complex with sodium alginate (CA). In addition, the physicochemical properties were also explored under different preparation conditions, and the effects of adsorbed uremic toxins in three simulated gastrointestinal conditions (in vitro) were evaluated. This study showed that pyrolysis at 800 °C and activation by CO (30 min) resulted in satisfactory porous profiles with high specific surface areas of 388.

The emergency medical service dispatch recommendation system using simulation based on bed availability.

Objective: The number of patients using emergency medical services (EMS) through ambulance dispatch has been increasing annually in Taiwan. Due to limited medical resource allocation, patients may not get on-time admission after they are sent to a hospital Emergency Department. This study aimed to construct a forecasting system to predict the availability of ED and ICU beds.

Optimization of Tensile Strength and Cost-Effectiveness of Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol in Fused Deposition Modeling Using the Taguchi Method and Analysis of Variance.

This paper investigates the optimization of tensile strength, tensile strength per unit weight, and tensile strength per unit time of polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) material in fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology using the Taguchi method and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Unlike previous studies that typically focused on optimizing a single mechanical property, our research offers a multi-dimensional evaluation by simultaneously optimizing three critical quality characteristics: tensile strength, tensile strength per unit weight, and tensile strength per unit time. This comprehensive approach provides a broader perspective on both the mechanical performance and production efficiency, contributing new insights into the optimization of PETG in FDM.

Diterpenoid from as a Potential Radiation Sensitizer in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An In Vitro Study.

Radiotherapy combined with a radiosensitizer represents an important treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Only a few chemotherapy agents are currently approved as radiosensitizers for targeted therapy. Oral squamous cell carcinoma is one of the deadliest cancers, with approximately ~500,000 new diagnosed cases and 145,000 deaths worldwide per year.

Subcortical volumes and cognition in CADASIL - A pilot study.

Background: Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) represents the most common heritable cause of vascular dementia. Subcortical volumes might be proxies of brain reserve capacity and reflective of cognitive function. We explored the impact of subcortical volumes on cognition in CADASIL patients.

Analysis of risk factors for patients with traumatic optic neuropathy and comparison of visual outcomes of management strategies.

Background: Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is a rare complication of facial trauma that results in vision loss. Clinical diagnosis of TON is based on a history of head trauma and an ophthalmic examination; however, the risk factors for TON and the ideal treatment strategy remain undetermined. This study aimed to identify predictive risk factors for TON and evaluate the effectiveness of current treatments with respect to visual outcomes in patients with TON.

Comparing the imaging characteristics of middle-aged patients with multiple sclerosis and CADASIL: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Background: Few studies have quantitatively analyzed the imaging disparities between multiple sclerosis (MS) and cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL). We aimed to compare the imaging characteristics of MS and CADASIL in middle-aged patients.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study used a single-center database and included patients aged 40-60 years with MS and CADASIL who underwent the designated imaging protocol including 3D T1-weighted imaging and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), diffusion tensor imaging and susceptibility-weighted imaging between January 2018 and March 2023.

Bone Tissue Engineering with Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Polycaprolactone/Graphene Oxide/Dexamethasone 3D-Printed Scaffolds.

We fabricated three-dimensional (3D)-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) and PCL/graphene oxide (GO) (PGO) scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. An anti-inflammatory and pro-osteogenesis drug dexamethasone (DEX) was adsorbed onto GO and a 3D-printed PGO/DEX (PGOD) scaffold successfully improved drug delivery with a sustained release of DEX from the scaffold up to 1 month. The physicochemical properties of the PCL, PGO, and PGOD scaffolds were characterized by various analytical techniques.

Very early neurological deterioration during intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Background: Neurological deterioration within 24 h after intravenous thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is associated with poor outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This study aimed to elucidate the features of neurological deterioration specifically during tPA infusion in these patients.

Methods: We analyzed patients with AIS receiving thrombolysis between January 2018 and December 2021.

Hemorrhagic Transformation in Noncardioembolic Acute Ischemic Stroke: MRI Analysis From PACIFIC-STROKE.

Background: In the phase 2 PACIFIC-STROKE trial (Proper Dosing and Safety of the Oral FXIa Inhibitor BAY 2433334 in Patients Following Acute Noncardioembolic Stroke), asundexian, an oral factor XIa inhibitor, did not increase the risk of hemorrhagic transformation (HT). In this secondary analysis, we aimed to investigate the frequency, types, and risk factors of HT on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the PACIFIC-STROKE trial.

Remote Ischemic Conditioning in Stroke Recovery.

Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is a therapeutic strategy to protect a vital organ like the brain from ischemic injury through brief and repeat cycles of ischemia and reperfusion in remote body parts such as arm or leg. RIC has been applied in different aspects of the stroke field and has shown promise. This narrative review will provide an overview of how to implement RIC in stroke patients, summarize the clinical evidence of RIC on stroke recovery, and discuss unresolved questions and future study directions.

Prevalence and clinical features of carotid artery web in patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke.

Purpose: Carotid artery web (CaW) is a rare focal fibromuscular dysplasia that can lead to embolic strokes with large vessel occlusion. This condition can be effectively treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Our study aims to assess the prevalence of CaW among patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who underwent EVT and to compare the clinical characteristics of CaW with other carotid artery pathologies.

A Study on Decision-Making for Improving Service Efficiency in Hospitals.

The provision of efficient healthcare services is essential, driven by the increasing demand for healthcare resources and the need to optimize hospital operations. In this context, the motivation to innovate and improve services while addressing urgent concerns is critical. Hospitals face challenges in managing internal dispatch services efficiently.

Giant Interpectoral Lipoma Causing Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A Rare Case Presentation.

Lipomas are the most prevalent type of benign soft tissue tumors, primarily composed of adipocytes, and typically remain asymptomatic unless they reach a significant size. Although giant lipomas are infrequent, their occurrence on the chest wall, particularly in the interpectoral region, is exceedingly rare. We present a unique case of a 48-year-old man with a massive interpectoral lipoma measuring 19.

Comparing Low- or Standard-Dose Alteplase in Endovascular Thrombectomy: Insights From a Nationwide Registry.

Background: Timely intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy are the standard reperfusion treatments for large vessel occlusion stroke. Currently, it is unknown whether a low-dose thrombolytic agent (0.6 mg/kg alteplase) can offer similar efficacy to the standard dose (0.

Facial Anthropometric Analysis of Gender-Related Characteristics in Computed Tomography.

Background: In recent years, facial feminization surgery (FFS) has gained increasing popularity because of increases in transgender individuals and the acceptance of diversity in gender identity. However, there is still a scarcity of anthropometric research to guide evidence-based practices for FFS in Taiwan.

Aim And Objectives: The purpose of this study was to provide a reference for surgeons to achieve optimal outcomes for patients undergoing FFS.

Effect of the Factor XIa Inhibitor Asundexian According to Baseline Infarct Pattern and on MRI Covert Infarct Outcomes.

Background: Exploratory analysis of the phase 2 PACIFIC-Stroke (Program of Anticoagulation via Inhibition of FXIa by the Oral Compound BAY 2433334-Non-Cardioembolic Stroke) randomized trial suggested that asundexian, an oral factor XIa inhibitor, prevents recurrent stroke and transient ischemic attacks in patients with atherosclerotic stroke. In this post hoc exploratory analysis, we hypothesized that asundexian would be more effective in patients enrolled with large, multiple, or cortical acute infarcts on magnetic resonance imaging than in patients enrolled with a single small subcortical acute infarct, and asundexian would prevent incident cortical covert infarcts.

Methods: In this placebo-controlled double-blinded randomized controlled trial, patients with mild-to-moderate noncardioembolic ischemic stroke were assigned to asundexian (10, 20, or 50 mg once daily) or placebo, in addition to antiplatelet therapy.