The role of preoperative serum thyroglobulin in the diagnosis and treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Serum thyroglobulin (Tg) is a critical marker for monitoring tumor recurrence and metastasis in patients who have undergone total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). While the definitive role of preoperative serum Tg in DTC is not yet established, studies suggest its importance in differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology, as well as in predicting distant metastasis (DM) in patients with DTC.

Methods: A thorough literature review was conducted on the use of preoperative serum Tg in differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid nodules, and in evaluating the extent of DTC lesions.

The prognostic implication of skip metastasis to lateral neck in patients with papillary thyroid cancer.

Background: Pre-operative detection of skip metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is significant in preventing recurrence. The study aimed to investigate the characteristics and prognosis of skip metastasis to lateral neck in PTC patients by a cross-sectional study.

Methods: Between 2013 and 2016, 494 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for PTC and positive lateral lymph node metastases (LLNM) were retrospectively identified.

Psychometric properties of the Taiwan version of Emotion Dysregulation Inventory in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Background: While the Emotion Dysregulation Inventory (EDI) for autistic people has been validated in many Western countries, its psychometric properties have remained unclear in East Asia.

Methods: We translated the EDI into traditional Chinese and evaluated its psychometric properties among autistic children and youth in Taiwan. We enrolled 200 participants (182 male/18 female) aged 7-30 years from five clinical trials and conducted secondary analyses, assessing internal consistency reliability, confirmatory factor analysis, and convergent validity.

Nomograms to predict occult contralateral central lymph node metastases in unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma with ipsilateral clinical lymph node metastasis.

Background: No significant difference in disease-specific survival and recurrence-free survival exists between papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients with high-risk features subjected to lobectomy and thyroidectomy. However, it is unclear which type of patients with unilateral PTC combined with ipsilateral clinical involved lymph nodes (cN1) can receive a less aggressive treatment.

Methods: We collected the medical records of 631 patients diagnosed with unilateral PTC and ipsilateral cN1.

The associations between self-rated autistic traits, social camouflaging, and mental health outcomes in Taiwanese anime, comics and games (ACG) doujin creators: an exploratory study.

Background: Doujin (どうじん) is a Japanese term referring to a circle where people share the same interests, usually something that belongs to the Anime, Comics, and Games (ACG) subculture. Individuals who belong to it and create related works, known as ACG doujin creators, are usually described as socially awkward and at potential risk of isolation. In such a context, they may theoretically exhibit higher autistic traits and manifest camouflaging tendencies, which may consequently be associated with their mental health.

Effect and Safety of Apatinib as Neoadjuvant Therapy in Locally Advanced Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Phase 2 Trial.

Context: Presently, there is a paucity of prospective clinical trials investigating neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced thyroid cancer.

Objective: This study was a multicenter, open-label, single-arm, phase II trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of apatinib as neoadjuvant therapy in patients with local advanced differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).

Methods: Patients were treated with preoperative apatinib over a course of 2 to 4 cycles, culminating in surgical resection.

Solar Azo-Switches for Effective E→Z Photoisomerization by Sunlight.

Natural photoactive systems have evolved to harness broad-spectrum light from solar radiation for critical functions such as light perception and photosynthetic energy conversion. Molecular photoswitches, which undergo structural changes upon light absorption, are artificial photoactive tools widely used for developing photoresponsive systems and converting light energy. However, photoswitches generally need to be activated by light of specific narrow wavelength ranges for effective photoconversion, which limits their ability to directly work under sunlight and to efficiently harvest solar energy.

Icodextrin-induced acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis in a patient with peritoneal dialysis.

Icodextrin has been widely prescribed for peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients with inadequate ultrafiltration, but icodextrin induced acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) has been not well recognized in clinical practice. We described a young-aged female with IgA nephropathy and end stage kidney disease under continuous automated peritoneal dialysis. She developed skin erythema with exfoliation over the groin 7th day after initiation of icodextrin based PD dialysate.

BRAF mutation does not predict lymph node metastases and recurrence in Chinese papillary thyroid microcarcinoma patients.

Object: Previous studies suggest BRAF mutation is a marker for poor prognosis in papillary thyroid cancer, however, its ability to further risk stratify papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) remains controversial. We aimed to explore the association between BRAF mutation and the clinicopathological features and recurrence in Chinese PTMC patients.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 2094 PTMC patients who underwent surgery and had a valid BRAF mutation test result.

The potential value of ultrasound in predicting local refractory/relapse events in primary thyroid lymphoma patients.

Background: Primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) is a rare malignant disorder, and ultrasound plays an important role in PTL diagnosis and follow-up surveillance. Prediction of refractory/relapse events in PTL patients is an essential issue, yet no ultrasonic PTL features have been discovered to be related to refractory/local relapse events.

Methods: From January 2008 to September 2022, newly diagnosed PTL patients in our center who underwent standard first-line treatment and received an ultrasound examination before treatment were enrolled.

Feasibility of whole-exome sequencing in fine-needle aspiration specimens of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma for the identification of novel gene mutations.

Genetic profiling is important for assisting the management of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). Although whole-exome sequencing (WES) of surgically resected PTMC tissue has been performed and revealed potential prognostic biomarkers, its application in PTMC fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens has not been explored. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of WES using FNA specimens of PTMC.

A Long-Term Study Comparing the Quality of Life and Psychological Status of Patients with Highly Suspicious Thyroid Nodules ≤1 cm Undergoing Active Surveillance with Those Undergoing Immediate Surgery.

Limited information is available on the long-term impact of active surveillance (AS) and immediate surgery (IS) on the quality of life (QoL) and psychological status of patients with highly suspicious subcentimeter thyroid nodules. A prospective study was conducted on 752 patients showing highly suspicious subcentimeter thyroid nodules, among whom 584 chose AS and 168 chose IS. All patients underwent at least two assessments regarding their QoL and psychological status, using three questionnaires: Thyroid Cancer-Specific Quality of Life (THYCA-QoL), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (QLQ-C30).

Scenario- and discussion-based approach for teaching preclinical medical students the socio-philosophical aspects of psychiatry.

Background: This study used a scenario- and discussion-based approach to teach preclinical medical students the socio-philosophical aspects of psychiatry and qualitatively evaluated the learning outcomes in a medical humanities course in Taiwan.

Methods: The seminar session focused on three hypothetical psychiatry cases. Students discussed the cases in groups and were guided by facilitators from multiple disciplines and professions.

Criteria to Evaluate Tumor Enlargement During the Active Surveillance of High-Risk Thyroid Nodules: Which is Better, Diameter or Volume?

Introduction: Tumor enlargement is the most common parameter identifying disease progression during active surveillance, but the value and significance of the changes in tumor diameter and volume in the evaluation of tumor growth have not been compared.

Methods: This cohort study included 468 patients with high-risk thyroid nodule, in whom nodule size change was monitored using ultrasound, to compare the changes in tumor diameter and volume in assessing tumor growth.

Results: A total of 569 high-risk thyroid nodules were found in the 468 patients.

Sjogren's syndrome related autoimmune encephalopathy presenting as depression and involuntary agitation in a 15-year-old girl: a case report.

Introduction: Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that commonly involves exocrinopathy. Although studies have reported psychiatric manifestations resulting from Sjogren's syndrome, few studies have focused on such manifestations in pediatric patients. Herein, we present a case of an adolescent girl with depression and involuntary self-harm behaviors related to Sjogren's syndrome with central nervous system involvement.

Exploring camouflaging by the Chinese version Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire in Taiwanese autistic and non-autistic adolescents: An initial development.

Camouflaging is a coping strategy used by some autistic and other neurodivergent people to fit in neurotypical social contexts. The self-reported Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire has been validated for use in research with adults in some Western societies, but not in non-Western cultural-ethnic groups. We translated Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire into traditional Chinese and examined the use of this measure in Taiwanese adolescents via both self-report and caregiver-report in 100 autistic and 105 non-autistic adolescents.

Using preoperative ultrasound vascularity characteristics to estimate medullary thyroid cancer.

Background: The early diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is still a challenge in clinical practice. Based on ultrasound features, many MTC cases without suspicious characteristics are not categorized as high risk for malignancy. This study was designed to comprehensively investigate the ultrasonic features of MTC on ultrasound and help identify thyroid nodules with a high risk of MTC.

Rapid detection of nicotine and benzoic acid in e-liquids with surface-enhanced Raman scattering and artificial intelligence-assisted spectrum interpretation.

Electronic cigarettes have rapidly gained acceptance recently. Nicotine-containing electronic cigarette liquids (e-liquids) are prohibited in some countries, but are permitted and simply available online in others. A rapid detection method is therefore required for on-site inspection or screening of a large amount of samples.

Qualitative and quantitative superb vascular imaging in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules ≤10 mm based on the Chinese Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System 4 (C-TIRADS 4).

Background: To compare qualitative and quantitative superb microvascular imaging (SMI) and determine the value of SMI in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules (TNs) ≤10 mm based on the Chinese Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System 4 (C-TIRADS 4).

Methods: From October 2020 to June 2022, 106 patients with 109 C-TIRADS 4 (C-TR4) TNs (81 malignant, 28 benign) at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital were included. Qualitative SMI reflected the vascular pattern of the TNs and quantitative SMI was recorded by the vascular index (VI) of the nodules.

Active surveillance versus immediate surgery: A comparison of clinical and quality of life outcomes among patients with highly suspicious thyroid nodules 1 cm or smaller in China.

Introduction: Active surveillance (AS) is considered an alternative to immediate surgery (IS) for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) patients. However, it is difficult to decide between AS and IS due to limited evidence regarding risks and benefits for patients in China.

Methods: This study prospectively enrolled 485 patients with highly suspicious thyroid nodules View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Survival prognostic factors for differentiated thyroid cancer patients with pulmonary metastases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The prognostic factors for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients with pulmonary metastases (PM) remain scantly identified and analyzed. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to identify and summarize the prognostic factors in adult DTC patients with PM to help distinguish patients with different prognoses and inform the rational treatment regimens.

Method: We performed a comprehensive search of the relevant studies published in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Wanfang database, VIP database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Google Scholar from their inception until February 2021.

Diabetic Patients With Rosacea Increase the Risks of Diabetic Macular Edema, Dry Eye Disease, Glaucoma, and Cataract.

Purpose: Inflammation plays a role in diabetic eye diseases, but the association between rosacea and eye diseases in patients with diabetes remains unknown.

Design: This retrospective cohort study used claims data from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan to investigate the association between rosacea and eye diseases in patients with diabetes.

Materials And Methods: Taiwanese patients diagnosed as having diabetes mellitus between January 1, 1997, and December 31, 2013, and using any hypoglycemic agents were included and divided into rosacea and nonrosacea groups.

Active surveillance of highly suspicious thyroid nodules cohort in China shows a worse psychological status in younger patients.

Background: Active surveillance has been considered a safe alternative to surgery for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. This study aimed to assess the oncological outcomes and psychological status of active surveillance of highly suspicious thyroid nodules ≤10 mm in China.

Methods: This prospective single-center cohort study enrolled 336 patients with highly suspicious thyroid nodules for active surveillance to assess oncological outcomes and psychological status.