Ventilatory variables and computed tomography features in COVID-19 ARDS and non-COVID-19-related ARDS: a prospective observational cohort study.

Background: This study compared the ventilatory variables and computed tomography (CT) features of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) versus those of patients with pulmonary non-COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) during the early phase of ARDS.

Methods: This prospective, observational cohort study of ARDS patients in Taiwan was performed between February 2017 and June 2018 as well as between October 2020 and January 2024. Analysis was performed on clinical characteristics, including consecutive ventilatory variables during the first week after ARDS diagnosis.

Oleanolic acid inhibits aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10-induced cancer stemness and avoids cisplatin-based chemotherapy resistance via the Snail signaling pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.

Background/purpose: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common malignancy often associated with poor prognosis due to chemoresistance. In this study, we investigated whether arecoline, a major alkaloid in betel nuts, can stimulate aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) levels in OSCC, promoting cancer stemness and leading to resistance to cisplatin (CDDP)-based chemotherapy.

Materials And Methods: Gain- and Loss- of AKR1B10 functions were analyzed using WB and q-PCR of OSCC cells.

Hypofractionated image-guided radiotherapy with 70 Gy in 28 fractions for prostate cancer confined to the pelvis: a single institute experience in Taiwan.

Background: The incidence of prostate cancer is increasing in Asian countries. Although moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy is not inferior to conventional fractionated radiation according to the updated guidelines, data regarding its efficacy and safety in Taiwan are currently lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of prostate cancer patients treated with hypofractionated image-guided radiotherapy at a single institution in Taiwan.

Giant adrenal schwannoma - A case report and literature review.

We introduce a 39-year-old man with an exceedingly large adrenal schwannoma who visited our outpatient department with epigastric pain and a palpable mass in the left upper abdomen. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a giant cystic lesion measuring >25 cm. Laparotomy was performed for tumor excision and partial nephrectomy.

Production and application of Paenibacillus polymyxa levan as an antiviral priming agent against cucumber mosaic virus infection in tobacco plants.

This study investigates the application of levan- produced from Paenibacillus polymyxa SG09-12 as an antiviral agent against cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). A high-purity microbial levan was produced and purified using diafiltration. The chemical composition, structure, and functional groups of the levan were characterised using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).