Evaluating the effect of drunk driving on fatal injuries among vulnerable road users in Taiwan: a population-based study.

Background: Most studies have focused on injuries sustained by intoxicated drivers themselves, but few have examined the effect of drunk driving on injury outcomes among VRUs (vulnerable road users) in developing countries. This study aims to evaluate the effect of drunk driving on fatal injuries among VRUs (pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists).

Methods: The data were extracted from the National Taiwan Traffic Crash Dataset from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2019.

Combined stomach and duodenal perforating injury following blunt abdominal trauma: a case report and literature review.

Background: Gastrointestinal injury following blunt abdominal trauma is uncommon; a combined stomach and duodenal perforating injury is even more rare. Because these two organs are located in different spaces in the abdomen, such injuries are difficult to identify.

Case Presentation: A young woman involved in a motor vehicle crash presented to our emergency department with concerns of severe peritonitis.

Ruthenium derivatives attenuate LPS-induced inflammatory responses and liver injury via suppressing NF-κB signaling and free radical production.

Ruthenium metal complex has been shown to exert several chemical and biological activities. A series of three novel ruthenium derivatives (TQ 1, 2 and 4) were synthesized to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages and mice liver injury. The hydroxyl radical (OH°) scavenging activity of these derivatives has also been evaluated.

New therapeutic strategy of hinokitiol in haemorrhagic shock-induced liver injury.

Haemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HS/R) may cause global ischaemia-reperfusion injury, which can result in systemic inflammation, multiorgan failure (particularly liver failure) and high mortality. Hinokitiol, a bioactive tropolone-related compound, exhibits antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory activities. Targeting inflammatory responses is a potential strategy for ameliorating hepatic injury during HS/R.

Trends in diagnostic approaches for pediatric appendicitis: nationwide population-based study.

Background: To define the benefits of different methods for diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis in Taiwan, a nationwide cohort study was used for analysis.

Methods: We identified 44,529 patients under 18 years old who had been hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis between 2003 and 2012. We analyzed the percentages of cases in which ultrasound (US) and/or computed tomography (CT) were performed and non-perforated and perforated appendicitis were diagnosed for each year.

The Effectiveness of a Simulation-Based Flipped Classroom in the Acquisition of Laparoscopic Suturing Skills in Medical Students-A Pilot Study.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a simulation-based flipped classroom in gaining the laparoscopic skills in medical students.

Design: An intervention trial.

Setting: Taipei Medical University Hospital, an academic teaching hospital.

Therapeutic effectiveness of percutaneous drainage and factors for performing an interval appendectomy in pediatric appendiceal abscess.

Background: In this study, we studied the therapeutic effectiveness of percutaneous drainage with antibiotics and the need for an interval appendectomy for treating appendiceal abscess in children with a research-oriented dataset released by the Bureau of National Health Insurance in Taiwan through the Collaboration Center for Health Information Application (CCHIA).

Methods: We identified 1225 patients under 18 years of age who had non-surgical treatment for an appendiceal abscess between 2007 and 2012 in a Taiwan CCHIA dataset. The treatment included percutaneous drainage with antibiotics or antibiotics alone.

How motorcycle helmets affect trauma mortality: Clinical and policy implications.

Background: Motorcycles are the most popular vehicles in Taiwan, where more than 14.8 million motorcycles (1 motorcycle per 1.6 people) are in service.

First Fall-Related Injuries Requiring Hospitalization Increase the Risk of Recurrent Injurious Falls: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Taiwan.

Objectives: Recurrent falls not only have risk factors different from those of single falls but also have less favorable outcomes. The aim of our study was to determine the association between the injury characteristics of a first fall and the likelihood of recurrent injurious falls in a cohort of hospitalized patients.

Methods: We designed a nationwide retrospective cohort study and selected hospitalized patients who had injurious falls between 2001 and 2010.

National trends in therapeutic approaches and outcomes for pediatric appendicitis: a Taiwanese nationwide cohort study.

Purpose: To define the pattern of therapeutic approaches for pediatric appendicitis and compare their benefits in Taiwan, we analyzed a research-oriented dataset released by the Bureau of National Health Insurance in Taiwan through the Collaboration Center for Health Information Application (CCHIA) to document the impact of the rise of laparoscopic treatment on outcomes.

Methods: We identified 22,161 patients under 18 years who had been hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis between 2007 and 2012 in the CCHIA. Statistical comparisons between the Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) and open appendectomy (OA, control) groups were computed using a Chi squared test.

Implementation of the acute care surgery model provides benefits in the surgical treatment of the acute appendicitis.

Background: Several reports have indicated the benefits of the acute care surgery (ACS) model in surgical outcomes. We tried to delineate the impact of the ACS model on surgical efficiency and quality.

Methods: Before the ACS model was implemented, abdominal surgical emergencies were evaluated by an on-call nontrauma general surgeon (pre-ACS model).

The effects of repeat laparoscopic surgery on the treatment of complications resulting from laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery is frequently applied in the operative management of appendicitis and symptomatic cholelithiasis because it is a minimally invasive procedure. There are, however, some complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) that result in the need for reoperation. In the current study, we examine the effects of repeat laparoscopic surgery on the treatment of complications arising from LC/LA.

Anterior-posterior compression pelvic fracture increases the probability of requirement of bilateral embolization.

Introduction: Transarterial embolization has become an effective method in the management of pelvic fracture-related retroperitoneal hemorrhage. However, the selection of bilateral embolization or selective unilateral embolization remains controversial. The anterior-posterior compression (APC) pelvic fracture creates a complete diastasis of the anterior pelvis, which might be associated with bilateral sacroiliac joint injuries and further bilateral arterial injuries.

Late initiation of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration therapy is associated with a lower survival rate in surgical critically ill patients with postoperative acute kidney injury.

There is controversy about the appropriate timing for renal replacement therapy in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). We are interested in the appropriate timing for initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill surgical patients with postoperative acute kidney injury. Seventy-three critically ill surgical patients with postoperative AKI who received continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) were enrolled.

Selective computed tomography and angioembolization provide benefits in the management of patients with concomitant unstable hemodynamics and negative sonography results.

Background: The FAST (focused assessment of sonography for trauma) examination can rapidly identify free fluid in the abdominal or thoracic cavity, which is indicative of hemorrhage requiring emergency surgery in multiple-trauma patients. In patients with negative FAST examination results, it is difficult to identify the site of the hemorrhage and to plan treatment accordingly. We attempted to delineate the role of selective computed tomography (CT) and transarterial angioembolization (TAE) in the management of such unstable patients.

TaqMan real-time PCR for detection and quantitation of squash leaf curl virus in cucurbits.

A real-time PCR assay based on the TaqMan chemistry was developed for reliable detection and quantitation of the squash leaf curl virus (SLCV) in melon and squash plants. This method was highly specific to SLCV and it was about one thousand times more sensitive than the conventional PCR method. The protocol of the real-time PCR established in this study enabled detection of as little as 10(2) copies of SLCV DNA with CP gene as the target.

Tomographic findings are not always predictive of failed nonoperative management in blunt hepatic injury.

Background: Nonoperative management (NOM) has become the standard treatment of blunt hepatic injury (BHI) for stable patients. Contrast extravasation (CE) on computed tomography (CT) scan had been reported as a sign that is associated with NOM failure. The goal of this study was to further investigate the risk factors of NOM failure in patients with CE on CT scan.

DsRNA-free transmissible hypovirulence associated with formation of intra-hyphal hyphae in Botrytis cinerea.

A spontaneous mutant CanBc-3HV and its parental strain CanBc-3 of Botrytis cinerea were investigated in terms of pathogenicity, colony morphology, hypovirulence transmissibility, presence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), and formation of intra-hyphal hyphae (IH). Results showed that inoculation of CanBc-3HV on detached leaves of Brassica napus did not produce any visible necrotic lesions (20°C, 72h), whereas inoculation of CanBc-3 caused necrotic leaf lesions. Compared to CanBc-3, CanBc-3HV grew slowly, formed numerous mycelial sectors, sporulated sporadically and failed to produce sclerotia on potato dextrose agar (PDA) (20°C, 15d).

Laparoscopic appendectomy provides better outcomes than open appendectomy in elderly patients.

The incidence of acute appendicitis in elderly patients is increasing due to prolonged life span. The associated morbidity and mortality related to perforation of acute appendicitis continue to present challenges to physicians. The role of laparoscopic appendectomy is still controversial.

Laparoscopic simple closure alone is adequate for low risk patients with perforated peptic ulcer.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H.P.) eradication has led to a significant decline in peptic ulcer prevalence; however, the number of patients requiring surgical intervention remains relatively unchanged.

Angioembolization provides benefits in patients with concomitant unstable pelvic fracture and unstable hemodynamics.

Introduction: Pelvic fractures result in hemodynamic instability in 5% to 20% of patients, and the reported mortality rate is 18% to 40%. Previous studies have reported the application of angioembolization in pelvic fracture patients with a systolic blood pressure (SBP) less than 90 mm Hg, a fluid resuscitation requirement of more than 2000 mL, or a blood transfusion of more than 4 to 6 units within 24 hours. In the current study, we attempted to delineate the efficacy and outcome of angioembolization in unstable pelvic fracture patients with concomitant unstable hypotension status.

Higher glucose on admission is associated with need for angioembolization in stable pelvic fracture.

Background: Angioembolization is an effective adjunct to the management of retroperitoneal hemorrhage in pelvic fractures. Most patients with stable-type pelvic fracture are treated conservatively. However, in some stable pelvic fracture cases, patients should receive angioembolization for hemostasis upon incidental finding of contrast extravasation on computed tomography (CT).

Botrytis fabiopsis, a new species causing chocolate spot of broad bean in central China.

The current study was conducted to identify Botrytis spp. isolated from symptomatic broad bean plants grown in Hubei Province, China. Among 184 Botrytis strains, three distinct species, B.

Diagnostic accuracy, biohazard safety, and cost effectiveness-the Lodox/Statscan provides a beneficial alternative for the primary evaluation of patients with multiple injuries.

Background: Lodox/Statscan is a new digital X-ray machine with a low dose of radiation exposure that provides rapid, whole-body scans. In the setting of acute trauma management, the importance of image study is well recognized. Here, we report the accuracy of diagnoses made using Lodox/Statscan in patients with multiple injuries.