Hyperbaric oxygen therapy attenuates brain radiation-induced cognitive deficits in rats.

Effective therapies for cognitive impairments induced by brain irradiation are currently lacking. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for radiation-induced brain injury in a randomized controlled experimental model using adult male Wistar rats. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups: 0 Gy whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) with normal baric air (NBA) treatment, 0 Gy WBRT with HBOT, 10 Gy WBRT with NBA, and 10 Gy WBRT with HBOT.

Impact of the Home-Based Medical Integrated Program on Health Outcomes and Medical Resource Utilization in Home Healthcare Patients in Taiwan.

Purpose: The home-based medical integrated program (HMIP) is a novel model for home healthcare (HHC) in Taiwan, initiated in 2016 to enhance care quality. However, the outcomes of this program on health outcomes and medical resource utilization in HHC patients remain unclear. Thus, we conducted this study to clarify it.

Artificial intelligence prediction of In-Hospital mortality in patients with dementia: A multi-center study.

Background: Prediction of mortality is very important for care planning in hospitalized patients with dementia and artificial intelligence has the potential to serve as a solution; however, this issue remains unclear. Thus, this study was conducted to elucidate this matter.

Methods: We identified 10,573 hospitalized patients aged ≥ 45 years with dementia from three hospitals between 2010 and 2020 for this study.

Hypothyroidism following carbon monoxide poisoning: An epidemiological study supported by animal experiments.

Previous studies have suggested a possible association between carbon monoxide poisoning (COP) and hypothyroidism, but the evidence is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to further investigate this relationship. Using data from the Taiwan National Health Research Database, we identified 32,162 COP patients and matched with 96,486 non-COP patients by age and index date for an epidemiological study.

Implementation of a novel computer assisted telephone follow-up model for older patients after emergency department discharge in an Asian population.

Background: While the impact of telephone follow-up (TFU) for older emergency department (ED) patients is controversial, its effects on the Asian population remain uncertain. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a novel computer assisted TFU model specifically for this demographic.

Methods: At a Taiwanese tertiary medical center, we developed a TFU protocol that included a referral and case management system within the ED hospital information system.

Heat-related illness and dementia: a study integrating epidemiological and experimental evidence.

Background: Heat-related illness (HRI) is commonly considered an acute condition, and its potential long-term consequences are not well understood. We conducted a population-based cohort study and an animal experiment to evaluate whether HRI is associated with dementia later in life.

Methods: The Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was used in the epidemiological study.

Alcohol abuse may increase the risk of autoimmune connective tissue disease: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Objectives: Altered immune and inflammatory responses resulting from alcohol abuse have been implicated in increasing the risk of autoimmune connective tissue disease (ACTD). However, limited research has been conducted on this topic in the Asian population. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate and address this knowledge gap.

Global mortality of chronic liver diseases attributable to Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus infections from 1990 to 2019 and projections to 2030.

Background: The burden of chronic liver disease (CLD) deaths attributable to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains unknown. Further research is required to elucidate the extent of this burden in the eventual elimination of these diseases.

Methods: Data on liver cancer, cirrhosis, and other CLD among 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2019 was extracted from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) published in 2019.

White and gray matter integrity evaluated by MRI-DTI can serve as noninvasive and reliable indicators of structural and functional alterations in chronic neurotrauma.

We aimed to evaluate whether white and gray matter microstructure changes observed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can be used to reflect the progression of chronic brain trauma. The MRI-DTI parameters, neuropathologic changes, and behavioral performance of adult male Wistar rats that underwent moderate (2.1 atm on day "0") or repeated mild (1.

Mesenchymal stem cells reduce long-term cognitive deficits and attenuate myelin disintegration and microglia activation following repetitive traumatic brain injury.

The underlying mechanisms for the beneficial effects exerted by bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in treating repetitive traumatic brain injury (rTBI)-induced long-term sensorimotor/cognitive impairments are not fully elucidated. Herein, we aimed to explore whether BM-MSCs therapy protects against rTBI-induced long-term neurobehavioral disorders in rats via normalizing white matter integrity and gray matter microglial response. Rats were subjected to repeated mild lateral fluid percussion on day 0 and day 3.

Impact of the Integrated Activation System on Door-to-Balloon Times and Clinical Outcomes in STEMI Patients Receiving Primary PCI.

Background: The door-to-balloon (D2B) time is a critical quality measure in managing ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients receiving primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We developed an integrated STEMI activation system, named Acute Myocardial Infarction Software Aids (AMISTAD), to optimize care for STEMI patients. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the AMISTAD system on D2B times and clinical outcomes.

Association between chronic pain and acute coronary syndrome in the older population: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Background: Chronic pain (CP) may increase the risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS); however, this issue in the older population remains unclear. Therefore, this study was conducted to clarify it.

Methods: We used the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to identify older patients with CP between 2001 and 2005 as the study cohort.

Real-time artificial intelligence predicts adverse outcomes in acute pancreatitis in the emergency department: Comparison with clinical decision rule.

Objective: Artificial intelligence (AI) prediction is increasingly used for decision making in health care, but its application for adverse outcomes in emergency department (ED) patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) is not well understood. This study aimed to clarify this aspect.

Methods: Data from 8274 ED patients with AP in three hospitals from 2009 to 2018 were analyzed.

Using artificial intelligence to predict adverse outcomes in emergency department patients with hyperglycemic crises in real time.

Background: Hyperglycemic crises are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have proposed methods to predict adverse outcomes of patients in hyperglycemic crises; however, artificial intelligence (AI) has never been used to predict adverse outcomes. We implemented an AI model integrated with the hospital information system (HIS) to clarify whether AI could predict adverse outcomes.

Real-time artificial intelligence system for bacteremia prediction in adult febrile emergency department patients.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) holds significant potential to be a valuable tool in healthcare. However, its application for predicting bacteremia among adult febrile patients in the emergency department (ED) remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted a study to provide clarity on this issue.

Carpal tunnel syndrome in dentists compared to other populations: A nationwide population-based study in Taiwan.

Background: Dentists may be at a higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) because of their use of frequent wrist and vibratory instruments at work; however, this issue remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted this study to clarify it.

Methods: Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was used for this nationwide population-based study.

External validation of geriatric influenza death score: A multicenter study.

The Geriatric Influenza Death (GID) score was developed to help decision making in older patients with influenza in the emergency department (ED), but external validation is unavailable. Thus, we conducted a study was to fill the data gap. We recruited all older patients (≥65 years) who visited the ED of three hospitals between 2009 and 2018.

Eradication therapy may decrease the risk of immune thrombocytopenia after Helicobacter pylori infection: a retrospective cohort study in Taiwan.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication therapy (HPE) is recommended for patients with unexplained immune thrombocytopenia (ITP); however, the role of HPE in preventing ITP in patients with HP infection remains unclear. Therefore, this study was designed to clarify it.

Methods: This study was conducted at a tertiary medical center and included all adult patients with HP infection between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018.

The interrelationships between neuronal viability, synaptic integrity, microglial responses, and amyloid-beta formation in an in vitro neurotrauma model.

The interrelationships between neuronal viability, synaptic integrity, and microglial responses remain in infancy. In dealing with the question, we induced a stretch injury to evaluate the mechanical effects of trauma on rat primary cortical neurons and BV2 microglial cells in a transwell culture system. The viability of primary neurons and BV2 cells was determined by MTT.

Risks of Developing Diabetes and Hyperglycemic Crisis Following Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: A Study Incorporating Epidemiologic Analysis and Animal Experiment.

Purpose: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning may damage the pancreas, but the effects of CO poisoning on the development of diabetes and on existing diabetes remain unclear. We conducted a study incorporating data from epidemiologic analyses and animal experiments to clarify these issues.

Methods: Using the National Health Insurance Database of Taiwan, we identified CO poisoning patients diagnosed between 2002 and 2016 (CO poisoning cohort) together with references without CO poisoning who were matched by age, sex, and index date at a 1:3 ratio.

Comparison of the risk of gastrointestinal perforation between patients with and without rheumatoid arthritis: A nationwide cohort study in Asia.

Objectives: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may have an increased risk for gastrointestinal perforation (GIP) caused by medications or chronic inflammation. However, the risk of GIP between patients with and without RA remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted this study to clarify it.

Association between carbon monoxide poisoning and adrenal insufficiency: a nationwide cohort study.

Carbon monoxide poisoning may damage the brain and adrenal glands, but it is unclear whether it is associated with adrenal insufficiency. We identified all COP patients diagnosed between 1999 and 2012 in Taiwan using the Nationwide Poisoning Database and selected a reference cohort (participants without COP) from the same database by exact matching of age and index date at a 1:2 ratio. Participants with a history of adrenal insufficiency or steroid use of more than 14 days were excluded.

Computerized tool and interdisciplinary care for older patients with delirium in the emergency department: a novel model in Taiwan.

Aims: A computerized tool and interdisciplinary care were implemented to develop a novel model for older patients with delirium in the emergency department (ED).

Methods: We developed a computerized tool using a delirium triage screen and brief confusion assessment in the hospital information system, performed education for the healthcare providers, and developed a continuous care protocol. Comparisons for outcomes between pre- and post-intervention periods were performed.

Design and Implementation of a Comprehensive AI Dashboard for Real-Time Prediction of Adverse Prognosis of ED Patients.

The emergency department (ED) is at the forefront of medical care, and the medical team needs to make outright judgments and treatment decisions under time constraints. Thus, knowing how to make personalized and precise predictions is a very challenging task. With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, Chi Mei Medical Center (CMMC) adopted AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and interaction technologies to establish diverse prognosis prediction models for eight diseases based on the ED electronic medical records of three branch hospitals.