Renal function and clinical outcomes in survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Background: Comprehensive studies about renal-function changes in the context of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have been lacking. Therefore, we investigated the impact of renal function on clinical outcomes among patients with OHCA.

Method: This retrospective cohort study enrolled consecutive patients with OHCA between June 2017 and December 2021.

The impacts of anemia burden on clinical outcomes in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has low survival rates, and few patients achieve a desirable neurological outcome. Anemia is common among OHCA patients and has been linked to worse outcomes, but its impact following the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is unclear. This study examines the relationship between anemia burden and clinical outcomes in OHCA patients.

Percutaneous catheter drainage versus percutaneous needle aspiration for liver abscess: a systematic review, meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) against percutaneous needle aspiration (PNA) for liver abscess.

Design: Systematic review, meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

Data Sources: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, Airiti Library and ClinicalTrials.

Using QRS loop descriptors to characterize the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with structurally normal hearts.

The predictive value of non-invasive electrocardiographic examination findings for the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in populations with structurally normal hearts remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of the QRS vectorcardiography of surface electrocardiography in patients with structurally normal hearts who experienced SCD. We consecutively enrolled patients who underwent vectorcardiography between March 2017 and December 2018 in a tertiary referral medical center.

Utilization of Amplitude-Integrated Electroencephalography to Predict Neurologic Function after Resuscitation in Adults with Cardiogenic Cardiac Arrest.

Background: Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) has been used as a tool to recognize brain activity in children with hypoxic encephalopathy.

Objectives: To assess the prognostic value of aEEG during the post-resuscitation period of adult cardiogenic cardiac arrest, comatose survivors were monitored within 24 h of a return of spontaneous circulation using aEEG.

Methods: Forty-two consecutive patients experiencing cardiac arrest were retrospectively enrolled, and a return of spontaneous circulation was achieved in all cases.

Pattern of non-trauma emergency department resource utilization in older adults: An 8-year experience in Taiwan.

Background: To describe the patterns of non-trauma emergency department (ED) resource utilization, cost of visit, acuity level, and admission rate in older adult patients in Taiwan.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational cohort study conducted at the Taipei Veterans General Hospital with an annual ED population of 80,000 patients. Patients aged ≥20 years with non-trauma ED visits from 2005 to 2012 were included in the study.

A new strategy for emergency department crowding: High-turnover utility bed intervention.

Background: This study applied a new strategy, termed high-turnover utility bed intervention, to offer early admission chances for emergency department (ED) patients and alleviate ED crowding.

Methods: This before-and-after observational cohort study was conducted at the ED of an urban tertiary hospital. On January 1, 2012, 14 utility beds were prepared exclusively for ED patient use.

Carbapenem Breakpoints for Acinetobacter baumannii Group: Supporting Clinical Outcome Data from Patients with Bacteremia.

The carbapenem breakpoints set by different organizations for Acinetobacter are discordant, but supporting clinical data are lacking. This study aimed to provide the first clinical outcome data to support the carbapenem breakpoints for Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) group in patients with bacteremia. This study included 117 adults who received carbapenems for treatment of Ab group bacteremia in Taipei Veterans General Hospital over an 8-year period.

Improved survival outcome with continuous chest compressions with ventilation compared to 5:1 compressions-to-ventilations mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Background: Fewer pauses and better chest compression quality are thought to improve overall survival following cardiac arrest. This study aimed to measure the outcomes of adult nontraumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) treated with 5:1 compressions-to-ventilations (Thumper 1007) or continuous chest compressions with ventilation (Thumper 1008 CCV) mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) within a specified period of time.

Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study of 515 adults with OHCA was conducted at the emergency department of an urban tertiary hospital.

Solid-state fermentation with fungi to enhance the antioxidative activity, total phenolic and anthocyanin contents of black bean.

In the present study, solid-state fermentation of black bean with various GRAS filamentous fungi including Aspergillus awamori, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus sojae, Rhizopus azygosporus and Rhizopus sp. No. 2 was preformed to prepared koji.

Distribution profiles of isoflavone isomers in black bean kojis prepared with various filamentous fungi.

This study was conducted to compare the transformation of both isoflavone derivatives (aglycones, beta-glucosides, and acetyl and malonyl gluclucosides) and beta-glucosidase activity in kojis fermented with various generally recognized as safe filamentous fungi including Aspergillus awamori, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus sojae, Rhizopus azygosporus, and Rhizopus sp. no. 2.

Perception of unsteadiness in patients with dizziness: association with handicap and imbalance.

Dizziness is a common problem in patients seeking medical help and is often associated with imbalance and handicap. This study aimed to reveal whether the perception of unsteadiness could be an indication of greater imbalance and handicap in these patients. Patients with dizziness were categorized into two groups, steady patients (n = 15) and unsteady patients (n = 23), based on the presence or absence of self-perceived unsteadiness.