Cardiovascular Outcomes of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes With Urinary Tract Infection Post Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors Treatment: A Multicenter Observational Study.

Objectives: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an adverse effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). However, its effect on cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients remains unclear.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective observational study included diabetes patients who received SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) between January 2016 and January 2019.

The Cardiovascular Outcomes Between Liraglutide and Dulaglutide Among Different Chronic Kidney Disease Stages in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of 2 glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) liraglutide and dulaglutide, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at various stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In addition to analyzing Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) as the primary outcome, kidney function deterioration, renal disease, and other drug-related safety events, such as urinary tract infections, pancreatitis, amputations, and cancers were measured.

Research Design And Methods: This retrospective analysis included 362 842 T2DM patients from the Chang Gung Research Database between 2011 and 2019, identifying 2830 GLP-1 RAs users.

Design and Implementation of Integrated Dual-Mode Pulse and Continuous-Wave Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectrometers.

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is a powerful spectroscopic technique that allows direct detection and characterization of radicals containing unpaired electron(s). The development of portable, low-power EPR sensing modalities has the potential to significantly expand the utility of EPR in a broad range of fields, ranging from basic science to practical applications such as point-of-care diagnostics. The two major methodologies of EPR are continuous-wave (CW) EPR, where the frequency or field is swept with a constant excitation, and pulse EPR, where short pulses induce a transient signal.

Novel and Advanced Ultrasound Techniques for Thyroid Thermal Ablation.

Thyroid radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation are widely adopted minimally invasive treatments for diverse thyroid conditions worldwide. Fundamental skills such as the trans-isthmic approach and the moving shot technique are crucial for performing thyroid ablation, and advanced techniques, including hydrodissection and vascular ablation, improve safety and efficacy and reduce complications. Given the learning curve associated with ultrasound-guided therapeutic procedures, operators need training and experience.

Regimen comprising GLP-1 receptor agonist and basal insulin can decrease the effect of food on glycemic variability compared to a pre-mixed insulin regimen.

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RA) can stabilize glycemic variability (GV) and interfere with eating behavior. This study compared the impact of insulin, GLP-1 RA, and dietary components on GV using professional continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).

Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes underwent CGM before and after switching from a twice-daily pre-mixed insulin treatment regimen to a GLP-1 RA (liraglutide) plus basal insulin regimen.

Successful Applications of Food-Assisted and -Simulated Training Model of Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation.

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for benign thyroid nodules is one kind of scarless treatment for symptomatic or cosmetic benign thyroid nodules. However, how to train RFA-naive physicians to become qualified operators for thyroid RFA is an important issue. Our study aimed to introduce a successful training model of thyroid RFA.

Corrigendum: Ankle-Brachial Index Is Independently Associated With Cardiovascular Outcomes and Foot Ulcers in Asian Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.

Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks for Enhanced Ultrasonographic Image Diagnosis of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) from follicular epithelial cells is the most common form of thyroid cancer. Beyond the common papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), there are a number of rare but difficult-to-diagnose pathological classifications, such as follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC). We employed deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to facilitate the clinical diagnosis of differentiated thyroid cancers.

Evaluation of Disease Complications Among Adults With Type 1 Diabetes and a Family History of Type 2 Diabetes in Taiwan.

Importance: Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and a family history of type 2 diabetes (T2D) appear to be at a high risk of diabetes complications and other cardiovascular diseases. However, estimates of individual risks in patients in Taiwan are largely unavailable or unreliable.

Objective: To evaluate the risk of diabetes complications and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with T1D with a family history of T2D.

Ankle-Brachial Index Is Independently Associated With Cardiovascular Outcomes and Foot Ulcers in Asian Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background And Aims: The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is an efficient tool for objectively documenting the presence of lower-extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The predictive factors of cardiovascular events and diabetic foot ulcer were not clear from the ABI examination in Taiwanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods: We enrolled 482 patients with type 2 DM who regularly visited the outpatient department of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and received ABI as well as brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) examinations from 2010 to 2017.

Evaluation of recurrence risk in patients with papillary thyroid cancer through tumor-node-metastasis staging: A single-center observational study in Taiwan.

Background: Many patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) demonstrate satisfactory outcomes. However, 8%-28% of patients with PTC show tumor recurrence, which may affect prognosis. Therefore, identifying factors associated with tumor recurrence in patients with PTC may be helpful to refine therapeutic strategies.

Renal and Glucose-Lowering Effects of Empagliflozin and Dapagliflozin in Different Chronic Kidney Disease Stages.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on renal function in different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We conducted a retrospective cohort study using longitudinal claims data from May 2016-December 2017 from the Chang Gung Research Database. Patients who used one of the three types of SGLT2 inhibitor available at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, namely empagliflozin 10 mg/tab (Empa10), empagliflozin 25 mg/tab (Empa25), and dapagliflozin 10 mg/tab (Dapa), were included, with the same number of matched non-users.

Impact of Carbohydrate on Glucose Variability in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Assessed Through Professional Continuous Glucose Monitoring: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to objectively analyze the correlation between dietary components and blood glucose variation by means of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).

Methods: Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) who received CGM to manage their blood glucose levels were enrolled into the study, and the components of their total caloric intake were analyzed. Glycemic variation parameters were calculated, and dietary components, including percentages of carbohydrate, protein and fat in the total dietary intake, were analyzed by a dietitian.

Diagnostic value of adrenal iodine-131 6-beta-iodomethyl-19-norcholesterol scintigraphy for primary aldosteronism: a retrospective study at a medical center in North Taiwan.

Background: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a common cause of secondary hypertension. Among the many leading causes of PA, the two most frequent are, bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (BAH) and aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA). Since a solitary APA may be cured surgically, but BAH needs lifelong pharmacologic therapy, confirmation is mandatory before surgery.

Coadministration of DPP-4 inhibitor and insulin therapy does not further reduce the risk of cardiovascular events compared with DPP-4 inhibitor therapy in diabetic foot patients: a nationwide population-based study.

Background: The effect of combined insulin and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i) therapy on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with diabetic foot is unclear.

Methods: We conducted this nationwide cohort study using longitudinal claims data obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance program and included 19,791 patients with diabetic foot from 2007 to 2014. Patients receiving DPP4i-based therapy and/or insulin-based therapy after a diagnosis of diabetic foot were categorized into combined, DPP4i- or insulin-based groups, respectively.

Linagliptin and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes after acute coronary syndrome or acute ischemic stroke.

Background: The cardiovascular safety and efficacy of linagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or acute ischemic stroke (AIS) are unclear. The aim of our real-world cohort study was to evaluate the cardiovascular outcomes of linagliptin in patients with T2DM after ACS or AIS.

Methods: An open observational noncrossover retrospective cohort study was conducted between June 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013 utilizing Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

Moderate- to high-intensity statins for secondary prevention in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on dialysis after acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Evidences support the benefits of moderate- to high-intensity statins for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) except for those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on dialysis after AMI. This study was aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases using moderate- to high-intensity statins in T2DM patients on dialysis after AMI.

Methods: A simulated prospective cohort study was conducted between January 1st, 2001 and December 31st, 2013 utilizing data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

Glucose Variability and β- Cell Response by GLP-1 Analogue added-on CSII for Patients with Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes.

The effects of twice-daily GLP-1 analogue injections added on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (T2DM) were unknown. After optimization of blood glucose in the first 3 days by CSII during hospitalization, patients with poorly controlled T2DM were randomized to receive CSII combined with injections of exenatide or placebo for another 3 days. A total of 51 patients (30 in exenatide and 21 in placebo groups) with mean A1C 11% were studied.

The impact of nutritional status on treatment outcomes of patients with limb-threatening diabetic foot ulcers.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the nutritional status of patients with limb-threatening diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and its impact on treatment outcomes.

Methods: A total of 478 consecutive patients (mean age, 65.4years) treated for limb-threatening DFUs were enrolled.

Efficacy and Safety of Once-Weekly Dulaglutide Versus Insulin Glargine in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes on Metformin and Glimepiride (AWARD-2).

Objective: This study compared the efficacy and safety of once-weekly dulaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, with daily insulin glargine, both combined with maximally tolerated doses of metformin and glimepiride in patients with type 2 diabetes. The primary objective was noninferiority of dulaglutide 1.5 mg to glargine in the HbA1c change from baseline at 52 weeks.

Treatment for diabetic foot ulcers complicated by major cardiac events.

Objective: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a major complication in patients with diabetes mellitus and the leading cause of non-traumatic amputation in adults. Patients with DFU are usually fragile due to chronic diabetic comorbidities; therefore, tedious debridement and intervention procedures may not be well tolerated in patients with DFU. This study aimed to identify a casual relationship between in-hospital complications and treatment for limb-threatening DFUs.

Acarbose plus metformin fixed-dose combination outperforms acarbose monotherapy for type 2 diabetes.

Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of acarbose plus metformin fixed-dose combination (FDC) versus acarbose monotherapy for type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: Eligible T2D patients undergoing treatment with diet control only or oral antidiabetic medications were run-in on acarbose 50mg thrice-daily for 4 weeks, then randomised either to continue this monotherapy, or to acarbose 50mg plus metformin hydrochloride 500mg FDC (acarbose/metformin FDC), each thrice-daily for 16 weeks.

Results: Acarbose/metformin FDC therapy significantly reduced HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) from baseline (all p<0.