Crosstalk between lipocalin-2 and IL-6 in traumatic brain injury: Closely related biomarkers.

Clinical biomarkers are crucial for diagnosing and predicting outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this study, we performed an unbiased analysis of plasma proteins in acute TBI patients using bead-based multiplex assays and identified a strong positive correlation between LCN2 and IL-6 levels. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that LCN2 and IL-6 are closely related circulating biomarkers for TBI.

Higher patient-to-physician ratios associated with worse outcomes in the emergency department.

Objective: To investigate the association between patient-to-physician ratios, a measure of physician workload, and various patient outcomes in the emergency department (ED).

Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed 406,220 ED visits at a tertiary care center in Taipei, Taiwan, between January 2015 and December 2019. The dynamic patient-to-physician ratio was calculated using minute-by-minute data to reflect real-time physician workload.

Incidence and impact of invasive fungal infection comparing post-transplant cyclophosphamide with cyclosporine plus methotrexate GVHD prophylaxis in allogeneic HSCT.

Background: In recent years, haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haploHSCT) with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) has become increasingly prevalent. However, the precise impact of invasive fungal disease (IFD) in relation to graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis and donor type remains to be elucidated.

Methods: In this study, we analyzed data from 580 HSCT patients, comprising 80 patients who received haploidentical grafts and 500 patients who received grafts from other donor types.

Nanomaterials for spin-based quantum information.

Quantum information science has garnered significant attention due to its potential in solving problems that are beyond the capabilities of classical computations based on integrated circuits. At the heart of quantum information science is the quantum bit or qubit, which is used to carry information. Achieving large-scale and high-fidelity quantum bits requires the optimization of materials with trap-free characteristics and long coherence times.

Immunoediting in acute myeloid leukemia: Reappraising T cell exhaustion and the aberrant antigen processing machinery in leukemogenesis.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) establishes an immunosuppressive microenvironment that favors leukemic proliferation. The immune-suppressive cytokines altered antigen processing, and presentation collectively assist AML cells in escaping cytotoxic T-cell surveillance. These CD8 T cell dysfunction features are emerging therapeutic targets in relapsed/refractory AML patients.

Anticholinergic use is associated with lower mortality but not increased hip fracture risk in Parkinson's disease patients: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: It is unclear whether antiparkinsonism anticholinergics (AAs) increase hip fracture (HFx) risk in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. This study examined associations between AAs, HFx and mortality in PD using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Database.

Methods: Newly diagnosed PD patients ≥ 50yrs were categorized by AAs exposure: PD with AAs (≥ 90 days, n = 16,921), PD without AAs (never-exposed, n = 55,940), and demographically matched non-PD controls (n = 291,444).

Differential effect on labor force health initiated by the first wave of the COVID-19 in Taiwan.

The 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic disrupts synchronized lifestyles and influences an individual's health status. However, Taiwan has limited studies on the impact of the epidemic on the health and lifestyle of its citizens. This study aims to investigate the impact on lifestyle and health status during the first wave of 2019 coronavirus disease in Taiwan.

Development and Evaluation of a Novel Resuscitation Teamwork Model for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in the Emergency Department.

Study Objective: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is critical for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients but is prone to rapid changes and errors. Effective teamwork and leadership are essential for high-quality CPR. We aimed to introduce the Airway-Circulation-Leadership-Support (A-C-L-S) teamwork model in the emergency department (ED) to address these challenges.

N-methyladenosine and its epitranscriptomic effects on hematopoietic stem cell regulation and leukemogenesis.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification orchestrates cellular epitranscriptome through tuning the homeostasis of transcript stability, translation efficiency, and the transcript affinity toward RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). An aberrant m6A deposition on RNA can lead toward oncogenic expression profile (mRNA), impaired mitochondrial metabolism (mtRNA), and translational suppression (rRNA) of tumor suppressor genes. In addition, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as X-inactive specific transcript (XIST), miRNAs, and α-ketoglutarate-centric metabolic transcripts are also regulated by the m6A epitranscriptome.

Deep learning-based binary classification of beta-amyloid plaques using 18 F florapronol PET.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate a deep learning model to classify amyloid plaque deposition in the brain PET images of patients suspected of Alzheimer's disease.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients who were suspected of having a mild cognitive impairment or dementia, and brain amyloid 18 F florapronol PET/computed tomography images were obtained from 2019 to 2022. Brain PET images were visually assessed by two nuclear medicine specialists, who classified them as either positive or negative.

Temporomandibular Joint Pain Measurement by Bite Force and Von Frey Filament Assays in Mice.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and osteoarthritis (OA) are common and debilitating disorders that impair patients' quality of life. The mechanisms driving diseases-related pain are poorly understood, and current treatments fail to provide effective and long-term therapeutic effects. Additionally, pain assessment in research, particularly orofacial pain, poses several challenges that complicate studies in both clinical and basic science settings.

Molecular Screening and Genetic Identification of in Brown Dog Tick () Infested on Stray Dogs in Taiwan.

is a tick-borne zoonotic pathogen of canines. In this study, the presence of was screened for in brown dog ticks () infesting stray dogs in Taiwan to determine overall prevalence. This study represents the first instance of genetic identification of in brown dog ticks in Taiwan.

The Deepest Blue: Major Advances and Challenges in Deep Blue Emitting Quasi-2D and Nanocrystalline Perovskite LEDs.

In this review, the recent development of blue perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLED) are summarized. On deep-blue (≤465 nm) perovskite nanomaterials of different structural forms are mainly focused, including nanocrystals (NCs), quantum dots (QDs), nanoplatelets (NPLs), quasi-2D thin film, 3D bulk thin film, as well as lead-free perovskite nanomaterials. The current challenges are also examined in producing efficient deep-blue PeLED, such as material and spectral instability, imbalance charge transport, Joule heat impact, and poor optoelectronic performance.

The role of cricoarytenoid joint ankylosis in bilateral vocal cord immobility.

Objectives: To stratify the severity of cricoarytenoid joint fixation (CAJF) by surgery and understand the role of it played in the bilateral vocal fold immobility (BVFI). The second objective emphasizes on the significance of the preoperative differential diagnosis from neurogenic immobility with medical history and endoscopic findings.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 74 patients between 2005 and 2022.

Effect of targeted temperature management on systemic inflammatory responses after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Interleukin (IL)-6 is a major inflammatory cytokine that predicts mortality after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Targeted temperature management (TTM) is associated with improved all-cause mortality in patients with OHCA. However, the effect of TTM on IL-6 production remains unclear.

The Perceived Weight Stigma Scale and Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire: Rasch analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and network analysis among Chinese adolescents.

Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to (i) re-evaluate and expand the psychometric properties of two weight stigma instruments-the Perceived Weight Stigma Scale (PWSS) and the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ) among a large sample of adolescents using advanced psychometric methods and (ii) examine how the different types of weight stigma (i.e., PWSS and WSSQ) are associated with psychological distress.

Task-specific facial dystonia following COVID-19 infection: A case report.

Rationale: During the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, various movement disorders associated with COVID-19 infection have been reported. However, the incidence of dystonia specifically associated with COVID-19 infection has been particularly rare.

Patient Concerns: A 43-year-old male patient presented to the movement disorders clinic with complaints of facial grimacing while chewing and experiencing spasms during nasal breathing.

Decisive gene strategy on osteoarthritis: a comprehensive whole-literature based approach for conclusive gene targets.

Background: Previous meta-analyses only examined the association between single or several gene polymorphisms and osteoarthritis (OA), whereas no studies have concluded that there are existing all gene loci that associate with OA.

Objective: To assess whether a definite conclusion of the association between the gene loci and OA can be drawn.

Methods: Decisive gene strategy (DGS), a literature-based approach, was used to search PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for all meta-analyses that associated gene polymorphisms and OA.

Early prediction of platelet recovery with immature platelet fraction in patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is pivotal in treating hematologic disorders, yet it poses the risk of post-transplantation pancytopenia. Prophylactic platelet transfusions are often administered to mitigate this risk. Utilizing practical markers, such as immature platelet fraction (IPF), to predict hematopoietic recovery in advance could reduce unnecessary prophylactic transfusions.

Analytical and Functional Characterization of Plasmid DNA Topological Forms and Multimers.

Plasmid DNA (pDNA) is an essential tool in genetic engineering that has gained prevalence in cell and gene therapies. Plasmids exist as supercoiled (SC), open circular (OC), and linear forms. Plasmid multimerization can also occur during the manufacturing process.

The 6 degrees of curriculum integration in medical education in the United States.

Despite explicit expectations and accreditation requirements for integrated curriculum, there needs to be more clarity around an accepted common definition, best practices for implementation, and criteria for successful curriculum integration. To address the lack of consensus surrounding integration, we reviewed the literature and herein propose a definition for curriculum integration for the medical education audience. We further believe that medical education is ready to move beyond “horizontal” (1-dimensional) and “vertical” (2-dimensional) integration and propose a model of “6 degrees of curriculum integration” to expand the 2-dimensional concept for future designs of medical education programs and best prepare learners to meet the needs of patients.