Correlation between the utilization of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and the risk of dementia: a nationwide population-based study in Taiwan.

The impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SLGT2i) usage on reducing the risk of dementia remains uncertain. Our research seeks to establish the association between dementia risk and SLGT2 inhibitors among individuals with diabetes. This study relied on data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database (NHIRD), which was established in 1995 coinciding with the launch of the National Health Insurance (NHI) program by the Taiwanese government.

Effect of nocturia in patients with different severity of obstructive sleep apnea on polysomnography: A retrospective observational study.

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the etiologies of nocturia. We analyzed polysomnography (PSG) results to determine correlated factors related to nocturia in OSA patients with different severity.

Methods: Patients with suspected OSA were examined using PSG.

Association between sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and macular degeneration in patients with diabetes: a nationwide population-based study in Taiwan.

Aims: Evidence showed that SGLT2 inhibitors have greater protective effects against retinal diseases compared to other hypoglycemic agents. Thus, we explore the association between SGLT2 inhibitor usage and macular degeneration (MD) in Taiwanese patients with diabetes.

Methods: The National Health Insurance (NHI) program's claim data are released as the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).

Risk of CKD among patients with DM taking diuretics or SGLT2i: a retrospective cohort study in Taiwan.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term risk of CKD and renal function declines using a combination of diuretics and SGLT2i.

Methods: We selected the data of subjects who had at least two outpatient records or at least one inpatient record for DM treatment as the DM group from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Patients receiving versus not receiving SGLT2i were defined as the SGLT2i and non-SGLT2i cohorts, respectively.

Intravitreal ranibizumab injection is associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease: a population-based study in Taiwan.

Systemic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) blockade has been the top adjunctive chemotherapy since 1990. Anti-VEGF therapy has also been associated with worsened renal function in some patients. However, the association between patient outcomes and use of intravitreal VEGF inhibitors remains controversial.

Long-term exposure to air pollution and risk of Sarcopenia in adult residents of Taiwan: a nationwide retrospective cohort study.

Background: Sarcopenia is an age-related, multifactorial syndrome. Previous studies have shown that air pollutants are associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. However, the association between long-term exposure to air pollution and sarcopenia is not completely understood.

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Oral Cancers Using Transoral Robotic Surgery in an Endemic Region.

Oral cancer poses a major health challenge in Taiwan, consistently ranking among the highest globally in both incidence and cancer-related mortality. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has potential advantages over open surgery, but its long-term oncologic outcomes are not well established. In this study, we sought to elucidate the role of TORS in improving treatment outcomes among oral cancer patients.

The Sizes and Composition of HDL-Cholesterol Are Significantly Associated with Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory disease, carries a significant burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). With their heterogeneous composition, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles have varied athero-protective properties, and some may even increase ASCVD risk. In this prospective and cross-sectional study, we aimed to examine the relationship between HDL sizes/metabolites and inflammation in RA.

Epilepsy and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Connection, Chance, and Challenges.

Comorbidities are common in children with epilepsy, with nearly half of the patients having at least one comorbidity. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by hyperactivity and inattentiveness level disproportional to the child's developmental stage. The burden of ADHD in children with epilepsy is high and can adversely affect the patients' clinical outcomes, psychosocial aspects, and quality of life.

Association between Exposure to Particulate Matter Air Pollution during Early Childhood and Risk of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Taiwan.

(1) Background: Recently, a growing number of studies have provided evidence to suggest a strong correlation between air pollution exposure and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this study, we assessed the relationship between early-life exposure to particulate matter (PM), PM., and ADHD; (2) Methods: The National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) contains the medical records, drug information, inspection data, etc.

Lactoferrin Ameliorates Ovalbumin-Induced Asthma in Mice through Reducing Dendritic-Cell-Derived Th2 Cell Responses.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease with symptoms such as expiratory airflow narrowing and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Millions of people suffer from asthma and are at risk of life-threatening conditions. Lactoferrin (LF) is a glycoprotein with multiple physiological functions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitumoral activities.

Lipid metabolomic signature might predict subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Although 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based lipid/metabolomics has been used to detect atherosclerosis, data regarding lipid/metabolomic signature in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-related atherosclerosis are scarce. We aimed to identify the distinct lipid/metabolomic profiling and develop a prediction score model for RA patients with subclinical atherosclerosis (SA).

Methods: Serum levels of lipid metabolites were determined using 1H-NMR-based lipid/metabolomics in 65 RA patients and 12 healthy controls (HCs).

Long-Term Exposure to Air Pollution Associates the Risk of Benign Brain Tumor: A Nationwide, Population-Based, Cohort Study in Taiwan.

Air pollutants as risk factors for benign brain tumor (BBT) remain unclear. Therefore, we conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study by integrating the patients' clinical data and daily air quality data to assess the environmental risk factors of BBT in Taiwan.Daily air quality data were categorized into quartiles (Q1 to Q4).

Exposure to Air Pollutants Increases the Risk of Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Taiwan Residents.

Air pollution triggers a tissue-specific inflammatory response. However, studies on the association between exposure to air pollutants and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) risk remain limited. Thus, we conducted this nationwide study to define the association between air pollution and CRS.

Using IVIM Parameters to Differentiate Prostate Cancer and Contralateral Normal Tissue through Fusion of MRI Images with Whole-Mount Pathology Specimen Images by Control Point Registration Method.

The intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) model may enhance the clinical value of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in the detection of prostate cancer (PCa). However, while past IVIM modeling studies have shown promise, they have also reported inconsistent results and limitations, underscoring the need to further enhance the accuracy of IVIM modeling for PCa detection. Therefore, this study utilized the control point registration toolbox function in MATLAB to fuse T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) MRI images with whole-mount pathology specimen images in order to eliminate potential bias in IVIM calculations.

Approach to the Connection between Meconium Consistency and Adverse Neonatal Outcomes: A Retrospective Clinical Review and Prospective In Vitro Study.

Whether meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) serves as an indicator of fetal distress is under debate; however, the presence of MSAF concerns both obstetricians and pediatricians because meconium aspiration is a major contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality, even with appropriate treatment. The present study suggested that thick meconium in infants might be associated with poor outcomes compared with thin meconium based on chart reviews. In addition, cell survival assays following the incubation of various meconium concentrations with monolayers of human epithelial and embryonic lung fibroblast cell lines were consistent with the results obtained from chart reviews.

Social Support as a Mediator of the Relationship between Hope and Decisional Conflict in Patients Deciding Whether to Receive Dialysis.

Background: The incidence rate of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Taiwan is the highest worldwide. Patients often hesitate and feel helpless when deciding whether to receive dialysis. However, the resulting delay in starting dialysis can potentially threaten patients' lives.

Risk of acute kidney injury among patients with carbon monoxide poisoning.

There is a lack of evidence supporting the association between carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and acute kidney injury (AKI). Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate the association between CO poisoning and AKI.From 2000 to 2011, we identified patients diagnosed with CO poisoning from the inpatient claims data.

Dual-lumen power injectable peripherally inserted central catheters in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A prospective observational study.

Aims And Objectives: To explore whether dual-lumen power injectable peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) could be effectively and safely applied in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and for serum cyclosporine level monitoring.

Background: Compared to conventional central venous access devices, PICC provides a feasible route not only for fluid infusion, but also for blood sample collection in patients undergoing oncological treatments.

Design: A prospective observational study was conducted according to the STROBE guidelines.

Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Exosomes Rescue the Loss of Outer Hair Cells and Repair Cochlear Damage in Cisplatin-Injected Mice.

Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UCMSCs) have potential applications in regenerative medicine. UCMSCs have been demonstrated to repair tissue damage in many inflammatory and degenerative diseases. We have previously shown that UCMSC exosomes reduce nerve injury-induced pain in rats.

The intravenous administration of skin-derived mesenchymal stem cells ameliorates hearing loss and preserves cochlear hair cells in cisplatin-injected mice: SMSCs ameliorate hearing loss and preserve outer hair cells in mice.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be isolated from different tissue origins, such as the bone marrow, the placenta, the umbilical cord, adipose tissues, and skin tissues. MSCs can secrete anti-inflammatory molecules and growth factors for tissue repair and remodeling. However, the ability of skin-derived MSCs (SMSCs) to repair cochlear damage and ameliorate hearing loss remains unclear.

Chemoresponse of de novo Acute Myeloid Leukemia to "7+3" Induction can Be Predicted by c-Myc-facilitated Cytogenetics.

Identifying patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who will probably respond to the "7 + 3" induction regimen remains an unsolved clinical challenge. This study aimed to identify whether c-Myc could facilitate cytogenetics to predict a "7 + 3" induction chemoresponse in AML. We stratified 75 untreated patients (24 and 51 from prospective and retrospective cohorts, respectively) with AML who completed "7 + 3" induction into groups with and without complete remission (CR).

Posaconazole for the prophylaxis of invasive aspergillosis in acute myeloid leukemia: Is it still useful outside the clinical trial setting?

Background: Posaconazole prophylaxis during remission induction chemotherapy not only decreases the incidence of invasive aspergillosis (IA) but also improves the overall survival rate among patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, it remains debatable whether this result applies to patients in a real-world setting.

Methods: We retrospectively assessed 208 adult patients with newly diagnosed AML who underwent remission induction therapy.