Clinical Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes of Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer and the Comparison With Sporadic Colorectal Cancer in Taiwan.

Introduction: We explored the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) and compared with sporadic colorectal cancer in Taiwan.

Methods: In this retrospective study spanning 1987-2022, CACs diagnosed according to endoscopic and pathological reports from 14 tertiary centers were reported to our cohort. Clinical demographics, endoscopic findings, histological results, treatment modalities, and outcomes were analyzed.

Explicit construction of Penrose diagrams for black hole to white hole transition with spacelike thin shells.

In this article, we explicitly construct the coordinates associated with the Penrose diagram in spacetimes connected via a spacelike thin shell in the following two examples: the generalized black-to-white hole bounce with mass difference and the Schwarzschild-to-de Sitter transition. We point out the issue of the first junction condition in the Penrose diagram constructed by cutting and pasting analytically known metrics with spherical symmetry by a static spacelike thin shell. With the goal of a global conformal coordinate chart associated with the corresponding Penrose diagram without discontinuity at the thin shell, we give a procedure consisting of three conformal transformations that serve different purposes.

Thalamocortical Dysconnectivity in Treatment-Resistant Depression.

Thalamocortical connectivity is associated with cognitive and affective processing. The role of thalamocortical connectivity in the pathomechanism of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) remains unclear. This study included 48 patients with TRD and 48 healthy individuals.

Atomically dispersed PtIr pair for synergetic hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone.

Atomically dispersed metal catalysts have attracted considerable attention in various important reactions owing to their high atom utilization and specific coordination environment. However, monometallic single sites sometimes present undesirable catalytic performance, which usually need a synergistic effect with the neighboring metal atoms, such as dimers or trimers. Different metal pairs on various solid carriers have been reported; nonetheless, huge challenges remain to precisely prepare a metal pair-site.

Predicting prolonged length of stay following revision total knee arthroplasty: A national database analysis using machine learning models.

Background: As the number of revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) continues to rise, close attention has been paid to factors influencing postoperative length of stay (LOS). The aim of this study is to develop generalizable machine learning (ML) algorithms to predict extended LOS following revision TKA using data from a national database.

Methods: 23,656 patients undergoing revision TKA between 2013 and 2020 were identified using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database.

Urine Protein to Creatinine Ratio for the Assessment of Bevacizumab-Associated Proteinuria in Patients with Gynecologic Cancers: A Diagnostic and Quality Improvement Study.

Proteinuria is a common adverse event arising from treatment with bevacizumab, requiring diagnostic testing via 24-h urine collection. However, this method is cumbersome. We assessed urine screenings in gynecologic cancer patients from February 2021 to May 2022.

Conformity Experiment on Inelastic Scattering Exponent of Electrons in Two Dimensions.

The quantum Hall (QH) effect is one of the most widely studied physical phenomenon in two dimensions. The plateau-plateau transition within this effect can be comprehensively described by the scaling theory, which encompasses three pivotal exponents: the critical exponent κ, the inelastic scattering exponent p, and the universal exponent γ. Prior studies have focused on measuring κ and estimating γ, assuming a constant p value of 2 across magnetic fields.

Insights into the cardiovascular benefits of taurine: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the foremost cause of mortality globally. Taurine, an amino acid, holds promise for cardiovascular health through mechanisms such as calcium regulation, blood pressure reduction, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Despite these potential benefits, previous studies have yielded inconsistent results.

Management of Crohn's disease in Taiwan: consensus guideline of the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease updated in 2023.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, fluctuating inflammatory condition that primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract. Although the incidence of CD in Taiwan is lower than that in Western countries, the severity of CD presentation appears to be similar between Asia and the West. This observation indicates the urgency for devising revised guidelines tailored to the unique reimbursement system, and patient requirements in Taiwan.

Management of ulcerative colitis in Taiwan: consensus guideline of the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease updated in 2023.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and is characterized by alternating periods of inflammation and remission. Although UC incidence is lower in Taiwan than in Western countries, its impact remains considerable, demanding updated guidelines for addressing local healthcare challenges and patient needs. The revised guidelines employ international standards and recent research, emphasizing practical implementation within the Taiwanese healthcare system.

Prospective observational study of infection in patients with pneumonia.

, an oral commensal parasite commonly found in the human mouth, is associated with periodontitis and poor oral hygiene. However, it has also been identified in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of individuals with lung diseases. Notably, significant quantities of have been isolated following bronchoscopy in cases of empyema and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Structure evolution and specific effects for the catalysis of atomically ordered intermetallic compounds.

Atomically ordered intermetallic compounds (IMCs) have been extensively studied for exploring catalysts with high activity, selectivity, and longevity. Compared to random alloys, IMCs present a more pronounced geometric and electronic effect with desirable catalytic performance. Their well-defined structure makes IMCs ideal model catalysts for studying the catalytic mechanism.

The Protective Role of Vitamin E against Oxidative Stress and Immunosuppression Induced by Non-Esterified Fatty Acids in Bovine Peripheral Blood Leukocytes.

High levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) during the transition period lead to increased oxidative stress and immunosuppression in cows. Feeding them a vitamin-E-supplemented diet reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the blood and diminishes immunosuppression in the transition period. However, whether the restoration of immune cell function occurs through the direct action of vitamin E in cells is still a topic that requires further discussion.

Susceptibility to Treatment-Resistant Depression Within Families.

Importance: Antidepressant responses and the phenotype of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) are believed to have a genetic basis. Genetic susceptibility between the TRD phenotype and other psychiatric disorders has also been established in previous genetic studies, but population-based cohort studies have not yet provided evidence to support these outcomes.

Objective: To estimate the TRD susceptibility and the susceptibility between TRD and other psychiatric disorders within families in a nationwide insurance cohort with extremely high coverage and comprehensive health care data.