A prospective pilot study of kidney-specific biomarkers to detect acute kidney injury after cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a critical morbidity after cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC).

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the use of kidney-specific biomarkers to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of post-HIPEC AKI.

Methods: Patients who received CRS/HIPEC were prospectively enrolled in this study.

Maxillary Sinus Mucosa Preservation Versus Mucosal Sacrifice: Radiographic Outcomes After Inferior Maxillectomy and Soft-Tissue Free Flap Reconstruction.

Background: This study evaluates the impact of maxillary sinus mucosa preservation on radiographic outcomes after an inferior maxillectomy and soft-tissue free flap reconstruction.

Methods: A total of 90 patients in two cohorts (mucosal sacrifice versus mucosa preservation) were evaluated from an institutional dataset. Imaging was reviewed at set time points and sinus scores were allotted based on a modification of the Lund-MacKay system.

Prognostic factors of early recurrence after complete cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Background: Although cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) offer the potential for long-term survival in peritoneal carcinomatosis, outcomes following CRS/HIPEC vary significantly.

Aim: To identify the clinical factors associated with progression-free survival (PFS) after complete CRS/HIPEC in patients with colorectal/high-grade appendiceal, ovarian, and gastric cancers.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the risk of recurrence within 1 year after CRS/HIPEC and its impact on overall survival (OS) in patients recruited between 2015 and 2020.

Evaluating the combination of in-person and electronic social networking services for family caregivers of stroke survivors: A quasi-experimental analysis.

Introduction: The effectiveness of health interventions delivered via a combination of in-person and electronic social networking services for caregivers of stroke survivors remains uncertain. This study evaluates the feasibility of implementing educational and peer support programs for these caregivers through such platforms.

Design: Quasi-experimental design.

Persistent Fatigue in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving Radiotherapy.

Background: Radiation therapy has attracted much attention in the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the association between radiotherapy-related fatigue and HCC has been examined in only a few studies.

Purpose: This study was designed to explore the change over time in fatigue in patients with HCC treated with radiotherapy and related factors.

Dental Occlusion Characteristics for Treatment Decision-Making Regarding Surgery-First Approach in Orthodontics.

The surgery-first approach (SFA) is conducted to decrease the difficulty and duration of orthodontic treatment by correcting the skeletal discrepancy at the initial stage of treatment. However, the indication of the SFA has not been well defined yet. This study explored the dental occlusion characteristics for treatment decision-making regarding the SFA.

Impact of rehabilitation adherence and depressive symptoms on post-stroke self-care ability and quality of life: a longitudinal study.

Background: Good rehabilitation adherence leads to effective post-stroke recovery. However, some recovering patients experience post-stroke depressive symptoms, which can affect post-stroke health outcomes. Previous studies have not examined the effect of a combination of rehabilitation adherence and depressive symptoms on recovery after a stroke.

Association of Nilotinib With Cardiovascular Diseases in Patients With Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia: A National Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment has been identified to be a risk factor for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in patients diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, the specific contribution of post-TKI metabolic syndrome and the individual TKIs, including imatinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib, contribute to the development of CVDs remains unclear.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide database to investigate the incidence of post-TKI metabolic syndrome, including diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, as well as their association with CVDs.

The predictive role of platelet count for bleeding in patients with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection.

The impact of platelet count on bleeding in hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between platelet count and bleeding in patients with viral hepatitis. We selected patients with HBV and HCV infection.

Real-world patient characteristics and treatment patterns of polycythemia vera in Taiwan between 2016 and 2017: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Background: Polycythemia vera (PV) patients often experience constitutional symptoms and are at risk of thromboembolism as well as disease progression to myelofibrosis or acute myeloid leukemia. Not only is PV often overlooked but treatment options are also limited, however.

Objectives: To explore the patient characteristics and treatment pattern of PV patients in Taiwan, and compare with other countries reported in the literature.

Joint predictability of physical frailty/pre-frailty and subjective memory complaints on mortality risk among cognitively unimpaired older adults.

The aim of the present study was to investigate how frailty/pre-frailty in combination with subjective memory complaints predicts all-cause mortality in community dwelling cognitively unimpaired older adults. There were 1904 community-dwelling cognitively unimpaired persons aged 65 years or older who participated in the 2013 Taiwan National Health Interview Survey with a 5-year follow-up. Frailty was determined based on the fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illness, and loss of weight (FRAIL) scale.

The Impact of Human Platelet Antigen Allele on Antiplatelet Antibodies and Cryoglobulins in Patients with Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia and Hepatitis C Virus-Associated Immune Thrombocytopenia.

Background And Objectives: Human platelet antigens (HPAs) are alloantigens associated with antiplatelet alloantibodies and the risk of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, few studies have investigated associations among HPAs, antiplatelet autoantibodies, and cryoglobulins.

Methods: We enrolled 43 patients with primary ITP, 47 with hepatitis C virus-associated ITP (HCV-ITP), 21 with hepatitis B virus-associated ITP (HBV-ITP), 25 controls with HCV, and 1013 normal controls.

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor affects tissue fluid accumulation and is associated with deteriorating tissue perfusion and oxygenation in severe sepsis: a prospective observational study.

Background: Positive fluid balance and tissue fluid accumulation are associated with adverse outcomes in sepsis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) increases in sepsis, promotes vascular permeability, and may affect tissue fluid accumulation and oxygenation. We used near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to estimate tissue hemoglobin (Hb) oxygenation and water (HO) levels to investigate their relationship with serum VEGF levels.

Predictors of Abnormal Sleep Duration in Older Adults With Hip Fracture and Diabetes.

Background: Abnormal sleep duration affects recovery in older adults with hip fracture and diabetes mellitus (DM) negatively. However, the predictors of abnormal sleep duration in this population remain unknown.

Purpose: This study was designed to explore the predictors of abnormal sleep duration among older adults with hip fracture and DM within 6 months of hospital discharge.

An Outpatient-Based Training Program Improves Family Caregivers' Preparedness in Caring for Persons With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Little is known regarding the effects of training programs on family caregivers of older persons with mild cognitive impairment because of the significant differences in outcome variables measured in the various studies in the literature.

Purpose: This study was designed to examine the effects of an outpatient-based caregiver training program on the preparedness, health-related quality of life, and depressive symptoms of participants responsible for caring for older persons with mild cognitive impairment.

Methods: A randomized clinical trial was implemented.

Risk of critical limb ischemia in long-term uterine cancer survivors: A population-based study.

Background: The risk of critical limb ischemia (CLI) which causes ischemic pain or ischemic loss in the arteries of the lower extremities in long-term uterine cancer (UC) survivors remains unclear, especially in Asian patients, who are younger at the diagnosis of UC than their Western counterparts.

Aim: To conduct a nationwide population-based study to assess the risk of CLI in UC long-term survivors.

Methods: UC survivors, defined as those who survived for longer than 5 years after the diagnosis, were identified and matched at a 1:4 ratio with normal controls.

Effects of a diabetes mellitus-specific care intervention and home environment among older adults following hip fracture surgery.

Objectives: To explore the impact of home environment on effects of a diabetes mellitus (DM)-specific care model among older adults following hip-fracture surgery.

Methods: A secondary analysis using the Home Environmental Barriers Scale assessed home environment (intervention group=81, control group=79) at 1- and 3-months post-discharge. Outcomes of physical functioning were assessed at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-discharge.

Increased tissue water in patients with severe sepsis affects tissue oxygenation measured by near-infrared spectroscopy: a prospective, observational case-control study.

Background: Tissue oedema affects tissue perfusion and interferes with the monitoring of tissue oxygenation in patients with severe sepsis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We used a wireless near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device that transmits tri-wavelength light to quantify tissue haemoglobin (Hb) and water (HO) content.

Sequential digital occlusal analysis in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion with orthognathic surgery: Surgery-first vs orthodontic-first approach.

Introduction: This study compared changes in occlusal characteristics in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion with surgery-first approach (SFA) and those with orthodontic-first approach (OFA) through digital occlusal analysis.

Methods: In this prospective study, 90 consecutive subjects were divided into control, OFA, and SFA groups (30 per group). Force discrepancy, occlusal time, tooth contact, center of force, and force-time graph pattern were calculated for all samples using the T-Scan III system.

Can rehabilitation adherence among stroke patients be measured using a single item?

Aims And Objectives: To assess the concurrent validity between logbooks and a single-item rehabilitation adherence measurement for patients with stroke. Agreement between caregivers and patients and between caregivers and physical therapists regarding a single-item measurement was investigated, and its predictive validity was explored.

Background: Adherence to therapy is a primary determinant of treatment success.

Smart clothes-assisted home-nursing care program for family caregivers of older persons with dementia and hip fracture: a mixed-methods study.

Background: The purpose of this preliminary study was to explore whether a smart clothes-assisted home-nursing care program could benefit family caregivers and their care recipients.

Methods: Family caregivers in charge of a care recipient's living situation participated in this convergent parallel, mixed methods study. We recruited older persons with dementia (n = 7) and those discharged following hip-fracture surgery (n = 6) from neurological clinics and surgical wards of a medical center, respectively, along with their family caregivers: three spouses, eight sons, one daughter, and one daughter-in-law.

Current utilization of interferon alpha for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019: A comprehensive review.

Recent studies have identified an association between perturbed type I interferon (IFN) responses and the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). IFNα intervention may normalize the dysregulated innate immunity of COVID-19. However, details regarding its utilization and therapeutic evidence have yet to be systematically evaluated.

Trajectory of adherence to home rehabilitation among older adults with hip fractures and cognitive impairment.

This study aimed to identify different trajectories of adherence to home rehabilitation for older adults with hip fracture and cognitive impairment, to examine associations between different adherence trajectories and postoperative recovery outcomes, and to explore the predictors of adherence trajectories. Group-based trajectory modeling showed two adherence trajectories: low (39.06%) and high (60.

Functional Status in Older Persons After Hip Fracture Surgery: A Longitudinal Study of Indonesian Patients.

Background: Hip fractures are one of the most serious injuries affecting older adults. Evidence-based knowledge regarding the functional status of older persons after hip fracture can provide information critical for developing effective continuous-care and rehabilitation programs.

Purpose: This study was developed to examine the post-hospital-discharge outcome measures and predictors of functional status in older adults in Indonesia after hip fracture surgery.