Repurposing of Metformin to Improve Survival Outcomes in Patients With Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

Purpose: Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) presents a higher incidence rate in Taiwan compared to Western societies. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of metformin in improving survival outcomes for patients with UTUC in Taiwan.

Material And Methods: This retrospective study included 940 patients with UTUC and type 2 diabetes from the Taiwan UTUC Collaboration Group, spanning 21 hospitals from July 1988 to September 2023.

Real-world evaluation of an evidence-based telemental health program for PTSD symptoms.

Blended care therapy (BCT), which augments live, video-based psychotherapy sessions with asynchronous digital tools, has the potential to increase access to evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, its effectiveness in diverse, real-world settings is not well-understood. This evaluation aimed to assess clinical outcomes of a BCT program for PTSD symptoms.

Comparison of CT findings between basaloid squamous cell carcinoma and non-basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

This study aimed to compare computed tomography (CT) findings between basaloid lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and non-basaloid SCC. From July 2003 to April 2021, 39 patients with surgically proven basaloid SCC were identified. For comparison, 161 patients with surgically proven non-basaloid SCC from June 2018 to January 2019 were selected consecutively.

Therapeutic effect of novel drug candidate, PRG-N-01, on NF2 syndrome-related tumor.

Background: NF2-related schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN) is associated with multiple benign tumors in the nervous system. NF2-SWN, caused by mutations in the NF2 gene, has developed into intracranial and spinal schwannomas. Because of the high surgical risk and frequent recurrence of multiple tumors, targeted therapy is necessary.

Condylar position changes and prognosis in patients with unilateral mandibular condylar fracture treated non-surgically.

Background: Non-surgical method is a treatment option for mandibular condylar fracture; however, it is questionable whether bone fragments are adequately reduced and remodeled. The purpose of this study was to identify three-dimensional positional changes in the mandibular condyles in patients treated non-surgically, analyze factors influencing the extent of positional changes, and evaluate clinical prognosis.

Methods: This retrospective study included 31 patients with unilateral mandibular condylar fractures treated non-surgically at the Ajou University Dental Hospital between 2005 and 2023.

The Glutamate-Serine-Glycine Index as a Biomarker to Monitor the Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Objective: Bariatric surgery effectively treats non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The glutamate-serine-glycine (GSG) index has emerged as a non-invasive diagnostic marker for NAFLD, but its ability to monitor treatment response remains unclear. This study investigates the GSG index's ability to monitor NAFLD's response to bariatric surgery.

Use of the Consumer Health Literacy Quotient to Quantify and Explore Self-Care Readiness Among Consumers in Four Asia-Pacific Countries.

Background/objectives: Self-care has great potential to benefit consumers and health systems, but its mainstream adoption is hindered by a systemic lack of consumer health literacy (HL). Published data on consumer awareness of self-care and HL are limited for regions in Asia, and are needed to develop interventions to enhance HL and self-care for diverse populations in this region. The aim of this research was to describe and analyze patterns of HL and awareness of self-care among consumers in Asia.

Routine Spironolactone in Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists have been shown to reduce mortality in patients after myocardial infarction with congestive heart failure. Whether routine use of spironolactone is beneficial after myocardial infarction is uncertain.

Methods: In this multicenter trial with a 2-by-2 factorial design, we randomly assigned patients with myocardial infarction who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention to receive either spironolactone or placebo and either colchicine or placebo.

Evaluation of pediatric migraine triggers: a single-center study.

Background: Pediatric migraines are primarily treated with medications. However, recognizing the triggers related to patient behaviors and lifestyle is also important.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the factors that trigger pediatric migraines.

Efficacy of continuous preperitoneal ropivacaine infusion in women with cesarean section: A prospective, randomized controlled, single blinded study.

Background: Adequate postoperative pain management after cesarean section is important for the prognosis of both mother and infant. However, excessive prescription of opioid analgesics has become a concern. This study evaluated the efficacy of local continuous subfascial infusion of ropivacaine in relieving postoperative pain and reducing opioid requirements in postpartum women with cesarean section.

Pilot Trial of Perampanel on Peritumoral Hyperexcitability in Newly Diagnosed High-grade Glioma.

Purpose: Glutamatergic neuron-glioma synaptogenesis and peritumoral hyperexcitability promote glioma growth in a positive feedback loop. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and estimated effect sizes of the targeted AMPA receptor antagonist perampanel on peritumoral hyperexcitability.

Experimental Design: An open-label trial was performed comparing perampanel with standard of care (SOC) in patients undergoing resection of newly diagnosed radiologic high-grade glioma.

Aortic Dissections in the Elderly: Older Age in Patients With Acute Aortic Syndromes Is Associated With Delayed Time to Surgery.

Objective: In the setting of acute aortic syndromes, timely access to definitive surgical repair is of paramount importance. Older patients, primarily septuagenarians and octogenarians, undergoing emergent ascending arch repair experience higher rates of mortality compared to younger patients. Despite this risk, studies show that surgical management is still superior to medical management for this patient population.

Evolutionary Insights from Association Rule Mining of Co-Occurring Mutations in Influenza Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase.

Seasonal influenza viruses continuously evolve via antigenic drift. This leads to recurring epidemics, globally significant mortality rates, and the need for annually updated vaccines. Co-occurring mutations in hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) are suggested to have synergistic interactions where mutations can increase the chances of immune escape and viral fitness.

Expression of Myeloperoxidase in Patient-Derived Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells-Associations with Coronary Artery Disease and Mitochondrial Function.

Background And Aims: Myeloperoxidase (MPO) plays a critical role in the innate immune response and has been suggested to be a surrogate marker of oxidative stress and inflammation, with elevated levels implicated in cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and heart failure, as well as in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. While MPO is well-known in leukocytes, its expression and function in human endothelial cells remain unclear. This study investigates MPO expression in patient-derived endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) and its potential association with CAD and mitochondrial function.

A longitudinal single-cell atlas of anti-tumour necrosis factor treatment in inflammatory bowel disease.

Precision medicine in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) requires a cellular understanding of treatment response. We describe a therapeutic atlas for Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) following adalimumab, an anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treatment. We generated ~1 million single-cell transcriptomes, organised into 109 cell states, from 216 gut biopsies (41 subjects), revealing disease-specific differences.

Novel combined pharmacological strategy to alleviate acute phase response following zoledronic acid treatment.

Unlabelled: Brief rationale: Zoledronic acid treatment against osteoporosis is limited by APR. Main result: Combination therapy (hydrocortisone plus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, and prednisolone) reduced intolerable APR levels and provided complete symptom relief in most patients. Significance of the paper: Combination therapy can enhance patient outcomes in osteoporosis management.

A Systematic Search and Review of Registered Pharmacological Therapies Investigated to Improve Outcomes after a Stroke.

Introduction: Stroke burden is largely due to long-term impairments requiring prolonged care and loss of productivity. We aim to identify and assess studies of different registered pharmacological therapies as treatments for improving post-stroke impairments and/or disabilities.

Methods: In a systematic search and review (PROSPERO registration: CRD42022376973), studies of treatments that have been investigated as recovery-enhancing or recovery-promoting treatments in adult patients who had suffered a stroke will be searched for, screened, and reviewed based on the following: participants (P): adult humans, aged 18 years or older, diagnosed with stroke; interventions (I): registered or marketed pharmacological therapies that have been investigated as recovery-enhancing or recovery-promoting treatments in stroke; comparators (C): active or placebo or no comparator; outcomes (O): stroke-related neurological impairments and functional/disability assessments.

Clinical effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A 7-year population-based cohort study.

Background: Previous randomized controlled trials have established the efficacy of dupilumab among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treated with triple therapy over 52 weeks of follow-up.

Objective: This population-based cohort study aimed to explore the long-term safety and effectiveness of dupilumab in patients with COPD.

Methods: The study included US patients with COPD who were seen between April 2017 and August 2024.

Development of eco-friendly pretreatment processes for high-purity silicon recovery from end-of-life photovoltaic modules.

This study examines the efficacy of photovoltaic (PV) recycling processes and technologies for the recovery of high-purity silicon powder from waste solar modules. In order to facilitate the simplification of complex processes, such as the conventional nitric acid dissolution, solvent and ultrasonic irradiation, and solvent dissolution, a variety of mechanical separation processes have been established. These processes are designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the aforementioned processes.