Radiation Dose-Volume Effects on Negative Tumor-Draining Lymph Nodes Impacted T-Cell Activation and Prognosis in Esophageal Cancer with Chemoradiotherapy.

Purpose: Preclinical model found that elective nodal irradiation (ENI) attenuated the efficacy of radiotherapy and radio-immunotherapy. However, limited clinical studies have explored the correlation between radiation dose-volume parameters of negative tumor draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) and T-cell activation/prognosis for cancer patients treated with definitive radio(chemo)therapy.

Experimental Design: Patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer undergoing definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) were selected from two prospective trials.

Development and initial validation of a role strain scale for male nursing students.

Background: Male nursing students face numerous challenges in learning and clinical practice due to occupational gender segregation and societal gender stereotypes. Although there is a role strain scale for nursing students of both genders, it is not specifically designed to assess role strain in areas such as community, family, peers, and nursing education among male nursing students.

Purpose: To develop and initially validate a Role Strain Scale for male nursing students.

Effect of Obesity and Metabolic Health Status on Metabolic-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease among Renal Transplant Recipients Using Hepatic Steatosis Index.

Background/objectives: Obesity and metabolic conditions increase the risk of metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This study examined the risk of MASLD in 137 renal transplant recipients (RTRs) from a single-center hospital on the basis of their obesity and metabolic health status.

Methods: Participants were categorized into four groups: metabolically healthy nonobese (MHNO), metabolically healthy obese (MHO), metabolically abnormal nonobese (MANO), and metabolically abnormal obese (MAO).

Transcriptomic Characterization of Male Formosan Pangolin () Reproductive Tract and Evaluation of Domestic Cat () as a Potential Model Species.

The Formosan pangolin () is an endemic animal of Taiwan. Due to their reduced population and behavior, very little is known about this enigmatic species. To unravel male pangolin reproduction, in the present study, we built a complete genomic database of the male Formosan pangolin reproductive tract and revealed highly expressing genes as well as critical signaling pathways and their associated biological processes in both the testis and the epididymis.

Tailored treatment of female indirect inguinal hernias by using single-port laparoscopic percutaneous internal ring suture: a comparison between children and adults.

Purpose: To compare the outcome of indirect inguinal hernias repaired by using single-port laparoscopic percutaneous internal ring suture (SPIRS) between the pediatric and adult females.

Methods: The medical records of females who were clinically assessed to have inguinal hernia from Oct. 2016 to May 2022 were reviewed.

Re-evaluating efficacy of vaccines against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in poultry: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) clade 2.3.4.

Changes in Dietary Nutrient Intake and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate over a 5-Year Period in Renal Transplant Recipients.

The scarcity of dietary guidance for renal transplant recipients (RTRs) raises concerns regarding obesity and associated comorbidities, including impaired renal function. This two-stage cross-sectional study examined longitudinal changes in dietary nutrient intake in the same individuals over a 5-year interval. This study involved two stages: T1 (September 2016 to June 2018) and T2 (July 2022 to August 2023).

Lymphocyte recovery from radiation-induced lymphopenia in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: correlations with prognosis and lymphocyte-related organs.

Background: Limited studies explored the relationship between lymphocyte recovery after definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (dCCRT) and prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods: ESCC patients with obtainable absolute lymphocyte counts (ALCs) at 6 months after dCCRT were screened from prospective trials. Patients were divided into groups according to the grade of ALC nadir during radiotherapy (G4 or G1-3) and lymphocyte recovery status, which was assessed by lymphocyte recovery index (LRI), calculated as the ratio of post- to pre-treatment lymphocyte counts.

Association of Three Different Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet Indices with Renal Function in Renal Transplant Recipients.

Several dietary indices assess the impacts of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet on health outcomes. We explored DASH adherence and renal function among 85 Taiwanese renal transplant recipients (RTRs) in a cross-sectional study. Data collection included demographics, routine laboratory data, and 3-day dietary records.

Interim position emission tomography-computed tomography during multimodality treatment of locally advanced esophageal cancer: a scoping review.

Background: Among cancers, esophageal cancer (EC) has one of the highest incidences and mortality in Asia. As recognized in many national guidelines, functional imaging performed with position emission tomography is recommended for patients with locally advanced disease. This review evaluated evidence for the use of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) interim positron emission tomography (PETint) in bimodality (chemoradiation) and trimodality (chemoradiation followed by surgery) management of locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC), with a focus on its prognostic and predictive value.

An Anion-Switchable Dual-Function Rotaxane Catalyst.

In situ switching of the associated anions of a rotaxane catalyst between Cl and TFPB exposes its dialkylammonium and imidazolium stations, respectively, thereby selectively catalyzing the reactions of a mixture of trans-cinnamaldehyde and an aliphatic thiol to yield the Michael adduct and the thioacetal product, respectively.

Less Irradiation to Lymphocyte-Related Organs Reduced the Risk of G4 Lymphopenia in Esophageal Cancer: Re-Analysis of Prospective Trials.

Background: This study aimed to explore the relationship between irradiation of lymphocyte-related organs at risk (LOARs) and lymphopenia during definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (dCCRT) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Materials And Methods: Cases of ESCC patients who received dCCRT from 2 prospective clinical trials were identified. To find its correlation with survival outcomes, grades of absolute lymphocyte counts (ALCs) nadir during radiotherapy were recorded following COX analysis.

Morel-Lavallee lesions and number of surgeries for associated injuries predict surgical site infection risk following pelvic ring injury osteosynthesis.

We examined the incidence and causative factors of surgical site infection (SSI) following osteosynthesis for pelvic ring injury by reviewing the data of 97 consecutive patients with pelvic ring injuries treated between 2014 and 2019. Osteosyntheses, including internal or external skeletal fixation with plates or screws, were performed based on fracture type and patient's condition. Fractures were treated surgically, with a 36 months minimum follow-up period.

Immune characteristics and genetic markers of esophageal cancer by single-cell analysis: implications for immunotherapy.

Background: Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The prognoses for patients with the same stage of EC can vary substantially. The progress of single-cell analysis technology has furthered the understanding of tumor heterogeneity.

Health literacy in women with chronic pelvic pain.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Limited health literacy (HL) is a risk factor for poor patient outcomes, including pain. Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a prevalent disorder affecting up to 25% of women and coexists with multiple overlapping conditions. This study aimed to describe health literacy in women with CPP, primarily correlate HL to pain intensity and pain duration, and secondarily correlate HL to mood symptoms and pain catastrophizing.

Sputtered anti-reflection layer on transparent polyimide - substrate improves adhesion strength to - copper layer: effects of layer thickness and sputtering power.

In order to shield the electronic circuits on a transparent polyimide (PI) substrate, an anti-reflection (AR) layer was deposited on a PI film DC reactive magnetron sputtering. The effects of sputtering power and thickness of AR layer on the optical property and adhesion strength of the PI were investigated. The composition of the AR layer influences the bonding between layers.

Effects of Resistance Exercise on Cognitive Performance and Depressive Symptoms in Community-Dwelling Older Chinese Americans: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Previous literature has suggested physical exercise may improve cognitive impairments and mitigate depressive symptoms. However, few studies examined the impact of resistance exercise intervention on cognition and depression in older Chinese Americans. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the effects of resistance exercise training on cognitive performance and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older Chinese Americans.

Epidemiological landscape of esophageal cancer in Asia: Results from GLOBOCAN 2020.

Background: Esophageal cancer (EC) is a global health problem. Asia represents a huge burden of EC globally, and incidence and mortality vary considerably across different Asian regions.

Methods: Data on incidence, mortality, and preference were extracted from GLOBOCAN 2020.

Stress Relaxation and Grain Growth Behaviors of (111)-Preferred Nanotwinned Copper during Annealing.

Highly (111)-oriented nanotwinned Cu (nt-Cu) films were fabricated on silicon wafers for thermal-stress characterization. We tailored the microstructural features (grain scale and orientation) of the films by tuning the electroplating parameters. The films were heat-treated and the relaxation behaviors of thermal stresses in the films were explored using a bending beam system.

Anti-reflection Layer-Sputtered Transparent Polyimide Substrate with Reliable Adhesion Strength to the Copper Layer.

Parameters of DC-reactive magnetron sputtering are optimized to deposit anti-reflection (AR) layers on transparent polyimide (PI) substrates, followed by the deposition of the conductive copper layer, to fabricate practically reliable composite films as advanced flexible circuits. When the deposition thickness is controlled and the gas composition during sputtering is adjusted, the resultant AR layer-coated PI film exhibits low reflectance and reveals improved adhesion strength to the copper layer. The adhesion reliability tests confirm that the peel strength between the PI film and the deposited layers could be further improved after thermal processing due to the formation of a worm-like morphology for better mechanical interlocking with layers.

Dietary quality indices and recurrent chronic kidney disease in Taiwanese post-renal transplant recipients.

Background: This study investigated the association between dietary quality indices and recurrent chronic kidney disease (rCKD) in Taiwanese post-renal transplant recipients (RTRs).

Methods: This prospective study recruited RTRs aged >18 years with a functioning allograft and without any acute rejection in the past 3 months from September 2016 to June 2018. Dietary quality indices included the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) and AHEI-2010, and the Taiwanese version of the AHEI (AHEI-Taiwan) was calculated using 3-day dietary records, and calculated scores were divided into quartiles.

Tailoring Copper Chemical Status and Hydrophobicity of Biomimetic Photocatalytic Films for Carbon Dioxide Conversion.

Naturally hierarchical nanostructures of leaves were successfully replicated on thermally stable polyimide (PI) films to obtain biomimetic substrates for the grafting of p-type semiconductor, cuprous oxide (CuO). The chemical states of CuO and the hydrophobicity on the photocatalytic films were tunable by altering the process time of ion-exchange or chemical reduction. The obtained photocatalytic films showed activity to photocatalytically convert carbon dioxide (CO) into carbon monoxide (CO) under visible light illumination.