Barriers to quality cancer care: a qualitative exploration of oncology case managers' experiences in facilitating guideline implementation in Taiwan.

Background: In cancer care, the use of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) has been shown to improve the quality and effectiveness of medical services. To facilitate physicians' adherence to these guidelines, Taiwan established the position of oncology case manager (OCM) in 2010, one of whose responsibilities is to monitor physicians' compliance. However, there have been few explorations of their experiences and the barriers they face in facilitating guideline implementation.

Decreases in pH from effluent had a devastating but reversible impact on the coastal plankton communities.

An event of releasing untreated effluent caused serious decreases in surface seawater pH from 8.1 to lower than 7.5 in seven years and increased back to prior levels after 15 years.

The Novel Application of EUK-134 in Retinal Degeneration: Preventing Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress-Triggered Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Apoptosis by Suppressing MAPK/p53 Signaling Pathway.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness, is characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. EUK-134 is a mimetic of SOD2 and catalase, widely used for its antioxidant properties in models of light-induced damage or oxidative stress. However, its effects on the retina are not yet clear.

Long-term monitoring dataset of plankton assemblages in western Taiwan coastal water.

Plankton plays important roles in the marine ecosystems as important producers for primary production, major components in the global biogeochemical cycles, and the foundation of the marine food web. Despite their importance, long-term monitoring data about marine plankton are fairly limited, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. We fill this knowledge gap by providing a 29-year long-term monitoring data on the coastal areas of western Taiwan quarterly from 1993 to 2021.

Effectiveness of early palliative care in patients with head and neck cancer in Taiwan.

Background: Early palliative care (EPC) benefits some cancers, but its clinical outcomes differ depending on patients' racial and ethnic disparities, and customs. To determine whether EPC improves symptoms, emotional distress, and quality of life among Taiwanese patients with early or advanced-stage head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods: Based on participants' pathological stages, they were categorized as having early and advanced-stage HNC.

Lemon Peel Water Extract: A Novel Material for Retinal Health, Protecting Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells against Dynamin-Related Protein 1-Mediated Mitochondrial Fission by Blocking ROS-Stimulated Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase/Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Pathway.

Previous studies showed that NaIO can induce oxidative stress-mediated retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) damage to simulate age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Lemon peel is rich in antioxidants and components that can penetrate the blood-retinal barrier, but their role in retinal oxidative damage remains unexplored. Here, we explore the protection of lemon peel ultrasonic-assisted water extract (LUWE), containing large amounts of flavonoids and polyphenols, against NaIO-induced retinal degeneration.

Standardize the surgical technique and clarify the oncologic significance of robotic D3-D4 lymphadenectomy for upper rectum and sigmoid colon cancer with clinically more than N2 lymph node metastasis.

Background: The territory of D3-D4 lymphadenectomy for upper rectal and sigmoid colon cancer varies, and its oncological efficacy is unclear. This prospective study aimed to standardize the surgical technique of robotic D3-D4 lymphadenectomy and clarify its oncologic significance.

Methods: Patients with upper rectal or sigmoid colon cancer with clinically suspected more than N2 lymph node metastasis were prospectively recruited to undergo standardized robotic D3-D4 lymphadenectomy.

Virus-derived circular RNAs populate hepatitis C virus-infected cells.

It is known that pre-mRNAs in eukaryotic cells can be processed to circular RNAs by a backsplicing mechanism. Circular RNAs have great stability and can sequester proteins or small RNAs to exert functions on cellular pathways. Because viruses often exploit host pathways, we explored whether the RNA genome of the cytoplasmic hepatitis C virus is processed to yield virus-derived circRNAs (vcircRNAs).

Optimized Sugar-Free Citrus Lemon Juice Fermentation Efficiency and the Lipid-Lowering Effects of the Fermented Juice.

Aging and obesity make humans more prone to cardiovascular and metabolic syndrome diseases, leading to several serious health conditions, including hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure, and sleep disturbance. This study aimed to explore the hypolipidemic effect of fermented citrus lemon juice using a hyperlipidemic hamster model. The sugar-free lemon juice's fermentation was optimized, and the characteristics of fresh and fermented lemon juice (FLJ) were evaluated and compared, which contained polyphenols and superoxide dismutase-like activity.

Changing patterns and surgical outcomes of small bowel obstruction in the era of minimally invasive surgery for colorectal cancer.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate whether the incidence, patterns, and surgical outcomes of small bowel obstruction (SBO) have changed in the era of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for primary colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent laparotomy for SBO were divided into MIS and traditional open surgery (TOS) groups based on the previous colorectal cancer operation technique used. The MIS group was selected from 1544 consecutive patients who underwent MIS as a treatment for primary CRCs between 2014 and 2022, while the TOS group was selected from 1604 consecutive patients who underwent TOS as a treatment for primary CRCs between 2004 and 2013.

Impact of positron-emission tomography on the surgical treatment of locoregionally recurrent colorectal cancer.

Background: The effect of positron emission tomography (PET) on the surgical treatment of locoregionally recurrent colorectal cancer (LRRCRC) remains unclear and warrants further investigation.

Material And Methods: A total of 193 patients with LRRCRC were identified from a prospectively maintained institutional database, of whom 134 LRRCRCs were deemed resectable and underwent resection with curative intent, whereas the remaining 59 LRRCRCs were unresectable. Patients with resectable LRRCRC were further classified according to whether recurrence was detected solely by PET (n = 35, PET-only group) or by a combination of computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and PET (n = 99, CT/MRI/PET group).

The protective effects of beta-mangostin against sodium iodate-induced retinal ROS-mediated apoptosis through MEK/ERK and p53 signaling pathways.

Previous studies have indicated that NaIO induces intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and has been used as a model for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) due to the selective retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell damage it induces. Beta-mangostin (BM) is a xanthone-type natural compound isolated from . The influence of BM on NaIO-induced oxidative stress damage in ARPE-19 cells has not yet been elucidated.

[Developing and Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Leadership Integrated Educational Program for Master's Nursing Students in Taiwan].

Background: Nursing students with master degrees have the strong potential to serve as future leaders in medical teams. Implementing a well-developed and integrated educational program for nursing leadership at the master's level can strengthen the leadership of advanced practice nurses and promote a positive nursing practice environment.

Purpose: To develop a leadership integrated educational program for master's nursing students and conduct a preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of this program in cultivating leadership competencies in these students.

Technical feasibility of robotic vs. laparoscopic surgery for locally advanced colorectal cancer invading the urinary bladder.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine if robotic surgery can reproduce the technical advantages and oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of locally advanced colorectal cancer invading the urinary bladder.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the prospectively maintained data of patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer invading the urinary bladder undergoing robotic or laparoscopic surgery between June 2006 and November 2020. Clinicopathologic features, surgical outcomes, and oncologic efficacy were compared between patient groups of robotic or laparoscopic surgery.

Particulate matter 2.5 exposure induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in human retinal pigment epithelial ARPE-19 cells.

Exposure to particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) has been linked to ocular surface diseases, yet knowledge of the molecular mechanism impacted on retina pathogenesis is limited.

Suppressive Effect of Tetrahydrocurcumin on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation by Suppressing JAK/STAT and Nrf2/HO-1 Pathways in Microglial Cells.

Brain inflammation, a pathological feature of neurodegenerative disorders, exhibits elevated microglial activity and increased levels of inflammatory factors. The present study was aimed at assessing the anti-inflammatory response of tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), the primary hydrogenated metabolite of curcumin, which was applied to treat () lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated BV2 microglial cells. THC reduced LPS-induced mortality and the production of inflammatory mediators IL-6, TNF-, MIP-2, IP-10, and nitrite.

The necessity of abdominal drainage for patients with complicated appendicitis undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the necessity of abdominal drainage after laparoscopic appendectomy in patients with complicated appendicitis.

Methods: Patients with acute appendicitis undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy at two hospitals between January 2014 and December 2018 were retrospectively included. Complicated appendicitis was defined as the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade ≥ II.

Ramucirumab plus triplet chemotherapy as an alternative salvage treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Background: Ramucirumab is indicated for salvage treatment after failure of first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, the application of ramucirumab at later-line treatment in real-world practice has not received much discussion.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we enrolled 70 patients with mCRC who received ramucirumab plus chemotherapy at National Taiwan University Hospital between 2018 and 2019.

The Protective Effects of -Mangostin Attenuate Sodium Iodate-Induced Cytotoxicity and Oxidative Injury via Mediating SIRT-3 Inactivation via the PI3K/AKT/PGC-1 Pathway.

It is well known that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an irreversible neurodegenerative disease that can cause blindness in the elderly. Oxidative stress-induced retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell damage is a part of the pathogenesis of AMD. In this study, we evaluated the protective effect and mechanisms of alpha-mangostin (α-mangostin, α-MG) against NaIO-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent toxicity, which activates apoptosis in vivo and in vitro.

Robotic versus laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: A propensity-score matching analysis.

Background: We aimed to investigate the advantages of robotic versus laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy as these remains unclear.

Methods: We retrospectively recruited eligible patients with rectal cancer undergoing robotic or laparoscopic surgery following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. We compared the surgical outcomes between patients undergoing either robotic surgery or laparoscopic surgery was based on the propensity-score matching analysis.

High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy in Children With Acute Respiratory Distress With Hypoxia in A Pediatric Intensive Care UnitA Single Center Experience.

High-flow nasal cannulas (HFNCs) show potential in the application of positive pressure, improving gas exchange, and decreasing work of breathing in patients with acute respiratory distress. The aims of this study were to elucidate the indications for HFNC therapy in children of all ages and diagnoses, and to evaluate the efficacy and risk factors for failure of HFNC therapy in children with acute respiratory distress with hypoxia in a pediatric intensive care unit. We conducted this retrospective cohort study at a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020.

Metronomic chemotherapy with tegafur-uracil following radical resection in stage II colorectal cancer.

Background: Stage II colorectal cancer has a relatively good prognosis. Adjuvant chemotherapy following surgery is the standard treatment for stage III colorectal cancer but is not routinely recommended for all stage II colorectal cancer patients. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes, treatment results, and prognostic factors in stage II colorectal cancer patients who underwent curative surgery with/without oral tegafur-uracil (UFT).