Depressive and anxiety symptoms in postpartum women after recovery from COVID-19: a questionnaire-based observational study.

Introduction: Previous studies on the association between recovery from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and postpartum depressive and anxiety symptoms had conflicting results. This study aimed to investigate the psychological burdens among postpartum women who had experienced COVID-19 infection during their pregnancies and those who had not.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Taichung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan from April 2022 to January 2023.

Assessment of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.

The background of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is complex, and its influence on adverse pregnancy outcomes is inconsistently reported. We performed a multi-institutional, retrospective analysis using de-identified electronic health records from the TriNetX Research Network to compare various pregnancy outcomes in women with and those without H.

Relationship between dietary diversity, eating behavior, and cognitive performance in economically disadvantaged school children.

Objective: The effect of dietary diversity and eating behavior on attention, and concentration among children lacking in resources is unclear. We aim to investigate the association between dietary diversity, eating behavior, and cognitive abilities among economically disadvantaged children at high risk of cognitive impairment.

Methods: This study enrolled 676 children aged 10-12 years from 16 free academic tutoring centers across Taiwan.

Comparison between virtual reality and traditional lecture methods in educating respiratory therapy students on pediatric difficult airway diseases.

Background: Pediatric airway diseases are associated with complex challenges because of smaller and more dynamic airway structures in children. These conditions, along with specialized management by medical care staff, should be immediately and precisely recognized to prevent life-threatening obstructions and long-term respiratory complications. Recently, virtual reality (VR) has emerged as an innovative approach to clinical medical education.

Associations between serum indium levels and preserved ratio impaired spirometry among non-smoking industrial workers: A nationwide cross-sectional study in Taiwan.

Background: Indium, a rare heavy metal, extensively used in flat panel display manufacturing, poses potential respiratory health risks to workers. Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm), a term describing nonobstructive lung function abnormalities, is associated with adverse health outcomes. Despite known risks, the relationship between serum indium levels and PRISm remains underexplored.

Risk Factors for Unplanned Emergency Department Visits in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma During Radiotherapy.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is commonly treated with radiotherapy (RT) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). However, unplanned emergency department (ED) visits during treatment can disrupt therapy and impact patient outcomes. This study aims to identify the risk factors associated with unplanned ED visits in patients with NPC receiving RT or CCRT.

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Significantly Reduces Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Symptoms in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) is a frequently observed clinical manifestation of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This systematic review aimed to evaluate the function of the Eustachian tube following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in adult CRS patients with confirmed preoperative ETD symptoms. (2) Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and MEDLINE electronic databases was conducted.

Intensity-modulated proton therapy versus volumetric-modulated ARC therapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A long-term, multicenter cohort study.

Background: Data evaluating the impact of intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) on survival among nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients are limited. This study aims to elucidate the survival benefits and toxicity profiles of IMPT compared to modern photon therapy, volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT), over an extended follow-up period.

Methods: We analyzed data from NPC patients recorded in the Chang Gung Research Database.

Translating Risk Ratios, Baseline Incidence, and Proportions Diseased to Correlations and Chi-Squared Statistics: Simulation Epidemiology.

Background In a population, when a disease is causing a symptom, the overall symptom incidence can be determined by proportions diseased, baseline symptom incidence, and risk ratios of developing the symptom due to the disease. There are various measures of association, including risk ratios. How risk ratios are linked to other measures of association, such as correlation coefficients and chi-squared statistics, has not been explicitly discussed.

Activin A as a potential biomarker for preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) and clinical outcomes in community-dwelling adults.

Introduction: This study endeavors to decipher the association between Activin A and PRISm, thereby addressing the potential of Activin A as a serum biomarker for early detection and long-term clinical outcome prediction of PRISm and subsequent all-cause mortality.

Methods: The study sample comprised middle-aged and older adults from the I-Lan Longitudinal Aging Study. Pulmonary function including forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV) were measured.

miR-540-3p partially recovers the locomotor function of spinal cord injury mice by targeting SIX4/Yap1 and inactivation of astrocytes.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) lacks therapeutic reagents. miRNAs are responsible for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy in spinal cord injury.

Purpose: To discover the underlying therapeutic miRNA target and its mechanism for the treatment of SCI.

Follistatin-respiratory connection predicting all-cause mortality among community-dwelling middle-to-old age individuals: Results from the I-Lan Longitudinal Study.

Objectives: The link between aging and pulmonary function decline is well-established, but the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully revealed. Serum follistatin, a myokine implicated in muscle degeneration, may play a role in age-related pulmonary changes. This study aims to investigate the relationship between serum follistatin levels and pulmonary function decline in community-dwelling older adults, and evaluate their combined association with all-cause mortality.

Post-irradiation dysbiosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma having received radiotherapy - A pilot study.

Objective: To compare the changes in the sinonasal mucosa microbiome in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) before and after radiotherapy (RT), and to explore the pathogenesis of post-irradiation chronic rhinosinusitis (PI-CRS) and its association with dysbiosis.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Unicenter, Tertiary referral hospital.

The risk of free flap revision and subsequent medical costs in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.

Background: Few studies have examined the preoperative risks and healthcare costs related to free flap revision in hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) patients.

Methods: A 20-year retrospective case-control study was conducted using the Chang Gung Research Database, focusing on HPC patients who underwent tumor excision and free flap reconstruction from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2019. The impacts of clinical variables on the need for re-exploration due to free flap complications were assessed using logistic regression.

Influence of vaccination on critical COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Despite vaccines' effectiveness in reducing COVID-19 infection rates and disease severity, their impact on critical patients presenting with acute respiratory failure is elusive. The aim of this study was to further investigate the influence of vaccination on mortality rates among severely ill COVID-19 patients experiencing acute respiratory failure.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was carried out at a tertiary medical center in Taiwan.

The Value of the Nutritional Indicators in Predicting Free Flap Failure From a Multicentre Database.

Objective: Nutritional and inflammatory statuses have been associated with complications in microvascular-free flaps during head and neck surgeries. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of nutritional indicators in predicting postoperative free flap complications.

Study Design: We conducted a 20-year retrospective, case-control study within a defined cohort.

A Joint Model Based on Post-Treatment Longitudinal Prognostic Nutritional Index to Predict Survival in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Background: a low PNI in patients with NPC is linked to poor survival, but prior studies have focused on single-timepoint measurements. Our study aims to employ joint modeling to analyze longitudinal PNI data from each routine visit, exploring its relationship with overall survival.

Methods: In this retrospective study using data from the Chang Gung Research Database (2007-2019), we enrolled patients with NPC undergoing curative treatment.

Streamlining regular liquid chromatography with MALDI-TOF MS and NMR spectroscopy using automatic full-contact splitless spotting interface and flash-tap fractioning collection.

Background: High-resolution matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy are powerful tools to identify unknown psychoactive substances. However, in complex matrices, trace levels of unknown substances usually require additional fractionation and concentration. Specialized liquid chromatography systems are necessary for both techniques.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes among critically ill patients with cancer and COVID-19-related acute respiratory failure.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected individuals worldwide, and patients with cancer are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19-related severe illness, respiratory failure, and mortality. The relationship between COVID-19 and cancer remains a critical concern, and a comprehensive investigation of the factors affecting survival among patients with cancer who develop COVID-19-related respiratory failure is warranted. We aim to compare the characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19-related acute respiratory failure in patients with and without underlying cancer, while analyzing factors affecting in-hospital survival among cancer patients.

Association of Late Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema Score with Clinical Outcome in Patients with Influenza-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Influenza virus infection leads to acute pulmonary injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema (RALE) score has been proposed as a reliable tool for the evaluation of the opacity of chest X-rays (CXRs). This study aimed to examine the RALE scores and outcomes in patients with influenza-associated ARDS.

Intrauterine Volvulus: A Case Report.

Intrauterine volvulus is an extremely rare disorder. Its diagnosis is difficult to make antenatally, unless typical pictures are obtained. Owing to its high morbidity and mortality, intensive monitoring of the fetal condition is mandatory.