Correlation Between Handgrip Strength and Bone Density and Fragility Fracture Risk Among Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Population aging has led to a surge in elderly care needs worldwide. Bone aging, skeletal muscle degeneration, and osteoporosis pose critical health challenges for the elderly. The process of bone and skeletal muscle aging not only impacts the functional abilities but also increases fragility fracture risk.

Long-Term Outcomes of Modified Expansive Open-Door Laminoplasty Combined with Short-Level Anterior Cervical Fusion in Multilevel Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

: Multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (MCSM) presents complex challenges for surgical management, particularly in patients with kyphosis or significant anterior pathology. This study aimed to assess the long-term efficacy of modified expansive open-door laminoplasty (MEOLP) combined with short-level anterior cervical fusion (ACF) in providing decompression, preserving alignment, and maintaining range of motion (ROM) over a nine-year follow-up. : A retrospective analysis was conducted on 124 MCSM patients treated with MEOLP combined with ACF between 2011 and 2015.

Incidence of Total Knee Arthroplasty in Older Females with Knee Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis Treated with Denosumab Compared with Those Treated Using Bisphosphonates: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of total knee arthroplasty (TKA), a marker of severe knee osteoarthritis (OA), among older females with concurrent knee OA and osteoporosis (OP) who were treated with denosumab or bisphosphonates. By analyzing a large population-based cohort, we sought to clarify how these treatments influence the progression of knee OA to the point of requiring surgical intervention. We used data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, including data from females aged ≥ 50 years diagnosed with knee OA and OP who initiated treatment between 2012 and 2019.

Defining a Critical Partition Zone for Sagittal Alignment in Lumbar Spine Fusion Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Background: Sagittal alignment in the lumbar spine is essential for spinal stability and functionality, with significant implications in surgical planning for spinal deformity correction. However, standardized lumbar partitioning, particularly identifying a critical sagittal alignment zone, remains underdefined. This study aims to establish a reliable lumbar partition to guide surgical decisions and optimize clinical outcomes.

Sclerostin and Cardiovascular Risk: Evaluating the Cardiovascular Safety of Romosozumab in Osteoporosis Treatment.

Osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share common risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms, raising concerns about the cardiovascular implications of sclerostin inhibition. Romosozumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets sclerostin, is effective in increasing bone mineral density (BMD) and reducing fracture risk. However, evidence suggests that sclerostin inhibition may adversely affect vascular calcification, potentially increasing the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke.

Association of smartphone overuse and neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Smartphone overuse is associated with both psychological and physical health problems, including depression and musculoskeletal disorders. However, the association between smartphone overuse and neck pain remains unclear. We performed a meta-analysis to examine the relation between smartphone overuse and neck pain, and to identify high-risk usage patterns.

Hydrogen inhalation exerts anti-seizure effects by preventing oxidative stress and inflammation in the hippocampus in a rat model of kainic acid-induced seizures.

Hydrogen gas (H) is an antioxidant with demonstrated neuroprotective efficacy. In this study, we administered H via inhalation to rats to evaluate its effects on seizures induced by kainic acid (KA) injection and the underlying mechanism. The animals were intraperitoneally injected with KA (15 mg/kg) to induce seizures.

Ultrafine Particle Generation from Ozone Oxidation of Cannabis Smoke.

Cannabis smoke is a complex aerosol mixture, featuring characteristic monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes which are susceptible to reaction with ozone and other oxidants. These reactions form less-volatile species which can contribute to secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and ultrafine particle (UFP) formation. In this work, the reaction of ozone with cannabis smoke was observed in an environmental chamber.

Association of Scoliosis and Severe Knee Osteoarthritis: A Case-Control Study.

: Scoliosis has been linked to pelvic position and tilt angle, but few studies have explored its relationship with knee pathology, which can be a significant burden for the elderly. Our aim is to investigate the relationship between scoliosis and knee osteoarthritis (OA). : This population-based case-control study using data from the National Health Insurance Database of Taiwan included patients diagnosed with OA who underwent total knee replacement (TKR) for the first time between 2014 and 2019.

Development and validation of the Taiwan Cancer Frailty Tool for older patients with cancer: A prospective longitudinal study.

Introduction: The increasing occurrence of cancer in Taiwan's older population highlights the need for a culturally attuned frailty assessment tool. This study aimed to develop and validate a frailty screening instrument specifically designed for older Taiwanese patients with cancer to predict survival outcomes.

Materials And Methods: Patients aged ≥65 years newly diagnosed with cancer before treatment initiation at three Hospitals in Taiwan were prospectively included from July 2018 to December 2020 to participate in the study.

Long-Term Outcomes of an Infliximab-First Versus Vedolizumab-First Treatment Strategy in Biologic-Naïve Patients With Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Although studies have compared on-treatment effectiveness of infliximab and vedolizumab in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), there has been limited comparison of treatment sequencing and long-term patient-centred outcomes.

Aim: To compare infliximab-first and vedolizumab-first strategy in biologic-naïve patients with UC.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in biologic-naïve patients with UC who were treated first with either infliximab or vedolizumab between 2015 and 2021 and followed over 30 months following initiation.

Strong-ties and weak-ties rationalities: toward a mental model of the consequences of kinship intensity.

There is growing evidence of the connection between variations in kinship intensity and cross-cultural differences in psychological traits. Contributing to this literature on kinship intensity, we put forward a mental model to explain the enduring connection between ancestral niche and psychological traits. Our model posits that two primary orientations or dispositions-strong-ties and weak-ties rationalities-have co-evolved with our ancestral niches to perpetuate-by internalizing and reproducing-the social structure (such as preferences for certain attitudes, values, and beliefs) of the ancestral niche.

Advancing Osteoarthritis Treatment: The Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes and Biomaterial Integration.

Background/objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent and debilitating joint disorder characterized by progressive cartilage degradation and inflammation, for which traditional treatments offer only symptomatic relief without halting disease progression. Exosomes, cell-free vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells, have emerged as a promising alternative therapy owing to their regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties.

Methods: This review synthesizes findings from recent studies (2017-2023) on the therapeutic potential of exosomes in OA treatment, highlighting their ability to modulate the joint microenvironment, reduce inflammation, and promote cartilage repair by delivering bioactive molecules such as cytokines, growth factors, and regulatory ribonucleic acids.

Asian birth cohort studies on allergic diseases: The A2BC network initiative.

The Asia Allergy Birth Cohort (A2BC) network consolidates data from multiple independently established birth cohorts across Asia to enhance research on host-environment interactions in allergic diseases. These cohorts, established at different times with various methodologies, are reliable data sources. Our aim is to introduce the content, variables, and outcomes of these cohorts while highlighting their differences, laying the groundwork for future collaborative research.

Increased Risk of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures Following Epidural Steroid Injections in Patients with Lumbar Degenerative Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

: Lumbar degenerative disease is a common age-related condition, with epidural steroid injection (ESI) being a widely employed conservative treatment approach. However, the potential effect of ESI on osteoporosis and fracture risk remains unclear. This study investigated the risk of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) in patients with lumbar degenerative disease who underwent ESI treatment.

Astragalus polysaccharides improve adjuvant chemotherapy-induced fatigue for patients with early breast cancer.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Astragalus polysaccharides (PG2) on reducing chemotherapy-induced fatigue (CIF) and toxicity, thereby encouraging compliance to chemotherapy. This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2 study. Patients with stage II/III early breast cancer planning to undergo adjuvant anthracycline-based chemotherapy were randomly assigned to receive PG2 500 mg or placebo on days 1, 3, and 8 every 21 days.

Mutations of the Gene in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Association with Aberrant Localization of Cx43 Protein Expression and Tumor Progression.

: The Connexin43 () gene is a suspected tumor suppressor gene, as re-expressed wild-type genes reduce the malignancy potential of tumor cells. However, the role of gene expression in human lung tumorigenesis remains unclear. Tumor tissues from 165 primary lung cancer patients were collected to study Cx43 protein expression and gene mutations using immunohistochemistry and direct DNA sequencing.

Viscoelastic synthetic antigen-presenting cells for augmenting the potency of cancer therapies.

The use of synthetic antigen-presenting cells to activate and expand engineered T cells for the treatment of cancers typically results in therapies that are suboptimal in effectiveness and durability. Here we describe a high-throughput microfluidic system for the fabrication of synthetic cells mimicking the viscoelastic and T-cell-activation properties of antigen-presenting cells. Compared with rigid or elastic microspheres, the synthetic viscoelastic T-cell-activating cells (SynVACs) led to substantial enhancements in the expansion of human CD8 T cells and to the suppression of the formation of regulatory T cells.

Clinical Features and Complications of External Auditory Canal Foreign Bodies in the ENT Emergency Unit.

To determine the risk factor for developing complications in patients undergoing removal procedures for foreign bodies (FBs) in the external auditory canal (EAC) in the otolaryngology (ENT) emergency unit. Cases involving patients with EAC FBs treated at the ENT emergency unit of a tertiary medical center were retrospectively recruited. Patients were classified into the age < 10 years and ≥10 years groups.

Global tilt angle in spinal alignment of asymptomatic older women with low bone mass.

This study investigated the relationship between sagittal spinal alignment and musculoskeletal health in older women, particularly those exhibiting diminished bone density without apparent symptoms. The study assessed the impact of global tilt (GT) and the presence of coronal malalignment on spinal health. The research involved 165 asymptomatic older women with an average age of 68.

Isolation and evaluation of the pathogenicity of a hybrid shiga toxin-producing and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in pigs.

Background: Porcine pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli), the globally recognized important pathogen, causes significant economic loss in the field. Enterotoxigenic E.