Clinical Utility of Ultrasonographic Guidance for Arterial Catheterization in Patients with Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: To compare the success and complication rates of radial artery catheterization using ultrasound guidance versus the conventional palpation technique in obese patients by anesthesia residents with similar levels of experience in both methods, and to measure the skin-to-artery distance of radial, brachial, and dorsalis pedis arteries using ultrasound with standardized anatomic landmarks.

Design: Prospective, randomized controlled trial SETTING: Single tertiary center PARTICIPANTS: Eighty adults with a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m INTERVENTIONS: Ultrasound guidance or conventional palpation method MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was the first-attempt success rate of arterial catheterization. The skin-to-artery distance of the radial artery was significantly greater in the BMI groups of 40 to 49 kg/m and ≥50 kg/m compared to the BMI group of 30 to 39 kg/m (mean difference, 1.

Real-World Risk and Outcome of Liver Cirrhosis in Patients with Hyperlipidemia Treated with Red Yeast Rice: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: Sustained hyperlipidemia contributes to fatty liver and liver cirrhosis. Red yeast rice (RYR) effectively improved the lipid profile; however, the effects of RYR on the risk of incident liver cirrhosis remain to be elucidated. We aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of RYR use on the risk and outcome of liver cirrhosis.

Pressure induces peritoneal fibrosis and inflammation through CD44 signaling.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a widely used sustainable kidney replacement therapy. Prolonged use of PD fluids is associated with mesothelial-mesenchymal transition, peritoneal fibrosis, and eventual ultrafiltration (UF) failure. However, the impact of pressure on the peritoneum remains unclear.

Altered pupil light and darkness reflex and eye-blink responses in late-life depression.

Background: Late-life depression (LLD) is a prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder in the older population. While LLD exhibits high mortality rates, depressive symptoms in older adults are often masked by physical health conditions. In younger adults, depression is associated with deficits in pupil light reflex and eye blink rate, suggesting the potential use of these responses as biomarkers for LLD.

How Long After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Can Patients Have Elective Safer Non-Cardiac Surgery?

Objective: To evaluate the complications and mortality after noncardiac surgeries in patients who underwent previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: We used insurance data and identified patients aged ≥20 years undergoing noncardiac surgeries between 2010 and 2017 in Taiwan. Based on propensity-score matching, we selected an adequate number of patients with a previous history of CABG (within preoperative 24 months) and those who did not have a CABG history, and both groups had balanced baseline characteristics.

Antiemetic prophylaxis with droperidol in morphine-based intravenous patient-controlled analgesia: a propensity score matched cohort study.

Background: There are limited real-world data regarding the use of droperidol for antiemetic prophylaxis in intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA). This study aimed to evaluate the antiemetic benefits and sedation effects of droperidol in morphine-based IV-PCA.

Methods: Patients who underwent major surgery and used morphine-based IV-PCA at a medical center from January 2020 to November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.

Inflammatory bowel disease and the associated risk of dry eye and ocular surface injury: a nationwide matched cohort study.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with lacrimal gland dysfunction and ocular inflammation. The objective of this research was to elucidate the temporal relationships between IBD, dry eye disease (DED), and corneal surface damage.

Methods: In a matched nationwide cohort study, we evaluated the risk of DED and corneal surface damage associated with IBD.

The effects of regular dental scaling on the complications and mortality after stroke: a retrospective cohort study based on a real-world database.

Background: Previous observational studies have shown that people with dental scaling (DS) had decreased risk of stroke. However, limited information is available on the association between DS and poststroke outcomes. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of regular DS on the complications and mortality after stroke.

Comparative effects of warming systems applied to different parts of the body on hypothermia in adults undergoing abdominal surgery: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Study Objective: The prevention of perioperative hypothermia after anesthesia induction is a critical concern in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. The effectiveness of various warming systems for preventing hypothermia and shivering when applied to specific areas of the body remains undetermined.

Design: Systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Furanocoumarin Notopterol: Inhibition of Hepatocellular Carcinogenesis through Suppression of Cancer Stemness Signaling and Induction of Oxidative Stress-Associated Cell Death.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Cumulative evidence suggests critical roles for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein response (UPR) in chronic liver diseases. However, the role of ER stress in HCC pathogenesis, aggressiveness and therapy response remains unclear and understudied.

The Association between Autoimmune Thyroid Disease and Ocular Surface Damage: A Retrospective Population-Based Cohort Study.

Autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATDs) are potentially connected to lacrimal gland dysfunction and ocular surface disruption. This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between ATD, dry eye disease (DED), and corneal surface damage. In a matched nationwide cohort study, we used Taiwan's National Health Insurance research database to compare the incidences of DED and corneal surface damage between subjects with and without ATD.

Effect of patient decision aids on choice between sugammadex and neostigmine in surgeries under general anesthesia: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Background: Shared decision making using patient decision aids (PtDAs) was established over a decade ago, but few studies have evaluated its efficacy in Asian countries. We therefore evaluated the application of PtDAs in a decision conflict between two muscle relaxant reversal agents, neostigmine and sugammadex, and sequentially analyzed the regional differences and operating room turnover rates.

Methods: This multicenter, outcome-assessor-blind, randomized controlled trial included 3,132 surgical patients from two medical centers admitted between March 2020 and August 2020.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Risk of Dry Eye Disease and Corneal Surface Damage: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) potentially involves multiple parts of the ocular system, including the lacrimal glands and the cornea. The present study sought to assess the risk of aqueous-deficient dry eye disease (DED) and corneal surface damage in patients with SLE. We conducted a population-based cohort study using Taiwan's National Health Insurance research database to compare the risks of DED and corneal surface damage between subjects with and without SLE.

Cigarette smoking, opioid consumption, and pain intensity after major surgery: An observational study.

Background: Chronic exposure to nicotine may change pain perception and promote opioid intake. This study aimed to evaluate the putative effect of cigarette smoking on opioid requirements and pain intensity after surgery.

Methods: Patients who underwent major surgery and received intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) at a medical center between January 2020 and March 2022 were enrolled.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Associated with Dry Eye Disease and Corneal Surface Damage: A Nationwide Matched Cohort Study.

Rheumatoid arthritis is potentially connected to ocular disorders, such as corneal inflammation and lacrimal gland destruction. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of dry eye disease (DED) and corneal surface damage among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In a nationwide cohort study, we utilized Taiwan’s National Health Insurance research database and conducted propensity score matching to compare the risks of DED and corneal surface damage between patients with and without rheumatoid arthritis.

Cost-Effectiveness of Sugammadex Versus Neostigmine to Reverse Neuromuscular Blockade in a University Hospital in Taiwan: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Sugammadex has several pharmacological advantages over neostigmine, including faster reversal of neuromuscular blockade and fewer adverse effects. However, the economic impact of sugammadex remains controversial due to the considerable heterogeneity of study designs and clinical settings in previous studies. In a post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial, we evaluated patients who underwent elective surgeries and general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation in a medical center in Taiwan between March 2020 and August 2020.

Adverse outcomes after non-hepatic surgeries in patients with alcoholic liver diseases: a propensity-score matched study.

Background: The influence of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) on the postoperative outcomes is not completely understood. Our purpose is to evaluate the complications and mortality after nonhepatic surgeries in patients with ALD.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study included adults aged 20 years and older who underwent nonhepatic elective surgeries using data of Taiwan's National Health Insurance, 2008-2013.

The Association between General Anesthesia and New Postoperative Uses of Sedative-Hypnotics: A Nationwide Matched Cohort Study.

Sedative−hypnotic misuse is associated with psychiatric diseases and overdose deaths. It remains uncertain whether types of anesthesia affect the occurrence of new postoperative uses of sedative−hypnotics (NPUSH). We used reimbursement claims data of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance and conducted propensity score matching to compare the risk of NPUSH between general and neuraxial anesthesia among surgical patients who had no prescription of oral sedative−hypnotics or diagnosis of sleep disorders within the 12 months before surgery.

Decreased Risk of Stroke in People Using Red Yeast Rice Prescriptions (LipoCol Forte®): a Total Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study.

The influence of red yeast rice (RYR) on the risk of incident stroke remains underexplored. We aimed to compare the risk of stroke between people with and without use of RYR prescriptions. We used research data from the National Health Insurance Program in Taiwan and identified 34,723 adults (aged ≥20 years) who first received the RYR prescription from 2010 to 2014.

Long-Term Survival Impact of High-Grade Complications after Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Single-Centre Cohort Study.

: Although complications after liver resection for hepatic cancer are common, the long-term impact of these complications on oncological outcomes remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential effect of high-grade postoperative complications on long-term mortality and cancer recurrence after surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma. : In a retrospective cohort study, patients undergoing curative liver resection for primary hepatocellular carcinoma between 2005 and 2016 were evaluated.

A comparison of high-flow nasal cannula and standard facemask as pre-oxygenation technique for general anesthesia: A PRISMA-compliant systemic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Current practice guidelines recommend the use of nasal cannula as an alternative pre-oxygenation method for tracheal intubation. However, the efficacy of high-flow nasal oxygenation versus standard facemask oxygenation has not been fully evaluated.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.

Severe acute kidney disease is associated with worse kidney outcome among acute kidney injury patients.

Acute kidney disease (AKD) comprises acute kidney injury (AKI). However, whether the AKD staging system has prognostic values among AKI patients with different baseline estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) remains a controversial issue. Algorithm-based approach was applied to identify AKI occurrence and to define different AKD stages.

Allogeneic adipose tissue-derived stem cells ELIXCYTE in chronic kidney disease: A phase I study assessing safety and clinical feasibility.

The purpose of this phase I clinical trial is to assess the safety and tolerability of allogeneic adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. 12 eligible CKD patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 15-44 ml/min/1.73 m received one dose of intravenous allogeneic ADSCs (ELIXCYTE ), as 3 groups: 3 low dose (6.

Morphometric and ultrasonographic determinants of difficult laryngoscopy in obese patients: A prospective observational study.

Background: Obese people have a higher risk of difficult laryngoscopy due to their thick neck, large tongue, and redundant pharyngeal soft tissue. However, there is still no established predictive factor for difficult laryngoscopy in obese population.

Methods: We conducted a prospective assessor-blind observational study to enroll adult patients with a body mass index of 30 kg·m-2 or higher undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at a medical center between May 2020 and August 2021.

A Comparison of Oxygenation Efficacy between High-Flow Nasal Cannulas and Standard Facemasks during Elective Tracheal Intubation for Patients with Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Obese patients are predisposed to rapid oxygen desaturation during tracheal intubation. We aimed to compare the risk of desaturation between high-flow nasal oxygenation (HFNO) and classical facemask oxygenation (FMO) during rapid sequence intubation for elective surgery in obese patients. Adults with a body mass index ≥30 kg·m−2 undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at a medical center were randomized into the HFNO group (n = 40) and FMO group (n = 40).