Computed tomography perfusion deficit volume predicts the functional outcome of endovascular therapy for basilar artery occlusion.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between baseline computed tomography perfusion deficit volumes and functional outcomes in patients with basilar artery occlusion (BAO) undergoing endovascular therapy.

Methods: This was a single-center study in which the data of 64 patients with BAO who underwent endovascular therapy were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients underwent multi-model computed tomography on admission.

The effect of radiotherapy on patients with pathological stage IIB breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy: A cohort study.

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, and treatment options include surgery, systemic therapies, and radiotherapy (RT). While postoperative RT plays an important role in reducing local recurrence rates and improving survival outcomes, its exact impact on patients with pathological stage IIB breast cancers remains unidentified.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, patients with newly diagnosed pathological stage IIB breast cancer who underwent surgery and postoperative RT were included.

The value of computed tomography perfusion deficit volumes in acute isolated brainstem infarction.

Purpose: Diagnosis of acute isolated brainstem infarction is challenging owing to non-specific, variable symptoms, and the effectiveness of non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) is poor owing to limited spatial resolution and artifacts. Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) imaging parameters are significantly associated with functional outcomes in posterior circulation acute ischemic stroke; however, the role of CTP in isolated brainstem infarction remains unclear. We aimed to determine the value of CTP imaging parameters in predicting functional outcomes for affected patients.

Treatment outcomes of cetuximab-containing regimen in locoregional recurrent and distant metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Recurrent/ metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (R/M SCCNH) is still a difficult-to-treat disease with poor clinical outcomes and limited treatment choices. In view of locoregional recurrent versus distant metastatic SCCHN, the therapeutic efficacy of cetuximab-containing regimen and relevant prognostic factors for these two groups may be different. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the treatment outcomes of cetuximab-containing regimen in locoregional recurrent and distant metastatic SCCHN groups, and to identify clinical factors correlated with better survival outcomes.

Impact of Frailty on Survivals of Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with Radiotherapy.

Background: Frailty has been linked to an increased risk of adverse outcomes among older men with prostate cancer (PCa), which in turn impacts survival. We evaluated the associations between frailty and risks of all-cause mortality and cancer-specific mortality in PCa patients treated with radiotherapy (RT).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Taiwan Cancer Registry Database and National Health Insurance Research Database.

Quality evaluation of different varieties of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. peels based on phenolic profiles, bioactivity, and HPLC fingerprint.

This work aims to evaluate the quality of seven varieties of Zanthoxylum bungeanum peels based on phenolic compounds, bioactivity, and HPLC fingerprint combined with chemometrics analysis, and pick out the key chemical compounds. As a result, S2 (Fengxian Dahongpao) showed the highest content of total phenolic and rutin, as well as the strongest antioxidant activity, followed by S6 (Hancheng Shizitou). From HPLC fingerprint, eight common characteristic peaks were selected and proved to be effective in controlling the quality of Z.

Isolation of thermo-tolerant and high lipid content green microalgae: oil accumulation is predominantly controlled by photosystem efficiency during stress treatments in Desmodesmus.

Discoveries of new microalgae with thermo-tolerance, high growth rate, and high lipid content are crucial to algal biodiesel production in tropical and subtropical zones. Four new green microalgae were isolated in southern Taiwan. All four species are members of the genus Desmodesmus under the family Scenedesmaceae based on molecular and morphological analyses.