Changes in Staging and Management of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients Following the Implementation of Low-Dose Chest Computed Tomography (LDCT) Screening at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital.

Background: Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has been widely adopted for lung cancer screening due to its proven ability to reduce lung cancer mortality, especially among high-risk populations.

Methods: This retrospective study aims to evaluate the impact of LDCT screening on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) staging at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital (KMUH) from 2011 to 2020, following the introduction of LDCT in 2013. The study examines the correlation between LDCT screening volume and changes in the distribution of NSCLC stages, particularly early-stage (stages 0 and I) and late-stage (stage IV) diagnoses.

Mitigating intubation stress, mucosa injury, and inflammatory response in nasogastric tube intubation suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway by engineering a hydration lubrication coating.

Nasogastric tube (NGT) intubation is a common yet critical clinical procedure. However, complications arising from tube friction result in awful pain and morbidity. Here, we report a straightforward surface modification of slender NGT utilizing highly hydrated micelles that were composed of hyaluronic acid and Pluronic.

Risk factors of stent migration in esophageal cancer patients who underwent fully-covered self-expanding metal stents for malignant dysphagia or tracheoesophageal fistula.

Background: More than 50% of esophageal cancer patients are diagnosed with advanced diseases and commonly experience dysphagia, some of whom even have tracheoesophageal fistula. Self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) is one of the recommended palliative methods, although complications such as chest pain and stent migration are not uncommon. The goal of this study was to examine the predictors of stent migration.

Next-Generation Sequencing in Lung Cancers-A Single-Center Experience in Taiwan.

: Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality in Taiwan. With rapid advancement of targeted therapeutics in non-small cell lung cancers, next-generation sequencing (NGS) is becoming an important tool for biomarker testing. In this study, we describe institutional experience of NGS analysis in non-small cell carcinoma (NSCLC).

Design of Photothermal "Ion Pumps" for Achieving Energy-Efficient, Augmented, and Durable Lithium Extraction from Seawater.

Extracting lithium from seawater has emerged as a disruptive platform to resolve the issue of an ever-growing lithium shortage. However, achieving highly efficient and durable lithium extraction from seawater in an energy-efficient manner is challenging, as imposed by the low concentration of lithium ions (Li) and high concentration of interfering ions in seawater. Here, we report a facile and universal strategy to develop photothermal "ion pumps" (PIPs) that allow achieving energy-efficient, augmented, and durable lithium extraction from seawater under sunlight.

Ameliorated chest drain wound closure in patients undergoing uniportal thoracoscopic pulmonary resection.

Background: Although uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been performed for a wide array of thoracic diseases, unsightliness and poor wound healing often occur, particularly when a chest drain is placed postoperatively. Different chest drain wound closure (CWC) methods have been introduced with the benefits of cosmesis and patient satisfaction. We aimed to describe our improved CWC technique in this setting and assess its efficacy.

Organocatalytic aromatization-promoted umpolung reaction of imines.

The umpolung functionalization of imines bears vast synthetic potential, but polarity inversion is less efficient compared with the carbonyl counterparts. Strong nucleophiles are often required to react with the N-electrophiles without catalytic and stereochemical control. Here we show an effective strategy to realize umpolung of imines promoted by organocatalytic aromatization.

Oral Administration of Protease-Soluble Chicken Type II Collagen Ameliorates Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats.

This study investigated whether oral supplementation with protease-soluble chicken type II collagen (PSCC-II) mitigates the progression of anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)-induced osteoarthritis (OA) in rats. Eight-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: control, sham, ACLT, group A (ACLT + pepsin-soluble collagen type II collagen (C-II) with type I collagen), group B (ACLT + Amano M-soluble C-II with type I collagen), group C (ACLT + high-dose Amano M-soluble C-II with type I collagen), and group D (ACLT + unproteolyzed C-II). Various methods were employed to analyze the knee joint: nociceptive tests, microcomputed tomography, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry.

Intra-Articular Lactate Dehydrogenase A Inhibitor Oxamate Reduces Experimental Osteoarthritis and Nociception in Rats via Possible Alteration of Glycolysis-Related Protein Expression in Cartilage Tissue.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and joint disorder worldwide. Metabolic reprogramming of osteoarthritic chondrocytes from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis results in the accumulation of lactate from glycolytic metabolite pyruvate by lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), leading to cartilage degeneration. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of the intra-articular administration of oxamate (LDHA inhibitor) against OA development and glycolysis-related protein expression in experimental OA rats.

Comparison of therapeutic outcomes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: A prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) may not always receive resection despite the possible achievement of a pathologic complete response (pCR) being associated with superior survival benefit. We aimed to compare outcomes among ESCC patients with or without pCR and those refusing surgery.

Methods: In total, 111 medically operable, non-cervical ESCC patients after the same protocol of nCRT (platinum/5-fluorouracil plus radiation 50Gy) were prospectively enrolled between 2011 and 2021.

Pneumorrhachis with spontaneous pneumomediastinum in pediatric patients: An 11-year retrospective study in Southern Taiwan.

Background: Although uncommon, available evidence suggests that pneumorrhachis (PR) with spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) in adulthood is usually benign and self-limiting. This study aimed to review our experience and identify the risk factors of PR in pediatric patients with SPM.

Methods: Between September 2007 and September 2017, SPM in patients aged ≤18 years was retrospectively reviewed and clinical features and outcomes between SPM patients with and without PR were analyzed.

Lobectomy Versus Sublobar Resection in Simultaneous Bilateral Thoracoscopic Lung Resection.

Background: Simultaneous bilateral thoracoscopic lung resection (SBTLR) has been shown to be a feasible and efficacious approach for a wide range of pulmonary conditions. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of different procedures on surgical outcomes in patients receiving SBTLR.

Methods: Between 2012 and 2021, 207 patients with bilateral lung neoplasms who underwent SBTLR were retrospectively reviewed.

The association between pregnancy-related anxiety and behavioral development in 18-month-old children: The mediating effects of parenting styles and breastfeeding methods.

Background: Pregnancy-related anxiety (PRA) is a distinct type of anxiety from general anxiety, affects many pregnant women, and is correlated with poor behavioral development in children. However, the mediation paths were unclear.

Methods: A total of 2032 mother-infant pairs from the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort were included in the current study.

sp. nov., a new species of Acrocalymmaceae (Pleosporales) on leaves of .

Background: In Huafo Mountain, Mouding, Yunnan Province, China, we found black protrusions on the leaf surface of plants. The collection which we identified as sp. nov.

LINC02323 facilitates development of lung squamous cell carcinoma by miRNA sponge and RBP dysregulation and links to poor prognosis.

Background: The poor outcome of patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) highlights the importance of the identification of novel effective prognostic markers and therapeutic targets. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have generally been considered to serve important roles in tumorigenesis and the development of various types of cancer, including LUSC.

Methods: Here, we aimed to investigate the role of LINC02323 in LUSC and its potential mechanisms by performing comprehensive bioinformatic analyses.

Higher pre-treatment skin sympathetic nerve activity and elevated resting heart rate after chemoradiotherapy predict worse esophageal cancer outcomes.

Background: Chemoradiotherapy (CRT), which might affect the autonomic system, is the mainstay therapy for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Autonomic dysfunction has been found to possibly lead to cancer mortality in those with elevated resting heart rates (RHR). Skin sympathetic nerve activity (SKNA) is a new method of stimulating electrical signals in skin to evaluate autonomic function from sympathetic tone.

Thoracoscopic Repair of Adult-Onset Congenital Tracheoesophageal Fistula Using a Polyglycolic Acid Sheet-Buttressed Stapler.

Congenital tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) without esophageal atresia is usually diagnosed and treated in the neonatal period. It is uncommon to occur in adulthood. Conventional treatment of adult-onset TEF involves repair by either cervicotomy or thoracotomy.

Pulmonary completion lobectomy after segmentectomy: An integrated analysis of perioperative outcomes.

Background: Completion lobectomy (CL) after anatomical segmentectomy is technically challenging and rarely performed. Here, we aimed to report perioperative outcomes of a single center real-world CL data.

Methods: Seven patients who underwent CL after segmentectomy were retrospectively evaluated between 2015-2021.