Airway pressure as a predictor of cardiac output reduction in prone position spine surgery: A prospective observational study.

Background: The prone position is commonly used in surgical procedures and is known to cause significant hemodynamic changes, particularly a reduction in cardiac output. This study aimed to explore the relationship between intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), airway pressure, and cardiac output during spine surgeries under general anesthesia.

Methods: Twenty-five patients undergoing elective spine surgery in the prone position were enrolled in this prospective observational study.

Sustained effects after a multidisciplinary lifestyle modification program for overweight and obese children.

Background: Lifestyle modification (LM) is the mainstay in the management of obese children. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of a pediatric cohort participating in a hospital-based LM program.

Methods: Overweight/obese children and adolescents who visited a multidisciplinary LM program "The Health and Vitality Clinic" were included.

Predicting Neck Dysfunction After Open-Door Cervical Laminoplasty - A Prospective Cohort Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Study.

Objective: To analyze the predictive factors for neck pain and cervical spine function after laminoplasty for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) using K-means for longitudinal data (KML).

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we collected clinical and radiographic data from patients with DCM who underwent cervical laminoplasty. A novel index of surgical outcome, "neck function," which comprises neck pain and cervical spine function according to the Japanese Orthopedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire, was proposed.

Passing the Torch forward: Moving beyond EGFR Inhibition in NMIBC Prevention.

The study by Downs and colleagues targets patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) to explore secondary/tertiary cancer prevention strategies. Utilizing a "window-of-opportunity" design, erlotinib was evaluated for its effect on EGFR phosphorylation, although the unconventional dosing regimen failed to demonstrate efficacy. New opportunities in NMIBC prevention include targeting FGFR3 mutations with emerging FGFR inhibitors.

Forty years of HIV infection and AIDS in Taiwan: Reflection on the past and looking toward the future.

We review the epidemiology, policies, and control programs of HIV infection in Taiwan in the past 40 years since the first case of HIV infection was diagnosed in 1984. With the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Taiwan in 1997, the incidences of HIV-related opportunistic illnesses and mortality have significantly declined. However, despite improved access to HIV testing and treatment, late presentation of HIV infection remains common.

Predictors of Functional Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study.

Background & Aims: A functional cure is an essential endpoint in the management of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We evaluated the cumulative probability and predictors of functional cure in patients with chronic HBV infection after hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 413 (249 males and 164 females) initially HBeAg-positive chronic HBV-infected patients who were followed up for a mean of 26.

Cutting-edge pharmacotherapy for hepatitis C virus infection: a comprehensive review.

Introduction: Pharmacotherapy against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has tremendously improved since the advent of interferon (IFN)-free direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Additionally, fixed-dose pangenotypic DAAs, which are safe, potent, easy for use, and can cover a wide spectrum of patients, have been recommended by professional guidelines for DAA-naïve and DAA-experienced patients with HCV.

Areas Covered: We review the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) of fixed-dose pangenotypic DAA regimens, including glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL), and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX).

Feasibility of Using Needle Rinse Fluid for Cobas Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Assay in Diagnosing HPV+ Oropharyngeal Cancer with Neck Lymph Node Aspiration.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a crucial prognostic factor in oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). p16 is a surrogate marker for diagnosing HPV+ OPC, however it is not direct evidence of HPV existence.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to evaluate an HPV DNA test-Cobas HPV assay-in diagnosing HPV+ OPC through neck lymph node aspiration.

Fluid Biomarkers in Optical Coherence Tomography for Visual Outcome in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy.

To investigate the associations between fluid accumulation at different levels in the retina and visual outcome in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). A retrospective observational study. Institutional setting.

Non-intubated bronchoscopic tracheobronchial surgeries with electroencephalogram-monitored intravenous anesthesia: feasibility and outcomes.

Background: Anesthesia remains challenging for bronchoscopic tracheobronchial surgeries (BTS) involving surgical manipulations for central airway obstruction within shared airways. To provide complete airway use through intervention with spontaneous breathing without endotracheal tubes, monitored non-intubated anesthesia has been successfully applied with electroencephalogram-derived monitored total intravenous anesthesia. This study evaluated the feasibility and the outcomes of BTS with monitored non-intubated anesthesia.

Performance of Baveno VII criteria for the screening of varices needing treatment in patients with biliary atresia.

Objective: Biliary atresia (BA) is the leading cause of liver cirrhosis and chronic liver insufficiency in children in the world. Gastroesophageal varices bleeding is an ominous complication of cirrhosis in BA patients and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In this study, we aimed to investigate the utility of noninvasive Baveno VI and Baveno VII criteria for the screening of varices need treatment (VNT) and the need for liver transplantation in BA patients.

Machine learning-based longitudinal prediction for GJB2-related sensorineural hearing loss.

Background: Recessive GJB2 variants, the most common genetic cause of hearing loss, may contribute to progressive sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The aim of this study is to build a realistic predictive model for GJB2-related SNHL using machine learning to enable personalized medical planning for timely intervention.

Method: Patients with SNHL with confirmed biallelic GJB2 variants in a nationwide cohort between 2005 and 2022 were included.

TransEBUS: The interpretation of endobronchial ultrasound image using hybrid transformer for differentiating malignant and benign mediastinal lesions.

The purpose of this study is to establish a deep learning automatic assistance diagnosis system for benign and malignant classification of mediastinal lesions in endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) images. EBUS images are in the form of video and contain multiple imaging modes. Different imaging modes and different frames can reflect the different characteristics of lesions.

Spray nozzle for topical anaesthesia during flexible bronchoscopy: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: The effectiveness of using a spray nozzle to deliver lidocaine for superior topical airway anaesthesia during non-sedation flexible bronchoscopy (FB) remains a topic of uncertainty when compared with conventional methods.

Methods: Patients referred for FB were randomly assigned to receive topical lidocaine anaesthesia the bronchoscope's working channel (classical spray (CS) group) or through a washing pipe equipped with a spray nozzle (SN group). The primary outcome was cough rate, defined as the total number of coughs per minute.

Using cryoprobes of different sizes combined with cone-beam computed tomography-derived augmented fluoroscopy and endobronchial ultrasound to diagnose peripheral pulmonary lesions: a propensity-matched study.

Background: Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and cone-beam computed tomography-derived augmented fluoroscopy (CBCT-AF) are utilized for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs). Combining them with transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBC) can provide sufficient tissue for genetic analysis. However, cryoprobes of different sizes have varying degrees of flexibility, which can affect their ability to access the target bronchus and potentially impact the accuracy.

Gender- and age-related differences in foveal pit morphology.

Aims: To measure the foveal pit morphology parameters and evaluate their correlations with age and sex.

Settings And Design: A retrospective cross-sectional matched comparison study in a tertiary center.

Methods And Materials: Forty men and 40 age-matched women who had normal macular structures and foveal contours were enrolled.

Microbiological persistence in patients with Mycobacterium abscessus complex lung disease: The prevalence, predictors, and the impact on progression.

Objectives: Persistent growth of Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) in the respiratory system is not uncommon and may indicate continuous infection of MABC lung disease (MABC-LD), but its prevalence, risk factors, and clinical impact have not been investigated.

Methods: The present study was conducted in two medical centers in northern Taiwan. We enrolled patients with MABC-LD and investigated the prevalence and predictors of persistent culture positivity (MABC-PP).

CT-Based Deep-Learning Model for Spread-Through-Air-Spaces Prediction in Ground Glass-Predominant Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Background: Sublobar resection is strongly associated with poor prognosis in early-stage lung adenocarcinoma, with the presence of tumor spread through air spaces (STAS). Thus, preoperative prediction of STAS is important for surgical planning. This study aimed to develop a STAS deep-learning (STAS-DL) prediction model in lung adenocarcinoma with tumor smaller than 3 cm and a consolidation-to-tumor (C/T) ratio less than 0.

Association between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and development of age-related macular degeneration-A 10-year retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: To analyze the associations between development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and regular use of aspirin or non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NA-NSAIDs).

Methods: We retrospectively recruited individuals who received ≥28-day prescriptions of aspirin or NA-NSAIDs exclusively between 2008 and 2017 in one tertiary center as regular users. Non-regular users were free from regular use of any anti-inflammatory drugs and were matched to regular users in terms of age, sex, and visit date at a ratio of 1-4:1.

Effect of peroral endoscopic myotomy on growth and esophageal motility for pediatric esophageal achalasia.

Background/purpose: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), a novel minimally invasive treatment for esophageal achalasia, has been shown to be effective and safe for both adult and pediatric patients. However, studies on its application in children in Taiwan and its impact on growth and esophageal motility are lacking.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on consecutive pediatric patients who were diagnosed with esophageal achalasia at National Taiwan University Hospital and underwent POEM during 2015-2022.

The enrichment process for family caregivers of persons living with dementia: A grounded theory approach.

Aim: Many persons living with dementia (PLWD) reside in the community and are cared for by family members. The aim of this qualitative study was to gain an understanding the enrichment process for family caregivers of PLWD in Taiwan.

Design: A grounded theory approach with face-to-face semi-structured interviews was conducted with family caregivers of PLWD in Taiwan.

Application of Pupillometry in Neurocritical Patients.

Pupillary light reflex (PLR) assessment is a crucial examination for evaluating brainstem function, particularly in patients with acute brain injury and neurosurgical conditions. The PLR is controlled by neural pathways modulated by both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Altered PLR is a strong predictor of adverse outcomes after traumatic and ischemic brain injuries.

Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on antimicrobial resistance among major pathogens causing healthcare-associated infection.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused great impact on healthcare systems, including antibiotic usage and multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections at hospitals. We aim to investigate the trends of antimicrobial resistance among the major pathogens causing healthcare-associated infection (HAI) at intensive care units (ICU).

Material And Methods: The demographic characteristics of hospitalization, usage of antimicrobial agents, counted by half-an-year DID (defined daily dose per 1000 patient-days), and HAI density of five major MDR bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), of ICU patients at a medical center in Taiwan during January 2017 to December 2021 were collected and analyzed.

Hepatitis B reactivation: A possible cause of coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine induced hepatitis.

Background And Aims: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines were rapidly implemented globally and vaccine-associated immune-related hepatitis was recently reported. We aim to investigate its impact in regions endemic of chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: We retrospectively collected patients who developed hepatitis within 90 days after COVID-19 vaccination in Taiwan.