Fluorescent nanodiamond immunosensors for clinical diagnostics of tuberculosis.

Fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) are carbon nanoparticles containing a dense ensemble of nitrogen-vacancy defects as color centers. These centers have exceptional photostability and unique quantum properties, making them useful for ultrasensitive biosensing applications. This work employed FNDs conjugated with antibodies as magneto-optical immunosensors for tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics using competitive spin-enhanced lateral flow immunoassay (SELFIA).

Combination of urinary biomarkers and machine-learning models provided a higher predictive accuracy to predict long-term treatment outcomes of patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

Purpose: To identify predictive factors for satisfactory treatment outcome of the patients with IC/BPS using urine biomarkers and machine-learning models.

Methods: The IC/BPS patients were prospectively enrolled and provide urine samples. The targeted analytes included inflammatory cytokines, neurotrophins, and oxidative stress biomarkers.

Inflammatory and Nutritional Biomarkers in Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between pretreatment inflammatory and nutritional biomarkers in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy (nCRT).

Sample & Setting: 213 patients with newly diagnosed stage II-III ESCC who received nCRT at an academic hospital in Taiwan.

Methods & Variables: Electronic health record data were used.

Treatment Patterns with Mirabegron and Antimuscarinics for Overactive Bladder: A Prospective, Registry Study in Taiwan and South Korea (FAITH).

Introduction: This study aimed to assess overactive bladder (OAB) treatment patterns and factors associated with effectiveness and persistence.

Methods: A prospective, longitudinal, observational registry study of adults starting OAB therapy with mirabegron or antimuscarinics was undertaken. Primary endpoints were time from treatment initiation to discontinuation/switching; proportion who discontinued/switched; and reasons for discontinuation/switching.

Comparison of safety, efficacy, and patient satisfaction with thermal ablation versus endoscopic thyroidectomy for benign thyroid nodules in a propensity-matched cohort.

Background: Thyroid nodules (TNs) often require intervention due to symptomatic or cosmetic concerns. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has shown promise as a treatment option, offering potential advantages without neck scars. Recently, the scarless treatment alternative of transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) has emerged.

Myopia progression after cessation of atropine in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To comprehensively assess rebound effects by comparing myopia progression during atropine treatment and after discontinuation. A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted up to 20 September 2023, using the keywords "myopia," "rebound," and "discontinue.

Safety and efficacy of an α -blocker plus mirabegron compared with an α -blocker plus antimuscarinic in men with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia and overactive bladder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Aim: Antimuscarinics and the β3-adrenoreceptor agonist, mirabegron, are commonly used for treating patients with overactive bladder (OAB) and α -adrenoreceptor antagonists (α -blockers) are the main pharmacological agents used for treating lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). As these conditions commonly occur together, the aim of this systematic review was to identify publications that compared the use of an α -blocker plus mirabegron with an α -blocker plus antimuscarinic in men with LUTS secondary to BPH and OAB. A meta-analysis was subsequently conducted to explore the safety and efficacy of these combinations.

Independent Risk Factors Predicting Eradication Failure of Hybrid Therapy for the First-Line Treatment of Infection.

Hybrid therapy is a recommended first-line anti- treatment option in the American College of Gastroenterology guidelines, the Bangkok Consensus Report on management, and the Taiwan Consensus Report. However, the cure rates of eradication therapy in some countries are suboptimal, and the factors affecting the treatment efficacy of hybrid therapy remain unclear. The aim of this study is to identify the independent risk factors predicting eradication failure of hybrid therapy in the first-line treatment of infection.

Fatty acid-binding protein-3 and renal function decline in patients with chronic coronary syndrome.

Background: Renal dysfunction is common in patients with coronary artery disease. Due to the shared vascular pathogenesis between the two conditions, novel biomarkers such as the fatty acid-binding protein-3 (FABP-3) have been proposed for diagnosis and prognosis prediction. This multicentre prospective cohort study investigates the association between FABP-3 and renal dysfunction.

Evaluating Antioxidant Performance, Biosafety, and Antimicrobial Efficacy of Extract and Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Biogenic Silver Nano-Antibiotics.

From the traditional Chinese medicine point of view, although extract (HCE) possesses an incredible amount of phytonutrients and exhibits antioxidant activities, excessive doses of HCE can cause danger to organisms and lead to death. In this study, we first examine HCE's overall phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant efficacy, and antibacterial activity. Results show that HCE is suitable as a bio-reducing agent for the microwave-assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticles (HCE-AgNPs) with enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial performance.

Systematic Review of Myopia Progression after Cessation of Optical Interventions for Myopia Control.

Despite high discontinuation rates for myopia optical interventions, limited attention has been given to the potential rebound effects post-discontinuation. This systematic review aims to assess the extent of the rebound effects following the cessation of common clinical optical myopia-control interventions in children. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.

Association between a maternal vegetarian diet during pregnancy and the occurrence of atopic dermatitis in children.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is rising globally, with genetics and environmental factors both playing crucial roles. Dietary habits during pregnancy are linked to children's allergic disease risk. However, limited studies have explored the association between maternal vegetarian diets during pregnancy and child AD.

Inhibition of NMDA Receptor Activation in the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla by Amyloid-β Peptide in Rats.

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, a subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors, are important in regulating sympathetic tone and cardiovascular function in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). Amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) is linked to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cerebro- and cardiovascular diseases might be the risk factors for developing AD.

Rewiring of IGF1 secretion and enhanced IGF1R signaling induced by co-chaperone carboxyl-terminus of Hsp70 interacting protein in adipose-derived stem cells provide augmented cardioprotection in aging-hypertensive rats.

Aging-associated cardiovascular diseases depend on the longitudinal deterioration of stem cell dynamics. The entire mechanism behind it is not completely understood. However, many studies suggest that endocrine pathways, particularly the insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF1) signaling pathway are involved in cardioprotection, especially in stem-cell treatments.

Perivascular adipose tissue and adipocyte-derived exosomal miRNAs maintain vascular homeostasis.

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), a fat layer that provides structural support to the blood vessels, is a cushion protecting the vessel wall from neighbouring tissues during contraction and relaxation. PVAT actively regulates vascular tone by secreting vasoactive (vasodilatory and vasoconstrictive) factors (e.g.

Chronic subdural haematoma mimicking extrapyramidal symptoms.

A male patient in his 70s with chronic schizophrenia, who could previously walk independently, developed a gait disturbance without any significant neurological deficit. Initially, his short step length and unstable gait were thought to be related to extrapyramidal symptoms caused by medication side effects. We tapered his antipsychotic medication, but the unstable gait persisted.

Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis and the Risk of Developing Incidental Tuberculosis: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

: Treatment for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) must deal with immunosuppression, as well as infections associated with a compromised immune system, such as tuberculosis (TB). Our aim was to examine the risk of incidental TB after diagnosis of AAV. : This retrospective population-based cohort study was based on the data from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan.

A Computer-Assisted Diagnostic Method for Accurate Detection of Early Nondisplaced Fractures of the Femoral Neck.

Nondisplaced femoral neck fractures are sometimes misdiagnosed by radiographs, which may deteriorate into displaced fractures. However, few efficient artificial intelligent methods have been reported. We developed an automatic detection method using deep learning networks to pinpoint femoral neck fractures on radiographs to assist physicians in making an accurate diagnosis in the first place.

Inflammation and renal function decline in chronic coronary syndrome: a prospective multicenter cohort study.

Background: Renal function decline is a frequently encountered complication in patients with chronic coronary syndrome. Aside from traditional cardiovascular risk factors, the inflammatory burden emerged as the novel phenotype that compromised renal prognosis in such population.

Methods: A cohort with chronic coronary syndrome was enrolled to investigate the association between inflammatory status and renal dysfunction.

Genomic epidemiology of hypervirulent carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae at Jinshan local hospital, Shanghai, during 2014-2018.

Background: Hypervirulent carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (Hv-CRKP) triggered a significant public health challenge. This study explored the prevalence trends and key genetic characteristics of Hv-CRKP in one Shanghai suburbs hospital during 2014-2018.

Methods: During five years, Hv-CRKP strains identified from 2579 CRKP by specific PCR, were subjected to performed short- and long-read sequencing technology; epidemiological characteristics, antimicrobial-resistance genes (ARGs), virulence determinants, detailed plasmid profiles and conjugation efficiency were comprehensively investigated.

Sequential treatment in advanced epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated lung adenocarcinoma patients receiving first-line bevacizumab combined with 1st/2nd-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Introduction: The clinical outcomes of sequential treatment of advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with first-line bevacizumab combined with 1st/2nd-generation EGFR-TKIs are unclear. Thus, we aimed to analyze the outcomes of these patients.

Methods: Between January 2015 and December 2020, data for 102 advanced EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma patients receiving first-line bevacizumab combined with erlotinib or afatinib followed by treatments at multiple institutions were retrospectively analyzed.