Automatic segmentation of white matter lesions on multi-parametric MRI: convolutional neural network versus vision transformer.

Background And Purpose: White matter hyperintensities in brain MRI are key indicators of various neurological conditions, and their accurate segmentation is essential for assessing disease progression. This study aims to evaluate the performance of a 3D convolutional neural network and a 3D Transformer-based model for white matter hyperintensities segmentation, focusing on their efficacy with limited datasets and similar computational resources.

Materials And Methods: We implemented a convolution-based model (3D ResNet-50 U-Net with spatial and channel squeeze & excitation) and a Transformer-based model (3D Swin Transformer with a convolutional stem).

Circulating resistin levels and mutation burden of the RETN gene variants predict long-term mortality in a Taiwanese population.

Human resistin is a proinflammatory cytokine involving the development and progression of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. However, prediction of long-term outcome using circulating resistin level and its genetic determinants in a population-based study remain to be explored. After genome-wide association study (GWAS), DNA methylation (DNAm) analysis and functional assays of a RETN rs370006313 variant, we tested whether resistin level and its genetic determinants can be used to determine the long-term outcomes of 5678 Taiwan Biobank (TWB) participants.

Correlation Between Low Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and High Mortality Rates in Adult Trauma Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Brain Injuries.

White blood cell (WBC) subtypes reflect immune and inflammatory conditions in patients. This study aimed to examine the association between the ratio of platelets to WBC subtypes and mortality outcomes in patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Trauma Registry System of the hospital was retrospectively reviewed to gather medical records of 2397 adult patients who were hospitalized from 2009 to 2020 and had moderate-to-severe TBI with a head abbreviated injury scale (AIS) score of 3 or higher.

Generalized pustular psoriasis: immunological mechanisms, genetics, and emerging therapeutics.

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare human autoinflammatory disorder with life-threatening systemic effects. Keratinocyte-derived interleukin (IL)-36 signaling has been identified as a key mediator of immune response in the skin of affected individuals. Recognition of various mutations along the IL-36 axis and the downstream nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB) signaling have established GPP as genetically, immunologically, and histopathologically distinct and amenable to immunomodulation, which is epitomized by the recent success of IL-36 antagonism.

Predicting Bleeding Related Events in Robotic-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy for Angiomyolipoma: Simplifying Risk Assessment with Tumor Diameter and Depth, A Retrospective Study.

Background: Evaluating risk factors for bleeding events in robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for renal angiomyolipoma (RAML) is essential for improving surgical outcomes.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent RAPN for renal masses between May 2019 and June 2023 at a single medical center, categorizing them into AML and non-AML groups. We assessed demographic data, perioperative complications, and postoperative outcomes.

Post-irradiation Sinus Mucosa Disease in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients Treated With Proton Therapy.

Objective: Post-irradiation sinonasal mucosa disease (SMD) is observed in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with radiotherapy (RT), leading to a detrimental impact on quality of life. This study aimed to assess the incidence, severity, and regression of the post-irradiation SMD among patients with NPC treated with proton therapy.

Methods: NPC patients treated with proton therapy were retrospectively enrolled.

Gestational Exposure to Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease in Childhood.

Importance: Gestational exposure to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase the risk of adverse fetal kidney outcomes. However, details regarding timing, specific NSAIDs, and long-term childhood kidney outcomes are limited.

Objective: To evaluate the association between gestational exposure to NSAIDs and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in childhood.

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 prevents esophageal squamous cell carcinoma from reactive carbonyl species-induced cell death and promotes its progression.

Introduction: Chronic alcohol consumption and tobacco usage are major risk factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Excessive tobacco and alcohol consumption lead to oxidative stress and the generation of reactive carbonyl species (RCS) which induce DNA damage and cell apoptosis. This phenomenon contributes to cell damage and carcinogenesis in various organs including ESCC.

Comparison on functional and esthetic outcomes between single and combined surgery to crooked nose deformities.

Background: Nose deviation deformities pose a complex cosmetic and functional problem. The most common surgical intervention to manage such deformities is septorhinoplasty, typically performed by a plastic surgeon or a rhinologist. This study investigated the effect of a combined operation by a plastic surgeon and rhinologist, comparing them with those operations performed singlehandedly by a plastic surgeon.

Non-recovery acute kidney injury and additional risk factors for short-term and long-term hypoglycemia: A multi-institutional cohort study.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with increased in-hospital and short-term hypoglycemia risk. However, the impact of non-recovery of renal function before discharge on hypoglycemia risk in AKI survivors after discharge have not been well studied. We aim to analyze the association between non-recovery of AKI and hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia crisis risk, to identify additional risk factors for hypoglycemia, and to examine the impact of AKI non-recovery on HbA1c variability.

Therapeutic effects of Huangqi formula (Eefooton) in chronic kidney disease: clinical research and narrative literature review.

Objective: The study aimed to assess the clinical effects of employing the Huangqi formula (Eefooton; EFT) for chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment. A narrative literature review was undertaken to elucidate the specific ingredients of EFT and their potential impact on renal health.

Methods: A retrospective observational study investigated EFT treatment in outpatients with stable CKD (stages 3B to 5) from March 2019 to March 2021.

Immunosuppressants in dermatology on vaccine immunogenicity: a prospective cohort study of pemphigus patients in the pandemic.

Introduction: Both cellular and humoral responses are important for vaccine protection, but recommendations on immunosuppressants in dermatology are largely based on pre-pandemic experiences. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of immunosuppressants on humoral and cellular immunogenicity to COVID-19 vaccinations in pemphigus patients.

Methods: SARS-CoV-2-naïve pemphigus patients and age-, and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited from multiple tertiary medical centers during 2021-2023.

Hypoalbuminemia is Associated with Higher 90-Day Mortality and Poor Prognosis in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Liver Cirrhosis Receiving Radiotherapy-Based Therapy.

Background: Liver cirrhosis (LC) is common among patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) due to shared etiologic factor, alcohol. For non-metastatic ESCC (nmESCC) patients with cirrhosis, surgery is often contraindicated or associated with high morbidity, therefore radiotherapy-based therapy was commonly applied. This study aims to investigate prognosticators for overall survival (OS) in nmESCC and cirrhotic patients receiving radiotherapy-based therapy.

Cholinesterase Inhibitor Reveals Synergistic Potential for Neural Stem Cell-Based Therapy in the 5xFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Background And Objectives: Stem cell therapy shows great promise for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) like donepezil are well-established for alleviating AD symptoms. This study aimed to determine if combining ChEI treatment with stem cell therapy could improve therapeutic outcomes.