Effects of mirror therapy on motor and functional recovery of the upper extremity in subacute stroke: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To review and synthesize existing evidence on the effect of mirror therapy (MT) on motor and functional recovery and the effect of unimanual and bimanual MT in individuals with subacute stroke.

Methodology: PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Cochrane, and Airiti Library were searched for relevant studies. Randomized and pilot randomized controlled trials comparing MT with sham MT or conventional therapy were included.

Correlation Between PIK3R1 Expression and Cell Growth in Human Breast Cancer Cell Line BT-474 and Clinical Outcomes.

Background: While mutations in the gene play important roles in human breast carcinogenesis, gene alterations are recognized as actionable mutations for clinical cancer treatment. We aimed to elucidate the role of PIK3R1 in cell proliferation on breast carcinoma and to correlate the PIK3R1 expression with patients' outcome using human tumor tissue arrays.

Methods: Using human BT-474 (estrogen receptor (ER)+/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-high) breast carcinoma cell line as model, the role of PIK3R1 in cell proliferation was elucidated by knock-down of the gene (ΔPIK3R1) in this cell line.

Identification of vascular hotspots and analysis of micro-vessel flow velocity waveforms in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix.

Objectives: To assess hotspot micro-vessel flow velocity waveforms in human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical infections using transvaginal power Doppler ultrasound (TV-PDU) and explore associations with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN] II and III).

Methods: In all, 62 patients with confirmed HPV-HSIL (14 CIN II, 48 CIN III) and 65 age- and parity-matched women with neither HPV infection nor CIN were compared. Seven parameters by TV-PDU were used to assess vascular classification and micro-vessel flow velocity, including vascular grading (class I, II, III), lowest pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), peak systolic velocity (PS), end-diastolic velocity (ED), time average maximum velocity (TAMV), and the vascular index (VI = PS/ED).

Two-year clinical outcomes of Taiwanese and other Asian ethnicities with atrial fibrillation treated with edoxaban in the ETNA-AF Asia registry.

Background: The non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC), edoxaban, is approved for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in many Asian countries. Nonetheless, data on its long-term effectiveness and safety in routine clinical practice are limited in Taiwan.

Methods: The Global ETNA-AF (Edoxaban Treatment in routiNe clinical prActice) registry is an observational study that integrates data of AF patients receiving edoxaban from multiple regional registries.

Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology Position Statement on the Use of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in the Management of Aortic Stenosis.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been established as an effective treatment modality in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and the uptake of TAVI is rapidly growing in the Asia-Pacific region. However, there exist a heterogeneity in the management of aortic stenosis and the use of TAVI among countries in the region. Reasons for these differences include anatomic variations, disparity in healthcare resources and infrastructure, and the lack of consensus on the optimal management of AS in the Asia-Pacific region.

Effects of interactive boxing-cycling on dual-task walking and prefrontal cortex activation in older adults with cognitive frailty: A randomized controlled trial.

Older adults with cognitive frailty often have impaired dual-task walking and prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation. Combining cycling with interactive boxing offers an innovative and interesting dual-task training to challenge both physical and cognitive skills. This study investigated the effects of interactive boxing-cycling on this population.

Recommendation for the use of respiratory syncytial virus vaccines.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common pathogen for young children hospitalized with bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Most infections occur below 1 year of age. RSV is also a significant viral pathogen for adults with respiratory tract infection.

Transcervical resection of myoma (TCRM): Part II.

In the part I, we have already reported the rationale, efficacy, complication, and limitation of using transcervical resection of myoma (TCRM) in the management of women with symptomatic uterine fibroids, particularly for those belonging to the International Federation of Gynaecology & Obstetrics (FIGO) myoma classification system as FIGO types 0-2. The current review as part II, the discussion will focus on the techniques, tips and complication prevention or management when TCRM is applied in the management of women with symptomatic submucosal myoma. With better understanding for TCRM-related basic knowledge, such as rationale, efficacy, complication, technique review, tips and prevention or management of complications, plus the well-training and carefully performing TCRM through preceding accurate diagnosis, and good and careful preparation and intensive monitoring during operation and using effective strategy to preventing short-term and long-term complications, TCRM can become one of most powerful strategies in offering the less traumatic injury to the uterus, and an effective and safe surgical approach in dealing with women with symptomatic submucosal myoma.

Transcervical resection of myoma (TCRM): Part I.

Uterine fibroids occur frequently in women during the reproductive age, and they are rarely associated with clinical meaning because of their benign characteristics and asymptomatic clinical presentation. Sometimes, uterine fibroids are symptomatic and associated with compression syndrome, infertility, chronic pelvic pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. All need further intervention and treatment.

A comparison of the clinicopathological features and genetic alterations in stage II/III gastric cancer with no recurrence, early recurrence and late recurrence after curative surgery.

Background: Few studies have explored the genetic changes and clinicopathological features of stage II/III gastric cancer (GC) patients with no tumor recurrence, early recurrence, or late recurrence after curative surgery.

Methods: In this study, 376 patients who underwent curative surgery for stage II/III GC were analyzed. The clinical and genetic features of patients with no recurrence, early recurrence (<2 years), and late recurrence (≥2 years) were compared.

Exploring the application of machine learning to identify the correlations between phthalate esters and disease: enhancing nursing assessments.

Background: Health risks associated with phthalate esters depend on exposure level, individual sensitivities, and other contributing factors.

Purpose: This study employed artificial intelligence algorithms while applying data mining techniques to identify correlations between phthalate esters [di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, DEHP], lifestyle factors, and disease outcomes.

Methods: We conducted exploratory analysis using demographic and laboratory data collected from the Taiwan Biobank.

Development of a perceived eHealth literacy scale for individuals with serious mental illness: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The development of an electronic health literacy scale for the population with serious mental illness (SMI) is needed due to individuals' characteristics.

Aim: Develop a graphic-based perceived electronic health literacy scale for SMI (GP-eHLS-SMI).

Design: A cross-section study.

Disparities in the Prevalence of Urinary Diseases Among Prisoners in Taiwan: Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Prisoner health is a major global concern, with prisoners often facing limited access to health care and enduring chronic diseases, infectious diseases, and poor mental health due to unsafe prison environments, unhygienic living conditions, and inadequate medical resources. In Taiwan, prison health is increasingly an issue, particularly concerning urinary diseases such as urinary tract infections. Limited access to health care and unsanitary conditions exacerbate these problems.

Effect of excluding fractured or abnormal vertebrae on the trabecular bone score measurement.

Unlabelled: Brief rationale: The use of L1-L4 vertebrae, without exclusions, has been recommended for trabecular bone score (TBS) measurements.

Main Result: Excluding abnormal and fractured vertebrae affected the TBS. Significance of the paper: Fracture or degenerative abnormality may not affect TBS.

Resistance to antidepressant treatment among patients with major depressive disorder: a nationwide study.

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) has great clinical importance because it has the highest disability burden of all depressive conditions. We investigated the prevalence of TRD and identified the risk and protective factors associated with antidepressant resistance among adult patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). A total of 176 132 adult patients with MDD were selected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 2001 and 2010 and followed for 1 year.

A deep learning approach for the screening of referable age-related macular degeneration - Model development and external validation.

Purpose: To develop a deep learning image assessment software, VeriSee™ AMD, and to validate its accuracy in diagnosing referable age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: For model development, a total of 6801 judgable 45-degree color fundus images from patients, aged 50 years and over, were collected. These images were assessed for AMD severity by ophthalmologists, according to the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS) AMD category.

Suppression of colorectal cancer growth: Interplay between curcumin and metformin through DMT1 downregulation and ROS-mediated pathways.

The rising incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) poses significant healthcare challenges. This study explored the therapeutic potential of combined curcumin (CUR) and metformin (MET) treatment in CRC models. Our findings indicate that the combination treatment (COMB) effectively downregulates the expression of divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT-1), leading to a reduction in cell proliferation aligned with suppression of the pAKT/mTOR/Cyclin D1 signaling pathway.

Iron Deficiency in Preschool Children with Chronic Rhinitis.

Iron deficiency (ID) has been intricately linked with various inflammatory diseases. Chronic rhinitis stands as one of most common respiratory inflammation disorders in children. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of ID among preschool children with chronic rhinitis and to explore the association between ID and chronic rhinitis in this population.

miR-424/322 attenuates cardiac remodeling by modulating the nuclear factor-activated T-cell 3/furin pathway.

Background: Cardiac remodeling is implicated in numerous physiologic and pathologic conditions, including scar formation, heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmias. Nuclear factor-activated T-cell cytoplasmic (NFATc) is a crucial transcription factor that regulates cardiac remodeling. MicroRNA (miR)-424/322 has pathophysiological roles in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems by modulating hypoxia and inflammatory pathways.

Association of Self-Expanding Valves with Increased Capture of Larger Debris by Cerebral Protection System in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Background: Mixed evidence exists regarding stroke rates when comparing self-expanding valves (SEVs) to balloon-expandable valves (BEVs) in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This study investigates the debris captured by the SENTINEL cerebral protection system (CPS) during TAVR.

Methods: Seventy-five consecutive patients who underwent TAVR with CPS from March to December 2023 were recruited.