Video-stylet vs. channeled hyperangulated videolaryngoscope: Efficacy in simulated Ludwig's angina randomized cadaver trial.

Introduction: Ludwig's angina (LA) is a life-threatening infection that can affect the floor of the mouth and neck, potentially causing serious airway obstruction. In such cases, rescue airway management and oxygenation can be challenging due to swelling of the mouth floor, trismus, and limited mouth opening. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the Trachway video-stylet (VS) and Pentax AWS hyperangulated videolaryngoscope with channel (HAVL-C) compared to the standard geometric video-laryngoscope (SGVL, Macintosh 3, Trachway) in simulating Ludwig's angina with cadavers.

Tonsil tissue control is ideal for monitoring estrogen receptor immunohistochemical staining.

Background: Estrogen receptor (ER) testing performed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a critical predictive tool for breast cancer treatment. This study aimed to investigate the use of tonsil control for monitoring ER staining and hypothesize that optimal staining would reduce interlaboratory variations.

Methods: A proficiency test for ER IHC was conducted using 21 tissue cores.

Continuous aerosol monitoring and comparison of aerosol exposure based on smoke dispersion distance and concentrations during oxygenation therapy.

This study evaluated the aerosol exposure risks while using common noninvasive oxygenation devices. A simulated mannequin was designed to breathe at a minute ventilation of 20 L/min and used the following oxygen-therapy devices: nasal cannula oxygenation (NCO) at 4 and 15 L/min, nonrebreathing mask (NRM) at 15 L/min, simple mask at 6 L/min, combination of NCO at 15 L/min and NRM at 15 L/min, high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) at 50 L/min, and flush rate NRM. Two-dimension of the dispersion distance and the aerosol concentrations were measured at head, trunk, and foot around the mannequin for over 10 min.

Outcomes of radiocarpal pinning to facilitate nerve repair in wrist-level ulnar nerve injuries with defect.

Background: The ideal scenario for ulnar nerve repair is primary end-to-end neurorrhaphy in a tension-free environment. However, this could be complicated by soft tissue loss, scarring, and neuroma formation in a delayed injury, creating a nerve defect. With a wrist-level nerve defect, a flexion position can help shorten the nerve gap; however, maintaining the position can be challenging intraoperatively and postoperatively.

Absorption and Metabolism of Urolithin A and Ellagic Acid in Mice and Their Cytotoxicity in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Background: Ellagic acid is a natural polyphenol compound found in pomegranates, walnuts, and many berries. It is not easily absorbed, but it could be metabolized to urolithins by the gut microbiota. Urolithin A, one of the ellagic acid metabolites, has been proved to prolong the lifespan of and increases muscle function of mice.

A Modified Approach for Arthroscopic Excision of Dorsal Midcarpal Ganglion Cysts Using Radiocarpal Portals.

Wrist arthroscopy could be a treatment option for dorsal ganglion cysts. To achieve a thorough dorsal capsulectomy for the removal of midcarpal ganglion cysts, it is commonly necessary to combine both the radiocarpal and midcarpal portals. We present a modified method using radiocarpal portals only for arthroscopically excising dorsal midcarpal ganglion cysts.

Multilineage differentiation potential in the infant adipose- and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Background: This study aims to compare the biological properties of infant adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (infant ADSCs) from excised polydactyly fat tissue and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCSCs) in terms of proliferation and differentiation capabilities. The proliferation of infant ADSCs and UCSCs was analyzed by determining the fold changes of cell numbers and doubling time periods.

Methods: The state of senescence and replicative stress was compared by analyzing the expression of age-related genes, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining, and phosphorylated histone variant H2AX (γH2AX) immunofluorescence staining.

Dual Parallel Intramedullary K-Wires for Arthrodesis of the Finger Distal or Thumb Interphalangeal Joints.

Objective: K-wire arthrodesis methods are commonly used during arthrodesis of the finger distal interphalangeal (DIP) or thumb interphalangeal (IP) joints. Here we propose an advantageous approach involving dual parallel intramedullary K-wires with the K-wire tips cut to bury underneath the skin.

Methods: From January 2017 to December 2021, 35 patients (43 joints) underwent finger DIP or thumb IP joint arthrodesis using this method.

A therapeutic dose and its pharmacokinetics of ropeginterferon Alfa-2b for hepatitis C treatment.

Aim: Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a novel mono-pegylated proline-interferon. Its biweekly dosing schema has demonstrated tolerability and clinical efficacy for treating chronic hepatitis in previous clinical studies. This trial evaluates the pharmacokinetics of 400 μg ropeginterferon alfa-2b in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and provides the data to support the clinical utility of ropeginterferon alfa-2b at 400 μg.

Innovative Approach to Unicondylar Proximal Phalangeal Fracture Fixation: Combining Antegrade Intramedullary Pinning With Flexion Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Transfixation.

Various surgical techniques have been described for the fixation of displaced unicondylar fractures of the proximal phalanx, with K-wire and interfragmentary screws being the most commonly used. Although open reduction with joint exposure can provide direct visualization and allow for anatomic reduction, its potential drawbacks, such as joint stiffness and loss of range of motion, are of significant concern. We introduced a novel fixation technique for displaced unicondylar fractures of the proximal phalanx using antegrade intramedullary pinning and transfixation of the proximal interphalangeal joint, which is simple, effective, and does not require open reduction.

A comparative analysis of aerosol exposure and prevention strategies in bystander, pre-hospital, and inpatient cardiopulmonary resuscitation using simulation manikins.

To evaluate aerosol exposure risk and prevention strategies during bystander, pre-hospital, and inpatient cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This study compared hands-only CPR, CPR with a surgical or N95 mask, and CPR with a non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min. 30:2 compression-ventilation ratio CPR was tested with face-mask ventilation (FMV), FMV with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter; supraglottic airway (SGA), SGA with a surgical mask, SGA with a HEPA filter, or SGA with both.

Histone deacetylase III interactions with BK polyomavirus large tumor antigen may affect protein stability.

Background: Human polyomavirus BK (BKPyV) causes associated nephropathy and contributes to urinary tract cancer development in renal transplant recipients. Large tumor antigen (LT) is an early protein essential in the polyomavirus life cycle. Protein acetylation plays a critical role in regulating protein stability, so this study investigated the acetylation of the BKPyV LT protein.

Impact of pathological response on oncological outcomes in patients with upper tract urothelial cancer receiving neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rates of pathological complete response (ypT0N0/X) and pathological response (ypT1N0/X or less) in patients with upper tract urothelial cancer who were treated with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and to examine their impact on oncological outcomes.

Methods: This study is a multi-institutional retrospective analysis of patients with high-risk upper tract urothelial cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical nephroureterectomy between 2002 and 2021. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate all clinical parameters for response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Creation of Chitosan-Based Nanocapsule-in-Nanofiber Structures for Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic Drug Co-Delivery and Their Dressing Applications in Diabetic Wounds.

Nanofiber meshes (NFMs) loaded with therapeutic agents are very often employed to treat hard-to-heal wounds such as diabetic wounds. However, most of the NFMs have limited capability to load multiple or hydrophilicity distinctive-therapeutic agents. The therapy strategy is therefore significantly hampered.

Comparing angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors for heart failure with diabetes mellitus.

Background And Aims: Clinical comparisons of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI) and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) treatment in patients with HFrEF and T2DM are limited. This study evaluated the clinical outcomes and treatment benefits of SGLT2i versus ARNI treatment in patients with HFrEF and T2DM in a large real-world data set.

Methods: We identified 1487 patients with HFrEF and T2DM who were undergoing ARNI or SGLT2i treatment for the first time (n = 647 and 840, respectively) between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021, and with clinical outcomes of CV death, hospitalization for heart failure (HHF), composite CV outcomes, or renal outcomes.

Biologically-induced synthetic manganese carbonate precipitate (BISMCP) for potential applications in heavy metal removal.

Heavy metal pollution of water is a burning issue of today's world. Among several strategies involved for heavy metal remediation purpose, biomineralization has shown great potential. Of late, research has been focused on developing effective mineral adsorbents with reduced time and cost consumption.

Epigenetic regulation of human WIF1 and DNA methylation situation of WIF1 and GSTM5 in urothelial carcinoma.

WNT inhibitory factor 1 () is known to function as a tumor suppressor gene; it inhibits oncogene activation by preventing WNT signaling. This study investigated the epigenetic regulation of WIF1 gene in bladder cancer. We observed a positive relationship between WIF1 mRNA expression and survival probability of bladder cancer patients.

Clinicopathologic Analysis of Micropapillary Urothelial Carcinoma of the Upper Urinary Tract: Implications for HER2-Targeted Therapy.

Introduction/Background To determine the clinical significance of micropapillary urothelial carcinoma (MPUC) of the upper urinary tract (UTUC) and a potential therapeutic strategy. Patients and Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted to examine the incidence of micropapillary UTUC from 2010 to 2018 and its clinicopathological characteristics. Clinical outcomes and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were compared between MPUC and conventional UTUC matched by stage within a 6-month variation of receiving surgery.

Effectiveness and safety of 8-week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in HCV treatment-naïve patients with compensated cirrhosis: real-world experience from Taiwan nationwide HCV registry.

Background: Large-scale real-world data of the 8-week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) therapy for treatment-naïve patients of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with compensated cirrhosis is scarce.

Methods: The TASL HCV Registry (TACR) is an ongoing nationwide registry program that aims to set up a database and biobank of patients with chronic HCV infection in Taiwan. In this study, data were analyzed as of 31 October 2021 for treatment-naïve HCV patients with compensated cirrhosis receiving 8-week GLE/PIB therapy.

Trichomonas tenax induces barrier defects and modulates the inflammatory cytotoxicity of gingival and pulmonary epithelial cells.

Background: Trichomonas tenax is a single-cell flagellated anaerobic organism, commensal in the human oral cavity. Although a previous study indicated that T. tenax could cause cell damage and phagocytose host epithelial cells, its pathological effects on gum cells remain unknown.

The cardiovascular and renal effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists in patients with advanced diabetic kidney disease.

Background: To determine whether glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have cardiovascular and renal protective effects in patients with advanced diabetic kidney disease (DKD) with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 30 mL/min per 1.73 m.

Methods: In this cohort study, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and eGFR < 30 mL/min per 1.

Preoperative hydronephrosis is an independent protective factor of renal function decline after nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Objectives: To evaluate the predictive role of pre-nephroureterectomy (NU) hydronephrosis on post-NU renal function (RF) change and preserved eligibility rate for adjuvant therapy in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study collected data of 1018 patients from the Taiwan UTUC Collaboration Group registry of 26 institutions. The patients were divided into two groups based on the absence or presence of pre-NU hydronephrosis.

Use of Silicone Tubes as Antiadhesion Devices in a Modified Two-Stage Flexor Tendon Reconstruction in Zone II: A Retrospective Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the outcome of a modified two-stage flexor tendon reconstruction using silicone tubes as antiadhesion devices while performing simultaneous tendon grafting.

Methods: From April 2008 to October 2019, 16 patients (21 fingers) with zone II flexor tendon injuries, who sustained failed tendon repair or neglected tendon laceration, were treated by a modified two-stage flexor tendon reconstruction. The first stage of treatment comprised flexor tendon reconstruction with interposition of silicone tubes to minimize fibrosis and adhesion around the tendon graft; the second stage of treatment comprised silicone tube removal under local anesthesia.