Smoking and Elevated Preneoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen Levels Are Associated With High Tumor Regression Grade and Poor Survival in Patients With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) is the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Tumor regression grade (TRG) is an essential prognostic factor in determining treatment efficacy. However, the potential factors influencing TRG in patients with rectal cancer who have received NACRT have not been investigated.

Retrospective detection and whole genome sequencing identify the first local case of Pigeon Rotavirus A infection in Taiwan from 2018.

In 2018, pigeon Rotavirus A G18P[17] was identified in Australia as the causative agent of a disease outbreak presenting as vomiting and diarrhea, reminiscent of the young pigeon disease syndrome. This virus has subsequently been detected in several other countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Poland, and the United States. This study was conducted to determine the presence of pigeon Rotavirus A among archived samples collected in Taiwan, and to subsequently characterize the whole genome of a local isolate.

Narrative review of neoadjuvant therapy in patients with locally advanced colon cancer.

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, with more than 1.9 million new cases reported in 2020, and is associated with major survival challenges, particularly in patients with locally advanced colon cancer (LACC). LACC often involves T4 invasion or extensive nodal involvement and requires a multidisciplinary approach for management.

Screening for Helicobacter pylori to Prevent Gastric Cancer: A Pragmatic Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Effects of screening for Helicobacter pylori on gastric cancer incidence and mortality are unknown.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of an invitation to screen for H pylori on gastric cancer incidence and mortality.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A pragmatic randomized clinical trial of residents aged 50 to 69 years in Changhua County, Taiwan, eligible for biennial fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) for colon cancer screening.

Pelvic congestion syndrome analysis through quantitative 2-dimensional phase-contrast MRI: a promising vision from an observational cohort study.

Background: To examine the application of quantitative 2-dimensional phase-contrast MRI (2D PC-MRI) for treating patients with pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS).

Materials And Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis by using quantitative 2D PC-MRI data enrolled between April 2017 and September 2023. In addition, 32 healthy female controls (HCs) were included.

Nanoparticles of CsWO as Antibiofilm Agents and Photothermal Treatment to Inhibit Biofilm Formation.

Metal oxide nanoparticles with photothermal properties have attracted considerable research attention for their use in biomedical applications. Cesium tungsten oxide (CsWO) nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit strong absorption in the NIR region due to localized surface plasmon resonance, through which they convert light to heat; hence, they can be applied to photothermal treatment for bacteria and biofilm ablation. Herein, CsWO NPs were synthesized through solid-phase synthesis, and their physical properties were characterized through Zetasizer, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM, respectively).

Surveillance of Parrot Bornavirus in Taiwan Captive .

Parrot bornavirus (PaBV) is an infectious disease linked with proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) with severe digestive and neurological symptoms affecting psittacine birds. Despite its detection in 2008, PaBV prevalence in Taiwan remains unexplored. Taiwan is one of the leading psittacine bird breeders; hence, understanding the distribution of PaBV aids preventive measures in controlling spread, early disease recognition, epidemiology, and transmission dynamics.

Exploration of types, virulence-associated genes, and biofilm formation ability in isolates from hemodialysis patients with vascular access infections.

Introduction: , is a pathogen commonly encountered in both community and hospital settings. Patients receiving hemodialysis treatment face an elevated risk of vascular access infections (VAIs) particularly , infection. This heightened risk is attributed to the characteristics of , , enabling it to adhere to suitable surfaces and form biofilms, thereby rendering it resistant to external interventions and complicating treatment efforts.

Quantitative two-dimensional phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging characterization of lower extremity venous disease: venous reflux versus venous obstruction.

Background: Lower extremity venous disease (LEVD) is a complex disorder, and determining the etiology of LEVD is paramount for treatment selection. Two-dimensional phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (2D PC-MRI) can provide an objective measure of hemodynamic status and may help differentiate between different etiologies of LEVD. A total of 271 participants, including 256 symptomatic patients with venous lower extremity disease and 15 healthy volunteers, were collected in this cohort study.

Insight into the Clonal Lineage and Antimicrobial Resistance of from Vascular Access Infections before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Patients receiving hemodialysis are at risk of vascular access infections (VAIs) and are particularly vulnerable to the opportunistic pathogen . Hemodialysis patients were also at increased risk of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study determined the change in the molecular and antibiotic resistance profiles of isolates from VAIs during the pandemic compared with before.

COVID-19 Vaccines in Patients with Maintenance Hemodialysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has infected more than 180 million people and caused more than 3.95 million deaths worldwide. In addition to personal hygiene, augmented cleaning, social distancing, and isolation, vaccine development and immunization are essential for this highly contagious disease.

Risk factors and clinical impact of bacteremia due to carbapenem-nonsusceptible Enterobacteriaceae: A multicenter study in southern Taiwan.

Background: The emergence of carbapenem-non-susceptible Enterobacteriaceae (CnSE) infections is a public health threat. This study investigated the risk factors and clinical impact of bacteremia due to CnSE.

Material And Methods: The study was conducted at three hospitals in southern Taiwan between January 1, 2017, and October 31, 2019.

Endometriosis-related spontaneous hemoperitoneum in the early second trimester: A case report.

Objective: To present a rare case of endometriosis-related spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy (SHiP) with atypical subacute symptoms, which is likely to be mistaken as an infectious disease initially.

Case Report: A 35-year-old primigravid woman presented with diffuse lower abdominal pain and signs of peritoneal irritation for five days at 18 weeks' gestation, and the initial diagnosis was acute peritonitis. An abrupt deterioration with maternal shock and stillbirth of fetus was found in spite of close observation in emergent department.

The Risk of Stroke in Kidney Transplant Recipients with End-Stage Kidney Disease.

: The incidence of stroke after kidney transplantation is poorly understood. Our study aimed to determine the incidence and predictors of stroke as well as mortality from stroke in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). : This retrospective cohort study used the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan to study KTRs ( = 4635), patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD; = 69,297), and patients from the general population who were chronic kidney disease (CKD)-free and matched by comorbidities ( = 69,297) for the years 2000 through 2010.

Intensive Periodontal Treatment Reduces Risks of Hospitalization for Cardiovascular Disease and All-Cause Mortality in the Hemodialysis Population.

Periodontal disease (POD) is associated with the risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease in patients on hemodialysis (HD). The association between POD treatment and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is still unknown. A total of 3613 patients who received HD and intensive POD treatment between 1 January 1998, and 31 December 2011 were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database as the treatment cohort.

Syncope and Collapse Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality in Patients Undergoing Dialysis.

: This study explored the impact of syncope and collapse (SC) on cardiovascular events and mortality in patients undergoing dialysis. : Patients undergoing dialysis with SC ( = 3876) were selected as the study cohort and those without SC who were propensity score-matched at a 1:1 ratio were included as controls. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including acute coronary syndrome (ACS), arrhythmia or cardiac arrest, stroke, and overall mortality, were evaluated and compared in both cohorts.

Renal complications and subsequent mortality in acute critically ill patients without pre-existing renal disease.

Background: Most studies of long-term renal outcomes after acute critical illness have enrolled patients with pre-existing renal dysfunction. We assessed renal outcomes in patients who did not have pre-existing renal disease and who were admitted to hospital for acute critical illness.

Methods: We identified adults who did not have pre-existing renal disease and who were admitted to hospital for acute critical illness between 2000 and 2011, from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

Subgaleal Hematoma at the Contralateral Side of Scalp Trauma in an Adult.

Background: Subgaleal hematoma (SGH), an abnormal accumulation of blood under the galeal aponeurosis of the scalp, is more commonly observed in newborns and children. According to previous cases, the etiology of SGH includes mild head trauma, vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery, contusion, and hair braiding or pulling.

Case Report: A 39-year-old healthy worker came to our emergency department (ED) due to scalp lacerations from an accident that caused severe twisting of his hair.

Investigation of morin-induced insulin secretion in cultured pancreatic cells.

Morin is a flavonoid contained in guava that is known to reduce hyperglycemia in diabetes. Insulin secretion has been demonstrated to increase following the administration of morin. The present study is designed to investigate the potential mechanism(s) of morin-induced insulin secretion in the MIN6 cell line.

Identification of morin as an agonist of imidazoline I-3 receptor for insulin secretion in diabetic rats.

Morin is a flavonoid contained in guava that is known to reduce hyperglycemia in diabetics. Morin has been demonstrated to increase plasma insulin. However, the mechanism(s) remains unknown.

Diosmin, a Citrus Nutrient, Activates Imidazoline Receptors to Alleviate Blood Glucose and Lipids in Type 1-Like Diabetic Rats.

Diosmin is a nutrient that is widely contained in citrus and that has been indicated to improve glucose metabolism in diabetic disorders. Recently, we demonstrated that diosmin induces β-endorphin to lower hyperglycemia in diabetic rats. However, the mechanisms of diosmin in opioid secretion were unclear.