Consensus on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations: Challenges and strategies for high-risk populations in Taiwan.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact globally, particularly in high-risk populations such as those with underlying health conditions. In response to the evolving pandemic landscape and the recent surge in confirmed cases in Taiwan, the Taiwan Association of Family Medicine (TAFM) established a consensus on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for vulnerable groups through a comprehensive literature review, expert panel discussions, and a practice-oriented formulation procedure to develop evidence-based guidance. Its key findings highlight the increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes among individuals with disorders such as diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory illness.

Recognition of mild cognitive impairment in older adults using a polynomial regression model based on prefrontal cortex hemoglobin oxygenation.

Aim: This study employed a three-minute game-based intelligence test (GBIT) to create a hemoglobin polynomial regression model for early identification of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults.

Methods: 210 older adult participants were recruited from community centers in the central region of Taichung City. Working memory (WM) performance in older adults was assessed during GBIT, while hemoglobin responses were measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).

Microbiome analysis of serum extracellular vesicles in gestational diabetes patients.

Aim: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is among the most common complications during pregnancy, posing serious risks to both the patient's and offspring's health and well-being. Alterations in the maternal microbiome are closely associated with the pathogenesis of GDM, with Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) facilitating communication between microbiota and the host. However, little is known about the relationship between the microbial composition within EVs and the pathogenesis of GDM.

ω-9 monounsaturated fatty acids in Sapindus mukorossi seed oil enhance calcium deposition expression of Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells.

Promoting osteogenesis is crucial to improve successful bone regeneration in bone tissue engineering. Several studies on osteogenesis have reported positive effects of ω-9 monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) on bone regeneration. This study examined the potential of ω-9 monounsaturated fatty acid abundant seed oil mechanically extracted from Sapindus mukorossi (S.

Trends in volatile anesthetic sevoflurane and desflurane usage and its impact on carbon emissions: A six-year audit at National Taiwan University Hospital (2018-2023).

This short communication presents an audit of anesthetic gas usage at National Taiwan University Hospital from 2018 to 2023. Using descriptive statistics and trend analysis, the data reveals trends in the consumption of sevoflurane and desflurane, associated costs, and their corresponding carbon emissions. A significant decrease in desflurane usage contributed to a 42.

The Effectiveness and Safety of Remdesivir Use in COVID-19 Patients with Neutropenia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic poses severe risks for immunocompromised patients, especially those with neutropenia due to chemotherapy. This study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of remdesivir use in COVID-19 patients with neutropenia.

Methods: This retrospective study used the Chang Gung Research Database (CGRD) and extracted data from 98,763 patients with COVID-19 diagnosed between April 2021 and September 2022.

A Displaced Atypical Femoral Fracture Healed Without Anti-osteoporotic Agents in a Case of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Bone loss leading to osteoporosis is a well-known feature in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), with the prevalence of osteoporosis varying widely across different studies. However, there is still no consensus on the treatment of osteoporosis in AS patients. A 67-year-old male, a case of AS under medication control, had taken oral bisphosphonate for about seven years for suspected osteoporosis due to compression fracture at T12 and discontinued for disproportionately high dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry T-score (11.

Metabolomics identifies metabolite markers in plasma and extracellular vesicles within plasma in patients with asthma.

Background: Plasma and extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from plasma are important sources of information regarding individual health. Metabolomic analysis of plasma and EVs may provide new methods for predicting disease occurrence. This study aims to analyze the metabolomic characteristics of plasma and plasma EVs in asthma patients.

A Preliminary Analysis of Circulating Tumor Microemboli from Breast Cancer Patients during Follow-Up Visits.

Background: Most breast cancer-related deaths are caused by distant metastases and drug resistance. It is important to find appropriate biomarkers to monitor the disease and to predict patient responses after treatment early and accurately. Many studies have found that clustered circulating tumor cells, with more correlations with metastatic cancer and poor survival of patients than individual ones, are promising biomarkers.

Survival After the Diagnosis of Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer's Disease Dementia: A 15-Year National Cohort Study in Taiwan.

Objectives: Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are mostly designed for patients with early Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia. Long-term case management and planning for the remainder of life with disability require an estimation of the survival duration.

Methods: This cohort study utilized data from the National Health Insurance Research Database, Taiwan, to identify incident cases of mild-to-moderate AD dementia diagnosed from 2000 to 2002, followed through December 31, 2017.

The role of genetic testing in adult patients with unexplained epilepsy.

Objective: Genetic causes are often overlooked in patients with epilepsy of unknown etiology, particularly in adults. We aimed to evaluate clinical features of genetic epilepsy and the utility of genetic testing.

Methods: We retrospectively screened consecutive unrelated adult epilepsy patients at an epilepsy clinic from April 2022 to May 2023.

Association of urinary glyphosate levels with iron homeostasis among a representative sample of US adults: NHANES 2013-2018.

Purpose: Glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH), widely used globally, were initially considered harmless to humans. Experimental studies have suggested that these substances can disrupt iron homeostasis by interfering with iron uptake or triggering inflammatory responses. However, their potential impact on human iron homeostasis remains underexplored.

Adverse Effects of Intravesical OnabotulinumtoxinA Injection in Patients with Idiopathic Overactive Bladder or Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies.

Despite the efficacy of onabotulinumtoxinA, its safety profile remains a concern. This meta-analysis reviewed the major adverse events (AEs) associated with intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA treatment in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) and idiopathic overactive bladder (iOAB). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted between January 2000 and December 2022 were searched for adult patients administered different onabotulinumtoxinA dosages or onabotulinumtoxinA vs.

The relationship between serum monoterpene levels and bone health: a retrospective cross-sectional analysis from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data.

Introduction: Monoterpenes, a subset of the terpene family composed of two isoprene units, have garnered significant attention in research circles owing to their potential medicinal benefits. Recent experimental studies indicate that they might exert positive effects on bone health. Nevertheless, the impact of monoterpenes exposure on bone health remains unexplored in humans.

Characteristics of motor vehicle crashes and fatality risk among drivers with epilepsy.

Objective: Among motor vehicle crashes (MVCs), little is known about whether the characteristics and collision features involving drivers with epilepsy differ from those involving drivers without any history of epilepsy. We assessed MVC features and the effect of epilepsy diagnosis on the risk of severe crash-related injuries among drivers.

Methods: A total of 33 174 MVC events among people with epilepsy (PWE) and 663 480 MVC events of age- and sex-matched non-PWE (1:20) were selected.

Examining a decade-long trend in exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and their correlation with lipid profiles: Insights from a prospective cohort study on the young Taiwanese population.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are artificial chemicals extensively utilized in everyday products, and numerous cross-sectional epidemiological studies consistently link PFAS exposure with lipid profiles across diverse populations and age groups. In longitudinal studies, the findings also indicate a positive correlation between PFAS and lipid profiles; however, this association remains unexplored in adolescents and young adults. Notably, previous research has predominantly focused on conventional lipid biomarkers, with limited exploration of the relationship between PFAS and diverse lipoprotein subfractions.

Immunogenicity and Safety Following 1 Dose of AS01E-Adjuvanted Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prefusion F Protein Vaccine in Older Adults: A Phase 3 Trial.

Background: The recently approved AS01E-adjuvanted respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prefusion F protein-based vaccine for older adults (RSVPreF3 OA) demonstrated high efficacy against RSV-related disease in ≥60-year-olds.

Methods: This ongoing phase 3 study in ≥60-year-olds evaluates immune persistence until 3 years after RSVPreF3 OA vaccination. Here, we describe interim results on humoral and cell-mediated immunogenicity, reactogenicity, and safety until 1 year post-dose 1.

Prospective Discussion on December-Month Introduction of Voice Nursing and Health Education System.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on the 12th month of using the voice nursing and health education system. Work sampling method was used to observe for 120 hours, and 39 satisfaction questionnaires were collected. The results showed that the usage rate of voice health education system accounted for 14.

Examining the impact of polyfluoroalkyl substance exposure on erythrocyte profiles and its related nutrients: Insights from a prospective study on young Taiwanese.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) constitute a group of synthetic chemicals extensively utilized across various commonplace products. PFAS are known to have various toxic effects on human health. The relationship between PFAS exposure and erythrocytes has been a subject of interest in epidemiological research, but so far, only limited cross-sectional studies have investigated.

Bibliographic analysis of psychiatric publications in Taiwan: An analysis of Web of Science subject category from 1970 to 2023.

Background: Mental diseases continue to rank among the top 10 leading causes of global burden. Psychiatric research is a crucial avenue through which mental healthcare can be enhanced. Taiwanese academics have constantly concentrated their efforts on psychiatric research and published their findings.

Efficacy of adjunctive local periodontal treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with periodontitis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of different adjunctive local treatments combined with non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) to reduce pocket depth (PD), gain clinical attachment level (CAL), and/or reduce glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in individuals with both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontitis in a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Data Sources: Publications were searched in Cochrane databases, EMBASE, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PubMed, opengrey.eu, and www.