2024 TSOC/TSPS Joint Consensus: Strategies for Advanced Vascular Wound Management in Arterial and Venous Diseases.

The Taiwan Society of Cardiology (TSOC) and Taiwan Society of Plastic Surgery (TSPS) have collaborated to develop a joint consensus for the management of patients with advanced vascular wounds. The taskforce comprises experts including preventive cardiologists, interventionists, and cardiovascular and plastic surgeons. The consensus focuses on addressing the challenges in diagnosing, treating, and managing complex wounds; incorporates the perfusion evaluation and the advanced vascular wound care team; and highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary teamwork.

Efficacy of Probiotic Supplements on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Inflammatory Biomarkers, Oxidative Stress and Cognitive Function in Patients with Alzheimer's Dementia: A 12-Week Randomized, Double-Blind Active-Controlled Study.

The role of neurotrophic factors, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been explored. Animal studies have reported the positive effects of probiotics on these factors. Some clinical studies also support the potential role of probiotics in improving cognitive function via the gut-brain axis in older adults.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus increases the risk of circumcision among men aged between 30 and 69 years using a nationwide population-based dataset in Taiwan: a five-year follow-up study.

Background: Diabetes is an important factor in the development of penile inflammation. We studied whether type 2 diabetes (DM), with/without hypertension and hyperlipidemia increased the risk of circumcision among men aged between 30 and 69 using a population-based dataset in Taiwan during a 5-year follow-up period.

Methods: The research data in this study were obtained from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database between 1997 and 2010.

Characteristics and outcome of systemic treatment for metastatic or unresectable thymic carcinoma: A single institution experience.

Background: Thymic carcinoma is a rare disease with an incidence of around 0.5 cases per million with a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to assess patient outcomes with advanced thymic carcinoma receiving first-line chemotherapy.

The Outcome of under 10 mm Single-Incision Surgery Using a Non-Specialized Volar Plate in Distal Radius Fractures: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

Background: The distal radius fracture is a common orthopedic injury. We aimed to share the surgical steps and investigate the outcomes of treating distal radius fractures with wounds ≤10 mm using a globally accessible locking plate.

Methods: We collected 46 patients who underwent surgery via a <10 mm wound, with a control group consisting of 40 patients who underwent conventional procedures.

Regulation of ROS/inflammasome Axis is Essential for Cardiac Regeneration in Aging Rats Receiving Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Background: Aging is a biological and gradual deterioration of function in living organisms. Aging is one of the risk factors for heart disease.

Objective: Although mesenchymal stem cell transplantation shows potential in heart disease treatment, the relationship between stem cell-based therapy and oxidative stress/inflammasome axis regulation remains unclear.

The Association among Urinary Lead and Cadmium, Serum Adiponectin, and Serum Apoptotic Microparticles in a Young Taiwanese Population.

Previous studies reported that lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) exposure are linked to changes in serum adiponectin; an adipokine that promotes glycolysis and inhibits gluconeogenesis to regulate glucose metabolism. However, no study has ever explored the relationship between exposure to these two heavy metals and adiponectin in adolescents and young adults. Additionally, the role of adiponectin in the relationship between Pb and Cd exposure and vascular endothelial cell apoptosis has never been investigated.

Deleterious genetic changes in AGTPBP1 result in teratozoospermia with sperm head and flagella defects.

Approximately 10%-15% of couples worldwide are infertile, and male factors account for approximately half of these cases. Teratozoospermia is a major cause of male infertility. Although various mutations have been identified in teratozoospermia, these can vary among ethnic groups.

Enhancing panic disorder treatment with mobile-aided case management: an exploratory study based on a 3-year cohort analysis.

Background: Individuals with panic disorder frequently face ongoing symptoms, suboptimal treatment adherence, and increased relapse rates. Although mobile health interventions have shown promise in improving treatment outcomes for numerous mental health conditions, their effectiveness, specifically for panic disorder, has yet to be determined.

Objective: This study investigates the effects of a mobile-aided case management program on symptom reduction and quality of care among individuals with panic disorder.

The favorable outcome of Bernese periacetabular osteotomy for the hip osteoarthritis in multiple epiphyseal dysplasia.

Background: Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) is a rare congenital bone dysplasia. Patients with MED develop secondary hip osteoarthritis as early as the third to the fourth decade. Currently, there is no consensus on the prevention of the progressive hip osteoarthritis secondary to MED.

The Association between 4-Tertiary-Octylphenol, Apoptotic Microparticles, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in a Young Taiwanese Population.

As one of the most common alkylphenols, 4-tertiary-octylphenol (4-tOP) is commonly used in many consumer products. Our previous epidemiological study revealed a negative correlation between serum 4-tOP levels and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), which serves as a biomarker of arteriosclerosis. We aimed to explore the role of apoptotic microparticles, markers of vascular endothelial cell function, in the 4-tOP and CIMT connection.

Safety and Efficacy of Oral Nalbuphine on Postoperative Pain in Hemorrhoidectomy Patients: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Pivotal Trial.

Objectives: Severe postoperative pain requiring opioid treatment has been reported in 20% to 40% of hemorrhoidectomy patients. Compared with morphine, nalbuphine offers better hemodynamic stability, a lower risk of respiratory depression, and a lower potential for addiction. Nalbuphine was developed from the intravenous form into an oral form (PHN131) to alleviate moderate-to-severe pain.

User Evaluation of a Chat-Based Instant Messaging Support Health Education Program for Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: Preliminary Findings of a Formative Study.

Background: Artificial intelligence-driven chatbots are increasingly being used in health care, but few chat-based instant messaging support health education programs are designed for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to evaluate their effectiveness. In addition, limited research exists on the usage of chat-based programs among patients with CKD, particularly those that integrate a chatbot aimed at enhancing the communication ability and disease-specific knowledge of patients.

Objective: The objective of this formative study is to gather the data necessary to develop an intervention program of chat-based instant messaging support health education for patients with CKD.

The Clinical Course of New-Onset Ocular Myasthenia Gravis Caused by Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.

Purpose: Myasthenia gravis (MG) caused by COVID-19 vaccine had been reported, but the clinical course of new-onset ocular MG had never been described. We would like to document the clinical course of a patient with new-onset ocular MG which was caused by Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Case Report: A 39-year-old woman noticed diplopia one week after she accepted the first dose of Pfizer- BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Patient and hospital characteristics associated with do-not-resuscitate/do-not-intubate orders: a cross-sectional study based on the Taiwan stroke registry.

Background: Previous studies of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) or do-not-intubate (DNI) orders in stroke patients have primarily been conducted in North America or Europe. However, characteristics associated with DNR/DNI orders in stroke patients in Asia have not been reported.

Methods: Based on the Taiwan Stroke Registry, this nationwide cross-sectional study enrolled hospitalized stroke patients from 64 hospitals between 2006 and 2020.

Acute Asymmetric Sensorimotor Variant of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy Triggered by mRNA-1273 COVID-19 Vaccination.

Purpose: Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) developing in the postvaccination period was distinctly unusual and its course was rarely well described. We aimed to clearly depict the clinical features of acute-onset multifocal acquired demyelinating sensory and motor neuropathy (MADSAM) caused by mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccination.

Case Report: A 74-year-old man noticed weakness of hands 2-3 days after he accepted the second dose of mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine.

Association between urinary glyphosate levels and serum neurofilament light chain in a representative sample of US adults: NHANES 2013-2014.

Background: Glyphosate, the herbicide with the highest global usage, has been found to have links to neurological impairment in some occupational studies. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a protein that is released into the bloodstream following neuroaxonal damage and has emerged as a reliable biomarker for various neurological disorders. However, no research has investigated the potential link between glyphosate exposure and neurological damage or serum NfL levels in the general population.

Arthroscopic scapholunate ligament repair and dorsal capsulodesis with suture anchor in acute and subacute scapholunate dissociation.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of arthroscopic scapholunate ligament repair and dorsal capsulodesis with suture anchor as a treatment option for patients experiencing symptomatic acute and subacute (< 3 months) scapholunate instability.

Methods: From Jan. 2017 to Jan 2020, 19 wrists with acute or subacute tears of the SL ligament with symptomatic instability were treated with arthroscopic SL repair and dorsal capsulodesis with a suture anchor.

Overall and cause-specific mortality in patients with dementia: a population-based cohort study in Taiwan.

Objectives: Information regarding the underlying causes of death (UCODs) and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of dementia is instrumental in formulating medical strategies to prolong life in persons with dementia (PWD). We examined the leading UCODs among PWD and estimated the overall and cause-specific SMRs in relation to dementia in Taiwan.

Methods: Data were retrieved from 2 national datasets: the Taiwan Death Registry and the medical claim datasets of the National Health Insurance program.