Hydrogen inhalation exerts anti-seizure effects by preventing oxidative stress and inflammation in the hippocampus in a rat model of kainic acid-induced seizures.

Hydrogen gas (H) is an antioxidant with demonstrated neuroprotective efficacy. In this study, we administered H via inhalation to rats to evaluate its effects on seizures induced by kainic acid (KA) injection and the underlying mechanism. The animals were intraperitoneally injected with KA (15 mg/kg) to induce seizures.

Case Report: A novel method of needle-free transseptal puncture.

Background: In the era of fluoroless catheter ablation (CA), achieving a successful transseptal puncture (TSP) presents a significant challenge. We introduce a novel technique for zero-fluoroscopy and cost-effective needle-free TSP.

Case Summary: We describe two cases where a GMS-1 guidewire (0.

Microglia-Impaired Phagocytosis Contributes to the Epileptogenesis in a Mouse Model of Dravet Syndrome.

Dravet syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder caused by a deficit in the Nav1.1 channel, leading to drug-resistant epilepsy. The Nav1.

The novel role of LOC344887 in the enhancement of hepatocellular carcinoma progression via modulation of SHP1-regulated STAT3/HMGA2 signaling axis.

Pseudogene-derived long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have become crucial regulators in cancer progression. Extensive research highlights the pivotal role of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in promoting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. As a result, targeting aberrant STAT3 activation presents a promising therapeutic strategy for HCC.

Changes in Serum Rheumatoid Factor Following Eradication of Hepatitis C Virus Infection With Interferon or Direct Antiviral Therapy.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with a myriad of extrahepatic manifestations (EHM), as well as the production of autoantibodies, including rheumatoid factor (RF). This study aims to elucidate whether serum levels of RF change before and after HCV eradication, and whether these changes differ according to the type of therapy used. This is a retrospective cohort study of adults with chronic HCV infection treated with interferon-free or interferon-based regimens.

Therapeutic effects of Huangqi formula (Eefooton) in chronic kidney disease: clinical research and narrative literature review.

Objective: The study aimed to assess the clinical effects of employing the Huangqi formula (Eefooton; EFT) for chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment. A narrative literature review was undertaken to elucidate the specific ingredients of EFT and their potential impact on renal health.

Methods: A retrospective observational study investigated EFT treatment in outpatients with stable CKD (stages 3B to 5) from March 2019 to March 2021.

Perinatal risk factors and outcomes of pulmonary air leak in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants: A multicenter registry study in Taiwan.

Background: Pulmonary air leak may cause serious complications and mortality in neonates, especially preterm infants. Its incidence and perinatal risk factors in preterm infants might differ from those in term infants. We investigated the incidence, perinatal risk factors and morbidities associated with pulmonary air leak in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infants in Taiwan.

Critical COVID-19 in children and adolescents during the 2022 Omicron Surge in Taiwan: Risk factors and vaccine effectiveness.

Background/aim: Critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rare but devastating complication of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection in children and adolescents. This study aimed to assess the risk factors for, and evaluate the vaccine effectiveness against, critical COVID-19 during the 2022 Omicron Surge in Taiwan.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 41 pediatric patients with critical COVID-19 (which required mechanical ventilation, inotropic agents, extracorporeal membrane oxygenator, or resulting in in-hospital death) and 793 with non-critical COVID-19 who were hospitalized at National Taiwan University Children Hospital during the 2022 Omicron Surge.

Profiling Social Detachment in Older People in Taiwan: A Cluster Analysis.

Objectives: The Social Detachment Questionnaire for the Older Population (SDQO) is a validated tool that assesses various dimensions of social relationships. This study aimed to profile social detachment among older people in Taiwan using the SDQO and explore its use in distinguishing groups with varying levels of social engagement.

Methods: A telephone-based survey was conducted, collecting demographic data and responses to the SDQO and Brief Symptom Rating Scale-5 (BSRS-5).

Zingerone Facilitates Apoptosis in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells by Inducing Autophagy.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by high heterogenicity and aggressiveness and autophagy plays a complicated role in cancer development. Zingerone is reported to possess multiple pharmacological activities, including antitumors. This study explored the biological role and the relevant mechanisms of zingerone in TNBC.

Biphasic cartilage repair implant versus microfracture in the treatment of focal chondral and osteochondral lesions of the knee: a prospective, multi-center, randomized clinical trial.

Background: Autologous minced cartilage is a method for cartilage defect repair, and our study focuses on a newly developed biphasic cylindrical osteochondral construct designed for use in human knees. We aimed to compare its clinical effectiveness and safety with microfracture, the commonly utilized reparative treatment for knee chondral or osteochondral defects.

Materials And Methods: Conducted as a prospective multicenter, randomized controlled, non-inferiority trial across nine hospitals, the study involved 92 patients with International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade 3 to 4 chondral or osteochondral lesions on femoral condyles.

Effects of Intra-Articular Stromal Vascular Fraction Injection on Clinical Symptoms and Cartilage Health in Osteoarthritic Knees: A Single-Center Pilot Study.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent form of arthritis worldwide. Intra-articular stromal vascular fraction (SVF) injections are a potential therapeutic option for patients with OA. This study aims to assess the effects of intra-articular SVF injections on knee OA.

Circulating YKL-40 levels but not CHI3L1 or TRIB1 gene variants predict long-term outcomes in patients with angiographically confirmed multivessel coronary artery disease.

YKL-40 is significantly associated with the prevalence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). YKL-40 levels are significantly associated with variations in the CHI3L1 and TRIB1 genes. We investigated candidate genes for YKL-40 levels and evaluated the prognostic value of this biomarker and corresponding variants for long-term outcomes in patients with CAD.

Effects of advanced practice nurses on health-care costs, quality of care, and patient well-being: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The growing recognition of advanced practice nurses' role has been challenged by the need for decreased health-care costs while ensuring quality of care and patient well-being. However, limited evidence exists from previous reviews evaluating the effectiveness of advanced practice nurses.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of advanced practice nurses on health-care costs, quality of care, and patient well-being.

2023 TSOC-TACVPR-TACPAH Consensus Statement of the Rehabilitation on Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension.

In the past, patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) were advised to avoid exercise due to concerns that it might strain cardiac function and exacerbate symptoms. However, recent evidence indicates that structured exercise programs can enhance outcomes and improve health-related quality of life for these patients. Consequently, exercise rehabilitation is now recommended in international guidelines as a key component of PH management.

Establishing a machine learning dementia progression prediction model with multiple integrated data.

Objective: Dementia is a significant medical and social issue in most developed countries. Practical tools for predicting the progression of degenerative dementia are highly valuable. Machine learning (ML) methods facilitate the construction of effective models using real-world data, which may include missing values and various integrated datasets.

Generalizability of lesion detection and segmentation when ScaleNAS is trained on a large multi-organ dataset and validated in the liver.

Background: Tumor assessment through imaging is crucial for diagnosing and treating cancer. Lesions in the liver, a common site for metastatic disease, are particularly challenging to accurately detect and segment. This labor-intensive task is subject to individual variation, which drives interest in automation using artificial intelligence (AI).

Precision medicine in diabetes prediction: Exploring a subgroup-specific biomarker strategy for risk stratification.

Introduction: The early detection of high-risk individuals is crucial to delay and reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes. In this study, we aimed to explore the performance of a novel subgroup-specific biomarker strategy in the prediction of incident diabetes.

Materials And Methods: In the Taiwan Lifestyle Cohort Study, adult subjects without diabetes were included and followed for the incidence of diabetes in 2006-2019.

Effects of GlideScope, Pentax Airway Scope, and Macintosh Blade on the incidence of postoperative sore throat: a cohort study of 9,881 patients.

Background: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a common complaint after general anesthesia. POST is defined by the presence of a self-reported foreign body sensation or a painful sensation in the throat after general anesthesia. This condition may affect recovery and patient satisfaction and is associated with many factors, including intubation tools.

The Clinical and Sonographic Features of Cervical Muscle Involvement in Patients with Frozen Shoulder: A Retrospective Study.

: Frozen shoulder is a common shoulder disorder that often places limitations on the range of motion of the shoulder. The disease may induce neck pain due to overuse of the neck muscle in an attempt to compensate for lack of shoulder movement. In clinical practice, swelling and inflammation of the scalene and levator scapulae may be detected via sonography in patients with frozen shoulder.

Prognostic Outcomes and Predictive Factors in Non-Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Patients Not Treated with Second-Generation Antiandrogens.

Patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) and high-risk features frequently have progression to life-threatening metastasis without second-generation antiandrogens. This study investigated nmCRPC patients for the survival and prognostic factors from a cohort before the approved use of second-generation antiandrogens. From March 2016 to January 2021, 326 patients treated with second-generation antiandrogens for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) or metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer were retrieved.

Clinical Features and Complications of External Auditory Canal Foreign Bodies in the ENT Emergency Unit.

To determine the risk factor for developing complications in patients undergoing removal procedures for foreign bodies (FBs) in the external auditory canal (EAC) in the otolaryngology (ENT) emergency unit. Cases involving patients with EAC FBs treated at the ENT emergency unit of a tertiary medical center were retrospectively recruited. Patients were classified into the age < 10 years and ≥10 years groups.

Animal neuropathic pain aroused by conglutinating oxidative regenerative cellulose on dorsal root ganglion.

Neuropathic pain arises as a consequence of injury or disease in the peripheral or central nervous system. Clinical cases have shown that spine postoperative chronic neuropathic pain remains a troublesome issue in medical treatment due to the presence of various degrees of peridural fibrosis and different inflammatory factors after spinal surgery. To address this issue, we developed a new neuropathic mice model that successfully simulates the real clinical situation by applying oxidative regenerative cellulose to L5 DRG (dorsal root ganglion).