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.

Hypoalbuminemia is Associated with Higher 90-Day Mortality and Poor Prognosis in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Liver Cirrhosis Receiving Radiotherapy-Based Therapy.

Background: Liver cirrhosis (LC) is common among patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) due to shared etiologic factor, alcohol. For non-metastatic ESCC (nmESCC) patients with cirrhosis, surgery is often contraindicated or associated with high morbidity, therefore radiotherapy-based therapy was commonly applied. This study aims to investigate prognosticators for overall survival (OS) in nmESCC and cirrhotic patients receiving radiotherapy-based therapy.

Associations between serum indium levels and preserved ratio impaired spirometry among non-smoking industrial workers: A nationwide cross-sectional study in Taiwan.

Background: Indium, a rare heavy metal, extensively used in flat panel display manufacturing, poses potential respiratory health risks to workers. Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm), a term describing nonobstructive lung function abnormalities, is associated with adverse health outcomes. Despite known risks, the relationship between serum indium levels and PRISm remains underexplored.

Risk of all-cause mortality in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the risk of all-cause mortality in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Design: Comprehensive searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library on September 01, 2024. The review included cohort studies reporting risk estimates of all-cause mortality in knee OA patients compared to those without knee OA.

Impaired blood flow of optic nerve head in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.

This study prospectively analysed the difference in the blood flow of the optic nerve head (ONH) between patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSA) and control subjects by laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG), and determined the correlations between LSFG variables and the severity of OSA. A total of 100 participants consecutively underwent full-night polysomnography, ophthalmologic examinations, and LSFG measurements. The LSFG parameters were summarised as the mean blur rate in all areas of the ONH (MA), in the big vessel area of ONH (MV), and in the tissue area of ONH (MT).

Implications of comprehensive geriatric assessment and Traditional Chinese Medicine constitution types for integrative geriatric care.

Background: Complementary medicine may enhance conventional geriatric care, but clinical guidance for incorporating Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapies remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the link between TCM body constitutions and comprehensive geriatric assessment scores in older adults.

Method: This prospective observational study recruited 100 participants aged 65 and older between January 2020 and December 2021.

A Biomechanical Evaluation of Distal Tilting Implants in All-on-Four Rehabilitation with Mild Mandibular Resorption: A Finite Element Analysis Study.

The geometry of implants plays a crucial role in the success of All-on-Four treatments for the lower jaw. This study builds upon prior research by evaluating the biomechanical performance of implant-supported prostheses in full-arch fixed dental restorations, specifically focusing on different implant lengths and connection types in cases of mild atrophic resorption of the mandible. Four groups were analyzed using finite element analysis (FEA): We utilized 13 or 18 mm posterior 17-degree tilting implants, each paired with two kinds of abutment connections.

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Significantly Reduces Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Symptoms in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) is a frequently observed clinical manifestation of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This systematic review aimed to evaluate the function of the Eustachian tube following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in adult CRS patients with confirmed preoperative ETD symptoms. (2) Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and MEDLINE electronic databases was conducted.

Potential Roles of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 in Alzheimer's Disease: Beneficial or Detrimental?

The major pathological characteristics of Alzheimer's disease (AD) include senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), which are mainly composed of aggregated amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide and hyperphosphorylated tau protein, respectively. The excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and neuroinflammation are crucial contributing factors to the pathological mechanisms of AD. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a transcription factor critical for tissue adaption to low-oxygen tension.

A Simple Physical Examination Predicts Cognitive Decline in Very Mild Dementia.

Background: Different exercises have different effects upon physical fitness and cognitive domains. In this context, physical fitness behaviors have been identified as a contributing factor to cognitive decline in patients with very mild dementia. The present study aimed to further determine baseline senior fitness behaviors in patients with very mild dementia and possible factors related to rapid cognitive decline.

The Three-Dimensional Investigation of the Radiographic Boundary of Mandibular Full-Arch Distalization in Different Facial Patterns.

Objective: Mandibular full-arch distalization (MFD) is a popular approach, particularly in non-extraction cases. However, we still cannot confirm whether facial patterns affect the amount of limits. This study aimed to determine the anatomical MFD limits in patients with different facial patterns.

The Pre-/Post-Transplant Hepatitis C Antibody Associated with the IL-28B RS8099917 TT Genotype and miRNA-122 Expression May Protect Acute Cellular Rejection After LDLT.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the IL-28B SNP rs8099917 genotype, miRNA-122 expression, and the immune mechanism of ACR after LT using anti-HCV antibody calibration. A total of 45 patients with HCV received LT. IL-28B SNP rs8099917 genotyping was used to divide patients into TT and GT groups.

Rapid Microfluidic Biosensor for Point-of-Care Determination of Rheumatoid Arthritis via Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody Detection.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes extensive damage to multiple organs and tissues and has no known cure. This study introduces a microfluidic detection platform that combines a microfluidic reaction chip with a micro-spectrometer to accurately detect the anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP Ab) biomarker, commonly associated with arthritis. The surface of the microfluidic reaction chip is functionalized using streptavidin to enable the subsequent immobilization of biotinylated-labeled cyclic citrullinated peptide (biotin-CCP) molecules through a streptavidin-biotin reaction.

Intrathecal lactate dehydrogenase A inhibitors FX11 and oxamate alleviate chronic constriction injury-induced nociceptive sensitization through neuroinflammation and angiogenesis.

Background: Neuropathic pain involves neuroinflammation and upregulation of glycolysis in the central nervous system. Unfortunately, few effective treatments are available for managing this type of pain. The overactivation of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), an essential enzyme in glycolysis, can cause neuroinflammation and nociception.

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.