Correlation between the utilization of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and the risk of dementia: a nationwide population-based study in Taiwan.

The impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SLGT2i) usage on reducing the risk of dementia remains uncertain. Our research seeks to establish the association between dementia risk and SLGT2 inhibitors among individuals with diabetes. This study relied on data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database (NHIRD), which was established in 1995 coinciding with the launch of the National Health Insurance (NHI) program by the Taiwanese government.

Experience of Patients With Heroin Addiction Receiving Methadone Maintenance Treatment in Community Settings in Taiwan.

Background: The World Health Organization has identified methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) as the most effective treatment for reducing patient dependence on heroin. In Taiwan, MMT has been used as a heroin harm reduction strategy since 2006. Although the effectiveness of MMT in reducing heroin addiction has been examined quantitatively in prison samples, little attention has been paid to the experiences and perspectives of patients with heroin addiction receiving MMT.

Association between sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and macular degeneration in patients with diabetes: a nationwide population-based study in Taiwan.

Aims: Evidence showed that SGLT2 inhibitors have greater protective effects against retinal diseases compared to other hypoglycemic agents. Thus, we explore the association between SGLT2 inhibitor usage and macular degeneration (MD) in Taiwanese patients with diabetes.

Methods: The National Health Insurance (NHI) program's claim data are released as the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).

Risk of CKD among patients with DM taking diuretics or SGLT2i: a retrospective cohort study in Taiwan.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term risk of CKD and renal function declines using a combination of diuretics and SGLT2i.

Methods: We selected the data of subjects who had at least two outpatient records or at least one inpatient record for DM treatment as the DM group from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Patients receiving versus not receiving SGLT2i were defined as the SGLT2i and non-SGLT2i cohorts, respectively.

Intravitreal ranibizumab injection is associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease: a population-based study in Taiwan.

Systemic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) blockade has been the top adjunctive chemotherapy since 1990. Anti-VEGF therapy has also been associated with worsened renal function in some patients. However, the association between patient outcomes and use of intravitreal VEGF inhibitors remains controversial.

Cardiac Dose Predicts the Response to Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Definitive concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) is the standard treatment for cervical esophageal cancer and non-surgical candidates. Initial treatment response affects survival; however, few validated markers are available for prediction. This study evaluated the clinical variables and chemoradiation parameters associated with treatment response.

Pan-Genotypic Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents for Undetermined or Mixed-Genotype Hepatitis C Infection: A Real-World Multi-Center Effectiveness Analysis.

Although the pan-genotypic direct-acting antiviral regimen was approved for treating chronic hepatitis C infection regardless of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype, real-world data on its effectiveness against mixed-genotype or genotype-undetermined HCV infection are scarce. We evaluated the real-world safety and efficacy of two pan-genotypic regimens (Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir and Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir) for HCV-infected patients with mixed or undetermined HCV genotypes from the five hospitals in the Changhua Christian Care System that commenced treatment between August 2018 and December 2020. This retrospective study evaluated the efficacy and safety of pan-genotypic direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment in adults with HCV infection.

Bibliometric analysis and visualization of research trends on oblique lumbar interbody fusion surgery.

Purpose: To determine trends and hot subjects in the field of oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) research during the last decade using bibliometric analysis and visualization tools, in order to assist researchers in exploring new directions for future research in that field.

Methods: Articles published from January 1, 2012, to August 15, 2021, were screened in the Web of Science database. The data were analyzed with CiteSpace software, which generated visualization knowledge maps.

Real-World Experience of Chronic Hepatitis C-Related Compensated Liver Cirrhosis Treated with Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background: Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is a protease inhibitor-containing pangenotypic direct-acting antiviral regimen that has been approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. The present study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in patients with compensated cirrhosis in a real-world setting.

Methods: We evaluated the real-world safety and efficacy of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in patients with compensated cirrhosis from five hospitals in the Changhua Christian Care System, who underwent treatment between August 2018 and October 2020.

Continuous positive airway pressure affects mitochondrial function and exhaled PGC1-α levels in obstructive sleep apnea.

Subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) exhibit systemic and upper airway oxidative stress and inflammation, which cause mitochondrial dysfunction. The intend of this study is to estimate mitochondrial function (mitochondrial DNA/nuclear DNA [Mt/N] ratio) and protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-coactivated receptor gamma co-activator 1-alpha (PGC1-α) in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and plasma before and after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. Twenty healthy individuals (control) and 40 subjects with severe or moderate OSA were recruited to undergo CPAP treatment and evaluation in a sleep study.

Deep learning-based endoscopic anatomy classification: an accelerated approach for data preparation and model validation.

Background: Photodocumentation during endoscopy procedures is one of the indicators for endoscopy performance quality; however, this indicator is difficult to measure and audit in the endoscopy unit. Emerging artificial intelligence technology may solve this problem, which requires a large amount of material for model development. We developed a deep learning-based endoscopic anatomy classification system through convolutional neural networks with an accelerated data preparation approach.

Peripheral Neuropathy: Comparison of Symptoms and Severity Between Colorectal Cancer Survivors and Patients With Diabetes.

Background: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a common symptom in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors and patients with diabetes. However, the differences in PN symptoms between CRC survivors and patients with diabetes are not clear.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in PN between CRC survivors and patients with diabetes.

Elimination of Hepatitis C Virus in a Dialysis Population: A Collaborative Care Model in Taiwan.

Rationale & Objective: Hemodialysis facilities are high-risk environments for the spread of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Eliminating HCV from all dialysis facilities in a community may be achieved more effectively under a collaborative care model.

Study Design: Quality improvement study of multidisciplinary collaborative care teams including nephrologists, gastroenterologists, and public health practitioners.

Functionality of Djulis () By-Products and In Vivo Anti-Diabetes Effect in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

Djulis ( Koidz.) is a species of cereal grain native to Taiwan. It is rich in dietary fibre and antioxidants and therefore reputed to relieve constipation, suppress inflammation, and lower blood glucose.

Effects of continuous positive airway pressure on resolvin and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Purpose: Resolvin is a checkpoint controller in inflammation. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an airway remodeling regulator. We evaluated the levels of resolvin and MMP-9 protein in the serum and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) before and after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment.

A Pilot Study of Two Different Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Interventions in Children With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy After Botulinum Toxin Injection During Preschool Education.

To establish a pilot study on applying two low dose (40 h) constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) interventions in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) after botulinum toxin (BoNT-A) injection during preschool education. Five children with spastic CP (mean age: 5.31 years; Gross Motor Function Classification System level I and II) undergoing regular BoNT-A injections and rehabilitation programs were included.

Effects of Acupressure on Symptoms Relief and Improving Sleep Quality in Pediatric Patients With Allergic Rhinitis.

Current pharmacological management of allergic rhinitis cannot completely provide relief from the symptoms and is usually accompanied by undesirable side effects. Complementary and alternative medicine approach has been evaluated and applied for allergic rhinitis frequently. We aim to investigate whether acupressure could be used as daily nursing care practice to reduce the severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms and improve sleep quality in pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis.

Radiation doses with various body weights of phantoms in brain 128-slice MDCT examination.

The effective dose (HE) and organ or tissue equivalent dose (HT) for use in brain computed tomography (CT) examinations with various body weights were evaluated. Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD-100H) were inserted into Rando and five anthropomorphic phantoms. These phantoms were made of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), according to the specifications of ICRU 48, with masses from 10 to 90 kg.

Effects of aminophylline on airway epithelial-mesenchymal transition in brown Norway rats after repeated allergen challenge.

Chronic asthma is characterized by airway inflammation and remodeling. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of aminophylline on airway epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Two experimental groups of brown Norway rats that were repeatedly challenged with aerosolized ovalbumin (OA) were given oral aminophylline (OA-aminophylline group) or saline only (OA-saline group).

Association between Thioridazine Use and Cancer Risk in Adult Patients with Schizophrenia-A Population-Based Study.

Objective: Several cell line studies have demonstrated thioridazine's anticancer, multidrug resistance-reversing and apoptosis-inducing properties in various tumors. We conducted this nationwide population-based study to investigate the association between thioridazine use and cancer risk among adult patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: Based on the Psychiatric Inpatient Medical Claim of the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, a total of 185,689 insured psychiatric patients during 2000 to 2005 were identified.

Changes in hepatitis B virus surface antibody titer and risk of hepatitis B reactivation in HBsAg-negative/HBcAb-positive patients undergoing biologic therapy for rheumatic diseases: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Our aim was to investigate dynamic changes in hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antibody (HBsAb) titer and the associated risk of HBV reactivation and clinical course in patients with HBV surface antigen negative/core antibody positive (HBsAg/HBcAb) serostatus during antirheumatic therapy with biologic agents.

Methods: In a prospective study from January 2013 to June 2017, we monitored the HBV serostatus of HBsAg/HBcAb patients undergoing biologic therapy for rheumatic diseases. From HBsAb titers at baseline and subsequent time points, we calculated the person-years (PY) contributed by patients with different HBsAb levels: < 10 mIU/mL (negative); 10-100 mIU/mL (low); and > 100 mIU/mL (high).