Predictors and outcomes of Mid-urethral sling continence surgeries for stress urinary incontinence among Taiwanese women: What works best?

Mid urethral sling (MUS) surgery is a widely accepted and safe procedure performed for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) with excellent cure rate besides its minimal complications. There are various types of MUS which can be offered. In this review we collated published data on MUS surgery performed among Taiwanese women with SUI in search for the best techniques and its outcome.

Lipid Pneumonia Mimicking Lung Cancer in a Middle-Age Woman.

Lipid pneumonia is exceedingly rare, with only a few reported cases to date. A 46-year-old woman with a history of left breast cancer underwent a left-modified radical mastectomy, adjuvant chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Despite no known exposure to lipids, she presented with chronic non-productive cough and general malaise.

Gout Risk After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Propensity-score-matched Cohort Study.

Background/aim: Gout, characterized by acute inflammatory symptoms and monosodium urate crystal deposits in joints, is prevalent among males and the elderly. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA), but its impact on the risk of developing gout is unclear. This study examined the risk of gout in patients undergoing TKA.

Combined Treatment of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester With Docetaxel Inhibits Survival of Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Cells Suppression of c-MYC.

Background/aim: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) comprises approximately 85% of lung cancer. Treatment with docetaxel prolongs the survival of patients with NSCLC. However, the development of resistance to docetaxel has compromised its efficacy.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Chinese Version of the Vulvovaginal Symptom Questionnaire in Women With Breast Cancer.

Aims: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Vulvovaginal Symptoms Questionnaire for assessing vulvovaginal symptoms and symptom-related influences in women with breast cancer.

Design: A methodological study.

Methods: Women with breast cancer (n = 202) were recruited from the outpatient department of a hospital.

Association between Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Gout: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study.

Introduction: While an association between hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and inflammatory arthritis has been reported in clinical studies, the potential link between HS and gout remains uncertain. As HS and gout share common immunological pathways, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to determine whether HS patients are at an increased risk of developing gout in the future.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter cohort study obtained information through the US collaborative network, a subset of the TriNetX research network.

Functional and prognostic impacts of serum albumin with thoracic arterial calcification among asymptomatic individuals.

Although several studies have demonstrated the cardiovascular (CV) implication of hypoalbuminemia and arterial calcification among hemodialysis patients, little is known regarding their cardiac correlates and relevant CV outcomes in asymptomatic individuals. We assessed the potential CV interrelation between serum albumin (SA) and aortic calcification. Among 2,723 asymptomatic individuals underwent cardiovascular health check-up, we assessed serum albumin (SA) level, thoracic aortic calcification (TAC) and coronary artery calcification (CAC) by multi-detector computed tomography, and ultrasound-determined carotid plaque burden.

Timing of bilateral sequential cochlear implantation for children: determination of its benefit.

Purpose: To evaluate monosyllable word recognition in noise under different conditions in bilateral sequential cochlear implants (CIs). Second, to assess subjective hearing benefits among bilateral sequential CIs, bimodal hearing, and CI-only groups. Lastly, to analyze the prognostic factors affecting CI outcomes in children with bilateral sequential CIs.

Bilateral Fluctuating Sensorineural Hearing Loss as a Paraneoplastic Manifestation for Lymphoma.

Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED) is an uncommon cause of fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), which is diagnosed by exclusion and required a high index of suspicion. Secondary AIED, which accompanies other autoimmune diseases, occurs in up to 30% of AIED cases. Secondary AIED is a rare manifestation of paraneoplastic syndrome, and the causal malignancy may be occult initially.

Polymer free biolimus coated stents to treat acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction in Asian patients.

Background: Patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have a high thrombotic burden and often have a high bleeding risk (HBR). Asian patients have different patterns of thrombotic and bleeding risk from other populations which may be particularly relevant in the setting of PPCI for STEMI.

Objectives: To assess the safety and efficacy of the polymer free biolimus coated coronary stent (PF-BCS, BioFreedom, Biosensors International) in Asian STEMI patients.

Resurgence of influenza and enterovirus infections in Taiwan post-COVID-19: A nationwide surveillance study.

Background: The global impact of COVID-19 has prompted profound shifts in public health policies. The epidemiology of respiratory infectious disease may change in the post-covid era. This study investigates the repercussions of these policies on respiratory infectious diseases, specifically the resurgence of severe influenza and enterovirus infections in the post-COVID-19 era.

Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B with Mildly Elevated Aminotransferase: A Rollover Study from the TORCH-B Trial.

Background & Aims: Treatment indications for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain contentious, particularly for patients with mild alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation. We aimed to evaluate treatment effects in this patient population.

Methods: This rollover study extended a placebo-controlled trial that enrolled non-cirrhotic patients with CHB and ALT levels below two times the upper limit of normal.

Intranasal booster with SARS-CoV-2 RBD protein fused to E. coli enterotoxin a subunit after primary mRNA vaccination in mice.

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019 led to the coronavirus infection diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, significantly impacting global public health and the economy. Numerous COVID-19 vaccines based on the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein have been developed, utilizing various protein expression platforms and adjuvant systems. In a previous study, we reported using the direct fusion of the A subunit of type IIb E.

Supra-inguinal fascia iliaca block versus peri-capsular nerve group (PNEG) block for pain management in patients with hip fracture: A double-blind randomised comparative trial.

Background: Regional analgesia has been recommended to alleviate pain caused by hip fractures. Both the supra-inguinal fascia iliaca block (S-FIB) and the peri‑capsular nerve group (PENG) block provide better analgesia than conventional fascia iliaca block for patients with hip fractures, but which one is superior remains equivocal. This study aimed to determine the superiority of S-FIB or PENG block for patients awaiting hip surgery.