Prognostic Value of Pretreatment Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) in Rectal Cancer Treated with Preoperative Short-Course Radiotherapy with Delayed Surgery or Long-Course Radiotherapy.

Purpose: To investigate the prognostic value of the pretreatment serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level in patients with rectal cancer treated by preoperative short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) followed by chemotherapy and delayed surgery.

Patients And Methods: Two hundred and sixty-six consecutive patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma without distant metastasis receiving preoperative radiotherapy were enrolled. Group 1 patients (n=144) received long-course radiotherapy (LCRT) with 50.

The gendered nature of leader behaviors: Navigating stereotype threat from conservation of resources and gender role perspectives.

Previous research has highlighted the benefits followers gain from their leaders' initiating structure and consideration. Adopting a leader-centric perspective, we propose that leaders' gender influences the impact of these behaviors for leaders themselves. Drawing from conservation of resources and gender role theories, we explain why gender-role-inconsistent leader behaviors (behaviors that go against gender stereotypes, such as initiating structure for women and consideration for men) is detrimental, while engaging in gender-role-consistent leader behaviors (such as initiating structure for men and consideration for women) is beneficial.

Ankylosing Spondylitis and Cancer Risk.

Chronic inflammation is a major characteristic of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and is closely related to the mechanisms of cancer development. Persistent inflammatory responses can lead to DNA damage, gene mutations, and abnormal cell proliferation, all of which may increase the risk of cancer. We also explore the use of biologic therapy of AS and their potential cancer risks.

Long-term outcomes and lymph node metastasis following endoscopic resection with additional surgery or primary surgery for T1 colorectal cancer.

Optimal management of T1 colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial. This study compared the long-term outcomes of endoscopic resection with additional surgical resection (ER + ASR) versus primary surgical resection (PS) in patients with T1 CRC and identified risk factors for lymph node metastasis (LNM). This retrospective cohort study included 373 patients with T1 CRC who underwent ER + ASR or PS between January 2010 and December 2020 at a tertiary center in Taiwan.

Exploring the pivotal variables of tongue diagnosis between patients with chronic kidney disease and health participants.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant global health problem associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) utilizes tongue diagnosis to differentiate symptoms and predict prognosis. This study examines the relationship between tongue characteristics and CKD severity using an automatic tongue diagnosis system (ATDS), which captures tongue images non-invasively to provide objective diagnostic information.

High Intelectin-1 Expression Associated with Aggressive Tumor Behavior and Worse Survival in Rectal Cancer.

Background: Multimodal treatment involving preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery is the current standard of care for rectal cancer. Despite advancements, the risk of recurrence, metastasis, and decreased survival remains high. This study aims to evaluate potential biomarkers to stratify prognosis in patients with rectal cancer undergoing preoperative CRT and surgery.

Prediction of the Topologically Nontrivial Phase in Three-Dimensional ABX Zintl Compounds.

Zintl compounds have garnered research interest due to their diverse technological applications. Utilizing first-principles calculations, we performed a systematic study of ABX (A = Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs; B = Si, Ge, Sn, or Pb; and X = P, As, Sb, or Bi) Zintl materials with the 6 KSnSb-type structure. Notably, six ABX Zintl compounds (RbSiBi, CsSiBi, LiGeBi, KGeBi, RbGeBi, and CsGeBi) were found to have topologically nontrivial phases, as demonstrated by the invariant computed using the hybrid functional HSE06.

Assessment of psychological health effects of nurses during 2022-2023 of the COVID-19 pandemic: a descriptive study in Southern Taiwan.

Background: Nurses on the frontlines of the pandemic have increased workloads, burnout, and virus exposure, leading to mental health challenges and a lack of resources for patient care. Mental health support for nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak has become a priority. This study evaluated psychological health outcomes of among nurses during the 2022-2023 COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan, focusing on personal and work-related fatigue as key contributors to emotional distress.

Real-world efficacy and safety of universal 8-week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in patients with chronic hepatitis C with early chronic kidney disease or pre-end-stage renal disease: Insights from a nationwide hepatisis C virus registry in Taiwan.

An 8-week regimen of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is recommended for treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). In alignment with the Taiwanese government's objective to eliminate hepatitis C by 2025, this study aimed to provide real-world evidence on the use of this regimen in treatment-naïve patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by using data from the Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver HCV Registry (TACR). CKD was defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 mL/min/1.

The long-term effects of cardiometabolic risk factors on mortality and life expectancy: evidence from a health check-up cohort study.

Objective: Cardiometabolic risk factors significantly contribute to disease burden. This study explored the effects of hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), and hyperlipidemia (HLP) on mortality. It stratified findings by age group and comorbidity severity using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score.

Hepatitis C virus-free endoscope procedures project: An in-hospital elimination approach.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination in the care cascades for patients receiving invasive procedures remains elusive. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of HCV-free Endoscope Procedures Project (CEPP) in the effort toward hospital HCV micro-elimination in Taiwan. An electronic medical record (EMR)-based remind system was introduced into gastrointestinal, surgical, urological, and gynecological departments prior to the endoscopy procedures.

Humic acid Glazed Magnetite material for the Adsorptive Desulfurization of Model Fuel.

Impact of climate change that stems from gaseous emissions require sustainable materials to eliminate sulfur.  This study involves the modification of humic acid with magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) by a microwave-assisted synthesis of an absorbent with reasonable pore volume and diameter for elimination of thiophenic compounds from fuel. The magnetic nano adsorbent designated Fe3O4@HA was characterized using advanced spectroscopic techniques, while their structure and morphology were analyzed through DLS, XPS, XRD, FT-IR, TGA, FESEM-EDX, VSM, and BET-N2 techniques.

Activation of endogenous tolerance to bleaching stress by high salinity in cloned endosymbiotic dinoflagellates from corals.

Background: Large-scale coral bleaching events have become increasingly frequent in recent years. This process occurs when corals are exposed to high temperatures and intense light stress, leading to an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by their endosymbiotic dinoflagellates. The ROS buildup prompts corals to expel these symbiotic microalgae, resulting in the corals' discoloration.

Fig abscission as a defense mechanism of Ficus trees against parasitism by non-pollinating fig wasps.

How does the fig tree Ficus benguetensis protect its investment in the production of figs and pollinating fig wasps against parasitism from non-pollinating fig wasps? This study documents a previously overlooked defense mechanism: fig abscission-the natural shedding of the fig fruit as a defense mechanism. Our bagging experiments showed that both the absence of pollination and high parasitism levels lead to the abortion of F. benguetensis figs, with positive correlations between parasitism levels, increased abscission rates, and decreased pollinator production.

The Optimal Dosage and Duration of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation in Heart Failure Management: Evidence from a Network Meta-Analysis.

Heart failure is a progressive condition associated with a high mortality rate. Despite advancements in treatment, many patients continue to experience less-than-ideal outcomes. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have been studied as a potential supplementary therapy for heart failure, but the optimal dosage and duration of supplementation remain unclear.

Chronic low-dose REV-ERBs agonist SR9009 mitigates constant light-induced weight gain and insulin resistance via adipogenesis modulation.

Background: Obesity and circadian rhythm disruption are significant global health concerns, contributing to an increased risk of metabolic disorders. Both adipose tissue and circadian rhythms play critical roles in maintaining energy homeostasis, and their dysfunction is closely linked to obesity. This study aimed to assess the effects of chronic low-dose SR9009, a REV-ERB ligand, on circadian disruption induced by constant light exposure in mice.

Recombinant Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone Enhance Mitochondrial Function and Metabolism in Aging Female Reproductive Cells.

Ovarian aging significantly impacts female fertility, with mitochondrial dysfunction emerging as a key factor. This study investigated the effects of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) on mitochondrial function and metabolism in aging female reproductive cells. Human granulosa cells (HGL5) were treated with FSH/LH or not.

IgG4-Related Lymphadenopathy Mimicking Mediastinal Lymph Node Metastasis of Lung Cancer on F-FDG PET/CT.

We report a case of a 73-year-old man with minimally invasive lung adenocarcinoma, post-resection, evaluated with F-FDG PET/CT for suspected disease progression. Imaging showed increased FDG uptake in the right lower lung mass and systemic lymphadenopathy (mediastinal, supraclavicular, axillary, paraaortic, and iliac regions). The appearance of a stable lymph node and a clinical history of IgG4 lymphadenopathy suggested an inflammatory process, although malignancy in the lung mass and mediastinal nodes could not be excluded.

Predictive Modeling of Long-Term Care Needs in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Using Machine Learning.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) research often focuses on mortality rates or functional recovery, yet the critical need for long-term care among patients dependent on institutional or Respiratory Care Ward (RCW) support remains underexplored. This study aims to address this gap by employing machine learning techniques to develop and validate predictive models that analyze the prognosis of this patient population.

Method: Retrospective data from electronic medical records at Chi Mei Medical Center, encompassing 2020 TBI patients admitted to the ICU between January 2016 and December 2021, were collected.

Clinical outcomes and cost-utility analysis of GKRS plus TKIs versus TKIs in patients with EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma and brain metastases: a Markov decision model.

Objective: This study focuses on epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated lung adenocarcinoma, known for frequent brain metastasis. It aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of combining Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) (GKRS+TKI group) versus TKIs alone (TKI group) for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed brain metastasis in this condition.

Methods: Study characteristics of the two groups were matched using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW).

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Liver Outcomes in Patients With MASLD and Type 2 Diabetes.

Background And Aims: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have demonstrated long-term liver benefits in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, no direct comparison between these therapies has been conducted. This study aimed to compare major adverse liver outcomes (MALOs) between GLP-1 RAs and SGLT2is in patients with MASLD and T2D.

Effects of eight-week aerobic and resistance training on health self-efficacy, body image, and well-being in college students.

Background: This study explored the effects of innovative physical training during COVID-19 periods on college students' health self-efficacy, body image, and subjective well-being.

Methods: Forty-one students were recruited through convenience sampling and assigned to three exercise groups (i.e.

The Taiwan-ADNI workflow toward integrating plasma p-tau217 into prediction models for the risk of Alzheimer's disease and tau burden.

Introduction: We integrated plasma biomarkers from the Taiwan Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative and propose a workflow to identify individuals showing amyloid-positive positron emission tomography (PET) with low/intermediate tau burden based on [18F]Florzolotau PET-based quantification.

Methods: We assessed 361 participants across the Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-AD continuum and measured plasma phosphorylated tau (p-tau)217, p-tau181, amyloid beta (Aβ)42/40 ratio, neurofilament light chain, and glial fibrillary acidic protein levels at two medical centers. We evaluated the diagnostic potential of these biomarkers.