Validation of the uncertainty stress scale-high-risk pregnancy - Chinese brief version: Rasch analysis.

Background: High-risk pregnancy leads to uncertainty and stress in pregnant women due to the threatened of mother and fetus health. The Uncertainty Stress Scale High-Risk Pregnancy Version, a 54-item Chinese version (USS-HRPV-C), has been widely used to assess the uncertainty and stress that women experience during pregnancy. However, the length of the scale may result in a burden for respondents.

Thermal ablation included in multimodality treatment predicts enhanced survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a propensity score-matched outcome study.

Background: Advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents significant treatment challenges, with limited effective therapies for late-stage patients. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of adding thermal ablation (TA) in treatment regimens for advanced NSCLC to improve survival outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a medical center in Taiwan, analyzing data from 1,083 patients diagnosed with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC between 2008 and 2020.

High SAFE scores predict hepatocellular carcinoma in viral and non-viral hepatitis and metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease.

Background/aims: There are no hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance recommendations for non-viral chronic liver diseases (CLD), such as metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We explored the Steatosis-Associated Fibrosis Estimator (SAFE) score to predict HCC in MASLD and other CLD etiologies.

Methods: Patients with various CLDs were included from medical centers in Taiwan.

Efficacy and safety of PARP inhibitors in prostate cancer: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Prostate cancer is a significant cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) have been shown to improve progression-free survival, especially in patients with BRCA1/2 mutations and deficiencies in homologous recombination repair (HRR). We conducted systematic reviews and meta-analyses and found that PARPi, combined with androgen receptor inhibitors, significantly improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in BRCA1/2-mutant and HRR-deficient patients.

Indocyanine green-mediated photothermal release of lidocaine from genipin-crosslinked gelatin hydrogel in nerve block.

Local anesthetic (LA)-induced peripheral nerve block (PNB) is an important part of multimodal analgesia to reduce postoperative pain, accelerate postoperative recovery, and improve clinical prognosis. The duration of LA depends on anesthetics, and the repeated nerve positioning, puncture injection or indwelling catheter is often required to prolong the effect of PNB. In this study, the genipin, was used to crosslink gelatin-based hydrogel, and then co-loaded with indocyanine green (ICG) and lidocaine as an LA-controlled release system (ICG@Lido/Gel and ICG@Lido/gGel).

Structural insights into signaling promiscuity of the CBASS anti-phage defense system from a radiation-resistant bacterium.

Radiation-resistant bacteria are of great application potential in various fields, including bioindustry and bioremediation of radioactive waste. However, how radiation-resistant bacteria combat against invading phages is seldom addressed. Here, we present a series of crystal structures of a sensor and an effector of the cyclic oligonucleotide-based anti-phage signaling system (CBASS) from a radioresistant bacterium Deinococcus wulumuqiensis.

Reduced gastric mucosal nerve density in functional dyspepsia: clinical significance and functional correlation.

Background: This study aimed to quantitatively examine gastric mucosal nerve density (GMND) in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) and analyzed its clinical correlation.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 35 patients with FD and 16 age-and gender-matched healthy controls for comparison of GMND on endoscopic biopsy, scores of Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI), and gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES).

Results: Patients with FD had lower GMND than the control subjects in gastric antrum, body, and fundus.

Cost-effectiveness of lazertinib as first-line treatment in patients with -mutated advanced lung cancer.

Background: Lazertinib demonstrates efficacy similar to that of osimertinib in the first-line treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor ()-mutated advanced lung cancer. However, its cost-effectiveness has not yet been evaluated.

Objective: To study the cost-effectiveness of lazertinib as a first-line treatment for patients with -mutated advanced lung cancer.

The modulation of immune cell death in connection to microRNAs and natural products.

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) spatiotemporally regulates damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) derived from dying cancer cells to signal the immune response. Intriguingly, these DAMPs and cytokines also induce cellular responses in non-immune cells, particularly cancer cells. Several ICD-modulating natural products and miRNAs have been reported to regulate the DAMP, cytokine, and cell death responses, but they lack systemic organization and connection.

Predictive modeling and interpretative analysis of risks of instability in patients with Myasthenia Gravis requiring intensive care unit admission.

Objective: Myasthenia gravis (MG), a low-prevalence autoimmune disorder characterized by clinical heterogeneity and unpredictable disease fluctuations, presents significant risks of acute exacerbations requiring intensive care. These crises contribute substantially to patient morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to develop and validate machine-learning models for predicting intensive care unit (ICU) admission risk among patients with MG-related disease instability.

Effects of vitamin D supplementation on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme after strenuous endurance exercise in healthy young men: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Vitamin D exhibits strong antioxidant properties. However, its effect on oxidative stress after strenuous endurance exercise remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of vitamin D supplementation on strenuous endurance-exercise-induced oxidative stress.

Aβ-reactive T cell polyfunctionality response as a new biomarker for mild cognitive impairment.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves neuroinflammation and amyloid plaque deposition, yet the role of amyloid-reactive immune response in neurodegeneration remains unclear. We investigate amyloid-reactive T cell levels in the Epidemiology of Mild Cognitive Impairment Study in Taiwan (EMCIT) and Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (TPMIC) cohorts.

Method: Using diverse amyloid peptide formulations, we established a polyfunctionality assay for five T cell functions and compared mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients to control subjects in both cohorts.

Passing the Torch forward: Moving beyond EGFR Inhibition in NMIBC Prevention.

The study by Downs and colleagues targets patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) to explore secondary/tertiary cancer prevention strategies. Utilizing a "window-of-opportunity" design, erlotinib was evaluated for its effect on EGFR phosphorylation, although the unconventional dosing regimen failed to demonstrate efficacy. New opportunities in NMIBC prevention include targeting FGFR3 mutations with emerging FGFR inhibitors.

Repurposing of Metformin to Improve Survival Outcomes in Patients With Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

Purpose: Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) presents a higher incidence rate in Taiwan compared to Western societies. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of metformin in improving survival outcomes for patients with UTUC in Taiwan.

Material And Methods: This retrospective study included 940 patients with UTUC and type 2 diabetes from the Taiwan UTUC Collaboration Group, spanning 21 hospitals from July 1988 to September 2023.

Role of 5-aminosalicylic acid in ulcerative colitis management in 8 Asian territories: a physician survey.

Clinical guidelines typically endorse conventional therapies such as 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) as the mainstay of ulcerative colitis management. However, the degree of adoption and application of guideline recommendations by physicians within Asia remains unclear. This study aims to understand the prescribing patterns of 5-ASA and implementation of current guideline recommendations across Asian clinical practice.

Elevations in D-dimer levels in patients with Plasmodium infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

D-dimer, a byproduct of cross-linked fibrin degradation, arises during the fibrinolysis process, breaking down blood clots in circulation. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize evidence of D-dimer alteration in people with malaria, including variations in disease severity. The systematic review was registered in PROSPERO with registration number CRD42024528245.

Integrating Ultrabright Polymer Dots and Stereo NIR-II Imager for Assessing Anti-Angiogenic Drugs in Oral Cancer Model.

The development of efficient platforms for the evaluation of anti-angiogenic agents is critical in advancing cancer therapeutics. In this study, we exploited an ultrabright semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) integrating with a three-dimensional (3D) near-infrared-II (NIR-II) fluorescence imaging system designed to assess the efficacy of potent anti-angiogenic agents PX-478 and BPR0C261 in an oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tumour model, which depends on angiogenesis for dissemination. PX-478, a hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) inhibitor, and BPR0C261, a microtubule-disrupting agent, were administrated into tumour-bearing mice established using murine MTCQ1 tongue cancer cells through intraperitoneal injection and oral gavage, respectively.

Global prevalence and risk factors of delirium among patients following acute stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Objective: The exact prevalence and risk factors of delirium following stroke at an acute stage remains unclear. We aimed to determine the global prevalence and risk factors of delirium following acute stroke.

Method: Observational studies reporting the prevalence of or risk factors for delirium following acute stroke published in the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases before April 16, 2024, were identified.

Addition of long-acting injectable antipsychotics during manic episodes in bipolar disorder: A retrospective analysis of rehospitalizations.

Introduction: Bipolar disorder (BD) often necessitates hospitalization, especially during manic episodes. Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) are theorized to enhance treatment adherence and decrease rehospitalization rates compared to oral medications. This study aimed to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of LAIs in reducing rehospitalizations among BD patients admitted for bipolar mania.

Peritherapeutic intra-arterial flow changes predict long-term stent patency in patients with severe intracranial artery stenosis receiving PTAS.

Background And Purpose: The quantitative intra-arterial flow dynamics following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) for severe intracranial artery stenosis have never been investigated. We aimed to evaluate peritherapeutic intracranial artery flow dynamics following PTAS with quantitative magnetic resonance angiography (qMRA) to predict long-term stent patency.

Design: This is a prospective, single-center study.

H NMR-based metabolomic analysis of hypersalinity-induced oviparity in brine shrimp.

This study investigated the mechanisms by which high salinity conditions stimulate adult Artemia females to produce diapaused cysts. We used a H NMR-based metabolomic approach to elucidate the metabolic regulation between ovoviviparity and oviparity in Artemia exposed to different salinities. At a salinity of 80 ppt, 100 % of females produced diapaused cysts, compared to 20 % at 50 ppt.