Increased resting heart rate indicates high-workload hearts with augmented aortic hydraulic power in hypertensive pigs.

Clarifying the inceptive pathophysiology of hypertensive heart disease helps to impede the disease progression. Through coarctation of the infrarenal abdominal aorta (AA), we induced hypertension in minipigs and evaluated physiological reactions and morpho-functional changes of the heart. Moderate aortic coarctation was achieved with approximately 30 mmHg systolic pressure gradient in minipigs.

Growth differentiation factor 15 is a glucose-downregulated gene acting as the crosstalk between stroma and cancer cells of the human bladder.

Hyperglycemia and hyperglycosuria, two primary characteristics of diabetes mellitus, may increase the risk of cancer initiation, particularly for bladder cancer. The effectiveness of metformin, a common antidiabetic agent, is determined by its ability to induce GDF15. However, the mechanism of the GDF15 in relation to glucose, which influences the tumor microenvironment in the human bladder, is not fully understood.

Safety and Efficacy of IV Onasemnogene Abeparvovec for Pediatric Patients With Spinal Muscular Atrophy: The Phase 3b SMART Study.

Background And Objectives: Safety and efficacy of IV onasemnogene abeparvovec has been demonstrated for patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) weighing <8.5 kg. SMART was the first clinical trial to evaluate onasemnogene abeparvovec for participants weighing 8.

Association between preconception and early pregnancy exposure to fine particulate matter and nervous system anomalies: a nested case-control study.

Although several environmental factors may increase the risk of nervous system anomalies, the association between exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤ 2.5 μm (PM) and nervous system anomalies is not completely understood. This study aimed to examine the association between expoure to PM and nervous system anomalies, including specific phenotypes during preconception and early pregnancy and determine the crucial time windows.

Application of deep learning in automated localization and interpretation of coronary artery calcification in oncological PET/CT scans.

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a key marker of coronary artery disease (CAD) but is often underreported in cancer patients undergoing non-gated CT or PET/CT scans. Traditional CAC assessment requires gated CT scans, leading to increased radiation exposure and the need for specialized personnel. This study aims to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) method to automatically detect CAC from non-gated, freely-breathing, low-dose CT images obtained from positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans.

A case of Sjögren's syndrome with selective anion exchanger 1 defect causing distal renal tubular acidosis.

Distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) is a significant clinical expression of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). While SS-related dRTA is traditionally linked to impaired H-ATPase, we report a unique case demonstrating selectively decreased anion exchanger 1 (AE1) expression with preserved H-ATPase expression. A 16-year-old girl with SS presented with muscle weakness, difficulty in ambulation, and severe hypokalemia.

PARADIGM-PV: a randomized, multicenter phase 4 study to assess the efficacy and safety of ropeginterferon alfa-2b in patients with low- or high-risk polycythemia vera.

Polycythemia vera (PV) is characterized by clonal hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells with constitutively active somatic mutation(s) in the Janus kinase 2 gene. Phlebotomy (Phl) and aspirin are often used alone for low-risk PV patients. However, data from the Low-PV study demonstrated that Phl and aspirin may not be adequate for patients.

Statin Use and the Risk of Graves' Orbitopathy: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Statin use is reported to reduce the risk of Graves' orbitopathy (GO) in Western populations. However, study regarding the protective effect of statins against GO in Asians with Graves' disease (GD) is scarce. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of statins in preventing GO in Asian GD patients.

Predicting Age and Visual-Motor Integration Using Origami Photographs: Deep Learning Study.

Background: Origami is a popular activity among preschool children and can be used by therapists as an evaluation tool to assess children's development in clinical settings. It is easy to implement, appealing to children, and time-efficient, requiring only simple materials-pieces of paper. Furthermore, the products of origami may reflect children's ages and their visual-motor integration (VMI) development.

Continuing anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody after secondary resection significantly prolongs overall survival for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who were responsive to first-line anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody plus chemotherapy doublet.

The combination of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and doublet chemotherapy is the standard first-line treatment for patients with wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Some patients may require secondary resection after first-line treatment. However, it remains unclear whether targeted therapy should be continued after liver resection.

Characterization of the immune cell profile in metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated cancer, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown efficacy in its treatment. The combination of chemotherapy and ICIs represents a new trend in the standard care for metastatic NPC. In this study, we aim to clarify the immune cell profile and related prognostic factors in the ICI-based treatment of metastatic NPC.

Outcomes of upfront primary tumor resection in patients with synchronous wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer.

This multicenter study explored the survival benefits of upfront primary tumor resection (PTR) followed by first-line cetuximab plus chemotherapy in real-world patients with wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Treatment options for mCRC include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and surgery. The efficacy of upfront PTR in managing mCRC remains unclear.

Cardiac-targeted delivery of a novel Drp1 inhibitor for acute cardioprotection.

Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) is a mitochondrial fission protein and a viable target for cardioprotection against myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Here, we reported a novel Drp1 inhibitor (DRP1i1), delivered using a cardiac-targeted nanoparticle drug delivery system, as a more effective approach for achieving acute cardioprotection. DRP1i1 was encapsulated in cubosome nanoparticles with conjugated cardiac-homing peptides (NanoDRP1i1) and the encapsulation efficiency was 99.

Simplified segmental scleral buckling without localization and cryopexy: A retrospective comparison with conventional segmental scleral buckling.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to propose a simplified segmental scleral buckling (SSSB) technique that does not require break localization for less-experienced vitreoretinal surgeons.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study compared the clinical results of 46 conventional and 23 SSSB (conventional segmental SB [CSSB] and SSSB, respectively) procedures in a tertiary referral retinal center in Taiwan between 2008 and 2019. In the CSSB group, breaks were localized during surgery.

Reshaping vitreoretinal surgery: Intraoperative optical coherence tomography as a tool for enhancing surgical decision-making in complex cases.

Intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) has been applied and studied in a variety of vitreoretinal surgeries for its feasibility, safety, and outcomes for years. Common scenarios include membrane peeling procedures, retinal detachments, choroidal-retinal biopsies, Argus implants, and subretinal injections. iOCT offers the surgeon a better understanding of the retinal microarchitectural changes and timely intraoperative feedback, directing a future view of precision surgery.

Vitrectomy for diabetic retinopathy: A review of indications, techniques, outcomes, and complications.

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most severe forms of retinopathy and a leading cause of blindness all over the world. Of a greater concern is proliferative diabetic retinopathy which leads to vitreous haemorrhage and tractional retinal detachment in such cases. A majority of these cases require a surgical intervention to improve vision and prevent further vision loss.

Choroid vascular index in myopic patients - A mini review.

Myopia has become a globally prevalent ocular disease. The choroid plays a vital role in myopia, and its changes tend to occur earlier than those of the retina and long-term variations in eye growth. Abnormal axial growth is an intrinsic characteristic of myopia, accompanied by ocular biomechanical changes that result in chorioretinal atrophy, thinning, and other complications particularly in the choroidal vasculature.

Multiple parafoveal retinal detachment in myopic tractional maculopathy.

This study investigates the occurrence of multiple parafoveal retinal detachments (RDs) in myopic traction maculopathy (MTM), emphasizing the atypical extrafoveal involvement compared to central foveal detachment commonly observed. Patient 1, a 46-year-old male, exhibited MTM with retinoschisis and four small subretinal fluid (SRF) pockets inferior to the fovea, accompanied by a hyperautofluorescent vitelliform deposit. Patient 2, a 43-year-old male, reported ring-shaped dim vision in the left eye, displaying MTM with six stable SRF pockets surrounding the fovea.

Optical coherence tomography characteristics in hydroxychloroquine retinopathy and the correlations with visual deterioration in Taiwanese.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate optical coherence tomography (OCT) characteristics in hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) retinopathy and their correlation with visual acuity among Taiwanese patients.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively recruited patients undergoing long-term HCQ treatment who had received examinations of best-corrected visual acuity and OCT scans. We observed disruptions in the ellipsoid zone (EZ) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) across different retinal regions.

Comparison of Clinical Characteristics and Mortality Outcome in Critical COVID-19 Patients Infected with Alpha and Omicron Variants.

Objective: Early reports have indicated that the Omicron variant of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be associated with low mortality. However, the mortality rate of critical patients in Taiwan with COVID-19 caused by different variants has not been well described.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Linkou Branch of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, from April 2020 to September 2022.

Nutritional, Nutraceutical, and Medicinal Potential of Fr.: A Comprehensive Review.

Mushrooms are considered as nutraceutical foods that can effectively prevent diseases such as cancer and other serious life-threatening conditions include neurodegeneration, hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia. The , also known as the "Golden chanterelle" or "Golden girolle," is a significant wild edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom. It is renowned for its delicious, apricot-like aroma and is highly valued in various culinary traditions worldwide.

Supranormal Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction, Concentric Remodeling, and Long-Term Survival.

Background: Supranormal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) confers a paradoxically higher mortality risk; however, whether intrinsic structural changes of left ventricle (LV) play an important role remain unclear.

Objectives: The authors sought to investigate the prognostic implication of supranormal LVEF and its interaction with LV concentric remodeling.

Methods: Consecutive participants undergoing echocardiography in a tertiary medical center with LVEF >60% were included.

Validating Machine Learning Models Against the Saline Test Gold Standard for Primary Aldosteronism Diagnosis.

Background: In this study, we developed and validated machine learning models to predict primary aldosteronism (PA) in hypertensive East-Asian patients, comparing their performance against the traditional saline infusion test. The motivation for this development arises from the need to provide a more efficient and standardized diagnostic approach, because the saline infusion test, although considered a gold standard, is often cumbersome, is time-consuming, and lacks uniform protocols. By offering an alternative diagnostic method, this study seeks to enhance patient care through quicker and potentially more reliable PA detection.

Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology Position Statement on the Use of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in the Management of Aortic Stenosis.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been established as an effective treatment modality in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and the uptake of TAVI is rapidly growing in the Asia-Pacific region. However, there exist a heterogeneity in the management of aortic stenosis and the use of TAVI among countries in the region. Reasons for these differences include anatomic variations, disparity in healthcare resources and infrastructure, and the lack of consensus on the optimal management of AS in the Asia-Pacific region.