The relationship between tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 and KCNJ5 mutation in aldosterone-producing adenoma patients.

KCNJ5 somatic mutations in aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) are linked to higher left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and worse diastolic function. We previously identified an association between plasma tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) and an aldosterone-induced increase in LVMI and diastolic dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the association between the presence of KCNJ5 somatic mutation and plasma TIMP-1 in APA patients.

Evaluating Risk Factors for Clinical Failure Among Tigecycline-Treated Patients.

Purpose: Clinical trials have documented that tigecycline has a higher mortality risk than other treatments; it continues to be widely used for various infections in real-world settings, where its associated risk factors for clinical failure are understudied.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective analysis included a prospective 2019-2021 cohort of tigecycline-treated patients, excluding those with multiple infection sites. We assessed the outcomes on day 28, with clinical failure defined by mortality, persistent initial infection symptoms, or the requirement for continued antimicrobial treatment.

Effects of theory-guided unsupervised exercise on depression, sleep quality, and sense of control in pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Unsupervised exercise is beneficial for pregnant women, and ongoing exercise may affect the course of pregnancy. Therefore, promoting continued exercise among women is critical.

Aims: To implement a home-based exercise program, guided by the COM-B model theory, and assess its effects on depression, sleep quality, and sense of control among pregnant women.

Association Between Phosphorylated AXL Expression and Survival in Patients with Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, particularly in East Asia. Despite treatment advances, the prognosis remains poor owing to late diagnosis and high metastatic potential. Phosphorylated AXL (pAXL), a receptor tyrosine kinase, promotes cancer progression, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), tumor growth, and metastasis.

Development and Evaluation of a Novel Resuscitation Teamwork Model for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in the Emergency Department.

Study Objective: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is critical for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients but is prone to rapid changes and errors. Effective teamwork and leadership are essential for high-quality CPR. We aimed to introduce the Airway-Circulation-Leadership-Support (A-C-L-S) teamwork model in the emergency department (ED) to address these challenges.

Evaluating the effects of adrenalectomy and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist on cardiac remodeling and diastolic function in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma.

Cardiac remodeling and diastolic dysfunction in patients with aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA) can be improved after adrenalectomy. However, the effect of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) treatment remains unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of MRA on cardiac remodeling and diastolic dysfunction in patients with PA.

Blood pressure targets, medication consideration and special concerns in elderly hypertension part I: General principles and special considerations.

To achieve a consensus on optimal blood pressure (BP) targets for older adults remains challenging, necessitating a trade-off between cardiovascular benefits and the risk of impaired organ perfusion. Evidence suggests that age and frailty have a minimal influence on the cardiovascular benefits of intensive BP control in community-dwelling elderly. Nonetheless, an increased incidence of acute kidney injury with intensive BP control has been observed in octogenarians.

Outcome and Survival Analysis of Multicenter Lung Metastasectomy for Primary Liver Tumor with Pulmonary Metastasis.

Oligopulmonary metastases from primary liver tumors are typically treated surgically. We evaluated the clinical outcomes after lung metastasectomy in patients with pulmonary metastases from primary liver tumors. We retrospectively enrolled 147 consecutive patients with lung metastases from liver cancer who had undergone pulmonary metastasectomies at three medical centers between February 2007 and December 2020.

The short- and mid-term mortality trends in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors: insights from a 5-year multicenter retrospective study in Taiwan.

Background: The survival trend and factors influencing short- and mid-term mortality in Asian out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors should be elucidated. We performed survival analyses on days 3 and 30, hypothesizing decreased survival rates within the initial 3 days post-resuscitation. Additionally, variables linked to mortality at these two timepoints were examined.

Validation of Ten Osteoporosis Screening Tools in Rural Communities of Taiwan.

Patients with osteoporosis are at risk of fractures, which can lead to immobility and reduced quality of life. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing fractures, but many patients are not diagnosed until after a fracture has occurred. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of 10 osteoporosis screening tools (OSTs) in rural communities of Taiwan.

Real world clinical outcomes when discontinuing denosumab or bisphosphonates in patients with surgically managed osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a population-based cohort study.

Background Context: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) are common fragility fractures. Patients who undergo surgical treatment for their initial OVCFs warrant particular attention because there is an elevated risk of subsequent vertebral fractures and other types of fragility fractures. However, the optimal osteoporosis treatment for this specific patient group is less investigated.

Clinical Predictors of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Lung Disease and Coisolates of Potential Pathogenic Microorganisms in Noncystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis.

Background: In bronchiectasis, nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) lung disease (NTM-LD) is a well-known coexisting infection. However, microorganism coisolates and clinical NTM-LD predictors are poorly studied.

Methods: Patients with bronchiectasis diagnosed by means of computed tomography between January 2017 and June 2020 were screened, using the date of computed tomography as the index date.

Aldosterone, mitochondria and regulation of cardiovascular metabolic disease.

Aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid hormone involved in controlling electrolyte balance, blood pressure, and cellular signaling. It plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular and metabolic physiology. Excess aldosterone activates mineralocorticoid receptors, leading to subsequent inflammatory responses, increased oxidative stress, and tissue remodeling.

Impact of liminality and rituals on professional identity formation in physician training.

Purpose: The transition from medical student to practicing physician affects the complex processes of professional identity formation and professionalism, which have a lasting effect on the physician's career development. This study explored two different transitional processes of medical students in Taiwan, the associated rituals during this transitional period (the 'liminal phase') and their effect on the formation of professional identity.

Method: Using snowball sampling, we recruited 13 medical students from two training systems: six from the traditional postgraduate year programme and seven from the accelerated postgraduate year (A-PGY) programme.

Evaluations of secondary hypertension and laboratory data in the elderly population.

Secondary hypertension in the elderly poses many challenges and requires a comprehensive diagnostic and management approach. This review explores the prevalence, diagnostic strategies, and treatment modalities for secondary hypertension in elderly patients, focusing on etiologies including primary aldosteronism, renal vascular disease, renal parenchymal disease, obstructive sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, Cushing's syndrome, pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas, and drug-induced hypertension. Key considerations include age-related changes in physiology and atypical presentations of underlying conditions necessitating thorough screening with a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, and imaging studies.

Application of Robotic Stereotactic Assistance (ROSA) for spontaneous intracerebral hematoma aspiration and thrombolytic catheter placement.

Background: Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for up to 20% of all strokes and results in 40% mortality at 30 days. Although conservative medical management is still the standard treatment for ICH patients with small hematoma, patients with residual hematoma ≤15 mL after surgery are associated with better functional outcomes and survival rates. This study reported our clinical experience with using Robotic Stereotactic Assistance (ROSA) as a safe and effective approach for stereotactic ICH aspiration and intra-clot catheter placement.