Incidence and outcome of hepatitis D virus infection in people with HIV in the era of tenofovir-containing antiretroviral therapy.

Background: Tenofovir-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves survival in HBV-coinfected people with HIV (PWH). We investigated the incidence of HDV infection and its clinical impact in HBV-coinfected PWH in the era of tenofovir-containing ART.

Methods: Between 2011 and 2022, HBV-coinfected PWH were included and followed until December 2023.

HBV DNA integration and somatic mutations in HCC patients with HBV-HCV dual infection reveals profiles intermediate between HBV- and HCV-related HCC.

Background: In regions with a high prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, coinfected patients face a heightened risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), termed HBV/HCV-related HCC (HBCV-HCC). We aimed to investigate the contribution of preexisting chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and subsequent chronic hepatitis C (CHC) to the development of HBCV-HCC.

Methods: We examined HBV's involvement in 93 HBCV-HCC cases by analyzing HBV DNA integration as an indicator of HCC originating from HBV-infected hepatocytes, compared with 164 HBV-HCCs and 56 HCV-HCCs as controls.

Effect of Flow Rates of High-flow Nasal Cannula on Extubation Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has emerged as a promising intervention for post-extubation oxygen therapy, with the potential to reduce the need for reintubation. However, it remains unclear whether using a higher flow setting provides better outcomes than the commonly used flow rate of 30-50 L/min.

Research Question: Does setting the flow rate of HFNC at 60 L/min versus 40 L/min for post-extubation care result in different extubation outcomes?

Study Design And Methods: This randomized controlled trial assigned intubated patients to receive HFNC at either a 60 L/min or 40 L/min flow rate following extubation.

An integrated microflow cytometry platform with artificial intelligence capabilities for point-of-care cellular phenotype analysis.

The EZ DEVICE is an integrated fluorescence microflow cytometer designed for automated cell phenotyping and enumeration using artificial intelligence (AI). The platform consists of a laser diode, optical filter, objective lens, CMOS image sensor, and microfluidic chip, enabling automated sample pretreatment, labeling, and detection within a single compact unit. AI algorithms segment and identify objects in images captured by the CMOS sensor at 532 and 586 nm emission wavelengths.

Pre-arrest atrial fibrillation and neurological recovery after cardiac arrest among hospitalized patients: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: New-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of stroke in hospitalized patients with severe sepsis. Post-cardiac arrest patients experience conditions similar to sepsis. This study investigated whether pre-arrest AF is associated with poor neurological recovery following in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA).

Interocular retinal asymmetry and cognitive frailty: A prospective cohort study.

Introduction: The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) or ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) is associated with cognitive impairment. However, the relationship between retinal asymmetry and cognitive frailty (CF) remains unknown.

Methods: Two hundred twenty-two community-dwelling older adults were assessed starting in 2015 and underwent biennial cognitive and frailty evaluations until 2022.

Clinical utility and predictive value of cerebrospinal fluid cell-free DNA profiling in non-small cell lung cancer patients with leptomeningeal metastasis.

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a challenging complication of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis using next-generation sequencing (NGS) offers insights into resistance mechanisms and potential treatment strategies. We conducted a study from February 2022 to April 2023 involving patients from five hospitals in Taiwan who had recurrent or advanced NSCLC with LM.

The effect of time to neurosurgical or neuroradiological intervention therapy on outcomes and quality of care after traumatic brain injury, a registry-based observational study.

Background: Evidence regarding the effect of time to neurosurgical and neuroradiological intervention on outcomes in traumatic brain injury (TBI) across Asia-Pacific region is limited. This study evaluates the quality of care and outcomes for TBI patients undergoing neurosurgical and neuroradiological procedures at different timings.

Methods: Adult TBI patients who received any neurosurgical or neuroradiological interventions during the year 2015-2022 in the Pan-Asian Trauma Outcome Study database were analyzed.

Diagnostic efficacy of aldosterone-to-renin ratio to screen primary aldosteronism in hypertension: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) is commonly used for screening primary aldosteronism (PA) in patients with difficult-to-control hypertension. Various thresholds have been proposed for the confirmatory tests, leading to inconsistency in the results.

Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the performance of ARR screening in hypertensive patients.

Long Dosing Intervals of Parenteral Antiosteoporosis Medications and the Decrease in Societal Fracture Risk: An 11-Year Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between different dosing intervals of antiosteoporosis medications (AOMs) and the subsequent fracture risk among patients with newly initiated AOM therapies.

Patients And Methods: In a nationwide population-based cohort study based on Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, osteoporosis patients with 50 years of age or older who newly initiated AOM from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2018 (n=336,229) were included. We categorized AOMs into short dosing intervals (oral AOMs) or long dosing intervals (parenteral AOMs).

Innovative project to improve the accessibility of advanced wound care among chronic wound patients in Yunlin County, Taiwan: "Fight Out to CARE".

Yunlin County, Taiwan, faces healthcare challenges given its super-aged population, limited medical accessibility, and a rise in chronic wounds. To address these issues, we introduced the "Fight Out to CARE" project, dispatching wound nurses to patients' locations to perform Cleansing, Avoidance, Removal, and Enhancement (CARE) under tele-supervision from a plastic surgeon. The program was conducted weekly in 2018 and twice monthly in 2019 for 53 weeks.

Ketoanalogue use is associated with a lower risk of worsening frailty among patients with diabetic kidney disease of advanced stage: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Patients with diabetes kidney disease (DKD) are at risk of developing frailty, leading to functional impairment and poor outcomes. Medications are potential modifiers of such risk. Ketoanalogues have been shown to delay dialysis initiation in DKD patients.

Projections of Climate Change Impact on Acute Heat Illnesses in Taiwan: Case-Crossover Study.

Background: With global warming, the number of days with extreme heat is expected to increase and may cause more acute heat illnesses. While decreasing emissions may mitigate the climate impacts, its effectiveness in reducing acute heat illnesses remains uncertain. Taiwan has established a real-time epidemic surveillance and early warning system to monitor acute heat illnesses since January 1, 2011.

Profiling Social Detachment in Older People in Taiwan: A Cluster Analysis.

Objectives: The Social Detachment Questionnaire for the Older Population (SDQO) is a validated tool that assesses various dimensions of social relationships. This study aimed to profile social detachment among older people in Taiwan using the SDQO and explore its use in distinguishing groups with varying levels of social engagement.

Methods: A telephone-based survey was conducted, collecting demographic data and responses to the SDQO and Brief Symptom Rating Scale-5 (BSRS-5).

Long-term follow-up of neurocognitive function in patients with citrin deficiency and cholestasis.

Background: Citrin deficiency is a rare metabolic disorder prevalent in East and Southeast Asia that affects liver or neurological function throughout various life stages. While early diagnosis and dietary management can improve prognosis for infant onset disease, data on long-term neurocognitive outcomes is scarce.

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify whether transient metabolic disturbances during early childhood have a lasting effect on the neurocognitive function of individuals with citrin deficiency.

Anhedonia in Major Depressive Disorder: Prevalence and Treatment Expectations and Satisfaction with Treatment Goals Among Patients and Physicians in Asia-Pacific.

Purpose: To explore the prevalence of anhedonia (ANH) in major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment expectation and satisfaction among patients with MDD and physicians in the Asia-Pacific region.

Methods: This cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted in April-May 2023 among physicians and individuals aged ≥18 years with self-reported physician diagnosis of MDD (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9] score ≥ 10) further stratified by anhedonia as measured by the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS): MDD-ANH (SHAPS score > 2) and MDD non-ANH (SHAPS score ≤ 2). The study assessed the prevalence of anhedonia in MDD as well as the perspectives on the treatment of anhedonia in MDD in terms of expectations and satisfaction among patients and physicians.

2023 TSOC-TACVPR-TACPAH Consensus Statement of the Rehabilitation on Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension.

In the past, patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) were advised to avoid exercise due to concerns that it might strain cardiac function and exacerbate symptoms. However, recent evidence indicates that structured exercise programs can enhance outcomes and improve health-related quality of life for these patients. Consequently, exercise rehabilitation is now recommended in international guidelines as a key component of PH management.

A machine-learning-based algorithm for bone marrow cell differential counting.

Background: Differential counting (DC) of different cell types in bone marrow (BM) aspiration smears is crucial for diagnosing hematological diseases. However, a clinically applicable method for automatic DC has yet to be developed.

Objective: This study developed and validated an artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm for identifying and classifying nucleated cells in BM smears.