Clinical outcomes of cetuximab-based treatment for distant metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A real-world study using Taiwan Head Neck Society registry database.

Background: For R/M HNSCC, the differences in prognosis and treatment options between distant metastasis (DM) and locoregional recurrence, especially in the DM group, remain unclear.

Methods: From the Taiwan Head Neck Society registry database, patients who were diagnosed with R/M HNSCC and received cetuximab-based frontline therapy were collected for analysis.

Results: Among the enrolled patients, 59.

Efficacy of neuromodulation on the treatment of fibromyalgia: A network meta-analysis.

Objective: Several types of neuromodulation have been investigated for the treatment of fibromyalgia, but they show varied efficacy on pain, functioning, comorbid depression and comorbid anxiety. Whether some types of neuromodulation or some factors are associated with a better response also awaits clarification.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of neuromodulation in patients with fibromyalgia.

Investigating the impact of probiotic on neurological outcomes in Rett syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled pilot study.

Rett syndrome often involves gastrointestinal symptoms and gut microbiota imbalances. We conducted a study to explore the feasibility of probiotic PS128 and the impact on neurological functions in Rett syndrome. The results of our investigation demonstrated that the supplementation of probiotic PS128 was feasible and well tolerated, with 100% retention rate and 0% withdrawal rate.

The initial experiences of junior nursing college students when communicating with children during pediatric clinical practicum: A phenomenological study.

Purpose: Nursing students feel stressed during pediatric clinical practicum due to limited communication encounters with hospitalized children. The purpose of this study was to describe junior nursing college students' experiences of communicating with children during pediatric clinical practicums.

Design And Methods: A qualitative phenomenological research design was used.

Risk Factors of Long-Term Sequelae After Transcatheter Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect in Young Children.

Background: Complications arising from transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (pmVSD) in children, such as residual shunts and aortic regurgitation (AR), have been observed. However, the associated risk factors remain unclear. This study identified risk factors linked with residual shunts and AR following transcatheter closure of pmVSD in children aged 2-12 years.

The timing of intravenous antibiotics and clinical outcomes of complex lung diseases.

The importance of early intravenous (IV) antibiotic use for complex lung diseases (MABC-LD) treatment remains unknown. A retrospective multi-centre observational study was conducted in Taiwan. Patients who were diagnosed with and received treatment for MABC-LD from January 2007 to April 2021 were included.

Cetuximab Treatment beyond Progression in Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Nationwide Population-Based Study (THNS-2021-08).

Background: Little is known regarding the association of cetuximab treatment beyond progression (TBP) with survival among patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are now considered as first-line treatment, not all patients are suitable for ICIs.

Objective: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective study to evaluate the role of cetuximab TBP in patients with R/M HNSCC after failure of first-line cetuximab-containing chemotherapy.

Plantar Fasciitis: An Updated Review.

Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a common musculoskeletal disease. Histologic findings of patients with PF showed mainly chronic degenerative processes rather than inflammation. In addition to mechanical factors, such as repetitive stress and reduced ankle dorsiflexion, PF is also linked to rheumatologic diseases and genetic factors.

A combined circulating microRNA panel predicts the risk of vascular calcification in community-dwelling older adults with age strata differences.

Background: Older adults have a higher risk of developing vascular calcification (VC). Circulating miRNAs can be potential risk indicators. However, prior studies used single miRNA mostly, whereas miRNA panels were rarely evaluated.

Medication Dosage Impact on Mortality in Old-Age Individuals with Schizophrenia: A National Cohort Study.

As the prevalence of old-age individuals with schizophrenia (OAS) increases in a society undergoing demographic aging, the exploration of medication choices becomes increasingly crucial. Due to the current scarcity of literature on OAS, this study seeks to examine how the utilization and cumulative dosages of psychotropic medications influence both overall and cause-specific mortality risks within this population. A national cohort of 6433 individuals diagnosed with OAS was followed up for 5 years.

Dysregulated immune and metabolic pathways are associated with poor survival in adult acute myeloid leukemia with CEBPA bZIP in-frame mutations.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with CEBPA bZIP in-frame mutations (CEBPA) is classified within the favorable-risk group by the 2022 European LeukemiaNet (ELN-2022). However, heterogeneous clinical outcomes are still observed in these patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the mutation profiles and transcriptomic patterns associated with poor outcomes in patients with CEBPA.

Ultrasensitive and Rapid Detection of Procalcitonin via Waveguide-Enhanced Nanogold-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Early Sepsis Diagnosis.

Sepsis, a life-threatening inflammatory response, demands economical, accurate, and rapid detection of biomarkers during the critical "golden hour" to reduce the patient mortality rate. Here, we demonstrate a cost-effective waveguide-enhanced nanogold-linked immunosorbent assay (WENLISA) based on nanoplasmonic waveguide biosensors for the rapid and sensitive detection of procalcitonin (PCT), a sepsis-related inflammatory biomarker. To enhance the limit of detection (LOD), we employed sandwich assays using immobilized capture antibodies and detection antibodies conjugated to gold nanoparticles to bind the target analyte, leading to a significant evanescent wave redistribution and strong nanoplasmonic absorption near the waveguide surface.

Under-utilization of statins among people with HIV who were aged 40 years or older.

From June 2022 to April 2023, 1629 HIV-positive participants were assessed for the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The 10-year ASCVD risk of <5 %, 5 % to <7.5 %, ≥7.

Undergraduate nursing students' learning experiences using design thinking on a human development course: A phenomenological study.

Aim: To explore nursing students' perceptions of their design thinking learning experiences on a human development course.

Background: Design thinking is a person-centered analytic and creative learning process that promotes higher order thinking skills rather than knowledge retention alone. Currently, this is the first study that has investigated the use of the design thinking process for nursing students on a human development course.

Culturally adapted translation of LYMPH-Q upper extremity module from English to Mandarin Chinese.

Background: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is one of the debilitating complications after breast cancer treatment. Several forms of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were developed to evaluate the severity of BCRL based on the patients' perspective. LYMPH-Q Upper Extremity Module is a newly developed questionnaire for BCRL.

Comprehensive Genomic Analysis of Patients With Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Using Blood-Based Circulating Tumor DNA Assay: Findings From the BFAST Database of a Single Center in Taiwan.

Purpose: The Blood First Assay Screening Trial (BFAST) is a prospective study using next-generation sequencing (NGS) of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in treatment-naïve advanced/metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We compared liquid biopsy to tissue testing and analyzed genomic alterations in Taiwanese patients with NSCLC using the BFAST database.

Materials And Methods: A total of 269 patients underwent FoundationOne Liquid Companion Diagnostic (F1LCDx) assay at the National Taiwan University Hospital, of whom 264 underwent tissue-based genetic testing also.

The role of the tongue in post-stroke dysphagia and obstructive sleep apnea: Correlation with sonography measurement.

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common risk factor for stroke, and dysphagia and pneumonia are both well-known complications of stroke. The development of these conditions is related to the oropharyngeal structures. We investigated whether specific structural features of the tongue may lead to the development of these complications.

Effects of nonintubated thoracoscopic surgery on postoperative neurocognitive function: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Postoperative neurocognitive disorder following thoracoscopic surgery with general anaesthesia may be linked to reduced intraoperative cerebral oxygenation and perioperative inflammation, which can potentially be exacerbated by mechanical ventilation. However, nonintubated thoracoscopic surgery, which utilizes regional anaesthesia and maintains spontaneous breathing, provides a unique model for studying the potential benefits of avoiding mechanical ventilation. This approach allows investigation into the impact on perioperative neurocognitive profiles, inflammatory responses and intraoperative cerebral oxygen levels.

Human liver afferent and efferent nerves revealed by 3-D/Airyscan super-resolution imaging.

Neural regulation of hepatic metabolism has long been recognized. However, the detailed afferent and efferent innervation of the human liver has not been systematically characterized. This is largely due to the liver's high lipid and pigment contents, causing false-negative (light scattering and absorption) and false-positive (autofluorescence) results in in-depth fluorescence imaging.

Comparable clinical outcomes with same-day versus rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy in Taiwan.

Objectives: WHO has recommended same-day antiretroviral therapy (SDART) initiation since 2017; however, higher attrition rates were noted in developing countries.

Methods: We included newly diagnosed people with HIV (PWH) from 2018 to 2022 at 18 hospitals around Taiwan. SDART initiation was defined as starting ART on the same day of HIV diagnosis and rapid initiation as starting ART within 14 days of diagnosis.

Polypharmacy and potential drug-drug interactions among people living with HIV in the era of integrase strand transfer inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of polypharmacy and potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs), and the factors associated with DDIs among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PLWH) in the modern era of antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods: This cross-sectional study included PLWH who had been on ART for ≥3 months at two designated HIV hospitals in Taiwan. All ART and non-ART prescriptions were collected from the NHI-MediCloud System and screened for DDIs using the University of Liverpool HIV drug interactions database.