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.

Effect of pelvic arterial stenosis on erectile function: determining the severity threshold for erectile dysfunction.

Background: Pelvic arterial (PLA) stenosis is associated with arterial insufficiency of the penis and erectile dysfunction (ED), but the effect of different severities of PLA stenosis on ED remains unclear.

Aim: To investigate how different severities of PLA stenosis affect erectile function.

Methods: We included patients who visited our clinic for ED and underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA) and dynamic duplex sonography (DUS).

Effects of dapagliflozin on liver steatosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Background/aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver comorbidity with considerable global consequences. This study explores the efficacy of dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor primarily used to manage type 2 diabetes, in reducing liver steatosis among NAFLD patients.

Methods: This randomized, open-label, two-arm, parallel-group trial enrolled patients with NAFLD and a controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) score of ≥ 252 dB/m.

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.

Does obesity matter in patients receiving venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation? The U-shaped relationship between body mass index and mortality after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Background: The impact of obesity on the prognosis of patients receiving venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation remains unclear. This study examines the association between body mass index and in-hospital mortality among patients on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support.

Methods: This retrospective study enrolled adult patients who received venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, which included extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, at National Taiwan University Hospital between 2010 and 2021.

GAPPA: Enhancing prognosis prediction in primary aldosteronism post-adrenalectomy using graph-based modeling.

Background And Objective: Predicting postoperative prognosis is vital for clinical decision making in patients undergoing adrenalectomy (ADX). This study introduced GAPPA, a novel GNN-based approach, to predict post-ADX outcomes in patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism (UPA). The objective was to leverage the intricate dependencies between clinico-biochemical features and clinical outcomes using GNNs integrated into a bipartite graph structure to enhance prognostic prediction accuracy.

Preliminary assessment of the diagnostic accuracy of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma through deep sequencing of T-cell receptor gamma gene.

Background: The diagnostic challenges in early mycosis fungoides (MF) and other cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) persist despite advancements in molecular methods.

Aim: The study aims to provide a preliminary assessment of next-generation sequencing in analyzing T-cell receptor gamma (TRG) sequences for distinguishing CTCL from benign inflammatory disorders.

Methods: Skin samples from CTCL and benign inflammatory skin disorders proven clinicopathologically were assessed for TRG by NGS.

Margin-to-depth ratio as an independent prognostic factor in resected oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: A nationwide cohort study.

Background: The prognostic significance of margin-to-depth ratio (MDR) in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) remains unclear, particularly in comparison to traditional margin status. We aimed to examine the association between MDR and clinical outcomes in a large Taiwanese cohort.

Methods: A total of 18,324 patients with first primary OCSCC were categorized by margin status: positive (1013), <5 mm (8371), and ≥ 5 mm (8940).

Factors associated with leakage after reversal of protective stoma in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer following curative resection and anastomosis.

Introduction: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is a significant complication in colorectal surgery with numerous general and specific risk factors. The determinants of colorectal AL following the reversal of a protective defunctioning ileostomy remain unclear and warrant further investigation.

Material And Methods: Data from April 2008 to December 2014 were collected and retrospectively reviewed for 361 consecutive patients who underwent protective ileostomy reversal following curative resection with anastomosis for rectal cancer.

Prognostic significance of adjuvant therapy and specific radiation dosages in Taiwanese patients with oral cavity cancer and extra-nodal extension: a nationwide cohort study.

Background: The evidence for adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) with extra-nodal extension (ENE) in National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines is derived from patients with head and neck cancer. The guidelines further suggest a radiation dose ranging from 6000 to 6600 cGy. In this nationwide study, we sought to evaluate the prognostic significance of adjuvant therapy and the specific radiation dosage in Taiwanese patients with pure OCSCC and ENE.

Increased post-COVID-19 behavioral, emotional, and social problems in Taiwanese children.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has remarkably impacted children's mental health. Investigating whether COVID-19-related behavioral changes persist after recovery from the acute phase of infection warrants investigation. The present study aimed to identify children's behavioral/emotional and social adjustment problems after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Sex Differences in Human Brain Structure at Birth.

Background: Sex differences in human brain anatomy have been well-documented, though remain significantly underexplored during early development. The neonatal period is a critical stage for brain development and can provide key insights into the role that prenatal and early postnatal factors play in shaping sex differences in the brain.

Methods: Here, we assessed on-average sex differences in global and regional brain volumes in 514 newborns aged 0-28 days (236 birth-assigned females and 278 birth-assigned males) using data from the developing Human Connectome Project.