The Mechanical Power in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Undergoing Prone Positioning Can Predict Mortality.

Mechanical power (MP) refers to ventilator-delivered energy to the lungs, which may induce lung injury. We examined the relationship between MP and mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who underwent prone positioning. This multicenter retrospective study included data on all patients admitted to the intensive care units of eight referral hospitals in Taiwan from October 2015 to March 2016, and in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou branch from January 2017 to October 2023.

Hypofractionated image-guided radiotherapy with 70 Gy in 28 fractions for prostate cancer confined to the pelvis: a single institute experience in Taiwan.

Background: The incidence of prostate cancer is increasing in Asian countries. Although moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy is not inferior to conventional fractionated radiation according to the updated guidelines, data regarding its efficacy and safety in Taiwan are currently lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of prostate cancer patients treated with hypofractionated image-guided radiotherapy at a single institution in Taiwan.

Tp53 determines the spatial dynamics of M1/M2 tumor-associated macrophages and M1-driven tumoricidal effects.

The spatial role of M1 and M2 tumor-associated macrophages (M1/M2 TAMs) in precision medicine remains unclear. EGFR and TP53 are among the most frequently mutated genes in lung adenocarcinoma. We characterized the mutation status and density of M1/M2 TAMs within tumor islets and stroma in 117 lung adenocarcinomas using next-generation sequencing and immunohistochemistry, respectively.

Detection of epileptogenic zones in people with epilepsy using optimized EEG-fMRI.

Purpose: Concurrent electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have been used to assist in the presurgical localization of seizure foci in people with epilepsy. Our study aimed to examine the clinical feasibility of an optimized concurrent EEG-fMRI protocol.

Methods: The optimized protocol employed a fast-fMRI sequence (sampling rate = 10 Hz) with a spare arrangement, which allowed a time window of 1.

Solid- and Vapor-Phase Antibacterial Activities and Mechanisms of Essential Oils Against Fish Spoilage Bacteria.

Essential oils (EOs), regarded as secondary metabolites from plants, possess effective antibacterial properties. This study investigates the antibacterial efficacy of seven citrus EOs against six spoilage bacteria: , , , , , and . The antibacterial activity of these EOs was evaluated using solid- and vapor-phase applications.

Mesopancreas dissection level 3 for pancreatic head cancer in combined robotic/open pancreatoduodenectomy: a propensity score-matched study.

Background: Mesopancreas dissection (MPD) level 3 in combined robotic/open pancreatoduodenectomy (CR/OPD) is technique-demanding. This study aims to clarify the feasibility and justification of MPD level 3.

Methods: Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was conducted for 208 patients with pancreatic head cancer undergoing CR/OPD with or without MPD level 3.

Predictive biosignatures for hospitalization in patients with virologically confirmed COVID-19.

Background: COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, presents with varying severity among individuals. Both viral and host factors can influence the severity of acute and chronic COVID-19, with chronic COVID-19 commonly referred to as long COVID. SARS-CoV-2 infection can be properly diagnosed by performing real-time reverse transcription PCR analysis of nasal swab samples.

O-antigen of uropathogenic Escherichia coli is required for induction of neutrophil extracellular traps.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are prevalent bacterial infection, with uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) as the primary causative agent. The outer membrane of UPEC contains a lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which plays crucial roles in the host's immune response to infection. Neutrophils use neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are mechanism by which neutrophils defend against bacterial infections.

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).

Exposure to Psychotropic Drugs and Colorectal Cancer Risk in Patients with Affective Disorder: A Nested Case-Control Study.

Background: This study aimed to assess the association between the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and exposure to mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics in patients with affective disorders.

Methods: This nested case-control study used data from the National Health Insurance Database of Taiwan collected between 2001 and 2011. All participants in this study had affective disorders.

Resistance to antidepressant treatment among patients with major depressive disorder: a nationwide study.

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) has great clinical importance because it has the highest disability burden of all depressive conditions. We investigated the prevalence of TRD and identified the risk and protective factors associated with antidepressant resistance among adult patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). A total of 176 132 adult patients with MDD were selected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 2001 and 2010 and followed for 1 year.

Pulmonary Impedance and Wave Reflections in Adults with Mitral Stenosis: Immediate and Follow-Up Effects of Balloon Valvuloplasty.

Purpose: We compared adults with mitral stenosis (MS) to 8 controls (CONT) to see how pulmonary impedance and wave reflections differ at baseline and after balloon valvuloplasty.

Methods: We separated the MS patients into groups according to mean pulmonary artery pressure: moderate (MOD; ≤ 26 mmHg, n = 21) and high (HIGH; > 26 mmHg, n = 33). We made baseline high-fidelity measurements in all patients, in the MS groups after vasodilation with nitroprusside, immediately and 4 months after balloon valvuloplasty.

Inverted dome radial osteotomy and ulnar shortening for neglected paediatric distal radial epiphyseal injury with ulnar impaction syndrome.

Neglected distal radial epiphyseal injuries can result in radial deformity and positive ulnar variance. We describe an inverted-dome radial osteotomy and ulnar shortening osteotomy to treat a paediatric distal radial malunion with ulnar impaction syndrome. V.

Gastrointestinal comorbidities in patients with acne vulgaris: A population-based retrospective study.

Background: The gut-skin-brain axis has been long postulated in acne vulgaris. Few studies focused on bowel habits in patients with acne vulgaris have yielded controversial results.

Objectives: To examine the relationship between acne vulgaris and gastrointestinal comorbidities.

Multi-trajectories of intrinsic capacity and their effect on higher-level functional capacity, life satisfaction, and self-esteem in community-dwelling older adults: the NILS-LSA.

Objectives: Variability in intrinsic capacity (IC) changes among community-dwelling older adults and their effect on health outcomes remain understudied. We examined the variability in IC trajectories and their impact on higher-level functional capacity (HLFC), life satisfaction, and self-esteem.

Design: Longitudinal study.

Fluid intake impact on heart failure: Systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.

Background: Heart failure (HF) management lacks clarity regarding fluid balance strategies, with some studies suggesting potential benefits of liberal fluid intake. This review aims to evaluate both unrestricted and restricted fluid intake, including sodium restriction, in adult HF.

Methods: A thorough search of electronic databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library, identified relevant studies examining fluid intake effects on adult heart failure patients, categorized by liberal or restricted intake, with subgroup analysis on sodium restriction.

Impact of family income on the development of gestational diabetes mellitus and the associated birth outcomes: A nationwide study.

Aims/introduction: The relationship between economic disadvantages and the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), as well as its impact on birth outcomes, remains uncertain.

Materials And Methods: From the Taiwan Maternal and Child Health Database, we identified 984,712 pregnant women between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2018. Using propensity score matching, we selected 5,068 pairs of women across four income levels: very low, low, middle and high.

Computational Modeling and AI in Radiation Neuro-Oncology and Radiosurgery.

The chapter explores the extensive integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare systems, with a specific focus on its application in stereotactic radiosurgery. The rapid evolution of AI technology has led to promising developments in this field, particularly through the utilization of machine learning and deep learning models. The diverse implementation of AI algorithms was developed from various aspects of radiosurgery, including the successful detection of spontaneous tumors and the automated delineation or segmentation of lesions.

Melatonin supplementation attenuates cuproptosis and ferroptosis in aging cumulus and granulosa cells: potential for improving IVF outcomes in advanced maternal age.

Background: Advanced maternal age is associated with decreased oocyte quantity and quality and in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates. This study aimed to investigate whether melatonin supplementation can improve IVF outcomes in women of advanced maternal age by modulating cuproptosis and ferroptosis.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 161 women aged 35-45 years undergoing IVF-frozen embryo transfer cycles.