The Development of a System for Elbow Joint Range of Motion Measurement Based on Image Recognition and Myoelectric Signals.

After a fracture, patients have reduced willingness to bend and extend their elbow joint due to pain, resulting in muscle atrophy, contracture, and stiffness around the elbow. Moreover, this may lead to progressive atrophy of the muscles around the elbow, resulting in permanent functional loss. Currently, a goniometer is used to measure the range of motion, ROM, to evaluate the recovery of the affected limb.

Reducing Postoperative Neurological Complications in Uniportal Full-Endoscopic Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Efficacy of the GUARD Technique Combined With Delayed Ligamentum Flavectomy.

Objective: Uniportal full-endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (FE-TLIF) carries a unique risk of nerve traction and abrasion injury during cage insertion. This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the GUARD technique and delayed ligamentum flavectomy in reducing postoperative radicular pain and neurapraxia in patients undergoing uniportal FE-TLIF.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 45 patients with an average age of 53.

Innovative Nerve Root Protection in Full-Endoscopic Facet-Resecting Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Controlled Cage Glider Rotation Using the GUARD (Glider Used As a Rotary Device) Technique.

This video presents a case of L4-5 unstable spondylolisthesis treated with full-endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-TLIF), emphasizing the GUARD (Glider Used as a Rotary Device) technique for nerve root protection. This innovative approach involves controlled rotation of the cage glider before cage insertion to minimize the risk of nerve root injury, a significant complication in Endo-TLIF procedures. The GUARD technique, validated in previous cadaveric studies, provides enhanced safety during cage insertion by protecting the nerve root.

Lauric acid-loaded biomimetic, biocompatible, and antioxidant jelly fig (Ficus awkeotsang Makino) pectin hydrogel accelerates wound healing in diabetic rats.

Herein, we have presented a lauric acid (LA)-loaded jelly fig pectin (JFP)-based biocompatible hydrogel, which possesses strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties to treat diabetic wounds. The antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the JFP + LA hydrogels were beneficial in eliminating the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and bacterial infection in the wound bed, thereby protecting the wound surface and accelerating the tissue repair process. The in vivo diabetic wound healing studies demonstrated that applying JFP + LA hydrogels improved the rate of wound contraction and reduced the epithelialization time significantly.

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.

Enhanced heart sound classification using Mel frequency cepstral coefficients and comparative analysis of single vs. ensemble classifier strategies.

This paper seeks to enhance the performance of Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCCs) for detecting abnormal heart sounds. Heart sounds are first pre-processed to remove noise and then segmented into S1, systole, S2, and diastole intervals, with thirteen MFCCs estimated from each segment, yielding 52 MFCCs per beat. Finally, MFCCs are used for heart sound classification.

Dengue virus non-structural protein 1 binding to thrombin as a dengue severity marker: Comprehensive patient analysis in south Taiwan.

Background: Previously we identified a complex of non-structural protein (NS) 1 - Thrombin (NST) in dengue infected patients. Here, we investigated how the concentration of NS1 and NST differ in various dengue severity levels as well as their demographic and clinical features. Several comorbid (hypertension, diabetes, and chronic renal failure) often found in dengue patients were also measured and analyzed.

Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Poststroke Hemineglect: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Although various repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and theta burst stimulation (TBS) protocols are used, their comparative effectiveness for treating poststroke hemineglect remains unassessed.

Objective: To investigate rTMS and TBS effects on clinical outcomes in poststroke hemineglect through a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases up to March 7, 2024, for trials on rTMS or TBS in poststroke hemineglect.

A machine learning approach for identification of vascular access patency in hemodialysis patients using photoplethysmography: A pilot study.

Introduction: Vascular access (VA) is essential for patients with hemodialysis, and its dysfunction is a major complication that can reduce quality of life or even threaten life. VA patency is not only difficult to predict on an individual basis, but also challenging to predict in real-time. To overcome this challenge, this study aimed to develop a machine learning approach to predict 6-month primary patency (PP) using photoplethysmography (PPG) signals acquired from the tips of both index fingers.

Gut microbes with the genes determine TMAO production from L-carnitine intake and serve as a biomarker for precision nutrition.

Gut microbial metabolism of L-carnitine, which leads to the production of detrimental trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), offers a plausible link between red meat consumption and cardiovascular risks. Several microbial genes, including , the operon, and the recently identified gene cluster, have been implicated in the conversion of dietary L-carnitine into TMA(O). However, the key microbial genes and associated gut microbes involved in this pathway have not been fully explored.

Increased ratio of red cell distribution width to lymphocyte percentage as a new preoperative marker for unfavorable survival outcomes in upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

The aim of the present study was to determine the prognostic significance of a novel marker, the red cell distribution width to lymphocyte percentage (RDW-to-LYM%) ratio, in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). The clinical and follow-up data of 625 patients with UTUC receiving RNU were retrospectively analyzed. The optimal cut-off value of the pre-treatment RDW-to-LYM% ratio was determined as 0.

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.

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.

Generalized fractional optimization-based explainable lightweight CNN model for malaria disease classification.

Over the past few decades, machine learning and deep learning (DL) have incredibly influenced a broader range of scientific disciplines. DL-based strategies have displayed superior performance in image processing compared to conventional standard methods, especially in healthcare settings. Among the biggest threats to global public health is the fast spread of malaria.

Upper extremity function and disability recovery with vibration therapy after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of vibration therapy for improving upper extremity motor impairment, function, and disability recovery in people with stroke.

Design: We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library Database, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to May 31, 2024.

EA-CNN: Enhanced attention-CNN with explainable AI for fruit and vegetable classification.

The quality of vegetables and fruits are judged by their visual features. Misclassification of fruits and vegetables lead to a financial loss. To prevent the loss, superstores need to classify fruits and vegetables in terms of size, color and shape.

Trans-differentiation of Jdp2-depleted Gaba-receptor-positive cerebellar granule cells to Purkinje cells.

The Jun dimerization protein (Jdp2) gene is active in mouse cerebellar granule cells and its protein product plays a crucial role in the formation of the cerebellum lobes through programmed cell death. However, the role of Jdp2 in cellular differentiation and pluripotency in the cerebellum, and the effect of the antioxidation reaction on cell plasticity, remain unknown. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) induced the early commitment of the differentiation of granule cell precursors (GCPs) to neurons, especially Purkinje cells, via the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor α6 subunit (Gabra6) axis; moreover, Jdp2 depletion enhanced this differentiation program of GCPs.

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).

Barrier function-based prescribed performance trajectory tracking control of wheelchair upper-limb exoskeleton robot under actuator fault and external disturbance: Experimental verification.

This paper presents an innovative control strategy for the trajectory tracking of wheelchair upper-limb exoskeleton robots, integrating sliding mode control with a barrier function-based prescribed performance approach to handle actuator faults and external disturbances. The dynamic model of the exoskeleton robot is first extended to account for these uncertainties. The control design is then divided into two phases.

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.

Protocol to measure glucose utilization in mouse tissues using radiolabeled 2-deoxy-D-glucose.

2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) is a glucose analog converted to 2-deoxy-D-glucose-6-phosphate (2DG-6P) by hexokinase in glycolysis. While 2DG commonly measures glucose uptake, 2DG-6P detects glucose utilization. Here, we present a protocol to measure glucose utilization in various tissues after entering a mouse's body using radiolabeled 2DG.

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).

Transdiagnostic features of inflammatory markers and executive function across psychiatric disorders.

Executive dysfunction and dysregulated inflammation are found in patients with different psychiatric disorders. However, whether there are different associations between inflammatory markers and executive performance in patients with different psychiatric diagnoses is unknown. Our study aims were (1) to compare peripheral cytokine expression and executive function in patients with bipolar disorder (BD), substance use disorder (SUD), and schizophrenia (SCZ), and in healthy controls (HC) and (2) to explore the potential association between inflammatory cytokines and executive function in different patient groups and HC.