Alterations in Autophagic Function and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Markers in the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Patients on Hemodialysis.

Oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and alterations in autophagy activity have been described as prominent factors mediating many pathological processes in chronic kidney disease (CKD). The accumulation of misfolded proteins in the ER may stimulate the unfolded protein response (UPR). The interplay between autophagy and UPR in hemodialysis (HD) patients remains unclear.

Giant adrenal schwannoma - A case report and literature review.

We introduce a 39-year-old man with an exceedingly large adrenal schwannoma who visited our outpatient department with epigastric pain and a palpable mass in the left upper abdomen. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a giant cystic lesion measuring >25 cm. Laparotomy was performed for tumor excision and partial nephrectomy.

Long-acting Injectable Aripiprazole (Abilify Maintena) Induced Rabbit Syndrome: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Rabbit syndrome (RS), characterized by fine, rapid, rhythmic movements along the mouth's vertical axis, is typically linked to prolonged antipsychotic medication use. Emerging evidence suggests newer antipsychotics' involvement in RS, prompting investigation into its association with long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. We report a case of RS observed in a patient diagnosed with bipolar I disorder and treated with Abilify Maintena, highlighting the importance of vigilance in monitoring adverse effects.

Exosomes as promising frontier approaches in future cancer therapy.

In this editorial, we will discuss the article by Tang published in the recent issue of the . They explored an innovative approach to enhancing gemcitabine (GEM) delivery and efficacy using human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (HU-BMSCs)-derived exosomes. The manufacture of GEM-loaded HU-BMSCs-derived exosomes (Exo-GEM) has been optimized.

Baseline Impedance via Manometry Predicts Pathological Mean Nocturnal Baseline Impedance in Isolated Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Symptoms.

Background/aims: Distal mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) measuring via pH-impedance may be valuable in diagnosing patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). However, its wide adoption is hindered by cost and invasiveness. This study investigates whether baseline impedance measured during high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM-BI) can predict pathological MNBI.

Association Between Exposure to Particulate Matter Air Pollution with Risk of Obesity Among Children and Adolescents in Northern and Central Taiwan.

Introduction: The present study investigated the relationship between air pollution, specifically PM and PM, and childhood and adolescent obesity in northern and central Taiwan. Previous research has shown a positive correlation between air pollution and pediatric obesity, but no study has been conducted in Taiwan. We used data from the K-12 Education Administration, Ministry of Education, and the Taiwan Air Quality Monitoring Network to analyze the association between PM and PM exposures and obesity rates among elementary and junior high school students.

Thermal ablation included in multimodality treatment predicts enhanced survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a propensity score-matched outcome study.

Background: Advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents significant treatment challenges, with limited effective therapies for late-stage patients. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of adding thermal ablation (TA) in treatment regimens for advanced NSCLC to improve survival outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a medical center in Taiwan, analyzing data from 1,083 patients diagnosed with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC between 2008 and 2020.

Addition of long-acting injectable antipsychotics during manic episodes in bipolar disorder: A retrospective analysis of rehospitalizations.

Introduction: Bipolar disorder (BD) often necessitates hospitalization, especially during manic episodes. Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) are theorized to enhance treatment adherence and decrease rehospitalization rates compared to oral medications. This study aimed to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of LAIs in reducing rehospitalizations among BD patients admitted for bipolar mania.

Genetic predisposition of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a population-based genome-wide association study.

Background/purpose: Although metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has been proposed to replace the diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with new diagnostic criteria since 2023, the genetic predisposition of MASLD remains to be explored.

Methods: Participants with data of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in the Taiwan Biobank database were collected. Patients with missing data, positive for HBsAg, anti-HCV, and alcohol drinking history were excluded.

Clinical profiles and their interaction of concurrent metabolic associated steatotic liver disease and hepatitis B virus infection.

Background: A new nomenclature of metabolic associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) was proposed in 2023, thus expanding the diagnostic name of "MASLD combined with other etiologies".

Aim: To investigate the clinical profiles of patients with concurrent MASLD and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Methods: This study included participants from the Taiwan Bio-bank.

High-Intensity Focus Ultrasound Ablation in Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Prostate cancer (PCa) outcomes vary significantly across risk groups. In early-stage localized PCa, the functional outcomes following radical prostatectomy (RP) can be severe, prompting increased interest in focal therapy, particularly High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). This study is to summarize the current clinical trials of HIFU on PCa.

Correlation between the utilization of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and the risk of dementia: a nationwide population-based study in Taiwan.

The impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SLGT2i) usage on reducing the risk of dementia remains uncertain. Our research seeks to establish the association between dementia risk and SLGT2 inhibitors among individuals with diabetes. This study relied on data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database (NHIRD), which was established in 1995 coinciding with the launch of the National Health Insurance (NHI) program by the Taiwanese government.

Replication of Leaf Surface Structures on Flat Phosphor-Converted LEDs for Enhanced Angular Color Uniformity.

We explored the use of biomimetic structures, including those that mimic leaf structures, to enhance the angular color uniformity of flat phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (pcLEDs). The distinct microstructures found on natural leaf surfaces, such as micro-scale bumps, ridges, and hierarchical patterns, have inspired the design of artificial microstructures that can improve light extraction, scattering, and overall optical performance in LED applications. The effects of these leaf surface microstructures on the phosphor layer of flat pcLEDs were evaluated.

Association between severity of diabetic complications and risk of cancer in middle-aged patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aim: Hyperglycemia was found to be associated with an increased risk of cancer in a general population cohort. However, it remains to be established whether the severity of diabetic complications is associated with cancer risk in patients with diabetes.

Materials And Methods: We used the National Health Insurance Research Database from 2000 through 2013, including those with newly diagnosed diabetic patients (n = 616,742).

Follow-up of inguinal hernia repairs using a modified Kugel mesh without the optional onlay mesh for more than 10 years.

Purpose: In this 10-year follow-up study, we evaluated the long-term postoperative results of single-layer modified Kugel (MK) herniorrhaphy without an onlay mesh.

Methods: Patients who underwent anterior modified Kugel herniorrhaphy without an onlay mesh between May 1, 2009, and June 31, 2012, were included in this study. The criterion for onlay mesh omission was that the posterior inguinal hernia defect did not exceed the memory recoil ring of the MK mesh.