Association between sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and macular degeneration in patients with diabetes: a nationwide population-based study in Taiwan.

Aims: Evidence showed that SGLT2 inhibitors have greater protective effects against retinal diseases compared to other hypoglycemic agents. Thus, we explore the association between SGLT2 inhibitor usage and macular degeneration (MD) in Taiwanese patients with diabetes.

Methods: The National Health Insurance (NHI) program's claim data are released as the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).

Radiographic chest wall abnormalities in primary spontaneous pneumothorax identified by artificial intelligence.

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) primarily affects slim and tall young males. Exploring the etiological link between chest wall structural characteristics and PSP is crucial for advancing treatment methods. In this case-control study, chest computed tomography (CT) images from patients undergoing thoracic surgery, with or without PSP, were analyzed using Artificial Intelligence.

Beneficial Effects of Concomitant Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics on Time to Rehospitalization in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia Receiving Clozapine: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

This study aimed to assess the association between long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic prescription and the risk of psychiatric hospitalization in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) receiving clozapine. In this retrospective cohort study at a single tertiary psychiatric center, we analyzed rehospitalization hazard ratios (HRs) in refractory schizophrenia patients, classified by and criteria. We examined various psychotropic regimens-clozapine with or without other oral antipsychotics (OAPs) or LAI antipsychotics.

Risk of Keratitis and Keratopathy in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients: A Global Federated Health Network Analysis.

Background/aim: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is linked to immune dysregulation and systemic inflammation. While previous studies indicate a higher prevalence of ocular manifestations in HS, the specific risk of keratopathy and keratitis remains unclear. The primary aim of this study was to assess the risk of keratitis and keratopathy in individuals with HS.

Honey in Alleviating Severe Oral Mucositis Among Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy.

Background/aim: Aiming to resolve debates on honey's efficacy for radiotherapy-induced severe oral mucositis in head and neck cancer, we conducted a meta-analysis focused on randomized trials, primarily assessing severe mucositis incidence. Secondary outcomes included weight loss, pain management, and honey types.

Materials And Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, WOS, and the Cochrane Library up to December 2023.

Optimizing Precision: A Trajectory Tract Reference Approach to Minimize Complications in CT-Guided Transthoracic Core Biopsy.

The advent of computed tomography (CT)-guided transthoracic needle biopsy has significantly advanced the diagnosis of lung lesions, offering a minimally invasive approach to obtaining tissue samples. However, the technique is not without risks, including pneumothorax and hemorrhage, and it demands high precision to ensure diagnostic accuracy while minimizing complications. This study introduces the Laser Angle Guide Assembly (LAGA), a novel device designed to enhance the accuracy and safety of CT-guided lung biopsies.

Evaluating Urine Cytology Slide Digitization Efficiency: A Comparative Study Using an Artificial Intelligence-Based Heuristic Scanning Simulation and Multiple Z-Plane Scanning.

Introduction: Digitizing cytology slides presents challenges because of their three-dimensional features and uneven cell distribution. While multi-Z-plane scan is a prevalent solution, its adoption in clinical digital cytopathology is hindered by prolonged scanning times, increased image file sizes, and the requirement for cytopathologists to review multiple Z-plane images.

Methods: This study presents heuristic scan as a novel solution, using an artificial intelligence (AI)-based approach specifically designed for cytology slide scanning as an alternative to the multi-Z-plane scan.

Pharmacokinetics of desflurane uptake and disposition in piglets.

Introduction: Many respiratory but few arterial blood pharmacokinetics of desflurane uptake and disposition have been investigated. We explored the pharmacokinetic parameters in piglets by comparing inspiratory, end-tidal, arterial blood, and mixed venous blood concentrations of desflurane.

Methods: Seven piglets were administered inspiratory 6% desflurane by inhalation over 2 h, followed by a 2-h disposition phase.

Hidradenitis suppurativa as a potential risk factor of periodontitis: a multi-center, propensity-score-matched cohort study.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with systemic symptoms. Periodontitis, a prevalent dental disease, shares immune-mediated inflammatory characteristics with HS. This cohort study aims to evaluate the association between HS and periodontitis.

Prognostic Molecular Biomarkers in Breast Cancer Lesions with Non-Mass Enhancement on MR.

Clustered ring enhancement (CRE) is a new lexicon for non-mass enhancement (NME) of breast MR in the 5th BIRADS, indicating a high suspicion of malignancy. We wonder if the presence of CRE correlates with expression of prognostic molecular biomarkers of breast cancer. A total of 58 breast lesions, which MRI reported with NME, were collected between July 2013 and December 2018.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and myopericarditis induced by campylobacter: a case report.

Background: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a severe disorder characterized by excessive activation of the immune system, leading to hypercytokinemia and damage to multiple organs. We report a rare case of HLH with myopericarditis caused by Campylobacter infection.

Case Presentation: A 28-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension without medicine control presented at the hospital after a four-day fever, decreasing urine amount, rashes on his trunk and limbs, and other symptoms.

Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy by the Hugo Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) System and the da Vinci System: A Comparison between the Two Platforms.

Objective: In a previous study, we proved that an experienced urologist is more likely to adapt to the Hugo RAS system. Based on this, we further examine various parameters in this study. Parameters included in this study consisted of console time, functional outcomes, and oncological outcomes.

Transoral Robotic Surgery for Oral Cancer: Evaluating Surgical Outcomes in the Presence of Trismus.

Trismus, defined as restricted mouth opening, is a common complication among Taiwanese oral cancer patients, especially those who chew betel quid. However, the impact of trismus on survival outcomes in oral cancer patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations between trismus and surgical outcomes in Taiwanese male oral cancer patients treated with TORS.

Melatonin Enhanced Microglia M2 Polarization in Rat Model of Neuro-inflammation Via Regulating ER Stress/PPARδ/SIRT1 Signaling Axis.

Neuro-inflammation involves distinct alterations of microglial phenotypes, containing nocuous pro-inflammatory M1-phenotype and neuroprotective anti-inflammatory M-phenotype. Currently, there is no effective treatment for modulating such alterations. M1/M2 marker of primary microglia influenced by Melatonin were detected via qPCR.

Severe chemical pneumonitis by vanadium pentoxide responded well to aggressive steroid therapy.

The optimal treatment of acute chemical pneumonitis remains controversial. Here we report a healthy man with severe chemical pneumonitis caused by accidental inhalation of vanadium pentoxide. He presented with acute respiratory distress and received aggressive steroid therapy on arrival.

Effectively α-Terpineol Suppresses Glioblastoma Aggressive Behavior and Downregulates KDELC2 Expression.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is notorious for the aggressive behaviors and easily results in chemo-resistance. Studies have shown that the use of herbal medicines as treatments for GBM as limited by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and glioma stem cells.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between GBM suppression and α-terpineol, the monoterpenoid alcohol derived from Eucalyptus glubulus and Pinus merkusii.

Fucoxanthin induces human melanoma cytotoxicity by thwarting the JAK2/STAT3/BCL-xL signaling axis.

Melanoma is the most lethal skin malignancy. Fucoxanthin is a marine carotenoid with significant anticancer activities. Intriguingly, Fucoxanthin's impact on human melanoma remains elusive.

Risk of CKD among patients with DM taking diuretics or SGLT2i: a retrospective cohort study in Taiwan.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term risk of CKD and renal function declines using a combination of diuretics and SGLT2i.

Methods: We selected the data of subjects who had at least two outpatient records or at least one inpatient record for DM treatment as the DM group from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Patients receiving versus not receiving SGLT2i were defined as the SGLT2i and non-SGLT2i cohorts, respectively.

Enhancing precision in lung tumor ablation through innovations in CT-guided technique and angle control.

Background: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the precision and safety outcomes of image-guided lung percutaneous thermal ablation (LPTA) methods, focusing on radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA). The study utilized an innovative angle reference guide to facilitate these techniques in the treatment of lung tumors.

Methods: This study included individuals undergoing LPTA with the assistance of laser angle guide assembly (LAGA) at our hospital between April 2011 and March 2021.

Risk Factors for Urinary Tract Infections in Children with Hematuria in the Emergency Department.

Introduction: Hematuria is a worrisome symptom in children and is sometimes associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study aimed to identify useful clinical factors that can predict UTIs in hematuria patients without pyuria in the pediatric emergency department (ED).

Methods: We retrospectively recruited patients with hematuria from the pediatric ED.

Presentations of Children with Suspected Sepsis Caused by Acute Infectious Diarrhea in the Pediatric Emergency Department.

Background: Acute infectious diarrhea is a common cause of hospitalization in children. Hence, early identification of acute bacterial gastroenteritis with suspected sepsis in pediatric emergency departments (EDs) is important. This study aimed to describe the clinical spectrum and initial characteristics of children who were presented to a pediatric ED with acute infectious diarrhea and suspected sepsis.

The impact of squamous cell transformation on the prognosis of patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy.

Background: Limited information is available for guiding the management of upper urinary tract (UUT) urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation (UC-SqD). We did not even know about the difference between pure urothelial carcinoma (UC) and UC-SqD in the UUT regardless of treatment policy and prognosis. Instead of direct comparisons against each other, we included the third UUT malignancy, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).