The mediating role of health literacy for COVID-19 between preventive behaviors and quality of life.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic rapidly developed around the world. Plenty of health information about the virus was available from multiple media platforms, but such information was not always accurate. Identifying misinformation depends on an individual's health literacy.

Brief Report: Preventing Infusion-related Reactions With Intravenous Amivantamab: Results From SKIPPirr, a Phase 2 Study.

Introduction: Amivantamab, an EGFR-MET bispecific antibody, is approved for multiple indications in EGFR-mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as monotherapy or combined with other agents. Intravenous amivantamab is associated with a 67% infusion-related reactions (IRR) rate.

Methods: The phase 2 SKIPPirr study (NCT05663866) enrolled patients with EGFR-mutated (Ex19del/L858R) advanced NSCLC after progression on osimertinib and platinum-based chemotherapy who received intravenous amivantamab plus oral lazertinib (amivantamab-lazertinib), a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

CXCR4 antagonist-loaded nanoparticles reprogram the tumor microenvironment and enhance immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer death that has limited treatment options for advanced stages. Although PD-1 inhibitors such as nivolumab and pembrolizumab have been approved for advanced HCC treatment, their effectiveness is often hampered by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which is due to hypoxia-driven CXCL12/CXCR4 axis activation. In this study, we developed 807-NPs, lipid-coated tannic acid (TA) nanoparticles that encapsulate BPRCX807, a potent CXCR4 antagonist to target HCC.

Antioxidant, Anti-α-Glucosidase, Anti-Tyrosinase, and Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Components from Stem of with Molecular Docking Study.

is a creeping evergreen shrub endemic to Taiwan. In traditional medicine, Rhamnaceae plants are used as herbal remedies for conditions such as itching, difficulty urinating, and constipation. This study explores the inhibitory effects of various solvent extracts and bioactive components of on α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and antioxidant activity.

Effects of Consuming Pulsed UV Light-Treated on Vitamin D Nutritional Status in Healthy Adults.

Vitamin D, essential for growth and health, is often deficient in Taiwan despite abundant sunlight. Plant-derived vitamin D (ergocalciferol) is bioavailable, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective. This study evaluated the efficacy of enhancing (PC) mushrooms' vitamin D content through pulsed ultraviolet (PUV) light and its impact on vitamin D status in humans.

Secondary metabolites of Alternaria alternate appraisal of their SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory and anti-inflammatory potentials.

This study identifies the secondary metabolites from Alternaria alternate and evaluates their ACE-2: Spike RBD (SARS-CoV-2) inhibitory activity confirmed via immunoblotting in human lung microvascular endothelial cells. In addition, their in vitro anti-inflammatory potential was assessed using a cell-based assay in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

Assessment of delirium in Indonesian pediatric intensive care unit: a psychometric evaluation of the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium.

Unlabelled: This study has the objective to translate the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium (CAPD) into Indonesian and evaluate the psychometric properties and diagnostic accuracy of the Indonesian version of the CAPD (I-CAPD) in identifying delirium in critically ill children. This prospective methodological study was conducted between January and April 2024 in a 6-bed pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). In total, 90 children aged 0-18 years hospitalized in the PICU were included.

Indoxyl Sulfate Induces Ventricular Arrhythmias Attenuated by Secretoneurin in Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Cardiomyocytes.

Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are major causes of sudden cardiac death in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is one common uremic toxin found in CKD patients. This study investigated whether IS could induce VAs via increasing right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) arrhythmogenesis.

An in-depth review of AI-powered advancements in cancer drug discovery.

The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and genomics is redefining cancer drug discovery by facilitating the development of personalized and effective therapies. This review examines the transformative role of AI technologies, including deep learning and advanced data analytics, in accelerating key stages of the drug discovery process: target identification, drug design, clinical trial optimization, and drug response prediction. Cutting-edge tools such as DrugnomeAI and PandaOmics have made substantial contributions to therapeutic target identification, while AI's predictive capabilities are driving personalized treatment strategies.

Erythropoietin treatment and osteoporotic fracture risk in hemodialysis patients: A nationwide population-based study.

Objectives: Concerns about erythropoietin (EPO) therapy for anemia in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) contributing to potential bone loss and increased fracture risks are growing. This study investigated the impact of EPO administration on the risk of common osteoporotic fractures in ESRD patients.

Methods: This population-based retrospective cohort study compared EPO users and non-EPO users among ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis, diagnosed with ESRD between 2000 and 2014 identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan.

Exploring effects of a booster workshop on progression and retention of resuscitation skills of residents when added to regular low-dose simulation.

Background: Improving the resuscitation and teamwork skills of residents is key to better outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest events. This study aims to explore the effects of regular low-dose simulation combined with a booster workshop on the progression and retention of resuscitation skills and teamwork among residents.

Methods: This comparative study took place at a teaching hospital in Northern Taiwan from August 2019 to June 2021.

Real-world efficacy and safety of universal 8-week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in patients with chronic hepatitis C with early chronic kidney disease or pre-end-stage renal disease: Insights from a nationwide hepatisis C virus registry in Taiwan.

An 8-week regimen of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is recommended for treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). In alignment with the Taiwanese government's objective to eliminate hepatitis C by 2025, this study aimed to provide real-world evidence on the use of this regimen in treatment-naïve patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by using data from the Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver HCV Registry (TACR). CKD was defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 mL/min/1.

Plasma myeloperoxidase interactions with cadmium, lead, arsenic, and selenium and their impact on chronic kidney disease.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an oxidative stress biomarker, with elevated MPO levels linked to chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. Metal exposure is a risk factor for CKD, and is also correlated to MPO expression, with specific MPO genotypes linked to MPO expression. Therefore, we examined whether MPO plasma levels or MPO polymorphisms were linked to CKD, and explored whether these factors modified associations between CKD and metal concentrations.

Effects of a home-based multicomponent exercise programme on frailty in postcardiac surgery patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Aims: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the effects of a home-based multicomponent exercise programme on frailty in patients who underwent cardiac surgery.

Methods And Results: A convenience sample of 92 patients who underwent cardiac surgery at two medical centres in Taiwan were recruited and randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 46) and control (n = 46) groups. The intervention group underwent a 12-week home-based multicomponent exercise programme, including individual nursing consultation, home-based exercise intervention, nutritional assessment and guidance, and continuous support.

Aspirin after completion of standard adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer (ASCOLT): an international, multicentre, phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Aspirin is a simple, globally available medication that has been shown to reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of aspirin in the secondary prevention of colorectal cancer.

Methods: This phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at 66 centres across 11 countries and territories (ten in Asia-Pacific; one in the Middle East).

The role of socioeconomic factors in sex differences in intrinsic capacity among older adults: A cross-sectional study in Taiwan.

Objectives: The World Health Organization's Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) framework launched in 2019 is used to assess the intrinsic capacity of older individuals. Older women may face greater socioeconomic disadvantages, which can impact their physical and mental well-being. Therefore, we examined sex differences in intrinsic capacity and the influence of socioeconomic status.

Validation of a Fingertip Home Sleep Apnea Testing System Using Deep Learning AI and a Temporal Event Localization Analysis.

Study Objectives: This paper validates TipTraQ, a compact home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) system. TipTraQ comprises a fingertip-worn device, a mobile application, and a cloud-based deep learning artificial intelligence (AI) system. The device utilizes PPG (red, infrared, and green channels) and accelerometer sensors to assess sleep apnea by the AI system.

Effectiveness of diet modification on dietary nutrient intake, aspiration, and fluid intake for adults with dysphagia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: To determine and explore the effectiveness of diet modification on dietary nutrient intake, aspiration, and fluid intake in adults with dysphagia.

Participants: Adults with dysphagia.

Design: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Using a deep learning model to predict postoperative visual outcomes of idiopathic epiretinal membrane surgery.

Purpose: This study assessed the performance of various deep learning models in predicting the postoperative outcomes of idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery based on preoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) images.

Design: Validation of algorithms to predict the outcomes of ERM surgery based on OCT data.

Methods: Internal training and validation were performed using 1,392 OCT images from 696 eyes.

The comparison of serum bone-turnover markers in different stage of chronic kidney disease and the associated impact of intradialytic cycling in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Introduction: Bone turnover markers reflected the bone remodeling process and bone health in clinical studies. Studies on variation of bone remodeling markers in different stage CKD were scant, and this study investigated the role of bedside intradialytic cycling in altering concentrations of bone-remodeling markers in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Materials And Methods: Participants were segmented into four groups: a group with eGFR >60 ml/min/1.

Trends of dental service utilization and expenditure in Taiwan from 2000 to 2020.

Background: /purposeSince 1995, Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) has offered a comprehensive dental coverage to over 99 % of the population. This study mainly analyzed the dental service utilization and expenditure trends by the gender, age, and service type and evaluated the resource allocation across different demographics from 2000 to 2020.

Materials And Methods: Nationwide NHI administrative data were used to assess the dental visit rates, average visits per user, and per capita expenditure by the gender, age, and 11 service categories for the years 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020.

Accuracy of intraoral scanners in maxillary multiple restorations: An study.

Background/purpose: The accuracy of intraoral scanners (IOSs) plays a crucial role in the success of final restorations in digital workflows. Previous studies have shown that numerous factors affect the accuracy of IOSs. Most studies have evaluated the accuracy of IOS under one restoration condition.

Developing competency-based medical education for dental education in Taiwan: A pilot study of tooth extraction entrustable professional activities.

Background/purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the initial implementation of competency-based medical education (CBME) through entrustable professional activities (EPAs) in Taiwan dental education, focusing on tooth extraction EPAs across undergraduate year (UGY), postgraduate year (PGY), and oral and maxillofacial surgery-residency (OS-R) levels.

Materials And Methods: Using the Delphi method, an advisory team developed and validated three levels of trial EPAs, which were implemented through the Emyway platform. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate teachers' and students' experiences and satisfaction with Emyway and the EPAs.

Exploring Mortality and Prognostic Factors of Heart Failure with In-Hospital and Emergency Patients by Electronic Medical Records: A Machine Learning Approach.

Purpose: As HF progresses into advanced HF, patients experience a poor quality of life, distressing symptoms, intensive care use, social distress, and eventual hospital death. We aimed to investigate the relationship between morality and potential prognostic factors among in-patient and emergency patients with HF.

Patients And Methods: A case series study: Data are collected from in-hospital and emergency care patients from 2014 to 2021, including their international classification of disease at admission, and laboratory data such as blood count, liver and renal functions, lipid profile, and other biochemistry from the hospital's electrical medical records.