Efficacy in predicting mortality of patients with heart failure using heart rate before intensive care unit discharge: a retrospective cohort study from MIMIC-IV Database.

Objective: Heart rate serves as a critical prognostic factor in heart failure (HF) patients. We hypothesise that elevated heart rate in critically ill HF patients on discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU) could be linked to adverse outcomes.

Design: A single-centre retrospective cohort study.

Rapid biomonitoring of fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy drugs and their biometabolites in colorectal cancer patients' blood samples using an in-syringe-based fast drug extraction technique followed by LC-MS/MS analysis.

Patients with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency in peripheral mononuclear cells are at higher risk of severe toxicity due to the improper dose of fluorouracil-based chemotherapy drugs, which has become an essential aspect for consideration in clinical studies. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a first-line and second-line chemotherapy drug in adjuvant, neoadjuvant, or palliative therapy settings to treat solid tumors and cancers. In this work, a novel in-syringe-based fast drug extraction (IS-FaDEx) technique followed by UHPLC-MS/MS detection was developed for rapid biomonitoring of 5-FU and its biometabolites in human blood samples.

2023 TSOC-TACVPR-TACPAH Consensus Statement of the Rehabilitation on Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension.

In the past, patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) were advised to avoid exercise due to concerns that it might strain cardiac function and exacerbate symptoms. However, recent evidence indicates that structured exercise programs can enhance outcomes and improve health-related quality of life for these patients. Consequently, exercise rehabilitation is now recommended in international guidelines as a key component of PH management.

The risks of emergency C-section, infant health conditions and postpartum complications in Taiwanese primiparous women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A propensity matched cohort study.

Objective: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a disorder that can occur during the second trimester of pregnancy. Our main objective was to perform a retrospective propensity-score matched analysis of a general population and to examine commonly occurring adverse maternal and infant outcomes in Taiwanese primiparous women with GDM.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a nationwide population-based, retrospective propensity-score matched cohort study using the claims data from the Taiwan's National Health Insurance program between 2000 and 2015.

Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B with Mildly Elevated Aminotransferase: A Rollover Study from the TORCH-B Trial.

Background & Aims: Treatment indications for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain contentious, particularly for patients with mild alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation. We aimed to evaluate treatment effects in this patient population.

Methods: This rollover study extended a placebo-controlled trial that enrolled non-cirrhotic patients with CHB and ALT levels below two times the upper limit of normal.

[A Study on the Life Attitudes, Fear of Death, and Dying Care Abilities of Nursing Assistants in Long-Term Care Institutions].

Background: End-of-life care in long-term care institutions is increasingly important. Nursing assistants are the primary care workforce, and their end-of-life care capabilities affect the quality of care provided to residents as well as residents' physical and mental health.

Purpose: This study was designed to explore the life attitudes, fear of death status, end-of-life care abilities and experience, and coping styles of nursing assistants in long-term care institutions in the eastern region and the effects of these variables on care.

Recruitment-Potential-Oriented Mechanical Ventilation Protocol and Narrative Review for Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Even though much progress has been made to improve clinical outcomes, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a significant cause of acute respiratory failure. Protective mechanical ventilation is the backbone of supportive care for these patients; however, there are still many unresolved issues in its setting. The primary goal of mechanical ventilation is to improve oxygenation and ventilation.

Impact of HCV eradication by directly acting antivirals on glycemic indices in chronic hepatitis C patients -a nationwide Taiwan HCV registry.

Background/aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication using antiviral agents augments the metabolic profile. Changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in chronic hepatitis C patients who receive glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) remain elusive.

Methods: Data from 2417 patients treated with GLE/PIB from the Taiwan HCV Registry were analyzed, and pretreatment HbA1c levels were compared with 3-months after the-end-of treatment levels.

Benefits of Hepatitis C Viral Eradication: A Real-World Nationwide Cohort Study in Taiwan.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) increases the risk of liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This nationwide cohort study assessed the effectiveness of viral eradication of CHC.

Methods: The Taiwanese chronic hepatitis C cohort and Taiwan hepatitis C virus (HCV) registry are nationwide HCV registry cohorts incorporating data from 23 and 53 hospitals in Taiwan, respectively.

[Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: An Example of Integrated Care for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery].

After post-coronary artery bypass surgery, patients often experience physiological issues such as pain and complications as well as psychological issues such as fatigue and depression. These issues may burden family caregivers and impact patient quality of life. Therefore, a comprehensive, multidisciplinary integrated care plan is needed to expedite postoperative recovery and reduce the social burden on patients.

Cardiovascular outcomes associated with SGLT2 inhibitor therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cancer patients with diabetes are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases due to common risk factors and well-documented drug-associated cardiotoxicity. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have shown cardiovascular benefits in patients with diabetes, but their effects on cancer patients remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular outcomes associated with SGLT2 inhibitor therapy in patients with concomitant diabetes and cancer.

Real-World Efficacy and Safety of Universal 8-Week Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir for Treatment-Naïve Patients from a Nationwide HCV Registry in Taiwan.

Introduction: Eight-week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) is indicated for treatment-naïve (TN) patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), with or without compensated cirrhosis. Given that the Taiwanese government is committed to eliminating hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2025, this study aimed to measure real-world evidence for TN patients using 8-week GLE/PIB in the Taiwan HCV Registry (TACR).

Methods: The data of patients with CHC treated with 8-week GLE/PIB were retrieved from TACR, a nationwide registry program organized by the Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver (TASL).

The efficacy of multi-disciplinary lifestyle modifications in Taiwanese nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients.

Lifestyle modification is the standard of care for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of a short-term lifestyle modification program in the disease course of Taiwanese nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients with paired biopsies. All patients received a 6-month, strict multidisciplinary program of lifestyle modifications led by physicians, dieticians, and nursing staff.

Cimetidine Attenuates Therapeutic Effect of Anti-PD-1 and Anti-PD-L1 and Modulates Tumor Microenvironment in Colon Cancer.

Histamine modulates immunity by binding to histamine receptor 2 (H2R). Cimetidine, an H2R antagonist that inhibits gastric acid secretion and treats gastrointestinal ulcers, interferes with histamine-mediated immunomodulation and may have anticancer activity. This study examined cimetidine's effect on the anticancer effect of anti-PD-L1 in colon cancer.

Efficacy of neuromodulation on the treatment of fibromyalgia: A network meta-analysis.

Objective: Several types of neuromodulation have been investigated for the treatment of fibromyalgia, but they show varied efficacy on pain, functioning, comorbid depression and comorbid anxiety. Whether some types of neuromodulation or some factors are associated with a better response also awaits clarification.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of neuromodulation in patients with fibromyalgia.

Neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children in Taiwan: A cross-section, multicenter study.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been a global public health threat since December 2019. This study aims to investigate the neurological characteristics and risk factors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Taiwanese children, using data from a collaborative registry.

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional, multi-center study was done using an online network of pediatric neurological COVID-19 cohort collaborative registry.

Spiritual care models of patients living with cancer in Taiwan.

Background: Psychological, social and spiritual needs are often unmet during the care of patients with cancer in Taiwan.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to confirm the spiritual care models including the spiritual distress symptoms (SDS), spiritual distress symptoms interventions (SDSI), and spiritual distress outcomes criteria (SDOC) of patients with cancer in the initial, relapse and terminal stages.

Method: This cross-sectional survey collected data from 150 professional nurses about their perceptions of the SDS, SDSI and SDOC for patients with cancer.

The clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine NRICM101 in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of NRICM101 in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Research Design And Methods: We conducted a retrospective study from 20 April 2021 to 8 July 2021, and evaluated the safety and outcomes (mortality, hospital stay, mechanical ventilation, oxygen support, diarrhea, serum potassium) in COVID-19 patients. Propensity score matching at a 1:2 ratio was performed to reduce confounding factors.

An algorithm for simplified hepatitis C virus treatment with non-specialist care based on nation-wide data from Taiwan.

Background: Both European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) and American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (AASLD-IDSA) guidelines recommend simplified hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment with pan-genotypic sofosbuvir/velpatasvir or glecaprevir/pibrentasvir for eligible patients. This observational study used real-world data to assess these regimens' safety in eligible patients and develop an algorithm to identify patients suitable for simplified treatment by non-specialists.

Methods: 7,677 HCV-infected patients from Taiwan Hepatitis C Registry (TACR) who received at least one dose of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir or glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, and fulfilled the EASL/AASLD-IDSA criteria for simplified treatment were analyzed.

The influence of prior use of inhaled corticosteroids on COVID-19 outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The influence of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on COVID-19 outcomes remains uncertain. To address this, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, analyzing 30 studies, to investigate the impact of ICS on patients with COVID-19. Our study focused on various outcomes, including mortality risk, hospitalization, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), mechanical ventilation (MV) utilization, and length of hospital stay.

Targeting of FSP1 regulates iron homeostasis in drug-tolerant persister head and neck cancer cells via lipid-metabolism-driven ferroptosis.

Background: Research has demonstrated that some tumor cells can transform into drug-tolerant persisters (DTPs), which serve as a reservoir for the recurrence of the disease. The persister state in cancer cells arises due to temporary molecular reprogramming, and exploring the genetic composition and microenvironment during the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) can enhance our comprehension of the types of cell death that HNSCC, thus identifying potential targets for innovative therapies. This project investigated lipid-metabolism-driven ferroptosis and its role in drug resistance and DTP generation in HNSCC.