Use of iodinated and gadolinium-based contrast media in patients with chronic kidney disease: Consensus statements from nephrologists, cardiologists, and radiologists at National Taiwan University Hospital.

Contrast media are essential agents that enhance the diagnostic capabilities of imaging studies, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. However, concerns regarding the risk of adverse events have led to cautious use in patients with chronic kidney disease. A multidisciplinary review by nephrologists, cardiologists, and radiologists at National Taiwan University Hospital examined evidence linking iodinated contrast media and gadolinium-based contrast agents with acute kidney injury and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

Airway pressure as a predictor of cardiac output reduction in prone position spine surgery: A prospective observational study.

Background: The prone position is commonly used in surgical procedures and is known to cause significant hemodynamic changes, particularly a reduction in cardiac output. This study aimed to explore the relationship between intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), airway pressure, and cardiac output during spine surgeries under general anesthesia.

Methods: Twenty-five patients undergoing elective spine surgery in the prone position were enrolled in this prospective observational study.

PCR-based diagnosis and clinical insights into parasitic keratitis.

Purpose: This retrospective study aimed to investigate demographic characteristics, predisposing factors, and clinical outcomes in patients with parasitic keratitis.

Methods: Medical records of patients with molecularly confirmed Acanthamoeba or microsporidia, identified through corneal scraping specimens (collected between September 21, 2017, and June 27, 2023), were reviewed. Demographic data, clinical profiles, such as symptom duration before confirmed diagnosis, antiviral treatment pre-diagnosis, contact lens use, tap water and soil contamination, ocular trauma, and treatment regimens, were analyzed.

Comparative impact of tertiary lymphoid structures and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma is a challenging malignancy with limited responses to conventional therapies, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are key components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and have been implicated in the immune response to cancer. However, the role and difference of TLSs and TILs in patients with cholangiocarcinoma remains unclear.

Low birth weight and chronic kidney disease with progression to kidney failure in children.

Background And Hypothesis: It is unclear if low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth and small for gestational age (SGA) could synergistically cause chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). This cohort study was conducted to examine their individual and combined impacts on the development of CKD and ESKD in childhood.

Methods: From the Taiwan Maternal and Child Health Database, we identified 1 477 128 newborns born between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2016.

Molecular and functional characterization of a β-tubulin gene in Plutella xylostella.

The β-tubulin gene is essential for reproductive development, especially for male fertility, in different insects including Bombyx mori and Drosophila melanogaster. Targeting reproductive genes such as β-tubulin offers a promising approach to pest control that is more sustainable than chemical pesticides. However, there is limited research on the functional role of β-tubulin in Plutella xylostella, a highly damaging pest of vegetable crops.

Is History of Cardiovascular Disease Associated with Increased Caries Experience among Taiwanese Adults?

Introduction: This study examined the association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) history and their dental caries experience status.

Methods: Conducted from January 2021 to June 2023, this cross-sectional cohort study involved 7,138 participants who underwent oral examinations. Data on demographic background, oral health-related behaviors, and smoking status were collected using a structured questionnaire.

Enhanced breathing effort in pulmonary function tests by CO2/O2 gas mixture and barometric whole-body plethysmography in healthy and feline lower airway disease cats.

Objective: Enhancing ventilatory effort during pulmonary function testing can help reveal flow limitations not evident in normal tidal breathing. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of using a CO2/O2 gas mixture to enhance tidal breathing with a barometric whole-body plethysmography system in both healthy cats and those with feline lower airway disease (FLAD).

Methods: This prospective study included healthy cats and those with FLAD, which underwent pulmonary function testing and were exposed to a 10% CO2/90% O2 gas mixture in a barometric whole-body plethysmography chamber, with CO2 concentrations maintained within the target range of 5% to 10%.

Silibinin, a PLC-β3 inhibitor, inhibits mast cell activation and alleviates OVA-induced asthma.

The immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor FcεRI (Fc epsilon RI) plays a crucial role in allergic reactions. Recent studies have indicated that the interaction between FcεRIβ and the downstream protein phospholipase C beta 3 (PLCβ3) leads to the production of inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to develop small molecules that inhibit the protein-protein interactions between FcεRIβ and PLCβ3 to treat allergic inflammation.

Protocol for recording physiological signals from the human cerebellum using electroencephalography.

As Purkinje cells of the cerebellum have a very fast firing rate, techniques with high temporal resolution are required to capture cerebellar physiology. Here, we present a protocol to record physiological signals in humans using cerebellar electroencephalography (cEEG). We describe steps for electrode placement and recording.

Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Caused by Zoetis PR-VAC PLUS in Pseudorabies Virus-Free Danish Purebred Pigs.

This case report highlights a potential vaccine safety concern associated with the Pseudorabies virus (PRV) live vaccine, which warrants further investigation for comprehensive understanding. Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), a novel syndrome of adverse events following adenovirus vector COVID-19 vaccines, was observed after vaccination with Zoetis PR-VAC PLUS. This led to a 100% morbidity and high mortality among PRV-free Danish purebred pigs from Danish Genetics Co.

Effects of early palliative care intervention on medical resource use among end-of-life patients.

Background: In Taiwan, as the population ages, palliative care services (PCS) have expanded significantly to include comprehensive benefit plans for critically ill individuals, supported by reimbursements from the National Health Insurance program. However, incorporating palliative care into the medical management of these patients presents several challenges. We aim to evaluate the effects of palliative care interventions on medical resources in end-of-life scenarios, to promote earlier palliative care access and provide high-quality healthcare services for patients.

Deep learning for kidney trauma detection: CT image algorithm performance and external validation: experimental study.

Background: Detecting kidney trauma on CT scans can be challenging and is sometimes overlooked. While deep learning (DL) has shown promise in medical imaging, its application to kidney injuries remains underexplored. This study aims to develop and validate a DL algorithm for detecting kidney trauma, using institutional trauma data and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) dataset for external validation.

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy rescued mouse critical limb ischemia via upregulating GPR120 against inflammation and promoting angiogenesis for restoring the blood flow in ischemic zone-experimental study.

Background: This study tested the hypothesis that extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ECSWT) effectively rescues critical limb ischemia (CLI) in mice through the upregulation of GPR120, which protects against inflammation and angiogenesis to restore blood flow in the ischemic area.

Methods And Results: Compared with the control, ECSWT-induced GPR120-mediated anti-inflammatory effects significantly suppressed the expression of inflammatory signaling biomarkers (TAK1/MAPK family/NF-κB/IL-1β/IL-6/TNF-α/MCP-1) in HUVECs, and these effects were abolished by silencing GPR120 or by the GPR120 antagonist AH7614 (all P < 0.001).

Enhanced Delta Band Neural Tracking of Degraded Fundamental Frequency Speech in Noisy Environments.

Pitch variation of the fundamental frequency (F0) is critical to speech understanding, especially in noisy environments. Degrading the F0 contour reduces behaviorally measured speech intelligibility, posing greater challenges for tonal languages like Mandarin Chinese where the F0 pattern determines semantic meaning. However, neural tracking of Mandarin speech with degraded F0 information in noisy environments remains unclear.

Effect of internal pancreatic duct stent on reducing long-term pancreaticojejunostomy stenosis following pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background: As survival following PD improved, long-term complications have emerged as an issue in current era. Pancreaticojejunostomy stenosis is the common long-term sequel after PD but rarely addressed. This study aimed to investigate the benefit of pancreatic duct stent in reducing PJ stenosis after PD.

Abbreviated Duration of Vasoactive Agents Has Similar Outcomes as Standard Duration of Therapy in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis and Variceal Bleeding: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis.

Background: This two-stage individual patient data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) compared the efficacy of a shorter duration (≤ 2 days) of vasoactive (VA) drug therapy to standard duration (3-5 days) after acute variceal bleeding (AVB) in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Patients And Methods: Randomized clinical trials on patients with cirrhosis and AVB undergoing endoscopic band ligation which compared a short duration versus the standard duration of VA therapy were included. The primary outcome was 5-day rebleeding rate.

Exploring the Interplay Between Cervicovaginal Microbiome, HPV Infection, and Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Taiwanese Women.

This study examined the relationship between the vaginal microbiome, HPV infection, and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in 173 women. Subjects were grouped by HPV status and cervical lesion severity, ranging from HPV-negative to CIN Grade 2 or higher. Using VALENCIA classification, the study identified different community state types (CSTs) of vaginal microbiota, with CST IV subtypes (Staphylococcus dominated) showing high diversity and increased pathogenic bacteria.

Clinical Outcomes and Safety Profiles of Generic Versus Brand-Name Clopidogrel in Patients Following Coronary Artery Stent Placement.

Coronary artery disease remains a significant global health issue and is a leading cause of mortality. Dual antiplatelet therapy, including clopidogrel, is essential for preventing stent thrombosis after coronary artery stenting. This study assessed the comparative efficacy and safety of generic versus brand-name clopidogrel in a large Taiwanese cohort.

A linearly polarized AC-driven perovskite light emitting device with nanoscale metal contact.

Electroluminescent (EL) devices consisting of a single metal-semiconductor contact and a gate effect structure have garnered significant attention in the field of perovskite light-emitting devices. This interest is largely due to the thermal stability of the active layer and the simplicity of the device structure. However, the application of these devices in large-area light-emitting applications is hindered by the inherently low carrier mobility in perovskite materials.

Early Detection and One-Year Follow-Up of Subclavian Steal Syndrome Treated With Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Case Report.

Subclavian steal syndrome (SSS) often goes undiagnosed because of its variable and subtle symptoms, highlighting the need for innovative diagnostic approaches. This case report explores the integration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in both diagnosing and managing SSS, marking a pioneering contribution to the field. An 80-year-old woman with persistent dizziness, unresponsive to conventional treatments, underwent TCM pulse diagnosis, which revealed significant inter-arm pulse discrepancies.

Bioabsorbable magnesium-based bulk metallic glass composite (BMGC) for improved medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy in knee osteoarthritis.

Background And Objective: Osteoarthritis is a widespread and debilitating condition, particularly affecting the medial compartment of knee joint due to varus knee deformities. Medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) has emerged as an effective treatment, but it comes with challenges like fractures, correction loss, and nonunion, leading to unsatisfactory results in up to 26 % of patients. In response, our study explores the potential of a bioabsorbable magnesium-based bulk metallic glass composite (MgZnCa BMGC) enriched with molybdenum particles as an innovative solution for MOWHTO.

Quaternary Radiation of Spring Ephemerals.

The emergence of East Asian spring ephemerals and the unique ecosystem can be attributed primarily to vicariance, brought about by the Quaternary rifting of the Okinawa Trough, the formation of the East China Sea, and the isolation of the island chains of Ryukyu, Japan, and Taiwan from the Asian continent. The northern forests of Japan, dominated by and the associated , present a captivating display of spring-flowering ephemerals, including , , , and . Among these, is also considered part of the spring ephemerals.