Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Halo-Femoral Traction and Halo-Gravity Traction Techniques in Severe Kyphoscoliosis With Spinal Cord Risk Classification (SCRC) Type 3 Over the Apex.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To analyze the efficacy and safety of Halo-femoral traction (HFT) following spinal release, and preoperative Halo-gravity traction (HGT) in patients with severe spinal kyphoscoliosis and spinal cord risk classification (SCRC) type 3 at the apex.

Methods: A total of 73 patients (24 males, 49 females, mean age 22.

Enhancing Hydrogen Evolution Reaction through Coalescence-Induced Bubble Departure on Patterned Gold-Silicon Microstrip Surfaces.

Hydrogen bubble adhesion to the electrode presents a major obstacle for green hydrogen generation via the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as it would induce undesired overpotential and undermine the reaction efficiency by reducing reaction area, increasing transport resistance, and creating an undesired ion concentration gradient. While electrodes with aerophobic/hydrophilic surfaces have been developed to facilitate bubble detachment, they primarily rely on micro- and nanostructured catalyst surfaces to enhance buoyance-induced bubble departure. Here, we demonstrate that introducing nonreactive yet more hydrophilic surfaces can promote coalescence-induced bubble departure, thereby significantly reducing the transport overpotential and improving HER performance.

Percutaneous VT Ablation via RA-to-LV Access in Patients With Double Mechanical Valves: A Multicenter Registry.

Background: In patients with mechanical aortic and mitral valves requiring catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT), a technique for access from the right atrium (RA) to the left ventricle (LV) via puncture of the inferoseptal process of the LV was previously described in a single-center series.

Objectives: This study sought to report the multicenter experience of VT ablation using this novel LV access approach.

Methods: We assembled a multicenter registry of patients with double mechanical valves who underwent VT ablation with RA-to-LV access.

Sustained effects after a multidisciplinary lifestyle modification program for overweight and obese children.

Background: Lifestyle modification (LM) is the mainstay in the management of obese children. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of a pediatric cohort participating in a hospital-based LM program.

Methods: Overweight/obese children and adolescents who visited a multidisciplinary LM program "The Health and Vitality Clinic" were included.

Validating psychometric properties of generic quality-of-life instruments (WHOQOL-BREF (TW) and EQ-5D) among non-dialysis chronic kidney disease: Rasch and confirmatory factor analyses.

Background: Quality of life (QOL) is important for evaluating medical care outcomes. In chronic kidney disease (CKD) population, generic instruments, such as WHOQOL-BREF and EQ-5D, are commonly used for comparing various medical conditions for policy-making purposes. However, their psychometric properties have not yet been validated in non-dialysis CKD population.

Annual cholangitis more than twice predicts liver transplant in biliary atresia patients who achieve jaundice-free after Kasai portoenterostomy.

Background: Biliary atresia (BA) is a progressive liver disease even after Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE), and the most common cause of liver transplant (LT) in the pediatric population. This study aimed to unveil the risk factors for LT in BA patients post-KPE.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of BA patients in a northern Taiwan Children's Medical Center from Jan 2000 to Oct 2020.

Blood pressure targets, medication considerations and special concerns in elderly hypertension III: Focus on stroke and neurodegenerative disorders.

Controlling hypertension has become an important issue in the elderly population in whom neurological comorbidities are highly prevalent. Most of the large-scale trials focusing on hypertension management in older populations have excluded patients with comorbid neurological disorders. However, this population requires special considerations, as the benefits of antihypertensive agents are mostly uncertain and there is a higher risk of adverse events.

c-FLIP/Ku70 complex; A potential molecular target for apoptosis induction in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide and the most common form of liver cancer. Despite global efforts toward early diagnosis and effective treatments, HCC is often diagnosed at advanced stages, where conventional therapies frequently lead to resistance and/or high recurrence rates. Therefore, novel biomarkers and promising medications are urgently required.

Efficacy, durability and safety of faricimab for patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration: 48-week results from the phase 3 LUCERNE China subpopulation.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy, durability and safety of intravitreal faricimab versus aflibercept over 48 weeks in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) from the LUCERNE China subpopulation.

Design: LUCERNE (NCT03823300) was a phase 3 global, double-masked, active comparator-controlled trial. The China subpopulation comprised patients from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

d-Limonene inhibits cytokines and chemokines expression by regulating NF-kappaB and STAT in HaCat cells and DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis in BALB/c mice.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by itching and redness, affecting individuals of all ages and significantly impairing their quality of life. The prevalence of AD is rising, posing serious health concern. Relief of itching is a primary treatment objective; however, steroid treatments can lead to adverse effects, including skin barrier thinning.

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).

Photodissociation Dynamics of Formic Acid at 230 nm: A Computational Study of the CO and CO Forming Channels.

Recent photolysis experiments with formic acid suggest that the roaming mechanism is a significant CO-forming pathway at a photolysis energy of 230 nm. While previous computational studies have identified multiple dissociation pathways for CO-forming channels, the dynamic features of these pathways remain poorly understood. This study investigates the dissociation dynamics of the CO + HO and CO + H channels in the ground state (S) of formic acid using direct dynamics simulation and the generalized multi-center impulsive model (GMCIM) at 230 nm.

Nanosecond Nanothermometry in an Electron Microscope.

Thermal transport in nanostructures plays a critical role in modern technologies. As devices shrink, techniques that can measure thermal properties at nanometer and nanosecond scales are increasingly needed to capture transient, out-of-equilibrium phenomena. We present a novel pump-probe photon-electron method within a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) to map temperature dynamics with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions.

Hepatitis C virus-free endoscope procedures project: An in-hospital elimination approach.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination in the care cascades for patients receiving invasive procedures remains elusive. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of HCV-free Endoscope Procedures Project (CEPP) in the effort toward hospital HCV micro-elimination in Taiwan. An electronic medical record (EMR)-based remind system was introduced into gastrointestinal, surgical, urological, and gynecological departments prior to the endoscopy procedures.

Antithrombotic use in retinal artery occlusion: A narrative review.

Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is a critical ophthalmic emergency with a high risk of significant visual impairment. While traditional treatment aims to promptly restore blood flow to the retina, recent research has investigated the potential benefits of anticoagulation therapy for managing this condition. This paper reviews current literature and clinical trials investigating the efficacy and safety of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapies, such as systemic heparinization and direct oral anticoagulants and aspirin, in treating RAO.

Number of Previous Strokes and the Association With Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Longitudinal Data From the GLORIA-AF Registry.

Background: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who suffered a previous stroke are at increased risk of recurrent thromboembolic events and other major outcomes. The impact of the number of stroke episodes on the natural history of patients with AF is still unclear.

Methods And Results: Using data from the international, multicenter, and prospective GLORIA-AF (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation) Registry Phase III, we categorized patients with a recent diagnosis of non-valvular AF according to the number of previous strokes (either 0, 1, or ≥2 episodes).

Using suture-mediated closure device for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation decannulation: A single-center experience of post-closing technique.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a critical treatment for severe cardiopulmonary failure. However, traditional ECMO decannulation methods, such as manual compression and surgical repair, are associated with significant complications. This study evaluates suture-mediated closure devices, specifically Perclose ProGlide, as a potentially favorable decannulation strategy.

Humic acid Glazed Magnetite material for the Adsorptive Desulfurization of Model Fuel.

Impact of climate change that stems from gaseous emissions require sustainable materials to eliminate sulfur.  This study involves the modification of humic acid with magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) by a microwave-assisted synthesis of an absorbent with reasonable pore volume and diameter for elimination of thiophenic compounds from fuel. The magnetic nano adsorbent designated Fe3O4@HA was characterized using advanced spectroscopic techniques, while their structure and morphology were analyzed through DLS, XPS, XRD, FT-IR, TGA, FESEM-EDX, VSM, and BET-N2 techniques.

Downscaling of Non-Van der Waals Semimetallic WN with Resistivity Preservation.

The bulk phase of transition metal nitrides (TMNs) has long been a subject of extensive investigation due to their utility as coating materials, electrocatalysts, and diffusion barriers, attributed to their high conductivity and refractory properties. Downscaling TMNs into two-dimensional (2D) forms would provide valuable members to the existing 2D materials repertoire, with potential enhancements across various applications. Moreover, calculations have anticipated the emergence of uncommon physical phenomena in TMNs at the 2D limit.

Unveiling mitochondrial mysteries: Exploring novel tRNA variants in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The recent study of Ding provides valuable insights into the functional implications of novel mitochondrial tRNA and tRNA variants in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This editorial explores their findings, highlighting the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of T2DM. By examining the molecular mechanisms through which these tRNA variants contribute to disease progression, the study introduces new targets for therapeutic strategies.

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.