Gender-specification lifestyle factors associated with mild cognitive impairment among young-old adults in Taiwan.

Background: The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) exhibits a positive correlation with age, particularly evident in the old-old female population. Lifestyle factors have been identified as crucial risk determinants for MCI. However, there is a scarcity of research focusing on lifestyle factors among young-old population.

Characteristics and prognosis of small bowel tumors: A retrospective study.

Background: Small bowel tumors (SBTs) are a heterogeneous group of difficult-to-diagnose tumors that account for 2%-5% of all gastrointestinal tumors. Single-balloon enteroscopy greatly enhances the diagnosis and treatment of SBTs. However, few epidemiological studies have been conducted in Taiwan to determine the clinical profile of SBTs.

Using Key Predictors in an SVM Model for Differentiating Spinal Fractures and Herniated Intervertebral Discs in Preoperative Anesthesia Evaluation.

Spinal conditions, such as fractures and herniated intervertebral discs (HIVDs), are often challenging to diagnose due to overlapping clinical symptoms and the difficulty in assessing their functional impact. Accurate differentiation between these conditions is crucial for effective treatment, particularly in the context of preoperative anesthesia evaluation, where understanding the underlying condition can influence anesthesia planning and pain management. This study presents a Support Vector Machine (SVM) model designed to distinguish between spinal fractures and HIVDs using key clinical predictors, including age, gender, preoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, and the number of spinal fractures.

Combined Treatment of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester With Docetaxel Inhibits Survival of Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Cells Suppression of c-MYC.

Background/aim: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) comprises approximately 85% of lung cancer. Treatment with docetaxel prolongs the survival of patients with NSCLC. However, the development of resistance to docetaxel has compromised its efficacy.

Evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine tea bag TBDESJS in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and dry eye syndrome: A phase II pilot study.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Sjögren's syndrome (SJS) and dry eye syndrome (DES) are characterized by ocular dryness from inadequate tear production or excessive evaporation. To evaluate the effectiveness of TBDESJS (Chun-Yu-Ching-Hua-Yin, CYCHY), a TCM tea bag, in treating SJS and DES patients compared with healthy controls (NHC).

Materials And Methods: This phase II pilot study included 100 participants (60 SJS, 30 DES, 10 NHC) across 8 weeks, assessing changes in Schirmer's test, OSDI, ESSPRI, PSQI, FIRST, and artificial tear usage, using repeated measurement ANOVA and Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) for analysis.

Altered electroencephalography-based source functional connectivity in drug-free patients with major depressive disorder.

Background: Compared to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), source localization of a scalp-recorded electroencephalogram (EEG) provides higher temporal resolution and frequency synchronization to better understand the potential neurophysiological origins of disrupted functional connectivity (FC) in major depressive disorder (MDD). The present study aimed to investigate EEG-sourced measures to examine the FC in drug-free patients with MDD.

Method: Resting-state 32-channel EEG were recorded in 84 drug-free patients with MDD and 143 healthy controls, and the cortical source signals were estimated.

Glaucoma: Current and New Therapeutic Approaches.

Glaucoma is identified by the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The primary approach to managing glaucoma is to control intraocular pressure (IOP). Lately, there has been an increasing focus on neuroprotective therapies for glaucoma because of the limited effectiveness of standard methods in reducing IOP and preventing ongoing vision deterioration in certain glaucoma patients.

Etelcalcetide ameliorates bone loss in chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder by activation of IRF7 and necroptosis pathways.

Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) is a multifaceted clinical syndrome characterized by mineral imbalances, abnormalities in bone metabolism, chronic inflammation and vascular calcification. Etelcalcetide, a second-generation intravenous calcimimetic agent, has been approved for treating high-turnover renal osteodystrophy, effectively targeting the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this condition. We investigate the impacts of etelcalcetide on osteoclast (OC) differentiation and functionality in CKD-MBD via three critical mechanisms: inflammation initiated by interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7), receptor-interacting protein (RIP)-mediated necroptosis and apoptosis-induced cell death.

Effects of online high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation over left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on predominant negative symptoms and EEG functional connectivity in patients with schizophrenia: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

Aims: Schizophrenia, a debilitating mental disorder, is characterized by persistent negative symptoms such as avolition and anhedonia. Currently, there are no effective treatments available for these symptoms. Thus, our study aims to assess the efficacy of online high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (online HD-tDCS) in addressing the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, utilizing a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial design.

Nerve growth factor gene polymorphisms may be associated with heroin dependence in women but do not mediate specific personality traits.

Heroin dependence (HD) is a complex disease with a substantial genetic contribution and is associated with traits of impulsivity and specific personality traits. The neurotrophic factor nerve growth factor (NGF) may mediate the reward processes in HD. This study aims to investigate whether NGF gene polymorphisms are associated with the co-occurrence of HD and impulsivity/specific personality traits in HD patients.

Using oral molecular hydrogen supplements to combat microinflammation in humans: a pilot observational study.

Persistent inflammation over time can cause gradual harm to the body. Molecular hydrogen has the potential to specifically counteract reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduce disease severity, and enhance overall health. Investigations of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of oral solid hydrogen capsules (OSHCs) are currently limited, prompting our examination of the beneficial effects of OSHCs.

Combinations of valvular calcification and serum alkaline phosphatase predict cardiovascular risk among end-stage kidney disease patients.

Background: Valvular calcification (VC) refers to the calcified valvular remodeling associated with kidney dysfunction, especially end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). ESKD patients with VC had significantly higher cardiovascular risk than those without. Factors interacted with VC regarding prognostic prediction in this population were seldom investigated.

Ectopic pregnancy, its potential links to dementia risk and interactions with depression: insights from a nationwide cohort study.

Background: Dementia poses a growing global mental health impact, with variations in prevalence by gender, possibly influenced by reproductive factors. Ectopic pregnancy (EP), known for its association with cardiovascular diseases and depression, which are also predictors of dementia, prompted an exploration of their interplay.

Methods: Using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, this nationwide cohort study examined 53,096 individuals to investigate the link between EP and dementia.

The Protective Effects of Mcl-1 on Mitochondrial Damage and Oxidative Stress in Imiquimod-Induced Cancer Cell Death.

Mitochondria, vital organelles that generate ATP, determine cell fate. Dysfunctional and damaged mitochondria are fragmented and removed through mitophagy, a mitochondrial quality control mechanism. The FDA-approved drug IMQ, a synthetic agonist of Toll-like receptor 7, exhibits antitumor activity against various skin malignancies.

Investigation of cardiorenal outcomes and incidence of genitourinary tract infection after combined SGLT2 inhibitor and ACEI/ARB use in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3-5: A real-world retrospective cohort study in Taiwan.

Sodium‒glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors offer glycaemic and cardiorenal benefits in the early stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the use of SGLT2 inhibitors may increase the risk of genitourinary tract infection (GUTI). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may also cause deterioration of kidney function.

Unusual extrahepatic metastatic site of hepatocellular carcinoma with post-therapy disseminating metastases presenting as a primary soft tissue sarcoma: case report.

Introduction And Importance: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly malignant primary hepatic tumor. However, extrahepatic metastatic sites of HCC with post-therapy dissemination of metastases mimicking primary soft tissue sarcomas with rib metastases are extremely rare.

Case Presentation: The authors report a unique case of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-positive HCC with bilateral lung involvement and widespread right-flank soft tissue and rib metastases.

Leveraging Hypotension Prediction Index to Forecast LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury and Inflammation in a Porcine Model: Exploring the Role of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor in Circulatory Shock.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a critical illness in critically unwell patients, characterized by refractory hypoxemia and shock. This study evaluates an early detection tool and investigates the relationship between hypoxia and circulatory shock in ARDS, to improve diagnostic precision and therapy customization. We used a porcine model, inducing ARDS with mechanical ventilation and intratracheal plus intravenous lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection.

Three-dimensional mapping and superior approach for catheter ablation in patients without inferior vena cava access.

Catheter ablation for tachyarrhythmia via superior approach has been used in patients without possible inferior vena cava access such as in cases of venous occlusion or complex anomaly. Difficulty in catheter manipulation, instability, number of required vascular access, and radiation exposure of operator had been described in the procedure. Application of three-dimensional (3-D) mapping system in catheter ablation via superior approach could navigate the guiding catheter and provide more precise ablation.

Life-Saving Management of Traumatic Coronary Artery Dissection and Acute Myocardial Infarction in a 21-Year-Old Motorcyclist: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND A traumatic coronary artery dissection is a rare but severe complication of chest trauma that can result in blockage of the coronary artery. The clinical symptoms can vary considerably, from asymptomatic arrhythmia to acute myocardial infarction and sudden death. This report describes a young man with coronary artery dissection following blunt chest trauma from a motorcycle accident presenting with ventricular fibrillation due to acute myocardial infarction, which was treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.