Silymarin Ameliorates Tacrolimus-induced Inflammation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.

Background/aim: Tacrolimus (TAC), a cornerstone immunosuppressant in solid organ transplantation, is associated with significant cardiovascular toxicities, including endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. Silymarin (SM), a natural flavonoid complex from milk thistle, possesses known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated the pro-inflammatory effects of TAC on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and evaluated the potential protective capacity of SM.

Systematic review and meta-analysis: The efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation combined with endoscopic resection for early superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia.

Background: Esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN) is the sixth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with patients experiencing a decrease in life expectancy. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and endoscopic resection (ER) have each been recommended for treatment of early superficial ESCN in the available clinical guidelines; however, the combined application of RFA and ER for treatment of early superficial ESCN remains inconclusive. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy of RFA combined with ER in patients diagnosed with early superficial ESCN.

Precision Medicine in Lung Cancer Screening: A Paradigm Shift in Early Detection-Precision Screening for Lung Cancer.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, largely due to late-stage diagnoses. While low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has improved early detection and reduced mortality in high-risk populations, traditional screening strategies often adopt a one-size-fits-all approach based primarily on age and smoking history. This can lead to limitations, such as overdiagnosis, false positives, and the underrepresentation of non-smokers, which are especially prevalent in Asian populations.

Impact of Intravenous Laser Irradiation of Blood on Cognitive Function and Molecular Pathways in Long COVID Patients: A Pilot Study.

Background: Long COVID presents persistent neurological symptoms, including brain fog, with limited therapeutic options. Intravenous Laser Irradiation of Blood (ILIB) has been proposed as a potential intervention. This pilot study explores the efficacy of ILIB in alleviating brain fog symptoms and examines the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Metabolic consequences and tubular function after augmentation cystoplasty in children with neurogenic bladder.

Background: While many studies have reported the renal outcomes and metabolic consequences of augmentation cystoplasty (AC), few have focused on changes in renal tubular function. This study investigated the prevalence of metabolic disturbances, renal tubular function, and 24-hour urine chemistry, aiming to evaluate the association between metabolic alterations and urolithiasis after AC.

Methods: We investigated serum biochemistry, blood gas, and 24-hour urinary metabolic profile of children who underwent AC between January 2000 and December 2020.

SPP1 mRNA Expression Is Associated with M2 Macrophage Infiltration and Poor Prognosis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

(1): Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an especially aggressive form of breast cancer defined by a poor prognosis and a lack of effective treatment options. There is a pressing need for validated predictive and prognostic biomarkers to assist in making treatment decisions and improve the prognostic accuracy for patients with this challenging disease. (2): We analyzed the RNA-seq data from three TNBC tissue samples alongside their corresponding normal tissues.

Pharmaceutical procurement profits and universal health coverage: Reform to a sustainable healthcare and financing system.

Background: In this study, using Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) as an example of a single-payer system, we examined the extent of pharmaceutical procurement profits (PPP) and evaluated their impact on the financial performance of healthcare institutions.

Methods: We extracted data from financial statements and healthcare service declarations of NHI-contracted hospitals from 2015 to 2021. Financial data concerning PPP, health service profits (HSP), and total operating profits (TOP) from each hospital were analyzed.

Deoxyelephantopin induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in GL261 glioblastoma cells.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly malignant central nervous system tumor with a poor prognosis. Developing new therapeutic drugs is crucial. This study evaluates deoxyelephantopin (DET), a major component of *Elephantopus scaber* L.

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Loaded with Dexamethasone Palmitate for Pulmonary Inflammation Treatment by Nebulization Approach.

Pneumonia stands as the leading infectious cause of childhood mortality annually, underscoring its significant impact on pediatric health. Although dexamethasone (DXMS) is effective for treating pulmonary inflammation, its therapeutic potential is compromised by systemic side effects and suboptimal carrier systems. To address this issue, the current study introduces solid lipid nanoparticles encapsulating hydrophobic dexamethasone palmitate (DXMS-Pal-SLNs) as an anti-inflammatory nanoplatform to treat pneumonia.

Impact of annual trend volume of low-dose computed tomography for lung cancer screening on overdiagnosis, overmanagement, and gender disparities.

Background: With the increasing prevalence of nonsmoking-related lung cancer in Asia, Asian countries have increasingly adopted low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for lung cancer screening, particularly in private screening programs. This study examined how annual LDCT volume affects lung cancer stage distribution, overdiagnosis, and gender disparities using a hospital-based lung cancer database.

Methods: This study analyzed the annual utilized LDCT volume, clinical characteristics of lung cancer, stage shift distribution, and potential overdiagnosis.

Vascular endothelial dysfunction induced by 3-bromofluoranthene via MAPK-mediated-NFκB pro-inflammatory pathway and intracellular ROS generation.

3-Bromofluoranthene (3-BrFlu) is the secondary metabolite of fluoranthene, which is classified as a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, through bromination and exists in the fine particulate matter of air pollutants. Endothelial dysfunction plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and vascular diseases. Little is known about the molecular mechanism of 3-BrFlu on endothelial dysfunction in vivo and in vitro assay.

Long-term complications and outcomes of augmentation cystoplasty in children with neurogenic bladder.

Augmentation cystoplasty (AC) is an effective surgical procedure for patients with neurogenic bladder whenever conservative treatments have failed. The present study aimed to determine the risks of metabolic complications, malignancy, long-term outcomes and histopathologic changes of native bladder and the augmented intestine after AC in children with neurogenic bladder. Pediatric patients < 18 years who underwent AC between 2000 and 2020 were enrolled.

Frame-based versus robot-assisted stereo-electro-encephalography for drug-resistant epilepsy.

Background: Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) is an effective presurgical invasive evaluation for drug-resistant epilepsies. The introduction of robotic devices provides a simplified, accurate, and safe alternative to the conventional SEEG technique. We report our institutional experience with robot-assisted SEEG and compare its in vivo accuracy, operation efficiency, and safety with the more traditional SEEG workflow.

Catalase Expression Is an Independent Prognostic Marker in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Background/aim: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the deadliest cancer, and approximately 20% of stage I LUAD cases recur after surgical resection due to its high intratumor heterogeneity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been detected in LUAD and are involved in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Here, a comprehensive analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of antioxidants on the prognosis of LUAD.

Interhemispheric Vertical Hemispherotomy: Technique, Outcome, and Pitfalls-A Bicentric Retrospective Case Series of 39 Cases.

Background And Objectives: When seizure onset affects a whole hemisphere, hemispheric disconnections are efficient and safe procedures. However, both lateral peri-insular hemispherotomy and vertical paramedian hemispherotomy approaches report a failure rate around 20%, which can be explained by residual connections giving rise to persistent seizures. In this study, we present the interhemispheric vertical hemispherotomy (IVH), a technical variation of the vertical paramedian hemispherotomy approach, that aims to increase seizure control avoiding residual connections while exposing the corpus callosum.

Early predictors for maltreatment-related injuries in infancy and long-term mortality: a population-based study.

Introduction: Incidence, health consequences, and social burden associated with child maltreatment appeared to be borne disproportionately by very young children. We conducted a population-based data linkage study to explore child- and family-level factors that affect receiving different diagnoses of maltreatment injuries and investigate excessive mortality throughout toddlerhood.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study comprising 2.

Intravascular laser irradiation of blood as novel migraine treatment: an observational study.

Background: Migraine is one of four major chronic diseases that cause disability. Decreases in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) occur during migraine attacks. Laser therapy is extensively employed in treating other vascular diseases; nevertheless, its effectiveness in migraine management remains largely unknown.

Eplerenone improves hyperglycemia and sympathetic excitation in chronic renocardiac syndrome in rats.

We aimed to assess the efficacy of eplerenone, a steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist known to reduce blood pressure and mitigate cardiovascular disease (CVD) progression, in retarding the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and CVD in a rat model of type 4 cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). We grouped rats into four experimental categories: sham surgery, sham treatment with eplerenone, nephrectomy without eplerenone (Nx), and nephrectomy with eplerenone (Nx + EP). For the Nx + EP group, rats received five-sixths nephrectomy, inducing CKD and CVD conditions such as renal hypertension and hyperglycemia, and were then treated with eplerenone (100 mg/kg/day, orally) over 4 weeks after an initial 4-week observation period.