Association Between Serum per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Iron Status Biomarkers in a Representative Sample of U.S. Adults: NHANES 2013-2018.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) comprise a class of man-made compounds widely utilized in manufacturing everyday consumer products. Experimental studies indicate that PFAS may interfere with iron regulation by hindering absorption or inducing oxidative stress. Nonetheless, epidemiological studies examining the association between PFAS exposure and a broad spectrum of iron-related biomarkers remain scarce.

Effects of Adjuvant Respiratory Therapy on Secretion Expectoration and Treatment Adherence in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Concurrent Chemo-Radiotherapy.

The common complaints of head and neck cancer patients receiving concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) are dry mouth, dysphagia, trismus, hoarseness, sore throat, and oral mucosal damage, which result in retained secretions and difficult expectoration. We aimed to investigate the effect of adjuvant respiratory therapy on secretion expectoration and treatment completion in patients with head and neck cancer receiving CCRT. From November 2016 to May 2018, 56 head and neck cancer patients were recruited retrospectively, and according to their respiratory therapy in the medical record, were divided into the control group (CG, = 27) or the research group (RG, = 29).

Urinary Glyphosate Concentrations and Serum Sex Hormones in a Nationally Representative U.S. Sample: NHANES 2017-2018.

Glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHS) are the most widely used herbicides worldwide, yet their potential endocrine-disrupting effects in humans remain inadequately studied. We analyzed data from 1532 participants aged ≥6 years in the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Serum sex hormones assessed included follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), androstenedione, estrone, estradiol, estrone sulfate, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, progesterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).

Transmucosal Delivery of miR-30c-5p by Chitosan Nanoparticles for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains difficult to treat with current modalities. miR-30c-5p, a tumor-suppressive microRNA frequently downregulated in OSCC, inhibits cancer cell proliferation and migration. However, its clinical application is limited by poor stability and inefficient uptake.

Real-World Efficacy and Safety of S-1 Monotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Management: Insights From a Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: S-1, an oral chemotherapy combining tegafur, gimeracil, and oteracil, has shown efficacy comparable with docetaxel for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in clinical trials. However, its real-world effectiveness and safety remain underexplored.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at 2 tertiary referral centers: National Cheng Kung University Hospital (NCKUH) from July 1, 2012 to July 1, 2023 (last follow-up in October 31, 2023) and Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH) from February 1, 2020 to January 31, 2023 (last follow-up in August 31, 2023).

Prognostic utility of F-FDG PET/MRI with intravoxel incoherent motion imaging in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Purpose: Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) enhances tissue diffusion assessment by differentiating true molecular diffusion from microvascular perfusion, surpassing conventional DWI. This prospective study assessed the prognostic utility of F-FDG PET/MRI with IVIM imaging in patients with primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 148 patients with primary NPC who underwent pretreatment PET/MRI.

Developing Machine-Learning Models to Predict Bacteremia in Febrile Adults Presenting to the Emergency Department: A Retrospective Cohort Study from a Large Center.

Introduction: Bacteremia, a common disease but difficult to diagnose early, may result in significant morbidity and mortality without prompt treatment. We aimed to develop machine-learning (ML) algorithms to predict patients with bacteremia from febrile patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) using data that is readily available at the triage.

Methods: We included all adult patients (≥18 years of age) who presented to the emergency department (ED) of National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH), a tertiary teaching hospital in Taiwan, with the chief complaint of fever or measured body temperature more than 38°C, and who received at least one blood culture during the ED encounter.

Correlation between urinary glyphosate levels and serum antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids in a representative sample of U.S. adults: NHANES 2017-2018.

Glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) are linked to various health concerns. Prior experimental studies have hinted at their potential to trigger health issues through increased oxidative stress, with some evidence from epidemiological studies; however, these studies focused on specific groups with small sample sizes, and there's a lack of research on the association between glyphosate exposure and serum antioxidants in a nationally representative sample. We examined data from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which included 1469 adults (aged 18-85 years, 49.

Ocular Characteristics and Genotype-Oriented Disease Spectrum of Alström Syndrome in Taiwan.

Purpose: This study aimed to describe the ophthalmological features of Alström syndrome, a rare syndromic ciliopathy, and to delineate the genotype-associated disease spectrum.

Methods: Eight Taiwanese patients were recruited for this study. Pathogenic variants were identified using next-generation sequencing, and medical records were reviewed for systemic involvement.

Cadmium exposure, epigenetic modifications, and serum cystatin C: insights into mediated pathways and mortality risks in U.S. adults.

Background: Cadmium exposure has been linked to elevated cystatin C levels, disruptions in epigenetic patterns, and increased mortality risk. However, the role of epigenetic modifications in the relationship between cadmium and cystatin C remains poorly understood. Furthermore, it is unclear how cystatin C and epigenetic changes influence the connection between cadmium exposure and mortality outcomes.

Glyphosate Exposure, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Mortality Risk in US Adults: Insights from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are widely used across the globe. Experimental research indicates that these herbicides may elevate oxidative stress and impair mitochondrial function. However, the relationship between glyphosate exposure, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial function remains poorly characterized in epidemiological studies.

Investigating the associations of blood lead and cadmium with smoking-related DNA methylation and mortality among U.S. adults.

Purpose: Lead and cadmium have been linked to alterations in DNA methylation (DNAm) and increased mortality. However, the role of smoking-related DNAm in the link between these heavy metals and mortality remains unclear.

Approach And Results: We analyzed data from 2110 participants aged 50 and older from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), linked to mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) with follow-up through 2019.

Comparative Survival Analysis of Anti-Angiogenic Agent Plus Immunochemotherapy in NSCLC Patients After Frontline EGFR-TKI Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Advanced-stage EGFR-mutated lung non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) challenges current treatment paradigms, particularly after frontline EGFR-TKI therapy failure. This study investigates the survival impact of combined anti-angiogenic agent and immunochemotherapy (AICT) for this population. We retrospectively analyzed NSCLC patients at National Cheng Kung University Hospital from January 2010 to December 2022, focusing on those who had disease progression beyond frontline EGFR-TKI treatments.

The Exponential Constriction Model of the Ellipsoid Zone in Taiwanese Individuals With RPGR-Related X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Purpose: This study documents the natural disease progression and genotype-phenotype correlation in RPGR-related retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in the Taiwanese population.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on individuals with molecularly confirmed RPGR-related disease-causing variant(s). Demographics, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent (SE), fundus autofluorescence, and optical coherence tomography were assessed.

The mediating role of step counts in the relationship between diverse neighbourhood destinations and older adults' physical function.

Research has shown that access to activity-supportive neighbourhood destinations is associated with physical activity levels and physical functioning in older adults. However, the relative importance of different destinations and the mechanisms underlying these relationships remain unclear. We investigated (i) the relationships between the availability of diverse neighbourhood destinations and physical functioning in Taiwanese older adults and (ii) whether step counts mediated these relationships.

Pathological primary tumor status, rather than adjuvant therapy, predicts survival outcomes in pT1-3N1M0 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: A nationwide cohort study.

Background: Theeighth edition oftheAmerican Joint Committee onCancer (AJCC) Staging Manualclassifies pT1-3N1M0 oralcavity squamous cellcarcinoma (OCSCC) asp-Stage III. However, the prognosis within this group is heterogeneous, and the clinical benefit of adjuvant therapy for patients with a single nodal metastasis remains unclear.Here, we analyzed nationwide data from Taiwan to assess survival outcomes and examine the role of adjuvant therapy in this population.

Tricuspid valve leaflet remodeling in sheep with biventricular heart failure: A comparison between leaflets.

Tricuspid valve leaflets are dynamic tissues that can respond to altered biomechanical and hemodynamic loads. Each leaflet has unique structural and mechanical properties, leading to different in vivo strains. We hypothesized that these intrinsic differences drive heterogeneous, disease-induced remodeling between the leaflets.

Intravenous Immunoglobulin Alone for Coronary Artery Lesion Treatment of Kawasaki Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) are standard treatments for Kawasaki disease (KD) to reduce coronary artery lesions (CALs). However, the optimal duration and dosage of aspirin remain inconsistent across hospitals. The absence of large-scale, multicenter randomized clinical trials hinders a clear understanding of the effectiveness of high-dose aspirin.

The Impact of Montelukast Duration on the Risk of Neuropsychiatric Disorders in Children with Asthma: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in children, and montelukast is widely prescribed to manage symptoms. However, concerns have emerged regarding its potential association with neuropsychiatric disorders. This study aims to investigate the impact of montelukast duration on neuropsychiatric risks in children with asthma.

Change in physical activity and the risk of depressive symptoms in mid-older aged adults.

Aim: Middle-age and older adults' physical activity participation changes may influence their depressive conditions. This study explores the associations between changes in physical activity levels over time and the likelihood of depressive symptoms based on a population-based survey.

Methods: This study included adults aged ≥50 years from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study in Aging (TLSA) survey.

Multivariable model for predicting 5-year survival in patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors: a retrospective study.

Background: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. In Asian populations, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are particularly prevalent, leading to the development of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) to improve patient outcomes. While extensive research has been conducted on the prognosis of patients receiving EGFR-TKIs, the estimation of 5-year survival in this population remains an underexplored area.

Nucleotide motif-guided selection of plasma microRNA biomarkers for organ injury prediction in trauma.

Background: Trauma remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in part due to secondary organ injury and infection. Yet, our ability to predict the downstream pathophysiologic responses leading to organ injury and adverse outcomes is limited. Extracellular microRNAs (ex-miRNAs) as a DAMP can drive innate immune response and organ injury.

Recommendation for immune prophylaxis of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common pathogen for young children hospitalized with bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Most infections occur below 1 year of age, and almost all children have been infected before 2 years of age. Monoclonal antibodies targeting RSV, such as palivizumab and nirsevimab, are accessible for preventing infection.

Urinary glyphosate, selenium status, and their impact on mortality: Evidence from NHANES 2013-2018.

Purpose: Glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs), extensively used worldwide, have been associated with various health concerns, including an elevated risk of mortality. Experimental studies suggest that these herbicides may disrupt selenium homeostasis by hindering its uptake or promoting oxidative stress. However, the interplay between glyphosate exposure and selenium status remains poorly understood in epidemiological studies, particularly regarding selenium's role in modulating the mortality risk associated with glyphosate exposure in nationally representative populations.

Efficacy of Dupilumab in the Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, immune-mediated disorder of the esophagus with rising prevalence. Dupilumab (DUPI), a monoclonal antibody that targets the interleukin-4 receptor α, has shown promise as a treatment option. We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials searching the PubMed/Medline database, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and the medRxiv preprint server up to 31 July 2024, assessing DUPI's efficacy and optimal dosing in the treatment of EoE.