Artificial Intelligence Powered Real-Time Coronary Stenosis Recognition and Quantification in Angiography.

Effective and automated measurement of coronary lesions is essential for timely decision-making during interventions. However, a comprehensive, real-time strategy remains limited. This study aimed to develop a real-time deep learning system for automated detection and quantification of stenotic lesions in coronary angiography.

Association between herpes zoster ophthalmicus and the risk of corneal ulcer.

Introduction: Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) is a serious condition resulting from the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, affecting the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. In HZO, exposure keratopathy can lead to a range of ocular surface disorders, including superficial punctate keratitis and disruption of the ocular surface barrier, thereby increasing the risk of infectious corneal ulcers. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the risk of corneal ulceration in patients with HZO.

A population-based study of social demographic factors, associated diseases, and herpes zoster ophthalmicus in Taiwan.

Introduction: Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) occurs due to the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and is characterized by the involvement of the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. While this pathophysiology is well-established, the precise mechanisms driving VZV reactivation remain incompletely understood. Furthermore, it is unclear whether individuals with common comorbidities that compromise immune function face an elevated risk of developing HZO.

Augmented analgesic effect of tyramine or octopamine in combination with lidocaine is mediated with α-adrenergic receptors.

Although norepinephrine is known to enhance the antinociceptive effect of the local anesthetic lidocaine, the effects of two precursors of norepinephrine, tyramine and octopamine, on the antinociceptive potency of lidocaine are not known. We aimed to investigate cutaneous antinociceptive interactions and mechanism of action of tyramine and octopamine, and their respective coinjections with lidocaine, in comparison with norepinephrine. Cutaneous nociceptive blockade in rats was quantified by the blockage of cutaneous trunci muscle reflexes induced by needle pinpricks.

Adrenaline enhances nociceptive and motor blockades by intrathecal carteolol and oxprenolol in rats.

Background: This study examined the effects of beta-blockers and the combination of carteolol/oxprenolol with epinephrine on spinal nociceptive and motor blockades and compared them with propranolol.

Methods: Nociceptive and motor blockades were assessed in rats after intrathecal injection of carteolol, oxprenolol, metoprolol, acebutolol, and sotalol. Carteolol and oxprenolol were used in combination with epinephrine for spinal nociceptive and motor blockades.

Sociodemographic factors and comorbidities are associated with an elevated risk of herpes simplex keratitis: a population-based study in Taiwan.

To investigate the association among comorbidities, sociodemographic factors, and herpes simplex keratitis (HSK). This nationwide, population-based, retrospective, matched case-control study included 27,651 patients with HSK identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database based on the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code 054.42 for dendritic keratitis and 054.

Seasonal variations in peptic ulcer disease incidence in Taiwan, a country spanning both tropical and subtropical regions: a real-world database analysis.

Objective: Previous studies have shown that the incidence of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) exhibits seasonal variations. This study aimed to investigate the seasonal variation in PUD incidence in Taiwan, which spans both tropical and subtropical regions, using a nationwide database.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using real-world claims data from Taiwan, which includes a representative sample of 2 million individuals.

Personalized prediction of intradialytic hypotension in clinical practice: Development and evaluation of a novel AI dashboard incorporating risk factors from previous and current dialysis sessions.

Background: Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is one of the most common and critical complications of hemodialysis. Despite many proven factors associated with IDH, accurately predicting it before it occurs for individual patients during dialysis sessions remains a challenge.

Purpose: To establish artificial intelligence (AI) predictive models for IDH, which consider risk factors from previous and ongoing dialysis to optimize model performance.

Heat-related illness and dementia: a study integrating epidemiological and experimental evidence.

Background: Heat-related illness (HRI) is commonly considered an acute condition, and its potential long-term consequences are not well understood. We conducted a population-based cohort study and an animal experiment to evaluate whether HRI is associated with dementia later in life.

Methods: The Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was used in the epidemiological study.

Health-related quality of life by veterans RAND 12 and healthcare resource utilization in cancer patients with sleep disorders: insights from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the joint effects of cancer and sleep disorders on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), healthcare resource utilization, and expenditures among US adults.

Methods: Utilizing the 2018-2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) database, a sample of 25,274 participants was categorized into four groups based on cancer and sleep disorder status. HRQoL was assessed using the VR-12 questionnaire.

Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Different Cancer Types in Taiwan.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly occurs in approximately 2% of cancer patients, and the incidence of AF among cancer patients is greater than in the general population. This observational study presented the incidence risk of AF among cancer patients, including specific cancer types, using a population database. The Taiwan Cancer Registry was used to identify cancer patients between 2008 and 2017.

Healthcare Utilization and Its Correlates in Comorbid Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

This study investigated the healthcare utilization and medical expenditure of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and identified the associated factors. The healthcare utilization and expenditure of T2DM patients with (case group) and without (control group) GAD between 2002 and 2013 were examined using the population-based Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Healthcare utilization included outpatient visits and hospitalization; health expenditure included outpatient, inpatient, and total medical expenditure.

Synergistic interaction of guanfacine or dexmedetomidine coadministered with lidocaine for cutaneous analgesia in rats.

Background: This study examined the cutaneous analgesic effects of lidocaine co-injected with guanfacine and its comparison with dexmedetomidine.

Methods: Cutaneous analgesic effects are quantified through the blocking effects of the cutaneous trunci muscle reflex against skin pinpricks in rats. The dose-response curves of guanfacine, dexmedetomidine, and lidocaine were constructed and drug-drug interactions were analyzed by the ED isobologram.

Association between Sjögren syndrome, sociodemographic factors, comorbid conditions, and optic neuritis: a Taiwanese population-based study.

Purpose: Our study aimed to explore the correlation between Sjögren syndrome, sociodemographic factors, comorbid conditions, and optic neuritis.

Methods: This retrospective, nationwide, population-based, matched case-control investigation involved 33,190 individuals diagnosed with optic neuritis, identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes 377.30 for optic neuritis or 377.

Determinants of cancer incidence and mortality among people with vitamin D deficiency: an epidemiology study using a real-world population database.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the determinants of cancer incidence and mortality in patients with vitamin D deficiency using a real-world population database.

Methods: We utilized the International Diagnostic Classification Code (ICD9:268 / ICD10: E55) to define patients with vitamin D deficiency. Additionally, the Cox regression model was used to estimate overall mortality and identify potential factors contributing to mortality in cancer patients.

Using artificial intelligence to predict adverse outcomes in emergency department patients with hyperglycemic crises in real time.

Background: Hyperglycemic crises are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have proposed methods to predict adverse outcomes of patients in hyperglycemic crises; however, artificial intelligence (AI) has never been used to predict adverse outcomes. We implemented an AI model integrated with the hospital information system (HIS) to clarify whether AI could predict adverse outcomes.

Intrathecal dopamine and serotonin enhance motor and nociceptive blockades of lidocaine in rats.

The study examined the effect of intrathecal injection of dopamine (serotonin) and/or lidocaine. Intrathecal injections of dopamine (serotonin or epinephrine), lidocaine, or their combination were carried out in male Sprague Dawley rats. Neurobehavioral examinations (motor and nociceptive reactions) were performed before and after spinal injection.

Swimming exercise attenuates mechanical hypersensitivity and mitigates peripheral nerve degeneration in rats with painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN).

Background: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of swimming exercise in alleviating mechanical hypersensitivity and peripheral nerve degeneration associated with a pre-clinical model of painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN).

Methods: This study is a pre-clinical study conducted using the streptozocin (STZ)-induced PDN rat model. Rats were randomly allocated to three groups: a vehicle group of non-diabetic rats (Vehicle, n = 9), a group of rats with PDN (PDN, n = 8), and a group of rats with PDN that performed a swimming exercise program (PDN-SW, n = 10).

Carpal tunnel syndrome in dentists compared to other populations: A nationwide population-based study in Taiwan.

Background: Dentists may be at a higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) because of their use of frequent wrist and vibratory instruments at work; however, this issue remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted this study to clarify it.

Methods: Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was used for this nationwide population-based study.

Real-World Experience of Treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Triple Therapy.

Background: Double-blind randomized controlled trials have compared patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) taking triple therapy, which can improve lung function, dyspnea, and quality of life and reduce acute exacerbation and mortality, with those taking long-acting muscarinic antagonist/long-acting β2-agonist; however, the real-word treatment scenario may be different from that of a strict and well-designed study. The aim of our study was to assess long-term outcomes among patients with COPD who received triple therapy in real-world practice.

Methods: Data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) from 2005 and 2016 were used to identify COPD patients who were over 40 years of age with diagnosis codes 490-492, 496 (ICD-9-CM) or J41-44 (ICD-10-CM).

The mortality risk in patients with early onset colorectal cancer: the role of comorbidities.

The global incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC) is increasing. Although the mortality rate is relatively stable, some comorbidities have been associated with a higher mortality rate. This study estimated the mortality risk in patients with EO-CRC with various comorbidities using real-world data to identify the high-risk group using Cox proportional regression for overall and cancer-specific mortality.

Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting in 5-Year Quality-of-Life Comparison among Three Surgical Procedures for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

This prospective longitudinal cohort study analyzed long-term changes in individual subscales of quality-of-life (QOL) measures and explored whether these changes were related to effective QOL predictors after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surgery. All 520 HCC patients in this study had completed QOL surveys before surgery and at 6 months, 2 years, and 5 years after surgery. Generalized estimating equation models were used to compare the 5-year QOL among the three HCC surgical procedures.

A Taiwan Nationwide Population-Based Study of Socio-Demographic Factors and Comorbid Conditions Associated with Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy.

Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate the socio-demographic factors and systemic conditions associated with non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

Methods: This was a nationwide population-based retrospective case-controlled study that recruited 9,261 NAION patients selected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The control group consisted of 9,261 age-, sex-, and index date-matched non-NAION patients recruited from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database, 2000.

An artificial intelligence system to predict the optimal timing for mechanical ventilation weaning for intensive care unit patients: A two-stage prediction approach.

Background: For the intensivists, accurate assessment of the ideal timing for successful weaning from the mechanical ventilation (MV) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is very challenging.

Purpose: Using artificial intelligence (AI) approach to build two-stage predictive models, namely, the try-weaning stage and weaning MV stage to determine the optimal timing of weaning from MV for ICU intubated patients, and implement into practice for assisting clinical decision making.

Methods: AI and machine learning (ML) technologies were used to establish the predictive models in the stages.