Drug-Eluting Resorbable Scaffold Versus Balloon Angioplasty for Below-the-Knee Peripheral Artery Disease: 2-Year Results From the LIFE-BTK Trial.

Background: Limited treatment options exist for infrapopliteal disease in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), a condition associated with a high risk of limb loss. Interventional management of diseased infrapopliteal vessels with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is associated with high rates of restenosis and reintervention. In the LIFE-BTK trial, the drug-eluting resorbable scaffold (DRS) demonstrated superior 12-month efficacy compared with PTA in a selected CLTI population with predominantly noncomplex, mildly to moderately calcified lesions.

Phylogenomic insights from the complete chloroplast genome of (poaceae: bambusoideae: arundinarieae) in Taiwan.

Hayata 1916 is a unique bamboo species endemic to Taiwan, typically found at elevations ranging from 500 to 1,500 meters. This study provides a detailed analysis of the complete chloroplast genome of for the first time. The genome spans 139,664 base pairs (bp) and consists of a large single-copy (LSC) region of 83,192 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 12,869 bp, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions, each 21,798 bp in length.

Acupuncture Safety in Taiwan.

Background: The safety of acupuncture treatments is crucial for patients. Although acupuncture is generally considered a relatively safe therapeutic modality, acupuncture-related adverse events cannot be entirely avoided. The development and implementation of effective preventive strategies are essential for enhancing clinical safety.

Risk of developing juvenile idiopathic arthritis after quadrivalent HPV vaccination: a retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX U.S. Network.

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been implicated in autoimmune processes, yet concerns remain about the potential autoimmune risks of HPV vaccination. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic autoimmune condition that typically manifests in childhood. The relationship between HPV vaccination and the development of JIA remains uncertain.

Collagen proteins, thrombospondin 1 and lumican are differentially expressed across breast cancer subtypes by functional proteomics from core needle biopsy samples of Taiwanese breast cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to conduct functional proteomics across breast cancer subtypes with bioinformatics analyses.

Methods: Candidate proteins were identified using nanoscale liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (NanoLC-MS/MS) from core needle biopsy samples of early stage (0-III) breast cancers, followed by external validation with public domain gene-expression datasets (TCGA TARGET GTEx and TCGA BRCA).

Results: Seventeen proteins demonstrated significantly differential expression and protein-protein interaction (PPI) found the strong networks including COL2A1, COL11A1, COL6A1, COL6A2, THBS1 and LUM.

The role of biochar in combating microplastic pollution: a bibliometric analysis in environmental contexts.

This study employs a bibliometric analysis using CiteSpace to explore research trends on the impact of biochar on microplastics (MPs) in soil and water environments. In agricultural soils, MPs reduce crop yield, alter soil properties, and disrupt microbial diversity and nutrient cycling. Biochar, a stable and eco-friendly material, has demonstrated effectiveness in mitigating these effects by restoring soil chemistry, enhancing microbial diversity and improving crop productivity.

The interaction of online co-creative performance in a paired-player mode with creative tendency as a moderator.

This study investigated the moderating effect of individuals' creative tendencies on their creative performance in interactive situations. A sample of 292 participants was selected to engage in various assessments, including the Alternative Uses Test (AUT) and the Chinese Radical Remote Associates Test (CRRAT) in single-player and paired-player modes. Additionally, participants completed the Creative Tendency Scale (CTS) as part of the data collection process.

Corrigendum to: Impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the field of hematopoietic cell transplantation in the Asia-Pacific region: APBMT Activity Survey 2020/2021 [Blood Cell Therapy. 2024; 7(4): 129-137. doi:10.31547/bct-2024-020].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.31547/bct-2024-020.].

Structural analysis of stereoselective galactose pyruvylation toward the synthesis of bacterial capsular polysaccharides.

Pyruvate ketal is a biologically essential moiety due to its key role as an intermediate in metabolic pathways, serving as a key precursor for the synthesis of various essential biomolecules in organisms. However, the / stereochemistry of pyruvate ketal is difficult to control through chemical methods. In this study, the acid-labile pyruvate ketal linked to the 4- and 6-positions of galactose was cautiously constructed, and the X-ray analysis of the -configured product was successfully obtained.

Genomic personalities of subspecies and illuminate complete trichloroethene dechlorination in high-salt conditions.

Global salinization increasingly threatens ecosystem integrity and the regulation of biogeochemical cycles. Our study reveals novel insights into the microbial contributions to the organohalide decomposition in saline environments, demonstrating the unprecedented ability of organohalide-respiring bacteria and to completely dechlorinate trichloroethene to non-toxic ethene under hypersaline conditions (up to 31.3 g/L) in long-term operations.

Breaking the silence: Revealing drivers and barriers to medical students' speaking up in medical error.

Introduction: Speaking up about medical errors is a critical behaviour for medical students, as it plays a vital role in enhancing patient safety. Few studies have explored the drivers and barriers affecting their willingness to speak up in clinical training, particularly within hierarchical Asian cultures. The purpose of this study was to explore drivers and barriers shaping medical students' speaking up behaviours about medical errors to inform education, mentorship and patient safety practices.

MicroRNAs signatures in small extracellular vesicles for psychological resilience in young adults using machine learning.

Aims: Psychological resilience refers to an individual's capacity to adapt to adverse events. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in regulating post-transcriptional processes, while small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) act as transport vehicles. This study aimed to employ genome-wide profiling to identify and validate differences in the expression of resilience-associated sEV-miRNAs between low resilience (LR) and high resilience (HR) in young adults.

Long-term stability of conventional non-regenerative periodontal treatment for furcation defects.

Background: Furcation involvement (FI) in multi-rooted teeth poses significant challenges in periodontal therapy due to complex anatomy and difficulty in achieving effective maintenance. FI is associated with increased periodontal destruction, especially in sites with narrow furcation entrances and deep root concavities. These features hinder effective debridement and compromise the efficacy of periodontal treatments.

Moisturising Gloves as a Solution for Occupational Skin Health: Advances and Challenges.

Extended glove usage is crucial in various occupational settings to safeguard workers and maintain hygiene standards. However, prolonged wear creates an occlusive environment that disrupts normal skin evaporation, leading to temporary overhydration. This reversal of the diffusion gradient facilitates the penetration of residual soaps and alcohol from hand hygiene practices, which can deplete skin moisture and cause irritation.

Prediction of in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction following primary percutaneous coronary intervention: A machine learning approach.

Background: In-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) remains a significant concern. Developing a predictive model of in-hospital mortality is crucial for identifying high-risk patients, guiding clinical decisions, and preventing in-hospital mortality. Machine learning (ML) may analyze patterns in large datasets and provide accurate predictions of in-hospital mortality in AMI patients following pPCI.

Cardiac magnetic resonance parameters for prognostic stratification in pulmonary hypertension: A longitudinal study.

Background: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is a critical tool for the diagnosis and evaluation of pulmonary hypertension (PH). This study aimed to investigate the temporal changes in cardiac morphological and functional characteristics in PH using CMR, with the goal of identifying early indicators of adverse clinical outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with PH using right heart catheterization.

Clinical features and surgical treatment of haemophilic pseudotumors: A single center experience over a 20-year period.

Background: Haemophilia pseudotumor (HPT) is an uncommon but severe complication in patients with haemophilia (PWH). Given the rarity, case series were scarce and largely confined to case report in the literature. Consequently, the aim of this study is to present surgical results of HPT over a 20-year period from a single institute.

Taiwan consensus on pulmonary chronic graft-versus-host disease: A joint statement from the Taiwan Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation (TBMT) and Taiwan Society of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (TSPCCM).

Pulmonary chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), particularly bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), is a severe complication of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) with significant morbidity and mortality. This report, developed collaboratively by experts from the Taiwan Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation (TBMT) and the Taiwan Society of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (TSPCCM), provides consensus statements for the diagnosis, surveillance and management of pulmonary cGVHD. Early detection through pulmonary function tests (PFTs) is critical, with serial monitoring recommended after allo-HSCT.

Whole genome sequence analysis of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol across 246 K individuals.

Background: Rare genetic variation provided by whole genome sequence datasets has been relatively less explored for its contributions to human traits. Meta-analysis of sequencing data offers advantages by integrating larger sample sizes from diverse cohorts, thereby increasing the likelihood of discovering novel insights into complex traits. Furthermore, emerging methods in genome-wide rare variant association testing further improve power and interpretability.

Nuclear paxillin functions as a molecular switch for alternative splicing in neurons during a critical period of brain development.

During a critical period of postnatal brain development, neural circuits undergo significant refinement coincident with widespread alternative splicing of hundreds of genes, which undergo altered splice site selection for the generation of isoforms essential for synaptic plasticity. Here, we reveal that neuronal activity-dependent phosphorylation of paxillin at its serine 119 (p-paxillin) acts as a molecular switch in the nucleus for the control of alternative splicing during this period. We show that following NMDA receptor activation, nuclear p-paxillin is recruited to nuclear speckles, where it interacts with splicing factors, such as U2AFs.

Bi-layered microflap surgery for the treatment of anterior glottic web.

Introduction: Anterior glottic webs are epithelium-covered fibrous tissue formations at the anterior commissure, leading to synechiae between the bilateral vocal folds. They manifest with symptoms ranging from hoarseness to airway obstruction. However, treating anterior glottic webs are challenging due to their high recurrence rates.

Risk factors associated with the need for colonoscopic hemostasis for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background And Purpose: Colonoscopy is an essential diagnostic and therapeutic tool for lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB), with colonoscopic hemostasis needed in a subset of patients. We aim to identify risk factors associated with colonoscopic hemostasis requirement in acute LGIB patients.

Methods: This retrospective study examined consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopy for acute LGIB at a single tertiary hospital between November 2020 and May 2023.

Development and psychometric evaluation of knowledge, attitude, and behavior questionnaire on fall risk-increasing drugs (KABQ-FRID).

Background: Fall risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) increase the risks of falls, injuries, and fractures among older adults. However, limited evidence exists on how older adults perceive and manage FRID use, particularly in Indonesia.

Objective: This study developed and psychometrically evaluated a questionnaire for assessing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KABs) related to FRID use (hereafter KABQ-FRID) among older adults.

Myocardial Perfusion Imaging and Revascularization Predict Long-term All-cause Mortality in Patients with Suspected CAD.

Rationale And Objectives: The prognostic implications of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) are imperative to provide proper management of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to quantify the long-term prognostic value of MPI under routine clinical conditions.

Materials And Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study evaluated all-cause mortality and cause-specific survival according to MPI findings in patients with suspected or known CAD who underwent diagnostic evaluation or assessment of myocardial ischemia and viability in a tertiary referral cardiovascular center.