Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Enhance Chondrocyte Function by Reducing Oxidative Stress in Chondrocytes.

Articular cartilage (AC) has a very limited capacity for self-healing once damaged. Chondrocytes maintain AC homeostasis and are key cells in AC tissue engineering (ACTE). However, chondrocytes lose their function due to oxidative stress.

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.

Noninvasive cardiac output monitoring in septic shock patients: A retrospective study on hemodynamic status and outcomes.

Septic shock is a frequent condition in emergency departments, requiring rapid hemodynamic assessment. Noninvasive cardiac output monitoring (NICOM) offers a convenient method for evaluating these patients. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed 50 septic shock patients (34 males, 16 females) from a cohort of 627 NICOM cases in northern Taiwan emergency department between January 2020 and December 2021.

Platelet-Rich Plasma-Loaded Dual-Network Hyaluronic Acid-Based Hydrogel as a Bioactive Scaffold for Enhancing Nerve Regeneration in Spinal Cord Injury.

This study developed dual-network hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels incorporating platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as bioactive scaffolds for spinal cord injury (SCI) repair. Polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether-cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA-PEGDE), methacrylated HA (HA-Mac), maleimide-modified HA (HA-Mal), and thiol-modified HA (HA-SH) were synthesized. The HA hydrogels consisted of a primary HA-PEGDE network and a secondary HA-Mac or HA-Mal/HA-SH network.

Analysis of Total Antioxidant Capacity and Ascorbic Acid Levels in the Aqueous Humor of Patients With Diabetic Retinopathy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate aqueous humor total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and ascorbic acid (AA) levels of patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR), and their correlation with serum glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels.

Methods: This case-control study enrolled 177 eyes from 177 patients that underwent cataract surgery between April 2019 and November 2022 in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Group 1 comprised 103 eyes from patients without diabetes; group 2 comprised 40 eyes from patients with diabetes but without DR; and group 3 comprised 34 eyes from patients with DR.

Comparing survival outcomes of anti-fibrotic therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with and without emphysema: a multi-center real-world study from Taiwan.

Background: Whether the long-term survival of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is worse than that of patients with IPF combined with emphysema after anti-fibrotic therapy is unclear. This study aimed to compare treatment outcomes between the two groups and identify potential predictors of mortality.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in seven hospitals across Taiwan between August 2015 and August 2022 and included patients with IPF who received anti-fibrotic agents covered by national insurance.

Recurrent meningioma treated with boron neutron capture therapy: a feasibility study with dosimetric and clinical correlates.

Background: Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a targeted radiotherapy modality that has shown promise in the treatment of recurrent gliomas and head and neck cancers. Although meningiomas are generally slow-growing, recent studies have demonstrated favorable uptake of boron-containing compounds, particularly boronophenylalanine (BPA), suggesting a potential role for BNCT in recurrent meningioma.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 13 patients with recurrent meningiomas treated with salvage BNCT at the Tsing Hua Open-Pool Reactor between August 2020 and May 2024.

Development of INER-PP-F11N as the Peptide-Radionuclide Conjugate Drug Against CCK2 Receptor-Overexpressing Tumors.

This work aimed to evaluate two albumin affinity structure-containing peptide-radionuclide conjugate drugs, INER-PP-F11N-1 and INER-PP-F11N-2, for the diagnosis/treatment of cholecystokinin receptor subtype 2 (CCK2R)-overexpressing cancers. We developed In-111- and Lu-177-labeled INER-PP-F11N radiopharmaceuticals and compared them with the current PP-F11N to investigate metabolic stability, biodistribution, SPECT/CT imaging, and therapeutic responses in CCK2R-expressing tumor xenograft mice. The metabolic stability of [In]In/[Lu]Lu-INER-PP-F11N remained above 90% for up to 144 h after labeling, indicating that the compound is highly stable under in vitro conditions.

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.

Clinical Utility of Fluciclovine PET in BNCT for Recurrent High-grade Glioma.

Purpose: Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) has gained popularity in recent years, with over 500 treatment courses performed in Taiwan since 2017. Traditionally, the tumor-to-normal tissue ratio (T/N ratio) is assessed using SUV measurements from 4-borono-2-(18) F-fluoro-phenylalanine (F-BPA) PET, allowing for precise tumor boron concentration estimation when serum boron levels are measured on the day of treatment. However, limited accessibility to F-BPA PET complicates dose calculations, and in its absence, a fixed T/N ratio of 3 is used in treatment planning.

Comparative effectiveness of dual-focus contact lenses and DIMS spectacle lenses for myopia control in patients with low astigmatism: a retrospective study.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of dual-focus contact lenses (DFCL) and defocus incorporated multiple segment (DIMS) spectacle lenses in controlling myopia progression in patients with low astigmatism.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving myopic patients with astigmatism of less than -1.25 diopters (D) who used either DFCL or DIMS spectacle lenses.

Comparative Analysis of Surgical Outcomes Between Robotic-Assisted Pyelolithotomy and Mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for Renal Stones Larger Than 2 cm in Older Adults: A One-Year Follow-Up Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of robotic-assisted pyelolithotomy (RAPL) and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL) specifically in older adults with renal stones more than 2cm. We hypothesized that robotic-assisted pyelolithotomy (RAPL) is a safe and effective approach for managing large renal stones (>2 cm) in older adults.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 605 patients aged 50-80 years who underwent either RAPL (n=31) or mini-PCNL (n=574) for renal stones >2 cm at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, between December 2016 and November 2023.

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.

Gender-Based Clinical Differences in Hymenoptera Venom Poisoning: A Retrospective Study From Taiwan (April 2021 to March 2023).

Hymenoptera stings are a common cause of emergency visits. This study aims to assess potential gender disparities in clinical presentation and outcomes of Hymenoptera stings. Medical records were collected from a single medical center in Northern Taiwan, covering the period from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2023.

Risk Assessment of Tuberculosis in Patients With Chronic Mental Illness and Related Factors: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a globally prevalent chronic infectious disease. The World Health Organization estimates that mental illnesses will become the leading cause of global disease burden in 2030. The inability to detect and provide proper treatment for TB in mental illness patients is an epidemic prevention blind spot.

Comprehensive Survey of Tick Infestations and Pathogen Detection in Taiwanese Wildlife: Uncovering Public Health Risks.

Introduction: Ticks are important vectors of zoonotic diseases, yet their biodiversity and pathogen associations remain understudied in many regions. This study aims to provide a comprehensive survey of tick species and associated pathogens in Taiwanese wildlife to assess their ecological roles and public health implications.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide survey across Taiwan and its affiliated islands, collecting ticks from wildlife hosts and their environments.

The Daily and Two-Day Usage of Low-Dose Atropine on Myopic Control in a Low-Myopia Population.

: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using low-dose atropine (ATR) at different instillation frequencies on myopia control in a low-myopia population. : A retrospective cohort study was conducted, and patients using 0.01% ATR and exhibiting a myopia degree ranging from +0.

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.

Bone Scintigraphy and Laboratory Clues to Osteomalacia in a Middle-Aged Man With Hip Fractures.

A 43-year-old man with a 1-year history of bilateral hip pain, worsened by standing and walking, presented with a limping gait. x-rays showed diffuse osteoporosis (osteoblastic-lytic), and a bone scan revealed symmetric uptake in the costochondral junctions (rosary beads), femoral neck, proximal tibia, and feet, with no visualization of the kidneys, suggesting a metabolic disorder or neoplasm. Computed tomography revealed osteolytic lesions in multiple bones.

An explainable artificial intelligence framework for weaning outcomes prediction using features from electrical impedance tomography.

Background: Prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) might cause ventilator-associated pneumonia and diaphragmatic injury, and may lead to worsening clinical weaning outcomes. The present study proposes a comprehensive machine learning (ML) framework for predicting the weaning outcomes of patients with PMV, without relying on ventilator data, by utilizing features from electrical impedance tomography (EIT).

Methods: EIT data from 58 patients with PMV were analyzed.

Allergic reactions after Hymenoptera stings in older adults: A multi-center study.

Background: Hymenoptera stings can cause severe allergic and systemic reactions, particularly in older adults. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with hospitalization after Hymenoptera stings, focusing on older adult patients.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted across three hospitals in northern Taiwan, including 304 patients, from April 2021 to February 2023.

The Relationship Between Aortic Stenosis and the Possibility of Subsequent Macular Diseases: A Nationwide Database Study.

: This study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between aortic stenosis (AS) occupancy and the incidence of subsequent macular diseases. : A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX database, and participants with AS were enrolled and matched to non-AS participants. A total of 421,860 and 421,860 participants were evenly divided into the AS and non-AS groups, respectively.