Background/Aims: Data from Asia regarding the short-term and long-term outcomes for acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) are limited. We assessed the outcomes of ASUC, identified the risk factors for colectomy, and compared colectomy rates between the pre-biologics and post-biologics eras in Taiwan. Methods: The patients with an ASUC diagnosis between January 2013 and March 2022 at 5 tertiary medical centers were retrospectively analyzed. Results: In total, 98 patients were enrolled, with 68.4% diagnosed in the post-biologics era. In 78.6% of the ASUC patients initially received intravenous steroid therapy, for which the success rate was 74.1%. As for rescue therapy, 15 patients (93.8%) received biologics and 1 (6.3%) received cyclosporin. Biologics rescue therapy had a 93.3% success rate. One (1%) mortality due to septic shock occurred. The colectomy rate for index ASUC admission was 11.2%. Patients receiving colectomy were predominantly male (P= 0.012) and at older age (P= 0.016). Higher C-reactive protein (P= 0.035), lower albumin (P= 0.017), and hemoglobin (P= 0.023) levels were associated with colectomy risk. During a median follow-up of 24 months, 13 patients (15.1%) had recurrent ASUC and 23.1% of patients received colectomy. The accumulated colectomy rate at 3 years did not differ between the pre- and post-biologics eras (16.1% vs. 13.4%, P= 0.270). Conclusions This is the first Asian study on ASUC to compare colectomy rates between the prebiologics and post-biologics eras, revealing no significant difference. The recurrent ASUC had a higher colectomy rate than the index ASUC.

Objectives: . Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is a significant cause of hearing loss. Intratympanic steroid injection (ITSI) is commonly used as an initial or salvage treatment; however, the lack of a standardized treatment protocol has resulted in variability in clinical practice. In addition, no efficient prediction model currently exists to support personalized management. Therefore, this study aimed to develop tailored management strategies for ISSNHL using a machine-learning model. Methods: . This retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted between January 2015 and December 2020, with data analysis performed between January 2021 and March 2024. Patients were selected based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision criteria for ISSNHL, along with relevant medication and procedure codes. Patients with pure-tone audiogram results not meeting ISSNHL criteria, better initial hearing in the affected ear, an identifiable etiology, no post-treatment audiogram, or delayed treatment (>6 weeks) were excluded. We included 770 patients diagnosed with ISSNHL who received ITSI. The primary outcome was the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for prediction performance. Recovery status was determined using the last pure-tone audiogram. Modeling was conducted on the Quanta for Medical Care AI platform using five machine-learning algorithms and a nested cross-validation framework, in which feature selection and hyperparameter tuning were performed in the inner folds and model performance was evaluated in the outer folds. Results: . A random forest classifier outperformed the other models in predicting hearing outcomes, achieving an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.788. Time to ITSI was the most influential treatment-related factor, with ITSI administered within 10 days of hearing loss being associated with better outcomes. This model can be used to provide personalized prognostic estimates under different treatment protocols. Conclusion . The machine-learning-based prediction model facilitates personalized treatment strategies and timely treatment adjustments for ISSNHL, thereby optimizing the likelihood of complete recovery.

Background: Patients with coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and an interrupted aortic arch (IAA) may present with small mitral valves (MVs) and a reduced left ventricular (LV) volume. Biventricular repair (BVR) in these patients is dependent on adequate size of the left cardiac structures.Purpose: This study evaluated the impact of the hemodynamic characteristics of atrial septal defects (ASDs) on MV growth following surgical repair. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients diagnosed with CoA or IAA between 2007 and 2024. The z score for MV size measured 6 months postoperatively (Z2) was compared with the preoperative MV size (Z1). The factors associated with MV growth were also studied. Results: A total of 161 patients with CoA or IAA were included. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to assess the MV and LV dimensions preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Of the cohort, 155 (96.3%) underwent initial BVR and 6 underwent single-ventricle palliation. MV z scores significantly increased following BVR (mean change: +0.45±1.35; P<0.001) but decreased after single-ventricle repair (-0.56±0.49, P=0.04). Multivariate analysis identified the initial MV z score and ASD pressure gradient as independent predictors of MV growth (R2=0.39). Conclusion Annular growth of the MV was not observed in patients who underwent single-ventricle palliation. In contrast, among patients who achieved BVR, those with a small preoperative MV annulus and low ASD pressure gradient demonstrated subsequent catch-up MV growth, suggesting that adequate left-sided preload is essential for MV development.

AIM To study the chemical constituents from the stems and leaves of Dendrobium formosum Roxb.ex Lindl.and their biological activities.METHODS The 95％ethanol extract from the stems and leaves of D.formosum was isolated and purified by silica gel,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.Their inhibitory activities onα-glucosidase were determined by PNPG method,and their in vitro anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated by RAW264.7 model.RESULTS Fifteen compounds were isolated and identified as coniferyl p-coumarate(1),(-)-pinoresinol(2),2,5,7-trihydroxy-4-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene(3),naringenin(4),spiropreussomerin A(5),7-hydroxy-14-de-O-methyl-lasiodiplodin(6),(4S,5S,6Z,8E)-5-hydroxydeca-6,8-dien-4-olide(7),(6S,9R)-blumenol C(8),p-hydroxybenzoic acid(9),m-hydroxybenzoic acid(10),p-hydroxy benzenepropanoic acid(11),5,7-dihydroxy-isobenzofuran(12),2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethanol(13),β-sitostenone(14),β-sitosterol(15).The IC50 values of compounds 1 and 4 on α-glucosidase inhibition were(65.60±3.31)and(98.95±2.53)μmol/L,respectively.Compound 3 presented inhibitory activity on NO production in RAW 264.7 cells,with IC50 value of(3.97±0.12)μmol/L.CONCLUSION Compounds 5-6,8 and 12 are isolated from Orchidacae family for the first time,and 2-15 are first isolated from this plant.Compounds 1 and 4 have α-glucosidase inhibitory activities,and 3 has anti-inflammatory activity.

Objective To extract the core elements and connotation definitions of the concept of organizational resilience of County Medical Community (CMC),in order to explore effective ways to enhance the organizational resilience of CMC.Methods Based on the Atomic spectrum,as of October 31,2023,52 articles related to organizational resilience in the health system were included for concept images extraction,calculating the frequency and occurrence rate of concept images,extracting the concept of organizational resilience in the health system,and deducing the core elements and definitions of the concept of organizational resilience in CMC were derived through the comparison of similarities and differences.Results Although both the healthcare system and the CMC are composite organizations,there are differences in environmental pressure,organizational size,and resource reserves.The concept of organizational resilience of CMC is defined as the advanced process of resilience functions exhibited by CMC in response to emergencies,internal and external threats,and social pressures that constrain the sustainable development of the organization,including redundant preparation,stable recovery,and response to growth,as well as their ability to absorb,adapt,and transform disruptive events.This not only maintains the basic structure and functions of the organization,but also enables the organization to grow against the trend.Conclusion Breaking through the traditional hierarchical structure in terms of structural resilience,achieving a deep integration and coordination mechanism of the medical community horizontally and vertically.Breaking through traditional static planar functions in terms of functional resilience,enhancing the driving force within the medical community through dynamic growth mechanisms.

Objective To establish an ICU nursing shift handover index based on the standardised communication framework of ISBAR(Identity,Situation,Background,Assessment,and Recommendation)and create an intelligent nursing shift handover system(hereinafter referred as"Smart ICU-ISBAR Nursing Shift Handover System"),thereby improving the standardisation,efficiency and quality of ICU nursing shift handovers with a standardised tool for planning ICU nursing shift handovers.Methods Literature was searched to identify the core elements of ISBAR and the key contents of ICU nursing shift handovers,then a preliminary draft of ICU nursing shift handover index was proposed.Delphi expert-consensus technique(20 experts)was used to screen and finalise the core dimensions and specific indicators of the index system,which were then integrated into the Smart ICU-ISBAR Nursing Handover System.Finally,the clinical effectiveness of the system was evaluated.Results Both Delphi rounds achieved 100.00%response rate.The expert authority coefficient was 0.83.The Kendall's W values of 2 rounds were 0.127 and 0.166(all P<0.001)respectively.The index importance scores ranged from 4.25-4.95 and 3.90-5.00,with coefficients of variation of 0.05-0.19 and 0.00-0.22,respectively.The final version of Smart ICU-ISBAR nursing shift handover system comprised 6 primary indicators and 60 secondary indicators.Over the clinical trials,the system achieved a 96.67%success rate in data-upload with an average response time of 1.80 sec.,the mean documentation time of shift handover at(1.97±0.58)min per patient,12 nurses'satisfaction with the shift handover quality of(4.47±0.25)and the rating of the system's usability of(4.75±0.08).The system was highly practical,convenient and intelligent.Conclusion The ICU nursing shift handover index system developed on the basis of ISBAR theory features a structural integrity,standardisation and ICU-specific characteristics and it is objective,scientific and rigorous.The Smart ICU-ISBAR Nursing Shift Handover System standardises the shift handover process,reduces information omissions,and improves efficiency and quality of nursing shift handover process.It serves as a standardised shift handover tool for ICU nursing shifts.

Objective To establish an ICU nursing shift handover index based on the standardised communication framework of ISBAR(Identity,Situation,Background,Assessment,and Recommendation)and create an intelligent nursing shift handover system(hereinafter referred as"Smart ICU-ISBAR Nursing Shift Handover System"),thereby improving the standardisation,efficiency and quality of ICU nursing shift handovers with a standardised tool for planning ICU nursing shift handovers.Methods Literature was searched to identify the core elements of ISBAR and the key contents of ICU nursing shift handovers,then a preliminary draft of ICU nursing shift handover index was proposed.Delphi expert-consensus technique(20 experts)was used to screen and finalise the core dimensions and specific indicators of the index system,which were then integrated into the Smart ICU-ISBAR Nursing Handover System.Finally,the clinical effectiveness of the system was evaluated.Results Both Delphi rounds achieved 100.00%response rate.The expert authority coefficient was 0.83.The Kendall's W values of 2 rounds were 0.127 and 0.166(all P<0.001)respectively.The index importance scores ranged from 4.25-4.95 and 3.90-5.00,with coefficients of variation of 0.05-0.19 and 0.00-0.22,respectively.The final version of Smart ICU-ISBAR nursing shift handover system comprised 6 primary indicators and 60 secondary indicators.Over the clinical trials,the system achieved a 96.67%success rate in data-upload with an average response time of 1.80 sec.,the mean documentation time of shift handover at(1.97±0.58)min per patient,12 nurses'satisfaction with the shift handover quality of(4.47±0.25)and the rating of the system's usability of(4.75±0.08).The system was highly practical,convenient and intelligent.Conclusion The ICU nursing shift handover index system developed on the basis of ISBAR theory features a structural integrity,standardisation and ICU-specific characteristics and it is objective,scientific and rigorous.The Smart ICU-ISBAR Nursing Shift Handover System standardises the shift handover process,reduces information omissions,and improves efficiency and quality of nursing shift handover process.It serves as a standardised shift handover tool for ICU nursing shifts.

Purpose: Biomarkers predicting clinically significant prostate cancer (sPC) before biopsy are currently lacking. This study aimed to develop a non-invasive urine test to predict sPC in at-risk men using urinary metabolomic profiles. Materials and Methods: Urine samples from 934 at-risk subjects and 268 treatment-naïve PC patients were subjected to liquid chromatography/mass spectrophotometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics profiling using both C18 and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) column analyses. Four models were constructed (training cohort [n=647]) and validated (validation cohort [n=344]) for different purposes. Model I differentiates PC from benign cases. Models II, III, and a Gleason score model (model GS) predict sPC that is defined as National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)-categorized favorable-intermediate risk group or higher (Model II), unfavorable-intermediate risk group or higher (Model III), and GS ≥7 PC (model GS), respectively. The metabolomic panels and predicting models were constructed using logistic regression and Akaike information criterion. Results: The best metabolomic panels from the HILIC column include 25, 27, 28 and 26 metabolites in Models I, II, III, and GS, respectively, with area under the curve (AUC) values ranging between 0.82 and 0.91 in the training cohort and between 0.77 and 0.86 in the validation cohort. The combination of the metabolomic panels and five baseline clinical factors that include serum prostate-specific antigen, age, family history of PC, previously negative biopsy, and abnormal digital rectal examination results significantly increased AUCs (range 0.88–0.91). At 90% sensitivity (validation cohort), 33%, 34%, 41%, and 36% of unnecessary biopsies were avoided in Models I, II, III, and GS, respectively. The above results were successfully validated using LC-MS with the C18 column. Conclusions Urinary metabolomic profiles with baseline clinical factors may accurately predict sPC in men with elevated risk before biopsy.

6-gingerol, a bioactive compound from ginger, has demonstrated promising anticancer properties across various cancer models by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cell proliferation and invasion. In this study, we explore its mechanisms against glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a notably aggressive and treatment-resistant brain tumor. We found that 6-gingerol crosses the blood-brain barrier more effectively than curcumin, enhancing its potential as a therapeutic agent for brain tumors. Our experiments show that 6-gingerol reduces cell proliferation and triggers apoptosis in GBM cell lines by disrupting cellular energy homeostasis. This process involves an increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) and a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, primarily due to the downregulation of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). Additionally, 6-gingerol reduces ERK phosphorylation by inhibiting EGFR and RAF, leading to G1 phase cell cycle arrest. These findings indicate that 6-gingerol promotes cell death in GBM cells by modulating MnSOD and ROS levels and arresting the cell cycle through the ERFR-RAF-1/MEK/ ERK signaling pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for GBM and setting the stage for future clinical research.

Background/Aims: Treatment indications for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain contentious, particularly for patients with mild alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation. We aimed to evaluate treatment effects in this patient population. Methods: This rollover study extended a placebo-controlled trial that enrolled non-cirrhotic patients with CHB and ALT levels below two times the upper limit of normal. Following 3 years of randomized intervention with either tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or placebo, participants were rolled over to open-label TDF for 3 years. Liver biopsies were performed before and after the treatment to evaluate histopathological changes. Virological, biochemical, and serological outcomes were also assessed (NCT02463019). Results: Of 146 enrolled patients (median age 47 years, 80.8% male), 123 completed the study with paired biopsies. Overall, the Ishak fibrosis score decreased in 74 (60.2%), remained unchanged in 32 (26.0%), and increased in 17 (13.8%) patients (p<0.0001). The Knodell necroinflammation score decreased in 58 (47.2%), remained unchanged in 29 (23.6%), and increased in 36 (29.3%) patients (p=0.0038). The proportion of patients with an Ishak score ≥ 3 significantly decreased from 26.8% (n=33) to 9.8% (n=12) (p=0.0002). Histological improvements were more pronounced in patients switching from placebo. Virological and biochemical outcomes also improved in placebo switchers and remained stable in patients who continued TDF. However, serum HBsAg levels did not change and no patient cleared HBsAg. Conclusions In CHB patients with minimally raised ALT, favorable histopathological, biochemical, and virological outcomes were observed following 3-year TDF treatment, for both treatment-naïve patients and those already on therapy.