Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is an increasingly common liver disease worldwide. MAFLD is diagnosed based on the presence of steatosis on images, histological findings, or serum marker levels as well as the presence of at least one of the three metabolic features: overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic risk factors. MAFLD is not only a liver disease but also a factor contributing to or related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which is the major etiology responsible for morbidity and mortality in patients with MAFLD. Hence, understanding the association between MAFLD and CVD, surveillance and risk stratification of MAFLD in patients with CVD, and assessment of the current status of MAFLD management are urgent requirements for both hepatologists and cardiologists. This Taiwan position statement reviews the literature and provides suggestions regarding the epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, risk stratification, nonpharmacological interventions, and potential drug treatments of MAFLD, focusing on its association with CVD.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and is characterized by alternating periods of inflammation and remission. Although UC incidence is lower in Taiwan than in Western countries, its impact remains considerable, demanding updated guidelines for addressing local healthcare challenges and patient needs. The revised guidelines employ international standards and recent research, emphasizing practical implementation within the Taiwanese healthcare system. Since the inception of the guidelines in 2017, the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease has acknowledged the need for ongoing revisions to incorporate emerging therapeutic options and evolving disease management practices. This updated guideline aims to align UC management with local contexts, ensuring comprehensive and context-specific recommendations, thereby raising the standard of care for UC patients in Taiwan. By adapting and optimizing international protocols for local relevance, these efforts seek to enhance health outcomes for patients with UC.

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic, fluctuating inflammatory condition that primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract. Although the incidence of CD in Taiwan is lower than that in Western countries, the severity of CD presentation appears to be similar between Asia and the West. This observation indicates the urgency for devising revised guidelines tailored to the unique reimbursement system, and patient requirements in Taiwan. The core objectives of these updated guidelines include the updated treatment choices and the integration of the treat-to-target strategy into CD management, promoting the achievement of deep remission to mitigate complications and enhance the overall quality of life. Given the diversity in disease prevalence, severity, insurance policies, and access to medical treatments in Taiwan, a customized approach is imperative for formulating these guidelines. Such tailored strategies ensure that international standards are not only adapted but also optimized to local contexts. Since the inception of its initial guidelines in 2017, the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (TSIBD) has acknowledged the importance of continuous revisions for incorporating new therapeutic options and evolving disease management practices. The latest update leverages international standards and recent research findings focused on practical implementation within the Taiwanese healthcare system.

Background: Although radiotherapy is commonly used to treat head and neck cancer, it may lead to radiation-asso‑ ciated dysphagia (RAD). There are various causes of RAD, however, the mechanism has not yet been fully identified.Currently, the only effective treatment for RAD is rehabilitation. Additionally, there are few available animal models of RAD, necessitating the development of new models to establish and evaluate RAD treatments. We hypothesize that radiation-induced neck muscle fibrosis could be one of the causes of RAD due to impairment of laryngeal eleva‑ tion. Therefore, in this study, we focused on the changes in inflammation and fibrosis of the strap muscles (Sternohy‑ oid, Sternothyroid, and Thyrohyoid muscles) after a single-dose irradiation. This research aims to provide a reference animal model for future studies on RAD. Results: Compared to control mice, those treated with 72-Gy, but not 24-Gy, irradiation had significantly increased tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (p < 0.01) and α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) (p < 0.05) expression at 10 days and sig‑ nificantly increased expression levels of motif chemokine ligand-2 (CCL2), α-SMA, tumor growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), type1 collagen, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) (p < 0.05) in the muscles at 1 month by real-time PCR analysis. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the deposition of type 1 collagen gradually increased in extracellular space after radiation exposure, and the positive area was significantly increased at 3 months compared to non-irradiated control. Conclusions A single dose of 72-Gy irradiation induced significant inflammation and fibrosis in the strap muscles of mice at 1 month, with immunohistochemical changes becoming evident at 3 months. This cervical irradiationinduced fibrosis model holds potential for establishing an animal model for RAD in future studies.

Burst fractures are common in thoracolumbar spinal injuries, often resulting in vertebral collapse with or without neurological deficits. While traditional open surgery is the standard approach for surgical decompression, it has some drawbacks and complications. Conversely, full endoscopic spine surgery remains underexplored for these patients. This case report presents a 77-year-old patient with an L3 burst fracture and severe neurological deficits caused by retropulsion bone fragments, leading to spinal canal compromise and right L3–4 foraminal stenosis. The patient underwent a full endoscopic paramedian approach for partial lumbar corpectomy and foraminal fragment removal. Vertebroplasty and short-segment pedicle screw fixation were also performed to restore sagittal alignment and spinal stability. After surgery, the patient experienced significant improvements in pain, numbness, and muscle strength. Radiographic assessments confirmed successful correction of the deformity and decompression of the spinal canal. The study emphasizes the benefits of endoscopic techniques in enhancing patient recovery for burst fractures. However, certain limitations are acknowledged, including the need for further research and expertise in utilizing this approach. In conclusion, paramedian endoscopy shows promise as a valuable alternative to traditional open surgery, offering potential advantages in terms of complications and recovery for burst fracture management.