Objectives: The effectiveness of combining romosozumab (ROMO) with denosumab (Dmab) remains uncertain.We compare the six-month effects of Dmab plus monthly ROMO versus Dmab plus daily teriparatide (TPTD) on bone mineral density (BMD) in treatment-naïve postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 26 treatment-naïve postmenopausal women with primary osteoporosis. Participants received either a monthly regimen of ROMO and Dmab (N = 14) or a daily regimen of TPTD plus Dmab (N = 12). BMD at the lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck was measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum levels of C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) and procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) were assessed at the same intervals. Results: Both regimens significantly improved lumbar spine BMD at 6 months (ROMO + Dmab: +9.75%; TPTD +Dmab: +7.42%). Improvements in total hip and femoral neck BMD were modest and similar between groups (~2%). Serum CTX and P1NP were significantly suppressed in both groups at 3 months, but P1NP suppression waned in the TPTD + Dmab group by 6 months. No statistically significant differences in BMD or marker changes were detected between the two regimens. Conclusions Both combination therapies effectively improve lumbar spine BMD over 6 months. The ROMO +Dmab regimen yielded numerically greater increases with fewer injections.

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.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) are evidenced-based treatments for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who fail to respond to standard first-line therapies. However, although various TMS protocols have been proven to be clinically effective, the response rate varies across clinical applications due to the heterogeneity of real-world psychiatric comorbidities, such as generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, or substance use disorder, which are often observed in patients with MDD. Therefore, individualized treatment approaches are important to increase treatment response by assigning a given patient to the most optimal TMS treatment protocol based on his or her individual profile. This literature review summarizes different rTMS or TBS protocols that have been applied in researches investigating MDD patients with certain psychiatric comorbidities and discusses biomarkers that may be used to predict rTMS treatment response. Furthermore, we highlight the need for the validation of neuroimaging and electrophysiological biomarkers associated with rTMS treatment responses. Finally, we discuss on which directions future efforts should focus for developing the personalization of the treatment of depression with rTMS or iTBS.

Purpose: Both primary and revisional bariatric surgery are on the rise due to global obesity pandemic. This study aimed to assess the indications for revision after one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) and the outcomes after laparoscopic conversion of OAGB to roux-en-y gastric bypass (RYGB). Materials and Methods: Retrospective review on patients that had undergone conversion of OAGB to RYGB between June 2007-June 2019 in a tertiary bariatric center, followed by literature review. Results: Out of 386 revisional bariatric surgery, a total of 14 patients underwent laparoscopic conversion of OAGB to RYGB. The mean age was 44.7 with 71% female. The mean pre-revision BMI was 29.2 kg/m2 . The primary indications for revision were bile reflux (n=7), marginal ulcer (n=3), inadequate weight loss or weight regain (IWL/WR) (n=3) and protein-calorie malnutrition (n=1). Conversion of OAGB to RYGB was completed laparoscopically in all cases.The mean length of stay was 4.1 days. There was no intraoperative or early post-operative complication. The mean total weight loss (rTWL%) after revision at year one, year three and year five post-revision were 11.5%, 18.1% and 29.1%, respectively. All patients achieved resolution of bile reflux and marginal ulcer. There was no mortality in this cohort. Conclusion Bile reflux, marginal ulcer, IWL/WR and malnutrition were the main indications for revision after OAGB in this study. In concordance with the available evidence, laparoscopic conversion of OAGB to RYGB was safe and effective in dealing with late complications of OAGB.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) are evidenced-based treatments for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who fail to respond to standard first-line therapies. However, although various TMS protocols have been proven to be clinically effective, the response rate varies across clinical applications due to the heterogeneity of real-world psychiatric comorbidities, such as generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, or substance use disorder, which are often observed in patients with MDD. Therefore, individualized treatment approaches are important to increase treatment response by assigning a given patient to the most optimal TMS treatment protocol based on his or her individual profile. This literature review summarizes different rTMS or TBS protocols that have been applied in researches investigating MDD patients with certain psychiatric comorbidities and discusses biomarkers that may be used to predict rTMS treatment response. Furthermore, we highlight the need for the validation of neuroimaging and electrophysiological biomarkers associated with rTMS treatment responses. Finally, we discuss on which directions future efforts should focus for developing the personalization of the treatment of depression with rTMS or iTBS.

Purpose: Both primary and revisional bariatric surgery are on the rise due to global obesity pandemic. This study aimed to assess the indications for revision after one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) and the outcomes after laparoscopic conversion of OAGB to roux-en-y gastric bypass (RYGB). Materials and Methods: Retrospective review on patients that had undergone conversion of OAGB to RYGB between June 2007-June 2019 in a tertiary bariatric center, followed by literature review. Results: Out of 386 revisional bariatric surgery, a total of 14 patients underwent laparoscopic conversion of OAGB to RYGB. The mean age was 44.7 with 71% female. The mean pre-revision BMI was 29.2 kg/m2 . The primary indications for revision were bile reflux (n=7), marginal ulcer (n=3), inadequate weight loss or weight regain (IWL/WR) (n=3) and protein-calorie malnutrition (n=1). Conversion of OAGB to RYGB was completed laparoscopically in all cases.The mean length of stay was 4.1 days. There was no intraoperative or early post-operative complication. The mean total weight loss (rTWL%) after revision at year one, year three and year five post-revision were 11.5%, 18.1% and 29.1%, respectively. All patients achieved resolution of bile reflux and marginal ulcer. There was no mortality in this cohort. Conclusion Bile reflux, marginal ulcer, IWL/WR and malnutrition were the main indications for revision after OAGB in this study. In concordance with the available evidence, laparoscopic conversion of OAGB to RYGB was safe and effective in dealing with late complications of OAGB.