Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
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Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has emerged as a powerful tool for disease modeling, providing an innovative platform for investigating disease mechanisms. iPSC-derived organoids, including retinal organoids, offer patient-specific models that closely replicate in vivo cellular environments, making them ideal for studying retinal neurodegenerative diseases where retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are impacted. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), a prevalent internal modification in eukaryotic mRNAs, plays a critical role in RNA metabolic processes such as splicing, stability, translation, and transport. Given the high energy demands of RGCs, mitochondrial dysfunction, which leads to impaired ATP production and increased ROS levels, is often central to the progression of retinal neurodegenerative disorders. However, the epigenetic mechanisms underlying m6A modification and their contributions to these conditions remain unclear. ⋯ These findings suggest that differential m6A modifications may play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of retinal neurodegenerative diseases and affect the progression of the disease in affected individuals.
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To investigate the effect of nimotuzumab (N) combined with nab-paclitaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil (APF) neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the surgical margin. ⋯ In summary, although there is no significant statistical difference between neoadjuvant chemotherapy with nimotuzumab combined with APF and APF alone in the pathological remission rate of locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma, there is a trend indicating that nimotuzumab combined with APF is superior.
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Epidural blood patching (EBP) is the primary treatment for spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), although multiple attempts may sometimes be necessary. The SIH-EBP score, with a cutoff of ≥3, predicts the response to the first EBP. However, its generalizability requires further confirmation. This study aims to validate the clinical utility of the SIH-EBP score and determine the optimal cutoff for predicting the response to the first EBP in an independent cohort of SIH patients. ⋯ In this cohort, the SIH-EBP score correlated with response rates to the first EBP. Although a score of ≥3 remains a valid predictor of treatment response, a cutoff of ≥2 proved to be more accurate and specific. However, its practical use is limited by a sensitivity of 52.6%. Further studies are needed to verify its role in other populations.
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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound impacted on various aspects of society, including the healthcare system and patient care. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 control strategies on the lipid profile and blood sugar levels of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients in Taiwan, a crucial focus for understanding the pandemic's influence on individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). ⋯ Our findings underscore the significant impact of COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions in the healthcare system and the subsequent management strategies on dyslipidemia in PD patients while not affecting dysglycemia. These results provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals to enhance their strategies and interventions for CKD patients undergoing PD during a pandemic.
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This study evaluated the long-term acoustic and subjective outcomes of Bonebridge bone conduction implant (BCI) 601 implantation in Taiwanese patients with microtia and aural atresia (AA). ⋯ Bonebridge BCI 601 implantation provided long-term acoustic and subjective benefits for patients with microtia and AA, particularly those with bilateral AA.