Association of frailty and chronic limb-threatening ischemia in patients on maintenance hemodialysis: A prospective cohort study

[[abstract]]Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is a prevalent yet unpredictable complication among patients undergoing hemodialysis, and frailty is linked to adverse outcomes in this population. This study examined the influence of clinical factors on vascular events in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This multicenter prospective cohort study included patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis since January 2008. The initial cohort consisted of 1,136 patients, 828 of whom successfully underwent a frailty test. CLTI events were recorded at 3-month intervals until December 31, 2022. The mean patient age was 67 years, and 48% were female. Overall, 34% of participants were frail, 38% pre-frail, and 28% not frail. Frailty phenotype was associated with age, female sex, low educational level, diabetes mellitus, and history of stroke. During a median follow-up of 1461 days, 104 patients experienced CLTI events (not frail, 6.5%; pre-frail, 11%; frail, 20%; P < 0.001). Frail patients had a higher risk of CLTI than those who were non-frail (hazard ratio (HR) 3.94; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.22-6.99; P < 0.001). After multivariable adjustment for age and comorbidities, frailty remained significantly associated with CLTI (HR 3.26; 95% CI 1.76-5.85; P < 0.001). Conclusively, these findings highlight the risk of CLTI in frail patients undergoing hemodialysis

Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on poststroke hemineglect: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

[[abstract]]BACKGROUND: Although various repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and theta burst stimulation (TBS) protocols are used, their comparative effectiveness for treating poststroke hemineglect remains unassessed. OBJECTIVE: To investigate rTMS and TBS effects on clinical outcomes in poststroke hemineglect through a systematic review and network meta-analysis. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases up to March 7, 2024, for trials on rTMS or TBS in poststroke hemineglect. Included studies involved rTMS or TBS with different protocols, sham, or no stimulation, assessing hemineglect severity or impact. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the PEDro scale. The network meta-analysis was performed using ShinyNMA (version 1.01). RESULTS: We analyzed 13 studies with 309 participants. All studies included participants who had experienced right hemisphere stroke. All included studies had a fair to good quality based on PEDro score evaluation. Protocols included continuous TBS (cTBS), high-frequency rTMS (HF-rTMS), and low-frequency rTMS (LF-rTMS) targeting both contralesional and lesional sites. HF-rTMS on the lesional site significantly improved short-term results on the line bisection test and Catherine Bergego Scale; LF-rTMS on the contralesional site improved short-term line bisection; and cTBS on the contralesional site improved long-term line bisection. No severe adverse events or significant inconsistencies were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that HF-rTMS targeting the lesional site is the preferred therapeutic approach for the short-term management of poststroke hemineglect. LF-rTMS directed at the contralesional site is a practical alternative. Moreover, cTBS targeting the contralesional site is a viable option because of its long-term effect

Dual-function antibodies targeting VEGFR2 and VEGFR3

[[abstract]]An isolated antibody, comprising heavy chain complementary determining regions CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from a heavy chain variable region sequence having SEQ ID NO: 1 or 3; light chain complementary determining regions CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 from a light chain variable region sequence having SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4; wherein the antibody binds specifically to both vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR3)

Aminothiazole compounds as protein kinase inhibitors

[[abstract]]Aminothiazole compounds of Formula (I) shown below and pharmaceutical compositions containing one of such compounds. Also disclosed are methods of inhibiting a tyrosine kinase and treating cancer associated with a tyrosine kinase with one of the aminothiazole compounds

Method of producing enriched exosomes

[[abstract]]A method of producing induced exosomes, the method comprising: contacting an isolated population of stem cells with an amount of a prostaglandin E receptor 4 (EP4) antagonist effective for inducing release of exosomes, whereby induced exosomes are released from the stem cells, and isolating the induced exosomes

Heterodimeric vascular endothelial growth factor and use thereof

[[abstract]]A fusion protein, comprising: (i) a first vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) isoform, and (ii) a second VEGF isoform, and (iii) a dimerization domain between the first isoform and the second isoform, wherein the first isoform and the second isofor

Opioid substitution therapy programs and the national campaign to eliminate hepatitis C virus in Taiwan: Current status and perspectives in a 2022 national survey among medical institutions

[[abstract]]Aim: In Taiwan’s national campaign to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2025, HCV infection care cascade among opioid substitution therapy (OST) programs plays a crucial role. By employing a national survey among medical institutions, we aim to examine the current status and perspectives expressed by appropriate personnel in the OST program-affiliated institutions. Methods: We conducted a national survey in 2022 among government-contracted OST programs. The questionnaire consists of items about the running costs, hepatitis care cascade, and other issues in the OST programs to be answered by either case managers or directors. Within the 185 OST programs in the nation, 125 programs (68%) had responses from both types of personnel and were included for subsequent analyses. Results: Of 125 programs, 74 (59%) offered HCV screening and 69 (55%) offered HCV treatment. The correlates of both HCV screening and treatment were similar, including greater urbanity level, providing both methadone and buprenorphine (vs either one alone), hospital-based (vs satellite dispensing), smaller size of daily participants (≤ 500, having 2 or more physicians, having 2 or more nurses, and a team consisting of physician plus ≥2 dedicated staff). Regarding the integration of HCV care with OST program, institutions’ concerns included financial incentive for the patients and the doctors, the accessible resources of equipment and relative training, and the service matching platform to enhance the collaboration between OST and other medical institutes are mentioned. Regarding on-site HCV treatment, the percentage of future willingness to offer was 42% for those OST program with current HCV care cascade but only 11% for those without. Conclusions: The establishment of the HCV care cascade in the OST programs was mainly influenced by the resources of medical collaboration and the human resources. Future investments in these aspects are needed to enhance HCV infection care in the OST programs

Heterocyclic compounds and use thereof

[[abstract]]Heterocyclic compounds of Formula (I) shown herein. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition containing one of the heterocyclic compounds. Further disclosed are methods of using one of the heterocyclic compounds for mobilizing hematopoietic stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells into the peripheral circulation, and for treating tissue injury, cancer, inflammatory disease, and autoimmune disease

Pyrazole compounds

[[abstract]]Disclosed are pyrazole compounds, encompassed by formula (I) shown in the Specification, useful for treating peripheral cannabinoid 1 receptor mediated disorders. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods related to use of these compounds

苯并咪唑化合物及其在製備治療阿茲海默症或亨丁頓氏症的藥物中的用途

[[abstract]]本發明提供了一種如式(I)所示的苯并咪唑化合物，該化合物是有效的人類麩酸胺環化酶抑制劑。本發明還提供了一種含有該等化合物中之一化合物及醫藥上可接受載體的醫藥組合物以及一種藉由對需要治療阿茲海默症或亨丁頓氏症的個體投予有效量的該化合物來治療阿茲海默症或亨丁頓氏症的方法