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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Local advanced rectal cancer (LARC) poses significant treatment challenges due to its location and high recurrence rates. Accurate early detection is vital for treatment planning. With magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) being resource-intensive, this study explores using artificial intelligence (AI) to interpret computed tomography (CT) scans as an alternative, providing a quicker, more accessible diagnostic tool for LARC. METHODS: In this retrospective study, CT images of 1070 T3-4 rectal cancer patients from 2010 to 2022 were analyzed. AI models, trained on 739 cases, were validated using two test sets of 134 and 197 cases. By utilizing techniques such as nonlocal mean filtering, dynamic histogram equalization, and the EfficientNetB0 algorithm, we identified images featuring characteristics of a positive circumferential resection margin (CRM) for the diagnosis of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Importantly, this study employs an innovative approach by using both hard and soft voting systems in the second stage to ascertain the LARC status of cases, thus emphasizing the novelty of the soft voting system for improved case identification accuracy. The local recurrence rates and overall survival of the cases predicted by our model were assessed to underscore its clinical value. RESULTS: The AI model exhibited high accuracy in identifying CRM-positive images, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.89 in the first test set and 0.86 in the second. In a patient-based analysis, the model reached AUCs of 0.84 and 0.79 using a hard voting system. Employing a soft voting system, the model attained AUCs of 0.93 and 0.88, respectively. Notably, AI-identified LARC cases exhibited a significantly higher five-year local recurrence rate and displayed a trend towards increased mortality across various thresholds. Furthermore, the model's capability to predict adverse clinical outcomes was superior to those of traditional assessments. CONCLUSION: AI can precisely identify CRM-positive LARC cases from CT images, signaling an increased local recurrence and mortality rate. Our study presents a swifter and more reliable method for detecting LARC compared to traditional CT or MRI techniques.

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Innovation is a vital element of an organization's success. Companies must implement efficient, innovative plans and policies to consistently develop novel innovations. Based on the theory of planned behavior, the current framework formulated the idea of entrepreneurial education, entrepreneurial mindset, and technological knowledge with entrepreneurial intention in the healthcare industry. Further, this concept comprises the mediating role of innovative work behavior and the moderating effect of entrepreneurial motivation between constructs. The study adopted a quantitative method and collected data from 529 employees working in healthcare organizations (e.g., medical services, manufacturing medical equipment, and drugs/Pharmaceutical companies). The study's findings revealed that entrepreneurial education, entrepreneurial mindset, and technological knowledge positively and significantly affect entrepreneurial intention. The mediation results show that innovative work behavior significantly affects other constructs, and entrepreneurial motivation has a significant moderating effect. The study highlighted the notable transformations in the healthcare industry by proposing the need for relevant entrepreneurial education, traits, and characteristics in accelerating business activities. The study found a link between entrepreneurial education, mindset, technological knowledge, and entrepreneurial intention. This study is helpful for managers and practitioners in executing effective strategies for innovation in healthcare companies.

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PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in guiding biopsies of breast lesions that were detected on contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) or contrast-enhanced breast MRI (CE-MRI) but were not clearly visible on B-mode ultrasound (B-US). METHODS: In this study, 23 lesions in 16 patients were selected for CEUS-guided biopsy due to poor visualization on B-US despite being detected on CEM (n = 20) or CE-MRI (n = 3). B-US, color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS), and CEUS were used to visualize the suspicious lesions, followed by a CEUS-guided core needle biopsy using Sonazoid as the contrast agent. The accuracy of the biopsy was assessed based on pathology-radiology concordance and 12-month imaging follow-up. The conspicuity scores for lesion visualization were evaluated using a 5-point conspicuity scale agreed upon by two breast radiologists. RESULTS: The enhancing lesions detected on CEM/CE-MRI had an average size of 1.6 ± 1.3 cm and appeared as mass-enhancing (61%) or non-mass-enhancing (39%). The lesions had mean conspicuity scores of 2.30 on B-US, 2.78 on CDUS, and 4.61 on CEUS, with 96% of the lesions showing contrast enhancement on CEUS. CEUS-guided biopsy showed increased visibility in 96% and 91% of the lesions compared to B-US and CDUS, respectively. The overall accuracy of CEUS-guided biopsy was 100% based on concordance with histology and 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS enhances the visibility of suspicious CEM/CE-MRI lesions that are poorly visible on B-US during biopsy procedures.

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Developed in early 1980s, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with Lipiodol was adopted globally after large-scale randomized control trials and meta-analyses proving its effectiveness were completed. Also known as "conventional TACE" (cTACE), TACE is currently the first-line treatment for patients with unresectable intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and delivers both ischemic and cytotoxic effects to targeted tumors. Although new technology and clinical studies have contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of when and how to apply this widely-adopted therapeutic modality, some of these new findings and techniques have yet to be incorporated into a guideline appropriate for Taiwan. In addition, differences in the underlying liver pathologies and treatment practices for transcatheter embolization between Taiwan and other Asian or Western populations have not been adequately addressed, with significant variations in the cTACE protocols adopted in different parts of the world. These mainly revolve around the amount and type of chemotherapeutic agents used, the type of embolic materials, reliance on Lipiodol, and the degree of selectiveness in catheter positioning. Subsequently, interpreting and comparing results obtained from different centers in a systematic fashion remain difficult, even for experienced practitioners. To address these concerns, we convened a panel of experts specializing in different aspects of HCC treatment to devise modernized recommendations that reflect recent clinical experiences, as well as cTACE protocols which are tailored for use in Taiwan. The conclusions of this expert panel are described herein.

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BACKGROUND: The complexity of systemic variables and comorbidities makes it difficult to determine the best treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is impossible to perform a multidimensional evaluation of every patient, but the development of guidelines based on analyses of said complexities would be the next best option. Whereas conventional statistics are often inadequate for developing multivariate predictive models, data mining has proven more capable. Patients, methods and findings: Clinical profiles and treatment responses of 537 patients diagnosed with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stages B and C from 2009 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed using 4 decision tree algorithms. A combination of 19 treatments, 7 biomarkers, and 4 states of hepatitis was tested to determine which combinations would result in survival times greater than a year in duration. Just 2 of the algorithms produced complete models through single trees, which made them only the ones suitable for clinical judgement. A combination of alpha fetoprotein ≤210.5 mcg/L, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase ≤1.13 µkat/L, and total bilirubin ≤ 0.0283 mmol/L was shown to be a good predictor of survival >1 year, and the most effective treatments for such patients were radio-frequency ablation (RFA) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with radiation therapy (RT). In patients without this combination, the best treatments were RFA, TACE with RT and targeted drug therapy, and TACE with targeted drug therapy and immunotherapy. The main limitation of this study was its small sample. With a small sample size, we may have developed a less reliable model system, failing to produce any clinically important results or outcomes. CONCLUSION: Data mining can produce models to help clinicians predict survival time at the time of initial HCC diagnosis and then choose the most suitable treatment.

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We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of 2 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences of T2 weighted image (T2WI) half-Fourier acquired single turbo spin-echo (HASTE) and BLADE, for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) detection. From November 2010 to August 2018, patients diagnosed with HCC and regularly followed up, and who underwent MRI with 2 kinds of T2WI, were included in this study. The diagnosis of HCC was established based on histopathological findings or LI-RADS 4 and 5 by image. The sensitivities and positive predictive value for the detection of HCC by T2WI HASTE and BLADE were compared for each sequence. Quantitative assessment with lesion contrast-to-noise ratio and visual rating scoring of image quality, based on factors such as artifact, margin of organs, and vessel sharpness of the 2 sequences, were compared. No significant differences in lesion detection were observed based on paired comparison of all lesions and lesions larger than 1 cm across both sequences. The sensitivity was higher in larger than 1cm group in all sequences. The HASTE sequence had less motion artifact, but the BLADE images had advantage in edge sharpness of organs and vessels. The HASTE without fat-saturation seems to have better overall image quality. The lesions contrast-to-noise ratio of the 2 image modalities were not significantly different. Compared with T2 BLADE, T2 HASTE may be a more effective protocol for detecting HCC larger than 1 cm without loss of sensitivity. The accuracy of data from 2 T2WI protocols could be applied to streamline MRI protocols of HCC screening and surveillance.

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Contrast-medium-associated kidney injury is caused by the infusion of contrast media. Small vessel disease is significantly associated with various diseases, including simultaneous conditions of the kidney and brain, which are highly vulnerable to similar vascular damage and microvascular pathologies. Data to investigate the adverse effect of contrast media on the brain remain extremely lacking. In this study, 11,332,616 NHI enrollees were selected and divided into two groups, exposed and not exposed to a contrast medium during the observation period, from which 1,461,684 pairs were selected for analyses through matching in terms of age, sex, comorbidities, and frequency of outpatient visits during the previous year. In total, 1,461,684 patients exposed to a contrast medium and 1,461,684 controls not exposed to one were enrolled. In multivariable Cox proportional hazard models, patients exposed to a contrast medium had an overall 2.09-fold higher risk of dementia. In multivariable-stratified analyses, the risk of Alzheimer's disease was remarkably high in younger patients without any underlying comorbidity. This study is the first to discover that exposure to contrast media is significantly associated with the risk of dementia. A four-fold increased risk of vascular dementia was observed after exposure to a contrast medium. Further studies on the influence of exposure to contrast media on the brain are warranted.

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Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with drug-eluting bead with doxorubicin transarterial chemoembolization (DEBDOX-TACE) in Taiwan. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively investigated 630 hepatocellular carcinoma patients who underwent DEBDOX-TACE in multiple institutions from 2011 to 2016 in Taiwan. Tumor response was assessed per modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors, overall survival, and safety. Results: This study included 630 patients who underwent DEBDOX-TACE, participants' mean age was 66 years, 68.1% males and 15.6% females. The mean doxorubicin dose administered via DEBDOX-TACE was 56 mg. Complete and partial response rates were 14.6% and 49.2%, respectively, with a disease control rate of 84.6%. The median overall survival was 29.2 months. The most common post-embolization symptom was abdominal pain (22.4%). No hepatic encephalopathy and no procedure-related death were found. Conclusion: Real-world data from Taiwan demonstrated that DEBDOX-TACE for hepatocellular carcinoma can achieve high tumor response rate with low adverse events.

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At present, the effect characteristics and mechanism of organic fertilizer replacing chemical fertilizer on organic carbon mineralization and active organic carbon in dryland yellow soil remain unclear. In order to explore the effect of organic fertilizer replacing chemical fertilizer on organic carbon mineralization and active organic carbon in dryland yellow soil, we used soil with no fertilization (CK), only chemical fertilizer (NP), 50% organic fertilizer replacing chemical fertilizer (1/2(NPM)), and 100% organic fertilizer replacing chemical fertilizer (M). We examined the indoor mineralization culture of organic carbon and explored the characteristics of soil organic carbon and the change in active organic carbon under the condition of organic fertilizer replacing chemical fertilizer. The results showed that organic fertilizer replacing chemical fertilizer increased soil pH, organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and C/N. During the culture period, the soil organic carbon mineralization rate of all treatments decreased sharply in the initial stage (2-4 days), decreased slightly in the middle stage (4-20 days), and tended to be stable in the last stage (20-60 days). After fertilization, the cumulative mineralization of soil organic carbon significantly increased by 7.9%-27.7%. Compared with that in the NP treatment, the cumulative mineralization of soil organic carbon decreased by 5.2% in the 1/2(NPM) treatment and increased by 12.2% in the 1/2(NPM) treatment. Before mineralization culture, the substitution of organic fertilizer for chemical fertilizer had no significant effect on soil recalcitrant organic carbon (ROC) but significantly increased the content of microbial biomass carbon (MBC). The content of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was significantly increased in the 1/2(NPM) treatment and decreased in the M treatment. After 60 days of culture, the content of soil active organic carbon in all treatments decreased compared with the initial content, of which MBC decreased the most (30.6%-41.2%). The accumulated mineralization of organic carbon was significantly positively correlated with soil pH and SOC and significantly positively correlated with the initial value of MBC and the change value before and after culture. To summarize, 100% organic fertilizer replacing chemical fertilizer significantly promoted soil organic carbon mineralization and reduced soil organic carbon stability; 50% organic fertilizer replacing chemical fertilizer inhibited soil organic carbon mineralization, which was beneficial to soil sequestration and fertilization; and 50% organic fertilizer replacing chemical fertilizer significantly increased soil active organic carbon content, and MBC was used as the main carbon source in the process of soil organic carbon mineralization.

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OBJECTIVES: To identify the neuroimaging predictors for the responsiveness of patients to sumatriptan and use an independent cohort for external validation. METHODS: Structuralized headache questionnaire and 3-Tesla brain magnetic resonance imaging were performed in migraine patients. Regional brain volumes were automatically calculated using FreeSurfer version 6.0, including bilateral amygdala, anterior cingulated cortex, caudate, putamen, precuneus, orbitofrontal cortex, superior frontal gyri, middle frontal gyri, hippocampus, and parahippocampus. A sumatriptan-responder was defined as headache relief within 2 h after the intake of sumatriptan in at least two out of three treated attacks. We constructed a prediction model for sumatriptan response using the regional brain volume and validated it with an independent cohort of migraine patients. RESULTS: A total of 105 migraine patients were recruited, including 73 sumatriptan responders (69.5%) and 32 (30.5%) non-responders. We divided the migraine patients into derivation (n = 73) and validation cohorts (n = 32). In the derivation cohort, left hippocampal volume was larger in sumatriptan responders (responders vs. non-responders: 3,929.5 ± 403.1 vs. 3,611.0 ± 389.9 mm3, p = 0.002), and patients with a larger left hippocampal volume had a higher response rate to sumatriptan (>4,036.2 vs. ≤4,036.2 mm3: 92.0 vs. 56.3%, p = 0.001). Based on the findings, we constructed a prediction model using the cutoff value of 4,036.2 mm3, and we found that patients with a left hippocampal volume >4,032.6 mm3 had a higher response rate to sumatriptan than those with a left hippocampal volume ≤4,032.6 mm3 (84.6 vs. 42.1%, odds ratio [OR] = 7.6 [95% confidence interval = 1.3-44.0], p = 0.013) in the validation cohort. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that left hippocampal volume is helpful to identify sumatriptan non-responders. This proof-of-concept study shows that left hippocampal volume could be used to predict the treatment response to sumatriptan in migraine patients.

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Background: For hepatocellular carcinoma ("HCC"), the current standard of treatment is hepatic artery embolization, generally through trans-catheter arterial chemoembolization ("TACE"). There are two types: traditional ("conventional" or "cTACE") and microsphere ("DC bead TACE"). Unfortunately, the literature comparing the relative effectiveness of cTACE versus DC bead TACE is inconclusive, partially due to the complexity of HCC and its response to treatment. Data mining is an excellent method to extract meaning from complex data sets. Purpose: Through the application of data mining techniques, to compare the relative effectiveness of cTACE and DC bead TACE using a large patient database and to use said comparison to establish usable guidelines for developing treatment plans for HCC patients. Materials and Methods: The data of 372 HCC patients who underwent TACE in Taichung Veterans General Hospital were analyzed. The chi-square test was used to compare the difference in the effectiveness of the two therapies was compared. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios. Furthermore, using the C4.5 decision tree, the two therapies were classified into applicable fields. Chi-square test, the t-test, and logistic regression were used to verify the classification results. Results: In Barcelona Clinic Stages A and B cancers, cTACE was found to be 22.7% more effective than DC bead TACE. By using the decision tree C4.5 as a classifier, the effectiveness of either treatment for small tumors was 8.475 times than that for large tumors. DC bead TACE was 3.39 times more successful in treating patients with a single tumor than with multiple tumors. For patients with a single tumor, the chi-square test showed that 100-300 µm microspheres were significantly more effective than 300-500 µm. While these findings provide a reference for the selection of an appropriate TACE approach, we noted that overall accuracy was somewhat low, possibly due to the limited population. Conclusions: We found that data mining could be applied to develop clear guidelines for physician and researcher use in the case of complex pathologies such as HCC. However, some of our results contradicted those elsewhere in the literature, possibly due to a relatively small sample size. Significantly larger data sets with appropriate levels of granularity could produce more accurate results.

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BACKGROUND: Modified Nutrition Risk in the Critically Ill (m-NUTRIC) score is used to evaluate the nutritional risk of patients in intensive care units (ICUs). This study aimed to investigate whether m-NUTRIC can be used as a predictive factor related to the outcome of patients in surgical ICU (SICU) and to identify which patients will benefit from aggressive nutritional intervention according to the results of m-NUTRIC score. METHODS: A total of 205 patients who were admitted to surgical ICU (SICU) with ventilator use for more than 24 hours were enrolled. The m-NUTRIC score data were calculated the day when the patients were admitted to SICU. Patients were divided into two groups according to their m-NUTRIC score: the low-risk group (<5 points, 116 patients) and the high risk group (≥5 points, 89 patients). RESULTS: In this study, a total of 205 patients were enrolled for analysis, including patients in the low-risk group (n = 116) and those in the high risk group (n = 89). The mean duration of ventilator use was 3.6 ± 6.5 days, and average SICU stays for all patients was 5.1 ± 7.4 days. The SICU mortality was significantly higher in the high-risk group (10.3% vs 1.7%). Comparison between survivals and nonsurvivals was carried out, and the data showed that the AKI, Vasopressors, SOFA, APACHE-II, m-NUTRIC score, and shock patient were all significantly associated with higher mortality. The multivariate analysis revealed that acute kidney injury (OR = 13.16; 95% confidence intervals = 3.69-46.92; p < 0.0001) and m-NUTRIC score were independent factors of ICU mortality in these patients. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to calculate the area under the curve, which was 0.801. The data indicated that high m-NUTRIC score were significantly associated with SICU mortality with the cutoff score > 4 (sensitivity = 90.5%, specificity = 62.3%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found in this study that the high m-NUTRIC score is an independent factor of ICU mortality, and m-NUTRIC score can be used as an initial screening tool for nutritional assessment in patients admitted to surgical ICU. Further investigations to evaluate whether the aggressive nutritional intervention would be beneficial in the SICU patients with higher m-NUTRIC score is mandatory.

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The incidence of acute pancreatitis and related health care utilization are increasing. Acute pancreatitis may result in organ failure and various local complications with risks of morbidity and even mortality. Recent advances in research have provided novel insights into the assessment and management for acute pancreatitis. This consensus is developed by Taiwan Pancreas Society to provide an updated, evidence-based framework for managing acute pancreatitis.

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Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the first-line treatment in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In recent years, there has been increasing clinical evidence that drug-eluting beads provide a combined ischemic and cytotoxic effect that may be superior to conventional TACE, with low systemic toxicity. The therapeutic value of TACE performed using the embolic microsphere DC Bead loaded with doxorubicin (drug-eluting bead doxorubicin [DEBDOX]) has been shown by several randomized controlled trials. Since Lencioni et al. [Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2012; 35: 980-985] published the first widely accepted technical recommendations on HCC embolization with DEBDOX-TACE in 2012, new studies have contributed to a better understanding of when and how to apply this new therapeutic modality, and they have yet to be incorporated into an updated guideline. Additionally, differences in the underlying liver pathology and practice of transcatheter embolization between Asian and Western populations have not been adequately addressed, and there remain significant variations in the TACE protocols adopted in different parts of the world. These mainly revolve around the number and type of chemotherapeutic agents used, type of embolic material, reliance on Lipiodol, and selectivity of catheter positioning. As a result of these issues, it has been difficult to interpret and compare results obtained from different centers in a systematic fashion. To address these concerns, we convened a panel of experts specializing in different aspects of HCC treatment to craft an updated set of recommendations that better reflect recent clinical experiences and are tailored to the use of DEBDOX-TACE in Taiwan. The conclusions of this expert panel are described in the following article.

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Targeted therapy is currently the standard treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but an effective treatment after the discontinuation of sorafenib therapy remains uncertain. We aim to investigate the survival benefits of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) after stopping sorafenib therapy. We retrospectively analyzed all patients with advanced HCC, who had received palliative TACE after terminating sorafenib therapy, from January 2008 to June 2016. Patients who were in the terminal stage (Child-Pugh class C or performance status 3-4), who received a liver transplantation, or who had received any HCC treatment other than TACE, were excluded. Finally, 28 patients were recruited as the TACE group, and were randomly matched 1:1 by age, gender, Child-Pugh class, extrahepatic metastasis, and portal vein thrombosis with 28 controls who only received supportive care. For avoiding any immortal time bias, the index date of outcome follow-up was also matched. Cumulative incidences of, and hazard ratios (HRs) for, patient mortality were analyzed. The baseline demographic data between the TACE group and the control group were similar, but the 1-year overall survival rate in the TACE group was significantly higher than that of the control group (41.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 19.4-63.0% vs. 24.5%, 95% CI: 6.3-42.7%; p < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, after adjusting for alpha-fetoprotein > 400ng/mL, Child-Pugh class B, and tumor extension > 50% of liver volume, TACE was independently associated with a decreased mortality risk(HR 0.19, 95% CI: 0.08-0.42). In addition, tumor extension > 50% of the liver was another independent prognostic factor associated with an increased mortality risk (HR 2.99, 95% CI: 1.31-6.82). Multivariate stratified analyses verified the association of TACE with a decreased mortality rate in each patient subgroup (all HR < 1.0). By controlling intrahepatic tumor growth, TACE may be a treatment option for use in improving patient survival in advanced HCC, after the termination of sorafenib therapy.

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BACKGROUND: There are limited data on the utilization and outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) among ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients in contemporary practice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using data from National Cardiovascular Data Registry Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network Registry-Get With The Guidelines between 2007 and 2014, we analyzed trends in CABG utilization and hospital-level variation in CABG rates. Patients undergoing CABG during the index admission were categorized by the most common scenarios: (1) CABG only as the primary reperfusion strategy; (2) CABG after primary percutaneous coronary intervention; and (3) CABG after fibrinolytic therapy. A total of 15 145 patients (6.3% of the STEMI population) underwent CABG during the index hospitalization, with a decrease in utilization from 8.3% in 2007 to 5.4% in 2014 (trend P value <0.001). The hospital-level use of CABG in STEMI varied widely from 0.5% to 36.2% (median, 5.3%; interquartile range [IQR], 3.5%-7.8%; P value <0.001). Of all patients undergoing CABG, 45.8% underwent CABG only, 38.7% had CABG after percutaneous coronary intervention, and 8.2% CABG after fibrinolytic therapy. The median time intervals from cardiac catheterization/percutaneous coronary intervention to CABG were 23.3 hours (IQR, 3.0-70.3 hours) in CABG only, 49.7 hours (IQR, 3.2-70.3 hours) in CABG after percutaneous coronary intervention, and 56.6 hours (IQR, 22.7-96.0 hours) in CABG after fibrinolytic therapy. The Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network mortality risk scores differed modestly (median, 33; IQR, 28-40 versus median, 32; IQR, 27-38) between CABG and non-CABG patients. Patients undergoing CABG had similar in-hospital mortality rate (5.4% versus 5.1%) as those not treated with CABG. CONCLUSIONS: CABG is performed infrequently in STEMI patients during the index hospitalization, with rates declining in contemporary US practice over time. There was marked hospital-level variation in the use of CABG, and CABG was typically performed within 1 to 3 days after angiography. Observed mortality rates appear low, suggesting that CABG might be safely performed in select STEMI patients in a timely fashion.

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BACKGROUND: The number of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in China has increased more than 20-fold over the last decade. Consequently, there is a need for national-level information to characterize PCI indications and long-term patient outcomes, including health status, to understand and improve evolving practice patterns. OBJECTIVES: This nationwide prospective study of patients receiving PCI is to: (1) measure long-term clinical outcomes (including death, acute myocardial infarction [AMI], and/or revascularization), patient-reported outcomes (PROs), cardiovascular risk factor control and adherence to medications for secondary prevention; (2) determine patient- and hospital-level factors associated with care process and outcomes; and (3) assess the appropriateness of PCI procedures. METHODS: The China Patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events (PEACE) Prospective Study of PCI has enrolled 5,000 consecutive patients during 2012-2014 from 34 diverse hospitals across China undergoing PCI for any indication. We abstracted details of patient's medical history, treatments, and in-hospital outcomes from medical charts, and conducted baseline, 1-, 6-, and 12-month interviews to characterize patient demographics, risk factors, clinical presentation, healthcare utilization, and health status using validated PRO measures. The primary outcome, a composite measure of death, AMI and/or revascularization, as well as PROs, medication adherence and cardiovascular risk factor control, was assessed throughout the 12-month follow-up. Blood and urine samples were collected at baseline and 12 months and stored for future analyses. To validate reports of coronary anatomy, 2,000 angiograms are randomly selected and read by two independent core laboratories. Hospital characteristics regarding their facilities, processes and organizational characteristics are assessed by site surveys. CONCLUSION: China PEACE Prospective Study of PCI will be the first study to generate novel, high-quality, comprehensive national data on patients' socio-demographic, clinical, treatment, and metabolic/genetic factors, and importantly, their long-term outcomes following PCI, including health status. This will build the foundation for PCI performance improvement efforts in China. © 2016 The Authors. Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS). Information about the study participants was extracted from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan for the years 1999 through 2011. We conducted this retrospective cohort study of patients with ARAS to identify the potential risk factors associated with long-term renal outcomes. A total of 2184 patients with ARAS were enrolled, of whom 840 had ESRD and were classified as the study group, and 1344 patients who were without ESRD were included in the comparison cohort. After adjusting for related variables, univariable, and multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that ESRD was associated with higher Charlson-comorbidity index (CCI) score (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 6.78, 95% CI = 4.59-10.0 for CCI = 2; adjusted OR = 20.0, 95% CI = 13.7-29.2 for CCI ≥3), diabetes (adjusted OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.24-1.93), hypertension (adjusted OR = 3.66, 95% CI = 2.36-5.66), and age 20 to 49-years old (adjusted OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.51-3.03). Moreover, our data showed that renal artery revascularization (RAR) was significantly associated with a lower risk of ESRD in ARAS patients (crude OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.50-0.84). Our study is the first to disclose that CCI score was significantly associated with the risk of ESRD in ARAS patients, and comorbid diseases including diabetes mellitus and hypertension significantly affect renal outcomes in patients with ARAS. Of note, our data showed that renal artery revascularization was associated with a lower risk of ESRD in ARAS patients in long-term follow-up.

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BACKGROUND: Femoral artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication but with increasing frequency nowadays due to the advances of endovascular intervention. Rare cases of brachial or popliteal artery pseudoaneurysms had ever been reported and the predictive factors of failed ultrasound-guided compression repair (UGCR) are controversial. METHODS: During the past 8 years, 21 patients (12 males and nine females; median age, 64 years) with peripheral pseudoaneurysms (femoral artery, n = 17; brachial artery, n = 3; popliteal artery, n = 1) were enrolled. A high frequency of 10-12 MHz color ultrasound was used to evaluate the presence of a pseudoaneurysm. The area of the pseudoaneurysm sac and the width and length of the pseudoaneurysm neck were recorded. Under real-time ultrasound guiding, gradual pressure was applied with the probe to obliterate flow in the pseudoaneurysm neck while still allowing flow through the supplying artery for approximately 10-15 minutes with at most three times (45 minutes' compression). Follow-up color sonography was obtained at 24 hours to detect any recurrence. RESULTS: The mean area and the largest dimension of the 21 pseudoaneurysms were 7.3 ± 6.5 cm(2) and 3.6 ± 1.8 cm, respectively. The mean width and the mean length of the pseudoaneurysm neck were 2.1 ± 0.9 and 3.3 ± 2.0 mm, respectively. Successful thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysm was achieved in 19(90.5%) patients. The mean compression time of the 19 successful UGCR was 21.2 ± 11.0 minutes. Two patients failed the UGCR procedure after a 45-minute compression. Both of the two pseudoaneurysms were located in the femoral artery with a large width of the pseudoaneurysm neck (4 and 5 mm, respectively). CONCLUSION: UGCR is a safe and cost-effective therapy for treating peripheral pseudoaneurysms of not only femoral artery, but also brachial artery and popliteal artery. We considered the width of the pseudoaneurysm neck to be the predictive factor of technical success.

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We report on the performance of two whole genome amplification methods, GenomiPhi™ amplification and modified-improved primer extension preamplification (mIPEP), when analysing low template DNA samples. Template as low as 10 pg treated with mIPEP generated more than 1 ng of DNA that could be used in STR typing. Initial templates of 100-10 pg, when treated with mIPEP, generated an increase in alleles compared with control samples. Partial profiles using the AmpFℓSTR(®) Identifiler™ Kit were produced from this suboptimal DNA template, with 70% of the possible alleles (21.7 ± 2.1 in 32 alleles) recorded, using the mIPEP amplified products with an initial template of 100 pg. Allelic imbalance decreased with samples treated with whole genome amplification method (WGA) compared with those without this initial treatment. Further methods for improvement were also analysed including altering the condition of electrokinetic injection, and the successful DNA typing rate was increased to about 80%. This report illustrates the potential use and limitations of WGA for low template samples.

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