Osteoporosis fracture is a common and most serious complication of osteoporosis.

Biliary atresia (BA) is a progressive liver disease even after Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE), and the most common cause of liver transplant (LT) in the pediatric population. This study aimed to unveil the risk factors for LT in BA patients post-KPE.

Controlling hypertension has become an important issue in the elderly population in whom neurological comorbidities are highly prevalent. Most of the large-scale trials focusing on hypertension management in older populations have excluded patients with comorbid neurological disorders. However, this population requires special considerations, as the benefits of antihypertensive agents are mostly uncertain and there is a higher risk of adverse events. In this review article, we discuss current evidence regarding the management of elderly patients with hypertension and common neurological disorders, including stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. In elderly patient with a history of stroke, the blood pressure management strategy is generally similar to that for young patients, however the benefits of stroke prevention from blood pressure control are less significant. For patients with neurodegenerative disorders such as cognitive dysfunction and Parkinson's disease, achieving adequate blood pressure control may be beneficial in reducing cardiovascular risks, although the higher risk of adverse events from antihypertensive treatment may offset some of these benefits. Special considerations for factors such as orthostatic hypotension, risk of falls, polypharmacy, and significant drug-drug interactions are required but frequently neglected in clinical practice. More efforts are warranted to determine the optimal treatment strategy for elderly populations with neurological disorders.

Cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites exhibit severe portal hypertension and hemodynamic disturbances. The risks associated modest-volume paracentesis (<5 L) for refractory ascites remains unclear. We aimed to explore the impact of modest-volume paracentesis in refractory ascites.

The prone position is commonly used in surgical procedures and is known to cause significant hemodynamic changes, particularly a reduction in cardiac output. This study aimed to explore the relationship between intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), airway pressure, and cardiac output during spine surgeries under general anesthesia.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment, yet long-term pediatric outcomes and growth effects remain limited. This study describes the long-term efficacy and growth impact of TKIs in children and adolescents with CML.

To investigate the association of skeletal muscle mass and quality with survival outcomes in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with lenvatinib (LEN).

Limited data exists regarding the long-term serum ferritin dynamics following sustained virologic response (SVR) and factors associated with trends in changes among patients undergoing treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) pulmonary angiography can reliably detect cement pulmonary embolisms (CPEs) and parenchymal perfusion defects. This prospective observational study investigated CPEs in asymptomatic patients using DECT.

Shortened door-to-balloon time (D2B) has been documented to confer cardiovascular benefits for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). However, prolonged myocardial ischemic duration usually negates the beneficial effects due to delayed symptom-to-door time (S2D). In this study, we sought to investigate the joint effect of S2D-D2B in predicting clinical outcomes.

Quality of life (QOL) is important for evaluating medical care outcomes. In chronic kidney disease (CKD) population, generic instruments, such as WHOQOL-BREF and EQ-5D, are commonly used for comparing various medical conditions for policy-making purposes. However, their psychometric properties have not yet been validated in non-dialysis CKD population.

Contrast media are essential agents that enhance the diagnostic capabilities of imaging studies, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. However, concerns regarding the risk of adverse events have led to cautious use in patients with chronic kidney disease. A multidisciplinary review by nephrologists, cardiologists, and radiologists at National Taiwan University Hospital examined evidence linking iodinated contrast media and gadolinium-based contrast agents with acute kidney injury and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. The consensus is that the risk of iodinated contrast-induced acute kidney injury is minimal in patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate greater than 30 mL/min/1.73 m. Preventive strategies, including hydration with 0.9% saline and limiting contrast volume, may further reduce acute kidney injury risk in susceptible individuals. For nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, the risk is negligible with group II gadolinium-based contrast agents, even in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease or those on dialysis. The panel concludes that the use of iodinated contrast media or group II gadolinium-based contrast agents should not be postponed in chronic kidney disease patients when clinically significant imaging studies are required.