Yuanpei University

BackgroundBoron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) presents a targeted re-irradiation strategy for recurrent glioblastoma. However, its survival benefit remains unclear, as few studies have compared the addition of BNCT to bevacizumab (BEV) with BEV alone or other salvage approaches.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 171 adults with recurrent glioblastoma: 116 treated with BEV ± chemotherapy (control group) and 55 treated with BNCT plus BEV ± chemotherapy (BNCT group). To improve comparability, propensity score matching was performed using age, performance status, recurrent tumor volume, recurrence-to-salvage-treatment interval, the number of relapses, re-resection, and chemotherapy use. Survival outcomes were assessed using Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsIn the matched cohort (n = 98), progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly longer in the BNCT group compared with the control group (median 5.34 vs 3.70 months, hazard ratio [HR]: 0.54, P = .026), whereas overall survival (OS) was comparable (HR: 0.86, P = .524). The objective response rate was significantly higher in the BNCT group compared with the control group (67.4% vs 47.0%; P = .041). Multivariable analysis showed that the absence of callosal involvement (odds ratio [OR]: 0.10, P = .033) and higher minimum absorbed dose (OR: 1.09; P = .028) were independently associated with better BNCT response.ConclusionsBoron neutron capture therapy plus BEV was associated with higher objective response rate and improved PFS compared with BEV alone in patients with recurrent glioblastoma, although no OS difference was demonstrated. These findings support BNCT as a salvage strategy but warrant prospective validation.

Background/Objectives: Late-life depression is prevalent yet frequently underdiagnosed, underscoring the need for accessible and safe non-pharmacological approaches. Pet-assisted interventions, including live animal-assisted therapy and robotic pets, have gained attention, but their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate and rank different pet-assisted approaches for reducing depressive symptoms in older adults using network meta-analysis. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library up to August 2025 for randomized controlled trials involving adults aged 60 years or older with depression. The protocol was prospectively registered on INPLASY (INPLASY2025100023). Depression severity, assessed using validated scales, was synthesized using a frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis framework. Results: Twenty trials involving 1073 participants were included. Live animal-assisted therapy produced the greatest reduction in depressive symptoms versus passive control (SMD −2.04; 95% CI −3.03 to −1.04). Combining it with gait training (structured walking-based activity conducted with the animal) was associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms (SMD −4.82; 95% CI −6.69 to −2.95). Robotic pets showed a directionally beneficial but non-significant effect (SMD −1.21; 95% CI −2.79 to 0.38). Conclusions: Pet-assisted interventions are effective in reducing depressive symptoms among older adults. Live animal-assisted therapy, particularly when delivered in structured or combined formats, shows the greater benefit. Robotic pets may serve as a practical alternative when live animals cannot be implemented.

To investigate the association between quantitative sialoscintigraphy parameters and rheumatoid factor (RF) seropositivity in patients with suspected autoimmune salivary gland dysfunction and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of functional imaging in relation to anti-Ro/SSA antibody (SSA) and anti-La/SSB antibody (SSB) profiles. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 100 patients who underwent sialoscintigraphy for sicca symptoms or suspected Sjögren’s syndrome from April 2020 to May 2022. Quantitative parameters including time to maximum uptake(Tmax)and time to onset of secretion(Tmin)were extracted from time-activity curves. Serologic data for RF, SSA, and SSB antibodies were analyzed. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to assess associations and diagnostic performance. Of the 100 included patients, 22% were RF-positive, 52% were SSA positive, and 22% were SSB positive. Logistic regression analysis identified younger age (OR [odds ratio] = 0.955; 95% CI [confidence interval], 0.922–0.989;p = 0.009), prolonged submandibular gland Tmin(OR = 1.309; 95% CI, 1.026–1.672;p= 0.031); and reduced Tmaxin both the parotid (OR = 0.904; 95% CI, 0.820–0.997;p = 0.043) and submandibular glands (OR = 0.941; 95% CI, 0.891–0.993;p= 0.028) as significantly associated with RF seropositivity. Although group-wise comparisons showed no statistically significant differences, borderline trends were observed in submandibularTmaxand Tmin.Taken together, these findings suggest that although the individual diagnostic performance of Tmaxand Tminmay be limited, their combined assessment offers clinically meaningful insights into autoimmune-related salivary gland dysfunction. Quantitative sialoscintigraphy parameters, particularly prolonged submandibular Tminand reduced Tmaxin submandibular and parotid glands, are associated with RF seropositivity and likely reflect early immune-mediated glandular dysfunction. Although their individual diagnostic performance is modest, these scintigraphic parameters may contribute valuable information when integrated with serologic markers and visual interpretation in assessing autoimmune salivary gland disease.

Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a common and clinically significant complication in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. The application of low-temperature dialysate has been proposed as a potential intervention to mitigate this condition; however, its effectiveness requires further evaluation through systematic reviews and meta-analyses. A comprehensive literature search of articles published up to April 10, 2025, systematically searched electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library). Quality assessment was performed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool for randomized crossover trials. Low dialysate temperature significantly decreases the incidence of IDH (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: [0.28, 0.46], p < 0.001), increases mean arterial pressure (SMD = 0.67, 95% CI: [0.38, 0.96], p < 0.001), and mean systolic blood pressure (SMD = 0.54, 95% CI: [0.30, 0.79], p < 0.001). Additionally, low dialysate temperature improves urea clearance dialysis adequacy (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI: [0.03, 0.47], p = 0.029) and urea reduction rate (SMD = 0.24, 95% CI: [0.02, 0.47], p = 0.035), while decreasing intradialytic mean body temperature (SMD = -0.68, 95% CI: [-0.99, -0.37], p < 0.001). The subgroup analysis revealed that dialysate temperatures between 34.5°C and 35.0°C were more effective in improving these related outcomes compared to temperatures ranging from 35.1°C to 36.0°C. Maintaining low dialysate temperatures between 34.5°C and 36.0°C is recommended to reduce the incidence of IDH and improve dialysis adequacy in chronic hemodialysis patients. The specific low dialysate temperature should be individualized to minimize IDH risk, enhance patient comfort, and optimize treatment outcomes.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading global health challenge, and natural products are increasingly explored for their multi-targeted therapeutic potential. Litchi chinensis seed extract (LCSE) has shown promising anti-cancer activity in vitro, though its in vivo effects remain underexplored. LCSE was analyzed by colorimetric assays and HPLC to quantify the phytochemical composition. Nude mice bearing HT-29 or SW480 xenografts were orally administered LCSE (0.1 or 0.6 g/kg) daily for 14 days. Tumor volume was measured, and immunohistochemistry was used to assess EGFR, p21, p53, Ki-67, CEA, CK20, CDX2, and Bax expression. Phytochemical profiling demonstrated LCSE contains abundant phenolics and flavonoids, with gallic acid as a predominant constituent, underscoring the potential bioactive properties. LCSE significantly inhibited tumor growth in HT-29 xenografts and dose-dependently reduced EGFR, p21, p53, cell cycle proteins and proliferation/differentiation markers. In SW480 tumors, inhibitory effects were evident primarily at the higher dose, with limited reduction in p53 expression. Bax levels remained unchanged in both models, indicating a non-apoptotic mechanism. No systemic toxicity was observed in treated mice. LCSE exhibits dose-dependent anti-tumor activity in CRC xenografts, likely mediated through suppression of proliferation and modulation of key regulatory proteins rather than apoptosis. These findings support LCSE as a safe, multi-target botanical candidate for CRC intervention and justify further mechanistic and translational studies.

Stock trading is a financial tool for increasing passive income.The semiconductor industry has development potential in Taiwan and is a popular stock investment target for investors.This study uses the stock prices of the top five semiconductor companies with the highest annual revenue in Taiwan in 2021 as the data source for stock price prediction.The daily closing prices of the five companies from 2012 to 2021 are collected as experimental data.The data is divided into training data sets and test data sets on an annual basis.Time series analysis is combined with data mining methods such as random forest, neural network, support vector regression, Gaussian process regression, and k-nearest neighbor regression to predict stock prices.MAE (Mean absolute error) and root mean squared error (Root mean squared error) are used to be prediction error evaluation metrics.The changes in error values generated by different prediction models in each test data set were analyzed and compared.Experiments revealed that due to the impact of COVID-19 and the Sino-US trade war, the stock prices of five semiconductor companies rose rapidly from 2020 to 2021.An overall analysis of the stock price prediction results of five algorithms for different companies revealed that the predictive performance of the stock prediction models, ranked from best to worst, was support vector regression (SVR), neural network (NN), random forest (RF), Knearest neighbor regression (KNN), and Gaussian process regression (GPR).Among them, support vector regression achieved superior predictive performance across different industries and in both low and high stock price volatility stock price predictions.The results of this study will serve as an objective reference for investors when making investments.

The purpose of this study was to investigate aqueous humor total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and ascorbic acid (AA) levels of patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR), and their correlation with serum glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. This case-control study enrolled 177 eyes from 177 patients that underwent cataract surgery between April 2019 and November 2022 in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Group 1 comprised 103 eyes from patients without diabetes; group 2 comprised 40 eyes from patients with diabetes but without DR; and group 3 comprised 34 eyes from patients with DR. Aqueous humor samples were collected and analyzed for TAC and AA levels using the ferric reducing/antioxidant AA assay. Aqueous humor TAC and AA levels were decreased in group 3 compared with group 2 and group 1 (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001). Aqueous humor TAC and AA levels were independent protective factors against DR in the diabetes population, with adjusted odds ratios of 0.109 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.017-0.719, P = 0.021) and 0.095 (95% CI = 0.012-0.726, P = 0.023), respectively. Aqueous humor TAC and AA concentrations were weakly negatively correlated with serum HbA1c levels, with Pearson's correlation coefficients of -0.339 (P = 0.013) and -0.341 (P = 0.012), respectively. TAC and AA had protective effects against DR. Decreased aqueous humor TAC and AA levels may serve as potential biomarkers for DR among the diabetes population. This study highlights the role of antioxidants in DR and provides foundation for future research on AA supplementation's potential for the prophylaxis and treatment of DR.

Background/AimTo survey the potential correlation between aortic stenosis (AS) and subsequent optic neuropathies of glaucoma and ischemic optic neuropathy.Patients and MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted with the use of the TriNetX database, a project by the US Collaborative Network which enrolled 68 healthcare institutions. PSM There were 426,980 and 426,980 people divided into the AS and non-AS groups after exclusion. The primary outcomes were the development of glaucoma and ischemic optic neuropathy. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to produce the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the optic neuropathies between groups.ResultsThere were 11,717 and 8,676 glaucoma episodes found in the AS and no-AS groups, and there were 566 and 391 ischemic optic neuropathy episodes found in the AS and no-AS groups. The AS group had a significantly higher risk of glaucoma (aHR=1.277, 95% CI=1.242-1.312, p<0.001) and ischemic optic neuropathy (aHR=1.362, 95% CI=1.197-1.549, p<0.001) compared to the non-AS population. The cumulative probability of glaucoma and ischemic optic neuropathy were significantly higher in the AS group than the non-AS group (both p<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the incidence of ischemic optic neuropathy was significantly higher in the AS group compared to that of the non-AS group with different characteristics except in those with Asian race, aged 20-44 years old, and aged 65-80 years old (all 95% CIs included 1).ConclusionThe existence of AS correlates to higher risk of developing glaucoma and ischemic optic neuropathy.