Effectiveness of early palliative care in patients with head and neck cancer in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Early palliative care (EPC) benefits some cancers, but its clinical outcomes differ depending on patients' racial and ethnic disparities, and customs. To determine whether EPC improves symptoms, emotional distress, and quality of life among Taiwanese patients with early or advanced-stage head and neck cancer (HNC). METHODS: Based on participants' pathological stages, they were categorized as having early and advanced-stage HNC. Those willing and unwilling to undergo EPC were assigned to the EPC and standard groups, respectively. Their daily cancer-related symptoms were assessed using the Distress Thermometer (DT) and MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), whose scores' concurrent validity was evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Core Quality of Life (EORTC-QLQ-C30) and Head and Neck 35 (EORTC-QLQ-H&N35) questionnaires. RESULTS: Patients (n = 93) diagnosed with HNC at Taiwan's Chia-Yi Christian Hospital from November 2020 to October 2022 were recruited. The patients voluntarily split into two groups: EPC groups and standard groups (23 and 11 in early-stage; 46 and 13 in advanced-stage, respectively). DT assessment showed significant emotional distress improvements for all patients with HNC who received EPC. The EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaire indicated that, compared to standard interventions, EPC groups significantly improved the quality of life and some symptoms for both early and advanced-stage HNC patients. However, the EORTC-QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire found no significant difference between the two groups. Furthermore, advanced-stage patients' anticancer treatment completion rates with EPC and standard interventions were 95.35% and 75%, respectively. CONCLUSION: EPC improves symptoms, emotional distress, quality of life, and treatment completion rates in Taiwanese patients with early or advanced-stage HNC. Nonetheless, further extensive clinical studies are required for validation.

Deep neural network for coded mask cryptographical imaging.

We proposed a novel cryptographic imaging scheme that is the combination of optical encryption and computational decryption. To prevent personal privacy from being spied upon amid the imaging formation process, in this study we applied a coded mask to optically encrypt the scene and utilized the deep neural network for computational decryption. For encryption, the sensor recorded a new representation of the original signal, not being distinguishable by humans on purpose. For decryption, we successfully reconstructed the image with the mean squared error equal to 0.028, and 100% for the classification through the Japanese Female Facial Expression dataset. By means of the feature visualization, we found that the coded mask served as a linear operator to synthesize the spatial fidelity of the original scene, but kept the features for the post-recognition process. We believe the proposed framework can inspire more possibilities for the unconventional imaging system.

[Operative treatment of collapse separation fractures of lateral tibial condyle].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment method for collapse separation fractures of lateral tibial condyle. METHODS: From January 2003 to October 2008, 45 patients with collapse separation fractures of lateral tibial condyle were treated by surgical method, including 27 males and 18 females,ranging in age from 15 to 76 years,with an average of 37 years. The duration from injury to operation ranged from 1 to 14 days. All of the patients preoperatively underwent X-ray examinations in order to accurately understand the extent of fracture and fracture collapse. All of the 45 fractures with collapse more than 2 mm and widen more than 5 mm were selected for surgical treatment. The lateral surgical approach was used to expose the lateral margin of the lateral meniscus first, and then the reduction of the lateral meniscus and lateral condyle were achieved. The results after operation were evaluated by the Rasmussen criteria, as well as the complications of the knee joint pain, the joint activity, the infection, deep venous thrombosis and recurrent fracture collapse. RESULTS: Postoperative X-ray showed anatomical reduction was achieved in 31 patients, 14 patients got nearly anatomical reduction. The plate and screw position were satisfactory. Forty-two patients were followed up,and the duration ranged from 6 to 12 months, with an average of 10 months. Fracture re-displacement,postoperative infection and deep venous thrombosis did not occur after the lifting of external fixation. All the patients had pain disappeared about 10 days after operation,and had no vertical axis percussion tenderness at 3 weeks after operation. The X-ray showed fractures was healed in all patients at 3 months after operation. Joint activity Rasmussen assessment criteria results: 37 patients got an excellent result, 7 good, 1 poor. CONCLUSION: The incarceration of lateral meniscus and the collapsed bone fragments are two factors which make the reduction of the lateral tibial condyle difficult.

[The operative treatment of Ruedi II-III Pilon fractures with the ventr-lateral approach].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the ventralateral approach in treating severe Pilon fracture. METHODS: From February 2002 to March 2008, 63 patients with Ruedi II-III Pilon fractures were treated with the ventralateral approach, including 36 males and 27 females with an average age of 37 years ranging from 19 to 71 years. The mean time from injury to operation was 8 days (ranged for 2 h-19 d). According to the Ruedi classification system, type II was 32 cases (6 cases of them combined with soft tissue lesion, 4 with open fracture) and type III was 31 cases (9 cases of them combined with soft tissue lesion, 8 with open fracture). The clinical effects were evaluated according to Helfet criteria and the complications were observed including condition of wound healing, infection, bone union, deformity union, motion of the ankle, the degree of the pain and so on. RESULTS: The first intention achieved in 59 cases, the delayed healing in 4 cases. Stiffness of the ankle was found in 5 cases because of bone disunion. All patients were followed up from 8 to 31 months with an average of 15.3 months. The ranging in bone healing time was from 8 to14 weeks with an average of 10 weeks. According to the Helfet criteria, 28 cases obtained excellent results, 30 good, 5 poor. CONCLUSION: The operative treatment of Ruedi I-III Pilon fractures with the ventralateral approach can obtain satisfactory results and avoid complications effectively.