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Aim: This nationwide cohort study evaluated the impact of sodium–glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after ischaemic stroke (IS), aiming to compare clinical outcomes between SGLT2i‐treated patients and those not receiving SGLT2i. Materials and Methods: Utilizing Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified 707 patients with T2DM treated with SGLT2i and 27 514 patients not treated with SGLT2i after an IS, respectively, from 1 May 2016 to 31 December 2019. Propensity score matching was applied to balance baseline characteristics. The follow‐up period extended from the index date (3 months after the index acute IS) until the independent occurrence of the study outcomes, 6 months after discontinuation of the index drug, or the end of the study period (31 December 2020), whichever came first. Results: After propensity score matching, compared with the non‐SGLT2i group (n = 2813), the SGLT2i group (n = 707) exhibited significantly lower recurrent IS rates (3.605% per year vs. 5.897% per year; hazard ratio: 0.55; 95% confidence interval: 0.34–0.88; p = 0.0131) and a significant reduction in all‐cause mortality (5.396% per year vs. 7.489% per year; hazard ratio: 0.58; 95% confidence interval: 0.39–0.85; p = 0.0058). No significant differences were observed in the rates of acute myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization, or lower limb amputation. Conclusions: Our findings indicate significantly lower risks of recurrent IS and all‐cause mortality among patients with T2DM receiving SGLT2i treatment. Further studies are required to validate these results and investigate the underlying mechanisms behind the observed effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photon-number-resolving detectors are in high demand for applications in photonic quantum technology. In this study, we demonstrate the photon-number-resolving capabilities of our self-developed, highly efficient InGaAs/InAlAs single-photon avalanche diode. We achieved intrinsic photon number resolving by harnessing the high multiplication gain generated through an avalanche process in the InAlAs multiplication layer. With a maximum single-photon detection efficiency of 46%, we were able to distinguish photon number states up to 5 from the signal probability distribution without encountering avalanche saturation that could otherwise limit the capability of photon number resolving. We reasonably anticipate that the photon-number-resolving accuracy and capability can be further improved once the noise issue in such InGaAs/InAlAs SPADs is carefully managed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimd to assess recent trends in the control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and the utilization of lipid-lowering drugs (LLD) among patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in Taiwan., Methods: Patients with ASCVD and without a history of hemorrhagic stroke were identified from the Taiwanese Secondary Prevention for patients with AtheRosCLErotic disease (T-SPARCLE) Registry. ASCVD patients were stratified into four categories: those who ever had acute coronary syndrome (ACS), those who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting (PCI/CABG) without ACS, those who ever had an ischemic stroke (IS) without ACS or PCI/CABG, and other ASCVD cases. We assessed their latest recorded LDL-C levels for the periods 2015-16, 2017-18, and 2019-20. LLD therapy patterns were presented as monotherapy, dual therapy, or combination therapy of three or more drugs, with statin use classified by intensity., Results: We identified 3831 ASCVD patients in 2015-16, 3531 in 2017-18, and 1231 in 2019-20. LLD utilization rose from 58.4% in 2015-16 to 73.2% in 2019-20. The proportions of patients achieving LDL-C goals in 2015-16, 2017-18, and 2019-20 were 21.5%, 25.8%, and 33.3% in the ACS cohort (goal <70 mg/dL); 20.4%, 26.1%, and 39.0% in the PCI/CABG cohort (goal <70 mg/dL); 54.4%, 58.5%, and 58.9% in the IS cohort (goal <100 mg/dL); and 60.0%, 65.5%, and 67.0% in the other ASCVD cohort (goal <100 mg/dL), respectively. Over half of the patients were prescribed moderate-intensity statins. Statin use, age, history of diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were important factors for attaining LDL-C goal in ACS patients., Conclusion: Despite improvements in LDL-C management observed over recent years, significant gaps remain in guideline adherence, especially for patients with ACS or PCI/CABG in Taiwan, with over 60% not meeting LDL-C targets. Intensifying efforts to align clinical practice with guidelines are imperative., (Copyright © 2024 Formosan Medical Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)