Diagnostics and Therapy for Malignant Tumors.

Malignant tumors remain one of the most significant global health challenges and contribute to high mortality rates across various cancer types. The complex nature of these tumors requires multifaceted diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. This review explores current advancements in diagnostic methods, including molecular imaging, biomarkers, and liquid biopsies.

Molecular Biological Mechanisms of Action of Chrysophanol in Hepatic Stellate Cells Activated by Hepatic B Virus X Based on Network Pharmacology.

Introduction: Chrysophanol (Cho) is a natural anthraquinone with biological effects such as inducing ferroptosis and anticancer activity. The hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is essential for HBV replication. We aimed to identify the key pathways in HBx-induced hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and to characterize the potential mechanisms of action of Cho against liver fibrosis.

The Interplay between von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Gene, Lon Protease, ROS Accumulation, and Inflammation in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

This study explores the role of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene and Lon protease in the development of clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) through mechanisms involving inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in kidney cells. By examining the impact of VHL on the early stages of kidney cancer development, this research highlights the contributions of inflammation and ROS, as well as the involvement of Lon protease. The findings reveal increased Lon expression and ROS levels in VHL-knockdown HK-2 cells, along with elevated phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) levels, emphasizing the complex interplay between VHL, Lon protease, inflammation, and ROS in kidney cell models.

Aqueous extract of Descuraniae Semen attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation by inhibiting ER stress and WNK4-SPAK-NKCC1 pathway.

Sepsis causes systemic inflammatory responses and acute lung injury (ALI). Despite modern treatments, sepsis-related ALI mortality remains high. Aqueous extract of Descuraniae Semen (AEDS) exerts anti-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

The Promising Potential of in Dermatology.

In recent years, the search for natural compounds with therapeutic properties has gained momentum, with marine organisms emerging as rich sources of bioactive substances [...

Tazarotene-induced Gene 1 Induces Melanoma Cell Death by Triggering Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response.

Background: This study investigated the mechanism by which tazarotene-induced gene 1 (TIG1) inhibits melanoma cell growth. The main focus was to analyze downstream genes regulated by TIG1 in melanoma cells and its impact on cell growth.

Methods: The effects of TIG1 expression on cell viability and death were assessed using water-soluble tetrazolium 1 (WST-1) mitochondrial staining and lactate dehydrogenase release assays.

The Role of Bioactives in Inflammation.

As a physiological defense mechanism, inflammation is a complex response to harmful stimuli [...

The COVIDTW2 study: Role of COVID-19 vaccination in intubated patients with COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome in Taiwan.

Background: COVID-19 vaccines have reduced the risk of disease progression to respiratory failure or death. However, in patients with breakthrough infections requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, the effect of prior COVID-19 vaccination on mortality remains inconclusive.

Method: We retrospectively analyzed data on patients intubated due to COVID-19 pneumonia between May 1, 2022 and October 31, 2022.

Chinese herbal medicine compound of flavonoids adjunctive treatment for oral cancer.

Oral cancer is a prevalent global issue, with oral squamous cell carcinoma constituting the majority of cases. Standard treatments like surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are available but may have adverse effects. Molecular gene therapy, focusing on genetic mutations linked to oral cancer, presents a promising alternative.

Novel (-)-arctigenin derivatives inhibit signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 phosphorylation and P-glycoprotein function resensitizing multidrug resistant cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is considered one of the significant chemotherapy failures of cancer patients and resulting in tumor recurrence and refractory cancer. The collateral sensitivity phenomenon is suggested as a potential alternative therapy for coring multidrug resistance in cancer. To achieve better effects and reduce toxicity, a polypharmacology strategy was applied.

Bioactives and Inflammation.

Inflammation is one of the body's most complex physiological defense mechanisms against harmful substances [...

Role of ferroptosis in periodontitis: An animal study in rats.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate (1) the temporal pattern of ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death, in ligation-induced rat periodontitis and (2) the effect of ferrostatin-1, a ferroptosis inhibitor, on the model.

Background: Ferroptosis may contribute to various diseases. However, the role of ferroptosis in periodontitis is still fully understood.

Pinostrobin and Tectochrysin Conquer Multidrug-Resistant Cancer Cells via Inhibiting P-Glycoprotein ATPase.

Enhanced drug efflux through ATP-binding cassette transporters, particularly P-glycoprotein (P-gp), is a key mechanism underlying multidrug resistance (MDR). In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of pinostrobin and tectochrysin on P-gp in MDR cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms. Fluorescence substrate efflux assays, multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) shift assays, P-gp ATPase activity assays, Western blotting, and docking simulation were performed.

TIG1 Inhibits the mTOR Signaling Pathway in Malignant Melanoma Through the VAC14 Protein.

Background/aim: Currently, there are few drug options available to treat malignant melanoma. Tazarotene-inducible gene 1 (TIG1) was originally isolated from skin tissue, but its function in skin tissue has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of TIG1 and mTOR signaling pathways associated with VAC14 on melanoma.

The von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Gene Mutations Modulate Lipocalin-2 Expression in Ferroptotic-Inflammatory Pathways.

A previous study of an animal model with tumor suppressor gene von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) conditional knockdown suggested that tissue inflammation and fibrosis play important roles in the development of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), which is consistent with the epidemiological evidence linking inflammatory kidney disease and renal cancer. Ferroptosis and inflammation have been linked in a recent study, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. This study is aimed at investigating the mechanism of lipocalin-2- (LCN-2-) mediated ferroptosis and inflammation in -mutated HK-2 cells and mouse primary proximal tubule cells (mRTCs) and the polarization of macrophage RAW 264.

Indocyanine green as a near-infrared theranostic agent for ferroptosis and apoptosis-based, photothermal, and photodynamic cancer therapy.

Ferroptosis is a recently discovered programmed cell death pathway initiated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cancer cells can escape ferroptosis, and strategies to promote cancer treatment are crucial. Indocyanine green (ICG) is a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent molecule used in the imaging of residual tumor removal during surgery.

Pharmacological Interventions for Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Adults with Narcolepsy: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Narcolepsy is a neurological disease characterized by a core symptom of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Although effective pharmacological interventions for narcolepsy have been developed, a lack of comparative evidence supporting the relative efficacy among these medications leads to clinical treatment challenge. Therefore, we performed a network meta-analysis to overcome this lack of head-to-head comparisons.

Transcriptome analysis in patients with asthma after inhaled combination therapy with long-acting β2-agonists and corticosteroids.

Asthma is one of the major public health problems that imposes a great burden on societal, financial, and healthcare around the world. Asthma poorly affects the health-related quality of life and daily activities of patients. Treatment of asthma, including inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs), mainly aims to improve the lung function and reduce symptoms and exacerbations.

The COVIDTW study: Clinical predictors of COVID-19 mortality and a novel AI prognostic model using chest X-ray.

Background: There is a lack of published research on the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan. We investigated the mortality risk factors among critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Taiwan during the initial wave. Furthermore, we aim to develop a novel AI mortality prediction model using chest X-ray (CXR) alone.

Combinations of scalp acupuncture location for the treatment of post-stroke hemiparesis: A systematic review and algorithm-based association rule analysis.

Background: Post-stroke hemiparesis strongly affects stroke patients' activities of daily living and health-related quality of life. Scalp acupuncture (SA) is reportedly beneficial for post-stroke hemiparesis. However, there is still no standard of SA for the treatment of post-stroke hemiparesis.

Comparison of T790M Acquisition After Treatment With First- and Second-Generation Tyrosine-Kinase Inhibitors: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma is a common disease with a high mortality rate. Epidermal growth factor receptor () mutations are found in adenocarcinomas, and oral EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) show good responses. EGFR-TKI therapy eventually results in resistance, with the most common being T790M.

Aqueous Extract of Descuraniae Semen Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Apoptosis by Regulating the Proteasomal Degradation and IRE1α-Dependent Unfolded Protein Response in A549 Cells.

Background: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) induces endoplasmic reticulum stress, unfolded protein response (UPR), apoptosis, and inflammation. Inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1)-α is important for adaptive and apoptotic UPR determination during ER stress. The aqueous extract of Descuraniae Semen (AEDS) is reported to be a safe and effective herb for the treatment of pulmonary edema as it shows anti-inflammatory activities.

Deciphering the role of damage-associated molecular patterns and inflammatory responses in acute lung injury.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by diffuse pulmonary infiltrates and causes great mortality. ALI presents with overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines, cell death, destruction of alveoli-endothelial barriers, and neutrophil infiltration in lung tissues. Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are molecules released from damaged cells due to infection, trauma, etc.

Coumarin Derivatives Inhibit ADP-Induced Platelet Activation and Aggregation.

Coumarin was first discovered in Tonka bean and then widely in other plants. Coumarin has an anticoagulant effect, and its derivative, warfarin, is a vitamin K analogue that inhibits the synthesis of clotting factors and is more widely used in the clinical treatment of endovascular embolism. At present, many artificial chemical synthesis methods can be used to modify the structure of coumarin to develop many effective drugs with low toxicity.