Alcohol abuse may increase the risk of autoimmune connective tissue disease: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Objectives: Altered immune and inflammatory responses resulting from alcohol abuse have been implicated in increasing the risk of autoimmune connective tissue disease (ACTD). However, limited research has been conducted on this topic in the Asian population. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate and address this knowledge gap.

Antihyperlipidemic and Antioxidant Effects of C-phycocyanin in Golden Syrian Hamsters Fed with a Hypercholesterolemic Diet.

Hyperlipidemia and oxidation play major roles upon cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). C-phycocyanin (CPC), the major component in blue-green algae, possesses antiinflammatory and radical scavenging properties. Herein we aimed to investigate the effect of CPC upon lipid metabolism and its antioxidant effects.

The hidden devil: unexpected retained knife in the chest wall.

We report a 52-year-old woman presenting with stab wounds on her back and upper extremities. A knife retained in her chest wall was not discovered in the emergency department. This case reminds us that an obvious foreign body can be missed even after obtaining a detailed history, complete physical examination and plain film.

Chromosome 15q21-22-related polymorphisms and haplotypes are associated with susceptibility to type-2 diabetic nonproliferative retinopathy.

Objective: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of diabetes with a complex multifactorial pathogenesis. We aimed to investigate whether chromosome 15q21-22-related gene polymorphisms could be used as markers of DR susceptibility in type 2 diabetic (T2D) individuals.

Methods: Individuals were divided into three groups: (1) T2D with nonproliferative DR (NPDR; n=102); (2) T2D with proliferative DR (PDR; n=72); (3) T2D without DR (n=573).

XRCC1 399 Arg-related genotype and allele, but not XRCC1 His107Arg, XRCC1 Trp194Arg, KCNQ2, AT1R, and hOGG1 polymorphisms, are associated with higher susceptibility of endometriosis.

X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) and human 8-oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (hOGG1) play important roles in base excision repair. KCNQ genes comprising voltage-gated ion-channels related with cell stability. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) is related with angiogenesis, which influence endometriosis growth, invasion and regression.

JAK-1 rs2780895 C-related genotype and allele but not JAK-1 rs10789166, rs4916008, rs2780885, rs17127114, and rs3806277 are associated with higher susceptibility to asthma.

Background: Asthma, one major respiratory consequence, might be caused by a complex interaction between multiple candidate genes and environmental factors. Herein, we aimed to investigate whether Janus kinase (JAK)-1 gene polymorphisms are associated with asthma susceptibility.

Materials And Methods: Patients were divided into two groups: (1) asthma (n=117) and (2) nonasthma (n=60).

Major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene polymorphisms: associated with susceptibility to Kawasaki disease and coronary artery aneurysms.

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) involves a complex interaction of immunoinflammatory process, cytokine activation, and genetic factors. We aimed to investigate whether genetic variations in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class could be used as markers of susceptibility in KD and coronary artery aneurysm lesions (CALs).

Methods: Individuals were divided into following groups: (1) normal controls; (2) KD with CAL; (3) KD without CAL.

Effects of diosgenin on myometrial matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 activity and expression in ovariectomized rats.

Diosgenin, a traditional Yam extraction, has been used in hormone replacement for menopausal women. We aimed to investigate the influences of diosgenin administration upon the MMP-2 and -9 activity and expression and reproductive hormones of ovariectomized (OVX) rats, a model of menopausal status. Seven-week old female Wistar rats with bilateral OVX or sham operation (controls) were divided and administered different dosages of diosgenin (0, 10, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks.

Effects of gonadotropins (Gonal-F and Puregon) on human endometrial cell proliferation in vitro.

Condensation: Both Gonal-F and Puregon, especially in their high-dosage administration, might inhibit the endometrial cell proliferation in the initial 48-hour culture. After 72-hour culture, Gonal-F persisted the inhibition of the endometrial growth, whereas Puregon reversed its effect to enhance endometrial growth.

Objectives: Endometrial proliferation or regeneration during menstrual cycle is regulated by sexual hormones.

Mitochondria DNA deletion and copy numbers of cumulus cells associated with in vitro fertilization outcomes.

Objective: Mitochondria are important organelles in cell biology. We aimed to study the effects of mitochondrial DNA variations in cumulus cells (CCs) upon in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) outcomes.

Study Design: A total of 51 women undergoing IVF-ET were recruited for the study.

Deleterious effects of arsenic, benomyl and carbendazim on human endometrial cell proliferation in vitro.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effects of arsenic (As), benomyl (Ben), and carbendazim (Carb) on endometrial cells.

Materials And Methods: Human endometrial cells were obtained during diagnostic curettage. All cultured endometrial cells were divided into four groups: (1) 0 M (controls), (2) 10(-6) M, (3) 10(-5) M, (4) 10(-4) M for As, Ben and Carb.

Leiomyoma and vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms: a systematic review.

Leiomyomas (myoma or fibroid) are the most common gynecologic tumors that occur in women of reproductive age, but their molecular pathogenesis is still unknown. Since the growth of leiomyomas involve numerous vascular factors, an association between the leiomyoma and growth factors is suspected. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most important angiogenic growth factors.

Insulin-like growth factors II exon 9 and E-cadherin-Pml I but not myeloperoxidase promoter-463, urokinase-ApaL I nor xeroderma pigmentosum polymorphisms are associated with higher susceptibility to leiomyoma.

Objectives: To investigate the roles of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF2), myeloperoxidase (MPO), E-cadherin (CDH1), urokinase and xeroderma pigmentosum group A and D (XPA, XPD) polymorphisms upon leiomyoma susceptibility.

Study Design: Women were divided into: group 1, leiomyoma (n=158); group 2, non-leiomyoma (n=156). Polymorphisms (IGF2 exon 9*A/G, MPO-463*A/G, CDH1-Pml I, urokinase-ApaL, XPA*A-23G, XPD*Lys751Gln) were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and detected by electrophoresis after restriction enzyme digestion.

Human lymphocyte antigen B-associated transcript 2, 3, and 5 polymorphisms and haplotypes are associated with susceptibility of Kawasaki disease and coronary artery aneurysm.

Capsule: HLA-B associated transcript (BAT) 2, 3, and 5 polymorphisms and haplotypes are associated with Kawasaki disease (KD) and coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) formations.

Objective: KD, an acute vasculitis with unknown etiology, involves a complex interaction of immuno-inflammatory process, cytokines activation, and genetic factors. We aimed to investigate if genetic variants of human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-BAT2, 3, and 5 (BAT2, 3, and 5) could be used as markers of susceptibility in KD and CAA.

Effects of α and β recombinant FSH (Gonal-F, Puregon) and progesterone upon human endometrial cell proliferation in-vitro: a preliminary study.

Endometrial proliferation or regeneration during menstrual cycle is regulated by sexual hormones. However, the effect of gonadotrophins on the endometrial cell growth remains obscure. Herein, we aimed to investigate the effects of r-FSH (Gonal-F, Puregon) and progesterone on the proliferation of human endometrial cells in-vitro.

Integration of nanosized zero-valent iron particles addition with UV/H2O2 process for purification of azo dye Acid Black 24 solution.

The challenging national effluent standards for color and organic concentration enforce the industrial concern most the techniques providing fast and efficient solution for the strenuous dye wastewater treatment before outflow. The best remediation technique pursuit is urgently demand for the industrial, government, academia and community. In this study, a di-azo dye, C.

Identification of novel peptides specifically binding to endometriosis by screening phage-displaying peptide libraries.

Objective: To search for novel peptides and common binding motif that specifically bind to endometriosis.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Department of Biological Science and Technology in national university.

The p21 codon 31*C- and DRD2 codon 313*T-related genotypes/alleles, but not XRCC1 codon 399, hOGG1 codon 326, and DRD1-48 polymorphisms, are correlated with the presence of leiomyoma.

Objective: To investigate whether the gene polymorphisms for p21, X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1), human 8-oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (hOGG1), and dopamine D1 and D2 receptors (DRD1, -2) are associated with leiomyoma susceptibility.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Departments of gynecology and genetics in a medical center.

STAT2*C related genotypes and allele but not TLR4 and CD40 gene polymorphisms are associated with higher susceptibility for asthma.

Objective: Asthma is caused by a complex interaction between multiple genes and environmental factors. Herein we aimed to investigate whether signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT2), toll-like receptors 4 (TLRs4) and CD40-related polymorphisms are associated with asthma susceptibility.

Design: Children were divided: (1) asthma (n=117); (2) normal controls (n=60).

Effect of exercise training on calpain systems in lean and obese Zucker rats.

Exercise training plays a major role in the improving physiology of diabetes. Herein we aimed to investigate the influence of exercise upon the calcium-dependent calpain-isoform expressions of lean or obese Zucker rats, a model of obesity and type II diabetes (NIDDM). Five-month-old rats were divided: (1) obese sedentary (OS, n=7); (2) obese exercise (OE, n=7); (3) lean sedentary (LS, n=7); (4) lean exercise (LE, n=7).

Effects of yam and diosgenin on calpain systems in skeletal muscle of ovariectomized rats.

Objective: Yam or diosgenin (extracted from the root of wild yam) is traditionally used for hormone replacement in menopausal women. Calpains are crucially related to the degradation of myofibrillar proteins in skeletal muscle. This study aimed to investigate the effects of yam and diosgenin on the calpain isoform expression in ovariectomized rats, a model of menopausal status.

Comparisons of different dosages of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, short-acting form and single, half-dose, long-acting form of GnRH agonist during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and in vitro fertilization.

Objective: Both gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs and antagonists have been used for pituitary desensitization during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). We aimed to determine the minimum effective daily dose of GnRH antagonist in women undergoing COH. We also compared the efficiency of a GnRH antagonist and a GnRH agonist.