Epidemiology, Treatment Outcomes, and Prognosis of Myelodysplastic Syndromes/Neoplasms in Taiwan: Real-World Insights and Trends.

Background: Myelodysplastic syndromes/neoplasms (MDS) are a diverse group of clonal myeloid disorders. Advances in molecular technology lead to the development of new classification systems. However, large-scale epidemiological studies on MDS in Asian countries are currently scarce.

Validation of Muscle Ultrasound Speckle Tracking and the Effect of Nordic Hamstring Exercise on Biceps Femoris Displacement.

Objective: This study aimed to validate the ultrasound speckle tracking (UST) algorithm, determine the optimal probe location by comparing normalized cross-correlation (NCC) values of muscle displacement at two locations (proximal vs. middle) of the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) using the UST, and investigate the effects of Nordic hamstring curl exercise (NHE) training on BFlh displacement.

Methods: UST efficacy was verified with ex vivo uniaxial testing of porcine leg muscles.

Mechanisms of dual modulatory effects of spermine on the mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex.

The mitochondrial Ca uniporter is the Ca channel responsible for mitochondrial Ca uptake. It plays crucial physiological roles in regulating oxidative phosphorylation, intracellular Ca signaling, and cell death. The uniporter contains the pore-forming MCU subunit, the auxiliary EMRE protein, and the regulatory MICU1 subunit, which blocks the MCU pore under resting cellular Ca concentrations.

CXCR4 antagonist-loaded nanoparticles reprogram the tumor microenvironment and enhance immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer death that has limited treatment options for advanced stages. Although PD-1 inhibitors such as nivolumab and pembrolizumab have been approved for advanced HCC treatment, their effectiveness is often hampered by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which is due to hypoxia-driven CXCL12/CXCR4 axis activation. In this study, we developed 807-NPs, lipid-coated tannic acid (TA) nanoparticles that encapsulate BPRCX807, a potent CXCR4 antagonist to target HCC.

Local cortical structure pattern and genetic links in schizophrenia: An MRI and CRISPR/Cas9 study.

While the etiology of schizophrenia (SZ) remains elusive, its diverse phenotypes suggest the involvement of distinct functional cortical areas, and the heritability of SZ implies the underlying genetic factors. This study aimed to integrate imaging and molecular analyses to elucidate the genetic underpinnings of SZ. We investigated the local cortical structural pattern changes in Brodmann areas (BAs) by calculating the cortical structural pattern index (SPI) using magnetic resonance imaging analysis from 194 individuals with SZ and 330 controls.

Enhancing Activation Energy Predictions under Data Constraints Using Graph Neural Networks.

Accurately predicting activation energies is crucial for understanding chemical reactions and modeling complex reaction systems. However, the high computational cost of quantum chemistry methods often limits the feasibility of large-scale studies, leading to a scarcity of high-quality activation energy data. In this work, we explore and compare three innovative approaches (transfer learning, delta learning, and feature engineering) to enhance the accuracy of activation energy predictions using graph neural networks, specifically focusing on methods that incorporate low-cost, low-level computational data.

Nozzle Pressure- and Screw Position-Based CAE Scientific Process Parameter Setup for Injection Molding Process.

This study developed a scientific process parameter setup based on nozzle pressure and screw position, with the process parameter search sequence being injection speed, / switchover position, packing pressure, and packing time. Unlike previous studies, this study focuses on the scientific process parameter setup of experiments and simulations, as well as on the implementation of calibration. Experiments and simulations had the same trend of results in the scientific process parameter setup.

Maternal Infections, Antibiotics, Steroid Use, and Diabetes Mellitus Increase Risk of Early-Onset Sepsis in Preterm Neonates: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

The global evolution of pathogens causing early-onset sepsis (EOS), a critical condition in preterm infants, necessitates a re-evaluation of risk factors to develop updated prevention and treatment strategies. This nationwide case-control study in Taiwan analyzed data from the National Health Insurance Research Database, Birth Reporting Database, and Maternal and Child Health Database from 2010 to 2019. The study included 176,681 mother-child pairs with preterm births.

Development of 17-4 PH Stainless Steel for Low-Power Selective Laser Sintering.

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is one of the prominent methods of polymer additive manufacturing (AM). A low-power laser source is used to directly melt and sinter polymer material into the desired shape. This study focuses on the utilization of the low-power laser SLS system to successfully manufacture metallic components through the development of a metal-polymer composite material.

Methylglyoxal-Stimulated Mesothelial Cells Prompted Fibroblast-to-Proto-Myofibroblast Transition.

During long-term peritoneal dialysis, peritoneal fibrosis (PF) often happens and results in ultrafiltration failure, which directly leads to the termination of dialysis. The accumulation of extracellular matrix produced from an increasing number of myofibroblasts was a hallmark characteristic of PF. To date, glucose degradation products (GDPs, i.

A Comparative Analysis of Laser-Ablated Surface Characteristics Between the Si Face and C Face of Silicon Carbide Substrates.

Silicon carbide (SiC) has significant potential as a third-generation semiconductor material due to its exceptional thermal and electronic properties, yet its high hardness and brittleness make processing costly and complex. This study introduces ultraviolet laser ablation as a method for direct SiC material removal, investigating the effects of varying scanning speeds on surface composition, hardness, and ablation depth. The results indicate optimal processing speeds for the Si and C faces at 200 mm/s and 100 mm/s, respectively.

Biocompatible Heterogeneous Packaging and Laser-Assisted Fluid Interface Control for In Situ Sensor in Organ-on-a-Chip.

The development of bionic organ-on-a-chip technology relies heavily on advancements in in situ sensors and biochip packaging. By integrating precise biological and fluid condition sensing with microfluidics and electronic components, long-term dynamic closed-loop culture systems can be achieved. This study aims to develop biocompatible heterogeneous packaging and laser surface modification techniques to enable the encapsulation of electronic components while minimizing their impact on fluid dynamics.

Genetic Variations in Gene Contribute to Renal Cell Carcinoma Susceptibility: A Genotype-Phenotype Correlation Study.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the polymorphic genotypes of rs937282, rs937283, rs2279744, and rs769412, as well as the combined effects of genotypes and environmental factors on RCC susceptibility.

Methods: A total of 135 RCC patients and 590 controls were recruited for genotyping using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Quantitative PCR was performed to assess MDM2 mRNA levels among 30 healthy individuals and 22 RCC patients.

Role of Epidural Electrode Stimulation in Three Patients with Incomplete AIS D Spinal Cord Injury.

: To determine whether epidural electrical stimulation (EES) improves sensory recovery and walking function in patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) with a grade on the American Spinal Cord Injury Association impairment scale (AIS) of C or D at the cervical level. : Three individuals with cervical-level chronic AIS D SCI were enrolled in the study. The mean injury duration and age were 4.

Investigating the Pulmonary Host Response of Infection-Associated Pneumonia by Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing.

For investigating the host response in associated pneumonia, we analyzed the host genetic sequences obtained from metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). The samples for mNGS were bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collected from the lungs of patients infected with and from patients without bacterial infections. BALF samples from patients with pneumonia were collected from the lungs of patients infected with with New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM, before treatment), A.

Antioxidant, Anti-α-Glucosidase, Anti-Tyrosinase, and Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Components from Stem of with Molecular Docking Study.

is a creeping evergreen shrub endemic to Taiwan. In traditional medicine, Rhamnaceae plants are used as herbal remedies for conditions such as itching, difficulty urinating, and constipation. This study explores the inhibitory effects of various solvent extracts and bioactive components of on α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and antioxidant activity.

Knowledge-point classification using simple LSTM-based and siamese-based networks for virtual patient simulation.

Background: In medical education, enhancing thinking skills is vital. The Virtual Diagnosis and Treatment Platform (VP) refines medical students' diagnostic abilities through interactive patient interviews (simulated patient interactions). By analyzing the questions asked during these interviews, the VP evaluates students' aptitude in medical history inquiries, offering insights into their thinking capabilities.

Importance and fitness of family medicine milestone project from America to Taiwan.

Background: The six core competencies of ACGME - patient care (PC), medical knowledge (MK), systems-based practice (SBP), practice-based learning and improvement (PBLI), professionalism (PROF), and interpersonal and communication skills (ICS) - represent domains in which physicians must ultimately demonstrate competence. Although the ACGME's six core competencies have been applied in Taiwan with the milestone project, the application of the six core competences in the Family Medicine milestones for residency training have not yet been established.

Methods: We recruited 61 family medicine physicians from 25 hospitals from four major geographic areas for a Delphi round one survey and 72 physicians from 27 hospitals for a Delphi round two survey.

Evaluation of extracts from Phyllostachys makinoi for their antibacterial and accelerated wound healing potential.

Phyllostachys makinoi, an endemic bamboo species in Taiwan, is underutilized, despite its rich forest resources. Known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, this study explores the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing activities of P. makinoi extracts.

Evolutionary divergence between homologous X-Y chromosome genes shapes sex-biased biology.

Sex chromosomes are a fundamental aspect of sex-biased biology, but the extent to which homologous X-Y gene pairs ('the gametologs') contribute to sex-biased phenotypes remains hotly debated. Although these genes tend to exhibit large sex differences in expression throughout the body (XX females can express both X members, and XY males can express one X and one Y member), there is conflicting evidence regarding the degree of functional divergence between the X and Y members. Here we develop and apply co-expression fingerprint analysis to characterize functional divergence between the X and Y members of 17 gametolog gene pairs across >40 human tissues.

Hospital selection for suspected stroke: risk-averse approach considering the minimal risk of exceeding the therapeutic time window.

Background: Timely treatment within the therapeutic window is critical for patients with stroke. This study adopts a risk-averse optimization approach to maximize the likelihood of receiving treatment within this window.

Methods: We developed an optimization model using data from a citywide stroke registry (July 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020).

Circadian and Autophagy Markers Correlate with Poor Prognosis in Meningioma Patients.

Purpose: Patients with meningiomas mostly present good outcomes and optimal prognosis, but different grades of tumors have very different symptoms and recurrence rates. Therefore, effective diagnosis is crucial for early intervention and controlling tumor development. Circadian cycle and autophagy have both been proven to be related to neoplasm formation and pathogenesis; however, there is limited exploration and discussion on the relationships between the circadian cycle and autophagy in patients with meningiomas.

Regulation of PD-L1 glycosylation and advances in cancer immunotherapy.

Protein glycosylation plays a versatile role in regulating homeostasis, such as cell migration, protein sorting, and the immune response. Drugs aimed at targeting glycosylation have strong implications for immunity enhancement, diagnosis, and cancer regression. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), expressed in cancer or antigen-presenting cells, binds to programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and suppresses T cells.

Acceptance of Virtual Reality Training for Chemotherapy Administration Among Nursing Students.

Virtual reality technology offers an extended and repeatable environment for delivering digital learning and training. This study investigated the acceptance of a smartphone virtual reality training program among nursing students for chemotherapy administration using a modified Technology Acceptance Model. The teaching materials for the chemotherapy administration process were designed using smartphone virtual reality to provide prelicensure students with an opportunity to learn procedural steps in a controlled, risk-free environment.

Usual prevention in unusual settings: A scoping review of place-based health interventions in public-facing businesses.

Place-based health interventions may help reach underserved populations. This scoping review summarizes the peer-reviewed literature on the type and effects of place-based health interventions in unconventional public-facing business settings (e.g.