CN7:1h Alleviates Inflammation, Apoptosis and Extracellular Matrix Degradation in Osteoarthritis by Modulating the NF-κB and mTOR Pathways.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease with a complex aetiology, which includes inflammation, cellular growth dysregulation and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of a small-molecule compound, 2-amino-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4H-benzo[h]chromene-3-carbonitrile (CN7:1h) in modulating these critical biochemical pathways in OA. Cellular models and rat models of OA were used to explore the impact of CN7:1h on the nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathways.

Cytomegalovirus Ileitis in a Patient With Post-severe Trauma: A Case Report.

Background/aim: The mortality rate for alimentary tract hemorrhage remains high due to a variety of contributing factors. In this report, we present a case of post-severe trauma patient with life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV)-induced damage to the terminal ileum.

Case Report: A 76-year-old female with a history of hypertension and gastrointestinal bleeding developed CMV ileitis post-severe trauma.

Experiences and perspectives related to shared decision-making among outpatients with degenerative joint disease in Taiwan: a qualitative study.

Objectives: Various treatment options are available for degenerative joint disease (DJD). During clinical visits, patients and clinicians collaboratively make decisions regarding the optimal treatment for DJD; this is the essence of shared decision-making (SDM). Here, we collated and assessed the SDM-related experiences and perspectives of outpatients with DJD in Taiwan.

Attenuative effects of collagen peptide from milkfish () scales on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass, bone microarchitecture disruption, and collagen loss, leading to increased fracture risk. In the current study, collagen peptides were extracted from milkfish scales (MS) to develop potential therapeutic candidates for osteoporosis. MS was used to synthesize a crude extract of fish scales (FS), collagen liquid (COL), and hydroxyapatite powder (HA).

The risk factors, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and outcomes associated with extended-spectrum β-lactamases-Producing pathogens in pediatric urinary tract infection.

Background: Extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis (ESBL-producing-EKP) are an increasingly common cause of childhood urinary tract infection (UTI) worldwide. Recognizing the risk factors and antimicrobial resistance patterns may guide new management in this population.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of over 5 years in Taiwan (2017-2021).

Causative microbes and antibiotic susceptibility of acute appendicitis in adults and children.

Background: In recent years, some studies have found that acute uncomplicated appendicitis can be treated with antibiotics alone. Because of the lack of relevant research on treating acute appendicitis in Taiwan, this study investigated the microbiological characteristics of acute appendicitis to permit accurate empirical antibiotic use for uncomplicated appendicitis.

Methods: In this single-center retrospective cohort study, patients listed in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database with a discharge diagnosis of acute appendicitis were identified.

The Value of F-FDG PET/MRI in Detecting Lumbar Radiculopathy for Selective Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy: a Case Report.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most popular imaging modality for investigating intervertebral disc herniation. However, it has a high chance for identifying incidental findings that are morphologically or structurally abnormal but not responsible for patients' symptoms. Although a previous study suggested that F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) may help identify neuroinflammation in lumbar radiculopathy, there is currently no direct evidence obtained from surgery.

DFATs derived from infrapatellar fat pad hold advantage on chondrogenesis and adipogenesis to evade age mediated influence.

Background: Dedifferentiated fat cells (DFATs) are highly homogeneous and multipotent compared with adipose-derived stromal cells (SCs). Infrapatellar fat pad (IFP)-SCs have advanced chondrogenic potency; however, whether IFP-DFATs could serve as better cell material remains unclear. Here, we aimed to examine the influence of age and body mass index (BMI) on the features of IFPs and IFP-derived cells (IFP-SCs and IFP-DFATs) with exploration of the clinical utilization of IFP-DFATs.

Anti-Inflammatory and Chondro-Protective Effects of Acidic Polysaccharide from Enteromorpha Prolifera in Experimental Models of Osteoarthritis and .

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) progression has been shown to increase the expression of inflammatory cytokines in joints, leading to the destruction of cartilage matrix. Interleukin (IL)-1β is a potent inflammatory cytokine associated with osteoarthritic synovial fluid. The protective effects of polysaccharides from Enteromorpha prolifera against acute hepatic injury was reported.

Differential gene expression orchestrated by transcription factors in osteoporosis: bioinformatics analysis of associated polymorphism elaborating functional relationships.

Background: Identification of candidate SNPs from transcription factors (TFs) is a novel concept, while systematic large-scale studies on these SNPs are scarce.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the SNPs of six TF binding sites (TFBSs) and examine the association between candidate SNPs and osteoporosis.

Methods: We used the Taiwan BioBank database; University of California, Santa Cruz, reference genome; and a chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing database to detect 14 SNPs at the potential binding sites of six TFs.

Effectiveness of question prompt lists in patients with breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of a question prompt list (QPL) in decision self-efficacy, decision-making participation, patient-physician communication, decisional conflict or regret, and health status in patients with breast cancer.

Methods: A total of 240 patients with breast cancer were randomly assigned to a QPL group or control group (n = 120 each). The intervention and control groups received an additional educational QPL booklet and routine care, respectively.

Decisive gene strategy on osteoporosis: a comprehensive whole-literature-based approach for conclusive candidate gene targets.

Purpose: Previous meta-analyses only examined the association between single gene polymorphisms and osteoporosis; there is no compilation of all gene loci that correlate with osteoporosis in the literature. In this study, we develop a new literature-based approach, a decisive gene strategy (DGS), to examine the sufficiency of the cumulative sample size for each gene locus and to assess whether a definite conclusion of the association between the gene locus and osteoporosis can be drawn.

Methods: The DGS was used to search PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for all meta-analyses that correlated gene polymorphisms with osteoporosis.

Positive Association Between Fluoroquinolone Exposure and Tendon Disorders: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan.

Fluoroquinolone exposure is reportedly associated with a higher risk of tendon disorders, tendonitis, or tendon rupture. However, studies in East Asian populations have not confirmed these risks in patients with comorbidities or concomitant medication use. This cohort study was designed to investigate the associations among fluoroquinolone exposure, comorbidities, medication use, and tendon disorders in Taiwan.

Generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells from cystic fibrosis patient carrying nonsense mutation (p.S308X) in CFTR gene.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease affects CFTR channel synthesis. While 90 percent of the CF patients now benefit from small molecule target therapies, this treatment has yet to extend to those bearing nonsense mutations. Studies of these rare mutations using cell lines with native pathological signatures of the disease may lead to breakthroughs in therapeutic development.

High-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronic Acid Inhibits IL-1β-Induced Synovial Inflammation and Macrophage Polarization through the GRP78-NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Recent evidence has suggested that synovial inflammation and macrophage polarization were involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Additionally, high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA) was often used clinically to treat OA. GRP78, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress chaperone, was suggested to contribute to the hyperplasia of synovial cells in OA.

Implantation of monocusp valve prolongs the duration of chest tube drainage in children with tetralogy of fallot after corrective surgery.

Background: Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction relief is one of the major procedures during the total correction of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Pulmonary insufficiency (PI) is usually inevitable after a transannular incision with a patch repair is performed. Therefore, some surgeons advocate to place a monocusp valve within the transannular patch (TAP) in order to decrease the severity of the PI.

Attenuative Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on 30 kDa Fibronectin Fragment-Induced MMP-13 Expression Associated with TLR2 Signaling in Osteoarthritic Chondrocytes and Synovial Fibroblasts.

Proteolytic fragments of fibronectin can have catabolic effects on cartilage, menisci, and synovium. Previous studies have reported that Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathways might be associated with joint inflammation and joint destruction. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is increasingly being used to treat a range of joint conditions; however, it has yet to be determined whether PRP influences fibronectin fragment (FN-f) procatabolic activity and TLRs.

Ameliorative Effects of Cardamonin on Monosodium Urate-Induced Gouty Arthritis through Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome Mediation.

Gouty arthritis is an acute inflammatory response caused by the precipitation of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in joints. The triggering of MSU leads to increased production of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β, which in turn lead to the formation of macromolecular complexes, referred to as inflammasomes. Thorough characterization of the NLRP3 inflammasome can be used as an indicator of an immune response against harmful stimuli.