Publications by authors named "Chihhung Chen"

Article Synopsis
  • - The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of combined therapy with probiotics and cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells against colorectal cancer (CRC) growth and metastasis in mice versus using either treatment alone.
  • - Results showed that both probiotics and CIK cells significantly reduced CRC cell viability and increased apoptosis, with the combination of both therapies being the most effective at suppressing tumor growth and metastasis.
  • - Mice treated with combined probiotics and CIK therapy exhibited the least amount of tumor presence and related biomarkers in the liver compared to the other treatment groups, indicating a stronger anti-cancer effect.
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Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive e-book in improving new nurses' knowledge, coping behaviors and preventive strategies for sexual harassment prevention, while also assessing its impact on learning motivation.

Background: Sexual harassment has a detrimental effect on nurses' physical and mental well-being, as well as on patient safety, with new nurses being particularly vulnerable.

Design: A single centre, randomized controlled study.

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Solar cell (SC) technologies, which are essential in the transition toward sustainable energy, utilize photovoltaic cells to convert solar energy into electricity. Of the available technologies, heterojunction with intrinsic thin-layer (HIT) solar cells offers high efficiency and reliability. The current study explored the enhancement of HIT solar cell performance through the use of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on the surface of the cells' indium tin oxide (ITO) layer.

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Article Synopsis
  • Endovascular treatment (EVT) is used for large vessel occlusion strokes, but its effectiveness for mild stroke patients (NIHSS < 6) is under scrutiny, especially since about 10% can deteriorate early.
  • A meta-analysis reviewed 14 studies involving 4,436 mild stroke patients to compare EVT with best medical therapy (BMT) for better functional outcomes and safety.
  • Results showed that while EVT did not help in crossover cases (where patients switched due to deterioration), it significantly improved outcomes in non-crossover cases, increasing excellent functional outcomes at 3 months, but also raised the risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study highlights an increasing prevalence of ischemic strokes in young adults, particularly linked to Fabry disease, which is often undiagnosed.
  • A cohort of young adults aged 20-55 who had recent ischemic strokes was screened for Fabry disease using blood tests, leading to genetic testing for those with positive results.
  • Out of 977 patients, two were genetically confirmed to have Fabry disease, suggesting a low prevalence in this group, which could inform future screening policies.
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This study tested the hypothesis that empagliflozin (EMPA) therapy effectively protected renal and heart functions via downregulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activating AMPK signaling in cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) (induced by doxorubicin-5/6 nephrectomy) rats. In vitro result showed that underwent p-Cresol treatment, the H9C2/NRK-52E cell viabilities, were significantly suppressed, whereas cellular levels of ROS and early/late apoptosis of these cells were significantly increased that were significantly reversed by EMPA treatment (all p < 0.001).

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Background: This study tested the hypothesis that combined ceftriaxone (Cef) and human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUCDMSCs) was better than either therapy for alleviating acute septic arthritis (ASA).

Methods And Results: Adult-male C57BL/6 mice were categorized into control group (Clt), group A (ASA only), group B [ASA + Cef (5 mg/kg, IM per day, at days 2 to 16 after ASA induction)], group C [ASA + HUCDMSCs (5 × 105 per mice at days 2, 3, 4 after ASA induction)], and group D (ASA + Cef + HUCDMSCs). Animals were euthanized by day 28.

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Background: The activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) signaling by external stimuli has been implicated in inducing cardiac stress and stress responses. GPR22 is an orphan GPCR expressed in brains and hearts, while its expression level is associated with cardiovascular damage in diabetes. Previous studies have suggested a protective role of GPR22 in mechanical cardiac stress, as loss of its expression increases susceptibility to heart failure post-ventricular pressure overload.

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Background: Current guidelines advocate for maintaining BP level below 180/105 mmHg during EVT, determining the safe lower boundary remains primarily consensus-driven by experts. This study aims to delve into the correlation between various targets of lower boundary for systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP) during EVT and 3-month functional outcomes.

Methods: A cohort study was conducted across two EVT-capable centers, enrolling patients with large artery occlusion undergoing EVT within 8 h of stroke onset.

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Background: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a time-sensitive treatment for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion. To optimize transfer efficiency, a web-based platform was introduced in the Tainan Stroke Network (TSN). We assessed its application and effectiveness in regional stroke care.

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Background And Purpose: Motor deficits of the ipsilateral lower limb could occur after stroke and may be associated with walking performance. This study aimed to determine whether the accuracy and movement path of targeted movement in the ipsilateral lower limb would be impaired in the chronic stage of stroke and whether this impairment would contribution to gait.

Methods: Twenty adults with chronic stroke and 20 age-matched controls went through Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE), and a series of sensorimotor tests.

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Background: An increased risk of recurrent stroke is noted in patients with atrial fibrillation despite direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) use. We investigated the efficacy and safety of treatment with each of 4 different DOACs or warfarin after DOAC failure.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively analyzed patients with atrial fibrillation with ischemic stroke despite DOAC treatment between January 2002 and December 2016.

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A high-salt diet (HSD) elicits sustained sterile inflammation and worsens tissue injury. However, how this occurs after stroke, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, remains unknown. Here, we report that HSD impairs long-term brain recovery after intracerebral hemorrhage, a severe form of stroke, despite salt withdrawal prior to the injury.

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We present the design and the performance evaluation of a new interconnect for large-scale densely packed electronically scanned antenna arrays that utilize a high-speed digital board-to-board vertical connector. The application targets microwave tissue, imaging in the frequency range from 3 GHz to 8 GHz. The tissue-imaging arrays consist of hundreds of active antenna elements, which require low-reflection, low-loss, and low-crosstalk connections to their respective receiving and transmitting circuits.

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Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects a significant proportion of individuals, with life stress being a contributing factor. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between psychosomatic evaluations, heart rate variability (HRV), and GERD in a cohort of individuals. Additionally, the study aimed to analyze the sequencing changes following proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment and identify predictive factors associated with refractory GERD.

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Background: Parallel radiofrequency transmission (pTx) remains a promising technology for addressing high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) challenges, particularly regarding the safety of patients with implanted deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices. Radiofrequency (RF) shim optimization methods utilizing pTx technology have shown the potential to minimize induced RF heating effects at the electrode tips of DBS devices at 3 T.

Purpose: Research pTx system implementations often involve the combination of custom and commercial hardware that are integrated onto an existing MRI system.

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Background And Purpose: It is common to walk under different conditions, such as looking straight head, looking down at the feet or in dimly lit environment. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of these different conditions on walking performance in persons with and without stroke.

Methods: This was a case-control study.

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Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the most significant public health burdens worldwide. This study explored the renal protections of combined adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) and empagliflozin (EMPA) in DKD rats.

Methods: Adult-male-SD rats were equally allocated into group 1 (sham-operated-control), group 2 (DKD), group 3 (DKD + EMPA/20 mg/kg/day since day-14 after CKD-induction), group 4 [DKD + ADMSCs (6.

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To study the fate of veterinary antibiotics released from swine wastewater treatment plants (SWTP), 10 antibiotics were investigated in each unit of a local SWTP periodically. Over a 14-month period of field investigation into target antibiotics, it was confirmed that tetracycline, chlortetracycline, sulfathiazole, and lincomycin were used in this SWTP, with their presence observed in raw manure. Most of these antibiotics could be effectively treated by aerobic activated sludge, except for lincomycin, which was still detected in the effluent, with a maximum concentration of 1506 μg/L.

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(1) Background: The study investigated whether the ankle-brachial index (ABI) and pulse wave velocity (baPWV) could reflect the severity of small vessel disease (SVD) and large artery atherosclerosis (LAA). (2) Methods: A total of 956 consecutive patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke were prospectively enrolled from July 2016 to December 2017. SVD severity and LAA stenosis grades were evaluated via magnetic resonance imaging and carotid duplex ultrasonography.

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Objectives: Epidemiological data regarding antipsychotic initiation in elderly patients with stroke are limited. We aimed to investigate the incidence, prescription patterns and determinants of antipsychotic initiation in elderly patients with stroke.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to identify patients aged above 65 years who had been admitted for stroke from the National Health Insurance Database (NHID).

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Article Synopsis
  • Researchers created a photolabile paper chip to isolate extracellular vesicles (EVs) from small samples, like vitreous humor, to study their potential neuroprotective effects in a rat model of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (rNAION).
  • The study involved laser-induced rNAION, and microRNAs from CD63-positive EVs were extracted and analyzed over time, revealing 38 miRNAs with significant expression changes that could influence anti-inflammatory responses.
  • Results indicated that the miRNA miR-124, which showed the most significant expression change, improved retinal ganglion cell survivability and visual function when administered to rats, suggesting it could be a promising therapeutic option for rNAION recovery.
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3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/isomerase is essential for the synthesis of active steroid hormones. Interleukin 4 (IL4) induces the expression of in various human cancer cell lines. Here, we demonstrated that administration of IL4 to an HT-29 colon cancer cell line induced high expression of at the mRNA and protein levels.

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