Effects of Half-Time Re-Warm-Up With Core Strength Exercises on Subsequent Agility and Power Performance in Basketball Players.

Yang, Y-R, Chen, C, Pan, C-H, Yen, S-Y, and Cheng, C-F. Effects of half-time re-warm-up with core strength exercises on subsequent agility and power performance in basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 39(1): 62-69, 2025-This study investigated the effects of half-time re-warm-up (RW) comprising core strength exercise (CSE) on basketball players' subsequent power and change of direction (COD) performance.

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.

Sushi Domain Containing 2 Dysfunction Contributes to Cancer Progression in Patients with Bladder Cancer.

Bladder cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in Taiwan, and therefore, enhancing the diagnostic sensitivity of biomarkers for early-stage tumors and identifying therapeutic targets to improve patient survival rates are essential. Although Sushi Domain Containing 2 (SUSD2) dysfunction has been identified in several types of human cancer, its biological role in bladder cancer remains unclear. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas revealed significantly higher expression of SUSD2 mRNA in bladder cancer tissues than in adjacent normal tissues.

Gut Microbiota in Patients with Prediabetes.

Prediabetes is characterized by abnormal glycemic levels below the type 2 diabetes threshold, and effective control of blood glucose may prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes. While the association between the gut microbiota, glucose metabolism, and insulin resistance in diabetic patients has been established in previous studies, there is a lack of research regarding these aspects in prediabetic patients in Asia. We aim to investigate the composition of the gut microbiota in prediabetic patients and their differences compared to healthy individuals.

A body shape index (ABSI) but not body mass index (BMI) is associated with prostate cancer-specific mortality: Evidence from the US NHANES database.

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common malignancy in males and obesity may play a role in its development and progression. Associations between visceral obesity measured by a body shape index (ABSI) and PCa mortality have not been thoroughly investigated. This study assessed the associations between ABSI, body mass index (BMI), and long-term PCa-specific mortality using a nationally representative US database.

Overexpression of malic enzyme is involved in breast cancer growth and is correlated with poor prognosis.

Malic enzyme (ME) genes are key functional metabolic enzymes playing a crucial role in carcinogenesis. However, the detailed effects of ME gene expression on breast cancer progression remain unclear. Here, our results revealed ME1 expression was significantly upregulated in breast cancer, especially in patients with oestrogen receptor/progesterone receptor-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer.

Restraint Stress-Induced Immunosuppression Is Associated with Concurrent Macrophage Pyroptosis Cell Death in Mice.

Psychological stress is widely acknowledged as a major contributor to immunosuppression, rendering individuals more susceptible to various diseases. The complex interplay between the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems underlies stress-induced immunosuppression. However, the underlying mechanisms of psychological-stress-induced immunosuppression remain unclear.

The Role of Activating Transcription Factor 3 in Metformin's Alleviation of Gastrointestinal Injury Induced by Restraint Stress in Mice.

Metformin is one of the most commonly used drugs for type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition to its anti-diabetic property, evidence suggests more potential applications for metformin, such as antiaging, cellular protection, and anti-inflammation. Studies have reported that metformin activates pathways with anti-inflammatory effects, enhances the integrity of gut epithelial tight junctions, and promotes a healthy gut microbiome.

Phosphofructokinase Platelet Overexpression Accelerated Colorectal Cancer Cell Growth and Motility.

Glycolysis is a glucose metabolism pathway that generates the high-energy compound adenosine triphosphate, which supports cancer cell growth. Phosphofructokinase platelet (PFKP) plays a crucial role in glycolysis regulation and is involved in human cancer progression. However, the biological function of PFKP remains unclear in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Green Tea Epigallocatechin Gallate Inhibits Preadipocyte Growth via the microRNA-let-7a/HMGA2 Signaling Pathway.

Scope: This study investigates the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on white and beige preadipocyte growth and explores the involvement of the miR-let-7a/HMGA2 pathway.

Methods And Results: 3T3-L1 and D12 cells are treated with EGCG. The effect of EGCG on cell proliferation and viability is evaluated, as well as microRNA (miRNA)-related signaling pathways.

Role of adipocyte browning in prostate and breast tumor microenvironment.

Prostate cancer (PC) and breast cancer (BC) are the most common cancers in men and women, respectively, in developed countries. The increased incidence of PC and BC largely reflects an increase in the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. In pathological conditions involving the development and progression of PC and BC, adipose tissue plays an important role via paracrine and endocrine signaling.

Association between heme oxygenase one and sepsis development in patients with moderate-to-critical COVID-19: a single-center, retrospective observational study.

Background: Heme oxygenase one (HO-1) is considered a poor prognostic factor for survival in patients with severe-to-critical coronavirus disease (COVID-19), but the clinical correlation between heme catabolism biomarkers and COVID-19-related sepsis is unknown. The etiopathogenetic hypothesis of HO-1 response during sepsis in patients with poor prognosis should be clarified. This study aimed to investigate sepsis development within 48 h following moderate-to-critical COVID-19 and examined heme/HO-1 catabolism biomarkers associated with sepsis.

Rhabdomyolysis in Pediatric Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Background: Rhabdomyolysis is a rare but severe complication in adult patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which can result in acute kidney injury and death; however, it is rarely reported in pediatric patients.

Methods: In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical features and outcomes of rhabdomyolysis in pediatric patients aged 0-18 years with COVID-19 who were hospitalized at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, an epicenter of COVID-19 in northern Taiwan.

Results: We treated eight patients with rhabdomyolysis during the omicron variant-Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (omicron variant-SARS-CoV-2) community outbreak and none during the alpha variant endemic.

Effectiveness of Booster and Influenza Vaccines against COVID-19 among Healthcare Workers, Taiwan.

Among previously uninfected healthcare workers in Taiwan, mRNA COVID-19 booster vaccine was associated with lower odds of COVID-19 after primary recombinant vaccine. Symptom-triggered testing revealed that tetravalent influenza vaccine was associated with higher odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection. COVID-19 vaccination continues to be most effective against SARS-CoV-2.

Green tea epigallocatechin gallate suppresses 3T3-L1 cell growth via microRNA-143/MAPK7 pathways.

Green tea epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and microRNA (miRNA) molecules modulate obesity. Nevertheless, it is still unknown whether EGCG modulates fat cell growth via miRNA-related signaling. In this study, white preadipocytes were used to examine whether the antimitogenic effect of EGCG on fat cells is regulated by the miR-143/MAPK7 pathway.

Erythrocyte degradation, metabolism, secretion, and communication with immune cells in the blood during sepsis: A review.

Sepsis is a health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. It was assumed that erythrocytes were affected by sepsis. However, in recent years, a number of studies have shown that erythrocytes affect sepsis as well.

The potential of using itaconate as treatment for inflammation-related heart diseases.

Intracellular metabolites can cause critical changes in biological functions. Itaconate is perhaps the most fascinating substance in macrophages. Lipopolysaccharide can activate aconitate decarboxylase 1 and induces the generation of itaconate from the tricarboxylic acid cycle by decarboxylation of cis-aconitate.

Characteristics, contacts, and relative risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among children during school closures.

Background: Characteristics of children with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Taiwanese households is nascent. We sought to characterize SARS-CoV-2 infection, and estimate the relative risk of infection among children within households during school closures in Taipei and New Taipei City.

Methods: We reviewed consecutive children below 18 years presenting to our emergency department from May 18, 2021 to July 12, 2021 who underwent real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 from respiratory swabs.

Activating Transcription Factor 3 Protects against Restraint Stress-Induced Gastrointestinal Injury in Mice.

Psychological stress increases the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) tract diseases, which involve bidirectional communication of the GI and nerves systems. Acute stress leads to GI ulcers; however, the mechanism of the native cellular protection pathway, which safeguards tissue integrality and maintains GI homeostasis, remains to be investigated. In a mouse model of this study, restraint stress induced GI leakage, abnormal tight junction protein expression, and cell death of gut epithelial cells.

The ATF3 inducer protects against diet-induced obesity via suppressing adipocyte adipogenesis and promoting lipolysis and browning.

In this study, we investigated whether the activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) inducer ST32db, a synthetic compound with a chemical structure similar to that of native Danshen compounds, exerts an anti-obesity effect in 3T3-L1 white preadipocytes, D16 beige cells, and mice with obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). The results showed that ST32db inhibited 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation by inhibiting adipogenesis/lipogenesis-related gene (and protein levels) and enhancing lipolysis-related gene (and protein levels) via the activation of β3-adrenoceptor (β3-AR)/PKA/p38, AMPK, and ERK pathways. Furthermore, ST32db inhibited triacylglycerol accumulation in D16 adipocytes by suppressing adipogenesis/lipogenesis-related gene (and protein levels) and upregulating browning gene expression by suppressing the β3-AR/PKA/p38, and AMPK pathways.

Local and Remote Ischemic Preconditioning Improves Sprint Interval Exercise Performance in Team Sport Athletes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of local (LIPC) and remote (RIPC) ischemic preconditioning on sprint interval exercise (SIE) performance. Fifteen male collegiate basketball players underwent a LIPC, RIPC, sham (SHAM), or control (CON) trial before conducting six sets of a 30-s Wingate-based SIE test. The oxygen uptake and heart rate were continuously measured during SIE test.

Determining Validity of Critical Power Estimated Using a Three-Minute All-Out Test in Hot Environments.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of heat on the validity of end-test power (EP) derived from a 3-min all-out test (3MT), which is considered as an alternative method for determining the conventional critical power. Twelve male cyclists were required to perform incremental exercise tests (IET) and 3MTs in both high temperature (HT; 35 °C) and thermoneutral temperature (NT; 22 °C) environments. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO), and first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT and VT, respectively) against the power output (VO, VT, and VT) were measured during IETs.