Discovery of Potent Dengue Virus NS2B-NS3 Protease Inhibitors Among Glycyrrhizic Acid Conjugates with Amino Acids and Dipeptides Esters.

This study investigated a library of known and novel glycyrrhizic acid (GL) conjugates with amino acids and dipeptide esters, as inhibitors of the DENV NS2B-NS3 protease. We utilized docking algorithms to evaluate the interactions of these GL derivatives with key residues (His51, Asp75, Ser135, and Gly153) within 10 Å of the DENV-2 NS2B-NS3 protease binding pocket (PDB ID: 2FOM). It was found that compounds and exhibited unique binding patterns, forming hydrogen bonds with Asp75, Tyr150, and Gly153.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus: A WAidid Consensus Document on New Preventive Options.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory infections, particularly affecting young infants, older adults, and individuals with comorbidities. : This document, developed as a consensus by an international group of experts affiliated with the World Association of Infectious Diseases and Immunological Disorders (WAidid), focuses on recent advancements in RSV prevention, highlighting the introduction of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and vaccines. : Historically, RSV treatment options were limited to supportive care and the monoclonal antibody palivizumab, which required multiple doses.

Microbial Communities in and Around the Siboglinid Tubeworms from the South Yungan East Ridge Cold Seep Offshore Southwestern Taiwan at the Northern South China Sea.

To date, only a few microbial community studies of cold seeps at the South China Sea (SCS) have been reported. The cold seep dominated by tubeworms was discovered at South Yungan East Ridge (SYER) offshore southwestern Taiwan by miniROV. The tubeworms were identified and proposed as sp.

Exploring Cognitive Deficits and Neuromodulation in Schizophrenia: A Narrative Review.

Cognitive deficits are emerging as critical targets for managing schizophrenia and enhancing clinical and functional outcomes. These deficits are pervasive among individuals with schizophrenia, affecting various cognitive domains. Traditional pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have limitations in effectively addressing cognitive impairments in this population.

Molecular Identification of Infection Using Nanopore Sequencing: A Case Report and Literature Review.

(previously known as ) infection is not common in Hong Kong. is a fish-borne cestode parasite that infects humans after consuming raw or insufficiently cooked fish containing plerocercoids. We reported a case of infection in a 40-year-old woman who presented with a complaint of epigastric pain and diarrhea.

Insulin Resistance and Bone Mineral Density: A Comprehensive Examination Using UK Biobank Data.

The association between insulin resistance (IR) and bone mineral density (BMD) remains contentious. The aim of this study is to assess the predictive capability of the Triglyceride and Glucose (TyG) index concerning changes in bone mineral density, encompassing both deterioration and improvement. This study analyzed data from the UK Biobank, encompassing 2527 participants after exclusions.

Loneliness and Social Isolation of Older Adults and Quality of Dyadic Relationships with Migrant Domestic Workers: A Mixed-Method Study.

Loneliness among older individuals is widespread globally, leading to increasing public health and policy concerns. Migrant domestic workers (MDWs) offer continuous services for older adults worldwide, recompensing for dwindling support from family members. The study objectives were to explain how the quality of dyadic relationships with MDWs is associated with older adults' loneliness and further explore older adults' perceived experiences of care by MDWs.

Protective Effects of L-Cysteine Against Cisplatin-Induced Oxidative Stress-Mediated Reproductive Damage.

Cisplatin (CIS) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, but its side effects, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, often lead to male reproductive damage. Oxidative stress, primarily caused by the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays a critical role in disrupting testicular homeostasis, resulting in spermatogenic impairment and tissue injury. L-cysteine (CYS), a semi-essential amino acid with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may offer protection against CIS-induced oxidative damage.

An In Silico Investigation of the Pathogenic G151R G Protein-Gated Inwardly Rectifying K Channel 4 Variant to Identify Small Molecule Modulators.

Primary aldosteronism is characterised by the excessive production of aldosterone, which is a key regulator of salt metabolism, and is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. Studies have investigated the association between primary aldosteronism and genetic alterations, with pathogenic mutations being identified. This includes a glycine-to-arginine substitution at position 151 (G151R) of the G protein-activated inward rectifier potassium (K) channel 4 (GIRK4), which is encoded by the gene.

Concurrent preoperative eribulin and radiation for resectable retroperitoneal liposarcoma: a phase 1B study.

Background Management of retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RPLPS) is challenging and recurrence rates remain high despite aggressive surgical resections. Preoperative radiation alone lacks definitive benefit, thus we sought to evaluate combined chemoradiotherapy with the potential to enhance local efficacy of radiation as well as control micrometastatic disease. We assessed the safety and tolerability of preoperative eribulin, a cytotoxic microtubule inhibitor approved for the treatment of advanced liposarcoma, in combination with radiation in patients with RPLPS.

Uniform single-crystal mesoporous metal-organic frameworks.

The synthesis of mesoporous metal-organic frameworks (meso-MOFs) is desirable as these materials can be used in various applications. However, owing to the imbalance in structural tension at the micro-scale (MOF crystallization) and the meso-scales (assembly of micelles with MOF subunits), the formation of single-crystal meso-MOFs is challenging. Here we report the preparation of uniform single-crystal meso-MOF nanoparticles with ordered mesopore channels in microporous frameworks with definite arrangements, through a cooperative assembly method co-mediated by strong and weak acids.

Precise template-free correction restores gene function in Tay-Sachs disease while reframing is ineffective.

Tay-Sachs disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations inactivating the metabolic enzyme HexA. The most common mutation is c.1278insTATC, a tandem 4-bp duplication disrupting expression by frameshift.

Water Extract of Djulis Husk Exerts Protective Effect Against Metabolic Syndrome.

Djulis ( Koidz.) possesses various biological activities, including anti-oxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-aging and hepatoprotective properties. Although djulis husk is typically considered agricultural waste, there is value in exploring ways to utilize it effectively.

Comparison of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of submerged culture mycelium and basidioma extracts of .

Unlabelled: This research aimed to assess the biological characteristics of both submerged culture mycelium and artificial basidioma of NTH-PL4. The extraction yield from the basidioma surpassed that of the mycelium. The use of hot water extract resulted in the highest total carbohydrate content, predominantly found in the basidioma.

Aβ-reactive T cell polyfunctionality response as a new biomarker for mild cognitive impairment.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves neuroinflammation and amyloid plaque deposition, yet the role of amyloid-reactive immune response in neurodegeneration remains unclear. We investigate amyloid-reactive T cell levels in the Epidemiology of Mild Cognitive Impairment Study in Taiwan (EMCIT) and Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (TPMIC) cohorts.

Method: Using diverse amyloid peptide formulations, we established a polyfunctionality assay for five T cell functions and compared mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients to control subjects in both cohorts.

Exploring the Fluorination and Hydroxylation of Pore-space-partitioned Metal‒Organic Frameworks for C2H2/CH4 Separation.

We report three novel pore-space-partitioned metal‒organic frameworks (MOFs) functionalized with fluorine and hydroxyl groups using 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid (F4-BDC) and a new ligand 3,6-difluoro-2,5-dihydroxybenzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid (F2(OH)2-BDC) as organic building blocks, with 1,3,5-tris(4-pyridyl)-2,4,6-triazine (TPT) as pore partition agent. With the polar fluorine and hydroxyl groups and the open metal sites being blocked by TPT, moderate molecule-framework interactions can be engineered. These three isoreticular microporous frameworks Mn-TPT-BDC-F4 (NCKU-21), Mn-TPT-BDC-F2(OH)2 (NCKU-22), and Mg-TPT-BDC-F2(OH)2 (NCKU-23) (NCKU = National Cheng Kung University) exhibit distinct single-component gas adsorption behaviors.

D-ribose-5-phosphate inactivates YAP and functions as a metabolic checkpoint.

Background: Targeting glucose uptake by glucose transporter (GLUT) inhibitors is a therapeutic opportunity, but efforts on GLUT inhibitors have not been successful in the clinic and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We aim to identify the key metabolic changes responsible for cancer cell survival from glucose limitation and elucidate its mechanism.

Methods: The level of phosphorylated YAP was analyzed with Western blotting and Phos-tag immunoblotting.

Enhancing university students' engagement in studying assistive technology by case-based active learning: a pilot study in Hong Kong.

Assistive technology (AT) professionals are in pressing need with nowadays growing aged/disabled population, so as well-designed higher education programs in this field. This study designed and implemented a case-based active learning approach within an undergraduate course related to AT in Hong Kong, and assessed its impact on enhancing student engagement over two academic years. A total of twelve multimedia patient case dossiers on six major physical disabilities were created.

Land Use Change Consistently Reduces α- But Not β- and γ-Diversity of Bees.

Land use change threatens global biodiversity and compromises ecosystem functions, including pollination and food production. Reduced taxonomic α-diversity is often reported under land use change, yet the impacts could be different at larger spatial scales (i.e.

The interactive use of augmented reality for educating the elderly on common age-related eye disease.

Background: The prevalence of age-related eye disorders is increasing with the aging of the global population. Community-based visual health education for the elderly has become a crucial intervention. With the advancement of technology, the application of extended reality (XR), such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), in health education has become more popular.

Randomized Control Trial Evaluating Different Modalities of Real-Time Surgical Feedback.

Introduction:: Surgical training is a constant exchange between trainers and trainees, and intraoperative surgical feedback is an integral part of learning. New technologies in robotic surgery allow for the delivery of visual aid and verbal feedback intraoperatively, but it has not yet been determined if feedback type affects the trainee learning process.

Methods:: 49 novice participants were recruited and randomized into four feedback groups: , , of verbal/visual, and no feedback ().

Effectiveness of pharmacist-managed oncology ambulatory care for patients with non-small cell lung cancer in Taiwan.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is commonly treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, adverse events from such treatment can lead to treatment discontinuation and additional medical expenditures. Ambulatory care from oncology pharmacists in patient education and symptom management can benefit patients with NSCLC.

RASGRP1 Deficiency Associated with Diffuse Mesangial Sclerosis Infantile Nephrotic Syndrome and Epstein-Barr Virus-Induced Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

: RAS guanyl-releasing protein 1 (RASGRP1) deficiency is characterized by immune dysregulation and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related lymphoproliferation. Diffuse mesangial sclerosis is one of the infrequent causes of infantile nephrotic syndrome. : Here, we described a 7-year-old girl who was diagnosed with diffuse mesangial sclerosis at 5 months old and subsequently developed chronic bilateral neck swelling at the age of 3 years.

The correlation between LAG-3 expression and the efficacy of chemoimmunotherapy in advanced biliary tract cancer.

In our previous phase II T1219 trial for advanced biliary tract cancer (ABTC), the combination of nivolumab with modified gemcitabine and S-1 exhibited promising efficacy, while the programmed-death-ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression did not predict chemoimmunotherapy efficacy. Lymphocyte-activation-gene-3 (LAG-3), a negative immune checkpoint, is frequently co-expressed with PD-L1. This study assessed the predictive value of LAG-3 expression in ABTC patients who received chemoimmunotherapy.

Evaluation of Thoracic Morphological Changes Using Chest CT in Patients with Congenital Pectus Carinatum Treated by the Modified Abramson Technique.

Background: The Pectus carinatum is an outward protrusion deformity of the sternum and adjacent costal cartilages. It is the second most common congenital deformity of the anterior chest wall, commonly occuring in adolescents.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate thoracic morphological changes using computed tomography (CT) imaging in patients with pectus carinatum treated via the modified Abramson technique at Viet Duc University Hospital from 2020 to 2023.