Impact of the trans-ancestry polygenic risk score on type 2 diabetes risk, onset age and progression among population in Taiwan.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) prevalence in adults at a younger age has increased but the disease status may go unnoticed. This study aimed to determine whether the onset age and subsequent diabetic complications can be attributed to the polygenic architecture of T2D in the Taiwan Han population. A total of 9,627 cases with T2D and 85,606 controls from the Taiwan Biobank were enrolled.

miR-622 Increases miR-30a Expression through Inhibition of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α to Improve Metastasis and Chemoresistance in Human Invasive Breast Cancer Cells.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) plays a pivotal role in the survival, metastasis, and response to treatment of solid tumors. Autophagy serves as a mechanism for tumor cells to eliminate misfolded proteins and damaged organelles, thus promoting invasiveness, metastasis, and resistance to treatment under hypoxic conditions. MicroRNA (miRNA) research underscores the significance of these non-coding molecules in regulating cancer-related protein synthesis across diverse contexts.

Multiplexed transcriptional profiling of Dermatophagoides house dust mites allergens in human epithelium cells.

Allergic asthma, a chronic disease characterized by airway inflammation, poses a significant public health concern. It is well-established that house dust mites (HDMs) are common inducers of allergic responses in individuals, particularly children. In central Taiwan, our research team observed that over 80% of allergic children exhibited sensitization to various HDMs species.

Patient Confidential Data Hiding and Transmission System Using Amplitude Quantization in the Frequency Domain of ECG Signals.

The transform domain provides a useful tool in the field of confidential data hiding and protection. In order to protect and transmit patients' information and competence, this study develops an amplitude quantization system in a transform domain by hiding patients' information in an electrocardiogram (ECG). In this system, we first consider a non-linear model with a hiding state switch to enhance the quality of the hidden ECG signals.

Purple Sweet Potato Powder Containing Anthocyanin Mitigates High-Fat-Diet-Induced Dry Eye Disease.

Purple sweet potato (PSP) powder with anthocyanins possesses the ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. Studies have presumed a positive correlation between body fat and dry eye disease (DED) in adults. The regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation has been proposed as the mechanism underlying DED.

Lack of Association between YEASTONE Antifungal Susceptibility Tests and Clinical Outcomes of Meningitis.

The relation between antifungal susceptibility and treatment outcomes is not well-characterized. There is paucity of surveillance data for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) isolates of investigated with YEASTONE colorimetric broth microdilution susceptibility testing. A retrospective study of laboratory-confirmed cryptococcus meningitis (CM) patients was conducted.

Inhibitory Effects of Ursolic Acid on the Stemness and Progression of Human Breast Cancer Cells by Modulating Argonaute-2.

The stemness and metastasis of cancer cells are crucial features in determining cancer progression. Argonaute-2 (AGO2) overexpression was reported to be associated with microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis, supporting the self-renewal and differentiation characteristics of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Ursolic acid (UA), a triterpene compound, has multiple biological functions, including anticancer activity.

Integrated OMICs Approach for the Group 1 Protease Mite-Allergen of House Dust Mite .

House dust mites (HDMs) are one of the most important allergy-causing agents of asthma. In central Taiwan, the prevalence of sensitization to (), a particular mite species of HDMs, is approximately 80% and is related to the IgE crossing reactivity of () and (). Integrated OMICs examination was used to identify and characterize the specific group 1 mite-allergic component ().

Recommendations and guidelines for the treatment of infections due to multidrug resistant organisms.

Antimicrobial drug resistance is one of the major threats to global health. It has made common infections increasingly difficult or impossible to treat, and leads to higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality. Infection rates due to multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) are increasing globally.

Filament Negative Regulator Suppresses Glycogen Phosphorylase Encoded That Impacts the Cell Wall-Associated Features in .

We have previously identified (orf19.7021) whose protein product was associated with Cdc4. The gene is a putative glycogen phosphorylase because its homolog participates in glycogen catabolism, which involves the synthesis of β-glucan of the fungal cell wall.

Molecular Epidemiological Survey of Isolates With Variable Number of Repeats in the von Willebrand Factor-Binding Protein Gene.

The von Willebrand factor binding protein in (vWbl) comprises four major regions: the signal peptide (S), the non-repetitive (A) region, the repeat (R) region, and the wall-associated (W) region. Previous studies have demonstrated that the R region contains 10 copies of repeating sequences; however, we reveal that the copy number of repeats in the gene varies among different isolates. In this study, an epidemiological surveillance was conducted to determine whether the copy number of repeats in in different isolates of correlates with their infectivity.

Infection control operations of a large hospital in Taiwan to prevent nosocomial outbreaks during COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is highly contagious, with a potential to cause large nosocomial outbreaks in the hospital setting. We report the advance deployment of comprehensive, multi-level infection control measures in a 3,700-bed large hospital to prevent nosocomial outbreaks of COVID-19 during the pandemic.

Methods: We implemented a series of dynamic infection control policies during the pandemic.

Antifungal susceptibility testing with YeastONE™ is not predictive of clinical outcomes of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii fungemia.

Mortality rates due to Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii fungemia remain significant despite treatment with antifungal drugs. The predictive function of antifungal susceptibility and its correlation with treatment outcome remains controversial.

A hospital cluster of COVID-19 associated with a SARS-CoV-2 superspreading event.

Background/purpose: Superspreading events (SSEs) are pivotal in the spread of SARS-CoV-2. This study aimed to investigate an SSE of COVID-19 in a hospital and explore the transmission dynamics and heterogeneity of SSE.

Methods: We performed contact tracing for all close contacts in a cluster.

MiR-139 Modulates Cancer Stem Cell Function of Human Breast Cancer through Targeting CXCR4.

Elevated expression of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) correlates with chemotaxis, invasion, and cancer stem cell (CSC) properties within several solid-tumor malignancies. Recent studies reported that microRNA (miRNA) modulates the stemness of embryonic stem cells. We aimed to investigate the role of miRNA, via CXCR4-modulation, on CSC properties in breast cancer using cell lines and xenotransplantation mouse model and evaluated miR-193 levels in 191 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma.

Causal Relationship between Adiponectin and Diabetic Retinopathy: A Mendelian Randomization Study in an Asian Population.

Adiponectin (APN) is suggested to be a potential biomarker for predicting diabetic retinopathy (DR) risk, but the association between APN and DR has been inconsistent in observational studies. We used a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to evaluate if circulating APN levels result in DR. We applied three different genetic risk scores (GRS): GRS combined all 47 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) database-catalog reach significance level; GRS comprised 16 GRS-SNPs with a rigorous threshold ( < 5.

Fine particulate matter PM generated by building demolition increases the malignancy of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.

Objectives: This study investigates the effects of water-extracted PM on a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line, MDA-MB-231, by sampling suspended particulates around a building demolition site.

Methods: PM particles were obtained using a high-flow TISCH sampler. Water-soluble PM were extracted by an ultrasonic oscillator and then freeze-dried.

Arecoline induces epithelial mesenchymal transition in HK2 cells by upregulating the ERK-mediated signaling pathway.

Arecoline, a component of betel nuts, is a known carcinogen that causes oral cancers among those who chew betel nuts. Betel nut chewing is also associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the role of arecoline in this association is unclear. This in vitro study investigates the effects of arecoline on cultured human kidney (HK2) cells.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization among HIV-infected patients in Taiwan: prevalence, molecular characteristics and associated factors with nasal carriage.

Background: To evaluate nasal carriage, antibiotic susceptibility and molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), as well as the risk factors of MRSA colonization, in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in northern Taiwan.

Methods: From September 2014 to November 2015, HIV-infected patients seeking outpatient care at four hospitals were eligible for this study. A nasal specimen was obtained from each subject for the detection of S.

Induction of G2/M Phase Arrest by Diosgenin via Activation of Chk1 Kinase and Cdc25C Regulatory Pathways to Promote Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cells.

The anti-tumor activity of diosgenin, a new steroidal constituent present in fenugreek, on two human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and Hs578T, was studied. Diosgenin treatment resulted in cell growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in concentration- and time-dependent manners in both cell lines. Western blot analyses of whole cell lysates for cell cycle proteins showed that diosgenin altered phosphorylated cyclin checkpoint1 (p-Chk1) and cyclin B expression, which resulted in G2/M phase blockade.

Dentists' performance in dentin-composite resin bonding before and after hands-on course learning.

Background/purpose: The restoration longevity depends on a high dentin-composite bond quality. This study investigated learning outcomes when using etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesives among general practitioners in a hands-on bonding test course.

Methods: We recruited 30 general practitioners to perform shear bond strength (SBS) tests using five adhesives: one Peak® Universal Bond (PUB) etch-and-rinse and four Futurabond DC, Single Bond universal (SBU), Versa Optibond (VOB), and Tetric-N Bond Self-Etch (TNS) self-etch adhesives.

Risk factors and outcomes of Clostridium difficile infection in hospitalized patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and its attributable mortality and to propose methods to prevent CDI and improve patients' outcomes.

Methods: CDI was defined as diarrheal patients with stool samples that were positive for C. difficile toxin.

Risk of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C infections - A 13-year nationwide population-based study.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular events than chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV). We aimed to investigate whether there is higher risk of arrhythmia in HCV infection.

Methods: Electronic medical records from National Health Institute Research Database during 2000-2012 were retrieved for patients with HBV or HCV.

Biomechanical behavior of cavity design on teeth restored using ceramic inlays: An approach based on three-dimensional finite element analysis and ultrahigh-speed camera.

Ceramic fracture and debonding are the primary failures that follow ceramic inlay and can lead to stress and tooth fracture. In this study, we examined two designs-concave and flat-of the gingival cavity bottom for tooth cavities restored using ceramic inlays. We investigated the biomechanical behavior of ceramic inlay-restored teeth (concave and flat) through three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) and experimentally validated the results using an ultrahigh-speed camera.