Radiocontrast medium induces histamine release in association with upregulation of miR‑19a‑3p and miR‑362‑3p expression.

In Taiwan, the use of radiocontrast medium for clinical image diagnosis recently surpassed one million times and the overall prevalence of radiocontrast hypersensitivity was ~7%. A microRNA (miRNA/miRs) is a small non-coding RNA molecule that mostly plays a suppressor role in cells. However, the roles of miRNA expression in radiocontrast-induced mast cells activation remains to be elucidated.

Aquaporin-8 promotes human dermal fibroblasts to counteract hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage: A novel target for management of skin aging.

The skin is subjected to various external factors that contribute to aging including oxidative stress from hydrogen peroxide (HO). This study investigated the distribution of aquaporin-8 (AQP8), a protein that transports HO across biological membranes, in skin cells, and its effects in mitigating HO-induced oxidative damage. Human dermal fibroblasts were treated with increasing concentrations of HO to evaluate oxidative damage.

Regulating TKT activity inhibits proliferation of human acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells.

Among pediatric blood cancers, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common hematologic malignancy. Within ALL, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) accounts for 10 to 15% of all pediatric cases, and ~25% of adult cases. For T-ALL, its recurrence and relapse after treatment remain problematic.

The prevalence of IgE positivity, environmental factors, and clinical implications associated with mite species in allergic patients in Taiwan.

Background: Allergic diseases are a growing public health concern with increasing prevalence and severity. Allergens play significant roles in triggering immune responses and the development of allergic reactions.

Objective: Investigate the presence and clinical significance of dust mites, storage mites, and predatory mite Cheyletus eruditus(Ce) in household environments.

A pilot study of non-invasive diagnostic tools to detect Helicobacter pylori infection and peptic ulcer disease.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection can lead to various digestive system diseases, making accurate diagnosis crucial. However, not all available tests are equally non-invasive and sensitive.

Inhibition of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by 3H-1,2-Dithiole-3-Thione: A Potential Therapeutic Approach for Psoriasis Treatment.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease with a significant impact on quality of life and potential for severe comorbidities. Inflammation in the skin is induced by immune cells that overexpress pro-inflammatory cytokines, with the Th17 cell playing a crucial role. NLRP3 inflammasome activation is associated with inflammatory diseases and abnormal T cell differentiation.

S-Nitrosylation of Tissue Transglutaminase in Modulating Glycolysis, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Responses in Normal and Indoxyl-Sulfate-Induced Endothelial Cells.

Circulating uremic toxin indoxyl sulfate (IS), endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction, and decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability are found in chronic kidney disease patients. NO nitrosylates/denitrosylates a specific protein's cysteine residue(s), forming S-nitrosothios (SNOs), and the decreased NO bioavailability could interfere with NO-mediated signaling events. We were interested in investigating the underlying mechanism(s) of the reduced NO and how it would regulate the S-nitrosylation of tissue transglutaminase (TG2) and its substrates on glycolytic, redox and inflammatory responses in normal and IS-induced EC injury.

A pilot study of digital bedside cards in the emergency room of a medical centre in Taiwan.

The emergency room (ER) digital bedside card is a simple and important invention. It can be directly connected to the hospital information system to display important patient information in real time, reduce the workload of ER staff, improve their satisfaction, and provide useful information for patients and their families. We conducted a prospective study of ER staff using questionnaires and conducted Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare before and after ER digital bedside card implementation in the Tamsui MacKay Memorial Hospital.

Antioxidative Activities of Micronized Solid-State Cultivated Rich in Erinacine A against MPTP-Induced Damages.

The Lion's mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus, HE) is a traditional medical mushroom with high nutritional and economic value. HE possesses anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, immunomodulating, neurotrophic, and neuroprotective activities. The present study evaluated the protection and antioxidative activities of micronized mycelium of HE (HEM) in mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPTP).

Immunomodulatory effects of modified Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan Traditional Chinese medicine on allergic asthmatic mice.

Background: Allergic asthma occurs worldwide and is particularly prevalent in westernized countries characterized by chronic airway inflammation resulting in airway hyperresponsiveness. The house dust mites (HDM) including Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus are major sources of sensitization and triggering allergic symptoms in asthmatic patients. The Der p 2 is a major allergen and the predominant source of causative respiratory disorders which induce airway inflammation and bronchial constriction in mite-allergic patients.

Is the excellent air quality a protective factor of health problems for Taitung County in eastern Taiwan? Perspectives from visual analytics.

Taitung, an agricultural country in Eastern Taiwan, was famous for its fresh air with less industrial and petrochemical pollution. Air pollution may induce cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and stroke, poor air quality also resulted in a higher depression rate and less feeling of happiness; therefore, our study aims to use visualization tools to demonstrate the association between air quality index (AQI) and the among negative factors and try to find that whether Taitung got the benefit of good air quality on health issues. We retrieved data from the government of Taiwan and other open sources in the year 2019, then visual maps and generalized association plots with clusters demonstrated the relationship between each factor and each county/city.

Brevilin A Ameliorates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-like Dermatitis and Reduces Th17 Differentiation in Psoriasis Patients.

Psoriasis is a predominantly Th17 cell-driven chronic autoinflammatory skin disorder. Brevilin A, a natural sesquiterpene lactone extracted from , has been used as a traditional oriental medicine for allergic diseases for centuries. However, the effects of brevilin A on psoriasis have yet to be established.

Elevated alanine aminotransferase is associated with biphasic insulin secretion in the healthy elderly Han Chinese population.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between alanine transaminase (ALT) level and biphasic insulin secretion (BPIS) in healthy elderly Han Chinese individuals.

Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled healthy elderly participants aged ≥60 years that were part of a health examination programme. In order to explore the correlation and severity of the clinical condition, those with any possible confounding factors known to affect insulin secretion or liver function were excluded from the study.

Mechanisms of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Inhibitor-Induced Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus induced by biologics mainly results from tumor necrosis factor-alpha remains unclear. The objectives of the study were to investigate the mechanisms of tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor-induced systemic lupus erythematosus. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from thirteen psoriasis patients were cultured and treated with the following: untreated control, with or without different biologics.

Effects of Local Nasal Immunotherapy with FIP-fve Peptide and Denatured Tyrophagus putrescentiae for Storage Mite-Induced Airway Inflammation.

Allergic diseases are affecting public health and have increased over the last decade. Sensitization to mite allergens is a considerable trigger for allergy development. Storage mite-Tyrophagus putrescentiae shows great significance of allergenic potential and clinical relevance.

Forsythoside A Alleviates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-like Dermatitis in Mice by Regulating Th17 Cells and IL-17A Expression.

Psoriasis is a recurrent inflammatory skin disease characterized by redness and scaly skin lesions with itchy or painful sensations. Forsythoside A, one of the main active compounds isolated from the fruit of , has been widely applied to treat inflammatory diseases in the clinical use of traditional oriental medicine. However, the effect of forsythoside A on psoriasis remains unclear.

Niclosamide suppresses T‑cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia growth through activation of apoptosis and autophagy.

T‑cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T‑ALL) is a common pediatric malignancy, characterized by the abnormal presence of immature T‑cell progenitors. Conventional treatments for T‑ALL fail to prevent or cure the disease, with a high‑risk of recurrence after the first remission. Thus, medical options are in demand to develop novel therapies for patients suffering with T‑ALL.

Itraconazole improves survival outcomes in patients with colon cancer by inducing autophagic cell death and inhibiting transketolase expression.

The incidence of colon cancer continues to increase annually, and it is the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Altering cell metabolism and inducing autophagic cell death have recently emerged as novel strategies in preventing tumor growth. Autophagy plays an essential role in energy production by degrading damaged cellular components and is also associated with tumor proliferation suppression.

Antagonism of Protease Activated Receptor-2 by GB88 Reduces Inflammation Triggered by Protease Allergen Tyr-p3.

The occurrence of allergic diseases induced by aeroallergens has increased in the past decades. Among inhalant allergens, mites remain the important causal agent of allergic diseases. Storage mites- are found in stored products or domestic environments.

Identification the Cross-Reactive or Species-Specific Allergens of and Development Molecular Diagnostic Kits for Allergic Diseases.

Mite allergens are considerable factors in the genesis of allergic diseases. The storage mite (Tp) appears in contaminated foods and household surroundings. The current diagnostic tools for Tp allergy are mostly based on crude extracts and still contain shortcomings.

Pathogenesis of pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Molecular pathways and disease treatments.

B-cell acute lymphoblastic lymphoma (B-ALL) is a disease found mainly in children and in young adults. B-ALL is characterized by the rapid proliferation of poorly differentiated lymphoid progenitor cells inside the bone marrow. In the United States, ~4,000 of these patients are diagnosed each year, accounting for ~30% of childhood cancer types.

Specific Immunoglobulin G4 and Immunoglobulin E Titers to Common Food Antigens in Sera of Children With Allergic Rhinitis.

Context: Allergic rhinitis is a chronic disease that usually affects children. Its etiology has been investigated for years.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) against common food allergens, to determine the correlation between it and immunoglobulin E (IgE), and to evaluate the role of IgG4 (ie, whether its presence should be considered to be a significant factor that induces hypersensitivity or whether an effector role in allergic rhinitis could be attributed to it).

Effect of mite allergenic components on innate immune response: Synergy of protease (Group 1 & 3) and non-protease (Group 2 & 7) allergens.

The major mite allergenic components of protease allergens (group 1,3) and non-protease allergens (group 2,7) derived from Dermatophagoides peronyssinus (Dp) and D. farinae (Df) are reported to be capable of sensitizing 80-90% of mite-allergic patients. Although protease and non-protease allergens have been demonstrated to trigger innate and adaptive immune responses through epithelium activation, the simultaneous or sequential effects of both groups of allergens has not been reported.