Identifying and Estimating Frailty Phenotypes by Vocal Biomarkers: Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Researchers have developed a variety of indices to assess frailty. Recent research indicates that the human voice reflects frailty status. Frailty phenotypes are seldom discussed in the literature on the aging voice.

Evaluation of the potential of Ergostatrien-3β-ol for treating Sjögren's syndrome.

Aim: Ergostatrien-3β-ol (EK100) is a bioactive compound found in the fruiting bodies and mycelia of Antrodia cinnamomea and has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. This study aims to evaluate the potential of EK100 as a treatment for Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

Methods: We employed a spontaneous SS model in non-obese diabetic (NOD)/Ltj mice to assess the therapeutic potential of EK100.

Puerarin Modulates Hepatic Farnesoid X Receptor and Gut Microbiota in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Obesity is associated with alterations in lipid metabolism and gut microbiota dysbiosis. This study investigated the effects of puerarin, a bioactive isoflavone, on lipid metabolism disorders and gut microbiota in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Supplementation with puerarin reduced plasma alanine aminotransferase, liver triglyceride, liver free fatty acid (FFA), and improved gut microbiota dysbiosis in obese mice.

In silico identification of compounds from Roxb leaf fractionated extract inhibit interleukin-6 to prevent rheumatoid arthritis.

Medicinal herbs with a phytonutrient background has been applied globally as major alternatives to ameliorate the continuous increase in rheumatoid arthritis cases worldwide. We herein aimed to critically examine the bioactive components of the medicinal herb Piper sarmentosum Roxb leaf fractionated extract for its potential to inhibit the influx of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in rheumatoid arthritis. The Schrödinger platform was employed as the main computational acumen for the screening of bioactive compounds identified and reference compounds subjected to molecular simulation (MDS) for analyzing the stability of docked complexes to assess fluctuations and conformational changes during protein-ligand interactions.

Phytotherapeutic potential of compounds identified from fractionated extracts of L., as an inhibitor of interleukin-6 in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: computational approach.

The presence of HLA-DRB1 alleles that encode critical points associated with environmental interactions is associated with increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis caused by anti-citrullinated protein antibodies. Therefore, interleukin-6 (IL-6), a multifunctional cytokine that controls both local and systemic acute inflammatory responses through its ability to induce a phase response, plays a serious role. Its overexpression leads to pathological challenges such as rheumatoid arthritis and menopausal osteoporosis.

Peripheral pulse harmonic analysis and its clinical application: A systematic review.

Introduction: Pulse harmonic analysis is a quantitative and objective methodology within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used to evaluate pulse characteristics. However, interpreting pulse wave data is challenging due to its inherent complexity. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review and comparison of existing human pulse wave harmonic analysis methods to elucidate their patterns and characteristics.

Tongue feature dataset construction and real-time detection.

Background: Tongue diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provides clinically important, objective evidence from direct observation of specific features that assist with diagnosis. However, the current interpretation of tongue features requires a significant amount of manpower and time. TCM physicians may have different interpretations of features displayed by the same tongue.

Farnesoid X Receptor Agonist GW4064 Protects Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function and Colorectal Tumorigenesis Signaling through the αKlotho/βKlotho/FGFs Pathways in Mice.

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR)/βKlotho/fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) pathway is crucial for maintaining the intestinal barrier and preventing colorectal cancer (CRC). We used an FXR agonist, GW4064, and FXR-knockout (FXR-KO) mice to investigate the role of FXR/Klothos/FGFs pathways in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and colon carcinogenesis. The results showed that upregulation of FXR in enterocytes effectively ameliorated intestinal tight-junction markers (claudin1 and zonula occludens-1), inflammation, and bile acid levels, thereby protecting mice from intestinal barrier dysfunction and colon carcinogenesis.

Meridian energy analysis may predict the prognosis of patients with advanced cancers receiving palliative care.

Background And Aim: A better understanding of irreversible prognoses in palliative care is crucial for improving patients' quality of life and their sense of dignity. We examined whether measurements of meridian electrical conductance can noninvasively and objectively predict survival time in a hospice patient population.

Experimental Procedure: This was a single-center cohort study.

Acupuncture May Help to Prevent Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Single-Blind Study.

Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of acupuncture in preventing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: This single center, randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial randomly assigned patients with stage 3 CRC attending outpatient clinics in China Medical University Hospital to either verum or sham acupuncture treatment concurrently with chemotherapy. Primary outcomes were nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and touch thresholds of limb terminals.

High-dose Tiger-Gian formula protects the knee joint from surgically induced osteoarthritis in rats.

Aim: Although the Tiger-Gian formula (TGF) has proven clinically effective at improving the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), the pharmacological effects and underlying mechanisms of TGF have not been examined in any animal model. This study assessed the effects of TGF in male Sprague-Dawley rats with anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) -induced KOA.

Methods: Thirty rats underwent ACLT surgery and were assigned to either the control group, ACLT alone, ACLT + low-dose TGF (1000 mg/kg), ACLT + high-dose TGF (3000 mg/kg), or ACLT + celecoxib (30 mg/kg).

Exploring the pivotal variables of tongue diagnosis between patients with acute ischemic stroke and health participants.

Background And Aim: Stroke is a major cause of disability worldwide, and ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke. The prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke remain a challenge worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is often sought to provide an alternative therapy for the prevention and rehabilitation intervention of ischemic stroke in Taiwan.

Identification of Genetic Variations in the NAD-Related Pathways for Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Case-Control Study in Taiwan.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is an important coenzyme in various physiological processes, including sirtuins (SIRTs) and kynurenine pathway (KP). Previous studies have shown that lower NAD levels can be indicative of increased risks of cancer and psychiatric disorders. However, there has been no prior study exploring the link between NAD homeostasis and psychiatric disorders from a genetic perspective.

Predicting frailty in older adults using vocal biomarkers: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Frailty is a common issue in the aging population. Given that frailty syndrome is little discussed in the literature on the aging voice, the current study aims to examine the relationship between frailty and vocal biomarkers in older people.

Methods: Participants aged ≥ 60 years visiting geriatric outpatient clinics were recruited.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine "Hu-Qian-Wan" Attenuates Osteoarthritis-Induced Signs and Symptoms in an Experimental Rat Model of Knee Osteoarthritis.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic, low-grade inflammatory disease that affects knee joints and causes functional disability in the elderly. KOA is typically treated with oral NSAIDs, which are commonly associated with gastrointestinal side effects or cardiovascular complications. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is widely used by patients with KOA in Taiwan; the Hu-Qian-Wan (HQW) formula is typically prescribed.

A Perspective on Tongue Diagnosis in Patients with Breast Cancer.

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women and patients with BC often undergo complex treatment. In Taiwan, nearly 80% of patients with BC seek traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) during adjuvant chemotherapy to relieve discomfort and side effects. This study investigated tongue features and pattern differentiation through noninvasive TCM tongue diagnosis in patients with BC.

Phytochemical‑rich herbal formula ATG‑125 protects against sucrose‑induced gastrocnemius muscle atrophy by rescuing Akt signaling and improving mitochondrial dysfunction in young adult mice.

The antioxidant capability of herbal remedies has attracted widespread attention, but their molecular mechanisms in a muscle atrophy model have not been explored. The aim of the present study was to compare the bioactivity of sucrose challenged mice following treatment with ATG‑125. Here, through a combination of transcriptomic and biomedical analysis, herbal formula ATG‑125, a phytochemical‑rich formula, was identified as a protective factor against muscle atrophy in sucrose challenged mice.

Kawasaki disease in childhood and psychiatric disorders: A population-based case-control prospective study in Taiwan.

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a common childhood acute inflammatory disease and potentially triggers a chronic inflammation. Although some researches have investigated neurodevelopmental consequences following KD, the findings have been inconsistent. This is the first population-based study targeted on KD and common psychiatric disorders.

A system for reporting and evaluating adverse drug reactions of herbal medicine in Taiwan from 1998 to 2016.

The Taiwan Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting System for Herbal Medicine (TADRRS-HM) has systematically documented suspected adverse events from adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports from 1998 (prior to its formal establishment in 2001) and evaluates safety profiles of herbal medicines. This article describes findings from 2079 ADR reports filed between 1998 and 2016: 941 reports involved single herbs and 87 involved folk herbals; 842 were generated from clinical trials, while 209 ADR reports involving foods, health foods, dietary supplement foods and herbal cuisine were grouped as Other. Severity assessments using the Modified Hartwig and Siegel scale classified 72.

Associations between Genetic Variants, Alcohol Consumption, and the Risk of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in an East Asian Population.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and alcohol flush syndrome are thought to be strongly influenced by genetic factors and are highly prevalent amongst East Asians. Diminished activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), a major enzyme in the alcohol-metabolizing pathway, causes the flushing syndrome associated with alcoholic consumption. The genetic effect of isoforms on NPC is unknown.

Herbal Formula SS-1 Increases Tear Secretion for Sjögren's Syndrome.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that primarily affects the exocrine glands, leading to glandular dysfunction. The hallmark symptoms of SS are dry eyes and mouth, compromising the quality of life of patients and decreasing their capacity to perform their daily activities. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the herbal formula SS-1 for its potential therapeutic benefits for patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

Effect of the Chinese Herbal Medicine SS-1 on a Sjögren's Syndrome-Like Disease in Mice.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease primarily affecting the exocrine glands; it has a major impact on patients' lives. The Chinese herbal formula SS-1 is composed of Gan Lu Yin, Sang Ju Yin, and Xuefu Zhuyu decoction, which exerts anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antifibrotic effects. Our previous study demonstrated that SS-1 alleviates clinical SS.

Efficacy of Electronic Acupuncture Shoes for Chronic Low Back Pain: Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Chronic low back pain is a common problem and is associated with high costs, including those related to health care and indirect costs due to absence at work or reduced productivity. Previous studies have demonstrated that acupuncture or electroacupuncture can relieve low back pain. Electronic acupuncture shoes (EAS) are a novel device designed in this study.

Effects of Five Daily Activities on Harmonic Analysis of the Radial Pulse.

All daily physiological activities have some effects on the body, and traditional Chinese medicine believes that pulse diagnosis can reflect the circulation of qi and blood throughout the body. This study aimed to explore the effects of five physiological activities, namely, sleep, exercise, ingestion, defecation, and shower, on pulse waves of the radial artery. Thirty test subjects were recruited for the study, and a wearable pulse signal measurement device was used for self-measurement of radial artery pulses before and after various physiological activities.