Celecoxib paradoxically induces COX-2 expression and astrocyte activation through the ERK/JNK/AP-1 signaling pathway in the cerebral cortex of rats.

Previous studies have shown that celecoxib or NSAID may paradoxically induce cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and trigger inflammation-like responses in airway smooth muscle cells and renal mesangial cells. Despite the extensive research on celecoxib, its atypical biological effect on the induction of COX-2 in astroglial cells within the central nervous system (CNS) remains unexplored. In the present study, we investigated the impact of celecoxib on COX-2 and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) expression and explored the mechanisms underlying celecoxib-regulated COX-2 expression in cortical astrocytes of rats.

Assessment of the herpes zoster risk among renal transplant recipients administered the influenza vaccine.

Background: Reactivation of the latent varicella-zoster virus can cause herpes zoster (HZ) infection, and renal transplant recipients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy are particularly susceptible to this condition. This study aims to evaluate the potential increase in HZ incidence following influenza vaccination among this specific patient population.

Methods: This study was a population-based, retrospective, self-controlled case series.

Syphilis and cardiovascular risk: a Taiwanese registry.

Background And Aims: Studies on the impact of syphilis on the cardiovascular system in large populations are limited. This study investigated the effects of syphilis on cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods: Medical records from 2010 to 2015 were retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, linked to the Notifiable Infectious Diseases database from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control.

Association of Influenza Vaccination With Risk of Bell Palsy Among Older Adults in Taiwan.

Importance: Annual administration of the influenza vaccine (fluVc) is currently the most effective method of preventing the influenza virus in older adults. However, half of adults older than 65 years remain unvaccinated in Taiwan, possibly because of concern about adverse events, such as Bell palsy (BP). Currently, studies on the association between fluVc and risk of BP are inconsistent.

Heart failure after dengue infection- a population-based self-controlled case-series study.

Background: Major cardiovascular events (MACEs) have been described with dengue infection. Among these MACEs, heart failure (HF) is the most common but has not been thoroughly assessed. This study aimed to evaluate the association between dengue and HF.

Discrepant Activation Pattern of Inflammation and Pyroptosis Induced in Dermal Fibroblasts in Response to Dengue Virus Serotypes 1 and 2 and Nonstructural Protein 1.

Four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV-1 to DENV-4) cause mild to severe disease in humans through infected mosquito bites. Dermal fibroblasts were found to be susceptible to DENV, and this may play a critical role in establishing the initial infection stage. However, the cellular response induced by the different DENV serotypes in dermal fibroblasts during the early stage of infection remains unclear.

The Incidence of Myocarditis Following an Influenza Vaccination: A Population-Based Observational Study.

Background And Objective: Recently, studies have pointed to a link between coronavirus disease 2019 vaccinations and myocarditis. Myocarditis following an influenza vaccine has been sporadically reported. However, it is not known whether this adverse event occurs among elderly individuals who have received influenza vaccines.

Taiwanese dermatological association (TDA) consensus for the management of pemphigus.

Pemphigus is an uncommon but life-threatening autoimmune blistering disease characterized by the presence of antibodies against desmogleins. Without effective treatment, pemphigus can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Existing consensus statements on pemphigus management from international medical groups provide varying guidelines, especially on treatment.

Risk Factors and Outcome of Acute Kidney Injury following Acute Myocardial Infarction-A Case Series Study from 2009 to 2019.

Background: Historically, acute kidney injury (AKI) has been a common severe complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI). As percutaneous coronary interventions have become more widely used, AMI outcomes have significantly improved. However, post-AMI AKI epidemiology and its associated factors are not well-understood in the age of interventional cardiology.

Risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome Among Older Adults Receiving Influenza Vaccine in Taiwan.

Importance: Although influenza vaccination has been associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), the findings among studies of older adult populations are inconsistent.

Objective: To determine the risk of GBS after influenza vaccination among older adults.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional study incorporated a self-controlled case series design.

Influenza vaccine and subsequent development of zoster.

Background: Herpes zoster (HZ), which is caused by reactivation of the latent varicella zoster virus, was not listed as a side effect of any vaccines until the introduction of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. This study used a nationwide population database to examine whether the HZ risk is increased after receiving the influenza vaccination.

Methods: This population-based retrospective self-controlled case series evaluated the association between influenza vaccine exposure and HZ risk.

A case of acquired hemophilia A and bullous pemphigoid following SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination.

Acquired hemophilia is a rare disease resulting from autoantibodies against endogenous factor VIII (FVIII), which associates with bleeding and a high mortality rate. The pathophysiology is still unclear. Recent studies suggest genetic and environmental factors trigger the breakdown of immune tolerance.

A novel fractional solid-state 585 nm laser on facial verruca plana: A report of three cases.

A novel fractional laser system with differential-wavelength modified optically pumped semiconductor technology can produce a pure 585 nm wavelength as pulsed dye laser, which has been used to treat vascular, pigmented skin lesions. Besides, this new laser modality also showed promising results for verruca plana in our experience. In this brief report, we present three cases of facial flat warts treated by this novel 585 nm diode laser.

Major acute cardiovascular events after dengue infection-A population-based observational study.

Background: Dengue virus (DENV) infection may be associated with increased risks of major adverse cardiovascular effect (MACE), but a large-scale study evaluating the association between DENV infection and MACEs is still lacking.

Methods And Findings: All laboratory confirmed dengue cases in Taiwan during 2009 and 2015 were included by CDC notifiable database. The self-controlled case-series design was used to evaluate the association between DENV infection and MACE (including acute myocardial infarction [AMI], heart failure and stroke).

An innovative targeted therapy for fluoroscopy-induced chronic radiation dermatitis.

Fluoroscopy-induced chronic radiation dermatitis (FICRD) is a complication of fluoroscopy-guided intervention. Unlike acute radiation dermatitis, FICRD is different as delayed onset and usually appears without preexisting acute dermatitis. Unfortunately, the chronic and progressive pathology of FICRD makes it difficult to treat, and some patients need to receive wide excision and reconstruction surgery.

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Heart Failure Following First-Episode of Acute Myocardial Infarction-A Case Series Study of 161,384 Cases.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is one of the important complications of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but the epidemiology, associated risks and outcomes have not been well investigated in the era of broad use of fluoroscopy-guided angiographic intervention.

Methods: We analysed 161,384 subjects who had experienced the first episode of AMI during 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2012 using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

Results: During the index AMI hospitalization, 23.

Radiation Reduction and Protection for Radiosensitive Organs (Lens, Thyroid, and Genital Organs) of Patients Receiving Percutaneous Coronary Intervention-Real-World Measurement of Radiation Dose in a Single Center.

Backgrounds: Reducing radiation exposure is the basic principle for performing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Many studies have confirmed the effect of radiation protection for medical staff, but studies about the effectiveness of protection for patients and real measurement of radiation dose in patients' specific organs are lacking.

Aim: To measure the radiation doses absorbed by patients' radiosensitive organs during PCI and the effectiveness of radiation protection.

Effects of Solanum undatum extract (SR-T100) on photocarcinogenesis and photoaging of actinic keratosis.

SR-T100 gel, containing solamargine extracted from Solanum undatum (synonym: Solanum incanum), had good therapeutic effects on actinic keratosis (AK) in human and ultraviolet B-induced papilloma in mice. This study aimed to investigate the immunohistochemical changes in the human skin after SR-T100 treatment. An immunohistochemical study was performed and the changes in photocarcinogenesis and photoaging markers after 16-week SR-T100 gel treatment were documented.

Role of HMGB1/TLR4 Axis in Ischemia/Reperfusion-Impaired Extracellular Glutamate Clearance in Primary Astrocytes.

(1) Background: Abnormal accumulation of extracellular glutamate can occur as dysfunction of astrocytic glutamate transporters, which has been linked to ischemic brain injury. Excessive extracellular glutamate-induced abnormal excitotoxicity is the major cause of secondary neuronal damage after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. However, the definite mechanism of impaired astrocytic glutamate reuptake remains unclear.