ASH2L Deficiency in Smooth Muscle Drives Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling.

Background: Histone H3 lysine 4 methylation is one of the most abundant epigenetic modifications, which has been recently linked to vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension (PH). SET1/MLL methyltransferase complexes comprise the main enzymes responsible for methylating H3 lysine 4, yet their roles in vascular remodeling and PH are not fully understood. We aim to assess the contribution of ASH2L, a core SET1/MLL family member, to the pathogenesis of PH.

Ginkgolide B increases healthspan and lifespan of female mice.

Various anti-aging interventions show promise in extending lifespan, but many are ineffective or even harmful to healthspan. Ginkgolide B (GB), derived from Ginkgo biloba, reduces aging-related morbidities such as osteoporosis, yet its effects on healthspan and longevity have not been fully understood. In this study, we found that continuous oral administration of GB to female mice beginning at 20 months of age extended median survival and median lifespan by 30% and 8.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension in Asians: a retrospective dual-center study.

Background: There have been limited data on idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in Asians and there remain uncertainties whether a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure of 250 mm CSF is an optimum diagnostic cutoff. The aims of the present study included (1) characterization of IIH patients in Taiwan, (2) comparisons among different diagnostic criteria for IIH, and (3) comparisons between patients with CSF pressures of > 250 and 200-250 mm CSF.

Methods: This retrospective study involved IIH patients based on the modified Dandy criteria from two tertiary medical centers in Taiwan.

Effect of Colchicine on Coronary Plaque Stability in Acute Coronary Syndrome as Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography: The COLOCT Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Colchicine has been approved to reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with coronary heart disease on the basis of its potential benefits demonstrated in the COLCOT (Colchicine Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial) and LoDoCo2 (Low-Dose Colchicine 2) studies. Nevertheless, there are limited data available about the specific impact of colchicine on coronary plaques.

Methods: This was a prospective, single-center, randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

Revealing Roles of High-Electronegativity Fluorine Atoms in Boosting Redox Potential of Layered Sodium Cathodes.

The development of high-energy-density cathode materials is regarded as the ultimate goal of alkali metal-ion batteries energy storage. However, the strategy of regulating specific capacity is limited by the theoretical capacity, and meanwhile focusing on improving capacity will lead to structural destructions. Herein, a novel perspective is proposed that tuning the electronic band structure by introducing highly electronegative fluoride atoms in NaTMOF (0 < x < 1, 0 < y < 2) model compounds to improve redox potential for developing high-energy-density layered oxides.

Targeting Neuronal GPR65 With Delayed BTB09089 Treatment Improves Neurorehabilitation Following Ischemic Stroke.

Background: GPR65 (G protein-coupled receptor 65) can sense extracellular acidic environment to regulate pathophysiological processes. Pretreatment with the GPR65 agonist BTB09089 has been proven to produce neuroprotection in acute ischemic stroke. However, whether delayed BTB09089 treatment and neuronal GPR65 activation promote neurorestoration remains unknown.

Risk of Incident Thyroid Dysfunction in the Post-Acute Phase of COVID-19: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Hong Kong.

Objective: The evidence of thyroid dysfunction in the post-acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of incident thyroid dysfunction in the post-acute phase of COVID-19.

Methods: This retrospective, propensity-score matched, population-based study included COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 individuals between January 2020 and March 2022, identified from the electronic medical records of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority.

Characterization of tumoricidal activities mediated by a novel immune cell regimen composing interferon-producing killer dendritic cells and tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Background: Although immune cell therapy has long been used for treating solid cancer, its efficacy remains limited. Interferon (IFN)-producing killer dendritic cells (IKDCs) exhibit cytotoxicity and present antigens to relevant cells; thus, they can selectively induce tumor-associated antigen (TAA)-specific CD8 T cells and may be useful in cancer treatment. Various protocols have been used to amplify human IKDCs from peripheral sources, but the complexity of the process has prevented their widespread clinical application.

COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in multimorbidity: A territory-wide case-control study.

Multimorbidity entails a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 complications. We examined vaccine effectiveness (VE) stratified by multimorbidity using a case-control study of territory-wide electronic health records in Hong Kong. Cases of infection (testing positive), hospitalization, and mortality were identified from January to March 2022.

Risks of incident major osteoporotic fractures following SARS-CoV-2 infection among older individuals: a population-based cohort study in Hong Kong.

Population-based epidemiological studies on post-acute phase coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)-related fractures in older adults are lacking. This study aims to examine the risk of incident major osteoporotic fractures following SARS-CoV-2 infection among individuals aged ≥50, compared to individuals without COVID-19. It was a retrospective, propensity-score matched, population-based cohort study of COVID-19 patients and non-COVID individuals identified from the electronic database of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority from January 2020 to March 2022.

Evaluating the Effects of Replacing Alfalfa with Branch/Leaf Powder on Growth and Serum Indicators in Dezhou Donkeys.

The purpose of this experiment was to study the apparent digestibility and the effects of (BP) branch/leaf powder supplementation on growth performance and serum indicators in donkeys. The results showed that the apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acidic detergent fiber (ADF), and digestible energy content (DE) of BP branch/leaf powder were 51.88%, 67.

Vaccine Effectiveness of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 in CKD.

Background: The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed increased risks of hospitalization and mortality in patients with underlying CKD. Current data on vaccine effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines are limited to patients with CKD on dialysis and seroconversion in the non-dialysis population.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted of adults with CKD using data extracted from the electronic health record database in Hong Kong.

Osimertinib with or without Chemotherapy in -Mutated Advanced NSCLC.

Background: Osimertinib is a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) that is selective for EGFR-TKI-sensitizing and T790M resistance mutations. Evidence suggests that the addition of chemotherapy may extend the benefits of EGFR-TKI therapy.

Methods: In this phase 3, international, open-label trial, we randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio patients with -mutated (exon 19 deletion or L858R mutation) advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had not previously received treatment for advanced disease to receive osimertinib (80 mg once daily) with chemotherapy (pemetrexed [500 mg per square meter of body-surface area] plus either cisplatin [75 mg per square meter] or carboplatin [pharmacologically guided dose]) or to receive osimertinib monotherapy (80 mg once daily).

Neuroprotective Effects of PS128 in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease: The Role of Gut Microbiota and MicroRNAs.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor deficits and marked neuroinflammation in various brain regions. The pathophysiology of PD is complex and mounting evidence has suggested an association with the dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) and gut dysbiosis. Using a rotenone-induced PD mouse model, we observed that administration of PS128 (PS128) significantly improved motor deficits in PD-like mice, accompanied by an increased level of dopamine, reduced dopaminergic neuron loss, reduced microglial activation, reduced levels of inflammatory factors, and enhanced expression of neurotrophic factor in the brain.

Effectiveness of Molnupiravir and Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 : A Target Trial Emulation Study.

Background: Whether hospitalized patients benefit from COVID-19 oral antivirals is uncertain.

Objective: To examine the real-world effectiveness of molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 during the Omicron outbreak.

Design: Target trial emulation study.

Abnormal Conduction Zone Detected by Isochronal Late Activation Mapping Accurately Identifies the Potential Atrial Substrate and Predicts the Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Outcome After Pulmonary Vein Isolation.

Background: The presence of abnormal substrate of left atrium is a predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation. We aimed to investigate the isochronal late activation mapping to access the abnormal conduction velocity for predicting AF ablation outcome.

Methods: Forty-five paroxysmal AF patients (30 males, 57.

Comparing hybrid and regular COVID-19 vaccine-induced immunity against the Omicron epidemic.

Evidence on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines among people who recovered from a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection is warranted to inform vaccination recommendations. Using the territory-wide public healthcare and vaccination records of over 2.5 million individuals in Hong Kong, we examined the potentially differential risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, and mortality between those receiving two homologous doses of BNT162b2 or CoronaVac versus those with a previous infection receiving only one dose amid the Omicron epidemic.

Preclinical Study of Immunotherapy Combined with Radiotherapy for Solid Tumors.

Immune checkpoint blockade therapy (ICB) is ineffective against cold tumors and, although it is effective against some hot tumors, drug resistance can occur. We have developed a immunotherapy (PI) that can overcome these shortcomings. However, the specific killing effect of PI on tumor cells is relatively weak.

Improving the Diagnostic Performance by Adding Methylation Marker to Conventional Visual Examination in Identifying Oral Cancer.

Background: Visual oral examination (VOE) is a conventional oral cancer screening method. This study aimed to evaluate the value of methylation marker to assist VOE in identifying oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OED/OSCC) from non-cancerous lesions in a real-world situation.

Methods: 201 patients with high-risk personal habits who self-perceived oral anomaly were VOE examined, methylation ( tested, and histologically diagnosed.

A new sodium vanadyl fluorophosphate as a high-rate and stable cathode for aqueous hybrid sodium-zinc batteries.

Herein, a facile solvothermal method is used to prepare a new polyanion-type sodium vanadyl fluorophosphate (Na(VO)(PO)F) for aqueous hybrid sodium-zinc batteries. The novel cathode delivers superior performance, which includes a high specific capacity of 87.2 mA h g at 0.