Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel C-indolylxylosides as sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors.

Sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are the current focus on the indication for the management of hyperglycemia in diabetes. Here, a novel series of C-linked indolylxyloside-based inhibitors of SGLT2 has been discovered. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed that substituents at the 7-position of the indole moiety and a p-cyclopropylphenyl group in the distal position were necessary for optimum inhibitory activity.

Rat bone marrow stromal cells-seeded porous gelatin/tricalcium phosphate/oligomeric proanthocyanidins composite scaffold for bone repair.

Repair of bone defects remains a major challenge in orthopaedic surgery. Bone tissue engineering is an attractive approach for treating bone loss in various shapes and amounts. The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate the feasibility of a porous scaffold, which was composed of oligomeric proanthocyanidin crosslinked gelatin mixed with β-tricalcium phosphate (GTP) and was seeded with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) as a bone substitute.

Long-term risk of recurrent peptic ulcer bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis: a 10-year nationwide cohort study.

Unlabelled: Peptic ulcer bleeding leads to substantial morbidity and mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis, but their long-term risk of recurrent bleeding remains elusive. This nationwide cohort study aimed to elucidate the association between cirrhosis and recurrent peptic ulcer bleeding by analyzing the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. We enrolled a total of 9,711 patients who had cirrhosis with clinical complications of portal hypertension from all patients (n = 271,030) hospitalized for peptic ulcer bleeding between January 1997 and December 2006, along with 38,844 controls who were matched at a 1:4 proportion for age, sex, and antisecretory agents.

Electrical stimulation improves peripheral nerve regeneration in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Unlabelled: We discuss if percutaneous electrical stimulation (ES) at 1 mA and 2 Hz after peripheral nerve transection could enhance axonal regeneration and functional recovery in diabetic animals.

Methods: Four groups of adult rats (group A: normal rats; group B: normal rats with ES; group C: streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats; and group D: streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with ES) were subjected to sciatic nerve section followed by repair using silicone rubber conduits across a 10-mm gap. Rats in groups B and D received ES for 15 minutes every other day for three weeks.

Entecavir versus lamivudine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatic decompensation.

Background: Lamivudine has been widely used in chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatic decompensation, but its use is limited by drug resistance. This outcome research aimed to investigate the comparative efficacy and safety of entecavir versus lamivudine in decompensated patients.

Methods: Between November 2004 and February 2010, 126 consecutive treatment-naive patients received either entecavir (n=53) or lamivudine (n=73) for decompensated chronic hepatitis B.

Growth-promoting effects of quercetin on peripheral nerves in rats.

Objectives: The present study evaluated in vitro and in vivo the effects of quercetin (QC), a major ingredient in various flavonoids, on peripheral nerve regeneration.

Methods: In the in vitro study, we found that QC at concentrations of 0.1, 1, and 10 µg/mL could significantly promote the survival and outgrowth of cultured Schwann cells as compared with the controls treated with culture medium only.

The total synthesis of a ganglioside Hp-s1 analogue possessing neuritogenic activity by chemoselective activation glycosylation.

The total synthesis of ganglioside 2, an analogue of the ganglioside Hp-s1 (1) which displays neuritogenic activity toward the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC-12 cell in the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF) with an effect (34.0%) greater than that of the mammalian ganglioside GM 1 (25.4%), was accomplished by applying a chemoselective-activation glycosylation strategy.

Repair of chondral defects with allogenous chondrocyte-seeded hyaluronan/collagen II microspheres in a rabbit model.

Using a recently established method to prepare hyaluronan/collagen II (HA/Col II) microspheres for a novel biomaterial to couple with living cells/tissues, this animal model study evaluated the effects on a 4-week healing process of chondral defects by the implantation of allogenous chondrocyte-seeded HA/Col II microspheres that had been cultured in vitro for 7 days prior to implantation compared with unseeded HA/Col II microspheres or an untreated wound. Four weeks postsurgery, the untreated group's defect was filled with translucent soft tissue. At the same time, the edges and demarcation lines of the healing defects that were implanted with either HA/Col II microspheres or chondrocyte-seeded HA/Col II microspheres were infused yet recognizable.

Glycated hemoglobin A1c is superior to fasting plasma glucose as an independent risk factor for colorectal neoplasia.

Objective: To investigate which glycemic index is more strongly associated with colorectal neoplasia.

Method: This cross-sectional study enrolled 2,776 participants in a comprehensive health management program which included measurement of fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c, along with screening colonoscopy. Primary outcome was colorectal adenoma with or without dysplasia.

Can clinical features stratify use of endoscopy for dyspeptic patients with high background prevalence of upper gastrointestinal cancer?

Background: Whether clinical features can stratify priority of endoscopy remains controversial for dyspeptic patients with high background prevalence of upper gastrointestinal cancer.

Aim: To examine the predictive performance of clinical features for cancerous lesions in dyspeptic patients in Taiwan.

Methods: Between April 2008 and July 2009, 2530 consecutive dyspeptic outpatients underwent prospective evaluation with standardized questionnaire and then upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Puerarin accelerates peripheral nerve regeneration.

This study investigates the effect of puerarin (PR) on peripheral nerve regeneration in vitro and in vivo. PR at concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 μM significantly promoted survival and outgrowth of cultured Schwann cells, as compared to the controls treated with culture medium only. in vivo study, peripheral nerve regeneration was evaluated across a 15-mm gap in the sciatic nerve of rats using a silicone rubber nerve chamber filled with PR solution.

Application of endoscopy in improving survival of cirrhotic patients with acute variceal hemorrhage.

Playing a central role in the modern multidisciplinary management of acute gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage, endoscopy is essential to stratify patient at risk, control active hemorrhage, and prevent first as well as recurrent bleeding. Before endoscopic procedure, antibiotic prophylaxis along with vasoactive medication is now routine practice. Intravenous erythromycin effectively cleanses stomach and may improve the quality of endoscopy.

PLA/ β-TCP complex tubes: the mechanical properties and applications of artificial bone.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) twisted yarn was braided into a 6-layered, hollow, cylindrical braid on a 16-spindle braid machine. The PLA braid was then placed inside a β-TCP tube, forming the PLA/β-TCP complex tube which imitates the porous structure of sponge bone. Different components and structures were studied to determine the best bone molding material.

Chip-based drug screening for inhibiting α-glucosidase.

Intestinal α-glucosidase performs a physiologically vital function in the digestive process of dietary carbohydrates. Administration of an α-glucosidase inhibitor may retard the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Consequently, the rise in postprandial blood glucose could be suppressed.

Significant association of caveolin-1 genotypes with bladder cancer susceptibility in Taiwan.

Many articles have reported the caveolin-1 gene to be down-regulated thus suggesting that it might be a candidate tumor suppressor gene in many tumors. However, its involvement in bladder cancer is not clear and may be depending on pathological grade. In this case-control study, the association of Cav-1 polymorphisms with bladder cancer risk in a central Taiwanese population was investigated.

Novel use of biodegradable casein conduits for guided peripheral nerve regeneration.

Recent advances in nerve repair technology have focused on finding more biocompatible, non-toxic materials to imitate natural peripheral nerve components. In this study, casein protein cross-linked with naturally occurring genipin (genipin-cross-linked casein (GCC)) was used for the first time to make a biodegradable conduit for peripheral nerve repair. The GCC conduit was dark blue in appearance with a concentric and round lumen.

Biodegradable glutaraldehyde-crosslinked casein conduit promotes regeneration after peripheral nerve injury in adult rats.

In this study, GCC protein was used for the first time to construct a biodegradable conduit for peripheral nerve repair. The GCC was highly stable with a sufficiently high level of mechanical properties and it was non-toxic and non-apoptotic which could maintain the survival and outgrowth of Schwann cells. Noninvasive bioluminescence imaging accompanied with histochemical assessment showed the GCC was highly biocompatible after subcutaneous implantation in transgenic mice.

Acupuncture as complementary therapy for hypoxic encephalopathy: a case study.

Objective: In acute carbon monoxide intoxication, more serious neuronal damage may induce hypoxic encephalopathy with variable degrees of brain damage, ranging from confusion to deep coma. We report herein on a patient who developed hypoxic encephalopathy and acute respiratory failure after acute carbon monoxide intoxication. Acupuncture therapy has been applied along with prescription medication to restore consciousness.

Discovery of novel N-β-D-xylosylindole derivatives as sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors for the management of hyperglycemia in diabetes.

A novel series of N-linked β-D-xylosides were synthesized and evaluated for inhibitory activity against sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) in a cell-based assay. Of these, the 4-chloro-3-(4-cyclopropylbenzyl)-1-(β-D-xylopyranosyl)-1H-indole 19m was found to be the most potent inhibitor, with an EC(50) value similar to that of the natural SGLT2 inhibitor phlorizin. Further studies in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats indicated that 19m significantly increased urine glucose excretion in a dose-dependent manner with oral administration.

Proton pump inhibitor versus prokinetic therapy in patients with functional dyspepsia: is therapeutic response predicted by Rome III subgroups?

Background: The comparative effectiveness of proton pump inhibitor versus prokinetic therapy in relieving the symptoms of patients with functional dyspepsia remains unknown. Whether the Rome III subgroups predict therapeutic response has not been investigated.

Methods: This was an open-label, parallel randomized controlled trial.

Evaluation of ⁶⁰Co-gamma radiosterilization on Chinese medicines with HPLC/FTIR.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of radiosterilization on 30 Chinese medicines using γ-rays from the isotope ⁶⁰Co. Two groups of Chinese medicines, non-treated and dry samples, were treated using a ⁶⁰Co irradiation source at the doses 0, 3, 6 and 9  kGy. After storage for 3 months, characterizations of chemical compounds and functional groups were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Significant association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase single nucleotide polymorphisms with prostate cancer susceptibility in taiwan.

Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in men and is a major health problem worldwide. Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) plays an important role in folate metabolism and is also an important source of DNA methylation and DNA synthesis (nucleotide synthesis). To assess the association and interaction of genotypic polymorphisms in MTHFR and lifestyle factors with prostate cancer in Taiwan, we investigated two well-known polymorphic variants of MTHFR, C677T (rs1801133) and A1298C (rs1801131), analyzed the association of specific genotypes with prostate cancer susceptibility, and discussed their joint effects with individual habits on prostate cancer risk.

Induction of the mitochondria apoptosis pathway by phytohemagglutinin erythroagglutinating in human lung cancer cells.

Background: Deregulation of apoptosis will influence the balance of cell proliferation and cell death, resulting in various fatal diseases that can include cancer. In prior research reports related to cancer therapy, phytohemagglutinin, a lectin extracted from red kidney beans, demonstrated the ability to inhibit the growth of human cancer cells. However, one of its isoforms, erythroagglutinating, has yet to be evaluated on its anticancer effects.

Early risk stratification with simple clinical parameters for cirrhotic patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Objective: This study aimed to identify pre-endoscopic clinical parameters independently associated with 6-week mortality and to develop a prognostic model in cirrhotic patients with acute upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding.

Methods: A total of 542 consecutive admissions of 389 cirrhotic patients with acute UGI bleeding were retrospectively investigated. Pertinent clinical data obtained at the emergency department were analyzed.