The Association between Insulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study among Taiwanese People Aged over 50 Years.

Background And Aims: Previous studies have implied that insulin resistance (IR) could represent a major underlying abnormality leading to cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between IR (estimated by the homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) index) and CVD risk among middle-aged and elderly Taiwanese individuals.

Methods: In this cross-sectional, community-based study, a total of 320 participants were interviewed to collect demographical parameters and blood samples.

Correction: Non-invasive molecular imaging of intra-articularly transplanted immortalized bone marrow stem cells for osteoarthritis treatment.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21315.

Non-invasive molecular imaging of intra-articularly transplanted immortalized bone marrow stem cells for osteoarthritis treatment.

Pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by progressive loss of articular cartilage in the knee-joints. To impart regenerative ability in lowly metabolizing chondrocytes, the bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) has recently been recognized as a superior alternative treatment for OA. However, study of primary BMSCs-mediated chondrogenesis is difficult due to progressive cellular aging and replicative senescence.

Lovastatin lowers the risk of breast cancer: a population-based study using logistic regression with a random effects model.

Background: Laboratory studies have demonstrated statin-induced apoptosis of cancer cells, including breast cancer cells, and evidence is accumulating on the mechanism of statin-induced apoptosis. However, despite numerous epidemiological studies, no consensus has been reached regarding the relationship between statin use and breast cancer risk.

Methods: This retrospective case-control study enrolled 4332 breast cancer patients and 21,660 age-matched controls registered in the National Health Insurance program of Taiwan, which covers approximately 99% of the population.

Cordyceps militaris Treatment Preserves Renal Function in Type 2 Diabetic Nephropathy Mice.

Diabetic nephropathy is derived from long-term effects of high blood glucose on kidney function in type 2 diabetic patients. Several antidiabetic drugs and herbal medications have failed to prevent episodes of DN. Hence, this study aimed to further investigate the renal injury-reducing effect of antidiabetic CmNo1, a novel combination of powders of fruiting bodies and mycelia of Cordyceps militaris.

Correction: Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Is Associated with the Development of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Taiwan.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Correction: Association of Sjögren's Syndrome in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis Virus Infection: A Population-Based Analysis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Association of Sjögrens Syndrome in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis Virus Infection: A Population-Based Analysis.

Objective: The association between Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and chronic hepatitis virus infection is inconclusive. Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are highly prevalent in Taiwan. We used a population-based case-control study to evaluate the associations between SS and HBV and HCV infections.

Association between sleep duration and sleep quality, and metabolic syndrome in Taiwanese police officers.

Objectives: This study's objective was to examine association between sleep duration and sleep quality, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in Taiwanese male police officers.

Material And Methods: Male police officers who underwent annual health examinations were invited to join the study and eventually a total of 796 subjects was included in it. The study subjects were divided into 5 groups according to the length (duration) of sleep: < 5, 5-5.

Zerumbone enhances the Th1 response and ameliorates ovalbumin-induced Th2 responses and airway inflammation in mice.

Zerumbone is a sesquiterpene compound isolated from the rhizome of wild ginger, Zingiber zerumbet Smith. The rhizomes of the plant are used as a spice and traditional medicine. Zerumbone was shown to possess anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

Hepatitis B virus infection and the risk of male infertility: a population-based analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the risk of male infertility among patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Design: A nationwide, population-based cohort study.

Setting: Not applicable.

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis: a nationwide population-based study in taiwan.

Objective: The association between chronic hepatitis virus infection and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains debatable. This nationwide population-based cohort study assessed the risk of RA among patients with a chronic infection of hepatitis B and/or C virus.

Materials And Methods: We used data extracted from the claims of 1,000,000 randomly sampled individuals covered under the Taiwan National Health Insurance program.

Synergistic anabolic actions of hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma on cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis therapy.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease associated with tissue inflammation, physical disability and imbalanced homeostasis in cartilage. For advanced treatments, biological approaches are currently focused on tissue regeneration and anti-inflammation. This study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic efficacies of hyaluronic acid (HA) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) (HA+PRP) on OA.

The Translational Proteome Modulated by 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol in Endothelial Cells.

Background: 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), a natural compound of dammarane ginsenoside purified from the ginseng plant, exhibits strong anticancer properties. It has also been reported to have strong antioxidant activity and plays a role in cardiovascular protection. However, the downstream signaling mechanism PPD employs is still unclear and requires further elucidation.

Potential Osteoporosis Recovery by Deep Sea Water through Bone Regeneration in SAMP8 Mice.

The aim of this study is to examine the therapeutic potential of deep sea water (DSW) on osteoporosis. Previously, we have established the ovariectomized senescence-accelerated mice (OVX-SAMP8) and demonstrated strong recovery of osteoporosis by stem cell and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Deep sea water at hardness (HD) 1000 showed significant increase in proliferation of osteoblastic cell (MC3T3) by MTT assay.

Rosuvastatin-regulated post-translational phosphoproteome in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Statins, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, are widely prescribed as cholesterol-lowering drugs. Statins have recently been found to have pleiotropic effects that are independent of their lipid-lowering properties. Phosphorylation of serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues of functional proteins are considered to be important in the endothelial signaling cascade.

Virally inactivated human platelet concentrate lysate induces regulatory T cells and immunosuppressive effect in a murine asthma model.

Background: Platelet concentrate lysates (PCLs) are increasingly used in regenerative medicine. We have developed a solvent/detergent (S/D)-treated PCL. The functional properties of this preparation should be unveiled.

Lemierre syndrome complicating multiple brain abscesses caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae cured by fosfomycin and meropenem combination therapy.

A woman aged 56 years of age had a community-acquired left neck abscess and internal jugular vein thrombosis with septicemia due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. Even though she was treated with intravenous meropenem, the bacteremia persisted. She was complicated with multiple brain abscesses, seizure, and leucopenia.

Regenerative potentials of platelet-rich plasma enhanced by collagen in retrieving pro-inflammatory cytokine-inhibited chondrogenesis.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of collagen matrix to enhance platelet-rich plasma (PRP) effects on pro-inflammatory cytokine-induced arthritic model. We have previously demonstrated the highly regenerative roles of PRP to restore disc degeneration and osteoporosis. In this study, PRP modulated by collagen matrix was used as a regenerative and anti-inflammatory mediator to rescue the chondrocyte degeneration induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β (10 ng/ml)+TNF-α (20 ng/ml).