Complementary Chinese Herbal Medicine Treatment is Associated with a Reduction of Surgical Rate in Patients with Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding: A Propensity-Score Matched Cohort Study.

Background: Many patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) seek traditional medicine consultations. This study intended to investigate the association of complementary Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) with the surgery rate in patients with DUB in Taiwan.

Methods: We enrolled 43,027 patients with newly diagnosed DUB (ICD-9-CM codes 626.

Pan-cancer bioinformatics analysis of hepatic leukemia factor and further validation in colorectal cancer.

Background: Hepatic leukemia factor (HLF) is associated with cancer onset, growth, and progression; however, little is known regarding its biological role in pan-cancer. In order to further evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of HLF in pan-cancer and colorectal cancer (CRC), we performed comprehensive bioinformatics analyses of the molecular mechanism of HLF in pan-cancer, with subsequent verification in CRC.

Methods: We downloaded data (gene expression, clinical data, follow-up duration, and immune-related data) related to 33 solid tumor types from UCSC Xena (University of California Santa Cruz cancer database, https://xena.

Porous Polymer Structures with Tunable Mechanical Properties Using a Water Emulsion Ink.

Recently, the manufacturing of porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with engineered porosity has gained considerable interest due to its tunable material properties and diverse applications. An innovative approach to control the porosity of PDMS is to use transient liquid phase water to improve its mechanical properties, which has been explored in this work. Adjusting the ratios of deionized water to the PDMS precursor during blending and subsequent curing processes allows for controlled porosity, yielding water emulsion foam with tailored properties.

Opening-closing six- acupuncture combined with western medication for primary hypertension of liver hyperactivity:a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To observe the clinical efficacy of opening-closing six- acupuncture combined with western medication for primary hypertension of liver hyperactivity, and explore its action mechanism.

Methods: A total of 96 patients with primary hypertension of liver hyperactivity were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (48 cases) and a western medication group (48 cases, 2 cases eliminated, 1 case discontinued). The western medication group was given felodipine sustained-release tablets orally, 5 mg each time, once a day.

3D Printed Integrated Sensors: From Fabrication to Applications-A Review.

The integration of 3D printed sensors into hosting structures has become a growing area of research due to simplified assembly procedures, reduced system complexity, and lower fabrication cost. Embedding 3D printed sensors into structures or bonding the sensors on surfaces are the two techniques for the integration of sensors. This review extensively discusses the fabrication of sensors through different additive manufacturing techniques.

FHIP1A-DT is a potential novel diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarker of colorectal cancer: A pan-cancer analysis.

Background: FHIP1A-DT is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) obtained by divergent transcription whose mechanism in pan-cancer and colorectal cancer (CRC) is unclear. We elucidated the molecular mechanism of FHIP1A-DT through bioinformatics analysis and in vitro experiments.

Methods: Pan-cancer and CRC data were downloaded from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) Genome Browser and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

Exploring Key Biomarkers and Common Pathogenesis of Seven Digestive System Cancers and Their Correlation with COVID-19.

Digestive system cancer and COVID-19 significantly affect the digestive system, but the mechanism of interaction between COVID-19 and the digestive system cancers has not been fully elucidated. We downloaded the gene expression of COVID-19 and seven digestive system cancers (oral, esophageal, gastric, colorectal, hepatocellular, bile duct, pancreatic) from GEO and identified hub differentially expressed genes. Multiple verifications, diagnostic efficacy, prognostic analysis, functional enrichment and related transcription factors of hub genes were explored.

Direct Ink-Write Printing of Ceramic Clay with an Embedded Wireless Temperature and Relative Humidity Sensor.

This research presents a simple method to additively manufacture Cone 5 porcelain clay ceramics by using the direct ink-write (DIW) printing technique. DIW has allowed the application of extruding highly viscous ceramic materials with relatively high-quality and good mechanical properties, which additionally allows a freedom of design and the capability of manufacturing complex geometrical shapes. Clay particles were mixed with deionized (DI) water at different ratios, where the most suitable composition for 3D printing was observed at a 1:5 w/c ratio (16.

Seven bacterial response-related genes are biomarkers for colon cancer.

Background: Colon cancer (CC) is a common tumor that causes significant harm to human health. Bacteria play a vital role in cancer biology, particularly the biology of CC. Genes related to bacterial response were seldom used to construct prognosis models.

Recent Trends and Innovation in Additive Manufacturing of Soft Functional Materials.

The growing demand for wearable devices, soft robotics, and tissue engineering in recent years has led to an increased effort in the field of soft materials. With the advent of personalized devices, the one-shape-fits-all manufacturing methods may soon no longer be the standard for the rapidly increasing market of soft devices. Recent findings have pushed technology and materials in the area of additive manufacturing (AM) as an alternative fabrication method for soft functional devices, taking geometrical designs and functionality to greater heights.

Development of photocatalytic paint based on TiO and photopolymer resin for the degradation of organic pollutants in water.

While the use of TiO2 nanoparticles in the form of slurry/suspension requires energy-intensive separation processes, its immobilization in solid support may open new opportunities in the area of sustainable water treatment technologies. In this study, a novel method for the development of photocatalytic paint based on TiO nanoparticles and acrylate-based photopolymer resin is reported. The paint (TiO@polymer) was applied on substrates such as plastic petri dish and glass jar, which was polymerized/solidified by ultraviolet light irradiation.

Bimetallic CoMoS Composite Anchored to Biocarbon Fibers as a High-Capacity Anode for Li-Ion Batteries.

Our work reports the hydrothermal synthesis of a bimetallic composite CoMoS, followed by the addition of cellulose fibers and its subsequent carbonization under Ar atmosphere (CoMoS@C). For comparison, CoMoS was heat-treated under the same conditions and referred as bare-CoMoS. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that CoMoS@C composite matches with the CoMoS phase with additional peaks corresponding to MoO and CoMoO phases, which probably arise from air exposure during the carbonization process.

Utilization of Chinese medicine for respiratory discomforts by patients with a medical history of tuberculosis in Taiwan.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the world's major communicable infectious diseases, and it still imposes a great health burden in developing countries. The development of drug-resistant TB during the treatment increases the treatment complexity, and the long-term pulmonary complications after completing treatment raise the epidemic health burden. This study intended to investigate the utilization of Chinese medicine (CM) for respiratory symptoms by patients with a medical history of TB in Taiwan.

Adsorption of methylene blue and tetracycline onto biomass-based material prepared by sulfuric acid reflux.

The adsorptive removal of environmental pollutants is an effective method for the treatment of contaminated water. Thus, the preparation of adsorbents from low-cost, readily available, and renewable resources has garnered immense attention in recent years. In this study, a facile one-step method for the preparation of a high-capacity adsorbent is demonstrated by refluxing pine cones in concentrated sulfuric acid.

MicroRNA‑125 inhibits RKO colorectal cancer cell growth by targeting VEGF.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the major types of cancer and causes of mortality worldwide, and it remains the third most common cause of cancer‑associated mortality worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small RNAs, which have been shown to be associated with CRC. In the present study, an MTT assay and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein examination assay were performed to detect RKO cell viability.

The utilization of traditional Chinese medicine in patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based study.

Background: Many patients with gynecological disorders seek traditional medicine consultations in Asian countries. This study intended to investigate the utilization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) in Taiwan.

Methods: We analyzed a cohort of one million individuals randomly selected from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan.

Hydrothermal growth of textured Ba(x)Sr(1-x)TiO3 films composed of nanowires.

A novel method for synthesis of Barium Strontium Titanate (BST) films with a high degree of texture is developed with a two-step hydrothermal reaction and without the need for costly equipment. The dielectric constant and ferroelectric properties of the film can be tuned by varying the Ba : Sr molar ratio of the materials. The maximum ambient temperature dielectric constant of these BST films can reach 811 when the Ba molar fraction ("x" in BaxSr1-xTiO3) is 0.

Investigation of modified graphene for energy storage applications.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIB) have been receiving extensive attention because of the high specific energy density for wide applications such as electronic vehicles, commercial mobile electronics, and military applications. In LIB, graphite is the most commonly used anode material; however, lithium-ion intercalation in graphite is limited, hindering the battery charge rate and capacity. To overcome this obstacle, nanostructured anode assembly has been extensively studied to increase the lithium-ion diffusion rate.

Hydrothermal growth of highly textured BaTiO₃ films composed of nanowires.

Textured barium titanate (BaTiO(3)) films are attracting immense research interest due to their lead-free composition and excellent piezoelectric and dielectric properties. Most synthesis methods for these films require a high temperature, leading to the formation of a secondary phase and an overall decrease in the electrical properties of the ceramic. In order to alleviate these issues, a novel fabrication method is introduced by transferring oriented rutile TiO(2) nanowires to a textured BaTiO(3) film at temperatures below 160 °C.

Highly efficient synthesis of graphene nanocomposites.

Graphene consists of a monolayer of sp(2) bonded carbon atoms and has attracted considerable interest over recent years due to its extreme mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. Graphene nanocomposites have naturally begun to be studied to capitalize upon these properties. A range of complex chemical and physical processing methods have been devised that achieve isolated graphene sheets that attempt to prevent aggregation.

Superhydrophobic functionalized graphene aerogels.

Carbon-based nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and graphene are excellent candidates for superhydrophobic surfaces because of their intrinsically high surface area and nonpolar carbon structure. This paper demonstrates that graphene aerogels with a silane surface modification can provide superhydrophobicity. Graphene aerogels of various concentrations were synthesized and the receding contact angle of a water droplet was measured.

[Case control study of fractures-dislocations of ankle joint with conservative and operative treatment].

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of grade III, IV supination-eversion fractures-dislocations of ankle joint between manipulative treatment and operative treatment.

Methods: From September 2007 to December 2008, the clinical data of 60 patients with grade III, IV supination-eversion fractures-dislocations of ankle joint were retrospectively analyzed. There were 32 males and 28 females, ranging in age from 18 to 70 years with an average age of 38.

Nanocomposites with increased energy density through high aspect ratio PZT nanowires.

High energy storage plays an important role in the modern electric industry. Herein, we investigated the role of filler aspect ratio in nanocomposites for energy storage. Nanocomposites were synthesized using lead zirconate titanate (PZT) with two different aspect ratio (nanowires, nanorods) fillers at various volume fractions dispersed in a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix.