Interpretation of machine learning-based prediction models and functional metagenomic approach to identify critical genes in HBCD degradation.

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) poses significant environmental risks, and identifying HBCD-degrading microbes and their enzymatic mechanisms is challenging due to the complexity of microbial interactions and metabolic pathways. This study aimed to identify critical genes involved in HBCD biodegradation through two approaches: functional annotation of metagenomes and the interpretation of machine learning-based prediction models. Our functional analysis revealed a rich metabolic potential in Chiang Chun soil (CCS) metagenomes, particularly in carbohydrate metabolism.

Use of Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitors in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and the Incidence of Retinal Vein Occlusion in Taiwan.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of newly diagnosed retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) using sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) compared to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i).

Methods: Claims data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan were used in this nationwide retrospective cohort study. A target trial emulation framework was applied.

A Chinese patent medicine's long-term efficacy on non-dialysis patients with CKD stages 3-5: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Chinese patent medicine is commonly used in China as an important treatment mechanism to thwart the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3-5, among which Niaoduqing granules are a representative Chinese patent medicine; however, its long-term efficacy on CKD prognosis remains unclear.

Methods: Patients were grouped according to Niaoduqing granule prescription duration (non-Niaoduqing granule (non-NDQ) group vs Niaoduqing granule (NDQ) group). Serum creatinine (SCr) variation was compared using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM).

MACE and Hyperthyroidism Treated With Medication, Radioactive Iodine, or Thyroidectomy.

Importance: Excessive thyroid hormones from hyperthyroidism increase cardiovascular risks. Among 3 available treatments for hyperthyroidism, comparisons of long-term outcomes associated with antithyroid drugs (ATDs), radioactive iodine (RAI), and surgery to treat newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism are lacking.

Objective: To compare risks of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality among patients with hyperthyroidism treated with ATDs, RAI, or surgery.

The Transplantation of 3-Dimensional Spheroids of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Promotes Achilles Tendon Healing in Rabbits by Enhancing the Proliferation of Tenocytes and Suppressing M1 Macrophages.

Background: Tendons have limited regenerative potential, so healing of ruptured tendon tissue requires a prolonged period, and the prognosis is suboptimal. Although stem cell transplantation-based approaches show promise for accelerating tendon repair, the resultant therapeutic efficacy remains unsatisfactory.

Hypothesis: The transplantation of stem cells preassembled as 3-dimensional spheroids achieves a superior therapeutic outcome compared with the transplantation of single-cell suspensions.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors and the risk of venous thromboembolism: A nationwide population-based study and meta-analysis.

Aims: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) have off-target effects on haemoconcentration and anti-inflammation. The impact of SGLT-2i on the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of newly diagnosed VTE in patients with DM using SGLT-2i in comparison to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA).

Cryo-EM structure and polymorphic maturation of a viral transduction enhancing amyloid fibril.

Amyloid fibrils have emerged as innovative tools to enhance the transduction efficiency of retroviral vectors in gene therapy strategies. In this study, we used cryo-electron microscopy to analyze the structure of a biotechnologically engineered peptide fibril that enhances retroviral infectivity. Our findings show that the peptide undergoes a time-dependent morphological maturation into polymorphic amyloid fibril structures.

The thermal degradation and soil recovery of thermal treatment of field-weathered decabrominated diphenyl ether-contaminated soil.

A farm at Taoyuan in Taiwan was highly contaminated with decabrominated diphenyl ether (BDE-209), a widely used commercial brominated flame retardant and persistent in the environment, more than 10 years. Since crops are able to absorb and accumulate BDE-209 from soils in our previous research, posing a hazardous risk for humans, it is essential to develop a practical method of soil treatment. Thermal treatment was studied among different approaches.

Associations between maternal phthalate exposure and neonatal neurobehaviors: The Taiwan maternal and infant cohort study (TMICS).

Previous studies have shown associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and neurobehavioral changes in children. However, few studies have focused on neonatal neurobehavioral development. This study aimed to examine the associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and neonatal neurobehavioral development in the early days of life after birth.

A metagenomics study of hexabromocyclododecane degradation with a soil microbial community.

Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) are globally prevalent and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) listed by the Stockholm Convention in 2013. They have been detected in many environmental media from waterbodies to Plantae and even in the human body. Due to their highly bioaccumulative characterization, they pose an urgent public health issue.

Application of U-Net with Global Convolution Network Module in Computer-Aided Tongue Diagnosis.

The rapid development of intelligent manufacturing provides strong support for the intelligent medical service ecosystem. Researchers are committed to building Wise Information Technology of 120 (WIT 120) for residents and medical personnel with the concept of simple smart medical care and through core technologies such as Internet of Things, Big Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and microservice framework, to improve patient safety, medical quality, clinical efficiency, and operational benefits. Among them, how to use computers and deep learning technology to assist in the diagnosis of tongue images and realize intelligent tongue diagnosis has become a major trend.

Injection of hybrid 3D spheroids composed of podocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and vascular endothelial cells into the renal cortex improves kidney function and replenishes glomerular podocytes.

Podocytes are highly differentiated epithelial cells that are crucial for maintaining the glomerular filtration barrier in the kidney. Podocyte injury followed by depletion is the major cause of pathological progression of kidney diseases. Although cell therapy has been considered a promising alternative approach to kidney transplantation for the treatment of kidney injury, the resultant therapeutic efficacy in terms of improved renal function is limited, possibly owing to significant loss of engrafted cells.

Transplantation of 3D MSC/HUVEC spheroids with neuroprotective and proangiogenic potentials ameliorates ischemic stroke brain injury.

Ischemic stroke, and the consequent brain cell death, is a common cause of death and disability worldwide. Current treatments that primarily aim to relieve symptoms are relatively inefficient in achieving brain tissue regeneration and functional recovery, and thus novel therapeutic options are urgently needed. Although cell-based therapies have shown promise for treating the infarcted brain, a recurring challenge is the inadequate retention and engraftment of transplanted cells at the target tissue, thereby limiting the ultimate therapeutic efficacy.

Prenatal diagnosis of harlequin ichthyosis by ultrasonography: a case report.

Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis is a genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous group of skin disorders, including harlequin ichthyosis (HI), lamellar ichthyosis, and bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma. HI is the most phenotypically severe autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis associated with the mutation of the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette subfamily A member 12 () gene. The clinical manifestations include generalized hyperkeratotic plaques and deep fissures, ectropion, eclabium, and contractures.

3D Spheroids of Umbilical Cord Blood MSC-Derived Schwann Cells Promote Peripheral Nerve Regeneration.

Schwann cells (SCs) are promising candidates for cell therapy due to their ability to promote peripheral nerve regeneration. However, SC-based therapies are hindered by the lack of a clinically renewable source of SCs. In this study, using a well-defined non-genetic approach, umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (cbMSCs), a clinically applicable cell type, were phenotypically, epigenetically, and functionally converted into SC-like cells (SCLCs) that stimulated effective sprouting of neuritic processes from neuronal cells.

Efficacy of high intensity focused ultrasound treatment for cystic adenomyosis: a report of four cases.

Background: Cystic adenomyosis is a particular type of adenomyosis, High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), as a non-invasive method, has also been used to treat adenomyosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of HIFU for the treatment of cystic adenomyosis.

Methods: Diagnosis of cystic adenomyosis was obtained through trans-vaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Enhancement of Subcutaneously Transplanted β Cell Survival Using 3D Stem Cell Spheroids with Proangiogenic and Prosurvival Potential.

Islet transplantation has been demonstrated to be a promising therapy for type 1 diabetes mellitus. Although it is a minimally invasive operating procedure and provides easy access for graft monitoring, subcutaneous transplantation of the islet only has limited therapeutic outcomes, owing to the poor capacity of skin tissue to foster revascularization in a short period. Herein, 3D cell spheroids of clinically accessible umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells are formed and employed for codelivery with β cells subcutaneously.

Gelation Mechanism and Structural Dynamics of Chitosan Self-Healing Hydrogels by In Situ SAXS and Coherent X-ray Scattering.

Self-healing hydrogels with intrinsic self-healing ability, injectability, and biocompatibility have good potential in biomedical applications. The relevance between the self-healing ability and inner structure of hydrogels, however, has rarely been examined. The design criteria of self-healing hydrogels remain to be established.

Investigation of transfusion associated hepatitis C virus infection in Taiwan, 2015-2018.

Continuous strengthening of the safety of blood products to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted HCV in recipients is an important issue of Taiwanese government concern. Since 2013, highly sensitivity serology and NAT assays were simultaneously used for blood donation screening to shorten the window period of HIV, HBV and HCV infections. 15 cases of suspected transfusion-transmitted HCV infection were analyzed in 2015-2018.

Mercury (II) impairs nucleotide excision repair (NER) in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos by targeting primarily at the stage of DNA incision.

Mercuric ion (Hg) is the most prevalent form of inorganic Hg found in polluted aquatic environment. As inhibition of DNA damage repair has been proposed as one of the mechanisms of Hg-induced genotoxicity in aquatic animals and mammalian cells, this study explored the susceptibility of different stages of nucleotide excision repair (NER) in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos to Hg using UV-damaged DNA as the repair substrate. Exposure of embryos at 1h post fertilization (hpf) to HgCl at 0.

Antitumor activity of acriflavine in lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549.

Unlabelled: Aim/Materials and Methods: In order to develop better drugs against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we screened a variety of compounds and treated the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 with different drug concentrations. We then examined the cell viability using the MTT assay.

Results: Data show that a new candidate drug, acriflavine (ACF), suppresses the viability of A549 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner.