Radiotherapy Increases Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Compared to a Healthy Control Group: A 6-Year Follow-Up Study.

Vascular abnormalities are the primary histological changes in individuals undergoing radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We sought to validate the hypothesis that the duration post-radiotherapy is linked to the progression of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and further explored its connection with mortality. Twenty-nine NPC patients who underwent radiotherapy and seventeen healthy controls were examined by carotid ultrasound for measurement of IMT and carotid plaque score at the common carotid artery (CCA), carotid bifurcation, and internal carotid artery, with follow-ups more than 6 years.

Degradation of N-methylbenzylamine and N,N-dimethylbenzylamine in anaerobic biological reactors and formation of N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine and N-nitrosodimethylamine during subsequent chloramination.

As water reuse demand increases, wastewater treatment plants must manage byproducts effectively while ensuring safety. The excessive use of benzalkonium chloride disinfectants can lead to the accumulation of benzylamines, such as N-methylbenzylamine (MBA) and N,N-dimethylbenzylamine (DMBA). Biological anaerobic treatment is becoming more popular due to concerns over energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Appendicitis links to the afterward subsequent psoriatic disease occurrence in Taiwan national health insurance research database: A population-based cohort study: Appendicitis links to psoriatic diseases.

Objective: To investigate the psoriatic disease risk among patients with previous appendicitis.

Methods: This study was a nationwide population-based case-control study about the association between the psoriatic disease risk among patients with a history of appendicitis in Taiwan. The study population consisted of newly diagnosed psoriatic disease with at least two outpatient visits, and the control group included those patients without psoriatic disease at the same index date.

Explainable Deep Learning Model for Predicting Serious Adverse Events in Hospitalized Geriatric Patients Within 72 Hours.

Background: The global aging population presents a significant challenge, with older adults experiencing declining physical and cognitive abilities and increased vulnerability to chronic diseases and adverse health outcomes. This study aims to develop an interpretable deep learning (DL) model to predict adverse events in geriatric patients within 72 hours of hospitalization.

Methods: The study used retrospective data (2017-2020) from a major medical center in Taiwan.

Multivariate analysis of carcinogenic equivalence (CEQ) to characterize carcinogenic VOC emissions in a typical petrochemical industrial park in Taiwan.

Large industrial emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the petrochemical industry are a critical concern due to their potential carcinogenicity. VOC emissions vary in composition depending on the source and occur in mixtures containing compounds with varying degrees of toxicity. We proposed the use of carcinogenic equivalence (CEQ) and multivariate analysis to identify the major contributors to the carcinogenicity of VOC emissions.

Development and Comparison of Treatment Decision Tools for Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis.

Long-term Glucocorticoid (GC) use results in compromised bone strength and fractures, and several treatment recommendations have been developed to prevent fractures, but none have been validated in a real-world setting. This study aims to create a treatment decision tool and compares this tool to the treatment suggestions from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), International Osteoporosis Foundation and European Calcified Tissue Society (IOF-ECTS), and GC-adjusted Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (GC-FRAX), above the intervention threshold. We utilized registry data gathered at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, between September 2014 and April 2021.

Analyzing the risk of osteoporosis and fracture in rheumatoid arthritis patients who have been treated with various biologics.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a major risk factor for osteoporosis/osteoporotic fractures. We aimed to elucidate the role of treatment choices among osteoporosis/osteoporotic fractures.

Methodology: We utilized the Chang-Gung Research Database to assess the risks of osteoporosis/osteoporotic fractures among independently treated RA patients, using retrospective time-to-event outcomes analysis.

Chaperonin counteracts diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by aiding sirtuin 3 in the control of fatty acid oxidation.

Aims/hypothesis: The mitochondrial chaperonin heat shock protein (HSP) 60 is indispensable in protein folding and the mitochondrial stress response; however, its role in nutrient metabolism remains uncertain. This study investigated the role of HSP60 in diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: We studied human biopsies from individuals with NAFLD, murine high-fat-diet (HFD; a diet with 60% energy from fat)-induced obesity (DIO), transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing Hsp60 (Hsp60-Tg), and human HepG2 cells transfected with HSP60 cDNA or with HSP60 siRNA.

A Study on MDA5 Signaling in Splenic B Cells from an Imiquimod-Induced Lupus Mouse Model with Proteomics.

Introduction: Several environmental stimuli may influence lupus, particularly viral infections. In this study, we used an imiquimod-induced lupus mouse model focused on the TLR7 pathway and proteomics analysis to determine the specific pathway related to viral infection and the related protein expressions in splenic B cells to obtain insight into B-cell responses to viral infection in the lupus model.

Materials And Methods: We treated FVB/N wild-type mice with imiquimod for 8 weeks to induce lupus symptoms and signs, retrieved splenocytes, selected B cells, and conducted the proteomic analysis.

Serum parabens and its correlations with immunologic and cellular markers in Southern Taiwan industrialized city systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Background: Although the immune systems of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are affected by both personal characteristics and environmental factors, the effects of parabens on patients with SLE have not been well studied. We investigated the indirect effects of four parabens-methylparaben (MP), ethylparaben (EP), propylparaben (n-PrP), and butylparaben (n-BuP)-on several immunological markers.

Methods: We assessed the serum levels of MP, EP, n-PrP, and n-BuP in 25 SLE patients and correlated the concentration of each paraben with available clinical and laboratory markers, including intracellular markers of antiviral immunity and apoptosis.

Association of Systemic Sclerosis With Incident Clinically Evident Heart Failure.

Objective: Primary myocardial involvement is an important cause of death in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Subclinical diastolic/systolic heart dysfunction is recognized; however, whether this indicates a subsequent increased risk of clinically overt heart failure (HF) remains largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the risk of clinically overt HF in a large, unselected SSc cohort.

Time-dependent risk of mortality and end-stage kidney disease among patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

Objective: To describe the time-dependent impact of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) on the risk of mortality and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The results would provide valuable insight regarding the most vulnerable period for patients with GPA.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a nationally representative database in Taiwan.

Sulfonylureas or biguanides is associated with a lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis in patients with diabetes: A nationwide cohort study.

Objective: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with immune dysregulation, while sulfonylureas or biguanides have been linked to anti-inflammatory mechanisms. In this study, we aimed to examine the occurrence rate of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among DM patients and its incidence rate between different treatments.

Methods: This cohort study used the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 1997 and 2013 to evaluate the primary outcomes of the preventive role of sulfonylureas or biguanides in the development of RA.

Identify differential inflammatory cellular and serology pathways between children and adult patients in the lupus registry.

Background: Age variances in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may reflect different patterns and consequences. Monocyte differentiation is critical, and cytokine and chemokine milieu may be associated with long term outcome and treatment responses. This study aims to evaluate the inflammatory cellular and serology pathways associated with age in our lupus registry.

Sjögren syndrome is a hidden contributor of macrovascular and microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To investigate cardiovascular risk among diabetic patients with Sjögren syndrome.

Methods: This study was a nationwide population-based case-control study from 1997 to 2013, in which the association between autoimmune diseases and diabetes was investigated. The study population consisted of individuals with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes with macrovascular or microvascular complications with at least two outpatient visits or one hospitalization as the outcome variables, and the exposure variables included traditional risk factors, medications, and autoimmune diseases.

Gut microbiota differences between psoriatic arthritis and other undifferentiated arthritis: A pilot study.

Background: Psoriatic arthritis (PSA) is a form of immune-mediated inflammatory arthritis that predominantly begins with enthesitis. Studying the gut microbiota of PSA patients may offer new insights into the pathogenesis of enthesitis, compared to other arthritis. We designed a prospective study to examine gut microbiome of patients with PSA, primarily with enthesitis and dactylitis, and compared the data with other undifferentiated types of arthritis (NO PSA) patients, without enthesitis or dactylitis.

Association of primary Sjögren's syndrome with incident heart failure: a secondary analysis of health claims data in Taiwan.

Objective: Mounting evidence has demonstrated that various chronic inflammatory diseases are associated with incident heart failure (HF). However, there is scarce evidence about the association between primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and HF. We aimed to explore this association using a nationwide database in Taiwan.

Consensus recommendations on managing the selected comorbidities including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and interstitial lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-related comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), osteoporosis (OP), and interstitial lung disease (ILD), are sub-optimally managed. RA-related comorbidities affect disease control and lead to impairment in quality of life. We aimed to develop consensus recommendations for managing RA-related comorbidities.

Time-Dependent Analysis of Risk of New-Onset Heart Failure Among Patients With Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis.

Objective: To determine the risk and time trends of heart failure (HF) leading to hospitalization in individuals newly diagnosed as having polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) relative to non-PM/DM controls at the general population level.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from a nationwide insurance database in Taiwan. Patients with incident PM/DM and without a history of HF were selected between 2000 and 2013.

Is Behçet's syndrome associated with an increased risk of ischemic heart disease? A real-world evidence in Taiwan.

Background: A variety of chronic inflammatory diseases are linked to ischemic heart disease (IHD); however, this association is less well studied in patients with Behçet's syndrome (BS). The primary objective of this study was to examine the impact of BS on the risk of IHD. The secondary objective was to estimate the long-term mortality risk in patients with BS.

Reduced Mortality Associated With the Use of Metformin Among Patients With Autoimmune Diseases.

Objective: Metformin has been linked to anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. In this study, we aimed to examine the long-term impact of metformin on mortality and organ damage in patients with autoimmune diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: We conducted a cohort study using the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan between 1997 and 2013.

Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis With an Inadequate Response to Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs at a Higher Risk of Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It is believed that using disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to control inflammation can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In this study, we investigated whether patients who responded differently to DMARDs might sustain different cardiovascular events.