Aspirin use reduces cancer risk in betel nut chewers: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Betel nut chewing, common in several Asian populations, is linked to increased cancer risk, including oral, esophageal, gastric, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Aspirin shows potential as a chemopreventive agent. This study investigates the association between aspirin use and cancer risk among betel nut chewers.

Synergistic effects of fibrin-enriched adipose decellularized extracellular matrix (AdECM) and microfluidic model on vascularization.

Vasculature is essential for maintaining the cellular function and balance of organs and tumors. As a key component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), it significantly influences tumor characteristics. Angiogenesis, heavily influenced by the extracellular matrix (ECM), which acts as a structural scaffold and growth factor reservoir, is regulated by various factors.

AI empowering traditional Chinese medicine?

For centuries, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been a prominent treatment method in China, incorporating acupuncture, herbal remedies, massage, and dietary therapy to promote holistic health and healing. TCM has played a major role in drug discovery, with over 60% of small-molecule drugs approved by the FDA from 1981 to 2019 being derived from natural products. However, TCM modernization faces challenges such as data standardization and the complexity of TCM formulations.

Effects of N-acetylcysteine on hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection significantly contributes to global hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), known for its antioxidant properties, is a potential therapeutic agent. However, evidence on its efficacy in reducing HCC risk among HCV patients is limited.

Survival impact of pre-transplant local treatments in liver transplant recipients with BCLC stage A hepatocellular carcinoma.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different pre-transplant local treatments on the survival of liver transplantation (LTx) recipients with BCLC Stage A Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). We analyzed data from the Taiwan Cancer Registry and National Health Insurance Research Databases spanning 2012 to 2018. Employing propensity score matching, patients were categorized into three groups: those receiving local treatments (180 patients), hepatectomy (179 patients), and combined treatments (180 patients).

Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine against hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis B virus carriers.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), contributing to cancer development through direct genomic integration and chronic inflammation. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), known for its antioxidant properties, is widely utilized in cancer prevention. However, clinical evidence regarding its protective effect against HCC in HBV carriers remains sparse.

Statin therapy enhances survival in unresectable stage III lung squamous cell carcinoma with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

To evaluate the impact of statin use on overall survival and lung cancer-specific survival in patients with unresectable stage III lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) undergoing standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Using data from the Taiwan Cancer Registry Database and National Health Insurance Research Database, this propensity score matching cohort study analyzed the influence of statin use during CCRT on overall survival and lung cancer-specific survival. Statin use during CCRT was independently associated with significant improvements in overall survival and lung cancer-specific survival.

Synergic effect of combined xenogeneic mesenchymal stem cells and ceftriaxone on acute septic arthritis.

Background: This study tested the hypothesis that combined ceftriaxone (Cef) and human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUCDMSCs) was better than either therapy for alleviating acute septic arthritis (ASA).

Methods And Results: Adult-male C57BL/6 mice were categorized into control group (Clt), group A (ASA only), group B [ASA + Cef (5 mg/kg, IM per day, at days 2 to 16 after ASA induction)], group C [ASA + HUCDMSCs (5 × 105 per mice at days 2, 3, 4 after ASA induction)], and group D (ASA + Cef + HUCDMSCs). Animals were euthanized by day 28.

Tannic acids and proanthocyanidins in tea inhibit SARS-CoV-2 variants infection.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused hundreds million cases and millions death as well as continues to infect human life in the world since late of 2019. The breakthrough infection caused from mutation of SARS-CoV-2 is rising even the vaccinated population has been increasing. Currently, the severe threat posed by SARS-CoV-2 has been alleviated worldwide, and the situation has transitioned to coexisting with the virus.

Correlation of maintenance chemotherapy and improved survival in patients with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic head adenocarcinoma receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

To assess the efficacy of maintenance chemotherapy in the management of unresectable locally advanced pancreatic head adenocarcinoma (PHA) cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). This study, a large-scale head-to-head propensity score matching (PSM) cohort study, employed real-world data. PSM was used to evaluate the impact of maintenance chemotherapy on overall survival and cancer-specific survival in patients with unresectable locally advanced PHA who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and CCRT.

Maintenance chemotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy: a national propensity score matching cohort study.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common and aggressive cancer, and its standard treatment is concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Maintenance chemotherapy is often used to help prevent cancer recurrence, but its efficacy for patients with ESCC receiving CCRT remains unclear. We conducted a large head-to-head propensity score matching cohort study to estimate the effects of maintenance chemotherapy on overall survival and cancer-specific survival in patients with ESCC receiving standard CCRT.

Effects of diameters of implant and abutment screw on stress distribution within dental implant and alveolar bone: A three-dimensional finite element analysis.

Background/purpose: Few studies have investigated the effects of abutment screw diameter in the stress of dental implants and alveolar bones under occlusal forces. In this study, we investigated how variations in implant diameter, abutment screw diameter, and bone condition affect stresses in the abutment screw, implant, and surrounding bone.

Materials And Methods: Three-dimensional finite element (FE) models were fabricated for dental implants with external hex-type abutments measuring 4 and 5 mm in diameter.

Novel chromium (III)-based compound for inhibition of oxaliplatin-resistant colorectal cancer progression.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The current standard of care includes systemic chemotherapy with cytotoxic agents, offering palliative relief for severe CRC cases and serving as the primary therapy for metastatic recurrence. However, the development of chemoresistance poses a substantial obstacle in the realm of chemotherapy.

Identifying the role of MTHFD1L in prostate cancer progression from genetic analysis and experimental validation.

One-carbon metabolism plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis as it supplies the one-carbon units necessary for nucleotide synthesis, epigenetic regulation, and redox metabolism, ensuring the rapid proliferation of cancer cells. However, their roles in prostate cancer progression remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the association between genetic variants in the one-carbon metabolism pathway and clinical outcomes in patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

Analysis of mandibular molar anatomy in Taiwanese individuals using cone beam computed tomography.

Background/purpose: Before periapical surgery in the mandibular posterior teeth is performed, the thicknesses of the buccal alveolar bone wall and buccolingual root might be a critical issue. This study aimed to assess the anatomical structure of the posterior region of the mandible in Taiwanese individuals using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials And Methods: The CBCT images of 96 Taiwanese individuals (51 male and 45 female), which included 192 mandibular first molars and 192 mandibular second molars, were imported into medical imaging software to measure the buccal alveolar bone thickness and buccolingual root thickness at 3 mm above the root apex.

Antihistamines H1 use on survival outcomes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Taiwan, with poor survival rates despite standard treatment with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Antihistamines H1 (AH1) may have anticancer effects by reducing allergic reactions, activating mitogen-activated protein kinases, and regulating the immune system. However, the impact of AH1 use during CCRT on survival outcomes in patients with ESCC remains uncertain.

ZNF746 plays cardinal roles on colorectal cancer (CRC) cell invasion and migration and regulates mitochondrial dynamics and morphological changes of CRC cells-Role of combined melatonin and 5-FU regimen.

The underlying mechanism of colorectal cells developing into cancer cells has been extensively investigated, yet is still not fully delineated, resulting in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) remains regrettably an unmet need. Zinc Finger Protein 746/Parkin-interacting substrate (ZNF746/PARIS) has previously been identified to play a fundamental role on bladder cancer cell proliferation and metastasis that were effectively inhibited by melatonin (Mel). In this study, we utilized ex vivo/in vivo studies to verify whether the ZNF746 signaling was also crucial in CRC growth/invasion/migration.

Addition of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells improves empagliflozin therapy for alleviating hyperglycemia--induced neuropathy.

Background: We examined the impact of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADMSC)-facilitated empagliflozin (EMPA) therapy for alleviating hyperglycemic induced neuropathy [i.e., diabetic neuropathy (DN)].

A novel label-free electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of heat shock protein 70 of lung adenocarcinoma cell line following paclitaxel treatment using l-cysteine-functionalized Au@MnO/MoO nanocomposites.

The future trend in achieving precision medicine involves the development of non-invasive cancer biomarker sensors that offer high accuracy, low cost, and time-saving benefits for risk clarification, early detection, disease detection, and therapeutic monitoring. A facile approach for the synthesis of MoO nanosheets was developed by thermally oxidizing MoS nanosheets in air followed by thermal annealing. Subsequently, Au@MnO nanocomposites were prepared using a combined hydrothermal process and chemical synthesis.

TCMBank: bridges between the largest herbal medicines, chemical ingredients, target proteins, and associated diseases with intelligence text mining.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long been viewed as a precious source of modern drug discovery. AI-assisted drug discovery (AIDD) has been investigated extensively. However, there are still two challenges in applying AIDD to guide TCM drug discovery: the lack of a large amount of standardized TCM-related information and AIDD is prone to pathological failures in out-of-domain data.

Assessment of sagittal root position, alveolar bone concavity, and labial bone perforation in the mandibular anterior tooth region for immediate implant placement.

Background/purpose: Immediate implant placement in the mandibular anterior tooth region requires a thorough understanding of the alveolar bone anatomy for determining the ideal implant position and preventing labial bone perforation. The anatomical characteristics of the jaws are closely related to the sagittal root position (SRP) and labial concavity of the alveolar bone. This study evaluated SRP, labial concavity, and labial bone perforation in the mandibular anterior tooth region.

Comparison sealing ability in three bioceramic sealers applied in hydraulic condensation technique by using micro-computed tomography.

Background/purpose: Sealing ability in root canal obturation has always been a key concern for endodontic success. The purpose of this study was to analyze the percentage of voids in root canal space obturated by using single cone hydraulic condensation with different root canal sealers and to compare those with AH Plus sealer.

Materials And Methods: Experiments were conducted using twenty 3D-printed upper first premolars.