Elevated reactive aggression in forebrain-specific knockout mice.

Cellular communication network factor 2 (CCN2) is a matricellular protein that plays important roles in connective tissue. CCN2 is also expressed in the nervous system; however, its role is still unclear. To explore CCN2 function in the brain, we generated forebrain-specific knockout (Fb KO) mice.

Optimizing rehabilitation strategies in Parkinson's disease: a comparison of dual cognitive-walking treadmill training and single treadmill training.

Dual cognitive-walking treadmill training (DTT), designed to replicate real-life walking conditions, has shown promise effect in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aims to compare the effects of DTT versus single treadmill training (STT) on cognitive and walking performance under both single and dual task conditions, as well as on fall, patients' subjective feeling, and quality of life. Sixteen individuals with PD were randomly assigned to DTT or STT group and underwent 8 weeks of training.

Clinical outcomes and patient-reported outcomes after oncoplastic breast surgery in breast cancer patients: A matched cohort study.

Background: Surgery is the recommended treatment for breast cancer, the most common cancer in women in Taiwan and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Although breast-conserving surgery (BCS) has good prognosis, in some cases, BCS may cause more significant deformities and interfere with the patient's psychosocial well-being. Oncoplastic breast surgery (OBS) is the treatment option in these cases.

Influencing factors for treatment escalation from metformin monotherapy in youth-onset type 2 diabetes in Northern Taiwan.

With the increasing prevalence of obesity, childhood type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing concern in Taiwan. Unlike its adult counterpart, T2D in children exhibits a more aggressive nature and earlier onset of complications. Metformin represents the first line of drug, but if blood sugar levels do not improve, other drugs are used.

Cerebellar Volume and Disease Staging in Parkinson's Disease: An ENIGMA-PD Study.

Background: Increasing evidence points to a pathophysiological role for the cerebellum in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, regional cerebellar changes associated with motor and non-motor functioning remain to be elucidated.

Objective: To quantify cross-sectional regional cerebellar lobule volumes using three dimensional T1-weighted anatomical brain magnetic resonance imaging from the global ENIGMA-PD working group.

Functional partnerships between GPI-anchored proteins and adhesion GPCRs.

Specific extracellular interaction between glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins and adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs) plays an important role in unique biological functions. GPI-anchored proteins are derived from a novel post-translational modification of single-span membrane molecules, while aGPCRs are bona fide seven-span transmembrane proteins with a long extracellular domain. Although various members of the two structurally-distinct protein families are known to be involved in a wide range of biological processes, many remain as orphans.

CVM-1118 (foslinanib), a 2-phenyl-4-quinolone derivative, promotes apoptosis and inhibits vasculogenic mimicry via targeting TRAP1.

CVM-1118 (foslinanib) is a phosphoric ester compound selected from 2-phenyl-4-quinolone derivatives. The NCI 60 cancer panel screening showed CVM-1125, the major active metabolite of CVM-1118, to exhibit growth inhibitory and cytotoxic effects at nanomolar range. CVM-1118 possesses multiple bioactivities, including inducing cellular apoptosis, cell cycle arrest at G/M, as well as inhibiting vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formation.

Effects of Neurofeedback on Cognitive Function, Productive Activity, and Quality of Life in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Cognitive impairment is common in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Studies that have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback (NFB) on cognitive function following TBI have had poor study designs and small sample sizes.

Objectives: This randomized controlled trial assessed the effects of low-resolution tomography Z-score NFB (LZNFB) and theta/beta NFB on cognitive impairment, return to productive activity, and quality of life in patients with TBI.

Coronary Artery Spasm-Related Heart Failure Syndrome: Literature Review.

Although heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome that becomes worse over time, certain cases can be reversed with appropriate treatments. While coronary artery spasm (CAS) is still underappreciated and may be misdiagnosed, ischemia due to coronary artery disease and CAS is becoming the single most frequent cause of HF worldwide. CAS could lead to syncope, HF, arrhythmias, and myocardial ischemic syndromes such as asymptomatic ischemia, rest and/or effort angina, myocardial infarction, and sudden death.

Hydrogel-Based Strategies for the Management of Osteomyelitis.

Osteomyelitis is a type of bone infection caused by bacteria, with being responsible for most cases. Osteomyelitis treatment generally requires a multifaceted approach that may include intervention of surgery and administration of antibacterial agents, where several materials have been utilized as delivery vehicles for antibiotics and other antibacterial materials. Hydrogel has become a popular candidate for osteomyelitis treatment due to its biocompatibility, water-containing porous structure, and adaptable physicochemical properties.

Role of Adhesion G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Immune Dysfunction and Disorder.

Disorders of the immune system, including immunodeficiency, immuno-malignancy, and (auto)inflammatory, autoimmune, and allergic diseases, have a great impact on a host's health. Cellular communication mediated through cell surface receptors, among different cell types and between cell and microenvironment, plays a critical role in immune responses. Selective members of the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor (aGPCR) family are expressed differentially in diverse immune cell types and have been implicated recently in unique immune dysfunctions and disorders in part due to their dual cell adhesion and signaling roles.

Waist-to-height ratio for the prediction of gallstone disease among different obesity indicators.

Background: Factors of metabolic syndrome such as obesity are well-known risk factors for gallstone disease (GSD). There are different indicators of obesity, including weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio. The predictive ability of different obesity indicators for GSD remains unclear.

Effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on pediatric emergency department visits for acute gastroenteritis evaluated using a validated clinical severity score.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak that began in late 2019 has significantly affected quality of life and healthcare. Approaches to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have also affected the prevalence of other diseases. This retrospective review evaluated pediatric emergency department (PED) volume, in terms of children with acute gastroenteritis (AGE), and changes in AGE severity before versus during the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary medical center in Taiwan.

The Efficacy and Safety of Short-Term Tolvaptan Usage in Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Background: Patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) have a poor prognosis and poor quality of life due to dyspnea and edema. Tolvaptan, a vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist, is an effective water diuretic. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a short course of tolvaptan to treat volume overload in patients with ADHF.

Post-operative prophylactic antibiotics in aseptic revision hip and knee arthroplasty: a propensity score matching analysis.

The use of extended antibiotic (EA) prophylaxis (> 24 h) remains controversial in aseptic revision arthroplasty. We sought to determine whether EA prophylaxis reduces the risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in aseptic revision hip and knee arthroplasty. A total of 2800 patients undergoing aseptic revision hip and knee arthroplasty at five institutional databases from 2008 to 2017 were evaluated.

GPR97 triggers inflammatory processes in human neutrophils via a macromolecular complex upstream of PAR2 activation.

Neutrophils play essential anti-microbial and inflammatory roles in host defense, however, their activities require tight regulation as dysfunction often leads to detrimental inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Here we show that the adhesion molecule GPR97 allosterically activates CD177-associated membrane proteinase 3 (mPR3), and in conjugation with several protein interaction partners leads to neutrophil activation in humans. Crystallographic and deletion analysis of the GPR97 extracellular region identified two independent mPR3-binding domains.

Cerebral Hemodynamics and Regional Oxygen Metabolism during Ductus Arteriosus Ligation in Preterm Infants.

Introduction: Neurodevelopmental impairment is a growing concern for preterm infants who received surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). We aimed to explore the cerebral hemodynamics during the critical period of PDA ligation.

Methods: Very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infants who underwent PDA ligation were prospectively enrolled.

Genetic Disruption of KLF1 K74 SUMOylation in Hematopoietic System Promotes Healthy Longevity in Mice.

The quest for rejuvenation and prolonged lifespan through transfusion of young blood has been studied for decades with the hope of unlocking the mystery of the key substance(s) that exists in the circulating blood of juvenile organisms. However, a pivotal mediator has yet been identified. Here, atypical findings are presented that are observed in a knockin mouse model carrying a lysine to arginine substitution at residue 74 of Krüppel-like factor 1 (KLF1/EKLF), the SUMOylation-deficient Klf1 mouse, that displayed significant improvement in geriatric disorders and lifespan extension.

Stroke Risk in Patients with Gout: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study in Taiwan.

Objectives: To estimate stroke risk in Taiwanese patients with gout.

Methods: We enrolled patients from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database, with gout diagnosed from 2000 to 2008, and followed them up until December 2018. This cohort was propensity score-matched according to birth year, sex, the date of diagnosis of gout, comorbidities, and co-medications with individuals without gout (controls) ( = 310,820 in each group).

Changes in interferon-γ release assay readout after COVID-19 vaccination: A prospective cohort study.

Objectives: Interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) are widely used in public health practice to diagnose latent tuberculosis. During the COVID-19 pandemic and rollout of COVID-19 vaccination, it has remained unclear whether COVID-19 vaccines interfere with IGRA readouts.

Methods: We prospectively recruited healthcare workers during their annual occupational health examinations in 2021.