A Longitudinal Study of the Association between the Polymorphism and Treatment Response in Patients with Bipolar Disorder.

Patients with bipolar disorder (BD) exhibit individual variability in the treatment outcome, and genetic background could contribute to BD itself and the treatment outcome. Leptin levels significantly change in BD patients treated with valproate (VPA), but whether polymorphisms are associated with treatment response is still unknown. This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the associations between polymorphisms and VPA treatment response in BD patients who were drug naïve at their first diagnosis of BD.

Bioactive Vitamin D Attenuates MED28-Mediated Cell Growth and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Inadequate vitamin D status may increase the risk of developing multiple types of cancer. Epidemiological studies suggest an inverse association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and malignancy, including colorectal cancer. Previous studies have suggested that MED28, a Mediator subunit involved in transcriptional regulation, is associated with the growth of colorectal cancer cells; however, its role in the progression of metastasis such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell migration of colorectal cancer is unclear at present.

Anti-Inflammatory Constituents of on RAW 264.7 Cells Induced by Polyinosinic-Polycytidylic Acid.

is an endemic mushroom in Taiwan. This study was designed to screen anti-inflammatory compounds from the methanolic extract of the mycelium of on nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells induced by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), a synthetic analog of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) known to be present in viral infection.

Gas-phase and PM-bound phthalates in nail salons: characteristics, exposure via inhalation, and influencing factors.

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of, exposure to, and factors influencing gas-phase and PM-bound phthalates (PAEs) in nail salons. Data on both indoor and outdoor gas-phase and PM-bound PAEs, carbon dioxide (CO), temperature, and relative humidity were collected in nail salons. We also used questionnaires to survey building characteristics and occupants' behaviors.

Identifying additional risk factors for early asymptomatic neonatal hypoglycemia in term and late preterm babies.

Background: Neonatal hypoglycemia is a common metabolic disorder in newborns, which may present with non-specific symptoms or even be asymptomatic. Current guidelines recommend screening for hypoglycemia in at-risk babies (late preterm, small for gestational age, large for gestational age, and infants of diabetic mothers). Past studies have suggested other potential risk factors, such as maternal obesity, gestational hypertension, cesarean section, etc.

A liquid-crystal aptasensing platform for label-free detection of a single circulating tumor cell.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which are shed from a primary site into the bloodstream and lead to distal metastases, are pivotal as a prognostic marker for evaluating the treatment response of cancer patients. One of the major challenges of detecting CTCs is their scarcity in blood. We report herein a label-free liquid crystal (LC) cytosensor by adopting an aptamer against epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) to capture EpCAM-positive cancer cells.

Mechanisms of Nanotoxicology and the Important Role of Alternative Testing Strategies.

Recently, rapid advances in nanotechnology have provided a lot of opportunities for the mass production of engineered nanomaterials of various types of chemicals, including metals and nonmetals, promoting the development of a new generation of industrial and commercial products and the field of nanomedicine [...

Prediction of Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage Progression and Neurologic Outcome in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Using Radiomics Score and Clinical Parameters.

(1) Background: Radiomics analysis of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhages on computed tomography (CT) images has been proven effective in predicting hematoma expansion and poor neurologic outcome. In contrast, there is limited evidence on its predictive abilities for traumatic intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH). (2) Methods: A retrospective analysis of 107 traumatic IPH patients was conducted.

Evaluation of Persistent Efficacy of Diabetes Remission and Decline of Cardiovascular Risk After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Preliminary 1-Year Study.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a relative safe procedure in bariatric surgery. However, relatively few studies had been assessed its comprehensive efficacies. In the current study, the efficacies of LSG were comprehensively explored on glycemic control and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction.

Psychometric Evaluation of Three Versions of the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Full, Eight-Item, and Three-Item Versions) among Sexual Minority Men in Taiwan.

The UCLA Loneliness Scale, with different short versions, is widely used to assess levels of loneliness. However, whether the scale is valid in assessing loneliness among sexual-minority men is unknown. Additionally, it is unclear whether the 8-item and 3-item short versions are comparable to the full 20-item version.

Upregulation of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein Predicts Poor Prognosis in Urothelial Carcinoma.

Purpose: Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is known as a large pentameric glycoprotein, which interacts with various extracellular matrix proteins in tissues. COMP has been reported to play a role in multiple connective tissue disorders. Recently, elevated COMP levels have been found to be associated with increased tumor size, metastases, faster recurrence of cancer, and overall poorer survival in several cancers.

Sociodemographic Factors and Comorbidities Including Hyperparathyroidism Are Associated With an Increased Risk of Band Keratopathy: A Population-Based Study in Taiwan.

Purpose: To investigate the association of comorbidities including hyperparathyroidism and sociodemographic factors with band keratopathy.

Methods: This retrospective, population-based, matched case-control study recruited 2,545 patients suffering from band keratopathy. They were selected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, based on the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code 371.

Interactive deciphering electron-shuttling characteristics of agricultural wastes with potential bioenergy-steered anti-COVID-19 activity via microbial fuel cells.

Background: This first-attempt study explored indigenous herbs from agricultural waste with bioenergy and biorefinery-stimulating potentials for possible anti-COVID-19 drug development. As prior novel study revealed, medicinal herbs abundant in -dihydroxyl substituents and flavonoid-bearing chemicals were likely not only electron shuttle (ES)-steered, but also virus transmission-resisted.

Methods: Herbal extract preparation from agricultural wastes were implemented via traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoction pot.

Intraovarian Injection of Recombinant Human Follicle-Stimulating Hormone for Luteal-Phase Ovarian Stimulation during Oocyte Retrieval Is Effective in Women with Impending Ovarian Failure and Diminished Ovarian Reserve.

It is a challenge to obtain sufficient eggs during in vitro fertilization (IVF) in women with impending ovarian failure (IOF)/diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Although studies have suggested that more than one wave of follicle growth exists, the efficacy of controlled ovulation stimulation (COS) in both follicular and luteal phases of the same ovarian cycle (DuoStim) is not established in women with IOF/DOR. We investigated the efficacy of DuoStim using the intraovarian injection of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (rhFSH) during oocyte retrieval in women with DOR.

Ionomer Membranes Produced from Hexaarylbenzene-Based Partially Fluorinated Poly(arylene ether) Blends for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells.

In this study, a series of high molecular weight ionomers of hexaarylbenzene- and fluorene-based poly(arylene ether)s were synthesized conveniently through condensation and post-sulfonation modification. The use a of blending method might increase the stacking density of chains and affect the formation both of interchain and intrachain proton transfer clusters. Multiscale phase separation caused by the dissolution and compatibility differences of blend ionomer in high-boiling-point solvents was examined through analysis and simulations.

Surgery or Surveillance for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Clinical Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy.

We aimed to evaluate the role of esophagectomy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with clinically complete response (cCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Data of patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who achieved cCR after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy between October 2008 and September 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The criteria for cCR include: (1) tumor resolution on computed tomography, (2) maximum standardized uptake value decrement >35% on positron-emission tomography-computed tomography scan, and (3) a negative endoscopic biopsy result.

Antecedents and Consequences of Green Mindfulness: A Conceptual Model.

While many companies take the environmental environment as a fundamental part of their business strategies, managers are facing the challenges to explore the integration of environmental concepts and business operations. Although there are an amount of studies about environmental management in the literature, only a few of them applied the concept of mindfulness to environmental management. Mindfulness is regarded as a way of operation marked by the willingness to consider alternative perspectives, focus on the present, attention to operational detail, and interest in exploring and understanding failures.

Outcomes of patients with different lepidic percentage and tumor size of stage I lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: To evaluate the long-term outcomes after surgical resection for stage I lung adenocarcinoma based on the percentage of lepidic component (LC) and invasive tumor size (IS).

Methods: The clinicopathological characteristics of 1049 patients with stage I lung adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery between 2006 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Tumors were categorized into groups: A (LC ≥ 50%) and B (LC < 50%).

A U-Shaped Optical Fiber Temperature Sensor Coated with Electrospinning Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofibers: Simulation and Experiment.

This study describes the fabrication of an electrospun, U-shaped optical fiber sensor for temperature measurements. The sensor is based on single mode fibers and was fabricated into a U-shaped optical fiber sensor through flame heating. This study applied electrospinning to coat PVA, a polymer, onto the sensor layer to reduce its sensitivity to humidity.

Associations among Perceived Sexual Stigma from Family and Peers, Internalized Homonegativity, Loneliness, Depression, and Anxiety among Gay and Bisexual Men in Taiwan.

This study aimed to examine the moderating factors of the association between perceived sexual stigma from family and peers and internalized homonegativity, as well as to compare the effects of perceived sexual stigma from family and peers and internalized homonegativity on loneliness, depression, and anxiety in gay and bisexual men. In total, 400 gay and bisexual men participated in this study. The experiences of perceived sexual stigma from family and peers on the Homosexuality subscale of the HIV and Homosexuality Related Stigma Scale, internalized homonegativity on the Measure of Internalized Sexual Stigma for Lesbians and Gay Men, loneliness on the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3), depression on the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, and anxiety on the State subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were collected.

Using Patient Health Profile Evaluation for Predicting the Likelihood of Retinopathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Latent Profile Analysis.

To determine whether long-term self-management among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus has the risk of developing complications. We conducted a survey of self-management behavior using diabetes self-management scales (DMSES-C and TSRQ-d) from November 2019 to May 2020 linked with biomarkers (glucose, lipid profile, blood pressure, and kidney function), and the varying measure values were transformed into normal rate proportions. We performed latent profile analysis (LPA) to categorize the patient into different patient health profiles using five classes (C1-C5), and we predicted the risk of retinopathy after adjusting for covariates.

diTFPP, a Phenoxyphenol, Sensitizes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells to C-Ceramide-Induced Autophagic Stress by Increasing Oxidative Stress and ER Stress Accompanied by LAMP2 Hypoglycosylation.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Chemotherapy is the major treatment modality for advanced or unresectable HCC; unfortunately, chemoresistance results in a poor prognosis for HCC patients. Exogenous ceramide, a sphingolipid, has been well documented to exert anticancer effects.