Identification of the Novel Oncogenic Role of SAAL1 and Its Therapeutic Potential in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, affecting over 700,000 people per year. The treatment effect in advanced HCC is still disappointing and prognosis of advanced HCC remains poor. Hence, to find more effective therapeutic targets to improve the treatment outcome of HCC is of urgent need.

Effect of COL4A1 Expression on the Survival of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Breast Cancer Patients.

Optimal therapy for each patient depends on their subtype, anatomic cancer stage, gene status, and preferences. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy-treated tumors have shown attenuated tumor growth, but the therapy cannot completely reduce tumor cell dissemination to blood stream and distant metastasis. Though it has been indicated that the protein of the collagen type IV alpha 1 (COL4A1) gene is induced by p53 to inhibit angiogenesis and tumorigenic activity in cancer cells, its prognostic significance in breast cancer (BC) patients has not yet been fully elucidated.

The Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Gallstones.

The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between gallstones and venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), and the risk of VTE after cholecystectomy for gallstones. This nationwide population-based cohort study retrieved the hospitalization database from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Research Database (LHID2000), a database belonging to the National Health Insurance (NHI) program of Taiwan. A total of 345,793 patients aged ≥ 18 years with gallstones diagnosed between 2000 and 2010 were identified as the study cohort.

The Effect of Cholecystectomy on the Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Patients with Gallbladder Stones.

Unlabelled: To evaluate the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) after cholecystectomy for gallbladder stones (GBS).

Methods: This nationwide population-based cohort study analyzed the inpatient data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The study cohort comprised of 83,963 patients aged 20 years undergoing cholecystectomy for GBS between 2000 and 2010.

The Correlation of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy and Subsequent Cardiovascular Diseases of Different Types: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

The aim of the present study was to survey the relationship between central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) with different severities using the National Health Insurance Research Database. A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Subjects with CSC were enrolled according to the relevant diagnostic codes, and an age- and gender-matched population was used as the control group with a 1:4 ratio.

Increased incidence of age-related macular degeneration in sensorineural hearing loss: A population-based cohort study.

Background: To evaluate the incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in patients diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) via the application of the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan.

Methodology/principal Findings: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Patients with a diagnosis of SNHL was enrolled in the study group after exclusion and a propensity score matched group without SNHL was served as the control group with a 1:2 ratio.

Retinal angiographic alteration in diabetic macular edema after dexamethasone implantation: a case report.

Here we reported a rare case of the implantation of a dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX) in which decreased retinal vessel density (VD) was found by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). A 74-year-old male with diabetes mellitus presented with bilateral macular edema. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.

A New Natural Antioxidant Biomaterial from Kanehira Leaves Represses Melanogenesis and Protects against DNA Damage.

Kanehira (COK) is an indigenous tree species in Taiwan. Chemical compositions, antioxidant activity, mushroom tyrosinase inhibition, melanin synthesis repression, and protection against DNA damage of hydrosol from the COK leaves by steam distillation were examined. We performed 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, metal ion chelating, reducing power, and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays and determined the correlations between total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities.

Disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis with artemisinin unravels anti-angiogenesis effects via auto-paracrine mechanisms.

: Tumor angiogenesis promotes tumor development, progression, growth, and metastasis. Metronomic chemotherapy involves the frequent administration of low-dose chemotherapeutic agents to block angiogenic activity and reduce side effects. : MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with various concentrations of artemisinin (ART) and vinorelbine (NVB) and the cytotoxic effects of ART/NVB were determined using the CCK-8 assay.

The Molecular Mechanism of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition for Breast Carcinogenesis.

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway plays multiple regulatory roles in the tumorigenesis and development of cancer. TGF-β can inhibit the growth and proliferation of epithelial cells and induce apoptosis, thereby playing a role in inhibiting breast cancer. Therefore, the loss of response in epithelial cells that leads to the inhibition of cell proliferation due to TGF-β is a landmark event in tumorigenesis.

Biological efficiency and nutritional value of the culinary-medicinal mushroom cultivated on a sawdust basal substrate supplement with different proportions of grass plants.

was cultivated on a sawdust basal substrate supplemented with different proportions (30%, 45%, and 60%, respectively) of stalks of three grass plants, i.e., (PRS), (PPS), and (ZMS), to determine the most effective substrate.

Effects of high pressure extraction on the extraction yield, phenolic compounds, antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activity of Djulis hull.

The hulls of Djulis () are a type of agricultural waste. Using 70% ethanol as the extraction solvent, this study compared the extraction yields of high-pressure-assisted extraction (HPE) and conventional oscillation extraction (CE) for Djulis hulls (DH). The total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tyrosinase activities were also compared.

Role of Cancer Stem Cells in Cholangiocarcinoma and Therapeutic Implications.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common type of liver cancer, and is highly aggressive with very poor prognosis. CCA is classified into intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) and extra-hepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA), which is further stratified into perihilar (pCCA) and distal (dCCA). Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells capable of tumor initiation and malignant growth, and are also responsible for chemoresistance.

Correlation and predictability of ocular aberrations and the visual outcome after quadrifocal intraocular lens implantation: a retrospective longitudinal study.

Background: To evaluate the correlating and predicting factors of visual outcome after implantation of newly developed diffractive quadrifocal intraocular lens (IOL).

Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted. Patients who underwent diffractive quadrifocal IOL implantation with a follow-up period longer than six months and records of wavefront aberrometer within one week perioperatively were enrolled.

Dermatologic Vasculature Diseases as a Risk Factor of Subconjunctival Hemorrhage.

To evaluate the relationship between subconjunctival hemorrhage (SCH) and dermatologic vasculature diseases (DVDs) via the national health insurance research database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. This retrospective cohort study used data from the NHIRD for the 2009 to 2013 period. Patients diagnosed with DVDs were enrolled in the study group, and a propensity score-matching population was selected as the control group after exclusion.

The development of optic neuropathy after chronic rhinosinusitis: A population-based cohort study.

Background: To evaluate the risk of developing optic neuropathy (ON) in patient with both non-surgery and surgery-indicated chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) via the national health insurance research database in Taiwan.

Methodology/principal Findings: 44,176 Patients with a diagnostic code of CRS was selected, which included 6,678 received functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) regarded as the surgery-indicated CRS. Each individual in the study group was matched to two non-CRS patients by age and gender.

Risk factors for the occurrence of visual-threatening posterior capsule opacification.

Background: To evaluate the potential risk factor of visual-threatening posterior capsule opacification (PCO) via the analysis of National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan.

Patients And Methods: A total of 8571 patients (3767 male and 4804 female) were recruited in the study group and 17,142 patients (7534 male and 9608 female) in the control group. Patients undergoing cataract surgery, acrysof single-piece intraocular lens implantation and Nd:YAG capsulotomy were selected as the study group.

Overexpression of LGR-5 as a Predictor of Poor Outcome in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocarcinogenesis and distant metastasis pose major challenges for physicians. They are regulated by several genes, such as , , , and , and their expression activates several important processes such as cell proliferation, migration, motility, and interaction in the microenvironment. The leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR-5) is a novel biomarker, particularly in stem cells, and is involved in embryogenesis, tumor development, and tumor cell signal transduction.

The Development of Keratopathy after Surgery-Indicated Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the risk of developing keratopathy in patients with surgery-indicated chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) via the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Patients with a diagnostic code of CRS and who received functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) were considered to have surgery-indicated CRS. The exclusion criteria were legal blindness, an ocular tumor, eyeball removal or previous keratopathy, and each individual in the study group was matched to four non-CRS patients by age and sex.

Effects of preferred music therapy on peer attachment, depression, and salivary cortisol among early adolescents in Taiwan.

Aims: To explore the effects of preferred music therapy on peer attachment, depression, and salivary cortisol among early adolescents.

Background: As adolescents enter puberty, they start to seek partnering relationships among peers. Peer attachment is central for adolescents and greatly influences their physical and psychological development.

Artificial neural networks in the selection of shoe lasts for people with mild diabetes.

This research addressed the selection of shoe lasts for footwear design to help relieve the pain associated with diabetic neuropathy and foot ulcers. A reverse engineering (RE) technique was used to convert point clouds corresponding to scanned shoe lasts and diabetic foot data into stereo lithograph (STL) meshes. A slicing algorithm was developed and was used to find relevant girth features of diabetic foot and the shoe lasts.

Gout as a Risk Factor for Dry Eye Disease: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

This study evaluated the effect of gout on the risk of dry eye disease (DED) by using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Data for 30,192 gout patients (21,081 men and 9111 women) and 30,192 non-gout patients (21,005 men and 9187 women) were analyzed. Approximately 1 million patients were randomly sampled from the NHIRD registry.

Changes in corneal endothelial density following scleral buckling surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Background: To investigate the effect of scleral buckling (SB) on the morphology and density of human corneal endothelial cells (HCEC).

Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 26 patients who had undergone SB due to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were enrolled, in which 15 patients received encircling while the other 11 segment types of SB. The postoperative status of affected eye, preoperative status of affected eye, and the contralateral healthy eye was served as the study, control and contralateral groups.

Association Between Type I and II Diabetes With Gallbladder Stone Disease.

To assess the association of type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with the subsequent development of gallbladder stone disease (GSD). Cohort Study. We identified two study cohort groups to evaluate the association of T1DM and T2DM with the development of GSD.

Effect of Uveitis on the Development of Keratopathy: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of uveitis on the development of various keratopathies via the use of the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan.

Methods: Approximately 1 million patients were randomly sampled from the registry of the NHIRD. Patients diagnosed with uveitis by ophthalmologists were enrolled in the study group after exclusion.