Advanced Glycation End-Products Acting as Immunomodulators for Chronic Inflammation, Inflammaging and Carcinogenesis in Patients with Diabetes and Immune-Related Diseases.

Increased production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) among reducing sugars (glucose, fructose, galactose, or ribose) and amino acids/proteins via non-enzymatic Maillard reaction can be found in lifestyle-related disease (LSRD), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and obesity and immune-related diseases. Increased serum levels of AGEs may induce aging, diabetic complications, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), neurodegenerative diseases (NDD), cancer, and inflamm-aging (inflammation with immunosenescence). The Maillard reaction can also occur among reducing sugars and lipoproteins or DNAs to alter their structure and induce immunogenicity/genotoxicity for carcinogenesis.

Associations between Marketing Exposure, In-game Purchases, Problem Gaming, Simulated Gambling, and Psychological Distress among Adolescents.

This study examined the relationships between marketing exposure, in-game purchase, problem gaming, online simulated gambling game playing, and psychological distress. Data were obtained from a sample of 2,595 seventh-grade students from 30 middle schools in Taiwan. A self-administered questionnaire was conducted in 2020.

Role of calcification in J-CTO score: a viewpoint of intraplaque guidewire tracking techniques.

Background: As the burden and distribution of calcification within chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions can be diverse, its effect on CTO recanalization using multiple devices and techniques is debatable. This study investigated the role of calcification in wiring-based intraplaque tracking techniques for CTO recanalization.

Methods: A modified J-CTO score without counting calcification was used to analyze the procedures of 458 consecutive patients who underwent CTO interventions.

Real-world risk factors for herpes zoster in patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing tofacitinib treatment.

Background: This study sought to assess the risk factors of herpes zoster (HZ) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with tofacitinib (TOFA).

Methods: This retrospective study reviewed RA patients receiving TOFA. We compared clinical characteristics, laboratory profiles, concomitant medication use, and HZ incidence in patients with and without recent biologic synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) treatment, which is defined as their administration ≤180 days before the initiation of TOFA treatment.

Role of TGFβ-producing regulatory T cells in scleroderma and end-stage organ failure.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial immune cells that initiate a tolerable immune response. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) is a key cytokine produced by Tregs and plays a significant role in stimulating tissue fibrosis. Systemic sclerosis, an autoimmune disease characterized by organ fibrosis, is associated with an overrepresentation of regulatory T cells.

Predicaments and coping strategies in implementing cancer truth-telling: a qualitative content analysis.

Purpose: The patient-centered communication principles in Western countries are widely esteemed. In Eastern countries, a family-centered approach to medical decision-making is preferred. However, the predicaments faced by attending physicians and their coping strategies in the process of truth-telling about cancer are unknown.

Seven-Day Vonoprazan-Based Triple Therapy as First-Line Helicobacter pylori Treatment in Comparison With Extended Sequential Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Vonoprazan, a potassium-competitive acid blocker, has demonstrated greater potency and a longer duration of acid suppression when compared to the proton pump inhibitors. However, data regarding the comparison between vonoprazan-based triple therapy with standard treatment for first-line Helicobacter pylori treatment are limited. This study aimed to compare the efficacy between 7-day vonoprazan-based triple therapy with high-dose amoxicillin (VAC-7) and 14-day extended sequential therapy (S-14).

Effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan on Survival in Patients with Heart Failure and Significant Valvular Heart Disease.

Although the benefits of sacubitril/valsartan in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are well established, patients with hemodynamically significant mitral regurgitation (MR) were excluded from pivotal trials. We aimed to assess the effects of sacubitril/valsartan on survival in patients with HFrEF and concomitant significant MR. All patients from a single center who underwent echocardiography between June 2008 and December 2020, with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of less than 40% and hemodynamically significant MR were recruited.

Validation of the AViTA upper-arm blood pressure monitor BP636 with multiple cuff sizes in the general population according to the ANSI/AAMI/ISO 81060-2:2018/Amd1:2020.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of the AViTA BP636 upper-arm home blood pressure (BP) monitor in general populations with small to extra-large arms according to the ANSI/AAMI/ISO Universal Standard (ISO 81060-2 : 2018/Amd1 : 2020).

Methods: The AViTA BPM636 was utilized on 85 adult participants with upper-arm circumferences ranging from 15 to 52 cm, and four cuffs of different sizes (small: 15-22 cm, normal: 22-33 cm, large: 33-42 cm, and extra large: 42-52 cm) were used in this study. The recruitment fulfills the criteria of the ANSI/AAMI/ISO Universal Standard 81060-2 : 2018/Amd1 : 2020 in the general population using the same arm sequential BP measurement method.

Types of cell death and their relations to host immunological pathways.

Various immune pathways have been identified in the host, including TH1, TH2, TH3, TH9, TH17, TH22, TH1-like, and THαβ immune reactions. While TH2 and TH9 responses primarily target multicellular parasites, host immune pathways directed against viruses, intracellular microorganisms (such as bacteria, protozoa, and fungi), and extracellular microorganisms can employ programmed cell death mechanisms to initiate immune responses or execute effective strategies for pathogen elimination. The types of programmed cell death involved include apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, necroptosis, and NETosis.

Causal mediation analyses for the natural course of hepatitis C: a prospective cohort study.

BackgroundHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a systemic disease. However, the relative contribution of intrahepatic and extrahepatic diseases to mediating HCV-induced mortality is unclear, albeit critical in resource allocation for reducing preventable deaths. To this end, this study comprehensively quantified the extent to which intrahepatic and extrahepatic diseases mediate HCV-induced mortality.

Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from an HLA-B27 positive ankylosing spondylitis patient with syndesmophyte formation.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 is the genetic marker for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Here, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a male AS patient carrying HLA-B27 with syndesmophyte formation by using the Sendai-virus delivery system. The resulting iPSCs had a normal karyotype, expressed pluripotent markers, and could differentiate into three germ layers.

The mechanisms of -derived outer membrane vesicles-induced neurotoxicity and microglia activation.

Background/purpose: Periodontitis is associated with various systemic diseases, potentially facilitated by the passage of outer membrane vesicles (Pg-OMVs). Several recent studies have suggested a connection between Pg-OMVs and neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, but the precise causal relationship remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying these associations using in vitro models.

Multicenter registry of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and Paired comparison with Kawasaki disease.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify clinical characteristics to differentiate multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and Kawasaki disease (KD) in Taiwan, an island with a delayed cluster of MIS-C and a high incidence of KD. Additionally, we studied risk factors for developing severe complications in patients with MIS-C.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter, cohort, and observational study that linked data on patients with MIS-C between May and December 2022 and patients with KD between 2019 and 2021 from 12 medical centers.

Microbial dynamics, risk factors and outcomes of secondary pneumonia in critically ill patients with COVID-19: A multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Background: Secondary pneumonia has a significant clinical impact on critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Aim: Considering potential geographic variations, this study explores the clinical implications of secondary pneumonia within East Asian populations.

Methods: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study enrolled critical COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care units (ICUs) admission in Taiwan from December 31, 2020, to June 1, 2022.

Development of a tool measuring various aspects of social detachment: The social detachment questionnaire for older population.

Background: Social detachment includes the subjective aspect "loneliness" and the objective aspect "social isolation," but tools to assess both dimensions are limited. This study aims to develop a questionnaire, the Social Detachment Questionnaire for Older Population (SDQO), that considers multiple dimensions of social detachment simultaneously.

Methods: The study collected 600 valid samples from individuals aged 55 and above to examine the psychometric properties of the developed SDQO.

Study of sex-biased differences in genomic profiles in East Asian hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by a notable sex disparity in incidence and tumor aggressiveness. Revealing differences in genetic landscapes between male and female HCCs may expand the understanding of sexual disparities mechanisms and assist the development of precision medicine. Although reports on the sex disparity of HCC are accumulated, studies focusing on sex-related biomarkers among Asian populations remain limited.

Prospective Impacts of Social Participation Activities on Cognitive and Psychopathological Statuses in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Objectives: This study investigated the impact of social activities on cognitive functioning and psychopathological symptoms.

Methods: Participants aged 55 or older were enrolled through communities. Initial measures assessed demographic data, neuropsychological functioning, psychopathological state, and happiness.

The effectiveness of emotion-oriented approaches on psychological outcomes and cognitive function in older adults: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Background: Emotion-oriented approaches have demonstrated effectiveness in the care of the elderly. However, related studies have reported conflicting results. We aimed to explore the pooled effect of emotion-oriented approaches on the psychological outcomes and cognitive function of older adults through a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Genetic Diagnosis in Children with Developmental Delay.

Developmental delay (DD) has a great impact on children at the developmental stage, and is often manifested by varying degrees of motor delays, intellectual disabilities, and other defects [...

Fluorescence-based reagent and spectrum-based optical reader for lactoferrin detection in tears: differentiating Sjögren's syndrome from non-Sjögren's dry eye syndrome.

Identification of an early biomarker and effective testing device to differentiate dry eye disease secondary to autoimmune disease (Sjögren's syndrome dry eye disease) from non-Sjögren's dry eye disease are prerequisites for appropriate treatment. We aimed to demonstrate the capacity of a new photo-detection device to evaluate tear lactoferrin levels as a tool for differentiating systemic conditions associated with dry eye disease. Patients with non-Sjögren's and Sjögren's syndrome dry eye disease (n = 54 and n = 52, respectively) and controls (n = 11) were enrolled.

Peripheral blood cells RNA-seq identifies differentially expressed gene network linked to lymphocyte subsets alterations and active lupus nephritis associated with declines in renal function.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether quantitative changes in lymphocyte subsets and gene expression in peripheral blood (PB) cells are related to the clinical manifestations and pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN).

Methods: We enrolled 95 pediatric-onset SLE patients with renal involvement who presented with 450 clinical episodes suspicious for LN flare. Percentages of lymphocyte subsets at each episode were determined.