Impact of Pre-existing Anti-polyethylene Glycol Antibodies on the Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy of a COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine (Comirnaty) In Vivo.

The presence of anti-polyethylene glycol (anti-PEG) antibodies can hinder the therapeutic efficacy of PEGylated drugs. With the widespread use of a PEGylated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) messenger RNA vaccine (Comirnaty), the impact of pre-existing anti-PEG antibodies on vaccine potency has become a point of debate. To investigate this, we established mouse models with pre-existing anti-PEG antibodies and divided them into 3 groups: group 1 with anti-PEG immunoglobulin G + immunoglobulin M concentrations of 0.

Changes in Serum Rheumatoid Factor Following Eradication of Hepatitis C Virus Infection With Interferon or Direct Antiviral Therapy.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with a myriad of extrahepatic manifestations (EHM), as well as the production of autoantibodies, including rheumatoid factor (RF). This study aims to elucidate whether serum levels of RF change before and after HCV eradication, and whether these changes differ according to the type of therapy used. This is a retrospective cohort study of adults with chronic HCV infection treated with interferon-free or interferon-based regimens.

Consensus on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations: Challenges and strategies for high-risk populations in Taiwan.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact globally, particularly in high-risk populations such as those with underlying health conditions. In response to the evolving pandemic landscape and the recent surge in confirmed cases in Taiwan, the Taiwan Association of Family Medicine (TAFM) established a consensus on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for vulnerable groups through a comprehensive literature review, expert panel discussions, and a practice-oriented formulation procedure to develop evidence-based guidance. Its key findings highlight the increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes among individuals with disorders such as diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory illness.

Effect of pelvic arterial stenosis on erectile function: determining the severity threshold for erectile dysfunction.

Background: Pelvic arterial (PLA) stenosis is associated with arterial insufficiency of the penis and erectile dysfunction (ED), but the effect of different severities of PLA stenosis on ED remains unclear.

Aim: To investigate how different severities of PLA stenosis affect erectile function.

Methods: We included patients who visited our clinic for ED and underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA) and dynamic duplex sonography (DUS).

Too early to be different? A multi-institutional study with 30-year follow-up for prognostic factors of completely resected early stage thymoma.

Background/purpose: This multi-institutional study was aimed to analyze prognostic factors of completely resected early stage thymoma.

Methods: Patients with surgically treated early stage thymoma between 1988 and 2019 were enrolled. Statistical associations were evaluated using the χ test, Fisher's exact test, and Student's t-test.

Therapeutic effects of Huangqi formula (Eefooton) in chronic kidney disease: clinical research and narrative literature review.

Objective: The study aimed to assess the clinical effects of employing the Huangqi formula (Eefooton; EFT) for chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment. A narrative literature review was undertaken to elucidate the specific ingredients of EFT and their potential impact on renal health.

Methods: A retrospective observational study investigated EFT treatment in outpatients with stable CKD (stages 3B to 5) from March 2019 to March 2021.

Cholinesterase Inhibitor Reveals Synergistic Potential for Neural Stem Cell-Based Therapy in the 5xFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Background And Objectives: Stem cell therapy shows great promise for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) like donepezil are well-established for alleviating AD symptoms. This study aimed to determine if combining ChEI treatment with stem cell therapy could improve therapeutic outcomes.

Protocol to measure glucose utilization in mouse tissues using radiolabeled 2-deoxy-D-glucose.

2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) is a glucose analog converted to 2-deoxy-D-glucose-6-phosphate (2DG-6P) by hexokinase in glycolysis. While 2DG commonly measures glucose uptake, 2DG-6P detects glucose utilization. Here, we present a protocol to measure glucose utilization in various tissues after entering a mouse's body using radiolabeled 2DG.

Association Between Current Medical Decision-Making Participation Self-Efficacy and Advance Care Planning Engagement Among Older Adults: Baseline Findings from a Nationwide Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Misconceptions of and cultural differences in aging influence older adults' medical decision-making self-efficacy and engagement in advance care planning (ACP). This study aims to investigate the association between current medical decision-making participation self-efficacy and ACP engagement among older individuals receiving home-based medical care (HBMC) in Taiwan. Baseline data analysis of a nationwide cohort study.

A zero-waste approach to Sarcodia suiae valorization: Recycling aquaculture wastes and carbon dioxide for biostimulant, biofertilizer, and bioenergy production.

Aquaculture waste and carbon dioxide (CO) are a global concern. Sarcodia suiae cultivated in outdoor photobioreactors (PBRs) using shrimp aquaculture wastewater and CO from biogas demonstrates significant benefits. It boosted biomass by 18.

Association of ambient particulate matter (PM) with reduced sex ratio at birth after the implementation of a rapid transit system in Taipei, Taiwan.

Sex ratio at birth (SRB) is a simple, noninvasive way to monitor the reproductive health of a population. Apparently only a few studies have assessed the relationship between ambient air pollution and SRBs. The studies that investigated this relationship have yielded inconsistent results.

Taurine Protects Irinotecan-induced Muscle Dysfunction by Modulating Oxidative Stress and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Human Skeletal Muscle Cells.

Background/aim: Irinotecan is a key component of standard first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. However, irinotecan-induced muscle dysfunction is a contributing factor to cancer cachexia. Here, we present the protective effect of taurine, a conditionally essential amino acid with great antioxidant properties, in attenuating muscle dysfunction induced by irinotecan.

[The Unique Challenges of Treating and Caring for Older Adult Patients With Cancer].

In older age, tissue degeneration, decreased cellular competition, and the declining efficiency of clearance mechanisms lead to higher rates of survival and accumulation for cells with adaptive mutations, which increase the risk of cancer cell development (Laconi et al., 2020). Thus, age is a significant risk factor for cancer.

Circulating RBP4 and FABP4 concentrations in patients with chronic schizophrenia are associated with increased epicardial adipose tissue volume and metabolic syndrome.

Schizophrenia has been linked to an elevated cardiovascular risk profile and premature onset of cardiovascular disease. Quantifying epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume provides insight into its correlation with coronary artery disease (CAD) severity and associated risk factors. Previous research indicates higher pericardial adipose tissue in individuals with schizophrenia compared to non-schizophrenic counterparts.

Electroacupuncture Regulates Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Expression in a Mouse Fibromyalgia Model: Pharmacological and Chemogenetic Modulation.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness usually accompanied by long-lasting, general pain throughout the body, often accompanied by anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disruption. Meanwhile, doctors and scientists have not entirely discovered detailed mechanisms; patients always have an exaggerated sensation to pervasive pain without satisfied medical service. Given the lack of knowledge on its underlying mechanism, current treatments aim to provide pain and/or symptom relief.

Correction: Chen et al. Heteronemin Suppresses Lymphangiogenesis Through ARF-1 and MMP-9/VE-Cadherin/Vimentin. 2021, , 1109.

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Audiovestibular Dysfunction Related to Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) has emerged as a significant issue in autoimmune diseases over recent decades. Its hallmark feature is thromboembolic events, potentially affecting any vascularized area including the microcirculation of the inner ear. Since the first case report of APS-related audiovestibular dysfunction described in 1993, numerous reports have explored the association between APS-related antibodies and audiovestibular dysfunction.

Depression, Anxiety, and Pain Predict Quality of Life in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Postradiotherapy Ablation in Taiwan: A 48-Week Follow-Up Study.

Despite the generally good prognosis of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), impairments in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remain a major concern in these patients. This study examined the patterns and predictors of change in mental and physical HRQoL in DTC survivors following radiotherapy ablation. Two hundred patients with DTC who received radiotherapy ablation in southern Taiwan between 2015 and 2018 were interviewed using the Taiwan version of the 36-item Short-form Health Survey (SF-36), the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire (TDQ), and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) at baseline and after 24 and 48 weeks of treatment.

Electrochemical Determination of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide with an Epitope-Imprinted Polymer-Based Sensor.

B-type natriuretic peptides (BNP) are produced and secreted by the myocardium to reduce blood pressure and cardiac load. They cause vasodilation, natriuresis, growth suppression, and inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. The measurement of plasma BNP levels provides clinically useful information concerning the diagnosis and management of left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure, complementing other diagnostic testing procedures.

2024 Guidelines of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology on the Primary Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease --- Part II.

For the primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), the recommended treatment target for each modifiable risk factor is as follows: reducing body weight by 5-10%; blood pressure < 130/80 mmHg (systolic pressure < 120 mmHg in high-risk individuals); low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) < 100 mg/dL in high-risk individuals, LDL-C < 115 mg/dL in moderate-risk individuals, LDL-C < 130 mg/dL in low-risk individuals, and LDL-C < 160 mg/dL in those with a minimal; complete and persistent abstinence from cigarette smoking; hemoglobin A1C < 7.0%; fulfilling recommended amounts of the six food groups according to the Taiwan food guide; and moderate-intensity physical activity 150 min/wk or vigorous physical activity 75 min/wk. For the primary prevention of ASCVD by pharmacological treatment in individuals with modifiable risk factors/clinical conditions, statins are the first-line therapy for reducing LDL-C levels; some specific anti-diabetic drugs proven to be effective in randomized controlled trials for the primary prevention of ASCVD are recommended in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus; pharmacological treatment is recommended to assist in weight management for obese patients with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m (or 27 kg/m who also have at least one ASCVD risk factor or obesity-related comorbidity); an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, a sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, and finerenone can be used in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease for the primary prevention of ASCVD.