The AHR-NRF2-JDP2 gene battery: Ligand-induced AHR transcriptional activation.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) can regulate a series of genes encoding the detoxifying phase I and II enzymes, via a signaling crosstalk known as the "AHR-NRF2 gene battery". The chromatin transcriptional regulator Jun dimerization protein 2 (JDP2) plays a central role in thetranscription of AHR gene in response to the phase I enzyme ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. It forms a transcriptional complex with AHR-AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT) and NRF2-small musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma proteins (sMAF), which are then recruited to the respective cis-elements, such as dioxin response elements and antioxidant response elements, respectively, in the AHR promoter.

Copper-nitrite complexes release nitric oxide and selectively induce oral precancer and cancer cell apoptosis.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a small, short-lived gas molecule that influences various critical functions in living organisms. It involves multiple physiological processes, including cardiovascular function, metabolism, neurotransmission, immunity, and aberrant NO signaling leads to various disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers. In this study, we explored the potential application of copper-nitrite complexes in treating oral precancer and cancer.

Mediating roles of weight stigma and physical activity avoidance in the associations between severity of gaming disorder and levels of physical activity among young adults.

Background And Aims: There are limited data regarding associations between gaming disorder and physical activity (PA). The present study investigated the direct association between these two variables and assessed the potentially mediating roles of PA avoidance and two types of weight stigma (i.e.

Development and Validation of the Scale of Hypoglycemia Self-Care Behavior in Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: Inappropriate dietary, exercise, and medication self-care behaviors among persons with diabetes can easily trigger hypoglycemia. Clinically, it is necessary to quickly identify high-risk groups for hypoglycemic events to provide targeted hypoglycemia education. However, there is currently a lack of precise tools to assess self-care behaviors related to hypoglycemia.

Dual Mechanisms of Action: Anti-Candida and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Fermentation Broth in Treating Vulvovaginal Candidiasis.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), a condition predominantly caused by , affects millions of women worldwide, prompting the need for alternative treatments due to the side effects and increasing resistance associated with conventional imidazole antifungals. This study investigated VAGINNE, a novel fermentation broth derived from species, as a potential VVC treatment. Using a BALB/c mouse model of infection, we evaluated VAGINNE's effects on vaginal microbiome composition, inflammatory markers, and tissue integrity.

Perch Hydrolysates from Upcycling of Perch Side Streams Accelerate Wound Healing by Enhancing Fibroblasts to Secrete Procollagen I, Fibronectin, and Hyaluronan.

Wound healing incurs various challenges, making it an important topic in medicine. Short-chain peptides from fish protein hydrolysates possess wound healing properties that may represent a solution. In this study, perch hydrolysates were produced from perch side steams using a designed commercial complex enzyme via a proprietary pressure extraction technique.

Microspectrometer-Enabled Real-Time Concentration Monitoring in the Microfluidic Protein Enrichment Chip.

This study presents a novel microspectrometer-integrated microfluidic system for real-time protein concentration monitoring. The device employs electrokinetic principles for efficient protein preconcentration in a PDMS and Nafion film channel. Using FITC-labeled BSA as a model protein, the system demonstrated a linear correlation between protein concentration and absorbance at 491 nm.

Precision Imaging for Early Detection of Esophageal Cancer.

Early detection of early-stage esophageal cancer (ECA) is crucial for timely intervention and improved treatment outcomes. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies offer promising avenues for enhancing diagnostic accuracy in this context. This study utilized a dataset comprising 3984 white light images (WLIs) and 3666 narrow-band images (NBIs).

Short-term and long-term outcomes of acute severe ulcerative colitis in Taiwan: a multicenter study with pre- and post-biologics comparison.

Background/aims: Data from Asia regarding the short-term and long-term outcomes for acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) are limited. We assessed the outcomes of ASUC, identified the risk factors for colectomy, and compared colectomy rates between the pre-biologics and post-biologics eras in Taiwan.

Methods: The patients with an ASUC diagnosis between January 2013 and March 2022 at 5 tertiary medical centers were retrospectively analyzed.

Deep Convolutional Neural Networks on Multiclass Classification of Three-Dimensional Brain Images for Parkinson's Disease Stage Prediction.

Parkinson's disease (PD), a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, is commonly diagnosed using functional medical imaging techniques such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In this study, we utilized two SPECT data sets (n = 634 and n = 202) from different hospitals to develop a model capable of accurately predicting PD stages, a multiclass classification task. We used the entire three-dimensional (3D) brain images as input and experimented with various model architectures.

Infarct core segmentation using U-Net in CT perfusion imaging: a feasibility study.

Background: The wide variability in thresholds on computed tomography (CT) perfusion parametric maps has led to controversy in the stroke imaging community about the most accurate measurement of core infarction.

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of using U-Net to perform infarct core segmentation in CT perfusion imaging.

Material And Methods: CT perfusion parametric maps were the input of U-Net, while the ground truth segmentation was determined based on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).

PREDICTORS OF TSH NORMALIZATION IN THYROTOXICOSIS PATIENTS AFTER TREATMENT.

Context: Understanding factors delaying recovery in thyrotoxicosis patients is crucial for optimizing treatment plan.

Objective: This study aimed to identify predictive factors for the delayed thyroid function recovery in thyrotoxicosis patients.

Design: The study is a retrospective review of medical records of adult thyrotoxicosis patients diagnosed at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, from January 2014 to December 2021.

A pre- and post-course survey of an elective Chinese medicine curriculum among junior Western medical students in Taiwan.

Background: Demonstrating a positive impact of educational programs on clinical care outcomes is challenging. We assess students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors as short-term outcomes of integrating a structured Traditional Chinese Medicine course within a Western medical school.

Methods: A prospective questionnaire survey was conducted among first-year and second-year undergraduate medical students who participated in the "Introduction to Chinese Medicine" course in 2020.

Effectiveness of a scenario-based simulation course on improving the clinical communication skills of dietetic students.

Background: Effective clinical communication skills are essential for dietitians as it impacts patient outcomes and satisfaction across diverse clinical and public healthcare settings. Despite its importance as a core competency, many dietetics programs, including those in Taiwan, need to provide sufficient training in this area. This study aimed to develop and assess a scenario-based simulation course to improve communication skills in dietetic students.

Microglia modulate the cerebrovascular reactivity through ectonucleotidase CD39.

Microglia and the border-associated macrophages contribute to the modulation of cerebral blood flow, but the mechanisms have remained uncertain. Here, we show that microglia regulate the cerebral blood flow baseline and the responses to whisker stimulation or intra-cisternal magna injection of adenosine triphosphate, but not intra-cisternal magna injection of adenosine in mice model. Notably, microglia repopulation corrects these cerebral blood flow anomalies.

Targeted internalization and activation of glycosidic switch liposomes by a biological macromolecule mPEG×EphA2 increases therapeutic efficacy against lung cancer.

Glycosidic switch liposome (GSL) technology efficiently encapsulates and stabilizes potent anticancer drugs in liposomes using a reversible glucuronide ester. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the glucuronide switch in target cell lysosomes produces parental drug. Our study examined the potential of a bispecific macromolecule, a polyethylene glycol (PEG) engager (mPEG×EphA2), generated by fusing a humanized anti-methoxy PEG (mPEG) Fab with an anti-EphA2 single-chain antibody, to increase GSL uptake into cancer cells and boost the anticancer activity by targeting PEG on GSL and an internalizing tumor antigen.

Integrated multi-omics analyses of oral squamous cell carcinoma reveal precision patient stratification and personalized treatment strategies.

Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a leading subtype of head and neck cancer, exhibits high global incidence and mortality rates. Despite advancements in surgery and radiochemotherapy, approximately one-third of patients experience relapse. To improve current targeted and immunotherapy strategies for recurrent OSCC, we conducted multi-omics analyses on pretreatment OSCC samples (cohorts 1 and 2, n=137) and identified A3A and EGFR, both at the RNA and protein levels, as inversely expressed markers for patient stratification and response prediction.

Prognostic significance of diagnosis-to-surgery interval in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: A nationwide study.

Background: The question as to whether prolonged diagnosis-to-surgery intervals (DSIs) may compromise survival outcomes in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) remains unanswered. This nationwide study was designed to address this issue.

Methods: We analyzed data from 26,214 patients with first primary OCSCC identified in the Taiwanese Cancer Registry Database between 2011 and 2021.

Association studies of vasoactive genes and preeclampsia in taiwan.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious condition characterized by hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. The exact cause of PE is unknown but may involve abnormalities in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Genetic variations in angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and eNOS genes have been associated with PE.

Evaluation of positions of four lingula shapes for mandibular ramus surgery.

Background: The lingula is an important landmark for conducting certain mandibular surgery procedures, such as sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) and intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO). The purpose of this study was to investigate the location of the lingula in both horizontal and vertical planes among four different shapes of the mandibular ramus.

Methods: Ninety patients, 60 female and 30 male, underwent cone beam computed tomography scans to evaluate the measurements of the lingula tip (Li) in relation to the anterior border (AB), posterior border (PB), sigmoid notch (SN), and inferior border (IB) of the ramus.

Freehand Apple-peeling Technique for Recycled Skin Graft Harvesting in a Case of Buttock Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that often necessitates extensive surgery when medical treatment fails, particularly in advanced stages. Traditional surgical approaches, including flaps and skin grafts, are effective for tissue coverage but can lead to vascular complications and recurrence of HS. This study introduces a novel technique, the apple-peeling procedure, combined with negative pressure wound therapy at -50 mm Hg for 5 days postoperatively.

and hybrid approach to unveil triterpenoids from leaves as potential compounds for inhibiting Nrf2.

Cancer is a leading global health concern, with over 20 million new cases and 9.7 million deaths reported in 2022. Chemotherapy remains a widely used treatment, but drug resistance, which affects up to 90% of treatment outcomes, significantly hampers its effectiveness.