Fluvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, exerts protective effect against NMDA-induced seizure by increasing the seizure threshold and modulating membrane excitability in embryonic rat cortical neuron.

Background: Epilepsy affects nearly 50 million people worldwide. Previous studies have indicated the neuroprotective effects of statin on several neuropathological conditions. However, it is very much unknown whether fluvastatin was able to alter the seizure types related to neuronal excitability and progression mediated by NMDA receptor activation, and the mechanisms involved in these actions are not completely understood so far.

Suppressing Interface Defects in Perovskite Solar Cells via Introducing a Plant-Derived Ergothioneine Self-Assembled Monolayer.

Perovskite solar cells are among the most promising renewable energy devices, and enhancing their stability is crucial for commercialization. This research presents the use of L-Ergothioneine (L-EGT) as a passivation material in perovskite solar cells, strategically placed between the electron transport layer and the perovskite absorber layer to mitigate defect states at the heterojunction interface. Surface analysis reveals that introducing L-EGT passivation material significantly improves the quality of the perovskite film.

Can AI Robot Teaching Improve Children's Performance in Housework? A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Background: The primary objective of this study is to explore the effects of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) robot-assisted instruction in preschool activities on young children's performance in housework.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed, with an experimental group and two control groups, to observe changes in children's performance in housework before and after AI robot-assisted teaching. The study sample consisted of preschoolers from metropolitan Taipei, with 65 children in the experimental group, 53 in control group 1, and 75 in control group 2.

Investigation of Laser Ablation Quality Based upon Entropy Analysis of Data Science.

Laser ablation is a vital material removal technique, but current methods lack a data-driven approach to assess quality. This study proposes a novel method, employing information entropy, a concept from data science, to evaluate laser ablation quality. By analyzing the randomness associated with the ablation process through the distribution of a probability value (), we quantify the uncertainty (entropy) of the ablation.

The Modern Epidemic of Autoimmunity.

Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body, but the presence of autoantibodies, such as antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), does not always lead to autoimmune diseases. Globally, autoimmunity is on the rise, influenced by socioeconomic factors, environmental exposure, diet, and stress. Climate change and pollution further exacerbate risks.

Intraosseous and Intravenous Epinephrine Administration Routes in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Survival and Neurologic Outcomes.

Background: The rate of survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest varies depending on the timeliness and effectiveness of prehospital interventions. This study was conducted to compare out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes between intravenous and intraosseous routes and between upper and lower extremity routes for drug administration.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively analyzed data (collected using the Utstein template) from 1220 patients who had experienced out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Taiwan's Taoyuan City between January 2021 and August 2023.

Intranasal booster with SARS-CoV-2 RBD protein fused to E. coli enterotoxin a subunit after primary mRNA vaccination in mice.

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019 led to the coronavirus infection diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, significantly impacting global public health and the economy. Numerous COVID-19 vaccines based on the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein have been developed, utilizing various protein expression platforms and adjuvant systems. In a previous study, we reported using the direct fusion of the A subunit of type IIb E.

Installation of Public Access Defibrillators for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests: Identifying Suitable Locations by Using a Geographic Information System.

Background: Survival following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest depends on prompt defibrillation. Despite the efforts made to install automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in crowded areas, their usage rate remains suboptimal. This study evaluated the efficiency of installing AEDs at key landmarks in Taoyuan City to enhance accessibility and usage.

Diagnostic Potential of Combined Photoplethysmography and Ankle-Brachial Index in Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Duplex Ultrasonography-Based Comparative Study.

Background: Although ankle-brachial index (ABI) and photoplethysmography (PPG) have also shown adequate sensitivity in detecting peripheral arterial disease, their diagnostic performance is less reliable in asymptomatic cases or those with high atherosclerotic cardiovascular risks.

Methods And Results: We evaluated 130 participants using ABI, PPG, and duplex ultrasonography, diagnosing 65 with peripheral arterial disease. From the PPG, we derived 2 parameters: PPG amplitude ratio of the lower-to-upper extremities (PPG) and the PPG amplitude of the lower extremity (PPG).

Appendicitis links to the afterward subsequent psoriatic disease occurrence in Taiwan national health insurance research database: A population-based cohort study: Appendicitis links to psoriatic diseases.

Objective: To investigate the psoriatic disease risk among patients with previous appendicitis.

Methods: This study was a nationwide population-based case-control study about the association between the psoriatic disease risk among patients with a history of appendicitis in Taiwan. The study population consisted of newly diagnosed psoriatic disease with at least two outpatient visits, and the control group included those patients without psoriatic disease at the same index date.

The back body temperatures of patients with idiopathic scoliosis measured through exercise.

Background: Aerobic exercise is closely associated with the vital functions of patients with scoliosis. Infrared thermography (IRT) has been increasingly applied in physiological measurements in recent years.

Objective: This observational study aimed to use IRT to examine the back body surface temperatures of patients with idiopathic scoliosis during aerobic exercise.

Influence of Hospice Palliative Care on Medical Service Usage in Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation Cases: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: Numerous studies have demonstrated that hospice palliative care interventions for cancer patients can reduce health care utilzation. In Taiwan, 20-25% of patients who require mechanical ventilation are using prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV); however, only a limited number of studies have addressed the effectiveness of hospice palliative care for these patients. This study investigated the impact of hospice palliative care utilization on medical utilization among subjects using PMV.

Electrophysiological functional connectivity and complexity reflecting cognitive processing speed heterogeneity in young children with ADHD.

Early intervention is imperative for young children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who manifest heterogeneous neurocognitive deficits. The study investigated the functional connectivity and complexity of brain activity among young children with ADHD exhibiting a fast cognitive processing speed (ADHD-F, n = 26), with ADHD exhibiting a slow cognitive processing speed (ADHD-S, n = 17), and typically developing children (n = 35) using wireless electroencephalography (EEG) during rest and task conditions. During rest, compared with the typically developing group, the ADHD-F group displayed lower long-range intra-hemispheric connectivity, while the ADHD-S group had lower frontal beta inter-hemispheric connectivity.

Large-Area Perovskite Solar Module Produced by Introducing Self-Assembled L-Histidine Monolayer at TiO and Perovskite Interface.

Perovskite solar cells have been proven to enhance cell characteristics by introducing passivation materials that suppress defect formation. Defect states between the electron transport layer and the absorption layer reduce electron extraction and carrier transport capabilities, leading to a significant decline in device performance and stability, as well as an increased probability of non-radiative recombination. This study proposes the use of an amino acid (L-Histidine) self-assembled monolayer material between the transport layer and the perovskite absorption layer.

The Utility of a Novel Neuropsychological Measurement to Analyze Event-Related Attentional Behaviors among Young Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-a Pilot Study.

Objective: The identification and diagnosis of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits is challenging during the preschool stage. Neuropsychological measures may be useful in early assessments. Furthermore, analysis of event-related behavior appears to be an unmet need for clinical treatment planning.

Comparative Analysis of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Outcomes in Health Clinics, Nursing Homes, and Public Places: Implications for Optimizing Automated External Defibrillator Strategies.

Purpose: Various factors, such as event location and response time, influence the outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Very few studies have explored the delivery of basic life support (BLS) to patients having OHCA at health clinics or nursing homes-settings with professional BLS providers. Thus, in this study, we compared prognostic and survival outcomes between health clinics, nursing homes, and other public places (eg, workplaces and sports facilities/recreational areas) to offer insights for optimizing OHCA outcomes.

Effectiveness of Blended Versus Traditional Refresher Training for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Generally, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills decline substantially over time. By combining web-based self-regulated learning with hands-on practice, blended training can be a time- and resource-efficient approach enabling individuals to acquire or refresh CPR skills at their convenience. However, few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of blended CPR refresher training compared with that of the traditional method.