Unveiling as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker for Prostate Cancer Recurrence: From Gene to Prognosis.

Prostate cancer is a major global health burden, with biochemical recurrence (BCR) following radical prostatectomy affecting 20-40% of patients and posing significant challenges to prognosis and treatment. Emerging evidence suggests a critical role for differentially expressed in normal and neoplastic cell () domain-containing genes in oncogenesis; however, their implications in prostate cancer and BCR risk remain underexplored. This study systematically evaluated 151 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in domain-containing genes in 458 patients with prostate cancer and BCR, followed by validation in an independent cohort of 185 patients.

Molecular Mechanisms, Diagnoses, and Treatments of Respiratory Diseases.

The Special Issue "Molecular Mechanisms, Diagnoses, and Treatments of Respiratory Diseases" in the journal compiles critical advancements in the understanding of respiratory diseases, focusing on their molecular mechanisms, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic strategies [...

Multicomponent Dietary Supplementation: Impact on Tear Secretion and Ocular Surface Inflammation in Dry Eye Syndrome Patients.

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a prevalent ocular condition characterized by tear film instability, inflammation, and discomfort, affecting millions worldwide. DES is related to oxidative stress imbalance and ocular surface inflammation, which are important factors in the development of the condition. Recent studies have demonstrated that fish oil, lutein, and zeaxanthin possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Cobalt Protoporphyrin Downregulates Hyperglycemia-Induced Inflammation and Enhances Mitochondrial Respiration in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells.

Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by hyperglycemic retinal pigment epithelial cells that secrete excessive pro-inflammatory cytokines and VEGF, leading to retinal damage and vision loss. Cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) is a compound that can reduce inflammatory responses by inducing high levels of HO-1. In the present study, the therapeutic effects of CoPP were examined in ARPE-19 cells under hyperglycemia.

Advancements in Antioxidant-Based Therapeutics for Spinal Cord Injury: A Critical Review of Strategies and Combination Approaches.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) initiates a cascade of secondary damage driven by oxidative stress, characterized by the excessive production of reactive oxygen species and other reactive molecules, which exacerbate cellular and tissue damage through the activation of deleterious signaling pathways. This review provides a comprehensive and critical evaluation of recent advancements in antioxidant-based therapeutic strategies for SCI, including natural compounds, RNA-based therapies, stem cell interventions, and biomaterial applications. It emphasizes the limitations of single-regimen approaches, particularly their limited efficacy and suboptimal delivery to injured spinal cord tissue, while highlighting the synergistic potential of combination therapies that integrate multiple modalities to address the multifaceted pathophysiology of SCI.

Antioxidant, Anti-α-Glucosidase, Anti-Tyrosinase, and Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Components from Stem of with Molecular Docking Study.

is a creeping evergreen shrub endemic to Taiwan. In traditional medicine, Rhamnaceae plants are used as herbal remedies for conditions such as itching, difficulty urinating, and constipation. This study explores the inhibitory effects of various solvent extracts and bioactive components of on α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and antioxidant activity.

Carvedilol Confers Ferroptosis Resistance in HL-1 Cells by Upregulating GPX4, FTH1, and FTL1 and Inducing Metabolic Remodeling Under Hypoxia/Reoxygenation.

Hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR) often occurs under cardiac pathological conditions, and HR-induced oxidative stress usually leads to cardiomyocyte damage. Carvedilol, a non-selective β-blocker, is used clinically to treat cardiac ischemia diseases. Moreover, Carvedilol has also been reported to have an antioxidant ability by reducing lipid peroxidation.

Application of a ImageJ-Based Method to Measure Blood Flow in Adult Zebrafish and Its Applications for Toxicological and Pharmacological Assessments.

Blood flow is an important physiological endpoint to measure cardiovascular performance in animals. Because of their innate transparent bodies, zebrafish is an excellent animal model for assessing in vivo cardiovascular performance. Previously, various helpful methods for measuring blood flow in zebrafish larvae were discovered and developed.

Dominance of Sulfur-Oxidizing Bacteria, , in the Waters Affected by a Shallow-Sea Hydrothermal Plume.

The shallow-sea hydrothermal vent at Guishan Islet, located off the coast of Taiwan, serves as a remarkable natural site for studying microbial ecology in extreme environments. In April 2019, we investigated the composition of prokaryotic picoplankton communities, their gene expression profiles, and the dissolved inorganic carbon uptake efficiency. Our results revealed that the chemolithotrophs spp.

The Effects of Yoga on Fall-Related Physical Functions for Older Women: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

The evidence showed that the risk of falls was higher in women, and yoga was considered an effective rehabilitation method for preventing falls. However, there had been no previous attempts to synthesize the evidence specifically for the use of yoga in preventing falls among older women. : This systematic review aimed to strengthen the existing body of evidence by focusing exclusively on the impact of yoga in improving fall-related physical functions among older women.

Impact of Dataset Size on 3D CNN Performance in Intracranial Hemorrhage Classification.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sample size on the development of a three-dimensional convolutional neural network (3DCNN) model for predicting the binary classification of three types of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH): intraparenchymal, subarachnoid, and subdural (IPH, SAH, SDH, respectively). During the training, we compiled all images of each brain computed tomography scan into a single 3D image, which was then fed into the model to classify the presence of ICH. We divided the non-hemorrhage quantities into 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, and 150 and the ICH quantities into 20, 30, 40, and 50.

Spiradenoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Spiradenoma is a rare benign skin adnexal tumor with unknown incidence and prevalence, typically affecting young to middle-aged adults without a sexual predilection. A 59-year-old woman presented with a palpable lesion in the suprapubic region that had been there for 20 years and had become enlarged over the past 2 months. Physical examination revealed a firm, non-tender, subcutaneous mass, approximately 2 cm in size, in the right pubic region.

The Mechanical Power in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Undergoing Prone Positioning Can Predict Mortality.

Mechanical power (MP) refers to ventilator-delivered energy to the lungs, which may induce lung injury. We examined the relationship between MP and mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who underwent prone positioning. This multicenter retrospective study included data on all patients admitted to the intensive care units of eight referral hospitals in Taiwan from October 2015 to March 2016, and in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou branch from January 2017 to October 2023.

Shoulder Physiological Offset Parameters in Asian Populations-A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

: Physical shoulder offset parameters (SOPs) play important roles in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder diseases. However, there is little research analyzing SOPs in healthy shoulders using cross-sectional MRI images, especially in Asians. Therefore, this study aimed to establish physiological reference values of shoulder parameters for Asian populations.

A Rare Case of Elbow Synovial Cyst with Radial Nerve Compression.

Elbow synovial cysts are rare and can mimic more frequently encountered disorders such as lateral epicondylitis, presenting diagnostic challenges. This report describes a woman in her mid-40s with persistent pain and weakness in her right forearm due to a synovial cyst compressing the radial nerve at the Arcade of Frohse. Despite initial suspicions of lateral epicondylitis, deeper investigation using sonography confirmed the presence of a compressive synovial cyst.

Effects of Consuming Pulsed UV Light-Treated on Vitamin D Nutritional Status in Healthy Adults.

Vitamin D, essential for growth and health, is often deficient in Taiwan despite abundant sunlight. Plant-derived vitamin D (ergocalciferol) is bioavailable, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective. This study evaluated the efficacy of enhancing (PC) mushrooms' vitamin D content through pulsed ultraviolet (PUV) light and its impact on vitamin D status in humans.

Impact of Ultrasonic-Assisted Preparation of Water Caltrop Starch-Lipid Complex: Structural and Physicochemical Properties.

This study investigates the effect of ultrasonic-assisted preparation on the structural and physicochemical properties of water caltrop starch-palmitic acid complexes as a function of ultrasound intensity and treatment time. All samples exhibited the characteristic birefringence of starch-lipid complexes under the polarized microscope, and flake-like and irregular structure under scanning electron microscope (SEM), indicating the formation of complexes through ultrasonic-assisted preparation. X-ray diffraction pattern further confirmed the transition from the original A-type structure for native starch to V-type structure for starch-lipid complexes, and the relative crystallinity of starch-lipid complexes increased as the ultrasound intensity and treatment time increased.

Exploring Product Innovation and Consumer Attitudes in Molecular Gastronomy: Marketing Insights for the Gourmet Food Industry.

The increasing popularity of social media and the growth of gourmet food culture have elevated molecular gastronomy as a unique dining experience that enhances consumers' perceptions of value through innovative food presentation and sensory marketing strategies. This study investigates consumer acceptance of molecular gastronomy by utilizing the value-attitude-behavior (VAB) model and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). We examine the interplay between utilitarian and hedonic values, product innovation, and sensory stimulation to understand consumer reactions and attitudes toward molecular gastronomy.

Natural Food Colorant Obtained from Wild L. by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction: Optimization and Characterization.

In this study, a novel natural food colorant based on anthocyanins was developed from wild barberry ( L.) fruits using ultrasound-assisted extraction, which was optimized through RSM. Four extraction variables (ultrasound power, time, S/L ratio, and extraction solvent pH) were evaluated in combination.

Optimizing Non-Thermal Magnetic Field to Minimize Weight Loss and Tissue Degradation: Identifying Possible Enzyme Inhibition Mechanisms.

This research investigates potential mechanisms of novel magnetic field (MF) treatments in inhibiting cell-wall-degrading enzymes, aiming to reduce weight loss and preserve the post-harvest quality of tomatoes ( L.) as a climacteric fruit. The optimization of the processing parameters, including MF intensity (1, 2, 3 mT), frequency (0, 50, 100 Hz), and duration (10, 20, 30 min), was accomplished by applying an orthogonal array design.

An animal model of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome for translational research.

Background: Despite the fact that an increasing number of studies have focused on developing therapies for acute lung injury, managing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a challenge in intensive care medicine. Whether the pathology of animal models with acute lung injury in prior studies differed from clinical symptoms of ARDS, resulting in questionable management for human ARDS. To evaluate precisely the therapeutic effect of transplanted stem cells or medications on acute lung injury, we developed an animal model of severe ARDS with lower lung function, capable of keeping the experimental animals survive with consistent reproducibility.

Knowledge-point classification using simple LSTM-based and siamese-based networks for virtual patient simulation.

Background: In medical education, enhancing thinking skills is vital. The Virtual Diagnosis and Treatment Platform (VP) refines medical students' diagnostic abilities through interactive patient interviews (simulated patient interactions). By analyzing the questions asked during these interviews, the VP evaluates students' aptitude in medical history inquiries, offering insights into their thinking capabilities.

Association between air pollutants and blood cell counts in pediatric patients with asthma: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Asthma is a common respiratory disease in children, and air pollution is a risk factor for pediatric asthma. However, how air pollution affects blood cells in pediatric patients with asthma remains unclear.

Methods: This retrospective observational study, performed in 2007-2018 at a medical center, enrolled non-trauma patients aged < 17 years who visited the emergency department and had asthma.

Importance and fitness of family medicine milestone project from America to Taiwan.

Background: The six core competencies of ACGME - patient care (PC), medical knowledge (MK), systems-based practice (SBP), practice-based learning and improvement (PBLI), professionalism (PROF), and interpersonal and communication skills (ICS) - represent domains in which physicians must ultimately demonstrate competence. Although the ACGME's six core competencies have been applied in Taiwan with the milestone project, the application of the six core competences in the Family Medicine milestones for residency training have not yet been established.

Methods: We recruited 61 family medicine physicians from 25 hospitals from four major geographic areas for a Delphi round one survey and 72 physicians from 27 hospitals for a Delphi round two survey.

Evaluation of extracts from Phyllostachys makinoi for their antibacterial and accelerated wound healing potential.

Phyllostachys makinoi, an endemic bamboo species in Taiwan, is underutilized, despite its rich forest resources. Known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, this study explores the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing activities of P. makinoi extracts.