A human oral commensal-mediated protection against Sjögren's syndrome with maintenance of T cell immune homeostasis and improved oral microbiota.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a prevalent systemic autoimmune disease with substantial impacts on women's health worldwide. Although oral Haemophilus parainfluenzae is reduced in SS, its significance remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the pathophysiological role of H.

The effect of healthcare professional-implemented interventions on adherence to oral targeted therapy in patients with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This study investigated the impact of healthcare professional-led interventions on adherence to oral targeted therapy and identified the behavior change techniques (BCTs) underpinning the interventions.

Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL Plus, PubMed, and Web of Science up to July 2024 identified randomized controlled trials and cohort studies involving adult patients (≥ 18 years) with cancer on oral targeted therapy receiving healthcare professional-led interventions to improve adherence. Adherence-related outcomes, including proportions of patients continuing treatments or with a medication possession ratio (MPR) ≥ 90%, were compared between intervention and control (usual care) groups.

Xylaria iriomotensis sp. nov. from termite nests and notes on X. angulosa.

Background: Fungus gardens of the termite Odontotermes formosanus, excavated from Iriomote Island, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, were subsequently incubated under laboratory conditions. A Xylaria species emerging from these fungus gardens was initially identified as X. angulosa, a species originally described from North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Sequence analysis and genome organization of a new marafivirus from Leptochloa chinensis.

High-throughput sequencing was used to identify and characterize a novel marafivirus from the weed Leptochloa chinensis, which was tentatively named "Leptochloa chinensis marafivirus" (LcMV). The complete genome of the virus consists of 6,178 base pairs, and its nucleotide sequence is 73.82% identical to that of Sorghum almum marafivirus, which is a member of the genus Marafivirus within the family Tymoviridae.

An assessment of physiological and health responses in Catla catla fingerlings after polystyrene microplastic exposure.

Microplastics (MPs) form when plastic debris is released into the aquatic environment, where they decompose and have deleterious effects on aquatic life. This study aimed to examine the harmful impacts of polystyrene MPs (PS-MPs) on the growth, carcass composition, hematology, digestibility, histopathology, and mineral analysis of Catla catla (11.09 ± 0.

Nutrition literacy in Vietnamese pregnant women: a cross-sectional study.

Inadequate nutrition intake during pregnancy elevates the risk of adverse health outcomes during pregnancy, with potential long-term repercussions for both mother and child, extending to subsequent generations. Current initiatives to improve individual dietary habits emphasize promoting nutrition literacy (NL), which encompasses the ability to access, comprehend, and use basic nutrition information and services necessary for making appropriate nutrition decisions. However, there were limited data on the NL of pregnant women in Vietnam.

Two novel SNPs Rs1736952 and Rs17354984 are highly associated with uveitis in ankylosing spondylitis.

Background: Noninfectious anterior uveitis shares genetic factors, including HLA-B27, with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aim of this study was to identify significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with noninfectious anterior uveitis in AS patients, which could help predict the risk of developing this condition and provide deeper insights into its genetic underpinnings.

Methods: A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted utilizing the genomic data of 468 AS patients, including 90 with noninfectious anterior uveitis and 378 without it, from the Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative.

Foliar image-based characterization of airborne particulate matter in an urban area and its implications for remediation.

This study addresses the pervasive issue of particulate matter (PM) emission in urban areas, proposing a better approach using scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques to identify plant species effective in airborne PM removal. Conducted in Bilaspur city, the research strategically selected six plant species across four distinct sites and applied the SEM-Image J method for analysis, yielding significant insights, especially in the respirable PM range. Among the tested plant species, Senna Siamea and Dalbergia Sissoo emerged as consistent and standout performers, displaying the highest PM removal efficiency across all sites.

Melanophilin-induced primary cilia promote pancreatic cancer metastasis.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most malignant tumors because of its high metastatic ability. The glutamine (Gln)-deficient microenvironment contributes to PDAC metastasis; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that melanophilin (MLPH) promotes PDAC metastasis by inducing the regrowth of primary cilia.

Tubulin Acetylation Enhances Microtubule Stability in Trabecular Meshwork Cells Under Mechanical Stress.

Purpose: To study the roles of tubulin acetylation and cyclic mechanical stretch (CMS) in trabecular meshwork (TM) cells and their impact on outflow pathway physiology and pathology.

Methods: Primary TM cell cultures were subjected to CMS (8% elongation, 24 hours), and acetylated α-tubulin at lysine 40 (Ac-TUBA4) was assessed by western blotting and immunofluorescence. Enzymes regulating tubulin acetylation were identified via siRNA-mediated knockdowns of ATAT1, HDAC6, and SIRT2.

The Effects of Gymnastics Programs with Different Cognitive Loads on Working Memory and Prefrontal Cortex Oxygenation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: This study used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to investigate the effects of gymnastics programs with high versus low cognitive load on children's visuospatial working memory (VSWM) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) oxygenation.

Methods: Eighty-one healthy children aged 7 to 10 from Taipei City were randomly assigned to high cognitive load (HG), low cognitive load (LG), and control (SC) groups. The HG and LG groups underwent an 8-week gymnastics program with different levels of cognitive load, while the SC group participated in a static course.

Higher Relapse Rate in HBeAg-negative Patients After Cessation of Tenofovir Alafenamide Compared to Entecavir or Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate.

Objectives: There is limited information comparing the off-therapy relapse rates of patients discontinued tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) to those stopping entecavir or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

Methods: A total of 805 HBeAg-negative patients without cirrhosis receiving entecavir (n=406), TDF (n=260) or TAF (n=139) were enrolled. Propensity-score (PS) matching method was applied to eliminate the significant differences in clinical characteristics.

Long-acting Injectable Aripiprazole (Abilify Maintena) Induced Rabbit Syndrome: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Rabbit syndrome (RS), characterized by fine, rapid, rhythmic movements along the mouth's vertical axis, is typically linked to prolonged antipsychotic medication use. Emerging evidence suggests newer antipsychotics' involvement in RS, prompting investigation into its association with long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. We report a case of RS observed in a patient diagnosed with bipolar I disorder and treated with Abilify Maintena, highlighting the importance of vigilance in monitoring adverse effects.

Therapeutic Effects of Theta Burst Stimulation on Cognition Following Brain Injury.

This case report explores the therapeutic potential of theta burst stimulation (TBS) for cognitive enhancement in individuals with brain injuries. The study presents a 38-year-old male suffering from an organic mental disorder attributed to a traumatic brain injury (TBI), who demonstrated notable cognitive improvements following an intensive TBS protocol targeting the left dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex. The treatment led to significant enhancements in impulse control, irritability, and verbal comprehension without adverse effects.

Study of endophytic fungi of Ipomoea pes-caprae reveals the superiority of in situ plant conservation over ex situ conservation from a mycological view.

In nature conservation, ex situ and in situ conservation strategies are discussed for protecting endangered species of plants and animals. However, the impacts of these strategies on the microbes associated with these species are rarely considered. In our study, we chose the endophytic fungi of the pantropical creeping plant Ipomoea pes-caprae as representative coastal plant in two natural coastal populations and two botanical gardens in Taiwan as collection sites in order to investigate the potential effect of ex situ plantation on the biodiversity of microbes intimately associated with this plant.

Exploring mental health symptoms in elite athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis on sex differences.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected elite athletes, leading to increased mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Sex differences in mental health may exist among athletes during the COVID-19 crisis. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine sex differences in mental health symptoms among elite athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Economic burden of musculoskeletal disorders in Tanzania: results from a community-based survey.

Objectives: To identify, measure and value the economic burden of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders in the Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania.

Design: Community-based cross-sectional survey (undertaken between January and September 2021).

Setting: Hai district, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

Cross-sectional survey on public attitudes and factors related to physician-assisted dying in Taiwan.

Objective: To examine the public's stance on physician-assisted dying (PAD) in Taiwan across different PAD scenarios and identify demographic and psychosocial factors associated with the levels of support.

Design: Cross-sectional survey design. Independent variables included individual sociodemographic characteristics, healthcare professionals, perceived quality of life, formal caregiver experience, Patient Right to Autonomy Act (PRAA) awareness and advance care planning (ACP) preparedness.

Internet of Things (IoT)-Driven Fermentation System for Enhanced Cordycepin Production in Cordyceps militaris (Ascomycetes) under Hypoxic Conditions.

Cordycepin, known for its tumor-suppressive and antiviral properties, has garnered attention due to its therapeutic and biological potential. Current Cordyceps militaris - based cordycepin production methods involve time-consuming and cost-intensive solid-state fermentation. Using an internet of things (IoT) architecture, we developed an active air-feed regulation fermentation system (AAFRFS) to detect CO2 emitted during C.

Mechanism of Antihyperglycemic Activity of Extracellular Polysaccharopeptides from Fermented Turkey Tail Medicinal Mushroom Trametes versicolor (Agaricomycetes) in Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

The antihyperglycemic activity of extracellular polysaccharopeptides (ePSP) obtained from Trametes versicolor (TV) strain LH-1 has been demonstrated in hepatic cells and diabetic animals. This study further investigated the mechanisms of T. versicolor-ePSP on regulating glucose metabolism, including insulin signaling molecules and glucose metabolism-associated enzymes, in the liver of rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Prostate cancer cells elevate glycolysis and G6PD in response to caffeic acid phenethyl ester-induced growth inhibition.

Background: Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is the main bioactive component of poplar type propolis. We previously reported that treatment with caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) suppressed the cell proliferation, tumor growth, as well as migration and invasion of prostate cancer (PCa) cells via inhibition of signaling pathways of AKT, c-Myc, Wnt and EGFR. We also demonstrated that combined treatment of CAPE and docetaxel altered the genes involved in glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle.

Combined effects of global DNA methylation, blood lead and total urinary arsenic levels on developmental delay in preschool children.

DNA methylation is a critical step in brain development, 5-Methyl-2'-deoxycytidine (5mdC) is one of the global DNA methylation markers. Arsenic and lead exposures have been associated with neurotoxicity, which may be linked to epigenetic changes. Our research sought to investigate the correlation between 5mdC and developmental delay (DD) among preschoolers.

Young Hearts: A Film Review.

Young Hearts, a gay movie from Belgium directed by Anthony Schatteman, was released in December 2024. It offers a tender and nuanced portrayal of queer love, identity, and self-discovery. The film follows Elias and Alexander, two 14-year-olds navigating the complexities of a budding relationship amidst societal expectations in a conservative town.

Brain computer interfaces for cognitive enhancement in older people - challenges and applications: a systematic review.

Background: Brain-computer interface (BCI) offers promising solutions to cognitive enhancement in older people. Despite the clear progress received, there is limited evidence of BCI implementation for rehabilitation. This systematic review addresses BCI applications and challenges in the standard practice of EEG-based neurofeedback (NF) training in healthy older people or older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

The long-term effects of cardiometabolic risk factors on mortality and life expectancy: evidence from a health check-up cohort study.

Objective: Cardiometabolic risk factors significantly contribute to disease burden. This study explored the effects of hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), and hyperlipidemia (HLP) on mortality. It stratified findings by age group and comorbidity severity using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score.