Prescribing patterns of coronary artery aneurysm in Taiwan.

Background: Coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) is a rare disease, and there are limited data on prescribing patterns for CAA. The aim of our study was to investigate prescribing patterns for CAA in Taiwan via the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).

Methods: We included all CAA patients in Taiwan from 2005 to 2011.

Molecular Characterization and Heterologous Production of the Bacteriocin Peocin, a DNA Starvation/Stationary Phase Protection Protein, from NPUST1.

The production of a bacteriocin-like substance with antimicrobial activity, named peocin, by the probiotic NPUST1 was previously reported by our laboratory. The present study aimed to identify peocin and increase the peocin yield by heterologous expression in BL21(DE3). Peocin was identified as a DNA starvation/stationary phase protection protein, also called DNA-binding protein from starved cells (Dps), by gel overlay and LC-MS/MS analysis.

Suppression of ERK/NF-κB Activation Is Associated With Amentoflavone-Inhibited Osteosarcoma Progression .

Background/aim: Amentoflavone has been implicated in reducing the metastatic potential of osteosarcoma (OS) cells in vitro. The aim of the present study was to verify the antitumoral efficacy and the potential mechanism of amentoflavone osteosarcoma progression inhibition in vivo.

Materials And Methods: A U-2 OS osteosarcoma xenograft mouse model was used in this study.

A predictive model for progression of CKD.

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Taiwan is 11.9%, and the incidence and prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is ranked first in the world. The severity of CKD progression to ESRD is dependent on glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria.

Long-Term Use of Tamoxifen Is Associated With a Decreased Subsequent Meningioma Risk in Patients With Breast Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Earlier studies have indicated a relatively higher risk of occurring meningioma among female breast cancer survivors and have suggested that tamoxifen might decrease this risk. The present study evaluated whether tamoxifen use in breast cancer patients can reduce the risk of meningioma. We designed a population-based cohort study by using data from the National Health Insurance system of Taiwan to assess this issue.

Self-perception of mental illness, and subjective and objective cognitive functioning in people with schizophrenia.

People with schizophrenia may have a negative self-perception of mental illness. However, the relationship between the self-perception of illness and subjective and objective cognitive functioning remains unclear. Thirty-seven people with schizophrenia were enrolled in the study group.

Estimation and clinical verification of the effective and skin doses for pediatric and adult patients undergoing the cardiac interventional examination using five PMMA phantoms and TLD/ionization chamber technique.

Background: Effective and skin doses gain much attention since the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) is a place where both patients and medical staff are exposed to X-ray or fluoroscopy environment and gain a cumulative dose during the cardiac interventional procedure.

Objective: These doses for pediatric and adult patients undergone cardiac interventional examination using five PMMA phantoms and thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD)/ionization chamber technique were estimated in this work with the further clinical verification.

Methods: Five PMMA phantoms (10, 30, 50, 70, and 90 kg) were customized to represent baby, child, adult female, adult male, and overweight adult (by Asian complexion standards), respectively, in accordance with the ICRU-48 report.

The influence of statins on aortic aneurysm after operation: A retrospective nationwide study.

Aortic aneurysm (AA) is a disease with substantially higher health care costs and very high mortality upon rupture. Statins have a non-lipid-lowering pleiotropic mechanism that may be beneficial for AA in disease progression and improvement of AA patient outcomes. Previous studies have been conducted with some limitations and without considering immortal time bias, lag time, and adherence.

Development of an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Rapid Detection of Dengue Virus (DENV) NS1 and Differentiation of DENV Serotypes during Early Infection.

Dengue fever, caused by infections with the dengue virus (DENV), affects nearly 400 million people globally every year. Early diagnosis and management can reduce the morbidity and mortality rates of severe forms of dengue disease as well as decrease the risk of wider outbreaks. Although the early diagnosis of dengue can be achieved using a number of commercial NS1 detection kits, none of these can differentiate among the four dengue virus serotypes.

Plasma Soluble Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor Level as a Predictor of the Severity of Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) mediates various cellular activities and is involved in proteolysis, angiogenesis, and inflammation. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between soluble uPAR (suPAR) levels and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) severity. A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the plasma suPAR levels in 67 healthy controls and 75 patients with CAP.

Association between HOMA-IR and Frailty among U.S. Middle-aged and Elderly Population.

Previous literatures revealed that homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was one of the cardio-metabolic risk factors. This study was conducted to access the association between HOMA-IR and frailty in the United States of America (U.S.

Rhodoptilometrin, a Crinoid-Derived Anthraquinone, Induces Cell Regeneration by Promoting Wound Healing and Oxidative Phosphorylation in Human Gingival Fibroblast Cells.

Gingival recession (GR) potentially leads to the exposure of tooth root to the oral cavity microenvironment and increases susceptibility to dental caries, dentin hypersensitivity, and other dental diseases. Even though many etiological factors were reported, the specific mechanism of GR is yet to be elucidated. Given the species richness concerning marine biodiversity, it could be a treasure trove for drug discovery.

Fluoxetine Induces Apoptosis through Extrinsic/Intrinsic Pathways and Inhibits ERK/NF-κB-Modulated Anti-Apoptotic and Invasive Potential in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells In Vitro.

The aim of the present study was to verify the effects of fluoxetine on dysregulation of apoptosis and invasive potential in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) SK-Hep1 and Hep3B cells. Cells were treated with different concentrations of fluoxetine for different times. MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assays were used for testing the effects of fluoxetine on cell viability.

Nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism caused by intravenous leiomyomatosis: A case report.

Rationale: Pulmonary embolism is a potentially devastating medical condition. Although deep-vein thrombosis is the most common etiology, a nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism is not uncommon.

Patient Concerns: A 45-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for progressive effort dyspnea for 3 weeks.

Relationships between traditional and cyber harassment and self-identity confusion among Taiwanese gay and bisexual men in emerging adulthood.

Background: Harassment victimization is prevalent among gay and bisexual men and may negatively impact the victims' mental health.

Aims: To examine the relationships between traditional and cyber harassment and self-identity confusion among Taiwanese gay and bisexual men in emerging adulthood.

Procedures: A total of 305 gay or bisexual men (age, 20-25 years) in Taiwan were recruited.

Development of a prediction model for pancreatic cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes using logistic regression and artificial neural network models.

Objectives: Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are suggested to have a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. We used two models to predict pancreatic cancer risk among patients with T2DM.

Methods: The original data used for this investigation were retrieved from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan.

Biomechanical investigation of tibial tubercle osteotomy fixed with various screw configurations.

Introduction: To date, the effects of various screw configurations on the stability of tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) are not completely understood. Hence, the first aim of this study is to evaluate the stability of TTO under various screw configurations. The second aim is to evaluate the internal stresses in the bone and the contact forces on the bone fragment that are developed by the tibia and screws in response to the applied load after the equilibrant is revealed.

Magnolol Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits ERK-modulated Metastatic Potential in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells.

Background/aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-cancer effect of magnolol in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in vitro.

Materials And Methods: HCC SK-Hep1 cells were treated with different concentrations of magnolol or PD98059 [extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor] for 48 h, and then cell viability, apoptosis, signal transduction, expression of anti-apoptotic and metastasis-related proteins, and cell invasion were investigated by [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay, flow cytometry, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-ĸB) reporter gene, western blotting, and cell invasion assays.

Results: Magnolol significantly induced accumulation of sub-G phase and caspase-3 activation and inhibited NF-ĸB activation, cell invasion, expression of phosphorylated ERK (pERK), anti-apoptotic and metastatic-related proteins.

Safrole induced cytotoxicity, DNA damage, and apoptosis in macrophages via reactive oxygen species generation and Akt phosphorylation.

Safrole is a natural compound categorized as a group 2B carcinogen extracted from betel quid chewing, which is a common practice of psychoactive habits integrated into social and cultural ceremonies among serveral million people, especially in Southern or Southeastern Asia. Safrole is one of the major risk compunds for development of oral squamous cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma via DNA adduction. In innate immunity, macrophages are the predominant cells for non-specific first line defense against pathogens in oral tissue.

Association between heat stroke and ischemic heart disease: A national longitudinal cohort study in Taiwan.

The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between heat stroke and ischemic heart disease (IHD), in a nationwide population using a longitudinal approach. We retrospectively examined the data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan, for patients examined between 2000 and 2013. In total, 628 patients with a heat stroke episode were enrolled and matched with 1256 patients without any history of a heat stroke episode by propensity score matching at a ratio of 1:2.

Cadmium nitrate-induced neuronal apoptosis is protected by N-acetyl-l-cysteine via reducing reactive oxygen species generation and mitochondria dysfunction.

Cigarette smoking is a well-established risk factor for various diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, and cancer. Cadmium nitrate (Cd(NO)) is one of the major products from the cigarette smoke. Up to now, no supporting evidence on Cd(NO)-induced apoptosis and its related working mechanism in neurons has been found.

Continuous veno-venous hemofiltration yields better renal outcomes than intermittent hemodialysis among traumatic intracranial hemorrhage patients with acute kidney injury: A nationwide population-based retrospective study in Taiwan.

Object: Traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (TICH) patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) were reported to have a high mortality rate. Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is indicated for patients with a severe kidney injury. This study aimed to compare the effects of different RRT modalities regarding chronic dialysis rate among adult TICH patients with AKI.