BioMedicine-Taiwan最新文献

Background: The aim of this cohort study was to investigate the association between hyperthyroidism and the likelihood of developing herpes zoster in Taiwan.

Methods: Using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan, we selected individuals aged 20-84 who were newly diagnosed with hyperthyroidism between 2013 and 2020 as the hyperthyroidism group. These individuals were then matched with a control group without hyperthyroidism in a 1:1 propensity score matching for sex, age, and baseline comorbidities. The occurrence of herpes zoster was tracked in both groups until the end of the study period or until a diagnosis of herpes zoster was made. The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to determine the hazard ratio (HR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) for the risk of herpes zoster associated with hyperthyroidism.

Results: A total of 202,069 individuals with hyperthyroidism and 202,069 individuals without hyperthyroidism were included in the analysis. The incidence rate of herpes zoster was higher in the hyperthyroidism group compared to the non-hyperthyroidism group (6.10 per 1000 person-years for the hyperthyroidism group versus 5.53 per 1000 person-years for the non-hyperthyroidism group, incidence rate ratio = 1.10, 95 %CI = 1.07-1.14, and P value < 0.001). After adjusting for covariables, individuals with hyperthyroidism were found to have a higher risk of developing herpes zoster compared to those in the non-hyperthyroidism group (adjusted HR = 1.19, 95 %CI = 1.15-1.23, and P < 0.001).

Conclusion: This cohort study suggests that individuals with hyperthyroidism in Taiwan may have a greater risk of developing herpes zoster compared to those without hyperthyroidism.

Cancer poses a significant burden on global public health, contributing to high mortality rates worldwide. Ongoing diagnostic strategies have predominantly relied on imaging techniques, histopathological examination and molecular analyses which have limitations in sensitivity, and specificity. Early cancer detection is a pivotal determinant of successful treatment and patient survival rates. Metabolomic applications involve the comprehensive analysis of metabolites to understand the metabolic profile of an organism, tissue, or cell under different conditions such as lack of oxygen in tumors. The aim of this review is to provide an extensive approach of metabolomic applications in early cancer detection and to provide an overview of the strengths and limitations of metabolomic approaches in early cancer detection. Metabolomic profiling can identify specific metabolic biomarkers indicative of early-stage cancer. The identification of these biomarkers can lead to development of non-invasive diagnostic tests which can be used for early cancer screening. Several researchers have already employed the metabolomics approach for biomarker discovery, diagnosis, identifying new drug targets along with the clinical trials observations. When discussing challenges, researchers currently face a notable obstacle, the absence of standardized analytical procedures. It is imperative for the field to prioritize implementing computational tools for constructing open-source databases, thereby advancing metabolomic studies in cancer research.

Purpose: The objective of this study is to formulate a nanoemulgel using Punica granatum (P. granatum) seed oil and study the antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Methods: The process to formulate a nanoemulsion from P. granatum seed oil involved using the self-nanoemulsifying technique, with Span 80 and Tween 80 serving as the emulsifying agents. Carbopol hydrogel was combined with the nanoemulsion to produce the nanoemulgel. The particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), rheological behavior, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory properties were subsequently examined.

Results: The nanoemulsion formulation with a PDI of 0.229 and a particle size of 189.44 nm was identified as the optimal formulation. The P. granatum seed oil nanoemulgel showed significant effects on MRSA, K. pneumoniae, and C. albicans, with zone inhibition diameters of 29 ± 1.1 mm, 26 ± 1.8 mm, and 18 ± 0.7 mm, respectively, and significant activity against LX-2, B16-F1, Hep-3B, and HeLa cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 169.82 ± 2.7, 39.81 ± 0.8, 61.65 ± 1.2, and 25.11 ± 1.3 μg/mL, respectively, which were superior to those of the original oil. Regarding its anti-inflammatory effects, P. granatum seed oil demonstrated activity against both COX-1 and COX-2, with greater selectivity for COX-1.

Conclusions: Consequently, a novel P. granatum seed oil nanoemulgel was developed, representing a promising step forward in the development of pharmacological dosage forms.

Background: Adult Spinal Deformity (ASD) is one of the challenging conditions to treat for spine surgeons. One of the important dilemmas in the management of these patients is the decision on the number of levels of instrumentation and the overall length of the construct. OLIF has the advantage of providing a minimally invasive approach to address this complex pathology also allowing us to stage the procedure and thus help clinicians reassess if the patient requires an additional decompression, long fusion lengths, or need for osteotomies.

Aim: Our study aims to evaluate the possibility of minimizing the construct length following a staged OLIF approach in ASD patients and also to analyze the clinical and radiological outcomes following a staged OLIF surgery.

Methods: We present three cases of ASD, where the patients had a significant imbalance in either the coronal/sagittal profiles, and by using a staged approach, the surgeon was able to reduce the construct lengths and also operate on these deformities using an all Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) approach.

Results: Overall sagittal and coronal profiles improved in all three cases with satisfactory fusion rates and VAS scores (back pain) post-operatively. Two of the three patients had an all-MIS approach (OLIF with MIS Ponte osteotomy and robotic guided pedicle screw instrumentation) and in one patient a four-rod construct was preferred to improve the stability. No complications were observed during a mean follow-up period of 4 years.

Conclusion: A staged approach in ASD (lateral OLIF and posterior instrumentation) is a valuable surgical strategy for better correction of the coronal and sagittal plane deformities with relatively lesser construct length. It reduces the problems associated with prolonged anesthesia, in addition, it helps the surgeon in reassessing the pelvic parameters, thereby helping to decide on the need for additional osteotomies during the second procedure.

Background: Cyclohexylamine (CHA) is a principal metabolite of cyclamate, which was once one of the most prominently consumed non-sugar sweeteners. Earlier studies suggested that long-term use of cyclamate might be carcinogenic and genotoxic; however, no consistent evidence supports an association between cyclamate and cancer risk. However, this issue remains interesting. Cyclamate can be metabolized to CHA by the intestinal bacteria in humans and some animals. Previous reports indicated CHA could induce atrophy of rat testes and affect rat fertility, as well as contract rat vas deferens. However, the contractile mechanisms of CHA on rat vas deferens remains poorly understood. This study investigated the contractile mechanisms of CHA on the isolated rat epididymal portion of the vas deferens.

Methods: Male S.D. rats weighing between 200 g and 250 g were used. The isolated epididymal portion of rat vas deferens was added to calcium-channel blockers, calcium-free conditions or various concentrations (1 × 10^-8 M-1 × 10^-5 M) of adrenergic antagonists and CHA (1 × 10^-4 M).

Results: CHA (1 × 10^-5 M-1 × 10^-1 M) evoked a concentration-dependent contraction. Calcium-channel blocker, nifedipine (1 × 10^-8M-1 × 10^-6 M) or verapamil (1 × 10^-8M-1 × 10^-5 M) pretreatment, dose-dependently attenuated the CHA (1 × 10^-4 M)-induced contraction. The calcium-free condition completely blocked CHA (1 × 10^-4 M)-induced contraction. Prazosin (1 × 10^-8M-1 × 10^-6 M) or yohimbine (1 × 10^-7 M-1 × 10^-5 M) pretreatment or treatment could inhibit contractions evoked by CHA (1 × 10^-4 M) in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the effect of CHA (1 × 10^-4 M) was entirely blocked by combining prazosin and yohimbine pretreatment. WB4101 (1 × 10^-8 M) could completely inhibit the contractions induced by CHA (1 × 10^-4 M). CEC (1 × 10^-8 M-1 × 10^-4 M) showed no significant inhibitory effect on the contractile tension but reduced the frequency induced by CHA (1 × 10^-4 M). Moreover, reserpine (1 × 10^-5 M) showed a significant inhibition on the contractions of CHA (1 × 10^-4 M).

Conclusions: From the above results, CHA-contracts epididymal vas deferens of rats by affecting endogenous catecholamine release via postsynaptic α_1A- and presynaptic α₂- adrenoceptors and are calcium-dependent.

Neurenteric cysts (NC) are rare lesions of endodermal origin lined by mucin-secreting cuboidal or columnar epithelium of an intestinal or respiratory type. They occur more frequently in the spinal cord than in the cranium. From the radiological view, NC may be confused with other lesions of the central nervous system, like arachnoid or epidermoid cysts. However, due to advances in neuroimaging, there is an increasing trend in preoperative diagnosis of NC. We are reporting three cases of NC, each exhibiting markedly distinct symptoms and postoperative courses. The first patient, a 45-year-old woman, had NC in the fourth ventricle. Although she underwent surgery, the lesion recurred 55 months later. The second patient, a 66-year-old woman, had NC in the left cerebellopontine angle. After partial removal, the remaining cyst maintained its size for 94 months. The third patient, a 55-year-old man, presented with NC close to the medullary cone. Despite tumor reduction, a hemorrhagic cyst developed 41 months later, which was accompanied by increased lumbosacral pain. A review of knowledge of current treatment strategies and challenges of NC is discussed. Surgical intervention is the primary therapeutic approach for patients with NC, particularly those experiencing symptoms. The primary challenge in treating NC is preventing cyst recurrence. The complete resection of NC is critical for minimizing the probability of cyst recurrence. Continuous lifelong follow-up is essential, as NC recurrences can occur even after decades.

Background: Four colored peppers (Capsicum annuum var. grossum), orange, purple, yellow and red, are plant foods served as salad or stir-fry for meals in Taiwan and many countries.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the multiple nutraceutical properties of aqueous extracts prepared from colored peppers.

Methods: Vitamin C content and phytochemical profiles of these peppers were analyzed. In vitro effects of anti-oxidative, anti-α-amylase, anti-α-glucosidase, anti-lipase and anti-acetylcholinesterase (AchE) of pepper aqueous extracts at 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg were evaluated. The neuronal protective potent of pepper aqueous extracts at 0.5 and 1 mg in high glucose treated nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells were examined.

Results: Vitamin C content in these peppers was in the range of 60-96 mg/100 g fresh weight. The content of phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins and triterpenoids in these peppers was in the range of 860-2185 mg/100 g dry weight. Pepper aqueous extracts at 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg exhibited concentration-dependent radical scavenging effects, ironchelating effects and reducing power, as well as effectively inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase and AchE activities. High glucose increased Bax mRNA expression, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase activity, caused DNA fragmentation and massive Ca²⁺ release, stimulated oxidative and inflammatory responses, and led to death of NGF-differentiated PC12 cells. Pre-treatments of pepper aqueous extracts at 0.5 and 1 mg reversed these changes, and increased the viability of NGF-differentiated PC12 cells.

Conclusions: These novel findings suggest that colored peppers offered many bio-functions, which might benefit the prevention of diabetes associated complications such as diabetic neuropathy.

Russell's viper envenomation is rare in Taiwan, and its typical clinical presentations, including consumption coagulopathy, acute renal failure, haemolysis, and increased capillary permeability, have been reported in the literature as case reports or series. Here, we report a case with an atypical presentation, and suspected to be a Russell's viper bite due to the distinct distribution characteristics of the snake and some progressive clinical signs/symptoms. He returned to health successfully after the correct antivenom was administered, and envenomation was ultimately confirmed by venom detection in the patient's serum and urine samples.

Background: Prolonged exposure of peritoneal membrane to dialysate solution is known to cause fibrosis mediated by imbalanced inflammatory response and oxidative stress. In this context, proinflammatory cytokines including TGF-β and IL-1β, along with oxidative stress markers namely SOD and MDA, present in circulation, could serve as indicators of fibrosis. This phenomenon has the potential to interfere with the optimization of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) treatment. Other oral antioxidant supplements have been widely studied to prevent peritoneal damage, but investigations regarding Astaxanthin (AST) effect on fibrosis marked with proinflammatory cytokine are still limited.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the protective role of AST supplementation against fibrosis in peritoneal dialysis by evaluating proinflammatory cytokine levels.

Results: The results showed that AST supplementation reduced the levels of MDA, TGF-β, and IL-1β within the circulation while also improving SOD concentration in peritoneal dialysis-induced rats, as indicated by p < 0.001. The longer duration of supplementation, namely 14 vs. 21 days, showed a better outcome against oxidative stress and inflammatory response, as indicated by p < 0.05.

Conclusion: This study found that AST supplementation might prevent peritoneal fibrosis by decreasing MDA, TGF-β, and IL-1β, as well as increasing SOD levels in serum.

The integration of robotic technology into spinal surgery has led to a remarkable transformation, offering improved precision and safety. The "CT-Fluoro merge" and "Scan-and-Plan" methods for pedicle screw application promise numerous advantages, minimizing risks associated with traditional approaches. Our early series of patients who underwent robot-assisted pedicle screw placements for various indications, predominantly lumbar spondylosis, revealed no complications related to screws, neurological deficits, or unplanned returns to the operating theatre, thus emphasizing the safety and effectiveness of the robot. Studies have consistently demonstrated the superiority of robot-assisted pedicle screw placement in terms of accuracy, with decreasing rates of technical issues indicating improvements in reliability and precision. Our experiences align with these findings, signalling the emergence of robotic spine surgery as the forthcoming standard of care in the field. This short communication explores the steps involved in robotic pedicle screw placement, discusses nuances for improving safety, and emphasizes its benefits and implications for the future of spinal care.