Parvovirus B19 NS1 protein induces synovitis mimicking rheumatoid arthritis.

This study aims to investigate the role of parvovirus B19 infection in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). B19-NS1 DNA was cloned into the LentiORF pLEX-MCS vector, then co-transfected with the pLEX-MCS-NS1 vector and packaging system to produce LEX-NS1 lentiviral stock. LEX was also prepared as the control.

Asymmetric Fluorinated Cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b']Dithiophene-Based Hole-Transporting Materials for Perovskite Solar Cell.

A series of asymmetric hole-transporting materials (HTMs) based on cyclopenta[2,1-b;3,4-b']dithiophene cores tethered with p-methoxytriphenylamines donor units with or without incorporated fluorine atoms were rationally designed, synthesized, and employed in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). A comprehensive comparison is conducted encompassing the absorption spectra, electrochemical characteristics, thermal stability, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, hole mobility, and surface morphology, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements, water contact angle analyzes, and photovoltaic parameters of the PSCs. The fluorinated HTMs, P-oF and P-mF, demonstrated enhanced hole mobility and more efficient charge extraction at the perovskite/HTM interface compared to their non-fluorinated counterpart.

The significance of the depth of invasion and tumor size in resected pathologic T4a gingivobuccal squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common head and neck region tumor. The pathologic T4a classification is defined tumor invasion by three distinctive subgroups with skin, bone marrow, or a depth of invasion (DOI) > 10 mm and tumor size > 40 mm, as specified in the revised AJCC 8th edition staging manual. We examined these three subgroups' different survival outcomes and explored factors influencing survival in patients with pT4a gingivobuccal SCC, and further investigate the discriminatory capacity among these three subgroups.

Hit Around: Substitutional Moving Robot for Immersive and Exertion Interaction with Encountered-Type Haptic.

Previous works have shown the potential of immersive technologies to make physical activities a more engaging experience. With encountered-type haptic feedback, users can perceive a more realistic sensation for exertion interaction in substitutions reality. Although substitutional reality has utilized physical environments, props, and devices to provide encountered-type haptic feedback, these cannot withstand the fierce force of humans and do not give feedback when users move around simultaneously, such as in combat sports.

Physical symptoms distress and demoralization among haemodialysis patients; the mediating effect of spirituality and self-compassion. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey.

Background: Long-term haemodialysis patients often experience physical symptom distress (PSD) and varying levels of demoralization. Spirituality and self-compassion can help patients to cope these challenges. However, the interrelations between these variables remain underexplored, necessitating further investigation.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy attenuates brain radiation-induced cognitive deficits in rats.

Effective therapies for cognitive impairments induced by brain irradiation are currently lacking. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for radiation-induced brain injury in a randomized controlled experimental model using adult male Wistar rats. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups: 0 Gy whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) with normal baric air (NBA) treatment, 0 Gy WBRT with HBOT, 10 Gy WBRT with NBA, and 10 Gy WBRT with HBOT.

Development of a Rapid UPLC Method for Analysis of Carotenoids in Goji Berry Extract and Evaluation of Their Transformation Affected by Saponification.

Goji berry ( L.), also known as wolfberry, is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb widely utilized as a functional food ingredient throughout East Asia. In this study, we developed a rapid high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method for the simultaneous separation of carotenoids in goji berries.

Judicious Molecular Design of 5H‑Dithieno[3,2‑b:2',3'‑d]Pyran-based Hole-Transporting Materials for Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells.

The structural modification of hole-transporting materials (HTMs) is an effective strategy for enhancing photovoltaic performance in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a series of dithienopyran (DTP)-based HTMs (Me-H, Ph-H, CF3-H, CF3-mF, and CF3-oF) is designed and synthesized by substituting different functional groups on the DTP unit and are used fabricating PSCs. In comparison with Me-H having two methyl substituents on the dithienopyrano ring, the Ph-H having two phenyl substituents on the ring exhibits higher PCEs.

Microbeam X-ray and Scanning Electron Microscopic Analyses on Sector-Banded Spherulites of Poly(p-dioxanone) Justified with Pixelated Iridescence.

Poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO) is crystallized with amorphous poly(p-vinyl phenol) (PVPh) and tannic acid (TA) as co-diluents to regulate and induce dendritic-ringed PPDO spherulites, with spoke- or sector-bands, aiming for convenience of analyses on interior lamellar assembly. Morphologies and interior lamellar arrangement leading to the peculiar rings on individual dendrites are evaluated by using polarized-light microscopy (PLM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Combinatory microbeam small-/wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) analyses further confirm the unique assembly patterns in periodic cycles.

Perihippocampal failure after hippocampal-avoidance brain radiotherapy in small cell lung cancer patients: Cases report and literature review.

Rationale: Brain metastasis is a major concern, and may occur in roughly 50% of patients during the clinical course of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Because prophylactic cranial irradiation reduces the incidence of brain metastases and improves overall survival, prophylactic cranial irradiation is recommended for SCLC patients without distant metastases or an extensive stage and have responded well to systemic therapy. Hippocampal-avoidance whole-brain radiotherapy (HA-WBRT) is preferred to preserve hippocampal function while minimizing negative cognitive effects.

Clinical Validation of a Deep Learning-Based Software for Lumbar Bone Mineral Density and T-Score Prediction from Chest X-ray Images.

Screening for osteoporosis is crucial for early detection and prevention, yet it faces challenges due to the low accuracy of calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and limited access to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans. Recent advances in AI offer a promising solution through opportunistic screening using existing medical images. This study aims to utilize deep learning techniques to develop a model that analyzes chest X-ray (CXR) images for osteoporosis screening.

Evaluation of the cushion effect in blunt abdominal trauma patients: A computerized analysis.

Background: Obesity may serve as a protective factor in blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) patients due to a "cushion effect". In this study, we aim to use computed tomography (CT) scans to measure abdominal adiposity and its correlation with injury severity in BAT patients.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of male BAT patients who had undergone CT scans.

HyperArcTM volumetric modulated arc therapy for hypopharyngeal cancer with solitary recurrence in the cervical vertebra: A case report and literature review.

Rationale: It is difficult to reirradiate head and neck cancers because of the toxicity from previous radiation dose delivery. Conventional volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy often have poor target coverage. The new HyperArcTM VMAT (HA-VMAT) planning approach reportedly has better target coverage, higher conformity, and can spare normal organs compared to conventional VMAT; however, research on recurrent head and neck cancers is limited.

The role of adjuvant radiotherapy for intracranial malignant meningiomas: analysis of a nationwide database.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of postoperative radiotherapy on survival outcomes in patients with malignant meningiomas.

Methods: We identified patients with malignant meningioma diagnosed between 2007 and 2018 using the Taiwan Cancer Registry and followed them up using the death registry. Survival was compared between patients with and without adjuvant radiotherapy.

Orodental malformations associated with human MSX1 sequence variants.

Background: MSX1 sequence variants have been known to cause human tooth agenesis (TA) with or without orofacial clefts. However, their roles during the whole processes of tooth development are not fully understood. This study aimed to characterize a 4-membered family with TA carrying a novel MSX1 pathogenic variant and investigate the disease mechanism.

Measuring productive syntactic abilities in Mandarin-speaking children in Taiwan.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a fine-grained measure for evaluating syntactic abilities in Mandarin-speaking children for educational and clinical purposes as a supplement to MLU.

Method: In total, 99 typically developing children, aged 2;0 to 5;11, living in Taipei, Taiwan, participated in this study. Spontaneous language samples were elicited in free-play situations.

Frailty Prevention Care Management Program (FPCMP) on Frailty and Health Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Trial Protocol.

Background: Frailty often results from deteriorating muscle strength and decreased physical function in older adults. Frailty includes not only physical components, but also psychological and social aspects. Previous research has shown that exercise programs, especially resistance exercises combined with nutritional care, can reduce frailty.

Development, testing, and application of a mathematics learning scale of self-direction.

Many countries' curriculum reforms focus on developing the next generations' competencies of self-directed learning (SDL) to address rapid social changes and sustainable environmental development. Taiwan's curriculum reform corresponds with the global trend in education. The latest curriculum reform, which proposed a 12-year basic education, was implemented in 2018 and included SDL explicitly in its guidelines.

Highly reliable GIGA-sized synthetic human therapeutic antibody library construction.

Background: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and their derivatives are the fastest expanding category of pharmaceuticals. Efficient screening and generation of appropriate therapeutic human antibodies are important and urgent issues in the field of medicine. The successful biopanning method for antibody screening largely depends on the highly diverse, reliable and humanized CDR library.

PAX9 mutations and genetic synergism in familial tooth agenesis.

Familial tooth agenesis (FTA) is one of the most common craniofacial anomalies in humans. Loss-of-function mutations in PAX9 and WNT10A have been known to cause FTA with various expressivity. In this study, we identified five FTA kindreds with novel PAX9 disease-causing mutations: p.

Applying the theory of planned behavior to investigate type 2 diabetes patients' intention to receive injection therapy.

Objectives: This study applied the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in shared decision making (SDM) to understand behavioral intention in patients with type 2 diabetes with regard to injection therapy for blood sugar control.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted. Two hundred and fifty-four patients with type 2 diabetes participated this study and were interviewed by pharmacists in different clinics.

Methylation of Promoter Is Associated with Global Hypomethylation and Hypohydroxymethylation in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients.

(1) Background: It is widely accepted that aberrant methylation patterns contribute to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Ten-eleven translocation (TET) methylcytosine dioxygenase is an essential enzyme of which there are three members, TET1, 2, and 3, involved in hydroxymethylation, a newly uncovered mechanism of active DNA methylation. The epigenomes of gene transcription are regulated by 5-hydroxymethylcytocine (5-hmC) and TETs, leading to dysregulation of the immune system in SLE.

Frailty and Quality of Life among Older Adults in Communities: The Mediation Effects of Daily Physical Activity and Healthy Life Self-Efficacy.

As the global population ages, frailty, which has been shown to affect and predict the quality of life (QoL) of older adults, has become a central issue. The aim of this study was to explore the mediating effects of daily physical activity (DPA) and healthy life self-efficacy (HLSE) on the relationship between frailty and QoL in older adults using a serial multiple mediation model. The cross-sectional study was conducted among 210 community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan.

The Effects of Laser Acupuncture Therapy on Nocturnal Enuresis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Nocturnal enuresis (NE), often known as bedwetting, is a common condition in children and, as a result, they may have subsequent social impairments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in children with NE.

Methods: International databases with laser- and NE-related keywords were searched, and only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used any type of LLLT to treat NE and compared it with any type of control intervention were included.