Hyperbranched polymer dots enhance hair follicle regeneration via Wnt/β-catenin activation: A drug-free nanozyme-based approach to hair growth therapy.

Background: Hair loss affects millions worldwide, yet current pharmacological treatments remain limited in efficacy and long-term sustainability. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a crucial role in hair follicle regeneration, providing a promising target for novel therapeutic interventions.

Methods: This study investigates the potential of Hyperbranched Polymer Dots (HPD) as a novel nanotherapeutic for hair follicle regeneration.

Liraglutide With Metformin Therapy Ameliorates Hepatic Steatosis and Liver Injury in a Mouse Model of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis.

Background/aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Metformin is a widely used medication and may have additional benefits beyond glycemic control. Liraglutide, a novel treatment for diabetes and obesity, also has beneficial effects on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

and studies of taiwan chingguan yihau (NRICM101) on TNF-α/IL-1β-induced human lung cells.

COVID-19 pandemic has been a global outbreak of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 virus) since 2019. Taiwan Chingguan Yihau (NRICM101) is the first traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) classic herbal formula and is widely used for COVID-19 patients in Taiwan and more than 50 nations. This study is to investigate target fishing for the components of NRICM101 and to explore whether NRICM101 inhibits cytokines-induced normal human lung cell injury .

Allyl Isothiocyanate (AITC) Induces Apoptotic Cell Death In Vitro and Exhibits Anti-Tumor Activity in a Human Glioblastoma GBM8401/ Model.

Some clinically used anti-cancer drugs are obtained from natural products. Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), a plant-derived compound abundant in cruciferous vegetables, has been shown to possess an anti-cancer ability in human cancer cell lines in vitro, including human brain glioma cells. However, the anti-cancer effects of AITC in human glioblastoma (GBM) cells in vivo have not yet been examined.

Immunomodulation via MyD88-NFκB Signaling Pathway from Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Acute Lung Injury.

Excess inflammatory processes play a key detrimental role in the pathophysiology of acute lung injury (ALI). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were reported to be beneficial to ALI, but the underlying mechanisms have not been completely understood. The present study aimed to examine the involvement of MyD88−NFκB signaling in the immunomodulation of MSCs in mice with lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced ALI.

Nobiletin Alleviates Ferroptosis-Associated Renal Injury, Inflammation, and Fibrosis in a Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction Mouse Model.

Nobiletin (Nob), a critical active flavonoid of citrus fruits, has received attention for its superior physical functions, which have shown to improve the progression of diseases. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is recognized as a global health problem, and its mortality and morbidity rates are worsened with an increased risk of accompanying disorders. In this study, we aimed to elucidate whether Nob treatment ameliorates kidney fibrosis and also to identify the potential signaling networks in a unilateral ureteral obstructive (UUO) mouse model, which was used to mimic the progression of CKD.

Analysis of COVID-19 prevention and treatment in Taiwan.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been spreading worldwide with a mind-boggling speed. According to a statement from World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 has infected more than six billions people and caused more than one and half million passing in the world. Based on previous experience with SARS, the Taiwanese government had decided to block viral transmission during its early stages.

Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Exosomes Rescue the Loss of Outer Hair Cells and Repair Cochlear Damage in Cisplatin-Injected Mice.

Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UCMSCs) have potential applications in regenerative medicine. UCMSCs have been demonstrated to repair tissue damage in many inflammatory and degenerative diseases. We have previously shown that UCMSC exosomes reduce nerve injury-induced pain in rats.

The intravenous administration of skin-derived mesenchymal stem cells ameliorates hearing loss and preserves cochlear hair cells in cisplatin-injected mice: SMSCs ameliorate hearing loss and preserve outer hair cells in mice.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be isolated from different tissue origins, such as the bone marrow, the placenta, the umbilical cord, adipose tissues, and skin tissues. MSCs can secrete anti-inflammatory molecules and growth factors for tissue repair and remodeling. However, the ability of skin-derived MSCs (SMSCs) to repair cochlear damage and ameliorate hearing loss remains unclear.

The Pathogenicity of and Ability to Tolerate a Wide Range of Temperatures and Salinities.

is a rod-shaped Gram-negative marine bacterium frequently found in nonhuman sources such as aquatic ecosystems and has been shown to be the pathogenic agent in various clinical cases due to the ingestion of raw seafood. The results of this study showed that was present in approximately one in four samples, including water and shellfish samples. Positive reactions (API systems) in strains were seen for gelatinase (gelatin); however, negative reactions were found for indole production (tryptophan).

Volatile Oils of (Jing Jie) as an Alternative Medicine against Multidrug-Resistant Pathogenic Microbes.

Essential oils from the dried spikes of (Benth) are obtained by steam distillation. Pulegone was identified as the main component in the spikes of through analysis, with greater than 85% purity obtained in this study. The essential oils are extremely active against all Gram-positive and some Gram-negative reference bacteria, particularly , , and .

Most commensally bacterial strains in human milk of healthy mothers display multiple antibiotic resistance.

Recent reports have shown that food-borne or commensal bacteria can function as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance. However, the antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial isolates of most milk samples or the total bacterial counts (TBC) in human milk from healthy donors, are not fully understood in Taiwan. Thus, five healthy mothers were randomly recruited each month, and totally 30 mothers without any symptoms of infection were recruited over 6 months.

Colistin Resistance of Isolated from Snakes in Taiwan.

This study included fifty-eight isolates of from the oral cavity of snakes that were recruited from clinical cases, captive and wild snakes. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for the determination of susceptibility were identified by the broth microdilution method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect -lactamases genes.

Colibactin Contributes to the Hypervirulence of K1 CC23 in Mouse Meningitis Infections.

is the most common pathogen of community-acquired meningitis in Taiwan. However, the lack of a physiologically relevant meningitis model for has impeded research into its pathogenesis mechanism. Based on the core genome MLST analyses, the hypervirulent K1 strains, which are etiologically implicated in adult meningitis, mostly belong to a single clonal complex, CC23.

The effect of proton pump inhibitors on the gastric mucosal microenvironment.

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely applied for acid related disorders, and possess pleiotropic biological functions. The effect of PPIs on the gastric mucosa, neutrophil and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infiltration and glandular atrophy has not been well investigated, particularly the duration of the effects of PPIs.

Emphysematous pyometra secondary to Enterococcus avium infection in a dog.

A 5-year-old female intact Mastiff dog was presented with a history of vaginal discharge for 1 day. Physical examination revealed a sanguineo-purulent vaginal discharge and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Abdominal radiographs showed several dilated and gas- filled tubular loops.

Interaction of omeprazole and Helicobacter pylori-induced nuclear factor-κB activation and mediators in gastric epithelial cells.

Background: Omeprazole (OMP), a proton pump inhibitor, is a highly effective drug for the management of acid-related disorders. Infections resulting from cytotoxin antigen A (CagA) positive Helicobacter pylori strains have been associated with higher grades of gastric mucosal inflammation. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation has been reported to participate in H.

Eicosapentaenoic acid induces neovasculogenesis in human endothelial progenitor cells by modulating c-kit protein and PI3-K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathways.

Human endothelial progenitor cells (hEPCs) derived from bone marrow play a crucial in the prevention of ischemic injuries in the course of postnatal neovasculogenesis. Frequent fish oil (FO) consumption is reportedly associated with a significantly lower incidence of cardiovascular disease. However, the molecular mechanisms of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are not well elucidated, and the beneficial effect of FO consumption on neovasculogenesis has not been demonstrated yet.

Effects of mycophenolate mofetil on cutaneous lupus erythematosus in (NZB × NZW) F1 mice.

Background: Few studies have evaluated the effects and precise molecular mechanism of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in the treatment of human cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). Our findings shed light on the therapeutic effects of MMF in a UVB-induced NZB × NZW (NZBW) F1 CLE mouse model.

Methods: Continuous MMF treatment (60 mg/kg/day) was administered up to Day 50 from the beginning of UVB induction (Day 0; 20 weeks old), as the pathologic features of CLE are present after 50 days.

Evidence of intracellular stages in Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) theileri in non-phagocytic mammalian cells.

Trypanosoma (subgenus Megatrypanum) theileri was first identified over one hundred years ago, and is a widespread parasite in cattle. Its life cycle within the mammalian host has rarely been reported. Whether there is an intracellular stage in tissues is unknown and such a stage has not been demonstrated experimentally.

Effect of oxidized regenerated cellulose on the healing of pharyngeal wound: an experimental animal study.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) and mucosa healing in an experimental animal model.

Methods: Fifteen adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups that underwent different wound treatments. In Group 1, no pharyngeal wound was created.

Early activation of myocardial matrix metalloproteinases and degradation of cardiac troponin I after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in acute myocardial dysfunction by degrading several intracellular contractile proteins, including cardiac troponin I (cTnI). Here, we examined the temporal profiles of MMPs and cTnI in plasma and myocardial tissue in the acute stage of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Materials And Methods: SAH was induced by the endovascular suture method in rats.

Effects of Shugan-Huayu powder, a traditional Chinese medicine, on hepatic fibrosis in rat model.

Shugan-Huayu powder (SHP) has been administered to outpatients with chronic liver disease without clear anti-fibrosis mechanism. To investigate the anti-fibrotic effects of SHP on liver fibrosis in a rat model and in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro, rats were gavaged with CCl4 at 1.0 g/kg body weight twice a week for 8 weeks to induce liver fibrosis and the rats were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: -CCl4 alone, low-dose SHP and high-dose SHP.

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia in Swine associated with porcine circovirus type 2 infection.

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is a chronic respiratory disease. Although the pathogenesis of BOOP is still incompletely understood, BOOP is responsive to steroids and has a good prognosis. In our five pigs with chronic postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), typical BOOP lesions were revealed.

Isolation of Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) theileri from dairy cattle in Taiwan.

Although Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) theileri, a blood parasite of bovid species, is spread widely throughout the world, it has never been reported in Taiwan. When an anti-coagulated blood sample from febrile dairy cattle was directly smeared, no parasite was observed. However, a highly distinctive morphological feature of trypanosome appeared in baby hamster kidney (BHK) cell culture inoculated with non-thrown blood buffy coat.