Mechanism and inhibition of human UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase, the key enzyme in sialic acid biosynthesis.

The bifunctional enzyme UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase/ManNAc kinase (GNE) plays a key role in sialic acid production. It is different from the non-hydrolyzing enzymes for bacterial cell wall biosynthesis, and it is feed-back inhibited by the downstream product CMP-Neu5Ac. Here the complex crystal structure of the N-terminal epimerase part of human GNE shows a tetramer in which UDP binds to the active site and CMP-Neu5Ac binds to the dimer-dimer interface.

Methotrexate is not associated with increased liver cirrhosis in a population-based cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients with chronic hepatitis B.

A few studies showed that long-term methotrexate (MTX) use exacerbates liver fibrosis and even leads to liver cirrhosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. We therefore conducted a population-based cohort study to investigate the impact of long-term MTX use on the risk of chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-related cirrhosis among RA patients. We analyzed data from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan and identified 631 incident cases of RA among CHB patients (358 MTX users and 273 MTX non-users) from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2007.

An exploratory study using an openEHR 2-level modeling approach to represent common data elements.

Background And Objective: In order to facilitate clinical research across multiple institutions, data harmonization is a critical requirement. Common data elements (CDEs) collect data uniformly, allowing data interoperability between research studies. However, structural limitations have hindered the application of CDEs.

Acarbose Decreases the Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk of Diabetic Patients and Attenuates the Incidence and Severity of Collagen-induced Arthritis in Mice.

Acarbose has been found to decrease some inflammatory parameters in diabetic patients. This study aimed to examine the influence of acarbose on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients and on the incidence and severity of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. In a nationwide, matched case-control study, we identified 723 incident RA cases and selected 7,230 age-, sex- and RA diagnosis date-matched controls from all newly treated DM patients.

Proton Pump Inhibitors Did Not Increase Risk of Pneumonia in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) involves the airways and pneumonia is a major cause of mortality. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were found to have a positive association with pneumonia. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of PPIs on the risk of pneumonia in patients with COPD.

The Incidence and Prevalence of Common Variable Immunodeficiency Disease in Taiwan, A Population-Based Study.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is one of the primary immunodeficiency diseases that occur in both children and adults. We present here a nationwide, population-based epidemiological study of CVID across all ages in Taiwan during 2002-2011. Using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code 279.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk Associated with Periodontitis Exposure: A Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: The risk of periodontitis (PD) is increased in the patient group of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA and PD also shared some pathological mechanism. The aim of this study is to investigate the risk of RA associated with PD exposure.

A reduced risk of stroke with lithium exposure in bipolar disorder: a population-based retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: The risk of stroke is increased in patients with bipolar disorder. Lithium exhibits neuroprotective effects but the association between lithium use and the risk of stroke is unknown.

Methods: A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted by utilizing the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan.

Optimal Sequence of Irinotecan and Oxaliplatin-Based Regimens in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Population-Based Observational Study.

The optimal sequence of irinotecan and oxaliplatin-based regimens for metastatic colorectal cancer remains unclear. We conducted a population-based observational study by retrospectively reviewing records from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database to explore this issue. Patients aged ≥ 20 years with metastatic colorectal cancer newly diagnosed between 2004 and 2008 (n = 9490) were enrolled in current study.

Risk of depressive disorders in women undergoing hysterectomy: A population-based follow-up study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the risk of depressive disorders in women who underwent hysterectomy in Taiwan.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in a matched cohort of cases using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. Database records from 1689 women who underwent hysterectomy between 2001 and 2005 were included in this study.

Risk for Mycobacterial Disease among Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Taiwan, 2001-2011.

Increasing evidence indicates that the risk of acquiring tuberculosis (TB) and nontuberculous mycobacterial disease is elevated among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To determine the epidemiology of mycobacterial diseases among RA patients in Asia, we conducted a retrospective cohort study. We used a nationwide database to investigate the association of RA with mycobacterial diseases.

Association Between Parkinson Disease and Risk of Cancer in Taiwan.

Importance: Parkinson disease (PD) has been reported to be associated with a general reduced risk of cancer. These studies were mainly carried out in Western populations and little was known about associations in East Asians.

Objective: To analyze the association between PD and risk of cancer.

Risk of premotor symptoms in patients with newly diagnosed PD: a nationwide, population-based, case-control study in Taiwan.

Background: To evaluate the risk of premotor symptoms, namely rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD), constipation, and depression among patients with newly diagnosed Parkinson disease (PD).

Methods: A total of 705 PD patients and 2,820 control subjects were selected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients were traced back for a maximum of 14 years to determine the diagnoses of RBD, depression, and constipation.

Age and CHADS2 Score Predict the Effectiveness of Renin-Angiotensin System Blockers on Primary Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation.

Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers have potential protective effects against atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to determine if patient characteristics and underlying co-morbidities could predict the efficacy of RAS blockers in AF prevention. Patients aged ≥ 45 years with hypertension were identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

The effect of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and statins on the development of rotator cuff disease: a nationwide, 11-year, longitudinal, population-based follow-up study.

Background: The intrinsic risk factors of rotator cuff disease (RCD) include degeneration, inflammation, oxidative stress, and circulation impairment. Both diabetes and hyperlipidemia are thought to increase these risk factors and therefore potentially enhance RCD development. However, few studies, and few longitudinal follow-up studies in particular, exist to prove this.

Increased survival with the combination of stereotactic radiosurgery and gefitinib for non-small cell lung cancer brain metastasis patients: a nationwide study in Taiwan.

Purpose: Whole brain irradiation (WBRT) either with or without resection has historically been the treatment for brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The effect of gamma knife (GK) radiosurgery, chemotherapy, or the combination remains incompletely defined. In this study, we assessed the outcome of brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer treated by WBRT followed by GK, gefitinib, or the combination of GK and gefitinib.

Factors affecting discontinuation of adalimumab and etanercept therapy in anti-TNF-naïve patients with ankylosing spondylitis: Nationwide population-based cohort study.

Objectives: We investigated factors associated with discontinuation of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), who were anti-TNF-naïve and were given etanercept (ETN) or adalimumab (ADA).

Methods: This is a retrospective nationwide population-based cohort study. We identified 1401 anti-TNF-naïve patients with AS who initiated ETN (n = 441) or ADA (n = 960) and measured the duration of anti-TNF drug use.

Increased risk of hyperlipidemia in patients with bipolar disorder: a population-based study.

Objective: We conducted this nationwide study to examine the epidemiology of hyperlipidemia among Taiwanese patients with bipolar disorder.

Methods: We used a random sample of 766,427 subjects who were ≥18 years old in 2005. Subjects with at least one primary diagnosis of bipolar disorder were identified.

Trends, correlates, and disease patterns of antidepressant use among elderly persons in Taiwan.

Purpose: The population-based National Health Insurance database was used to investigate the trends, correlates, and disease patterns for elderly people in Taiwan who use antidepressants.

Methods: The National Health Research Institute provided a database of 1000,000 random subjects for study. We created a sample of subjects who were older than 65 years from 1997 to 2005.

Incidence and survival of cancers among 1,054 hemophilia patients: A nationwide and 14-year cohort study.

As life expectancy increases in persons with hemophilia (PWH), more age-related diseases such as cancer emerge among this patient group. The aim of this study was to investigate incidence and survival of cancers among PWH in Taiwan. We analyzed data of 1,054 PWH retrieved from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database between 1997 and 2010, by comparing variables to 10540 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals from the general population.

Prevalence and risk factors of atherothrombotic events among 1054 hemophilia patients: a population-based analysis.

Introduction: Reports on the prevalence and risk factors of atherothrombotic events (AEs) are conflicting in persons with hemophilia (PWH).

Methods: This study evaluated the prevalence and risk factors of AEs among 1054 male hemophilia patients, using data collected from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database between 1997 and 2010, by comparing variable to those of an unaffected 10540 age- and gender-matched general population.

Results: The proportions of all AEs among PWH, including 26 ischemic stroke, 29 coronary artery disease and 5 peripheral arterial disease were comparable to those in the general population.

Hydroxychloroquine reduces risk of incident diabetes mellitus in lupus patients in a dose-dependent manner: a population-based cohort study.

Objective: SLE is associated with increased risk of diabetes mellitus. Treatment for SLE requires high-dose glucocorticoids that may worsen glucose homoeostasis. HCQ can reduce diabetes risk in RA.