Sex Differences in Clinical Outcomes and Surgical Interventions for Infective Endocarditis: A Nationwide Registry.

Background: Sex differences in infective endocarditis (IE) remain underexplored in large-scale studies. Current findings on clinical outcomes, particularly in surgical IE, are inconsistent, highlighting critical knowledge gaps.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide cohort study using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (2001-2022) and a total of 28 976 adults with IE were identified.

Characterization of lower urinary tract dysfunction in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by a progressive loss of motor function due to degeneration of motor neurons. In addition to motor-related symptoms, increasing evidence from clinical studies indicate lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunctions (urge incontinence) are found in patients with ALS, which causes a significant negative impact on quality of life. However, it remains unclear whether LUT dysfunction can be validated in preclinical ALS models.

Preventing pressure injury in an operating room in Taiwan: a best practice implementation project.

Introduction: Operating room pressure injuries (ORPIs) serve as a critical measure of health care quality.

Objective: The aim of this project was to reduce incidence of ORPIs in an operating room of a medical center in eastern Taiwan by promoting evidence-based strategies.

Methods: This project was conceptually informed by the JBI Model of Evidence-based Healthcare, in particular, the conceptualization of evidence implementation as inclusive of context analysis, implementation, and evaluation of outcomes using evidence-based quality indicators.

Long-Term 5-HT Receptor Agonist NLX-112 Treatment Improves Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in functional deficits below the injured spinal level. The descending serotonergic system in the spinal cord is critically involved in the control of motor and autonomic functions. Specifically, SCI damages the projections of serotonergic fibers, which leads to reduced serotonin inputs and increased amounts of spinal serotonergic receptors.

Machine Learning Identification and Classification of Mitosis and Migration of Cancer Cells in a Lab-on-CMOS Capacitance Sensing Platform.

Cell culture assays play a vital role in various fields of biology. Conventional assay techniques like immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry offer valuable insights into cell phenotype and behavior. However, each of these techniques requires labeling or staining, and this is a major drawback, specifically in applications that require compact and integrated analytical devices.

Hemichordate cis-regulatory genomics and the gene expression dynamics of deuterostomes.

Deuterostomes are one major group of bilaterians composed by hemichordates and echinoderms (collectively called Ambulacraria) and chordates. Comparative studies between these groups can provide valuable insights into the nature of the last common ancestor of deuterostomes and that of bilaterians. Indirect development of hemichordates, with larval phases similar to echinoderms and an adult body plan with an anteroposterior polarity like chordates and other bilaterians, makes them a suitable model for studying the molecular basis of development among deuterostomes.

The Spatiotemporal Expression of SOCS3 in the Brainstem and Spinal Cord of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mice.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons from the brain and spinal cord. The excessive neuroinflammation is thought to be a common determinant of ALS. Suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) is pathologically upregulated after injury/diseases to negatively regulate a broad range of cytokines/chemokines that mediate inflammation; however, the role that SOCS3 plays in ALS pathogenesis has not been explored.

Chromosome-level genome assemblies of 2 hemichordates provide new insights into deuterostome origin and chromosome evolution.

Deuterostomes are a monophyletic group of animals that includes Hemichordata, Echinodermata (together called Ambulacraria), and Chordata. The diversity of deuterostome body plans has made it challenging to reconstruct their ancestral condition and to decipher the genetic changes that drove the diversification of deuterostome lineages. Here, we generate chromosome-level genome assemblies of 2 hemichordate species, Ptychodera flava and Schizocardium californicum, and use comparative genomic approaches to infer the chromosomal architecture of the deuterostome common ancestor and delineate lineage-specific chromosomal modifications.

Discriminating factors of body composition characteristics for academic performance in nursing college students: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Poor body composition may affect health status, and better body composition is often associated with better academic performance. Nursing students face heavy academic and practical pressures, and the relationship between body composition and academic performance in this group is not fully understood.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study used de-identified student data from a university of technology in southern Taiwan to analyze the correlation between body composition characteristics and academic performance using regression models.

Tracing the Evolutionary Origin of Chordate Somites in the Hemichordate Ptychodera flava.

Metameric somites are a novel character of chordates with unclear evolutionary origins. In the early branching chordate amphioxus, anterior somites are derived from the paraxial mesodermal cells that bud off the archenteron (i.e.

Efficacy and Safety of Ginger on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a prevalent and distressing side effect. Historically, ginger has been explored as a potential remedy for various ailments, including its potential efficacy against CINV.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether taking ginger supplements can relieve CINV.

Measuring and modeling macrophage proliferation in a lab-on-CMOS capacitance sensing microsystem.

We report on the use of a lab-on-CMOS biosensor platform for quantitatively tracking the proliferation of RAW 264.7 murine Balb/c macrophages. We show that macrophage proliferation correlates linearly with an average capacitance growth factor resulting from capacitance measurements at a plurality of electrodes dispersed in a sensing area of interest.

Embryonic and post-embryonic development in the parasitic copepod Ive ptychoderae (Copepoda: Iviidae): Insights into its phylogenetic position.

Parasitic copepods are frequently discovered in many marine animals, and they exhibit great species diversity with remarkable morphological adaptations to their parasitic lifestyle. Similar to their free-living relatives, parasitic copepods usually develop through complex life cycle, but they eventually transform into a modified adult form with reduced appendages. Although the life cycle and distinct larval stages have been described in a few species of parasitic copepods, particularly those infecting commercially valuable marine animals (such as fishes, oysters, and lobsters), very little is known about the developmental process of the species that transformed into extremely simplified adult body plan.

Upregulated 5-HT Receptors Regulate Lower Urinary Tract Function in Rats after Complete Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) above the lumbosacral level often leads to dysfunction of the lower urinary tract (LUT) including detrusor hyper-reflexia, wherein bladder compliance is low, baseline pressures are increased, and filling is accompanied by numerous non-voiding contractions (NVCs) referred to as neurogenic detrusor overactivity. Here, we investigate the expression levels of the serotonin 1A (5-HT) receptor in segments both rostral and caudal to the injured site, as well as the effects on micturition of blocking 5-HT receptor using pharmacological interventions in spinally intact rats or T8 complete SCI rats. The activities of detrusor and external urethral sphincter (EUS) were assessed with the rats in a conscious condition.

Measuring and Modeling Macrophage Growth using a Lab-on-CMOS Capacitance Sensing Microsystem.

We report on the use of a lab-on-CMOS biosensor platform for quantitatively tracking the growth of RAW 264.7 murine Balb/c macrophages. We show that macrophage growth over a wide sensing area correlates linearly with an average capacitance growth factor resulting from capacitance measurements at a plurality of electrodes dispersed in the sensing area.

Interactions between Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Severity, Obesity, Sex Difference and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder on Health-Related Quality of Life: A Non-Interventional Prospective Observational Study.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) severity, obesity, sex difference, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had a complex impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, the interactive effects among these features on HRQoL remained to be clarified. This study aimed to investigate the individual and interactive associations between the four characteristics of interest and HRQoL as determined by 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).

Targeting of Mcl-1 Expression by MiRNA-3614-5p Promotes Cell Apoptosis of Human Prostate Cancer Cells.

MicroRNA (miRNA) acts as a critical regulator of growth in various human malignancies. However, the role of miRNA-3614 in the progression of human prostate cancer remains unknown. In this study, our results demonstrated that miRNA-3614-5p exerts a significant inhibitory effect on cell viability and colony formation and induces sub-G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells.

Norcantharidin combined with paclitaxel induces endoplasmic reticulum stress mediated apoptotic effect in prostate cancer cells by targeting SIRT7 expression.

Prostate cancer (PCa), an extremely common malignancy in males, is the most prevalent disease in several countries. Norcantharidin (NCTD) has antiproliferation, antimetastasis, apoptosis, and autophagy effects in various tumor cells. Nevertheless, the antitumor effect of NCTD combined with paclitaxel (PTX), a chemotherapeutic drug, in PCa remains unknown.

Ionizing Radiation Induces Resistant Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cells by Promoting Autophagy via the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway.

Therapeutic resistance in recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is a challenging issue. Although standard fractionated radiation is essential to treat GBM, it has led to local recurrence along with therapy-resistant cells in the ionizing radiation (IR) field. Lines of evidence showed cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a vital role in therapy resistance in many cancer types, including GBM.

Evidence for BMP-mediated specification of primordial germ cells in an indirect-developing hemichordate.

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are specified during development by either one of two major mechanisms, the preformation mode or the inductive mode. Because the inductive mode is widely employed by many bilaterians and early branching metazoan lineages, it has been postulated as an ancestral mechanism. However, among the deuterostome species that have been studied, invertebrate chordates use the preformation mode, while many vertebrate and echinoderm species are known to utilize an inductive mechanism, thus leaving the evolutionary history of PGC specification in the deuterostome lineage unclear.

Verification and Evaluation of a Visual Reaction System for Badminton Training.

The two aims of this study were (1) designing and developing an affordable visual reaction system for badminton training that monitors and provides instant feedback on agility; and (2) to measure and improve the footwork and movement of badminton players and output useful reference data. Ten junior high school badminton players were invited to serve as the subjects of this study. They participated in a three-week (nine sessions) training program.

Legacy Effect of Antioxidant N-acetylcysteine in Cellular Senescence of Diet-induced Obesity Mice.

Background: Cellular senescence is a state of stable growth arrest triggered by mitogenic and metabolic stressors. Ageing and a high-fat diet (HFD) are proven inducers of senescence in various organs, presenting a challenge for ageing populations worldwide. Our previous study demonstrated that ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can improve insulin resistance (IR) and chronic inflammation in diet-induced obesity mice, an effect better achieved through early intervention.

The Causal Role of Mitochondrial Dynamics in Regulating Innate Immunity in Diabetes.

Plenty of evidence suggested that chronic low-grade inflammation triggered by innate immunity activation contributes to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Using the trans-mitochondrial cybrid cell model, we have demonstrated that mitochondria independently take part in the pathological process of insulin resistance (IR) and pro-inflammatory phenotype in cybrid cells harboring mitochondrial haplogroup B4, which are more likely to develop T2D. The mitochondrial network is more fragmented, and the expression of fusion-related proteins is low in Cybrid B4.

Improvement of lower urinary tract function by a selective serotonin 5-HT receptor agonist, NLX-112, after chronic spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) above the lumbosacral level results in lower urinary tract dysfunction, including (1) detrusor hyperreflexia, wherein bladder compliance is low, and (2) a lack of external urethral sphincter (EUS) control, leading to detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) with poor voiding efficiency. Experimental studies in animals have shown a dense innervation of serotonergic (5-HT) fibers and multiple 5-HT receptors in the spinal reflex circuits that control voiding function. Here, we investigated the efficacy of NLX-112 (a.