Understanding the Modes of Action of β-Ketoiminato Iridium(III) Complexes in Cancer Cells.

Four new charged iridium(III) 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) complexes, , of the type [Cp*Ir()(PTA)](PF) (where = functionalized β-ketoiminate ligands and PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane), have been successfully synthesized and characterized. Single crystal X-ray crystallographic data have been obtained for all compounds and confirm a typical -octahedral half-sandwich geometry. Cytotoxicity values have been determined against a range of cancerous and noncancerous cell lines and highlight high cytotoxicity and selectivity toward breast cancers.

Utilizing the concept of textbook outcome for evaluating quality control in the transition from open hepatectomy to laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: The learning curve has traditionally been used to evaluate the development of surgical techniques. However, no studies have yet explored the use of the "textbook outcome (TO)," a composite metric originally designed for assessing surgical and postoperative care quality, in monitoring the evolution of surgical techniques. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the quality control during the transition from open hepatectomy (OH) to laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using TO as a standardized metric.

A retrospective study to investigate the prevalence and describe the clinicopathological characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of HER2-low Breast Cancer in Taiwan.

Background: The binary classification of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) as HER2-positive [immunohistochemistry (IHC) 2+/in situ hybridization (ISH)+ or 3+] or HER2-negative (IHC 0, 1+, or 2+/ISH-) has been reassessed due to the efficacy of an anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugate-Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in HER2-low (IHC 1+ or 2+/ISH-) unresectable/metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients. However, little is known about the prevalence and outcomes of HER2-low mBC in Taiwan.

Methods: This retrospective study rescored archived HER2 IHC slides of HER2-negative unresectable/mBC patients diagnosed from 2017 to 2020.

Definition, prevalence, and economic impacts of hypertension on the elderly population.

Arterial hypertension is the most important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a leading cause of death. The incidence of hypertension increases with age, with a lifetime risk of more than 90% for elderly individuals. With the growth in the absolute numbers and proportion of the elderly population worldwide, the economic impact and burden on healthcare systems due to elderly hypertension continue to rise.

Travel patterns, pretravel preparation, and travel-associated morbidity in travelers with diabetes in Taiwan.

Background: International travel poses unique health risks for individuals with diabetes. This study explored their travel patterns, preparations, and morbidity, as well as identify factors influencing pre-travel health-seeking behavior from primary healthcare providers.

Methods: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study recruited adults with diabetes who had traveled internationally within the past 12 months.

Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1/Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Feedback Loop Mediates Anti-inflammation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated Astrocytes to Dampen Inflammatory Neurotoxicity.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates cell immune responses in a cell type-specific and ligand-dependent manner. In the central nervous system, astrocytic AhR plays important roles in regulating neuroinflammation by mediating responses to endogenous ligands generated from the inflammation-induced indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1)/kynurenine (KYN) pathway. We previously demonstrated that reduction of AhR expression decreases lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory responses in microglia.

Characterizing the diabetes-induced pathological changes of the mouse lung by single-cell RNA sequencing.

Pulmonary disorders are exacerbated by high blood sugar, leading to a disordered immune defense and increased susceptibility to infection. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is characterized by insulin resistance and inadequate insulin production. Mechanisms leading to pulmonary alternation due to T2D are not clear.

Tumor Spread Through Air Spaces Predicts Survival in Resected Pulmonary Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma.

Background: Tumor spread through air spaces (STAS) has been recognized as a prognostic factor for several types of lung cancers. However, information regarding its clinical significance in pulmonary lymphoepithelial carcinoma is limited. Therefore, this study investigated effects of STAS on the clinical outcomes for patients with pulmonary lymphoepithelial carcinoma.

Establishing a Novel Pyroptosis-related Gene Signature and Predicting Chemical Drugs for Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Background: The present study aimed to construct a novel pyroptosis-related gene signature to predict the prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

Methods: The gene expression level and survival and prognosis information of PTC were obtained from TCGA. The differentially expressed pyroptosis-related genes (DEPs) between cancer and control groups were selected, followed by subtype analysis.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy is a feasible and safe choice for primary hepatocellular carcinoma located at favorable location during the development period of a tertiary hospital: A case-control study.

Objectives: Laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been well known for its advantages in the past 10 years, but little is known regarding its oncologic outcomes while the technique is being developed at an institution. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of LH for patients with primary HCC at favorable locations, focusing on postoperative short- and long-term outcomes during the development period.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients diagnosed with primary HCC who underwent hepatectomy between January 2013 and December 2019 at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital.

The Rate of Postoperative Decline in Parathyroid Hormone Levels Can Predict Symptomatic Hypocalcemia Following Thyroid Cancer Surgery with Neck Lymph Node Dissection.

Objective: Identifying early predictive indicators of symptomatic hypocalcemia in patients after thyroidectomy with neck lymph node dissection can help to identify high-risk patients, provide timely intervention, and improve prognosis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all relevant information was conducted for patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with neck lymph node dissection at our hospital between April 2021 and September 2022. The primary outcome measure was symptomatic hypocalcemia.

Stigmatization and Preferences in Monkeypox Vaccine Regimens.

A significant monkeypox (mpox) outbreak occurred in 2022, particularly involving sexual and gender minority (SGM) groups. Stigma and misperceptions have led to fear of being labeled a member of the SGM group when obtaining immunization for mpox. We hypothesized that the most recommended injection site, intradermal injection in the forearm, stresses stigmatization.

Radiosensitizing effects of CDK4/6 inhibitors in hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer mediated downregulation of DNA repair mechanism and NF-κB-signaling pathway.

CDK4/6 inhibitors combined with endocrine therapy prolonged survival in hormone receptor (HR)-positive and HER2-negative advanced breast cancer. We investigated whether CDK4/6 inhibitors enhance radiosensitivity and their underlying mechanisms of this subtype of breast cancer. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted using two HR-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and T-47D), CDK4/6 inhibitors (ribociclib and palbociclib) and radiotherapy (RT) to assess the biological functions and mechanisms.

Cyclin dependent kinase 9 inhibition reduced programmed death-ligand 1 expression and improved treatment efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody is a standard therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Tumor expression of PD-L1 can be induced upon stimulus. Because cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibition reduces the expression of inducible proteins, we explored the influence of CDK9 inhibition on PD-L1 expression in HCC cells.

Knowledge gap of human monkeypox among high-risk individuals receiving preexposure vaccination in Taiwan.

Background: With the widespread outbreak of monkeypox, it is crucial to enhance awareness and understanding of the disease, especially among high-risk individuals. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge levels of individuals seeking preexposure vaccination in Taiwan.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted online, and included a nationwide sample of high-risk adults receiving preexposure vaccination.

COVID-19 vaccination: 2023 Taiwan Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (TAGG) consensus statements.

The COVID-19 pandemic remains challenging due to the rapid evolution of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. This article discusses recent findings on high-risk groups for COVID-19 mortality and morbidity, along with consensus statements from the 2023 Taiwan Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (TAGG) meeting. It examines evidence on viral mutation mechanisms, emerging variants, and their implications for vaccination strategies.

FKBP51 is involved in LPS-induced microglial activation via NF-κB signaling to mediate neuroinflammation.

Aims: FKBP5 encodes FKBP51, which has been implicated in stress-related psychiatric disorders, and its expression is often increased under chronic stress, contributing to mental dysfunctions. However, the precise role of FKBP51 in brain inflammation remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of FKBP51 in microglia-mediated inflammatory responses in the central nervous system.

Deep-learning model to improve histological grading and predict upstaging of atypical ductal hyperplasia / ductal carcinoma in situ on breast biopsy.

Aims: Risk stratification of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), diagnosed using breast biopsy, has great clinical significance. Clinical trials are currently exploring the possibility of active surveillance for low-risk lesions, whereas axillary lymph node staging may be considered during surgical planning for high-risk lesions. We aimed to develop a machine-learning algorithm based on whole-slide images of breast biopsy specimens and clinical information to predict the risk of upstaging to invasive breast cancer after wide excision.