Dian-Jeng Li, Agata Chudzicka-Czupała, Mateusz Paliga, Nadiya Hapon, Liudmyla Karamushka, Marta Żywiołek-Szeja, Roger S McIntyre, Soon-Kiat Chiang, Yi-Lung Chen, Cheng-Fang Yen, Roger Ho Chun Man
{"title":"Rumination about the Russo-Ukrainian War and its related factors among individuals in Poland and Ukraine.","authors":"Dian-Jeng Li, Agata Chudzicka-Czupała, Mateusz Paliga, Nadiya Hapon, Liudmyla Karamushka, Marta Żywiołek-Szeja, Roger S McIntyre, Soon-Kiat Chiang, Yi-Lung Chen, Cheng-Fang Yen, Roger Ho Chun Man","doi":"10.1002/kjm2.12711","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/kjm2.12711","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The present study aimed to investigate the factors associated with the level of rumination about the war among people living in Poland and Ukraine. This cross-sectional study recruited internet users from advertisements on social media. Levels of rumination, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), time spent on news of the war, and related demographic variables were collected. The reliability and construct validity of rumination were estimated. Potential factors associated with the level of rumination were identified using univariate linear regression analysis, and further entered into a stepwise multivariate linear regression model to identify independent factors. Due to the non-normality of distribution, multivariate linear regression with 5000 bootstrap samples was used to verify the results. A total of 1438 participants were included in the analysis, of whom 1053 lived in Poland and 385 lived in Ukraine. The questionnaires on rumination were verified to have satisfactory reliability and validity. After analysis with stepwise and bootstrap regression, older age, female gender, higher DASS and IES-R scores, and longer time spent on news of the war were significantly associated with higher levels of rumination for both people living in Poland and Ukraine. Lower self-rated health status, history of chronic medical illness and coronavirus disease 2019 infection were also positively associated with rumination for people living in Poland. We identified several factors associated with the level of rumination about the Russo-Ukrainian War. Further investigations are warranted to understand how rumination affects individuals' lives during crises such as war.</p>","PeriodicalId":49946,"journal":{"name":"Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"39 9","pages":"943-953"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10584084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Correction to \"Inhibition of tripartite motif containing 26 inhibits non-small cell lung cancer cell growth\".","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/kjm2.12751","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/kjm2.12751","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49946,"journal":{"name":"Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"39 9","pages":"958-959"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10204766","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hong-Yan Ju, Shan-Shan Tang, Bang-Jing Li, Xi Luo, Qi Li
{"title":"The expression levels of circulating miR-140-3p, miR-130a-3p, and miR-320b as diagnostic biomarkers in acute ischemic stroke.","authors":"Hong-Yan Ju, Shan-Shan Tang, Bang-Jing Li, Xi Luo, Qi Li","doi":"10.1002/kjm2.12721","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/kjm2.12721","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Plasma miRNAs can characterize several diseases, including acute ischemic stroke (AIS), which is noninvasive and currently affordable in most laboratories worldwide. We aimed to demonstrate plasma miR-140-3p, miR-130a-3p, and miR-320b as diagnostic biomarkers in AIS.GSE110993 and GSE86291 datasets were analyzed to obtain plasma differentially expressed miRNAs between AIS and healthy control subjects (HCs). We further applied RT-qPCR for the validation in 85 AIS patients and 85 HCs. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were conducted to evaluate their diagnostic utility in AIS. Correlation was analyzed between DEmiRNAs and clinical and laboratory parameters, as well as inflammatory markers. The plasma levels of miR-140-3p, miR-130a-3p, and miR-320b were found to be consistently altered in both GSE110993 and GSE86291 datasets. In comparison to HCs, AIS patients at admission exhibited lower levels of miR-140-3p and miR-320b and higher level of miR-130a-3p in their plasma. The ROC analysis revealed that plasma miR-140-3p, miR-130a-3p, and miR-320b had area under the curve values of 0.790, 0.831, and 0.907, respectively. When combined, these miRNAs showed superior discriminatory power with a sensitivity of 91.76% and specificity of 95.29%. Plasma miR-140-3p and miR-320b negatively correlated glucose levels and inflammatory markers (IL-6, MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGF) in AIS patients. Conversely, plasma miR-130a-3p levels were positively associated with glucose levels and these markers. Plasma miR-140-3p, miR-130a-3p, and miR-320b levels varied significantly among AIS patients with different NIHSS scores. Plasma miR-140-3p, miR-130a-3p, and miR-320b had high diagnostic value in AIS patients, which were correlated with inflammation and severity in stroke.</p>","PeriodicalId":49946,"journal":{"name":"Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"39 9","pages":"927-935"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10208518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kwok-Man Tong, Kui-Chou Huang, Wei-Shuo Chang, Tze-Kiong Er
{"title":"Unmasking the silent invader: A rare encounter of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in joint fluid.","authors":"Kwok-Man Tong, Kui-Chou Huang, Wei-Shuo Chang, Tze-Kiong Er","doi":"10.1002/kjm2.12729","DOIUrl":"10.1002/kjm2.12729","url":null,"abstract":"To the Editor A 36-year-old male patient presented to the hospital with pain and swelling in his left knee. His examination revealed hemoglobin levels of 11.9 g/dL, red blood cell (RBC) counts of 3.64 10/μL, white blood cell (WBC) counts of 17 10/μL and platelet counts of 673 10/μL. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase were higher than the normal range at 59 IU/L (reference range: 7–52 IU/L). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) value obtained was significantly elevated at over 140 mm/h (reference range: 0–15 mm/h). The patient presented with a 4-day history of pain, effusion, and swelling in the left knee. The affected joint was warm to the touch and exhibited signs of inflammation during the physical examination, such as erythema and joint effusion. During a focused sexual history interview, the patient disclosed that they had engaged in sexual activity with multiple partners without using protection approximately a month ago. Microscopic examination of the synovial fluid revealed a markedly elevated count of RBCs and total nucleated cells, with a predominance of neutrophils. These findings were further supported by the presence of elevated inflammatory markers, including significantly increased levels of WBC and ESR. Additional investigations, such as microbiological cultures, were performed on the synovial fluid. The culture plates were incubated in a humidified atmosphere with 5%–10% carbon dioxide at a temperature of 35–37 C for 24–48 h. Microbiological cultures were performed on the synovial fluid, and subsequent cultures revealed the growth of small, grayish, translucent colonies on chocolate agar (Figure 1A). The Gram stain of the clinical specimen revealed the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The findings showed characteristic","PeriodicalId":49946,"journal":{"name":"Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"39 9","pages":"956-957"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10257899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A 4-month-old female infant with complete colonic duplication presenting with stool leaking out of the vestibule.","authors":"Yu-Han Wang, Yu-Ling Wu, Yu-Han Chen, Yu-Tang Chang","doi":"10.1002/kjm2.12730","DOIUrl":"10.1002/kjm2.12730","url":null,"abstract":"We present the case of a 4-month-old female infant with stool passing through both the perineum and the anus since birth (Figure 1A). She was the first child of a 36-year-old mother and born at 37 weeks' gestation weighing 2.325 kg with single umbilical artery. No complications such as obstruction, abdominal distension, constipation, vomiting, irritable crying, hematochezia, volvulus, or perforation were noticed.","PeriodicalId":49946,"journal":{"name":"Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"39 9","pages":"954-955"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10218787","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"FTO-mediated epigenetic upregulation of LINC01559 confers cell resistance to docetaxel in breast carcinoma by suppressing miR-1343-3p.","authors":"Wei Lin, Cai-Qin Mo, Ling-Jun Kong, Ling Chen, Kun-Lin Wu, Xian Wu","doi":"10.1002/kjm2.12728","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/kjm2.12728","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study was to explore the regulatory effect of long non-coding RNA LINC01559 on Docetaxel resistance in breast carcinoma (BCa) and its underlying mechanism. In the present study, we found that LINC01559 expression was elevated and LINC01559 overexpression facilitated docetaxel resistance in BCa cells. Moreover, it was revealed that the upregulation of LINC01559 in BCa cells was induced by FTO-mediated demethylation in an m6A-YTHDF2-dependent manner. Additionally, Dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed the binding ability between LINC01559 and miR-1343-3p, and Pearson correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between them. Particularly, miR-1343-3p inhibition partly abolished the suppression on docetaxel resistance in BCa cells caused by LINC01559 knockdown. To sum up, FTO-mediated epigenetic upregulation of LINC01559 promoted cell resistance to Docetaxel in BCa by negatively regulating miR-1343-3p.</p>","PeriodicalId":49946,"journal":{"name":"Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"39 9","pages":"873-882"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10216554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"IL-23/IL-17 immune axis mediates the imiquimod-induced psoriatic inflammation by activating ACT1/TRAF6/TAK1/NF-κB pathway in macrophages and keratinocytes.","authors":"Wen-Cheng Chen, Chang-Hui Wen, Meng Wang, Zi-Dan Xiao, Zhong-Zhao Zhang, Chun-Lan Wu, Ran Wu","doi":"10.1002/kjm2.12683","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/kjm2.12683","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The interleukin-23 (IL-23)/IL-17 immune axis has been linked to the pathology of psoriasis, but how this axis contributes to skin inflammation in this disease remains unclear. We measured inflammatory cytokines associated with the IL-23/IL-17 immune axis in the serum of patients with psoriasis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Psoriasis was induced in male C57BL/6J mice using imiquimod (IMQ) cream, and animals received intraperitoneal injections of recombinant mouse anti-IL-23A or anti-IL-17A antibodies for 7 days. The potential effects of the IL-23/IL-17 immune axis on skin inflammation were assessed based on pathology scoring, hematoxylin-eosin staining of skin samples, and quantitation of inflammatory cytokines. Western blotting was used to evaluate levels of the following factors in skin: ACT1, TRAF6, TAK1, NF-κB, and pNF-κB. The serum of psoriasis patients showed elevated levels of several cytokines involved in the IL-23/IL-17 immune axis: IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-12, IL-17, IL-22, IL-23, and interferon-γ. Levels of IL-23p19 and IL-17 were increased in serum and skin of IMQ-treated mice, while ACT1, TRAF6, TAK1, NF-κB, and pNF-κB were upregulated in the skin. A large proportion of NF-κB p65 localized in nucleus of involucrin<sup>+</sup> cells in the epidermis and in F4/80<sup>+</sup> cells of the dermis of psoriatic lesional skin. Treating these animals with anti-IL-23 or anti-IL-17 antibodies improved pathological score and immune imbalance, mitigated skin inflammation and downregulated ACT1, TRAF6, TAK1, NF-κB, and pNF-κB in skin. Our results suggest that skin inflammation mediated by the IL-23/IL-17 immune axis in psoriasis involves activation of the ACT1/TRAF6/TAK1/NF-κB pathway in keratinocytes and macrophage.</p>","PeriodicalId":49946,"journal":{"name":"Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"39 8","pages":"789-800"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10356401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Inhibition of angiotensin II type 1 receptor reduces oxidative stress damage to the intestinal barrier in severe acute pancreatitis.","authors":"Zhao-Yu Gao, Ying-Jian Jiang, Jiang Wang, Chang Li, Dian-Liang Zhang","doi":"10.1002/kjm2.12692","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/kjm2.12692","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Intestinal barrier injury is a common complication of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), which is often accompanied by intestinal mucosal barrier injury and results in serious consequences. However, the exact mechanism remains unclear. We aimed to investigate whether angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1)-mediated oxidative stress is involved in SAP intestinal barrier injury and assessed the effects of inhibiting this pathway. The SAP model was established by retrograde bile duct injection of sodium taurocholate (5%). The rats were divided into three groups: the control group (SO), the SAP group (SAP), and the azilsartan intervention group (SAP + AZL). Serum amylase, lipase, and other indexes were measured to evaluate SAP severity in each group. Histopathological changes in the pancreas and intestine were evaluated by HE staining. The oxidative stress of intestinal epithelial cells was detected by superoxide dismutase and glutathione. We also detected the expression and distribution of intestinal barrier-related proteins. The results showed that the serum indexes, the severity of tissue damage, and the level of oxidative stress in the SAP + AZL group were significantly lower than in the SAP group. Our study provided hitherto undocumented evidence of AT1 expression in the intestinal mucosa, confirming that AT1-mediated oxidative stress is involved in SAP intestinal mucosal injury, and inhibiting this pathway could effectively reduce intestinal mucosal oxidative stress injury, providing a new and effective target for the treatment of SAP intestinal barrier injury.</p>","PeriodicalId":49946,"journal":{"name":"Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"39 8","pages":"824-833"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10003690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Efforts to improve the surgical outcome for exotropia and investigation of the insertion locations of the extraocular muscles.","authors":"Yu-Hung Lai, Shun-Jen Chang","doi":"10.1002/kjm2.12724","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/kjm2.12724","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In our previous retrospective study, we found that using the strabismus surgery dosages established by western strabismus mentors tends to result in undercorrection of Taiwanese exotropia (XT) patients compared with those in western populations. We also discovered that the location of extraocular muscle (EOM) insertion could vary by ethnicity. In this study, using a generalized estimation equation model, we compared the XT surgery outcome between augmented and original strabismus surgery dosages in Taiwanese patients. We also conducted an observational study to investigate the horizontal EOM insertion location in a Taiwanese population and compared the data with Dr. Apt L.'s study. For Taiwanese XT patients, augmented surgical dosages resulted in significantly better outcome at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively compared with original surgical dosages (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). The distance from the lateral recuts muscle (LR) insertion location to the limbus was significantly shorter in Taiwanese than in white Americans (6.5 vs. 6.9 mm, respectively, p = 0.0001). Furthermore, the medial rectus muscle and LR insertion locations differed significantly between males and females (p < 0.001 and p = 0.023, respectively). The patients' sex did not affect the surgery outcome. Augmented surgery doses modified from western strabismus mentors produce better surgery outcome for Taiwanese XT patients. Surgeons may require country-specific guidelines for strabismus surgery dosage. We also demonstrated a simple method for young ophthalmologists to establish their own normograms to improve their surgical success rate. Our study confirms that LR insertion locations differ between Taiwanese and White Americans.</p>","PeriodicalId":49946,"journal":{"name":"Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"39 8","pages":"834-841"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10356471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ji-Mu Wu, Getu Zhaori, Li Mei, Xiao-Man Ren, Arong Tong Laga, Batu Deligen
{"title":"Plantamajoside modulates immune dysregulation and hepatic lipid metabolism in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via AMPK/Nrf2 elevation.","authors":"Ji-Mu Wu, Getu Zhaori, Li Mei, Xiao-Man Ren, Arong Tong Laga, Batu Deligen","doi":"10.1002/kjm2.12712","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/kjm2.12712","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a hepatic metabolic syndrome with a rapidly increasing prevalence globally. Plantamajoside (PMS), a phenylethanoid glycoside component extracted from Plantago asiatica, has various biological properties. However, its effect on NAFLD remains unknown. The study aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of PMS on NAFLD in the high-fat diet (HFD)-feeding rats. PMS induced a decrease in body and liver weight, and the amelioration in the blood lipid parameters and pathological symptoms in HFD-feeding rats. The increase in the serum concentrations and the relative protein expressions of proinflammatory factors was decreased by the PMS treatment in HFD-induced NAFLD rats. Additionally, PMS reduced the excessive lipid vacuoles, and modified the relative expressions of proteins involved in the fatty acid synthesis and uptake in HFD-feeding rats. Mechanically, the downregulation of AMPK/Nrf2 pathway in HFD-feeding rats was restored by the PMS treatment. Inhibition of AMPK pathway reversed the PMS-induced the increase in the level of inflammatory factors, pathological symptoms, excessive lipid vacuoles, and the relative expression of proteins involved in the fatty acid synthesis and uptake. Collectively, PMS ameliorated immune dysregulation and abnormal hepatic lipid metabolism by activating AMPK/Nrf2 pathway in rats with NAFLD.</p>","PeriodicalId":49946,"journal":{"name":"Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"39 8","pages":"801-810"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10004157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}