Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Genital Neoplasms, Male ; pathology ; surgery ; Hernia, Inguinal ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Myxoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Scrotum ; pathology

In eukaryotic cells, DNA damage triggers activation of checkpoint signaling pathways that coordinate cell cycle arrest and repair of damaged DNA. These DNA damage responses serve to maintain genome stability and prevent accumulation of genetic mutations and development of cancer. The p38 MAPK was previously implicated in cellular responses to several types of DNA damage. However, the role of each of the four p38 isoforms and the mechanism for their involvement in DNA damage responses remained poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that p38γ, but not the other p38 isoforms, contributes to the survival of UV-treated cells. Deletion of p38γ sensitizes cells to UV exposure, accompanied by prolonged S phase cell cycle arrest and increased rate of apoptosis. Further investigation reveal that p38γ is essential for the optimal activation of the checkpoint signaling caused by UV, and for the efficient repair of UV-induced DNA damage. These findings have established a novel role of p38γ in UV-induced DNA damage responses, and suggested that p38γ contributes to the ability of cells to cope with UV exposure by regulating the checkpoint signaling pathways and the repair of damaged DNA.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA Damage ; DNA Repair ; Enzyme Activation ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Gene Deletion ; Histones ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 12 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; S Phase ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Ultraviolet Rays

AIMTo examine the physiological role of the androgen receptor (AR) in the PC-3 cell line by transfecting full-length functional AR cDNA driven by its natural human AR promoter.

METHODSWe generated an AR-expressing PC-3(AR)9 stable clone that expresses AR under the control of the natural human AR promoter and compared its proliferation to that of the PC-3(AR)2 (stable clone that expresses AR under the control of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, established by Heisler et al.) after androgen treatment.

RESULTSWe found that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from 0.001 nmol/L to 10 nmol/L induces cell cycle arrest or inhibits proliferation of PC-3(AR)2 compared with its vector control, PC-3(pIRES). In contrast, PC-3(AR)9 cell growth slightly increased or did not change when treated with physiological concentrations of 1 nmol/L DHT.

CONCLUSIONThese data suggest that intracellular control of AR expression levels through the natural AR promoter might be needed for determining AR function in androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC) PC-3 cells. Unlike previous publications that showed DHT mediated suppression of PC-3 growth after transfection of viral promoter-driven AR overexpression, we report here that DHT-mediated PC-3 proliferation is slightly induced or does not change compared with its baseline after reintroducing AR expression driven by its own natural promoter, as shown in PC-3(AR)9 prostate cancer cells.

Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA, Complementary ; biosynthesis ; Dihydrotestosterone ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, Androgen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

Retaining or improving periodontal ligament (PDL) function is crucial for restoring periodontal defects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological effects of low-power laser irradiation (LPLI) on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human PDL (hPDL) cells. Cultured hPDL cells were irradiated (660 nm) daily with doses of 0, 1, 2 or 4 J⋅cm(-2). Cell proliferation was evaluated by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and the effect of LPLI on osteogenic differentiation was assessed by Alizarin Red S staining and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Additionally, osteogenic marker gene expression was confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Our data showed that LPLI at a dose of 2 J⋅cm(-2) significantly promoted hPDL cell proliferation at days 3 and 5. In addition, LPLI at energy doses of 2 and 4 J⋅cm(-2) showed potential osteogenic capacity, as it stimulated ALP activity, calcium deposition, and osteogenic gene expression. We also showed that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a critical regulator of the LPLI-mediated effects on hPDL cells. This study shows that LPLI can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hPDL cells. These results suggest the potential use of LPLI in clinical applications for periodontal tissue regeneration.
Adenine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; analysis ; genetics ; radiation effects ; Anthraquinones ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; genetics ; Calcium ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; radiation effects ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; radiation effects ; Coloring Agents ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; genetics ; Cyclic AMP ; antagonists & inhibitors ; radiation effects ; Gene Expression ; radiation effects ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; analysis ; Lasers, Semiconductor ; Low-Level Light Therapy ; instrumentation ; Osteocalcin ; genetics ; Osteogenesis ; genetics ; radiation effects ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; radiation effects ; Radiation Dosage ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tetrazolium Salts ; Thiazoles

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between nutrition, physical activity, fatigue, and quality of life (QoL) among childhood cancer survivors. The specific purpose was to examine whether nutrition mediated and physical activity moderated the relationship between fatigue and QoL in this population. Methods: A pooled sample of 120 childhood cancer survivors was recruited at pediatric oncology wards and ambulatory settings between August 2020 and May 2021. We collected data on participants’ demographic characteristics, fatigue, nutritional status, physical activity, and QoL. We then adapted Hayes Process Macro to examine the mediating and moderating effects of nutrition and physical activity on the relationship between fatigue and QoL. Results: In models adjusted for age and sex, (1) the simple mediation analysis identified the mediating effect of nutrition on the relationship between fatigue and QoL; and (2) the mediation and moderation analysis identified that the direct effect of nutrition between fatigue and QoL was significant when adding (a) physical activity and (b) fatigue × physical activity. There were significantly decreasing trends in physical activity at 1 standard deviation below the mean and at the mean, but not at 1 standard deviation above the mean. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that nutrition mediated and physical activity moderated the relationship between fatigue and QoL. This highlights an opportunity to enhance QoL among childhood cancer survivors through healthy lifestyle interventions. To ensure that future interventions address children's needs and promote the greatest impact, such interventions should include nutrition and physical activity components that involve nurses, pediatric oncology physicians, nutritionists, and physical therapists.Keyword

A 94-year-old female with end-stage renal disease presents with fever, fatigue, and hematochezia. She had previously resided in Hunan Province, China, and Myanmar, and she immigrated to Taiwan 30 years ago. Colonoscopy revealed a colonic ulcer. Biopsy of the colonic ulcer showed ulceration of the colonic mucosa, and many Paragonimus westermani-like eggs were noted. Serum IgG antibody levels showed strong reactivity with P. westermani excretory-secretory antigens by ELISA. Intestinal paragonimiasis was thus diagnosed according to the morphology of the eggs and serologic finding. After treatment with praziquantel, hematochezia resolved. The present case illustrates the extreme manifestations encountered in severe intestinal paragonimiasis.
Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; Anthelmintics/therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Helminth/blood ; Antigens, Helminth/immunology ; Colonic Diseases/complications/drug therapy/*pathology ; Colonoscopy ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/complications/drug therapy/*pathology ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/complications/drug therapy/parasitology/*pathology ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/complications ; Paragonimiasis/complications/drug therapy/parasitology/*pathology ; Paragonimus westermani/*immunology ; Praziquantel/therapeutic use ; Taiwan ; Ulcer/complications/drug therapy/*pathology

OBJECTIVEAccuracy of diagnostic methods for detecting Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection among patients with bleeding peptic ulcers has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic tests and their combined usage in detection of H. pylori infection in patients with bleeding gastric ulcers and without the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

METHODSA total of 57 patients who presented with bleeding gastric ulcers by endoscopy were enrolled. The status of H. pylori was identified by performing the rapid urease test (RUT), histology and (13)C-labeled urea breath test (UBT). The criteria for having H. pylori infection was a minimum of two positive tests.

RESULTSThe prevalence of H. pylori infection in our patient group was 80.7%. Among the three tests used: RUT, histology, and UBT, sensitivities were 56.5%, 97.8% and 100%, while specificities were 100%, 45.5% and 81.8%, respectively. The overall accuracies of the tests were 78.3%, 71.6% and 90.9%, respectively. Although UBT obtained significantly higher accuracy than histology (P = 0.02) as opposed to RUT (P = 0.11), UBT had significantly higher sensitivity than RUT (P < 0.001). In terms of combining any two of the three tests, more accuracy (98.9%) was achieved when both UBT and histology were used to confirm the diagnosis of the other. Conversely, failure to use combined tests generated the potential of missing a proper H. pylori diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONSUBT is superior to the other two tests in bleeding gastric ulcers. RUT lacks sensitivity for detection of H. pylori infection. However, the concomitant use of UBT and histology seems to be more accurate when gastric ulcers present with bleeding.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Breath Tests ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage ; complications ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stomach Ulcer ; complications ; Urea

Background/Aims: Obstacles exist in facilitating hepatitis C virus (HCV) care cascade. To increase timely and accurate diagnosis, disease awareness and accessibility, in-hospital HCV reflex testing followed by automatic appointments and a late call-back strategy (R.N.A. model) was applied. We aimed to compare the HCV treatment rate of patients treated with this strategy compared to those without. Methods: One hundred and twenty-five anti-HCV seropositive patients who adopted the R.N.A. model in 2020 and another 1,396 controls treated in 2019 were enrolled to compare the gaps in accurate HCV RNA diagnosis to final treatment allocation. Results: The HCV RNA testing rate was significantly higher in patients who received reflex testing than in those without reflex testing (100% vs. 84.8%, P<0.001). When patients were stratified according to the referring outpatient department, a significant improvement in the HCV RNA testing rate was particularly noted in patients from non-hepatology departments (100% vs. 23.3%, P<0.001). The treatment rate in HCV RNA seropositive patients was 83% (83/100) after the adoption of the R.N.A. model, among whom 96.1% and 73.9% of patients were from the hepatology and non-hepatology departments, respectively. Compared to subjects without R.N.A. model application, a significant improvement in the treatment rate was observed for patients from non-hepatology departments (73.9% vs. 27.8%, P=0.001). The application of the R.N.A. model significantly increased the in-hospital HCV treatment uptake from 6.4% to 73.9% for patients from non-hepatology departments (P<0.001). Conclusions The care cascade increased the treatment uptake and set up a model for enhancing in-hospital HCV elimination.

Objective: Emerging evidence suggests that air pollution exposure may increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). We aimed to investigate the association between exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and the risk of incident PD nationwide. Methods: We utilized data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, which is spatiotemporally linked with air quality data from the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration website. The study population consisted of participants who were followed from the index date (January 1, 2005) until the occurrence of PD or the end of the study period (December 31, 2017). Participants who were diagnosed with PD before the index date were excluded. To evaluate the association between exposure to PM2.5 and incident PD risk, we employed Cox regression to estimate the hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: A total of 454,583 participants were included, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 63.1 (9.9) years and a male proportion of 50%. Over a mean follow-up period of 11.1 (3.6) years, 4% of the participants (n = 18,862) developed PD. We observed a significant positive association between PM2.5 exposure and the risk of PD, with a hazard ratio of 1.22 (95% CI, 1.20–1.23) per interquartile range increase in exposure (10.17 μg/m3) when adjusting for both SO2 and NO2. Conclusion We provide further evidence of an association between PM2.5 exposure and the risk of PD. These findings underscore the urgent need for public health policies aimed at reducing ambient air pollution and its potential impact on PD.

Objectives: . Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a risk factor for deep neck infection (DNI) and leads to complications and poor outcomes. Our study aimed to investigate the risk, prognosis, and complications of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) in patients with T2DM. Methods: . We extracted data of patients newly diagnosed as having T2DM between January 2000 and December 2011 from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. These patients were matched with patients without T2DM, and PTA incidence was compared between both cohorts. Results: . In total, 67,852 patients with and 135,704 patients without T2DM were enrolled. PTA incidence was significantly higher in patients with T2DM (incidence rate ratio, 1.91; P<0.001); moreover, PTA incidence was higher at 1 to 5 years after T2DM diagnosis than at <1 and >5 years after T2DM diagnosis. Cox regression analysis showed that patients with T2DM had an approximately 2-fold higher PTA risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.89, P<0.001). Patients with a higher adapted Diabetes Complications Severity Index (aDCSI) had higher PTA risk than those with a lower aDCSI (aHRs: 2.17 for aDCSI ≥1, P=0.006 and 1.81 for aDCSI=0, P=0.002). T2DM patients with a high aDCSI (≥1) had a nonsignificantly longer hospitalization duration and a higher rate of DNI complications than did those with a low aDCSI (=0). Conclusion . In patients with T2DM, PTA incidence was relatively high, and it increased with T2DM severity. Moreover, T2DM patients should be particularly careful about PTA within 1 to 5 years after the diagnosis, and physicians should keep in mind that the prognosis of PTA was correlated with T2DM severity.