Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most general cancer in men and is often linked with distant metastasis in its later stages. The caffeic acid (CA) derivative, N-(4-methoxyphenyl)methylcaffeamide (MPMCA), demonstrates superior liver-protective effects compared to CA. Nevertheless, the functions of MPMCA on prostate cancer metastasis remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that MPMCA blocks migration and invasion in prostate cancer cells without affecting cell viability. By suppressing the production of mesenchymal markers Vimentin, N-cadherin and β-catenin and upregulating the production of the epithelial marker Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1), MPMCA also controls Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). The Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Protein kinase B (AKT) and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway has been documented to regulate MPMCA-inhibited cell motility. Transfection with Snail and Slug cDNA reverses MPMCA's suppression of EMT, migration, and invasion in prostate cancer cells. Importantly, our in vivo data indicates that MPMCA reduces Snail and Slug expression and prostate cancer metastasis. Our evidence suggests that MPMCA is a novel therapeutic candidate for treating metastatic prostate cancer.

Background and Objectives: Indoxyl sulfate (IS), a gut microbiota-derived metabolite of tryptophan, is implicated in vascular dysfunction through oxidative stress and inflammation. This study evaluated the association between serum IS levels and aortic stiffness (AS) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 80 patients with T2DM from a medical center in eastern Taiwan, excluding patients with malignancy, acute infection, heart failure, or recent cardiovascular events. Serum IS concentrations were quantified using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. AS was assessed using carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), with values > 10 m/s indicating AS. Results: A total of 30 patients (37.5%) had AS. IS levels were significantly higher in the AS group than in the control group (p < 0.001). After multivariate adjustment, IS remained an independent predictor of AS (odds ratio: 2.565, 95% confidence interval: 1.145–5.748, p = 0.022). Linear regression analysis confirmed IS as an independent contributor to cfPWV values (β = 0.261, p = 0.019). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed fair discriminatory ability (area under the curve = 0.739, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In patients with T2DM, serum IS is an independent predictor of AS and may serve as a promising nontraditional biomarker for cardiovascular risk stratification.

One of the most prevalent cancers and a major global cause of mortality in men is prostate cancer (PCa). Omentin-1, an adipokine, has been shown to play a protective role by reducing proinflammatory cytokine secretion. The relationships among carcinogenic lifestyle factors, biochemical recurrence (BCR), OMNT1 polymorphisms, and PCa remain unclear. We investigated the impact of clinicopathological features and four OMNT1 gene variants on PCa risk in 701 Taiwanese male patients with and without BCR. Compared with the TT genotype, the TA+AA genotypes of SNP rs2274907 were associated with a lower risk of perineural invasion. Similarly, the AG+GG genotypes of rs4656959 were associated with a lower risk of perineural invasion compared to the AA genotype. Importantly, PCa patients without BCR exhibited the same effects. Interestingly, the wild-type TT homozygous genotype was associated with significantly lower OMNT1 expression levels compared to the AA genotype of the rs2274907 variant. Additionally, OMNT1 mRNA levels were lower in PCa tissues compared to normal tissues, indicating that omentin-1 acts as a protective factor in PCa.

Public health is a crucial foundation for achieving an optimal quality of life, particularly through participatory efforts aimed at preventing stunting and controlling infectious diseases at the community level. This community service aims to improve community understanding and practice of stunting and infectious disease prevention through a participatory and collaborative approach. The activity was conducted in Mertoyudan District, Magelang Regency, with 30 housewives serving as the primary participants. The implementation method consists of three stages: planning, implementation, and follow-up evaluation. Education focuses on clean and healthy living patterns (Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat or PHBS), sanitation management, and disease prevention. The evaluation results showed a significant increase in participant understanding, as indicated by a rise in the average scores on the pretest and posttest for the topics of stunting and infectious diseases. However, a gap remains between knowledge and the implementation of healthy behaviors due to limited access to healthcare facilities. Therefore, the recommended follow-up is a motivation-based approach and strengthening the role of women as agents of change. This program contributes to supporting sustainable national health development. AbstrakKesehatan masyarakat merupakan fondasi penting dalam mewujudkan kualitas hidup yang optimal, terutama melalui kegiatan pencegahan stunting dan pengendalian penyakit menular secara partisipatif di tingkat komunitas. Pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan pemahaman dan praktik masyarakat terhadap pencegahan stunting dan penyakit menular melalui pendekatan partisipatif dan kolaboratif. Kegiatan dilaksanakan di Kecamatan Mertoyudan, Kabupaten Magelang dengan melibatkan 30 ibu rumah tangga sebagai peserta utama. Metode pelaksanaan terdiri dari tiga tahap: perencanaan, pelaksanaan, serta evaluasi tindak lanjut. Edukasi difokuskan pada pola hidup bersih dan sehat (PHBS), pengelolaan sanitasi, dan pencegahan penyakit. Hasil evaluasi menunjukkan peningkatan signifikan pemahaman peserta, ditunjukkan oleh kenaikan skor rata-rata pretest dan posttest pada topik stunting dan penyakit infeksi. Meski demikian, masih ditemukan kesenjangan antara pengetahuan dan implementasi perilaku sehat akibat keterbatasan fasilitas kesehatan. Oleh karena itu, tindak lanjut yang direkomendasikan adalah pendekatan berbasis motivasi dan penguatan peran perempuan sebagai agen perubahan. Program ini berkontribusi dalam mendukung pembangunan kesehatan nasional yang berkelanjutan.Kata Kunci: edukasi partisipatif; kesehatan masyarakat; penyakit menular; stunting

BackgroundPathogenic variants in OTOF are a major cause of auditory synaptopathy. However, challenges remain in interpreting OTOF variants, including difficulties in confirming haplotype phasing using traditional short-read sequencing (SRS) due to the large gene size, the potential incomplete penetrance of certain variants, and difficulties in assessing variants at non-canonical splice sites. This study aims to revisit the genetic landscape of OTOF variants in a Taiwanese non-syndromic auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) cohort using a combination of sequencing technologies, predictive tools, and experimental validations.MethodsWe performed SRS to analyze OTOF variants in 65 unrelated Taiwanese patients diagnosed with non-syndromic ANSD, complemented by long-read sequencing (LRS) for haplotype phasing. A prediction-to-validation pipeline was implemented to assess the pathogenicity of cryptic variants using SpliceAI software and minigene assays.ResultsBiallelic pathogenic OTOF variants were identified in 33 patients (50.8%), while monoallelic variants were found in five patients. Three novel variants, c.3864G > A (p.Ala1288 =), c.4501G > A (p.Ala1501Thr), and c.5813 + 2T > C, were detected. The pathogenicity of two non-canonical mis-splicing variants, c.3894 + 5G > C and c.3864G > A (p.Ala1288 =), was confirmed by minigene assays. LRS-based haplotype phasing revealed that the common missense variant c.5098G > C (p.Glu1700Gln) and the novel variant c.5975A > G (p.Lys1992Arg) are in cis and form a founder pathogenic allele in the Taiwanese population.ConclusionsOur study highlights the genetic heterogeneity of DFNB9 and emphasizes the importance of population-specific variant interpretation. The integration of advanced sequencing technologies, predictive algorithms, and functional validation assays will improve the accuracy of molecular diagnosis and inform personalized treatment strategies for individuals with DFNB9.Graphical

Study DesignMeta-analysis study.ObjectivesWe aimed to compare clinical outcomes, radiologic parameters, and complications between the stand-alone anchored spacer and the plate-cage construct as treatment options for patients with multilevel cervical degenerative spondylopathy involving 3 or 4 levels.MethodsIn this meta-analysis, we adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search for relevant studies covered the Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases, encompassing data from the inception of each database up to July 1, 2024.ResultsThe analysis included 12 studies, involving a total of 817 patients. Patients in the stand-alone anchored spacer group exhibited decreased intraoperative blood loss and shorter surgical durations. Clinical outcomes, including visual analog scale (VAS) scores, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores, and Odom’s criteria for clinical outcomes, demonstrated no significant differences between the two groups. Radiographic outcomes revealed no statistically significant difference in fusion rates between stand-alone cages and plate-cage constructs. However, the plate-cage group exhibited more favorable maintenance of segmental angle and cervical alignment (C2-C7 angle).ConclusionsBoth stand-alone anchored spacer and plate-cage constructs are viable treatment options for patients with cervical degenerative spondylopathy involving more than two levels. Stand-alone cages have the benefit of reducing intraoperative blood loss and shortening surgical durations, but they are associated with a higher risk of cage subsidence. Plate-cage constructs offer better maintenance of segmental angle and cervical alignment; however, they carry a higher risk of dysphagia.

This study evaluated the effects of orthokeratology and 0.01% atropine on corneal biomechanical properties (CBPs) and myopia progression in children, focusing on their association with axial length (AL) changes and treatment outcomes. In this 1-year prospective study, 53 children (aged 8-17 years) were enrolled, with 30 undergoing orthokeratology and 23 receiving 0.01% atropine. CBP parameters, including the Corvis Biomechanical Index (CBI), central corneal thickness (CCT), biomechanically corrected intraocular pressure (bIOP) and stress-strain index (SSI), were assessed at baseline and during follow-ups at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. The orthokeratology group was further stratified into good and poor responders based on early myopia reduction. The orthokeratology group exhibited a significant increase in CBI over time, particularly among good responders, while CCT, bIOP and SSI remained stable. In contrast, no significant changes in CBPs were observed in the atropine group. AL elongation showed no significant correlation with CBP changes in either group. The orthokeratology group achieved superior control of myopia progression compared to the atropine group at 12 months, with poor responders exhibiting better long-term AL control. Both orthokeratology and 0.01% atropine were effective in controlling myopia. While atropine had no impact on CBPs, the increase in CBI with orthokeratology may predict early treatment outcomes. However, the initial response to orthokeratology did not guarantee long-term effectiveness, highlighting the need for individualised treatment monitoring.

The problem of imbalanced data is pervasive in the field of machine learning, particularly in applications such as medical diagnosis and fraud detection, where minority class samples are crucial for accurate model predictions. To improve classifier performance on imbalanced datasets, this study proposes an enhanced oversampling method based on the DeepSMOTE framework and examines its effects across different classifiers. DeepSMOTE is specifically designed for image data. We modify DeepSMOTE to make it applicable to structured tabular data and compare its performance with other oversampling techniques using Support Vector Machines and Neural Networks. According to experiments on 26 public datasets, the results demonstrate that the proposed method, nDeepSMOTEc, consistently outperforms state-of-the-art oversampling approaches across both classification models, highlighting its practical utility for structured datasets. These findings provide valuable insights and a reference point for selecting appropriate oversampling strategies when addressing imbalanced data in future research.