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Exploring the glycemic control of pay-for-performance program for psychiatric patients with diabetes in real world: A retrospective quasiexperimental study
No full text[[abstract]]Background: Psychiatric patients with Type 2 diabetes often experience suboptimal care and poor health outcomes. Aims: This study is aimed at investigating the impact of a diabetes pay-for-performance (P4P) program on glycemic control in psychiatric patients with diabetes by comparing two regional psychiatric hospitals, one with the P4P program and one without. Methods: We conducted a retrospective quasiexperimental study. A total of 149 psychiatric outpatients with Type 2 diabetes were enrolled in the P4P group, and 129 patients were in the non-P4P group. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values in the fourth quarter of 2018 served as baseline (before P4P implementation in either hospital). Follow-up HbA1c levels were collected at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months in 2019. Propensity score matching was performed based on baseline HbA1c to create comparable groups. Changes in HbA1c over 1 year were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests and a generalized estimating equation (GEE) model. Result: The mean HbA1c level in the P4P group decreased progressively over 12 months (from 6.97% at baseline to 6.60%), whereas the non-P4P group showed an increase (from 7.00% to 7.12%). By the fourth quarter, the P4P group had a significantly lower mean HbA1c than the non-P4P group (p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed a greater HbA1c reduction in P4P participants who were male or had schizophrenia (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively). Conclusions: The P4P program was associated with significantly improved glycemic control in psychiatric patients with diabetes compared to usual care. This integrated care model may be an effective strategy to improve diabetes outcomes in psychiatric populations
Urbanization, socioeconomic status, and exposure to PM2.5, associated with township-based cerebrovascular disease (CBD) mortality
No full text[[abstract]]Background/Objective Previous research has shown an association between socioeconomic status (SES) and mortality, particularly in chronic diseases. However, limited studies simultaneously examined the relationship between urbanization, SES, exposure to PM2.5, and cerebrovascular disease (CBD) mortality at a township level from 2011 to 2020 in Taiwan. Methods Township-level SES data (percentages of low-income and education with college and above) and seven levels of urbanization from 2011 to 2020 were obtained from data sources in Taiwan's central government. Age-standardized CBD mortality rates in 358 townships were calculated using the Geographic Information System (GIS) provided by the Research Center for the Humanities and Social Sciences (RCHSS) at Academia Sinica. Exposure to PM2.5 concentration was estimated using a combination of land-use regression and Ordinary Kriging to enhance the robustness of PM2.5 concentration estimates at the township level. Panel regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the association between urbanization, SES, exposure to PM2.5, and township-based CBD mortality rates. Results There are significant differences in SES variables and exposure to PM2.5 among townships with seven levels of urbanization (P < 0.001). Even after controlling for other covariates (SES and PM2.5 concentration) through multivariate analysis, the associations between CBD mortality rates and urbanization areas persisted. SEM analysis revealed a negative correlation between age-standardized CBD mortality rate and education levels (beta = -0.22), but a positive correlation with the proportion of low-income individuals (beta = 0.41). There was no significant association between exposure to PM2.5 and CBD mortality. The panel regression analysis revealed that socioeconomic variables had different effects on CBD mortality rates across the three models (pooled ordinary least squares, fixed-effects, and random-effects) in both urban and rural areas. Notably, the level of urbanization was observed to modify the relationship between socioeconomic variables and CBD mortality rates. Conclusion Our findings suggest that township-based CBD mortality is significantly associated with SES variables and levels of urbanization, despite a reduction in CBD mortality from 2011 to 2020. Therefore, targeted intervention programs should be implemented to reduce CBD mortality in different levels of urbanization, particularly in remote townships. It is necessary to assess the disparities in socioeconomic status to achieve a fair allocation of resources at the township level
Synthesis and biological evaluation of indoline derivatives as CDGSH iron sulfur domain 2 activators
No full text[[abstract]]A series of indoline derivatives has been designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their capacity to activate CDGSH iron sulfur domain 2 (Cisd2), a protein implicated in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), starting with 1-(2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-1-yl)-2-(4,5-dihydro-1,3-thiazol-2-ylsulfanyl)ethan-1-one 3 (EC50 = 569 nM), the hit identified through a two-stage screening strategy followed by substructure searches. Among them, indolines 7 (EC50 = 364 nM) and 10 (EC50 = 315 nM) stood out as the most potent Cisd2 activators and were advanced to in vivo studies. The data conclusively demonstrated that both compounds enhanced Cisd2 expression, yet only 7 effectively halted the development and progression of NAFLD without any detectable toxicity; compound 10 was linked to hepatotoxicity, highlighting its potential risks. Accordingly, the study provided proof of concept that compound 7 is a safe and orally active Cisd2 activator, supporting a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of NAFLD
Comparative efficacy of antrodia cinnamomea on liver function biomarkers in mice and rats: A network meta-analysis
No full text[[abstract]]This study systematically evaluates the hepatoprotective effects of different types and doses of Antrodia cinnamomea extracts (triterpenoids, polysaccharides, and ubiquinone derivatives) on liver function biomarkers, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), malondialdehyde (MDA), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), using a network meta-analysis (NMA) approach. Comprehensive literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science databases to identify eligible animal studies involving standardized mouse and rat models. Interventions were categorized based on extract types and dosage levels (high, medium, low), with controls including negative groups (vehicle-treated) and positive groups (e.g., silymarin, N-acetylcysteine). A random-effects model estimated mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), risk of bias was assessed with the SYRCLE tool, and sensitivity analyses verified robustness. The protocol has been registered in INPLASY (INPLASY202540040). The results indicated that triterpenoids, particularly at high and medium doses, were the most effective in reducing ALT (MD: -42.37, 95% CI: -54.19 to -30.54) and AST (MD: -50.18, 95% CI: -73.31 to -27.05). High-dose polysaccharides also showed notable effects, while other interventions demonstrated variable efficacy. For oxidative stress, high-dose triterpenoids showed the most pronounced reduction in MDA (MD: -19.05, 95% CI: -24.00 to -14.09), followed by medium-dose triterpenoids and all-dose polysaccharides. Regarding inflammation, high- and medium-dose triterpenoids significantly reduced TNF-alpha levels (high-dose MD: -88.75, 95% CI: -119.68 to -57.82; medium-dose MD: -89.27, 95% CI: -125.51 to -53.02), with overlapping confidence intervals indicating similar efficacy. High- and low-dose polysaccharides also demonstrated moderate anti-inflammatory effects. In conclusion, high-dose triterpenoids showed favorable and consistent effects across multiple biomarkers, which highlights their potential value for future liver-related therapeutic strategies
Reduced incidence of aortic dissection in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors
No full text[[abstract]]BACKGROUND: Inhibitors for sodium-glucose transport protein 2 (SGLT2) are being used widely in recent years to treat patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Studies demonstrated that SGLT2 inhibitors exhibit protective effect for certain cardiovascular diseases. However, no study has explored the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on risk of aortic dissection in patients with T2D. METHODS: We extracted and retrospectively analyzed the data of all patients with T2D from Taiwan National Health Institution databases between May 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021. Patients with T2D taking DPP4 (dipeptidyl peptidase 4) inhibitors were included for comparison to exclude glucose lowering effect on aortic dissection. In this cohort, 242 563 patients received SGLT2 inhibitors (T2D-SGLT2i), and 376 062 patients received DPP4 inhibitors (T2D-DPP4i). The inverse probability of treatment weighting statistical method was performed, which avoids sample loss due to matching. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for these patients with T2D were calculated using multivariate Cox models to approximate the associations. RESULTS: The overall aortic dissection incidence per 100 000 patient-years was 14.83 for patients with T2D-SGLT2i and 29.56 for patients with T2D-DPP4i. Patients with T2D-SGLT2i were associated with a lower risk of aortic dissection as compared with patients with T2D-DPP4i after the adjustment of potential risk factors and comorbidity. Subgroup analysis indicated that use of SGLT2 inhibitor lowers the risk of aortic dissection in some subgroups of patients with T2D. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that use of SGLT2 inhibitors correlated with lower risk of aortic dissection
[[alternative]]Assembly teaching aid and electronic device thereof in immunology
No full text[[abstract]]本揭露提供一種用於演示免疫學原理之組合式教具，其包括用於演示抗體之重鏈的長柱、用於演示抗體之輕鏈的短柱、用於演示病原或細胞之表面分子的嵌入件及用於演示病原或細胞的半球體基座。該半球體基座具有供該嵌入件插入的複數個插孔，且該嵌入件之頭部能與該長柱及該短柱彼此接合。本揭露另提供一種用於演示免疫學原理之電子裝置，其包括殼體，該殼體容設用於顯示該組合式教具之影像的顯示器、與該顯示器電性連接之記憶體及與該記憶體電性連接之處理器。本揭露可用於演示或學習抗體之結構以及抗原與抗體專一性結合之機制。The present disclosure provides an assembly teaching aid for demonstrating a principle of immunology. The assembly teaching aid includes a long column for demonstrating a heavy chain of an antibody, a short column for demonstrating a light chain of an antibody, an insert for demonstrating a surface molecule of a pathogen or a cell, and a hemispherical base for demonstrating the pathogen or the cell. The hemispherical base has a plurality of inserting holes for the insertion of the insert, and a head portion of the insert can be connected with the long column and the short column. The present disclosure further provides an electronic device for demonstrating a principle of immunology. The electronic includes a housing accommodating a display for displaying an image of the assembly teaching aid, a memory electrically connected with the display, and a processor electrically connected with the memory. The present disclosure can be used for demonstrating or learning the structure of antibodies and the mechanism of specific binding of antigens to antibodies
差別週期形變牽拉之細胞培養系統
No full text[[abstract]]一種差別週期形變牽拉之細胞培養系統，包括一滑動裝置、一電源單元以及一乘載裝置，該滑動裝置為一盒體，用以容置該乘載裝置，該電源單元提供該滑動裝置內之一伺服馬達所需之電源，該伺服馬達啟動後帶動與之連接之一滑動螺桿水平滑動，進一步帶動一可移動支撐裝置於一滑動軌道上水平滑動，而該乘載裝置容置於該可移動支撐裝置以及一固定部間，當該滑動裝置啟動時，透過該滑動螺桿對該乘載裝置做一定距離的牽拉，而該乘載裝置具有複數不同厚度之培養隔間，可承受不同機械應力，進一步在一個該乘載裝置上同時進行不同細胞形變牽拉之培養
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles for oil absorption
No full text[[abstract]]Compositions comprising an effective amount of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) for use in prevention and/or treatment of steatorrhea in a subject in need thereof are disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions for use in exposing a liquid lipid to MSNs and causing the liquid lipid to gel and/or solidify, or compositions for use in exposing a liquid dietary lipid inside intestines of a subject to the MSNs and causing the liquid dietary lipid to gel and/or solidify inside the intestines of the subject, or compositions for use in reducing intestinal absorption of the liquid dietary lipid
[[alternative]]Caged platinum nanoclusters for anticancer chemotherapeutics
No full text[[abstract]]本發明揭示一種籠狀鉑金奈米團簇複合物。該複合物包含(a)胺基終端樹枝狀聚合物；及(b)包含鉑氧化物之鉑奈米團簇，該鉑奈米團簇係限制在該胺基終端樹枝狀聚合物之內。本發明複合物對癌細胞表現細胞毒性。本發明另揭示一種雙重籠狀鉑金奈米團簇複合物，其包含在表面塗佈聚乙二醇(PEG)之樹枝狀聚合物之籠狀鉑奈米團簇複合物。該雙重籠狀鉑奈米團簇複合物在其表面具有pH-敏感鍵結。本發明亦揭示彼等複合物之製備方法及其用途
Specimen preparation for transmission electron microscopy
No full text[[abstract]]A specimen kit having a tiny chamber is disclosed for a specimen preparation for TEM. The space height of the chamber is far smaller than dimensions of blood cells and therefore is adapted to sort nanoparticles from the blood cells. The specimen prepared under this invention is suitable for TEM observation over a true distribution status of nanoparticles in blood. The extremely tiny space height in Z direction eliminates the possibility of aggregation of the nanoparticles and/or agglomeration in Z direction during drying; therefore, a specimen prepared under this invention is suitable for TEM observation over the dispersion and/or agglomeration of nanoparticles in a blood