J Formos Med Assoc
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The signaling mechanisms for Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (PgLPS)-induced inflammation in human dental pulp cells are not fully clarified. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway in PgLPS-induced pulpal inflammation. ⋯ P. gingivalis contributes to pulpal inflammation in HDPCs by dysregulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to stimulate IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA/protein expression and secretion. These results are useful for understanding the pulpal inflammation and possible biomarkers of inflamed pulp diagnosis and treatment.
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Long-chain ceramides are associated with the mechanisms and clinical outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This study aimed to investigate the plasma ceramides and sphingosine-1-phosphate in AIS patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) and their associations with outcomes. ⋯ Plasma ceramides were elevated early in AIS patients with acute large artery occlusion. Furthermore, Cer (d18:1/16:0) and Cer (d18:1/18:0) could be early prognostic indicators for AIS patients undergoing EVT.
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Adherence to anti-osteoporosis medications (AOMs) is crucial. National Health Insurance (NHI) in Taiwan has its own rules of reimbursement rule for AOMs. The midterm adherence remained inconclusive. Here we investigated the adherence according to the initially used AOMs, for three consecutive years. ⋯ The initial AOMs and the observed adherence may provide clues for optimizing patient treatment. The real-world adherence in Taiwan was far from satisfactory in our study.
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Osteoporotic vertebral fractures may predict the future occurrence of fractures and increase mortality. Treating underlying osteoporosis may prevent second fractures. However, whether anti-osteoporotic treatment can reduce the mortality rate is not clear. The aim of this population study was to identify the degree of decreased mortality following the use of anti-osteoporotic medication after vertebral fractures. ⋯ In addition to fracture prevention, anti-osteoporotic treatments for patients with vertebral fractures were associated with a reduction in mortality. A longer duration of treatment and the use of long-acting drugs was also associated with lower mortality.
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Accurate staging is the first step for optimal treatment selection in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this propensity-score-matched, population-based cohort study, we investigated the survival effects of pretreatment 8-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18FDG-PET-CT) on patients with NPC. ⋯ Pretreatment 18FDG-PET-CT is associated with longer survival in patients with clinical stage II-IVA NPC but not in stage I NPC.