J Formos Med Assoc
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Porphyromonas gingivalis is an oral pathogen associated with periodontal diseases. P. gingivalis GroEL protein is a stimulator of inflammatory cytokines in macrophages. This study inspected effects of P. gingivalis GroEL protein on production of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 by human osteoblasts. ⋯ GroEL protein stimulated the inflammatory reaction of osteoblasts, probably through the activation of p38 MAPK or JNK pathway. The findings suggest that P. gingivalis GroEL may influence the immune functions of osteoblasts and endanger the periodontal health.
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Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) include ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). The incidence in children and adolescents has risen since the 21st century globally, including Taiwan. The study aimed to disclose the characteristics and outcome of pediatric IBD (pIBD) patients in a tertiary center for the past two decades. ⋯ This study demonstrated an increased incidence of pIBD in the past two decades in Taiwan, a low-prevalence region. The initial high bowel resection rate in CD was related to the fibrostenotic and/or penetrating behavior, younger age at diagnosis, and growth failure.
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Cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking are the most common types of substance use and misuse (SUM) among adolescents. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and psychosocial factors associated with current cigarette smoking and hazardous alcohol drinking among adolescents in Taiwan. ⋯ The potential coexistence of adolescent SUM and common psychosocial correlates demands an integrated approach. Health professionals should provide corresponding intervention programs and coordinate with parents and teachers to develop an anti-SUM environment, especially for males and high-risk schools. Preventive psychiatric services as an integral part of anti-SUM strategies for adolescents targeting to depression may be useful in reducing the risk.
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To evaluate the therapeutic responsiveness of office-based salivary gland ductal irrigation in patients with chronic sialoadenitis. ⋯ Simple salivary ductal irrigation without complex equipment can be performed as an outpatient procedure to alleviate glandular swelling or xerostomia in patients with Sjogren's syndrome, postradiotherapy sialoadenitis or post-RAI sialoadenitis, and it can be considered an alternative management approach for patients refractory to conventional strategies.
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Sleep disturbances are associated with chronic tinnitus in humans. However, whether parasomnias are associated with chronic tinnitus is unclear. This study aims to investigate this issue. ⋯ Sleep terror is positively associated with chronic tinnitus, especially in young adults.