When it doesn't run in the blood(vessels) - events involved in vascular disorders.

In the current issue of the Biomedical Journal the underlying pathology of hemodynamic compromise in acute small subcortical infarction are elucidated. A follow-up study in patients with childhood Kawasaki disease is presented, as well as an insight into the gradually decreasing antigen expression in cases of acute myeloid leukemia. Furthermore this issue provides an exciting update concerning COVID-19 and the use of CRISPR-Cas, a review about computational approaches in the research of kidney stone formation, factors connected to central precocious puberty, and why a rock star of paleogenetics recently received a Nobel Prize. Additionally, this issue contains an article proposing the repurposing of the lung cancer drug Capmatinib, a study of how the gut microbiome develops in neonates, an impulse about the role of the transmembrane protein TMED3 in esophageal carcinoma, and the revelation about how competing endogenous RNA influences ischemic stroke. Lastly, genetic reasons for male infertility are discussed, as well as the relation between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and chronic kidney disease.

Down to earth - A new type of hygiene.

In the current issue of the Biomedical Journal a special section introduces the influence earthing (or lack thereof) has on the human body. A variety of enlightening articles elaborate how electromagnetic hygiene involving earthing may lower the occurrence of various diseases, reduce inflammation, improve sleep and help maintain a well-functioning circadian rhythm. Another article has a closer look at the connection between sunspot extrema and pandemics, and the relief grounding may exert on the main complications encountered in COVID-19 infection. This issue furthermore contains articles about the principles and safety of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, the use of lidocaine against the cytokine storm triggered by SARS-CoV-2, and hypocalcemia as predictive marker in COVID-19. The reader learns about two miRNAs playing a role in colorectal cancer, diffusion characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid, and an approach of rotational radiography leading to a lower radiation exposure. The final articles present the use of dynamic arthroscopy to refine diagnosis of the origin of shoulder pain, the application of traditional Chinese medicine in analysis of chronic kidney disease, and an exchange concerning neuroimaging abnormalities in pediatric COVID-19 cases.

Small and mighty - microRNAs pulling the strings.

The current issue of Biomedical Journal gives an insight into the influence miRNAs have in myocardial injury, and in hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore the association between dysmobility syndrome and vertebral fractures is assessed, the role of doxycycline in schistosomiasis is elucidated, and the effect of stress on the blood-brain barrier is examined. An article proving the accuracy of Taiwan's largest medical record databank is presented, as well as a potential biomarker for Parkinson's. Risk factors for recurrence of papillary thyroid cancer are identified, the outcome of reirradiation in oral squamous cell carcinoma is investigated, and the post-surgery outcomes in cases of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis are reviewed. Finally this issue contains two articles about COVID-19, one describes the potential neurological damage left after the infection, and the second article analysis the outcome of uptake in vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.

An area of greatest vulnerability - Recent advances in kidney injury.

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal the reader is provided with an insight into the latest observations and advances in acute kidney injury as well as chronic kidney disease. The current SARS-CoV-2 variants are reviewed, and the role of long non-coding RNA in HIV therapy is explored. Furthermore, the potential of metabolomics as means to diagnose multiple sclerosis as well as tuberculosis is presented. Other topics of this issue include the restoration of the spermatogonial stem cell niche; atherosclerosis and the use of improved ultrasound images; and the effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with autism spectrum disorder. Finally, it is shown how continuous passive motion can be used as supportive therapeutic approach in children with cerebral palsy, and minimally invasive surgery is presented as valid alternative in cases of spine metastasis.

A finger in every pie - The versatility of chemokines.

In this issue of Biomedical Journal we encounter the chemokine superfamily and its clinical potential. The time course from 56 days zero COVID-19 to a resurgence in cases is presented, as well as a possible solution to overcome rejection in vascularized composite allotransplantation. We are shown the opportunity deep learning (DL) offers in the case of tracking single cells and particles, and also use of DL to bring all hands on deck to counter the current challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. This issue contains articles about the effect of low energy shock waves in cystitis; the negative effect of high fructose on aortic valve stenosis; a study about the outcome of fecal microbiota transplantation in case of refractory Clostridioides difficile infection; a novel long non-coding RNA that could serve in treating triple-negative breast cancer; the benefits of acupressure in patients with restless leg syndrome; and Filamin A mutations in abnormal neuronal migration development. Finally, a link between jaw surgery and the psychological impact on the patient is explored; a method presented that allows identification of cervical characteristics associated with difficult embryo transfer; and a letter suggesting new parameters to evaluate the use of bone-substitute augmentation in the treatment of osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures.

What makes tics tick? Insights into Tourette syndrome.

This issue of Biomedical Journal provides the reader with articles concerning the latest understanding of Tourette syndrome (TS), the relation to genetic predisposition, defects in the dopaminergic system, and related comorbidities which further complications like sleep disruption. Treatment approaches for TS, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and developmental coordination disorder are discussed. The second section of this issue offers insights into inside out integrin activation and its link to T cell activation, demonstrates how polarity in immune cells allows adoption to specialized functions, and describes the endosomal signaling of internalized T cell receptors (TCRs). The link between mutations in TCR signaling and immunodeficiencies is elucidated, as well as the interactions of thymocyte-expressed molecule involved in selection in T cell development. Additionally, we learn about a potential biomarker for colorectal cancer, screening tools for determining frailty in older adults, surgical approaches in spinal metastases, the influence of autophagy on mating behavior, and the effect of nitrite administration on SNARE proteins associated with insulin secretion. Finally, parameters for surgery in breast cancer are discussed, as well as gender and age dependent pain perception in a lysosomal storage disease, and the use of laser meridian massage in opioid use disorder. Three letters complement this issue, one concerning neuroimaging in pediatric COVID-19 patients, and two discussing the role of cancer antigen-125 and renal impairment in ovarian cancer patients.

About gladiators and a sacred disease.

In this special edition of the Biomedical Journal the reader gains an insight into drug-resistant epilepsy and according treatment approaches involving deep brain stimulation, the ketogenic diet and fecal microbiota transplant. Another emphasis is put on personalized medicine strategies, and covered in articles about the use of natriuretic peptides against cancer, along with an article about companion diagnostics involving extracellular vesicles. Recurrent infection with Clostridium difficile, associated risk factors and therapeutic options are discussed. We learn about a mechanism that helps Leishmania evade a host control mechanism, receive an update about human adenovirus and are presented with characteristic magnetic resonance neuroimaging in COVID-19 pediatric patients. An advanced assessment in pediatric septic shock and an improved model for a pediatric early warning system are proposed. Some of the genetic causes of renal hypomagnesemia are explored, the impact of air pollution on children is examined, and an antisiphon device is described for surgical treatment of hydrocephalus. The relation between energy metabolism, circadian rhythm and its influence on the ATPase in the SCN are investigated, and among others some of the genetics influencing smoking duration and lung cancer. Finally it is discussed how embryo quality can be improved in in vitro fertilization, and what impact high estradiol has on blastocyst implantation. The outcome of surgery to correct mandibular deficiency is assessed, and in two letters the inclusion of observational studies in the evaluation of clinical trials related to COVID-19 is elaborated.

One day at a time.

In this issue of Biomedical Journal we get to know measures to prevent a nosocomial COVID-19 outbreak, a compound that is able to stall SARS-CoV-2 replication, and the connection between air pollution and COVID-19 cases. Another article allows an insight into the potential of treating HIV combining a conventional drug and low level laser therapy. Furthermore, the advantages of awake craniotomy are presented, the efficacy of IRES is examined, and plant extracts are on the one hand explored as a nociceptive agent and on the other hand as therapeutic approach against breast cancer. We learn about drug resistance in liver cancer, a mutation involved in a rare inflammatory disorder, and lung surgery related unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Finally, the success of emergency endotracheal intubations across different hospital units is compared, the importance of monitoring cerebral blood flow in asphyxiated neonates is elucidated, and resistance variants in hepatitis C virus are examined. A study about the necessity to perform quantitative cardiac MRI in Asian population is presented, and an approach is shown on how to augment the effect of platelet-rich plasma injections in chronic knee osteoarthritis.

We refuse to die - T cells causing havoc.

This issue of the Biomedical Journal offers insights into the origin and consequences of different lymphoproliferative disorders and autoimmunity. Furthermore we learn about RASopathies, a group of congenital disorders that occur rather frequently. Then the current ELISA assays for measuring antibody avidity are critically examined, the relationship between female sex steroid hormones and cardiovascular disease is explored, and an assessment of persistent diarrhea as a leading cause of child death in India is performed. Additionally, there are several articles about COVID-19, presenting its connection to neutrophil recruitment and acute respiratory distress syndrome, as well as its relation to changes in the vascular glycocalyx. A COVID-19 case study from the emergency room is presented. We are also introduced to novel treatment approaches against COVID-19 like the construction of peptide-based vaccines, or targeting the respiratory tract microbiome. Finally, there is an assessment about how prepared medical students at a Taiwan University feel for independent practice, and another article about the treatment of intravascular large B cell lymphoma in a Taiwanese institution. Lastly, we discover possible surgery techniques in the case of external auditory canal osteoma.

Greek gods and the double-edged sword of liver regeneration.

In the current issue of the Biomedical Journal we gain an insight into the regeneration of liver tissue and how an over-the-counter supplement, stem cells and two plant extracts counteract liver damage. Furthermore the advances against hepatitis C virus are presented, the role of long non-coding RNA elucidated as well as the potential of an adhesion G protein-coupled receptor. In another contribution, the definition and evolutionary impact of copy number variants is clarified. Also, the polymorphism of a scaffolding caspase is investigated. We furthermore learn about the relation between SARS-CoV2 mutants in dependence of geography and explore the challenges of telemedicine in a complex healthcare field. A novel approach to engineering artificial grafts is presented, the challenges of total knee arthroplasty discussed as well as a possible mean of sinus floor elevation for dental implants. At last the concept of flipped classroom is scrutinized in terms of usefulness for a hospital in Taiwan.