Association Between Coronary Artery Disease and Herpes Zoster: A Cohort Study in Taiwan.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) and herpes zoster represent significant health burdens, and their potential interrelationships remain understudied. This cohort study aimed to address the existing knowledge gap by systematically exploring whether people with CAD are at increased risk for developing herpes zoster. Methods: Using the 2006-2015 claims data of the National Health Insurance Program in Taiwan, we identified participants aged ≥20 years with a new diagnosis of CAD as the CAD group. We selected sex- and age-matched participants without CAD as the non-CAD group. The incidence rate of herpes zoster at the end of follow-up was calculated. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to measure the hazard ratio and 95% CI for herpes zoster associated with covariables. Results: The overall incidence rate of herpes zoster was 1.14-fold greater in the CAD group as compared with the non-CAD group (6.52 vs 5.74 per 1000 person-years; 95% CI, 1.08-1.20). After controlling for covariables, the adjusted hazard ratio of herpes zoster was 1.21 (95% CI, 1.14-1.27) for the CAD group as compared with the non-CAD group. Conclusions: This cohort study provides valuable insights into the potential association between CAD and the risk of developing herpes zoster. The findings may have implications for preventive strategies of herpes zoster in people with CAD. Further research and collaboration with diverse groups will be critical to validate and extend our findings.

Longitudinal Assessment of Quality of Life in Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients Treated with Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy at Different Time Points.

PURPOSE: This retrospective cohort study aims to compare the quality of life (QoL) in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) treated with intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) versus volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) at different time points. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal assessment of QoL on 287 newly diagnosed NPC patients (IMPT: 41 and VMAT: 246). We collected outcomes of global QoL, functional QoL, C30 symptoms, and HN35 symptoms from EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-HN35 questionnaires at pre-radiotherapy, during radiotherapy (around 40 Gy), 3 months post radiotherapy, and 12-months post radiotherapy (RT). The generalized estimating equation was utilized to interpret the group effect, originating from inherent group differences; time effect, attributed to RT effects over time; and interaction of the group and time effect. RESULTS: IMPT demonstrated superior mean dose reductions in 12 of the 16 organs at risk compared to VMAT, including a significant (>50%) reduction in the oral cavity and larynx. Both groups exhibited improved scores of global QoL, functional QoL, and C30 symptoms at 12 months post RT compared to the pre-RT status. Regarding global QoL and C30 symptoms, there was no interaction effect of group over time. In contrast, significant interaction effects were observed on functional QoL (p = 0.040) and HN35 symptoms (p = 0.004) during RT, where IMPT created an average of 7.5 points higher functional QoL and 10.7 points lower HN35 symptoms than VMAT. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to VMAT, dose reduction attributed to IMPT could translate into better functional QoL and HN35 symptoms, but the effect is time dependent and exclusively observed during the RT phase.

Risk of gout flare after medication: prescription symmetry sequence analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The research aimed to study the following questions: (1) five well-known gout-related medications were selected to test the validity of the prescription symmetry sequence analysis in Taiwan; (2) four exploratory medications were selected to test their relation to gout flares. METHODS: We utilized the 2003-2017 dataset of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program containing all claims data with 2 million beneficiaries as a data source. In order to explore the temporal association, we designed a scenario of medication-induced gout flares. Nine medications were selected as the index agent, including aspirin (low-dose), thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, metformin, pioglitazone, fenofibrate, and losartan. The gout flare was defined as subjects with use of the marker agent for treatment of gout flares. The observation-window period between initiation of the index agent and initiation of the marker agent was 1 year. Subjects who used an index agent and a marker agent on the same day were excluded. The prescription symmetry sequence analysis was carried out to compare the observed number of persons who took an index agent prior to starting a marker agent with the observed number of persons who took a marker agent before starting an index agent. The adjusted sequence ratio (adjusted SR) with 95% confidence interval was applied to estimate the relation between an index agent and the marker agent. RESULTS: Among five medications including aspirin (low-dose), thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide, the adjusted sequence ratio ranged from 1.15 to 3.35 and all reached statistical significance. Fenofibrate use and losartan use were associated with a lower probability of gout flares, with reaching statistical significance (adjusted SR = 0.60 for fenofibrate and adjusted SR = 0.92 for losartan). Metformin use was associated with a greater probability of gout flares, with reaching statistical significance (adjusted SR = 1.14). Pioglitazone use did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Based on the confirmatory analysis including five well-known gout-related medications, this study supports that the prescription symmetry sequence analysis can be used to detect an adverse drug event associated with one potential offending agent. The exposure to fenofibrate or losartan might be a protective factor against gout flares. Metformin use could be associated with a greater probability of gout flares, but this finding should be validated by other studies. KEY POINTS: • What is already known about this subject? 1. The prescription symmetry sequence analysis is a useful method for detecting an adverse drug reaction associated with one potential offending drug. 2. Numerous medications are found to induce gout flares. • What does this study add? 1. The prescription symmetry sequence analysis supports the evidence that aspirin (low-dose), thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics, ethambutol and pyrazinamide are associated with a greater probability of gout flares. 2. The exposure to fenofibrate or losartan might be a protective factor against gout flares. 3. Metformin use could be associated with a greater probability of gout flares. • How might this impact on clinical practice or future developments? 1. Clinicians should always consider the possibility of medication-induced gout flares. If gout flares develop, discontinuation of risky medications is the first step. Then prescribing cascades can be eliminated.

Systematic Characterization of the Clinical and Pathological Features of Schwannomas Harboring SH3PXD2A::HTRA1 Fusion.

The understanding of schwannoma tumorigenesis has been reshaped by the recent identification of SH3PXD2A::HTRA1 fusion in 10% of intracranial/spinal schwannomas. Nonetheless, pathologic features of schwannomas harboring this fusion, as well as its prevalence outside intracranial/spinal locations, have not been characterized. We screened 215 consecutive schwannomas for their clinicopathologic characteristics and fusion status using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Among 29 (13.5%) fusion-positive schwannomas, the most prevalent location was peripheral somatic tissue (30.7%, 19/62), followed by spinal/paraspinal (18.4%, 7/38), body cavity/deep structures (10%, 2/20), intracranial (1.3%, 1/75), and viscera (0/13). All 8 cellular, 4 microcystic/reticular, and 3 epithelioid schwannomas were fusion-negative, as were 41/42 nonschwannomatous peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Remarkably, a distinct 'serpentine' palisading pattern, comprising ovoid/plump cells shorter than usual schwannian cells in a hyalinized stroma, was identified in most fusion-positive cases and the schwannomatous component of the only fusion-positive malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. To validate this finding, 60 additional cases were collected, including 36 with (≥10% arbitrarily) and 24 without appreciable serpentine histology, of which 29 (80.6%) and 2 (8.3%) harbored the fusion, respectively. With percentages of 'serpentine' areas scored, 10% was determined as the optimal practical cut-off to predict the fusion status (sensitivity, 0.950; specificity, 0.943). Fusion positivity was significantly associated with serpentine histology, smaller tumors, younger patients, and peripheral somatic tissue, while multivariate logistic linear regression analysis only identified serpentine histology and location as independent fusion-predicting factors. RNA in situ hybridization successfully detected the fusion junction, highly concordant with RT-PCR results. Gene expression profiling on 18 schwannomas demonstrated segregation largely consistent with fusion status. Fusion-positive cases expressed significantly higher HTRA1 mRNA abundance, perhaps exploitable as a biomarker. In summary, we systematically characterize a series of 60 SH3PXD2A::HTRA1 fusion-positive schwannomas, showing their distinctive morphology and location-specific prevalence for the first time.

High oxidative stability of a complex fish liver oil nano-capsules in response to long-term storage, and to hyperthermal and sunlight exposure.

BACKGROUND: In this study, a biocompatible nano-carrying platform using chitosan (ChI) and chondroitin sulfate (ChS) was developed for the encapsulation of cobia liver oil (CBLO) to prevent its oxidation and improve its absorption. An ionic gelation method was applied to encapsulate CBLO with different weight ratios (from 1.0 to 1.5) to obtain ChS-ChI nano-capsules (ChS-ChI@CBLO NCs). RESULTS: Morphological observations of the nano-capsules revealed a spherical shape and diameter around 267-381 nm. The maximum loading capacity (LC) and encapsulation efficiency (EE) for ChS-ChI@CBLO NCs estimated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) analysis were 25.7% and 56.2%, respectively. The structural stability of ChS-ChI@CBLO NCs was confirmed through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis; moreover DSC also further confirmed the oxidative stability of ChS-ChI@CBLO NCs. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra confirmed the excellent stability of ChS-ChI@CBLO NCs against high temperature and sunlight exposure. Biocompatibility analysis also verified the non-toxicity of ChS-ChI@CBLO NCs, further indicating safety and potential application in complex-nutritional supplements. CONCLUSION: Nano-degree of ChS-ChI@CBLO NCs has a loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency of around 16.5 ~ 25.7% and 33.4 ~ 56.2%, respectively, for encapsulation of CBLO. Characterization results also indicate that ChS-ChI@CBLO NCs display high oxidative stability against long-term, hyperthermal, and sunlight exposure. Bioassay results confirm that the ChS-ChI@CBLO NCs are safe and non-toxic. This study demonstrates that nano-capsules are also beneficial in preventing sensitive compounds from metamorphosis, and are non-toxic. These materials are suitable for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Thiazide-associated hyponatremia increases the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events among elderly Taiwanese patients.

BACKGROUND: Thiazide-associated hyponatremia (TAH) has been supposed to increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in the elderly. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association of TAH with the risk of MACE in elderly Taiwanese patients. METHODS: Data from the longitudinal generation tracking database (LGTD 2010) of the Health and Welfare Data Science Center (HWDC) were retrospectively assessed. The TAH study group was defined as using > 30 cumulative daily defined doses (CDDDs) thiazide diuretics within one year before diagnosis of hyponatremia. The control group (1:3 propensity score matching) had no diagnosis of hyponatremia but had used > 30 CDDDs thiazide diuretics within one year. Data on MACE were extracted using International Classification of Diseases codes. Outcomes were assessed using a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1155 and 3465 individuals were enrolled in the TAH and the control groups, respectively. The rates of MACE (11.1% vs. 7.3%) and death (22.8% vs.12.2%) were significantly higher in the TAH group than the control group. In the TAH group, the adjusted HRs were 1.29 (CI 1.01 ‒ 1.65) for MACE, 1.39 (CI 1.19 ‒ 1.63) for all-cause death, and 1.61 (CI 0.90 ‒ 2.92) for stroke. CONCLUSION: TAH in patients above 65-years-old is associated with a 29% higher risk of MACE, 39% higher risk of all-cause death, and 61% higher risk of stroke. This work suggests that thiazides prescription in elderly patients should be more careful. However, further research is required to confirm our findings.

Fixing the Leaky Pipe: How to Improve the Uptake of Patient-Reported Outcomes-Based Prognostic and Predictive Models in Cancer Clinical Practice.

PURPOSE: This discussion paper outlines challenges and proposes solutions for successfully implementing prediction models that incorporate patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in cancer practice. METHODS: We organized a full-day multidisciplinary meeting of people with expertise in cancer care delivery, PRO collection, PRO use in prediction modeling, computing, implementation, and decision science. The discussions presented here focused on identifying challenges to the development, implementation and use of prediction models incorporating PROs, and suggesting possible solutions. RESULTS: Specific challenges and solutions were identified across three broad areas. (1) Understanding decision making and implementation: necessitating multidisciplinary collaboration in the early stages and throughout; early stakeholder engagement to define the decision problem and ensure acceptability of PROs in prediction; understanding patient/clinician interpretation of PRO predictions and uncertainty to optimize prediction impact; striving for model integration into existing electronic health records; and early regulatory alignment. (2) Recognizing the limitations to PRO collection and their impact on prediction: incorporating validated, clinically important PROs to maximize model generalizability and clinical engagement; and minimizing missing PRO data (resulting from both structural digital exclusion and time-varying factors) to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities. (3) Statistical and modeling challenges: incorporating statistical methods to address missing data; ensuring predictive modeling recognizes complex causal relationships; and considering temporal and geographic recalibration so that model predictions reflect the relevant population. CONCLUSION: Developing and implementing PRO-based prediction models in cancer care requires extensive multidisciplinary working from the earliest stages, recognition of implementation challenges because of PRO collection and model presentation, and robust statistical methods to manage missing data, causality, and calibration. Prediction models incorporating PROs should be viewed as complex interventions, with their development and impact assessment carried out to reflect this.

Isolinderalactone Induces Apoptosis, Autophagy, Cell Cycle Arrest and MAPK Activation through ROS-Mediated Signaling in Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Isolinderalactone (ILL), a sesquiterpene isolated from the root extract of Lindera aggregata, has been reported to exhibit anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic activities in various cancer cell lines. However, the mechanisms associated with its antitumor effects on CRC cells remain unclear. ILL treatment significantly suppressed proliferation and induced cell cycle G2/M arrest in CRC cells by inhibiting the expression of cyclin B, p-cdc2, and p-cdc25c and up-regulating the expression of p21. In addition, ILL induced mitochondria-associated apoptosis through the up-regulation of cleaved -caspase-9 and -3 expression. ILL induced autophagy by increasing the levels of LC3B in CRC cells, which was partially rescued by treatment with an autophagy inhibitor (chloroquine). Furthermore, ILL increases the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activates the MAPK pathway. Application of the ROS scavenger, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), effectively inhibited ILL toxicity and reversed ILL-induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, autophagy, and ERK activation. Taken together, these results suggest that ILL induces G2/M phase arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy and activates the MAPK pathway via ROS-mediated signaling in human CRC cells.

Recently evolved combination of unique sulfatase and amidase genes enables bacterial degradation of the wastewater micropollutant acesulfame worldwide.

Xenobiotics often challenge the principle of microbial infallibility. One example is acesulfame introduced in the 1980s as zero-calorie sweetener, which was recalcitrant in wastewater treatment plants until the early 2010s. Then, efficient removal has been reported with increasing frequency. By studying acesulfame metabolism in alphaproteobacterial degraders of the genera Bosea and Chelatococcus, we experimentally confirmed the previously postulated route of two subsequent hydrolysis steps via acetoacetamide-N-sulfonate (ANSA) to acetoacetate and sulfamate. Genome comparison of wildtype Bosea sp. 100-5 and an acesulfame degradation-defective mutant revealed the involvement of two plasmid-borne gene clusters. The acesulfame-hydrolyzing sulfatase is strictly manganese-dependent and belongs to the metallo beta-lactamase family. In all degraders analyzed, it is encoded on a highly conserved gene cluster embedded in a composite transposon. The ANSA amidase, on the other hand, is an amidase signature domain enzyme encoded in another gene cluster showing variable length among degrading strains. Transposition of the sulfatase gene cluster between chromosome and plasmid explains how the two catabolic gene clusters recently combined for the degradation of acesulfame. Searching available genomes and metagenomes for the two hydrolases and associated genes indicates that the acesulfame plasmid evolved and spread worldwide in short time. While the sulfatase is unprecedented and unique for acesulfame degraders, the amidase occurs in different genetic environments and likely evolved for the degradation of other substrates. Evolution of the acesulfame degradation pathway might have been supported by the presence of structurally related natural and anthropogenic compounds, such as aminoacyl sulfamate ribonucleotide or sulfonamide antibiotics.

Preliminary Prospective Preoperative and Postoperative Evaluation of Median Nerve Stiffness by Using Sonoelastography.

ABSTRACT: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment syndrome. No previous studies have compared preoperative and follow-up sonoelastography results or investigated the correlation of median nerve stiffness with the subjective/objective outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the preoperative and postoperative elastography after carpal tunnel release and find the correlation with associated subjective/objective outcomes.From May 2017 to March 2020, 32 patients (6 males, 26 females; 34 hands) with carpal tunnel syndrome were enrolled in this prospective study. Demographic data, QuickDASH score (Chinese version), Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (Chinese version), nerve conduction velocity/electromyography, and median nerve stiffness by sonoelastography were recorded.Comparisons of preoperative and average sonoelastography findings 1.5 years postoperatively showed a significant decrease in stiffness presented by velocity (Vs) (preoperative Vs, 4.63 ± 1.27 m/s, vs postoperative Vs, 3.39 ± 0.59 m/s; P < 0.001). Changes in subjective functional outcomes also showed the same significant trend. Based on the neurophysiologic study, the improvement of nerve conduction study and elastography have the significant correlation.The same trend of preoperative and postoperative changes in median nerve stiffness and subjective questionnaires/objective neurophysiologic studies may imply that sonoelastography can be used to assess the response to surgery in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors use and the risk of gout: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess the relationship between use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and the risk of gout among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A systemic review and meta-analysis were designed by reviewing articles published between 2000 January 1 and 2022 December 31 using PubMed system and Web of Science system based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The end point of interest was gout (including gout flares, gout events, starting uric-acid lowering therapy and starting anti-gout drugs use) among patients with T2DM using SGLT2i versus not using SGLT2i. A random-effects model was utilized to measure the pooled hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for the risk of gout associated with SGLT2i use. Results: Two prospective post-hoc analyses of randomized controlled trials and 5 retrospective electronic medical record-linkage cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis demonstrated that there was a decreased risk of developing gout for SGLT2i use as comparing with non-use of SGLT2i among patients with T2DM (pooled HR=0.66 and 95%CI=0.57-0.76). Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrates that SGLT2i use is associated with a 34% decreased risk of developing gout among patients with T2DM. SGLT2i may be the treatment options for patients with T2DM who are at high risk of gout. More randomized controlled trials and real-world data are needed to confirm whether there is a class effect of SGLT2i for the risk reduction of gout among patients with T2DM.

Comparison of benzbromarone and allopurinol on the risk of chronic kidney disease in people with asymptomatic hyperuricemia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare the relative effects of benzbromarone and allopurinol on the risk of developing chronic kidney disease in persons with asymptomatic hyperuricemia. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze a 2003-2015 national database including all claims data of 2 million beneficiaries in Taiwan. Asymptomatic hyperuricemia was defined as follows: persons using urate-lowering drugs who never developed gout flares. The benzbromarone group included persons ages 20-84 that had asymptomatic hyperuricemia and received benzbromarone alone. The allopurinol group included persons ages 20-84 that had asymptomatic hyperuricemia and received allopurinol alone. The maximum follow-up time was set as 5 years in this study. The main outcome was defined as follows: persons were newly diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to test the association between variables and the risk of chronic kidney disease. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, 9107 persons in the benzbromarone group and 4554 persons in the allopurinol group were eligible for the study. Approximately 71% of the study subjects were males. The mean age was 56 years old. The incidence rate of chronic kidney disease was lower in the benzbromarone group than in the allopurinol group (1.18 versus 1.99/per 100 person-years, incidence ratio = 0.60, and 95% confidence interval = 0.52-0.68).The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis disclosed that after adjusting for co-variables, there was a decreased risk of developing chronic kidney disease in the benzbromarone group as compared with the allopurinol group (hazard ratio = 0.59, 95% confidence interval = 0.52-0.67 and P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of benzbromarone is associated with a lower hazard of developing chronic kidney disease as compared to allopurinol use among persons ages 20-84 with asymptomatic hyperuricemia. More studies are needed to confirm our findings.