Attitudes Surrounding Music of Patients With Anorexia Nervosa: A Survey-Based Mixed-Methods Analysis.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is one of the main eating disorders. It has the highest mortality of all psychiatric disorders, and the success rates of current therapies are not fully satisfactory. Thus, there is a need for novel interventions. We investigated the attitudes surrounding music of 41 patients with clinically-diagnosed AN as well as their thoughts on the potential therapeutic uses of music using a questionnaire of 50 questions. Free text responses were qualitatively analyzed for reoccurring themes with NVivo 12 software. Yes/no questions and questions of best fit were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics version 25. The most prevalent theme was the positive effect of music. Most patients reported that listening to music evokes varying emotions in them (83%) which may be of positive or negative nature. Similarly, patients associated certain music with particular positive, but also with particular negative memories. A majority of patients stated that music helps to distract them (85%), helps with loneliness (59%) and helps them feel more connected to others (58%). This data indicates that people with AN make nonclinical use of music which seems to elicit positive as well as negative emotions and memories. Patients felt music is beneficial with regard to important aspects of AN, such as emotional problems, loneliness, and relationship difficulties. Most of them would also like to attend music therapy.

Dengue in Taiwan: Pointing the finger at Aedes aegypti.

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal we explore the history of dengue infection in Taiwan and what current trends have to say about the vector responsible for transmitting the disease on the island. We focus on original research reporting the development of a new perfusion bioreactor to engineer bone from human cord blood stem cells. Finally, we look at trends in osteoporosis in Taiwan and how they highlight the success of public health campaigns.

The influenza chronicles: From the 1918 pandemic to current understanding of host defense mechanisms.

In this special edition of the Biomedical Journal, we learn about the battle between host and influenza virus at the respiratory epithelium, and how the history of influenza pandemics has driven both major advances in the understanding of immunology and planning for future outbreaks. We also learn of a nanoparticle system that holds promise for photodynamic therapy in breast cancer. Finally, we add evidence to the debate of the safety of a minimally invasive technique for aortic valve replacement in elderly patients.

Tainted air: The link between pollution and Alzheimer's disease.

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we learn how air pollution may contribute to cognitive decline and even increase risk for Alzheimer's disease. We also highlight original research documenting the body's response to infection with a common oral pathogen. Finally, we learn how a cellular antioxidant protein protects against mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.

Saliva biomarkers in neurological disorders: A "spitting image" of brain health?

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we learn how biomarkers in saliva may be able to provide insight into the health of the brain and the central nervous system. We also discover how computational modeling can help to identify potential epitopes for vaccine development against Chlamydia, the world's most common sexually transmitted infection.

For better or worse: Immune system involvement in Alzheimer's Disease.

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we explore the key role of the immune system in the development of Alzheimer's disease. We also learn more about the link between two disorders related to metabolic imbalances, with findings that could help to inform future screening programs. Finally, we would like to highlight some big news for our journal: the Biomedical Journal will be indexed in the Science Citation Index and receive its first official impact factor from this year.

Basal-bolus or premixed? Shedding light on optimal insulin regime for type 1 diabetes.

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we highlight original research that will help to guide the choice of insulin administration regimes for children with type 1 diabetes. We also investigate whether a common medication for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder worsens sleep problems among these children, and discover a new approach to maximize the lifetime of a fragile piece of surgical equipment.

Oxidative stress and diabetes: Glucose response in the cROSsfire.

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we discuss the emerging role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the development of insulin resistance and ultimately type 2 diabetes. We focus also on research investigating the outcome of in vitro fertilization after laproscopic surgery for ovarian endometriosis. Finally, we learn the results of a study on the hunt for new probiotic bacteria.

Antiviral Properties of Chemical Inhibitors of Cellular Anti-Apoptotic Bcl-2 Proteins.

Viral diseases remain serious threats to public health because of the shortage of effective means of control. To combat the surge of viral diseases, new treatments are urgently needed. Here we show that small-molecules, which inhibit cellular anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins (Bcl-2i), induced the premature death of cells infected with different RNA or DNA viruses, whereas, at the same concentrations, no toxicity was observed in mock-infected cells. Moreover, these compounds limited viral replication and spread. Surprisingly, Bcl-2i also induced the premature apoptosis of cells transfected with viral RNA or plasmid DNA but not of mock-transfected cells. These results suggest that Bcl-2i sensitizes cells containing foreign RNA or DNA to apoptosis. A comparison of the toxicity, antiviral activity, and side effects of six Bcl-2i allowed us to select A-1155463 as an antiviral lead candidate. Thus, our results pave the way for the further development of Bcl-2i for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases.

Radiotherapy and the tumor microenvironment: The "macro" picture.

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we explore the inner workings of tumor-associated macrophages and seek to understand how these cells can boost or limit the efficacy of radiotherapy, depending on the context. We also highlight a study revealing that staffing patterns in the intensive care unit may affect the outcome of patients with severe sepsis. Finally, we learn how an advanced imaging technique can improve endodontic treatment planning.

Can cannibalizing cancer cells challenge classic cell death classification?

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we learn about a novel are still largely mysterious mechanism of cell death that is challenging classification systems of cell death pathways and could have important implications for future cancer therapy. We also learn of a promising biomarker to stratify patients into risk groups after stroke. Finally, this issue also includes two studies investigating factors that influence outcome after heart surgery.

Make immunological peace not war: Potential applications of tolerogenic dendritic cells.

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we explore the powerful immunosuppressive properties of tolerogenic dendritic cells and discuss their potential to bring about lifelong tolerance in transplantation and autoimmune disease. We also highlight an exciting new development in the field of malaria diagnosis that could facilitate early detection of the disease.

Food for thought: Autophagy researcher wins 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

This special edition of the Biomedical Journal honors the awarding of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine to Yoshinori Ohsumi for his pioneering work on elucidating the mechanisms of autophagy. We also highlight a study reporting a new and simple animal model for a widespread surgical technique called interbody spinal fusion. Finally, this issue also includes two articles reporting protocols that could produce specific cell types for cell based therapies.

Microbes are off the menu: Defective macrophage phagocytosis in COPD.

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we learn about the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and how defective macrophage phagocytosis may lead to the build up of microbes and pollutants in inflamed lungs. We also focus on new findings that may take us a step closer to full automation in diagnostic bacteriology laboratories. Finally, we highlight the anti-tumor properties of microalgae and the application of algorithms to predict human emotion from electrocardiogram.

The inflammasome: Friend or foe in Chlamydia infection?

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we take a look at the still somewhat perplexing role of the inflammasome in Chlamydia infection. We also highlight findings suggesting a link between structural changes to arteries in the brain and the onset of depression. Finally, we learn about some of the implications of co-morbidity between diabetes and infectious diseases.

Perturbing purinergic signaling: A pathogen's guidebook to counteracting inflammatory responses.

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we learn how bacteria and parasites alike counteract inflammatory signaling by manipulating purinergic signaling. We also focus on an original article shedding light on the role of an Epstein-Barr virus encoded gene in metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Finally, we learn about a possible link between Trichomonas vaginalis and recurrent urinary tract infection.

On the road to epigenetic therapy.

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we examine how far the explosion of epigenetic studies in recent years has translated to benefits for patients in the clinic, and we highlight an original study suggesting that increased vegetable intake protects against osteoporotic fractures. We also hear several opinions on the use, or perhaps misuse, of Impact Factor and what the future should hold for this publication metric.

The dual role of ROS, antioxidants and autophagy in cancer.

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we highlight a review revealing that the effect of autophagy, reactive oxygen species, and antioxidants in cancer may be a question of timing and context. We also discuss original research showing that the prevalence of cleft lip with or without palate in Taiwan has declined over the past 20 years, and what this might mean in terms of trends in abortion. Finally, we also learn about risk factors for recurrent hospital-acquired infection with multi-drug resistant bacteria, and the value of dental screening for patients with tinnitus.

Helicobacter pylori's road to colonization.

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal we learn about the virulence factors that have made Helicobacter pylori such a successful pathogen. We also highlight some in vitro findings that may shed light on epithelial-mesenchymal transition that occurs during renal fibrosis. This issue also includes the findings of clinical trials testing the effectiveness of drugs to limit nausea in chemotherapy patients and the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Pralidoxime and pesticide poisoning: A question of severity?

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we highlight new data supporting the use of pralidoxime in the treatment of cases of organophosphate poisoning, which also suggest that WHO treatment guidelines should be updated. We also learn about a modified surgical technique to repair severe spinal injuries, as well as new insight into the structure of human adenovirus that could inform vaccine development.