A Trend Study of Gout Prevalence in Different Tropical Climate Zones

This study explores the pattern of change in gout and gout-related Internet search volume over time for certain cities and countries located in different climate zones. It also explores the relationships between the actual climate data (temperature and humidity) of certain countries and cities and the volume of gout information searched in different climate zones. This study expects to predict the periods when gout is more prevalent in order to give medical professionals more updated and valid information and to serve as a reference for understanding the disease for medical diagnostic purposes

The iNOS/Src/FAK axis is critical in Toll-like receptor-mediated cell motility in macrophages

AbstractThe Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a pivotal role in innate immunity for the detection of highly conserved, pathogen-expressed molecules. Previously, we demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide (LPS, TLR4 ligand)-increased macrophage motility required the participation of Src and FAK, which was inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-dependent. To investigate whether this iNOS/Src/FAK pathway is a general mechanism for macrophages to mobilize in response to engagement of TLRs other than TLR4, peptidoglycan (PGN, TLR2 ligand), polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid (polyI:C, TLR3 ligand) and CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG, TLR9 ligand) were used to treat macrophages in this study. Like LPS stimulation, simultaneous increase of cell motility and Src (but not Fgr, Hck, and Lyn) was detected in RAW264.7, peritoneal macrophages, and bone marrow-derived macrophages exposed to PGN, polyI:C and CpG. Attenuation of Src suppressed PGN-, polyI:C-, and CpG-elicited movement and the level of FAK Pi-Tyr861, which could be reversed by the reintroduction of siRNA-resistant Src. Besides, knockdown of FAK reduced the mobility of macrophages stimulated with anyone of these TLR ligands. Remarkably, PGN-, polyI:C-, and CpG-induced Src expression, FAK Pi-Tyr861, and cell mobility were inhibited in macrophages devoid of iNOS, indicating the importance of iNOS. These findings corroborate that iNOS/Src/FAK axis occupies a central role in macrophage locomotion in response to engagement of TLRs

Pyrazole compound BPR1P0034 with potent and selective anti-influenza virus activity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Influenza viruses are a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. More recently, a swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus that is spreading via human-to-human transmission has become a serious public concern. Although vaccination is the primary strategy for preventing infections, influenza antiviral drugs play an important role in a comprehensive approach to controlling illness and transmission. In addition, a search for influenza-inhibiting drugs is particularly important in the face of high rate of emergence of influenza strains resistant to several existing influenza antivirals.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We searched for novel anti-influenza inhibitors using a cell-based neutralization (inhibition of virus-induced cytopathic effect) assay. After screening 20,800 randomly selected compounds from a library from ChemDiv, Inc., we found that BPR1P0034 has sub-micromolar antiviral activity. The compound was resynthesized in five steps by conventional chemical techniques. Lead optimization and a structure-activity analysis were used to improve potency. Time-of-addition assay was performed to target an event in the virus life cycle.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The 50% effective inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of BPR1P0034 was 0.42 ± 0.11 μM, when measured with a plaque reduction assay. Viral protein and RNA synthesis of A/WSN/33 (H1N1) was inhibited by BPR1P0034 and the virus-induced cytopathic effects were thus significantly reduced. BPR1P0034 exhibited broad inhibition spectrum for influenza viruses but showed no antiviral effect for enteroviruses and echovirus 9. In a time-of-addition assay, in which the compound was added at different stages along the viral replication cycle (such as at adsorption or after adsorption), its antiviral activity was more efficient in cells treated with the test compound between 0 and 2 h, right after viral infection, implying that an early step of viral replication might be the target of the compound. These results suggest that BPR1P0034 targets the virus during viral uncoating or viral RNA importation into the nucleus.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>To the best of our knowledge, BPR1P0034 is the first pyrazole-based anti-influenza compound ever identified and characterized from high throughput screening to show potent (sub-μM) antiviral activity. We conclude that BPR1P0034 has potential antiviral activity, which offers an opportunity for the development of a new anti-influenza virus agent.</p

Effect of Acupressure and Trigger Points in Treating Headache: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract: The efficacy of acupressure in relieving pain has been documented; however, its effectiveness for chronic headache compared to the muscle relaxant medication has not yet been elucidated. To address this, a randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in a medical center in Southern Taiwan in 2003. Twenty-eight patients suffering chronic headache were randomly assigned to the acupressure group (n = 14) or the muscle relaxant medication group (n = 14). Outcome measures regarding self-appraised pain scores (measured on a visual analogue scale; VAS) and ratings of how headaches affected life quality were recorded at baseline, 1 month after treatment, and at a 6-month follow-up. Pain areas were recorded in order to establish trigger points. Results showed that mean scores on the VAS at post-treatment assessment were significantly lower in the acupressure group (32.9 ± 26.0) than in the muscle relaxant medication group (55.7 ± 28.7) (p = 0.047). The superiority of acupressure over muscle relaxant medication remained at 6-month follow-up assessments (p = 0.002). The quality of life ratings related to headache showed similar differences between the two groups in the post treatment and at six-month assessments. Trigger points BL2, GV20, GB20, TH21, and GB5 were used most commonly for etiological assessment. In conclusion, our study suggests that 1 month of acupressure treatment is more effective in reducing chronic headache than 1 month of muscle relaxant treatment, and that the effect remains 6 months after treatment. Trigger points help demonstrate the treatment technique recommended if a larger-scale study is conducted in the future

Alanine aminotransferase to aspartate aminotransferase ratio and hepatitis B virus on metabolic syndrome: a community-based study

BackgroundThe serum aminotransferase elevation in metabolic syndrome (MetS) reflected hepatosteatosis, but there is a conflict with the coexistence of viral hepatitis, especially for the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ratio, MetS, and HBV infection in a rural Taiwanese population.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis in southern Taiwan between March and December 2019. Multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusted for demographics, education, dietary behaviors, irregular exercise, substance use, and viral markers were performed to investigate the association between the ALT/AST ratio and MetS.ResultsAltogether, 2,416 participants (891 men and 1,525 women; mean age, 64.1 ± 14.9 years) were enrolled. Of the participants, 22.7% (n = 519) were seropositive for viral hepatitis. In the multivariable analysis, age [odds ratio (OR) 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.03, p &lt; 0.001], ALT/AST ratio &gt;1 (OR 2.63, 95% CI 2.15–3.21, p &lt; 0.001), education (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.98, p &lt; 0.001), and HBV seropositivity (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52–0.95, p = 0.021) were associated with the risk of MetS. The area under the curve of the ALT/AST ratio was 0.62 (95% CI 0.60–0.64, p &lt; 0.001), and the cutoff value was &gt;0.852 for the Youden index.ConclusionAn ALT/AST ratio &gt;1 could be a simple index for MetS prediction during community checkups. In contrast to age and betel nut chewing, HBV seropositivity and higher education might be inversely associated with MetS. Aggressive health promotion for MetS prevention has emerged as essential in participants without HBV and with lower education levels. Further large-scale, longitudinal studies are needed to unlink these correlations

Women with endometriosis have higher comorbidities: Analysis of domestic data in Taiwan

AbstractEndometriosis, defined by the presence of viable extrauterine endometrial glands and stroma, can grow or bleed cyclically, and possesses characteristics including a destructive, invasive, and metastatic nature. Since endometriosis may result in pelvic inflammation, adhesion, chronic pain, and infertility, and can progress to biologically malignant tumors, it is a long-term major health issue in women of reproductive age. In this review, we analyze the Taiwan domestic research addressing associations between endometriosis and other diseases. Concerning malignant tumors, we identified four studies on the links between endometriosis and ovarian cancer, one on breast cancer, two on endometrial cancer, one on colorectal cancer, and one on other malignancies, as well as one on associations between endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome, one on links with migraine headache, three on links with pelvic inflammatory diseases, four on links with infertility, four on links with obesity, four on links with chronic liver disease, four on links with rheumatoid arthritis, four on links with chronic renal disease, five on links with diabetes mellitus, and five on links with cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, etc.). The data available to date support that women with endometriosis might be at risk of some chronic illnesses and certain malignancies, although we consider the evidence for some comorbidities to be of low quality, for example, the association between colon cancer and adenomyosis/endometriosis. We still believe that the risk of comorbidity might be higher in women with endometriosis than that we supposed before. More research is needed to determine whether women with endometriosis are really at risk of these comorbidities

The effects of different cross section area and heating position on the performance of heat pipe

摘要 本研究首先以相同製程參數製作外徑6mm，長度187mmm與300mm的燒結式導熱管。並藉由理論與實驗兩種方式，探討不同管長與圓直管經過機械加工(壓扁、彎管、彎管再壓扁)之後，於標準測試下的最大熱傳量。研究結果顯示最大熱傳量會隨著有效長度的減小、截面積的增加與機械加工的製程的減少而增加。有鑒於此，本文利用置中加熱、雙邊冷卻的量測方式，探討導熱管在不同安裝方式的最大熱傳量。研究結果顯示：導熱管於中段加熱，最大熱傳量會提升2.75～3倍。提高熱傳性能有兩項重要因素：其一為加熱位置居中，導致有效長度均分為左右兩端，所以工作流體可以迅速地回流蒸發端；其二為中段加熱導熱管，可以視為在一個發熱源上，安裝兩支有效長度較短的導熱管輸出熱源功率。因此，導熱管採取置中加熱，兩端冷卻的散熱性能優於標準(Qmax)的散熱性能。Abstract In the beginning of this study, I used the same production process parameters to produce two kinds of sintered heat pipes: one is of 6mm in diameter and 187mm in length and the other is of 6mm in diameter and 300mm in length. Then, through theoretical and experimental methods, I examined these two sintered heat pipes'maximum amount of heat transfer under standard testes after they were mechanically processed in three ways: flattened, bent, and bent with flattened. The results showed that the maximum amount of heat transfer would increase with the reduction of effective length and increase of cross section area as well as the reduction of mechanical processing. In view of the results, I examined how the maximum amount of heat transfer would be affected by different installation by means of heating the middle part and cooling the two ends of pipes. The results showed that the maximum heat transfer capacity will increase by 2.75~3 times when the middle part of the pipes was heated. There are two explanations for such a phenomenon. Firstly, when the middle part of the pipe is heated, the effective length is equally divided into two and therefore fluid can quickly go back to the evaporation points. Secondly, heating the middle part of heat pipe can be regarded as heating source which is installed with two shorter heat pipe to output heat. Therefore, the heat pipes' thermal evaporation is superior to standardized thermal evaporation when they are heated in the middle part and cooled at the two ends.目 次 頁碼 中文摘要 …………………………………………………………………i 英文摘要 ………………………………………………………………ii 目次 ……………………………………………………………………iii 表目次 …………………………………………………………………vii 圖目次 ………………………………………………………………viii 符號說明 ……………………………………………………………xii 第一章 緒論 ……………………………………………………………1 1-1 前言 ……………………………………………………………1 1-2 文獻回顧 ………………………………………………………3 1-3 研究動機與目的 ………………………………………………10 第二章 導熱管工作原理與理論分析 …………………………………19 2-1 導熱管工作原理 ………………………………………………19 2-2 導熱管的分類 …………………………………………………20 2-3 理論分析 ………………………………………………………22 2-3-1 表面張力 ………………………………………………22 2-3-2 接觸角 …………………………………………………22 2-3-3 熱傳量 …………………………………………………23 2-4 導熱管的優良特點與影響熱傳量的工作限制 ………………31 2-5 熱阻 ……………………………………………………………35 2-6 導熱管的製作流程 ……………………………………………37 第三章 導熱管的設計製作與實驗 ……………………………………61 3-1 實驗目的探討 …………………………………………………61 3-2 導熱管的設計製作 ……………………………………………61 3-2-1 導熱管工作介質的選定 ………………………………61 3-2-2 管殼的設計 ……………………………………………62 3-2-3 毛細結構(吸液蕊)的選擇 ……………………………63 3-2-4 導熱管工質封存量的計算 ……………………………64 3-2-5 導熱管機械加工成型製作 ……………………………65 3-3 實驗方法 ………………………………………………………66 3-4 實驗設備 ………………………………………………………66 3-4-1 電源供應器(DC Power Supply) ……………………66 3-4-2 熱電偶溫度擷取 ………………………………………66 3-4-3 冷卻循環 ………………………………………………67 3-5 實驗模型 ………………………………………………………67 3-5-1 模擬蒸發區熱源 ………………………………………68 3-5-2 冷卻水套 ………………………………………………68 3-5-3 散熱膏 …………………………………………………68 3-5-4 導熱管 …………………………………………………68 3-6 導熱管性能測試與步驟 ………………………………………69 3-7 實驗參數與數據說明 …………………………………………71 3-7-1 設計變更的參數 ………………………………………71 3-7-2 實驗數據說明 …………………………………………71 第四章 結果與討論 ……………………………………………………86 4-1 標準(Qmax)測試實驗結果與討論……………………………86 4-1-1 不同導熱管長度之實驗結果 …………………………86 4-1-2 不同導熱管長度之探討 ………………………………89 4-1-3 不同截面積之實驗結果 ………………………………92 4-1-4 不同截面積之探討 ……………………………………94 4-1-5 彎管及彎管再壓扁之實驗結果 ………………………95 4-1-6 彎管及彎管再壓扁之探討 …………………………100 4-2 不同的加熱位置對導熱管熱傳效益之影響…………………100 4-2-1 不同加熱位置之理論值預估…………………………101 4-2-2 不同加熱位置之實驗結果……………………………102 4-2-3 不同加熱位置之探討…………………………………111 4-3 設計變更結果說明……………………………………………112 4-4 操作溫度對導熱管性能之影響………………………………113 4-5 熱損失估計值…………………………………………………113 第五章 結論與建議……………………………………………………144 5-1 結論……………………………………………………………144 5-2 建議……………………………………………………………146 參考文獻 ………………………………………………………………14