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1.
Exploring the possible relationship between skin microbiome and brain cognitive functions: a pilot EEG study.
Wang, PC, Rajput, D, Wang, XF, Huang, CM, Chen, CC
Scientific reports. 2024;(1):7774
Abstract
Human microbiota mainly resides on the skin and in the gut. Human gut microbiota can produce a variety of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that affect many physiological functions and most importantly modulate brain functions through the bidirectional gut-brain axis. Similarly, skin microorganisms also have identical metabolites of SCFAs reported to be involved in maintaining skin homeostasis. However, it remains unclear whether these SCFAs produced by skin bacteria can affect brain cognitive functions. In this study, we hypothesize that the brain's functional activities are associated with the skin bacterial population and examine the influence of local skin-bacterial growth on event-related potentials (ERPs) during an oddball task using EEG. Additionally, five machine learning (ML) methods were employed to discern the relationship between skin microbiota and cognitive functions. Twenty healthy subjects underwent three rounds of tests under different conditions-alcohol, glycerol, and water. Statistical tests confirmed a significant increase in bacterial population under water and glycerol conditions when compared to the alcohol condition. The metabolites of bacteria can turn phenol red from red-orange to yellow, confirming an increase in acidity. P3 amplitudes were significantly enhanced in response to only oddball stimulus at four channels (Fz, FCz, and Cz) and were observed after the removal of bacteria when compared with that under the water and glycerol manipulations. By using machine learning methods, we demonstrated that EEG features could be separated with a good accuracy (> 88%) after experimental manipulations. Our results suggest a relationship between skin microbiota and brain functions. We hope our findings motivate further study into the underlying mechanism. Ultimately, an understanding of the relationship between skin microbiota and brain functions can contribute to the treatment and intervention of diseases that link with this pathway.
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2.
The expert consensus on care and education for patients with diabetic kidney disease in Taiwan.
Hsu, CY, Yeh, CY, Yen, TY, Chen, CC, Chen, JF, Chu, CH, Huang, CN, Lin, CL, Lin, SY, Liu, FH, et al
Primary care diabetes. 2024
Abstract
Increasing prevalence of type 2 DM (T2DM) and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has posed a great impact in Taiwan. However, guidelines focusing on multidisciplinary patient care and patient education remain scarce. By literature review and expert discussion, we propose a consensus on care and education for patients with DKD, including general principles, specifics for different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and special populations. (i.e. young ages, patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or heart failure, patients after acute kidney injury, and kidney transplant recipients). Generally, we suggest performing multidisciplinary patient care and education in alignment with the government-led Diabetes Shared Care Network to improve the patients' outcomes for all patients with DKD. Also, close monitoring of renal function with early intervention, control of comorbidities in early stages of CKD, and nutrition adjustment in advanced CKD should be emphasized.
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Comparisons of electrophysiological markers of impaired executive attention after traumatic brain injury and in healthy aging.
Kim, N, Jamison, K, Jaywant, A, Garetti, J, Blunt, E, RoyChoudhury, A, Butler, T, Dams-O'Connor, K, Khedr, S, Chen, CC, et al
NeuroImage. 2023;:120126
Abstract
Executive attention impairments are a persistent and debilitating consequence of traumatic brain injury (TBI). To make headway towards treating and predicting outcomes following heterogeneous TBI, cognitive impairment specific pathophysiology first needs to be characterized. In a prospective observational study, we measured EEG during the attention network test aimed at detecting alerting, orienting, executive attention and processing speed. The sample (N = 110) of subjects aged 18-86 included those with and without traumatic brain injury: n = 27, complicated mild TBI; n = 5, moderate TBI; n = 10, severe TBI; n = 63, non-brain-injured controls. Subjects with TBI had impairments in processing speed and executive attention. Electrophysiological markers of executive attention processing in the midline frontal regions reveal that, as a group, those with TBI and elderly non-brain-injured controls have reduced responses. We also note that those with TBI and elderly controls have responses that are similar for both low and high-demand trials. In subjects with moderate-severe TBI, reductions in frontal cortical activation and performance profiles are both similar to that of controls who are ∼4 to 7 years older. Our specific observations of frontal response reductions in subjects with TBI and in older adults is consistent with the suggested role of the anterior forebrain mesocircuit as underlying cognitive impairments. Our results provide novel correlative data linking specific pathophysiological mechanisms underlying domain-specific cognitive deficits following TBI and with normal aging. Collectively, our findings provide biomarkers that may serve to track therapeutic interventions and guide development of targeted therapeutics following brain injuries.
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4.
Association of Coffee and Tea Intake with Bone Mineral Density and Hip Fracture: A Meta-Analysis.
Chen, CC, Shen, YM, Li, SB, Huang, SW, Kuo, YJ, Chen, YP
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania). 2023;59(6)
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Osteoporosis is associated with severe complications, such as osteoporotic fracture and fracture-related functional disability. Risk factors for osteoporosis must be identified and validated at the earliest. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of coffee and tea intake with bone mass density (BMD) and hip fracture risk. This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of 106 studies. In total, 416,847 individuals (BMD related studies, 99,750 individuals; hip fracture–related studies, 408,562 individuals) were included in the final analysis. Results showed that the daily intake of caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and tea, is not associated with BMD or hip fracture risk, particularly in postmenopausal women. Authors concluded that their findings help reduce the inconsistency in the current literature. Furthermore, it may serve as a reference for future studies aimed at identifying the risk factor for osteoporosis.
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and high bone fragility. Findings regarding the association of coffee and tea intake with osteoporosis have been inconsistent. We conducted this meta-analysis to investigate whether coffee and tea intake is associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) and high hip fracture risk. Materials and Methods: PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase were searched for relevant studies published before 2022. Studies on the effects of coffee/tea intake on hip fracture/BMD were included in our meta-analysis, whereas those focusing on specific disease groups and those with no relevant coffee/tea intake data were excluded. We assessed mean difference (MD; for BMD) and pooled hazard ratio (HR; for hip fracture) values with 95% confidence interval (CI) values. The cohort was divided into high- and low-intake groups considering the thresholds of 1 and 2 cups/day for tea and coffee, respectively. Results: Our meta-analysis included 20 studies comprising 508,312 individuals. The pooled MD was 0.020 for coffee (95% CI, -0.003 to 0.044) and 0.039 for tea (95% CI, -0.012 to 0.09), whereas the pooled HR was 1.008 for coffee (95% CI, 0.760 to 1.337) and 0.93 for tea (95% CI, 0.84 to 1.03). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis results suggest that daily coffee or tea consumption is not associated with BMD or hip fracture risk.
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Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of a Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer Mortar Blast Resistant Panel.
Chen, CC, Tsai, YK, Lin, YK, Ho, PH, Kuo, CY
Polymers. 2023;(16)
Abstract
Geopolymer materials have excellent properties such as high strength, low thermal conductivity, fire resistance, acid and alkali resistance, and low carbon emissions. They can be used as protective engineering materials in places with explosion risks. At present, the common composite blast resistant panel is in the form of a sandwich: the outer layer isgalvanized steel plate, and fiber cement board or calcium carbonate board is used as the inner layer material, as these boards have the advantages of easy installation, good fire resistance, and explosion resistance. This study investigates the effect of adding different types of fibers to geopolymer mortar on the mortar's basic mechanical properties, such as compression strength, bending strength, and impact resistance. The explosive resistance of the fiber-reinforced geopolymer mortar blast resistant panels was evaluated through free-air explosion. In this paper, experimental procedures and numerical simulation have been performed to study the failure modes, maximum deflection, and dynamic response of the fiber-reinforced geopolymer mortar blast resistant panel under free-air explosion. The research results can provide a reference for the design and production of blast resistant panels.
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Novel Contribution of Long Non-coding RNA MEG3 Genotype to Prediction of Childhood Leukemia Risk.
Pei, JS, Chang, WS, Chen, CC, Mong, MC, Hsu, SW, Hsu, PC, Hsu, YN, Wang, YC, Tsai, CW, Bau, DT
Cancer genomics & proteomics. 2022;(1):27-34
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Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is frequent among children. Few studies have researched the relationship between maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) and cancer risk. We hypothesized long non-coding RNA MEG3 polymorphisms might influence the risk of childhood ALL. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a total of 266 patients with childhood ALL and 266 healthy controls, genotypes of MEG3 rs7158663, rs3087918, rs11160608 and rs4081134 single nucleotide polymorphisms were investigated for their associations with childhood ALL. RESULTS MEG3 rs7158663 AG and AA genotypes were significantly associated with ALL [odds ratio=1.61 (95% confidence interval=1.12-2.31) and 2.21 (1.16-4.22), respectively]. The A allele also exhibited a statistical association with higher risk of ALL (p=0.0015). There was no positive association as for rs3087918, rs11160608 or rs4081134. Interestingly, a significant interaction between MEG3 rs7158663 and age (≥3.5 years) and gender (male) was found. CONCLUSION MEG3 rs7158663 AG/AA genotypes were associated with higher susceptibility to childhood ALL. These novel findings should be validated in larger populations and different ethnicities.
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Lonicerae Japonicae Flos Attenuates Neutrophilic Inflammation by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress.
Lai, KH, Chen, YL, Lin, MF, El-Shazly, M, Chang, YC, Chen, PJ, Su, CH, Chiu, YC, Illias, AM, Chen, CC, et al
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland). 2022;(9)
Abstract
Lonicerae japonicae flos (LJ) is an Asian traditional herb that is used as a dietary supplement, tea, and beverage to clear heat and quench thirst. However, no studies investigated its effect on activated human neutrophils, which played a crucial role in the bad prognosis of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) patients by aggravating lung inflammation and respiratory failure. Herein, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of LJ ethanol extract (LJEE) on human neutrophils activated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLF). Our experimental results indicated that LJEE suppressed fMLF-activated superoxide anion (O2•-) generation, the expression of CD11b, and cell adhesion and migration, as well as the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps in human neutrophils. Further in-depth mechanical investigation revealed that pretreatment with LJEE accelerated the Ca2+ clearance, but did not affect the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and protein kinase B (Akt) in activated human neutrophils. In addition, LJEE displayed a dose-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger activity, which assisted its anti-inflammatory activity. From the bioassay-coupled chromatographic profile, chlorogenic acids were found to dominate the anti-inflammatory effects of LJEE. Moreover, LJ water extract (LJWE) demonstrated an interrupting effect on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 spike protein (SARS-CoV-2-Spike)/angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) binding. In conclusion, the obtained results not only supported the traditional use of LJ for heat-clearance, but also suggested its potential application in daily health care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Taiwan Society of Colon and Rectum Surgeons (TSCRS) Consensus for Anti-Inflammatory Nutritional Intervention in Colorectal Cancer.
Ma, CJ, Hu, WH, Huang, MC, Chiang, JM, Hsieh, PS, Wang, HS, Chiang, CL, Hsieh, HM, Chen, CC, Wang, JY
Frontiers in oncology. 2021;:819742
Abstract
Malnutrition and systemic inflammatory response (SIR) frequently occur in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and are associated with poor prognosis. Anti-inflammatory nutritional intervention is not only a way to restore the malnourished status but also modulate SIR. Nine experts, including colorectal surgeons, physicians and dieticians from 5 hospitals geographically distributed in Taiwan, attended the consensus meeting in Taiwan Society of Colon and Rectum Surgeons for a 3-round discussion and achieved the consensus based on a systematic literature review of clinical studies and published guidelines. The consensus recommends that assessment of nutritional risk and SIR should be performed before and after CRC treatment and appropriate nutritional and/or anti-inflammatory intervention should be adapted and provided accordingly.
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The Effects of Elgucare on Degenerated Intervertebral Disc-Induced Low Back Pain and Disc Regeneration: A Clinical Trial.
Lo, WC, Chen, YT, Chen, CC
Computational and mathematical methods in medicine. 2021;:5824956
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic low back pain (LBP) has a wide range of causes. However, most cases are induced by degeneration of the lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDs), and the aching caused by local compression of the affected region has considerable impacts on quality of life. This clinical trial investigated the use of Elgucare, a Chinese herbal formula, as a food supplement to reduce the pain of patients with LBP induced by degeneration of the lumbar IVDs. METHODS The study assessed patient subjective quality of life, functional limitations caused by LBP, and variations in pain. The assessment was done through the visual analogue scale (VAS) and effects on lumbar IVD thickness, water content, and bone mineral density (BMD). These parameters were evaluated before and after the administration of Elgucare or a placebo, one of which was taken by each participant for a 12-month period. RESULTS Elgucare reduced the patients' mean VAS pain score by 2.25 points and improved their mean LBP-hampered mobility as assessed by the Roland-Morris Questionnaire by 5.17 points. The results of another questionnaire indicated that Elgucare slowed the LBP-induced deterioration of patients' quality of life, while objective assessment indices obtained through X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging showed that the height and water retention of their IVDs were increased. However, the BMD results showed no improvements. CONCLUSIONS Elgucare can increase the water retention and height of IVDs and reduce LBP, thereby enhancing quality of life. Therefore, Elgucare can potentially be used as a clinical supplement.
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Lactobacillus rhamnosus sepsis associated with probiotic therapy in an extremely preterm infant: Pathogenesis and a review for clinicians.
Chiang, MC, Chen, CL, Feng, Y, Chen, CC, Lien, R, Chiu, CH
Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi. 2021;(4):575-580
Abstract
BACKGROUND Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most serious complications in preterm infants. Probiotics have been used to prevent NEC. Safety is a major concern for this practice. METHODS We reported a female preterm infant who received oral Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG but developed sepsis 12 days after the treatment. Cultures of blood and the catheter tip yielded L. rhamnosus. Next-generation sequencing was performed to analyze isolates from blood, stool, catheter, and product capsules. We also determined the capacities of these isolates to form biofilms. A literature review was performed. RESULTS The patient was treated with ampicillin and piperacillin/tazobactam, and she subsequently recovered without complications. The analysis of genome sequences indicated that all the isolates belonged to the clone of L. rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103), suggesting that sepsis was a catheter-related infection caused by the oral probiotic. L. rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) and the probiotic strain tested formed biofilms under all growth conditions. Isolates from the blood and catheter tip also formed biofilms, but the stool isolate did not. The capacity of intrinsic biofilm formation in L. rhamnosus GG depended on environmental factors and the type of culture medium. Literature review of L. rhamnosus GG sepsis in preterm and young infants found that nearly 60% of the patients had a suspected or confirmed infected catheter. CONCLUSION The study showed that the capacity of L. rhamnosus GG to form biofilms, especially in the presence of glucose, is a critical factor leading to the probiotic-related sepsis in preterm infants.