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Extracts from Taiwan’s traditional medicinal mushroom, Antrodia cinnamomea, exhibit anti-inflammatory activities in cellular and preclinical studies. However, this paper is the first to report that Antcin K, a triterpenoid isolated from A. cinnamomea, inhibits proinflammatory cytokine production in human rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts (RASFs), which are major players in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease. In our analysis of the mechanism of action, Antcin K inhibited the expression of three cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], interleukin 1 beta [IL-1β] and IL-8) in human RASFs; cytokines that are crucial to RA synovial inflammation. Notably, incubation of RASFs with Antcin K reduced the phosphorylation of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling cascades, all of which promote cytokine production in RA. Intraperitoneal injections of Antcin K (10 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg) attenuated paw swelling, cartilage degradation and bone erosion, and decreased serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8 in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice; in further experiments, IL-6 levels were similarly reduced. The inhibitory effects of Antcin K upon TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8 expression in human RASFs was achieved through the downregulation of the FAK, PI3K, AKT and NF-κB signaling cascades. Our data support clinical investigations using Antcin K in RA disease.

Background: Neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD) is a rare autosomal recessive disease. The incidence of citrin deficiency is estimated between 1/10,000 and 1/20,000 in Taiwan. Case report: This report describes a case of a 42 day old female infant who suffered from prolonged jaundice, poor weight gain, and anemia. The initial total/direct bilirubin levels were 8.1/3.11 mg/dL. Liver biopsy was performed at 47 days old. The pathology revealed lobules marked with macrovesicular and microvesicular fatty metamorphosis. The serum amino acid profile showed elevated levels of threonine, methionine, citrulline, and arginine. Newborn screening disclosed normal results, but the genetic study revealed SLC25A13 mutation 851–854 del and 615 + 5G > A. The genetic study of her parents showed that the father carried the SLC25A13 mutation 851–854 del and the mother carried the SLC25A13 mutation 615 + 5G > A. Treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid decreased the bilirubin levels to a normal range at the age of 5 months. Conclusion: This report illustrates that hepatic steatosis is a feature of NICCD. For every young infant patient who develops cholestasis, the pediatrician must consider NICCD as a differential diagnosis even if newborn screening shows normal findings.

To compare on-treatment and off-treatment parameters acquired using acoustic radiation force impulse elastography, the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).Patients received therapies based on pegylated interferon or direct-acting antiviral agents. The changes in paired patient parameters, including liver stiffness (LS) values, the FIB-4 index, and APRI, from baseline to sustained virologic response (SVR) visit (24 weeks after the end of treatment) were compared. Multiple regression models were used to identify significant factors that explained the correlations with LS, FIB-4, and APRI values and SVR.A total of 256 patients were included, of which 219 (85.5%) achieved SVR. The paired LS values declined significantly from baseline to SVR visit in all groups and subgroups except the nonresponder subgroup (n = 10). Body mass index (P = 0.0062) and baseline LS (P < 0.0001) were identified as independent factors that explained the LS declines. Likewise, the baseline FIB-4 (P < 0.0001) and APRI (P < 0.0001) values independently explained the declines in the FIB-4 index and APRI, respectively. Moreover, interleukin-28B polymorphisms, baseline LS, and rapid virologic response were identified as independent correlates with SVR.Paired LS measurements in patients treated for CHC exhibited significant declines comparable to those in FIB-4 and APRI values. These declines may have correlated with the resolution of necroinflammation. Baseline LS values predicted SVR.

Objective: We report a rare case of synchronous cancer consisting of ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinoma and endocervical mucinous adenocarcinoma. Related literature was reviewed and it appeared that no similar case had been reported previously. Case Report: A 30-year-old (gravida 1, para 1, abortus 0) woman complained of abdominal fullness, chest tightness and dyspnea on exertion of several days' duration. Gynecologic sonography showed a right complex adnexal cyst, 16 × 14 cm in size. Computed tomography showed an 18 × 16 cm right pelvic tumor, with both cystic and solid components, ascites and bilateral massive pleural effusion. Cytology of the pleural effusion showed no malignant cells. The patient underwent staging surgery. Histology showed moderately to poorly differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the right ovary with extensive lymphovascular permeation, as well as paraaortic and bilateral pelvic lymph node metastases. Extensive tumor thrombi were observed in the lymphovascular channels of the left ovary, bilateral tubes and uterus. Endocervical adenocarcinoma, < 3 mm in depth, was also identified on the cervix. The final surgical-pathologic stage of ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinoma was stage IIIc and of endocervical mucinous adenocarcinoma was stage IA1. Adjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel was prescribed postoperatively, but the malignancy was not controlled due to lung, brain and vulva metastases. The patient died of respiratory failure. Conclusion: The coexistence of primary neoplasms in the ovary and cervix is rare. Diagnosis should be based on histologic examination and requires appropriate treatment for both tumors.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has a tendency to migrate and metastasize. WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 (WISP-1) is a cysteine-rich protein that belongs to the Cyr61, CTGF, Nov (CCN) family of matrix cellular proteins. The effect of WISP-1 on human OSCC cells, however, is unknown. Here, we showed that WISP-1 increased cell migration and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in OSCC cells. Pretreatment of cells with integrin αvβ3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) significantly abolished WISP-1-induced cell migration and ICAM-1 expression. On the other hand, WISP-1-mediated cell motility and ICAM-1 upregulation were attenuated by ASK1, JNK, and p38 inhibitor. Furthermore, WISP-1 also enhanced activator protein 1 (AP-1) activation, and the integrin αvβ3 mAb, and ASK1, JNK, and p38 inhibitors reduced WISP-1-mediated AP-1 activation. Moreover, WISP-1 and ICAM-1 expression correlated with the tumor stage of patients with OSCC. Our results indicate that WISP-1 enhances the migration of OSCC cells by increasing ICAM-1 expression through the αvβ3 integrin receptor and the ASK1, JNK/p38, and AP-1 signal transduction pathways.

In recent years, people have begun to use sharing economy platforms such as Airbnb and Uber. The rapid development of such sharing economy platforms has thus become an important topic. Studies regarding the sharing economy have discussed resource providers but not users. Therefore, this study constructs a model to measure the components of sharing economy drivers and the correlation between those drivers and usage intention, in addition to exploring the differences in the composition of drivers and usage intention between Airbnb and Uber. The survey method was an online questionnaire. The sample analysis uses partial least squares regression to verify the hypothesis and analyze the components that form the sharing economy for drivers. According to the results, sharing economy drivers-Societal drivers, Economic drivers, Technological drivers, affect usage intention, and different combinations of sharing economy components, such as enjoyment, network externalities, perceived quality, cost saving, and efficiency, exist in Airbnb and Uber. For the reference of relevant academic research and practical operation in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People increasingly depend on the consumer experiences of a virtual community when making purchasing decisions. Potential consumers search for different types of electronic word of mouth when choosing a product to purchase. Social shopping has numerous advantages, including community-based interaction and the sharing of consumer experiences; however, few studies have focused on measuring the effects of social shopping. This study established a conceptual framework for measuring the effects of social shopping activities, comprising the key elements of (1) the perceptions of social shopping activities, (2) collective intelligence and dissonance, and (3) the consequences of social shopping. This study collected 836 valid Internet user responses to an online survey. Partial least squares regression was used to analyze the relationship between the elements and to measure the effects in different social shopping stimuli. The purpose of this study is to build a model of social shopping activities and verified by PLS to establish a theoretical framework. The study found that only cognitive diversity in each path has no significant impact on collective intelligence, management mechanisms on imbalance, and imbalance on community loyalty. Moreover, most of the user perceptions summarized in this research can produce subsequent benefits and behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, social media becomes a new communication channel in marketing. Social media facilitate improved targeting and play a critical role in marketing operations. We collect empirical data that can be used to determine whether social media marketing actually creates brand benefits or increases product sales. We proposed a new model for measuring the effectiveness of social media marketing and explained the benefits created by different brand and user types on social media. By conducting the seemingly unrelated regression estimation (SURE) model, this research collected 1,956 valid samples from the consumers who use the social media marketing. The results show that search goods and experience goods in social media marketing create diverse effective directions in interaction effects. For mobile phone brands other than the iPhone, social benefits were nonsignificant; however, brand benefits for them were significant because of the interplay of benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing use of social media in the world, a wide variety of social media applications and services have been produced. Popular social media platforms leverage their unique functions to persuade their users to adopt such applications and services, and many enterprises have begun to consider social media operations as a crucial aspect. Thus, since the gradual influence of social media on consumer behavior, a new social commerce model has begun to develop. This research examined both business and social aspects of social commerce sites to establish an evaluation model for measuring their quality and effectiveness. We collected 468 valid samples of online users who had used social commerce site to browse or purchase products and were willing to use again. We used EFA and CFA to confirm the model we constructed, and Partial least squares regression was used to analyze the relationship among the antecedents and consequences of quality evaluation in social commerce sites. According to the result, the consumers' behaviors were most likely affected by functionality, enjoyment, process, reliability, presence, and identity with a social commerce site. This study not only provided a credible social commerce quality measurement for other scholars to conduct relevant research but also provide conclusions for the marketing strategy of social commerce sites and products as a reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the competitiveness of the e-commerce environment and the emerging usage of mobile devices, companies have found a new e-marketing strategy, that is, online-to-offline (O2O) marketing, to integrate both channels more efficiently. The rapid rise of the O2O market in recent years has changed the way people consume and become an important issue. However, there are still very few studies focusing on O2O marketing issues. Hence, the purpose of this study is to develop an analytic model to explore how consumers adopt O2O commerce models. In this study, we collect 1,267 samples of valid Taiwan-based internet users who intended to adopt multi-channel retailing, using a web survey of consumers through InsightXplorer's CyberPanel. We use EFA and CFA to confirm search factors (information availability, search convenience, enjoyment, media richness and tangibility) and purchase factors (service quality, price and promotion, purchase convenience, risk perception, immediacy and product quantity) in keeping with past research. We also conduct a multinomial logit model to analyze the relationships among search factors, purchase factors, and adopting multi-channel purchasing behavior. The results indicate that the main reason consumers choose to purchase through physical channels is that they could provide better sales service quality and have a lower shopping risk, however, if consumers care about prices and promotions, they tend to lean towards the Mobile path. At the close of this paper, in-depth discussions and conclusions are provided to inform further research and future practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of Facebook has accelerated with an increasing prevalence of social media. Facebook users have become more dependent on it by interacting with others. However, the precise means by which Facebook services deliver social support remains unclear. This study aims to investigate that Facebook exists as different types of social support within Facebook's various functions and communicative contexts. We employed the method of investigation on the internet to delivery questionnaires. Data are collected from a total of 1019 internet users, and we used research methods Chi-square test and MANOVA to examine that the Facebook usage behaviors of distinct demographic groups are significantly diverse. In the context of manipulated scenarios, tie strength and status lead to significantly distinct Facebook usage behaviors and produced dissimilar types and forms of social supports. As the result, in terms of social, esteem, companionship and information, supports were conveyed through like and comment functions, while emotional support was only conveyed through comment function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) typically migrates and metastasizes. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine associated with disease status and cancer outcomes. The effect of IL-6 on human OSCC cells, however, is unknown. Here, we showed that IL-6 increased cell migration and Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in OSCC cells. Pretreatment of OSCC cells with IL-6R monoclonal antibody (mAb) significantly abolished IL-6-induced cell migration and ICAM-1 expression. By contrast, IL-6-mediated cell motility and ICAM-1 upregulation were attenuated by the Syk and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitors. Stimulation of OSCC cells with IL-6 promoted Syk and JNK phosphorylation. Furthermore, IL-6 enhanced AP-1 activity, and the IL-6R mAb, Syk inhibitor, or JNK inhibitor all reduced IL-6-mediated c-Jun phosphorylation, c-Jun binding to the ICAM-1 promoter, and c-Jun translocation into the nucleus. Our results indicate that IL-6 enhances the migration of OSCC cells by increasing ICAM-1 expression through the IL-6R receptor and the Syk, JNK, and AP-1 signal transduction pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a forecasting tool, audience movie reviews provide a guide for film companies. This study uses a text mining technique to analyze the American film market. It explores movie reviews including word of mouth (WOM) factors (i.e., movie content, positive, negative, and promotion) and related factors (i.e., time, rating, and the number of ratings) for the box office. According to the relationship between the keyword clusters, the major factors that affect the box office are determined. The findings provide reference for movie producers to manipulate WOMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid growth of weblog (blog) services has induced Internet users to share their feelings and information via blogs. Few researchers are currently investigating why people blog. In this study, we explored the antecedents and consequences of blogging behaviors. We collected 613 valid responses to an online survey from blog users. Factor analysis was conducted to confirm 3 antecedents of using blogs as social motivations, goal orientation, and entertainment orientation. We identified 3 key blogging behaviors of basic journaling, more advanced publishing, and interactive feedback. Social and information return were identified as the 2 major effects of blogging behaviors. The results of structural equation modeling showed that social motivations and entertainment orientation had significant impacts on all 3 blogging behaviors and goal orientation positively influenced advanced publishing and interactive feedback. Implications and limitations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous research has shown variation in the effects of patient factors, including hepatic necroinflammatory activity, on liver stiffness measurement (LSM). This prospective study attempts to identify explanatory factors for LSM in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) technology. Methods: A cohort of 127 Taiwanese patients with CHC underwent ARFI LSM and immediate percutaneous liver biopsy. This study compares the concurrent diagnostic performances of LSM and FibroTest using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Three multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate the significance of concurrent patient factors in explaining LSM. Results: To classify METAVIR fibrosis (F) stages, the areas under ROC curves (AUCs) were ARFI LSM, 0.847 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.779-0.914) and FibroTest, 0.823 (95% CI, 0.748-0.898), for F1 versus F2-4; ARFI LSM, 0.902 (95% CI, 0.835-0.970) and FibroTest, 0.812 (95% CI, 0.735-0.888), for F1-2 versus F3-4; ARFI LSM, 0.831 (95% CI, 0.723-0.939) and FibroTest, 0.757 (95% CI, 0.648-0.865), for F1-3 versus F4. After adjusting for other demographic and biological covariates, biochemical and histological necroinflammatory factors consistently explained LSM. Factors included serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/upper limit of normal (ULN) categories (model R2 = 0.661, adjusted R2 = 0.629), ActiTest A scores (R2 = 0.662, adjusted R2 = 0.636), and METAVIR activity (A) grades (R2 = 0.651, adjusted R2 = 0.620). METAVIR F stages, body mass index, and platelet count were also independently associated with LSM. Necroinflammatory degrees, including ALT/ULN, ActiTest A scores, and METAVIR A grades, explained the false positivity of liver fibrosis staging using ARFI LSM. Conclusions: The degree of hepatic necroinflammatory activity independently and significantly exaggerated liver fibrosis evaluation using ARFI LSM. However, comparisons with concurrent FibroTest indicate that ARFI LSM may be a promising alternative, or adjunctive single indicator, for liver fibrosis evaluation in patients with CHC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we investigated the preferences of blog readers for the purpose of designing effective blog marketing campaigns. We surveyed 965 customers who have searched for product information via blogs before consuming, and used structural equation modeling to analyze the data. The results showed that the convenience provided by blogs is an important reason for consumers to use the medium for product research. Blog marketing elements were also analyzed in terms of interactional sharing, novelty, and professional characteristics. It was found that interactional sharing most affects consumers’ intention to purchase. Additionally, for those who use blogs as a way to search for different types of products, degree of expertise is also an important factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huang K-H, Chiou S-H, Chow K-C, Lin T-Y, Chang H-W, Chiang I-P & Lee M-C (2010) Histopathology 57, 384-394 Overexpression of aldo-keto reductase 1C2 is associated with disease progression in patients with prostatic cancer Aims: Prostatic cancer is resistant to chemotherapy. Expression of aldo-keto reductase 1C (AKR1C) has been associated with drug resistance and disease progression in several cancers. The aim was to investigate the relationship between AKR1C expression and disease progression in prostatic cancer. Methods and results: From January 1996 to December 2005, 86 pathological samples were collected from patients with prostatic cancer. A tissue microarray containing 31 prostatic cancers from American patients was used for comparison between Chinese and American patients. Using immunohistochemistry, aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C2 (AKR1C2) expression was assessed in tissue sections. The AKR1C2 was determined by two-dimensional immunoblotting and DNA sequencing of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction products. The relationship between AKR1C2 expression and clinicopathological variables was statistically analysed. In vitro, the association between AKR1C2 expression and drug resistance was investigated in androgen-sensitive and androgen-insensitive prostatic cancer cells. DNA sequencing and two-dimensional immunoblotting showed that prostatic cancer expressed AKR1C2. It was overexpressed in 77 of 86 (89.5%) Chinese and in 28 of 31 (90.3%) American samples. No difference was found in AKR1C2 expression between Chinese and American prostatic cancer patients. In vitro, increased expression of AKR1C2 and prostaglandin F2α correlated with cytoprotection against anticancer drugs and lycopene. Conclusion: Overexpression of AKR1C2 is associated with disease progression in prostatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses how Web users differ in their online information behavioural patterns from the angle of their behavioural concentration. From the empirical findings, an obvious behavioural pattern emerges that distinguishes heavy users from light users. Web users who visited more sites and made more page-views from these sites are more likely to concentrate most of their online activities on a small set of core, anchoring Web sites. On the contrary, light Web users who visited a limited number of sites and downloaded fewer web pages are found to distribute their online activities more equally among the small scope of sites visited.

Background The molecular and functional basis of allergen-induced inflammation seen in atopic dermatitis (AD) remains undefined. Objective The objective of this study is to establish a murine model to dissect the pathological mechanisms of inflammatory reactions leading to the development of AD. Methods An inbred strain of mice. BALB/c, when injected peritoneally with 30 µg of recombinant Sj26 protein (rSj26). a glutathione S-transferase of Schistosoma japonicum worm, developed systematic dermatitis 21 days after immunization. The pathology of the dermatitis was examined by histological evaluation and immunostaining. The immediate skin hypersensitivity was demonstrated by scrum transfer and skin test. Epicutaneous patch test was used to demonstrate the antigen-specific late phase response. Results Significant responses of rSj26-specific IgE were detected 2 weeks after immunization., and such changes paralleled formation of skin lesions. The diseased skin pathology showed inflammatory changes such as infiltration of mononuclear cells and eosinophils in the dermis and mild spongiosis in the epidermis. Numerous IgE bearing cells were also detected in the dermis. Peripheral blood showed eosinophilia at the same time. In addition, rSj26-specific positive skin test and epicutaneous patch test could be demonstrated in rSj26-sensitized mice. Conclusions These results suggest that rSj26 is capable of eliciting atopic dermatitis-like lesions in BALB/c mice. This can be a useful animal model for elucidating allergen-induced immune responses and the development of various therapeutic interventions of atopic dermatitis in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor about a patient diagnosed with acute cholecystitis is presented.

Focal myositis is a benign pseudotumor of skeletal muscle that usually occurs in the soft tissue of the extremities. Clinically, it grows rapidly but usually regresses spontaneously and is often misdiagnosed as a malignancy. We report a case of focal myositis occurring in the upper esophagus and presenting as a rapidly growing submucosal tumor with severe esophageal stenosis and dysphagia. It was misdiagnosed preoperatively as esophageal malignancy. Histologically, it was characterized by the presence of various-sized skeletal muscle fibers with interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. The pathological pictures are identical to polymyositis or dermatomyositis, but the stenosis was relieved after operation without recurrence, and levels of the polymyositis-associated autoantibodies and serum enzymes were not elevated. Therefore, clinical and histological information is needed to make a correct diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AAA domain-containing 3A (ATAD3A) is a member of the AAA-ATPase family. Three forms of ATAD3 have been identified: ATAD3A, ATAD3B and ATAD3C. In this study, we examined the type and expression of ATAD3 in lung adenocarcinoma (LADC). Expression of ATAD3A was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry and confocal immunofluorescent microscopy. Our results show that ATAD3A is the major form expressed in LADC. Silencing of ATAD3A expression increased mitochondrial fragmentation and cisplatin sensitivity. Serum deprivation increased ATAD3A expression and drug resistance. These results suggest that ATAD3A could be an anti-apoptotic marker in LADC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]