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Background The use of virtual simulation methods in nursing education offers potential advantages for students to experience and learn in a safe and realistic environment by acquiring skills and attitudes to prepare for clinical experiences. Objective The study's aim was to test the hypothesis that nursing students who used a mobile learning app would have significantly (1) higher levels of knowledge about medication administration and nasotracheal suctioning, (2) better development of skill performances on medication administration and nasotracheal suctioning, (3) higher satisfaction, and (4) lower cognitive load than a control group. Design A randomized experimental study with pretest and posttest design. Settings and participants One hundred nursing students were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group at a Southern Taiwan university's school of nursing. Methods The experimental group received the virtual simulation-based mobile learning app and the control group used traditional paper materials. Participants were assessed on knowledge before and after the intervention. Skill performance and intrinsic and extraneous cognitive load were measured after the intervention. Results The experimental group who used the mobile app had significantly higher knowledge scores, significantly lower intrinsic and extraneous cognitive load, better skill performance, and higher satisfaction than the control group. Conclusions The implementation of a mobile app for simulation learning had a positive impact on nursing students’ knowledge and skill performances as well as the reduction of learning cognitive loading. Nurse educators and researchers should collaborate in developing virtual learning resources to support clinical nursing education. Tweetable abstract: The mobile app for learning achieved higher knowledge and satisfaction scores, demonstrated better skill performance without increasing cognitive load.

There have been no reports on the association of hyperthyroidism with hyperlipidemia in patients undergoing treatment especially in Asia. To determine the association between hyperthyroidism and the risk of hyperlipidemia in patients, we conducted a retrospective cohort study using Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID) from Taiwan, R.O.C. We also evaluate the influence of 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (MMI) on hepatic genes to explain changes in blood lipid levels in a hepatic cell line model. The cohort study involved 13,667 patients with hyperthyroidism, and the corresponding comparison cohort had four times as many patients. Using Kaplan-Meier analysis method, the results showed that, compared to patients without hyperthyroidism, the overall incidence of hyperlipidemia was significantly higher in the hyperthyroidism patients (18.7 vs. 11.8 cases/1,000 persons-years; adjusted HR 1.5; 95% CI, 1.41-1.59). With only PTU or MMI/carbimazole (CBM) treatment, patients with hyperthyroidism showed a 1.78-fold (95% CI, 1.50-2.11) and 1.43-fold (95% CI, 1.27-1.60) higher risk of hyperlipidemia than those without hyperthyroidism, respectively. Additionally, hyperthyroidism patients that received surgery only or surgery with I131 therapy tended to have a higher risk of hyperlipidemia. Although PTU and MMI treatment decreased the expression levels of genes responsible for circulating remnant lipoproteins, they increased the levels of lipogenic gene expression in hepatic cells. Thus, treatment of hyperthyroid patients with anti-thyroid drugs (ATDs), I131, or surgery is likely to induce hyperlipidemia. ATDs downregulate the expression of genes involved in lipoproteins clearance; increases lipogenic genes expression, which may partly contribute to abnormal blood lipid profiles.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a very common liver disease, and its incidence has significantly increased worldwide. The liver X receptor α (LXRα) is a multifunctional nuclear receptor that controls lipid homeostasis. Inhibition of LXRα transactivation may be beneficial for NAFLD and hyperlipidemia treatment. Ursolic acid (UA) is a plant triterpenoid with many beneficial effects; however, the mechanism of its action on LXRα remains elusive. We evaluated the effects of UA on T0901317 (T090)-induced LXRα activation and steatosis. UA significantly decreased the LXR response element and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c ( SREBP-1c) gene promoter activities, mRNA, protein expression of LXRα target genes, and hepatic cellular lipid content in a T090-induced mouse model. A molecular docking study indicated that UA bound competitively with T090 at the LXRα ligand binding domain. UA stimulated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in hepatic cells and increased corepressor, small heterodimer partner-interacting leucine zipper protein (SMILE) but decreased coactivator, steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1) recruitment to the SREBP-1c promoter region. In contrast, UA induced SRC-1 binding but decreased SMILE binding to reverse cholesterol transport-related gene promoters in intestinal cells, increasing lipid excretion from intestinal cells. Additionally, UA reduced valproate-induced LXRα mediated and rifampin-induced pregnane X receptor mediated lipogenesis, offering potential treatments for drug-induced hepatic steatosis. Thus, UA displays liver specificity and can be selectively repressed while RCT stimulation by LXRα is preserved and enhanced. This is a novel therapeutic option to treat NAFLD and may be helpful in developing LXR agonists to prevent atherosclerosis.

Liver X receptor α (LXRα) controls important biological and pathophysiological processes such as lipid homeostasis. Inhibiting LXRα transactivation may beneficial in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is one of the main causes of liver diseases and hyperlipidemia. Oleanolic acid (OA) is a naturally occurring triterpenoid found in many plants. It has several beneficial effects on biological pathways; however, the mechanisms underlying its effects on LXRα are unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of OA on T0901317-induced LXRα activation and explored whether OA can attenuate hepatic lipogenesis. The results showed that OA significantly decreased the promoter activities of LXR response element and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c). It also decreased the mRNA and protein expression of LXRα target genes. These resulted in reduced hepatocellular lipid content. Our results also revealed that the overall binding pose of OA is similar to the X-ray pose of T0901317. Furthermore, OA stimulated AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in hepatic cells. Additionally, it increased small heterodimer partner-interacting leucine zipper protein (SMILE) but decreased steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1) recruitment to the SREBP-1c promoter region. OA also enhanced LXRα-mediated induction of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT)-related gene, ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABC) A1, and ABCG1 expression in intestinal cells. It was found that OA increased the binding of SRC-1 but decreased SMILE recruitment to the ABCG1 gene promoter region. Furthermore, it reduced valproate- and rifampin-induced LXRα- and pregnane X receptor-mediated lipogenesis, respectively, which indicates its potential benefit in treating drug-induced hepatic steatosis. The results also show that OA is liver-specific and can be selectively repressed of lipogenesis. Moreover, it preserves and enhances LXRα-induced RCT stimulation. The results show that OA may be a promising treatment for NAFLD. Additionally, it can be used in the development of LXRα agonists to prevent atherosclerosis.

Background Interactions between transcriptional inducers of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes and therapeutic drugs may be prevented by antagonizing the activation of a nuclear receptor (NR), pregnane X receptor (PXR, NR1I2), thus improving therapeutic efficacy. Purpose In the present study, we aim to identify that ursolic acid (UA), a widely distributed pentacyclic triterpene, may act as an effective antagonist of PXR and its sister NR receptor, constitutive androstane receptor (CAR, NR1I3). Methods The hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2, was used to evaluate the promoter activity of PXR and CAR target genes, CYP3A4 and CYP2B6, respectively. Catalytic activities, mRNA, and protein expression of CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 were evaluated in a differentiated HepaRG cell line. Coregulation of PXR with coregulators on CYP3A4 promoter response elements was also been characterized. Results Transient transfection assays showed that UA effectively attenuated CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 promoter activities mediated by rifampin (RIF, human PXR agonist) and CITCO (human CAR agonist). These inhibitory effects were well correlated with the expression and catalytic activities of CYP3A4 and CYP2B6. Furthermore, the interaction of co-regulators with PXR and the transcriptional complexes in the CYP3A4 promoter activity and CYP3A4 promoter xenobiotic response element (everted repeat 6, ER6), respectively, were disrupted in the presence of UA. UA showed an antagonistic effect against PXR, and reversed the cytotoxic effects of isoniazid (INH) induced by RIF. Taken together, these results show that UA inhibits the transactivation effects of PXR and CAR, and reduces the expression and function of CYP3A4 and CYP2B6. Conclusion The present study suggests that UA could be a powerful agent for reducing potentially dangerous interactions between transcriptional inducers of CYP enzymes and therapeutic drugs.

Objectives This study aimed to develop and validate scales to assess attitudes towards patient’ s use of TCM (APUTCM) and to measure a communicative competence in TCM (CCTCM) among nurses. Methods The instrument development process was conducted from Sep 2013 to Jul 2014, using the following steps: 1) item development; 2) internal review and refinement; 3) face and content validation; 4) instrument administration to a development sample; and 5) evaluation of validity and reliability. A convenience sample was used to recruit registered and advanced practice nurses who worked in different regions throughout Taiwan. A total of 755 respondents completed the online questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using the software of SPSS Version 21.0 and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) version 24.0. Results The scale-level indexes (S-CVI) of content validity for both scales were over 80%. The reliabilities for the 13-item APUTCM scale and for the five-item CCTCM scale were 0.88 and 0.84, respectively. The model suitability for both scales was assessed, and the findings revealed suitable parameters for all indicators: GFI = 0.954, AGFI = 0.932, CFI = 0.959, RMSEA = 0.62, and chi-square/df = 3.891 for APUTCM; and GFI = 0.992, AGFI = 0.969, CFI = 0.992, RMSEA = 0.63, and chi-square/df = 4.04 for CCTCM. The convergent and divergent validity of scores on both scales provided evidence in the expected direction. Conclusion This scale development study provides preliminary evidence that suggests that the 13-item APUTCM and the five-item CCTCM are reliable and valid scales for assessing attitudes toward patient’s TCM use and communicative competence in TCM.

Liver X receptor (LXR) is a nuclear receptor that regulates various biological processes, including de novo lipogenesis, cholesterol metabolism, and inflammation. Selective inhibition of LXR may aid the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Sesamin is a naturally occurring lignan in many dietary plants and has a wide range of beneficial effects on metabolism. The mechanism underlying sesamin action especially on the regulation of LXR remains elusive. Reporter assays, mRNA and protein expression, and in silico modeling were used to identify sesamin as an antagonist of LXRα. Sesamin was applied to the hepatic HepaRG and intestinal LS174T cells and showed that it markedly ameliorated lipid accumulation in the HepaRG cells, by reducing LXRα transactivation, inhibiting the expression of downstream target genes. This effect was associated with the stimulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, followed by decreased T0901317-LXRα-induced expression of SREBP-1c and its downstream target genes. Mechanistically, sesamin reduced the recruitment of SRC-1 but enhanced that of SMILE to the SREBP-1c promoter region under T0901317 treatment. It regulated the transcriptional control exerted by LXRα by influencing its interaction with coregulators and thus decreased mRNA and protein levels of genes downstream of LXRα and reduced lipid accumulation in hepatic cells. Additionally, sesamin reduced valproate- and rifampin-induced LXRα and pregnane X receptor (PXR) transactivation. This was associated with reduced expression of target genes and decreased lipid accumulation. Thus, sesamin is an antagonist of LXRα and PXR and suggests that it may alleviate drug-induced lipogenesis via the suppression of LXRα and PXR signaling.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text, Background: Athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI) often develop complications such as pain, instability, and reduced postural control and balance stability, all of which affect athletic performance. This study investigated the effects of a 4° medal wedge intervention on static and dynamic balance in athletes with CAI. Methods: The participants were 24 healthy and 25 CAI athletes. Participants received a 4° medial wedge applied at the rear foot insole and completed the experiment measurements before and after the wedge intervention. The main outcome measures included the area and path length of the center of pressure when participants performed single-leg standing balance in the closed eye condition and the dynamic balance scores of a multiple single-leg hop stabilization test. Results: The single-leg standing balance significantly improved in CAI (P = .027) and control groups (P = .005) after the medial wedge intervention. The dynamic balance scores significantly decreased from 53.00 ± 25.22 to 41.24 ± 21 48 (P = .015) in CAI group after medial wedge intervention. Conclusion: Wearing a 4° medial wedge applied at the rear foot insole improved static and dynamic balance immediately in athletes with CAI. We suggest that clinicians may provide the foot insole to improve balance deficit in athletes having CAI.

To evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile health (mHealth) application, based on self-regulation theory, on patients' knowledge of wound care, skills in changing dressings and anxiety.A prospective randomized controlled trial.Seventy patients (or family members) at a 1,500-bed university hospital in Taiwan were randomized into an experimental (N = 35) or control group (N = 35) from March to December 2016. The experimental group used a mHealth application for wound care; the control group received verbal instructions and a booklet. Instruments to collect data were a wound care knowledge scale, wound care skills scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and a digital heart variability device. Data were collected at baseline, after three additional demonstrations and before discharge. The generalized estimating equation was used for statistical analysis.The experimental group showed significantly higher levels of wound care knowledge, improved wound care skills, lower levels of state anxiety, and lower heart rate variability than the control group after baseline data collection.Results support hat a mHealth application may be effective in health education. Clinicians can use the results to promote patients' wound care knowledge, enhance their wound care skills, and reduce anxiety related to dressing changes.Lack of wound care knowledge and skills can affect the willingness and ability to perform effective wound dressing changes, producing anxiety and having an impact on a patient's self-care after hospital discharge. mHealth applications (apps) have the potential to deliver health information in targeted and tailored ways that strengthen the self-management of diseases. mHealth app can increase wound care knowledge, improve care skills, and reduce anxiety related to wound care. mHealth app effectively supports self-monitoring of the wound healing process, self-judgement of the wound condition, and self-reaction of wound care accuracy. mHealth app provides step-by-step visual tutorials on wound care that allow patients and family caregivers to take pictures of the wounds and monitor the wound healing process. mHealth app for wound care knowledge is an effective and individualized method for learning.This study was registered by U.S. National Library of Medicine, ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT03683303).目的: 基于自我调节理论,评估移动医疗(mHealth)应用程序对患者伤口护理知识、换药技能和焦虑程度的作用。 设计: 一项前瞻性随机对照试验 方法: 2016年3月至2016年12月,台湾一所拥有1,500张床位的大学附属医院的70名患者(或家属)被随机分为实验组(N = 35)或对照组(N = 35)。实验组使用移动医疗(mHealth)应用程序申请进行伤口护理;对照组收到口头指示和小册子。数据采集工具包括伤口护理知识量表、伤口护理技能量表、状态特质焦虑问卷和数字式心率变异装置。数据收集时间点是治疗前的基础值、三次额外演示后和出院前。采用广义估计方程进行统计分析。 结果: 在进行基础数据收集之后,实验组的伤口护理知识水平、伤口护理技能改善情况、状态特质焦虑水平和心率变异性均显著高于对照组。 结论: 研究结果支持移动医疗(mHealth)应用程序在健康教育中的有效性。临床医生可利用这些结果来加强患者的伤口护理知识,提高他们的伤口护理技能,降低与换药相关的焦虑。 影响: 缺乏伤口护理知识和技能会影响患者进行有效伤口换药的意愿和能力,使患者产生焦虑,并影响患者出院后的自我护理。移动医疗(mHealth)应用程序(apps)有可能提供具有针对性的定制化健康信息,从而加强患者对疾病的自我管理。移动医疗(mHealth)应用程序可以增加患者的伤口护理知识,提高护理技能,降低与伤口护理相关的焦虑。移动医疗(mHealth)应用程序可有效支持伤口愈合过程的自我监控、伤口状况的自我判断以及伤口护理准确性的自我反应。移动医疗(mHealth)应用程序可提供有关伤口护理的分步式可视化教程,允许患者和家庭护理提供者拍摄伤口照片并监控伤口愈合过程。移动医疗(mHealth)伤口护理知识应用程序是一种有效的个性化学习方法。 临床试验: 该研究在美国国立医学图书馆ClinicalTrials.gov注册(编号:NCT03683303)。.

Alteration of elbow range of motion (ROM) has been observed in baseball pitchers. This study aims to compare dominant elbow ROM between early-puberty, late-puberty, and young-adult pitchers.We recruited 62 pitchers, consisting of 17 early-puberty (mean age 13.1 years old), 22 late-puberty (mean age 17.7 years old), and 23 young-adult players (mean age 19.4 years old). Dominant elbow ROMs was measured. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the differences in elbow ROM variables between 3 groups.Late-puberty pitchers exhibited a significantly lower elbow hyperextension and flexion than early-puberty or young-adult pitchers (P .05). Valgus angle was significantly lower in young-adult (7.7°±5.5°) versus early-puberty (12.1°±2.3°) and late-puberty pitchers (13.0°±4.1°; P .05). Young-adult pitchers had the largest forearm supination range (101.2°±18.1°), followed by early-puberty (82.5°±6.5°; P .05) and late-puberty pitchers (70.6°±15.8°). Elbow flexion-hyperextension total range was smallest in late-puberty pitchers (130.3°±7.4°), followed by young-adult (142.6°±9.3°) and early-puberty pitchers (144.6°±8.3°; P .05). Forearm pronation-supination total range was also smallest in late-puberty pitchers (142.0°±20.3°), followed by early-puberty (159.8°±9.5°) and young-adult pitchers (177.2°±20.8°; P .05).These results indicate that careful monitoring of the elbow and forearm range of motion should be undertaken in adolescent baseball pitchers to prevent and or minimize injury risk.

This study used the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b and control region sequences to examine the population genetic structure of Microphysogobio brevirostris, an endemic cyprinid species in northern Taiwan. In total, 90 specimens were collected from six populations belonging to four major rivers. All haplotypes were identified as two major clades (Clades N and S), exhibiting a southern and a northern distribution. The results of statistical dispersal-vicariance analysis (S-DIVA) revealed that two vicariance events and one dispersal event shaped the phylogeographic pattern of M. brevirostris. These results suggest that the ancestral populations of M. brevirostris are widely distributed throughout northern Taiwan, north of the Miaoli Plateau. The ancestral populations then diverged into two clades (N and S) by the raising of the Taoyuan Plateau. Finally, two major rivers of the S clade diverged and dispersed into adjacent rivers. Besides, our results revealed that Microphysogobio alticorpus and M. brevirostris colonized Taiwan during the same ice age through different colonization routes.

Supplementing chicken feed with antibiotics can improve survival and prevent disease outbreaks. However, overuse of antibiotics may promote the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Recently, antimicrobial peptides have been proposed as alternatives to antibiotics in animal husbandry. Here, we evaluate the effects of antimicrobial peptide, Epinephelus lanceolatus piscidin (EP), in Gallus gallus domesticus. The gene encoding EP was isolated, sequenced, codon-optimized and cloned into a Pichia pastoris recombinant protein expression system. The expressed recombinant EP (rEP) was then used as a dietary supplement for G. g. domesticus; overall health, growth performance and immunity were assessed. Supernatant from rEP-expressing yeast showed in vitro antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, according to an inhibition-zone diameter (mm) assay. Moreover, the antimicrobial peptide function of rEP was temperature independent. The fermentation broth yielded a spray-dried powder formulation containing 262.9 μg EP/g powder, and LC-MS/MS (tandem MS) analysis confirmed that rEP had a molecular weight of 4279 Da, as expected for the 34-amino acid peptide; the DNA sequence of the expression vector was also validated. We then evaluated rEP as a feed additive for G. g. domesticus. Treatment groups included control, basal diet and rEP at different doses (0.75, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 and 12%). Compared to control, rEP supplementation increased G. g. domesticus weight gain, feed efficiency, IL-10 and IFN-γ production. Our results suggest that crude rEP could provide an alternative to traditional antibiotic feed additives for G. g. domesticus, serving to enhance growth and health of the animals.

Previous study has showed superior sensory organisation ability in rhythmic gymnasts, but mostly in longitudinal data. With a cross-sectional design, this study used a dual-task paradigm to examine the above phenomenon. Fifteen female rhythmic gymnasts (15.0 ± 1.8 yr.) and matched peers (15.1 ± 2.1 yr.) were recruited. The Sensory Organization Test (SOT) was administered with a concurrent lower-demand (serial subtraction of three, serving as the baseline) or higher-demand (serial subtraction of seven, serving as the dual-task) arithmetic task. The results showed no main effect of group, but a group by level of arithmetic task (P = 0.001) interaction effect on SOT equilibrium score. The higher-demand task facilitated balance performance in the gymnasts, but it impeded performance in the controls, with the differences more pronounced in challenging SOT conditions. With the higher-demand task, the gymnasts adopted a sensory strategy with a higher visual ratio but a smaller somatosensory ratio compared to the controls. Better visual utilisation of sensory organisation ability was apparent in gymnasts, but only when the SOT test was performed with a higher-demand secondary task. We have demonstrated the efficacy of using the dual-task paradigm to identify the superior sensory organisation ability of adolescent rhythmic gymnasts.

BACKGROUND This study was to investigate the effects of prophylactic Kinesio taping and athletic taping on the functional performance of the lower extremities in healthy collegiate players with tapes applied to the dominant leg. METHODS The study design was a prospective, randomized, clinical trial with comparison of groups. The 32 healthy collegiate players who participated in this study were randomly assigned to 2 groups, an athletic taping group and a Kinesio taping group. Active range of motion of ankle joint, ankle plantar-flexor strength, endurance, vertical jump performance, and dynamic balance were used to measure the player's functional performance of the lower extremities. These tests were conducted 2 times at 4-hour intervals before and after different tapes were applied. The repeated measures analysis of variance was used to examine the interaction in functional performance between the groups before and after the tapes applied. RESULTS The results found less limitation of range of motion in active ankle dorsiflexion and significant improvement in dynamic balance in the Kinesio taping group (F=5.150, P=0.031, F=18.766, P

Interactions between transcriptional inducers of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and pharmacological agents might decrease drug efficacy and induce side effects. Such interactions could be prevented using an antagonist of the pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR). Here, we aimed to determine the antagonistic effect of oleanolic acid (OA) on PXR and CAR. OA attenuated the promoter activities, expressions, and enzyme catalytic activities of CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 mediated by rifampin (RIF) and CITCO. Moreover, OA displayed species specificity for rodent PXR. Interaction of coregulators with PXR and transcriptional complexes on the CYP3A4 promoter was disrupted by OA. Additionally, OA reversed the cytotoxic effects of isoniazid induced by RIF. These data demonstrate that OA inhibited the transactivation of PXR and CAR, reduced the expression and function of CYP3A4 and CYP2B6, and may therefore serve as an effective agent for reducing probability adverse interactions between transcriptional inducers of CYP450 and therapeutic drugs.

Aims To investigate the effects of threshold inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in patients with stages II through IV chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax), baseline dyspnoea index (BDI), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and quality of life (QoL). Background A threshold inspiratory muscle training device provides pressure for inspiratory muscle strength, but there is limited information on the effects of threshold inspiratory muscle training starting at low pressure training. Design Randomized experimental design Methods A total of 55 patients completed this study between September 2013 and April 2014. The experimental group (n=27) was provided medical treatment and routine care, along with five sessions of threshold IMT per week (21-30 minutes per session), accompanied by a progressive increase in the pressure threshold over a period of eight weeks. The control group (n=28) was provided medical treatment and routine care only, without intervention. In the inferential analysis, p values

Objective: To illustrate the experiences and perceived benefits of healing yoga as described by patients with breast cancer participating in a healing yoga program. Methods: The qualitative research with naturalistic design was conducted after the completion of an 8 weeks healing yoga program. A total of 11 breast cancer women with adjuvant chemotherapy were interviewed using the semi-structured interview guidelines. Findings: Participants expressed their experiences of healing yoga, including transforming concern to confidence, regaining a sense of belonging, gaining experience and satisfaction, and leading the way for life, were critical in developing these benefits. The perceived benefits of participating in this program was described as positive mental support, promoted a mind-body interaction and provided benefits ascribed to social activities, leading to a reported increase in active participation in life. Conclusion: This study gives support for the positive experiences of healing yoga among patients with a breast cancer. The objective effect of the healing yoga must be examined further to guide nurses in implementing suitable health promotional strategies for breast cancer patients.

Rhythmic gymnasts specialise in dynamic balance under sensory conditions of numerous somatosensory, visual, and vestibular stimulations. This study investigated whether adolescent rhythmic gymnasts are superior to peers in Sensory Organisation test (SOT) performance, which quantifies the ability to maintain standing balance in six sensory conditions, and explored whether they plateaued faster during familiarisation with the SOT. Three and six sessions of SOTs were administered to 15 female rhythmic gymnasts (15.0 ± 1.8 years) and matched peers (15.1 ± 2.1 years), respectively. The gymnasts were superior to their peers in terms of fitness measures, and their performance was better in the SOT equilibrium score when visual information was unreliable. The SOT learning effects were shown in more challenging sensory conditions between Sessions 1 and 2 and were equivalent in both groups; however, over time, the gymnasts gained marginally significant better visual ability and relied less on visual sense when unreliable. In conclusion, adolescent rhythmic gymnasts have generally the same sensory organisation ability and learning rates as their peers. However, when visual information is unreliable, they have superior sensory organisation ability and learn faster to rely less on visual sense.

Background/Purpose This study compares heart rate variability (HRV) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) changes of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients during urodynamic study (UDS) with able-bodied controls. Methods Twenty four complete suprasacral SCI patients (12 tetraplegia and 12 paraplegia) and 12 age-matched able-bodied volunteers received BP and HRV evaluation throughout urodynamic examination. We chose seven time points during the examinations: resting, Foley catheter insertion, start of infusion, and infused volume reaching 1/4, 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 of maximal capacity. At each time point, electrocardiogram with a duration of 5 min was used for power spectral density analysis of HRV. Results Only control subjects displayed significant elevation of SBP during Foley catheter insertion compared to resting values. Both control and tetraplegic groups experienced significant elevation of SBP at maximal bladder capacity compared to resting values. Tetraplegic values were also significantly greater than the other two groups. Control subjects displayed significant elevation of low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratios during Foley catheter insertion and when approaching maximum bladder capacity. These findings were not seen in the paraplegic and tetraplegic groups. However, subgroup analysis of tetraplegic subjects with SBP elevation >50 mmHg demonstrated a similar LF/HF response to the able-bodied controls. Conclusion Tetraplegic patients experienced BP elevation but did not experience significant changes in HRV during bladder distension. This finding may imply that different neurological pathways contribute to AD reaction and HRV changes during bladder distension. However, profound AD during UDS in tetraplegic patients was associated with corresponding changes in HRV. Whether HRV monitoring would be beneficial in SCI patients presenting with significant AD, it needs further studies to elucidate.

Tilapia piscidin 3 (TP3) and tilapia piscidin 4 (TP4) are antimicrobial peptides recently isolated from Oreochromis niloticus. We previously showed that synthetic TP3 and TP4 possessed antimicrobial activities. Here, we analyzed the bactericidal abilities and immunomodulatory properties of these AMPs following the electroporation of pCMV-GFP-TP3 or pCMV-GFP-TP4 plasmid into tilapia (O. niloticus) muscle and subsequent infection with Vibrio vulnificus or Streptococcus agalactiae. Prior overexpression of TP3 or TP4 in tilapia muscle tissues efficiently reduced bacterial numbers at 24 and 48 h after V. vulnificus infection and reduced bacterial numbers at 24 h after S. agalactiae infection compared to numbers in controls expressing pCMV-GFP (EGFP). Electroporation of pCMV-EGFP-TP3 (TP3) or pCMV-EGFP-TP4 (TP4) significantly increased expression of several immune-related genes in muscle (IL-1β (12 h, TP3), IL-8 (12 h, TP3), TGFβ (3 h, TP4), and IκB (48 h, TP3, TP4)) and decreased the expression of TLR5 (12 h and 24 h, TP3) after V. vulnificus infection. Following S. agalactiae infection, expression of the following genes was significantly decreased in muscle: IL-1β (12 h, TP3), IL-8 (12 h, TP3, TP4), TLR5 (3 h-24 h, TP3, TP4), TGFβ (3 h, TP4; 24 h, TP3, TP4), and IκB (3 h, TP3). These data suggest that TP3 and TP4 exert antimicrobial effects after overexpression in the O. niloticus muscle, and also play important roles in the regulation of immune-related gene expression.

Phellinus linteus, a species of mushroom, has been shown to contribute to health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory activity and immunomodulatory efficacy. The aim of this study was to analyze the most effective constituents of P. linteus fermented broths, polysaccharides, and to evaluate their immunoregulatory effects on T cells. Four fermented broths (PL1–4) and the dialyzate medium (MD) were prepared from P. linteus mycelia, and the polysaccharide contents of each were analyzed. The P. linteus samples were tested for biological activity in the regulation of T cell activation. In T cells, the production of mitogen-induced interleukin (IL)-2 and cell cycle progression were dose-responsively inhibited by PL3 and MD, primarily through cell-cycle arrest in S phase. PL3 broth, which contained large quantities of polysaccharides, significantly decreased the ratio of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) to interleukin 4 (IL-4) in T cells. Thus, P. linteus fermented broths produced additive effects on the regulation of the Th1/Th2 balance and show promise for the development of immunomodulatory therapeutics.