Digital Commons Network^™

Bridging The Gap: From Early Recognition To Timely Referral For Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices Infections, M Rizwan Sohail, Sarwat Khalil, Molly L Paras, Christopher B Granger, Andrew Uehlin, Yu-Rong Gao, Zerelda Esquer Garrigos

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

An increasing number of patients are living with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). When a patient with a CIED is hospitalized with concern for infection or positive blood cultures from any source, recognizing and managing a possible CIED infection is critical due to its significant morbidity and mortality risk. Internists are often the first to evaluate these patients and must consider the possibility of an underlying device infection. Gram-positive bacteremia carries a high risk of CIED infection, often necessitating cardiac imaging. In contrast, hematogenous seeding with gram-negative bacteremia is infrequent. Patients with clinical or imaging evidence of device infection should …

Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated Activation Mediates Transforming Growth Factor Beta Signaling In Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury In Mice, Matthew Mcmillin, Christopher S Chu, Elaina Williams, Juliet Venter, Kiersten Bell, Anca D Petrescu, Patrick Mireles, Sharon Demorrow

Faculty and Staff Publications

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is associated with increased transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) signaling and elevated oxidative stress, which exacerbate DNA damage. TGFβ1 has been shown to regulate ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) signaling and DNA repair in other cell types. This study investigates the DNA damage response (DDR) during APAP-induced liver injury, focusing on ATM-mediated regulation of TGFβ1 signaling. APAP administration in vitro and in vivo resulted in DNA damage, increased ATM signaling, accumulation of γH2AX, and activation of phosphorylated ataxia telangiectasia mutated (pATM) and phosphorylated checkpoint kinase 2 (pChk2). Pretreatment with an ATM inhibitor, KU55933, attenuated APAP-induced hepatocyte damage and …

Cross-Species Standardised Cortico-Subcortical Tractography, Stephania Assimopoulos, Shaun Warrington, Davide Folloni, Katherine Bryant, Ali-Reza Mohammadi-Nejad, Wei Tang, Saad Jbabdi, Sarah R Heilbronner, Rogier B Mars, Stamatios N Sotiropoulos

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Despite their importance for brain function, cortico-subcortical white matter tracts are under-represented in diffusion magnetic resonance imaging tractography studies. Their non-invasive mapping is more challenging and less explored compared to other major cortico-cortical bundles. We introduce a set of standardised tractography protocols for delineating tracts between the cortex and various deep subcortical structures, including the caudate, putamen, amygdala, thalamus, and hippocampus. To enable comparative studies, our protocols are designed for both human and macaque brains. We demonstrate how tractography reconstructions follow topographical principles obtained from tracers in the macaque and how these translate to humans. We show that the proposed …

Cutting Edge Developments In Bone Oncology – Highlights From The Cancer And Bone Society 2024 Annual Meeting, Deanna N Edwards, Shreya Patel, Gabriel M Pagnotti

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The 2024 Annual Conference of the Cancer and Bone Society (CABS), held jointly with the Bone Research Society at the University of Sheffield, highlighted the Society's enduring mission to advance understanding of cancer-bone interactions through collaboration, mentorship, and scientific excellence. Established from the early Cancer Induced Bone Disease meetings and re-emerging as an independent body in 2016, CABS continues to serve as a global community bridging basic, translational, and clinical research. This year's meeting featured a comprehensive scientific program spanning tumor-bone biology, therapeutic innovation, and microenvironmental regulation. Clinical sessions emphasized the evolution of bone-targeted treatments such as bisphosphonates, denosumab, and …

From Bladder To Brain: How You Know When It’S Time To Go, Anne M J Verstegen, Kara L Marshall

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

The decision to urinate relies on assessing bladder fullness and context to determine an appropriate time and place to go. Any disruption in this interoceptive process results in frequent and sometimes debilitating consequences in daily life. Recent work has uncovered key pathways and brain regions that contribute to the sense of bladder stretch and the control of urinary reflexes, but many open questions remain. Here, we review the known mechanisms that convey sensory information from the bladder to the brain and back down again, and we highlight the knowledge gaps and opportunities for better understanding this system, which will be …

A Narrative Review Of Dual Loyalty Conflicts In Custodial Settings And Implications For Community Practice, Michelle Suh, Marc David Robinson, Holland Kaplan

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Dual loyalty dilemmas are conflicts between health care professionals' obligations toward their patients and third-party interests. These conflicts are more common and starker in custodial settings, such as jails and prisons, military detention facilities, immigration detention centers, and involuntary psychiatric institutions. Despite encountering patients in custody, health care professionals (HCPs) in community settings have limited knowledge and training. In this narrative review, we examined dual loyalty conflicts faced by HCPs working in custodial settings and then applied the identified themes to community-based hospitals where HCPs care for patients in custody. We searched databases for original papers relating to patients in …

Reconstruction Of Traumatic Carotidcavernous Fistula Using A Covered Stent, Julio Calderon, Ravi Shastri, Guhanand Venkataraman, Mohadese Ahmadzade, Mohammad Ghasemi-Rad

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

A traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) is a significant neurovascular condition characterized by an abnormal connection between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus, often resulting from head trauma. This condition can lead to serious complications, necessitating effective management strategies. Endovascular treatment is the preferred approach for managing this condition. We present a case of a 23-year-old male with persistent left eye pain and redness seven months post-motor vehicle collision. Cerebral angiography confirmed a high-flow CCF with compromised intracranial flow, successfully treated with a 5 mm PK Papyrus covered stent using a novel tri-axial delivery system. This case highlights the efficacy …

A Β-Lactamase Inhibitory Protein Mutant Displays High Potency And A Broad Inhibition Profile Due To An Altered Binding Mode With Β-Lactamases, Paola Rivera, Shuo Lu, Dignite Ngango, Banumathi Sankaran, Bidadi Venkataram Prasad, Timothy Palzkill

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

β-lactamase enzymes inactivate β-lactam antibiotics, leading to drug resistance. The β-lactamase inhibitory protein (BLIP) is a naturally occurring inhibitor of β-lactamases, with inhibition constants (Ki) ranging from picomolar to micromolar values. For example, BLIP inhibits CTX-M-14 β-lactamase with a Ki of 330 nM, whereas the Ki for CTX-M-15 is 3 nM, despite CTX-M-14 and CTX-M-15 sharing 83% sequence identity. We used a genetic screen to identify a BLIP mutant, E73W, that potently inhibited CTX-M-14. Subsequent purification and testing of BLIP E73W revealed that it is a potent, broad-spectrum inhibitor of class A β-lactamases. We determined …

Unmasking Hidden Clues In Cutaneous Viral Infections: Histopathological Insights Into Keratinocytic Features Of Herpes Simplex Virus, Varicella Zoster Virus, And Molluscum Contagiosum, Tania Platero Portillo, Dilshad Dhaliwal, Sepideh Mehravaran, Megan Ketcham, Julie Wu, Nisha Ramani, Abdul Hafeez Diwan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: This case study aimed to explore primarily the keratinocytic changes of cutaneous viral infections caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), and molluscum contagiosum (MC). The focus was on identifying features and diagnostic clues in cases without typical findings.

Methods: A retrospective analysis encompassing 14 HSV/VZV cases (January 2000 to October 2023) and 22 MC cases (January 2013 to December 2015) was conducted.

Results: In HSV/VZV cases, 71% (10 of 14) exhibited distinctive histopathological features in the adjacent keratinocytes, including nucleolar enlargement and atypical features. Immunohistochemical studies in 40% of the cases (4 of 10) revealed positive …

Difficult Conversation Case: Death Notification, Charles Lei, Tiffany Moadel, Suzanne Bentley, Amrita Vempati, David Fernandez, Daniela Ortiz, Anita Rohra, Stephanie Stapleton, Hillary Moss

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Audience: This case is meant for senior emergency medicine (EM) resident physicians as a preparatory tool for the American Board of Emergency Medicine Certifying Exam. However, it is applicable for EM residents at all levels of training.

Introduction: Difficult conversations are an integral part of the practice of emergency medicine. Competent EM physicians routinely engage in challenging conversations with patients and their families (eg, delivering bad news, disclosing medical errors, providing death notifications).1 Despite their importance, communication skills are often not formally taught in residency training.2 Instead, learners frequently rely on role modeling to develop the skills necessary to navigate …

Gender Matters: A State-Of-The-Art Review Of Transcatheter Structural Interventions In Older Women Vs Men, Jing Liu, Radmila Lyubarova, Jennifer Riggs, Jina Chung, Puja Kiran Mehta, Simrat Kaur, Abdulla Al Damluji, Vasilis Babaliaros, Leslie Cho

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

With rising life expectancy, the population of older adults over the age of 65 is rapidly expanding, with women comprising the majority. Structural heart disease is common in this group, and transcatheter interventions have transformed its management. Optimal outcomes require careful consideration of sex-specific differences. This review examines transcatheter structural heart interventions in older adults with a focus on sex-based outcomes, procedural planning, and current knowledge gaps.

Vaccine Hesitancy At Nine Community Sites Across The United States, Early In Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout, Aneeka Ratnayake, Julie H Hernandez, Jessica Justman, Jason E Farley, Yael Hirsch-Moverman, Ken Ho, Stockton Mayer, Abiodun Oluyomi, Magdalena E Sobieszczyk, Shobha Swaminathan, Timothy Skalland, Jean De Dieu Tapsoba, Patricia J Kissinger

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Vaccine hesitancy has been a significant concern throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine hesitancy can be attributed to lack of confidence in vaccines, complacency about the health threat, or lack of convenience of vaccination. To date, few studies have used methods designed to include populations underrepresented in research when identifying factors associated with vaccine hesitancy.

Methods: Between January and July 2021, potential participants were recruited from community venues selected through time-location sampling in 15 defined communities in the United States. Study staff administered a questionnaire on demographics, COVID-19 behaviors and attitudes, and vaccination status or intention to consenting individuals. Vaccine …

Adenovirus Types In Us Children Hospitalized Or Seen In The Emergency Department With Acute Respiratory Illness, 2016-2019, Tess Stopczynski, Varvara Probst, Adam Gailani, Justin Z Amarin, Olla Hamdan, Haya Hayek, Laura S Stewart, Herdi K Rahman, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Jennifer E Schuster, Christopher J Harrison, Mary E Moffatt, Marian G Michaels, John V Williams, Julie A Boom, Leila C Sahni, Vasanthi Avadhanula, Mary Allen Staat, Elizabeth P Schlaudecker, Christina Quigley, Geoffrey A Weinberg, Peter G Szilagyi, Janet A Englund, Eileen J Klein, Aaron T Curns, Heidi L Moline, Ariana P Toepfer, James D Chappell, Andrew J Spieker, Natasha B Halasa

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Human adenovirus (HAdV) is a common cause of pediatric acute respiratory illness (ARI), contributing to 5-13% of cases worldwide. Clinical manifestations vary by HAdV species and type; therefore, delineating type-specific disease presentations and understanding severity of specific HAdV types' disease may help develop targeted interventions.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, prospective study within the New Vaccine Surveillance Network to characterize HAdV types. Children < 18 years old with ARI were enrolled in the emergency department or inpatient setting at 7 US children's hospitals from 1 December 2016 to 30 November 2019. Respiratory specimens were collected and tested for HAdV and other viruses. Subsequently, typing was conducted on HAdV specimens using single-plex real-time PCR assays targeting sequences in the hexon gene. Comparisons between HAdV types were performed to determine differences in characteristics and outcomes. Generalized linear mixed effects models were used to evaluate severity.

Results: Among the 1843 HAdV-positive cases, 1402 specimens (76%) were typed. The most common types detected were HAdV-C1 (n = 439), HAdV-C2 (n = 393), and HAdV-B3 (n = 221). Children with HAdV-B7 (n = 78) …

Bypassing Cisplatin Resistance In Nrf2 Hyperactivated Head And Neck Cancer Through Effective Pi3kinase Targeting, Pedram Yadollahi, Kelli A Mccord, Yang Li, Hussam Dayoub, Kalil Saab, Fonma Essien, Sean Hyslop, Emerald Kan, Kazi M Ahmed, Parker R Kirby, Vasanta Putluri, Chandra Shekar R Ambati, Karthik Reddy Kami Reddy, Patricia Castro, Heath D Skinner, Cristian Coarfa, William K Decker, Abdullah A Osman, Rutulkumar Patel, Jeffrey N Myers, Stephen Y Lai, Nagireddy Putluri, Faye M Johnson, Mitchell J Frederick, William H Hudson, Vlad C Sandulache

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: For patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), failure of definitive radiation combined with cisplatin nearly universally results in death. Although hyperactivation of the Nrf2 pathway can drive radiation and cisplatin resistance along with suppressed anti-tumor immunity, treatment-refractory HNSCC tumors may retain sensitivity to targeted agents secondary to synergistic lethality with other oncogenic drivers (e.g., NOTCH1 mutations).

Methods: Using state of the science mechanistic, metabolomic and spatial transcriptomic approaches combined with preclinical models of HNSCC, we tested whether a novel PI3K inhibitor, gedatolisib, can bypass hyperactivation of the Nrf2 pathway.

Results: The PI3K pathway is activated in …

Exploration Of Zileuton Protective Mechanisms Against Vancomycin-Associated Nephrotoxicity, Cole S Hudson, James E Smith, Rongjin Sun, Linh T Vuong, Luan D Truong, David Sheikh-Hamad, Masayuki Nigo, Ming Hu, Vincent H Tam

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Vancomycin is one of the most commonly used parenteral antibiotics for treating drug-resistant bacterial infections, however, it is hindered by nephrotoxicity. We previously demonstrated that zileuton could delay the onset of vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity in rats. Here, we sought to understand the mechanism(s) of zileuton renal protection. Sprague-Dawley rats were administered vancomycin (200 mg/kg) and zileuton (1 and 4 mg/kg) daily for 10 days. After 3 days, kidneys were collected from select animals for histopathological analysis of renal injury. Single-dose vancomycin serum pharmacokinetics and renal tissue spatial distribution with adjuvant zileuton were evaluated. In vitro, proximal tubular cells were exposed …

Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Pediatric Autoimmune Encephalitis: A Systematic Review, Jennifer H Yang, Kristen S Fisher, Julia Dumcum, Sophie Zacharek, Alexandra B Kornbluh, Kelsey Poisson, Mary C Karalius, Leigh Sepeta

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: Health disparities and social determinants of health are increasingly recognized as important predictors for clinical outcomes in autoimmune disease. However, this is poorly studied in pediatric autoimmune encephalitis (AE).

Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Searches included Medline (Pubmed), EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from inception years to October 4, 2024. Inclusion criteria were: 1) Patients diagnosed with AE ≤ 18 years old; 2) any report of race and/or ethnicity, 3) report of specific diagnostics and disease outcomes, 4) observational cohort studies, epidemiological studies or case series/ cohort studies of n ≥ …

A Transdiagnostic, Multi-Modal Approach To Understanding Apathy: Methodological And Analytical Framework, Yunglin Gazes, Hideo Suzuki, Lee-Anne Morris, Seonjoo Lee, Zekai Jin, Edward D Huey, Bryan B Chen, Campbell Le Heron, Sarah R Heibronner, Nora Vanegas-Arroyave

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Apathy is characterized by loss of motivation and manifests as a reduction of goal-directed behavior. Apathy is highly prevalent across neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD), and is an important contributor to the disability and reduce quality of life in these conditions. The treatment of apathy remains challenging due to a lack of specific therapies, largely attributed to an incomplete understanding of its cognitive and neuroanatomical underpinnings, crucial for developing targeted interventions. Apathy can be mechanistically studied through effort-based decision-making (EBDM) paradigms, where individuals choose between low- and high-effort tasks for varying reward magnitudes. Anatomically, apathy …

Reply To Chaïbi And Tandjaoui-Lambiotte And To Young And Scott, Joan B Soriano, Francesca Polverino

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Modeling Reemergence Of Vaccine-Eliminated Infectious Diseases Under Declining Vaccination In The United States, Mathew V Kiang, Kate M Bubar, Yvonne Maldonado, Peter J Hotez, Nathan C Lo

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

(Abstracted from JAMA 2025;333(24):2176-2187) The development of childhood vaccine protocols has led to the elimination of many infectious diseases from the United States, including measles, rubella, diphtheria, and polio, by maintaining herd immunity. In recent years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination rates have declined due to policy changes, misinformation, distrust, and broader societal shifts.

Emerging Tick-Borne Disease Risk In An Urban Center Of Harris County, Texas, Alisa Nelson, Michelle Downey, Maya Murry, Brianna Weber, Erik Aguirre, Richard Scott Mccrea, Jerrod Mims, Max Vigilant, Courtney Standlee, Kristy O Murray, Alex Kneubehl, Eric L Brown, Heather T Essigmann, Sarah M Gunter

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Tick-borne diseases are an endemic and emerging public health concern in the United States. Ongoing tick range expansion, invasive species, and newly identified pathogens are rapidly altering disease epidemiology. Surveillance is critical to understanding vector ecology and disease risk. Harris County, Texas, with nearly five million residents and diverse ecological zones, offers a unique setting to study local tick dynamics.

Methods: From January 2021 to December 2022, we conducted weekly tick surveillance across 63 sites in Harris County (City of Houston), Texas. Ticks were morphologically identified and tested for Rickettsia, Borrelia, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma via real-time PCR. Samples positive …

Abca4-Mutant Human Retinal Organoids Sequencing Reveals Organoids Application In Inherited Retinal Diseases, Yourong Bao, Sujung Soh, Jean Li, Zhen Zuo, Salma Ferdous, Xinye Qian, Jin Li, Jiaxiong Lu, Xuesen Cheng, Anna Matynia, Yumei Li, Rui Chen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

In the studies of Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs), the knockout of traditional animal models like mice often fails to accurately replicate human phenotypes due to genetic and anatomical differences. Human retinal organoids (ROs) derived from stem cells have emerged as promising developmental models in retinal studies to delineate cell growth, but their ability to represent the characteristics of late-onset IRDs remains unclear. This study aims to validate ROs as a disease model for Stargardt's Disease (STGD) caused by ABCA4 mutations. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, ROs from 2 STGD patients were compared with healthy control-derived ROs at two developmental stages on …

Group Concept Mapping To Develop A Salon-Based Hpv Self-Collection Intervention, Kelly N B Palmer, Namoonga M Mantina, Adebola Adegboyega, Itunu O Sokale, Kathleen Pryor, Azaria Suero-Davis, Trevon Brooks, Jennifer Hatcher

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Black women in the US face higher cervical cancer mortality rates due to delayed diagnoses linked to lower screening rates. Contributing factors include provider bias, costs, and limited access, particularly affecting women aged 40-64. While innovative approaches like clinical and home-based HPV self-collection exist, equitable dissemination remains challenging. Distributing HPV self-collection kits in unconventional sites like hair salons may offer a solution. Using concept mapping, we gathered community insights to design a salon-based cervical cancer screening intervention.

Methods: We employed groupwisdom™ and REDCap platforms for community-based participatory intervention development. Participants included members of the Black Community Advisory Council of …

Method For Generation And Ex Vivo Expansion Of Genetically Edited Mouse Tregs, Yosef Gilad, Adam M Dean, Yan Xia, Sang Jun Han, David M Lonard, Bert W O'Malley

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a crucial role in the immune system, and their dysfunction can lead to the development of autoimmune conditions. In cancer, tumors frequently hijack the immunosuppressive function of Tregs to evade immune responses. Due to their central role in key pathological processes, Tregs have gained increasing attention as promising targets for various clinical applications. However, their relative scarcity (∼5% to 10% of CD4+ T cells) and instability presents a technical challenge for research and therapeutic development. In congenic animal models used to investigate autologous cell transfer-based therapies, this challenge is even greater, as Treg donor animals …

Rbm8a Deficiency Causes Hematopoietic Defects By Modulating Wnt/Pcp Signaling, Agnese Kocere, Elena Chiavacci, Charlotte Soneson, Seth T Jacobson, Emma N Harrison, Kevin Manuel Méndez-Acevedo, Jacalyn S Macgowan, Harrison H Wells, Max S Hiltabidle, Azhwar Raghunath, Jordan A Shavit, Daniela Panáková, Margot L K Williams, Mark D Robinson, Christian Mosimann, Alexa Burger

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Thrombocytopenia-Absent Radius (TAR) syndrome is a rare congenital condition with reduced platelets, forelimb anomalies, and variable heart and kidney defects. TAR syndrome is caused by mutations in RBM8A/Y14, a component of the exon junction complex. How perturbing a general mRNA-processing factor causes the selective TAR Syndrome phenotypes remains unknown. Here, we connect zebrafish rbm8a perturbation to early hematopoietic defects via attenuated non-canonical Wnt/Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) signaling. In hypomorphic rbm8a zebrafish, we observe a reduction of cd41-positive thrombocytes. rbm8a-mutant zebrafish accumulate mRNAs with retained introns, including non-canonical Wnt/PCP pathway components resulting in convergent extension defects. We found that reduced rbm8a …

Genetic Variations In Extracellular Matrix Degradation Pathways Linking To Major Depressive Disorder: Evidence From A Large-Scale Genetic Association Study, Halliru Zailani, Daniel Tzu-Li Chen, Sheng-Che Lin, Jia-Hau Lee, Mei-Ling Li, Jane Pei-Chen Chang, Kuan-Pin Su

BioMedicine

Dysregulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation pathways has been increasingly implicated in major depressive disorder (MDD), yet its genetic basis remains unclear. This study investigated the relationship between ECM-related genetic polymorphisms and MDD susceptibility. In a case-control study, we analyzed 317 MDD patients and 1,268 sexmatched controls from the Taiwan Biobank (TWB). Genomic DNA was analyzed using the Affymetrix TWB array, targeting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 140 ECM degradation genes (Reactome database). Full-model association tests identified significant SNPs, validated with 5,000 max(T) permutations and adjusted via logistic regression for age, body mass index, education level, and marital status. We …

Neuroprotection Of Paeoniflorin As Antidepressant Candidate, Yuh-Fung Chen, Yi-Jui Chen, Jai-Sing Yang, Min-Min Lee, Huei-Yann Tsai

BioMedicine

Background: Depression is one of the common mental disorders worldwide, and currently used antidepressants have undesirable effects; therefore, the development of new antidepressants without side effects is urgently needed. Paeoniflorin (PF) exhibits various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. NMDA receptors in the hippocampus play a vital role in the pathophysiology of depression. Due to the scarcity of reports on the neuroprotection of PF on NMDA-induced excitotoxicity in the hippocampus, the present study aims to investigate the effects of PF on NMDA-mediated EPSP and calcium influx in the hippocampus to evaluate the potential of PF as an antidepressant. …

Prophylactic Effect Of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Monotherapy In Preventing Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Ikbal Andrian Malau, Cheng-Ho Chang, Wei-Jen Chen, Wen-Chun Liu, Halliru Zailani, Hsien-Feng Liao, Jane Pei-Chen Chang, Wei-Che Chiu, Kuan-Pin Su

BioMedicine

Background: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have demonstrated efficacy as adjunctive treatment for MDD. In fact, fewer studies assessed the prophylactic properties of n-3 PUFAs as monotherapy on the recurrence of MDD.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the prophylactic effect of n-3 PUFAs monotherapy against recurrent MDD.

Methods: We conducted a 6-month randomized controlled trial to assess the prophylactic effect of n-3 in preventing recurrent MDD. We assigned 60 remitted MDD patients to the n-3 group (n = 30) and placebo (n = 30). Furthermore, we assessed the difference in depression severity and MDD recurrence based on the …

Tai Chi For Cardiovascular Wellness: Integrating An Ancient Practice Into Modern Therapeutic Approaches, Chun-Han Cheng, Wen-Rui Hao, Huan-Yuan Chen, Po-Yuan Chen, Ju-Chi Liu, Tzu-Hurng Cheng

BioMedicine

Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese martial art characterized by gentle, fluid movements and deep breathing, has gained increasing recognition for its cardiovascular health benefits. This study investigated the integration of Tai Chi into contemporary cardiovascular health practices, focusing on its physiological and psychological effects. The slow, controlled movements characteristic of Tai Chi contribute to enhanced cardiovascular fitness, decreased blood pressure, and improved vascular function, while simultaneously alleviating stress and fostering emotional well-being. Through a review of clinical studies and trials, this study underscores the efficacy of Tai Chi in cardiovascular rehabilitation programs and its accessibility as a community-based intervention. Additionally, …

Circadian Rhythms And Neuroendocrine Dysregulation In Adhd: Therapeutic Insights From Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Ayesha Zafar Iqbal, Patricia Marest Suwindi, Sunny Yin-Shan Chen, Lindsay Liang-Tien Cho, Kuan-Pin Su, Jane Pei-Chen Chang

BioMedicine

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition often accompanied by circadian rhythm disturbances, particularly delayed sleep phase. These involve superchiasmatic nucleus (SCN) dysregulation, altered melatonin secretion, and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity, which may be exacerbated by artificial light exposure. Genetic studies further implicate circadian mechanisms, linking ADHD with polymorphisms in clock genes such as PER and CLOCK.

Nutraceuticals, particularly omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), have been proposed as modulators of circadian rhythms. N-3 PUFAs are essential for brain health and may influence melatonin synthesis and sleep–wake regulation. Preclinical and clinical findings suggest that supplementation can improve cognitive …

The Integrative Role Of Melatonin In Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review Of Evidence From Circadian Biology, Lifestyle Medicine, And Psychoneuroimmunology, Ho Bao Chau Le, Kollawat Somsri, Thansita Bhunyakarnjanarat, Nattiya Hirankarn, Asada Leelahavanichkul

BioMedicine

Melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland, is known for regulating circadian rhythms and has emerging therapeutic potential in psychiatric disorders. This systematic review examines evidence from clinical and preclinical studies to assess melatonin’s efficacy in the following conditions: depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Beyond its role in circadian regulation, melatonin exhibits antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, which intersect with nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and psychoneuroimmunology (PNI).

The review finds that melatonin improves sleep quality, restores circadian balance, and modulates stress-related neuroimmune pathways. It also supports neuroplasticity and reduces oxidative stress, contributing to resilience against psychosocial and environmental stressors. …