<h3>Importance</h3> Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Studies have suggested that statins may reduce risk developing diabetic retinopathy. <h3>Objective</h3> To investigate association between statin therapy and development patients with diabetes dyslipidemia. <h3>Design, Setting, Participants</h3> This population-based cohort study, conducted among 37 894 Taiwanese January 1, 1998, December 31, 2013, used National Health Insurance Research...

Due to its innocuous nature, hyaluronic acid (HA) is one of the most commonly used biopolymers for ophthalmic applications. We recently developed a cell sheet delivery system using carbodiimide cross-linked HA carriers. Chemical cross-linking provides an improvement in stability polymer gels, but probably causes toxic side-effects. The aim this study was investigate ocular biocompatibility hydrogels by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) (EDC). discs without and glutaraldehyde (GTA) samples...

To investigate the distribution, current trends, and antibiotic susceptibility profiles of bacterial keratitis isolates over 10 years.We retrospectively reviewed microbiology records all corneal scrapings undertaken for cultures at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from 2003 through 2012. We identified verified susceptibilities by using disk diffusion method. The Mantel-Haenszel linear-by-linear association χ test was used to detect trends.We collected 2012 scrapings, culture positive in 992...

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been found to improve low-grade systemic and tissue inflammation; however, the association between SGLT2 inhibitor use incidence of dry eye disease (DED) has not explored.To investigate in patients with type diabetes (T2D).A retrospective cohort analysis largest multi-institutional electronic medical records database Taiwan was conducted identify T2D newly receiving or glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) from 2016 2018....

To determine the expression of differentiation and progenitor cell markers in corneal tissues that previously underwent autologous cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation (COMET).Four eyes from three alkaline-injured patients one thermally injured patient COMET to promote re-epithelialization or reconstruction. Between 10 22 months (mean, 14.2 +/- 5.5 [SD]) after COMET, were obtained penetrating keratoplasty (n = 1) limbal 3). Immunoconfocal microscopy for keratin (K)3, -12, -4,...

Transplantation of ex vivo cultured limbal epithelial cells is proven effective in restoring stem cell deficiency. The present study aimed to investigate the promoting effect Y-27632 on proliferation. Limbal explants isolated from human donor eyes were expanded three weeks culture dishes and outgrowth was subsequently subcultured for vitro experiments. In presence Y-27632, accelerated, particularly with cell-like morphology. dose-dependently promoted proliferation as examined by phase...

We assessed the incidence of hip fracture and second fractures in Taiwan from 2001 to 2012. Age-standardized rates decreased after 2005. However, mortality rate first was substantial compared a competing risk model. The aim study is assess (IRs) fractures, including changes trends medical costs, Taiwanese population. number associated costs were obtained annual report Ministry Health Welfare, Taiwan, for individuals ≥50 years age. data population at retrieved reports Interior, Taiwan....

To evaluate early retinal microvascular abnormalities in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) via optical coherence tomography angiography.A cross-sectional study. Two hundred CKD stage ≧3 were enrolled the group, and 50 age-matched healthy subjects control group. Main outcome measures differences parafoveal vessel densities superficial vascular plexus (SVP) deep (DVP) between groups.The mean ages 62.7 ± 10.1 group 61.9 9.7 (P = 0.622) The had reduced SVP (46.7 4.3 vs 49.7 2.9, P <...

To investigate the risk and protective factors of dry eye disease (DED) in patients with type II diabetes mellitus (DM).A retrospective cohort study using Chang- Gung research database collecting data from 2005 to 2020.Patients DM were included, those previous ocular diseases excluded. Ten thousand twenty nine developed DED (DED group), 142,491 didn't (non-DED group). The possible compared analyzed logistic regression model.A majority group female significantly higher initial average...

Abstract Sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) has been shown to regulate smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, and vascular maturation. S1P increases the expression of several proteins including COX‐2 in cells (VSMCs) contributes arteriosclerosis. However, mechanisms regulating by VSMCs remain unclear. Western blotting RT‐PCR analyses showed that induced mRNA protein a time‐ concentration‐dependent manner, which was attenuated inhibitors MEK1/2 (U0126) PI3K (wortmannin), transfection with...

Abstract Interleukin (IL)‐1β has been shown to induce matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 expression through mitogen‐activated protein kinases, including JNK, in rat brain astrocyte‐1 (RBA‐1) cells. However, little is known about whether JNK activated by Ca 2+ ‐dependent CaMKII associated with MMP‐9 induced IL‐1β. Here, we report that the /CaMKII/JNK/c‐Jun participates Zymographic, Western blotting, and RT‐PCR analyses showed IL‐1β‐induced of mRNA was attenuated chelator (BAPTA), inhibitors ER...

Abstract Breakdown of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is accomplished by concerted action several proteases, including urokinase plasminogen‐activator (uPA) system and metalloproteinases (MMPs), which crucial for cancer invasion metastasis. Several reports have shown that levels IL‐1β MMPs in plasma patients with lung are significantly elevated link to tumor cells. Therefore, we investigated whether IL‐1β‐induced expression uPA participated progression. In this study, induced activity via...

Purpose.: We analyzed the expression of angiogenesis-related factors in corneal tissues that had undergone previously autologous cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation (COMET). Methods.: Six eyes from four chemically- and two thermally-injured patients with limbal stem cell deficiency who received COMET to promote wound healing were studied retrospectively. Immunoconfocal microscopy was performed on specimens after COMET, as well normal corneas, conjunctiva, mucosa for keratin 8,...

The present study aimed to assess the changes in trend of osteoporosis among Taiwanese population from 2001 2011. National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) Taiwan, containing records approximately 23 million insures 2011, was analyzed. Insurees aged≧50 years with were identified either previously documented osteoporotic diagnosis or osteoporosis-related fractures according Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnostic code. prevalence increased 17.4% 25.0% 2005 and plateaued...

Curcumin-derived carbon quantum dots (Cur-CQDs) synthesized via mild pyrolysis protect against retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury by reducing inflammation, and oxidative stress, attributed to surface moieties like cinnamic acid, guaiacol.

Myopia is an increasingly prevalent visual impairment associated with severe ocular complications. Risk factors for childhood myopia include genetics, East Asian ethnicity, age, parental myopia, and various environmental factors. The relationship between vitamin D levels, outdoor activity, remains inconclusive. This study aims to investigate the correlation longitudinal serum levels in Taiwanese children. measured 25-hydroxyvitamin (25(OH)D) concentrations children from Prediction of...

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> In Taiwan, high prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) intensifies public health concerns. With the growing reliance on online resources for information, platforms like Google Trends offer a valuable method to capture interest. This approach also allows exploration potential associations between DED interest and environmental parameters, which may further illuminate underlying factors contributing disease's rising prevalence. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> To...

Abstract Upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP‐9, by oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (oxLDL) is implicated in many inflammatory diseases including brain injury. However, the signaling mechanisms underlying oxLDL‐induced MMP‐9 expression astrocytes largely remain unknown. Here we report that oxLDL induces proMMP‐9 via a MAPK‐dependent AP‐1 activation rat astrocyte (RBA)‐1 cells. Results revealed gelatin zymography, RT‐PCR, and Western blotting analyses showed gene...

Abstract In a previous study, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) has been shown to induce matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression through mitogen‐activated protein kinases and nuclear factor‐κB pathways in rat brain astrocytes. Moreover, transactivation of growth factor receptors phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt cascade mentioned the several inflammatory genes. Here, we first report that IL‐1β‐induced up‐regulation proMMP‐9 was inhibited by genistein. IL‐1β also stimulated phosphorylation...

Abstract Sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) has been shown to regulate expression of several genes in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and contributes arteriosclerosis. However, the mechanisms regulating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by S1P aortic VSMCs remain unclear. Western blotting RT‐PCR analyses showed that induced EGFR mRNA protein a time‐ concentration‐dependent manner, which was attenuated inhibitors MEK1/2 (U0126) phosphatidylinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K; wortmannin),...

Purpose Dry eye is the most common complication after LASIK procedure and associated with corneal denervation. We conducted study to compare dry parameters sensitivity (CS) laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) a femtosecond (FS) or microkeratome (MK). Methods In this prospective, nonrandomized, comparative study, 87 consecutive patients myopia were assigned receive either surgery an FS (n = 44) MK-assisted 43). The groups age sex matched. Corneal sensitivity, Schirmer testing, tear breakup...