J Formos Med Assoc
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To evaluate the therapeutic responsiveness of office-based salivary gland ductal irrigation in patients with chronic sialoadenitis. ⋯ Simple salivary ductal irrigation without complex equipment can be performed as an outpatient procedure to alleviate glandular swelling or xerostomia in patients with Sjogren's syndrome, postradiotherapy sialoadenitis or post-RAI sialoadenitis, and it can be considered an alternative management approach for patients refractory to conventional strategies.
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Regulatory T-cell (Treg) defects may cause autoreactivity of both T and B cells, leading to autoimmune disease including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The immune response defects in SLE are characterized by the decreased expression of CD4, CD25, and Foxp3, known as inducible Treg (iTreg). Therefore, restoring iTreg expression can reverse autoimmunity states into immune tolerances leading to normal immune responses. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immunomodulatory properties to control inflammatory milieu, including in SLE inflammation by releasing TGFβ1, IL10, and PGE2, thus MSCs can potentially generate iTreg cells. However, the mechanisms of MSC-released TGFβ1 to promote iTreg generation in human SLE remains unclear. This study aims to analyze the role of MSC-released TGFβ1 in generating CD4+, CD25+, and Foxp3+ expression in iTreg cells from human SLE peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). ⋯ MSCs promote iTreg cells generation from human SLE PBMCs by releasing TGFβ1 to control SLE disease.
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To explore unmet needs for inpatient rehabilitation services and assess the relative preference of new technology versus current practice by a structured decision-making model. ⋯ The preference global weights on the needs to integrate new technologies into rehabilitation services aims to improve efficiency, safety and outcome. Further studies are needed to explore the needs from the perspective of the patients.
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Porphyromonas gingivalis is an oral pathogen associated with periodontal diseases. P. gingivalis GroEL protein is a stimulator of inflammatory cytokines in macrophages. This study inspected effects of P. gingivalis GroEL protein on production of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 by human osteoblasts. ⋯ GroEL protein stimulated the inflammatory reaction of osteoblasts, probably through the activation of p38 MAPK or JNK pathway. The findings suggest that P. gingivalis GroEL may influence the immune functions of osteoblasts and endanger the periodontal health.
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Cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking are the most common types of substance use and misuse (SUM) among adolescents. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and psychosocial factors associated with current cigarette smoking and hazardous alcohol drinking among adolescents in Taiwan. ⋯ The potential coexistence of adolescent SUM and common psychosocial correlates demands an integrated approach. Health professionals should provide corresponding intervention programs and coordinate with parents and teachers to develop an anti-SUM environment, especially for males and high-risk schools. Preventive psychiatric services as an integral part of anti-SUM strategies for adolescents targeting to depression may be useful in reducing the risk.