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Maintenance of genome integrity is critical for both faithful propagation of genetic information and prevention of mutagenesis induced by various DNA damage events. Here we report cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRBP) as a newly identified key regulator in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. On DNA damage, CIRBP temporarily accumulates at the damaged regions and is poly(ADP ribosyl)ated by poly(ADP ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1). Its dissociation from the sites of damage may depend on its phosphorylation status as mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinases. In the absence of CIRBP, cells showed reduced γH2AX, Rad51, and 53BP1 foci formation. Moreover, CIRBP-depleted cells exhibited impaired homologous recombination, impaired nonhomologous end-joining, increased micronuclei formation, and higher sensitivity to gamma irradiation, demonstrating the active involvement of CIRBP in DSB repair. Furthermore, CIRBP depleted cells exhibited defects in DNA damage-induced chromatin association of the MRN complex (Mre11, Rad50, and NBS1) and ATM kinase. CIRBP depletion also reduced phosphorylation of a variety of ATM substrate proteins and thus impaired the DNA damage response. Taken together, these results reveal a previously unrecognized role for CIRBP in DSB repair.

This study introduces a novel approach to cancer treatment using covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with dual atomic metal sites, employing a galvanic reaction to integrate both gold (Au) and iridium (Ir) onto COF (COF/Aux/Ir1‐x). The integration of these metals enables a synergistic catalytic cycle that enhances glucose oxidation and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive halogen species (RHS). Au catalyzes glucose oxidation, producing gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), while Ir decomposes H₂O₂ into superoxide anion (O₂⁻) and, in the presence of chloride ions (Cl⁻), generates hypochlorous acid (HOCl). The dual metal atomic sites facilitate a feedback cycle where H₂O₂ is efficiently converted back to oxygen (O₂), amplifying ROS and RHS generation within cancer cells. By fine‐tuning the Au: Ir ratio through the galvanic reaction, optimal catalytic performance is achieved, creating a highly effective tumor treatment strategy. This work represents the first application of dual metal atomic sites on COFs for cancer therapy, demonstrating significant potential for catalysis‐based biomedical applications. The synergistic interactions between Au and Ir enhance catalytic efficiency, offering a new approach to exploiting endogenous cancer cell metabolites for targeted and efficient cancer treatment. A galvanic replacement is used to control dual atomic metals (Au and Ir) on a covalent organic framework (COF) nanoparticle and then coated with hyaluronic acid (HA). Under a specific bimetallic ratio (COF/Aux/Ir1‐x), the optimization can be achieved for the conversion of intracellular nutrients into reactive species (HOCl and O2• ─) and effectively inhibits the growth of liver cancer.

Ethics is at the core of education for sustainable development (ESD). Based on a literature review, this article discusses the inspiration and practice of Lao Tzu’s ethics in ESD. For this paper, a review was undertaken of the literature and three electronic databases were searched (Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar) from 1980 to 2022 to identify relevant research topics. The literature search strategy used keywords, titles, and abstracts to search for topics, including Lao Tzu (Taoist philosophy, ethics, Daodejing) and sustainable development education (administrative leadership, curriculum, teaching). Other related articles and books are also included in the bibliography. It was concluded that Lao Tzu’s “the Tao way follows nature” and “non-contention” can build a harmonious society; practicing “minimalism” can help achieve economic sustainability; and the concept of “the birth of the unborn” pioneers the coexistence of human beings and nature. Schools that practice ESD can apply Lao Tzu’s ethics to establish a sustainable and harmonious leadership relationship in the way of saints, and adopt a teacher–student interaction model that follows “the supreme good is like water” principle to establish ethical literacy and introduce ethics courses that are autonomous, interactive, and for the common good. Therefore, the exploration of Lao Tzu’s ethics allows Eastern thought to be at the core of the ethics and values of ESD, and provides practical insights into school administration, teaching, and curriculum implementation.

Dengue virus (DENV) poses a significant global health challenge, with millions of cases each year. Developing effective antiviral drugs against DENV remains a major hurdle. Varenicline is a medication used to aid smoking cessation, with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, varenicline was investigated for its antiviral potential against DENV. This study provides evidence of the antiviral activity of varenicline against DENV, regardless of the virus serotype or cell type used. Varenicline demonstrated dose-dependent effects in reducing viral protein expression, infectivity, and virus yield in Vero and A549 cells infected with DENV-1 and DENV-2, with EC50 values ranging from 0.44 to 1.66 μM. Time-of-addition and removal experiments demonstrated that varenicline had a stronger inhibitory effect on the post-entry stage of DENV-2 replication than on the entry stage, as well as the preinfection and virus attachment stages. Furthermore, cell-based trans-cleavage assays indicated that varenicline dose-dependently inhibited the proteolytic activity of DENV-2 NS2B-NS3 protease. Docking models revealed the formation of hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces between varenicline and specific residues in the DENV-1 and DENV-2 NS2B-NS3 proteases. These results highlight the antiviral activity and potential mechanism of varenicline against DENV, offering valuable insights for further research and development in the treatment of DENV infection.

In 2017, drama activities and theatrical performances in Taiwan increasingly explored the culture and migration stories of migrant workers and marriage immigrants. Notably, The Qibla and Homecoming , both centered on foreign domestic caregivers, sparked public discussions and drew significant attention. Despite winning the coveted Taiwan Literature Golden Award in Drama in 2015, as a production, The Qibla faced mostly negative reviews, whereas Homecoming was widely acclaimed, especially for its innovative blend of puppetry and live action, earning it a nomination for the prestigious Taishin Arts Award for Performance. These contrasting receptions highlight the challenges of advocating for underrepresented groups and portraying them effectively on stage. This paper examines the narrative strategies used in both plays to foster empathy for marginalized transnational migrants and raise awareness of their experiences. It also analyzes how the staging choices and the portrayal of migrant workers shape audience reception and interpretation.

Background: This study explored the possible association between the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and the increased incidence of pneumonia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: We selected 4940 patients with T2DM of whom 988 and 3952 were enrolled in PPI and propensity score-matched control cohorts, respectively. All patients were followed from the index date until admission with pneumonia, withdrawal from the National Health Insurance program or the end of 2013. The PPIs associated with risk of incident pneumonia were examined. Furthermore, we assessed the risk of pneumonia according to annual defined daily doses in the PPI cohort. Results: After a 14-year follow-up, the cumulative incidence of pneumonia in the PPI users was 11.4% higher than that in the controls (30.3% vs 18.9%). Compared to the controls, the PPI users had a 1.70-fold higher risk of pneumonia in the Cox proportional hazards model after adjustment for matched pairs. The risk of pneumonia increased with the annual PPI defined daily dose. Conclusion: The results of this population-based retrospective cohort study suggest that PPI use increased the risk of pneumonia in patients with T2DM. The effects were more prominent in patients administered higher doses of PPIs.

Objective The aim was to explore the adoptive behaviors of eNutrition among students and nutrition professionals through a cross-country survey in six Asian countries. Methods University students and nutrition professionals were recruited through a convenience sampling approach in high-income countries (HICs; Japan and Taiwan) and middle-income countries (MICs; Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines). A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess the adoption of innovative eNutrition technologies across six domains (perceived self-efficacy, perceived self-interest, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, intention to use, and actual use). The primary outcome was the actual use of eNutrition technologies. Binary and multivariable linear regression interaction terms were created to test the moderating effects of the economic development level on actual use. Results In total, 992 participants were recruited, with 525 (52.9%) from HICs and 467 (47.1%) from MICs. A total of 34.8% of participants had used innovative eNutrition technologies, predominantly diet-tracking apps (27.02%). Participants from MICs were older, had a higher proportion of nutrition professionals, and had higher scores for perceived self-efficacy, perceived self-interest, perceived usefulness, and intention to use, along with a lower rate of having never used eNutrition technologies (all p < 0.001). An adjusted multivariate analysis showed that perceived usefulness was an independent predictor of actual use in both MICs (β = 0.21; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.11, 0.32; p < 0.001) and HICs (β = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.27; p < 0.001). Economic development levels significantly moderated the relationship between self-efficacy and actual use (β = –0.10; 95% CI: −0.18, –0.01; pinteraction = 0.025), and between intention to use and actual use (β = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.94; pinteraction = 0.015). Conclusions Economic development levels may moderate the adoption of innovative eNutrition technologies, highlighting the importance of contextual factors in technology adoption.

Previous studies have analyzed factors associated with renal infarction so that patients can be provided with earlier diagnosis and treatment. However, the factors associated with development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) following renal infarction are unknown. We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with a diagnosis of renal infarction based on enhanced computed tomography. All patients were admitted to a single emergency department in Taiwan from 1999 to 2008. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to assess the effect of different factors on development of CKD based on estimates of the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at admission and at 3-12 months after discharge. Univariate analysis indicated significantly increased risk of CKD in patients older than 50 years, with symptoms for 24 h or less before admission, lower eGFR at admission, APACHE II score greater than 7, SOFA score greater than 1, ASA score greater than 2, and SAPS II score greater than 15. Multivariate analysis indicated that only SOFA score greater than 1 was significantly and independently associated with CKD at follow-up (p<0.001). A total of 32.5% of patients admitted for renal infarction over a ten-year period developed CKD at 3-12 months after discharge. A SOFA score greater than 1 was significantly and independently associated with development of CKD in these patients.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic caused a dramatic shift in outdoor recreational behavior, particularly an increase in domestic hiking due to international travel restrictions. While hiking offers physical and mental health benefits, the pandemic-induced shifts in recreational behavior may have led to changes in the profile of mountain incidents. However, few studies have systematically examined how the characteristics and causes of mountain rescue operations (MROs) have changed before and after the pandemic. We aimed to fill this research gap by analyzing pre-pandemic and pandemic mountain incident data in Taiwan to identify key changes in victim demographics, injury patterns, and rescue needs, providing insights for improving emergency response systems and public safety education. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 783 documented MROs involving 965 victims in three major Taiwanese national parks. The study period was divided into two distinct phases: the pre-pandemic period from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019, and the pandemic period from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022. The data were obtained from standardized incident report forms completed by medical and rescue personnel. These forms included information on victim demographics, reasons for rescue, medical conditions, and rescue methods. Incidence rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and appropriate tests (Fisher’s exact test, t-test) were used to compare categorical and continuous variables. Results A total of 965 mountain rescue incidents were recorded among 1,427,403 trekkers, with a significantly higher incidence during the pandemic period compared with the pre-pandemic period (76.3 vs. 56.1 per 100,000 trekkers; IRR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.19–1.55, P  < 0.001). Female trekkers accounted for a greater proportion of rescues during the pandemic (46.1% vs. 30.0%), with a 94% relative increase in incidence (IRR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.55–2.43, P  < 0.001). Injury-related incidents increased significantly (IRR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.19–1.89, P  < 0.001), particularly lacerations/contusions (IRR = 4.05, P  < 0.001). Ground-based rescues became more common during the pandemic (54.7% vs. 37.3%; IRR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.25–1.72, P  < 0.001), while helicopter-based rescues remained stable (IRR = 1.15, P  = 0.260). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a 36% increase in mountain rescue incidence, particularly among female trekkers and those involving minor injuries and weather-related events. The 47% rise in ground-based rescues and stable rate of severe cases reflects a likely influx of less-experienced hikers due to domestic travel restrictions. These findings highlight the need for targeted public education and preparedness strategies to mitigate risks in outdoor recreation during similar global events.

Background Although the prescribing information for Venlafaxine extended release includes a discussion about possible increases in total cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) seen in healthier adult patients during premarketing clinical trials, no post-marketing studies or case reports, that discuss the effects of venlafaxine on TG in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease. Case presentation We report a 71 year-old male patient with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis, with a history of coronary artery disease, mild hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. This patient twice demonstrated the severe rises in triglycerides while taking the antidepressant, i.e. , venlafaxine, and discontinuing the long-term use of fenofirate. The adverse drug reaction sub-committee at the hospital rated the second event as a “probable reaction” using the Naranjo nomogram, accordingly. Conclusions This case demonstrates the risk of changes in lipid profiles while taking venlafaxine and receiving on and off fenofibrate therapy in the older adult patient with chronic kidney disease and under hemodialysis. Regular monitoring for lipid changes after starting venlafaxine is strongly advised for patients with existing risk factors.