Cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase (Csad) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the de novo biosynthesis of taurine. There are a number of physiological roles of taurine, such as bile salt synthesis, osmoregulation, lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress inhibition. To investigate the role of de novo synthesis of taurine during embryonic development, zebrafish csad was cloned and functionally analyzed. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that csad transcripts are maternally deposited, while whole-mount in situ hybridization demonstrated that csad is expressed in yolk syncytial layer and various embryonic tissues such as notochord, brain, retina, pronephric duct, liver, and pancreas. Knockdown of csad significantly reduced the embryonic taurine level, and the affected embryos had increased early mortality and cardiac anomalies. mRNA coinjection and taurine supplementation rescued the cardiac phenotypes suggesting that taurine originating from the de novo synthesis pathway plays a role in cardiac development. Our findings indicated that the de novo synthesis pathway via Csad plays a critical role in taurine homeostasis and cardiac development in zebrafish early embryos.

The present paper presents constructions of gender roles among Taiwanese sexual minority women with different gender identities (i.e., butch and femme, known as T and Po, respectively, in Taiwan) and associations between their views toward their own breasts and breast healthcare intentions and behaviour. A total of 37 face-to-face interviews were conducted among women aged 20 years or older who self-identified as lesbians or women who partnered with other women in four areas of Taiwan between August 2012 and October 2012. The majority of the T-identity lesbians held negative views toward their own breasts. The T-identified lesbians' negative intentions toward breast cancer screenings were associated with their negative views toward their own breasts and body construction process. All Po-identified lesbians reported positive views toward their own breasts; these views facilitated positive breast healthcare Manuscript (No Author Information; Includes any Tables and Figures) Click here to view linked References

This article presents the qualitative findings of a mixed-methods study that explored factors influencing lesbians' breast health-care behavior and intentions. A total of 37 semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted among women who self-identified as lesbians or women who partnered with the same gender who were aged 20 years or above in four areas of Taiwan (North, Central, South, and East Taiwan) between August 2012 and October 2012. Interviews were audio recorded with participants' consent. The interviews were analyzed using constant comparative analysis with Nvivo audio-coding support. Four themes were identified to be strongly associated with the lesbians' breast health-care behavior and their intentions, namely, gender identity, gender role expression, partners' support, and concerns about health-care providers' reactions. Important barriers to the women's breast health-care behavior and intentions were masculine identity ("T-identity" in Taiwan), masculine appearance, concerns about health-care providers' lack of knowledge of multiple gender diversity, and their attitudes toward lesbians. Conversely, their partners' support was a factor facilitating the women's breast health-care behavior and intentions, particularly for the T-identity lesbians. These findings suggest the significance of and need for culturally competent care and are important for improving Taiwanese lesbians' breast health.

Aim:To determine the differences in the remission rate, recovery rate, functional improvement, and treatment adherence related to treatment with short-acting immediate-release methylphenidate (IR-MPH) and long-acting osmotic-release oral system-methylphenidate (OROS-MPH) in a naturalistic setting among Taiwanese children with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Accessible summary What is known on the subject? Sexual minority individuals are more likely to experience depressive disorders than heterosexual individuals. Factors associated with depressive symptoms among sexual minority individuals have been explored and examined; however, there is a limited evidence to understand the factors among sexual minority women in non‐western countries. What the paper adds to existing knowledge? To the best our knowledge, this is the first study examining internalized homophobia, self‐esteem, social support and depressive symptoms among sexual minority women in Taiwan. Sexual minority women at risk of having depressive symptoms had a higher level of internalized homophobia, lower self‐esteem and fewer support from partners, friends, and families. Specifically, being single, being a student and having a higher personal income increased the risk of having depressive symptoms among sexual minority women. What are the implications for practice? Mental health practitioners and nurses should be aware of and assess sexual minority women's level of internalized homophobia, self‐esteem, and received social support to reduce the risk of depressive symptoms and thus help prevent suicidal ideation. LGBT sex education and government involvement are essential to buffer the negative influences of a homophobic society on the mental health of sexual minority women. Abstract IntroductionSexual minority women are more likely to report depressive symptoms than sexual minority men. However, there is a lack of evidence to understand factors associated with depressive symptoms among sexual minority women in non‐western countries. AimThis study examined internalized homophobia, self‐esteem, social support and depressive symptoms among Taiwanese sexual minority women. MethodA total of 581 Taiwanese sexual minority women (Age range 20–48 years old, Mean 26.96, SD 5.718) completed an online survey. ResultsTaiwanese sexual minority women at risk of having depressive symptoms had a higher level of internalized homophobia and lower self‐esteem. Perceived support from participants’ partners, friends and families was related to lower risk of depressive symptoms. Being single, being a student and having a higher personal income were also found to increase the risk of having depressive symptoms among the women. DiscussionMental health interventions are essential for sexual minority women with internalized homophobia and low self‐esteem. Implications for PracticeMental health practitioners and nurses should be aware of and assess the concerns that sexual minority women have regarding healthcare services and provide culturally competent care to reduce the risk of depressive symptoms.