Efficacy of electro-acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes for women undergoing fertilization: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: fertilization (IVF) is a technology that assists couples experiencing infertility to conceive children. However, unsuccessful attempts can lead to significant physical and financial strain. Some individuals opt for electro-acupuncture (EA) during IVF, even though there is limited evidence regarding the efficacy of this practice.

IL-10-Mediated Regulation of Microglial Inflammation in Brain Meningitis: Novel Insights and Therapeutic Potential.

Background: Inflammation is a key pathological process in bacterial meningitis, and the transforming growth factor-beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway is implicated in the activation of microglia and the production of inflammatory factors. Interleukin (IL)-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine acting in an autocrine fashion in macrophages to limit inflammatory responses by decreasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This paper investigates how IL-10 can inhibit microglia activation and reduce the inflammatory response of nervous system diseases.

Enterococcus-derived tyramine hijacks α-adrenergic receptor in intestinal stem cells to exacerbate colitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and dysfunction of intestinal stem cells (ISCs). However, the direct interactions between IBD microbial factors and ISCs are undescribed. Here, we identify α-adrenergic receptor (ADRA2A) as a highly expressed GPCR in ISCs.

Bile acids modified by the intestinal microbiota promote colorectal cancer growth by suppressing CD8 T cell effector functions.

Concentrations of the secondary bile acid, deoxycholic acid (DCA), are aberrantly elevated in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, but the consequences remain poorly understood. Here, we screened a library of gut microbiota-derived metabolites and identified DCA as a negative regulator for CD8 T cell effector function. Mechanistically, DCA suppressed CD8 T cell responses by targeting plasma membrane Ca ATPase (PMCA) to inhibit Ca-nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)2 signaling.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing for the clinical diagnosis and prognosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by severe pneumonia: a retrospective study.

Background: Metagenome next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a valuable diagnostic tool that can be used for the identification of early pathogens of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in severe pneumonia. Little is known about the use of this technology in clinical application and the evaluation of the prognostic value of ARDS.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with ARDS caused by severe pneumonia.

Surgical management of pseudoaneurysm complicating arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis.

Objective: To report surgical experience in pseudoaneurysm (PA) repair of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for renal hemodialysis.

Methods: Twenty patients undergoing PA repair of AVF for renal hemodialysis were treated in Central Hospital Conde S. Januario of Macao.