Integrated microbiomic and metabolomic dynamics of Yi traditional fermented liquor.

This study examines the microbial community composition, metabolite characteristics, and the relationship between the two during the fermentation process of Yi traditional fermented liquor. Yi traditional fermented foods have a profound historical and cultural background, with significant ethnic characteristics. As a case in point, Yi traditional fermented liquor is typically prepared using local plants or traditional Chinese herbs as fermentation substrates and undergoes a lengthy fermentation process, resulting in a fermented beverage that is reputed to have beneficial effects on human health.

Extraction, separation and efficacy of yam polysaccharide.

Yam is used as common herbal remedy in traditional Chinese medicine and is grown all over Asia. According to previous research, one of the primary bioactive components of yam is yam polysaccharide. To shed light on the mechanism of yam polysaccharide in ulcerative colitis (UC), a yam heteropolysaccharide named CYP-3a was isolated and purified using ultrasonic extraction, the trichloroacetic acid technique, DEAE cellulose-52 and a Sephadex G75 column.

Spatio-temporal analysis of toxigenic genes expression in the growing Bufo gargarizans based on RNA sequencing data.

Background: Bufo gargarizans Cantor, a widely distributed amphibian species in Asia, produces and releases toxins through its retroauricular and granular glands. Although various tissues have been sequenced, the molecular mechanisms underlying the toxin production remain unclear. To elucidate these mechanisms, abdominal skin (non-toxic secretory glands) and retroauricular gland (toxic secreting glands) samples were collected at different time points (3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months) for RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and analysis.

Influence of Engineering Parameters on Fracture Vertical Propagation in Deep Shale Reservoir: A Numerical Study Based on FEM.

The geometry of hydraulic fractures in deep shale facies is significantly affected by the longitudinal inhomogeneity of rock physical properties and stresses. Numerous studies have been conducted on the influence of the longitudinal inhomogeneity of rocks on fracture morphology. However, there is still a lack of research that simultaneously considers the reservoir dip, bedding plane interface, and longitudinal inhomogeneity of the reservoir.

Research progress on the structure, derivatives, pharmacological activity, and drug carrier capacity of Chinese yam polysaccharides: A review.

Chinese yam is a traditional Chinese medicine that has a long history of medicinal and edible usage in China and is widely utilised in food, medicine, animal husbandry, and other industries. Chinese yam polysaccharides (CYPs) are among the main active components of Chinese yam. In recent decades, CYPs have received considerable attention because of their remarkable biological activities, such as immunomodulatory, antitumour, hypoglycaemic, hypolipidaemic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and bacteriostatic effects.

Hepatitis C-associated late-onset schizophrenia: a nationwide, population-based cohort study.

Background: Whether infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes schizophrenia - and whether the associated risk reverses after anti-HCV therapy - is unknown; we aimed to investigate these topics.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide, population-based cohort study using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (TNHIRD). A diagnosis of schizophrenia was based on criteria from the , 9th revision (295.

Critical role of triglycerides for adiponectin levels in hepatitis C: a joint study of human and HCV core transgenic mice.

Background: Both hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and adiponectin are critically involved in metabolism. The reversal and associations of altering adiponectin levels after sustained virological responses (SVRs) following direct-acting antivirals (DAA) in HCV-infected patients remained elusive.

Methods: A joint study was conducted in a prospective cohort of 427 HCV-infected patients and a line of HCV core transgenic mice.

Inhibition of dynamin-related protein 1 ameliorates the mitochondrial ultrastructure via PINK1 and Parkin in the mice model of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the prevalent neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of the nigrostriatal neurons. Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) is a key regulator mediating mitochondrial fission and affecting mitophagy in neurons. It has been reported that the inhibition of Drp1 may be beneficial to PD.

Identification of the Representative Primary Biliary Cholangitis Cohort in Taiwan: A Comparison of Four Nationwide Cohorts.

Background/purpose: The rates and outcomes of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in Taiwan remain unclear.

Methods: A nationwide population-based cohort study (Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, 2002-2015) was conducted. Data from four PBC cohorts with various definitions were compared (cohort 1 (C1): ICD-9-CM (571.

Toad venom: A comprehensive review of chemical constituents, anticancer activities, and mechanisms.

Toad venom, a traditional natural medicine, has been used for hundreds of years in China for treating different diseases. Many studies have been performed to elucidate the cardiotonic and analgesic activities of toad venom. Until the last decade, an increasing number of studies have documented that toad venom is a source of lead compound(s) for the development of potential cancer treatment drugs.

Impact of Interferon-Based Therapy on Hepatitis C-Associated Rheumatic Diseases: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection-associated risk of rheumatic diseases is reversed by anti-HCV therapy remain elusive. A nationwide population-based cohort study of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was conducted. Of 19,298,735 subjects, 3 cohorts (1:4:4, propensity score-matched), including HCV-treated (6919 HCV-infected subjects with interferon and ribavirin therapy ≥ 6 months), HCV-untreated ( = 27,676) and HCV-uninfected ( = 27,676) cohorts, were enrolled and followed (2003-2015).

Evolution of ferritin levels in hepatitis C patients treated with antivirals.

The evolution of ferritin levels in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients with sustained virological responses (SVRs) following various therapy regimens remains elusive. An 8-year prospective cohort study of 1194 HCV-infected patients [interferon-based therapy (n = 620), direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) therapy (n = 355)] was conducted. At baseline, sex, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglycerides, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), hemoglobin, iron/total iron-binding capacity (Fe/TIBC) and IFNL3-rs12979860 genotypes were associated with ferritin levels.

Altering retinol binding protein 4 levels in hepatitis C: Inflammation and steatosis matter.

Both hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) might contribute to insulin resistance (IR), how RBP4 links to IR in HCV infection remain elusive. A joint study of a prospective cohort of 842 chronically HCV-infected (CHC) patients (with 842 controls) and a line of HCV core transgenic mice was conducted. Of 842 patients, 771 had completed anti-HCV therapy and 667 had sustained virological responses (SVRs).

PI3K/AKT pathway as a key link modulates the multidrug resistance of cancers.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the dominant challenge in the failure of chemotherapy in cancers. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is a lipid kinase that spreads intracellular signal cascades and regulates a variety of cellular processes. PI3Ks are considered significant causes of chemoresistance in cancer therapy.

Usefulness of quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen testing in hepatitis B community-based screening.

Background/purpose: Low viral load (LVL) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a predictor of chronic HBV infection. However, the usefulness of quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg) in predicting LVL in community-based screening has not been well studied. We aimed to measure the prevalence of LVL in HBV carriers and validate the efficacy of qHBsAg in predicting LVL.

Interactive Impacts from Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Mixed Cryoglobulinemia on Complement Levels.

Background/aim: How hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and mixed cryoglobulinemia interactively affect complement levels remains elusive, and we aimed to elucidate it.

Methods: A prospective cohort study of 678 consecutive chronic HCV-infected (CHC) patients was conducted. Of 678, 438 had completed a course of anti-HCV therapy and 362 had achieved a sustained virological response (SVR).

Purification and characterization of a novel fibrinolytic enzyme from Whitmania pigra Whitman.

Developing an effective fibrinolytic drug for treating thrombolysis with minimal undesirable side effects is of great importance. In the current study, an optimum solvent was selected for the extraction of fibrinolytic active components. Furthermore, a strong fibrinolytic enzyme named WPI01 was purified from Whitmania pigra Whitman through various chromatographic steps.

Da-Bu-Yin-Wan and Qian-Zheng-San Ameliorate Mitochondrial Dynamics in the Parkinson's Disease Cell Model Induced by MPP.

To investigate the effect of Da-Bu-Yin-Wan and Qian-Zheng-San (DBYW and QZS) on mitochondrial mass in Parkinson's disease (PD) cell model induced by 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium Ion (MPP). The SH-SY5Y cell was selected and treated with MPP. The PD model was intervened with DBYW and QZS.

Comparison of Compliance and Efficacy of Pegylated Interferon α-2a and α-2b in Adults with Chronic Hepatitis C.

This study compares treatment completion rates and outcomes in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients between those aged <60 and ≥60 years receiving pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) α-2a or α-2b combined with ribavirin. No significant differences were found in treatment completion rates and virological responses between age-stratified patients or between genotype-stratified patients receiving PEG-IFN α-2a versus PEG-IFN α-2b. Significantly more patients ≥60 years of receiving PEG-IFN α-2b exhibited an early virological response compared to those receiving PEG-IFN α-2a (P = 0.

Oral administration of leeches (Shuizhi): A review of the mechanisms of action on antiplatelet aggregation.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The leeches (Shuizhi) comprise approximately 680 species distributed throughout the world. As recorded, they have been used as traditional Chinese medicines since the Eastern Han Dynasty, where they were claimed for promote blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis. And have been used to prevent CVDs by exerting multiple effects when orally administered, one of which is the significant inhibition of platelet aggregation.