Altered orbitofrontal and pars opercularis cortical thickness in betel quid dependence chewers.

Background: Altered cerebral cortex's structural organization has been found in individuals with betel quid dependence (BQD). However, the neurological underpinnings of the BQD-related abnormalities in cortical thickness and brain circuitry deficit are largely unknown.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate potential abnormalities of brain circuitry in the cortical thickness of BQD individuals by applying the surface-based morphometry (SBM) method.

Suppression of Ventilation-Induced Diaphragm Fibrosis through the Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase-γ in a Murine Bleomycin-Induced Acute Lung Injury Model.

Mechanical ventilation (MV), used in patients with acute lung injury (ALI), induces diaphragmatic myofiber atrophy and contractile inactivity, termed ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase-γ (PI3K-γ) is crucial in modulating fibrogenesis during the reparative phase of ALI; however, the mechanisms regulating the interactions among MV, myofiber fibrosis, and PI3K-γ remain unclear. We hypothesized that MV with or without bleomycin treatment would increase diaphragm muscle fibrosis through the PI3K-γ pathway.

Diagnostic Value of 3.0 T Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Active Crohn's Disease.

Background: Magnetic resonance enteroclysis (MRE) has been widely applied to diagnose Crohn's disease (CD). Magnetic resonance (MR) at 3.0 T improves signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), shortens image acquisition time, and shows more advantages.

Prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria and the emergence of rare species in Henan Province, China.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a large group of mycobacteria other than the complex and Epidemiological investigations have found that the incidence of NTM infections is increasing in China, and it is naturally resistant to many antibiotics. Therefore, studies of NTM species in clinical isolates are useful for understanding the epidemiology of NTM infections. The present study aimed to investigate the incidence of NTM infections and types of NTM species.

Artificial nonenzymatic antioxidant Prussian blue/KGM-BSA nanocomposite hydrogel dressing as ROS scavenging for diabetic wound healing.

The process of diabetic wound healing was influenced by the excessive proliferation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, in the process of healing diabetic wounds, it was crucial to removing ROS. This study designed composited nanoparticles: KBP, consisted by Konjac glucomannan, bovine serum albumin, and Prussian blue.

Epidemiology and outcomes of multidrug-resistant bacterial infection in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

Purpose: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria impose a considerable health-care burden and are associated with bronchiectasis exacerbation. This study investigated the clinical outcomes of adult patients with bronchiectasis following MDR bacterial infection.

Methods: From the Chang Gung Research Database, we identified patients with bronchiectasis and MDR bacterial infection from 2008 to 2017.

Cell death of alveolar lymphocytes and monocytes is negatively correlated with driving pressure and mechanical power in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Background: Pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) involves immune cell death and removal from the injured lungs. ARDS severity is related to lung compliance. However, the correlation between the respiratory mechanics and alveolar immune cell death in patients with ARDS remains unclear.

Attenuation of Ventilation-Enhanced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition through the Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase-γ in a Murine Bleomycin-Induced Acute Lung Injury Model.

Mechanical ventilation (MV) used in patients with acute lung injury (ALI) induces lung inflammation and causes fibroblast proliferation and excessive collagen deposition-a process termed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Phosphoinositide 3-kinase-γ (PI3K-γ) is crucial in modulating EMT during the reparative phase of ALI; however, the mechanisms regulating the interactions among MV, EMT, and PI3K-γ remain unclear. We hypothesized that MV with or without bleomycin treatment would increase EMT through the PI3K-γ pathway.

Association of smoking status with non-small cell lung cancer patients harboring uncommon epidermal growth factor receptor mutation.

Introduction: Uncommon epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations include single and complex mutations. However, the association of the smoking status of patients with uncommon and complex mutations remains unclear.

Methods: This retrospective study evaluates the spectrum of uncommon mutations and investigates the influence of smoking status on the frequency of various uncommon mutations using a multi-institutional medical database.

Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation: Outcomes and Management.

The number of patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) is increasing worldwide, placing a burden on healthcare systems. Therefore, investigating the pathophysiology, risk factors, and treatment for PMV is crucial. Various underlying comorbidities have been associated with PMV.

Reduction in Ventilation-Induced Diaphragmatic Mitochondrial Injury through Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α in a Murine Endotoxemia Model.

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is essential for patients with sepsis-related respiratory failure but can cause ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD), which involves diaphragmatic myofiber atrophy and contractile inactivity. Mitochondrial DNA, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dynamics, and biogenesis are associated with VIDD. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) is crucial in the modulation of diaphragm immune responses.

Pneumonia rebound after stopping steroid in a patient with COVID-19: A case report.

Patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can develop a systemic inflammatory response that can lead to lung injury and multisystem organ dysfunction. The current treatment guideline recommends the use of corticosteroids in patients who require supplemental oxygen or are mechanically ventilated. This study reports a patient with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Optical planar and ridge waveguides formed in Er-doped germanate glass by ion implantation and precise diamond blade dicing.

In this work, we report on the preparation and characterization of the planar and ridge optical waveguides in the -doped germanate glass by combining hydrogen ion implantation and precise diamond blade dicing. The nuclear energy loss and the implantation depth were calculated by the SRIM 2013 software. The refractive index profile was obtained by the reflectivity calculation method.

Compassion fatigue among haemodialysis nurses in public and private hospitals in China.

Aim: This study was conducted to identify and compare the levels of compassion fatigue and job satisfaction among haemodialysis nurses in public and private hospitals in China and explore explanatory factors based on sociodemographic and occupational characteristics.

Methods: A descriptive study was conducted using a self-designed demographic questionnaire, the Professional Quality of Life Scale and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, with responses from 283 haemodialysis nurses working at six public and private hospitals in China between June and November 2018.

Results: The compassion fatigue score of public hospital nurses was significantly higher than that of private hospital nurses.

Suppression of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α by Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin Mitigates Ventilation-Induced Diaphragm Dysfunction in a Murine Endotoxemia Model.

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is required to maintain life for patients with sepsis-related acute lung injury but can cause diaphragmatic myotrauma with muscle damage and weakness, known as ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD). Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) plays a crucial role in inducing inflammation and apoptosis. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) was proven to have anti-inflammatory properties.

SNX9 Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Cyst Development in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease via Activation of the Hippo-YAP Signaling Pathway.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a complex process, involving the alteration of multiple genes and signaling pathways, and the pathogenesis of ADPKD remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrated the suppressive role of sorting nexin 9 (SNX9) during ADPKD development. Sorting nexin 9 expression was detected in the kidney tissues of ADPKD patients, for the first time, and SNX9 expression was also detected in knockout ( ) and control mice.

Methods for Endoscopic Removal of Over-the-Scope Clip: A Systematic Review.

Aims: The over-the-scope clip (OTSC) has recently emerged as a new endoscopic device for treating gastrointestinal bleeding, perforations, fistulas, and leaks. A modified OTSC device (full-thickness resection device, FTRD) has been widely used for endoscopic full-thickness resection. However, there is less experience regarding the indications and methods for OTSC removal.