Antioxidant, Anti-α-Glucosidase, Anti-Tyrosinase, and Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Components from Stem of with Molecular Docking Study.

is a creeping evergreen shrub endemic to Taiwan. In traditional medicine, Rhamnaceae plants are used as herbal remedies for conditions such as itching, difficulty urinating, and constipation. This study explores the inhibitory effects of various solvent extracts and bioactive components of on α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and antioxidant activity.

Neutrophil heterogeneity and plasticity: unveiling the multifaceted roles in health and disease.

Neutrophils, the most abundant circulating leukocytes, have long been recognized as key players in innate immunity and inflammation. However, recent discoveries unveil their remarkable heterogeneity and plasticity, challenging the traditional view of neutrophils as a homogeneous population with a limited functional repertoire. Advances in single-cell technologies and functional assays have revealed distinct neutrophil subsets with diverse phenotypes and functions and their ability to adapt to microenvironmental cues.

Syngeneic natural killer cell therapy activates dendritic and T cells in metastatic lungs and effectively treats low-burden metastases.

Natural killer (NK) cells can control metastasis through cytotoxicity and IFN-γ production independently of T cells in experimental metastasis mouse models. The inverse correlation between NK activity and metastasis incidence supports a critical role for NK cells in human metastatic surveillance. However, autologous NK cell therapy has shown limited benefit in treating patients with metastatic solid tumors.

Triage performance of DNA methylation for women with high-risk human papillomavirus infection.

Objective: DNA methylation is a promising biomarker for cervical cancer screening. This study aimed to validate the triage performance of cytological DNA methylation for detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade 3 or worse (CIN3+) in women with high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection from a large prospective cohort undergoing opportunistic screening in China (METHY3).

Methods: The triage performance for detecting CIN3+ lesions was compared between HPV16/18 genotyping, a liquid-based cytology (LBC) test, and the PAX1 and JAM3 methylation (PAX1m/JAM3m) test according to cervical pathologic outcomes.

Comparative effectiveness and safety of escalating to triple therapy versus switching to dual bronchodilators after discontinuing LABA/ICS in patients with COPD: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The latest guidelines discourage the use of long-acting beta-agonists/inhaled corticosteroids (LABA/ICS) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the optimal subsequent treatment after discontinuing LABA/ICS.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness and safety of switching from LABA/ICS to triple therapy (LABA/long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA)/ICS) or to dual bronchodilators (LABA/LAMA) in COPD patients.

Sub-1K Cold-Electron Quantum Well Switching at Room Temperature.

Quantum states can provide means to systematically manipulate the transport of electrons. Here we present electron transport across quasi-bound states of two heterogeneous quantum wells (QWs), where the transport of thermally excited electrons is blocked or enabled depending on the relative positions of the two quasi-bound states, with an abrupt current onset occurring when the two QW states align. The QW switch comprises a source (Cr), QW1 (CrO), QW2 (SnO, < 2), a tunneling barrier (SiO), and a drain (Si), where the effective electron mass of QW1 (*) is selected to be larger than QW2 (*).

Unraveling the interplay between inflammation and stem cell mobilization or homing: Implications for tissue repair and therapeutics.

Inflammation and stem cell mobilization or homing play pivotal roles in tissue repair and regeneration. This review explores their intricate interplay, elucidating their collaborative role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and responding to injury or disease. While examining the fundamentals of stem cells, we detail the mechanisms underlying inflammation, including immune cell recruitment and inflammatory mediator release, highlighting their self-renewal and differentiation capabilities.

Trajectories of perioperative nutritional status in patients with pancreatic tumor after surgery in six months.

Purpose: To characterize subgroups with similar nutritional status trajectories during the 6-month period after pancreatectomy and to identify demographic and clinical characteristics influencing changes in nutritional status in each subgroup.

Methods: This longitudinal prospective study recruited 112 patients with newly diagnosed pancreatic tumor from an outpatient pancreatic surgical department of a medical center in northern Taiwan between September 2016 and April 2019. Patients completed a demographic and clinical characteristics form, the Mini Nutritional Assessment scale, and the Symptom Severity Scale prior to surgery (T0), 3 months after surgery (T1), and 6 months after surgery (T2).

Mitochondrial dysfunction in sepsis: mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives.

Sepsis is a severe medical condition characterized by a systemic inflammatory response, often culminating in multiple organ dysfunction and high mortality rates. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the pivotal role played by mitochondrial damage in driving the progression of sepsis. Various factors contribute to mitochondrial impairment during sepsis, encompassing mechanisms such as reactive nitrogen/oxygen species generation, mitophagy inhibition, mitochondrial dynamics change, and mitochondrial membrane permeabilization.

Association of precipitation extremes and crops production and projecting future extremes using machine learning approaches with CMIP6 data.

Precipitation extremes have surged in frequency and duration in recent decades, significantly impacting various sectors, including agriculture, water resources, energy, and public health worldwide. Pakistan, being highly susceptible to climate change and extremes, has experienced adverse events in recent times, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive investigation into the relationship between precipitation extremes and crops production. This study focuses on assessing the association between precipitation extremes on crops production, with a particular emphasis on the Punjab province, a crucial region for the country's food production.

Comprehensive drought risk assessment and mapping in Taiwan: An ANP-ANN ensemble approach.

This study aims to comprehensively evaluate and map the risk of drought in Taiwan by employing a combination of two powerful models, the Analytic Network Process (ANP) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). This innovative approach utilizes an ensemble learning method, where ANP constructs a logical network and assigns weights to various indicators. Subsequently, ANN leverages these weights to train the model effectively.

Inhibitory fear memory engram in the mouse central lateral amygdala.

Engrams, which are cellular substrates of memory traces, have been identified in various brain areas, including the amygdala. While most identified engrams are composed of excitatory, glutamatergic neurons, GABAergic inhibitory engrams have been relatively overlooked. Here, we report the identification of an inhibitory engram in the central lateral amygdala (CeL), a key area for auditory fear conditioning.

Macrophage plasticity: signaling pathways, tissue repair, and regeneration.

Macrophages are versatile immune cells with remarkable plasticity, enabling them to adapt to diverse tissue microenvironments and perform various functions. Traditionally categorized into classically activated (M1) and alternatively activated (M2) phenotypes, recent advances have revealed a spectrum of macrophage activation states that extend beyond this dichotomy. The complex interplay of signaling pathways, transcriptional regulators, and epigenetic modifications orchestrates macrophage polarization, allowing them to respond to various stimuli dynamically.

Shorter donor leukocyte telomere length is associated with poor peripheral blood stem cell mobilization induced by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

Background/purpose: Insufficient numbers of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) after granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilization occurs in a significant proportion of PBSC collections, often from older age donors. Telomere length (TL) is often used as an indicator of an individual's biological age. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between donors' leukocyte TL and the outcome of G-CSF-induced PBSC mobilization in healthy unrelated donors.

Effect of adding neuromuscular electrical stimulation for patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Healthcare providers have faced challenges for patients with moderate and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in conducting their pulmonary rehabilitation due to dyspnea and exercise intolerance. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been used to improve the muscle group's power and endurance without adding pulmonary workload, which might be used as a potential adjuvant rehabilitation method and thus to improve patients' pulmonary functions.

Methods: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia is associated with prefrontal-striatal functional hypoconnectivity and striatal dopaminergic abnormalities.

Background: A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment in schizophrenia is imperative, as it causes poor functional outcomes and a lack of effective treatments.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the relationships of two proposed main pathophysiology of schizophrenia, altered prefrontal-striatal connectivity and the dopamine system, with cognitive impairment and their interactions.

Methods: Thirty-three patients with schizophrenia and 27 healthy controls (HCs) who are right-handed and matched for age and sex were recruited.

Studies of carrier transport mechanism in NiO/Ag/NiO transparent conducting electrode/ZnO metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors.

Oxide/metal/oxide multilayers as a transparent conducting electrode (TCE) have been developed to replace metals due to their high transparency and low sheet resistance. Nickel oxide (NiO) film with a high work function was used as an oxide to form NiO/Ag/NiO (NAN) TCE, therefore a high barrier height between NAN/zinc oxide (ZnO) interface. In the study, NAN TCE was deposited on ZnO surface to fabricate metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetectors (PDs) and study its carrier transport mechanism.

Long-term hematopoietic transfer of the anti-cancer and lifespan-extending capabilities of a genetically engineered blood system by transplantation of bone marrow mononuclear cells.

A causal relationship exists among the aging process, organ decay and disfunction, and the occurrence of various diseases including cancer. A genetically engineered mouse model, termed or (K74R), carrying mutation on the well-conserved sumoylation site of the hematopoietic transcription factor KLF1/EKLF has been generated that possesses extended lifespan and healthy characteristics, including cancer resistance. We show that the healthy longevity characteristics of the (K74R) mice, as exemplified by their higher anti-cancer capability, are likely gender-, age-, and genetic background-independent.

Improving malignant fungating wound management among oncology nurses: a best practice implementation project.

Introduction: Appropriate malignant fungating wound (MFW) care is challenging for oncology nurses, leading to increased stress, compromised care quality, and poor patient outcomes.

Objective: This study aimed to address best practice barriers and develop evidence-based guidelines for MFW care.

Methods: This project was guided by the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework, which follows a seven-phase process.

Hippocampal subfields in remitted schizophrenia.

Background: Current evidence of volume changes in hippocampal subdivisions in schizophrenia remains inconsistent, and few studies have investigated the relationship between regional hippocampal volumes and symptom remission.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 31 patients with schizophrenia and 31 healthy controls (HCs). Symptomatic remission in schizophrenia was determined according to Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group criteria.

The effect of low-level laser therapy on the oxidative stress level and quality of life in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

This study aimed to examine the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) combined with levothyroxine replacement therapy on thyroid function, oxidative stress (OS), and quality of life in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Forty-six patients diagnosed with HT were randomized to receive active LLLT ( = 23) and sham LLLT ( = 23) twice a week for three weeks. Clinical and laboratory evaluations of the participants were performed before treatment and three months after treatment.