Intestinal microbiota by angiotensin receptor blocker therapy exerts protective effects against hypertensive damages.

Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota has been implicated in hypertension, and drug-host-microbiome interactions have drawn considerable attention. However, the influence of angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)-shaped gut microbiota on the host is not fully understood. In this work, we assessed the alterations of blood pressure (BP), vasculatures, and intestines following ARB-modified gut microbiome treatment and evaluated the changes in the intestinal transcriptome and serum metabolome in hypertensive rats.

Taurine attenuates activation of hepatic stellate cells by inhibiting autophagy and inducing ferroptosis.

Background: Liver fibrosis is a compensatory response during the tissue repair process in chronic liver injury, and finally leads to liver cirrhosis or even hepatocellular carcinoma. The pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis is associated with the progressive accumulation of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which can transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts to produce an excess of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Myofibroblasts are the main source of the excessive ECM responsible for hepatic fibrosis.

Comprehensive review of diagnostic modalities for early chronic pancreatitis.

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive condition caused by several factors and characterised by pancreatic fibrosis and dysfunction. However, CP is difficult to diagnose at an early stage. Various advanced methods including endoscopic ultrasound based elastography and confocal laser endomicroscopy have been used to diagnose early CP, although no unified diagnostic standards have been established.

Three-dimensional digital measurement of the facet joint in normal individual and lumbar intervertebral disc herniation patients aged 13 - 18 years.

Background: Lumbar facet joint is an important element of spinal "three-joint complex". Whether there is a relationship between strange structure of facet joint and adolescent lumbar disc herniation (ALDH) is nonetheless controversial, and the current research is mainly centered on adults.

Objective: To find out the normal lumbar facet joints between 13 and 18 years old to provide anatomical basis for early diagnosis and therapy of lumbar disc herniation.

Stent placement to prevent strictures after esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an important method for the treatment of early esophageal cancer. However, post-procedure stenosis is one of the most common long-term complications. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate whether stent placement is effective in the stenosis prevention, and which type of stent would be more effective.

Endoscopic full-thickness resection using an over-the-scope device: A prospective study.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection to treat mucosal and submucosal lesions sometimes results in low rates of microscopically margin-negative (R0) resection. Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) has a high R0 resection rate and allows for the definitive diagnosis and treatment of selected mucosal and submucosal lesions that are not suitable for conventional resection techniques.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of EFTR using an over-the-scope clip (OTSC).

Endoscopic fenestration in the diagnosis and treatment of delayed anastomotic submucosal abscess: A case report and review of literature.

Background: Abscess formation is one of the complications after radical resection of rectal cancer; cases with delayed postoperative anastomotic abscess are rare. Here, we report a rare case of postoperative anastomotic abscess with a submucosal neoplasm appearing after rectal surgery. Ultimately, the patient was diagnosed and treated by endoscopic fenestration.

Endoscopic ultrasound-measured muscular thickness of the lower esophageal sphincter and long-term prognosis after peroral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia.

Background: People with achalasia typically have a thick lower esophageal muscularis propria (LEMP), and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has been effective in treating most patients. LEMP thickness may be associated with the outcomes and prognosis after POEM. However, more evidence is needed regarding the relationship between LEMP thickness and patient prognosis after POEM.

Impaired Right Ventricular Mechanics at Rest and During Exercise Are Associated With Exercise Capacity in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background Impaired right ventricular ( RV ) function indicates RV involvement in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( HCM ). We aimed to assess RV function at rest and during exercise in HCM patients and to examine the association between impaired RV mechanics and exercise capacity. Methods and Results A total of 76 HCM patients (48 without and 28 with RV hypertrophy) and 30 age- and sex-matched controls were prospectively recruited.

Decreased biventricular mechanics and functional reserve in nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients: implications for exercise capacity.

The present study investigated the changes of biventricular mechanics at rest and during exercise and examined the association between exercise capacity and biventricular mechanics and functional reserve in nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (NHCM) patients. A total of 50 NHCM patients and 25 controls were consecutively recruited for this study. Using echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging, an experienced echocardiographer determined the following indices: RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS), LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), strain rate (SR), and functional reserve of strain values.

Ultrasmall MoS Nanodots-Doped Biodegradable SiO Nanoparticles for Clearable FL/CT/MSOT Imaging-Guided PTT/PDT Combination Tumor Therapy.

Recently, we developed ultrasmall molybdenum disulfide (MoS) quantum dots for computed tomography (CT) and multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) imaging-guided photothermal therapy (PTT). But, due to rapid body elimination and limited blood circulation time, the tumor uptake of the dots is low. In our study, this problem was solved via designing an amino-modified biodegradable nanomaterial based on MoS quantum-dots-doped disulfide-based SiO nanoparticles (denoted MoS@ss-SiO) for multimodal application.

17β-estradiol preserves right ventricular function in rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension: an echocardiographic and histochemical study.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is more prevalent in females. Paradoxically, female patients have better right ventricular (RV) function and higher survival rates than males. However, the effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) on RV function in PAH has not been studied.

Immunization with alkyl hydroperoxide reductase subunit C reduces Fusobacterium nucleatum load in the intestinal tract.

Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) is an important tumour-associated bacterium in colorectal cancer (CRC). The antioxidant protein alkyl hydroperoxide reductase subunit C (AhpC) can induce strong antibacterial immune response during various pathogen infections. Our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Fn-AhpC as a candidate vaccine.

Computational Approaches to tRNA-Derived Small RNAs.

tRNA-derived small RNAs (tDRs) are a group of small, non-coding RNAs derived from transfer RNAs (tRNAs). They can be classified as tRNA halves and tRNA-derived small RNA fragments (tRFs). Accumulating experimental evidence suggests their functional roles in cells and in various biological processes.

Lichen elemental composition distinguishes anthropogenic emissions from dust storm inputs and differs among species: Evidence from Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia, China.

To test the applicability of lichens in the biomonitoring of atmospheric elemental deposition in a typical steppe zone of Inner Mongolia, China, six foliose lichens (Physcia aipolia, PA; P. tribacia, PT; Xanthoria elegans, XE; X. mandschurica, XM; Xanthoparmelia camtschadalis, XPC; and Xp.

[Optimization of ICP-AES and ICP-MS Techniques for the Determination of Major, Minor and Micro Elements in Lichens].

Lichens are one of the best materials for air quality biomonitoring, and they have been widely used in atmospheric element deposition monitoring in many regions. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) are two efficient techniques widely used in quantifying and quantifying plant elements. However, elemental levels in lichens from some regions in China are much higher than in other plants, and their variation is highly dependent on space, time, species and elements.

Relationship between echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging-derived measures of right ventricular function in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Background: Echocardiography is widely used to evaluate right ventricular (RV) function. However, the value of echocardiographic parameters to assess RV function in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is unknown. In this study, we analyzed the correlations between echocardiographic parameters and the RV ejection fraction (RVEF) as measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging to systematically elucidate the role of echocardiographic parameters in the assessment of RV function in patients with CTEPH.

[Efficacy observation of acupuncture and tapping therapy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes of yin deficiency pattern combined with stasis in the patients].

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of acupuncture and tapping therapy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes of yin deficiency pattern combined with stasis in the patients.

Methods: One hundred and twelve patients were treated with acupuncture, followed by tapping method. The reinforcing method with lifting, thrusting and rotating needle technique was used at Taixi (KI 3), Shenmen (HT 7), Taibai (SP 3), Taiyuan (LU 9), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Zusanli (ST 36); and the even-needling technique was used at Taichong (LR 3), Hegu (LI 4), Xuehai (SP 10) and Fenglong (ST 40).

Lack of association between interferon gamma +874 T/A polymorphism and cancer risk: an updated meta-analysis.

Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) is a potent proinflammatory cytokine which plays a pivotal role in the antiviral, antiproliferative, and antitumor activities. A T-to-A transition at the position +874 of human IFN-γ gene (IFNG) has been reported to influence the secretion of IFN-γ and affect cancer susceptibility. However, results from published studies on the association between IFNG +874 T/A polymorphism and cancer risk are inconclusive or even controversial.

Macrophage receptors of polysaccharide isolated from a marine filamentous fungus Phoma herbarum YS4108.

Aim: YCP, a novel (1,4)-alpha-D-glucan, was isolated from the mycelium of the marine filamentous fungus Phoma herbarum YS4108. In this work, we investigated a YCP-binding cellular receptor expressed by macrophages and the intracellular signal transduction pathways involved in YCP-induced macrophage activation.

Methods: Fluorescence-labeled YCP (fl-YCP) was prepared using the CDAP-activation method.

[GPI-PLD gene exon14 polymorphisms of leucocyte in peripheral blood from healthy persons and leukemia patients].

Objective: To analyze the polymorphisms of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD) gene exon 14, GPI-PLD activity of leucocyte in the peripheral blood,and the relationship in leukemia patients of Han nationality in Hunan.

Methods: Both 96 leukemia patients and 96 healthy persons of Han nationality in Hunan were researched [including 48 acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia (ANLL) patients as group A, 31 acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) patients as group B, 12 chronic granulocytic leukaemia (CML) patients as group C, 5 chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients as group D]. The polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-SSCP and sequencing;.

[Effect of the expression of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D gene on K562 cell sensitivity to complement killing].

Objective: To detect the release of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored CD55 and CD59, and the effect of complement dependent cytotoxicity on K562 cell with expression of GPI-PLD by glucose or insulin.

Methods: CD55 and CD59 were detected by Western blotting; GPI-PLD activities were analyzed quantitatively; and complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) effects were observed by staining of trypan blue.

Results: After being induced by insulin or glucose for 24 h and 48 h, GPI-PLD activities and rate of CDC killing in the insulin, insulin + glucose groups significantly increased.

Effect of glycosylphosphatidylinositol specific phospholipase D gene expression levels on complement mediated killing of leukemic cells in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.

Background: To explore the disparity in glycosylphosphatidylinositol phospholipase D (GPI-PLD) expression levels between mononuclear cells of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and healthy controls, and clarify the certain relation of GPI-PLD expression levels to complement mediated killing of leukemic cells.

Methods: Competitive RT-PCR was used to detect quantitatively the GPI-PLD mRNA in mononuclear cells. GPI-anchored CD55 and CD59 were analyzed by flow cytometry and Western blotting.