Publications by authors named "Wen-Sheng Liu"

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of tofacitinib for treating moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC).

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were searched from inception up to 18 July 2023.

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Article Synopsis
  • Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is linked to a higher risk of kidney disease, as shown in a study on human kidney cells.
  • The study found that PM2.5 increases ferroptotic stress markers, changes cell morphology, and promotes a process called epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is related to kidney damage.
  • Using specific inhibitors like Fer-1 can counteract the harmful effects of PM2.5 on kidney cells, suggesting that managing ferroptotic stress might help prevent kidney injury.
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Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been associated with the development and progression of renal disease. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), a key transcription factor involved in inflammation as well as lipid and glucose metabolism, helps maintain the integrity of tubular epithelial cells.

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The number of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing. Oral toxin adsorbents may provide some value. Several uremic toxins, including indoxyl sulfate (IS), p-cresol (PCS), acrolein, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and inflammation markers (interleukin 6 [IL-6] and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha) have been shown to be related to CKD progression.

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In this study, to explore the effect of growth hormone changes on the related genes and regulatory roles of the turtle, PCR amplification, real-time fluorescence quantitative analysis, and enzyme cutting technology were used to clone and sequence the () gene, (), and () sequence of . The effects of human growth hormone on the mRNA expression of growth-axis-related genes , , and in different sexes were observed. The study of the gene in turtles using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that the gene was mainly expressed in the nervous system and the digestive system, with the highest expression found in the brain, while the gene and the gene were expressed in all tissues of .

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Fungal communities play a key role in the decomposition of crop residues and affect soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. Conservation tillage enhances SOC sequestration and mitigate global climate change. However, the impact of long-term tillage practices on fungal community diversity and its relation to SOC stock remains unclear.

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Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) are used to treat anemia in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We investigated the role of inflammation and accumulation of environmental toxins (perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), such as perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate) in the erythropoietic response of HD patients who receive a fixed monthly continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA) dosage. Forty-five patients underwent three successive phases of ESA treatment for two months each (phase one: 100 µg CERA once monthly; phase two: 50 µg CERA twice monthly; phase three: 100 µg CERA once monthly).

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Background: We investigated the beneficial effect of add-on yoga with rehabilitation on blood pressure (BP) and hand grip strength in patients with chronic stroke (more than 90 days).

Methods: The study included patients 30-80 years of age who could stand independently for 1 min. Patients with psychiatric diseases or undergoing other therapies (like acupuncture) were excluded.

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Hyperlipidemia is increasing in prevalence and is highly correlated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lipid-lowering medications prevent CVD but may not be suitable when the side effects are intolerable or hypercholesterolemia is too severe. Double-filtration plasmapheresis (DF) has shown its therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemia, but its side effects are not yet known.

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The ever-increasing trend of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is accelerating global warming and threatening food security. Environmental benefits and sustainable food production must be pursued locally and globally. Thus, a field experiment was conducted in 2015 to understand how to balance the trade-offs between agronomic productivity and environment quality in the North China Plain (NCP).

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Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a multifunctional molecule that mainly expressed in response to proinflammatory stimuli under physiological and pathological conditions. It is produced in tubule epithelial cells that is involved in the innate immune response and inflammatory reactions in the kidney. However, its role in fine particulate matter (PM2.

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Background: Tumor grade determined by the Ki67 index is the best prognostic factor for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs). However, we often observe that the grade of metastases differs from that of their primary tumors. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of grade changes between primary tumors and metastases, explore its association with clinical characteristics, and correlate the findings with the prognosis.

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Serum creatinine is an important clinical marker for renal clearance. However, two conventional methods (Jaffe and enzymatic) are prone to interferences with organic compounds as compared to the standard method (isotope dilution-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) and can cause a significant negative bias. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are two common perfluorochemicals (PFCs) that can easily be accumulated in humans.

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Objective: Diabetic nephropathy (DN), also known as diabetic kidney disease (DKD), is a major chronic complication of diabetes and is the most frequent cause of kidney failure globally. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of DN would lead to the development of novel therapeutic options. Acrolein, an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde, is a common dietary and environmental pollutant.

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Article Synopsis
  • Aeromonas hydrophila is a significant bacterial threat in striped catfish aquaculture, leading to major economic losses.
  • The study focuses on the NK-lysin (PhNK-lysin) from this fish, identifying its gene structure and the antimicrobial properties of a synthesized peptide derived from it.
  • Results indicate that PhNK-lysin is activated during A. hydrophila infection, demonstrates effective antibacterial activity against multiple pathogens, and enhances survival rates in infected catfish.
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Background: The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) is an essential semi-structured diagnostic tool for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study aims to validate the Chinese version of the ADI-R in Taiwan.

Methods: The Chinese version of the ADI-R was translated and back-translated by professional translators and was approved by the original authors.

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Particulate matter exposure has been known as a potential risk for the global burden of disease, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Accumulating evidence suggests that PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.

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Mechanisms of soil organic carbon (SOC) stabilization have been widely studied due to their relevance in the global carbon cycle. No-till (NT) has been frequently adopted to sequester SOC; however, limited information is available regarding whether sequestered SOC will be stabilized for long term. Thus, we reviewed the mechanisms affecting SOC stability in NT systems, including the priming effects (PE), molecular structure of SOC, aggregate protection, association with soil minerals, microbial properties, and environmental effects.

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The sensitivity of soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization to temperature could affect the future atmospheric CO levels under global warming. Sieved soils are widely used to assess SOC mineralization and its temperature sensitivity (Q) via laboratory incubation. However, sieved soils cause a temporary increase in mineralization due to the destruction of soil structure, which can affect estimates of SOC mineralization, especially in soils managed with no-till (NT).

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No-till (NT) is a sustainable option because of its benefits in controlling erosion, saving labor, and mitigating climate change. However, a comprehensive assessment of soil pH response to NT is still lacking. Thus, a global meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effects of NT on soil pH and to identify the influential factors and possible consequences based on the analysis of 114 publications.

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Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome is a rare type of teratozoospermia that severely impairs the reproductive ability of male patients, and genetic defects have been recognized as the main cause of acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. Spermatogenesis and centriole-associated 1 like (SPATC1L) is indispensable for maintaining the integrity of sperm head-to-tail connections in mice, but its roles in human sperm and early embryonic development remain largely unknown. Herein, we conducted whole-exome sequencing (WES) of 22 infertile men with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome.

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Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a higher risk of vascular complications. This retrospective cohort study aimed to analyze the differences in the risk of arteriovenous fistula or graft (AVF/AVG) dysfunction in hemodialysis patients with and without SLE from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Database over a 10-year period. AVF/AVG dysfunction is defined as the occurrence of the first episode of intervention after vascular access creation.

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Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a treatment modality for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Dextrose is a common osmotic agent used in PD solutions and its absorption may exacerbate diabetes mellitus, a common complication of ESRD. PD solutions also contain glucose degradation products (GDPs) that may lead to encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS), a severe complication of PD.

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To explore water-air carbon dioxide (CO) exchange and its nutritional controls in karst rivers, water sampling and analyses were conducted in the Furong River as a representative karst river system. Regional hydrometeorological characteristics, carbonate system parameters, total organic carbon (TOC), nutrients and their stoichiometric ratios, and the riverine pressure of aqueous CO (CO) and its couplings to trophic status were analyzed. The results showed that gas transfer velocity of CO () varied between 2.

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Cytokine-inducible Srchomology2 (SH2)-containing protein (CIS) belongs to the suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) protein family function as a negative feedback loop inhibiting cytokine signal transduction. J subgroup avian leukosis virus (ALV-J), a commonly-seen avian virus with a feature of immunosuppression, poses an unmeasurable threat to the poultry industry across the world. However, commercial medicines or vaccines are still no available for this virus.

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