Impact of non-selective beta blockers on further decompensation and death in decompensated cirrhosis: Benefit and risk stratification by MELD score.

Background: Non-selective beta blockers (NSBBs) can reduce the risk of decompensation, but their impact on further decompensation has been rarely investigated.

Aims: The aim is to evaluate the impact of NSBBs on further decompensation and death in decompensated cirrhosis stratified by the severity of liver disease.

Methods: Overall, 332 decompensated cirrhotic patients were retrospectively included, of whom 149 used NSBBs.

Circulating circular RNAs as novel biomarkers and functional prediction for the early diagnosis in post-stroke cognitive impairment: A single-center prospective study in China.

Background: Early evaluation and intervention for post-stroke cognitive impairment are crucial for improving the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke. The search for specific diagnostic markers and feasible therapeutic targets is extremely urgent.The characteristics of circular RNAs make them promising candidates.

Preferential segregation of gold at the symmetrical tilt grain boundaries of platinum: an atomic-scale quantitative understanding.

Grain boundary (GB) segregation plays a pivotal role in maintaining and optimizing the remarkable catalytic or mechanical properties of nanocrystalline Pt by reducing the Gibbs free energy and thereby impeding structure degradation. The solute segregation behavior at the Pt GB, however, is not well understood at the atomic level. In this study, we employed first-principles calculations to elucidate the preferential segregation behavior of a single Au atom at the symmetrical tilt GB of Pt.

Plant communication with rhizosphere microbes can be revealed by understanding microbial functional gene composition.

Understanding rhizosphere microbial ecology is necessary to reveal the interplay between plants and associated microbial communities. The significance of rhizosphere-microbial interactions in plant growth promotion, mediated by several key processes such as auxin synthesis, enhanced nutrient uptake, stress alleviation, disease resistance, etc., is unquestionable and well reported in numerous literature.

Shift in the rhizosphere soil fungal community associated with root rot infection of Plukenetia volubilis Linneo caused by Fusarium and Rhizopus species.

Background: Plukenetia volubilis Linneo is an oleaginous plant belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. Due to its seeds containing a high content of edible oil and rich in vitamins, P. volubilis is cultivated as an economical plant worldwide.

Neuron-secreted NLGN3 ameliorates ischemic brain injury via activating Gαi1/3-Akt signaling.

We here tested the potential activity and the underlying mechanisms of neuroligin-3 (NLGN3) against ischemia-reperfusion-induced neuronal cell injury. In SH-SY5Y neuronal cells and primary murine cortical neurons, NLGN3 activated Akt-mTOR and Erk signalings, and inhibited oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD)/re-oxygenation (OGD/R)-induced cytotoxicity. Akt activation was required for NLGN3-induced neuroprotection.

How to process synovial fluid samples of gouty arthritis and extract its exosomes for subsequent cytokine analysis.

Background: The comparative analysis of ultracentrifugation (UC) and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based precipitation for the isolation of exosomes in gouty arthritis synovial fluid (GASF) is rarely reported, and it is not known whether different isolation methods can influence subsequent cytokine analysis.

Methods: GA patients were enrolled during a 1-year period from May 2021 to May 2022. Morphology, particle number, size, purity, protein concentration, and biomarker proteins of GASF-derived exosomes in both extraction methods were observed using transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracer analysis, bicinchoninic acid assay, and Western blotting.

NT-proBNP Levels and Collateral Circulation Status in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Methods: In this study, 326 hospitalized patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke (AACIS) were included. A comparison of the clinical characteristics of those with and without AF was conducted. The Spearman rank correlation was used for the correlation analysis of plasma NT-proBNP level, regional leptomeningeal collateral (rLMC) score, and computed tomography perfusion (CTP) status in the AF and non-AF groups.

Treatment and outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitors-associated colitis/diarrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved the outcomes of cancer patients. However, ICIs often lead to colitis/diarrhea. This study aimed to assess the treatment of ICIs-associated colitis/diarrhea and outcomes.

miR-103-3p Regulates the Differentiation and Autophagy of Myoblasts by Targeting MAP4.

Skeletal muscle is the most abundant tissue in mammals, and myogenesis and differentiation require a series of regulatory factors such as microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, we found that miR-103-3p was highly expressed in the skeletal muscle of mice, and the effects of miR-103-3p on skeletal muscle development were explored using myoblast C2C12 cells as a model. The results showed that miR-103-3p could significantly reduce myotube formation and restrain the differentiation of C2C12 cells.

Absence of fluctuation and inverted circadian rhythm of blood pressure increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction in cerebral small vessel disease patients.

Background And Purpose: Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a common cause of stroke and senile vascular cognitive impairment, imposing a heavy burden on public health care systems worldwide. Hypertension and 24-hour blood pressure variability (BPV), known to be significant risk factors for cognitive dysfunction, have been found to be associated with cognitive function in CSVD patients in previous studies. However, as a derived part of BPV, there are few studies on the relationship between circadian rhythm of blood pressure and cognitive dysfunction in CSVD patients, and the relationship between them is still unclear.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Alleviated Cerebral Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Obese Rats.

This study aimed to investigate whether fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) provides protection for stroke injury in obese patients. Rats were fed high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 weeks and subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). After FMT for 30 days, body weight, serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, neurological score, brain water content, and cerebral infarction volume were measured.

Elevated NT-proBNP levels are associated with CTP ischemic volume and 90-day functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the impact of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) on CTP infarct core volume and poor 90-day functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: A total of 403 hospitalized patients with AIS in the Stroke Center of the First Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University were enrolled from March 2018 to January 2021. The association between NT-proBNP and clinical outcomes in acute ischemic patients was assessed by logistic regression and adjusted for confounding factors.

Optimal nitrogen fertilizer, which determines straw properties, and pyrolysis temperatures produce desired-biochars that can be used as a soil amendment.

This study investigated the straw harvested after nitrogen (N) fertilizer application levels (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg N hm). The N fertilizer increased straw yield by 115.4-190.

Effect of cerebral small vessel disease on cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease.

Objectives: To explore the association between cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) and cognitive impairment (CI) in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: 81 PD patients were recruited into the study from September 2018 to December 2020. The demographic characteristics and radiologic and laboratory data were collected.

Nurses' practice and educational needs in oral care for postoperative patients with oral cancer in ICUs: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Background: Surgical incision, endotracheal intubation, structural changes in the oral cavity, and other factors lead to a divergence in oral care between patients after oral surgery and ordinary inpatients. High-quality oral care can reduce the incidence of incision infection and ventilator-associated pneumonia. However, there is a lack of guidelines or expert consensus on oral care after oral cancer surgery.

Selenium Alleviates Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Regulating Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Fusion and Ferroptosis.

To clarify the potential role of selenium (Se) on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, we utilized mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion as an animal model and oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) to treat N2a cells as a cell model, respectively. MCAO model was established in mice and then divided into different groups with or without Se treatment. TTC staining was used to observe whether the cerebral I/R modeling was successful, and the apoptosis level was determined by TUNEL staining.

Analyzing Corin-BNP-NEP Protein Pathway Revealing Differential Mechanisms in AF-Related Ischemic Stroke and No AF-Related Ischemic Stroke.

Background: The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF)-related stroke increases with aging. Natriuretic peptides (NPs) family, including Corin-B type natriuretic peptide (BNP)-neprilysin (NEP) protein levels increased with age and are risk markers of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, such as AF and cardioembolic stroke. Aging is also linked to epigenetics, specifically DNA methylation.

Integrated analysis of microRNA and mRNA interactions in ovary of counter-season breeding and egg-ceased geese (Anser cygnoides).

Egg-ceasing is a phenomenon that occurs in most avian species and significantly reduces productivity. Although several factors are reported to regulate the reproduction progress, the underlying molecular mechanism of egg-ceasing remains obscure. Herein, we identified and explored the differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs involved in ovarian atrophy via high throughput sequencing.

Is Chinese herbal formula (nourishing Yin therapy) effective and well tolerated as an adjunct medication to hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome? A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Background: Previously, data mining methodology was used to identify 71 patented prescriptions in Chinese patent databases, indicating that Yin-nourishing therapy (YNT) may be an adjunct medication to hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of the addition of YNT, which includes tonifying liver and kidney therapy (TLKT) and replenishing Qi and nourishing Yin therapy (RQNYT), in the treatment of pSS.

Methods: Fourteen databases (including Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean and Latin databases) were searched to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of YNT plus hydroxychloroquine (YNTPH) hydroxychloroquine alone in patients with pSS.

Prognosis with non-contrast CT and CT Perfusion imaging in thrombolysis-treated acute ischemic stroke.

Background And Purpose: The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) and hyperdense vessel sign (HDVS) on baseline non-contrast CT (NCCT) may benefit prognosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We aimed to investigate the agreement of ASPECTS between automated and manual interpretations, and further understand the roles of NCCT and CT Perfusion (CTP) in prognosis.

Materials And Methods: From January 2019 to May 2020, thrombolysis-treated AIS patients undergoing NCCT and Perfusion imaging before treatment were retrospectively reviewed.