Quercetin Alleviates Cardiac Fibrosis via Regulating the SIRT3 Signaling Pathway.

Purpose: Cardiovascular diseases, exacerbated by cardiac fibrosis, are the leading causes of mortality. We aimed to determine the role of quercetin (QU) in cardiac fibrosis and the underlying mechanism.

Methods: In this study, 8-week-old mice were subjected to either transverse aortic constriction (TAC) or sham surgery, then they were administered QU or saline.

Biochar application improves maize yield on the Loess Plateau of China by changing soil pore structure and enhancing root growth.

Biochar application emerges as a valuable soil management strategy for enhancing crop yield; however, the mechanisms underlying the relationships between soil and plants remain unclear after biochar application. In this study, soil pore characteristics and maize yield were assessed in a five-year biochar-application experiment on the Loess Plateau of China, including four treatments: Control (no biochar), low-dose biochar application (LB, 3 t ha), moderate-dose biochar application (MB, 6 t ha), and high-dose biochar application (HB, 9 t ha). Root growth traits were evaluated by cultivating maize in intact soil cores collected from field conditions using X-ray computed tomography.

Cooperation of Wnt/β-catenin and Dll1-mediated Notch pathway in Lgr5-positive intestinal stem cells regulates the mucosal injury and repair in DSS-induced colitis mice model.

Background: Lgr5-positive cells located in the basal layer of crypts have self-regenerative and proliferative differentiation potentials of intestinal stem cells (ISCs), maintaining a balance of regeneration-repair in mucosal epithelium. However, the mechanisms of mucosal repair that are regulated by ISCs in ulcerative colitis (UC) remain unclear.

Method: Colon tissues from patients with UC were collected to test β-catenin and Notch1 expression by using Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Development of a hybrid hydrogel for submucosal injection in endoscopic resection of gastrointestinal neoplasm: From laboratory to clinical trial.

Submucosal injection solution is essential for successful endoscopic resection of the early gastrointestinal tumor. We evaluated a new endoscopic hydrogel for submucosal injection and its clinical feasibility. A hydrogel (AceGel) containing 0.

Beneficial impact of visual stimulation-based digital therapeutics on blood pressure control in non-hypertensive individuals.

Hypertension-related diseases occur in both hypertensive and non-hypertensive individuals. However, few studies to date have explored blood pressure (BP) control in non-hypertensive individuals. This before-after study aimed to examine the impact of visual stimulation-based digital therapeutics (VS-DTx) on BP and heart rate (HR).

LAMB3 Promotes Intestinal Inflammation Through SERPINA3 and Is Directly Transcriptionally Regulated by P65 in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: Various extracellular matrix (ECM) reshaping events are involved in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). LAMB3 is a vital subunit of laminin-332, an important ECM component. Data on the biological function of LAMB3 in intestinal inflammation are lacking.

Invasive Bloodstream Infections in Children: The Antifungal Susceptibility, Clinical Characteristics and Impacts on Outcomes.

: is the most common non- candida species that causes invasive candidiasis, but little is known about its impacts on the outcomes of pediatric patients. We aimed to characterize the clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes of bloodstream infections (BSIs) in children. : All pediatric patients with BSIs between 2005 and 2020 from a medical center in Taiwan were enrolled and analyzed.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis reveals biochemical difference in urine of patients with perianal fistula.

Background & Aims: Perianal fistulising Crohn's disease (PFCD) is different from the characteristics and outcomes of traditional non-inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) anal fistulas. The presence of perianal disease was a poor prognostic indicator for Crohn's disease (CD) patients and PFCD patients were more likely to bear an increased risk of recurrence. However, the effective and accurate diagnosis methods to early distinguish PFCD from simple perianal fistula were still scarce.

PCSK9 Inhibition Regulates Infarction-Induced Cardiac Myofibroblast Transdifferentiation via Notch1 Signaling.

Increasing evidence suggests that PCSK9 inhibition protects cardiomyocytes against ischemia-reperfusion injury after myocardial infarction. However, it is not clear whether PCSK9 inhibitor (PCSK9i) affects cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) activation after MI. In this study we used SBC-115076, an antagonist of PCSK9, to investigate the role of PCSK9i in the conversion of CFs to cardiac myofibroblasts (CMFs) after MI and provided a basic for its clinical application in cardiac fibrosis after MI.

Surgical Options for Appropriate Length of J-Pouch Construction for Better Outcomes and Long-term Quality of Life in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis after Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis.

Background/aims: Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is widely accepted as a radical surgery for refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). Definite results on the appropriate pouch length for an evaluation of the risk-to-benefit ratio regarding technical complications and long-term quality of life (QOL) are still scarce.

Methods: Data on UC patients who underwent IPAA from 2008 to 2022 in four well-established pouch centers affiliated to China UC Pouch Center Union were collected.

Intraoperative crystalloid-colloid infusion ratio associated with the development of early surgical complications after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in ulcerative colitis: a multicenter long-term follow-up study.

Background: Intraoperative intravenous fluid administration proves to be associated with surgical patients' postoperative outcomes. Few studies reported the relationship between intraoperative crystalloid-colloid infusion ratio and early surgical complications after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) in ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Data on patients with underwent IPAA from January 2008 to March 2022 at our three inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) surgery centers were retrospectively collected.

Risk Factors and Quality of Life in Patients with Diffuse Pouchitis After Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis According to the Chicago Classification for J Pouch: a Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study in China.

Background: Pouchitis is a common late complication in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) who undergo ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). The heterogeneous nature of the clinical and endoscopic presentations could affect the evaluation of therapeutic interventions for pouchitis. Thus, identifying the risk factors and clinical outcomes of pouch inflammation at different sites and severity is becoming increasingly important for colorectal surgeons.

Relationships between stable isotope natural abundances (δC and δN) and water use efficiency in rice under alternate wetting and drying irrigation in soils with high clay contents.

Natural abundance of the stable isotope (δC and δN) in plants is widely used to indicate water use efficiency (WUE). However, soil water and texture properties may affect this relationship, which remains largely elusive. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate δC as affected by different combinations of alternate wetting and drying irrigation (AWD) with varied soil clay contents in different organs and whole plant and assess the feasibility of using δC and δN as a physiological indicator of whole-plant water use efficiency (WUE).

Maternal psychological distress in the early postpartum period during COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot study.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 infection (COVID-19) pandemic is a new global outbreak disease. According to the Taiwan Centers for Diseases Control statement, hospitals had to change their corresponding measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The frequency of parental visits to the special care nursery was reduced from three times to once daily.

The endoscopic prediction model of simple endoscopic score for Crohn's disease (SES-CD) as an effective predictor of intestinal obstruction in Crohn's disease: A multicenter long-term follow-up study.

Background: The simple endoscopic score for Crohn's disease (SES-CD) is a widely used index to evaluate clinical and endoscopic activity. However, the association and predictive value of SES-CD for intestinal obstruction in Crohn's disease (CD) remains unclear. We aimed to establish the best cut-off indicators of SES-CD for early clinical intervention and subsequent prevention of intestinal obstruction in CD.

Integrated organic and inorganic fertilization and reduced irrigation altered prokaryotic microbial community and diversity in different compartments of wheat root zone contributing to improved nitrogen uptake and wheat yield.

The effect of long-term water and integrated fertilization on prokaryotic microorganisms and their regulation for crop nutrient uptake remains unknown. Therefore, the impact of soil water and integrated fertilization after eight years on prokaryotic microbial communities in different compartments of root zone and their association with wheat nitrogen (N) absorption and yield were investigated. The results showed that compared with fertilization treatments (F), water regimes (W) more drastically modulated the prokaryotic microbial community structure and diversity in bulk soil, rhizosphere and endosphere.

Natural N abundance as an indicator of nitrogen utilization efficiency in rice under alternate wetting and drying irrigation in soils with high clay contents.

The N natural abundance is an effective indicator of nitrogen dynamics in plants. The impact of different irrigation regimes as a function of varied soil clay contents on stable nitrogen isotope abundance (δN) in rice remains unknown. Therefore, the response of δN and nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) of rice to different combinations of alternate wetting and drying irrigation (AWD) and clay contents were investigated.

Echocardiographic Determination of Percutaneous Central Venous Catheters in the Superior Vena Cava: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Malposition of percutaneous central venous catheters (PCVCs) in the superior vena cava (SVC) is common. We previously showed that real-time sonography was safer and faster than radiography in identifying PCVC tip location in the inferior vena cava (IVC). However, in preterm infants, determining PCVC tip location in the SVC is complicated by endotracheal or nasogastric tubes in situ and emphysematous lung conditions.

Dissecting the combined effects of cultivar, fertilization, and irrigation on rhizosphere bacterial communities and nitrogen productivity in rice.

Rice cultivars, fertilizer types, and irrigation modes can affect soil bacterial communities and thus influence nitrogen utilization by soil microorganisms and plants. However, the combined effects of these three factors on soil bacterial communities and nitrogen productivity in rice plants remain unknown. Here, we examined the response of rhizosphere bacteria and nitrogen productivity to different combinations of cultivar (japonica or indica), fertilization (organic plus chemical or chemical), and irrigation (controlled or shallow-frequent).

Relationship Between Serum Concentration of Adrenomedullin and Myocardial Ischemic T Wave Changes in Patients With Lung Cancer.

Background: Patients with lung cancer are at increased risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Molecular markers for early diagnosis of cardiac ischemia are of great significance for the early prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with lung cancer. By evaluating the relationship between adrenomedullin (ADM) and myocardial ischemic T wave changes, the clinical value of circulating ADM as a predictor of myocardial ischemia in patients with lung cancer is confirmed.

Iron plaque formation, characteristics, and its role as a barrier and/or facilitator to heavy metal uptake in hydrophyte rice (Oryza sativa L.).

The persistent bioavailability of toxic metal(oids) (TM) is undeniably the leading source of serious environmental problems. Through the transfer of these contaminants into food networks, sediments and the aquatic environmental pollution by TM serve as key routes for potential risks to soil and human health. The formation of iron oxyhydroxide plaque (IP) on the root surface of hydrophytes, particularly rice, has been linked to the impact of various abiotic and biotic factors.

Comparison of Different Endoscopic Methods Used for Managing Choledocholithiasis in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Undergoing Hemodialysis.

Background And Aim: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST), endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD), and endoscopic sphincterotomy plus balloon dilation (ESBD) are all techniques used to manage choledocholithiasis. We aim to analyze the efficacy and safety of these techniques for treating choledocholithiasis in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD).

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 80 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on HD who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for choledocholithiasis management between August 1st, 2012, and December 31st, 2020, at a medical center in southern Taiwan.

Effects of clouds and aerosols on ecosystem exchange, water and light use efficiency in a humid region orchard.

Investigating the patterns of water and carbon dynamics in agro-ecosystems in response to clouds and aerosols can shed new insights in understanding the biophysical impacts of climate change on crop productivity and water consumption. In this study, the effects of clouds and aerosols as well as other environmental factors on ecosystem water and carbon fluxes were examined based on three-year eddy covariance measurements under different sky conditions (quantified as the clearness index, K, i.e.

Association of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists use with risk of atrial fibrillation after pacemaker implantation among very old patients.

It remains unknown whether and to what extend the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) can play a role in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) after pacemaker implantation in very old patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between oral ACEIs or ARBs and the risk of developing AF in very old patients after pacemaker implantation. Patients above 80 years old with pacemaker implantation and without baseline history of AF were included and their real-world information about ACEIs or ARBs use was extracted from electronic medical records.