Gut-liver axis in sepsis-associated liver injury: Epidemiology, challenges and clinical practice.

Although the liver has a remarkable regenerative capacity, sepsis-associated liver injury (SLI) is a complication often seen in intensive care units. Due to its role in immune and inflammatory regulation, the liver is particularly vulnerable during severe infections. Understanding the global prevalence, causes, and management of SLI is essential to improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

Protective Effects of L-Cysteine Against Cisplatin-Induced Oxidative Stress-Mediated Reproductive Damage.

Cisplatin (CIS) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, but its side effects, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, often lead to male reproductive damage. Oxidative stress, primarily caused by the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays a critical role in disrupting testicular homeostasis, resulting in spermatogenic impairment and tissue injury. L-cysteine (CYS), a semi-essential amino acid with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may offer protection against CIS-induced oxidative damage.

Treadmill intervention attenuates motor deficit with 6-OHDA-induced Parkinson's disease rat via changes in lipid profiles in brain and muscle.

One of the key hallmarks of Parkinson's disease is the disruption of lipid homeostasis in the brain, which plays a critical role in neuronal membrane integrity and function. Understanding how treadmill training impacts lipid restructuring and its subsequent influence on motor function could provide a basis for developing targeted non-pharmacological interventions for individuals living with early stage of PD. This study aims to investigate the effects of a treadmill training intervention on motor deficits induced by 6-OHDA in rats model of PD.

Stimulation of dorsal root ganglion with low-intensity focused ultrasound ameliorates pain responses through the GABA inhibitory pathway.

Aims: Chronic pain is a critical public health issue that severely impacts quality of life and poses significant treatment challenges, particularly due to the risk of adverse effects associated with pharmacological therapies. The search for effective non-invasive treatment alternatives has become increasingly relevant. Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) has been identified as an effective non-invasive strategy for pain management, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear.

Effects of probiotics in elderly hospitalized tube-fed patients with antibiotics use.

Background: Several studies revealed the beneficial effects of probiotics against the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea of hospitalized patients but it is rarely to assess the nutrition status. This study investigated the effects of probiotics in elderly hospitalized tube-fed patients with antibiotics use and is the first study that concerns the nutritional status among these patients.

Methods: Elderly hospitalized tube-fed patients who were using antibiotics were recruited.

Short Sleep Duration and Skipping Main Meals among University Students.

 Admission to university influences lifestyle behaviors and is marked by a daily routine of accumulation of activities that can interfere with sleep duration, affecting food choices and meal consumption habits throughout the day.  To analyze the association between short sleep duration and skipping main meals among university students.  We conducted a cross-sectional study with 1,608 university students aged between 16 and 25 years, who were enrolled in full-time undergraduate courses at a public university in the Midwestern region of Brazil.

Efficacy of Zinc Supplementation in the Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background/objectives: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a common condition affecting up to 90% of menstruating women, which often results in significant pain without an underlying pathology. Zinc, recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects through inhibiting prostaglandin production and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) upregulation, alleviates menstrual pain by preventing uterine spasms and enhancing microcirculation in the endometrium, suggesting its potential as an alternative treatment for primary dysmenorrhea. The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy and safety of zinc supplementation in reducing pain severity among women with PD and to explore the influence of dosage and treatment duration.

Impact of Adlay-Based Formula on Pain and Discomfort in Women with Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea, a highly prevalent condition that significantly impacts women's daily activities and quality of life, occurs without underlying pelvic pathological changes. Conventional treatments, such as warm water therapy, provide temporary relief; however, more effective interventions are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an Adlay-based formula in reducing dysmenorrhea symptoms through randomized controlled trials.

Artificial digestion represents the worst-case scenario for studying nanoplastic fate in gastrointestinal tract.

Humans may inevitably be exposed to nanoplastics (NPls) through ingestion. The size of NPls significantly influences their absorption efficiency, so understanding behaviors of NPls during digestion is vital for risk assessment. In this study, fluorescent polystyrene (PS) and melamine-formaldehyde resin (MF) NPls were characterized by different techniques after the in vitro digestion process both with and without a standard food model, or with and without pH adjustment in the absence of the proteins.

Optimizing Testosterone Levels and Fertility Outcomes: A Case Series on the Impact of (Maca-OG) in Andropause and Sperm Dysfunction.

Low testosterone levels in men contribute to altered sexual health, including low libido, erectile dysfunction, impaired sleep, and changes in mood and energy. Nearly half of all infertility cases are implicated by male factors, such as low testosterone levels and altered semen and sperm health. The purpose of this case series is to share the experience of two men taking a concentrated, highly bioavailable gelatinized form of specific phenotypes (sometimes referred to as colors) of (Maca-OG™) to improve reproductive health.

Gut microbiome and body composition with sorbitol intake during early lifespan.

Objective: The association of sorbitol intake with maintaining healthy body weight through the gut microbiome during early life was investigated.

Research Methods And Procedures: Sorbitol intake, body mass index (BMI), and fecal samples were collected in the total of 369 pregnant women with their infants (aged 4 months to 5 years) from the Taipei Mother-Infant Nutrition Cohort and 1946 children and adolescents (aged 6-18 years) from the Taiwan Puberty Longitudinal Study. The BMI-z score in sorbitol users was compared to that in sorbitol nonusers using generalized linear mixed model.

Aspartame intake during pregnancy induces placental dysfunction through impaired mitochondrial function and biogenesis modulation.

Introduction: Aspartame is a nonnutritive sweetener (NSS), which is widely used in foods and beverages worldwide. The safety of aspartame, a commonly used artificial sweetener, has been debated. Here, we investigated the potential effects and underlying mechanisms of aspartame consumption during pregnancy on placental dysfunction and birth outcomes.

The prognostic significance of diabetes in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: A meta-analysis.

Aims: Studies on the prognosis of patients with diabetes and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the era of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are limited, and existing findings remain inconsistent. This meta-analysis explored the association between diabetes and survival outcomes in this population.

Methods: A total of 10 non-randomized studies comparing overall survival between patients with NSCLC receiving ICIs with and without diabetes were included.

Low antiviral uptake of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir in adult patients with COVID-19 in Taiwan in 2022.

Background: Antivirals are effective in reducing hospitalisation and death in mild-to-moderate coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) patients. We estimated the antiviral uptake of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir in adult patients with a syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) period in Taiwan.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Taiwan between January 2022 and December 2022.

Regulatory roles of NAMPT and NAD metabolism in uterine leiomyoma progression: Implications for ECM accumulation, stemness, and microenvironment.

Uterine leiomyoma (UL), commonly referred to as benign tumors, is characterized by excessive cell proliferation, extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, and the presence of stem cell-like properties. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) metabolism, regulated in part by nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), plays a crucial role in these pathological processes and has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. Additionally, redox signaling pathways are integral to the pathogenesis of UL, influencing the dynamics of NAD metabolism.

Oleocanthal mitigates CoCl-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis via regulating MAPK pathway in human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Retinal hypoxia causes severe visual impairment and dysfunction in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, triggering a cascade of events leading to cellular apoptosis. Oxidative stress induced by hypoxia plays a significant role in the development of retinal diseases; however, the precise pathogenesis remains unclear. Oleocanthal, a phenolic compound in extra virgin olive oil, is known for its diverse biological properties.

Efficacy of swallowing rehabilitative therapies for adults with dysphagia: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Dysphagia leads to poor swallowing function and high risk of aspiration; swallowing rehabilitative therapies including jaw exercises, tongue exercises, chin tuck against resistance (CTAR), Shaker exercises, effortful swallow training (EST), traditional dysphagia therapy (TDT), and respiratory muscle training (RMT) including inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) and expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) are a crucial part of dysphagia rehabilitation. However, limited evidence exists on the comparative efficacy of swallowing rehabilitative therapies in adults with dysphagia. This is the first network meta-analysis (NMA) to investigate the comparative efficacy of swallowing rehabilitative therapies for adults with dysphagia.

Accumulation of 3-Monochloro-Propanediol Esters in Kidney Tissues of Patients with Human Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Background: 3-Monochloro-propanediol esters (3-MCPDEs), commonly found in refined edible oils and related products, have generated concerns due to their nephrotoxicity and carcinogenicity, yet clinical evidence remains limited.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to assess, for the first time, the accumulation of 3-MCPDEs in human kidney tissues, focusing on 68 participants, some with and others without renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods: An analytical method for 3-MCPDE determination in kidney tissues underwent partial validation to ensure its suitability for sample analysis.

Effect of Obesity and Metabolic Health Status on Metabolic-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease among Renal Transplant Recipients Using Hepatic Steatosis Index.

Background/objectives: Obesity and metabolic conditions increase the risk of metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This study examined the risk of MASLD in 137 renal transplant recipients (RTRs) from a single-center hospital on the basis of their obesity and metabolic health status.

Methods: Participants were categorized into four groups: metabolically healthy nonobese (MHNO), metabolically healthy obese (MHO), metabolically abnormal nonobese (MANO), and metabolically abnormal obese (MAO).

The influence of exposure to inorganic arsenic and other arsenic species on early renal impairment among young adults in Taiwan.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant global public health challenge, with environmental toxins potentially contributing to its prevalence. In Taiwan, where arsenic (As) contamination is endemic in certain areas, assessing its impact on renal health is crucial due to the country's high rates of unexplained CKD. This cross-sectional study assessed associations between urinary As species and early renal impairment biomarkers-the microalbumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) and β2-microglobulin (B2MG)-in 248 young Taiwanese adults (aged 20-29 years).

Effects of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid/Saturated Fatty Acid Ratio and Different Amounts of Monounsaturated Fatty Acids on Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Cells.

(1) Background: Adipose tissue serves as a central repository for energy storage and is an endocrine organ capable of secreting various adipokines, including leptin and adiponectin. These adipokines exert profound influences on diverse physiological processes such as insulin sensitivity, appetite regulation, lipid metabolism, energy homeostasis, and body weight. Given the integral role of adipose tissue in metabolic regulation, it is imperative to investigate the effects of varying proportions and types of dietary fats on adipocyte function.