Lactobacillus rhamnosus 069 and Lactobacillus brevis 031: Unraveling Strain-Specific Pathways for Modulating Lipid Metabolism and Attenuating High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice.

Obesity is a global health crisis, marked by excessive fat in tissues that function as immune organs, linked to microbiota dysregulation and adipose inflammation. Investigating the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus SG069 (LR069) and Lactobacillus brevis SG031 (LB031) on obesity and lipid metabolism, this research highlights adipose tissue's critical immune-metabolic role and the probiotics' potential against diet-induced obesity. Mice fed a high-fat diet were treated with either LR069 or LB031 for 12 weeks. Administration of LB031 boosted lipid metabolism, indicated by higher AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) phosphorylation, and increased the M2/M1 macrophage ratio, indicating LB031's anti-inflammatory effect. Meanwhile, LR069 administration not only led to significant weight loss by enhancing lipolysis which evidenced by increased phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) but also elevated Akkermansia and fecal acetic acid levels, showing the gut microbiota's pivotal role in its antiobesity effects. LR069 and LB031 exhibit distinct effects on lipid metabolism and obesity, underscoring their potential for precise interventions. This research elucidates the unique impacts of these strains on metabolic health and highlights the intricate relationship between gut microbiota and obesity, advancing our knowledge of probiotics' therapeutic potential.

Levilactobacillus brevis SG031 modulates mood-related behaviors and attenuates stress-related sleep disturbance and autonomic dysfunction via gut microbiota modulation in Wistar-Kyoto rats.

AIMS: The probiotic bacterium Levilactobacillus brevis (L. brevis) has been proposed as a potential solution to manage mood disorders and alleviate stress-related sleep disturbances. However, the underlying mechanisms of its effects have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to explore the impact and potential mechanisms of L. brevis SG031 supplementation on anxiety/depression-like behaviors and stress-induced changes in sleep patterns and sleep-related autonomic function. MAIN METHODS: Male Wistar-Kyoto rats were administered low, medium, or high doses of L. brevis SG031 or a vehicle for 4 weeks, followed by behavioral tests to evaluate anxiety and depression. After an additional 2 weeks of SG031 or vehicle administration, a cage-exchange paradigm was performed with 24-hour physiological signal measurements under different stress conditions. Fecal samples were collected to construct a 16S rRNA library and assess fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). KEY FINDINGS: High-dose SG031 administration yielded reduced depression-like responses and enhanced social interaction in behavioral tests. It also exhibited a protective effect against stress-induced sleep disturbance characterized by decreased sleep time, increased awake time, and autonomic dysfunction during sleep. Fecal examination indicated that high-dose SG031 administration exerted beneficial effects on gut health by maintaining the gut microbial abundance, preserving stability of the microbial composition, and enriching the gut with SCFAs, which were associated with improvements in sleep and autonomic function. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings collectively underscore the multifaceted potential of SG031 in addressing mental health and stress-related sleep challenges through the modulation of the gut microbiota.

Decreased Risk of Osteoporosis Incident in Subjects Receiving Chinese Herbal Medicine for Sjögren syndrome Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study with a Nested Case-Control Analysis.

Sjögren syndrome (SS) is a long-lasting inflammatory autoimmune disease that may cause diverse manifestations, particularly osteoporosis. Though usage of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) can safely manage autoimmune disease and treatment-related symptoms, the relation between CHM use and osteoporosis risk in SS persons is not yet recognized. With that in mind, this population-level nested case-control study aimed to compare the risk of osteoporosis with and without CHM use. Potential subjects aged 20-70 years, diagnosed with SS between 2001 and 2010, were retrieved from a national health claims database. Those diagnosed with osteoporosis after SS were identified and randomly matched to those without osteoporosis. We capitalize on the conditional logistic regression to estimate osteoporosis risk following CHM use. A total of 1240 osteoporosis cases were detected and randomly matched to 1240 controls at a ratio of 1:1. Those receiving conventional care plus CHM had a substantially lower chance of osteoporosis than those without CHM. Prolonged use of CHM, especially for one year or more, markedly dwindled sequent osteoporosis risk by 71%. Integrating CHM into standard care may favor the improvement of bone function, but further well-designed randomized controlled trials to investigate the possible mechanism are needed.

Does the nurse-led case management benefit rheumatoid arthritis patients in reducing distressing symptoms and C-reactive protein: a 2-year follow-up study in Taiwan.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease and may worsen over time. Today, nurse-led case management (NLCM) has been recommended to improve clinical outcomes for chronic disease patients, yet little is known regarding its impact on pain, fatigue, and C-reactive protein (CRP) among RA patients. We aimed to explore this issue among such groups via a two-group pre- and post-test approach. Methods: All subjects were recruited from one hospital in Taiwan from January 2017 to June 2018 and assigned to either a 6-month NLCM program in addition to usual care or to a control group that received usual care only. All of them were followed for 2 years. Outcomes of interests were compared at four time points: baseline, the third day after NLCM completion, and at 6 and 24 months after NLCM. Effects between them were tested using the generalized estimating equations (GEE) model after adjusting for differences at baseline. Results: A total of 50 patients in the NLCM group and 46 in the control group were recruited for data analysis. Results from the GEE model indicated that integrating NLCM into conventional care benefited patients in decreasing levels of pain and fatigue, as well as CRP value. These improvements were still observed for 2 years after NLCM. Conclusion: NLCM was shown to be helpful in lowering pain, fatigue, and CRP, which implies that NLCM may be a reference in the provision of tailored care for those affected by rheumatism.

Intratesticular Testosterone and Its Precursors among Azoospermic Men: A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to comprehensively analyze testosterone and precursor concentrations in the testicular interstitial fluid (TIF) of men with azoospermia, exploring their significance in the testicular microenvironment and their correlation with testicular sperm retrieval outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 37 TIF samples, including 5 from men with obstructive azoospermia (OA) and 32 from men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry quantified testosterone and precursor levels. Comparative assessments of the outcomes of testicular sperm retrieval were performed between the OA and NOA groups as well as among men with NOA. RESULTS: Men with NOA who had not undergone hormone treatment exhibited significantly higher intratesticular concentrations of testosterone (median 1,528.1 vs. 207.5 ng/mL), androstenedione (median 10.6 vs. 1.9 ng/mL), and 17-OH progesterone (median 13.0 vs. 1.8 ng/mL) than men diagnosed with OA. Notably, in the subgroup of patients with NOA subjected to medical treatment, men with successful sperm retrieval had significantly reduced levels of androstenedione (median androstenedione 5.7 vs. 18.5 ng/mL, p=0.004). Upon a more detailed analysis of these men who underwent hormone manipulation treatment, the testosterone/androstenedione ratio (indicative of HSD17B3 enzyme activity) was markedly increased in men with successful sperm retrieval (median: 365.8 vs. 165.0, p=0.008) compared with individuals with NOA who had unsuccessful sperm recovery. Furthermore, within the subset of men with NOA who did not undergo medical treatment before microdissection testicular sperm extraction but achieved successful sperm retrieval, the ratio of 17-OH progesterone/progesterone (indicative of CYP17A1 activity) was substantially higher. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests distinct testosterone biosynthesis pathways in men with compromised spermatogenesis and those with normal spermatogenesis. Among NOA men with successful retrieval after hormone optimization therapy, there was decreased androstenedione and increased HSD17B3 enzyme activity. These findings have diagnostic and therapeutic implications for the future.

Efficacy and Mechanism of the Action of Live and Heat-Killed Bacillus coagulans BC198 as Potential Probiotic in Ameliorating Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice.

Inflammatory bowel disease alters the gut microbiota, causes defects in mucosal barrier function, and leads to dysregulation of the immune response to microbial stimulation. This study investigated and compared the efficacy of a candidate probiotic strain, Bacillus coagulans BC198, and its heat-killed form in treating dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. Both live and heat-killed B. coagulans BC198 increased gut barrier-associated protein expression, reduced neutrophil and M1 macrophage infiltration of colon tissue, and corrected gut microbial dysbiosis induced by colitis. However, only live B. coagulans BC198 could alleviate the general symptoms of colitis, prevent colon shortening, and suppress inflammation and tissue damage. At the molecular level, live B. coagulans BC198 was able to inhibit Th17 cells while promoting Treg cells in mice with colitis, reduce pro-inflammatory MCP-1 production, and increase anti-inflammatory IL-10 expression in the colonic mucosa. The live form of B. coagulans BC198 functioned more effectively than the heat-killed form in ameliorating colitis by enhancing the anti-inflammatory response and promoting Treg cell accumulation in the colon.

Novel MPPT algorithm based on honey bees foraging characteristics for solar power generation systems.

This study proposes a novel honey bee dancing (HBD) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm inspired by the foraging behavior of honey bees. When a bee finds nectar, it returns to the honeycomb and dances to inform others about the location of the nectar. Other bees then fly towards the location and gather the nectar. The proposed HBD algorithm uses five bees searching for the nectar who communicate with each other about the location and the quantity of nectar by dancing. Finally, the five bees found the location of the most nectar which is represented by the maximum power point. The proposed HBD algorithm applies to uniform irradiance condition (UIC) and partial shaded condition (PSC). It is then compared with the PV panel output power and load relationship (OPLR) algorithm and perturb and observe (P&O) algorithm. Experimental verification has been performed under both the UIC and PSC. At the UIC's irradiance level of 200 W/m2, the PV module's output power for the proposed HBD algorithm, OPLR algorithm, and P&O algorithm are 120 W, 118 W, and 94.5 W, respectively, with efficiencies of 99 %, 97 %, and 78 %. Additionally, under the PSC with an irradiance level of 600 W/m2, the PV module's output power for the proposed HBD algorithm, OPLR algorithm, and P&O algorithm are 218 W, 189.2 W, and 74.8 W, respectively, with efficiencies of 99 %, 86 %, and 34 %, and convergence times of 4.7 ms, 6.5 ms, and 6 ms, respectively. It is evident from the results that the solar MPPT performance of the proposed HBD algorithm is better than the OPLR algorithm and P&O algorithm. This method ingeniously combines the foraging behavior of bees with solar power generation to produce the maximum natural power. This approach does not require the development of photovoltaic (PV) panel specification data, complex calculations, and additional temperature meters and heliographs. It is highly efficient and has significant economic benefits.

Relation of prenatal and postnatal PM2.5 exposure with cognitive and motor function among preschool-aged children.

The literature informing susceptible periods of exposure on children's neurodevelopment is limited. We evaluated the impacts of pre- and postnatal fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure on children's cognitive and motor function among 1303 mother-child pairs in the Spanish INMA (Environment and Childhood) Study. Random forest models with temporal back extrapolation were used to estimate daily residential PM2.5 exposures that we averaged across 1-week lags during the prenatal period and 4-week lags during the postnatal period. The McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA) were administered around 5 years to assess general cognitive index (GCI) and several subscales (verbal, perceptual-performance, memory, fine motor, gross motor). We applied distributed lag nonlinear models within the Bayesian hierarchical framework to explore periods of susceptibility to PM2.5 on each MSCA outcome. Effect estimates were calculated per 5 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and aggregated across adjacent statistically significant lags using cumulative ß (ßcum) and 95% Credible Intervals (95%CrI). We evaluated interactions between PM2.5 with fetal growth and child sex. We did not observe associations of PM2.5 exposure with lower GCI scores. We found a period of susceptibility to PM2.5 on fine motor scores in gestational weeks 1-9 (ßcum = -2.55, 95%CrI = -3.53,-1.56) and on gross motor scores in weeks 7-17 (ßcum = -2.27,95%CrI = -3.43,-1.11) though the individual lags for the latter were only borderline statistically significant. Exposure in gestational week 17 was weakly associated with verbal scores (ßcum = -0.17, 95%CrI = -0.26,-0.09). In the postnatal period (from age 0.5-1.2 years), we observed a window of susceptibility to PM2.5 on lower perceptual-performance (ß = -2.42, 95%CrI = -3.37,-1.46). Unexpected protective associations were observed for several outcomes with exposures in the later postnatal period. We observed no evidence of differences in susceptible periods by fetal growth or child sex. Preschool-aged children's motor function may be particularly susceptible to PM2.5 exposures experienced in utero whereas the first year of life was identified as a period of susceptibility to PM2.5 for children's perceptual-performance.

Susceptible windows of prenatal and postnatal fine particulate matter exposures and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in early childhood.

Few prior studies have explored windows of susceptibility to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in both the prenatal and postnatal periods and children's attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. We analyzed data from 1416 mother-child pairs from the Spanish INMA (INfancia y Medio Ambiente) Study (2003-2008). Around 5 years of age, teachers reported the number of ADHD symptoms (i.e., inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity) using the ADHD Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Around 7 years of age, parents completed the Conners' Parent Rating Scales, from which we evaluated the ADHD index, cognitive problems/inattention, hyperactivity, and oppositional subscales, reported as age- and sex-standardized T-scores. Daily residential PM2.5 exposures were estimated using a two-stage random forest model with temporal back-extrapolation and averaged over 1-week periods in the prenatal period and 4-week periods in the postnatal period. We applied distributed lag non-linear models within the Bayesian hierarchical model framework to identify susceptible windows of prenatal or postnatal exposure to PM2.5 (per 5-µg/m3) for ADHD symptoms. Models were adjusted for relevant covariates, and cumulative effects were reported by aggregating risk ratios (RRcum) or effect estimates (ßcum) across adjacent susceptible windows. A similar susceptible period of exposure to PM2.5 (1.2-2.9 and 0.9-2.7 years of age, respectively) was identified for hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms assessed ~5 years (RRcum = 2.72, 95% credible interval [CrI] = 1.98, 3.74) and increased hyperactivity subscale ~7 years (ßcum = 3.70, 95% CrI = 2.36, 5.03). We observed a susceptibility period to PM2.5 on risk of hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms ~5 years in gestational weeks 16-22 (RRcum = 1.36, 95% CrI = 1.22, 1.52). No associations between PM2.5 exposure and other ADHD symptoms were observed. We report consistent evidence of toddlerhood as a susceptible window of PM2.5 exposure for hyperactivity in young children. Although mid-pregnancy was identified as a susceptible period of exposure on hyperactivity symptoms in preschool-aged children, this association was not observed at the time children were school-aged.

Field Measurement of the Dynamic Interaction between Urban Surfaces and Microclimates in Humid Subtropical Climates with Multiple Sensors.

Forcing pathways between urban surfaces (impervious and pervious pavers) and near-surface air temperature were measured and investigated with a network of multiple sensors. Utilizing field data measured between April 2021 and May 2022, and assuming that the influential variables follow the basic heat-transfer energy-balance equations, multiple regression-based statistical models were built to predict the surface temperature and near-surface air temperature (0.05 m, 0.5 m, 1 m, 2 m, and 3 m) of one impervious paver site and one pervious paver site in Taipei City, Taiwan. Evaporative cooling was found to be more influential on the pervious paver with a statistically significant influence on the microclimate up to 1.8 m (and up to 0.7 m for the impervious paver), using in situ data with an ambient air temperature higher than 24 °C. The surface temperature is mainly affected by solar shortwave radiation and ambient air temperature. As for near-surface air temperature, ambient air temperature is the most influential factor, followed by surface temperature. The importance of surface temperature indicates the influence of upwelling longwave radiation on the microclimate. The predictive equations show that pervious surfaces can help cities with hot and humid climates fight the changing climate in the future.

Anatomy of the endocrine pancreas in actinopterygian fishes and its phylogenetic implications.

The anatomy and organisation of the endocrine pancreas in ray-finned fishes vary widely. The two main morphoanatomical character states are diffuse versus compact pancreatic tissue. The latter are called Brockmann Bodies (BBs), or principal islets. The present study is the first comprehensive survey on the anatomy of the endocrine pancreas (diffuse versus compact) across 322 actinopterygian species in 39 orders and 135 families based on literature, specimen dissections, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The data obtained show that large endocrine pancreatic islets (BB) have appeared several times in teleost evolution: in some ostariophysian clades and within the Salmoniformes and Neoteleostei. Acanthomorpha (spiny-rayed fishes) is the largest clade of the Neoteleostei. Within this clade, an absence of BBs is only observed in flying fishes (Exocoetidae), parrotfishes (Scarinae), and some of the scarine relatives, the Labridae. The presence of BBs in examined jellynose fish species from the Ateleopodiformes indicates support for its sister-group relationship to the Ctenosquamata (Myctophiformes + Acanthomorpha). More investigations are still needed to corroborate the presence or absence of BBs as a putative synapomorphy for a clade comprising Ateleopodiformes and Ctenosquamata.

Integrating Chinese Herbal Medicine into Conventional Care Was Related to Lower Risk of Sarcopenia Among Rheumatid Arthritis Patients: A Retrospective, Population-Based Study.

Objective: Sarcopenia is a frequently observed comorbidity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) due to the chronic activation of the innate immune system. Accumulating evidence has indicated that Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) safely suppresses proinflammatory pathways and controls inflammation-associated disease, but its effect in reducing the risk of developing sarcopenia among RA subjects has not been established. We conducted a population-level cohort study to compare the sarcopenia risk in patients with RA who use or do not use CHM. Methods: Using claims from a nationwide insurance database, we recruited patients with newly diagnosed RA and without sarcopenia between 2002 and 2010. Propensity score matching was applied to randomly select sets of CHM users and non-CHM users to compare the sarcopenia risk until the end of 2013. The risk of new-onset sarcopenia was assessed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: As compared to non-CHM users, those receiving CHM treatment had a lower incidence of sarcopenia (7.69 vs 9.83 per 1000 person-years). CHM was correlated with a decreased chance of sarcopenia after controlling for potential covariates. Notably, use of CHM for more than two years may diminish the risk of getting sarcopenia by about 47% when taken as prescribed. Prescriptions of several herbal formulae may benefit the reduction of sarcopenia risk, such as Yan-Hu-Suo, Bei-Mu, Da-Huang, Huang Qin, Ping-Wei-San (PWS), Shu-Jing-Huo-Xue-Tang (SJHXT) and Chuan-Xiong-Cha-Tiao-San (CXCTS). Conclusion: This study produced new evidence as it is the first to show that the longer duration of CHM use was correlated to reduced risk of sarcopenia in a dose-dependent manner, implying that CHM treatment could be embraced as a routine care strategy for preventing sarcopenia.

Electroencephalogram-Driven Machine-Learning Scenario for Assessing Impulse Control Disorder Comorbidity in Parkinson's Disease Using a Low-Cost, Custom LEGO-Like Headset.

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) may develop cognitive symptoms of impulse control disorders (ICDs) when chronically treated with dopamine agonist (DA) therapy for motor deficits. Motor and cognitive comorbidities critically increase the disability and mortality of the affected patients. This study proposes an electroencephalogram (EEG)-driven machine-learning scenario to automatically assess ICD comorbidity in PD. We employed a classic Go/NoGo task to appraise the capacity of cognitive and motoric inhibition with a low-cost, custom LEGO-like headset to record task-relevant EEG activity. Further, we optimized a support vector machine (SVM) and support vector regression (SVR) pipeline to learn discriminative EEG spectral signatures for the detection of ICD comorbidity and the estimation of ICD severity, respectively. With a dataset of 21 subjects with typical PD, 9 subjects with PD and ICD comorbidity (ICD), and 25 healthy controls (HC), the study results showed that the SVM pipeline differentiated subjects with ICD from subjects with PD with an accuracy of 66.3% and returned an around-chance accuracy of 53.3% for the classification of PD versus HC subjects without the comorbidity concern. Furthermore, the SVR pipeline yielded significantly higher severity scores for the ICD group than for the PD group and resembled the ICD vs. PD distinction according to the clinical questionnaire scores, which was barely replicated by random guessing. Without a commercial, high-precision EEG product, our demonstration may facilitate deploying a wearable computer-aided diagnosis system to assess the risk of DA-triggered cognitive comorbidity in patients with PD in their daily environment.

Efficacy of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation for Treating Depression in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis aimed to ascertain the efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS)-comprising repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)-for depression in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. METHODS: Comprehensive searches were conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to 28 January 2023. Random-effects models assessed the treatment effects, and heterogeneity was evaluated through I2 statistics and funnel plot inspection. RESULTS: From 10 trials (234 participants; 8 rTMS, 2 tDCS), NIBS was found significantly more effective than sham in alleviating depressive symptoms (SMD: 0.588, 95% CI: 0.264-0.912; p < 0.001). rTMS, specifically, showed higher efficacy (SMD: 0.707, 95% CI: 0.306-1.108; p = 0.001) compared to sham, whereas tDCS outcomes were inconclusive (SMD: 0.271, 95% CI: -0.230 to 0.771; p = 0.289). Meta-regression found no correlation with the number of sessions, treatment intensity, or total dose. Notably, while post-treatment effects were significant, they diminished 1-2 months post intervention. Adverse events associated with NIBS were minimal, with no severe outcomes like seizures and suicide reported. CONCLUSIONS: rTMS emerged as a potent short-term intervention for depression in TBI patients, while tDCS findings remained equivocal. The long-term efficacy of NIBS is yet to be established, warranting further studies. The low adverse event rate reaffirms NIBS's potential safety.

Proteomic Analysis of Testicular Interstitial Fluid in Men with Azoospermia.

Background: The primary microenvironment of the testis comprises testicular interstitial fluid (TIF) surrounding the seminiferous tubules and testicular interstitial tissue. The pathological alterations of germ and Sertoli cells could affect the TIF composition and might contain putative biomarkers for monitoring active spermatogenesis. Objective: We identified differentially expressed proteins in the TIF of patients with obstructive (OA) or nonobstructive (NOA) azoospermia to elucidate the underlying etiology of defective spermatogenesis. Design setting and participants: We prospectively enrolled nine patients, including three men with OA and six with NOA with (n = 3) and without (n = 3) successful sperm retrieval. Their TIF was collected during the testicular sperm extraction procedure. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: TIF was analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to identify differentially expressed proteins specific to OA and NOA with or without successful sperm retrieval. The dysregulated protein was further validated using Western blotting. Results and limitations: Among the 555 TIF proteins identified in NOA patients, 14 were downregulated relative to OA patients. These proteins participate in biological processes such as proteolysis, complement activation, and immune responses; complement and coagulation cascade pathways were also enriched. Furthermore, 68 proteins with significantly higher levels were identified in the TIF of NOA patients with successful sperm retrieval than in those with failed sperm retrieval; these are mainly implicated in oxidation-reduction processes. The expression of calreticulin, which can distinguish successful and failed testicular sperm retrieval in the NOA group, was validated by Western blotting. Conclusions: We provide the first scientific evaluation of TIF protein composition in men with azoospermia. These findings will help identify the physiological and pathological roles of each protein in regulating sperm production. Thus, our study underscores the potential of TIF in sperm retrieval biomarker discovery and would serve as a foundation for further studies to improve treatment strategies against azoospermia. Patient summary: Using a proteomic approach, we identified and analyzed the total protein content of testicular interstitial fluid in humans with defective spermatogenesis for the first time and discovered altered protein expression patterns in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Proteins related to oxidation-reduction processes were upregulated in NOA patients with successful sperm retrieval compared with those with failed sperm retrieval. This can aid the development of novel diagnostic tools for successful testicular sperm retrieval.

Use of Chinese Herbal Medicine Was Related to Lower Risk of Osteoporotic Fracture in Sarcopenia Patients: Evidence from Population-Based Health Claims.

Introduction: With population aging, sarcopenia and its accompanying risk of osteoporotic fracture has drawn increased attention. Nowadays, while Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is often used as complementary therapy for many medical conditions, its effect against likelihood of osteoporotic fracture among sarcopenia subjects was not fully elucidated yet. We therefore conducted a population-level study to compare osteoporotic fracture risk for sarcopenia persons with or without CHM use. Methods: Using the patient record from a nationwide insurance database, we recruited persons with newly diagnosed sarcopenia and simultaneously free of osteoporotic fracture between 2000 and 2010. Propensity score matching was then applied to randomly select sets of CHM users and non-CHM users. All of them were tracked until end of 2013 to measure the incidence and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for new new-onset fracture in multivariable Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Compared to non-CHM users, the CHM users indeed had a lower incidence of osteoporotic fracture (121.22 vs 156.61 per 1000 person-years). Use of CHM correlated significantly with a lower fracture likelihood after adjusting for potential covariates, and those receiving CHM treatment for more than two years experienced a remarkably lower risk by 73%. Uses of several herbal formulae were correlated to reduced risk of osteoporotic fracture, such as Caulis Spatholobi, Xuduan, Duzhong, Danshen, Shu-Jing-Huo-Xue-Tang, Du-Huo-Ji-Sheng-Tang, Shao-Yao-Gan-Cao-Tang, and Shen-Tong-Zhu-Yu -Tang. Conclusion: Our study depicted that cumulative CHM exposure was inversely associated with osteoporotic fracture risk in a duration-dependent manner, implying that CHM treatment may be embraced as routine care in preventing incident osteoporotic fracture.

Elevated serum levels of T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing molecule 3 in patients with systemic inflammation following COVID-19 vaccination.

BACKGROUND: ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine has been widely used. Some unexpected adverse effects such as the development of systemic hyper inflammation with multiorgan involvement after vaccination, in rare cases, have been reported. However, its pathogenesis remains unclear. METHODS: This study recruited two cases who suffered from systemic inflammation following ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine and two 30-year-old male volunteers without underlying disease who have received ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine as control group. Blood samples were collected from our patients and healthy subjects before and after treatment with anti-inflammatory agent such as glucocorticoid and tocilizumab. The immune profile from our patients and healthy controls were measured using a human XL cytokine Proteome Profiler array (ARY022b, R&D Systems). RESULTS: Biochemical parameters revealed leukocytosis with segmented neutrophil dominance and elevated serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and ferritin in these two patients. The cytokine array revealed that mean levels of T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3) (3640.3 vs 1580.5 pixels per inch [ppi]), B-cell activating factor (BAFF) (3036.8 vs 1471.0 ppi), urokinase plasminogen activator surface receptor (uPAR) (1043.1 vs 516.8 ppi), Resistin (1783.7 vs 711.3 ppi), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB/BB (1980.7 vs 939.7 ppi), macrophage inflammatory protein-3-beta (MIP-3ß) (911.9 vs 346.2 ppi), and interferon-inducible T-cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC) (1026.3 vs 419.7 ppi) were 2-fold higher in the patients than in normal subjects who received ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that systemic inflammation may occur in subjects who have received the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination. Moreover, we proposed immune markers, which may be implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic inflammation following COVID-19 vaccination as potential diagnostic biomarkers.

Global DNA methylation and the association between metal exposure and chronic kidney disease.

Introduction: Prior studies indicate that exposure to metals may alter DNA methylation. Evidence also shows that global DNA methylation is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aimed to examine the association between CKD and 5-methyl-2-deoxycytidine (5mdC, %), a marker of global DNA methylation, and to evaluate the interaction between metal exposures and 5mdC (%) on CKD. We also explored the mediation effect of 5mdC (%) on the association between metal exposures and renal function (i.e., estimated glomerular filtration rate, eGFR). Methods: A total of 218 CKD patients and 422 controls were recruited in this case-control study. 5mdC (%), concentrations of blood lead and cadmium, plasma selenium, and total urinary arsenic were measured. CKD cases were clinically defined among patients with eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for at least 3 months and without hemodialysis. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated by logistic regression models to examine the association between metal exposures, 5mdC (%), and CKD, adjusted for confounders. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine associations between metal exposures, 5mdC (%), and eGFR. Results and Discussion: CKD cases compared to controls had 6.06-fold (95% CI: 3.11-11.81) higher odds of having high blood cadmium and high 5mdC (%) levels. A positive interaction on an additive scale was identified between blood cadmium and 5mdC (%) on CKD. Cases compared to controls had 4.73-fold (95% CI: 2.65-8.45) higher odds of having low plasma selenium and high 5mdC (%) levels; and a significant multiplicative interaction between plasma selenium and 5mdC (%) on CKD was observed. In addition, we found that blood lead and cadmium concentrations were positively associated, while plasma selenium concentrations were inversely associated, with 5mdC (%). The associations of blood lead and plasma selenium with eGFR were partially mediated by 5mdC (%). Our results suggest that 5mdC (%) may interact with plasma selenium and blood cadmium to influence the risk of CKD. The 5mdC (%) also potentially mediates the associations between exposure to metals and renal function.

Personalized Medicine of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Depression Treatment in Obese and Metabolically Dysregulated Patients.

The co-occurrence of depression and obesity has become a significant public health concern worldwide. Recent studies have shown that metabolic dysfunction, which is commonly observed in obese individuals and is characterized by inflammation, insulin resistance, leptin resistance, and hypertension, is a critical risk factor for depression. This dysfunction may induce structural and functional changes in the brain, ultimately contributing to depression's development. Given that obesity and depression mutually increase each other's risk of development by 50-60%, there is a need for effective interventions that address both conditions. The comorbidity of depression with obesity and metabolic dysregulation is thought to be related to chronic low-grade inflammation, characterized by increased circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP). As pharmacotherapy fails in at least 30-40% of cases to adequately treat major depressive disorder, a nutritional approach is emerging as a promising alternative. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are a promising dietary intervention that can reduce inflammatory biomarkers, particularly in patients with high levels of inflammation, including pregnant women with gestational diabetes, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and overweight individuals with major depressive disorder. Further efforts directed at implementing these strategies in clinical practice could contribute to improved outcomes in patients with depression, comorbid obesity, and/or metabolic dysregulation.