5-HT antagonists confer analgesia via suppression of neurotrophin overproduction in submucosal nerves of mouse models with visceral hypersensitivity.

Dysregulated serotonin/5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) metabolism and dense mucosal neurite distribution are associated with visceral hypersensitivity (VH), which plays a key role in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) pain symptoms. The 5-HT receptor subtype 7 (5-HT) is involved in neuroplasticity. We aim to investigate the analgesic effects of 5-HT antagonists in mouse models and explore downstream changes of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the enteric neurons.

Effects of aerobic, resistance, and high-intensity interval training on thermogenic gene expression in white adipose tissue in high fat diet induced obese mice.

Objective: Global prevalence of obesity has continued to rise and poses public health concerns. Current anti-obesity medications are mainly focused on suppressing appetite. Thermogenic fat cells that increase energy expenditure may be a promising alternative target to combat obesity.

Differential roles of serotonin receptor subtypes in regulation of neurotrophin receptor expression and intestinal hypernociception.

Objectives: Aberrant serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) metabolism and neurite outgrowth were associated with abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We previously demonstrated that 5-HT receptor subtype 7 (5-HT₇) was involved in visceral hypersensitivity of IBS-like mouse models. The aim was to compare the analgesic effects of a novel 5-HT₇ antagonist to reference standards in mouse models and investigate the mechanisms of 5-HT₇-dependent neuroplasticity.

Proteomic Analysis of Skeletal Muscle and White Adipose Tissue after Aerobic Exercise Training in High Fat Diet Induced Obese Mice.

Obesity is associated with excessive fat accumulation in adipose tissue and other organs, such as skeletal muscle, whereas aerobic exercise (AE) plays an important role in managing obesity through profound protein regulation. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of AE on proteomic changes in both the skeletal muscle and the epididymal fat pad (EFP) of high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. Bioinformatic analyses were performed on differentially regulated proteins using gene ontology enrichment analysis and ingenuity pathway analysis.

The immediate impact of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak on subjective sleep status.

Background: An outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been ongoing in China since January 2020. The threat of infection affects the work and life of most of the population and may also damage sleep. This study aims to examine the subjective sleep status and mental health of the population during the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic.

The potential role of phenolic compounds on modulating gut microbiota in obesity.

Obesity is a rising public health issue and challenge which is tightly correlated with socio-economic development paralleled with increased energy intake and sedentary behavior that subsequently cause adipose tissue accumulation. Physiological and metabolic status changes during obesity development have been suggested with low grade inflammation of gastrointestinal tract. The gut microbiota plays an essential role in regulating whole body energy metabolism and also lipid accumulation, and immunity of host.

Comparison of OA-2000 and IOL Master 500 using in cataract patients with high myopia.

This study was designed to compare optical biometry measurements and predicted refraction in cataract patients with high myopia [axial length (AL) ≥26 mm] using OA-2000 and IOL Master 500. Ocular biometry measurements were performed using both biometers before surgery. Uneventful cataract surgery was performed in all patients.

Do cuttlefish have fraction number sense?

Number sense is a key cognitive function in animals. The biological functions of number discrimination have a wide range, including the selection of prey and social interaction. In a previous study, we have shown that cuttlefish are able to distinguish numerical differences among various integers, including 1 vs.

Transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defects guided completely by transthoracic echocardiography: A single cardiac center experience with 152 cases.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) guided completely by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

Methods: A total of 152 patients underwent transcatheter device closure of ASDs guided completely by TTE in our center from September 2014 to June 2017. We used routine delivery sheaths during the procedure and then closed the ASDs by releasing a domestic occluder.

Higher plasma leptin is associated with higher risk of androgenetic alopecia in men.

In addition to genetics and androgens, novel factors could play a role in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). This study aims to investigate the association between plasma leptin level with the risk and severity of AGA in men. Forty-eight subjects were enrolled including 29 AGA and 19 non-AGA subjects.

Higher body mass index is associated with greater severity of alopecia in men with male-pattern androgenetic alopecia in Taiwan: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for multiple health problems, but its association with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) remains controversial.

Objective: We sought to determine the association between body mass index (BMI) and alopecia severity in men with AGA and early-onset AGA.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted.

Preoperative and intraoperative assessment of myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer: comparison of magnetic resonance imaging and frozen sections.

Objective: To compare the diagnostic characteristics of the evaluation of myometrial invasion (MI) retrospectively between preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intraoperative frozen sections.

Design: A retrospective study.

Setting: University hospital.

Indocyanine green fluorescence imaging for evaluation of uterine blood flow in cynomolgus macaque.

Background: Uterine blood flow is an important factor in uterine viability, but the number of blood vessels required to maintain viability is uncertain. In this study, indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging was used to examine uterine hemodynamics and vessels associated with uterine blood flow in cynomolgus macaque.

Methods: The uterus of a female cynomolgus macaque was cut from the vaginal canal to mimic a situation during trachelectomy or uterine transplantation surgery in which uterine perfusion is maintained only with uterine and ovarian vessels.

[Fast segmentation algorithm of high resolution remote sensing image based on multiscale mean shift].

Mean Shift algorithm is a robust approach toward feature space analysis and it has been used wildly for natural scene image and medical image segmentation. However, high computational complexity of the algorithm has constrained its application in remote sensing images with massive information. A fast image segmentation algorithm is presented by extending traditional mean shift method to wavelet domain.

Influence of cross-linking degree of a biodegradable genipin-cross-linked gelatin guide on peripheral nerve regeneration.

We evaluated peripheral nerve regeneration using biodegradable genipin-cross-linked gelatin nerve conduits (GGCs) with three different cross-linking degrees, 24, 36 and 51%. Biocompatibility and biodegradability of the GGC and its efficiency as a guidance channel were examined based on the repair process of a 10-mm gap in the rat sciatic nerve. From this pilot study we concluded that GGCs with a mean cross-linking degree of 36% can ensure nerve regeneration with a more mature structure, as demonstrated by better developed epineural and perineural organisation and axonal development, as well as better-recovered electrophysiology with a relatively positive sciatic functional index and a shorter latency of the muscle action potential curve.

[Therapeutic effect of phacoemulsification for closed-angle glaucoma].

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of phacoemulsification for primary closed-angle glaucoma complicated with cataract.

Methods: Phacoemulsification with posterior chamber foldable intraocular lens implantation was performed in 55 cases (58 eyes) of acute or chronic primary closed-angle glaucoma complicated with cataract. The changes of visual acuity, intraocular pressure, central anterior chamber depth and anterior chamber angle were observed after operation and the patients were followed up for 6 months.