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Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) is common in very-low-birth-weight-infants and may be associated with poor neurodevelopment. The growth velocity of preterm infants is increasing over decades, but the relationship between growth velocity, EUGR, and morbidities of preterm infants remains unknown. A total of 263 infants born between 2012 and 2020, with birthweight <1500 g and gestational age of 24–33 weeks, were included. Birthweight and weight on day of evaluation point (corrected gestational age 36 weeks or discharged, whenever comes first) were converted to age-specific and gender-specific Z-scores and analyzed by multivariable modeling. The average growth velocity was calculated by the exponential model. Average growth velocity from birth to the evaluation point was 11.8 ± 0.3 g/kg/day. The maximum growth velocity from birth to week 8 postnatal occurred at week 4 postnatal (16.4 ± 0.9 g/kg/day). Infants with smaller birth weight, higher gestational age, and indication of intestinal surgery or those who need more days to achieve full enteral feeding were more favorable to have a weight lower than the 10th centile at the evaluation point. By contrast, most comorbidities of prematurity did not affect either lower age-specific weight Z-scores on the evaluation point or larger change in weight Z-score between birth and evaluation point. EUGR was associated with gestational age and birth weight. Infants with moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, high-grade intraventricular hemorrhage, or retinopathy of prematurity tend to have slower growth velocity at 3–5 weeks postnatal, but these did not contribute to EUGR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is still a lack of knowledge on the association between cholecystectomy and liver disease. This study was conducted to summarize the available evidence on the association of cholecystectomy with liver disease and quantify the magnitude of the risk of liver disease after cholecystectomy. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched systematically from database inception to January 2023 to identify eligible studies that evaluated the association between cholecystectomy and the risk of liver disease. Metaanalysis was conducted to obtain a summary odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using a random-effects model. Results: We identified 20 studies with a total of 27 320 709 individuals and 282 670 liver disease cases. Cholecystectomy was associated with an increased risk of liver disease (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.34-1.98). In particular, cholecystectomy was found to be significantly associated with a 54% increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (OR: 1.54,95% CI: 1.18-2.01), a 173% increased risk of cirrhosis (OR: 2.73, 95% CI: 1.81-4.12), and a 46% increased risk of primary liver cancer (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.18-1.82). Conclusions: There is an association between cholecystectomy and the risk of liver disease. Our results suggest that strict surgical indications should be implemented to reduce unnecessary cholecystectomy. Additionally, the routine assessment of liver disease is necessary for patients with a history of cholecystectomy. More prospective large-sample studies are required for better estimates of the risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of urinary incontinence (UI) is approximately 10%–40% in women, affecting one to two hundred million women worldwide. Stress UI (SUI) is characterized by involuntary urination due to increased abdominal stress and urine leakage without bladder contraction. Surgical treatments include midurethral slings, bulking agents, and Burch colposuspension to restore urethral continence. Nevertheless, an optimal treatment for all types of incontinence has not yet been established. Stem-cell therapy has emerged as a novel treatment for many diseases. Stem cells can self‑renew and can differentiate into other cell types. Adult stem cells are suitable for clinical applications because they can be easily obtained noninvasively or minimal invasively. Stem-cell therapy for SUI has been studied preclinically and clinically. Muscle-derived progenitors have been used to treat SUI by promoting the regeneration of rhabdomyosphincters. The human trial used transurethral injection of autologous muscle-derived stem cells to improve sphincter contractility and function. Other sources of stem cells have also been studied in SUI treatment, such as umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid, bone marrow, urine, and adipose tissue. The success rate of stem-cell therapy for SUI ranges from 13% to 100%. This review aimed to summarize the current status of stem-cell treatments for SUI, with respect to clinical trials, cell types, transplantation routes, and dosage volume and frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical properties, resistivity and pore structure parameters are indirect reflection of underground reservoir quality. In this paper, taking the Chang 6 tight oil sandstone reservoir of the Yanchang Formation in L area, southeastern Ordos Basin as an example, the physical, electrical and fractal characteristics of the tight oil reservoirs were systematically studied based on thin section, oil displacement, physical property, electrical property, mercury injection and relative permeability experiments. The results show that compaction is common in the Chang 6 Member, and the strong compaction results in linear and concave-convex contacts between particles. The high plastic particle content is also an important reason for the low porosity and low permeability of the target layer. It is found that feldspar dissolution pore is the main pore type in the target layer. The content of carbonate cements in the target layer is not high, but the metasomatism and filling of calcite minerals are common. Secondary dissolution occurs in cements, but the strength of dissolution is not large. The reservoir of the Chang 6 Member has strong heterogeneity. The water displacement tests show that the final oil displacement efficiency of the tight oil sandstones is 44.6%. When the water saturation is less than 45.5%, the reservoir produces pure oil. The water saturation calculation formula of tight oil sandstone reservoir is constructed based on the electrical experiments and the Archie formula. Finally, the fractal dimension of the samples was obtained based on the mercury injection experiments, and the fractal dimensions range from 2.2 to 2.8. It is found that the higher the quartz content, the smaller the fractal dimension. However, the higher the clay mineral content, the greater the fractal dimension. With the increase of fractal dimension, the pore throat structures in the rock tend to be complicated, and the drainage pressure of the reservoir increases, which is not conducive to oil and gas charging. Therefore, fractal dimensions can be used to indirectly evaluate the quality of tight oil sandstone reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Macrosomia, defined as a birth weight of =4000 g, is associated with a high risk of birth injury. Fetal growth is highly correlated with maternal conditions, and several maternal factors are associated with neonatal birth size. The current study aimed to assess maternal factors related to fetal macrosomia in a Taiwanese population. Methods: The medical records of pregnant mothers and their newborns were retrospectively reviewed. All singleton pregnancies delivered at and after 37 weeks of gestation were included in the analysis. Maternal and neonatal conditions were evaluated according to different birth weights. Results: A total of 4262 infants were enrolled in our study. The mean birth weight was 3156 ± 383 g, including 77 (1.8%) cases with birth weight =4000 g, and 154 (3.6%) infants with birth weight <2500 g. The mean maternal body weight before delivery was 67.6 ± 10.0 kg. The mean 6-month gestational weight gain (6mGWG) was 12.3 ± 4.2 kg, and the mean maternal body mass index (BMI) was 26.2 ± 3.6 kg/m2. The maternal weight, height, and 6mGWG, gestational age, and placental weight were significantly positively correlated with neonatal birth weight. The odds ratios of macrosomia were 3.1 in neonates born to mothers with a 6mGWG of =15 kg, 6.3 in those born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus, and 4.1 in those born to mothers with a BMI of =30 kg/m2. Newborn macrosomia was associated with adverse events in pregnant mothers and newborn infants. Conclusion: Gestational diabetes mellitus, 6mGWG, and maternal BMI are significantly correlated with neonatal macrosomia in full-term singleton births. Further, neonatal macrosomia is an important cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity. Hence, pregnant women should undergo maternal counseling for weight management before and during pregnancy, and the appropriate delivery method should be identified to prevent perinatal adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate staging is the first step for optimal treatment selection in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this propensity-score-matched, population-based cohort study, we investigated the survival effects of pretreatment 8-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography–computed tomography (18FDG-PET–CT) on patients with NPC. We included patients with stage I–IVA NPC receiving radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy and categorized them into two 1:1 propensity score–matched groups according to whether or not they underwent pretreatment 18FDG-PET–CT and compared their outcomes. Of the 10,756 patients, propensity score matching yielded 4366 patients in each group. According to multivariable Cox regression analyses, the most prominent correlation between pretreatment 18FDG-PET–CT and all-cause death was observed in patients with stage II NPC (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.60–0.90; P =.0433), followed by patients with stage III NPC (aHR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.69–0.94; P =.0071) and patients with stage IVA NPC (aHR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.79–0.97; P =.0091). This association was not significant in patients with stage I NPC (aHR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.75–1.93; P =.4426). Pretreatment 18FDG-PET–CT is associated with longer survival in patients with clinical stage II–IVA NPC but not in stage I NPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triazoles, due to their high bactericidal performance, have been widely used in the agricultural, clinical, and chemical industry. However, triazoles have been proven to cause endocrine-toxic and organ impairment in humans as a potentially toxic substance. Besides, because of the improper use and difficulty of degradation, triazoles pesticide residues left in the environment could pose a threat to the environment. Therefore, the rapid, reliable, accurate, and high-sensitivity triazoles analysis methods are significantly essential to effectively monitor their presence in various samples and safeguard human health. This review aims to summarize and update the progress of the pretreatment and analytical methods of triazole fungicides in environmental samples from 2012 to 2024. Common pretreatment methods used to extract and purify targets include simple steps (e.g., protein precipitation and coated blade spray), liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction, and various microextraction methods such as liquid-phase microextraction and solid-phase microextraction, among others. Detection methods mainly include liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, supercritical fluid chromatography, sensing methods, and capillary electrophoresis. In addition, we elaborate and compare the advantages and disadvantages of different pretreatment and analytical methods, and their development prospects are discussed. [Display omitted] • The pretreatment and analysis methods of triazoles are discussed extensively. • Progress in microextraction and online technology are introduced in detail. • The advance of LC/GC conditions, analyzers and electrode materials are illustrated. • The pros and cons of different methods are compared. • The future development trend of triazoles analysis is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The transforaminal and interlaminar approaches are the two main surgical corridors of full endoscopic lumbar surgery. However, there are no quantifying methods for assessing the best surgical approach for each patient. This study aimed to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) model using an artificial neural network (ANN). Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent full endoscopic lumbar spinal surgery were enrolled in this research. Fourteen pre-operative factors were fed into the ANN. A three-layer deep neural network was constructed. Patient data were divided into the training, validation, and testing datasets. Results: There were 899 patients enrolled. The accuracy of the training, validation, and test datasets were 87.3%, 85.5%, and 85.0%, respectively. The positive predictive values for the transforaminal and interlaminar approaches were 85.1% and 89.1%, respectively. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic was 0.91. The SHapley Additive exPlanations algorithm was utilized to explain the relative importance of each factor. The surgical lumbar level was the most important factor, followed by herniated disc localization and migrating disc zone level. Conclusion: ANN can effectively learn from the choice of an experienced spinal endoscopic surgeon and can accurately predict the appropriate surgical approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of antibiotics in the early lives of premature infants may alter the microbiota and influence their clinical outcomes. However, whether the administration of probiotics can influence these outcomes remains unknown. In our study, probiotics were routinely administered unless contraindicated. We explored whether increased antibiotic exposure with the routine use of probiotics was associated with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, enrolling very low birth weight (VLBW) infants admitted between January 1, 2016, and March 31, 2020, to a medical center. Days of antibiotic exposure in the first 14 days of life were recorded. The primary outcomes were NEC and BPD. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariable regression analyses to assess risk factors. Results: Of 185 VLBW infants admitted to the medical center, 132 met the inclusion criteria. Each additional day of antibiotic treatment was associated with increased odds of NEC (aOR, 1.278; 95% CI, 1.025-1.593) and BPD (aOR, 1.630; 95% CI, 1.233-2.156). The association remained in the NEC analysis after adjustment for probiotic use. Conclusion: Increased antibiotic exposure in the early lives of VLBW infants was associated with increased risks of NEC and BPD. The probiotics did not influence the outcomes. Our findings suggest that clinicians should be alerted to the adverse outcomes of antibiotic use in infants with VLBWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complications related to open entry for laparoscopic procedures are relatively rare, and the incidence of closed entry-related complications is 0.4 per 1000 cases. We report a case of serosal injury to a distended stomach that was caused during open entry. A 37-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of dysmenorrhea. Transvaginal ultrasonography revealed a uterine myoma and cesarean section (C/S) wound defect. Laparoscopic single-site myomectomy and repair of the C/S wound defect were planned. Open abdominal entry was achieved at the umbilicus, and the patient's stomach was distended and injured by the electric knife (30 watts). After identifying the injury, we inserted a nasogastric tube to deflate the stomach and repaired the gastric serosal injury. The laparoscopic myomectomy and C/S defect repair were subsequently performed without complications. The patient has remained free from complications during the 1-year follow-up. Gastric serosal injury during open entry is a rare complication. Insertion of a nasopharyngeal tube and routine percussion of the abdomen before entering the abdominal cavity are the most important steps to prevent this complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The early detection and prediction of bacteremic sepsis in preterm and term neonates remains a challenging task because of their nonspecific clinical presentations. We aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with bacteremia and find the cutoff values of predictive markers to achieve accurate diagnosis of neonatal bacteremic sepsis. Methods: Not-doing-well preterm and term neonates with suspected sepsis were retrospectively enrolled between January 2015 and December 2017 in Taipei Veterans General Hospital. Blood culture, hemogram, serum procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were drawn at the onset of clinical signs and symptoms. All cases were divided to either early-onset or late-onset groups according to postpartum age. Nonparametric statistic, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic analysis were performed to evaluate the risk factors and cutoff values for predicting bacteremia. Results: A total of 169 suspected sepsis episodes were analyzed, 68.0% of which had cardiopulmonary dysfunction and 19.5% had perinatal stress. The early-onset group had 123 (72.8%) patients, 4 of which had bacteremia and 119 had nonbacteremia conditions. The late-onset group had 46 (27.2%) patients, 8 of which had bacteremia and 38 had nonbacteremia conditions. Gestational age, birth body weight, Apgar score at 5 minutes, serum PCT, CRP, and platelet (PLT) count in the early-onset group and white blood cell (WBC) count in the late-onset group were substantially different between the patients with bacteremia and nonbacteremia conditions. PCT greater than 27 µg/L (adjusted odd ratio [aOR], 21.6; 95% CI, 1.1-435.1) and thrombocytopenia less than 100 × 109/L (aOR, 38.6; 95% CI, 1.4-1030.3) were predictive markers for bacteremia in the early-onset group. Conclusion: Early- and late-onset neonatal sepsis had different risk factors and predictive markers of bacteremia. PCT and PLT count in the early-onset group and WBC count in the late-onset group were accurate diagnostic serum markers for neonatal bacteremic sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is an established therapeutic option for pediatric end-stage liver disease (PELD). The postoperative respiratory conditions of OLT recipients may be associated with subsequent clinical outcomes including length of stay (LOS) in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). This study aimed to characterize the postoperative respiratory conditions, associated factors, and outcomes after pediatric OLT. Methods: Clinical data of children receiving OLT from July 2014 to July 2020 were retrospectively collected. Postoperative respiratory conditions were defined as time to extubation, significant pleural effusion, and initial postoperative PaO2/FiO2 ratio. Logistic and multiple regressions were applied to analyze the associations among clinical factors, postoperative respiratory conditions, and clinical outcomes. Results: Twenty-two patients with median age of 1.4-year-old (range: 25 days to 12 years old) were analyzed. Mortality within 28 days was 4.5% and median LOS in the PICU was 18 days. Of 22 patients, 11 patients (50.0%) were extubated over 24 hours after surgery, and 8 patients (36.4%) required drainage for pleural effusions. Longer LOS in the PICU were noted in patients extubated over 24 hours (p = 0.008), complicated with significant pleural effusions (p = 0.02) after surgery, and having low initial postoperative PaO2/FiO2 (<300 mmHg) (p = 0.001). Among clinical factors, massive intraoperative blood transfusion (>40 mL/kg) was significantly associated with prolonged intubations, significant pleural effusions, low initial postoperative PaO2/FiO2, and prolonged LOS in the PICU (>14 days). The initial postoperative PaO2/FiO2 significantly depended on age, disease severity (PELD score), and whether the patient received massive intraoperative blood transfusion. Conclusion: Pediatric patients of OLT with poor postoperative respiratory conditions including low initial PaO2/FiO2 ratio, extubation over 24 hours or significant pleural effusions have longer LOS in the PICU, and the requirement of massive intraoperative transfusion was a risk factor for both poor postoperative respiratory conditions and prolonged LOS in the PICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A burn scar is a type of hypertrophic scar that can cause significant clinical symptoms, discomfort, and post-burn scar (PBS) syndrome in up to 77% of patients with burn injuries. Medication and rehabilitation are rarely effective at managing patient discomfort, and both laser and surgical interventions are postponed until the scar stabilizes and discomfort is tolerable. Objectives: The present study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture among burn victims from the Formosa Color Dust Explosion in Taiwan. Methods: We enrolled 31 victims of the 2016 Formosa Color Dust Explosion who met the study inclusion criteria. The intervention involved placement of magnetic beads over the auricular Shenmen and Subcortex acupoints on one ear. Patients performed selfmassage five times per day, and both magnet beads were removed between the fifth and seventh days during the sessions. Several evaluation tools were used to assess clinical symptoms: the visual analogue scale for pain assessment, Burn Man Itch Scale for perceived patient itchiness, 5-D Pruritus Scale for sleep quality, and heart rate variability (HRV) for effects on the autonomic nervous system. Results: The clinical symptoms were significantly decreased following the intervention, but the effect did not endure. The normal-to-normal heart rate interval, heart rate analysis abnormalities, and very low frequency heart rate were significantly decreased among patients with abnormal HRV (SD < 40) following treatment. Conclusion: Stimulation of the auricular Shenmen and Subcortex acupoints may effectively reduce pain, itchiness, and sleep disturbances among patients with PBS syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The NiO/TiO 2 composites was fabricated by impregnation method. • Photocatalytic reduction of gaseous CO 2 by NiO/TiO 2 photocatalyst • CO 2 was primarily converted into methane by using NiO/TiO 2 photocatalyst under UV illumination • The mechanism of CO 2 photoreduction under UV illumination was proposed. Several NiO/TiO 2 composites fabricated by the impregnation method were employed as photocatalysts for the photoreduction of gaseous CO 2 in this study. The characterizations of fabricated photocatalysts were observed by XRD, FE-SEM, EDS, N 2 adsorption-desorption, and UV–vis spectroscopy. The distribution of Ni, Ti, and O atoms on the surface of these photocatalysts was demonstrated to be uniform, and the BET surface areas were varied slightly with the increase of NiO loading. Meanwhile, the absorption edge of fabricated photocatalysts was found to shift towards the visible region and the bandgap energy was decreased. The photocatalytic reaction was conducted in a continuous-flow reactor under UV irradiation. Methane was identified to be the main product and produced in the order: 10 wt% NiO/TiO 2 > TiO 2 > 20 wt% NiO/TiO 2. The maximum methane yield reached at 4.69 mmol/g catalyst over 10 wt% NiO/TiO 2 and was twice higher than that of P -25. The formation of p - n junction significantly improved the photocatalytic activity of P -25. Furthermore, the proposed schematic diagram for photocatalytic CO 2 reduction in the gaseous phase under NiO-TiO 2 / UV process was introduced. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intratracheal steroid therapy for lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) remains challenging particularly in surfactant-insufficient lungs, a common problem of neonatal or pediatric ALI. Surfactant has been used as a vehicle for intratracheal steroid in the treatment of other types of ALI. This study investigated the efficacy of intratracheal budesonide (BUD) delivered by two concentrations of surfactant in the treatment of LPS-induced ALI in surfactant-insufficient rat lungs. Methods: Male adult rats were anesthetized and ventilated. Our ALI model was established by repeated saline lavage to produce surfactant insufficiency, followed by intratracheal LPS instillation. Five study groups (n = 5 for each) with different intratracheal treatments following ALI were used: control (no treatment), BUD (NS-BUD; BUD in saline), DS-BUD (BUD in diluted surfactant), FS-BUD (BUD in full-strength surfactant), FS (full-strength surfactant). Cardiopulmonary variables were monitored 4 hours post injury. Histological and immunohistochemical assessments of the lungs were performed. Results: The FS-BUD and FS groups presented better gas exchange, less metabolic acidosis, less oxygen index, and more stable hemodynamic changes than the DS-BUD, NS-BUD, and control groups. The total lung injury scores assessed by histological examination were ordered as follows: FS-BUD < DS-BUD or FS < NS-BUD < control. The immunostaining intensities of lung myeloperoxidase showed the following order: NS-BUD, DS-BUD, or FS-BUD < control or FS. Only the FS-BUD group displayed a smaller immunostaining intensity of lung tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a than the control group. Conclusion: Among our therapeutic strategies, intratracheal BUD delivered by full-strength surfactant confers an optimal protection against LPS-induced ALI in surfactant-insufficient rat lungs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver transplantation (LT) for small infants < 6 months old is rare but becoming common as perioperative care improves. In Taiwan, living donor LT (LDLT) has expanded indications but is rarely performed for this age group because of unfavorable outcomes in the literature. We evaluated LDLT outcomes of patients <6 months old. We identified infants < 6 months old undergoing LDLT between 2004 and 2019 at our hospital. Variables related to recipients, donors, surgeries, and outcomes were analyzed. Nine patients were identified. Indications for LT were biliary atresia (n = 2), Alagille syndrome (n = 1), protein C deficiency (n = 1), and acute liver failure (n = 5), including two patients with neonatal hemochromatosis, one with herpes simplex hepatitis, one with giant cell hepatitis with autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and one with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Median age and weight at LT were 129 days and 4.8 kg, respectively. Graft types included left lateral segment (LLS, n = 4), hyper-reduced LLS (n = 4), and monosegment (n = 1). The median graft-to-recipient weight ratio was 4%. The median follow-up period was 14 months (range, 8 days to 127 months) with two mortalities, and two patients were totally weaned off immunosuppressants. Adjuvant therapies were required for patients with giant cell hepatitis and hemophagocytosis. Preoperative reconstructive imaging for estimating graft thickness facilitated surgical planning. Although LDLT is difficult to perform for small infants, outcomes are favorable and mainly dependent on underlying causes in addition to technical innovations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Akkermansia sp. BCRC 18949 is a novel Akkermansia species with limited mucin-degrading ability. • Akkermansia sp. BCRC 18949 has distinct protection effects against DSS-induced colitis compared to Akkermansia muciniphila ATCC BAA-835. • Both Akkermansia species plays a role in maintaining microbiota homeostasis under DSS-induced stress. • Akkermansia sp. BCRC 18949 could restore the expression of colonic rhythmic genes in DSS-treated mice. The emergence of next-generation probiotics (NGPs) has illuminated new possibilities for improving various diseases through food-grade supplements. In this study, a new gut bacterial species, designated as Akkermansia sp. BCRC 18949, was isolated from the feces of a healthy Taiwanese adult. The phylogenetic tree and whole genome sequencing analyses confirmed that this human commensal is a novel species belonging to the genus Akkermansia. Our results reveals that BCRC 18949 exhibits distinct mucin utilization abilities compared to ATCC BAA-835. Importantly, BCRC 18949 shows enhanced protection against DSS-induced colitis, while both species contribute differentially to restoring barrier integrity in DSS-treated mice. Furthermore, BCRC 18949 significantly restores the expression of colonic rhythmic genes, suggesting its potential role in maintaining circadian rhythm in the colon during colitis. Our findings provide valuable insights into the functional diversity of Akkermansia species and their potential therapeutic applications for colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]