Cascading effects are ubiquitous in nature and can modify ecological processes. Most plants have mutualistic associations with mycorrhizal fungi, and can be connected to neighboring plants through common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs). However, little is known about how the distribution of nutrients by CMNs to the interconnected plants is affected by higher trophic levels, such as parasitic plants. We hypothesized that parasitism would indirectly drive CMNs to allocate more nutrients to the nonparasitized neighboring plants rather than to the parasitized host plants, and that this would result in a negative-feedback effect on the growth of the parasitic plant. To test this, we conducted a container experiment, where each container housed two in-growth cores that isolated the root system of a single Trifolium pratense seedling. The formation of CMNs was either prevented or permitted using nylon fabric with a mesh width of 0.5 or 25 μm, respectively. In each container, either both T. pratense plants were not paras nutrients to the nonparasitized neighboring T. pratense plant, and that this had a negative feedback on the growth of the parasite. After successful treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), the stage of liver fibrosis decreases over time. Here, we aimed to assess the changes in the liver fibrosis stage using transient elastography (TE) after successful DAA therapy in HCV-infected cirrhotic patients who were referred to Shariati hospital from 2016 to 2017. In this observational cohort, all HCV-infected cirrhotic patients who were treated with a combination of sofosbuvir/daclatasvir, had sustained virologic response (SVR), and had undergone pre- and post-treatment TE, were enrolled. The primary outcome was the changes in TE parameters six months after the end of treatment compared with baseline. A total of 442 eligible subjects received DAA therapy. Overall, the SVR rate was 96.6%. Of these, 149 patients had completed the protocol and were enrolled. The mean age of patients was 56.1±10.3years and the predominant sex was male (77.9%). The median (Q -Q ) liver stiffness (LS) value at baseline was 26.3kPa (18.1-38kPa), which significantly decreased to 20.9kPa (12-29.7kPa) [z=-8.45, P-value<.001]. Also, the liver steatosis of patients with baseline CAP≥220dB/m had a significant response to treatment [z=-2.3, P-value=.023]. Based on multivariate analysis, a higher baseline liver fibrosis stage was the only determinant of LS values improvement in our study. Successful HCV eradication in patients with liver fibrosis results in significant improvement in LS, even in cirrhotic patients.Successful HCV eradication in patients with liver fibrosis results in significant improvement in LS, even in cirrhotic patients. Transvenous lead extraction (TLE) carries a significant risk of major complications, namely bleeding into the pericardial sac or thoracic cavity. While echocardiographic imaging has been recommended for intraprocedural monitoring for those complications, no studies had examined the potential benefits of fluoroscopy alone as an alternative to echocardiography. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of fluoroscopy for monitoring intrathoracic bleeding complications during TLE. This is a single-center retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent TLE of a pacemaker or ICD lead with fluoroscopy-only monitoring. At the beginning of each TLE procedure, baseline fluoroscopic images were obtained for both lung fields and the cardiac silhouette. Similar images were acquired again when hypotension develops during the procedure. Fluoroscopy alone (without echocardiographic imaging) was used in 783 consecutive patients (54% women; average age, 71.5 ± 12.9 years) who underwent TLE. There were 93 patients (11.9%) who experienced significant hypotension. ICG-001 Fluoroscopy showed no obvious cause for hypotension in 63 patients. Right ventricular inversion was implied by fluoroscopy in 27 patients. Fluoroscopy detected new pericardial effusion in two patients and new right pleural effusion in one patient, which prompted halting the extraction procedure and therapeutic intervention. Additionally, routine fluoroscopic images revealed the development of an unsuspected new small left pleural effusion in one patient and a pericardial effusion in another. In-hospital mortality rate was 0%. In selected patients undergoing TLE, fluoroscopy can provide valuable information for identifying or excluding cardiovascular causes during periods of intraprocedural hemodynamic instability.In selected patients undergoing TLE, fluoroscopy can provide valuable information for identifying or excluding cardiovascular causes during periods of intraprocedural hemodynamic instability. Egg proteins are effective emulsifiers and gelators in food systems. However, the physicochemical stability and control release properties of egg-protein stabilized emulsions and gels need to be further improved. The potential of sodium tripolyphosphate (St) to improve the functionality of egg proteins was evaluated. The emulsions with St had smaller particle sizes and higher zeta potential, leading to better physical stability. Furthermore, the oxidation stability increased with increasing St contents, possibly due to its metal chelating capacity and the improved emulsifying activity of whole-egg dispersions. Phosphate had a positive impact on the chemical stability of β-carotene in whole-egg liquids and gels, decreasing the degradation during thermal treatment. The gel made with St was firm and broke down slowly, leading to a low rate of digestion and β-carotene release in simulated gastric fluid. This study shows that St is useful to improve the egg proteins stabilized emulsions and gels, which is applicable in the development of emulsion-based food grade gel products. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.This study shows that St is useful to improve the egg proteins stabilized emulsions and gels, which is applicable in the development of emulsion-based food grade gel products. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.