Therapeutic potential of formononetin in cirrhotic portal hypertension: modulating hepatic fibrosis, macrophage polarization, and lymphangiogenesis.

Introduction: Formononetin regulates intrahepatic fibrogenesis and macrophage polarization to improve portal pressure and liver function in rats with cirrhotic PHT through SMAD3, STAT1, STAT3 and GSK-3β signaling pathways, and modulates lymphangiogenesis through direct action and macrophage polarization-mediated indirect effects. Formononetin has the potential function of treating cirrhotic PHT.

Background And Aims: Formononetin (FN) has been reported to have anti-fibrotic effects in the kidneys and anti-M1 polarization effects on macrophages.

A novel noninvasive assessment of portal pressure from computational biofluid mechanics in patients with portal hypertension.

Background And Aims: To introduce and assess a novel method for portal pressure measurement based on biofluid mechanics in portal hypertensive patients undergoing surgery.

Methods: The research was a multi-center, retrospective study, conducted on patients who underwent surgery and measurement of free portal pressure (FPP). There were 118 patients included and 21 patients excluded due to the failure or poor results of Doppler ultrasound, and 97 patients were screened.

Platelet activation relieves liver portal hypertension the lymphatic system though the classical vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 signaling pathway.

Background: Liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension (PHT) can lead to lymphatic abnormalities and coagulation dysfunction. Because lymphangiogenesis may relieve liver cirrhosis and PHT, the present study investigated the gene expression alterations in the lymphatic system and the effectiveness of platelet-mediated lymphangiogenesis in improving liver cirrhosis and PHT.

Aim: To investigate the role of lymphangiogenesis in preclinical PHT models.

Activation of AMP-activated Protein Kinase by Metformin Inhibits Dedifferentiation of Platelet-derived Growth Factor-BB-induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells to Improve Arterial Remodeling in Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension.

Background & Aims: Portal hypertension (PHT) is the potentially deadly complication of liver cirrhosis. Intrahepatic vascular resistance and the splanchnic hyperdynamic circulation are 2 principal driving factors contributing to the maintenance and exacerbation of PHT. However, in the advanced stages of cirrhosis, the fibrotic process in the liver becomes irreversible, leading to persistent and intractable increases in intrahepatic vascular resistance.

S-Allyl-Cysteine Ameliorates Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension by Enhancing Lymphangiogenesis via a VEGF-C-Independent Manner.

Background And Aims: Lymphangiogenesis is enhanced during the development of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension (PHT). However, hepatic lymphatic vascular system is understudied in liver cirrhosis and PHT. Hydrogen sulfide (HS) and related compounds have potential prolymphangiogenic effects besides its previously reported vascular-protective effects.

Imperatorin attenuates CCl-induced cirrhosis and portal hypertension by improving vascular remodeling and profibrogenic pathways.

Background: Cirrhosis leads to portal hypertension (PHT), affecting survival with limited treatment options. This study investigated Imperatorin (IMP), a furanocoumarin with anti-inflammatory and hypotensive properties, for its therapeutic role and mechanisms in cirrhotic PHT.

Methods: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) inhibition by IMP was evaluated using LX-2 cell line.

STAMarker: determining spatial domain-specific variable genes with saliency maps in deep learning.

Spatial transcriptomics characterizes gene expression profiles while retaining the information of the spatial context, providing an unprecedented opportunity to understand cellular systems. One of the essential tasks in such data analysis is to determine spatially variable genes (SVGs), which demonstrate spatial expression patterns. Existing methods only consider genes individually and fail to model the inter-dependence of genes.

Laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair with preperitoneal closed-suction drainage reduced postoperative complications.

Background: Although laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair has the advantages of less bleeding, less trauma, less pain, and fast recovery, there are several issues that need to be addressed. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of preperitoneal closed‑suction drainage on reducing postoperative complications in TEP inguinal hernia repair.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 122 patients who underwent TEP inguinal hernia repair between June 2018 and June 2021 was performed.

Transcriptome analysis of mesenteric arterioles changes and its mechanisms in cirrhotic rats with portal hypertension.

Portal hypertension (PHT) is a major cause of liver cirrhosis. The formation of portosystemic collateral vessels and splanchnic vasodilation contribute to the development of hyperdynamic circulation, which in turn aggravates PHT and increases the risk of complications. To investigate the changes in mesenteric arterioles in PHT, cirrhotic rat models were established by ligating the common bile ducts.

Identification of significant modules and hub genes involved in hepatic encephalopathy using WGCNA.

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a reversible syndrome of brain dysfunction caused by advanced liver disease. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) could establish a robust co-expression network to identify the hub genes and underlying biological functions. This study was aimed to explore the potential therapeutic targets in HE by WGCNA.

Construction and comprehensive analysis of a lncRNA-mRNA interactive network to reveal a potential lncRNA for hepatic encephalopathy development.

Little is known about the role of lncRNA-mRNA regulatory relationships in hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Here, we aimed to construct the potential lncRNA and mRNA interactive network in forecasting HE development in patients with liver cirrhosis using different bioinformatic analysis method. Through analyses, we found that AL137857.

Salivary biomarkers-assisted ultrasound-based differentiation of malignant and benign thyroid nodules.

Background: The incidence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is increasing annually. ultrasonography (US) is the current primary method for evaluating thyroid nodules; however, there have been persisting challenges in diagnosing borderline malignancies. This paper aimed to establish the differential diagnostic value of salivary biomarkers for thyroid nodules geared towards improving the efficacy of US.

COX-2/sEH Dual Inhibitor PTUPB Alleviates CCl -Induced Liver Fibrosis and Portal Hypertension.

4-(5-phenyl-3-{3-[3-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-ureido]-propyl}-pyrazol-1-yl) -benzenesulfonamide (PTUPB), a dual cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)/soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitor, was found to alleviate renal, pulmonary fibrosis and liver injury. However, few is known about the effect of PTUPB on liver cirrhosis. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of PTUPB in liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension (PHT).

Bioinformatics-Based Analysis of lncRNA-mRNA Interaction Network of Mild Hepatic Encephalopathy in Cirrhosis.

Backgrounds: Serum long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) interaction network was discovered to exert an important role in liver cirrhosis while little is known in mild hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). Therefore, we aim to systematically evaluate the serum lncRNA-mRNA network and its regulatory mechanism in MHE.

Methods: The data of serum mRNAs and lncRNAs were derived from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.

Prognostic Value of Serum Osteoprotegerin Level in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Following Surgical Resection.

Background: Multiple studies have reported that tissue or serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) level is a prognostic factor for patients with cancer. However, little is known about the role of serum OPG in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aimed to investigate whether serum OPG concentration has an effect on HCC patients' prognosis.

Serum GGT/ALT ratio predicts vascular invasion in HBV-related HCC.

Background: The gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio has been reported as an effective predictor of the severity of hepatitis and HCC. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of the GGT/ALT ratio in the prediction of vascular invasion and survival outcomes in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: The risk factors for vascular invasion were determined by univariate/multivariate logistic analysis.

TRIM26 Induces Ferroptosis to Inhibit Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Mitigate Liver Fibrosis Through Mediating SLC7A11 Ubiquitination.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are activated by inflammatory mediators to secrete extracellular matrix for collagen deposition, leading to liver fibrosis. Ferroptosis is iron- and lipid hydroperoxide-dependent programmed cell death, which has recently been targeted for inhibiting liver fibrogenic processes. Tripartite motif-containing protein 26 (TRIM26) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that functions as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma, while little is known about its function in liver fibrosis.

Prognostic and Predictive Value of m6A "Eraser" Related Gene Signature in Gastric Cancer.

Background: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification plays a critical role in gastric cancer (GC). However, the relationship between the m6A "eraser", FTO, and ALKBH5, and the prognosis of GC still remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of FTO and ALKBH5 on the prognosis of patients and their potential roles in GC.

Prognostic value of the creatinine-albumin ratio in acute pancreatitis debridement.

Background: Increases in the levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and creatinine (Cr) and decreases in those of albumin (Alb) are commonly observed in acute pancreatitis (AP). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the Cr/Alb and CRP/Alb ratios in the prediction of surgical treatment effect in AP patients.

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed clinical data obtained from 140 AP patients who underwent debridement from January 2008 to November 2018 in Shanghai Ruijin Hospital.

Enhanced Meningeal Lymphatic Drainage Ameliorates Neuroinflammation and Hepatic Encephalopathy in Cirrhotic Rats.

Background & Aims: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a serious neurologic complication in patients with liver cirrhosis. Very little is known about the role of the meningeal lymphatic system in HE. We tested our hypothesis that enhancement of meningeal lymphatic drainage could decrease neuroinflammation and ameliorate HE.

Personalized four-category staging for predicting prognosis in patients with small bowel Adenocarcinoma: an international development and validation study.

Background: Log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) classification showed superiority over 8 edition N staging in predicting survival of small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) patients. The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Tumor, LODDS, and Metastasis (TLM) staging of SBA.

Methods: Totally 1789 SBA patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 1988-2010, 437 patients from SEER database between 2011-2013 and 166 patients from multicenters were categorized into development, validation and test cohort, respectively.

Preoperative prediction of microvascular invasion in non-metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma based on nomogram analysis.

Purpose: The presence of microvascular invasion (MVI) is an unfavorable prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to construct a nomogram-based preoperative prediction model of MVI, thereby assisting to preoperatively select proper surgical procedures.

Methods: A total of 714 non-metastatic HCC patients undergoing radical hepatectomy were retrospectively selected from Zhongshan Hospital between 2010 and 2018, followed by random assignment into training (N = 520) and validation cohorts (N = 194).

Assessment of a biofluid mechanics-based model for calculating portal pressure in canines.

Background: Portal hypertension is a severe complication caused by various chronic liver diseases. The standard methods for detecting portal hypertension (hepatic venous pressure gradient and free portal pressure) are available in only a few hospitals due to their technical difficulty and invasiveness; thus, non-invasive measuring methods are needed. This study aimed to establish and assess a novel model to calculate free portal pressure based on biofluid mechanics.

Prognostic and Predictive Value of a Long Non-coding RNA Signature in Glioma: A lncRNA Expression Analysis.

The current histologically based grading system for glioma does not accurately predict which patients will have better outcomes or benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. We proposed that combining the expression profiles of multiple long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) into a single model could improve prediction accuracy. We included 1,094 glioma patients from three different datasets.