Canagliflozin inhibits hepatic stellate cells activation and proliferation by inhibiting PP2A-mediated β-catenin dephosphorylation to attenuate hepatic fibrosis.

Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a leading cause of death worldwide, yet there is currently no safe and effective treatment available. Canagliflozin, a novel glucose-lowering drug, has been shown to improve non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, its therapeutic effects on HF and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

Sulfur-doped crown ether graphane for enhanced helium separation.

Efficient helium (He) separation is essential for its application in high-tech industries, but existing separation membranes often exhibit limited selectivity and efficiency. This study proposes an effective strategy to enhance He separation performance using a sulfur-doped crown ether graphane membrane (CG-S6). Through first-principles calculations, we systematically assessed the separation barriers and selectivity of CG-S6 against five common atmospheric gases (He, Ne, Ar, N, and CH).

Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in acute on chronic liver failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.

Background: Acute-on-chronic liver failure has become a serious global health burden, which is characterized by an acute deterioration of liver function, rapidly evolving organ failure, and high short-term mortality in patients with chronic liver disease. The pathogenesis includes extensive hepatic necrosis, which is related to intense systemic inflammation and subsequently causes the inflammatory cytokine storm, resulting in portal hypertension, organ dysfunction, and organ failure. Mesenchymal stem cells can function as seed cells to remodel and repair damaged liver tissues, thus showing potential therapeutic alternatives for patients with chronic liver disease.

S-Nitrosylation of NOTCH1 Regulates Mesenchymal Stem Cells Differentiation Into Hepatocyte-Like Cells by Inhibiting Notch Signalling Pathway.

The differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) is considered one of the most promising strategies for alternative hepatocyte transplantation to treat end-stage liver disease. To advance this method, it is crucial to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms governing hepatogenic differentiation. The study demonstrated that suppression of the intracellular domain release of the Notch pathway receptor via the γ-secretase inhibitor N-[(3, 5-difluorophenyl)acetyl]-L-alanyl-2-phenylglycine-1, 1-dimethylethyl ester (DAPT) significantly promotes the expression of hepatocyte-related genes and proteins in HLCs.

Single and combined strategies for mesenchymal stem cell exosomes alleviate liver fibrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical animal models.

The efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in treating liver fibrosis has been supported by various clinical studies. However, stem cell transplantation is limited in clinical application due to its low survival rate, low liver implantation rate, and possible carcinogenicity. Recently, there has been increasing interest in the use of MSC-exos due to their widespread availability, low immunogenicity, and non-carcinogenic properties.

Effectiveness and mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in preclinical animal models of hepatic fibrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Liver damage due to long-term viral infection, alcohol consumption, autoimmune decline, and other factors could lead to the gradual development of liver fibrosis. Unfortunately, until now, there has been no effective treatment for liver fibrosis. Mesenchymal stem cells, as a promising new therapy for liver fibrosis, can slow the progression of fibrosis by migrating to the site of liver injury and by altering the microenvironment of the fibrotic area.

Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells therapy in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a serious public health issue. In COVID-19 patients, the elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines lead to the manifestation of COVID-19 symptoms, such as lung tissue edema, lung diffusion dysfunction, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), secondary infection, and ultimately mortality. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, thus providing a potential treatment option for COVID-19.

Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in liver cirrhosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: Although the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for liver cirrhosis have been demonstrated in several studies. Clinical cases of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for patients with liver cirrhosis are limited and these studies lack the consistency of treatment effects. This article aimed to systematically investigate the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of liver cirrhosis.

A rare case of adult colocolic intussusception secondary to splenosis.

Intussusception is the invagination of a segment of bowel (intussusceptum) into the lumen of an adjacent segment (intussuscipiens). Adult intussusception is rare and typically asymptomatic, although bowel obstruction can be a predominant symptom, making it difficult to diagnose. Splenosis is an uncommon and benign disease, arising from the self-implantation of splenic tissue elsewhere in the body after splenectomy or splenic trauma.

Long non-coding RNA SNHG14 exerts oncogenic functions in non-small cell lung cancer through acting as an sponge.

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG14 is previously found to be overexpressed in several types of cancers. However, the clinical significance and biological function of SNHG14 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are still elusive. In the present study, we found that SNHG14 was aberrantly up-regulated in NSCLC tissues from patients and cell lines compared with their normal counterparts.

Oral Contrast-Enhanced Gastric Ultrasonography in the Assessment of Gastric Lesions: A Large-Scale Multicenter Study.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic efficiency of oral contrast-enhanced gastric ultrasonography in the evaluation of gastric lesions, based on large-scale multicenter study.

Methods: The study enrolled 383,945 patients with suspect gastric lesions who underwent complete oral contrast-enhanced gastric ultrasonography and endoscopic evaluation. Two operators, unaware of the results of other diagnostic procedures, performed each examination independently.

Environmental survey of Legionella pneumophila in hot springs in Taiwan.

Acquisition of sporadic community-acquired legionnaires' disease has been linked to hot springs and whirlpool baths. Outbreaks of hot spring-associated legionnaires' disease were reported in Japan in the last few years. Although the mode of transmission is unclear, the presence of Legionella in hot springs may discourage hot springs resort visits by the general public.