Hub metastatic gene signature and risk score of breast cancer patients with small tumor sizes using WGCNA.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women and accounts for approximately 15% of all cancer deaths among women globally. The underlying mechanism of BC patients with small tumor size and developing distant metastasis (DM) remains elusive in clinical practices.

Methods: We integrated the gene expression of BCs from ten RNAseq datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to create a genetic prediction model for distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) in BC patients with small tumor sizes (≤ 2 cm) using weighted gene co-expression network (WGCNA) analysis and LASSO cox regression.

Opposing tumor-cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic roles of the IRF1 transcription factor in antitumor immunity.

Type I interferon (IFN-I) and IFN-γ foster antitumor immunity by facilitating T cell responses. Paradoxically, IFNs may promote T cell exhaustion by activating immune checkpoints. The downstream regulators of these disparate responses are incompletely understood.

Safety evaluation of combination treatment of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization and immune checkpoint inhibitors for hepatocellular carcinoma: An increased risk of liver abscess with treatment interval less than one month.

Purpose: To analyze the safety of combination treatment comprising drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Method: In total, 208 HCC patients receiving DEB-TACE were enrolled for this retrospective single-institution study. Among them, 50 patients who received ICIs at an interval less than one month from DEB-TACE were categorized into the DEB-ICI group; the remaining 158 patients were categorized into the DEB group.

Aster-B-dependent estradiol synthesis protects female mice from diet-induced obesity.

Aster proteins mediate the nonvesicular transport of cholesterol from the plasma membrane (PM) to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, the importance of nonvesicular sterol movement for physiology and pathophysiology in various tissues is incompletely understood. Here we show that loss of Aster-B leads to diet-induced obesity in female but not in male mice, and that this sex difference is abolished by ovariectomy.

Advancing breast cancer subtyping: optimizing immunohistochemical staining classification with insights from real-world Taiwanese data.

Gene expression signatures provide valuable information to guide postoperative treatment in breast cancer (BC) patients. However, genetic tests are prohibitively expensive for the majority of BC patients. Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) subtype classification system has been widely used for treatment guideline and is affordable to most BC patients.

Mitral valve prolapse and physical performance in Asian military males: The CHIEF Heart study.

The impact of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and mitral regurgitation (MR) on physical performance has not been examined. Of 1,808 physically fit Asian military males, we compared the physical fitness between 62 subjects with MVP (MVP(+)) and 1,311 age- and anthropometrics-matched controls from the 1,746 participants without MVP (MVP(-)). MVP and MR grade were defined based on the American Society of Echocardiography criteria.

The Risk of Breast Cancer between Western and Mediterranean Dietary Patterns.

Breast cancer is a significant public health problem globally and prevention strategies have become of great interest as its incidence rises. Exploring the connection between dietary patterns and the reduction of breast cancer risk is considered a promising approach. High levels of fiber, phytochemicals, a good antioxidant profile, and a composition of advantageous fatty acids are characteristics of healthy dietary programs such as the Mediterranean diet.

The impact of frailty on breast cancer outcomes: evidence from analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 2005-2018.

The aims of the present study were to examine whether and how frailty impacts the outcomes of breast cancer. Data of women with breast cancer hospitalized during 2005 and 2018 were extracted from the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Frailty was identified using a novel algorithm, Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS).

Hepatic GATA4 regulates cholesterol and triglyceride homeostasis in collaboration with LXRs.

GATA4 is a transcription factor known for its crucial role in the development of many tissues, including the liver; however, its role in adult liver metabolism is unknown. Here, using high-throughput sequencing technologies, we identified GATA4 as a transcriptional regulator of metabolism in the liver. GATA4 expression is elevated in response to refeeding, and its occupancy is increased at enhancers of genes linked to fatty acid and lipoprotein metabolism.

Erythrocyte indices and localized stage II/III periodontitis in military young men and women: CHIEF oral health study.

Background: Prior studies have shown an association between generalized periodontitis and anemia in older or undernourished adults. The aim of the study was to examine the associations of erythrocyte indices with localized periodontitis in robust young adults, which has never been reported before.

Methods: The study included 1286 military participants, aged 19-40 years, with regular exercise training in Hualien, Taiwan.

Combined Nissen Fundoplication and Single Anastomosis Sleeve Ileal Bypass (N-SASI) as a Practical Modality of Bariatric Surgery (Video Report).

Sleeve gastrectomy is one of the most common bariatric procedures because of its simplicity and effectiveness. Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and weight regain after SG are common issues. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is currently the most promising approach to achieve satisfying weight loss and GERD remission; however, remnant gastric cancer is still a major concern for patients.

CRNDE-h transcript/miR-136-5p axis regulates interleukin enhancer binding factor 2 expression to promote hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation.

Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary malignancy of the hepatocyte. Interleukin enhancer binding factor 2 (ILF2) plays a role in the development of HCC. However, the regulatory mechanisms of ILF2 expression in HCC remain unclear.

Activating an adaptive immune response from a hydrogel scaffold imparts regenerative wound healing.

Microporous annealed particle (MAP) scaffolds are flowable, in situ crosslinked, microporous scaffolds composed of microgel building blocks and were previously shown to accelerate wound healing. To promote more extensive tissue ingrowth before scaffold degradation, we aimed to slow MAP degradation by switching the chirality of the crosslinking peptides from L- to D-amino acids. Unexpectedly, despite showing the predicted slower enzymatic degradation in vitro, D-peptide crosslinked MAP hydrogel (D-MAP) hastened material degradation in vivo and imparted significant tissue regeneration to healed cutaneous wounds, including increased tensile strength and hair neogenesis.

Collaborative interactions of heterogenous ribonucleoproteins contribute to transcriptional regulation of sterol metabolism in mice.

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are a group of functionally versatile proteins that play critical roles in the biogenesis, cellular localization and transport of RNA. Here, we outline a role for hnRNPs in gene regulatory circuits controlling sterol homeostasis. Specifically, we find that tissue-selective loss of the conserved hnRNP RALY enriches for metabolic pathways.

Single cell analysis reveals immune cell-adipocyte crosstalk regulating the transcription of thermogenic adipocytes.

Immune cells are vital constituents of the adipose microenvironment that influence both local and systemic lipid metabolism. Mice lacking IL10 have enhanced thermogenesis, but the roles of specific cell types in the metabolic response to IL10 remain to be defined. We demonstrate here that selective loss of IL10 receptor α in adipocytes recapitulates the beneficial effects of global IL10 deletion, and that local crosstalk between IL10-producing immune cells and adipocytes is a determinant of thermogenesis and systemic energy balance.

Enhanced In Vivo Delivery of Stem Cells using Microporous Annealed Particle Scaffolds.

Delivery to the proper tissue compartment is a major obstacle hampering the potential of cellular therapeutics for medical conditions. Delivery of cells within biomaterials may improve localization, but traditional and newer void-forming hydrogels must be made in advance with cells being added into the scaffold during the manufacturing process. Injectable, in situ cross-linking microporous scaffolds are recently developed that demonstrate a remarkable ability to provide a matrix for cellular proliferation and growth in vitro in three dimensions.

IL-10 Signaling Remodels Adipose Chromatin Architecture to Limit Thermogenesis and Energy Expenditure.

Signaling pathways that promote adipose tissue thermogenesis are well characterized, but the limiters of energy expenditure are largely unknown. Here, we show that ablation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 improves insulin sensitivity, protects against diet-induced obesity, and elicits the browning of white adipose tissue. Mechanistic studies define bone marrow cells as the source of the IL-10 signal and adipocytes as the target cell type mediating these effects.

HCV core inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell replicative senescence through downregulating microRNA-138 expression.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCV core protein is considered as a positive regulator of telomerase activity. In this study, we focused on the deregulated microRNA-138 (miR-138) in HCV-associated HCC.

Comprehensive risk assessment for early neurologic complications after liver transplantation.

Aim: To determine risk factors for early neurologic complications (NCs) after liver transplantation from perspective of recipient, donor, and surgeon.

Methods: In all, 295 adult recipients were enrolled consecutively between August 2001 and February 2014 from a single medical center in Taiwan. Any NC in the first 30 d post-liver transplantation, and perioperative variables from multiple perspectives were collected and analyzed.

The Correlation of Hepatic and Systemic Hemodynamics During Liver Transplantation: Quantification of Hepatic Resistance as an Actual Value.

The correlation between portal vein pressure (PVP) and flow (PVF) has not been established, and there is still lack of consensus about the optimal hemodynamics during liver transplantation (LT). We aimed to establish the correlation between systemic and hepatic hemodynamics during LT by applying the hepatokinetic power hypothesis, based on the law of energy conservation and hydrodynamics.A total of 103 adult liver transplant recipients were enrolled in this study from September 2012 to December 2014.

The modified Sugiura procedure as bridge surgery for liver transplantation: a case report.

Introduction: Esophagogastric varices bleeding is a common complication due to portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis. With the advancement of nonoperative management including vasoactive agents, endoscopic hemostasis or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, surgical management has played a lesser role in recent decades. The present report describes a patient with hepatitis B (HBV)-related liver cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis with recurrent esophagogastric varices bleeding despite the use of medical and endoscopic therapy.

A successful child-to-adult deceased donor liver transplantation: a case report and literature review.

Background: Size mismatch, which might result in small-for-size syndrome, is still a major limitation of liver transplantation. Prior data has suggested that a graft-to-recipient weight ratio <0.8% was a risk factor for developing small-for-size syndrome.