Burden, trends, and predictions of liver cancer in China, Japan, and South Korea: analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Background: Liver cancer (LC) is a major concern in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in China, Korea, and Japan. In this study, we aimed to investigate the burden, trends, and predictions related to LC in these countries.

Methods: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, the epidemiological characteristics [incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs)] for LC were analysed and stratified by specific etiologies in China, Japan, and South Korea.

Prevalence and effect on prognosis of sarcopenia in patients with primary biliary cholangitis.

Background: Sarcopenia adversely affects the treatment outcomes in Cirrhosis and NAFLD. However, such research is limited in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients. This study was performed to examine the prevalence of sarcopenia and its impact on PBC patients' prognoses.

Long-term survival analysis of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma conforming to the Milan criteria: primary versus recurrent HCC.

Background: This study compared long-term outcomes between patients with initial hepatocellular carcinoma (IHCC) and those with recurrent HCC (RHCC) treated with microwave ablation (MWA).

Methods: This retrospective study included 425 patients with HCCs (294 IHCCs and 131 RHCCs) within the Milan criteria who were treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous MWA between January 2008 and November 2021. All patients with RHCC had previously undergone MWA for initial HCC.

Early versus Late Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Microwave Ablation: Patterns, Treatments, and Post-Recurrence Survival.

Introduction: Recurrence after microwave ablation (MWA) has not been extensively studied. We aimed to investigate the patterns, treatments, and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who experienced early and late recurrence after MWA.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with HCC recurrence after MWA as the initial treatment from January 2008 to December 2021.

Identifying optimal candidates for autologous peripheral blood stem cell therapy in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis: a prognostic scoring system.

Background: Stem cell transplantation shows great potential to improve the long-term survival of cirrhosis patients. However, therapeutic effects may not be homogeneous across the whole study population. This study constructed an easy-to-use nomogram to improve prognostic prediction and aid in treatment decision making for cirrhotic patients.

Prognostic significance of liver stiffness in patients with primary biliary cholangitis: validation of Baveno VII criteria.

Background: The role of liver stiffness measurements (LSM) in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) remains to be further elucidated.

Aims: To clarify the prognostic role of LSM and to validate the "novel concepts" proposed by the Baveno VII Working Group.

Methods: An analysis of the prognostic significance of LSM was performed involving 672 patients.

Effectiveness of Fenofibrate in Treatment-Naive Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a progressive autoimmune liver disease, and patients with inadequate response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment show reduced long-term survival. Recent studies have shown that fenofibrate is an effective off-label therapy for PBC. However, prospective studies on biochemical response including the timing of fenofibrate administration are lacking.

Near-infrared-dye labeled tumor vascular-targeted dimer GEBP11 peptide for image-guided surgery in gastric cancer.

Introduction: Positive resection margins occur in about 2.8%-8.2% gastric cancer surgeries and is associated with poor prognosis.

Prediction and evaluation of high-risk patients with primary biliary cholangitis receiving ursodeoxycholic acid therapy: an early criterion.

Background And Aims: Current treatment guidelines recommend ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) as the first-line treatment for new-diagnosed primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients. However, up to 40% patients are insensitive to UDCA monotherapy, and evaluation of UDCA response at 12 months may result in long period of ineffective treatment. We aimed to develop a new criterion to reliably identify non-response patients much earlier.

Efficacy and safety of fenofibrate addition therapy in patients with cirrhotic primary biliary cholangitis with incomplete response to ursodeoxycholic acid.

Fenofibrate (FF) has shown potential benefits in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) who have an incomplete response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). However, the efficacy and safety of FF in patients with cirrhosis remain unclear. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of additional FF therapy in patients with PBC-related cirrhosis with an incomplete response to UDCA, we conducted a retrospective analysis comparing the clinical results of additional FF therapy and continued UDCA monotherapy.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes protect against liver fibrosis via delivering miR-148a to target KLF6/STAT3 pathway in macrophages.

Background: Despite emerging evidence on the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for liver fibrosis, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. At present, MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-EXOs) are widely accepted as crucial messengers for intercellular communication. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of MSC-EXOs on liver fibrosis and identify the mechanisms underlying the action of MSC-EXOs.

Symptoms Burden and Health-related Quality of Life in Chinese Patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis.

Background And Aims: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic liver disease that negatively affects the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients. Furthermore, the HRQoL of Chinese patients has been neglected for a long time. The present study aimed to assess the HRQoL of Chinese patients with PBC and explore the clinical variables correlating to the improvement of itch and fatigue.

Erythrocyte count is associated with prognosis in Chinese patients with primary biliary cholangitis.

Erythroid parameters have been indicated to be important prognostic factors for liver diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the erythrocyte count in Chinese patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and develop a prognostic model. The clinical data of 301 patients with PBC were retrospectively reviewed.

Clinical efficacy of TACE combined with Apatinib in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: To explore the therapeutic efficacy and clinical safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with Apatinib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: 88 patients with advanced HCC admitted to our hospital from March 2015 to March 2016 were randomly assigned into group A (TACE) or B (TACE combined with Apatinib). Therapeutic efficacy and adverse events were recorded by follow-up data every three months after treatment.

Long-term Outcomes of Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients With Cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) mobilized with colony-stimulating factor can promote liver regeneration and increase liver function in patients with liver diseases. However, the long-term effects of stem cell treatments on survival and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis have not been determined. We investigated the long-term effects of autologous stem cell transplantation and risk of HCC in patients with cirrhosis.

Characterisation of Lamp2-deficient rats for potential new animal model of Danon disease.

Danon disease (DD) is caused by the absence or malfunction of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2). Although Lamp2-deficient mice and DD patients have similar characteristics, these mice have clear limitations and are clinically inconsistent. The aim of our paper is to outline the characteristics of Lamp2-deficient rats and to contrast this model with currently available DD mouse models.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology Combined With Automated Quantitative DNA Cytometry Can Improve the Value in the Detection of Pancreatic Malignancy.

Objectives: Quantitative DNA-image cytometry (ICM) is used to diagnose malignancy via detecting changes in DNA content. We aimed to estimate the value of cytology, DNA-ICM, and their combination in diagnosing pancreatic malignancy.

Methods: One hundred twenty-one endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration samples from 116 patients suspected for pancreatic malignancy were examined by cytology and DNA-ICM.

A Critical Evaluation of Liver Pathology in Humans with Danon Disease and Experimental Correlates in a Rat Model of LAMP-2 Deficiency.

Danon disease is a genetic deficiency in lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP-2), a highly glycosylated constituent of the lysosomal membrane and characterized by a cardiomyopathy, skeletal muscle myopathy, and cognitive impairment. Patients, however, often manifest hepatic abnormalities, but liver function has not been well evaluated and the syndrome is relatively uncommon. Hence, we have taken advantage of a rat that has been deleted of LAMP-2 to study the relative role of LAMP-2 on liver function.

Risk Genes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Asia: What Are the Most Important Pathways Affected?

Genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and IBD is now recognized as a complex disease that results from interplay between genetic and environment factors. To date, over 160 IBD-susceptible loci have been identified using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The risk genes identified in these studies are involved in various pathways in innate and adaptive immune response such as innate bacterial sensing, autophagy and interleukin-23 receptor/T-helper cell 17 pathway.

Chromatin accessibility mapping identifies mediators of basal transcription and retinoid-induced repression of OTX2 in medulloblastoma.

Despite an emerging understanding of the genetic alterations giving rise to various tumors, the mechanisms whereby most oncogenes are overexpressed remain unclear. Here we have utilized an integrated approach of genomewide regulatory element mapping via DNase-seq followed by conventional reporter assays and transcription factor binding site discovery to characterize the transcriptional regulation of the medulloblastoma oncogene Orthodenticle Homeobox 2 (OTX2). Through these studies we have revealed that OTX2 is differentially regulated in medulloblastoma at the level of chromatin accessibility, which is in part mediated by DNA methylation.

Gastric cancer cell adhesion to laminin enhances acquired chemotherapeutic drug resistance mediated by MGr1-Ag/37LRP.

Adhesion of cancer cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM) causes a novel acquired chemotherapeutic drug‑resistant phenotype, referred to as cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR). Our previous studies suggested that the adhesion molecule MGr1-Ag/37LRP may promote multidrug resistance in gastric cancer cells. Therefore, we investigated MGr1-Ag/37LRP binding-induced adhesion, and its role in CAM-DR.

MGr1-Ag/37LRP induces cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance through FAK/PI3K and MAPK pathway in gastric cancer.

It is well known that tumor microenvironment plays a vital role in drug resistance and cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR), a form of de novo drug resistance. In our previous study, we reported that MGr1-Ag/37LRP ligation-induced adhesion participated in protecting gastric cancer cells from a number of apoptotic stimuli caused by chemotherapeutic drugs. Further study suggested that MGr1-Ag could prompt CAM-DR through interaction with laminin.

KMT2D maintains neoplastic cell proliferation and global histone H3 lysine 4 monomethylation.

KMT2D (lysine (K)-specific methyltransferase 2D), formerly named MLL2 (myeloid/lymphoid or mixed-lineage leukemia 2, also known as ALR/MLL4), is a histone methyltransferase that plays an important role in regulating gene transcription. In particular, it targets histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4), whose methylations serve as a gene activation mark. Recently, KMT2D has emerged as one of the most frequently mutated genes in a variety of cancers and in other human diseases, including lymphoma, medulloblastoma, gastric cancer, and Kabuki syndrome.

A peptide derived from phage display library exhibits anti-tumor activity by targeting GRP78 in gastric cancer multidrug resistance cells.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a significant challenge to the clinical treatment of gastric cancer (GC). In the present study, using a phage display approach combined with MTT assays, we screened a specific peptide GMBP1 (Gastric cancer MDR cell-specific binding peptide), ETAPLSTMLSPY, which could bind to the surface of GC MDR cells specifically and reverse their MDR phenotypes. Immunocytochemical staining showed that the potential receptor of GMBP1 was located at the membrane and cytoplasm of MDR cells.