Managing tobacco black shank disease using biochar: direct toxicity and indirect ecological mechanisms.

Black shank disease in tobacco, caused by , can lead to yield losses of 30%-50% upon outbreak. Recently, biochar derived from agricultural waste has shown significant potential in controlling soil-borne diseases, though its mechanisms remain unclear. Over a 3-year observation period, we found that the incidence of black shank was significantly lower in plots amended with biochar compared with normal cultivation plots.

Induction of heat shock protein 27 by bicyclol attenuates d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury.

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are critical for cell survival under adverse environmental conditions. Bicyclol is a novel hepatoprotectant that has been shown to protect against liver injury by inducing Hsps, including Hsp27 and Hsp70. Although the role of Hsp70 in protecting against acute hepatic failure has been clearly explored, the precise function of Hsp27 in this setting is poorly defined.

Overexpression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α in human mesenchymal stem cells suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma development through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway downregulation.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold promise as cellular vehicles for the delivery of therapeutic gene products because they can be isolated, expanded, and genetically modified in vitro and possess tumor-oriented homing capacity in vivo. (1) Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) is a dominant transcriptional regulator of hepatocyte differentiation and hepatocellular carcinogenesis (HCC). (2,3) We have previously demonstrated that overexpression of HNF4α activates various hepatic-specific genes and enhances MSC differentiation.

Risk factors for new onset diabetes mellitus after liver transplantation: A meta-analysis.

Aim: To determine the risk factors for new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) after liver transplantation by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: We electronically searched the databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library from January 1980 to December 2013 to identify relevant studies reporting risk factors for NODM after liver transplantation. Two authors independently assessed the trials for inclusion and extracted the data.

Metformin decreases IL-22 secretion to suppress tumor growth in an orthotopic mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Epidemiological, preclinical and cellular studies in the last 5 years have shown that metformin exerts anti-tumoral properties, but its mode of action in cancer remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of metformin on a mouse hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model and tumor-associated T cell immune responses. Oral metformin administration led to a significant reduction of tumor growth, which was accompanied by decreased interleukin-22 (IL-22).