Low-dose phthalates promote breast cancer stem cell properties via the oncogene ΔNp63α and the Sonic hedgehog pathway.

Background: The omnipresence of human phthalate (PAE) exposure is linked to various adverse health issues, including breast cancer. However, the effects of low-dose PAE exposure on breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) and the underlying mechanism remain unexplored.

Methods: BCSCs from breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) were enriched using a tumorsphere formation assay.

ΔNp63α mediates sulforaphane suppressed colorectal cancer stem cell properties through transcriptional regulation of Nanog/Oct4/Sox2.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a key role in cancer initiation, development, metastasis, and recurrence. Previously, we found that sulforaphane (SFN), a natural compound obtained from cruciferous vegetables, inhibited colorectal CSCs via the downregulation of TAp63α. However, the role of ΔNp63α, another critical isoform of p63 which has been considered to contribute to cancer progression, in SFN-mediated colorectal CSCs inhibition remains unclear.

Rapid diagnosis of disseminated infection in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimen using next-generation sequencing: A case report.

Background: () belongs to the group of rapidly growing . This microorganism is associated with a wide spectrum of infectious diseases. Due to a low detection rate or the time required for conventional culture methodology, a rapid and broad-spectrum method is necessary to identify rare pathogens.

TAp63α targeting of Lgr5 mediates colorectal cancer stem cell properties and sulforaphane inhibition.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have an established role in cancer progression and therapeutic resistance. The p63 proteins are important transcription factors which belong to the p53 family, but their function and mechanism in CSCs remain elusive. Here, we investigated the role of TAp63α in colorectal CSCs and the effects of sulforaphane on TAp63α.

Hsa_circRNA_102610 upregulation in Crohn's disease promotes transforming growth factor-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition sponging of hsa-miR-130a-3p.

Background: The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease, a chronic intestinal inflammatory disorder that includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis, is rising. Circular RNAs are considered valuable diagnostic biomarkers for CD. Current evidence supports the views that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in CD pathogenesis, and that hsa-miR-130a-3p can inhibit transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced EMT.

Sulforaphane inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition by activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 in lung cancer cells.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to the initiation, invasion, metastasis and drug resistance of cancer. The function of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) in lung cancer progression remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the effect of sulforaphane (SFN) on lung cancer EMT and the role of ERK5 in its effect.

Phenethyl isothiocyanate inhibits colorectal cancer stem cells by suppressing Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered to play essential roles in the process of origination, proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer, and their properties are regulated by Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) is a natural product obtained from cruciferous vegetables with anticancer activities. The present study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect and the underlying mechanisms of PEITC on colorectal CSCs.

Correction to: Wnt/β-catenin signaling mediates the suppressive effects of diallyl trisulfide on colorectal cancer stem cells.

Unfortunately, the online published article has error in Figure 4. The correct Figure 4 is given here.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling mediates the suppressive effects of diallyl trisulfide on colorectal cancer stem cells.

Purpose: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for colorectal cancer (CRC) initiation, growth, and metastasis. Garlic-derived organosulfur compound diallyl trisulfide (DATS) possesses cancer suppressive properties. Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a key target for CSCs inhibition.

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells by Suppressing Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway.

The beneficial effects of tea consumption on cancer prevention have been generally reported, while (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major active component from green tea. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a crucial role in the process of cancer development. Targeting CSCs may be an effective way for cancer intervention.

Curcumin Suppresses Lung Cancer Stem Cells via Inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin and Sonic Hedgehog Pathways.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are highly implicated in the progression of human cancers. Thus, targeting CSCs may be a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Wnt/β-catenin and Sonic Hedgehog pathways play an important regulatory role in maintaining CSC characteristics.

Dexamethasone in outcome of patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure.

Background And Aim: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a severe disease with high mortality. Immune injury plays an important role during the early stage of the disease. Our research aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of dexamethasone therapy for patients with HBV-related ACLF.

[Hepatitis B virus X promotes HepG2 cell cycle progression and growth via downregulation expression of p16 protein].

Objective: To investigate the effects and related mechanisms of hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein on cell cycle and growth in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: A human hepatocyte HepG2 cell line stably expressing a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged HBx (HepG2/GFP-HBx cells) was used for the experiment, and HepG2 parental and HepG2/GFP cells was used as the controls. Effect of HBx on cell growth was evaluated by the MTT cell proliferation assay and on cell cycle progression by flow cytometry analysis of cells with or without treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR; 5 pmol/L).

Liver myofibroblasts regulate the phenotype and function of monocytes through soluble factors in cirrhosis.

The ability of lymphocytes and macrophage-derived cytokines and chemokines to modulate the activation of stromal cells during immune responses is well-documented, but few studies have investigated whether liver myofibroblasts shape the phenotype and function of monocytes in liver disease. In the present study, Kupffer cells were demonstrated to be activated in the inflamed livers of patients with cirrhosis and be in close contact with liver myofibroblasts. The Kupffer cells from cirrhotic livers expressed significantly elevated levels of PD-L1 (also termed B7-H1), TLR4, CD80, CD32 and CD64 relative to those from normal livers.

Imbalance of interleukin-17-producing CD4 T cells/regulatory T cells axis occurs in remission stage of patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure.

Background And Aim: Although regulatory T cells (Treg) and interleukin-17-producing CD4 T cells (Th17) have been demonstrated to play opposing roles in inflammation-associated diseases, their frequency and balance in different stages of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) remain unknown.

Methods: Fourteen patients with HBV-associated ACLF were studied and defined into different stages according to disease activity. Circulating Th17 cells and Treg cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the cytokines were quantitated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

[The relationship of HBeAg status with HBV DNA loads, MELD scores in patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure during terminal phases].

Objective: To investigate the relationship and clinical significances of HBeAg status with serum HBV DNA loads, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores in patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure during terminal phase.

Methods: 120 fatal patients were enrolled. At three phases of 0 -14 d, 15-28 d and 29-90 d before death, they were detected serum HBeAg, HBV DNA loads order meanwhile MELD scores were calculated.

[Discussion on the meaning of MELD score in the opportunity of the entecavir treatment of HBeAg-negative acute-on-chronic liver failure].

Objective: To explore the opportunity and effect of internal general treatment added entecavir on acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients in different ranges of MELD score.

Methods: A total of 101 ACLF of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients treated with internal general treatment added entecavir were divided into three groups according to the MELD score. The mortalities and HBV DNA loads during the initiation of therapy, recovery phase and in deathbed phase were studied.

[Efficacy of two nucleoside analogs to treat resistant HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B].

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect and safety of entecavir and adefovir in the treatment of lamivudine-resistant HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B.

Methods: Sixty-five patients with lamivudine-resistant HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B were randomly divided into two groups. The entecavir treatment group included 33 patients, who were administrated entecavir 1.

Collagen proportionate area of liver tissue determined by digital image analysis in patients with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis.

Background: The accurate assessment of the degree of hepatic fibrosis plays a critical role in guiding the diagnosis, treatment and prognostic assessment of chronic liver diseases. Liver biopsy is currently the most reliable method to evaluate the severity of hepatic fibrosis. However, liver biopsy is an invasive procedure associated with morbidity and mortality, and has several limitations in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Prevention and risk factors of the HBV recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation: 160 cases follow-up study.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the combination with long-term, low-dose hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and nucleos(t)ide analogs as prophylaxis for hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence and to assess the risk factors of HBV recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

Methods: One hundred sixty patients undergoing OLT with HBV-related liver disease make up the cohort studied. Long-term, low dosage of HBIG in combination with nucleos(t)ide analogs were used as prophylaxis for HBV recurrence after OLT.

[A simple scoring system to evaluate the severity of acute-on-chronic liver failure in hepatitis B].

Objective: To establish an objective, simple and sensitive scoring system to evaluate the severity of acute-on-chronic liver failure in hepatitis B.

Methods: The clinical data of patients (194 survivals and 215 deaths) with acute-on-chronic liver failure in hepatitis B were collected and analyzed prospectively. 7 clinical indexes, including the hepatic encephalopathy, creatinine, prothrombin activity, serum total bilirubin, infection, the dimension of liver, the maximum depth of ascites, were scored objectively and simply from 0 to 4 points according to their severity.

[Status of vaccination against hepatitis B among postgraduate students in medical higher education institutions in Guangzhou].

Objective: To investigate the status of vaccination against hepatitis B among postgraduate students of medical institutions of higher education in Guangzhou.

Methods: HBsAg and anti-HBs in the serum samples from 1139 postgraduate students were detected by ELISA. Data on hepatitis B vaccine inoculation were investigated by using a questionnaire.

[Clinical characteristics of and the related factors to the relapse of chronic hepatitis B after lamivudine withdrawal].

Objectives: To investigate the cases of chronic hepatitis B relapse after lamivudine withdrawal, and to find clinical characteristics and related factors to them.

Methods: 46 cases of chronic hepatitis B relapse after lamivudine withdrawal were investigated and followed up. The diagnosis and the course of the diseases before therapy with lamivudine, the dosage, effects, period of treatment, the reasons for lamivudine withdrawal, the biochemistry, immunological and virulogical data in each period, YMDD mutation, pre-C mutation and prognosis after relapse were recorded.