Activation of AMPK by metformin inhibits dedifferentiation of PDGF-BB-induced vascular smooth muscle cells to improve arterial remodeling in cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Background & Aims: Portal hypertension (PHT) is the potentially deadly complication of liver cirrhosis. Intrahepatic vascular resistance and the splanchnic hyperdynamic circulation are two principal driving factors contributing to the maintenance and exacerbation of PHT. However, in the advanced stages of cirrhosis, the fibrotic process in the liver becomes irreversible, leading to persistent and intractable increases in intrahepatic vascular resistance.

S-Allyl-Cysteine Ameliorates Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension by Enhancing Lymphangiogenesis via a VEGF-C-Independent Manner.

Background And Aims: Lymphangiogenesis is enhanced during the development of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension (PHT). However, hepatic lymphatic vascular system is understudied in liver cirrhosis and PHT. Hydrogen sulfide (HS) and related compounds have potential prolymphangiogenic effects besides its previously reported vascular-protective effects.

Imperatorin attenuates CCl-induced cirrhosis and portal hypertension by improving vascular remodeling and profibrogenic pathways.

Background: Cirrhosis leads to portal hypertension (PHT), affecting survival with limited treatment options. This study investigated Imperatorin (IMP), a furanocoumarin with anti-inflammatory and hypotensive properties, for its therapeutic role and mechanisms in cirrhotic PHT.

Methods: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) inhibition by IMP was evaluated using LX-2 cell line.

Identification of significant modules and hub genes involved in hepatic encephalopathy using WGCNA.

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a reversible syndrome of brain dysfunction caused by advanced liver disease. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) could establish a robust co-expression network to identify the hub genes and underlying biological functions. This study was aimed to explore the potential therapeutic targets in HE by WGCNA.

Construction and comprehensive analysis of a lncRNA-mRNA interactive network to reveal a potential lncRNA for hepatic encephalopathy development.

Little is known about the role of lncRNA-mRNA regulatory relationships in hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Here, we aimed to construct the potential lncRNA and mRNA interactive network in forecasting HE development in patients with liver cirrhosis using different bioinformatic analysis method. Through analyses, we found that AL137857.

Salivary biomarkers-assisted ultrasound-based differentiation of malignant and benign thyroid nodules.

Background: The incidence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is increasing annually. ultrasonography (US) is the current primary method for evaluating thyroid nodules; however, there have been persisting challenges in diagnosing borderline malignancies. This paper aimed to establish the differential diagnostic value of salivary biomarkers for thyroid nodules geared towards improving the efficacy of US.

COX-2/sEH Dual Inhibitor PTUPB Alleviates CCl -Induced Liver Fibrosis and Portal Hypertension.

4-(5-phenyl-3-{3-[3-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-ureido]-propyl}-pyrazol-1-yl) -benzenesulfonamide (PTUPB), a dual cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)/soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitor, was found to alleviate renal, pulmonary fibrosis and liver injury. However, few is known about the effect of PTUPB on liver cirrhosis. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of PTUPB in liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension (PHT).

Telmisartan relieves liver fibrosis and portal hypertension by improving vascular remodeling and sinusoidal dysfunction.

Backgrounds: Telmisartan(TEL) has demonstrated anti-fibrotic and blood pressure lowering effect in various diseases. In this study, we aimed to explore the beneficial effects of TEL on portal hypertension(PHT).

Methods: Two models of cirrhosis-induced PHT were involved including carbon tetrachloride injection(CCl) and bile duct ligation(BDL).

Prognostic Value of Serum Osteoprotegerin Level in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Following Surgical Resection.

Background: Multiple studies have reported that tissue or serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) level is a prognostic factor for patients with cancer. However, little is known about the role of serum OPG in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aimed to investigate whether serum OPG concentration has an effect on HCC patients' prognosis.

Serum GGT/ALT ratio predicts vascular invasion in HBV-related HCC.

Background: The gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio has been reported as an effective predictor of the severity of hepatitis and HCC. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of the GGT/ALT ratio in the prediction of vascular invasion and survival outcomes in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: The risk factors for vascular invasion were determined by univariate/multivariate logistic analysis.

DPP4 inhibitor reduces portal hypertension in cirrhotic rats by normalizing arterial hypocontractility.

Aims: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i), a new antidiabetic agent, is reported to affect the progression of chronic liver diseases. The study aims to investigate the effects of DPP4i on contractile response, splanchnic hemodynamics, and portal pressure in cirrhotic rats.

Materials And Methods: A rat model of carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis was used in this study.

TRIM26 Induces Ferroptosis to Inhibit Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Mitigate Liver Fibrosis Through Mediating SLC7A11 Ubiquitination.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are activated by inflammatory mediators to secrete extracellular matrix for collagen deposition, leading to liver fibrosis. Ferroptosis is iron- and lipid hydroperoxide-dependent programmed cell death, which has recently been targeted for inhibiting liver fibrogenic processes. Tripartite motif-containing protein 26 (TRIM26) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that functions as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma, while little is known about its function in liver fibrosis.

Prognostic and Predictive Value of m6A "Eraser" Related Gene Signature in Gastric Cancer.

Background: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification plays a critical role in gastric cancer (GC). However, the relationship between the m6A "eraser", FTO, and ALKBH5, and the prognosis of GC still remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of FTO and ALKBH5 on the prognosis of patients and their potential roles in GC.

Prognostic value of the creatinine-albumin ratio in acute pancreatitis debridement.

Background: Increases in the levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and creatinine (Cr) and decreases in those of albumin (Alb) are commonly observed in acute pancreatitis (AP). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the Cr/Alb and CRP/Alb ratios in the prediction of surgical treatment effect in AP patients.

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed clinical data obtained from 140 AP patients who underwent debridement from January 2008 to November 2018 in Shanghai Ruijin Hospital.

Assessment of a biofluid mechanics-based model for calculating portal pressure in canines.

Background: Portal hypertension is a severe complication caused by various chronic liver diseases. The standard methods for detecting portal hypertension (hepatic venous pressure gradient and free portal pressure) are available in only a few hospitals due to their technical difficulty and invasiveness; thus, non-invasive measuring methods are needed. This study aimed to establish and assess a novel model to calculate free portal pressure based on biofluid mechanics.

Comparison of Common Methods for Precision Volume Measurement of Hematoma.

Purpose: Our aim is to conduct analysis and comparison of some methods commonly used to measure the volume of hematoma, for example, slice method, voxelization method, and 3D-Slicer software method (projection method).

Method: In order to validate the accuracy of the slice method, voxelization method, and 3D-Slicer method, these three methods were first applied to measure two known volumetric models, respectively. Then, a total of 198 patients diagnosed with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) were recruited.

Comparative Effectiveness of Radiofrequency Ablation vs. Surgical Resection for Patients With Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma Smaller Than 5 cm.

This study aims to compare survival outcome after receiving radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and surgical resection (SR) for solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with size large as 5 cm. The SEER database was queried for patients with HCC tumors who were treated with RFA or SR between 2004 and 2015. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis was used to assess the influence of potential variables on the patients' outcome.

Establishment and assessment of the hepatic venous pressure gradient using biofluid mechanics (HVPG): protocol for a prospective, randomised, non-controlled, multicentre study.

Introduction: Portal hypertension (PH) is a severe disease with a poor outcome. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), the current gold standard to detect PH, is available only in few hospitals due to its invasiveness and technical difficulty. This study aimed to establish and assess a novel model to calculate HVPG based on biofluid mechanics.

Long non-coding RNA H19, a negative regulator of microRNA-148b-3p, participates in hypoxia stress in human hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells via NOX4 and eNOS/NO signaling.

This study aimed at the participation of lncRNA H19, endothelial NADPH oxidases (NOX4) and miR-148b-3p in hypoxia stress in human hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HHSEC), and clarifying the relationship among them. The expression of lnc H19, NOX4 and miR-148b-3p in cirrhotic patients and hypoxic HHSEC were measured by RT-PCR. The nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide content in HHSEC were determined using ultraviolet chromatometry.

The discovery of a novel eight-mRNA-lncRNA signature predicting survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Increasing evidence indicates that the expressions of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) undergo a frequent and aberrant change in carcinogenesis and cancer development. But some research was carried out on mRNA-lncRNA signatures for prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognosis. We aimed to establish an mRNA-lncRNA signature to improve the ability to predict HCC patients' survival.

NADPH oxidase 1/4 inhibition attenuates the portal hypertensive syndrome via modulation of mesenteric angiogenesis and arterial hyporeactivity in rats.

Aim: NADPH oxidase (NOX)-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays key roles in the development of portal hypertension (PHT) and represents a potential therapeutic method. The objective of this study was to investigate whether pharmacological inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity could ameliorate PHT in rats.

Method: PHT model was established by partial portal vein ligation (PPVL).

Effects of NLRP6 on the proliferation and activation of human hepatic stellate cells.

Nod-like receptor pyrin domain-containing proteins (NLRPs) are known to take part in the pathogenesis of chronic liver diseases, including liver fibrosis. However, no known direct role of NLRP6, a member of NLRPs, has been reported in liver fibrosis. Here, we found that NLRP6 expression was decreased in fibrotic and cirrhotic livers.

Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibition with t-TUCB alleviates liver fibrosis and portal pressure in carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis in rats.

Background/aims: Fibrosis and increased intrahepatic vascular resistance are the hallmarks of chronic inflammatory disorders of the liver and cirrhosis. Inhibitors of the enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase reduce fibrosis in several disease models. The present study aimed at investigating the effects of soluble epoxyhydrolase inhibition with t-TUCB in tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis in rats.

Comparison of physical parameter measurements between peripheral and portal blood samples in patients with portal hypertension.

Background: Measuring portal venous pressure is necessary to examine, diagnose, and treat portal hypertension, but current methods are invasive.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether a noninvasive peripheral blood measurement could be used to estimate portal venous pressure by investigating correlations between certain physical parameter measurements in the peripheral blood with those obtained in portal blood samples.

Methods: A total of 128 peripheral and portal blood samples from patients (n= 128) were analyzed for blood rheology and routine blood parameters.

Inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase lowers portal hypertension in cirrhotic rats by ameliorating endothelial dysfunction and liver fibrosis.

Epoxyeicostrienoic acids (EETs) are arachidonic acid derived meditators which are catalyzed by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) to less active dihydroeicostrienoics acids (DHETS). The aim of our study is to investigate the effects of sEH inhibition on hepatic and systemic hemodynamics, hepatic endothelial dysfunction, and hepatic fibrosis in CCl4 cirrhotic rats. The sEH inhibitor,trans-4-{4-[3-(4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-ureido]cyclohexyloxy}benzoic acid (t-TUCB) was administered to stabilize hepatic EETs by gavage at a dose of 1mg/kg/d.