ACSL4 inhibition prevents macrophage ferroptosis and alleviates fibrosis in bleomycin-induced systemic sclerosis model.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc), with unclear pathophysiology, is a paradigmatic rheumatic disease of immunity dysfunction-driven multi-organ inflammation and ultimate fibrosis. Pathogenesis breakthroughs are urgently needed for available treatments halting its unremitting stiffness. This study aims to investigate whether ferroptosis can regulate the progressive SSc fibrosis.

Prediction of a Competing Endogenous RNA Co-expression Network by Comprehensive Methods in Systemic Sclerosis-Related Interstitial Lung Disease.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an immune-mediated connective tissue disease characterized by fibrosis of multi-organs, and SSc-related interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. To explore molecular biological mechanisms of SSc-ILD, we constructed a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network for prediction. Expression profiling data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and differential expressed mRNAs and miRNAs analysis was further conducted between normal lung tissue and SSc lung tissue.

The m6A reader protein YTHDC2 is a potential biomarker and associated with immune infiltration in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Increasing evidence has shown that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation regulators have important biological functions in human cancers. However, there are few studies on the value of m6A reader protein YTHDC2 in the diagnosis and tumor-infiltrating of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Therefore, it is important to understand the potential clinical value of YTHDC2 in the prognosis and immune infiltration of HNSCC.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 as a candidate biomarker for systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease clinically characterised by skin and internal organs fibrosis with high mortality. However, the pathogenesis of SSc is still controversial and the effect of the current treatment is far from satisfactory. We aimed to find out novel candidate genes related to the pathological process in SSc.

Development of an immunogenomic landscape for the competing endogenous RNAs network of peri-implantitis.

Background: Peri-implantitis is an inflammation that occurs around the implant, resulting in varying degrees of inflammatory damage to the soft and hard tissues. The characteristic criterion is the loss of the supporting bone in an inflammatory environment. However, the specific mechanisms and biomarkers involved in peri-implantitis remain to be further studied.

Application of weighted gene co-expression network analysis to reveal key modules and hub genes in generalized aggressive periodontitis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to construct a gene co-expression network to identify key modules and genes in people with generalized aggressive periodontitis.

Methods: We used database GSE79705 to construct a co-expression network by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). In addition, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were conducted.

Identification and Validation of Key Genes Associated With Systemic Sclerosis-Related Pulmonary Hypertension.

Systemic sclerosis-associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-PAH) is still a major cause of SSc related deaths. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial to reduce the mortality of patients with SSc-PAH. To screen the candidate biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for SSc-PAH, we analyzed the data set (GSE33463 and GSE19617) for confirming key genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from SSc-PAH patients.

Increased serum calpain activity is associated with HMGB1 levels in systemic sclerosis.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) or scleroderma is an intractable autoimmune disorder that affects multiple organs. The objectives were to investigate clinical correlations of serum calpain activity and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) levels with immunological and clinical traits.

Methods: A total of 31 patients with SSc, 20 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects (HC), and 10 patients with other connective tissue diseases (CTD) were recruited in the study.

Comparative efficacy and safety of immunosuppressive therapies for systemic sclerosis related interstitial lung disease: A Bayesian network analysis.

Immunosuppressive therapies for the treatment of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and SSc related interstitial lung diseases (SSc-ILD) include cyclophosphamide (CYC), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), azathioprine (AZA) and methotrexate (MTX). The objectives were to compare and rank these therapies in term of forced vital capacity (FVC) % predicted, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLco) % predicted and adverse events (AEs). We present pooled estimates of mean difference (MD) and odds rates (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) among different therapies.

MetS Risk Score: A Clear Scoring Model to Predict a 3-Year Risk for Metabolic Syndrome.

Although several risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS) have been reported, there are few clinical scores that predict its incidence. Therefore, we created and validated a risk score for prediction of 3-year risk for MetS. Three-year follow-up data of 4395 initially MetS-free subjects, enrolled for an annual physical examination from Wenzhou Medical Center were analyzed.

Sarcopenia Contributes to the Progression of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease- Related Fibrosis: A Meta-Analysis.

Backgrounds And Aims: Previous studies have investigated that sarcopenia is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and fibrosis in NAFLD. The study aims to investigate the risk for NAFLD, especially NAFLD-related significant fibrosis among subjects with sarcopenia.

Methods: We searched electronic databases until 30, September 2017 and reviewed literature extensively.

NAFL screening score: A basic score identifying ultrasound-diagnosed non-alcoholic fatty liver.

Background: Several non-invasive diagnostic scores for non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) have been developed, but the clinical application is limited because of their complexity.

Aim: To develop and validate an easy-to-calculate scoring system to identify ultrasound-diagnosed NAFL.

Methods: 48,489 patients from 2 centers were included in this study.

Development of a prognostic nomogram for cirrhotic patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background And Aim: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a complication with a high mortality rate in critically ill patients presenting with cirrhosis. Today, there exist few accurate scoring models specifically designed for mortality risk assessment in critically ill cirrhotic patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (CICGIB). Our aim was to develop and evaluate a novel nomogram-based model specific for CICGIB.

Comparative efficacy of vasoconstrictor therapies for type 1 hepatorenal syndrome: a network meta-analysis.

The outcome of a comparative efficacy and safety of vasoconstrictor therapies for treatment of patients with type 1 hepatorenal syndrome (HRS-1) remain inconclusive. Areas covered: We searched literature databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) until 31 January 2016, and included ten eligible RCTs. In conclusion, terlipressin was the most efficacious vasoconstrictor drug for HRS-1, but had a higher probability of causing AEs.

Stratified Platelet-to-lymphocyte Ratio: A Novel Target for Prognostic Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Curative Liver Resection.

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been shown to predict prognosis of cancers. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of stratification of PLR in patients after curative liver resection (CLR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 1804 patients who underwent CLR for suspected HCC between January 2007 and January 2014 were screened for the study.

Nucleos(t)ide analogues for preventing HBV reactivation in immunosuppressed patients with hematological malignancies: a network meta-analysis.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of five oral nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs), including lamivudine, entecavir, adefovir, telbivudine and tenofovir, for the prevention of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation and HBV-related complications in chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infected patients with hematological malignancies receiving chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) by network meta-analysis.

Methods: The search identified 28 articles involving 5 different prophylactic regimens covering 1478 participants.

Results: Among five prophylactic regimes, tenofovir (predicted probability, 90%), was the most effective intervention followed by entecavir (88%) in preventing HBV reactivation.

The NAFL Risk Score: A simple scoring model to predict 4-y risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver.

Background: Although several risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) have been reported, there are few clinical scores that predict its incidence in the long term. We developed and validate a scoring model for individual prediction of 4-y risk for NAFL.

Methods: Four-year follow-up data of 8226 initially NAFL-free subjects enrolled for an annual physical examination from Wenzhou Medical Center were analyzed.

Serum alkaline phosphatase, a risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver, but only for women in their 30s and 40s: evidence from a large cohort study.

Background: Several risk factors are able to predict non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) development, but the predictive value of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) remains uncertain. Our aim is to investigate the association between serum ALP levels and NAFL.

Methods: 21,331 NAFL-free subjects were included.

Systematic Review with Network Meta-Analysis: Antidiabetic Medication and Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Antidiabetic medication may modify the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to compare the use of different antidiabetic strategies and the incidence of HCC. PubMed, Embase.

Comparative efficacy of oral nucleotide analogues for the prophylaxis of hepatitis B virus recurrence after liver transplantation: a network meta-analysis.

Background: Prophylactic nucleos(t)ide anologues against hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence after liver transplantation (LT) include lamivudine, entecavir, tenofovir, adefovir. Since the most effective strategies for post-LT remain inconclusive, we aimed to compare 6 different treatment options (lamivudine, entecavir, tenofovir, adefovir, lamivudine plus adefovir, lamivudine plus tenofovir) in terms of HBV recurrence after LT using network meta-analysis.

Methods: The search identified seventeen studies involving 6 different prophylactic regimens covering 7274 patients.

National incidence of autoimmune liver diseases and its relationship with the human development index.

Objective: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and immunoglobulin G4 related cholangitis represent the major autoimmune liver diseases (AILD). However, the relationship between AILD incidence and socioeconomic development levels is yet to be explored.

Results: A total of 43 studies were included.

Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents for Treatment-Naive Hepatitis C Genotype 1.

All possible direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) regimens for treatment-naive hepatitis C genotype 1 were evaluated by many randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, the optimum regimen remains inconclusive. We aim to compare interventions in terms of sustained virological response at 12 (SVR12) and 24 (SVR24) weeks after the end of treatment and adverse effects (AEs) (fatigue, headache, nausea, insomnia).

Systematic review with network meta-analysis: statins and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objectives: Usage of statins is suggested to decrease the incidence of HCC. When it comes to different statin subtypes, the chemopreventive action remains controversial. We aim to compare the usage of different statins and reduction of HCC risk.