Sarcopenia in liver cirrhosis: perspectives from epigenetics and microbiota.

Sarcopenia is characterized by the loss of muscle mass and function. It is well known that sarcopenia is often associated with aging, while in recent years, sarcopenia comorbid with chronic diseases such as cirrhosis has attracted widespread attention, whose underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Since cirrhosis and sarcopenia are assumed to be closely interrelated in terms of pathogenesis, this review innovatively discussed the role of epigenetic modifications and microecological dysregulation in sarcopenia in the context of liver cirrhosis.

BARX2 expression is downregulated by CpG island hypermethylation and is associated with suppressed cell proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells.

BarH‑like homeobox 2 (BARX2), a homeobox gene, is associated with several types of cancers. The present study aimed to determine whether DNA methylation downregulates BARX2 expression and whether BARX2 is associated with suppression of gastric carcinogenesis. BARX2 protein expression in normal and cancerous gastric tissues and various gastric cancer (GC) cell lines was detected using immunohistochemical and western blot assays.

Potential involvement of heat shock proteins in pancreatic-duodenal homeobox-1-mediated effects on the genesis of gastric cancer: A 2D gel-based proteomic study.

Aim: To identify functional proteins involved in pancreatic-duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX1)-mediated effects on gastric carcinogenesis.

Methods: A PDX1-overexpressed model was established by transfecting gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 with pcDNA3.1(+)-PDX1 vector (SGC-PDX1).

[Preparation of As2O3 nanoparticles and its drug release characteristics in vitro].

Objective: To prepare arsenic trioxide (As2O3)-loaded biodegradable polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPS) and evaluate the glomeration ability, appearance, structure, surface and release characteristics of the NPs.

Methods: With PLGA as the carrier material, As2O3 NPs (As2O3-NPS) were prepared with the method of matrix and ultrasound emulsification. According to the criteria of the diameter of the NPs, drug loading (DL) and embedding ratio (ER), the process of NP preparation was optimized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), and XPS.

[Clinical features of panereatic disease-associated portal hypertension].

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and management of pancreatic disease-associated portal hypertension.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out in patients with portal hypertension and concurrent pancreatic diseases. The medical records of these patients were reviewed including the data of demographics, etiologies, venous involvement, clinical presentations, laboratory tests, imaging studies, therapeutic modalities and outcomes.