LOXL2 upregulates hypoxia‑inducible factor‑1α signaling through Snail‑FBP1 axis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Lysyl oxidase‑like 2 (LOXL2), a member of the lysyl oxidase gene family, is involved in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma progression and metastasis. Increased expression of LOXL2 has been identified in several types of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, LOXL2 has been reported to promote epithelial‑mesenchymal transition by reducing E‑cadherin expression via the upregulation of Snail expression.

and assessment of biocompatibility of AZ31 alloy as biliary stents: a preclinical approach.

Introduction: Biomaterial technology due to its lack of or minimal side effects in tissues has great potential. Traditionally biomaterials used were cobalt-chromium, stainless steel and nitinol alloys. Biomaterials such as magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) have good biocompatibility and consequently can be a potential material for medical implants.

MTP18 overexpression contributes to tumor growth and metastasis and associates with poor survival in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Human MTP18 (mitochondrial protein 18 kDa) is a novel nuclear-encoded mitochondrial membrane protein that is involved in controlling mitochondrial fission. Our bioinformatic analysis of TCGA data revealed an aberrant overexpression of MTP18 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We analyzed its biological effects and prognostic significance in this malignancy.

Knockdown of TRIM31 suppresses proliferation and invasion of gallbladder cancer cells by down-regulating MMP2/9 through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Tripartite motif (TRIM) 31, a member of the TRIM protein family, contributes to a wide range of biological processes and its altered expression exerts a non-negligible effect on multiple pathological conditions such as immunological disorders and retroviral protective activity. Recently, increasing evidence has demonstrated an important role of TRIM31 in the development of various cancers. However, the role of TRIM31 in gallbladder cancer (GBC) remains unclear.

Heparanase expression in blood is sensitive to monitor response to anticancer treatment in pancreatic cancer, a pilot study.

Background: /Objectives: High heparanase level was shown in maliganant tumor; however, whether or not heparanase may serve as a sensitive marker to monitor response to anticancer treatment is still unknown.

Methods: In the pilot study, heparanase mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cell fraction (PBMC) and activity in plasma and urine were detected by quantitative real time RT-PCR and heparan-degrading enzyme assay in 31 pancreatic cancer patients.

Results: Heparanase mRNA and activity in samples from cancer patients were significantly higher than that in healthy donors.

Remote ischemic conditioning protects against acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in mice.

Aim: Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is a major cause of drug-induced acute liver failure. Studies have shown that remote ischemic pre- and post-conditioning (R-IPC and R-IPOST) can protect the liver against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) and lipopolysaccharide-induced injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of R-IPC and R-IPOST on APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

Effect of healthy tissue ablation surrounding VX2 rabbit liver tumors by high-intensity focused ultrasound combined with an ultrasound contrast agent.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the minimum amount of healthy peripheral tissue that should be ablated when treating VX2 liver tumors with high-intensity focused ultrasound combined with an ultrasound contrast agent.

Methods: Fifty-one rabbits with hepatic tumors were established and randomly divided into the following groups: group A, which only had their tumors ablated; group B, which had their tumors and 2 mm of healthy adjacent tissue ablated; and group C, which had their tumors and 4 mm of healthy adjacent tissue ablated. The pathologic characteristics of the target tissue, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, presence of intrahepatic and distant metastases, and survival time between different groups were compared after high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment.

Effects of modified splenocaval shunt plus devascularization on esophagogastric variceal bleeding: a comparative study of this treatment and devascularization only in cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Background: Pericardial devascularization (PCDV) and portosystemic shunt were reported to have favorable results for the management of portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients in China and the West, respectively. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of a modified proximal splenocaval shunt plus PCDV on variceal bleeding in patients with portal hypertension.

Methods: From January 1997 to December 2007, 168 patients with portal hypertension of cirrhotic origin received an operation for gastroesophageal variceal bleeding.

Hypoxia activates heparanase expression in an NF-kappaB dependent manner.

Hypoxia was shown to increase tumor cell invasion into the extracellular matrix in vitro. This result suggests that heparanase (Hpa), one of the key enzymes involved in tumor invasion and metastasis, may be regulated by hypoxia. RT-PCR, Western blot and Matrigel invasive assays were used to study the regulation of Hpa under hypoxia in human pancreatic MIA PaCa-2 cancer cells.