Combined iodine-125 seed strand, portal vein stent, transarterial chemoembolization, lenvatinib and anti-PD-1 antibodies therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma and Vp4 portal vein tumor thrombus: A propensity-score analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of interventional therapy (iodine-125[I] seed strand and portal vein stent [PVS] implantation plus transarterial chemoembolization [TACE]) combined with systemic therapy (lenvatinib plus anti-PD-1 antibody) as first-line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with Vp4 portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT).

Patients And Methods: From December 2018 to October 2021, 87 HCC patients with Vp4 PVTT were included in this single-center retrospective study. Forty-seven patients underwent interventional therapy combined with lenvatinib and anti-PD-1 antibody (group A), while 40 cases underwent interventional therapy combined with lenvatinib only (group B).

Embolization of the Transhepatic Tract after Percutaneous Portal Vein Interventions: Single-Centre Retrospective Study Comparing n-butyl Cyanoacrylate Versus Coils.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of transhepatic puncture tract embolization with n-butyl cyanoacrylate (n-BCA) versus coils after percutaneous transhepatic portal vein interventions in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It was also the aim of the study to evaluate the extent of artifacts in CT exams during FU.

Methods: Single-center retrospective study from 2017-2019 in 190 patients who underwent percutaneous transhepatic portal vein interventions.

Evolutionarily Conserved Roles for Apontic in Induction and Subsequent Decline of Cyclin E Expression.

Cyclin E is a key factor for S phase entry, and deregulation of Cyclin E results in developmental defects and tumors. Therefore, proper cycling of Cyclin E is crucial for normal growth. Here we found that transcription factors Apontic (Apt) and E2f1 cooperate to induce cyclin E in Drosophila.

The Efficacy and Safety of Transcatheter Arterial Embolization to Treat Renal Hemorrhage after Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in patients with renal hemorrhage after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and evaluate the risk factors that may result in severe bleeding requiring TAE.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 121 patients with post-PCNL renal hemorrhage. Thirty-two patients receiving endovascular embolization were compared with 89 patients only receiving conservative treatment.

Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Tumor Thrombus with the Use of Iodine-125 Seed Strand Implantation and Transarterial Chemoembolization: A Propensity-Score Analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of iodine-125 (I) seed strand implantation in combination with transarterial chemoembolization for the treatment of hepatitis B-related unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein invasion.

Materials And Methods: From January 2013 to June 2016, 76 HCC patients with type II tumor thrombus were included in this single-center retrospective study. Twenty patients underwent I seed strand implantation combined with transarterial chemoembolization (group A; n = 20), while 56 patients underwent transarterial chemoembolization alone (group B; n = 56).

Combined endovascular brachytherapy, sorafenib, and transarterial chemobolization therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein tumor thrombus.

Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of combined endovascular brachytherapy (EVBT), transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and sorafenib to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with main portal vein tumor thrombus (MPVTT).

Methods: This single-center retrospective study involved 68 patients with unresectable HCC or those who were unfit for liver transplantation and percutaneous frequency ablation according to the BCLC classification. All patients had Child-Pugh classification grade A or B, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-2, and MPVTT.

Apontic directly activates hedgehog and cyclin E for proper organ growth and patterning.

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway and Cyclin E are key players in cell proliferation and organ development. Hyperactivation of hh and cyclin E has been linked to several types of cancer. However, coordination of the expression of hh and cyclin E was not well understood.

Vlasouliolides A-D, four rare C/C sesquiterpene lactone dimers with potential anti-inflammatory activity from Vladimiria souliei.

Vlasouliolides A-D (1-4), four rare sesquiterpene lactone dimers, were isolated from Vladimiria souliei. The common structural characteristic of 1-4 is the C skeleton comprising two sesquiterpene lactone units linked by a C11-C13' single bond with one acetyl connected to the C-13 position of one of the two sesquiterpene lactone units. The stereochemistries of 1-4 were assigned by a combination of NOESY correlations and Cu-Κα X-ray crystallographic analyses.

Endovascular brachytherapy combined with portal vein stenting and transarterial chemoembolization improves overall survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with main portal vein tumor thrombus.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with main portal vein tumor thrombus have a median survival time of only about 4 months. We therefore compared the safety and efficacy of endovascular brachytherapy (EVBT) and sequential three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3-DCRT). From a cohort of 176 patients, we treated 123 with EVBT using iodine-125 seed strands (group A) and the remaining 53 with sequential 3-DCRT (group B).

Isolation, Structure Elucidation, and Absolute Configuration of Highly Oxygenated Germacranolides from Carpesium cernuum.

The new highly oxygenated germacranolides cernuumolides A-J (1-10) and the known compounds 11-20 were isolated from Carpesium cernuum. Among these compounds, 1-4 are 11-methoxymethylgermacranolides and 5-7 as well as 11-17 are 2,9-hemiacetal-linked germacranolides. Their structures were elucidated using NMR and HRESIMS analyses, and X-ray diffraction studies were used to confirm the absolute configurations of 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, and 9.

A pilot study of intraluminal brachytherapy using I seed strand for locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with obstructive jaundice.

Purpose: To investigate the safety and feasibility of intraluminal brachytherapy using I seed strand for locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with obstructive jaundice.

Methods And Materials: From January 2010 to February 2015, 18 consecutive patients diagnosed with locally advanced, nonmetastatic, inoperable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with obstructive jaundice were enrolled and underwent intraluminal brachytherapy using I seed strand. Dose calculation was performed using a software.

The T-box transcription factor Midline regulates wing development by repressing wingless and hedgehog in Drosophila.

Wingless (Wg) and Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathways are key players in animal development. However, regulation of the expression of wg and hh are not well understood. Here, we show that Midline (Mid), an evolutionarily conserved transcription factor, expresses in the wing disc of Drosophila and plays a vital role in wing development.

Transcription factor SGF1 is critical for the neurodevelopment in the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

FoxA transcription factors play vital roles in regulating the expression of organ-specific genes. BmSGF1, the sole FoxA family member in Bombyx mori, is required for development of the silk gland. However, the function of BmSGF1 in development of the nervous system in the silkworm remains unknown.

Gleditsia species: An ethnomedical, phytochemical and pharmacological review.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The plants in the genus Gleditsia, mainly distributed in central and Southeast Asia and North and South America, have been used as local and traditional medicines in many regions, especially in China, for the treatment of measles, indigestion, whooping, smallpox, arthrolithiasis, constipation, diarrhea, hematochezia, dysentery, carbuncle, etc. This present paper systemically reviews the miscellaneous information surrounding its traditional use, phytochemistry and pharmacology to provide opportunities and recommendations for the future research.

Materials And Methods: The scientific literatures were systematically searched from scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, Elsevier, SpringerLink, SciFinder, Google Scholar and others).

BmRobo1a and BmRobo1b control axon repulsion in the silkworm Bombyx mori.

The development of the nervous system is based on the growth and connection of axons, and axon guidance molecules are the dominant regulators during this course. Robo, as the receptor of axon guidance molecule Slit, plays a key role as a conserved repellent cue for axon guidance during the development of the central nervous system. However, the function of Robo in the silkworm Bombyx mori is unknown.

BmRobo2/3 is required for axon guidance in the silkworm Bombyx mori.

Axon guidance is critical for proper wiring of the nervous system. During the neural development, the axon guidance molecules play a key role and direct axons to choose the correct way to reach the target. Robo, as the receptor of axon guidance molecule Slit, is evolutionarily conserved from planarians to humans.

Successful ultrasound imaging of pulmonary sub-pleural hamartoma.

Pulmonary hamartoma, a common benign tumor of the lung, often presents as a solitary nodule on the peripheral lung, and is mainly composed of bronchial mucosa epithelial cells, chondrocytes, and adipose cells. Here, we report the case of a 42-year-old female who had a lung nodule that appeared as a homogeneous high-density shadow of a peripheral localization on chest computed tomography scan. For further evaluation, transthoracic ultrasonography examination was performed, which revealed a round, heterogenous, hypoechoic mass attached to the visceral pleura and showing obvious respiratory motions on the real-time ultrasonic images.

Endovascular brachytherapy combined with stent placement and TACE for treatment of HCC with main portal vein tumor thrombus.

Propose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of endovascular brachytherapy (EVBT) with iodine-125 ((125)I) seed strand implantation combined with stent placement and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with main portal vein tumor thrombus (MPVTT).

Methods: Data of 276 consecutive HCC patients with MPVTT treated by stent placement and TACE were analyzed retrospectively. (125)I seed strands were implanted in 182 patients (group A).

Percutaneous microwave ablation combined with simultaneous transarterial chemoembolization for the treatment of advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Aim: To retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) combined with simultaneous transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the treatment of patients with advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).

Methods: All patients treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous MWA combined with simultaneous TACE for advanced ICC at our institution were included. Posttreatment contrast-enhanced computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging were retrieved and reviewed for tumor response to the treatment.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin for the treatment of advanced biliary tract cancer.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes for 65 patients with advanced BTC treated by TACE with gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) and oxaliplatin 100 mg/m(2). Follow-up laboratory tests and computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging were performed routinely to evaluate the response of the tumor to treatment.

Gene coexpression networks reveal key drivers of phenotypic divergence in porcine muscle.

Background: Domestication of the wild pig has led to obese and lean phenotype breeds, and evolutionary genome research has sought to identify the regulatory mechanisms underlying this phenotypic diversity. However, revealing the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle phenotype variation based on differentially expressed genes has proved to be difficult. To characterize the mechanisms regulating muscle phenotype variation under artificial selection, we aimed to provide an integrated view of genome organization by weighted gene coexpression network analysis.

The genus Carpesium: a review of its ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The plants in the genus Carpesium, which grow naturally in Asia and Europe, have long been used in traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese medicines. The antipyretic, antimalarial, haemostatic, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties of their extracts enabled their use in the treatment of several diseases, such as fevers, colds, contusions, diarrhoea, mastitis, mumps, hepatitis, malaria, etc. This review summarises the state-of-the-art and comprehensive information surrounding its use as traditional medicine, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology to reveal the potential therapeutic effects of Carpesium plants and to establish a solid foundation for directing future research.

Evolutionarily conserved repulsive guidance role of slit in the silkworm Bombyx mori.

Axon guidance molecule Slit is critical for the axon repulsion in neural tissues, which is evolutionarily conserved from planarians to humans. However, the function of Slit in the silkworm Bombyx mori was unknown. Here we showed that the structure of Bombyx mori Slit (BmSlit) was different from that in most other species in its C-terminal sequence.