HBV DNA Integration into Telomerase or MLL4 Genes and TERT Promoter Point Mutation as Three Independent Signatures in Subgrouping HBV-Related HCC with Distinct Features.

Introduction: A set of genetic mutations to classify hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) useful to clinical studies is an unmet need. Hepatitis B virus-related HCC (HBV-HCC) harbors a unique genetic mutation, namely, the HBV integration, among other somatic endogenous gene mutations. We explored a combination of HBV DNA integrations and common somatic mutations to classify HBV-HCC by using a capture-sequencing platform.

Reduced Risk of Atrial Fibrillation Following Cholecystectomy: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

: Gallstone disease (GD) is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease. However, it is unknown whether GD contributes to atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to investigate the association between GD and AF.

Furin Inhibitors Block SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Cleavage to Suppress Virus Production and Cytopathic Effects.

Development of specific antiviral agents is an urgent unmet need for SARS-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. This study focuses on host proteases that proteolytically activate the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, critical for its fusion after binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), as antiviral targets. We first validate cleavage at a putative furin substrate motif at SARS-CoV-2 spikes by expressing it in VeroE6 cells and find prominent syncytium formation.

Complement C1q mediates the expansion of periportal hepatic progenitor cells in senescence-associated inflammatory liver.

Most hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) develop in patients with chronic hepatitis, which creates a microenvironment for the growth of hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) at the periportal area and subsequent development of HCCs. We investigated the signal from the inflammatory liver for this pathogenic process in the hepatic conditional β-catenin knockout mouse model. Senescent β-catenin-depleted hepatocytes in aged mice create an inflammatory microenvironment that stimulates periportal HPC expansion but arrests differentiation, which predisposes mice to the development of liver tumors.

Percutaneous coronary revascularization improves the prognosis of patients with cardiogenic shock in acute coronary syndrome: a chronological study.

Background: Cardiogenic shock complicating acute coronary syndrome (ACS) implies grim prognosis with conventional management. Previous studies of coronary intervention yielded controversial results and were rarely analyzed chronologically. This study was to determine the impact of percutaneous coronary revascularization on outcome by studying two time periods 5 years apart in which the revascularization was more frequent and techniques more refined in the later period.