Non-invasively differentiate non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by visualizing hepatic integrin αvβ3 expression with a targeted molecular imaging modality.

Background: Non-invasive methods to diagnose non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an inflammatory subtype of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), are currently unavailable.

Aim: To develop an integrin αvβ3-targeted molecular imaging modality to differentiate NASH.

Methods: Integrin αvβ3 expression was assessed in Human LO2 hepatocytes Scultured with palmitic and oleic acids (FFA).

Impact of rifaximin on cirrhosis complications and gastric microbiota in patients with gastroesophageal variceal bleeding: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: The application of rifaximin, a non-absorbable antibiotic, in hepatic encephalopathy (HE) has been well established; however, its effect on other complications in cirrhotic patients with previous gastroesophageal variceal bleeding (GEVB) remains unclear. Therefore, we performed a pilot randomized controlled trial aiming to evaluate the impact of rifaximin on cirrhosis-related complications and changes in gastric microbiota.

Methods: Eighty cirrhotic patients who received prophylactic endoscopic treatment for variceal rebleeding were randomly assigned to the control or rifaximin treatment group (rifaximin 400 mg twice daily for 8 weeks).

Risk factors associated with failure of endoscopic combined treatment to prevent varices rebleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate risk factors associated with gastroesophageal variceal rebleeding after endoscopic combined treatment.

Research Design And Methods: Patients who had liver cirrhosis and underwent endoscopic treatment to prevent variceal rebleeding were retrospectively recruited. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement and CT examination of portal vein system were performed before endoscopic treatment.

Practice patterns in endoscopic treatment for gastric varices: A Chinese survey.

Objectives: Gastric varices (GV), a common complication of liver cirrhosis, often cause serious consequences. However, the management of GV remains debated. In this study we aimed to explore the practice patterns of Chinese practitioners in GV treatment and discuss whether these patterns conform to the guidelines in China and around the world.

Effects of dietary nucleotides on growth performance, immune response, intestinal morphology and disease resistance of juvenile largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides.

An 8 week feeding trial was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary nucleotides on growth performance, intestinal morphology, immune response and disease resistance of juvenile largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides. Five grades of dietary nucleotide levels were designed as 0, 0.2, 0.

A magnetic resonance imaging modality for non-invasively distinguishing progression of liver fibrosis by visualizing hepatic platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta expression in mice.

Background And Aim: Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the most critical cells responsible for liver fibrosis, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is the most prominent mitogen for HSCs in fibrogenesis. This study aimed to explore the potential of gadolinium (Gd)-labeled cyclic peptides (pPB) targeting PDGF receptor-β (PDGFR-β) as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiotracer to identify the progression of liver fibrosis by imaging hepatic PDGFR-β expression.

Methods: Mice treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl ) were used to mimic hepatic fibrosis in vivo.

Increased portal vein diameter is predictive of portal vein thrombosis development in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Background: Cirrhotic patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) may have a high risk of hepatic decompensation and increased mortality. This study aimed to investigate if increased portal vein diameter is associated with PVT development.

Methods: A total of 174 cirrhotic patients were enrolled between February 1 and August 31, 2017.

LncRNA TUG1 regulates autophagy-mediated endothelial-mesenchymal transition of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells by sponging miR-142-3p.

Accumulating evidence indicates that competing endogenous RNA networks play a critical role in cirrhosis progression. However, their biological role and regulatory mechanisms in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) have not been explored. Here, we exposed LSECs to starvation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment and assessed changes in TUG1 and miR-142-3p expression, autophagy, and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT).

Candidate lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network in predicting hepatocarcinogenesis with cirrhosis: an integrated bioinformatics analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the potential competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network in forecasting HCC development in patients with cirrhosis through a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis.

Methods: Data mining from GEO and TCGA databases was employed to dig a spectrum of differentially expressed mRNA, lncRNA and miRNA profiles. Their expression was confirmed by RT-PCR in matched HCC cohorts (n = 6/group).

Balloon-occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration of Portovenous Shunts During Endoscopic Therapy for the Treatment of Gastric Varices.

Introduction: To explore the safety and feasibility of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) of portovenous shunts during endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection for the treatment gastric varices (E-BRTO) secondary to portal hypertension.

Patients And Methods: A total of 28 cirrhotic patients with gastroesophageal varices and concurrent gastrorenal or gastrosplenorenal shunt, treated with E-BRTO, were enrolled. Operative details were recorded to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of the procedure.

Long-term efficacy of endoscopic ligation plus cyanoacrylate injection with or without sclerotherapy for variceal bleeding.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes and efficacy of continued ligation plus cyanoacrylate injection compared with those of combined ligation and sclerotherapy plus cyanoacrylate injection for secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients with concomitant esophageal and gastric varices.

Methods: Medical records of the patients who were admitted for variceal bleeding due to liver cirrhosis were retrospectively reviewed and their related data was collected. The patients were divided into two groups, including the continued ligation plus cyanoacrylate injection group [the sclerotherapy (-) group] and the combined ligation and sclerotherapy plus cyanoacrylate injection group [the sclerotherapy (+) group].