Generational effects and abnormalities in craniofacial chondrogenesis in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos upon maternal exposure to estrogen endocrine disrupting chemicals.

Bisphenol A (BPA) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) are estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EEDCs). The present study reconfirmed that the angle of the ceratohyal cartilage (CH) in embryos were larger from maternal BPA and E2, but smaller from DEP compared to the control. However, it is still unknown whether both the BPA and DEP chemicals disrupted the action of E2 and thereby influence the estrogen signaling pathways.

Six immune-related promising biomarkers may promote hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis: a bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation.

Background: Abnormal miRNA and mRNA expression and dysregulated immune microenvironment have been found to frequently induce the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in recent reports. In particular, the immune-related competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) mechanism plays a crucial role in HCC progression. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Reproductive and Developmental Alterations on Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Upon Long-Term Exposure of Di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), Di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) and Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP).

Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-ethyl phthalate (DEP) and di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) are all endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) for organisms. However, little research has been done on the effects of long-term EDC exposure. The present study found that the zebrafish barely grew during the 7 months of DINP exposure.

Maternal effect and dietary supplementation of estradiol-17β on female zebrafish (Danio rerio) affects the swimming behavior and stress-coping styles of its offspring.

Extrinsic estradiol-17β (E2) is an environmental hormone. Female fish exposure to waterborne E2 might affect the development of craniofacial cartilage of its offspring. The present study investigates the effects of maternal E2 on larval craniofacial cartilage development by administering oral feed containing E2 (F-E2) to female zebrafish, and examines whether the swimming behavior and their stress coping style are influenced by maternal E2.

Effects of bisphenol A or diethyl phthalate on cartilage development and the swimming behavior of zebrafish (Danio rerio) through maternal exposure.

Waterborne bisphenol A (BPA) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) are endocrine disruptive chemicals that impact the reproductive system of fish. The present study checks the effectiveness of the reproductive capacity on zebrafish after BPA and DEP exposure, and consequently investigates its effect on their development and the swimming behavior of its offspring. The exposure of BPA and DEP to zebrafish reveals that the levels of ovarian 17β-estradiol (E2) and relative mRNA expression (RRE) ratios (Treatment/Control) of hepatic vitellogenin (vtg1) could be induced and decreased.

Amorphous flexible covalent organic networks containing redox-active moieties: a noncrystalline approach to the assembly of functional molecules.

The organization states of functional molecules have a significant impact on the properties of materials. A variety of approaches have been studied to obtain well-organized molecular assemblies. The present work shows a new non-organized state of isolated and dispersed functional molecules in amorphous flexible covalent organic networks.

Glass-transition-induced color-changing resins containing layered polydiacetylene.

A phase-segregated composite of polystyrene (PSt) and layered polydiacetylene (PDA) was formed through simultaneous polymerization and crystallization. As the motion of PSt chains with glass transition is transferred to that of PDA, the color change was achieved by the shortening of the conjugation length with deformation of the layered structure.

The protective effect and mechanism of the FXR agonist obeticholic acid via targeting gut microbiota in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

It is reported that various diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are associated with imbalance of microbiome. And FXR has been well investigated in liver diseases. The objective of this study was to identify the role of farnesoid X receptor agonist obeticholic acid via targeting gut microbiota in NAFLD.

miR-222 targets ACOX1, promotes triglyceride accumulation in hepatocytes.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases. However, the exact pathogenesis of NAFLD remains to be elucidated. Despite the association with tumors and cardiovascular diseases, the role of miR-222 in NAFLD remains unclear.

Role of Autophagy in Chronic Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis.

Autophagy entails the removal of dysfunctional components to maintain cellular homeostasis. Over the years, studies of autophagy demonstrated its complex physiological and pathological roles in the liver. Apart from regulation of normal metabolic functions such as glycogenolysis, glycogenesis, and β-oxidation, autophagy also contributes to the modulation of various liver diseases.

Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (CAEBV) enteritis.

Background: Chronic active Esptein-Barr virus (CAEBV) enteritis if rarely observed in immunocompetent patients and can be often misdiagnosed as inflammatory bowel disease.

Case: We hereby present a case of CAEBV enteritis diagnosed with double-balloon enteroscopy and EBER in-situ hybridization.

Conclusion: This case demonstrates the clinical presentation and diagnosis of CAEBV enteritis and highlights the importance of early recognition of the disease.

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.

Longitudinal monitoring of liver fibrosis status by transient elastography in chronic hepatitis B patients during long-term entecavir treatment.

The correlation between improvement in longitudinal liver stiffness and fibrosis regression has not been properly evaluated during long-term antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. In this study, liver stiffness was serially performed by FibroScan every 26 weeks in a prospective cohort of CHB patients receiving entecavir. Results were compared with liver biopsies at baseline and week 78.

Serum microRNA signatures and metabolomics have high diagnostic value in gastric cancer.

Background: Many novel diagnostic biomarkers have been developed for gastric cancer (GC) recently. We chose two methods with high diagnostic value, the detection of serum microRNAs and metabolomics based on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and aimed to establish appropriate models.

Methods: We reviewed the diagnostic accuracies of all microRNAs identified by previous diagnostic tests.

Serum microRNA signatures and metabolomics have high diagnostic value in colorectal cancer using two novel methods.

Recently, many new diagnostic biomarkers have been developed for colorectal cancer. We chose 2 methods with high diagnostic efficiency, the detection of serum microRNA and metabolomics based on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and aimed to establish appropriate models. We reviewed the diagnostic value of all microRNA identified by previous diagnostic tests.

Serum microRNA signatures and metabolomics have high diagnostic value in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Many new diagnostic biomarkers have been developed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We selected two methods with high diagnostic value, the detection of serum microRNAs and metabolomics based on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and attempted to establish appropriate models.

Methods: We reviewed the diagnostic efficiencies of all microRNAs identified by previous diagnostic tests.

Longitudinal monitoring of liver stiffness by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging in patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving entecavir.

Background: Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging measures liver stiffness (LS), which significantly correlates with the stage of liver fibrosis in treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Aim: We aimed to prospectively assess the clinical usefulness of ARFI during long-term antiviral therapy in CHB.

Method: Seventy-one CHB patients were consecutively recruited and paired liver biopsies were performed in 27 patients.

Prognostic Value of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) in Human Solid Carcinomas: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Recently, the number of reports on focal adhesion kinase (FAK) as a vital therapeutic target in solid carcinomas has increased; however, the prognostic role of FAK status remains poorly understood. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic effect of FAK by means of a meta-analysis.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature search in order to examine the correlation between expression of FAK and overall survival(OS).

Endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection with or without lauromacrogol for gastric varices: A randomized pilot study.

Background And Aim: Current guidelines recommend injection of cyanoacrylate as first-line therapy to prevent gastric variceal rebleeding. The method still poses a risk of ectopic embolism, which possibly correlates with the volume of cyanoacrylate used. In this trial, we evaluated the short-term efficacy and safety of tissue adhesive injection combined with lauromacrogol for treating gastric varices.

Computed tomography in evaluating gastroesophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension: A meta-analysis.

Aims: Gastroesophageal varices (GOV) is a common complication in patients with portal hypertension. We conducted a meta-analysis in attempt to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT) as a noninvasive imaging tool for identifying GOV in reference to esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).

Methods: A systemic literature search of multiple databases were conducted to identify articles that investigated the diagnostic performance of CT for GOV, while employing EGD as reference standard.

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].

Randomized controlled trial comparing endoscopic ligation with or without sclerotherapy for secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding.

Objectives: A recently published network meta-analysis showed that ligation combined with sclerotherapy might be the most efficacious intervention for secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding. Most studies excluded patients with concomitant gastric varices; thus, the outcomes in such patients have not yet been reported. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of two endoscopic procedures for secondary prophylaxis in cirrhotic patients presenting with both esophageal and gastric varices.

Kruppel-like factor 2 inhibit the angiogenesis of cultured human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) is a crucial anti-angiogenic factor. However, its precise role in hepatic angiogenesis induced by liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) remain unclear. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of KLF2 on angiogenesis of LSECs and to explore the corresponding mechanism.

Binary droplet collision at high Weber number.

By using the techniques developed for generating high-speed droplets, we have systematically investigated binary droplet collision when the Weber number (We) was increased from the range usually tested in previous studies on the order of 10 to a much larger value of about 5100 for water (a droplet at 23 m/s with a diameter of 0.7 mm). Various liquids were also used to explore the effects of viscosity and surface tension.