[Preparation and in vitro quality evaluation of self-microemulsion co-loaded with tenuifolin and β-asarone].

To prepare and optimize the self-microemulsion co-loaded with tenuifolin and β-asarone(TF/ASA-SMEDDS) and evaluate its quality. The prescription compositions of TF/ASA-SMEDDS were screened by solubility test, single factor test and pseudo-tern-ary phase diagram, and the prescriptions were further optimized by Box-Behnken response surface method, with the drug loading and particle size as the evaluation indexes. Then the optimized TF/ASA-SMEDDS was evaluated for emulsified appearance, particle size, morphology and drug release in vitro.

[Preparation and in vitro release of ginkgolide B nanosuspension].

To prepare ginkgolide B nanosuspension(GB-NS), and investigate its dissolution behaviors in vitro. The miniaturized media milling method was used to prepare nanosuspensions, with average particle size and polydispersity index as the evaluation indexes. The formulation and process of GB-NS were optimized by single factor experiment and Box-Behnken design-response surface method.

Curcumin ameliorates peritoneal fibrosis via inhibition of transforming growth factor-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) pathway in a rat model of peritoneal dialysis.

Background: Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) remains a serious complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). The goal of this study was to investigate the anti-fibrotic effects of curcumin on the PF response to PD and its' mechanism.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were infused with 20 mL of 4.

Curcumin suppresses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of peritoneal mesothelial cells (HMrSV5) through regulation of transforming growth factor-activated kinase 1 (TAK1).

Objective: Peritoneal fibrosis remains a serious complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) leading to peritoneal membrane ultrafiltration failure. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs) is a key process of peritoneal fibrosis. Curcumin has been previously shown to inhibit EMT of renal tubular epithelial cells and prevent renal fibrosis.

Atypical Presentation of Adrenocortical Insufficiency with Anorexia and Jaundice.

BACKGROUND Adrenal insufficiency is mainly due to insufficient adrenal corticosteroid hormones secretion by the adrenal cortex, which leads to clinical manifestations such as weakness, weight loss, hyperpigmentation, hypotension, and vomiting. However, the clinical manifestations of adrenocortical insufficiency may be atypical: anorexia, ascites, impaired liver function, and alacrima have been reported. Jaundice and anorexia presenting together in the same patient as the main symptoms are rare.

NEDD4 promotes cell growth and migration via PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The novel E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated protein 4 (NEDD4) has been implicated as a crucial factor promoting the tumorigenesis of several types of cancer. The present study investigated the oncogenic role of NEDD4 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by targeted small interfering RNA silencing of the tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). Using normal hepatocyte and HCC cell lines, the influence of NEDD4 depletion on proliferation and migration as well as on the PTEN/phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway was assessed.

Undifferentiated liver embryonal sarcoma in adults: a report of four cases and literature review.

Aim: To evaluate the undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of liver (UESL) in adults in order to improve its diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: Four primary and one recurrent cases of UESL were clinicopathologically evaluated and immunohistochemically investigated with a panel of antibodies using the EnVision+ system. Relevant literature about UESL in adults was reviewed.

Primary mixed germ cell tumor of the liver with sarcomatous components.

Germ cell tumor (GCT) of the liver is extremely rare. Here, we describe a case of hepatic mixed GCT with significant sarcomatous components and elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in a 34-year-old man. Histopathologically, the tumor was composed of two GCTs components: yolk sac tumor and immature teratoma.