Virtual Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient with CT Angiography (CHESS 1601): A Prospective Multicenter Study for the Noninvasive Diagnosis of Portal Hypertension.

Purpose To develop and validate a computational model for estimating hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) based on CT angiographic images, termed virtual HVPG, to enable the noninvasive diagnosis of portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis. Materials and Methods In this prospective multicenter diagnostic trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02842697), 102 consecutive eligible participants (mean age, 47 years [range, 21-75 years]; 68 men with a mean age of 44 years [range, 21-73 years] and 34 women with a mean age of 52 years [range, 24-75 years]) were recruited from three high-volume liver centers between August 2016 and April 2017.

Role of Downregulation and Phosphorylation of Cofilin in Polarized Growth, MpkA Activation and Stress Response of .

causes most of aspergillosis in clinic and comprehensive function analysis of its key protein would promote anti-aspergillosis. In a previous study, we speculated actin depolymerizing factor cofilin might be essential for viability and found its overexpression upregulated oxidative response and cell wall polysaccharide synthesis of this pathogen. Here, we constructed a conditional mutant to determine the essential role of cofilin.

Hypothyroidism is associated with worse outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma patients after liver transplantation.

Background/aims: Hypothyroidism has been associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence; however, the relationship between hypothyroidism and HCC patient outcomes is unclear. We investigated the impact of hypothyroidism on outcomes after liver transplantation for HCC.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively studied HCC patients transplanted between January 2000 and December 2015.

LINE-1 ORF-1p enhances the transcription factor activity of pregnenolone X receptor and promotes sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Background: LINE-1 ORF-1p is encoded by the human pro-oncogene . Our previous work showed that LINE-1 ORF-1p could enhance the resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells to antitumor agents. However, the mechanisms involved in LINE-1 ORF-1p-mediated drug resistance remain largely unknown.

High levels of circulating GM-CSFCD4 T cells are predictive of poor outcomes in sepsis patients: a prospective cohort study.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), produced by CD4 T cells, has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and juvenile arthritis. However, the role of GM-CSF-producing CD4 T cells in sepsis remains unknown. This study reports peripheral changes in GM-CSF-producing CD4 T cells in septic patients and the possible underlying mechanism by which GM-CSF influences the outcome of sepsis.

The correlation of TGFβ1 gene polymorphisms with congenital heart disease susceptibility.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) gene (rs1982073 and rs1800471) and congenital heart disease (CHD) susceptibility.

Methods: Totally, 145 CHD patients and 140 healthy controls were enrolled in this case-control study. The case and control groups were matched in age and gender.

Development and validation of a radiomics signature for clinically significant portal hypertension in cirrhosis (CHESS1701): a prospective multicenter study.

Clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) is associated with an incremental risk of esophageal varices and overt clinical decompensations. However, hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement, the gold standard for defining CSPH (HVPG≥10 mm Hg) is invasive and therefore not suitable for routine clinical practice. This study aims to develop and validate a radiomics-based model as a noninvasive method for accurate detection of CSPH in cirrhosis.

Genetic manipulation of Escherichia coli central carbon metabolism for efficient production of fumaric acid.

Fumaric acid is one of the top 12-biomass building-block chemicals. In this study, we reported manipulation of E. coli central carbon metabolism with the aim to decrease the by-products and improve fumaric acid production.

Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Treatment Accelerates Angiogenesis by Activating YAP/TAZ in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.

As a non-invasive method, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) can accelerate fracture healing. The mechanisms responsible for the enhanced fracture healing need to be studied further. Activation of YAP/TAZ, key mediators of the Hippo signaling pathway, could promote angiogenesis and vascular remodeling.

Role of the small GTPase Rho1 in cell wall integrity, stress response, and pathogenesis of Aspergillus fumigatus.

Aspergillus fumigatus is a major pathogen of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. The small GTPase, Rho1, of A. fumigatus is reported to comprise a potential regulatory subunit of β-1,3-glucan synthase and is indispensable for fungal viability; however, the role of AfRho1 on the growth, cell wall integrity, and pathogenesis of A.

Novel treatment strategies for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who do not benefit from current targeted therapy drugs.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive breast cancer (HER2 BC) is characterized by a high rate of metastasis and drug resistance. The advent of targeted therapy drugs greatly improves the prognosis of HER2 BC patients. However, drug resistance or severe side effects have limited the application of targeted therapy drugs.

Tolvaptan treatment improves survival of cirrhotic patients with ascites and hyponatremia.

Background: Although tolvaptan treatment improves hyponatremia, only few studies have investigated whether tolvaptan actually benefits the survival of cirrhotic patients. This study evaluated the impact of tolvaptan on six-month survival of decompensated cirrhotic patients with and without hyponatremia.

Methods: Two hundred forty-nine decompensated cirrhotic patients with or without hyponatremia were enrolled in a multicenter cohort study.

Clinical application of 3.0 T intraoperative magnetic resonance combined with multimodal neuronavigation in resection of cerebral eloquent area glioma.

Glioma is the most common tumor among central nervous system tumors; surgical intervention presents difficulties. This is especially the case for gliomas in so-called "eloquent areas," as surgical resection threatens vital structures adjacent to the tumor. Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) combined with multimodal neuronavigation may prove beneficial during surgery.

Plasma mtDNA Analysis Aids in Predicting Pancreatic Necrosis in Acute Pancreatitis Patients: A Pilot Study.

Background: Specific plasma biomarkers in predicting pancreatic necrosis (PNec) are needed in treating acute pancreatitis (AP).

Aims: To investigate the prognostic value of plasma mitochondrial DNA fragments (mtDNA) in patient with AP for PNec.

Methods: AP patients with symptoms onset within 72 h were prospectively enrolled from June 2015 through June 2017 and were assessed for PNec using contrast-enhanced CT scan.

Multiclass mycotoxins in lotus seeds analysed by an isotope-labelled internal standard-based UPLC-MS/MS.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the residue levels of multiclass mycotoxins in medicinal and edible lotus seeds.

Methods: A rapid and reliable isotope-labelled internal standard-based UPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for sensitive and accurate analysis of multiclass mycotoxins including aflatoxins (AFB , AFB , AFG and AFG ), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisins (FB and FB ), T-2 and HT-2 toxins in lotus seeds. Some critical conditions such as extract solution with the addition of isotope-labelled internal standard, type of mobile phase and the elution condition were scientifically optimized.

Robotic-assisted surgery for pediatric choledochal cyst: Case report and literature review.

Our paper describes the key surgical points of pediatric choledochocystectomy performed completely by Da Vinci robotic system. A choledochocystectomy was safely carried out for a girl at our hospital, and without any complication. Then systematic literature review was done to discuss the methods of intestine surgery and intestinal anastomosis, the use of 3 robotic arm, the surgical safety and advantages comparing open and laparoscopic surgery.

Case of severe acute hepatitis A virus infection in United Nations peacekeepers in South Sudan.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a major cause of acute viral hepatitis, which can lead to severe cases and acute liver failure. A 41-year-old Chinese military officer of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in South Sudan manifested fever, jaundice and coagulation dysfunction. The patient initially had a negative anti-HAV IgM antibody test result but a positive anti-HAV-IgM antibody test result five days after his alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels peaked.

[Technical advancement in surgical treatment of portal hypertension].

Recently, there have been many developments and improvements in portal hypertension surgery, but there are still many controversies regarding the surgical indications, the timing of surgery, and the choice of surgical procedures. Minimally invasive laparoscopy and robotics are the leading direction for the development of surgical techniques for portal hypertension. Surgical selection procedures should be based on evidence-based, but guidelines should not be blindly followed.

Terlipressin versus norepinephrine as infusion in patients with septic shock: a multicentre, randomised, double-blinded trial.

Purpose: Recent clinical data suggest that terlipressin, a vasopressin analogue, may be more beneficial in septic shock patients than catecholamines. However, terlipressin's effect on mortality is unknown. We set out to ascertain the efficacy and safety of continuous terlipressin infusion compared with norepinephrine (NE) in patients with septic shock.

The Modulatory Properties of Li-Ru-Kang Treatment on Hyperplasia of Mammary Glands Using an Integrated Approach.

Li-Ru-Kang (LRK) has been used in the treatment of hyperplasia of mammary glands (HMG) for several decades and can effectively improve clinical symptoms. This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which LRK intervenes in HMG based on an integrated approach that combines metabolomics and network pharmacology analyses. : The effects of LRK on HMG induced by estrogen-progesterone in rats were evaluated by analyzing the morphological and pathological characteristics of breast tissues.

[Application of Whole Body Localization Technique in the Craniospinal Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy].

The craniospinal radiotherapy method was studied by using the whole body positioning frame and base dose plan compensation (BDPC) technique.11 patients with central nervous system malignancies in our hospital were studied. Use whole body positioning frame with the head-neck shoulder and body membrane to immobilize posture, then use BDPC for the intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

[Clinical features of community-acquired bloodstream infection due to Gram-negative bacilli in patients with liver cirrhosis].

o investigate the features of pathogenic bacteria for community-acquired bloodstream infection due to Gram-negative bacilli in patients with liver cirrhosis and optimal therapeutic strategy. A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of patients with liver cirrhosis who were admitted to 302 Hospital of PLA due to community-acquired bloodstream infection from January 2010 to December 2015, and a statistical analysis was performed for their clinical features, pathogenic bacteria, and results of drug sensitivity test. The Pearson chi-square test was used for comparison of rates, and the Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for comparison of ranked data.

Hepatitis B Virus-Upregulated LNC-HUR1 Promotes Cell Proliferation and Tumorigenesis by Blocking p53 Activity.

Recent studies have indicated that a number of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are dysregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma, while their aberrant expressions are associated with tumorigenesis and poor prognosis. To identify hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related lncRNAs, we used RNA deep sequencing to quantify the abundances of lncRNAs in HepG2 cells and HBV transgenic HepG2-4D14 cells. Here, we demonstrate that lnc-HUR1 is significantly upregulated in HepG2-4D14 cells.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy as an effective and safe treatment for small hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma(sHCC) who were ineligible for surgery or ablation therapies.

Methods: From March 2011 to December 2012, 28 cases with sHCC which were ineligible or refused surgical resection, transplantation or local ablation were treated with CyberKnife SBRT. Median size of tumors was 2.

[Study and thought on the safety of traditional Chinese medicines under Healthy China strategy].

As the Healthy China planning has been implemented, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has witnessed unprecedented developmental opportunities. However, the safety of TCM has always been like The Sword of Damocles in TCM area, endangering the healthy and sustainable development of TCM. In order to solve the problem of TCM safety in China as soon as possible, the author puts forward that the situation and issues of TCM safety should be considered with the change of the times.