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Cell Physiol Biochem 2018 Dec 6;51(5):2123-2135. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, the Second Affiliated Hospital of South China University of Technology, Guangzhou,

Background/aims: Emerging evidence suggests a close link between gut microbiota and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between gut microbiota and the DNA methylation of adiponectin (an adipocyte-specific adipocytokine) in rats, following diet-induced NAFLD.

Methods: 50 male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups with or without a high fat diet (HFD), antibiotics, and probiotics, in order to establish an imbalanced gut microbiota and probiotic treatment model in NAFLD rats. Read More

Cell Physiol Biochem 2018 Dec 6;51(5):2052-2064. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.

Background/aims: Alpha-fetoprotein-producing colorectal cancer (AFPP-CRC) is quite rarely seen. This study aimed to elucidate the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic factors of AFPP-CRC.

Methods: Among 5,051 colorectal cancer patients receiving surgery in the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from 2006 to 2016, we identified 78 patients with elevated serum level of AFP (> 10 µg/L) preoperatively. Read More

Cell Physiol Biochem 2018 Dec 6;51(5):2111-2122. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Rui'an,

Background/aims: Sestrin 2 is associated with the pathophysiology of several diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of Sestrin 2 in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) during liver fibrogenesis.

Methods: In this study, Sestrin 2 protein expression was detected in rat HSC-T6 cells challenged with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and in mice treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a well-known model of hepatic fibrosis. Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2018 Dec 3;110:285-293. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Organ Transplantation, ChangZheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China. Electronic address:

Objective: Wuzhi (WZ) capsule contains an ethanol extract of Schisandra sphenanthera. The efficacy of WZ in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not yet been elucidated. The present study assessed the effects of WZ on NAFLD. Read More

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2018 Nov 30;175:91-97. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

CIRIMAT, Université de Toulouse 3 - Paul Sabatier, CNRS, Toulouse, France. Electronic address:

Alginate and chitosan are polysaccharides that are widely used in the biomedical field, especially as wound dressings. Controlled bioadhesion is an advanced functionality that offers the potential to reduce injuries due to the stripping-off of the biomaterial. Herein, we report the efficient grafting of poly-N(isopropylacryamide) (PNIPAM), a thermosensitive polymer that exhibits a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) at 32 °C on the alginate/chitosan polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) surface. Read More

Int J Surg 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Xenotransplantation Program, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA. Electronic address:

Background: There is well-documented systemic inflammatory response in xenograft recipients to the presence of a pig graft. Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an inflammatory marker that is elevated in various pathological states. The assay used to measure it is (i) simple, (ii) relatively inexpensive, and (iii) provides an answer within minutes. Read More

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and SUSTech-HKU Joint Laboratories for Matrix Biology and Diseases, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China. Electronic address:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a long-term consequence of chronic inflammatory liver injury. Hepatic injury is associated with a defective intestinal barrier and increased hepatic exposure to bacterial products including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which promotes hepatocarcinogenesis. Despite its clinical significance, the molecular mediator linking chronic inflammation with HCC development remains to be clarified. Read More

J Hepatol 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

AP-HP Hôpital Paul-Brousse, Centre Hépato-Biliaire, Liver Intensive Care Unit, Villejuif, F-94800, France; INSERM, Unité 1193, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, F-94800, France; DHU Hepatinov, Villejuif, F-94800, France.

Severe acute liver injury (sALI) is a grave complication of exertional heatstroke (EH). Liver transplantation (LT) may be a therapeutic option, but the criteria for, and timing of transplantation have not been clearly established. The aim of this study was to define the profile of patients who require transplantation in this context. Read More

Antiviral Res 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States; Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States; Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Logan, UT, United States. Electronic address:

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a non-polio enterovirus that affects the respiratory system and can cause serious complications, especially in children and older people with weakened immune systems. As an emerging virus, there are no current antiviral therapies or vaccines available. Our goal was to develop a mouse model of human EV-D68 infection that mimicked the disease observed in humans and could be used for evaluation of experimental therapeutics. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Loyola University Medical Center Dermatology, 321 N La Grange Rd, La Grange Park, IL. Electronic address:

-The optimal timing of laboratory tests for patients on isotretinoin treatment for acne is uncertain.-In this series, although abnormalities in serum lipids in patients receiving isotretinoin were not infrequent, they were mild to moderate, and were generally noted around the second month of treatment.-For healthy patients on isotretinoin, we recommend that a lipid panel and liver function test be performed at baseline and at month 2, when peak dosing is achieved. Read More

Neuropharmacology 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Program of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.

A number of pre-clinical studies have shown that brain-generated acetaldehyde, the first metabolite of ethanol, exerts reinforcing effects that promote the acquisition of ethanol intake, while chronic intake maintenance appears to be mediated by alcohol-induced brain neuroinflammation/oxidative stress. Recently, it was described that N-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)-2,6-dichlorobenzamide (ALDA-1) activates aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2), enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of ethanol-derived acetaldehyde to acetate. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of ALDA-1 on both the acquisition and the maintenance of alcohol intake in alcohol-preferring UChB rats. Read More

Gastroenterology 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801. Electronic address:

Background & Aims: The nuclear receptor subfamily 0 group B member 2 (NR0B2, also called SHP) is expressed at high levels in liver and intestine. Postprandial fibroblast growth factor 19 (human FGF19, mouse FGF15) signaling increases the transcriptional activity of SHP. We studied the functions of SHP and FGF19 in intestines of mice, including their regulation of expression of the cholesterol transporter NPC1-like intracellular cholesterol transporter 1 (NPC1L1) and cholesterol absorption. Read More

Clin Biochem 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia; Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt. Electronic address:

Objective: Identification of new molecular markers to enhance early diagnosis, prognosis and/or treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a need. TOM34 (34 kDa-translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane) protein expression deregulation has demonstrated to be involved in the growth of many cancers. Here, we aimed at evaluating serum TOM34 and some heat shock proteins (HSPA4, HSPA1B, and HSP90AA1) expressions in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis and HCV-induced HCC relative to controls and correlating these expressions to the clinicopathological data. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018 Dec 3;12:CD011644. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital and the UCL Institute of Liver and Digestive Health, London, UK.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a single-stranded RNA (ribonucleic acid) virus that has the potential to cause inflammation of the liver. The traditional definition of acute HCV infection is the first six months following infection with the virus. Another commonly used definition of acute HCV infection is the absence of HCV antibody and subsequent seroconversion (presence of HCV antibody in a person who was previously negative for HCV antibody). Read More

PLoS One 2018 6;13(12):e0208281. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

The Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States of America.

Microbiome studies focused on ecologically relevant vertebrate models like reptiles have been limited. Because of their relatively small home range, fast maturation, and high fecundity, lizards are an excellent reptilian terrestrial indicator species. For this study we used the green anole, Anolis carolinensis, to assess the impact of military relevant contaminants on fecal microbiome composition. Read More

PLoS One 2018 6;13(12):e0208427. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America.

Background: Type 2 diabetes is often linked with impaired proximal insulin signaling. Hence, a therapeutic agent that enhances cellular glucose uptake without requiring proximal insulin signaling would be desirable for improving glycemic control. The E4orf1 peptide (E4) derived from human adenovirus 36 (Ad36) promotes cellular glucose uptake in vitro and in vivo, independent of insulin. Read More

PLoS One 2018 6;13(12):e0207406. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Tropical and Infectious Diseases Department, Centre Hospitalier Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana.

Background: French Guiana (FG) was the first country in South America to declare chikungunya virus infection (CHIKV). The outbreak affected about 16,000 persons between February 2014 and October 2015, with several atypical cases, but only two fatal cases. We aimed to describe the clinical presentation of patients hospitalized for CHIKV infection, to estimate and identify risk factors of unusual and severe forms in adult patients. Read More

Nucl Med Commun 2019 Jan;40(1):3-7

Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton.

Aim: To compare weight, lean body mass and body surface area for calculation of standardised uptake value (SUV) in fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography, taking sex into account.

Patients And Methods: This was a retrospective study of 161 (97 men) patients. Maximum standardised uptake value (SUVmax) and mean standardised uptake value (SUVmean) were obtained from a 3-cm region of interest over the right lobe of the liver and scaled to weight, scaled to lean body mass (SUL) and scaled to body surface area (SUA). Read More

FASEB J 2018 Dec 6:fj201802075R. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Key Laboratory of Microgravity, Center of Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are able to differentiate into functional hepatocytelike cells, which are expected to serve as a potential cell source in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and clinical treatment of liver injury. Little is known about whether and how space microgravity is able to direct the hepatogenic differentiation of BMSCs in the actual space microenvironment. In this study, we examined the effects of space microgravity on BMSC hepatogenic differentiation on board the SJ-10 Recoverable Scientific Satellite. Read More

FASEB J 2018 Dec 6:fj201801253RR. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.

In the current study, we explored the impact of Tudor-staphylococcal nuclease (SN) on obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in mice, because the functional involvement of Tudor-SN in lipid metabolism in vivo is unknown. HFD-transgenic (Tg) mice exhibited reductions in hepatic steatosis and systemic insulin resistance. There was no difference in hepatic lipid accumulation between chow-fed wild-type (WT) and chow-fed Tg mice; consistently, no difference in activation of the lipogenic pathway was detected. Read More

FASEB J 2018 Dec 6:fj201800440RR. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) translocate nucleosides and nucleobases across plasma membranes, as well as a variety of anti-cancer, -viral, and -parasite nucleoside analogs. They are also key members of the purinome complex and regulate the protective and anti-inflammatory effects of adenosine. Despite their important role, little is known about the mechanisms involved in their regulation. Read More

FASEB J 2018 Dec 6:fj201800981R. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Anesthesiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

As mechanisms controlling redox homeostasis become impaired with aging, exaggerated oxidant stress may cause disproportional oxidation of cell membranes and circulating phospholipids (PLs), leading to the formation of truncated oxidized PL products (Tr-OxPLs), which exhibit deleterious effects. This study investigated the role of elevated Tr-OxPLs as a factor exacerbating inflammation and lung barrier dysfunction in an animal model of aging. Mass spectrometry analysis of Tr-OxPL species in young (2-4 mo) and aging (18-24 mo) mice revealed elevated basal levels of several products [1-palmitoyl-2-(5-oxovaleroyl)- sn-glycero-phosphocholine (POVPC), 1-palmitoyl-2-glutaroyl- sn-glycero-phosphocholine, lysophosphocholine, 1-palmitoyl-2-(9-oxo-nonanoyl)- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, 1-palmitoyl-2-azelaoyl- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, O-1-O-palmitoyl-2-O-(5,8-dioxo-8-hydroxy-6-octenoyl)-l-glycero-3-phosphocholine, and others] in the aged lungs. Read More

Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

University of Manitoba, Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Prenatal ethanol (EtOH) exposure is known to induce adverse effects on fetal brain development. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been shown to alleviate these effects by upregulating antioxidant mechanisms in the brain. The liver is the first organ to receive enriched blood after placental transport; therefore, it could be negatively affected by EtOH, but no studies have assessed the effects of DHA on fetal liver. Read More

JBRA Assist Reprod 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Nursing Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, IR Iran.

Objectives: Primary dysmenorrhea is a painful uterine contraction caused by endometrial laceration. Drug therapies and complementary medicine have been used to treat dysmenorrhea. The aim of this study was to investigate and offer an updated perspective on the treatments for dysmenorrhea. Read More

Chemistry 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Kings College London, Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, St Thomas' Hospital, SE1 7EH, London, UNITED KINGDOM.

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) catalyze the oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids, with elevated ALDH expression in human cancers linked to metastases and poor overall survival. Despite ALDH being a poor prognostic factor, the non-invasive assessment of ALDH activity in vivo has not been possible due to a lack of sensitive and translational imaging agents. In this report, we present the synthesis and biological evaluation of ALDH1A1-selective chemical probes composed of an aromatic aldehyde derived from N,N-diethylamino benzaldehyde (DEAB) linked to a fluorinated pyridine ring either via an amide or amine linkage. Read More

J Viral Hepat 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Health Examination, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.

We determined the role of miR-520e in the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. MiR-520e and EPH receptor A2 (EphA2) in HBV-positive HCC tissues and cells were detected and we studied the impact of miR-520e and the EphA2 receptor in cellular and murine HBV replication models. We find that MiR-520e was up-regulated and EphA2 was down-regulated in HBV-positive HCC tissues and cells. Read More

Hepatology 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

University of Miami School of Medicine, Public Health Sciences, 1120 14th NW St., Don Soffer Clinical Research Building, Miami, Florida, United States.

I read Kim et al.'s "Changing Trends in Etiology- and Ethnicity-Based Annual Mortality Rates of Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the US" with great interest. Patterns for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are complex, with disparities likely rooted in etiological differences. Read More

Cancer 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.

Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare myeloid neoplasm characterized by the presence of abnormal CD1a-positive (CD1a )/CD207 histiocytes. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) represents a spectrum of hyperinflammatory syndromes typified by the dysregulated activation of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Patients with LCH, particularly those with multisystem (MS) involvement, can develop severe hyperinflammation mimicking that observed in HLH. Read More

Hepatology 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

EF Clif, EASL-CLIF Consortium and Grifols Chair, Barcelona, Spain.

Systemic inflammation (SI) is involved in the pathogenesis of acute decompensation (AD) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in cirrhosis. In other diseases, SI activates tryptophan (Trp) degradation via the kynurenine pathway (KP), giving rise to metabolites that contribute to multiorgan/system damage and immunosuppression. In the current study, we aimed to characterize the KP in patients with cirrhosis, in whom this pathway is poorly known. Read More

J Radiat Res 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Experimental Oncology, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Japan.

Microarrays containing 45 different lectins were analyzed to identify global changes in the glycosylation of serum glycoproteins from mice exposed to whole-body γ-radiation. The results showed that radiation exposure increased and decreased the relative amounts of α-2,3- and α-2,6-sialic acids, respectively. The expression of α-2,3- and α-2,6-sialyltransferase genes in the liver was analyzed to determine whether changes in their expression were responsible for the sialic acid changes. Read More

Gigascience 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Graduate School of Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 117456, Singapore.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the cancer with the second highest mortality in the world due to its late presentation and limited treatment options. As such, there is an urgent need to identify novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and develop novel therapies. The availability of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) data from tumors of liver cancer patients has provided us with invaluable resources to better understand HCC through the integration of data from different sources to facilitate the identification of promising biomarkers or therapeutic targets. Read More

Gigascience 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

Background: Foodborne infections caused by lung flukes of the genus Paragonimus are a significant and widespread public health problem in tropical areas. Around 50 Paragonimus species have been reported to infect animals and humans, but Paragonimus westermani is responsible for the bulk of human disease. Despite their medical and economic importance, no genome sequence for any Paragonimus species is available. Read More

Am J Surg Pathol 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Human Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa.

Cholangiolocellular carcinoma (CLC) is a unique subtype of primary liver carcinoma, which sometimes coexists with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma and combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA). "Ductal plate malformation" (DPM)-pattern of primary liver carcinoma, which resembles biliary lesions in Caroli disease and von Meyenburg complex, is sometimes associated with CLC. We examined genetic alterations of hTERT promoter (hTERT), IDH1 or 2 (IDH1/2), KRAS, ARID1A, PBRM1, ARID2, BAP1, p53 and their association with histologic features such as proportion of CLC and DPM-pattern in 77 patients with primary liver carcinoma diagnosed as cHCC-CCA or CLC. Read More

Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Intervention Centre.

Background: Parenchyma-sparing concept in liver surgery has received a new incitement with the introduction of laparoscopic techniques. Multiple concomitant liver resections are a major component in the parenchyma-sparing concept.

Materials And Methods: In total, 689 patients underwent laparoscopic liver resection for colorectal liver metastases from August 1998 to 2017, and 171 patients were eligible for this study. Read More

Pharmacogenet Genomics 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Pharmacogenomics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.

Introduction: CYP2D6 metabolizes ∼25% of all clinically used drugs, with numerous genetic polymorphisms affecting enzyme activity and drug response. Clinical utility of current CYP2D6 genotyping is partially compromised the unresolved complex haplotype structure of the CYP2D6 locus. We have identified a distal enhancer single-nucleotide polymorphism rs5758550 that robustly increases CYP2D6 expression, whereas rs16947 (CYP2D6*2), previously considered inert, reduces correct mRNA splicing and expression, thereby affecting presumed activity of other alleles on the *2 haplotype. Read More

Shock 2018 Jul 30. Epub 2018 Jul 30.

Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Medical Biology section.

Tie2 is a tyrosine kinase receptor that is mainly expressed by endothelial cells. In animal models mimicking critical illness, Tie2 levels in organs are temporarily reduced. Functional consequences of these reduced Tie2 levels on microvascular endothelial behaviour are unknown. Read More

Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

National Institutes of Health,Niddk.ddb, United States.

Rat pancreatic acinar cells possess only the p21-activated kinase (PAKs), PAK4 of the Group-II p21-activated kinase (PAK) and it is activated by gastrointestinal hormones/neurotransmitters stimulating PLC and by a number of growth factors. However, little is known generally of cAMP-agents causing PAK4 activation and there are no studies with gastrointestinal hormones/neurotransmitters activating cAMP cascades. In the present study, we examined the ability of VIP and secretin, which stimulate cAMP generation in pancreatic acini, to stimulate PAK4 activation, the signaling cascades involved and its possible role in activating Na+,K+ATPase. Read More

Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Australia.

Expression of the cytokine IL-11 is elevated in human Helicobacter pylori infection and progressively increases with worsening gastric pathology. Additionally, IL-11 is required for tumour development in STAT3 dependent murine models of gastric cancer (GC) and, when administered acutely, causes resolving atrophic gastritis. However, it is unclear whether locally elevated IL-11 ligand expression can, in isolation from oncogenic gp130-JAK-STAT pathway mutations, initiate GC pathogenesis. Read More

Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Pediatrics, GI Division, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, United States.

Intestinal epithelial cells are among the most rapidly proliferating cell types in the human body. There are several different sub-types of epithelial cells, each with unique functional roles in responding to the ever-changing environment. The epithelium's ability for rapid and customized responses to environmental changes requires multi-tiered levels of gene regulation. Read More

Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hvidovre University Hospital.

Dietary fat, and particularly fatty acids from hydrolyzed triglycerides, reduce appetite, whereas, paradoxically, a high-fat diet leads to excess calorie intake and weight gain. We therefore hypothesized that the appetite-regulating effects of dietary fat is perturbed in obesity. Ten men with severe obesity (median BMI 51. Read More

Obesity (Silver Spring) 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey, USA.

Objective: Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. This study assessed pegbelfermin (BMS-986036), recombinant PEGylated human fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), in patients with obesity and T2DM predisposed to fatty liver.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, patients with T2DM and BMI of 30 to 50 kg/m received subcutaneous pegbelfermin (1, 5, or 20 mg daily or 20 mg weekly; n = 96) or placebo (n = 24) for 12 weeks. Read More

Haemophilia 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Research Department of Haematology, University of London Cancer Institute, London, UK.

Introduction: The variety of treatment for haemophilia B (HB) has recently improved with the emergence of both AAV-based gene therapy and bioengineered human factor IX (hFIX) molecules with prolonged half-life due to fusion to either albumin (Alb) or immunoglobulin Fc fragment (Fc).

Aim: Adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) mediating expression of hFIX-Alb and hFIX-Fc fusion proteins was investigated for gene therapy of HB to explore if their extended half-life translates to higher plasma levels of FIX.

Methods: Single-stranded cross-packaged AAV2/8 vectors expressing hFIX-Alb, hFIX-Fc and hFIX were evaluated in vitro, and in mice. Read More

Cancer Sci 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan, 329-0498.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a common cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, effective therapeutic strategies for preventing and treating NASH-mediated liver cirrhosis and HCC are lacking. Cholesterol is closely associated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key factor that promotes HCC. Read More

Cancer Sci 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China.

circular RNAs (circRNAs), a novel class of non-coding RNAs, have emerged as indispensable modulators in human malignancies. Aberrant cellular senescence is a phenotype observed in various cancers. The association of circRNAs with cellular senescence in tumor is still a virgin soil to be upturned. Read More

Saudi Med J 2018 Dec;39(12):1259-1262

Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail.

Objectives: To analyze the overall trends in cancer incidence and mortality in Saudi Arabia between 1990 and 2016.   Methods: Data were retrieved through a Global Burden of Disease (GBD, 2016) database (Viz Hub) that is developed by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. Results: The incidence of cancer increased around 26-fold for thyroid cancer; approximately 10-fold in breast, colon, bladder and uterine cancers; 8-fold for prostate cancer; 5-fold for renal cancer; 4-fold for pancreatic and ovarian cancer; 3. Read More