Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the most prevalent histological subtype of primary liver cancer. This study aimed to establish a miRNA-related prognostic genes signature, providing a theoretical framework for prognosis and therapy in patients with HCC. The miRNA-correlated (MIRcor) genes were identified through correlation analysis of miRNA-mRNA relationships from three databases. Consensus clustering was then applied to HCC samples based on these MIRcor genes. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between HCC and normal samples, as well as between subtypes with the most significant survival differences, were extracted. Subtype-and-tumor common DEGs were identified by intersecting these DEGs. Prognostic genes were derived using univariate Cox and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analyses. A risk model was developed with the The Cancer Genome Atlas-Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA-HCC) dataset and validated in the International Cancer Genome Consortium-Hepatocellular Carcinoma (ICGC-HCC) dataset, while independent prognostic predictors were confirmed through Cox analysis. Additionally, an immune microenvironment analysis was conducted to compare high- and low-risk groups. From the subtype-and-tumor common DEGs, five prognostic genes were identified and used to construct a prognostic gene signature. Expression of these genes was further validated at both protein and mRNA levels via Western blotting and Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). The risk score and T stage emerged as reliable independent prognostic predictors. We observed significant differences in the abundance of 11 types of immune cells between the high-risk and low-risk groups. All five prognostic genes were expressed at significantly higher levels in normal liver tissues than in HCC tumor tissues. A risk model based on these genes offers a theoretical basis and valuable reference for HCC management.

To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) in assessing hepatic steatosis among patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) through systematic review and meta-analysis approaches.

Helicobacter pylori infection is an important risk factor for gastric cancer. In Japan, national health insurance has covered eradication therapy for H. pylori infection-associated gastritis from 2013. However, gastric cancer was the fourth leading cause of cancer death in 2023. We aimed to investigate differences in gastric cancer risk among patients with gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, and gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer after H. pylori eradication.

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a major health problem worldwide and is a major contributor to the progression of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Accurate monitoring of the immune response and liver inflammation in CHB patients is critical for effective disease management. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays a pivotal role in viral replication and immune modulation. However, the clinical significance of m6A regulators in the host immune system during CHB is still unclear. This study investigated the expression of key m6A regulators (METTL3, METTL14, IGF2BP3, and ALKBH5) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from CHB patients to explore their potential as noninvasive biomarkers for CHB diagnosis.

To explore the impact of cumulative uric acid (cum UA) exposure on the incidence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).

The etiological composition and disease burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Cambodia show significant dynamic changes, and targeted prevention and control strategies are urgently needed.

To evaluate the clinical significance of contrast extravasation observed on post-ablation computed tomography (CT) performed immediately following thermal ablation of hepatic tumors.

The purpose of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment is functional cure (FC). It refers to the removal of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from the serum. However, this outcome is rare with current treatments due to the presence of integrated hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). This study investigates the efficacy of removal of HBsAg using immunoadsorption. An immunosorbent was prepared by coupling anti-HBsAg monoclonal antibodies to agarose beads, selected from six candidates based on adsorption efficiency. Then the adsorbents were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). V79 lung fibroblasts were used to determine the cytotoxicity of the immunosorbent through in vitro viability assays. The results indicated that the immunosorbent was non-cytotoxic. Static and dynamic adsorption studies in vitro demonstrated efficient HBsAg removal. To validate therapeutic potential, an extracorporeal circulation system equipped with the immunosorbent (10 ml sorbent column) was tested in rabbits injected with HBsAg-positive rabbit serum. This system selectively reduced serum HBsAg levels by 76.38 ± 1.37% and HBV DNA by 66.20 ± 0.85%. Given the absence of existing therapies capable of reducing HBsAg directly, our findings suggest that combining immunoadsorption with HBV drugs may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy—or at least provide a valuable adjunct—to advance functional cure efforts in CHB. Further clinical validation is warranted.

Investigate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of ventral caudal artery (VCA) approach for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in an orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) rat model.

Laparoscopic retroperitoneal necrosectomy (LRN) is a novel minimally invasive approach for treating infected necrotizing pancreatitis. Our study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of LRN for pancreatic necrosis at a single center.

The relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) load and the survival or safety of immunotherapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains ambiguous.

Cirrhosis, a common chronic liver disease, leads to portal hypertension and complications like ascites and variceal bleeding. Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is the preferred treatment for variceal bleeding. Post-EVL rebleeding due to mucosal irritation from gastric reflux significantly impacts patient prognosis. Omeprazole is an acid-suppressing medication to reduce mucosal damage and improve hemostasis. However, the effect of EVL combined with omeprazole in the treatment of esophageal variceal hemorrhage in cirrhosis remains exploring. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the value of EVL + omeprazole in treating upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage combined with liver cirrhosis.

Chronic gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, including functional, inflammatory, and neoplastic conditions, are increasing globally, partly due to modern lifestyles. The circadian rhythm, regulated by the central clock in the hypothalamus and synchronized with peripheral clocks in the GI organs, orchestrates GI functions in response to environmental cycles. This clock is influenced by cues such as light, sleep, and eating times. The circadian machinery prepares the host to cope with environmental conditions to adjust cellular and organ function accordingly. Modern behaviors-like night-time light exposure, travel across time zones, shift work, mistimed eating, and social jet lag-disrupt the circadian clock, affecting GI processes such as digestion, absorption, motility, intestinal barrier function, immune function, and the microbiome, promoting not only GI pathology, but also systemic inflammatory and metabolic disorders. This review summarizes the circadian rhythm's role in normal GI function, examines the consequences of circadian disruption in the GI tract, and discusses circadian-based therapeutic interventions. These interventions aim to realign the circadian clock with external cues or optimize medication timing according to biological rhythms. Understanding the role of the circadian clock in GI conditions can provide preventive and therapeutic opportunities to reduce the burden of GI diseases.