A computer-aid speech rehabilitation system with mirrored video generating.

BACKGROUND: Aphasia is a communication disorder that affects the ability to process and produce language, which severely impacting their lives. Computer-aid exercise rehabilitation has shown to be highly effective for these patients. OBJECTIVE: In our study, we proposed a speech rehabilitation system with mirrored therapy. The study goal is to construct a effective rehabilitation software for aphasia patients. METHODS: This system collects patients' facial photos for mirrored video generation and speech synthesis. The visual feedback provided by the mirror creates an engaging and motivating experience for patients. And the evaluation platform employs machine learning technologies for assessing speech similarity. RESULTS: The sophisticated task-oriented rehabilitation training with mirror therapy is also presented for experiments performing. The performance of three tasks reaches the average scores of 83.9% for vowel exercises, 74.3% for word exercies and 77.8% for sentence training in real time. CONCLUSIONS: The user-friendly application system allows patients to carry out daily training tasks instructed by the therapists or the prompt information of menu. Our work demonstrated a promising intelligent mirror software system for reading-based aphasia rehabilitation.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the bethylid ectoparasitoid wasp Sclerodermus sp. 'alternatusi'.

The Bethylidae are the most diverse of Hymenoptera chrysidoid families. As external parasitoids, the bethylids have been widely adopted as biocontrol agents to control insect pests worldwide. Thus far, the genomic information of the family Bethylidae has not been reported yet. In this study, we crystallized into a high-quality chromosome-level genome of ant-like bethylid wasps Sclerodermus sp. 'alternatusi' (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) using PacBio sequencing as well as Hi-C technology. The assembled S. alternatusi genome was 162.30 Mb in size with a contig N50 size of 3.83 Mb and scaffold N50 size of 11.10 Mb. Totally, 92.85% assembled sequences anchored to 15 pseudo-chromosomes. A total of 10,204 protein-coding genes were annotated, and 23.01 Mb repetitive sequences occupying 14.17% of genome were pinpointed. The BUSCO results showed that 97.9% of the complete core Insecta genes were identified in the genome, while 97.1% in the gene sets. The high-quality genome of S. alternatusi will not only provide valuable genomic information, but also show insights into parasitoid wasp evolution and bio-control application in future studies.

Dose-response associations of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and triglyceride-glucose index with arterial stiffness risk.

BACKGROUND: The triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio and triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index are novel indexes for insulin resistance (IR). We aimed to evaluate associations of TG/HDL-C and TyG with arterial stiffness risk. METHODS: We enrolled 1979 participants from the Rural Chinese Cohort Study, examining arterial stiffness by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Logistic and linear regression models were employed to calculate effect estimates. For meta-analysis, we searched relevant articles from PubMed, Embase and Web of Science up to August 26, 2023. The fixed-effects or random-effects models were used to calculate the pooled estimates. We evaluated dose-response associations using restricted cubic splines. RESULTS: For cross-sectional studies, the adjusted ORs (95%CIs) for arterial stiffness were 1.12 (1.01-1.23) and 1.78 (1.38-2.30) for per 1 unit increment in TG/HDL-C and TyG. In the meta-analysis, the pooled ORs (95% CIs) were 1.26 (1.14-1.39) and 1.57 (1.36-1.82) for per 1 unit increment of TG/HDL-C and TyG. Additionally, both TG/HDL-C and TyG were positively related to PWV, with ß of 0.09 (95% CI 0.04-0.14) and 0.57 (95% CI 0.35-0.78) m/s. We also found linear associations of TG/HDL-C and TyG with arterial stiffness risk. CONCLUSIONS: High TG/HDL-C and TyG were related to increased arterial stiffness risk, indicating TG/HDL-C and TyG may be convincing predictors of arterial stiffness.

CD-Net: Cascaded 3D Dilated convolutional neural network for pneumonia lesion segmentation.

COVID-19 is a global pandemic that has caused significant global, social, and economic disruption. To effectively assist in screening and monitoring diagnosed cases, it is crucial to accurately segment lesions from Computer Tomography (CT) scans. Due to the lack of labeled data and the presence of redundant parameters in 3D CT, there are still significant challenges in diagnosing COVID-19 in related fields. To address the problem, we have developed a new model called the Cascaded 3D Dilated convolutional neural network (CD-Net) for directly processing CT volume data. To reduce memory consumption when cutting volume data into small patches, we initially design a cascade architecture in CD-Net to preserve global information. Then, we construct a Multi-scale Parallel Dilated Convolution (MPDC) block to aggregate features of different sizes and simultaneously reduce the parameters. Moreover, to alleviate the shortage of labeled data, we employ classical transfer learning, which requires only a small amount of data while achieving better performance. Experimental results conducted on the different public-available datasets verify that the proposed CD-Net has reduced the negative-positive ratio and outperformed other existing segmentation methods while requiring less data.

Experimental Study on the Wind Erosion Resistance of Aeolian Sand Solidified by Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP).

Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is an emerging solidification method characterized by high economic efficiency, environmental friendliness, and durability. This study validated the reliability of the MICP sand solidification method by conducting a small-scale wind tunnel model test using aeolian sand solidified by MICP and analyzing the effects of wind velocity (7 m/s, 10 m/s, and 13 m/s), deflation angle (0°, 15°, 30°, and 45°), wind erosion cycle (1, 3, and 5), and other related factors on the mass loss rate of solidified aeolian sand. The microstructure of aeolian sand was constructed by performing mesoscopic and microscopic testing based on X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). According to the test results, the mass loss rate of solidified aeolian sand gradually increases with the increase in wind velocity, deflation angle, and wind erosion cycle. When the wind velocity was 13 m/s, the mass loss rate of the aeolian sand was only 63.6%, indicating that aeolian sand has excellent wind erosion resistance. CaCO3 crystals generated by MICP were mostly distributed on sand particle surfaces, in sand particle pores, and between sand particles to realize the covering, filling, and cementing effects.

Indolent growth of low­grade myofibroblastic sarcoma of the knee with the resemblance of a benign lesion: A case report.

Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma (LGMS) is a rare soft-tissue malignant neoplasm originating from the stromal cells that is predominantly comprised of atypical myofibroblasts. The present study reports the case of a patient with low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma in the soft tissue of the knee. The patient exhibited a soft, painless mass on the medial side of the left knee. During surgery, a yellow-white mass above the posterior margin of the sartorius muscle was identified. This mass, which was irregular and adherent to surrounding tissues, had a blurry boundary, indicative of invasive growth. The morphology of the mass significantly differed from conventional lipomas and was lacking typical features. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the diagnosis of a malignant LGMS. The patient experienced no recurrence over 1 year of follow-up and reported complete recovery of knee range of motion. The present study suggests that an incisional biopsy may be performed if LGMS is suspected based on patient symptoms and imaging results. In addition, long-term follow-up is crucial for the timely detection and management of any recurrence, playing a key role in the patient's ongoing care and treatment.

Miscarriage and stillbirth in relation to risk of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between pregnancy loss and the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remains a matter of debate. Our intention in conducting this meta-analysis was to analyze the relationship between miscarriage and stillbirth and risk of CVDs. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched up to May 30, 2023 for all relevant studies. The random-effects model was applied to estimate the pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). We evaluated RR estimates for the risk of CVDs with each additional miscarriage and stillbirth through generalized least squares regression. RESULTS: Twenty-three articles were incorporated into the meta-analysis. For women with a history of miscarriage, the pooled RRs for the risk of total CVDs, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and total CVD deaths were 1.16 (95 % CI 1.10-1.22), 1.26 (1.12-1.41), 1.13 (1.03-1.24), and 1.20 (1.01-1.42), respectively. For women with a history of stillbirth, the pooled RRs for the risk of total CVDs, CHD, stroke, and total CVD deaths were 1.60 (1.34-1.89), 1.30 (1.12-1.50), 1.37 (1.06-1.78), and 1.95 (1.05-3.63), respectively. With each additional miscarriage, the risk increased for total CVDs (1.08, 1.04-1.13), CHD (1.08, 1.04-1.13), and stroke (1.05, 1.00-1.10). With each additional stillbirth, the risk increased for total CVDs (1.11, 1.03-1.21) and CHD (1.13, 1.07-1.19). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis indicates that both miscarriages and stillbirths are related to a higher risk of total CVDs, CHD, stroke, and total CVD deaths. The risk of total CVDs and CHD increased with the number of miscarriages or stillbirths.

An alfalfa MYB-like transcriptional factor MsMYBH positively regulates alfalfa seedling drought resistance and undergoes MsWAV3-mediated degradation.

Drought is a major threat to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) production. The discovery of important alfalfa genes regulating drought response will facilitate breeding for drought-resistant alfalfa cultivars. Here, we report a genome-wide association study of drought resistance in alfalfa. We identified and functionally characterized an MYB-like transcription factor gene (MsMYBH), which increases the drought resistance in alfalfa. Compared with the wild-types, the biomass and forage quality were enhanced in MsMYBH overexpressed plants. Combined RNA-seq, proteomics and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that MsMYBH can directly bind to the promoters of MsMCP1, MsMCP2, MsPRX1A and MsCARCAB to improve their expression. The outcomes of such interactions include better water balance, high photosynthetic efficiency and scavenge excess H2O2 in response to drought. Furthermore, an E3 ubiquitin ligase (MsWAV3) was found to induce MsMYBH degradation under long-term drought, via the 26S proteasome pathway. Furthermore, variable-number tandem repeats in MsMYBH promoter were characterized among a collection of germplasms, and the variation is associated with promoter activity. Collectively, our findings shed light on the functions of MsMYBH and provide a pivotal gene that could be leveraged for breeding drought-resistant alfalfa. This discovery also offers new insights into the mechanisms of drought resistance in alfalfa.

Obesity and risk of depressive disorder in children and adolescents: A meta-analysis of observational studies.

PURPOSE: This meta-analysis evaluated the relationship between overweight/obesity and depressive disorders in children and adolescents. METHODS: We examined the databases of PubMed, Embase and Web of Science for pertinent observational studies released up until 20 February 2022. The pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of obesity and overweight with depressive disorder were calculated by means of random-effects models. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality scale were adopted to evaluate the study quality. RESULTS: Finally, for this meta-analysis, we evaluated 22 observational publications covering 175 135 participants (5 cohort study articles, 1 case-control study article and 16 cross-sectional study articles). A significant positive association was found between obesity and the risk of depression (RR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09-1.60, I2 = 79.90%, Pheterogeneity < 0.001) and in the association between obesity and depressive symptoms (RR 1.16, 95% CI: 1.00-1.35, I2 = 25.0%, Pheterogeneity = 0.247). On sensitivity analysis, the pooled RRs remained robust. Subgroup analysis indicated that obese children and teenagers in western countries were more prone to depression. CONCLUSION: Evidence from this meta-analysis, based on observational studies, supported the idea that obese children and adolescents are more likely to experience depression and depressive symptoms.

Methylseleninic acid inhibits human glioma growth in vitro and in vivo by triggering ROS-dependent oxidative damage and apoptosis.

Selenium-containing agents showed novel anticancer activity by triggering pro-oxidative mechanism. Studies confirmed that methylseleninic acid (MeSe) displayed broad-spectrum anti-tumor activity against kinds of human cancers. However, the anticancer effects and mechanism of MeSe against human glioma growth have not been explored yet. Herein, the present study showed that MeSeA dose-dependently inhibited U251 and U87 human glioma cells growth in vitro. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that MeSe induced significant U251 cells apoptosis with a dose-dependent manner, followed by the activation of caspase-7, caspase-9 and caspase-3. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that MeSe time-dependently caused reactive oxide species (ROS) accumulation and subsequently resulted in oxidative damage, as convinced by the increased phosphorylation level of Ser428-ATR, Ser1981-ATM, Ser15-p53 and Ser139-histone. ROS inhibition by glutathione (GSH) effectively attenuated MeSe-induced ROS generation, oxidative damage, caspase-3 activation and cytotoxicity, indicating that ROS was an upstream factor involved in MeSe-mediated anticancer mechanism in glioma. Importantly, MeSe administration in nude mice significantly inhibited glioma growth in vivo by inducing apoptosis through triggering oxidative damage. Taken together, our findings validated the possibility that MeSe as a selenium-containing can act as potential tumor chemotherapy agent for therapy of human glioma.

A Ru/RuO2 heterostructure boosting electrochemistry-assisted selective benzoic acid hydrogenation.

Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of benzoic acid (BA) to cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (CCA) at ambient temperature and pressure has been recognized as a promising alternative to thermal hydrogenation since water is required as the hydrogen source. So far, only a few Pt-based electrocatalysts have been developed in acidic electrolyte. To overcome the limitations of reactant solubility and catalyst corrosion, herein, carbon fiber-supported Ru electrocatalysts with abundant Ru/RuO2 heterojunctions were fabricated via cyclic electrodeposition between -0.8 and 1.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl. In an alkaline environment, a Ru/RuO2 catalyst achieves an excellent ECH reactivity in terms of high BA conversion (100%) and selectivity towards CCA (100%) within 180 min at a current density of 200/3 mA cm-2, showing exceptional reusability and long-term stability. 1-Cyclohexenecarboxylic acid (CEA) was identified as the reaction intermediate, whose the selectivity is governed by the applied potential. Kinetic studies demonstrate that ECH of BA over Ru/RuO2 follows a Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) mechanism. In situ Raman spectroscopy and theoretical calculations reveal that the Ru/RuO2 interface enhances the adsorption strength of CEA, thereby facilitating the production of fully hydrogenated CCA. This work provides a deep understanding of the ECH pathway of BA in alkaline media, and gives a new methodology to fabricate heterostructure electrocatalysts.

An Essential Role of c-Fos in Notch1-mediated Promotion of Proliferation of KSHV-Infected SH-SY5Y Cells.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the influence of Notch1 on c-Fos and the effect of c-Fos on the proliferation of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-infected neuronal cells. METHODS: Real-time PCR and western blotting were used to determine c-Fos expression levels in KSHV-infected (SK-RG) and uninfected SH-SY5Y cells. C-Fos levels were measured again in SK-RG cells with or without Notch1 knockdown. Next, we measured c-Fos and p-c-Fos concentrations after treatment with the Notch1 γ-secretase inhibitor LY-411575 and the Notch1 activator Jagged-1. MTT and Ki-67 staining were used to evaluate the proliferation ability of cells after c-Fos levels downregulation. CyclinD1, CDK6, and CDK4 expression levels and cell cycle were analyzed by western blotting and flow cytometry, respectively. After the c-Fos intervention, the KSHV copy number and gene expression of RTA, LANA and K8.1 were analyzed by real-time TaqMan PCR. RESULTS: C-Fos was up-regulated in KSHV-infected SK-RG cells. However, the siRNA-mediated knockdown of Notch1 resulted in a significant decrease in the levels of c-Fos and p-c-Fos (P <0.01, P <0.001). Additionally, a decrease in Cyclin D1, CDK6, and CDK4 was also detected. The Notch1 inhibitor LY-411575 showed the potential to down-regulate the levels of c-Fos and p-c-Fos, which was consistent with Notch1 knockdown group (P <0.01), whereas the expression and phosphorylation of c-Fos were remarkably up-regulated by treatment of Notch1 activator Jagged-1 (P <0.05). In addition, our data obtained by MTT and Ki-67 staining revealed that the c-Fos down-regulation led to a significant reduction in cell viability and proliferation of the SK-RG cells (P <0.001). Moreover, FACS analysis showed that the cell cycle was arrested in the G0/G1 stage, and the expressions of Cyclin D1, CDK6, and CDK4 were down-regulated in the c-Fos-knockdown SK-RG cells (P <0.05). Reduction in total KSHV copy number and expressions of viral genes (RTA, LANA and K8.1) were also detected in c-Fos down-regulated SK-RG cells (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings strongly indicate that c-Fos plays a crucial role in the promotion of cell proliferation through Notch1 signaling in KSHV-infected cells. Furthermore, our results suggest that the inhibition of expression of key viral pathogenic proteins is likely involved in this process.

Association of methylation risk score with incident type 2 diabetes mellitus: A nested case-control study.

AIMS: To investigate the association of methylation risk score (MRS) and its interactions with environmental factors with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk. METHODS: We conducted a nested case-control study with 241 onset cases and 241 matched controls. Conditional logistic regression models were employed to identify risk CpG sites. Simple and weighted MRSs were constructed based on the methylation levels of ATP-binding cassette G1 gene, fat mass and obesity associated gene, potassium voltage-gated channel member 1 gene, and thioredoxin-interacting protein gene previously associated with T2DM to estimate the association of MRS with T2DM risk. Stratified analyses were used to investigate interactions between MRS and environmental factors. RESULTS: A total of 10 CpG loci were identified from the aforementioned genes to calculate MRS. After controlling for potential confounding factors, taking tertile 1 as reference, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for T2DM of tertile 3 was 2.39 (1.36-4.20) for simple MRS and 2.59 (1.45-4.63) for weighted MRS. With per SD score increment in MRS, the OR (95% CI) was 1.66 (1.29-2.14) and 1.60 (1.24-2.08) for simple and weighted MRSs, respectively. J-curved associations were observed between both simple and weighted MRSs and T2DM risks. Additionally, multiplication interactions for smoking and hypertension with simple MRS on the risk of T2DM were found, similarly for smoking and obesity with weighted MRS on the risk of T2DM (all Pinteraction < .05). CONCLUSION: Elevated simple and weighted MRSs were associated with increased risk of T2DM. Environmental risk factors may influence the association between MRS and T2DM.

A Glutathione Peroxidase-Mimicking Nanozyme Precisely Alleviates Reactive Oxygen Species and Promotes Periodontal Bone Regeneration.

The use of oxidoreductase nanozymes to regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) has gradually emerged in periodontology treatments. However, current nanozymes for treating periodontitis eliminate ROS extensively and non-specifically, ignoring the physiological functions of ROS under normal conditions, which may result in uncontrolled side effects. Herein, using the MIL-47(V)-F (MVF) nanozyme, which mimics the function of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), it is proposed that ROS can be properly regulated by specifically eliminating H2 O2 , the most prominent ROS. Through H2 O2 elimination, MVF contributes to limiting inflammation, regulating immune microenvironment, and promoting periodontal regeneration. Moreover, MVF stimulates osteogenic differentiation of periodontal stem cells directly, further promoting regeneration due to the vanadium in MVF. Mechanistically, MVF regulates ROS by activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1 (Nrf2/HO-1) pathway and promotes osteogenic differentiation directly through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway. A promising periodontitis therapy strategy is presented using GPx-mimicking nanozymes through their triple effects of antioxidation, immunomodulation, and bone remodeling regulation, making nanozymes an excellent tool for developing precision medicine.

Metabolomics analysis of the nutraceutical diversity and physiological quality of Torreya yunnanensis seeds during cold storage.

This study investigated how cold storage affects the nutraceutical diversity and physiological quality of Torreya yunnanensis seeds, using a widely targeted UPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomics analysis. The 373 identified metabolites were divided into nine categories: lipids, phenolic acids, amino acids and derivatives, organic acids, nucleotides, saccharides, vitamins and alcohols. Among them, 49 metabolites showed significant changes after 3 months of cold storage, affecting 28 metabolic pathways. The content of amino acid-related metabolites significantly increased, while the content of sugar-related metabolites decreased during storage. Notably, the content of proline acid, shikimic acid, α-linolenic acid and branched-chain amino acids showed significant changes, indicating their potential role in seed storage. This study deepens our understanding of the nutraceutical diversity and physiological quality of T. yunnanensis seeds during storage, providing insight for conservation efforts and habitat restoration.

Application of photo-crosslinkable gelatin methacryloyl in wound healing.

Wound healing is a complex and coordinated biological process easily influenced by various internal and external factors. Hydrogels have immense practical importance in wound nursing because of their environmental moisturising, pain-relieving, and cooling effects. As photo-crosslinkable biomaterials, gelatine methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels exhibit substantial potential for tissue repair and reconstruction because of their tunable and beneficial properties. GelMA hydrogels have been extensively investigated as scaffolds for cell growth and drug release in various biomedical applications. They also hold great significance in wound healing because of their similarity to the components of the extracellular matrix of the skin and their favourable physicochemical properties. These hydrogels can promote wound healing and tissue remodelling by reducing inflammation, facilitating vascularisation, and supporting cell growth. In this study, we reviewed the applications of GelMA hydrogels in wound healing, including skin tissue engineering, wound dressing, and transdermal drug delivery. We aim to inspire further exploration of their potential for wound healing.

Shear Strength Behaviors of Aeolian Sand Solidified by Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation and Basalt Fiber Reinforcement.

Aeolian sand flow is identified as the main factor in the formation of sandstorms. However, conventional sand fixation methods cannot meet the current development requirements of environmental protection. In this paper, the method using Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) combined with basalt fiber reinforcement (BFR) was adopted to solidify the aeolian sand. Consolidated undrained triaxial shear tests were carried out to analyze the influence of fiber content, fiber length, confining pressure, and other factors on stress-strain characteristics, peak strength, brittleness index, and shear strength of aeolian sand. A shear strength model of aeolian sand solidification using MICP-BFR and considering the effect of fiber length and fiber content is established according to the test results. The results show that the peak strength of aeolian sand solidified by MICP-BFR is remarkably higher than that of aeolian sand solidified by MICP alone, and the peak strength rises with the increasing fiber length, fiber content, and confining pressure. The application of fiber can effectively reduce the brittleness index of aeolian sand solidified by MICP and improve the sample ductility. As fiber content and fiber length increase, the cohesion of solidified aeolian sand increases while the internal friction angle changes relatively little. In the limited range set by the test, the fiber length of 12 mm and the fiber content of 1.0% constitute the optimum reinforcement condition. The test results coincide with the model prediction results, indicating that the new model is fitting for predicting the shear strength of aeolian sand solidified by MICP-BFR. The research results provide an important reference value for guiding the practice of wind prevention and sand fixation in desert areas.

Evaluation of the Curative Effect of Treating HBV-related Liver Fibrosis/Cirrhosis Based on the Method of Removing Turbidity and Regulating the Liver.

Objective: This study investigated the effectiveness of a technique for eliminating cloudiness and managing liver function in treating liver fibrosis/cirrhosis associated with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods: From January 2022 to January 2023, the researchers' hospital treated 200 patients with HBV-related liver fibrosis/cirrhosis. These patients constituted two groups for the study: the control group, consisting of 100 cases who received routine treatment, and a study group, consisting of 56 cases who received treatment with a combination of turbidity removal and liver regulation, in addition to the standard treatment given to the control group. The researchers then compared factors such as liver function, level of liver fibrosis, liver stiffness measurement (LSM), and renal function between the two groups. Additionally, the researchers assessed the effectiveness of those treatments and any adverse reactions that may have occurred. Results: The study group demonstrated significantly higher clinical effectiveness than the control group after undergoing treatment, with statistical significance (P < .05). Post-treatment, both groups experienced lower GGT, ALT, and AST levels than their pre-treatment levels. Additionally, the study group had higher AIB levels than their pre-treatment levels. There was a statistically significant difference between the study and control groups regarding these biomarkers (P < .05), as the study group exhibited lower GGT, ALT, AST, TBIL levels and higher AIB levels. Furthermore, both groups displayed decreased HA, IV-C, PC III, and LN levels post-treatment compared to their pre-treatment values. The study group had significantly lower HA, IV-C, PC III, and LN concentrations than the control group (P < .05). Regarding LSM measurements after treatment for both groups, while there was a decrease in LSM values from their respective pre-treatment readings for each group, no significant difference was observed between them (P < .05). Moreover, the incidence of adverse reactions experienced by individuals in the study group following treatment was significantly lower than that of individuals in the control group (P < .05). Conclusion: Treatment based on removing turbidity and regulating the liver can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms of patients with HBV-related liver fibrosis/cirrhosis, promote the liver function to return to normal, relieve the degree of liver fibrosis, and reduce the LSM value. The curative effect is significant and worthy of clinical application.

Matriptase-dependent epidermal pre-neoplasm in zebrafish embryos caused by a combination of hypotonic stress and epithelial polarity defects.

Aberrantly up-regulated activity of the type II transmembrane protease Matriptase-1 has been associated with the development and progression of a range of epithelial-derived carcinomas, and a variety of signaling pathways can mediate Matriptase-dependent tumorigenic events. During mammalian carcinogenesis, gain of Matriptase activity often results from imbalanced ratios between Matriptase and its cognate transmembrane inhibitor Hai1. Similarly, in zebrafish, unrestrained Matriptase activity due to loss of hai1a results in epidermal pre-neoplasms already during embryogenesis. Here, based on our former findings of a similar tumor-suppressive role for the Na+/K+-pump beta subunit ATP1b1a, we identify epithelial polarity defects and systemic hypotonic stress as another mode of aberrant Matriptase activation in the embryonic zebrafish epidermis in vivo. In this case, however, a different oncogenic pathway is activated which contains PI3K, AKT and NFkB, rather than EGFR and PLD (as in hai1a mutants). Strikingly, epidermal pre-neoplasm is only induced when epithelial polarity defects in keratinocytes (leading to disturbed Matriptase subcellular localization) occur in combination with systemic hypotonic stress (leading to increased proteolytic activity of Matriptase). A similar combinatorial effect of hypotonicity and loss of epithelial polarity was also obtained for the activity levels of Matriptase-1 in human MCF-10A epithelial breast cells. Together, this is in line with the multi-factor concept of carcinogenesis, with the notion that such factors can even branch off from one and the same initiator (here ATP1a1b) and can converge again at the level of one and the same mediator (here Matriptase). In sum, our data point to tonicity and epithelial cell polarity as evolutionarily conserved regulators of Matriptase activity that upon de-regulation can constitute an alternative mode of Matriptase-dependent carcinogenesis in vivo.