Lysine acetyltransferase 14 mediates TGF-ß-induced fibrosis in ovarian endometrioma via co-operation with serum response factor.

BACKGROUND: Fibrogenesis within ovarian endometrioma (endometrioma), mainly induced by transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), is characterized by myofibroblast over-activation and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, contributing to endometrioma-associated symptoms such as infertility by impairing ovarian reserve and oocyte quality. However, the precise molecular mechanisms that underpin the endometrioma- associated fibrosis progression induced by TGF-ß remain poorly understood. METHODS: The expression level of lysine acetyltransferase 14 (KAT14) was validated in endometrium biopsies from patients with endometrioma and healthy controls, and the transcription level of KAT14 was further confirmed by analyzing a published single-cell transcriptome (scRNA-seq) dataset of endometriosis. We used overexpression, knockout, and knockdown approaches in immortalized human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) or human primary ectopic endometrial stromal cells (EcESCs) to determine the role of KAT14 in TGF-ß-induced fibrosis. Furthermore, an adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying KAT14-shRNA was used in an endometriosis mice model to assess the role of KAT14 in vivo. RESULTS: KAT14 was upregulated in ectopic lesions from endometrioma patients and predominantly expressed in activated fibroblasts. In vitro studies showed that KAT14 overexpression significantly promoted a TGF-ß-induced profibrotic response in endometrial stromal cells, while KAT14 silencing showed adverse effects that could be rescued by KAT14 re-enhancement. In vivo, Kat14 knockdown ameliorated fibrosis in the ectopic lesions of the endometriosis mouse model. Mechanistically, we showed that KAT14 directly interacted with serum response factor (SRF) to promote the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) by increasing histone H4 acetylation at promoter regions; this is necessary for TGF-ß-induced ECM production and myofibroblast differentiation. In addition, the knockdown or pharmacological inhibition of SRF significantly attenuated KAT14-mediating profibrotic effects under TGF-ß treatment. Notably, the KAT14/SRF complex was abundant in endometrioma samples and positively correlated with α-SMA expression, further supporting the key role of KAT14/SRF complex in the progression of endometrioma-associated fibrogenesis. CONCLUSION: Our results shed light on KAT14 as a key effector of TGF-ß-induced ECM production and myofibroblast differentiation in EcESCs by promoting histone H4 acetylation via co-operating with SRF, representing a potential therapeutic target for endometrioma-associated fibrosis.

Replacement of Corn with Different Levels of Wheat Impacted the Growth Performance, Intestinal Development, and Cecal Microbiota of Broilers.

Replacing corn with different levels of wheat in the iso-energy and -protein diet of broilers and the impacts on growth performance and intestinal homeostasis of broilers under the condition of supplying the multienzyme complex were evaluated in this study. A total of 480 10-day-old male broilers were assigned randomly to the low-level wheat group (15% wheat and 35.18% corn), the medium-level wheat group (30% and 22.27%), and the high-level wheat group (55.77% wheat without corn) until 21 d. The different levels of wheat supplementation did not affect hepatic function, serum glycolipid profile, or bone turnover. The replacement of corn with 55% wheat in the diet of broilers increased the body weight at 21 d and feed intake during 10 to 21 d (both p < 0.05), with a comparable feed conversion ratio. Compared with the low-wheat group, the dietary addition of medium or high wheat levels notably increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the duodenum (p < 0.05) and the ileal villus height (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the supplementation of medium and high wheat in the diet increased the proportion of Bacteroidetes, and a diet with high wheat proportion elevated the content of Firmicutes when compared to the low-level wheat group (both p < 0.05). In addition, the diet containing 30-55% wheat enhanced the anti-inflammatory capability in both the ileum and the serum. These findings suggest that the replacement of corn with 55% wheat in the diet improved the growth performance of 21-day-old broilers, which might be linked to the alteration in intestinal morphology and cecal microbiota.

Postfire Phosphorus Enrichment Mitigates Nitrogen Loss in Boreal Forests.

Net nitrogen mineralization (Nmin) and nitrification regulate soil N availability and loss after severe wildfires in boreal forests experiencing slow vegetation recovery. Yet, how microorganisms respond to postfire phosphorus (P) enrichment to alter soil N transformations remains unclear in N-limited boreal forests. Here, we investigated postfire N-P interactions using an intensive regional-scale sampling of 17 boreal forests in the Greater Khingan Mountains (Inner Mongolia-China), a laboratory P-addition incubation, and a continental-scale meta-analysis. We found that postfire soils had an increased risk of N loss by accelerated Nmin and nitrification along with low plant N demand, especially during the early vegetation recovery period. The postfire N/P imbalance created by P enrichment acts as a "N retention" strategy by inhibiting Nmin but not nitrification in boreal forests. This strategy is attributed to enhanced microbial N-use efficiency and N immobilization. Importantly, our meta-analysis found that there was a greater risk of N loss in boreal forest soils after fires than in other climatic zones, which was consistent with our results from the 17 soils in the Greater Khingan Mountains. These findings demonstrate that postfire N-P interactions play an essential role in mitigating N limitation and maintaining nutrient balance in boreal forests.

Transcriptome study reveals tick immune genes restrict Babesia microti infection.

A systems biology approach was employed to gain insight into tick biology and interactions between vectors and pathogens. Haemaphysalis longicornis serves as one of the primary vectors of Babesia microti, significantly impacting human and animal health. Obtaining more information about their relationship is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of tick and pathogen biology, pathogen transmission dynamics, and potential control strategies. RNA sequencing of uninfected and B. microti-infected ticks resulted in the identification of 15 056 unigenes. Among these, 1 051 were found to be differentially expressed, with 796 being upregulated and 255 downregulated (P < 0.05). Integrated transcriptomics datasets revealed the pivotal role of immune-related pathways, including the Toll, Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT), immunodeficiency, and RNA interference (RNAi) pathways, in response to infection. Consequently, 3 genes encoding critical transcriptional factor Dorsal, Relish, and STAT were selected for RNAi experiments. The knockdown of Dorsal, Relish, and STAT resulted in a substantial increase in Babesia infection levels compared to the respective controls. These findings significantly advanced our understanding of tick-Babesia molecular interactions and proposed novel tick antigens as potential vaccine targets against tick infestations and pathogen transmission.

Color-Tunable Room-Temperature Phosphorescence from Non-Aromatic-Polymer-Involved Charge Transfer.

Polymeric room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials especially multicolor RTP systems hold great promise in concrete applications. A key feature in these applications is a triplet charge transfer transition. Aromatic electron donors and electron acceptors are often essential to ensure persistent RTP. There is much interest in fabricating non-aromatic charge-transfer-mediated RTP materials and it still remains a formidable challenge to achieve color-tunable RTP via charge transfer. Herein, a charge-transfer-mediated RTP material by embedding quinoline derivatives within a non-aromatic polymer matrix such as polyacrylamide (PAM) or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is developed. Through-space charge transfer (TSCT) is achieved upon alkali- or heat treatment to realize a long phosphorescence lifetime of up to 629.90 ms, high phosphorescence quantum yield of up to 20.51%, and a green-to-blue afterglow for more than 20 s at room temperature. This color-tunable RTP emerges from a nonaromatic polymer to single phosphor charge transfer that has rarely been reported before. This finding suggests that an effective and simple approach can deliver new color-tunable RTP materials for applications including multicolor display, information encryption, and gas detection.

A Rare Case of Cervico-Mediastinal Thyroid Teratoma.

Teratomas are rare germ cell tumors derived from multiple germinal cell layers. Thyroid teratomas, specifically, are exceptionally uncommon and present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Here, we report a case of cervico-mediastinal thyroid teratoma, highlighting diagnostic difficulties and surgical management. A 37-year-old woman presented with right lateral cervical swelling, leading to radiological imaging suggesting a thymic teratoma. However, cytology indicated a colloid cyst. Surgical removal was performed, revealing a mixed-type teratoma originating from the thyroid gland. Thyroid teratomas pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to their rarity and complex nature. Further research is needed to establish standardized guidelines for their management.

Functionalized electrospun nanofibers to enhance ß-Galactosidase immobilization and catalytic activity for efficient galactooligosaccharide synthesis.

This study aimed to immobilize ß-galactosidase (ß-GAL) into enhanced polystyrene (PS) electrospun nanofiber membranes (ENMs) with functionalized graphene oxide (GO). Initially, GO sheets were functionalized by salinization with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES). Then the ENMs (PS, PS/GO, and PS/GO-APTES) were prepared and characterized. Then, the ß-GAL was immobilized in the different ENMs to produce the ß-GAL-bound nanocomposites (PS-GAL, PS/GO-GAL, and PS/GO-APTES-GAL). Immobilization of ß-GAL into PS/GO-APTES significantly improved enzyme adsorption by up to 87 %. Also, PS/GO-APTES-GAL improved the enzyme activity, where the highest enzyme activity was obtained at enzyme concentrations of 4 mg/L, 50 °C, and pH 4.5. Likewise, the storage stability and reusability of immobilized ß-GAL were improved. Furthermore, this process led to enhanced catalytic behavior and transgalactosylation efficiency, where GOS synthesis (72 %) and lactose conversion (81 %) increased significantly compared to the free enzyme. Overall, the immobilized ß-GAL produced in this study showed potential as an effective biocatalyst in the food industry.

SAP deletion promotes malignant insulinoma progression by inducing CXCL12 secretion from CAFs via the CXCR4/p38/ERK signalling pathway.

Malignant insulinoma is an extremely rare type of functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour with a high degree of malignancy and a high incidence of metastasis. However, it is still unclear how malignant insulinomas develop and metastasize. Serum amyloid P component (SAP), a member of the pentraxin protein family, is an acute-phase protein secreted by liver cells. The role of SAP in insulinoma and the related mechanism are still unknown. To determine the effect of SAP on insulinoma, we crossed Rip1-Tag2 mice, which spontaneously develop insulinoma, and SAP knockout (KO) mice to generate Rip1-Tag2;SAP-/- mice. We found that SAP deletion significantly promoted the growth, invasion and metastasis of malignant insulinoma through C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Further study showed that SAP deletion promoted CXCL12 secretion by CAFs through the CXCR4/p38/ERK signalling pathway. These findings reveal a novel role and mechanism of SAP in malignant insulinoma and provide direct evidence that SAP may be a therapeutic agent for this disease.

The protective role of vagus nerve stimulation in ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) encompasses the damage resulting from the restoration of blood supply following tissue ischemia. This phenomenon commonly occurs in clinical scenarios such as hemorrhagic shock, severe trauma, organ transplantation, and thrombolytic therapy. Despite its prevalence, existing treatments exhibit limited efficacy against IRI. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a widely utilized technique for modulating the autonomic nervous system. Numerous studies have demonstrated that VNS significantly reduces IRI in various organs, including the heart, brain, and liver. This article reviews the pathological processes during IRI and summarizes the role and possible mechanisms of VNS in IRI of different organs. Furthermore, this review addresses the current challenges of VNS clinical applications, providing a novel perspective on IRI treatment.

Precise diagnosis of a hereditary spherocytosis patient with complicated hematological phenotype.

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is one of the most common causes of hereditary hemolytic anemia. The current diagnostic guidelines for HS are mainly based on a combination of physical examination and laboratory investigation. However, some patients present with complicated clinical manifestations that cannot be explained by routine diagnostic protocols. Here, we report a rare HS case of mild anemia with extremely high indirect bilirubin levels and high expression of fetal hemoglobin. Using whole exome sequencing analysis, this patient was identified as a heterozygous carrier of a de novo SPTB nonsense mutation (c.605G > A; p.W202*) and a compound heterozygous carrier of known UGT1A1 and KLF1 mutations. This genetic analysis based on the interpretation of the patient's genomic data not only achieved precise diagnosis by an excellent explanation of the complicated phenotype but also provided valuable suggestions for subsequent appropriate approaches for treatment, surveillance and prophylaxis.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, quality control and clinical studies of Cimicifugae Rhizoma: a comprehensive review.

Cimicifugae Rhizoma, generally known as "Sheng Ma" in China, has great medicinal and dietary values. Cimicifugae Rhizoma is the dried rhizome of Cimicifuga foetida L., Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz.) Maxim. and Cimicifuga heracleifolia Kom., which has been used to treat wind-heat headache, tooth pain, aphtha, sore throat, prolapse of anus and uterine prolapse in traditional Chinese medicine. This review systematically presents the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, clinical studies, quality control and toxicity of Cimicifugae Rhizoma in order to propose scientific evidence for its rational utilization and product development. Herein, 348 compounds isolated or identified from the herb are summarized in this review, mainly including triterpenoid saponins, phenylpropanoids, chromones, alkaloids, terpenoids and flavonoids. The crude extracts and its constituents had various pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiviral, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-osteoporosis and relieving menopausal symptoms. The recent research progress of Cimicifugae Rhizoma in ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacological effects demonstrates the effectiveness of its utilization and supplies valuable guidance for further research. This review will provide a basis for the future development and utilization of Cimicifugae Rhizoma.

Risk factors for delayed extubation after pediatric perineal anaplasty in patients less than 1 year of age: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Anorectal malformation is a common congenital problem occurring in 1 in 5,000 births and has a spectrum of anatomical presentations, requiring individualized surgical treatments for normal growth. Delayed extubation or reintubation may result in a longer intensive care unit (ICU) stay and hospital stay, increased mortality, prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation, increased tracheostomy rate, and higher hospital costs. Extensive studies have focused on the role of risk factors in early extubation during major infant surgery such as Cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, and liver surgery. However, no study has mentioned the influencing factors of delayed extubation in neonates and infants undergoing angioplasty surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of neonates and infants who underwent anorectal malformation surgery between June 2018 and June 2022. The principal goal of this study was to observe the incidence of delayed extubation in pediatric anorectal malformation surgery. The secondary goals were to identify the factors associated with delayed extubation in these infants. RESULTS: We collected data describing 123 patients who had anorectal malformations from 2019 to 2022. It shows that 74(60.2%) in the normal intubation group and 49(39.8%) in the longer extubation. In the final model, anesthesia methods were independently associated with delayed extubation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We found that the anesthesia method was independently associated with early extubation in neonates and infants who accepted pediatric anorectal malformation surgery.

Neural Stem Cell-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles: key Players in Ischemic Stroke Therapy - A Comprehensive Literature Review.

Ischemic stroke, being a prominent contributor to global disability and mortality, lacks an efficacious therapeutic approach in current clinical settings. Neural stem cells (NSCs) are a type of stem cell that are only found inside the nervous system. These cells can differentiate into various kinds of cells, potentially regenerating or restoring neural networks within areas of the brain that have been destroyed. This review begins by providing an introduction to the existing therapeutic approaches for ischemic stroke, followed by an examination of the promise and limits associated with the utilization of NSCs for the treatment of ischemic stroke. Subsequently, a comprehensive overview was conducted to synthesize the existing literature on the underlying processes of neural stem cell-derived small extracellular vesicles (NSC-sEVs) transplantation therapy in the context of ischemic stroke. These mechanisms encompass neuroprotection, inflammatory response suppression, and endogenous nerve and vascular regeneration facilitation. Nevertheless, the clinical translation of NSC-sEVs is hindered by challenges such as inadequate targeting efficacy and insufficient content loading. In light of these limitations, we have compiled an overview of the advancements in utilizing modified NSC-sEVs for treating ischemic stroke based on current methods of extracellular vesicle modification. In conclusion, examining NSC-sEVs-based therapeutic approaches is anticipated to be prominent in both fundamental and applied investigations about ischemic stroke.

Evaluating the psychometric properties of the simplified Chinese version of PROMIS-29 version 2.1 in patients with hematologic malignancies.

The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29-item Profile version 2.1 (PROMIS-29 V2.1) is a widely utilized self-reported instrument for assessing health outcomes from the patients' perspectives. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the PROMIS-29 V2.1 Chinese version among patients with hematological malignancy. Conducted as a cross-sectional, this research was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of the Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (registration number QTJC2022002-EC-1). We employed convenience sampling to enroll eligible patients with hematological malignancy from four tertiary hospitals in Tianjin, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Anhui province in China between June and August 2023. Participants were asked to complete a socio-demographic information questionnaire, the PROMIS-29 V2.1, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G). We assessed the reliability, ceiling and floor effects, structural, convergent discriminant and criterion validity of the PROMIS-29 V2.1. A total of 354 patients with a mean age of 46.93 years was included in the final analysis. The reliability of the PROMIS-29 V2.1 was affirmed, with Cronbach's α for the domains ranging from 0.787 to 0.968. Except sleep disturbance, the other six domains had ceiling effects, which were seen on physical function (26.0%), anxiety (37.0%), depression (40.4%), fatigue (18.4%), social roles (18.9%) and pain interference (43.2%), respectively. Criterion validity was supported by significant correlations between the PROMIS-29 V2.1 and FACT-G scores, as determined by the Spearman correlation test (P < 0.001). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated a good model fit, with indices of χ2/df (2.602), IFI (0.960), and RMSEA (0.067). The Average Variance Extracted (AVE) values for the seven dimensions of PROMIS-29 V2.1, ranging from 0.500 to 0.910, demonstrated satisfactory convergent validity. Discriminant validity was confirmed by ideal √AVE values. The Chinese version of the PROMIS-29 V2.1 profile has been validated as an effective instrument for assessing symptoms and functions in patients with hematological malignancy, underscoring its reliability and applicability in this specific patient group.

Sleep Quality and Subjective Cognitive Decline among Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Anxiety/Depression and Worries.

Background: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in older individuals has been implicated as a possible precursor to Alzheimer's disease. Poor sleep quality and anxiety/depressive symptoms have been linked to the progression of SCD, but these associations and older adults' worries have yet to be fully established in the Chinese older adult population, which is one of the largest in the world. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between sleep quality, anxiety/depression symptoms, and worries, and SCD prevalence among Chinese community-dwelling older individuals. Methods: A total of 707 adults aged between 60 and 99 from Shanghai, China, completed self-report questionnaires that covered their cognitive and mental well-being, as well as demographic information. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) was evaluated using the memory/cognition syndromes of the old adult self-report (OASR). Sleep quality, anxiety/depression, and worries were measured from their respective sections of the OASR. Results: The general linear regression models showed that poorer sleep quality was associated with an increased prevalence of anxiety/depression symptoms, worries, and SCD among older adults. As suggested by the mediation analysis, anxiety/depression and worries were significant mediators in the relationship between sleep quality and SCD prevalence, and these two factors also have a serial mediation effect between sleep quality and SCD prevalence. Conclusions: Poorer sleep quality is associated with a higher rate of SCD among older adults, and a higher prevalence of anxiety/depression and worries mediate this relationship, suggesting possible mechanism pathways that lead to SCD. These factors may provide the basis for early, targeted interventions for older adults' mental health preservation and improved quality of life.

Throat microbiota drives alterations in pulmonary alveolar microbiota in patients with septic ARDS.

OBJECTIVES: The translocation of intestinal flora has been linked to the colonization of diverse and heavy lower respiratory flora in patients with septic ARDS, and is considered a critical prognostic factor for patients. METHODS: On the first and third days of ICU admission, BALF, throat swab, and anal swab were collected, resulting in a total of 288 samples. These samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA analysis and the traceability analysis of new generation technology. RESULTS: On the first day, among the top five microbiota species in abundance, four species were found to be identical in BALF and throat samples. Similarly, on the third day, three microbiota species were found to be identical in abundance in both BALF and throat samples. On the first day, 85.16% of microorganisms originated from the throat, 5.79% from the intestines, and 9.05% were unknown. On the third day, 83.52% of microorganisms came from the throat, 4.67% from the intestines, and 11.81% were unknown. Additionally, when regrouping the 46 patients, the results revealed a significant predominance of throat microorganisms in BALF on both the first and third day. Furthermore, as the disease progressed, the proportion of intestinal flora in BALF increased in patients with enterogenic ARDS. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with septic ARDS, the main source of lung microbiota is primarily from the throat. Furthermore, the dynamic trend of the microbiota on the first and third day is essentially consistent.It is important to note that the origin of the intestinal flora does not exclude the possibility of its origin from the throat.

Interactions between intestinal microbiota and metabolites in zebrafish larvae exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics: Implications for intestinal health and glycolipid metabolism.

Previous studies have shown the harmful effects of nanoscale particles on the intestinal tracts of organisms. However, the specific mechanisms remain unclear. Our present study focused on examining the uptake and distribution of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) in zebrafish larvae, as well as its toxic effects on the intestine. It was found that PS-NPs, marked with red fluorescence, primarily accumulated in the intestine section. Subsequently, zebrafish larvae were exposed to normal PS-NPs (0.2-25 mg/L) over a critical 10-day period for intestinal development. Histopathological analysis demonstrated that PS-NPs caused structural changes in the intestine, resulting in inflammation and oxidative stress. Additionally, PS-NPs disrupted the composition of the intestinal microbiota, leading to alterations in the abundance of bacterial genera such as Pseudomonas and Aeromonas, which are associated with intestinal inflammation. Metabolomics analysis showed alterations in metabolites that are primarily involved in glycolipid metabolism. Furthermore, MetOrigin analysis showed a significant correlation between bacterial flora (Pedobacter and Bacillus) and metabolites (D-Glycerate 2-phosphate and D-Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate), which are related to the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. These findings were further validated through alterations in multiple biomarkers at various levels. Collectively, our data suggest that PS-NPs may impair the intestinal health, disrupt the intestinal microbiota, and subsequently cause metabolic disorders.

The truncated AXIN1 isoform promotes hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis through SRSF9-mediated exon 9 skipping.

Axis inhibitor protein 1 (AXIN1) is a protein recognized for inhibiting tumor growth and is commonly involved in cancer development. In this study, we explored the potential molecular mechanisms that connect alternative splicing of AXIN1 to the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transcriptome sequencing, RT‒PCR, qPCR and Western blotting were utilized to determine the expression levels of AXIN1 in human HCC tissues and HCC cells. The effects of the AXIN1 exon 9 alternative splice isoform and SRSF9 on the migration and invasion of HCC cells were assessed through wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. The interaction between SRSF9 and AXIN1 was investigated using UV crosslink RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pulldown, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Furthermore, the involvement of the AXIN1 isoform and SRSF9 in HCC metastasis was validated in a nude mouse model. AXIN1-L (exon 9 including) expression was downregulated, while AXIN1-S (exon 9 skipping) was upregulated in HCC. SRSF9 promotes the production of AXIN1-S by interacting with the sequence of exons 8 and 10 of AXIN1. AXIN1-S significantly promoted HCC cells migration and invasion by activating the Wnt pathway, while the opposite effects were observed for AXIN1-L. In vivo experiments demonstrated that AXIN1-L inhibited HCC metastasis, whereas SRSF9 promoted HCC metastasis in part by regulating the level of AXIN1-S. AXIN1, a tumor suppressor protein that targets the AXIN1/Wnt/ß-catenin signaling axis, may be a promising prognostic factor and a valuable therapeutic target for HCC.