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Summary: Obesity is an important risk factor and a potential treatment target for hepatic steatosis. The maladaptation of hepatic mitochondrial flexibility plays a key role in the hepatic steatosis. Herein, we found that hepatocyte-like cells derived from human adipose stem cell of obese patients exhibited the characteristics of hepatic steatosis and accompanied with lower expression of the subunits of mitochondrial complex I and lower oxidative phosphorylation levels. The GSK3 inhibitor CHIR-99021 promoted the expression of NDUFB8, NDUFB9, the subunits of mitochondrial complex I, the basal oxygen consumption rate, and the fatty acid oxidation of the hepatocytes of obese patients by upregulating the expression of the transcription factor PGC-1α, TFAM, and NRF1 involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. Moreover, CHIR-99021 decreased the lipid droplets size and the triglyceride levels in hepatocytes of obese patients. The results demonstrate that GSK3 inhibition ameliorates hepatic steatosis by elevating the mitochondrial function in hepatocytes of obese patients.

Aims: The study evaluated the predictive role of preoperative fasting C-peptide, hemoglobin (Hb)A1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and body mass index (BMI) levels on diabetes remission in patients with type 2 diabetes following bariatric surgery. Methods: Medline, PubMed, Central, and Google Scholar databases of up to September 7, 2016 were searched using the following terms: type 2 diabetes mellitus, gastric bypass, Roux-en-Y, anastomosis, C-peptide, weight loss, HbA/HbA1c, predictive/predictor. Results: Meta-analysis of the pooled data indicated that fasting C-peptide was predictive of increased chance of remission of type 2 diabetes (pooled difference in means = 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.61 to 1.25, p < .001). The analysis also found that FPG (pooled standardized mean difference = −0.42, 95% CI: −0.64 to −0.20, p < .004) and HbA1c levels (pooled difference in means = −1.05, 95% CI: −1.48 to −0.62, p < .001) were associated with reduced odds of type 2 diabetes remission. BMI was not found to be associated with remission (pooled difference in means = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.88, p = .343). In general, subgroup analysis, which evaluated the pooled data from the retrospective and prospective studies separately, gave similar results. Conclusions: Preoperative fasting plasma C-peptide was associated with increased type 2 diabetes remission after bariatric surgery, whereas baseline HbA1c and FPG levels were associated with reduced chance of remission. These parameters may be used as a guideline in weighing the risks and benefits for surgical intervention in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The aim of the present study was to identify potential therapeutic targets for colorectal cancer (CRC). The gene expression profile GSE32323, containing 34 samples, including 17 specimens of CRC tissues and 17 of paired normal tissues from CRC patients, was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Following data preprocessing using the Affy and preprocessCore packages, the differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) between the two types of samples were identified with the Linear Models for Microarray Analysis package. Next, functional and pathway enrichment analysis of the DEGs was performed using the Database for Annotation Visualization and Integrated Discovery. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was established using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes database. Utilizing WebGestalt, the potential microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) of the DEGs were screened and the integrated miRNA-target network was built. A cohort of 1,347 DEGs was identified, the majority of which were mainly enriched in cell cycle-related biological processes and pathways. Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), cyclin B1 (CCNB1), MAD2 mitotic arrest deficient-like 1 (MAD2L1) and BUB1 mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine kinase B (BUB1B) were prominent in the PPI network, while the over-represented genes in the integrated miRNA-target network were SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 4 (SOX4; targeted by hsa-mir-129), v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (MYC; targeted by hsa-let-7c and hsa-mir-145) and cyclin D1 (CCND1; targeted by hsa-let-7b). CDK1, CCNB1 and CCND1 were also associated with the p53 signaling pathway. Overall, several genes associated with the cell cycle and p53 pathway were identified as biomarkers for CRC. CDK1, CCNB1, MAD2L1, BUB1B, SOX4, collagen type I a2 chain and MYC may play significant roles in CRC progression by affecting the cell cycle-related pathways, while CDK1, CCNB1 and CCND1 may serve as crucial regulators in the p53 signaling pathway. Furthermore, SOX4, MYC and CCND1 may be targets of miR-129, hsa-mir-145 and hsa-let-7c, respectively. However, further validation of these data is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A double gallbladder is a rare congenital malformation. The present study describes a case of double gallbladder with secondary common bile duct stones. By way of laparoscopic choledochoscopy, the exploration and removal of a common bile duct stone was performed through the cystic duct. The process involved a primary suture of the cystic duct and was performed without using a T-tube, and completed a surgical removal of the gallbladder. The present case was successfully treated by laparoscopic surgery. From a review of previous studies published in the English language, this study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first report of such a case. Therefore, laparoscopic dissection is safe for the removal of a double gallbladder and for exploration of the common duct by choledochoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]