Phenomic selection in slash pine multi-temporally using UAV-multispectral imagery.

Genomic selection (GS) is an option for plant domestication that offers high efficiency in improving genetics. However, GS is often not feasible for long-lived tree species with large and complex genomes. In this paper, we investigated UAV multispectral imagery in time series to evaluate genetic variation in tree growth and developed a new predictive approach that is independent of sequencing or pedigrees based on multispectral imagery plus vegetation indices (VIs) for slash pine. Results show that temporal factors have a strong influence on the h2 of tree growth traits. High genetic correlations were found in most months, and genetic gain also showed a slight influence on the time series. Using a consistent ranking of family breeding values, optimal slash pine families were selected, obtaining a promising and reliable predictive ability based on multispectral+VIs (MV) alone or on the combination of pedigree and MV. The highest predictive value, ranging from 0.52 to 0.56, was found in July. The methods described in this paper provide new approaches for phenotypic selection (PS) using high-throughput multispectral unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, which could potentially be used to reduce the generation time for conifer species and increase the genetic granularity independent of sequencing or pedigrees.

Major complications after ultrasound-guided liver biopsy: An annual audit of a Chinese tertiary-care teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: As ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB) has become a standard and important method in the management of liver disease in our country, a periodical audit of the major complications is needed. AIM: To determine the annual incidence of major complications following ultrasound-guided PLB and to identify variables that are significantly associated with an increased risk of major complications. METHODS: A total of 1857 consecutive cases of PLB were included in our hospital from January 2021 to December 2021. The major complication rate and all-cause 30-d mortality rate were determined. Multivariate analyses were performed by logistic regression to investigate the risk factors associated with major complications and all-cause 30-d mortality following ultrasound-guided PLB. RESULTS: In this audit of 1857 liver biopsies, 10 cases (0.53%) of major complications occurred following ultrasound-guided PLB. The overall all-cause mortality rate at 30 d after PLB was 0.27% (5 cases). Two cases (0.11%) were attributed to major hemorrhage within 7 d after liver biopsy. Fibrinogen less than 2 g/L [odds ratio (OR): 17.226; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.647-112.102; P = 0.003], post-biopsy hemoglobin level (OR: 0.963; 95%CI: 0.942-0.985; P = 0.001), obstructive jaundice (OR: 6.698; 95%CI: 1.133-39.596; P = 0.036), application of anticoagulants/antiplatelet medications (OR: 24.078; 95%CI: 1.678-345.495; P = 0.019) and age (OR: 1.096; 95%CI: 1.012-1.187; P = 0.025) were statistically associated with the incidence of major complications after PLB. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the results of this annual audit confirmed that ultrasound-guided PLB can be performed safely, with a major complication rate within the accepted range. Strict patient selection and peri-biopsy laboratory assessment are more important than procedural factors for optimizing the safety outcomes of this procedure.

Super-thin anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction of the medial plantar artery perforator flap donor site.

BACKGROUND: The medial plantar artery perforator (MPAP) flap is widely used to reconstruct the weight-bearing area of the foot. Traditionally, its donor site is closed using a skin graft, which is associated with several complications, including walking disability. This study aimed to examine our experience with using a super-thin anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap to reconstruct the MPAP flap donor site. METHODS: We examined 10 patients who underwent reconstruction of the MPAP flap donor site using a super-thin ALT flap between August 2019 and March 2021. The vascular pedicle was anastomosed to the proximal end of the medial plantar vessels or the end of the posterior tibial vessels. RESULTS: All reconstruction flaps survived and all patients were satisfied with the aesthetic appearance. No blisters, ulcerations, hyperpigmentation, or contractures occurred. All patients gained protective sensation in the super-thin ALT flap. The average visual analog scale score for the aesthetic appearance of the reconstructed foot was 8.5 ± 0.7 (range, 8-10). All patients were able to ambulate without aids and could wear regular shoes. The average revised Foot Function Index score was 26.4 ± 4.1 (range, 22-34). CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of the MPAP flap donor site using a super-thin ALT flap is reliable and provides satisfactory functional recovery, aesthetic appearance, and protective sensation while minimizing postoperative morbidity.

The Asia-Pacific AMS800 artificial urinary sphincter consensus statement.

This Asia-Pacific (AP) AMS 800™ artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) consensus statement aims to provide a set of practical recommendations to assist surgeons with the AMS 800 device surgery. The AP consensus committee consisted of key opinion leaders with extensive experience with AMS 800 surgery across several AP countries. The panel reviewed and discussed relevant findings with emphasis on locoregional and specific clinical challenges relevant to the AP region. Recommendations were made in key areas namely (1) patient selection and informed consent process; (2) preoperative assessment; (3) dealing with co-existing urological disorders; (4) surgical principles and intraoperative troubleshooting; (5) postoperative care; (6) special populations; and (7) cost analysis and comparative review. The AMS 800 device should be offered to males with moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Full informed consent should be undertaken, and emphasis is placed on surgical contraindications and high-risk candidates. The presence of a surgical mentor or referral to experts is recommended in complex AUS candidates. Preoperative cystoscopy with or without multichannel urodynamic study is necessary and patients with pre-existing urological disorders should be treated adequately and clinically stable before surgery. Adherence to strict patient selection and safe surgical principles are critical to ensure excellent clinical outcomes and minimize complications. Given that InhibiZone-coated device is not available in many AP countries, the use of prophylactic antibiotics pre-and post-operatively are recommended. The AMS 800 device should be prepared according to the manufacturer's guidelines and remains a cost-effective treatment for male SUI. The AMS 800 device remains the surgical benchmark for male SUI but is associated with certain mechanical limitations and a unique set of complications.

Resource Screening and Inheritance Analysis of Fusarium oxysporum sp. conglutinans Race 2 Resistance in Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata).

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) Fusarium wilt (CFW) is a disease that poses a critical threat to global cabbage production. Screening for resistant resources in order to support the breeding of resistant cultivars is the most reliable approach to control this disease. CFW is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans (Foc), which consists of two physiological races (race 1 and 2). While many studies have focused on resistance screening, gene mining, and inheritance-based research associated with resistance to Foc race 1, there have been few studies specifically analyzing resistance to Foc race 2, which is a potential threat that can overcome type A resistance. Here, 166 cabbage resources collected from around the world were evaluated for the resistance to both Foc races, with 46.99% and 38.55% of these cabbage lines being resistant to Foc race 1 and race 2, respectively, whereas 33.74% and 48.80% were susceptible to these two respective races. Of these 166 analyzed cabbage lines, 114 (68.67%) were found to be more susceptible to race 2 than to race 1, and 28 of them were resistant to race 1 while susceptible to race 2, underscoring the highly aggressive nature of Foc race 2. To analyze the inheritance of Foc race 2 resistance, segregated populations derived from the resistant parental line 'Badger Inbred 16' and the susceptible one '01-20' were analyzed with a major gene plus polygene mixed genetic model. The results of this analysis revealed Foc race 2-specific resistance to be under the control of two pairs of additive-dominant-epistatic major genes plus multiple additive-dominant-epistatic genes (model E). The heritability of these major genes in the BC1P1, BC1P2, and F2 generations were 32.14%, 72.80%, and 70.64%, respectively. In summary, these results may aid in future gene mining and breeding of novel CFW-resistant cabbage cultivars.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Elatostema stewardii Merr. (Urticaceae).

Elatostema stewardii is an important medicinal plant endemic to China. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of E. stewardii was sequenced and assembled using next-generation sequencing technology. The complete chloroplast genome length of E. stewardii was 150,263 bp, including two inverted repeats (IRs) of 24,681 bp, which are separated by LSC and SSC of 83,791 bp and 17,110 bp, respectively. A total of 129 genes were included in the genome, consisting 85 protein-coding genes, eight rRNA genes, and 36 tRNA genes, the overall GC content of this genome was 36.3%. There are few studies on the genus Elatostema of Urticaceae, this chloroplast genome sequence will provide useful data for further research on solving the generic and familial relationships in Urticaceae.

Global Survey of the Full-Length Cabbage Transcriptome (Brassica oleracea Var. capitata L.) Reveals Key Alternative Splicing Events Involved in Growth and Disease Response.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L.) is an important vegetable crop cultivated around the world. Previous studies of cabbage gene transcripts were primarily based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology which cannot provide accurate information concerning transcript assembly and structure analysis. To overcome these issues and analyze the whole cabbage transcriptome at the isoform level, PacBio RS II Single-Molecule Real-Time (SMRT) sequencing technology was used for a global survey of the full-length transcriptomes of five cabbage tissue types (root, stem, leaf, flower, and silique). A total of 77,048 isoforms, capturing 18,183 annotated genes, were discovered from the sequencing data generated through SMRT. The patterns of both alternative splicing (AS) and alternative polyadenylation (APA) were comprehensively analyzed. In total, we detected 13,468 genes which had isoforms containing APA sites and 8978 genes which underwent AS events. Moreover, 5272 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were discovered, and most exhibited tissue-specific expression. In total, 3147 transcription factors (TFs) were detected and 10 significant gene co-expression network modules were identified. In addition, we found that Fusarium wilt, black rot and clubroot infection significantly influenced AS in resistant cabbage. In summary, this study provides abundant cabbage isoform transcriptome data, which promotes reannotation of the cabbage genome, deepens our understanding of their post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms, and can be used for future functional genomic research.

Identification and validation of an ECERIFERUM2- LIKE gene controlling cuticular wax biosynthesis in cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L.).

KEY MESSAGE: A single nucleotide mutation of BoCER2 is the primary cause of the wax deficiency in cabbage. An effective allele-specific KASP marker was developed for marker-assisted selection of glossiness. TL28-1 is a novel spontaneous wax-deficient mutant with a glossy phenotype identified from cabbage. In this study, the genetic analysis suggested that the wax-deficient trait of TL28-1 was controlled by a single recessive gene. All wax monomers longer than 28 carbons were significantly decreased in TL28-1. Fine-mapping results showed that the wax-deficient locus wdtl28 was located at an 80-kb interval between BOL01-20 and BOL01-24 markers on chromosome 1. According to the genome annotation of B. oleracea, the ECERIFERUM2- LIKE (CER2-LIKE) gene, BoCER2, was identified as the candidate gene. Phylogenetic analysis showed that BoCER2 and other CER2-LIKEs from vascular plants formed a clade within the BAHD superfamily of acyltransferases. The BoCER2 transcript was detected in various tissues, including stem, leaf, flower, and silique, but not in the cabbage roots. Subcellular localization indicated that BoCER2 protein functions in the endoplasmic reticulum. Further sequence analysis showed that a single nucleotide mutation (G to A) is present in the BoCER2 coding sequence in TL28-1, leading to a stop codon (TGA), hence premature translation termination. Linkage analysis showed that the homozygotic mutational BoCER2 co-segregated with wax deficiency. Moreover, the complementation test suggested that BoCER2 from wild type can rescue the wax deficiency of TL28-1. These results indicate that BoCER2 mutation hinders the elongation of very-long-chain fatty acid precursors in TL28-1, leading to wax deficiency. The allele-specific KASP marker designed in this study could be effective for marker-assisted selection of glossiness.

Effectiveness of antimuscarinics and a beta-3 adrenoceptor agonist in patients with overactive bladder in a real-world setting.

Both antimuscarinics and beta-3 adrenoceptor agonists are generally used as first-line pharmacotherapy for overactive bladder (OAB). This study aimed to investigate the differences in clinical characteristics and manifestations between different medication groups using real-world data. In this retrospective study, we recruited all patients aged > 18 years diagnosed with OAB at our institute from March 2010 to December 2017. They were allocated into three groups, the antimuscarinics (group A), beta-3 adrenoceptor agonist (group B), and discontinued (group C) treatment groups, and they completed OAB symptom score and quality of life questionnaires before and after treatment. In addition, the Clinical Global Impression was recorded for treatment outcomes. A premedication urodynamic study was also applied. A total of 215 patients were analyzed (group A: 43, B: 35, C: 137). Group B was significantly older (mean age 77.4 years) than group A (69.2 years, p = 0.012) and group C (68.6 years, p = 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in sex or underlying diseases among the groups. Before treatment, there were no significant differences in the questionnaire results among all groups. The cystometric capacity of group A (mean ± SD, 257.3 ± 135.1 cm3) was significantly larger than that of group B (125.8 ± 46.0 cm3, p = 0.002) and group C (170.5 ± 99.2 cm3, p = 0.001). After treatment, there were no significant differences between group A and group B in any of the questionnaire scores; however, their scores were better than those of group C. The OAB patients who adhered to antimuscarinics tended to be younger and have larger cystometric bladder capacity in the urodynamic study. However, there were no significant differences in effectiveness between the patients who took antimuscarinics and those who took a beta-3 adrenoceptor agonist.

Association Between BRAFV600E Mutation and the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System in Solitary Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between BRAFV600E mutation, the American College of Radiology (ACR) thyroid imaging, reporting and data system (TI-RADS) on ultrasound and clinicopathological characteristics in patients with a solitary papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 397 patients with a solitary PTC, proved pathologically. BRAFV600E mutation status was detected in postoperative samples by real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction. Associations of BRAFV600E mutation with the ACR TI-RADS and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: In this study, the incidence of BRAFV600E mutation was 81.4% (323/397) in patients with a solitary PTC. Univariate analyses showed that BRAFV600E mutation was significantly associated with margin, higher ACR TI-RADS point scores, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In multivariate analyses, lobulated or irregular margin was independently associated with BRAFV600E mutation in total solitary PTC. Furthermore, both in total solitary PTC and papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, BRAFV600E mutation was associated with ACR TI-RADS point scores, which was positively correlated with the risk of BRAFV600E mutation. There was no significant relationship between BRAFV600E mutation and ACR TI-RADS point scores in PTC >10 mm. In addition, Hashimoto's thyroiditis had a significant negative association with BRAFV600E mutation. CONCLUSION: A lobulated or irregular margin of the thyroid nodule is independently associated with BRAFV600E mutation in patients with PTC. In addition, higher ACR TI-RADS point scores is an independent risk factor for BRAFV600E mutation, and ACR TI-RADS point scores is positively associated with the risk of BRAFV600E mutation in solitary PTC, especially in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. Our findings may be helpful for preoperative identification and medical management of PTC patients with BRAFV600E mutation.

Role of urodynamics in management of urethral diverticulum in females.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have focused on the urodynamic findings of urethral diverticula (UD). We characterized the symptoms and urodynamic findings in women with UD. METHODS: A retrospective review of all women in a single center having surgical treatment for symptomatic UD between May 2004 and September 2014 was done. Lower urinary tract symptoms were evaluated with International Prostate Symptom Score and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score questionnaires. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging and videourodynamic study (VUDS) prior to surgery, and postoperative evaluation with VUDS. RESULTS: A total of 20 female patients were enrolled into the study. 12 (60%) UD patients presented with symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). However, there were merely 3 (15%) patients diagnosed as urodynamic SUI. 15 (75%) patients exhibited low catheter-free uroflow. Detrusor overactivity was demonstrated in 4 (20%) patients. Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) was diagnosed in 8 (40%) cases. Postoperative VUDS revealed persistent BOO in 50% of patients with preoperative BOO. Of these, residual diverticulum was noted by VUDS in one patient. CONCLUSION: For UD patients with urinary incontinence or voiding dysfunction, VUDS is helpful in accurately characterizing these symptoms.

Activation of the mTOR dependent signaling pathway underlies ketamine-induced uropathy.

AIMS: To investigate the pathogenic role of activation of the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) in the ketamine induced microvascular injury. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with ketamine-induced cystitis (KC) and 16 control volunteers were recruited. Bladder tissues were obtained from both groups by cystoscopic biopsies. Phospho-S6 ribosomal protein (p-S6RP), an end product of the mTOR pathway, was stained in the urinary bladder from both groups. Endothelial cells of the urinary bladder (HBdMECs) were examined to investigate the in vitro activation of the mTOR pathway and the co-expression of the endothelial marker (cluster of differentiation 31 [CD31]) and the mesenchymal marker (fibroblast-specific protein 1 [FSP-1]). RESULTS: Expression of p-S6RP increased significantly after ketamine exposure, especially in the vesical microvessels of KC patients. In HBdMECs treated with 100 µM Ketamine, time-dependent activation of the mTOR pathway occurred, with significantly increased levels of the phosphorylated forms of mTOR at 30 min and of S6RP and p70S6 kinase (p70S6K) at 6 h. The increased level of p-S6RP returned to baseline within 2 days after ketamine exposure. The co-expression of CD31 and FSP-1 implied that EndMT was present in HBdMECs at 7 days after ketamine treatment, while TGF-ß1 facilitated significant up-regulation of FSP-1 at 1 day after treatment. Furthermore, when the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin was administered with ketamine to the HBdMECs, the expression of FSP-1 decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Ketamine induces activation of the mTOR pathway and subsequent mesenchymal phenotypic expression (FSP1) in HBdMECs.

Microvascular Injury in Ketamine-Induced Bladder Dysfunction.

The pathogenesis of ketamine-induced cystitis (KC) remains unclear. In this study, bladder microvascular injury was investigated as a possible contributing mechanism. A total of 36 KC patients with exposure to ketamine for more than 6 months, and 9 control subjects, were prospectively recruited. All participants completed questionnaires, including the O'Leary-Sant interstitial cystitis symptom index (ICSI) and the interstitial cystitis problem index (ICPI). All KC patients received a urodynamic study and radiological exams. Bladder tissues were obtained from cystoscopic biopsies in the control group and after hydrodistention in the KC group. Double-immunofluorescence staining of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor subunit 1 (NMDAR1) and the endothelial marker, cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31), was performed to reveal the existence of NMDAR1 on the endothelium. Electron microscopy (EM) was applied to assess the microvascular change in the urinary bladder and to measure the thickening of the basement membrane (BM). A proximity ligation assay (PLA) was used to quantify the co-localization of the endothelial CD31 receptor and the mesenchymal marker [fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP-1)]. The Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis. The mean ICSI [14.38 (± 4.16)] and ICPI [12.67 (± 3.54)] scores of the KC group were significantly higher than those (0 and 0, respectively) of the control group (both p < 0.001). The KC patients had decreasing cystometric bladder capacity (CBC) with a mean volume of 65.38 (± 48.67) mL. NMDAR1 was expressed on endothelial cells in both groups under immunofluorescence staining. Moreover, KC patients had significant BM duplication of microvessels in the mucosa of the urinary bladder under EM. The co-expression of the endothelial marker CD31 and mesenchymal marker FSP1 was significantly stained and calculated under PLA. In conclusion, microvascular injury and mesenchymal phenotypic alteration of endothelial cells can potentially contribute to KC-induced bladder dysfunction.

Patients with Urinary Incontinence Appear More Likely to Develop Upper Urinary Tract Stones: A Nationwide, Population-Based Study with 8-Year Follow-Up.

This study aimed to investigate associations between primary urinary incontinence and development of upper urinary tract stones in a nationwide population in Taiwan. Data of 1,777 adults with primary urinary incontinence and 26,655 controls (groups A, B, and C) without urinary incontinence at study inception were retrieved from the National Health Insurance System database in Taiwan and were analyzed retrospectively. No enrolled subjects had previous diagnosis of upper urinary tract stones or spinal cord injury. All subjects were followed through end of 2009, with a minimum follow-up of 8 years. A greater percentage of study subjects (334/1777, 18.8%) developed upper urinary tract stones than that of control groups A (865/8885, 9.7%) and B (888/8885, 10%), and C (930/8885, 10.5%) (all p-values < 0.0001). Urinary incontinence was associated with significantly increased risk of developing urinary tract stones (HR 1.99, 95% CI, 1.70-2.34, p < 0.001). Age and metabolic syndrome status were both associated with developing upper urinary tract stones (both p-values < 0.0001). After adjusting for metabolic syndrome, regression analysis showed that urinary incontinence was still associated with a significantly increased risk of developing upper urinary tract stones (HR 1.99, 95% CI = 1.76-2.26, p < 0.0001). Long-term follow-up of Taiwanese patients with primary urinary incontinence suggests that urinary incontinence is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing upper urinary tract stones. Study findings suggest that physicians treating patients with urinary incontinence should give attention to early detection of upper urinary tract stones.

[Effects of truncation intensity on the biomass allocation and physiological characteristics of Dendrocalamus latiflorus]. / é’©æ¢¢å¼ºåº¦å¯¹éº»ç«¹ç”Ÿç‰©é‡åˆ†é å’Œç”Ÿç†ç‰¹æ€§çš„å½±å“.

The effects of three different truncation treatments, i.e., light, medium and heavy truncation treatments on biomass allocation, current-year twig indexes, and quantity of commodity lea-ves, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), water use efficiency (WUE), and leaf water potential (LWP) values of Dendrocalamus latiflorus were studied, and the adaptation mechanisms and survival strategy of D. latiflorus under these silvicultural truncation treatments were discussed. Results showed that the biomass of D. latiflorus and its allocation rates were significantly affected by truncation treatments, compared with the untruncated control. Leaf to branch, leaf to stem, and branch to stem biomass ratios under all truncation treatments were significantly higher than under the untruncated control. The diameter, number, and length of current-year twigs, and the quantity of commodity leaves in light truncation and medium truncation treatments were markedly higher than in the control, and were increased by 43.0%, 53.3%, 29.8% and 39.5%, respectively, in medium truncation treatment compared with the control. After truncation treatments, the overall trend of the physiological characteristics of D. latiflorus, including Pn, Tr, WUE, LWP values, were displayed in the order of the peak stage > the telophase stage > the initial stage. The Pn, Tr and WUE values of D. latiflorus were significantly improved in the truncation treatments. The Pn va-lues were greatest in the medium truncation treatment followed by the light truncation treatment, heavy truncation treatment, and were the lowest in the control at the peak and telophase stages. At the peak and telophase stage the Pn values in the medium truncation treatment were 1.4 and 1.3 times as much as the control. The Tr values at the initial, peak and telophase stages were the greatest in the heavy truncation treatment, followed by the middle truncation treatment and the light truncation treatment, and were the lowest in the control. In this study, the medium truncation treatment showed a significant advantage in improving plant biomass allocation, quantity of commodity leaves, and other physiological indices, and could effectively improve the ability of moisture acquisition for D. latiflorus.

Enhanced antioxidant capacity of dental pulp-derived iPSC-differentiated hepatocytes and liver regeneration by injectable HGF-releasing hydrogel in fulminant hepatic failure.

Acute hepatic failure (AHF) is a severe liver injury leading to sustained damage and complications. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) may be an alternative option for the treatment of AHF. In this study, we reprogrammed human dental pulp-derived fibroblasts into iPSCs, which exhibited pluripotency and the capacity to differentiate into tridermal lineages, including hepatocyte-like cells (iPSC-Heps). These iPSC-Heps resembled human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells in gene signature and hepatic markers/functions. To improve iPSC-Heps engraftment, we next developed an injectable carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan hydrogel (CHC) with sustained hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) release (HGF-CHC) and investigated the hepatoprotective activity of HGF-CHC-delivered iPSC-Heps in vitro and in an immunocompromised AHF mouse model induced by thioacetamide (TAA). Intrahepatic delivery of HGF-CHC-iPSC-Heps reduced the TAA-induced hepatic necrotic area and rescued liver function and recipient viability. Compared with PBS-delivered iPSC-Heps, the HGF-CHC-delivered iPSC-Heps exhibited higher antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities that reduced hepatic necrotic area. Importantly, these HGF-CHC-mediated responses could be abolished by administering anti-HGF neutralizing antibodies. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that HGF mediated the enhancement of iPSC-Hep antioxidant/antiapoptotic capacities and hepatoprotection and that HGF-CHC is as an excellent vehicle for iPSC-Hep engraftment in iPSC-based therapy against AHF.