[A noninvasive diagnostic model of liver fibrosis using serum markers in primary biliary cirrhosis].

Objective: To verify and assess diagnostic value of noninvasive diagnostic model of liver fibrosis in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) based on conventional laboratory markers.

Methods: Seventy-three patients with PBC diagnosed by liver biopsy between January 2003 and June 2011 in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University were recruited in this study. Correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis between the conventional laboratory markers and histology stages were assessed.

[The clinical profiles of primary biliary cirrhosis with a suboptimal biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid].

To observe the characteristics of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) with a suboptimal biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid. A total of 38 Chinse PBC patients (5 male patients, 33 female patients, average age 55 years old) with treatment of ursodeoxycholic acid in our hospital from January 1999 to January 2009 were erolled and studied retrospectively. 17 suboptimal biochemical responders mainly presented with liver diseases related symptoms including jaundice (41.

Antiviral therapy for hepatitis B in special populations.

There has been much progress in antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B; however, antiviral therapy for hepatitis B in special populations is still very challenging. Here, we review antiviral therapy for hepatitis B in special populations, including children and pregnant patients, patients with hepatitis-B-related cirrhosis, patients with acute hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers who receive immunosuppressive or cytotoxic therapy. Major advances have been made in antiviral therapy for hepatitis B in these special populations because of recent increasing availability of oral nucleoside/nucleotide analogues that are well-tolerated and highly effective; however, the findings are mostly based on small uncontrolled short-term studies.

Activation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway promotes proliferation and self-renewal of rat hepatic oval cell line WB-F344 in vitro.

Aim: To investigate the effect of activation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway on the proliferation and differentiation of hepatic oval cells in vitro.

Methods: WB-F344 cells were treated with recombinant Wnt3a (20, 40, 80, 160, 200 ng/mL) in serum-free medium for 24 h. Cell proliferation was measured by Brdu incorporation analysis; untreated WB-F344 cells were taken as controls.

Undifferentiated connective tissue diseases-related hepatic injury.

Hepatic injury is rarely associated with undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTD). We report, here, a case of a middle-aged woman with UCTD-related hepatic injury, including its case history, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, treatment and its short-term effect. The patient was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of fatigue, anorexia, low-grade fever and skin rashes.

[Relationship between serum HBV DNA levels and hepatic fibrosis markers in chronic hepatitis B].

Objective: To study the relationship between serum HBV DNA levels and hepatic fibrosis markers in chronic hepatitis B.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-seven patients with chronic hepatitis B were included in the study, 49 patients among them were diagnosed as early cirrhosis by liver biopsy. Serum HBV DNA levels were determined using fluorescent quantitative PCR, and serum hepatic fibrosis markers including hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), amino terminal propeptide of type III precollagen (P III P) and type IV collagen (IV-C) were determined by radioimmunity assay.

Lamivudine treatment of decompensated hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis.

Background: Patients with decompensated hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis tend to have low or undetectable HBV replication. However, some patients continue to have high levels of HBV replication and effective suppression of HBV replication with antiviral agents may potentially decrease hepatic necroinflammation and improve or stabilize liver function. This review was to understand the efficacy and safety of lamivudine in the treatment of decompensated HBV cirrhosis.

[The prognostic value of end-stage liver disease model in liver cirrhosis].

Objectives: The prognostic ability of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) has been validated in many countries, but its abilities remain uncertain in China. Our aim is to evaluate the abilities of MELD in prognosis of liver cirrhosis.

Methods: A cohort of 315 patients with liver cirrhosis were retrospectively studied and followed up at least for one year.

Treatment of patients with alcoholic liver disease.

Background: The proportion of alcoholic liver disease among all kinds of liver diseases in China is increasing. Recent research has elucidated the mechanisms of alcohol-induced liver injury and offered the prospect of advances in the management of alcoholic liver disease.

Data Resources: Searching MEDLINE (1982-July 2004) for papers on alcoholic liver disease, especially those on the treatment of alcoholic liver disease.

[A discussion of standardization for prothrombin time in patients with advanced liver diseases].

Objective: To determine which expression mode of prothrombin time (PT) might achieve PT standardization in patients with advanced liver diseases.

Methods: PT was measured with six thromboplastins with different ISI values in 16 severe chronic hepatitis patients, 50 decompensated liver cirrhosis patients and 30 patients on oral anticoagulation therapy. The results were expressed in PT (second), PTA (%), PTR and INR.

[Clinical features of 30 cases of amyloidosis].

Objective: Clinical features of 30 cases of amyloidosis, a rare disease in China, were analyzed in order to improve the recognition of the disease here.

Methods: 30 cases of biopsy-proven amyloidosis, admitted to Beijing Friendship Hospital from July 1980 to December 2003 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: 12 of the 30 cases were systemic amyloidosis.

Interferon-alfa in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Interferon-alfa has been used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B for more than 20 years and has its own advantages including a definite course of therapy, no production of drug-resistant variants, and sustained efficacy. This review was to understand the role of interferon-alfa therapy in chronic hepatitis B.

Data Resources: An English-language literature search using Medscape and MEDLINE was performed and a total of 48 articles on the treatment of chronic hepatitis with interferon-alfa or pegylated interferon-alfa were selected.

Clinical evaluation of serum antimitochondrial antibody-negative primary biliary cirrhosis.

Background: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is characterized by frequent presence of antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs). The sensitivity and specificity of AMA for PBC are both greater than 90%-95%, so the presence of AMA in serum is the major hallmark in PBC. However, it has long been recognized that in 5%-10% of patients the clinical, biochemical and histological features are diagnostic for PBC, but their sera are consistently tested negative for AMA/AMA-M2.