Repeated pancreatitis-induced splenic vein thrombosis leads to intractable gastric variceal bleeding: A case report and review.

Gastric varices (GV) are one of the most common complications for patients with portal hypertension. Currently, histoacryl injection is recommended as the initial treatment for bleeding of GV, and this injection has been confirmed to be highly effective for most patients in many studies. However, this treatment might be ineffective for some types of GV, such as splenic vein thrombosis-related localized portal hypertension (also called left-sided, sinistral, or regional portal hypertension).

Contrast enhanced computed tomography and reconstruction of hepatic vascular system for transjugular intrahepatic portal systemic shunt puncture path planning.

Aim: To describe a method for the transjugular intrahepatic portal systemic shunt (TIPS) placement performed with the aid of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) and three-dimensional reconstructed vascular images (3D RVIs), and to assess its safety and effectiveness.

Methods: Four hundred and ninety patients were treated with TIPS between January 2005 and December 2012. All patients underwent liver CECT and reconstruction of 3D RVIs of the right hepatic vein to portal vein (PV) prior to the operation.

Hepatoprotective effect of juglone on dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis and its effect on hepatic antioxidant defence and the expression levels of α-SMA and collagen III.

The present study aimed to investigate the antifibrotic effects of juglone on dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)‑induced fibrosis in rats. Juglone, which is a quinone, significantly decreased DMN‑induced rat hepatic fibrosis, which was associated with increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, decreased oxidative stress and reduced levels of α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA) and collagen (Col) III in the liver. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, hyaluronic acid, laminin, type III precollagen and type IV collagen were significantly reduced by treatment with juglone.

Clinical effects and complications of TIPS for portal hypertension due to cirrhosis: a single center.

Aim: To determine the clinical effects and complications of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for portal hypertension due to cirrhosis.

Methods: Two hundred and eighty patients with portal hypertension due to cirrhosis who underwent TIPS were retrospectively evaluated. Portal trunk pressure was measured before and after surgery.

Quantification of serum hepatitis B surface antigen in predicting the response of pegylated interferon alfa-2a in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B with prior lamivudine exposure.

Aims: Majority of previous studies of pegylated interferon α-2a (PegIFNα-2a) forced on naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and the data of PegIFNα-2a in therapy of patients with prior exposure to nucleos(t)ide analogues is rare. This study aimed to investigate the predictive role of serum quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in predicting sustained response of PegIFNα-2a in HBeAg-positive CHB patients with prior lamivudine exposure.

Methods: Forty-six patients with prior lamivudine exposure received PegIFNα-2a for 12 months and followed-up for 6 months.

Meta-analysis of the efficacy of sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: By carrying out a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that compared sorafenib or combined chemotherapy with placebo or combined chemotherapy, the effectiveness of sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma was evaluated in the present study, which also provided clinical practice guidelines of evidence-based-medicine.

Methods: We reviewed PubMed citations concerning sorafenib treating hepatocellular carcinoma in randomized controlled trials from Jan 2000 to July 2012. All the literature was extracted by Cochrane systematic reviews and underwent meta-analysis with RewMan 5.

Sustained efficacy of adefovir add-on therapy in chronic hepatitis B patient with a poor virological response to peginterferon alfa.

Background: Currently, there is no consensus on the recommendation of peginterferon alfa (pegIFNα) to chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with poor viral response (EVR). This study aimed to assess the sustained curative efficacy of adefovir (ADV) add-on therapy in optimizing pegIFNα monotherapy.

Methods: A total of 85 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive CHB patients with poor virological response at month 6 after starting pegIFNα-2a were enrolled, and received either pegIFNα-2a continuing monotherapy (group A, n = 51) or add-on therapy with ADV (group B, n = 34).

Lamivudine plus adefovir is a good option for chronic hepatitis B patients with viral relapse after cessation of lamivudine treatment.

Aim: Currently, there is no consensus on the retreatment recommendation of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with viral rebound after cessation of treatment. In the search of reasonable treatment, we compared the efficacy and safety of adefovir (ADV) plus lamivudine (LAM) and LAM alone for the retreatment of patients with viral relapse but without genotypic resistance after cessation of LAM.

Methods: This is a prospective controlled study, and a total of 53 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients with viral rebound but without resistance were received either LAM plus ADV or LAM alone treatment.

Effect of Oxymatrine on the TGFbeta-Smad signaling pathway in rats with CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis.

Aim: To explore the anti-fibrotic effect of Oxymatrine on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats and its modulation on the TGFbeta-Smad signaling pathway.

Methods: One hundred healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal group (n = 20), treatment group of Oxymatrine (n = 40) and CCl4-induced fibrosis group (n = 40). Experimental hepatic fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 soluted in liquid paraffin with the concentration of 300 g/L, the dosage of injection was 3 mL/kg, twice per week for 8 wk).

An experimental study of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and its interventional treatments in hepatic fibrosis.

Background: The pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis is still not fully understood. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PD98059, a specific inhibitor of ERK, on the cell cycle, cell proliferation, secretion of type I collagen and expression of cyclin D1 mRNA, CDK4 mRNA and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) mRNA in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) stimulated by acetaldehyde.

Effects of extracellular signal-regulated kinase on rat cultured hepatic stellate cells stimulated by acetaldehyde.

Objective: To investigate the effects of PD98059 on the cell cycle, cell proliferation, the secretion of type I collagen and expression of transforming growth factor-beta-1 mRNA in rat hepatic stellate cells stimulated by acetaldehyde.

Methods: Rat hepatic stellate cells stimulated by acetaldehyde were incubated with different concentrations of PD98059. The cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry.

[Dinggui Oil Capsule in treating irritable bowel syndrome with stagnation of qi and cold: a prospective, multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Dinggui Oil Capsule in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with stagnation of qi and cold.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study was undertaken. One hundred and ninety-eight patients with IBS and syndrome of stagnation of qi and cold were randomly divided into high-dose Dinggui Oil group (DGO-H, 1.

[Effects of Erk signal transduction on the cell cycle of rat hepatic stellate cells stimulated by acetaldehyde].

Objective: To investigate the effect of PD98059 on the proliferation and cell cycle of rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) stimulated by acetaldehyde and explore its mechanism.

Methods: Rat HSCs stimulated by acetaldehyde were incubated with different concentrations of PD98059. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT colorimetric assay.

Effect of compound rhodiola sachalinensis A Bor on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats and its probable molecular mechanisms.

Aim: To explore the anti-fibrotic effect of a traditional Chinese medicine, compound rhodiola sachalinensis A Bor on CCl(4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats and its probable molecular mechanisms.

Methods: Ninety healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal group (n=10), treatment group of compound rhodiola sachalinensis A Bor (n=40) and CCl(4)-induced model group (n=40). The liver fibrosis was induced by CCl(4) subcutaneous injection.