Association study of TLR-9 polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus in northern Chinese Han population.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease, with multiple genetic and environmental factors involving in its etiology. The toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) gene has been reported to have important roles in the development and progression of SLE. We performed a case-control study to investigate the effects of 4 SNPs in the TLR9 gene in the development of SLE in Northern Chinese population.

[Clinical observation on effect of xuefu zhuyu decoction in treating patients with liver fibrosis caused by chronic hepatitis B].

Objective: To observe the effect of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction (XZD) on the chronic hepatitis B caused liver fibrosis (CHBLF) and the portal hemodynamics.

Methods: Sixty patients with CHBLF were randomly divided into two groups, the 28 patients in the treated group were treated with oral intake of XZD and conventional liver protective treatment, the 32 patients in the control group were treated with conventional liver protective treatment alone, the therapeutic course for both groups was 3 months. Serum liver fibrosis criteria and portal dynamical criteria were observed before and after treatment.