Massive continuous irrigation (MCI) and endoscopic debridement as an alternative treatment strategy for refractory abscess-fistula complexes.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of massive continuous irrigation (MCI) and endoscopic debridement for the treatment of refractory abscess-fistula complexes.

Methods: This was a retrospective single-center observational study involving 12 patients with refractory abscess-fistula complexes. All patients had experienced long-term treatment failure or had failed multiple treatment modalities.

Influence of esophageal morphology on the clinical efficacy of peroral endoscopic myotomy in treating advanced achalasia cardia.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is the first-line treatment of achalasia cardia (AC). However, the efficacy of POEM in treating patients with advanced AC remains to be determined. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility and clinical outcome of POEM in treating patients with advanced AC involving different esophageal morphologies.

M2-like Kupffer cells in fibrotic liver may protect against acute insult.

Aim: To investigate the mechanism of hepatoprotection conferred by liver fibrosis through evaluating the activation phenotype of kupffer cells.

Methods: Control and fibrotic mice were challenged with a lethal dose of D-GalN/lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and hepatic damage was assessed by histology, serum alanine transferase (ALT) levels, and hepatic expression of HMGB1, a potent pro-inflammatory mediator. The localization of F4/80 (a surrogate marker of KCs), HMGB1, and type I collagen (Col-1) was determined by immunofluorescence staining.

Tumor-associated autoantibodies are useful biomarkers in immunodiagnosis of α-fetoprotein-negative hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and diagnostic value of autoantibodies in α-fetoprotein (AFP)-negative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Fifty-six serum samples from AFP-negative HCC cases, 86 from AFP-positive HCC cases, 168 from chronic liver disease cases, and 59 from normal human controls were included in this study. Autoantibodies to nucleophosmin (NPM)1, 14-3-3zeta and mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) proteins in AFP-negative HCC serum were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Coverage of different health insurance programs and medical costs associated with chronic hepatitis C infection in mainland China: a cross-sectional survey in 20 provinces.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) imposes a considerable disease burden in China, with at least 10 million people chronically infected. Little is known about the financial impact of the HCV epidemic, nor about the extent to which various forms of insurance are providing HCV patients with financial protection. A cross-sectional multi-site study was conducted to acquire data that will aid policy-makers and other stakeholders in developing effective strategies to address this situation.

Upregulation of miRNA-130a Represents Good Prognosis in Patients With HBV-Related Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure: A Prospective Study.

Prompt and accurate prediction of the outcome is the key to make correct medical decision and to reduce the mortality in patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Increasing evidence have certified that small, noncoding microRNAs (miRNAs) play critically regulatory roles in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. However, it remains unclear whether and how miRNAs involve in the prognosis of ACLF.

[Effect of silencing AEG-1 with small interfering RNA on the proliferation and cell cycle of gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells].

Objective: To explore the effect of down-regulation of astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) expression on cell proliferation and cell cycle of gastric carcinoma cells, and its possible molecular mechanism.

Methods: Control siRNA and AEG-1 siRNA were transfected into gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells. 48 h after transfection, the cells were divided into 3 groups including untransfected, siRNA control and AEG-1 siRNA transfection groups.

Down-regulation of platelet-derived growth factor-D expression blockades NF-κB pathway to inhibit cell proliferation and invasion as well as induce apoptosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Substantial evidence has demonstrated that platelet-derived growth factor-D (PDGF-D) is tightly associated with the development and progression of tumors. However, its biological functions in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain to be delineated. In this study, we found that expressions of PDGF-D mRNA and protein in ESCC tissues and cells were significantly higher than that in normal esophageal epithelial tissues (P < 0.

[Effects of KIAA0101 expression on proliferation and invasion of gastric carcinoma MKN-45 cells].

Objective: To investigate the expression of KIAA0101 protein in gastric carcinoma cells, and to explore the effects of its down-regulation on the cell proliferation, cell cycle and invasion.

Methods: Western blot was used to detect KIAA0101 protein expression in three gastric carcinoma cell lines including MKN-28, SGC-7901 and MKN-45. KIAA0101 siRNA and control siRNA were utilized to transfect MKN-45 cells, respectively.