Association between IL-7 and primary Sjögren's syndrome: A single-center study and a systematic scoping review.

Background: There is a lack of single marker reflecting systemic activity of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Our aim is to determine the association between interleukin(IL)-7 and pSS by combining a single-center study and a systematic scoping review.

Methods: There were 58 patients with pSS and 30 healthy controls (HCs) included in the single-center study.

Increased levels of YKL-40 in patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) could be classified as type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and others according to etiology and pathology. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious complications of DM. YKL-40 is a marker of inflammation and some studies have indicated that DM was related with inflammation.

Assessment of ovarian reserve by serum anti-Müllerian hormone in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystem autoimmune and cyclophosphamide (CYC) is often used in the therapy of SLE. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is expressed in the ovarian granulosa cells and is a reliable biomarker for ovarian reserve. Recent studies have showed that SLE patients have lower serum AMH levels and CYC has a negative influence on ovarian reserve.

Association of CCL11, CCL24 and CCL26 with primary biliary cholangitis.

Background: CCL11, CCL24 and CCL26 are potent chemokines for eosinophils. Since there has been no study reporting the association serum CCL11, CCL24 and CCL26 with fibrotic progression of PBC, the aim of this study is to explore the association.

Methods: One hundred and eight PBC patients, 52 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 50 healthy controls (HC) were recruited.

Serum human epididymis protein 4 is a predictor for developing nephritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A prospective cohort study.

Background: It has been demonstrated that serum human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a useful biomarker for differentiating lupus nephritis (LN) from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, it remains unclear whether HE4 can be used to predict the development of LN.

Methods: A total of 74 SLE patients without LN were recruited between August 2008 and September 2013.

Implication of increased serum stromal cell-derived factor-1 for primary biliary cholangitis.

Background: Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), also called chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12), as a chemokine for premature B cells, T cells and monocytes, is detected in liver, pancreas, spleen and heart. However, its diagnostic value for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) as well as the association of SDF-1 with inflammatory and fibrotic progression is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine serum stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) level and to explore its diagnostic value for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) as well as the association of SDF-1 with inflammatory and fibrotic progression of PBC.