Application of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Evaluation the Activity of Crohn's Disease.

Background And Objective: The dynamic assessment of disease activity during the follow-up of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) remains a significant challenge. In this study, we aimed to identify the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCE-US) in the evaluation of activity of CD.

Methods: In the retrospective study, patients diagnosed with CD in our hospital were included.

Premorbid Steatohepatitis Increases the Seriousness of Dextran Sulfate Sodium-induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice.

Background And Aims: The concurrence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasingly seen in clinical practice, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to develop a mouse model of the phenomenon by combining high-fat high-cholesterol diet (HFHCD)-induced NASH and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC, that would support mechanistic studies.

Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to two groups receiving either a chow diet or HFHCD for 12 weeks of NASH modeling.

Accelerated Infliximab Induction for Severe Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding in a Young Patient with Crohn's Disease: A Case Report.

Background: Severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding (SLGIB) is a rare complication of Crohn's disease (CD). The treatment of these patients is a clinical challenge. Monoclonal anti-TNFα antibody (IFX) can induce relatively fast mucosal healing.

Expression and purification of functional HMGB1 A box by fusion with SUMO.

High‑mobility‑group‑box chromosomal protein 1 (HMGB1) is a ubiquitous and abundant nuclear protein in eukaryotic cells. Nuclear HMGB1 serves an important role in maintaining nuclear stability under stress. However, extracellular HMGB1 exerts actions, which are distinctly different compared with these intracellular functions.

Integrin antagonists are effective and safe for Crohn's disease: a meta-analysis.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of integrin antagonists, including natalizumab and vedolizumab, in Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: We carried out a literature search in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library to screen for citations from January 1990 to August 2014. Data analysis was performed using Review Manager version 5.

β-catenin is overexpressed in hepatic fibrosis and blockage of Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation.

β-catenin, a core component of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, has been shown to be an important regulator of cellular proliferation and differentiation. Abnormal activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling promotes tissue fibrogenesis. In the present study, the role of β-catenin during liver fibrogenesis was analyzed and the functional effects of β-catenin gene silencing in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) using small interfering (si)RNA were investigated.

Inhibition of high-mobility group box 1 expression by siRNA in rat hepatic stellate cells.

Aim: To explore the role of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein during liver fibrogenesis and investigate the functional effects of HMGB1 gene silencing in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) using siRNA.

Methods: Hepatic fibrosis in rats was induced throu-gh serial subcutaneous injections of dimethylnitrosamine, and expression of HMGB1 was detected by immunohistochemistry. HMGB1 siRNAs were developed and transiently transfected into HSC-T6 cells using Lipofectamine 2000.