Takayasu's arteritis associated with Crohn's disease.

Takayasu's arteritis (TA), also known as the "pulseless disease," is a chronic vasculitis of the aorta and aortic branches. TA with Crohn's disease is rare and has not been documented in China before. In this paper we report on a case of Takayasu's arteritis associated with concurrent Crohn's disease.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the treatment for Barrett's esophagus.

As evidence-based strategies to the clinical management of Barrett's esophagus (BE) are lacking, we have carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of all published randomized controlled trials with the aim of evaluating the value of different approaches in the treatment of BE. Searches were conducted in the databases PUBMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. Thirteen randomized clinical trials that fulfilled the inclusion criteria and addressed the clinical questions of this analysis were assessed in more detail.

Expression of p53, p16 and cyclooxygenase-2 in esophageal cancer with tissue microarray.

Objective: The aim of this study was to obtain a comprehensive survey on the expression of p53, p16 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in esophageal cancer progression and their clinical significance.

Methods: A tissue microarray containing 86 specimens from esophageal cancer and 40 specimens from adjacent non-cancer tissue was constructed to survey the expression of p53, p16 and COX-2 by immunohistochemistry. The influence of each biomarker on the histotype of esophageal lesion was assessed by logistic regression analysis.

[Clinical characteristics of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome: analysis of 8 cases].

Objective: To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS).

Methods: The data of 8 patients with SOS, including clinical manifestations, laboratory results, imaging, pathology, and the course of diagnosis and treatment were reviewed. All cases were followed up.

Expression of p53, p16 and COX-2 in pancreatic cancer with tissue microarray.

Background: Pancreatic cancer development and progression is driven by the accumulation of genetic changes. In this study we constructed tissue microarray containing specimens from pancreatic cancer, adjacent non-cancer tissue and normal tissue to survey the expression of p53, p16 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2).

Methods: Tissue microarray containing 337 specimens from different stages of pancreatic cancer, adjacent non-cancer tissue and normal tissues was constructed, and the expression of p53, p16 and COX-2 was assayed by immunohistochemistry to consecutive formalin-fixed tissue microarray sections.

Determination of serum carbohydrate-deficient transferrin in the diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease.

Background: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a serious and potentially fetal consequence of alcohol use. The diagnosis of ALD is based on alcohol consumption, physical signs and symptoms, and laboratory tests. The aim of the present study was to assess the reliability of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) in the diagnosis of ALD.

Correlation of polymorphism in the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene intron 2 with alcoholic liver disease.

Background: Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) can inhibit the pro-inflammatory effects of IL-1, which recently has been thought to involve the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). This study was undertaken to determine whether there is any association between IL-1ra gene polymorphism and ALD in a Chinese population.

Methods: The polymorphism of IL-1ra gene intron 2 (VNTR) was assessed in 165 alcoholics (43 alcohol-dependent subjects without liver diseases, 30 patients with alcoholic fatty liver, 61 patients with alcoholic hepatitis and 31 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis) and 65 healthy control subjects by PCR with DNA of peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

[An epidemiological survey of alcoholic liver disease in Zhejiang province].

Objective: To describe the brief survey of alcohol intake and the incidence of alcohol liver disease in Zhejiang province.

Methods: 18,237 requested persons aged over 18 years were selected by multi-stage stratified cluster sampling in Zhejiang province. Questionnaire about alcohol consumption, hepatic ultrasonic scan and detection of hepatic enzymes and markers of HBV and HCV were carried out.

[Gastrointestinal pacemaking for gastric dynamic disorders].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of gastrointestinal pacemaker in treatment of gastric dynamic disorders.

Methods: Sixty patients with more than two symptoms as postprandial fullness, epigastric pain,epigastric fullness, belch, nausea, hypercoria,anorexia,vomiting and at least for twelve weeks were divided into three groups randomly. Thirty patients were treated with gastrointestinal pacemaker for ten days(pace maker group); fifteen patients were treated with gastrointestinal placebo machine for ten days (control group); fifteen patients received treatment with cisapride 5 mg three times daily, thirty minutes before meal (cisapride group) for ten days.