A case study on the pitfalls in prenatal ultrasonic detection of butterfly vertebra.

Introduction: Butterfly vertebra is a rare congenital anomaly that is observed both in isolation and also as part of syndromic diseases. In prenatal ultrasonic scans the typical shapes of the two halves for butterfly vertebra are wedge-shaped or triangular. In the case we presented, the 3 dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) showed that the shape was unusual and rare.

Finite Element Analysis of Mechanical Characteristics of Internal Fixation for Treatment of Proximal Femoral Osteolytic Lesions in Children.

Objectives: Clinically, it is very difficult to prevent pathological fracture caused by high recurrence rate of osteolytic disease of proximal femur in children. At present, there is no consensus in clinical studies of which internal fixation method can significantly reduce the probability of recurrence of pathological fracture. The study aims to research the mechanical properties of different internal fixations in the treatment of osteolytic lesions of proximal femur in children by finite element analysis, and to find out the optimal treatment.

Co-administration of obeticholic acid and simvastatin protects against high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has no approved therapy. The farnesoid X nuclear receptor (FXR) agonist obeticholic acid (OCA) has shown promise as a drug for NASH, but can adversely affect plasma lipid profiles. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of OCA in combination with simvastatin (SIM) in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced model of NASH.

Hepatic Macrophage activation and the LPS pathway in patients with different degrees of severity and histopathological patterns of drug induced liver injury.

Background: Inflammatory activation of hepatic macrophages plays a primary role in drug-induced liver injury (DILI). However, the exact mechanism underlying DILI remains unclear.

Methods: A total of 328 DILI patients and 80 healthy individuals were prospectively enrolled in this study.

A Pitfall in Prenatal Ultrasonic Detection of Submucous Cleft Palate.

Objective: We present a case with prenatal diagnosis of submucous cleft palate (SMCP) which was described using 2- and 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography in utero.

Case Report: A 25-year-old pregnant woman was referred to our department for fetal ultrasound screening. After the detection of cardiac and spinal malformations of fetal, further detailed examination detected SMCP, which showed a gap within the hard palate on axial transversal view with the soft palate visible on sagittal view.

CD14 monocytes and CD163 macrophages correlate with the severity of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Hepatic fibrosis is a crucial pathological process involved in the development of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and may progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Activated peripheral blood monocytes and intrahepatic macrophages further promote hepatic fibrogenesis by releasing proinflammatory and profibrogenic cytokines. The present study aimed to investigate the role of peripheral CD14 monocytes and intrahepatic CD163 macrophages in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated liver fibrosis and clarify whether serum soluble CD163 (sCD163) may serve as a fibrosis marker in patients with CHC.

Application of two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasound in prenatal screening for brachydactyly deformity.

This study aims to summarize the characteristics of prenatal ultrasonography of the fetus with brachydactyly. From November 2015 to December 2016, a total of 10,866 pregnant women underwent prenatal ultrasound screening at the gestational age of 17-26 weeks. Targeted ultrasonographic imaging of the fetal hands was performed.

Yiqi Huoxue Recipe Improves Liver Regeneration in Rats after Partial Hepatectomy via JNK Pathway.

The liver is the only visceral organ that exhibits a remarkable capability of regenerating in response to partial hepatectomy (PH) or chemical injury. Improving liver regeneration (LR) ability is the basis for the favourable treatment outcome of patients after PH, which can serve as a potential indicator for postoperative survival. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Yiqi Huoxue recipe (YQHX) on LR after PH in rats and further elucidate its underlying mechanism.

Emperipolesis mediated by CD8 T cells correlates with biliary epithelia cell injury in primary biliary cholangitis.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic destruction of the bile ducts. A major unanswered question regarding the pathogenesis of PBC is the precise mechanisms of small bile duct injury. Emperipolesis is one of cell-in-cell structures that is a potential histological hallmark associated with chronic hepatitis B.

LncRNA-ATB/microRNA-200a/β-catenin regulatory axis involved in the progression of HCV-related hepatic fibrosis.

Objective(s): Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs)-activated by transforming growth factor beta (lncRNA-ATB) is known to be involved in the invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating target genes of miR-200a. However, the role and molecular mechanisms of lncRNA-ATB/miR-200a in HCV-related liver fibrosis remains unclear. In this study, we examined the expression of lncRNA-ATB/miR-200a, and their target gene β-Catenin in liver tissues of HCV patients and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to elucidate the possible role of lncRNA-ATB/miR-200a axis in HSC activation and development of liver fibrosis.

Ultrasound diagnosis of fetal thanatophoric skeletal dysplasia: Three cases report and a brief review.

Congenital skeletal deformity of fetus varies and may be attributed to a range of reasons. Congenital skeletal deformity seriously affects body function or even leads to neonatal death directly. The disease brings great pain to victim and their family.

Sinusoidal endotheliitis as a histological parameter for diagnosing acute liver allograft rejection.

Aim: To investigated the feasibility of using sinusoidal endotheliitis (SE) as a histological marker for liver allograft rejection.

Methods: We compared the histological features of 88 liver allograft biopsies with acute cellular rejection (ACR) and 59 cases with no evidence of ACR. SE was scored as: (1) focal linear lifting up of the endothelial cells by lymphocytes with no obvious damage to adjacent hepatocytes; (2) focal disruption of the endothelial lining by a cluster of subendothelial lymphocytes (a group of > 3 lymphocytes); and (3) severe confluent endotheliitis with hemorrhage and adjacent hepatocyte loss.

Tim-3 suppression combined with TLR3 activation enhances antiviral immune response in patients with chronic HCV infection.

Objective: To investigate the regulation mechanism of T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3 (Tim-3) combined with toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) or TLR4 on antiviral immune and inflammatory response in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methods: Patients with chronic HCV infection and healthy control subjects were recruited. Patients received interferon (IFN)-α based therapy.

A Patient With Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Accompanied by Wilson's Disease.

Introduction: Both primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and Wilson's disease (WD) can cause copper retention in the liver, which is an important factor for liver cellular damage. Copper chelation may preserve liver cell function. It is challenging to distinguish WD from copper accumulation in patients with PBC.

Individualized treatment strategies and predictors of virological response for chronic hepatitis C: a multicenter prospective study from China.

Combination therapy comprising pegylated interferon-alpha (PegIFNα) and ribavirin (RBV) has been the standard of care for the chronic hepatitis C patients for more than a decade. Recently, direct antiviral agents show better efficacy, tolerance, and shorter treatment duration. However, the prohibitive costs of the regimens limit their use in developing countries where most of the HCV infection exists.

Prenatal screening at 11-13+6 weeks in assisted reproductive technology singleton pregnancies and those conceived naturally.

Aim: To investigate whether assisted reproductive technology (ART) increases the risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities.

Methods: A total of 2034 singleton pregnant women were included in this retrospective study. They were divided into ART (574 fetuses) and control groups (1460 fetuses conceived naturally).

Dichlorvos induced autoimmune hepatitis: a case report and review of literature.

Introduction: Drug-induced liver injury is a frequent cause of hepatic dysfunction. Several drugs have been identified to cause autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Environmental chemicals are capable of triggering a certain degree of liver injury.

Regulatory phenotype, PD-1 and TLR3 expression in T cells and monocytes from HCV patients undergoing antiviral therapy: a randomized clinical trial.

Background & Aims: The cellular immunity has a profound impact on the status of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, the response of cellular immunity on the virological response in patients with antiviral treatment remains largely unclear. We aimed to clarify the response of peripheral T cells and monocytes in chronic hepatitis C patients with antiviral treatment.

[Relation of IL-17 polymorphisms and serum levels in patients with chronic HCV infection].

Objective: To investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interleukin 17 (IL-17) gene and serum protein levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methods: A total of 228 patients with chronic HCV infection and 81 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The frequencies of IL-17 rs8193036 and rs2275913 polymorphisms were detected by the TaqMan SNP genotyping assay.

[Clinicopathological features of Wilson disease: report of 29 cases].

Objective: To summarize the clinicopathological manifestations of Wilson disease(WD) so as to improve its recognition.

Methods: A total of 29 WD cases were retrospectively analyzed, including clinical presentations, liver function test, serum ceruloplasmin, 24 hour urinary copper excretion, ATP7B gene analysis and liver histology. All cases were diagnosed from January 2007 to October 2012 at Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University and China-Japan Friendship Hospital.

[Establishment of a complex alcoholic liver fibrosis mouse model and investigation of OPN and TGF-beta1 hepatic expression].

Objective: To create a convenient method to establish an alcoholic liver fibrosis model in mice and use it to explore the putative pathogenic mechanisms involving the immunomodulatory proteins osteopontin (OPN) and transforming growth factor-betal (TGF-beta1).

Methods: Forty C57BLI6J mice were fed the Lieber-DeCarli 4% ethanol-containing liquid diet for four weeks, followed by an additional four weeks of the 4% ethanol diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CC14 5% solution in olive oil; 2ml/ kg body weight, 2 times/week) to induce alcoholic liver fibrosis. Control groups (n = 6 each) included: normal diet; normal diet plus CCl4 injections; ethanol diet alone; ethanol diet plus solvent (olive oil) injections.

[Activation of Fas/FasL and its downstream signaling pathway promotes development of alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis in mice].

Objective: To explore the role and mechanism of the Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) system and its downstream signaling pathway related to the progression of alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis.

Methods: Eighteen C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into three groups: controls; alcoholic steatohepatitis model, given four-weeks of a 4% ethanol-containing Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet; alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis model, given the four-week alcohol diet followed by twice weekly intraperitoneal injections of carbon tetrachloride (5% olive oil solution; 2 mL/kg dose) during the fifth to eighth weeks. Mice in the model groups were sacrificed at the end of week 4 and 8, respectively, along with control mice for comparative analyses.

[Study of using an individualized treatment strategy to treat patients with chronic hepatitis C].

Objective: To investigate the outcomes of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with antiviral regimens of interferon (IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) using individualized doses and durations.

Methods: This study was designed as an open-label, prospective clinical trial to analyze the virological responses of 169 CHC patients who received individualized dosages of IFNa-2b or pegylated (Peg)IFNa-2a combined with RBV based on their weight ( less than 60 kg or more than or equal to 60 kg), age (less than 65 years or 65-75 years), morbid state (liver cirrhosis or not), and complications (such as heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disorder). Treatment duration was calculated using the time required to induce HCV RNA negativity.

Activation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha ameliorates ethanol mediated liver fibrosis in mice.

Background: Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα) ameliorates ethanol induced hepatic steatohepatitis. However, its role in alcoholic liver fibrosis has not been fully clarified. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect and the molecular basis of PPARα in ethanol induced liver fibrosis in mice.

Fuzheng Huayu recipe prevents nutritional fibrosing steatohepatitis in mice.

Background: Fuzheng Huayu recipe (FZHY), a compound of Chinese herbal medicine, was reported to improve liver function and fibrosis in patients with hepatitis B virus infection. However, its effect on nutritional fibrosing steatohepatitis is unclear. We aimed to elucidate the role and molecular mechanism of FZHY on this disorder in mice.