Chinese medical journal
-
Chinese medical journal · Jan 2014
Meta AnalysisEffect of tacrolimus in idiopathic membranous nephropathy: a meta-analysis.
The efficacy and safety of immunosuppression for idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) are still controversial. Recent studies showed tacrolimus is effective in the treatment of IMN. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus (TAC) for IMN, we conducted a meta-analysis of published medical literatures. ⋯ TAC is more effective than cyclophosphamide (CTX) by achieving complete remission in patients with IMN. Multi-ethnic RCTs are needed to evaluate its long-term efficacy and safety.
-
Chinese medical journal · Jan 2014
Meta AnalysisValue of diffusion-weighted imaging in distinguishing pancreatic carcinoma from mass-forming chronic pancreatitis: a meta-analysis.
Several previous studies have shown that diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can provide additional information for focal pancreatic lesions by demonstrating more restricted diffusion in solid malignant tumors than in chronic pancreatitis, which can be indicated by a decreased apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). However, these studies have a modest sample size and convey inconclusive results. The aim of this study was to determine, in a meta-analysis, the diagnostic performance of quantitative diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in distinguishing pancreatic carcinoma from mass-forming chronic pancreatitis. ⋯ DWI may be a potentially technically feasible tool for differentiating pancreatic carcinoma from mass-forming chronic pancreatitis. However, large-scale randomized control trials are necessary to assess its clinical value.
-
Chinese medical journal · Jan 2014
ReviewImmune system modifications and feto-maternal immune tolerance.
This review aimed at understanding pregnancy-induced changes in the maternal immune response and mechanisms for the establishment of feto-maternal tolerance. ⋯ The integration and balance of these immune factors during pregnancy give rise to an environment that enables the fetus to escape rejection by the maternal immune system. This progress is complicated, and needs more comprehensive exploration and explanation.
-
Chinese medical journal · Jan 2014
BRCA2 promoter polymorphism is associated with breast cancer prognosis in Chinese women.
Breast cancer 2 (BRCA2) is an important breast cancer-susceptibility gene. Promoter polymorphisms in BRCA2 may affect its transcription and be associated with cancer prognosis. ⋯ The results of this study suggest that homozygosity for the BRCA2 T(-1144) allele is associated with a longer DFI in Chinese women with breast cancer. Further functional studies are warranted to clarify this relationship.
-
Chinese medical journal · Jan 2014
Negative association of donor age with CD34⁺ cell dose in mixture allografts of G-CSF-primed bone marrow and G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood harvests.
The effects of donor characteristics on CD34(+) cell dose remain controversial. Recently, we developed a novel haploidentical transplant protocol, in which mixture allografts of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-primed bone marrow (G-BM) and G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood (G-PB) were used. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of donor characteristics on CD34(+) cell dose in mixture allografts of G-BM and G-PB. ⋯ Donor age is the only factor among the four parameters, including age, gender, weight, and BMI, that influence CD34(+) cell dose in mixture allografts of G-BM and G-PB, and younger donors should be chosen to obtain sufficient CD34(+) cells for transplantation.