Chinese medical journal
-
Chinese medical journal · Jul 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialEntecavir add-on Peg-interferon therapy plays a positive role in reversing hepatic fibrosis in treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B patients: a prospective and randomized controlled trial.
The efficacy of entecavir (ETV) add-on peg-interferon therapy compared with ETV monotherapy in treatment-naïve hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients remains controversial. We investigated whether adding peg-interferon to ongoing ETV treatment leads to a better curative effect or not. ⋯ Both therapies supported liver function recovery and histology improvement. Combination therapy did not show better anti-viral efficacy in HBsAg or HBeAg seroconversion compared with monotherapy. However, combination therapy played a more positive role in reversing hepatic fibrosis compared with monotherapy.
-
Chinese medical journal · Jul 2020
Multislice spiral computed tomography imaging in evaluating hemophilic arthropathy.
Certain hemophilia patients are unable to cooperate with or afford magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. The purpose of our study was to explore the value of multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) in evaluating hemophilic arthropathy (HA). ⋯ The image scores of MSCT are generally consistent with MRI except for mild synovitis, which can be used as an alternative for the evaluation of HA.
-
Chinese medical journal · Jul 2020
Higher serum angiopoietin 2 levels are independently associated with coronary microvascular dysfunction in patients with angina in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease.
Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) is a type of endothelial growth factor involved in angiogenesis and vascular remodeling. Circulating Ang-2 levels are elevated in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum Ang-2 levels and coronary microvascular dysfunction in patients without obstructive CAD. ⋯ High serum Ang-2 levels are independently associated with impaired CFR in patients with angina in the absence of obstructive CAD.
-
Chinese medical journal · Jul 2020
Where are the theca cells from: the mechanism of theca cells derivation and differentiation.
Mammalian follicles are composed of oocytes, granulosa cells, and theca cells. Theca cells form in the secondary follicles, maintaining follicular structural integrity and secreting steroid hormones. Two main sources of theca cells exist: Wilms tumor 1 positive (Wt1) cells native to the ovary and Gli1 mesenchymal cells migrated from the mesonephros. ⋯ The proliferation and differentiation of theca cells are regulated by oocyte-derived factors, including growth development factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15, and granulosa cell-derived factors, including desert hedgehog, Indian hedgehog, kit ligand, insulin-like growth factor 1, as well as hormones such as insulin and growth hormones. Current research on the origin of theca cells is limited. Identifying the origin of theca cells will help us to systematically elaborate the mechanisms of follicular formation and development.
-
It has been reported that liver fibrosis could be reversed after eliminating liver injuries. This article systematically summarizes the evidence of fibrosis regression based on histology, liver stiffness, and serum biomarkers, and discusses several clinically relevant challenges. Evidence from liver biopsy has been regarded as the gold standard in the assessment of fibrosis regression. ⋯ For non-invasive assessment, although liver stiffness and serum biomarkers could be applied to reflect the dynamic changes of liver fibrosis, other confounding factors such as liver inflammation have to be considered. In conclusion, both histology and non-invasive methods can provide evidence regarding fibrosis regression. The predictive value of fibrosis regression in long-term prognosis warrants further investigation.