AIM:To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging as a noninvasive method for the assessment of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.METHODS:We performed a p...AIM:To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging as a noninvasive method for the assessment of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.METHODS:We performed a prospective blind com-parison of ARFI elastography,APRI index and FibroMax in a consecutive series of patients who underwent liver biopsy for CHC in University Hospital Bucharest. His-topathological staging of liver fibrosis according to the METAVIR scoring system served as the reference. A to-tal of 74 patients underwent ARFI elastography,APRI index,FibroMax and successful liver biopsy. RESULTS:The noninvasive tests had a good correlation with the liver biopsy results. The most powerful test in predicting fibrosis was ARFI elastography. The diagnostic accuracy of ARFI elastography,expressedas area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) had a validity of 90.2% (95% CI AUROC = 0.831-0.972,P < 0.001) for the diagnosis of significant f ibrosis (F ≥ 2). ARFI sonoelastography predicted even better F3 or F4 fibrosis (AUROC = 0.993,95% CI = 0.979-1).CONCLUSION:ARFI elastography had very good accuracy for the assessment of liver fibrosis and was superior to other noninvasive methods (APRI Index,FibroMax) for staging liver fibrosis.展开更多
AIM:To evaluate the covalently closed circle DNA (cccDNA) level of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients' liver and sera. METHODS:HBV DNA was isolated from patients' liver biopsies and sera.A sensitive real-time...AIM:To evaluate the covalently closed circle DNA (cccDNA) level of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients' liver and sera. METHODS:HBV DNA was isolated from patients' liver biopsies and sera.A sensitive real-time PCR method,which is capable of differentiation of HBV viral genomic DNA and cccDNA,was used to quantify the total HBV cccDNA.The total HBV viral DNA was quantitated by real-time PCR using a HBV diagnostic kit (PG Biotech,LTD,Shenzhen,China) described previously. RESULTS:For the first time,we measured the level of HBV DNA and cccDNA isolated from ten HBV patients' liver biopsies and sera.In the liver biopsies,cccDNA was detected from all the biopsy samples.The copy number of cccDNA ranged from from 0.03 to 173.1 per cell,the copy number of total HBV DNA ranged from 0.08 to 3 717 per cell.The ratio of total HBV DNA to cccDNA ranged from 1 to 3 406.In the sera, cccDNA was only detected from six samples whereas HBV viral DNA was detected from all ten samples.The ratio of cccDNA to total HBV DNA ranged from 0 to 1.77%.To further investigate the reason why cccDNA could only be detected in some patients' sera,we performed longitudinal studies.The cccDNA was detected from the patients' sera with HBV reactivation but not from the patients' sera without HBV reactivation.The level of cccDNA in the sera was correlated with ALT and viral load in the HBV reactivation patients. CONCLUSION:HBV cccDNA is actively transcribed and replicated in some patients' hepatoo/tes,which is reflected by a high ratio of HBV total DNA vs cccDNA.Detection of cccDNA in the liver biopsy will provide an end-point for the anti-HBV therapy.The occurrence of cccDNA in the sera is an early signal of liver damage,which may be another important clinical parameter.展开更多
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the most prevalent cancers globally.In contrast to the declining death rates observed for all other common cancers such as breast,lung,and prostate cancers,the death rates for HC...Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the most prevalent cancers globally.In contrast to the declining death rates observed for all other common cancers such as breast,lung,and prostate cancers,the death rates for HCC continue to increase by^2e3%per year because HCC is frequently diagnosed late and there is no curative therapy for an advanced HCC.The early diagnosis of HCC is truly a big challenge.Over the past years,the early diagnosis of HCC has relied on surveillance with ultrasonography(US)and serological assessments of alpha-fetoprotein(AFP).However,the specificity and sensitivity of US/AFP is not satisfactory enough to detect early onset HCC.Recent technological advancements offer hope for early HCC diagnosis.Herein,we review the progress made in HCC diagnostics,with a focus on emerging imaging techniques and biomarkers for early disease diagnosis.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate the antifibrotic effect of different doses of recombinant human Gamma-Interferon (IFN-gamma) in two rat models of hepatic fibrosis, and to observe its effect on moderate chronic hepatitis B virus fibr...AIM: To evaluate the antifibrotic effect of different doses of recombinant human Gamma-Interferon (IFN-gamma) in two rat models of hepatic fibrosis, and to observe its effect on moderate chronic hepatitis B virus fibrosis. METHODS: Hepatic fibrosis was successfully induced in 150 and 196 rats by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), respectively. Each of the two model groups was divided into: (1) fibrotic model group; (2) colchicine treatment group (0.1 mg/kg/day, gastrogavage for 8 weeks); (3) high-dose IFN-gamma group (15 MU/kg per day, i.m. for 8 weeks); (4) medium-dose IFN-gamma group (5 MU/kg daily, i.m. for 8 weeks); and (5) Y low-dose IFN-gamma group (1.67 MU/kg daily, i.m. for 8 weeks). Another group of 10 rats without any treatment was used as normal controls. At the end of the experiment, semi-quantitative histopathological scores of inflammation and fibrosis, liver alpha smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression level, liver hydroxyl proline content and serum hyaluronic acid levels were compared. And 47 medium chronic hepatitis B viral fibrosis patients were studied. They were given IFN-gamma treatment, 100 MU/day i.m. for the first three months and 100 MU qod i.m. for the next six months. Semi-quantitative pathological scores of inflammation and fibrosis and serum hepatic fibrosis indices were compared within the 9 months. RESULTS: In animal experiment, the pathological fibrosis scores and liver hydroxyl proline content were found to be significantly lower in rats treated with different doses of IFN-gamma as compared with rats in fibrotic model group induced by either CCl4 or DMN, in a dose-dependent manner. For CCl4-induced model, pathological fibrosis scores in high, medium and low doses IFN-gamma groups were 5.10 +/- 2.88, 7.70 +/- 3.53 and 8.00 +/- 3.30, respectively, but the score was 14.60 +/- 7.82 in fibrotic model group. Hydroxyl proline contents were 2.83 +/- 1.18, 3.59 +/- 1.22 and 4.80 +/- 1.62, in the three IFN-ga展开更多
Background： Chronic kidney disease has become a leading public health concern in China, as it is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and costs. However, the overall situation regarding common glomerular d...Background： Chronic kidney disease has become a leading public health concern in China, as it is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and costs. However, the overall situation regarding common glomerular diseases in China remains unclear. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the national profile of the common types ofglomerulonephritis in China. Methods： We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, SinoMed, VIP, and Wanfang databases for English and Chinese language articles from inception to September 2017. We also collected potentially relevant studies and reviews using a manual search. The fbllowing words in combinations are as keywords： ＂renal biopsy＂, ＂kidney pathological diagnosis＂, and ＂spectrum of pathological types＂. Results： We identified 23 studies involving 176,355 patients from 15 provinces/cities in China. The detection rates of primary glomerulonephritis （PGN） and secondary glomerulonephritis （SGN） were 0.740 and 0.221, respectively. Over the past 30 years, the top five types of PGN were immunoglobulin A nephropathy （IgAN; 24.3%）, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis （MsPGN; 10.5%）, membranous nephropathy （MN; 12.6%）, minimal change disease （MCD; 9.8%）, and tbcal segmental glomerulosclerosis （FSGS; 4.6%）, and the top four types of SGN were lupus nephritis （LN; 8.6%）, Henoch-Sch6nlein purpura glomerulonephritis （4.1%）, hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis （HBV-GN; 2.6%）, and diabetic nephropathy （DN; 1.6%）. The proportion of MN, MCD, HBV-GN, and DN tended to increase, while those of IgAN, MsPGN, FSGS, and LN tended to drop. Conclusions： Although the incidence of SGN is increasing gradually, PGN is still the leading lbrm of kidney disease in patients undergoing renal biopsies in China. IgAN and LN are the most common types of PGN and SGN, respectively. Differences between regions are related to various factors such as nationality, environment, and diet. Furthermore, unified standards and norms 展开更多
目的探讨经直肠超声(transrectal ultrasound,TRUS)引导下前列腺穿刺活检结合血清前列腺特异抗原(prostate specific antigen,PSA)在诊断前列腺癌(prostate cancer,PCA)中的临床意义。方法经直肠超声检查联合超声引导下穿刺病理证实的...目的探讨经直肠超声(transrectal ultrasound,TRUS)引导下前列腺穿刺活检结合血清前列腺特异抗原(prostate specific antigen,PSA)在诊断前列腺癌(prostate cancer,PCA)中的临床意义。方法经直肠超声检查联合超声引导下穿刺病理证实的前列腺癌患者62例,病例来源于2005年1月至2014年8月在本院超声诊断科检查的3 874例前列腺疾病门诊患者,年龄(68.5±13.5)岁,分析前列腺癌经直肠超声图像特征分型及其PSA值的分布情况。结果前列腺癌的经直肠超声图像特征可分为隐匿型、结节型、弥漫浸润型及弥漫浸润伴结节型,且弥漫浸润型和弥漫浸润伴结节型各自与前两种(隐匿型和结节型)之间的PSA值差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),而隐匿型和结节型之间以及弥漫浸润型和弥漫浸润伴结节型组别之间的PSA值差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论血清PSA值结合TRUS引导下前列腺穿刺活检,对于前列腺癌(尤其是隐匿性和弥漫浸润型前列腺癌)具有重要诊断价值。展开更多
基金Supported by Grant 41066/2007, financed by the Ministry of Education and Research
文摘AIM:To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging as a noninvasive method for the assessment of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.METHODS:We performed a prospective blind com-parison of ARFI elastography,APRI index and FibroMax in a consecutive series of patients who underwent liver biopsy for CHC in University Hospital Bucharest. His-topathological staging of liver fibrosis according to the METAVIR scoring system served as the reference. A to-tal of 74 patients underwent ARFI elastography,APRI index,FibroMax and successful liver biopsy. RESULTS:The noninvasive tests had a good correlation with the liver biopsy results. The most powerful test in predicting fibrosis was ARFI elastography. The diagnostic accuracy of ARFI elastography,expressedas area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) had a validity of 90.2% (95% CI AUROC = 0.831-0.972,P < 0.001) for the diagnosis of significant f ibrosis (F ≥ 2). ARFI sonoelastography predicted even better F3 or F4 fibrosis (AUROC = 0.993,95% CI = 0.979-1).CONCLUSION:ARFI elastography had very good accuracy for the assessment of liver fibrosis and was superior to other noninvasive methods (APRI Index,FibroMax) for staging liver fibrosis.
基金SuppoSed by CRCG grant from the University of Hong KongCERG grant from University Grant Council of Hong Kong Research Fund from Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai,China
文摘AIM:To evaluate the covalently closed circle DNA (cccDNA) level of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients' liver and sera. METHODS:HBV DNA was isolated from patients' liver biopsies and sera.A sensitive real-time PCR method,which is capable of differentiation of HBV viral genomic DNA and cccDNA,was used to quantify the total HBV cccDNA.The total HBV viral DNA was quantitated by real-time PCR using a HBV diagnostic kit (PG Biotech,LTD,Shenzhen,China) described previously. RESULTS:For the first time,we measured the level of HBV DNA and cccDNA isolated from ten HBV patients' liver biopsies and sera.In the liver biopsies,cccDNA was detected from all the biopsy samples.The copy number of cccDNA ranged from from 0.03 to 173.1 per cell,the copy number of total HBV DNA ranged from 0.08 to 3 717 per cell.The ratio of total HBV DNA to cccDNA ranged from 1 to 3 406.In the sera, cccDNA was only detected from six samples whereas HBV viral DNA was detected from all ten samples.The ratio of cccDNA to total HBV DNA ranged from 0 to 1.77%.To further investigate the reason why cccDNA could only be detected in some patients' sera,we performed longitudinal studies.The cccDNA was detected from the patients' sera with HBV reactivation but not from the patients' sera without HBV reactivation.The level of cccDNA in the sera was correlated with ALT and viral load in the HBV reactivation patients. CONCLUSION:HBV cccDNA is actively transcribed and replicated in some patients' hepatoo/tes,which is reflected by a high ratio of HBV total DNA vs cccDNA.Detection of cccDNA in the liver biopsy will provide an end-point for the anti-HBV therapy.The occurrence of cccDNA in the sera is an early signal of liver damage,which may be another important clinical parameter.
文摘Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the most prevalent cancers globally.In contrast to the declining death rates observed for all other common cancers such as breast,lung,and prostate cancers,the death rates for HCC continue to increase by^2e3%per year because HCC is frequently diagnosed late and there is no curative therapy for an advanced HCC.The early diagnosis of HCC is truly a big challenge.Over the past years,the early diagnosis of HCC has relied on surveillance with ultrasonography(US)and serological assessments of alpha-fetoprotein(AFP).However,the specificity and sensitivity of US/AFP is not satisfactory enough to detect early onset HCC.Recent technological advancements offer hope for early HCC diagnosis.Herein,we review the progress made in HCC diagnostics,with a focus on emerging imaging techniques and biomarkers for early disease diagnosis.
文摘AIM: To evaluate the antifibrotic effect of different doses of recombinant human Gamma-Interferon (IFN-gamma) in two rat models of hepatic fibrosis, and to observe its effect on moderate chronic hepatitis B virus fibrosis. METHODS: Hepatic fibrosis was successfully induced in 150 and 196 rats by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), respectively. Each of the two model groups was divided into: (1) fibrotic model group; (2) colchicine treatment group (0.1 mg/kg/day, gastrogavage for 8 weeks); (3) high-dose IFN-gamma group (15 MU/kg per day, i.m. for 8 weeks); (4) medium-dose IFN-gamma group (5 MU/kg daily, i.m. for 8 weeks); and (5) Y low-dose IFN-gamma group (1.67 MU/kg daily, i.m. for 8 weeks). Another group of 10 rats without any treatment was used as normal controls. At the end of the experiment, semi-quantitative histopathological scores of inflammation and fibrosis, liver alpha smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression level, liver hydroxyl proline content and serum hyaluronic acid levels were compared. And 47 medium chronic hepatitis B viral fibrosis patients were studied. They were given IFN-gamma treatment, 100 MU/day i.m. for the first three months and 100 MU qod i.m. for the next six months. Semi-quantitative pathological scores of inflammation and fibrosis and serum hepatic fibrosis indices were compared within the 9 months. RESULTS: In animal experiment, the pathological fibrosis scores and liver hydroxyl proline content were found to be significantly lower in rats treated with different doses of IFN-gamma as compared with rats in fibrotic model group induced by either CCl4 or DMN, in a dose-dependent manner. For CCl4-induced model, pathological fibrosis scores in high, medium and low doses IFN-gamma groups were 5.10 +/- 2.88, 7.70 +/- 3.53 and 8.00 +/- 3.30, respectively, but the score was 14.60 +/- 7.82 in fibrotic model group. Hydroxyl proline contents were 2.83 +/- 1.18, 3.59 +/- 1.22 and 4.80 +/- 1.62, in the three IFN-ga
文摘Background： Chronic kidney disease has become a leading public health concern in China, as it is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and costs. However, the overall situation regarding common glomerular diseases in China remains unclear. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the national profile of the common types ofglomerulonephritis in China. Methods： We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, SinoMed, VIP, and Wanfang databases for English and Chinese language articles from inception to September 2017. We also collected potentially relevant studies and reviews using a manual search. The fbllowing words in combinations are as keywords： ＂renal biopsy＂, ＂kidney pathological diagnosis＂, and ＂spectrum of pathological types＂. Results： We identified 23 studies involving 176,355 patients from 15 provinces/cities in China. The detection rates of primary glomerulonephritis （PGN） and secondary glomerulonephritis （SGN） were 0.740 and 0.221, respectively. Over the past 30 years, the top five types of PGN were immunoglobulin A nephropathy （IgAN; 24.3%）, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis （MsPGN; 10.5%）, membranous nephropathy （MN; 12.6%）, minimal change disease （MCD; 9.8%）, and tbcal segmental glomerulosclerosis （FSGS; 4.6%）, and the top four types of SGN were lupus nephritis （LN; 8.6%）, Henoch-Sch6nlein purpura glomerulonephritis （4.1%）, hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis （HBV-GN; 2.6%）, and diabetic nephropathy （DN; 1.6%）. The proportion of MN, MCD, HBV-GN, and DN tended to increase, while those of IgAN, MsPGN, FSGS, and LN tended to drop. Conclusions： Although the incidence of SGN is increasing gradually, PGN is still the leading lbrm of kidney disease in patients undergoing renal biopsies in China. IgAN and LN are the most common types of PGN and SGN, respectively. Differences between regions are related to various factors such as nationality, environment, and diet. Furthermore, unified standards and norms
