BACKGROUND Anticoagulation therapy is recommended during the acute or subacute stage for patients with pyrrolizidine alkaloid-hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome(PAHSOS).Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shu...BACKGROUND Anticoagulation therapy is recommended during the acute or subacute stage for patients with pyrrolizidine alkaloid-hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome(PAHSOS).Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts(TIPS)is suggested as a step-up treatment when patients do not respond to anticoagulants.However,more evidence of the efficacy of TIPS is needed.AIM To evaluate the effect of TIPS in these patients.METHODS Between January 2013 and September 2020,we retrospectively enrolled patients with PA-HSOS who did not respond to short-term anticoagulation therapy at four hospitals.The patients were divided into a TIPS treatment group and an anticoagulation therapy group.Baseline information and clinical characteristics were collected and recorded.Survival in both groups was the primary study endpoint and the risk factors for patient death were further analyzed.RESULTS A total of 99 patients were enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria(63 in the TIPS group and 36 in the anticoagulation therapy group).There were 17 deaths during the median follow-up time of 32.5 months.Treatment,age,aspartate aminotransferase,and serum total bilirubin were independent risk factors for predicting death.The survival of patients in the TIPS group was significantly greater than that of patients in the continuing anticoagulation therapy group(P=0.028).When stratified by the Drum-Tower Severity Scoring,in the TIPS group,mild and moderate patients had better outcomes than severe patients.CONCLUSION TIPS can improve the transplant-free survival rate in patients with PA-HSOS who do not respond to short-term anticoagulation therapy,and patients with mild and moderate Drum-Tower Severity Scoring grade can benefit from TIPS.展开更多
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis B(CHB)remains a critical global health challenge,with few patients achieving spontaneous clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg),which is a key indicator of functional cure.T cell ...BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis B(CHB)remains a critical global health challenge,with few patients achieving spontaneous clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg),which is a key indicator of functional cure.T cell plays an important role in HBsAg clearance.AIM To compare T cell receptor(TCR)fingerprints between patients with or without HBsAg clearance after pegylated interferon alpha-2b(PegIFNα-2b)added on nucleos(t)ide analogues(NAs).METHODS In this observational study,peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)were isolated from six comparable CHB patients who achieved HBsAg clearance(Group-C)or not(Group-NC)after 48 weeks of PegIFNα-2b added to NA therapy.Patients in Group-C and Group-NC had comparable age,gender,baseline hepatitis B virus(HBV)DNA,HBsAg,hepatitis B envelop antigen(HBeAg),total bilirubin,alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and cirrhosis status.All patients had received at least one year of NA before PegIFNα-2b therapy.TCR repertoire profiles(fingerprints)were screened and compared by RNA sequencing and bioinformation analysis between the two groups.RESULTS Six male patients without cirrhosis were enrolled in this study,with three patients in each group.200 ng of RNA from each PBMC sample was extracted for standard RNA sequencing for construction of a complementary DNA library.Baseline levels of HBsAg,HBeAg,HBV DNA(0.05).It was found that compared to Group-NC,Group-C had significantly higher TCR diversity in bothαandβchain,including more unique clonotypes(P=0.017,P=0.038 respectively),more repertoire overlap(P=0.002,P=0.002 respectively),a broader complementarity-determining region3 length distribution,and higher Chao1 index(P=0.016,P=0.048 respectively).CONCLUSION Patients with HBsAg clearance had a more diverse and robust T cell response,which may correlate with HBsAg clearance status.These immune signatures may serve as potential reference indicators for PegIFNα-2b treatment response in CHB patients.展开更多
The prevalence of hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection in patients on maintenance hemodialysis(MHD) is relatively higher than those without MHD. Chronic HCV infection detrimentally affects the life quality and expectancy,...The prevalence of hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection in patients on maintenance hemodialysis(MHD) is relatively higher than those without MHD. Chronic HCV infection detrimentally affects the life quality and expectancy, leads to renal transplant rejection, and increases the mortality of MHD patients. With the application of erythropoietin to improve uremic anemia and avoid blood transfusion, the new HCV infections during MHD in recent years are mainly caused by the lack of stringent universal precautions. Strict implementation of universal precautions for HCV transmission has led to markedly decreased HCV infections in many hemodialysis units, but physicians still should be alert for the antiHCV negative HCV infection and occult HCV infection in MHD patients. Standard interferon alpha and pegylated interferon alpha monotherapies at a reduced dose arecurrently the main treatment strategies for MHD patients with active HCV replication, but how to increase the sustained virological response and decrease the side effects is the key problem. IFNα-free treatments with two or three direct-acting antivirals without ribavirin in MHD patients are waiting for future investigations.展开更多
AIM To optimize the hepatobiliary phase delay time(HBPDT) of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(GED-MRI) for more efficient identification of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) occurring in different degrees o...AIM To optimize the hepatobiliary phase delay time(HBPDT) of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(GED-MRI) for more efficient identification of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) occurring in different degrees of cirrhosis assessed by Child-Pugh(CP) score.METHODS The liver parenchyma signal intensity(LPSI), the liver parenchyma(LP)/HCC signal ratios, and the visibility of HCC at HBP-DT of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 min(i.e., DT-5, DT-10, DT-15, DT-20, and DT-25) after injection of GdEOB-DTPA were collected and analyzed in 73 patients with cirrhosis of different degrees of severity(including 42 patients suffering from HCC) and 18 healthy adult controls.RESULTS The LPSI increased with HBP-DT more significantly in the healthy group than in the cirrhosis group(F = 17.361, P < 0.001). The LP/HCC signal ratios had a significant difference(F = 12.453, P < 0.001) among various HBP-DT points, as well as between CP-A and CP-B/C subgroups(F = 9.761, P < 0.001). The constituent ratios of HCC foci identified as obvious hypointensity(+++), moderate hypointensity(++), and mild hypointensity or isointensity(+/-) kept stable from DT-10 to DT-25: 90.6%, 9.4%, and 0.0% in the CP-A subgroup; 50.0%, 50.0%, and 0.0% in the CP-B subgroup; and 0.0%, 0.0%, and 100.0% in the CP-C subgroup, respectively.CONCLUSION The severity of liver cirrhosis has significant negative influence on the HCC visualization by GED-MRI. DT-10 is more efficient and practical than other HBP-DT points to identify most of HCC foci emerging in CP-A cirrhosis, as well as in CP-B cirrhosis; but an HBP-DT of 15 min or longer seems more appropriate than DT-10 for visualization of HCC in patients with CP-C cirrhosis.展开更多
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82100652and Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Youth Development Program,No.2024-LCYJ-PY-27.
摘要BACKGROUND Anticoagulation therapy is recommended during the acute or subacute stage for patients with pyrrolizidine alkaloid-hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome(PAHSOS).Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts(TIPS)is suggested as a step-up treatment when patients do not respond to anticoagulants.However,more evidence of the efficacy of TIPS is needed.AIM To evaluate the effect of TIPS in these patients.METHODS Between January 2013 and September 2020,we retrospectively enrolled patients with PA-HSOS who did not respond to short-term anticoagulation therapy at four hospitals.The patients were divided into a TIPS treatment group and an anticoagulation therapy group.Baseline information and clinical characteristics were collected and recorded.Survival in both groups was the primary study endpoint and the risk factors for patient death were further analyzed.RESULTS A total of 99 patients were enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria(63 in the TIPS group and 36 in the anticoagulation therapy group).There were 17 deaths during the median follow-up time of 32.5 months.Treatment,age,aspartate aminotransferase,and serum total bilirubin were independent risk factors for predicting death.The survival of patients in the TIPS group was significantly greater than that of patients in the continuing anticoagulation therapy group(P=0.028).When stratified by the Drum-Tower Severity Scoring,in the TIPS group,mild and moderate patients had better outcomes than severe patients.CONCLUSION TIPS can improve the transplant-free survival rate in patients with PA-HSOS who do not respond to short-term anticoagulation therapy,and patients with mild and moderate Drum-Tower Severity Scoring grade can benefit from TIPS.
基金Supported by Science Foundation of Jinling Hospital,Affiliated Hospital of Medical School,Nanjing University,No.22JCYYYB11.
摘要BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis B(CHB)remains a critical global health challenge,with few patients achieving spontaneous clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg),which is a key indicator of functional cure.T cell plays an important role in HBsAg clearance.AIM To compare T cell receptor(TCR)fingerprints between patients with or without HBsAg clearance after pegylated interferon alpha-2b(PegIFNα-2b)added on nucleos(t)ide analogues(NAs).METHODS In this observational study,peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)were isolated from six comparable CHB patients who achieved HBsAg clearance(Group-C)or not(Group-NC)after 48 weeks of PegIFNα-2b added to NA therapy.Patients in Group-C and Group-NC had comparable age,gender,baseline hepatitis B virus(HBV)DNA,HBsAg,hepatitis B envelop antigen(HBeAg),total bilirubin,alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and cirrhosis status.All patients had received at least one year of NA before PegIFNα-2b therapy.TCR repertoire profiles(fingerprints)were screened and compared by RNA sequencing and bioinformation analysis between the two groups.RESULTS Six male patients without cirrhosis were enrolled in this study,with three patients in each group.200 ng of RNA from each PBMC sample was extracted for standard RNA sequencing for construction of a complementary DNA library.Baseline levels of HBsAg,HBeAg,HBV DNA(0.05).It was found that compared to Group-NC,Group-C had significantly higher TCR diversity in bothαandβchain,including more unique clonotypes(P=0.017,P=0.038 respectively),more repertoire overlap(P=0.002,P=0.002 respectively),a broader complementarity-determining region3 length distribution,and higher Chao1 index(P=0.016,P=0.048 respectively).CONCLUSION Patients with HBsAg clearance had a more diverse and robust T cell response,which may correlate with HBsAg clearance status.These immune signatures may serve as potential reference indicators for PegIFNα-2b treatment response in CHB patients.
摘要The prevalence of hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection in patients on maintenance hemodialysis(MHD) is relatively higher than those without MHD. Chronic HCV infection detrimentally affects the life quality and expectancy, leads to renal transplant rejection, and increases the mortality of MHD patients. With the application of erythropoietin to improve uremic anemia and avoid blood transfusion, the new HCV infections during MHD in recent years are mainly caused by the lack of stringent universal precautions. Strict implementation of universal precautions for HCV transmission has led to markedly decreased HCV infections in many hemodialysis units, but physicians still should be alert for the antiHCV negative HCV infection and occult HCV infection in MHD patients. Standard interferon alpha and pegylated interferon alpha monotherapies at a reduced dose arecurrently the main treatment strategies for MHD patients with active HCV replication, but how to increase the sustained virological response and decrease the side effects is the key problem. IFNα-free treatments with two or three direct-acting antivirals without ribavirin in MHD patients are waiting for future investigations.
摘要AIM To optimize the hepatobiliary phase delay time(HBPDT) of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(GED-MRI) for more efficient identification of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) occurring in different degrees of cirrhosis assessed by Child-Pugh(CP) score.METHODS The liver parenchyma signal intensity(LPSI), the liver parenchyma(LP)/HCC signal ratios, and the visibility of HCC at HBP-DT of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 min(i.e., DT-5, DT-10, DT-15, DT-20, and DT-25) after injection of GdEOB-DTPA were collected and analyzed in 73 patients with cirrhosis of different degrees of severity(including 42 patients suffering from HCC) and 18 healthy adult controls.RESULTS The LPSI increased with HBP-DT more significantly in the healthy group than in the cirrhosis group(F = 17.361, P < 0.001). The LP/HCC signal ratios had a significant difference(F = 12.453, P < 0.001) among various HBP-DT points, as well as between CP-A and CP-B/C subgroups(F = 9.761, P < 0.001). The constituent ratios of HCC foci identified as obvious hypointensity(+++), moderate hypointensity(++), and mild hypointensity or isointensity(+/-) kept stable from DT-10 to DT-25: 90.6%, 9.4%, and 0.0% in the CP-A subgroup; 50.0%, 50.0%, and 0.0% in the CP-B subgroup; and 0.0%, 0.0%, and 100.0% in the CP-C subgroup, respectively.CONCLUSION The severity of liver cirrhosis has significant negative influence on the HCC visualization by GED-MRI. DT-10 is more efficient and practical than other HBP-DT points to identify most of HCC foci emerging in CP-A cirrhosis, as well as in CP-B cirrhosis; but an HBP-DT of 15 min or longer seems more appropriate than DT-10 for visualization of HCC in patients with CP-C cirrhosis.