Journal of internal medicine
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Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV) can develop in 1.2-4% of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients. HBV infection affects about 350 million people worldwide. It can progress from acute or fulminant hepatitis to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. ⋯ The studies in literature have demonstrated that NAs therapy in HBV-related CV yields high virological and satisfying clinical responses in most patients with mild-and-moderate CV, but a low response in severe CV. Overall, NAs represent a promising therapeutic option for HBV-related CV. Obtaining early suppression of HBV viral load should be the main virological and clinical goal in order to prevent organ complications and lymphoproliferative disorders.
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Observational Study
Natural history of prediabetes in older adults from a population-based longitudinal study.
The natural history of prediabetes in older adults remains unknown. ⋯ During a 12-year follow-up, most of older adults with prediabetes remained stable or reverted to normoglycaemia, whereas only one-third developed diabetes or died. Lower SBP, no heart diseases and weight management may promote reversion to normoglycaemia, suggesting possible strategies for achieving normoglycaemia in older adults with prediabetes.
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Review Historical Article
The Chinese National Twin Registry: a 'gold mine' for scientific research.
The Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR) currently includes data from 61 566 twin pair from 11 provinces or cities in China. Of these, 31 705, 15 060 and 13 531 pairs are monozygotic, same-sex dizygotic and opposite-sex dizygotic pairs, respectively, determined by opposite sex or intrapair similarity. Since its establishment in 2001, the CNTR has provided an important resource for analysing genetic and environmental influences on chronic diseases especially cardiovascular diseases. ⋯ There remains further scope for CNTR research and data mining. The plan for future development of the CNTR is described. The CNTR welcomes worldwide collaboration.
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Multicenter Study
Predictive value of low testosterone concentrations regarding coronary heart disease and mortality in men and women - evidence from the FINRISK97 study.
The relevance of low testosterone concentrations for incident coronary heart disease (CHD) and mortality has been discussed in various studies. Here, we evaluate the predictive value of low baseline testosterone levels in a large population-based cohort. ⋯ Low levels of testosterone are not predictive regarding future CHD or mortality - neither in men, nor in women.