Allergic inflammation triggered by exposure of an allergen frequently leads to the onset of chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and bronchial asthma. The mechanisms underlying chronicity in allergic inflammation remain unresolved. Periostin, a recently characterized matricellular protein, interacts with several cell surface integrin molecules, providing signals for tissue development and remodeling. Here we show that periostin is a critical mediator for the amplification and persistence of allergic inflammation using a mouse model of skin inflammation. Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 stimulated fibroblasts to produce periostin, which interacted with α v integrin, a functional periostin receptor on keratinocytes, inducing production of proinflammatory cytokines, which consequently accelerated Th2-type immune responses. Accordingly, inhibition of periostin or α v integrin prevented the development or progression of allergen-induced skin inflammation. Thus, periostin sets up a vicious circle that links Th2-type immune responses to keratinocyte activation and plays a critical role in the amplification and chronicity of allergic skin inflammation.

Liver diseases affect millions of people worldwide. In most developed countries, the incidence of viral hepatitis is waning as a result of modern advances in disease prevention, diagnosis, and therapies. Expanded programmes for systematic immunisation against hepatitis B virus have also significantly brought down the number of new cases in many countries, including China. In contrast, with the improvement in living standards, the prevalence of metabolic liver diseases including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcohol-related liver disease is set to rise, ultimately leading to more cases of end-stage liver diseases (liver failure, cirrhosis, and liver cancer). Over the past 30 years, visionary governments of major nations have provided strong incentives for basic/clinical research, vaccination programmes, and drug discovery and development in the field of hepatology. To get rid of her unflattering title as the ''leader in liver diseases", China has also made a serious effort to initiate nationwide preventive measures for liver diseases, global partnerships, and mentoring programmes for young hepatologists. Instrumental to such progress is the continuous support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), which has helped hepatology to thrive in virtually all research directions within the country. In this article, we seek to provide stimulating glimpses into the evolving liver disease epidemiology, institutional research profiles, funding landscape, and drug development trends in China, with an attempt to compare her status and achievements with those of the United States, European countries, and Japan.

In this population, influenza B viruses with reduced sensitivity to neuraminidase inhibitors do not arise as frequently as resistant influenza A viruses. However, they appear to be transmitted within communities and families, requiring continued close monitoring.

A thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position is technically safe and feasible and provides better surgeon ergonomics and better operative exposure around the left recurrent laryngeal nerve during an aggressive esophagectomy.

The addition of 5mg/day of oral olanzapine to standard therapy can reduce the frequency of CINV and improve QOL of patients receiving highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy.