'It is a good morning exercise for a research scientist to discard a pet hypothesis every day before breakfast: it keeps him young' (Konrad Lorenz, 1903-1989).

摘要

There is a widely recognized consensus that a publication bias exists, which makes it difficult or impossible to publish negative results; this despite the fact that critical negative observations are as important for bio-medicine as positive ones. Therefore, it is particularly refreshing that Popov et al report an interesting, if negative, study further denning the role (or lack of a role) of tissue transglutaminase (TG2) in experimental liver fibro-sis. It is hoped that this will reignite a vigorous discussion on the mechanisms rendering liver fibrosis irreversible.