[Epidemiological characteristics of incident cases and risk factors of hepatitis C infection in Beijing City from 2004 to 2021].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and related factors of hepatitis C in Beijing City from 2004 to 2021. Methods: Descriptive epidemiological method and Joinpoint regression were used to analyze the trend and other epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis C in Beijing City from 2004 to 2021 in National Notifiable Disease Reporting System. According to a 1∶1 matched case-control study design, logistic regression was used to investigate the risk factors of hepatitis C infection in 2021. Results: From 2004 to 2021, the reported incidence of hepatitis C in Beijing City ranged from 2.37/100 000 to 10.46/100 000. The reported cases were mainly aged 30-60 years, and most of them were chronic. The reported incidence of hepatitis C showed an initial increase from 2004 to 2006 (APC=45.37%, 95%CI:-1.56%-114.69%), and declined after 2006 (APC=-9.21%, 95%CI:-10.70%-7.70%). Logistic analysis showed that history of surgery (OR=1.84, 95%CI: 1.08-3.14) and previous blood transfusion (OR=34.22, 95%CI: 8.05-145.41) were risk factors for hepatitis C infection. Conclusion: The reported incidence of hepatitis C in Beijing City increases first and decreases later. It currently remains at a low level. The risk factors of infection are surgery and blood transfusion history. Safe blood supply and preventing iatrogenic transmission should be focused on the prevention of hepatitis C transmission.

[Studies on sexual and childbearing-related stigma against chronic hepatitis B patients in four provinces in China].

Objective: This study intended to explore the current sexual and childbearing stigma, experienced by chronic hepatitis B patients in China, and to develop related preventive strategies. Methods: We used a self-made questionnaire to investigate the sexual and childbearing stigma suffered by chronic hepatitis B patients in four provinces of China. Analysis of variance and chi-square test were used to compare the differences on sexual and childbearing stigma indexes between different demographic variables. Results: We surveyed 797 chronic hepatitis B patients in four provinces. Among them, 4.15% (28/675) of the patients were persuaded not to give birth to children, and 4.67% (10/210) of patients were told to stop pregnancy, by their medical care takers or by members from the family planning institutions. 3.62% (25/690) and 3.48% (24/690) of the patients were not able to enjoy the family planning or reproductive health services as they were stigmatized,suffered, as having HBV infection. Among the male chronic hepatitis B patients, the under 30 years group suffered less sexual and childbearing stigma than those who were aged 31- (P=0.011) or 51 and above year-olds (P=0.009). Among female chronic hepatitis B patients, the 31- year-olds group suffered less sexual and childbearing stigma than those under 30 years group but higher than those aged 41- (P=0.001) or 51 and above ones (P<0.001). Patients with knowledge on route of sexual transmission for HBV, were more likely to practice less related sexual behaviors than those without such knowledge (P=0.022). Patients who were aware or not that condoms could reduce the risk of HBV infection did not show statistically significant difference on sex behaviors (P=0.612). Conclusions: Chronic hepatitis B patients did suffer from sexual and childbearing related stigma, with women aged 31-40 years old the most. It is necessary to advocate on the advantage of condom use for prevention of HBV transmission among pregnant women, both horizontally and vertically. Strategies on protection the rights of patients with hepatitis B should be developed and strengthened.

[A typical investigation on the status of diagnosis and reporting of hepatitis B inpatients in non-surveillance hospitals in three provinces in China, 2015].

Objective: To review the consistency of diagnosis and reporting of hepatitis B (HB) patient in non-surveillance hospitals in three provinces and analyze the influencing factors. Methods: In 2016, using typical survey methods, we carried out a hospital-based pilot study in three provinces: Fujian, Hainan and Gansu. In each province, we chose two hospitals with grade 3 and grade 2 respectively in each province, using the following criteria: (1) in 2015, the hospital reported a greater number of hepatitis B cases compared the hospital-based provincial mean; (2) the hospital had an advanced laboratory information system (LIS) with access to HBsAg test results; (3) the hospital had an electronic hospital information system (HIS) which linked to the LIS via the inpatient medical record number; (4) general hospital; (5) non-surveillance hospitals for hepatitis B. Using national notifiable infectious disease reporting system (NNDRS), we chose all HB patients who were reported by the investigated hospitals in 2015, and we linked NNDRS HBV case-reports with patient-data from hospital information systems (HIS) to review the diagnosis, and then to compare the consistency of reviewed diagnosis and NNDRS report diagnosis, which we made a descriptive analysis. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine factors associated with misclassification of case-reports to NNDRS. Results: We found the NNDRS report accuracy was 47.11% (669) among 1 420 eligible inpatient hepatitis B inpatients. Of the 352 reported acute HBV cases, 6.53% (23) were consistent with our medical record review, the accuracy rate for level 2 hospitals and level 3 hospitals was 9.42% (21) and 1.55% (2), respectively. Of the1 068 reported chronic HBV cases, 60.49% (646) were consistent with our medical record review, the accuracy rate for level 2 hospitals and level 3 hospitals was 57.92% (106) and 60.02% (540), respectively. Compared to primary diagnosis of HB patients, the OR(95%CI) for mis-report was 29.36 (19.21-44.76) in non-primary diagnosis of HB patients. Compared to Fujian Province, the mis-report risk was higher in Hainan province and Gansu Province, with the values of OR (95%CI) being 2.33 (1.58-3.44) and 20.38 (11.29-36.78), respectively; compared to level 3 hospitals, the OR (95%CI) for mis-report was 2.38 (1.66-3.42) for level 2 hospitals; compared to HB related wards, the OR (95%CI) for mis-report was 1.45 (1.04-2.01) in non-HB-related wards. Conclusion: In some non-surveillance areas of China, the consistency between hepatitis B diagnosed in hospital and reported in NNDRS was low. Factors affecting the accuracy of HB surveillance data in NNDRS were level 2 hospitals, non-liver disease departments and nonprimary diagnosis of HB.

[The risk of hepatitis B virus infection in people with diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis].

Objective: To evaluate the relevance of diabetes mellitus and hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection in people by Meta-analysis. Methods: Databases we searched included CNKI, VIP China Science and Technology Journal Database, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science Core Collection database. Publication time was from January 1997 to May 2017. The Languages were limited to Chinese and English. English search terms include: diabetes, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis B and risk. Chinese search terms include: diabetes mellitus, hepatitis B and risk. We included all observational studies on diabetes and HBV infection. Firstly, the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the evaluation criteria of Cross-sectional study recommended by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality were used to evaluate the quality of articles. Secondly, RevMan 5.3 software was used for heterogeneity testing. Subgroup analysis, random effects model and Mantel-Haenszel method were used to calculate the combined OR value. Finally, Stata 14.0 software was used to conduct the sensitivity analysis, and Begg rank correlation method was used to detect the publication bias. Results: A total of 12 studies were included, comprising 6 cross-sectional studies and 6 case-control studies. But the 12 articles were heterogeneous (χ(2)=42.10, P<0.001). After subgroup analysis, cross-sectional studies of diabetes and HBV infection were still heterogeneous (χ(2)=28.21, P<0.001), whose combined odds ratio (OR) was 1.36 (95%CI: 1.03-1.80). But the heterogeneity of case-control studies was not statistically significant (χ(2)=10.32, P=0.070), whose combined odds ratio (OR) was 1.55 (95%CI: 1.10-2.17). After the sensitivity analysis, the 95%CI of the combined OR of the 7 studies did not fluctuate, and the lower limit was above 1.07. No publication bias was detected in the cross-sectional study subgroup (Z=1.35, P=0.176) and the case-control study subgroup (Z=1.69, P=0.091). Conclusion: Patients with diabetes are more likely to be infected with HBV than those without diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is likely to be a risk factor for HBV infection.

[Evaluation of training course of hepatic disease in grass roots clinical hepatic physicians in some poverty-stricken counties in Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces].

Objective: To understand the awareness of hepatic disease related knowledge among hepatic physicians in poverty-stricken counties in China, assess the effectiveness of training and provide a reference for the training in the future. Methods: The training was conducted in 90 clinical hepatic physicians selected from county hospitals in poverty-stricken counties (or cities) in Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces. An examination was conducted before the training, immediately after the training and at 5(th) month after the training, respectively. One-way analysis of variance and χ(2) test were conducted to evaluate the score and the correct rate. Results: The knowledge score was (42.96±14.02) before the training, (62.86±13.28) immediately after the training and (59.03±17.92) at 5(t)h month after the training, and the differences were significant. After the training, the awareness of all aspects of related knowledge was improved, the difference was significant compared to knowledge score before training, and at 5(th) month after the training, the difference was still significant. Conclusion: After the training, the awareness of liver disease related knowledge of clinical hepatic physicians in poverty-stricken counties (cities) in Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces was improved, and the improvement could be maintained for nearly half a year.

[Epidemiological analysis of viral hepatitis A in China, 2004-2015].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis A cases in China from 2004 to 2015. Methods: Data of hepatitis A were reported through national notifiable disease information reporting system, which covered the 31 provinces (Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan excluded). The inclusion criteria was: date of illness onset was between January 1(st) 2004 and December 31(st) 2015, the status of reported card was confirmed, the case was classified as laboratory confirmed or clinical diagnosed, the disease was Hepatitis A. The information such as sex, date of birth, date of illness onset, place of residence was collected. The data was divided into three phases, 2004-2007, 2008-2011, 2012-2015, which represented the phase before expanded program on immunization (EPI), first 4 years after EPI, second 4 years after EPI. Results: From 2004 to 2015, there were totally 574 697 hepatitis A cases in China, the mean annual incidence was 3.62/100 000. The risk ratio of hepatitis A in 2015 was 0.23 when compared with 2004. Sichuan, Xinjiang and Yunnan contributed to 27.27% of the total cases in China. In 2012-2015, the incidence of western (3.46/100 000) region was significantly higher than that in central (1.21/100 000) and eastern (1.08/100 000) regions. From 2004-2015, number of cases in each age group declined greatly, with number of cases declining from 43 711 to 5 938 in the age group of 5-9 years, from 29 722 to 3 438 in 10-14, from 23 212 to 3 646 in 15-19. The number of cases declined from 24 079 to 10 304 in the age group of 0-4 (declined by 57.21%), but in 2012-2015, the incidence of 0-4 age group was still the highest, with 77.72% cases in Xinjiang and Sichuan. Famers, students and scattered children accounted for 69.95% of total cases, with student cases declined from 24.08% (2004-2007) to 8.67% (2012-2015). Conclusion: The incidence of hepatitis A in China is decreasing year by year, the risk has been decreasing to a relatively low level. However, in western regions and children under age five, the risk is still high. Precision intervention is needed for further prevention and control of hepatitis A.

[Comparative analyze on hepatitis B seroepidemiological surveys among population aged 1-29 years in different epidemic regions of China in 1992 and 2014].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of hepatitis B prevention and control by comparative analysis on the results of HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc prevalence from national hepatitis B seroepidemiological surveys in 1992 and 2014 in different epidemic regions of China. Methods: Data was from the national seroepidemiological surveys of hepatitis B conducted in 1992 and 2014. The survey in 1992 was conducted in 145 disease surveillance points of 30 provinces (excluding Hong Kong, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan province) in China. The survey in 2016 was conducted in 160 disease surveillance points of 31 provinces (excluding Hong Kong, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan province) in China. In the two surveys, face-to-face interviews with the subject by door to door or on the investigation site were conducted by trained staff using standard questionnaires to obtain basic information including birth date, gender, ethnicity, resident place and so on. And then 5 ml venous blood was collected to test the sero-markers of HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc. We analyzed unweighted point prevalence and 95% CI of HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc in 1992 which had no design weighting, and analyzed weighted point prevalence and 95%CI of HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc in 2014 which had design weighting. Results: 34 291 and 31 713 people aged 1-29 years were involved in 1992 and 2014 national serosurveys of China, respectively. For the people aged 1-29 years, HBsAg prevalence was 2.64% (95%CI: 2.28%-3.06%) in 2014 and decreased by 73.92% as compared with the rate 10.13% (95% CI: 9.81%-10.45%) in 1992. Anti-HBc prevalence was 13.01% (95%CI: 12.09%-14.00%) in 2014 and decreased by 71.61% as compared with the rate 45.84% (95% CI: 45.31%-46.37%) in 1992. Anti-HBs prevalence was 57.79% (95%CI: 56.33%-59.25%) in 2014 and ascended by 127.41% as compared with the rate 25.41% (95% CI: 24.95%-25.87%) in 1992. In high, medium and low epidemic region, for the people who born during 1992-2001 when hepatitis B vaccine was introduced in routine immunization management, HBsAg prevalence was 4.74% (95%CI: 3.79%-5.69%), 1.59% (95%CI: 1.09%-2.10%) and 2.53% (95%CI: 1.66%-3.39%), respectively, and anti-HBs prevalence was 64.25% (95% CI: 62.11%-66.39%), 56.34% (95% CI: 54.50%-58.57%), 54.49% (95%CI: 51.75%-57.23%), respectively, and anti-HBc prevalence was 15.16% (95%CI: 13.56%-16.76%), 11.07% (95%CI: 9.80%-12.33%), 7.61% (95%CI: 6.15%-9.07%), respectively. In high, medium and low epidemic region, for the people who born during 2002-2013 the duration which hepatitis B vaccine was integrated in expanded immunization program born during when HBsAg prevalence was 0.88% (95%CI: 0.66%-1.11%), 0.37% (95%CI: 0.24%-0.49%)and 0.71% (95%CI: 0.48%-0.94%), respectively, and anti-HBs prevalence was 60.74% (95%CI: 59.57%-61.90%), 59.46% (95%CI: 58.44%-60.49%), 52.56% (95% CI: 51.20%-53.92%), respectively, and anti-HBc prevalence was 3.30% (95% CI: 2.87%-3.72%), 1.91% (95%CI: 1.63%-2.20%), 2.25% (95%CI: 1.85%-2.66%), respectively. Conclusion: China had made great achievement in hepatitis B prevention and control. HBsAg prevalence among people aged 1-29 years old in 2014 decreased dramatically as compared with that in 1992. Since hepatitis B vaccine was integrated into expanded immunization program, China reduced HBsAg prevalence to less than 1% among people aged 1-12 years in 2014 in different epidemic region.

Effects of miR-27a upregulation on thyroid cancer cells migration, invasion, and angiogenesis.

Thyroid cancer is the most common type of endocrine tumor. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in a variety of diseases, especially cancer occurrence and progression. However, the specific mechanism by which miRNAs trigger disease states has not been fully elucidated. This study aims to investigate the role of miR-27a in thyroid cancer cells. A wound healing assay was adopted to examine cell migration. A transwell assay was applied to assess cell invasion. A thyroid cancer xenograft model was established using BALB/c nude mice. Western blot was performed to quantify iNOS expression. Tumor tissue blood vessel density was evaluated via immunohistochemistry assays. The results indicated that miR-27a downregulation inhibited thyroid cancer cell migration, while upregulation of miR-27a promoted thyroid cancer cell migration (P < 0.05). Furthermore, reduction in miR-27a expression suppressed thyroid cancer cell invasion (P < 0.05). In the nude mouse model of thyroid cancer xenograft, upregulation of miR-27 induced iNOS expression in pathological tumor tissues, whereas miR-27a inhibition resulted in the opposite effect (P < 0.05). CD105 level was also significantly increased during miR-27a upregulation, and was declined when miR-27a was inhibited (P < 0.05). In conclusion, miR-27a upregulation in thyroid cancer cells affects tumor cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis by targeting downstream genes. Therefore, miR27a may act as a biomarker of thyroid cancer.

Neuroprotective effect of grafting GDNF gene-modified neural stem cells on cerebral ischemia in rats.

Previous studies indicated the beneficial effects of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and transplanted neural stem cells (NSCs) on stroke. Here, we explored whether transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) modified by GDNF gene provides a better therapeutic effect than native NSCs after stroke. Primary rat NSCs were transfected with GDNF plasmid (GDNF/NSCs, labeled by green fluorescent protein from AdEasy-1, GFP). Adult rats were subjected to two-hour middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion, followed by infusion of NSCs (labeled with5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine before infusion, BrdU), GDNF/NSCs and saline at 3 days after reperfusion (NSCs group, GDNF/NSCs group, control group), respectively. All rats were sacrificed at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 weeks after reperfusion. Modified Neurological Severity Scores (mNSS) test and H and E staining were respectively performed to evaluate neurological function and lesion volume. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify implanted cells and observe the expressions of Synaptophysin (Syp) and postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) and caspase-3. TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was employed to observe apoptotic cells. Western blotting was used to detect brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and NT-3 protein expression. Significant recovery of mNSS was found in GDNF/NSCs rats at 2 and 3 weeks after reperfusion compared with NSCs rats. Lesion volume in the NSCs and GDNF/NSCs groups was reduced significantly compared with control group. The number of NSCs in the GDNF/NSCs group was significantly increased in comparison with NSCs group. Moreover, Syp-immunoreactive product at 2 and 3 weeks after reperfusion and PSD-95 immunoreactive product in the GDNF/NSCs group were significantly increased compared with NSCs group. In contrast, caspase-3 positive cells and TUNEL-positive cells in the GDNF/NSCs group were significantly decreased compared with NSCs group. Significant increase of BDNF protein in the GDNF/NSCs and NSCs groups was observed compared to the control group at different time points of reperfusion, and GDNF/NSCs grafting significantly increased BDNF protein expression compared to NSCs grafting. In addition, significant increase of NT-3 protein in GDNF/NSCs and NSCs groups was detected only at 1 week of reperfusion compared to control group. The results demonstrate that grafting NSCs modified by GDNF gene provides better neuroprotection for stroke than NSCs grafting alone.

Neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on transient cerebral ischemia in rats.

Previous experiments showed that ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) reduced infarct and neuronal deficit in rats followed by transient cerebral ischemia. The mechanism of this neuroprotective function is unclear. Here, we tested whether the effect of GRb1 can be achieved through preventing ischemic neuronal death, modulating apoptotic-related genes and affecting glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) expression in rats subjected to occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. When GRb1(40 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered immediately after reperfusion, the apoptotic cells in the GRb1 group were decreased significantly from 12 to 72 h of reperfusion compared to the ischemia group by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling. Immunostaining and Western blotting analysis showed that the expression of GDNF from 3 to 120 h of the GRb1 group was significantly increased compared to the ischemia group, and GDNF expression peaked at 48 h after reperfusion. The enhanced GDNF mRNA in the GRb1 group was not detected by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization compared to the ischemia group, but GDNF mRNA at 48 h after reperfusion was strongly increased in both the ischemia and GRb1 group when compared to other time points. The number of bcl-2-positive cells was significantly increased from 12 to 120 h of reperfusion compared to the ischemia group. However, the number of bax-positive cells in the GRb1 group was significantly declined compared to the ischemia group. In the GRb1 group, the number of neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein-positive cells from 12 to 120 h after reperfusion was evidently higher than that in the ischemia group. Therefore, ginsenoside Rb1 prevents ischemic neuronal death induced by transient cerebral ischemia, and this mechanism of which is related to increase the expression of the antiapoptotic genes and modulate the expression of GDNF.

[Effect of naomaitong on basilar artery rings and portal vein strips].

Both Naomaitong and single salvia miltiorrhiza inhibit the contraction of rabbit basilar artery rings evoked by CaCl2 and KC1 and have nonspecific antagonism against the quantity effect curve of CaCl2. Naomaitong and single salvia miltiorrhiza also inhibit the contraction of rabbit basilar artery rings evoked by KC1. Clearly the inhibitory function of the former is greater than that of the latter. But on the myogenic activity of portal vein strips in rats Naomaitong has light inhibitive effect while salvia miltiorrhiza has not.