Enhanced reliability and time efficiency of deep learning-based posterior tibial slope measurement over manual techniques.

PURPOSE: Multifaceted factors contribute to inferior outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery. A particular focus is placed on the posterior tibial slope (PTS). This study introduces the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) for efficient measurements of tibial slopes on magnetic resonance imaging images as a promising solution. This advancement aims to enhance risk stratification, diagnostic insights, intervention prognosis and surgical planning for ACL injuries. METHODS: Images and demographic information from 120 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction surgery were used for this study. An AI-driven model was developed to measure the posterior lateral tibial slope using the YOLOv8 algorithm. The accuracy of the lateral tibial slope, medial tibial slope and tibial longitudinal axis measurements was assessed, and the results reached high levels of reliability. This study employed machine learning and AI techniques to provide objective, consistent and efficient measurements of tibial slopes on MR images. RESULTS: Three distinct models were developed to derive AI-based measurements. The study results revealed a substantial correlation between the measurements obtained from the AI models and those obtained by the orthopaedic surgeon across three parameters: lateral tibial slope, medial tibial slope and tibial longitudinal axis. Specifically, the Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.673, 0.850 and 0.839, respectively. The Spearman rank correlation coefficients were 0.736, 0.861 and 0.738, respectively. Additionally, the interclass correlation coefficients were 0.63, 0.84 and 0.84, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study establishes that the deep learning-based method for measuring posterior tibial slopes strongly correlates with the evaluations of expert orthopaedic surgeons. The time efficiency and consistency of this technique suggest its utility in clinical practice, promising to enhance workflow, risk assessment and the customization of patient treatment plans. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, cross-sectional diagnostic study.

Association between serum PCSK9 and coronary heart disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is considered a new biomarker for atherosclerosis, but its ability to predict cardiovascular outcomes has been controversial. This study aimed to address the lack of data on PCSK9, coronary heart disease (CHD) severity, and major cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A total of 2984 T2DM patients underwent selective coronary angiography, and their serum PCSK9 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Correlation and logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between PCSK9 expression and CHD severity. This study used Cox regression analysis to assess the association between circulating PCSK9 levels and the risk of MACEs. RESULTS: Circulating PCSK9 levels were significantly higher in the CHD group than in the non-CHD group [554.62 (265.11) ng/mL vs. 496.86 (129.05) ng/mL, p < 0.001]. Circulating PCSK9 levels positively correlated with CHD severity (diseased vessels: r = 0.35, p < 0.001; Gensini score: r = 0.46, p < 0.001). Elevated PCSK9 levels are an independent risk factor for CHD risk and severity (CHD group vs. non-CHD group: OR = 2.829, 95% CI: 1.771-4.520, p < 0.001; three vessel disease group vs. one vessel disease group: OR = 4.800, 95% CI: 2.387-9.652, p < 0.001; high GS group vs. low GS group: OR = 5.534, 95% CI: 2.733-11.208, p < 0.001). Through a six-year follow-up and multivariate Cox regression analysis, elevated circulating PCSK9 levels were found to be independently associated with MACEs in all participants (HR: 3.416, 5% CI: 2.485-4.697, p < 0.001; adjusted HR: 2.780, 95% CI: 1.930-4.004, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum PCSK9 levels were positively correlated with multi-vessel CHD and Gensini score. Elevated circulating PCSK9 levels are an independent risk factor for CHD and increased incidence of MACEs in T2DM.

Fuzheng Nizeng Decoction regulated ferroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the treatment of gastric precancerous lesions: A mechanistic study based on metabolomics coupled with transcriptomics.

Background: Fuzheng Nizeng Decoction (FZNZ) has a history of decades in gastric precancerous lesions (GPL) treatment, which has shown clear clinical efficacy. Blocking GPL is a key measure to reduce the incidence of gastric cancer (GC). Therefore, we aim to investigate the mechanism of FZNZ-induced ferroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in MNNG-induced gastric precancerous lesion (MC) cells, which has been rarely studied in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Methods: First, CCK8 and lactate dehydrogenase assays were conducted to study the potential effect of FZNZ on MC cells. Second, combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis were used to explore the effect and mechanism of FZNZ. Functionally, the occurrence of ferroptosis was assessed by transmission electron microscopy morphological observation and measurement of ferrous iron levels, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione levels. Finally, the expression levels of mRNAs or proteins related to ferroptosis and ER stress were determined by qPCR or western blot assays, respectively. Results: FZNZ inhibited MC cells viability and induced cell death. By metabolomics coupled with transcriptomics analysis, we found that the mechanism of FZNZ treatment induced ferroptosis and was related to glutathione metabolism and ER stress. We then, for the first time, found that FZNZ induced ferroptosis, which contributed to an increase in intracellular ferrous iron, reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde and a decrease in glutathione. Meanwhile, the protein level of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) was decreased. The mRNA levels of ATF3/CHOP/CHAC1, which are related to ferroptosis and ER stress, were also upregulated. Conclusion: Our results elaborate that FZNZ could induce ferroptosis and ER stress in MC cells, and reduce GPX4/GSH. ATF3/CHOP/CHAC1 may play a crosstalk role, which provides a new molecular mechanism for the treatment of GPL.

MicroRNA-421 improves ischemia/reperfusion injury via regulation toll-like receptor 4 pathway.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to investigate the effects of microRNA-421 against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in C57BL/6 mice. METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice (n = 27) were randomly divided into three groups: normal control (NC) group (sham-treated); I/R model group, which underwent the I30min/R24h model (ischemia for 30 minutes followed by reperfusion for 24 hours); and the miRNA group, which were injected with miR-421. Pathology was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and myocardial infarct size was measured by triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. The apoptosis rate was measured by TUNEL assay, and relative expression of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4), Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), and signal transducer and activator of translation 3 (STAT3) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-10, and high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) serum concentrations were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the NC group, in the model group, the myocardial infarction was large; inflammatory cell infiltration was severe; apoptosis was enhanced; expression of TLR4, JAK2, and STAT3 was increased; and serum concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, and HMGB1 were significantly increased. In the miRNA group, the ischemia/reperfusion injury was significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of miRNA-421 could reduce ischemia/reperfusion inflammatory response, perhaps via inactivation of TLR4, JAK2, and STAT3.

Rhynchophylline ameliorates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury through the modulation of mitochondrial mechanisms to mediate myocardial apoptosis.

Rhynchophylline (RP), the primary active ingredient of Uncaria rhynchophylla, has an anti­hypertensive effect and protects against ischemia­induced neuronal damage. The present study aimed to examine the roles and mechanisms of RP in myocardial ischemia­reperfusion (MI/R) injury of rat cardiomyocytes. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cell apoptosis were examined by a Cell Counting Kit­8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. An ELISA was performed to assess the expression of oxidative stress markers. Spectrophotometry was used to detect the degree of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) openness. Western blotting and reverse transcription­ quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays were used to evaluate the associated protein and mRNA expression, respectively. The present results demonstrated that RP increased the cell viability of MI/R­induced cardiomyocytes, and suppressed the MI/R­induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. Additionally, RP modulated the Ca2+ and MMP levels in MI/R­induced cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, RP decreased the oxidative stress and mPTP level of MI/R­induced cardiomyocytes. It was additionally observed that RP affected the apoptosis­associated protein expression and regulated the mitochondrial­associated gene expression in MI/R­induced cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, RP ameliorated MI/R injury through the modulation of mitochondrial mechanisms. The potential effects of RP on the protection of MI/R­induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes suggest that RP may be an effective target for MI/R therapy.

Targeted capture sequencing identifies novel genetic variations in Chinese patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

OBJECTIVES: Previous association studies have identified genetic variants in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex as substantial risk factors for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). However, a great number of genes are located in the HLA region, and thus fine mapping is quite necessary. METHODS: Targeted capture sequencing were performed on the whole HLA region in 42 IIM patients and 24 healthy controls. A microarray analysis was applied to analyze gene expression profiles in additional 20 newly diagnosed IIM and five healthy controls. RESULTS: The HLA region was confirmed to be associated with IIMs in Chinese patients. By gene expression profiling and pathway analysis, several genes were identified as candidates for IIM risk factors, including HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-DRB5, HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DQB2. Interestingly, p.Y107V of the HLA-DRB1 was predicted to be a potential causal non-synonymous variation for IIMs that may affect the antigen-binding groove of the HLA-II molecule. CONCLUSIONS: Our data have revealed novel genetic variations in the HLA region of IIM patients and provide new insight into the pathogenesis and diagnosis of IIMs.

Innovative Perspectives of Integrated Chinese Medicine on H. pylori.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) treatment requires the development of more effective therapies, mainly owing to the challenges posed by the bacterial resistance to antibiotics. In China, critically high infection and antibiotic resistance rates have limited the application of classic H. pylori eradication therapies. Consequently, researchers are attempting to find new solutions by drawing from traditional medicine. This article reviews basic scientific and clinical progress in the use of integrated Chinese and Western medicine (IM) to treat H. pylori; describes the conflicting results between in vivo and in vitro studies in this regard; discusses the observed clinical effects of IM, with emphasis on traditional patent medicines; and proposes a role for IM in both the diagnosis and treatment of H. pylori, including the use of tongue manifestation as an early diagnostic method and capitalizing on IM's direct and indirect methods for enhancing antibiotic effect.

The Antibacterial Activity of Mass Galla Chinesis et Camelliae Fermentata on Helicobacter pylori Infection.

Mass Galla chinesis et camelliae Fermentata (Chinese gall leaven, CGL) was investigated for activities against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) both in vitro and in vivo. The agar dilution method and time-kill curves, as in vitro assays and an in vivo study using a Kunming mice model, were performed. CGL demonstrated a strong anti-Helicobacter pylori activity in vitro with the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against multiple H. pylori strains of 0.5~8 mg/ml and the decreasing trend time-kill curves when increasing CGL concentrations. H. pylori eradication rates in vivo were evaluated based on rapid urease test (RUT) and histopathologic criteria. Results revealed that the eradication rates in the CGL groups were 40% (4/10) in the high dosage group, 33% (4/11) in the medium dosage group, and 18% (2/11) in the low dosage group, with the difference between the high dosage and H. pylori control groups being significant (P = 0.035). The H. pylori colonization scores could be reduced partly by CGL. These in vivo results demonstrated that CGL in a rationally high dosage might be the most effective.

Anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. in vitro and in vivo.

AIM: To investigate the bactericidal effects of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (CAL) against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: For in vitro experiments, the inhibitory activity of CAL was tested using an agar dilution method; H. pylori strain NCTC11637 was incubated on Columbia blood agar plates containing serial concentrations of CAL. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the absence of H. pylori colonies on the agar plate. Time-kill curves were used to evaluate bactericidal activity; the average number of colonies was calculated at 0, 2, 8 and 24 h after liquid incubation with concentrations of CAL at 0.5, 1, and 2 × MIC. For in vivo experiments, H. pylori-infected mice were randomly divided into CAL, triple therapy (lansoprazole, metronidazole, and clarithromycin), blank control, or H. pylori control groups. The eradication ratios were determined by positive findings from rapid urease tests (RUTs) and by histopathology. RESULTS: In vitro, the MIC of CAL against H. pylori was 16 mg/L. The time-kill curves showed a stable and persistent decreasing tendency with increasing CAL concentration, and the intensity of the bactericidal effect was proportional to dose; the 1 and 2 × MIC completely inhibited the growth of H. pylori at 24 h. In vivo, the eradication ratios in the CAL group were 60% (6/10) by RUT and 50% (5/10) by histopathology. Ratios in the triple therapy group were both 70% (7/10), and there was no difference between the CAL and triple therapy groups. Histopathologic evaluation revealed massive bacterial colonization on the surface of gastric mucosa and slight infiltration of mononuclear cells after inoculation with H. pylori, but no obvious inflammation or other pathologic changes in gastric mucosa of mice from CAL and triple therapy groups. CONCLUSION: CAL demonstrates effective bactericidal activity against H. pylori both in vitro and in vivo.

Association of an Exon SNP of SLC2A9 Gene with Hyperuricemia Complicated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the Chinese Male Han Population.

Several recent genome-wide association studies and following studies have identified that genetic variants of SLC2A9 are associated with hyperuricemia (HUA) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Here, we set to investigate whether the exon 9 of SLC2A9 gene variations is associated with HUA complicated with Type 2 DM (T2DM) in the Chinese male Han population. The present study was designed to study rs2280205 polymorphism in exon 9 of SLC2A9 in 232 Chinese male subjects. Rs2280205 locus was genotyped in 52 T2DM subjects, 65 HUA subjects, 55 subjects with HUA complicated with T2DM, as well as 60 control subjects in this study. DNA from peripheral blood was purified and amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were then digested by restriction enzyme MSPI, and part of PCR products was sequenced and analyzed. There was no significant difference in the levels of cholesterol, creatinine, and urea nitrogen between the Control Group and the HUA group. There was also no significant difference in levels of cholesterol between the DM group and Control Group. No significant difference in cholesterol and uric acid was observed between the HUA group and the HUA accompanied with DM group (P > 0.05). However, there was no statistical significance in the genotype frequency in these groups (P > 0.01). Results of the present study suggest that the exon 9 of SLC2A9 gene 109C/T polymorphism is not associated with HUA and diabetes in population living in the coastal area of Shandong province, China.

[Involvement of sympathetic nervous system in the pathogenesis of hypertension].

Sustained activation of sympathetic nervous system in response to stimulation of a wide variety of stress factors is an independent risk factor for the development of essential hypertension. Adrenal hormone biosynthesis pathway as an important part of the sympathetic nervous system consists of hormones, neurotransmitters, receptors, and a variety of synthases and invertases. In this article, we have systematically reviewed research progresses made in elucidating the interactions between genes of the adrenal hormone biosynthesis pathway and stress factors in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension.

In vitro bactericidal activity of Jinghua Weikang Capsule and its individual herb Chenopodium ambrosioides L. against antibiotic-resistant Helicobacter pylori.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the bactericidal effects of Jinghua Weikang Capsule and its major component Chenopodium ambrosioides L. on antibiotic-resistant Helicobacter pylori. METHODS: Four clinical antibiotic-resistant H. pylori strains were isolated and incubated in liquid medium containing Jinghua Weikang Capsule or Chenopodium ambrosioides L. By means of time-kill curve method, the average colony counts and bactericidal rate were calculated at time points of 0, 4, 8 and 24 h after the incubation and the time-kill curves were charted. RESULTS: Both Jinghua Weikang Capsule and Chenopodium ambrosioides L. at a concentration of 0.64 g/L showed obvious bactericidal effect against antibiotic-resistant H. pylori after 4 h of incubation. CONCLUSION: Jinghua Weikang Capsule and Chenopodium ambrosioides L. are considered to be active against antibiotic-resistant H. pylori in vitro.

[Jinghuaweikang gelatin pearls plus proton pump inhibitor-based triple regimen in the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis with Helicobacter pylori infection: a multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical study].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of Jinghuaweikang gelatin pearls plus proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple regimen in the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) patients with Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection. METHODS: For this multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical study, 90 patients of endoscopically confirmed CAG with positive H.pylori ((13)C or (14)C-urea breath test (UBT) or rapid urease test) were enrolled. There were 46 males and 44 females with an age range of (54 ± 10) years. None of them had H.pylori eradication background. They were randomly divided into 2 groups, Group LACJ (n = 45) received lansoprazole 30 mg+amoxicillin 1000 mg+clarithromycin 500 mg + jinghuaweikang gelatin pearls 240 mg, twice daily, for 10 days (d1-10) plus another 14 days (d11-24) only with jinghuaweikang gelatin pearls 240 mg, twice daily. Group LACB (n = 45) had standard quadruple regimen treatment: lansoprazole 30 mg+amoxicillin 1000 mg+clarithromycin 500 mg+bismuth potassium citrate 220 mg, twice daily for 10 days (d1-10). The status of H.pylori was detected by (13)C-UBT at least 28 days after therapy. RESULTS: The eradication rates in Groups LACJ and LACB were as follows: per-protocol (PP): 70.5% (31/44) and 83.3% (35/42), intention-to-treat (ITT): 68.9% (31/45) and 77.8% (35/45) (both P > 0.05). The symptomatic improvements of bloating in upper abdomen, belching and epigastric pain after treatment in both groups. And those in Group LACJ was higher than those of Group LACB, but no statistical difference existed between two groups (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of LACJ for the treatment of CAG patients with H.pylori infection is similar to LACB. And the symptomatic improvement of patients is better than LACB.

[Jinghuaweikang capsules combined with triple therapy in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis and duodenal ulcer and analysis of antibiotic resistance: a multicenter, randomized, controlled, clinical study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy of Jinghuaweikang capsules plus triple therapy (LACJ) in treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) associated gastritis or duodenal ulcer, compare it with bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (LACB) and standard triple therapy (LAC) and analyze the antibiotic sensitivity of gastric mucosal H. pylori strains from the failed patients. METHODS: A total of 565 patients with H. pylori infection were recruited from 11 hospitals from January 2010 to June 2011. There were 336 males and 229 females. They underwent gastroendoscopy examination due to upper gastrointestinal symptoms and had never received H. pylori eradication therapies. Duodenal ulcer patients were divided randomly into LACJ therapy group, LACB therapy group and LAC therapy group while gastritis patients LACJ therapy group and LACB therapy group. Group LAC received lansoprazole 30 mg + amoxicillin 1000 mg + clarithromycin 500 mg, twice a day, for 7 d (d1-7). Group LACJ: LAC therapy plus Jinghuaweikang, 3 capsules, twice a day, for 7 d (d1-7) then Jinghuaweikang, 3 capsules, twice a day, for 14 d (d8-21). Group LACB: LAC plus bismuth potassium citrate 220 mg, twice a day, for 7 d (d1-7) and then bismuth potassium citrate 220 mg, twice a day, for 14 d (d8-21). All duodenal ulcer patients received lansoprazole (30 mg, once a day) for 14 days after the first 7-day of treatment (d 8-21). At least 28 days after the end of treatment, all patients underwent (13)C urea breath test. Gastric mucosa was collected under endoscopy from the failed patients. The detection technique of gene chip was employed to detect antibiotics resistant gene from mucosa. RESULTS: The eradication rates of duodenal ulcer patients in groups LACJ, LACB and LAC were as follows: per-protocol (PP), 80.2% (77/96), 89.9% (89/99) and 72.2% (70/97) (P = 0.007), intention-to-treat (ITT), 78.6% (77/98), 88.1% (89/101) and 70.0% (70/100) (P = 0.007). No statistical differences existed between groups LACJ and LACB or LAC (all P > 0.05). But there were statistical differences between groups LACB and LAC (both P = 0.002). The eradication rates of PP and ITT of chronic gastritis patients in groups LACJ and LACB were as follows: 75.8% (97/128), 74.6% (97/130) vs 83.8% (109/130), 80.1% (109/136) (both P > 0.05). The symptomatic improvements of abdominal pain, burning and acid reflux of duodenal ulcer patients in group LACJ were higher than those in groups LACB and LAC. There were statistical differences between groups LACJ and LAC (all P < 0.05). The symptomatic improvements of bloating and belching for chronic gastritis patients in group LACJ were higher than those of group LACB. But no significant difference existed between two groups (all P > 0.05). Sixty samples of gastric mucosa were collected from the failed patients. The detection rates of antibiotic-resistant gene to clarithromycin and amoxicillin were 60.0% (36/36) and 18.3% (11/60) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of LACJ for the treatment of H. pylori infection patients is similar to LACB and superior to LAC. And the symptomatic improvement of patients is better than the other two regimens. The main cause of treatment failure is antibiotic resistance of H. pylori strains.

Follow-up of patients with multidrug resistant tuberculosis four years after standardized first-line drug treatment.

BACKGROUND: In 2004, an anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug resistance survey in Heilongjiang province, China, enrolled 1574 (79%) new and 421 (21%) retreatment patients. Multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB was detected in 7.2% of new and 30.4% of retreatment patients. All received treatment with standardized first-line drug (FLD) regimens. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We report treatment outcomes of the 2004 cohort, and long-term outcomes as assessed in the second half of 2008. The reported cure rate for MDR-TB patients was 83% (94/113) among new and 66% (85/128) among retreatment patients (P<0.001). Ten of the 241 MDR-TB patients died during treatment. Of the remaining 231, 129 (56%) could be traced in 2008. The overall recurrence rates among new and retreatment cases were 46% and 66%, respectively (P = 0.03). The overall death rates among new and retreatment cases were 25% and 46%, respectively (P = 0.02). Forty percent of the traced new cases and 24% of the retreatment cases were alive and without recurrent TB (P = 0.01). Of the 16 patients who failed or defaulted from treatment in 2004, only two patients were not re-diagnosed with TB by 2008. Of the 111 (86%) patients with an initial successful treatment outcome 63 (57%) had developed recurrent TB, 40 (36%) had died, 27 (24%) of them died of TB. The follow-up period of four years precluded follow-up of all patients. In a highly conservative sensitivity analysis in which we assumed that all non-included patients were alive and did not have recurrent TB, the recurrence and death rate were 33% and 21%. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Documentation of cure based on conventional smear microscopy was a poor predictor of long term outcomes. MDR-TB patients in Heilongjiang province in China had high recurrence and death rates four years after treatment with standardized FLD regimens, reinforcing the need for early diagnosis and treatment of MDR-TB, including assessment of treatment outcomes with more sensitive laboratory methods.

Treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by Qianggan Capsule.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect and safety of Qianggan Capsule (QGC) in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), using polyene phosphatidylcholine capsule (PPC) as a reference. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with NAFLD were randomly assigned to two groups, 45 in the treatment group treated with QGC and 43 in the control group treated with PPC. The course of treatment lasted for 6 months. Changes in liver function, blood lipids, and iconographic indexes before and after treatment were observed, and clinical efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: In the treatment group, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was lowered significantly from 56.02 + or - 32.59 IU/L before treatment to 38.27 + or - 22.68 IU/L after treatment, and CT liver/spleen ratio significantly increased from 0.69 + or - 0.18 to 0.91 + or - 0.25, showing statistical significance (P<0.05); in contrast, the corresponding changes of the two indexes in the control group were 56.56 + or - 26.33 IU/L to 49.67 + or - 26.22 IU/L, and 0.66 + or - 0.20 to 0.75 + or - 0.24, respectively, the pre-post treatment difference showing insignificant difference (P>0.05). No severe adverse reactions occurred during the whole treatment course. CONCLUSION: QGC is an effective and safe remedy for the treatment of NAFLD.

Anti-hepatitis B virus X protein in sera is one of the markers of development of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer mediated by HBV.

Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) plays a crucial role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the significance of circulating antibody to hepatitis B virus X antigen (anti-HBx) in sera remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the titers of anti-HBx (IgG) in the sera from 173 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 106 liver cirrhosis (LC), and 61 HCC by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Our data showed that the positive rates of anti-HBx were higher in sera of LC (40.6%) and HCC (34.4%) than those of CHB (10.4%), P < .05. In all 40 patients with anti-HBx+ out of 340 patients, 39 (97.5%) were HBsAg/HBeAg/anti-HBc+ and 1 (2.5%) was anti-HBs+ (P < .01), suggesting that anti-HBx in sera is a marker of HBV replication rather than a protective antibody. Thus, our findings reveal that circulating anti-HBx in sera is one of the markers of development of LC and HCC mediated by HBV.

Identification of a natural mutant of HBV X protein truncated 27 amino acids at the COOH terminal and its effect on liver cell proliferation.

AIM: To identify mutants of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) X (HBx) gene and investigate the effect of the natural mutant on liver cell proliferation. METHODS: We identified natural mutants of the HBx gene from 188 sera and 48 tissues of Chinese patients infected with HBV by PCR, respectively. Based on the identification of the mutants of HBx gene, we cloned the fragments of the mutants into the pcDNA3 vector. The biological activities of the mutants were investigated. RESULTS: We identified a natural mutant of the HBx gene with deletion from 382 to 401 base pairs from 3 sera out of 188 patients, which resulted in the expression deletion of the HBx protein from the 128th amino acid at the COOH terminal. The similar mutant with deletion from 382 base pair at the COOH terminal was identified from 5 cases of genomes out of 48 hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. Regarding the biological activities of the mutant, we found that the mutant of the HBx protein failed to induce apoptosis by transient transfection, but promoted proliferation of human liver immortalized L-O2 cells by stable transfection, compared with the wild-type HBx protein. The data showed that the proliferation of the mutant stably-transfected L-O2-X-Sera cells and fragment stably-transfected L-O2-XDelta127 cells was enhanced by the BrdU incorporation assay and flow cytometry analysis. Luciferase reporter gene assay showed that the transcriptional activities of NF-kappaB, survivin, and human telomerase reverse transcriptase were upregulated, and Western blot analysis revealed that the expression levels of c-Myc and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were upregulated in the cells. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the natural HBx mutant truncated 27 amino acids at the COOH terminal promotes cell proliferation.

[Bioaccumulation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in carp].

Analysis method for TiO2 nanoparticles in water and fish samples was set up using ICP-AES after dissolved by solution of sulphuric acid and ammonium sulphate. Meanwhile bioaccumulation of TiO2 nanoparticles was assessed by tests exposing carp (Cyprinus carpio)to TiO2 nanoparticles suspensions. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for water sample of 20.0 mg/L TiO2 is 4.53%, and the recoveries of TiO2 nanoparticles in water and fish samples are raging from 94% - 104% and 90% - 103%, which could ensure accurate measurement of TiO2 nanoparticles. TiO2 nanoparticles have a significant bioaccumulation by the carp, and TiO2 nanoparticles concentrations in carp exposed to 3 mg/L and 10 mg/L TiO2 nanoparticles suspensions for 25 days are 2.1 mg/g and 5.8 mg/g respectively, and the BCF values at equilibrium are 675.5 and 595.4 respectively. Significant As and TiO2 accumulation occurs in viscus and gills of fish, while bioaccumulation of TiO2 nanoparticles in muscle is relative small.

Effect of ZnFe2O4 doping on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2.

The photocatalytic oxidation of the organic pollutants with the TiO2 as photocatalyst has been widely studied in the world, and many achievements have been got. The degradation of pollutants is highly related with the photocatalytic activity of TiO2. It is demonstrated that doping ions or oxides to TiO2 is one way to enhance the photocatalytic activity of TiO2. In this paper, the ZnFe2O4-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared from butyl titanate by a sol-gel method and characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that when TiO2 was doped with ZnFe2O4, its particle size will decrease and its crystal structure will partly transform from anatase to rutile. The photocatalytic activity of the elaborated powders was studied following the degradation of Rhodamine B. The results showed that doping ZnFe2O4 to TiO2 will enhance the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 and that ZnFe2O4-doped TiO2 in the coexistence of anatase and rutile has higher efficiency for the degradation of Rhodamine B than that in the anatase phase alone. Also the different role of O2 in the direct photolysis and photocatalysis of Rhodamine B was discussed.