[Geochemical Background and Baseline Value of Soil Chemical Elements in Hebei Province].

Geochemical background and baseline values are important parameters for understanding the geochemical characteristics of soil elements, but the research degree of these two parameters is lacking in Hebei Province. Therefore, data from the multi-purpose regional geochemical survey and land quality geochemical assessment in Hebei Province from 2004 to 2018 were collected, covering approximately 71% of the land area of the whole province. Based on the data of surface soil and deep soil, scientific and robust methods including median value and median absolute deviation were used to calculate the geochemical background values, geochemical baseline values, as well as variation ranges of 54 indexes (Ag, Al2O3, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, CaO, Cd, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe2O3, Ga, Ge, Hg, I, K2O, La, Li, MgO, Mn, Mo, N, Na2O, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, pH, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, SiO2, Sn, Sr, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Y, Zn, Zr, total carbon (TC), and organic carbon (Corg)) in Hebei Province and 11 prefecture-level cities. The change rate in geochemical background for each index was also calculated. The results showed that the geochemical background and baseline values of most soil chemical elements in Hebei Province were lower than those nationwide, but the values of Ba, Br, Cl, MgO, Na2O, P, pH, S, Sr, and TC were higher, with CaO being the highest. Compared with those in north China, there was no significant difference in the geochemical background and baseline values for the 54 indexes, with the ratios of 0.83-1.17 and 0.79-1.19, respectively. Significant changes in the geochemical background for Corg, Hg, N, P, S, and Se were observed in Hebei Province, indicating that these indexes were greatly influenced by human factors. Preliminary analysis suggests that coal burning emissions and agricultural chemical use were two very important inducing factors.

Tripartite motif-containing protein 31 confers protection against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by deactivating mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7.

BACKGROUND AIMS: As a global health threat, NASH has been confirmed to be a chronic progressive liver disease that is strongly associated with obesity. However, no approved drugs or efficient therapeutic strategies are valid, mainly because its complicated pathological processes is underestimated. APPROACH RESULTS: We identified the RING-type E3 ubiquitin transferase-tripartite motif-containing protein 31 (TRIM31), a member of the E3 ubiquitin ligases family, as an efficient endogenous inhibitor of transforming growth factor-beta-activated kinase 1 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7; MAP3K7), and we further confirmed that TRIM31 is an MAP3K7-interacting protein and promotes MAP3K7 degradation by enhancing ubiquitination of K48 linkage in hepatocytes. Hepatocyte-specific Trim31 deletion blocks hepatic metabolism homeostasis, concomitant with glucose metabolic syndrome, lipid accumulation, up-regulated inflammation, and dramatically facilitates NASH progression. Inversely, transgenic overexpression, lentivirus, or adeno-associated virus-mediated Trim31 gene therapy restrain NASH in three dietary mice models. Mechanistically, in response to metabolic insults, TRIM31 interacts with MAP3K7 and conjugates K48-linked ubiquitination chains to promote MAP3K7 degradation, thus blocking MAP3K7 abundance and its downstream signaling cascade activation in hepatocytes. CONCLUSIONS: TRIM31 may serve as a promising therapeutic target for NASH treatment and associated metabolic disorders.

Glucosylceramide synthase regulates hepatocyte repair after concanavalin A-induced immune-mediated liver injury.

BACKGROUND: Sphingolipids produce pleiotropic signaling pathways, and participate in the pathological mechanism of hepatocyte apoptosis and necrosis during liver injury. However, the role of glucosylceramide synthase (GCS)-key enzyme that catalyzes the first glycosylation step, in liver injury is still vague. METHODS: All experiments were conducted using 7-9-week-old pathogen-free male C57BL/6 mice. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were detected in murine models of liver disease, in addition to histological characterization of liver injuries. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the relative expression of the GCS, matrix metallopeptidase-1 (MMP-1), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) genes. The GCS was observed through a fluorescence microscope, and the flow cytometry was used to detect hepatocyte apoptosis. The concentrations of serum IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 were measured using enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA) kit. MMP-1 and TIMP-1 protein expression was measured via western blot (WB) analysis. RESULTS: Con A is often used as a mitogen to activate T lymphocytes and promote mitosis. A single dose of Con A injected intravenously will cause a rapid increase of ALT and AST, which is accompanied by the release of cytokines that cause injury and necrosis of hepatocytes. In this study, we successfully induced acute immune hepatitis in mice by Con A. Con A administration resulted in GCS upregulation in liver tissues. Moreover, the mice in the Con A group had significantly higher levels of ALT, AST, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and increased hepatocyte apoptosis than the control group. In contrast, all of the aforementioned genes were significantly downregulated after the administration of a GCS siRNA or Genz-123346 (i.e., a glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor) to inhibit the GCS gene. Additionally, the histopathological changes observed herein were consistent with our ALT, AST, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 expression results. However, unlike this, hepatocyte apoptosis has been further increased on the basis of the Con A group. Moreover, our qRT-PCR and WB results indicated that the expression of MMP-1 in the Con A group was significantly lower than that in the control group, whereas TIMP-1 exhibited the opposite trend. Conversely, MMP-1 expression in the GCS siRNA and Genz-123346 groups was higher than that in the Con A group, whereas TIMP-1 expression was lower. CONCLUSIONS: GCS inhibition reduces Con A-induced immune-mediated liver injury in mice, which may be due to the involvement of GCS in the hepatocyte repair process after injury.

Equity Structure, Strategic Investment Psychology, and Performance in China's Green Economy Context.

This study empirically tests the impacts of equity structure on strategic investment psychology in green affairs in R&D vs. Marketing dimensions and company performance. Based on data from Chinese high-tech industry listed companies, the empirical results show that: (1) the largest shareholder's shareholding ratio has a positive effect on marketing investment psychology and a negative impact on R&D investment psychology, (2) other large shareholders' shareholding ratio are positive related to R&D investment psychology; (3) R&D investment psychology has a negative effect and marketing investment psychology has a positive influence on the current performance; (4) equity counterbalance is positive related to R&D investment psychology and has a negative effect on the current performance. This study contributes to the literature of corporate governance on sustainability issue by providing a new psychological perspective. The results also provide an important guidance for the corporate governance practice in green economies.

mascRNA and its parent lncRNA MALAT1 promote proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by activating ERK/MAPK signaling pathway.

MALAT1-associated small cytoplasmic RNA (mascRNA) is a cytoplasmic tRNA-like small RNA derived from nucleus-located long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1). While MALAT1 was extensively studied and was found to function in multiple cellular processes, including tumorigenesis and tumor progression, the role of mascRNA was largely unknown. Here we show that mascRNA is upregulated in multiple cancer cell lines and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) clinical samples. Using HCC cells as model, we found that mascRNA and its parent lncRNA MALAT1 can both promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Correspondingly, both of them can enhance the tumor growth in mice subcutaneous tumor model and can promote metastasis by tail intravenous injection of HCC cells. Furthermore, we revealed that mascRNA and MALAT1 can both activate ERK/MAPK signaling pathway, which regulates metastasis-related genes and may contribute to the aggressive phenotype of HCC cells. Our results indicate a coordination in function and mechanism of mascRNA and MALAT1 during development and progress of HCC, and provide a paradigm for deciphering tRNA-like structures and their parent transcripts in mammalian cells.

STAT1 participates in the induction of substance P expression in airway epithelial cells by respiratory syncytial virus.

PURPOSE: The regulation effect and mechanism of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection on the expression of tachykinin substance P (SP) in airway epithelial cells was investigated. METHODS: The regulation of SP expression by RSV was investigated in the BEAS-2B airway epithelial cell line. RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence, and ELISA assay were used to examine the expression of the SP encoding gene TAC1, the intracellular SP protein expression, and the extracellular SP secretion. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of TAC1 and the intracellular SP protein level in BEAS-2B cells were significantly enhanced by RSV infection with multiplicity of infection (MOI) values of both 1 and 0.1 at 48 hours post infection. Heat-inactivated and UV-inactivated RSV, but not live RSV, significantly induced SP secretion in both control BEAS-2B cells and CX3CR1 receptor knockout cells without affecting the TAC1 gene expression or cell viability. RSV G protein (2-10 µg/ml) and fractalkine (10-50 ng/ml), both CX3CR1 receptor ligands, did not affect SP secretion in BEAS-2B cells. Inhibition of STAT1 phosphorylation by fludarabine (1 µM) markedly reduced the RSV-induced TAC1 gene expression and antagonized the inhibition of RSV replication by interferon-α in BEAS-2B cells. CONCLUSIONS: STAT1 participates in RSV infection-induced SP expression in airway epithelial cells.

Serum Total Bile Acid is Closely Related to the Significant Liver Injury in Patients with Non-Cholestatic Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: a Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between non-cholestatic liver disease and total bile acid (TBA) remains obscure. The present study aimed to verify this relationship in patients with non-cholestatic chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS: A total of 922 consecutive chronic HBV infected patients with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) ≤ 1.5 upper limit of normal (ULN) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) ≤ 3 ULN were rigorously included in this cross-sectional study. Liver biopsy was performed in 53 patients and Scheuer scoring system was used to evaluate inflammation grade. G3/G4 or Child-Pugh B/C were considered to be significant liver injury. RESULTS: Compared to Child-Pugh A, TBA, total bilirubin (TBIL), ALP, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and AST to ALT ratio (AST/ALT) were significantly higher in Child-Pugh B/C, while TBIL to TBA ratio (TBIL/TBA) was significantly lower (all p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, TBA and AST/ALT were independently correlated with Child-Pugh B/C [odds ratio (OR) = 1.04, p < 0.001; OR = 1.79, p < 0.001, respectively]. The area under the curve (AUC) of TBA (0.82) was significantly higher than that of AST (0.73, p < 0.001) and ALT (0.63, p < 0.001). Furthermore, in patients with liver biopsy, TBA was also significantly higher in G3/G4 while TBIL/TBA was significantly lower (p < 0.05). After adjusting the factors related to bile excretion, TBIL/TBA was independently associated with G3/G4 (OR = 0.89, p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Serum TBA shows a close relationship with significant liver injury in chronic HBV infected patients without cholestasis. Assessment of TBA, especially in combination with TBIL/TBA, may serve as a non-invasive marker for the diagnosis of non-cholestatic hepatic damage.

Platelet count is closely associated with the severity of liver injury in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection: A cross-sectional study.

Although the platelet count may provide clues regarding the severity of liver disease, there are currently no available data supporting the utility of the platelet count to evaluate the degree of liver injury in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The present study aimed to determine the association between the platelet count and the severity of liver injury in patients with chronic HBV infection. A total of 941 patients were included and were stratified into a Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class A group and a CTP class B/C group using the CTP scoring system. A total of 53 patients underwent liver biopsy. The pathological stage F4 was defined as cirrhosis based on the METAVIR scoring system. Compared with that in patients with CTP class A, the platelet count in patients with CTP class B/C was lower (P<0.001). Similarly, for patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, the platelet count was significantly different between the CTP class B/C and A groups (P<0.001). The platelet count was inversely correlated with the CTP score (r=-0.420, P<0.001) and independently associated with CTP grade B/C [odds ratio (OR), 0.994; 95% CI, 0.990-0.999; P=0.009]. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the platelet count to distinguish CTP grade B/C from A was 0.712 and 0.791, respectively, in all patients with HBV infection and the subset with normal ALT levels. In addition, compared to patients with chronic hepatitis B, patients with cirrhosis had a lower platelet count and higher aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis index based on four factors (FIB-4) (P<0.001). The platelet count was inversely correlated with FIB-4 (r=-0.855, P<0.001) and APRI (r=-0.741, P<0.001). The AUC for the platelet count to distinguish cirrhosis from chronic hepatitis B was 0.927 (sensitivity, 78.76%; specificity, 92.22%). Among patients who underwent liver biopsy, the platelet count in those with F4 was lower compared with that in patients with ≤F3 (P=0.013). The platelet count was inversely correlated with the pathological stage (r=-0.295, P=0.032) and was independently associated with F4 (OR, 0.978; 95% CI, 0.960-0.997; P=0.026). The AUC of the platelet count to distinguish F4 from patients with ≤F3 was 0.761. In conclusion, the platelet count may be used as a non-invasive marker to assess the severity of liver injury and of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Switchable Synthesis of Arylalkynes and Phthalides via Controllable Palladium-Catalyzed Alkynylation and Alkynylation-Annulation of Benzoic Acids with Bromoalkynes.

A ligand-promoted palladium(II)-catalyzed synthesis of arylalkynes and phthalides from benzoic acids and bromoalkynes via carboxylate-assisted ortho-C-H activation is reported. A series of phthalides with various functional groups are prepared via ortho-alkynylation and alkynylation-annulation. Moreover, the key ortho-alkynylated products are also obtained by controlling the reaction conditions. In addition, heteroaryl acids could react smoothly to form the corresponding alkynylation and cyclization products.

Insecticidal and repellent efficacy against stored-product insects of oxygenated monoterpenes and 2-dodecanone of the essential oil from Zanthoxylum planispinum var. dintanensis.

Essential oils (EOs) extracted from leaves (EL) and fruit pericarp (EFP) of Zanthoxylum planispinum var. dintanensis were analyzed for their chemical composition by GC-MS technique and evaluated for their fumigant, contact toxicity and repellency against three stored-product insects, namely Tribolium castaneum, Lasioderma serricorne, and Liposcelis bostrychophila adults. Results of GC-MS analysis manifested that EL and EFP of Z. planispinum var. dintanensis were mainly composed of oxygenated monoterpenes. Major components included linalool, sylvestrene and terpinen-4-ol. The obvious variation observed between two oil samples was that EL contained 2-dodecanone (11.52%) in addition to the above mentioned components, while this constituent was not detected in EFP. Bioassays of insecticidal and repellent activities were performed for EL, EFP as well as some of their individual compounds (linalool, terpinen-4-ol and 2-dodecanone). Testing results indicated that EL, EFP, linalool, terpinen-4-ol and 2-dodecanone exhibited potent insecticidal and repellent activities against the three target insects selected. Among the three individual compounds, 2-dodecanone was significantly toxic to T. castaneum (LD50 = 5.21 µg/adult), L. serricorne (LD50 = 2.54 µg/adult) and L. bostrychophila (LD50 = 23.41 µg/cm2) in contact assays and had beneficial repellent effects on L. serricorne at 2 and 4 h post-exposure. The anti-insect efficacy of Z. planispinum var. dintanensis EO suggests it has potential to be used as botanical insecticide or repellent to control pest damage in warehouses and grain stores.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells inhibit proliferation of hepatic stellate cells in vitro.

The effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) on the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism of action of hUC­MSCs on the proliferation of HSCs in vitro. The upper and lower double-cell co-culture system was established between hUC­MSCs and HSCs in the experimental group. HSCs were cultured alone as a negative control group. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Cell supernatants were harvested to determine the concentration of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) by ELISA. mRNA and protein of TGF-ß1, Smad3 and Smad7 in HSCs were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. In the co-culture group, the proliferation of HSCs was significantly inhibited compared with the negative control group at 24 and 48 h (p<0.05). Apoptosis of HSCs in the co-culture group increased compared with that in the negative control group, which was more obvious at 48 h (p<0.05). The concentration of TGF-ß1 in the co-culture group was significantly lower than in the HSCs cultured alone (p<0.05). After HSCs were co-cultured with hUC­MSCs for 48 h, expression of TGF-ß1 and Smad3 mRNA and protein was reduced and expression of Smad7 mRNA and protein was increased compared with the negative control group (p<0.05). hUC­MSCs inhibited proliferation of HSCs, possibly through inhibiting TGF-ß1 and Smad3 expression and increasing Smad7 protein expression.

New Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is one of major pulmonary fungal diseases. Although it is not a rare in clinical settings,the misdiagnosis rate is high and the treatment effectiveness remains unstable. This article reviews the recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Research Advances in Molecular Mechanisms of the Invasion and Metastasis of Lung Cancer.

The basic way of invasion and metastasis of lung cancer is that the tumor cells shed in the extracellular matrix, invade the basement membrane and the surrounding tissue, infiltrate into blood flow, and then survive and transport via the blood flow. After having been extravasated, migrated and arrested in the distant site, they finally form a metastatic lesion. Some basic mechanisms are required in these steps, such as tumor stem cells, diffusion and activity of tumor cells, escaping from apoptosis, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, infiltration into blood flow, circulation and exudation, and distant metastasis proliferation. A better understanding of the mechanisms of the invasion and metastasis of lung cancer will facilitate the prevention and treatment of lung cancer.

[Distribution of HCV genotypes in Chinese Han population with chronic hepatitis C].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of HCV genotypes in Chinese Han population with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). METHODS: This randomized multicenter study included 1 014 CHC patients from 28 hospitals in different regions of China. SPSS 20.0 was applied to analyze the relationship among region, HCV genotype, gender and the replication level of HCV-RNA. RESULTS: HCV 1 genotype (56.80%) was the most common genotype. The majority of CHC patients were of genotype 1, 2, 3, 6 in the order of frequency, except those in southwestern, southern and central China. HCV 1, 2, 3, 6 genotypes were most common among male patients in southern China; among female patients in northern China; among male patients in northern and northwestern China and among male patients in northwestern China, respectively (all P <0.05). There was no statistical significance between different genders in other regions. The high viral load was more common than the low viral load among HCV 1, 2, 3, 6 genotype-infected patients. CONCLUSION: There are different distributions of HCV genotypes among the different regions. In addition, HCV genotypes are correlated with gender and HCV-RNA load.

[Protective Effects of Cornus Officinalis Total Glycosides and Cornus Polysaccharides on Myocardial Mitochondria of Acute Myocardial Infarction Rats: an Experimental Study].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Cornus Officinalis total glycosides (COTG) and Cornus polysaccharides (CP) on myocardial mitochondria and expression levels of glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rats. METHODS: The AMI rat model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery. Rats were divided into 5 groups according to random digit table, i.e., the sham-operation group, the model group, the COTG prevention group, the CP treatment group, the COTG treatment group, 12 in each group. Normal saline was administered to rats in the normal control group and the model group by gastrogavage. Corresponding medication was respectively administered to rats in the rest 3 groups by gastrogavage. The cardiac function was detected by echocardiography and hemodynamics. The infarct size was determined by Masson trichrome staining. The expression of mitochondrial biogenesis genes such as a subunit of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1 (PGC-1α), PGC-1ß, nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1), and GSK-3P mRNA were detected by Real-time PCR. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, the myocardial infarction size increased, cardiac function decreased, the expression of PGC-1α, PGC-1ß, and NRF-1 mRNA decreased, and the expression of GSK-3ß mRNA increased (all P <0. 05). Compared with the model group, myocardial infarction sizes were reduced, cardiac function was improved, the expression of NRF-1 mRNA was elevated in the COTG prevention group, the CP treatment group, the COTG treatment group; the expression of the PGC-1α and PGC-1ß mRNA was elevated in the COTG prevention group and the CP treatment group; the expression of GSK-3ß mRNA was reduced in the CP treatment group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the CP prevention group, fractional shortening (FS) and aortic systolic blood pressure (SBP) increased in the CP treatment group; ejection fraction (EF) decreased in the CP treatment group; the expression of PGC-1α, PGC-1ß, NRF-1 mRNA were reduced in the the CP treatment group and the COTG treatment group; the expression of GSK-3ß mRNA decreased in the CP treatment group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the COTG treatment group, FS, EF, left ventricular end systolic pressure (LVESP), SBP, and the expression of GSK-3ß mRNA were reduced in the CP treatment group (P <0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: COTG and CP could improve cardiac function, reduce the myocardial infarction area, and promote biogenesis of myocardial mitochondria. Their protective effects on the mitochondria of cadiocytes might be achieved by GSK-3ß signalina pathway.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells inhibit the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells by inhibiting the transforming growth factor ß pathway.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are considered to be a potential therapy for end-stage liver disease. However, the therapeutic mechanism of BM-MSCs remains unclear. The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of paracrine signaling in BM­MSCs in liver cirrhosis in vitro. Human BM­MSCs and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were cultured using a vertical double cell co­culture system. Groups were divided into HSCs alone (control group) and the co­culture system of BM­MSCs with HSCs (experimental group). HSC morphology was observed by inverted phase contrast microscopy. The proliferative capacity of HSCs was measured with the MTT assay and flow cytometry. Hoechst staining was performed to examine the apoptosis of HSCs. Transforming growth factor (TGF)­ß1 and Smad7 mRNA expression were detected by reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. BM­MSCs did not inhibit the proliferation of HSCs at 24 h, however significantly inhibited the proliferation of HSCs at 48 and 72 h. BM­MSCs additionally induced the apoptosis of HSCs at 48 h. The concentration of TGF­ß1 in the supernatant at 24 h and 48 h in the co­cultured system was observed to be significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.05). The level of TGF­ß1 mRNA in the experimental group at 48 h was significantly lower than the control group, however Smad7 mRNA levels were significantly greater than in the control group. Additionally, TGF­ß1 protein levels were significantly lower than in the control group, however levels of Smad7 were greater than the control group. It was concluded that BM­MSCs are able to inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of HSCs. In addition, the mechanism may be associated with inhibition of the TGF-ß1/Smad pathway in HSCs.

Effect of lanthanum carbonate versus calcium-based phosphate binders in dialysis patients: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The effects of lanthanum carbonate (LC) vs. calciumbased phosphate binders in dialysis patients have been a matter of debate. METHODS: We electronically searched PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, and CBM for all randomized controlled trials comparing LC with calcium-based phosphate binders in adult dialysis patients. Quality assessment was performed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Metaanalysis was conducted by RevMan 5.2. RESULTS: Nine studies were eligible for our meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.25 - 2.83) and cardiovascular events (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.55 - 1.29) between LC and calcium-based phosphate binders. LC was associated with similar proportions of phosphate-controlled patients (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.27 - 1.44) and lower incidence of hypercalcemia (RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.05 - 0.35) in comparison to calcium-based phosphate binders. Compared with calcium salts, LC was associated with significantly lower serum calcium, similar serum Ca x P product and higher serum iPTH. CONCLUSION: Despite the trends observed, we found no statistically significant differences in all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events between LC and calcium-based phosphate binders in dialysis patients. The conclusion was limited by lack of large sample and long-term trials. LC could reduce the incidence of hypercalcemia while comparable with calcium-based phosphate binders in reducing serum phosphorus level.

Possible factors affecting thyroid dysfunction in hepatitis C virus-infected untreated patients.

The present study investigated the association of thyroid dysfunction (TD) with the distribution of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in untreated patients. A total of 1,012 cases of HCV-infected patients were collected from different regions, of which 209 patients demonstrated a type of TD (chronic thyroiditis complicated with hyperthyroidism, chronic thyroiditis complicated with hypothyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism or chronic thyroiditis). The results showed the existence of geographical differences in the types of TD present with HCV infection. The female patients had a higher incidence of autoimmune-related TD than the male patients. High levels of HCV RNA expression were most common in all HCV-infected patients, regardless of the presence of TD. High and medium expression levels of HCV RNA were more prevalent in the patients with autoimmune-related TD. Relative analysis of the HCV RNA levels showed that the pathogenesis of TD was not correlated with the HCV RNA expression levels; however, it may have been associated with autoimmunity. The HCV-infected patients with TD were most commonly middle-aged, whereas young adults were the largest group of patients with HCV and normal thyroid function. Among all HCV genotypes, type 1b was the most common HCV genotype and type 2 was the second most common. Types 3 and 6 were scarce in this study population. No associations were identified between HCV genotypes and thyroid disease. The data of liver function showed that HCV-infected patients with TD had a higher liver dysfunction rate compared with that of the patients with normal thyroid function. Therefore, liver dysfunction may be associated with thyroid disease. This study supports the potential of individualized treatment for HCV-infected patients.

Correlation between the genetic variations in interleukin 28B and chronic hepatitis C virus genotypes in the Chinese population.

Genetic variations at the interleukin 28B (IL-28B) locus and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes are significant factors in predicting the therapeutic outcome for HCV infection. The present study aimed to determine the geographical distribution of HCV genotypes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with IL-28B in Chinese patients infected with HCV. The gene frequencies of 13 types of IL-28B SNPs and HCV genotypes were investigated in 1,014 patients infected with HCV, who were recruited from varying regions of China. The correlation between the SNPs of IL-28B, the HCV genotypes and age, gender and geographical location were investigated. The data revealed geographical differences in age, gender and HCV genotypes in the Chinese HCV patients. HCV genotype 1 was distributed extensively and had a higher incidence compared with other HCV genotypes in all regions, with the exception of South (38%) and Northwest China (45.6%). A gender differences also existed (P<0.01). The distribution of genotype 6 was lower compared with other HCV genotypes in the majority of the regions (P<0.01). In middle­aged patients, the number of male patients was higher than the number of female patients in North and South China, which was the opposite of the results found in the other regions. There were no geographical differences in IL-28B SNPs in Chinese HCV­infected populations. Notably, there were significant differences between HCV genotype 1 and 2 in the genotype percentages of the majority of SNPs (P<0.01). In conclusion, a geographical distribution in HCV genotypes and a correlation between HCV genotypes and IL-28B SNPs have been identified, and indicate that these variants may be associated with spontaneous and treatment-induced HCV clearance.

[Pro-angiogenic effects of four Chinese medicines and three herbal prescription in chicken chorioallantoic membrane model].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the pro-angiogenic effect of four Chinese medicines and three herbal prescriptions, screen the effective components from them. METHODS: Chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model was employed to observe the pro-angiogenic activities of Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, Notoginseng Radix, Astragali Radix, Xuefuzhuyu decoction, Dangguibuxue decoction and Taohongsiwu decoction, all of them were claimed to promote angiogenesis. The effective components were screened from the extracts. RESULTS: Compared with negative control group, the blood vessel densities in Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Notoginseng Radix groups were not increased significantly (P > 0.05). However, blood vessel densities in Astragali Radix group, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix group, Xuefuzhuyu decoction group, Dangguibuxue decoction group and Taohongsiwu decoction group were notably enhanced (P < 0.05). Dangguibuxue decoction showed a more than 90% of increase in blood vessel densities as compared with the negative control group (P < 0.01), and components contained ferulic acid and astragaloside from Dangguibuxue decoction displayed significantly pro-angiogenic effect (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dangguibuxue decoction and its extract, components contained ferulic acid and astragaloside, can improve angiogenesis in CAM model significantly.