[Specific changes of intestinal microflora in children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease].

Objective: To analyze the composition and richness of intestinal microflora in children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the role of which in pathogenesis of NAFLD. Methods: This was a prospective case-control study. From November 2015 to June 2017, 19 children diagnosed with NAFLD according to the 2010 edition of diagnostic criteria were enrolled voluntarily in the Second and First Affiliated Hospitals of Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University. Twenty-two healthy children were enrolled in the control group. Among the patients, 10 were males and 9 were females, at the mean age of (11.0±1.0) years; 10 males and 12 females in the control group, at the mean age of (9.0±1.2) years. The body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were recorded, and the fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein were detected. Feces were collected and the fecal microorganisms were extracted with magnetic beads methods; the composition and the richness of intestinal microflora in the two groups were detected with 16S rDNA high throughput sequencing technology. The KO differential gene expression and KEGG signal pathway enrichment were analyzed with PICRUST software. The intestinal flora characteristics between the two groups were compared with t test or Mann-Whitney U test and Willcoxon W test. Results: The BMI, waist circumference and triglyceride were higher in NAFLD group than those in the control group (BMI (25.1±2.7) vs. (18.2±1.5)kg/m(2), t=9.912, P=0.000; waist circumference (88.6±6.6) vs. (71.5±6.3) cm, t=8.520, P=0.000; triglyceride (0.9±0.4) vs.(0.7±0.3)mmol/L, t=2.060, P=0.046). The abundance and diversity index of intestinal microflora were lower in the NAFLD group (Shannon index 3.99 (3.13, 4.54) vs. 4.63 (4.21, 4.81), Z=-2.065, P=0.039; Simpson index 0.85 (0.70, 0.89) vs. 0.90 (0.88, 0.93), Z=-2.431, P=0.015; ACE index 235.76 (205.26, 361.94) vs. 326.96 (275.34, 368.65), Z=-2.092, P=0.036). At the level of phylum, the proportion of Actinomycetes was lower and the proportion of Thermus was higher in NAFLD group (Actinobacteri 29.807 (14.723, 62.080) ×10(-3) vs. 63.212 (46.133, 172.071) ×10(-3), Z=-2.667, P=0.008; Thermus 0.033 (0.000, 0.226) ×10(-3) vs. 0.000 (0.000, 0.031) ×10(-3), Z=-2.729, P=0.006) . At the level of genus, the proportion of Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium in the NAFLD group were significantly lower (Bacteroides 78.757 (11.430, 151.621) ×10(-3) vs. 356.821 (161.049, 403.037) ×10(-3), Z=-2.771, P=0.006; Bifidobacterium 19.680 (6.181, 53.944) ×10(-3) vs. 54.721 (31.911, 146.410) ×10(-3), Z=-2.458, P=0.014); the proportion of Prevotella in NAFLD group was significantly higher (3.089 (0.165, 63.502) ×10(-3) vs. 0.432 (0.029, 2.257) ×10(-3), Z=-2.112, P=0.035). Based on the KEGG database, 78 differentially expressed genes and 26 differential metabolic pathways were found, among which the function genes of K01470, K01961 and K07258 were concentrated in the pathways of arginine and proline metabolism, fatty acid synthesis, and polysaccharides biosynthesis and metabolism. Besides, these three function genes were related to Bacteroides, Prevotella, Bifidobacterium and Ruminococcus. Conclusion: NAFLD children have intestinal flora disturbances in both diversity and abundance, which may alter lipid metabolic pathways through differential gene expressions, contributing to the pathogenesis of NAFLD.

Serum hepatitis B surface antigen correlates with fibrosis and necroinflammation: A multicentre perspective in China.

The kinetics of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been studied, but the factors affecting them remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the factors affecting HBsAg titres, using data from multicentre, large-sized clinical trials in China. The baseline data of 1795 patients in 3 multicentre trials were studied, and the patients were classified into 3 groups: hepatitis B early antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic HBV infection (n = 588), HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (n = 596), and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (n = 611). HBsAg titres in the different phases were compared, and multiple linear progression analyses were performed to investigate the implicated factors. HBsAg titres varied significantly in different phases (P = .000), with the highest (4.60 log10 IU/mL [10%-90% confidence interval: 3.52 log10 IU/mL-4.99 log10 IU/mL]) in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection. In all phases, age and HBV DNA were correlated with serum HBsAg level. In HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients, a negative correlation between HBsAg titres and fibrosis stage was observed. Alanine amonitransferase or necroinflammatory activity was also correlated with HBsAg titres in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients. In conclusion, decreased HBsAg titres may be associated with advancing fibrosis in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients or increased necroinflammation in those with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. Our findings may help clinicians better understand the kinetics of HBsAg and provide useful insights into the management of this disease.

Paving the way for the synthesis of a series of divalent actinide complexes: a theoretical perspective.

Recently, the +2 formal oxidation state in soluble molecular complexes for lanthanides (La-Nd, Sm-Lu) and actinides (Th and U) has been discovered [W. J. Evans, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2011, 133, 15914; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2012, 134, 8420; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2013, 135, 13310; Chem. Sci., 2015, 6, 517]. To explore the nature of the bonding and stabilities of the low-valent actinide complexes, a series of divalent actinide species, [AnCp'3](-) (An[double bond, length as m-dash]Th-Am, Cp' = [η(5)-C5H4(SiMe3)](-)) have been investigated in THF solution using scalar relativistic density functional theory. The electronic structures and electron affinity properties were systematically studied to identify the interactions between the +2 actinide ions and Cp' ligands. The ground state electron configurations for the [AnCp'3](-) species are [ThCp'3](-) 6d(2), [PaCp'3](-) 5f(2)6d(1), [UCp'3](-) 5f(3)6d(1), [NpCp'3](-) 5f(5), [PuCp'3](-) 5f(6), and [AmCp'3](-) 5f(7), respectively, according to the MO analysis. The total bonding energy decreases from the Th- to the Am-complex and the electrostatic interactions mainly dominate the bonding between the actinide atom and ligands. The electron affinity analysis suggests that the reduction reaction of AnCp'3→ [AnCp'3](-) should become increasingly facile across the actinide series from Th to Am, in accord with the known An(iii/ii) reduction potentials. This work expands the knowledge on the low oxidation state chemistry of actinides, and further motivates and guides the synthesis of related low oxidation state compounds of 5f elements.

Investigation of clinical diagnosis and liver biopsy diagnosis in cases of patients with chronic HBV infection.

The aim of this study was to investigate the pathomorphological changes of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the coincidence between clinical and pathological diagnosis. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry for HBsAg and HBcAg were performed on 97 liver biopsy specimens collected from 97 patients with chronic HBV infection, including 55 HBV carriers. The agreement between clinical diagnosis and pathological diagnosis in mild, moderate and severe chronic hepatitis was 71.4, 60 and 83.3%. The rate of clinical diagnosis matching the pathological diagnosis for fibrosis was higher than for inflammation (83.33 vs 54.76%), especially in moderate (83.33 vs 26.67%) and severe chronic hepatitis (66.67 vs 16.67%). The rate of serological/imaging examination results and immunohistochemistry confirmation was as high as 93.81% for HBsAg and 92.78% for HBcAg. In HBV carriers, the degree of inflammation and fibrosis in most cases was mild, and the younger the patients, the higher the ratios of G0 and S0. The clinical diagnosis was correct in most cases, especially for inflammation and in mild chronic hepatitis; the patients who were diagnosed as HBV carriers actually already had inflammation and fibrosis.

First live offspring born in superovulated sika deer (Cervus nippon) after embryo vitrification.

The rapid growth in sika deer (Cervus nippon) farming and interest in their conservation is an impetus for development of embryo transfer (ET) procedures. However, a paucity of research has prevented widespread application of ET in this species. The objective of the present study was to establish a multiple ovulation and ET procedure with both fresh and vitrified embryos in sika deer. Multiparous weaned hinds (N = 18) were used as embryo donors during the reproductive season of 2008 at a local breeding farm in China. Estrus was synchronized in donors and recipients (N = 38) by inserting a controlled internal drug release for 12 days (insertion = Day 0). Superovulation was induced with a total of 320 mg of NIH-FSH-P1 (Folltropin-V; Bioniche, Belleville, ON, Canada) given as 40 mg im every 12 h from the afternoon of Day 9 to the morning of Day 13. After estrus was detected, donors were artificially inseminated using a transcervical technique. The embryo recovery rate was 76.8% (63/82), including 1.6% (1/63), 77.8% (49/63), and 1.6% (1/63) blastocysts, morula, and eight-cell embryos, respectively. After transfer of fresh and vitrified embryos, pregnancy rates were 85.7% and 61.6% and birth rates were 64.3% and 53.9% (P > 0.05). In conclusion, we developed a satisfactory multiple ovulation and ET procedure in farmed sika deer using vitrified embryos.

Improved parthenogenetic development of vitrified-warmed bovine oocytes activated with 9% ethanol plus 6-DMAP.

The objective was to compare various activation protocols on developmental potential of vitrified bovine oocytes. Bovine oocytes matured in vitro for 23 h were vitrified with EDFSF30 in open pulled straws. After warming, they were cultured in vitro for 1h, followed by parthenogenetic activation. Vitrified-warmed oocytes had a morphologically normal rate similar to that of controls (nonvitrified oocytes cultured in vitro for 24h; 98.6% vs. 100%, P>0.05). When vitrified-warmed oocytes were first activated with 7% ethanol for 5 min and then incubated in 6-dimethylaminopurin (6-DMAP) for 4h, cleavage and blastocyst rates were 41.2% and 23.2%, respectively, which were lower than those of controls (77.5% and 42.0%, P < 0.05). Subsequently, we varied the ethanol concentration to increase the effectiveness of parthenogenetic activation. When either 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, or 11% ethanol alone (for 5 min) or in combination with 6-DMAP (4h) was used to activate vitrified-warmed oocytes, cleavage rates ranged from 22.3% to 61.1% and blastocyst rates ranged from 1.1% to 30.6%. These rates were optimized when oocytes were treated with 9% ethanol plus 6-DMAP; this was verified in experiments evaluating other activation protocols with 9% ethanol, calcium ionophore A23187, or ionomycin alone, or in combination with DMAP or cycloheximide (CHX). In conclusion, the oocyte activation protocol affected developmental capacity of vitrified bovine oocytes; 9% ethanol (5 min) followed by 6-DMAP (4h) promoted optimal parthenogenetic activation.

Tissue ablation through water with erbium:YAG lasers.

We report the dynamics of vapor cavities generated by 200 microseconds long Er:YAG laser pulses under water and in gelatin. Acoustic transients were detected at the beginning of the laser pulse and when the cavity collapsed. Cavity expansion and collapse, and the associated acoustic transients are possible ablation mechanisms with the Er:YAG laser. Shortening of the pulse duration is suggested to minimize long range under water tissue damages.

XeCl excimer laser-induced fluorescence for selective ablation of atheromatous tissue.

In order to develop a reliable laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) guided laser angioplasty system, real time, pulse-by-pulse fluorescence spectra were recorded and the same fiberoptic was used for both detection of the fluorescence and for atheromatous tissue ablation. A 308 nm XeCl excimer laser served as the laser source for both the induction of fluorescence and the ablation. The fluorescence signal was induced at high laser energies during ablation without any serious change in the fluorescence pattern. A new characteristic fluorescence peak at 540 nm for atheromatous tissue was observed after treatment with chlortetracycline hydrochloride (CTC). This allowed the development of an algorithm and a subsequent index to discriminate the atheromatous tissue from the normal tissue. During atheromatous tissue ablation, this index changed as normal tissue was approached, thereby avoiding vessel perforation. Our results suggest that monitoring of this index through the catheter delivering the laser energy enhances selective ablation while simultaneously reducing the risk of vessel perforation.

Biliary calculi fragmentation by a 308 nm excimer laser: a preliminary study.

The use of a 308-nm XeCl excimer laser for biliary stone fragmentation is reported. The 130-nsec laser pulses are delivered via UV grade fused silica fibers to the target stones immersed in normal saline solution and placed in direct contact with the fiber. Sixty biliary calculi, 20 cholesterol and 40 pigment, were fragmented in vitro. The energy delivered per unit mass of the stone is kept constant at 50 mJ/mg. The effect of laser repetition rate, energy fluence, and fiber core size on stone fragmentation was studied. Fragmentation thresholds for a variety of biliary calculi of known composition were measured. It was found that higher fragmentation efficiency was obtained with larger fluence, lower repetition rate, and fiber of larger core. Our study indicates that the 308-nm excimer laser may be effective as a laser lithotriptor with low threshold and good efficiency for biliary stone fragmentation.

Room-temperature 1.06-0.53-microm second-harmonic generation with MgO:LiNbO(3).

Room-temperature 1.06-0.53-microm second-harmonic generation (SHG) achieved with LiNbO(3) doped with 7 mol. % MgO has been studied. Phase matching was achieved with angle tuning. SHG conversion efficiency of 45% was obtained with a 12-mm-long crystal and a fundamental peak-power density of 140 MW/cm (2). SHG performance of MgO:LiNbO(3) is compared with that of KTP and LBO crystals. Various phase-matching parameters of MgO:LiNbO(3) were calculated as functions of the fundamental wavelength, using the experimentally determined Sellmeier equations. It was found that room-temperature, noncritically-phase-matched Type I SHG can be achieved in this crystal at 1.053 microm, where Nd:YLF lasers operate.