Associations of clinical subtypes and bile acid levels of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy with pregnancy outcomes.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) can lead to many adverse pregnancy outcomes, and the influencing factors remain unclear at present. This study retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 1815 pregnant women with ICP and evaluated the relationship between ICP subtypes, gestational age at onset, and pregnancy outcomes. The results of this study show that during pregnancy, the levels of biochemical indicators (TBA, DBIL and ALT) in the serum of pregnant women initially diagnosed with subtypes of ICP were noted to constantly change, and the subtype of ICP and its severity also changed. The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes [meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF), NICU transfer, Apgar score ≤ 7 at 1 min, and preterm birth] in patients with ICP1 (icteric type) was significantly higher than for patients with ICP2, ICP3 or ICP4. The preterm birth rate of early-onset ICP was higher than that of late-onset ICP in ICP1 and ICP3 subtypes. In conclusion, the outcome of pregnancy in women with ICP is closely related to the serum TBA level and ICP subtype, which should be recognized in the clinic.

Clinical analysis of tumescent anesthesia technique combined with superficial fascia rotational atherectomy in axillary bromhidrosis.

Axillary bromhidrosis, which involves the apocrine sweat glands, severely affects adolescents. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of tumescent anesthesia technique combined with superficial fascia rotational atherectomy treatment for axillary bromhidrosis. The present retrospective study included a total of 60 patients with axillary bromhidrosis. These patients were divided into experimental and control groups. Patients in the control group were treated using the tumescent anesthesia technique combined with conventional surgery, while patients in the experimental group were treated using the anesthesia technique combined with superficial fascia rotational atherectomy. The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, histopathological examination and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) score were used to assess the treatment effect. The intraoperative blood loss and operation time were significantly lower in the experimental group compared with the control group. The histopathological results revealed that the sweat gland tissues in experiment group significantly decreased compared with that in control group. Furthermore, there was a significant improvement in axillary odor degree for postoperative patients, and the DLQI scores in experiment group were significantly lower compared with those in control group. The tumescent anesthesia technique combined with superficial fascia rotational atherectomy is a promising approach to treating patients with axillary bromhidrosis.

Effectiveness and safety of blonanserin in young and middle-aged female patients with schizophrenia: data from a post-marketing surveillance.

BACKGROUND: A post-marketing surveillance of blonanserin has been ongoing since September 2018. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of oral blonanserin in Chinese young and middle-aged female patients with schizophrenia in real clinical settings, using the data from the post-marketing surveillance. METHODS: A 12-week, prospective, multi-center, open-label, post-marketing surveillance was conducted. Female patients aged 18-40 years were included in this analysis. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) was used to evaluate the effectiveness of blonanserin in improving psychiatric symptoms. The incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) such as of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), prolactin elevation and the weight gain were used to evaluate the safety profile of blonanserin. RESULTS: A total of 392 patients were included both in the safety and full analysis sets, 311 patients completed the surveillance protocol. The BPRS total score was 48.8 ± 14.11 at the baseline, decreasing to 25.5 ± 7.56 at 12 weeks (P < 0.001, compared with baseline). EPS (20.2%) including akathisia, tremor, dystonia, and parkinsonism were found as the most frequent ADRs. The mean weight gain was 0.27 ± 2.5 kg at 12 weeks from the baseline. Four cases (1%) of prolactin elevation were observed during the period of surveillance. CONCLUSION: Blonanserin significantly improved the symptoms of schizophrenia in female patients aged 18-40 years; the drug was well tolerated and had a low tendency to cause metabolic side effects, including prolactin elevation in these patients. Blonanserin might be a reasonable drug for the treatment of schizophrenia in young and middle-aged female patients.

Safety and Effectiveness of Blonanserin in Chinese Patients with Schizophrenia: An Interim Analysis of a 12-Week Open-Label Prospective Multi-Center Post-marketing Surveillance.

Schizophrenia is an unexplained, complex and serious mental illness. Blonanserin (BNS) is a new antipsychotic drug widely used in the treatment of schizophrenia. However, large-scale clinical studies have not been conducted in China. A multi-center, prospective, open-label, 12-week surveillance was carried out to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of BNS in patients with schizophrenia in China. Safety assessments included adverse drug reactions (ADRs), extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), akathisia, concomitant medications for EPS by the end of treatment, and the changes in body weight from baseline by the end of treatment. The effectiveness was evaluated by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). From September 2018 to May 2020, of the 1,060 patients enrolled, 1,018 were included in the full analysis set (FAS) and safety set (SS), respectively. ADRs were developed in 205 patients among the included, the incidence being 20.1%. ADRs of EPS occurred in 169 patients, the incidence being 16.6%, ADRs of akathisia occurred in 90 patients, the incidence being 8.8%; concomitant therapeutic and prophylactic agents for EPS accounts for 19.2%; 4.0% of patients had a ≥7% increase in body weight from baseline at 12 weeks after initiating treatment. Using the last-observation-carried-forward (LOCF) method, the changes in total BPRS scores were -11.2 ± 10.17 (N = 1,018), -16.8 ± 12.69 (N = 1,018) and -20.6 ± 13.99 (N = 1,018) after 2/4, 6/8, or 12 weeks, respectively. 53.5% (545/1,018) patients showed response to blonanserin treatment in week 12. The post-marketing surveillance results of BNS demonstrates safety profile and effectiveness of the drug.

Effects of statins on cytokines levels in gingival crevicular fluid and saliva and on clinical periodontal parameters of middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of statins on cytokines levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva and on clinical periodontal parameters of middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Systemically healthy controls (C group, n = 62), T2DM patients not taking statins (D group, n = 57) and T2DM patients taking statins (S group, n = 24) were recruited. In each group, subjects (40-85 years) were subclassified into the h (periodontal health)group, the g (gingivitis)group or the p (periodontitis) group according to different periodontal conditions. 17 cytokines in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva samples of each subject were measured utilizing the Luminex technology kit. Further, HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin), FPG (fasting plasma glucose), PD (probing depth), CAL (clinical attachment level), BOP (bleeding on probing), GI (gingival index) and PI (periodontal index) were recorded. Data distribution was tested through the Shapiro-Wilk test, upon which the Kruskal-Wallis test was applied followed by Mann-Whitney U test and Bonferroni's correction. RESULTS: Levels of IFN-γ, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13 in the saliva of the Dh group were significantly lower than those in the Ch group, while factor IL-4 was higher (p<0.05). Levels of MIP-3α, IL-7 and IL-2 in GCF of the Dh group were considerably higher than those in the Ch group (p<0.05), while that of IL-23 was considerably lower. Compared with the Cg group, levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-13 were significantly lower in the saliva of the Dg group (p<0.05). Lower levels of IFN-γ, IL-5 and IL-10 were detected in the Sg group than those in the Cg group (p<0.05). At the same time, levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-7, IL-13, IL-17, IL-21 and MIP-3α in the gingival crevicular fluid of the Sg group were lower in comparison with the Dg group. In addition, lower levels of IL-4 and higher levels of IL-7 in GCF were identified in the Dg group than those in the Cg group, while in the Sg group, lower levels of IL-4, MIP-1αand MIP-3αwere observed than those in the Cg group (p<0.05). Lower levels of IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13 and I-TAC were found in the Sp group compared with those in the Cp group. The IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were lower in the Dp group than those in the Cp group (p<0.05). Meanwhile, in the Sp group, lower levels of pro-inflammatory factors IFN-γ, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-21 and TNF-α, in addition to higher levels of anti-inflammatory factors IL-4 and IL-5 in gingival crevicular fluid, were identified than those in the Dp group. Higher levels of IFN-γ,IL-1ß,IL-2,IL-7,IL-21 and TNF-α and a lower level of IL-5 in the Dp group were identified than those in the Cp group (p<0.05). Moreover, statins were able to substantially reduce PD in T2DM patients with periodontitis, indicating an obvious influence on the levels of cytokines secreted by Th1 cells, Th2 cells and Th17 cells, as revealed by PCA (principal component analysis). CONCLUSION: Statins are associated with reduced PD and cytokines levels in the GCF and saliva of T2DM patients with periodontitis.

Prevalence and influencing factors of dental fear among 12-15 year-old children in Shenzhen / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand the prevalence and influencing factors of Children s Dental Fear (CDF) among 12-15 year-old children in Shenzhen city, so as to provide a framework to alleviate CDF and promote oral health.@*Methods@#Multi-stage stratified random sampling was used to select 5 509 children, aged 12-15 years, to participate in this study, which was carried out from October to November, 2018. The Children s Fear Survey Scheduling-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) and oral health examinations were conducted in Shenzhen.@*Results@#The prevalence of dental fear in children aged 12, 13, 14, and 15 years in Shenzhen was 30.3%, 30.5%, 33.6%, and 26.9%, respectively(χ 2=11.97, P=0.01). The CFSS-DS scores were(29.86±13.23)(29.72±13.59)(31.23±14.47)(29.79±13.24), respectively(F=3.60, P=0.01). The CFSS-DS scores of male and female participants were (27.92±13.69) and (32.62±13.12)(t=-12.97, P<0.01), respectively, and the CDF prevalence rates were 23.8% and 38.8%, respectively(χ 2=159.29, P<0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that gender, brushing frequency, visiting experience, oral knowledge level, oral health attitude, oral health and general health status were correlated with CDF (P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#Attention should be paid to the prevalence of dental phobia among children aged 12-15 years in Shenzhen, and comprehensive intervention measures should be taken to improve children s oral health.

Periodontal health condition among 12-15 years old adolescents in Shenzhen / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#This epidemiology survey is intended to assess the periodontal health conditions of 12 to 15-year-old adolescents and the associated factors in Shenzhen.@*Methods@#The study utilized a multistage stratified cluster method and recruited 5 509 middle school students aged 12 to 15. Gingival bleeding and calculus were conducted and a self-reported questionnaire was administered. Additional periodontal pocket depth and attachment loss examination were performed in the 15-year-age group. Periodontal conditions and the associated factors were analyzed by t-test, Chi-square method and Logistic regression.@*Results@#The prevalence of gingival bleeding and calculus among adolescents was 43.95% and 44.25%, and the prevalence of periodontal pockets ≤3 mm was 0.57%. No periodontal pockets ≥6 mm or attachment loss ≥4 mm were detected. Gender, family income and frequency of teeth brushing were significantly associated with calculus detection (P＜0.05). The use of fluoride had an significant effect on gingival bleeding detection and calculus detection (χ 2=9.70，6.16，P＜0.05).@*Conclusion@#The periodontal health condition among 12-15 years old adolescents in Shenzhen is generally better than the national level. Adolescents living in high-economic districts and females had better periodontal health condition. The government can promote health education in schools and popularize the use of fluoride to improve the periodontal health condition among adolescents.

Effect of ERCC2 rs13181 and rs1799793 polymorphisms and environmental factors on the prognosis of patients with lung cancer.

PURPOSE: The 5-year survival rate of patients with lung cancer in China is < 20%, and predicting their prognosis is difficult. Here, we investigated the association between two common non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the excision repair cross-complementing 2 (ERCC2) genes (rs13181 and rs1799793) and the prognosis of patients with lung cancer. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples of 839 patients with lung cancer and genotyped using the SNPscan technique. The association between patient prognosis and the ERCC2 genotype was analyzed using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for multiple potential confounders. RESULTS: The presence of ERCC2 rs13181 T>G significantly increased the risk of death (adjust hazard ratio (HR) = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.06-1.56, P = 0.009). Patients with the rs13181 TG genotype (adjust HR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.08-1.65, P = 0.007) and rs13181 dominant mode TG+GG (adjust HR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.08-1.63, P = 0.007) had significantly worse overall survival. Moreover, stratified analyses showed that patients with the TG and TG+GG rs13181 genotypes who were male, elderly (≥60 years), had a history of smoking, or without family history of malignant tumors had a significantly increased risk of death. In patients with adenocarcinoma lung cancer (ADC), the rs1799793 genotype CT (adjust HR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.06-2.09, P = 0.023) and dominant model CT+TT (adjust HR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.04-2.02, P = 0.027) were associated with an increased risk of death. CONCLUSION: ERCC2 rs13181 and rs1799793 SNPs may be significant prognostic factors for the risk of death among patients with lung cancer.

Epidemiological analysis of dental caries among pupils in Shenzhen city / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To understand the distribution and treatment of dental caries among primary school students in Shenzhen City, and to provide a basis for prevention and treatment of dental caries of primary school students in Shenzhen City.@*Methods @#Using cluster sampling method, in the 10 districts of Shenzhen city, a total of 74 308 students in 63 primary school, were randomly selected and received examination of dental caries.@*Results@# Prevalence of caries was 15.7%. Decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) was 0.37 ± 0.18. Significant differences in age and gender distribution were found (P < 0.05). There is a correlation between prevalence of permanent teeth caries and age (P < 0.05). Rate of pit and fissure sealant, filling in permanent teeth were 31.17%, 19.05%. Controlling age and gender factors, significant differences between genders were found in rate of pit and fissure sealant, filling in permanent teeth (P < 0.05).@*Conclusion@# Prevention of dental caries for pupils in Shenzhen city needs to be strengthened.

Association of a potential functional pre-miR-218 polymorphism and its interaction with hepatitis B virus mutations with hepatocellular carcinoma risk.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: MicroRNA-218 (miR-218) can function as a tumour suppressor and inactivate cancer-promoting inflammation. However, role of miR-218 on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. To determine the contribution of miR-218 genetic predisposition and its interaction with hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutations to HCC risk. METHODS: rs11134527 located at putative promoter region of pre-miR-218 was genotyped in 1012 healthy controls, 302 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance subjects and 2011 subjects with chronic HBV infection (1021 with HCC) using quantitative PCR. HBV mutation was determined by sequencing. RESULTS: rs11134527 variant genotypes in dominant model was associated with HCC risk compared with all HCC-free subjects [odds ratio (OR) = 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04-1.43], HCC-free HBsAg-positive subjects (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.02-1.50) and HBsAg seroclearance subjects (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.08-1.96), adjusting for age and gender, and also associated with the generation of HBV preS deletion in men (adjusted OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.23-2.76). In multivariate regression analyses, rs11134527 in dominant model was associated with HCC risk (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.05-2.13), whereas its multiplicative interaction with viral mutation T1674C/G was inversely associated with HCC risk (OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.21-0.96), adjusting for covariates including HBV mutations in the enhancer II-precore region; its interaction with HBV preS1 start codon mutation was associated with HCC risk (OR = 4.44, 95% CI = 1.27-15.55), adjusting for covariates including HBV mutations in the preS region. CONCLUSION: rs11134527 may be a novel genetic risk factor of HCC in HBV-exposed subjects, can facilitate HBV preS deletion generation and predispose the host to the effect of T1674C/G and preS1 start codon mutation in hepatocarcinogenesis.

The value of neck circumference (NC) as a predictor of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

AIMS: To analyze the correlation between neck circumference (NC) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and compare the predictive value of NC for NAFLD with that of other simple anthropometric measures and other biochemical profiles. METHODS: 2761 subjects, undergoing a medical check-up at the Changhai Hospital between October 01, 2012 and November 30, 2012, were recruited to the study. NC, other simple anthropometric measures, and biochemical profiles were analyzed. RESULTS: NC in NAFLD subjects with or without elevated ALT were 38.94 ± 2.62 cm and 37.21 ± 3.06 cm respectively, which was significantly higher than that in subjects with other metabolic disorders (NC: 35.33 ± 3.03 cm) and in normal controls (NC: 32.60 ± 2.37) (both P < 0.001). NC in women with NAFLD increased by 1 cm and fasting insulin (FINS) and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) increased by 1.87 mIU/L and 1.43, respectively. Compared with other anthropometric measures, neck circumference-height ratio (NHtR) had a significant impact both on the incidence of NAFLD. After adjustment for sex, abdominal obesity and other influencing factors, the incidence of NAFLD still tended to positively correlate with NC. Optimal cut-off points of NC and NHtR for predicting NAFLD in males were 37.25 cm and 0.224, respectively, and such points in females were 32.90 cm and 0.208, respectively. CONCLUSION: NC was wider in NAFLD patients than in healthy subjects and other metabolic disorder sufferers. NC and NHtR could be used as simple predictive tools for NAFLD.

Associations of pri-miR-34b/c and pre-miR-196a2 polymorphisms and their multiplicative interactions with hepatitis B virus mutations with hepatocellular carcinoma risk.

BACKGROUND: Genetic polymorphisms of pri-miR-34b/c and pre-miR-196a2 have been reported to be associated with the susceptibility to cancers. However, the effect of these polymorphisms and their interactions with hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutations on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unknown. We hypothesized that these polymorphisms might interact with the HBV mutations and play a role in hepatocarcinogenesis. METHODS: Pri-miR-34b/c rs4938723 (T>C) and pre-miR-196a2 rs11614913 (T>C) were genotyped in 3,325 subjects including 1,021 HBV-HCC patients using quantitative PCR. HBV mutations were determined by direct sequencing. Contributions of the polymorphisms and their multiplicative interactions with gender or HCC-related HBV mutations to HCC risk were assessed using multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: rs4938723 CC genotype was significantly associated with HCC risk compared to HBV natural clearance subjects, adjusted for age and gender (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16-3.49). rs4938723 variant genotypes in dominant model significantly increased HCC risk in women, compared to female healthy controls (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.20-2.84) or female HCC-free subjects (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.14-2.31). rs4938723 CC genotype and rs11614913 TC genotype were significantly associated with increased frequencies of the HCC-related HBV mutations T1674C/G and G1896A, respectively. rs11614913 was not significantly associated with HCC risk, but its CC genotype significantly enhanced the effect of rs4938723 in women. In multivariate regression analyses, rs4938723 in dominant model increased HCC risk (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.05-2.49), whereas its multiplicative interaction with C1730G, a HBV mutation inversely associated with HCC risk, reduced HCC risk (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.15-0.81); rs11614913 strengthened the G1896A effect but attenuated the A3120G/T effect on HCC risk. CONCLUSIONS: rs4938723 might be a genetic risk factor of HCC but its effect on HCC is significantly affected by the HBV mutations. rs11614913 might not be a HCC susceptible factor but it might affect the effects of the HBV mutations or rs4938723 on HCC risk.