Systematic review of risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance.

There is no consensus about factors that increase risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with chronic hepatitis B who have achieved seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). To assess the available evidence about risk factors for HCC after HBsAg seroclearance, Scopus, EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for relevant studies published through 15 September 2017. A total of 28 studies involving more than 105 411 patients with chronic hepatitis B were included. HBsAg seroclearance occurred spontaneously in 7656, while it occurred after interferon or nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy in 1248. The rate of HBsAg seroclearance was 6.77%. Incidence of HCC was significantly lower among patients who experienced HBsAg seroclearance than among those who remained HBsAg-positive (1.86% vs 6.56%, P < .001). Risk factors of HCC occurrence included cirrhosis (incidence with vs without: 9.51% vs 1.66%), male gender (2.34% vs 0.64%) and age ≥ 50 year at HBsAg seroclearance (2.34% vs 0.63%) (all P < .001). The available evidence suggests that HCC can develop at a low rate after HBsAg seroclearance, so periodic surveillance is recommended, especially for male patients, patients with cirrhosis and patients who experience HBsAg seroclearance when at least 50 years old.

Synthesis and characterization of aspartic acid complexes of antimony and bismuth triiodide.

New bioinorganic complexes of the aspartic acid with the antimony or bismuth triiodide were synthesized by a direct solid-solid reaction at room temperature. The formula of the complex is MI(3)[OOCCH(2)CH(NH(2))CO](2.5) x 2.5H(2)O (M = Sb, Bi). The complex may be a dimer with bridge structure. The crystal structure of the complexes belongs to a triclinic system. The lattice parameters are a = 0.9883 nm, b = 1.4284 nm, c = 2.0114 nm, alpha = 94.46 degrees , beta = 99.76 degrees and gamma = 100.1 degrees for the complex of antimony and a = 0.9756 nm, b = 1.4560 nm, c = 1.9875 nm, alpha = 94.18 degrees , beta = 97.25 degrees and gamma = 101.16 degrees for the complex of bismuth. The infrared spectra and thermal analyses can demonstrate the complex formation between the aspartic acid and the antimony or bismuth ion.

Preparation of new amino acid complex nanoparticles of bismuth and leucine.

The new amino acid complex nanoparticles of bismuth and leucine can be prepared very easily by a room temperature solid-solid reaction. The various characterizations indicate that the formula of the complex is BiCl[(CH(3))(2)CHCH(2)CHNH(2)COO](2)1.5H(2)O. The crystal structure of the solid complex belongs to monoclinic system with the lattice parameters: a = 1.6036 nm, b = 1.9903 nm, c = 2.1979 nm and beta=108.06 degrees . The new solid complex is nanoparticles with average size about 80 nm.