Colonic Diseases ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; Humans ; Interferons ; Ischemia

Objective To observe how exogenous estrogen influences the distribution and the expression of NOS positive neurons in the supraoptic nuclei of hypothalamus in the overiectomized female rats. Methods The 2-3-month-old female rats(n=40) were selected as the healthy and nulli-copulatory experimental animals. Rats were divided into following groups: normal control group(n=10), ovariectomized control group(n=10), and two experimental groups that have been injected with estrogen for post-operative 40 days(n=10) and for post-operative 70 days(n=10). Finally, all the animals were infused and the brains were removed. Immunohistochemical (SABC) method was adopted to count the number of NOS poitive neurons and observed the NOS poitive neuronal morphology under the light microscope. The image analysis system was used to test the average gray value of immunoreactivity in NOS positive neurons. Results In the ovariectomized control group, the density of NOS positive neurons in supraoptic nucleus was significantly increased and their shapes were bigger than that of the normal control group(P<0.05). The density and the form of the NOS positive neurons in supraoptic nucleons had no apparent difference between the estrogen for post-operative 40 days group and the ovariectomizeed control group(P>0.05).In the group after estrogen-injection 2 months compared with the normal control group, and the ovariectomized control group, both of the NOS positive neurons' density and the size become significantly decreased, and the staining of cells was lesser in the group injected with estrogen for post-operation 70 days. Conclusion The present results suggest that exogenous estrogen may influence the distribution and the expression of NOS positive neurons in supraoptic nucleus of hypothalamus of ovariectomized female rats.

Objective To develop a clinically applicable approach to enhance repair of cartilage defects by constructing an in vivo non-viral gene transfer system targeting chondrocytes. Methods High molecular weight chitosan (HMWC) was degraded to produce low molecular weight chitosan (LM-WC) that was combined with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plasmid to form stable nano-sizc complexes. After being tested in vitro firstly, these nano-size complexes were injected into the knee joint of New Zealand white rabbit models with full-thickness cartilage defects to detect their feasibility of delive-ring the growth factor gent in vivo. Results The results showed that LMWC/DNA nano-sizc comple-xes could deliver the gone into the cultured chondroeytes and cartilage tissue efficiently in vitro. When used in vivo, LMWC/TGF-β1 gene nano-size complexes could enhance the transfection efficiency and prolong the expression of TGF-β1 gone. In the animal models of articular osteechondral defect of rabbits, better healing and gentler degeneration could be observed in comparison with the control. Conclusion In vivo transfection of LMWC/TGF-β1 nano-size complexe is a safe and effective method to early promote the repair of osteochondral defects.

Objective To assess the academic level of papers on systematic reviews and meta-analysis published in Chinese Journal of Pediatricsand methodology they used.Methods Basic data were extracted from 13 papers on sys-tematic reviews and meta-analysis published in Chinese Journal of Pediatrics .The methodology they used was assessed according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) and ANSTAR Scale and analyzed using the RevMan5.0.Results The PRISMA score was 14-23.5 (mean 20.0±3.11) and the AMSTAR score was 3-7.5 (mean 6.04±1.38) for the methodology used in papers on systematic reviews and meta-analysis published in Chinese Journal of Pediatrics .Conclusion The methodology used in papers on systematic reviews and meta-analy-sis published in Chinese Journal of Pediatrics is not quite valid and should thus be improved .

Objective To investigate the virological response in hepatitis C virus (HCV)genotype 1b relapsers after 48 weeks of peginterferon/ribavirin (peg-IFN/RBV)combination retreatment,and to explore the predictive value of interleukin (IL )-28B rs12978960 genetic polymorphismon virological response.Methods From 2012 to 2014,genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C (CHC)relapsers in He′nan Provincial People′s Hospital were retreated with combined peg-IFN/RBV for 48 weeks and followed up for 24 weeks off-treatment.Host IL-28B genetic polymorphism was detected.Predictive factors associated with virological response and sustained virological response (SVR)were analyzed.Independent-samples t test was conducted in continuous variables,whileχ2 test or Fisher exact probability test was conducted in counts data.Results A total of 61 patients finished 48 weeks of peg-IFN/RBV combination therapy and were further followed up for 24 weeks off-treatment.Mean age was (46.7 ±12.4)years.Thirty-seven patients (60.7%)were male and 49 were rs12978960 CC genotype.After 48 weeks of retreatment with peg-IFN/RBV and 24 weeks of off-treatment follow-up,40 patients (65 .6%)achieved SVR.Rapid virological response (RVR)and SVR of younger patients were both significantly higher than those of older patients (100.0% vs 67.4% and 85 .0% vs 47.6%,respectively;both P =0.006).IL-28B rs12978960 genotype was predictive to RVR and SVR.Patients with RVR and SVR had higher carriage rates of IL-28B rs12978960 CC genotype compared with those without RVR and SVR (both P <0.05 ).Patients with CC genotype had higher rates of RVR (34.1 % vs 0;χ2 = 10.625 ,P =0.006 ),end-of-treatment virological response (84.1 % vs 70.6%;χ2 =5 .563,P =0.039 )and SVR (77.3% vs 35 .3%;χ2 =9.572,P =0.007)than those with CT/TT genotype.However,there were no statistical differences of extended RVR (34.1 % vs 29.4%;χ2 =0.122,P =0.809)and early virological response (79.5 % vs 82.3%;χ2 =0.612,P =0.964).Conclusions Retreatment with antiviral therapy is necessary in CHC patients with genotype 1b. IL-28B rs12978960 genetic polymorphism is predictive to the SVR of retreatment,especially for patients without RVR,which will provide individualized treatment and optimize the treatment strategy.

To investigate the contamination conditions of Campylobacter spp.in duck production chain and its antimicrobial resistance,virulence gene distribution,samples were collected at the duck slaughterhouse according to GB 4789.9-2014.Triplex PCR assay was applied to identify the species of Campylobacter and the recovered Campylobacter strains were tested for the antimicrobial susceptibility against 8 kinds of antimicrobial agents using a broth microdilution method,the susceptibility results were determined according to the NARMS criteria (2011).Subsequently,4 virulence genes were detected by PCR method.The result showed that 187 Campylobacter isolates were obtained from 489 samples,including 160 C.jejuni,130 C.coli and 10 unidentified Campylobacter isolates.The total isolation rate of Campylobacter was 38.24％.The prevalence of Camnpytobacter before slaughtering,at depilation stage,evisceration stage and duck products was 76.33％,5.62％,24.00％,and 0％,respectively.The Campylobacter isolates were most frequently resistant to tetracycline (95.72 ％),followed by resistance to clindamycin(90.91％),the resistance rate of azithromycin (63.64％) was in the middle,the resistance rates of ciprofloxacin(31.02％),gentamicin(34.76％),nalidixic acid (37.43 ％),erythromycin (41.18 ％),chloramphenicol (41.18％) were relatively low.The multi-drug resistance was common among Campylobacter isolates with a rate of 72.19％.The prevalence of adhesion-associated gene cadF,flagellin gene flaA,invasion associated protein gene iamA,toxin regulation gene cdtB was 100％,80.75 ％,71.12％ and 94.65％,respectively.The results indicated that the Campylobacter contamination occurred in the slaughtering procedures of duck,and the antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter isolates was relatively serious.In addition,the virulence-associated genes were detected widely among Campylobacter isolates.Therefore,the supervision of antimicrobial agents using at rearing stage should be strengthened,along with health management in duck production chain.

Objective:To explore the effects of intermittent oral-esophageal tube feeding (IOE) on cerebral hemorrhage (CH) survivors receiving a tracheotomy.Methods:A total of 126 CH patients undergoing tracheotomy were randomly divided into an IOE group ( n=65) and a nasogastric tube feeding (NGT) group ( n=61). The feeding continued for 4 weeks along with medication and thorough rehabilitation interventions (including hemiplegic limb training, swallowing training, and pulmonary function training). Before and after the treatment, the body mass index, hemoglobin, albumin, proalbumin, creatinine height index, extubation rate and intubation time of the tracheotomy, as well as the incidence of complications were evaluated for both groups. Both groups were also assessed using the clinical pulmonary infection scale (CPIS) and National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS). Results:After the 4 weeks the nutrition indexes, average extubation rate (90.76%) and intubation time [(15.96±3.86)d], CPIS score (3.00±1.69), NIHSS score (11.86±4.08) and the overall incidence of complications in the IOE group were all significantly better than the NGT group′s averages.Conclusions:Where feasible, intermittent oro-esophageal tube feeding is superior to nasogastric tube feeding of cerebral hemorrhage patients undergoing tracheotomy. It reduces the risk of pulmonary infection and other complications, resulting in early removal of the tracheotomy cannula and quicker recovery.

Objective: To investigate the effect of hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) in promoting the invasion of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2.2.15 and the role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the mechanism. Methods: TLR4 mRNA and protein expression in HepG2 cells and HepG2.2.15 cells was measured by reverse transcription real-time PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. HepG2.2.15 cells were transfected with TLR4 specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence TLR4 expression, and stimulated by recombinant HBcAg in culture. The invasion of cells was measured by Transwell invasion assay. The expression of TLR4 signaling pathway-related proteins in the cultured cells and proinflammatory cytokines in the supernatant was also determined. The student’s t-test, one-way ANOVA, and SNK-q test were used for statistical analysis. Results: TLR4 mRNA and protein expression in HepG2.2.15 cells was significantly higher than that in HepG2 cells. TLR4 siRNA transfection remarkably down-regulated TLR4 expression in HepG2.2.15 cells. Inhibiting TLR4 expression and/or HBcAg stimulation did not affect the proliferation of HepG2.2.15 cells. However, HBcAg stimulation significantly increased the invasion ability of HepG2.2.15 cells and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines [including interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α]. Inhibiting TLR4 expression significantly reduced HBcAg-induced cellular invasion. Meanwhile, HBcAg stimulation elevated the expression of MyD88 and TRIF in HepG2.2.15 cells. TLR4 silencing inhibited HBcAg-induced increase in the expression of MyD88, while it showed no significant impact on TRIF expression. Conclusion HBcAg can promote the invasion of HepG2.2.15 cells. The TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway may be involved in this process by inducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines.

Objective To explore the correlation between adiponectin and liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.Methods 60 patients with chronic hepatitis B were divided into mild liver fibrosis group (n =28),severe liver fibrosis group (n =17)and cirrho-sis group (n =15),and 20 healthy volunteers were designed as the control group.The serum adiponectin level was detected in all the groups.Results There were significant differences of serum adiponectin levels among the four groups (P <0.05),and there was a positive correlation be-tween serum adiponectin level and liver fibrosis grade (r =0.967,P <0.05).The expression rate of liver tissue adiponectin in cirrhosis group was 93.33%,which was significantly higher than the mild group (14.29%)and severe fibrosis group (41.18%)(P <0.05).Conclusion Adiponectin is closely related to the liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Objective To analyze and summarize the epidemiological characteristics of gastric Helicobacter pylori in pa-tients experiencing gastric discomfort in Yuexiu Dongshan Community,Guangzhou.Methods A total of 312 patients who visited Yuexiu District Dongshan Community Health Service Center for stomach upset testing between April 2023 and July 2023 were en-rolled in the study.The distribution characteristics of positive Helicobacter pylori were analyzed among the patients of different age and gender.Results Out of the 312 cases in the population,93 cases tested positive and 219 tested negative,with a positive de-tection rate of 29.81%.Specifically,28 cases tested positive,and 74 cases tested negative in the male population,with a positive detection rate of 27.45%.In the female population,65 cases tested positive,and 145 cases tested negative,with a positive detec-tion rate of 30.95%.The difference in positive rates by gender was not statistically significant(X2 =0.402,P=0.526).Among the male patients infected with Helicobacter,the mean value of delta over baseline of the C13 urea breath test(DOB)was(17.31±11.84).The DOB value was insignificantly higher in the males than in the females(t =1.430,P=0.156).There was no signifi-cant increasing or decreasing trend in the distribution of positive rates by age.The composition ratio of positive patients was predom-inant in the group aged 40 and above,accounting for 79.57%of the total number of positive cases.Among the individuals aged less than 60 infected with Helicobacter pylori,the mean duration of the breath test was(14.95±11.87),while among those aged over 61,the mean duration of the breath test was(24.66±22.71).The disparity between the two groups was statistically significant(t =2.643,P=0.009 7).Conclusion Gastric Helicobacter pylori can be detected in individuals of all genders and ages,and it is a primary cause of gastric discomfort.Community-based C13 breath tests can detect the presence of infections of helicobacter py-lori at an early stage.Antibiotics can be administered to treat the infections,thereby reducing the incidence of gastric tumors.