Objective To explore the relationship between mutations in basic core promoter (BCP) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and familial clustering of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Guangxi. Methods 153 pairs of members with HBsAg-positive were selected and matched from HCC high-incidence families and carcinoma-free families in Guangxi. The BCP genes were amplified and sequenced. Results The hotspot sites of the previous five mutations in BCP were T1762, A1764, G1775, V1753, G1803. In univariant analysis, HBV DNA≥105 copies/mL, T1762, A1764 and V1753 mutations were associated with the HCC high-incidence (P <0.05). The multivariate logistic analysis showed that HBV DNA≥105 copies/mL and A1764 were independent risk factors for it. Conclusion HBV DNA level, the mutations in BCP showed correlations with familial clustering of HCC in Guangxi.

Objective To explore the roles of MircroRNA-217 ( Mir-217 ) , silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)in high glucose-induced inflammation and fibrosis in rat glomerular mesangial cells( RMCs) . Methods RMCs were pre-incubated with a Sirt1 activator resveratrol prior to high glucose treatment or transfected with Sirt1 small interfering RNA( siRNA) , HIF-1αsiRNA, and Mir-217 inhibitor. Real-time PCR was used to analyze the expressions of Mir-217, Sirt1 mRNA, and HIF-1α mRNA; Western blot was used to observe the protein expressions of Sirt1, HIF-1α, connective tissue growth factor(CTGF), endothelin-1(ET-1), and fibronectin( FN) . Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to detect protein expression of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF). Results High glucose increased Mir-217, HIF-1α, CTGF, ET-1, FN, TGF-β1, and VEGF expressions(all P<0. 01), while decreased Sirt1 expression. In addition, Mir-217 gene silencing or 25μmol/L resveratrol suppressed high glucose-stimulated expressions of HIF-1α, CTGF, endothelin-1, FN, TGF-β1, and VEGF(all P<0. 01). Conclusion Mir-217 mediates high glucose-induced inflammation and fibrosis in RMCs via Sirt1/HIF-1αsignal pathway. This study provides new evidence to clarify the protective mechanisms of Sirt1 in diabetic nephropathy.

Objective To evaluate the value of virtual touch tissue imaging quantification (VTIQ),which was combined with ultrasound Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS),for differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions.Methods Totally 190 patients with 214 breast lesions were enrolled in this study.All lesions were classified according to the BI-RADS for sonography.The maximum,minimum and mean shear wave velocity (SWV) values on VTIQ in the lesions were obtained.The SWV between benign and malignant lesions were analyzed.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves were plotted to determine the cut off value of VTIQ for differential diagnosis of breast lesions. Results Pathology confirmed 166 benign lesions and 48 malignant lesions.The SWVmax,SWVmin,SWVmean of malignant lesions were significantly higher than those of benign lesions (all P<0.001).The SWVmean 3.67 m/s as the best value in the diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the combination of the SWVmean and BI-RADS classification standard in the diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions were 77.6%,97.5%,92.7%,91.3%,respectively.Conclusions The combination of VTIQ and ultrasonic BI-RADS can improve the ability of differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions.

[Summary] The aim of this study was to detect the levels of serum miR-130b expression in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to analyze their correlation with diabetic renal damage. 243 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were divided into three groups according to urinary albumin/creatinine ratio ( UACR ): normoalbuminuria group (UACR<30 mg/g, n=103), microalbuminuria group (UACR 30-300 mg/g, n=86), and macroalbuminuria group(UACR>300 mg/g, n=54). The levels of serum miR-130b were validated by realtime polymerase chain reaction. Serum transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) in all patients and 59 healthy volunteers. Compared with control group, the level of serum miR-130b in the type 2 diabetes mellitus group were significantly decreased, gradually with the increases of UACR. The level of serum miR-130b was inversely correlated with blood urea nitrogen ( r=-0. 295, P<0.05), serum creatinine(r=-0. 316, P<0. 05), UACR(r=-0. 463, P<0. 05), but positively related to the estimated glomerular filtration rate(r=0. 367, P<0. 01). The level of serum miR-130b was also negatively correlated to homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 (r=-0. 257,-0. 345,-0. 242,-0. 562,-0. 622, all P<0. 01). The present study indicates that serum miR-130b might be a potential new biomarker for early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy. Serum miR-130b might be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of different dietary pattern and soybean oligosac-charides supplementation on the amount and proportion of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). Method: Twelve healthy students aged 20 to 25 years old were selected in the medical college. The study included 3 periods. In every period the students accepted different dietary patterns in 1st week [1. low animal food diet (LAFD),2. balanced food diet (BD), 3. high animal food diet (HAFD)]. Soybean oligosaccharides (5g/d) were added to different diets in 2nd week. The diet in 1st week was recovered in 3rd week. The study lasted for 9 w. Feces were collected once a week and SCFA was measured by capillary gas chromatography. Results: The total SCFA in feces were increased after taking LAFD, more prominent in acetic acid and butyric acid (P

Objective To evaluate the value of 2D ultrasound and elastic strain ratio (SR) in diagnosis of thyroid nodule by fine needle aspiration (FNA).Methods 196 thyroid nodules were analyzed retrospectively with 2D ultrasound,elastography and FNA results,pathology results as the golden standard.A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify the best cut-off point of SR.The Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the variables effectiveness on age,nodule echo,calcification and SR.Tried to discuss how to use SR before or after US-FNA in diagnosis of thyroid nodule.Results The SR of the malignant nodules group was significantly different from the benign nodules group,and the best cut-off point was 0.5 with sensitivity 91.7％,specificity 90.2 ％ and accuracy 90.8 ％.The Logistic analysis results were SR,age,echo,calcification according to the odds ratio.SR can screened nodules without puncture necessary before FNA,and increase the FNA sensitivity,specificity and accuracy after FNA.Conclusions SR has good application value in diagnosis thyroid malignant tumor.SR can reduce unnecessary FNA and make a supplementary diagnosis of FNA.

Objective To explore the distribution and characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype in the region in Guangxi with high incidence of primary liver cancer (PLC). Methods 103 pairs of samples from the sex- and age-matched members with HBsAg-positive from PLC-clustering families (the experimental group) and carcinoma-free families (control group) were collected. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing methods were applied for the analysis of HBV genotype. Results Four HBV genotypes: B, C, B/C and D, were detected, the percentages of them in the two groups were 31.1%, 63.1%, 1.9%, 1.9% and 30.1%, 55.3%, 6.8%, 2.9%, respectively, showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). HBeAg positive rates were significantly different between genotype C and B (P < 0.05), but no significant differences were showed in such factors as gender, age, ethnic group and HBV DNA level in them (P > 0.05). Conclusions The main genotypes were types B and C besides a small number of combined genotypes B/C and D in the regions of Guangxi with a high incidence of PLC. There may be few relationships between HBV genotypes and the high incidence of PLC for familial clustering in Guangxi.

Objective To examine whether alpha lipoic acid (LA) regulates high glucose-induced mesangial cell proliferation via mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling.Methods The cell proliferation and cycle were determined by methylthiazoletetrazolium(MTT) assay and flow cytometry,respectively.The mRNA expression of AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK) was detected by realtime PCR.The phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B (Akt),mTOR,eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4EBP1),and 70S6 kinase (p70S6K) were measured by Western blot.Results 0.25 mmol/L LA promoted high glucose-sitmulated rat mesangial cell proliferation(P＜0.01) and entry of cell cycle into S phase(P＜0.01),along with increased phosphorylation levels of Akt,mTOR,p70S6K,and 4EBP1 (P＜0.05).These effects of 0.25 mmol/L LA disappeared when Akt activity was inhibited.On the contrary,1.0 mmol/L LA inhibited high glucose-induced cell proliferation(P＜0.01) and entry of cell cycle into S phase(P＜0.01),with the decreased phosphorylation levels of mTOR,p70S6K,and 4EBP1 (P＜ 0.05) and the enhanced activity of AMPK(P＜0.01).These effects of 1.0 mmol/L LA were prevented when AMPK activity was inhibited.Conclusions LA dose-dependently regulates mesangial cell proliferation induced by glucose via mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the changes in expression of Klotho, an aging-suppression protein, and neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin ( NGAL) and their relationship with rat mesangial cells ( RMCs) cultured with high glucose in vitro, and to explore the role played by Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) / nuclear factor-kB(NF-kB) p65 pathways in this process. Methods Three NGAL-siRNA sequences were designed and synthesized. The effective sequence in subsequent experiments was chosen. RMCs were preincubated with pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC)or exogenously added Klotho prior to high glucose treatment. Realtime PCR was used to analyze Klotho, TLR4, NGAL mRNA expressions. Western blot was used to observe Klotho, TLR4,NF-kB p65, NGAL,fibronectin (FN), and connective tissue growth factor ( CTGF) protein expression. ELISA assay was used to detect monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 ( MCP-1) and CXCL5 secretions. Results High glucose suppressed Klotho expression significantly(P<0. 05) and activated TLR4 / NF-kB p65 pathway. Meanwhile,the levels of NGAL,FN,CTGF, MCP-1, and CXCL5 were highly expressed ( P < 0. 01). NGAL gene silencing obviously down-regulated the increased expressions of FN, CTGF, MCP-1, and CXCL5 ( P < 0. 01). After PDTC treatment the overexpression of NGAL protein was markedly lowered(P<0. 01). In addition, Klotho treatment significantly inhibited the activity of TLR4 /NF-kB p65 pathways and down-regulated the expressions of NGAL, FN, CTGF, MCP-1 and CXCL5 stimulated by high glucose(P<0. 01). Conclusion Klotho inhibits the activity of TLR4 / NF-kB p65 pathways and thus inhibits NGAL expression in RMCs cultured with high glucose in vitro. And then it suppresses the expressions of FN, CTGF, MCP-1, and CXCL5. This provides a new basis to illustrate the protection mechanism of the anti-aging protein Klotho in diabetic nephropathy, and may provide new ideas and therapeutic targets for prevention and treatment.

Objective To evaluate the value of elastic strain ratio (SR) in ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (US-FNA) of thyroid nodule.Methods A total of 222 thyroid nodules from 216 patients were reviewed and analyzed by Logistic regression of clinical data,2D ultrasound,and SR.The odds ratios of variables in the equation were compared to assess various variables,especially of SR in the diagnosis.The sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of the SR method,US-FNA method,and combined method were calculated.Results Three statistically significant features finally entered the Logistic regression model,followed by SR,echo,and age according to the odds ratio.The sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of the SR method,US-FNA method and combined method were 85.4％,82.1％,83.3％ ; 91.5％,82.1％,85.6％ ; 97.6％,94.3％,95.5％ respectively.Conclusions SR＜0.5 is the most important risk factor in differential diagnosis of thyroid malignant nodules from benign nodules.SR raises the sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of US-FNA method and plays an important role in diagnosing thyroid nodules via US-FNA.