OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between the PNPLA3 rs738409 polymorphism and chronic hepatitis B (CH[B) in a Han Chinese population residing in Qingdao.

METHODSPeripheral blood samples were collected from 185 CHB patients and 164 healthy controls and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing to determine the PNPLA3 genotypes. The relative risk of the rs738409 polymorphism for CHB was estimated by calculating the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval.

RESULTSThe rs738409 G allele frequency was significantly different between the CHB and control groups (31.9% vs.21.9% respectively, P less than 0.05). Compared to he rs738409 C allele, the G allele was associated with an increased risk of developing CHB (OR =1.67, 95% CI:1.18-2.34, P =0.003). Logistic regression model analysis, with adjustment for confounding factors, indicated that carriers of the PNPLA3 rs738409 GG + GC genotype had increased risk of CHB than carriers of the CC genotype (OR =1.76 ,95% CI:1.14-2.71, P =0.011).

CONCLUSIONQingdao Han Chinese who are carriers of the rs738409 G allele are at increased risk of CHB.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Humans ; Lipase ; genetics ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

Hemolysis caused by blood pumps is a very important characteristic. In vitro hemolysis test circuits were constructed to operate the model I centrifugal pump, the model II axial flow pump, the magnetic coupling pump and the model I & II spiral mixed pump. The output of all pumps was set at flow 5 L/min, an average pressure of 100 mmHg. Experiments were conducted for 4 hours at room temperature(25 degrees C) with 500 ml fresh anticoagulant sheep blood. Blood samples were taken for plasma free-hemoglobin measurement, and the change in temperature at the pump outlet port was measured during the experiment. Calculate the normalized index of hemolysis (NIH). The results showed that there was no relationship either between the pump rotational speed and the NIH in five types of blood pumps, or between change in temperature at the pump outlet port and NIH. The dynamic fluid field caused by pump design and structure could be the main cause of blood damage.
Animals ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Heart-Assist Devices ; adverse effects ; Hemolysis ; In Vitro Techniques ; Sheep ; Temperature

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of plasma laser lipolysis technology in shaping facial contour.Methods:From June 2015 to September. 2018, lipolysis were performed on 86 patients with cheek and/or jaw fat accumulation by plasma laser with 980 nm wavelength and 400 μm diameter optical fiber. The appearance was compared before and after operation, the improvement of facial contours and the effect of rejuvenation were observed in 6 months after operation.Results:Among 86 patients, 80 cases had significant reduction of fat accumulation and improvement of facial contour and skin relaxation, the other 5 patients had in significant improvement, and 1 patient had slight asymmetry of bilateral cheek. There were no complications such as hematoma, infection, nerve injury, skin burn and local pigmentation in all patients.Conclusions:Plasma fiber lipolysis technology is simple, safe and effective, it can be applied to shape the facial contour.

Objective:To investigate the repair effect of autologous costal cartilage combined with silicone prosthesis on injection rhinoplasty.Methods:From July 2016 to July 2019, 28 patients who were dissatisfied with the appearance of injectable rhinoplasty and required surgical repair were treated in our hospital. Among them, 26 patients were injected with hyaluronic acid as filler, and 2 patients were unknown filler. On the basis of thoroughly cleaning the filler and releasing the adhesive tissue, the method of autogenous costal cartilage combined with silicone prosthesis was adopted: the costal cartilage was taken to support the nasal tip, and the silicone prosthesis was used to fill the nasal dorsum. The incidence of complications was observed postoperatively, and the score of each patient before and 6 months after operation was evaluated by ROE questionnaire.Results:No postoperative complications such as skin infection and necrosis, prosthesis deformation and displacement, and pneumothorax were observed in all the patients, and the incision healing was smooth. All patients were followed up for 6-18 months. Among the 6 questions on the preoperative and postoperative ROE questionnaire, except for question 2, the difference between the the two was statistically significant ( t=7.58, P<0.05). Conclusions:The use of autologous costal cartilage combined with silicone prosthesis can effectively repair injection-type rhinoplasty, which can not only achieve satisfactory postoperative results, but also reduce surgical complications. It is easy to operate and worthy of choice in clinical practice.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of plasma laser lipolysis technology in shaping facial contour.Methods:From June 2015 to September. 2018, lipolysis were performed on 86 patients with cheek and/or jaw fat accumulation by plasma laser with 980 nm wavelength and 400 μm diameter optical fiber. The appearance was compared before and after operation, the improvement of facial contours and the effect of rejuvenation were observed in 6 months after operation.Results:Among 86 patients, 80 cases had significant reduction of fat accumulation and improvement of facial contour and skin relaxation, the other 5 patients had in significant improvement, and 1 patient had slight asymmetry of bilateral cheek. There were no complications such as hematoma, infection, nerve injury, skin burn and local pigmentation in all patients.Conclusions:Plasma fiber lipolysis technology is simple, safe and effective, it can be applied to shape the facial contour.

Objective To investigate the nutritional status of vitamin D (Vit D) in newborns in Xi'an, and to provide a theoretical basis for timely and targeted formulation of regional and individualized Vit D nutrition intervention strategies. Methods A cross sectional survey was performed in newborns within 24 hours life age at the neonatal department of China Xidian Group Hospital. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were detected and compared for the mean among groups in accordance with gestational age, birth weight and gender. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of each factor on serum 25 (OH) D levels. A P-value of P <0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 582 newborns were recruited in this study. The average serum 25 (OH) D level within 24 hours after birth was 11.2±3.2ng/ml, which was a deficiency. The overall prevalence of Vit D level abnormality (insufficiency + deficiency + severe deficiency) was 96.70% (563/582 cases). The gestational age and birth weight had a significant effect on Vit D levels (β=2.94, P<0.001 and β=7.71, P<0.001, respectively), while the gender had no effect (β=-0.003, P>0.05). Conclusion Vit D nutritional deficiency existed in some newborns in Xi'an. Measures need to be taken to improve the status of newborn Vit D deficiency.

Objective To compare the effects of septal ablation (SA) versus conservative medication (CM) on the hemodynamic,clinical status and survival in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).Methods This retrospective study included 350 consecutive patients with HOCM (mean age (51.3 ± 13.5) years old) hospitalized in Anzhen Hospital between September 2002 to September 2014.The patients were followed up to 14 years and the follow up rate was 99.4％ (348/350).Overall and cardiac-related mortalities were compared between SA group (n =184) and CM group (n =184).Moreover,SA related cardiac function and hemodynamics improvement were also evaluated,predictors for clinical events were evaluated by Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare the total mortality between the two groups.The log-rank test was used to compare the survival curve differences between the two groups.Results The median follow-up period was 4 years (1-14 years).The annual mortalities of SA and CM were 2.4％ and 0.6％ respectively (P ＜ 0.001) and cumulative sudden cardiac death (SCD) rates were 3.61％ (6/166) and 0.54％ (1/184) respectively (P =0.031).Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that the age was the most important independent predictor for overall mortality(HR =1.259,95％ CI 1.101-1.438,P =0.001).In addition,left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient was significantly reduced post SA (peak velocity of LVOT:baseline (4.23:± 1.05) m/s,post SA:(1.83 ±0.79) m/s,P ＜0.01) and heart function was also significantly improved post SA (NYHA at baseline:2.97 ±0.29,post SA:1.74 ±0.53,P ＜0.001).Conclusion SA could significantly improve the hemodynamics and clinical status in drug-resistant patients with HOCM.In comparison to patients received CM,overall survival rate was significantly higher in SA group without extra risk of SCD.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in kidney transplant recipients(KTRs)and examine the risk factors for severe/critical infection.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for 208 adult KTRs diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 15, 2022, and March 15, 2023.They were assigned into two groups of mild/ordinary(n=168)and severe/critical(n=40)according to the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Two groups were compared with regards to general profiles, status of baseline vaccination against COVID-19, transplant history, immunosuppressive regimens, comorbidities and treatment outcomes.For continuous variables, t or Mann-Whitney U test was utilized for comparing the inter-group differences.For categorical variables, chi-square or Fisher's exact test was employed.Bonferroni correction was applied for multiple comparisons when p value was ≤0.05.Logistic regression analysis of univariates and multivariates was conducted for identifying the risk factors for severe/critical infections.Results:The rates of hospitalization, severe illness, ICU admission, mechanical ventilation and mortality among 208 KTRs with COVID-19 were 27.4%(57/208), 19.2%(40/208), 3.4%(7/208), 5.3%(11/208)and 1.9%(4/208)respectively.Among 57 COVID-19 infected individuals, 43.9%(25/57)experienced bone marrow suppression with an incidence of anemia 36.8%(21/57)and thrombocytopenia 22.8%(13/57). The lowest counts of whole blood lymphocyte, CD4 + T lymphocyte and CD8 + T lymphocyte were 390.0(245.0, 615.0), 138.0(78.0, 293.5)and 180.0(94.7, 575.2)cells/μL respectively.The incidence of bacterial, cytomegaloviral, Pneumocystis jirovecii and other fungal infections after COVID-19 infection was 17.8%(37/208), 3.8%(8/208), 2.9%(6/208)and 2.9%(6/208)respectively.The severe/critical group had a higher incidence of other pathogen infections as compared to mild/ordinary group, including bacterial infections[62.5%(25/40)vs 7.1%(12/168), 95% CI: 47.5%~63.3%, P<0.001], cytomegaloviral infections[15.0%(6/40)vs 1.2%(2/168), 95% CI: 8.1%~19.5%, P=0.001], P.jirovecii infections[15%(6/40)vs 0(0/168), 95% CI: 9.4%~20.6%, P<0.001]and other fungal infections of Candida, Cryptococcus, Malassezia and Aspergillus fumigatus[15.0%(6/40)vs 0(0/168), 95% CI: 9.4%~20.6%, P<0.001]. The incidence of acute kidney injury(AKI)after COVID-19 infection was 13.5%(28/208)and severe/critical group had a higher incidence of AKI than mild/ordinary group[52.5%(21/40)vs 4.2%(7/168), 95% CI: 40.3% to 56.3%, P<0.001]. Univariate analysis showed that age( P=0.003), male gender( P=0.002), smoking history( P=0.012), coronary heart disease( P=0.011), diabetes mellitus( P=0.002), chronic renal insufficiency( P=0.001)and pulmonary disease history( P=0.001)were significantly different between severe/critical and mild/ordinary groups.Multivariate regression analysis revealed that comorbid chronic kidney disease( OR=3.34, 95% CI: 1.46-7.64, P=0.004)and a history of lung disease( OR=3.42, 95% CI: 1.49-7.87, P=0.004)were independent risk factors for severe/critical illness.Baseline vaccination rate against COVID-19 was 17.8%(37/208). Completion of baseline vaccination was associated with a lower risk of severe/critical COVID-19 infection( OR=0.28, 95% CI: 0.08-0.98, P=0.047). Conclusions:KTRs with severe/critical COVID-19 infections are more prone to multiple pathogen co-infections and the incidence of kidney function impairment after infection has remained relatively high.Histories of pulmonary and chronic kidney diseases are independent risk factors for severe/critical infections.Completion of baseline vaccination provides protection against severe/critical infections.