A simple and cost-effective indirect competitive enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ic-ELISA) was developed to rapidly screen the content of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in lotus seeds, and the results were confirmed by ultra-fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry( UFLC-MS/MS). Matrix-matched calibration expressed a good linearity ranging from 0. 171 to 7. 25 µg · L(-1) for AFB, with R2 > 0.978. The medium inhibitory concentration( IC50 ) for AFB1 was 1.29 µg · L(-1), the recovery for AFB1 was 74.73% to 126.9% with RSD < 5%, and the limit of detection (IC10) was 0.128 µg · L(-1). The developed ic-ELSIA method was applied to rapid analysis of AFB, in 20 lotus seeds samples and the results indicated that the contents of AFB, in samples 1-15 were in the range of 1. 19- 115. 3 µg · kg(-1) and in 40% of the samples exceeded the legal limit(5 µg · kg(-1)), while the contamination rate of AFB, in samples 16-20 was 40%. Pearson correlation coefficient(r) reached 0.997 for AFB1 content in the samples detected by ic-ELSIA and UFLC-MS/MS methods. The results proved that the developed ic-ELISA method is simple, sensitive and reliable, and can be used for rapid and high-throughput screening of AFB1 in lotus seeds
Aflatoxin B1 ; analysis ; Drug Contamination ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Loteae ; chemistry ; Seeds ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo assess the relationship between nodular goiter and hepatitis C virus infection.

METHODSNinety-seven cases of early treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C were collected for analysis.Data on patient age,sex,hepatitis duration and other general information were collected.In addition, data on clinical measures of thyroid function (including T3, t4, tSH) and thyroid autoantibodies (thyroid peroxidase antibody TPO-Ab, thyroglobulin antibody Tg-Ab), as well as findings from thyroid dimensional ultrasonography were collected. One hundred and eleven cases of early treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B and 106 eases of females 40 years old or older with high risk of nodular goiter were collected for use as controls.The relationship between nodular goiter with thyroid function, thyroid autoantibodies levels,sex,age,and hepatitis C virus infection were statistically analyzed.

RESULTSThe prevalence rates of nodular goiter in the chronic hepatitis C group, the chronic hepatitis B group and the more than or equal to 40 year-old women with high risk of nodular goiter were 53.6%,36.9% and 59.4% respectively.The prevalence rates of nodular goiter in the chronic hepatitis C group and the more than or equal to 40 year-old women with high risk of nodular goiter were significantly higber than that in the chronic hepatitis B group (x² values: 5.820 and 10.996, P < 0.05). The average age of patients with chronic hepatitis C combined with nodular goiter was significantly higher than their counterparts without goiter (F=6.408, P < 0.05),and the prevalence rate in the more than or equal to 40 year-old women with high risk of nodular goiter was significantly higher than that of their counterparts who were less than 40 years-old (60.0% vs. 23.5%; x² =7.499, P less than 0.05). The prevalence of nodular goiter in patients with chronic hepatitis C was significantly greater for females than for males (62.1% vs. 41.0%; x 2 =4.152, P < 0.05).The prevalence of nodular goiter in patients with chronic hepatitis C was also significantly higher for females more than or equal to 40 years old than for males (70.2%, 33/47 vs. 45.5%,15/33; x² = 4.952, P < 0.05).The duration of hepatitis, thyroid function and thyroid autoantibodies were similar between the patients in the chronic hepatitis C group with or without nodular goiter.

CONCLUSIONSThe patients with chronic hepatitis C had a higher prevalence of nodular goiter,with an average of up to 53.6%, than the patients with chronic hepatitis B,and the women the more than or equal to 40 years old had even higher prevalence, at 70.2%, suggesting that patients with chronic hepatitis C should be routinely examined by thyroid ultrasound. Thyroid function and thyroid autoantibodies were not correlated with prevalence of goiter among the chronic hepatitis C patients.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of hepatic flare and evaluate efficacy of antiviral treatment in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection. Methods: A single-center, open-label, prospective study was conducted, and pregnant women with chronic HBV infection were enrolled. Liver function, HBV serum markers and HBV DNA of pregnant women with chronic HBV infection were reviewed during every 4 to 12 weeks of gestation period. The proportion and clinical characteristics of hepatitis flare during pregnancy were observed. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict hepatic flare in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection. Antiviral therapy with telbivudine (LdT) or tenofovir dipivoxil (TDF) was used to treat hepatic flare during pregnancy. Sequential entecavir (ETV) or TDF was applied after the delivery. Treatment course and drug withdrawal in pregnant women with hepatic flare was the same as those of the general patients with chronic hepatitis B. Liver function, HBV serum markers and HBV DNA were measured in pregnant women with hepatic flare at different time points (4, 12, 24 and 52 weeks). A t-test was used to compare the hepatic flare in pregnant women with and without hepatitis group. HBsAg and HBeAg were used to quantify the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of pregnant women with hepatic flare during pregnancy. Area under the ROC curve was used to calculate the optimal cut-off value corresponding to the maximum sensitivity and specificity of the ROC curve. Results: Of the 220 pregnant women with chronic HBV infection, 55 (25%) had hepatitis flare during pregnancy and received antiviral treatment. Among the 55 women with hepatic flare during gestation, 47 (85.46%) had hepatic flare in the mid-second trimester (12-24 weeks); average peak value of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 220.62 U/L, and the average peak value of ALT in 32 cases (58.18%) of pregnant women with hepatic flare was between 2–5 × ULN. HBsAg and HBeAg quantification were significantly lower in pregnant women with hepatic flare during pregnancy than with non-hepatitis (t = -3.745, P < 0.001; t = -2.186, P = 0.030). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that pregnant women with HBeAg < 3.065 log10 s/co were 7.576 times more likely to have hepatic flare during pregnancy (95% confidence interval: 3.779-15.190). ALT normalization, undetectable HBV DNA levels, HBeAg loss and HBeAg seroconversion in 55 pregnant women with hepatic flare at 52-week treatment was 100% (55/55), 74.55% (41/55), 47.27% (26/55) and 41.82% (23/55), respectively. HBsAg quantification at 52 weeks was significantly lower than baseline HBsAg quantification (3.32 + 0.37) log₁₀ IU/ml and (3.95 + 0.40) log₁₀ IU/ml; t = 8.465, P < 0.001). Conclusion Hepatic flare often occurs in the second trimester of pregnancy in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection and baseline HBeAg quantification is an independent predictor of hepatic flare. HBeAg seroconversion rate increased at 52 weeks after antiviral therapy.

Objective: To explore the difference of liver inflammation and fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and to investigate the relationship between hepatic pathology and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Methods: 57 patients with chronic HCV infection and 346 patients with chronic HBV infection who were hospitalized at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from January 2012 to September 2016 were enrolled. In chronic HBV infection, including 88 cases whose ALT were more than two times of upper limited of normal (ALT≥2×ULN) and 258 cases whose ALT were less than two times of upper limited of normal (ALT < 2×ULN).All the patients were underwent liver biopsy. Chronic HBV infection (ALT≥2×ULN and ALT < 2×ULN) and chronic HCV infection were compared respectively. Statistical analyses were performed using a Univariate χ²-test and Mann–Whitney U test for comparison. Correlations between variables were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation. Results: In chronic HBV infection group, 169 cases (48.8%) had inflammation grade≥2 (G≥2), 98 cases (28.3%) had fibrosis stage≥2 (S≥2), 81 cases (23.4%) with G≥2 and S≥2.In the ALT < 2×ULN group, there were 109 cases (42.2%) with G≥2, 62 cases (24%) with S≥2, 49 cases (19%) with G≥2 and S≥2. In the ALT≥2×ULN group, 60 cases (68.2%) with G≥2, 35 cases (39.8%) with S≥2, 31 cases (35.2%) with G≥2 and S≥2. The grade of inflammation and fibrosis have significantly different between ALT≥2×ULN group and ALT < 2×ULN group (χ² = 17.66, χ² = 8.06, P < 0.01). In chronic HCV infection group, 47 cases (82.5%) with G≥2, 20 cases (35.1%) with S≥2, 20 cases (35.1%) with G≥2 and S≥2. ALT had no correlation with inflammation and fibrosis (P > 0.05). The grade of inflammation was significantly different between chronic HCV infection and chronic HBV infection whose ALT < 2×ULN (χ² = 30.19, P < 0.01) but the fibrosis have no difference (χ² = 2.96, P > 0.05). Compared with chronic HBV infection whose ALT≥2×ULN, both inflammation and fibrosis had no significantly different (χ² = 3.65, χ² = 0.32, P > 0.05 respectively). Conclusion In chronic HBV infection whose ALT < 2×ULN, about 30%-40% liver tissue with significant necroinflammation and /or fibrosis. About 80% chronic HCV infection with significant necroinflammation, and the grade of inflammation has no correlation with ALT. The grade of inflammation has significantly different between chronic HCV infection group and chronic HBV infection group whose ALT < 2×ULN.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the variation of etiology and complication of liver cirrhosis(LC) by the comparative analysis of etiology,complications, sex and age in LC patients in 2012 and in 2017. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we collected cases of LC admitted in 2012 and 2017 and reviewed the medical records. The demographics, etiology and complications were collected and we compared the composition ratios of etiology and complications as well as the sex composition and age differences between different etiology in the 5-year period. RESULTS: 3065 patients(including 1451 in 2012 and 1614 in 2017) were identified in this study. There was no significant difference in etiology of LC caused by HBV infection(that was 56.31% in 2012 and 53.41% in 2017, respectively.(χ2=2.591, P=0.107). The composition ratio of alcohol and autoimmune diseases increased. That of alcohol diseases was 12.96% in 2012 and 16.36% in 2017(χ2=7.027, P=0.008).That of autoimmune diseases was 9.92% in 2012 and 13.07% in 2017(χ2=7.398, P=0.007). The composition ratio of HCV infection decreased from 14.82% to 11.28% having statistically significant difference(χ2=8.497, P=0.004). The three former complications in 2012 were UGH(15.64%), HCC(15.30%,), SBP(12.68%,), which were HCC(21.07%), UGH(13.38%), SBP(11.03%) in 2017. HCC was more common(that was 15.30% in 2012 and 21.07% in 2017) having significant difference(χ2=16.964, P<0.001).LC caused by HBV and alcohol were mainly males, which slightly decreased having no significant difference. LC caused by autoimmune diseases was mainly female, which slightly increased having no significant difference. The LC patients infected by HBV and HCV were older than before when were hospitalized.That of HBV was(50.08±11.11) years old in 2012 and(52.39±11.56) years old in 2017(t=-4.163, P=0.004). That of HCV was(57.22±10.52)years old in 2012 and(61.13±10.25) years old in 2017(t=-3.732, P <0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared with 5 years ago, HBV infection remained the major cause of liver cirrhosis, whereas alcohol and autoimmune diseases increased and HCV infection decreased. HCC was the most common of LC complications. LC patients caused by different etiology had different prevalence in sex and were hospitalized in different ages. Patients infected by HBV/HCV seemed to be older than before when they were hospitalized.

Liver fibrosis is a pathological condition characterized by replacement of normal liver tissue with scar tissue, and also the leading cause of liver-related death worldwide. During the treatment of liver fibrosis, in addition to antiviral therapy or removal of inducers, there remains a lack of specific and effective treatment strategies. For thousands of years, Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) have been widely used to treat liver fibrosis in clinical setting. CHMs are effective for liver fibrosis, though its mechanisms of action are unclear. In recent years, many studies have attempted to determine the possible mechanisms of action of CHMs in treating liver fibrosis. There have been substantial improvements in the experimental investigation of CHMs which have greatly promoted the understanding of anti-liver fibrosis mechanisms. In this review, the role of CHMs in the treatment of liver fibrosis is described, based on studies over the past decade, which has addressed the various mechanisms and signaling pathways that mediate therapeutic efficacy. Among them, inhibition of stellate cell activation is identified as the most common mechanism. This article provides insights into the research direction of CHMs, in order to expand its clinical application range and improve its effectiveness.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Fibrosis ; Liver Diseases/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy*

ObjectiveTo investigate whether the whole intestinal microbiota transplantation in Alzheimer's disease （AD） model mice has more significant effects on ileum intestinal microenvironment in normal mice under the guidance of the theory of traditional Chinese medicine that "interior-exterior relationship exists between the heart and small intestine". MethodsThe whole intestinal microbiota of fourteen 6-month-old specific pathogen free male APP/PS1 double-transgenic AD model mice was transplanted into the gut of six normal C57BL/6J mice of the same age and background treated with mixed antibiotics for 14 days. Then， after 14 days of normal rearing， the mice were sacrificed. Next， the pathological changes in the ileum and colon were observed， and the composition and diversity of the ileal and colonic microbiota was analyzed by sequencing. ResultsAfter the whole intestinal microbiota of AD mice was transplanted into normal mice， pathological analysis showed that only the ileum tissue had mucosal damage and crypt gland epithelial cell degeneration， necrosis， and shedding. Moreover， the microbiota analysis found that only the number of genera （P<0.01）， Chao1 index （P<0.01） and Simpson index of ileal microbiota in normal mice decreased （P<0.01）， and the composition of intestinal microbiota was quite similar to that of AD model mice. ConclusionUnder the effect of whole gut microbiota transplantation in AD mice， the diversity and composition of ileal microbiota change more than that of colonic microbiota in normal mice， and at the same time， it results in pathological damage to the ileal mucosa， indicating that the ileal microenvironment may be more closely related to the occurrence and development of AD， which is highly consistent with the traditional Chinese medicine theory of "interior-exterior relationship between heart and small intestine".

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