Supplemental one-carbon metabolism related B vitamins and lung cancer risk in the Women's Health Initiative

We and others have reported associations between B vitamins principally involved in one-carbon metabolism and increased lung cancer risk; however, results for women have been inconsistent. Here we report on the association of supplemental vitamins B₆, folic acid and B₁₂ intake and lung cancer risk using data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study of postmenopausal women. Between 1993 and 1998, 161,808 women were recruited to participate in the WHI at 40 clinical centers in the US. After exclusions, 159,232 women were available for analysis and followed prospectively for an average of 18.3 years. Among them, 3,836 incident lung cancer cases were diagnosed. At baseline, supplemental B vitamins from multivitamins, vitamin mixtures and individual supplements were assessed. Adjusted Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between supplemental B vitamin intake and lung cancer risk. Relative to no intake, women who took ≥50 mg/day of vitamin B₆ had 16% (HR 0.84, 95% CI: 0.71–0.99) reduced lung cancer risk. Associations did not differ significantly by smoking status or lung cancer histology. Intakes of folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ were not associated with risk. There is a need for replication of our findings from other large, prospective studies with similar high-quality measurement of supplement intakes before any recommendations can be made at present on B₆ supplementation for lung cancer prevention in women.     

Arachidonic acid-stimulated platelet tests: Identification of patients less sensitive to aspirin treatment

Serum thromboxane-B2 (TxB2), together with arachidonic acid (AA)-induced platelet aggregation, are, at the moment, the most used tests to identify patients displaying high on-aspirin treatment platelet reactivity (HAPR). Both tests are specific for aspirin action on cyclooxygenase-1. While the correlation between serum TxB2 assay and clinical outcome is established, data are conflicting with regard to aspirin treatment and a possible association with AA-stimulated platelet markers and clinical outcome. To understand such discrepancy, we performed a retrospective study to compare both assays. We collected data from 132 patients receiving a daily dose of aspirin (100?mg/day) and data from 48 patients receiving aspirin on alternate days. All Patients who received a daily dose of aspirin were studied for AA-induced platelet aggregation together with serum TxB2 levels and AA-induced TxB2 formation was also studied in 71 patients out of entire population. Consistent with recommendations in the literature, we defined HAPR by setting a cut-off point at 3.1?ng/ml for serum levels of thromboxane B2 and 20% for AA-induced platelet aggregation. According to this cut-off point, we divided our overall population into two groups: (1) TxB2?<?3.1?ng/ml and (2) TxB2?>?3.1?ng/ml. We found low agreement between such tests to identify patients displaying HAPR. Our results show that AA-induced platelet aggregation >20% identify a smaller number of HAPR patients in comparison with TxB2. A good correlation between serum TxB2 and arachidonic acid-induced TxB2 production was found (r?=?0.76619).     

Dynamic Indicators That Impact the Outcomes of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Complicated Type B Aortic Dissection

PurposeTo investigate dynamic variables obtained from retrospective computed tomography angiography for ability to predict thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) outcomes in patients with complicated type B aortic dissection (cTBAD).Materials and MethodsSeventy-nine patients with cTBAD who received TEVAR from March 2009 to June 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. Relative true lumen area (r-TLA) was computed at the level of tracheal bifurcation every 5% of all R-R intervals. Parameters that reflect the state of intimal motion were evaluated, including difference between maximum and minimum r-TLA (D-TLA) and true lumen collapse. The endpoints comprised early (≤ 30 days) and late (> 30 days) outcomes after intervention.ResultsOverall early mortality rate was 13.9% (11/79), and early adverse events rate was 24.1% (19/79). Patients who received TEVAR within 2 days of symptom onset demonstrated the worst outcomes. A longer time of r-TLA < 25% in 1 cardiac cycle (P = .049) and larger D-TLA (P < .001) were correlated to an increased early death. In addition, D-TLA was an independent predictor of early mortality. Area under the curve of D-TLA was 0.849 (95% confidence interval 0.730–0.967) for predicting early mortality and 0.742 (95% CI 0.611–0.873) for predicting early adverse events. Survival and event-free survival rates during follow-up were decreased in the D-TLA > 21.5% group compared with the D-TLA ≤ 21.5% group (all P < .001).ConclusionsLarger D-TLA is correlated with worse postoperative outcomes and might be a crucial parameter for future risk stratification in patients with cTBAD.     

Hepatitis E: An Underdiagnosed,Emerging Infection in Nonendemic Regions

Although hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the primary cause of enterically transmitted acute hepatitis and jaundice in developing countries, locally acquired HEV infections are increasing in nonendemic countries. As such, HEV is emerging as an underdiagnosed cause of infection. This report describes three clinically variable cases of HEV infection with unusual clinical presentations. These cases highlight the fact that HEV should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with unexplained hepatitis (acute or chronic) with or without extrahepatic manifestations. HEV should also be considered in patients with persistently elevated liver enzymes who have not travelled to known HEV-endemic regions. Lack of knowledge among physicians and an absence of standardized diagnostic tests may result in increased morbidity and mortality from HEV infection.     

CSTB、A-FABP在膀胱癌诊断与预后的价值

目的 分析CSTB、A-FABP在膀胱癌诊断和预后的意义。方法 选取2014年1月至2016年7月在本院进行手术、病理证实的膀胱癌患者45例、良性膀胱病变患者88例，检测膀胱癌样本癌组织、癌旁组织、良性膀胱病变组织中CSTB、A-FABP表达水平。评价CSTB、A-FABP在鉴别诊断膀胱癌的效用。对比膀胱癌进展对象（2年内转移、复发、肿瘤死亡）以及未进展对象组织中CSTB、A-FABP表达水平。结果 癌组织、癌旁组织、良性病变对象组织中CSTB、A-FABP表达水平差异有统计学意义（P<0．05）。CSTB、A-FABP作为诊断标准（任意一项为阳性），鉴别诊断膀胱癌与良性病变的灵敏度为84．4%、特异度为90．9%、阳性预测值82．6%、阴性预测值92．0%、符合率88．7%。2年内转移、复发、肿瘤死亡的患者共30例，无转移、复发、死亡的患者共15例，膀胱癌进展对象CSTB、A FABP表达量高于未进展对象，差异有统计学意义（P<0．05）。结论 CSTB、A-FABP在膀胱癌诊断、预后预测中均有一定的临床价值。     

昆明市2013-2017年丙型病毒性肝炎流行特征及趋势分析

目的分析昆明市2013-2017年丙型病毒性肝炎的流行特征和流行趋势,为科学制定防控策略提供依据。方法运用描述性流行病学方法,统计昆明市2013-2017年丙型病毒性肝炎的发病情况,分析其流行特征和趋势。结果昆明市2013-2017年丙型病毒性肝炎呈现先上升后下降的趋势,2015年达到发病高峰,其发病率高达32.80/10万,总体上2013-2017年丙型病毒性肝炎发病率呈现上升趋势,且肝炎和丙肝以官渡区、五华区和西山区为主要的高发地区;无明显的季节性特点,四季均有发病;易发生丙型病毒性肝炎的人群为35~50岁的农民和家务及待业人员。结论昆明市丙型病毒性肝炎发病状况并不乐观,应加强丙肝防控力度,重点关注高发地区和高发人群,通过有效举措控制丙型病毒性肝炎的发病率。     

miR-122 Inhibits Hepatocarcinoma Cell Progression by Targeting LMNB2

In the present study, we investigated the role of miR-122 in hepatocarcinoma progression and explored the mechanism. In hepatocarcinoma tissues and cells, we used qRT-PCR to validate the miR-122 expression level. Next, we used colony formation by crystal violet staining assay to compare cell proliferation ability, and we used scratch test or Transwell assay to compare cell migration or invasion ability. We then conducted bioinformatics or luciferase reporter gene assay to prove the regulation effect of miR-122 on lamin B2 (LMNB2), and the biological function of LMNB2 was analyzed. We used nude mouse tumorigenicity assay to test the inhibition effect of miR-122 ASO therapy against hepatocarcinoma. miR-122 was reduced in hepatocarcinoma tissues compared to the paracarcinoma tissues, which was relatively low or high in hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC7721 or Hep3B, and overexpressed miR-122 inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion in hepatocarcinoma cells. Additionally, some reports showed that LMNB2 was regulated by miR-122, which inhibited the expression of LMNB2. Moreover, LMNB2 functioned to promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. We could achieve the inhibition of hepatocarcinoma using miR-122 therapy through decreasing LMNB2 expression in vivo. Our data indicated that miR-122 could inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma cell progression by targeting LMNB2 and as a therapeutic target for hepatocarcinoma treatment.     

艾尔巴韦/格拉瑞韦治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者疗效初步观察

目的 初步探讨应用艾尔巴韦/格拉瑞韦治疗慢性丙型肝炎(CHC)患者的疗效。方法 2017年3月~2018年3月仙桃市第一人民医院感染病科收治的CHC患者82例,被随机分为对照组41例和观察组41例,分别给予聚乙二醇干扰素-α联合利巴韦林治疗和艾尔巴韦/格拉瑞韦治疗,两组均连续治疗24周。采用RT- PCR法检测血清 HCV RNA,采用全基因序列测定法行病毒基因分型。比较两组早期病毒学应答(EVR)、治疗结束时病毒学应答(ETVR)和持续病毒学应答(SVR)。结果 在治疗结束时,观察组血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)水平为(47.9±19.7)U/L,显著低于对照组【(63.5±21.2)U/L,P<0.05】,天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)水平为(55.5±22.3)U/L,显著低于对照组【(81.3±25.8)U/L,P<0.05】;观察组EVR、ETVR和SVR分别为48.8%、63.4%和70.7%,与对照组的41.5%、53.7%和65.8%比,无统计学差异(P>0.05);18例观察组非HCV Ⅰ型感染者EVR、ETVR和SVR分别为88.9%、94.4%和88.9%,显著高于同组23例HCV Ⅰ型感染者(分别为52.2%、60.9%和52.2%, P<0.05),而与对照组15例非HCV Ⅰ型感染者比,无统计学差异(分别为86.7%、93.3%和73.3%, P>0.05);观察组SVR₁₂为87.8%(36/41),显著高于对照组的73.2%(30/41,P<0.05)。结论 应用直接抗病毒(DAA)药物艾尔巴韦/格拉瑞韦治疗CHC患者近期疗效达到,但远期疗效似优于标准治疗方案, 值得临床进一步验证。     

经典名方泽泻汤的HPLC指纹图谱及多指标含量测定研究

目的建立经典名方泽泻汤的HPLC指纹图谱,结合化学模式识别技术对其进行分析,并测定泽泻汤中3种成分23-乙酰泽泻醇B、23-乙酰泽泻醇C和白术内酯Ⅲ的含量,为泽泻汤质量控制提供科学依据。方法采用Waters WAT054275C18色谱柱(250 mm×4.6 mm,5μm),以乙腈-水为流动相进行梯度洗脱,建立15批泽泻汤的HPLC指纹图谱,并采用"中药色谱指纹图谱相似度评价系统"、SPSS22.0及SIMCA14.1软件对15批泽泻汤的HPLC指纹图谱进行相似度评价及聚类分析(CA)、偏最小二乘判别分析(PLS-DA)等化学模式识别。同时测定23-乙酰泽泻醇B、23-乙酰泽泻醇C和白术内酯Ⅲ的含量。结果建立了15批泽泻汤的HPLC指纹图谱,相似度均0.94,标定了18个共有峰,指认出3个色谱峰,分别为11号峰白术内酯Ⅲ、15号峰23-乙酰泽泻醇C、16号峰23-乙酰泽泻醇B,CA和PLS-DA将15批泽泻汤样品分为2类,同时15批泽泻汤中23-乙酰泽泻醇B、23-乙酰泽泻醇C和白术内酯Ⅲ的质量分数分别为0.321～0.569、0.075～0.139、0.106～0.142 mg/g。结论 HPLC指纹图谱结合多成分同时测定的方法,快速、简便、重复性好,为泽泻汤及其制剂的质量评价提供参考。