HBV相关肝病患者外周血T细胞及细胞因子水平研究

背景乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)相关慢性肝病患者外周血T细胞及细胞因子水平与患者免疫功能状态密切相关,不同疾病程度的HBV相关肝病患者的T细胞、细胞因子水平及与肝病阶段的相关性值得进一步探究.目的探究不同阶段HBV相关慢性肝病患者外周血T细胞亚群计数、细胞因子变化特点及关联性.方法本研究为一项观察性研究,共纳入慢性乙型肝炎(chronic hepatitis B,CHB)患者65例,肝硬化失代偿期(decompensated cirrhosis,DCC)患者122例,肝细胞癌(hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC)患者109例,收集患者一般信息、病史、治疗情况及实验室检查结果、Child-Paugh分级及HCC患者肿瘤巴塞罗那分期,分析各项指标,尤其是T细胞亚群计数及细胞因子的组间差异及特征.结果HBV相关肝硬化、HCC患者外周血CD8^(+)T细胞水平与Child分级A到C呈负相关.HCC患者CD8^(+)T细胞绝对计数显著低于DCC[240(150-379)cells/μLvs 277(154-435)cells/μL,P<0.05]及CHB[240(150-379)cells/μL vs 452(269-706)cells/μL,P<0.001]患者.白细胞介素(interleukin,IL)-6、IL-8、肿瘤坏死因子(tumor necrosis factor,TNF)-α在HCC组均最高.DCC、HCC患者Child-Paugh分级越差,CD3^(+)、CD8^(+)T细胞水平越低,IL-6水平越高.HCC患者CD3^(+)、CD8^(+)T细胞水平随着肿瘤巴塞罗那分期由A到D呈下降趋势,IL-6呈上升趋势.且肝硬化、HCC患者CD3^(+)(r=-0.340,P<0.001)、CD8^(+)(r=-0.353,P<0.001)T细胞水平与IL-6升高水平呈显著负相关.结论HBV相关肝硬化、HCC患者外周血CD8^(+)T细胞计数与Child分级(由A到C)呈负相关,且IL-6水平与CD8^(+)T细胞计数存在负相关关系.

Prohibitin 1 inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis via the p53-mediated mitochondrial pathway in vitro

BACKGROUND Prohibitin 1(PHB1)has been identified as an antiproliferative protein that is highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed,and it participates in a variety of essential cellular functions,including apoptosis,cell cycle regulation,prolifera-tion,and survival.Emerging evidence indicates that PHB1 may play an important role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).However,the role of PHB1 in HCC is controversial.AIM To investigate the effects of PHB1 on the proliferation and apoptosis of human HCC cells and the relevant mechanisms in vitro.METHODS HCC patients and healthy individuals were enrolled in this study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria;then,PHB1 levels in the sera and liver tissues of these participates were determined using ELISA,RT-PCR,and immunohistoche-mistry.Human HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells were transfected with the pEGFP-PHB1 plasmid and PHB1-specific shRNA(shRNA-PHB1)for 24-72 h.Cell prolif-eration was analysed with an MTT assay.Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were analysed using flow cytometry(FACS).The mRNA and protein expression levels of the cell cycle-related molecules p21,Cyclin A2,Cyclin E1,and CDK2 and the cell apoptosis-related molecules cytochrome C(Cyt C),p53,Bcl-2,Bax,caspase 3,and caspase 9 were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot,respectively.RESULTS Decreased levels of PHB1 were found in the sera and liver tissues of HCC patients compared to those of healthy individuals,and decreased PHB1 was positively correlated with low differentiation,TNM stage III-IV,and alpha-fetoprotein≥400μg/L.Overexpression of PHB1 significantly inhibited human HCC cell proliferation in a time-dependent manner.FACS revealed that the overexpression of PHB1 arrested HCC cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and induced apoptosis.The proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase was significantly increased and the proportion of cells in the S phase was decreased in HepG2 cells that were transfected with pEGFP-PHB1 compared with untreated control and empty vector-transfected cells.The percentage of apoptotic HepG2 cells that were transfected with pEGFP-PHB1 was 15.41%±1.06%,which was significantly greater than that of apoptotic control cells(3.65%±0.85%,P<0.01)and empty vector-transfected cells(4.21%±0.52%,P<0.01).Similar results were obtained with SMMC-7721 cells.Furthermore,the mRNA and protein expression levels of p53,p21,Bax,caspase 3,and caspase 9 were increased while the mRNA and protein expression levels of Cyclin A2,Cy-clin E1,CDK2,and Bcl-2 were decreased when PHB1 was overexpressed in human HCC cells.However,when PHB1 was upregulated in human HCC cells,Cyt C expression levels were increased in the cytosol and decreased in the mitochondria,which indicated that Cyt C had been released into the cytosol.Conversely,these effects were reversed when PHB1 was knocked down.CONCLUSION PHB1 inhibits human HCC cell viability by arresting the cell cycle and inducing cell apoptosis via activation of the p53-mediated mitochondrial pathway.

Recurrence and influencing factors of hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance induced by peginterferon alpha-based regimens

BACKGROUND The long-term stability of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)seroclearance following peginterferon alpha(peg-IFN-α)-based therapy has not been extensively studied,leaving the full potential and limitations of this strategy unclear.AIM To assess HBsAg recurrence after seroclearance achieved by peg-IFN-αregimens.METHODS This prospective,multicenter,observational study was conducted from November 2015 to June 2021 at three Chinese hospitals:The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University,Ankang Central Hospital,and The Affiliated Hospital of Yan’an University.Participants who achieved HBsAg seroclearance following peg-IFN-α-based treatments were monitored every 4-12 weeks post-treatment for hepatitis B virus(HBV)markers,HBV DNA,and liver function.The primary outcome was HBV recurrence,defined as the reemergence of HBsAg,HBV DNA,or both,at least twice within 4-8 weeks of follow-up.RESULTS In total,121 patients who achieved HBsAg seroclearance were enrolled.After a median follow-up of 84.0(48.0,132.0)weeks,four subjects were lost to follow-up.HBsAg recurrence was detected in 16 patients.The cumulative HBsAg recurrence rate in the intention-to-treat population was 15.2%.Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that consolidation time<12 weeks[odds ratio(OR)=28.044,95%CI:4.525-173.791]and hepatitis B surface antibody disappearance during follow-up(OR=46.445,95%CI:2.571-838.957)were strong predictors of HBsAg recurrence.HBV DNA positivity and decompensation of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were not observed.CONCLUSION HBsAg seroclearance following peg-IFN-αtreatment was durable over 84 weeks of follow-up with a cumulative recurrence rate of 15.2%.

Effectiveness of toric soft contact lenses for vision correction in patients with different degrees of astigmatism: a real-world study

AIM:To assess the visual correction of patients with different degrees of astigmatism with toric soft contact lenses(TSC).METHODS:It was a real-world study with prospective and single-arm design.A total of 384 patients with astigmatism who came for TSC fitting and alignment from November 2022 to January 2023 were included.According to the difference in astigmatism,patients were divided into groups A(cylinder degree:-0.75 to-0.50 D),B(cylinder degree:-1.75 to-1.00 D)and C(cylinder degree≤-2.00 D),and followed up on the day of wear,1wk,1 and 3mo,mainly to observe visual acuity,refraction,lens fit,visual quality and comfort at 1wk after wear.The visual acuity success rate and the overall success rate of the fitting were evaluation indicators(taking into account the four dimensions of visual acuity,fitting,quality of vision and comfort).The visual acuity success rate was calculated by taking“corrected visual acuity with contact lenses is no less than 1 line or better than best spectacle-corrected visual acuity”(i.e.corrected visual acuity with contact lenses is 1 line below,equal to,one line above or more than best spectaclecorrected visual acuity)as the criterion for visual success,and the the overall success rate of the fitting was calculated by using the comprehensive indicators(visual acuity,fit,visual quality,comfort)to meet certain conditions as the judgment criteria for successful fitting.RESULTS:After 1wk of wearing TSC,the visual acuity success rates of patients were 100%(207/207),98.58%(139/141)and 97.22%(35/36)in the three groups,respectively,with residual cylinder closed to 0.The acceptability of the lens fitting was over 95%;the incidence of adverse visual symptoms was within 10%and the comfort acceptability was over 97%.The overall success rate of fitting for patients with high,medium and low astigmatism was 93.72%(194/207),90.78%(128/141)and 88.89%(32/36),respectively.CONCLUSION:TSC(model:G&G POP·CT)are effective in correcting astigmatism in patients with different degrees of astigmatism.

基因治疗湿性年龄相关性黄斑变性的研究进展

湿性年龄相关性黄斑变性是中心视力进行性受损的严重致盲性疾病,约占年龄相关性黄斑变性的10%~15%。近些年来,随着对其发病机制理解的不断深入,特别是抗VEGF家族的发现,新药物的临床推广为患者带来了福音。但这种治疗模式,需要频繁的眼内注射,许多患者必须无限期的继续使用才得以保存视力。而基因治疗可以提供长期稳定的抗VEGF活性,成为研究的新热点。现将几种基因治疗的方法综述如下。

Growing burden of alcoholic liver disease in China: A review

Explosive economic growth and increasing social openness in China over the last30 years have significantly boosted alcohol consumption, and consequently, the incidence of alcoholic liver disease(ALD) in China has increased. Because the epidemiologic and clinical features of ALD in the Chinese population may differ from those of the Caucasian population, this review describes the epidemiology,pathogenesis, genetic polymorphisms, diagnosis, and treatment of ALD in the Chinese population. This updated knowledge of ALD in China provides information needed for a global understanding of ALD and may help in the development of useful strategies for reducing the global ALD burden.

Add-on pegylated interferon augments hepatitis B surface antigen clearance vs continuous nucleos(t)ide analog monotherapy in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis B surface antigen≤1500 IU/mL:An observational study

BACKGROUND Nucleos(t)ide analog(NA)has shown limited effectiveness against hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)clearance in chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of add-on peginterferonα-2a(peg-IFNα-2a)to an ongoing NA regimen in CHB patients.METHODS In this observational study,195 CHB patients with HBsAg≤1500 IU/m L,hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)-negative(including HBeAg-negative patients or HBeAg-positive patients who achieved HBeAg-negative after antiviral treatment with NA)and hepatitis B virus-deoxyribonucleic acid<1.0×10^2 IU/mL after over 1 year of NA therapy were enrolled between November 2015 and December2018 at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,China.Patients were given the choice between receiving either peg-IFNα-2a add-on therapy to an ongoing NA regimen(add-on group,n=91)or continuous NA monotherapy(monotherapy group,n=104)after being informed of the benefits and risks of the peg-IFNα-2a therapy.Total therapy duration of peg-IFNα-2a was 48 wk.All patients were followed-up to week 72(24 wk after discontinuation of peg-IFNα-2a).The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with HBsAg clearance at week 72.RESULTS Demographic and baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups.Intention-to-treatment analysis showed that the HBsAg clearance rate in the add-on group and monotherapy group was 37.4%(34/91)and 1.9%(2/104)at week 72,respectively.The HBsAg seroconversion rate in the add-on group was 29.7%(27/91)at week 72,and no patient in the monotherapy group achieved HBsAg seroconversion at week 72.The HBsAg clearance and seroconversion rates in the add-on group were significantly higher than in the monotherapy group at week 72(P<0.001).Younger patients,lower baseline HBsAg concentration,lower HBsAg concentrations at weeks 12 and 24,greater HBsAg decline from baseline to weeks 12 and 24 and the alanine aminotransferase≥2×upper limit of normal during the first 12 wk of therapy were strong predictors of HBsAg clearance in patients with peg-IFNα-2a add-on treatment.Regarding the safety of the treatment,4.4%(4/91)of patients in the add-on group discontinued peg-IFNα-2a due to adverse events.No severe adverse events were noted.CONCLUSION Peg-IFNα-2a as an add-on therapy augments HBsAg clearance in HBeAg-negative CHB patients with HBsAg≤1500 IU/m L after over 1 year of NA therapy.

5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine inhibits retinoblastoma cell by reactivating epigenetically silenced RASSF1A gene

AIM: To investigate the effect of 5-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine(5-Aza-CdR),a DNA methyltransferase(DNMT) inhibitor,on the growth and survival of the Chinese retinoblastoma(RB) cell line HXO-RB44. ·METHODS: The DNA methylation status of the Ras association domain family(RASSF1A) promoter in the presence of 5-Aza-CdR at different concentrations was analyzed by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction(MSP). RASSF1A mRNA and protein levels were measured by semiquantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry staining,respectively,when cells were treated with 5.0μmol/L of 5-Aza-CdR. The effect of 5.0μmol/L 5-Aza-CdR on the proliferation and viability of HXO-RB44 cells was examined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay and flow cytometry. ·RESULTS: 5-Aza-CdR efficiently induced cell cycle arrest at G0 /G1 and apoptotic death in HXO-RB44 cells. MSP analysis showed that unmethylated RASSF1A DNA increased and methylated RASSF1A decreased in a dose-dependent manner in a range of 0.5-5.0μmol/L 5-Aza-CdR. Accordingly,RASSF1A expression was reactivated at both mRNA and protein levels. Incubation time of 5-Aza-CdR treatment also functioned as a factor for the demethylation status of RASSF1A promoter DNA,with a plateau on day four. 5-Aza-CdR at 5.0μmol/L completely demethylated the RASSF1A promoter in HXORB44 cells on day four,and as a result,RASSF1A expression increased significantly from day 4 to day 7.·CONCLUSION: 5-Aza-CdR inhibits the growth of the HXO-RB44 RB cell line and induces apoptosis by demethylating the RASSF1A gene.

Real life efficacy and safety of direct-acting antiviral therapy for treatment of patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotypes 1, 2and 3 in northwest China

BACKGROUND Regimens involving direct-acting antiviral agents(DAAs)are recommended for the treatment of infection with hepatitis C virus(HCV)genotypes 1,2 and 3.But real-world data is still not enough,especially in Asia.AIM To investigate the efficacy and safety of DAA-based regimens in a real-life setting in China.METHODS This study included 366 patients infected with HCV genotypes 1,2 and 3,with or without cirrhosis,who were observed between May 2015 and December 2018.They were treated with ledipasvir and sofosbuvir(SOF)(genotype 1)with or without ribavirin(RBV),SOF and RBV(genotype 2),or SOF and daclatasvir(genotype 3),with or without RBV,for 12 or more wk.The participants’sustained virological responses(SVR)at post-treatment week 12(SVR12)was the primary endpoint.The occurrence of adverse events and drug-drug interactions were recorded.RESULTS In the 366 patients,genotype 1(59.0%)was the most common genotype,followed by genotypes 2(34.4%)and 3(6.6%).Liver cirrhosis was diagnosed in 154(42.1%)patients.Fifty(13.7%)patients were treatment-experienced.Intention-to-treat analysis revealed that SVR12 was 86.3%(316/366).For modified intention-totreat analysis,SVR12 was achieved in 96.6%of overall patients(316/327),96.3%in patients with genotype 1,97.5%in those with genotype 2,and 95.0%in those with genotype 3.Most of the treatment failures were due to lack of follow-up(3cases had non-responses,1 had virological breakthrough,11 relapsed and 36 did not participate in the follow-up).There was no significant difference in SVR between different genotypes and liver statuses(P<0.05).Patients with lower alanine aminotransferase levels at baseline who achieved an end of treatment response were more likely to achieve SVR12(P<0.05).High SVR was observed regardless of age,gender,liver status,alpha-fetoprotein,HCV RNA levels or history of antiviral therapy(P>0.05 for all).The cumulative hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence and recurrence rate after using the DAAs was 0.9%.Most of the adverse events were mild.We found two cases of special adverse events.One case involved facial and bilateral lower extremity edema,and the other case showed an interesting change in lipid levels while on medication.No severe adverse events were noted.CONCLUSION The DAA-based regimens tested in this study have excellent effectiveness and safety in all patients infected with HCV genotypes 1,2 and 3,including those with cirrhosis.

Cytokeratin 8 is increased in hepatitis C virus cells and its ectopic expression induces apoptosis of SMMC7721 cells

AIM:To investigate cytokeratin 8(CK8)overexpression during hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection and its pathogenesis,and the effect of ectopic CK8 expression on hepatoma cell lines.METHODS:We successfully established an in vitro HCV cell culture system(HCVcc)to investigate the different expression profiles of CK8 in Huh-7-HCV and Huh-7.5-HCV cells.The expression of CK8 at the mRNA level was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The expression of CK8 at the protein level was evaluated by Western blotting.We then constructed a eukaryotic expression combination vector containing the coding sequence of human full length CK8 gene.CK8cDNA was amplified by reverse transcription-PCR and inserted into pEGFP-C1 and the positive clone pEGFPCK8 was obtained.After confirming the sequence,the recombinant plasmid was transfected into SMMC7721cells with lipofectamine2000 and CK8 expression was detected using inverted fluorescence microscopy,RTPCR and Western blotting.Besides,we identified biological function of CK8 on SMMC7721 cells,including cell proliferation,cell cycle and apoptosis detection.RESULTS:RT-PCR showed that the expression level of CK8 in Huh-7-HCV and Huh-7.5-HCV cells was 2.88and 2.95 times higher than in control cells.Western blot showed that CK8 expression in Huh-7-HCV and Huh-7.5-HCV cells was 2.53 and 3.26 times higher than that in control cells,respectively.We found that CK8at mRNA and protein levels were both significantly increased in HCVcc.CK8 was up-regulated in SMMC7721cells.CK8 expression at the mRNA level was significantly upregulated in SMMC7721/pEGFP-CK8 cells.CK8expression in SMMC7721/pEGFP-CK8 cells was 2.69times higher than in SMMC7721 cells,and was 2.64times higher than in SMMC7721/pEGFP-C1 cells.CK8expression at the protein level in SMMC7721/pEGFPCK8 cells was 2.46 times higher than in SMMC7721cells,and was 2.29 times higher than in SMMC7721/pEGFP-C1 cells.Further analysis demonstrated that forced expression of CK8 slowed cell growth and induced apoptosis of SMMC7721 cells.CONCLUSION:CK8 up-regulation might have a functional role in HCV infection and pathogenesis,and could be a promising target for the treatment of HCV infection.

Measuring Ca^(2+) influxes of TRPC1-dependent Ca^(2+) channels in HL-7702 cells with Non-invasive Micro-test Technique

AIM： To explore the possibility of using the Noninvasive Micro-test Technique （NMT） to investigate the role of Transient Receptor Potential Canonical 1 （TRPC1） in regulating Ca^2＋ influxes in HL-7702 cells, a normal human liver cell line.METHODS： Net Ca^2＋ fluxes were measured with NMT, a technology that can obtain dynamic information of specific/selective ionic/molecular activities on material surfaces, non-invasively. The expression levels of TRPCl were increased by liposomal transfection, whose effectiveness was evaluated by Western-blotting and single cell reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS： Ca^2＋ influxes could be elicited by adding 1 mmol/L CaCl2 to the test solution of HL-7702 cells. They were enhanced by addition of 20 μmol/L noradrenalin and inhibited by 100 μmol/L LaCl3 （a non-selective Ca^2＋ channel blocker）; 5 μmol/L nifedipine did not induce any change. Overexpression of TRPCl caused increased Ca^2＋ influx. Five micromoles per liter nifedipine did not inhibit this elevation, whereas 100 μmol/L LaCI3 did.CONCLUSION： In HL-7702 cells, there is a type of TRPCl-dependent Ca^2＋ channel, which could be detected v/a NMT and inhibited by La^3＋.

Protective effects of ciliary neurotrophic factor on the retinal ganglion cells by injure of hydrogen peroxide

AIM： To explore the effect of ciliary neurotrophic factor （CNTF） on retinal ganglion cell （RGC）-5 induced by hydrogen peroxide （H2O2）. METHODS： After cell adherence, RGC-5 culture medium was changed to contain different concentrations of H2O2 from 50 to 150 μmol/L at four time points （0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2h） to select the concentration and time point for H2O2 induced model. Two different ways of interventions for injured RGC-5 cells respectively were CNTF as an addition in the culture medium or recombinant lentiviral plasmid carrying CNTF gene transfecting bone mesenchymal stem cells （BMSCs） for co-culture with RGC-5. RESULTS： Compared to the control group, H2O2 led to RGC-5 death closely associated with concentrations and action time of H2O2 and we chose 125 μmol/L and 2h to establish the H2O2-induced model. While CNTF inhibited the loss of RGC-5 cells obviously with a dose-dependent survival rate. Nevertheless two administration routes had different survival rate yet higher rate in recombinant lentiviral plasmid group but there were no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION： Both the two administration routes of CNTF have effects on RGC-5 cells induced by H2O2. If their own advantages were combined, there may be a better administration route.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 preserves mitochondrial morphology and attenuates hypoxia/reoxygenationinduced cardiomyocyte injury

BACKGROUND:Disturbance of mitochondrial fi ssion and fusion(termed mitochondrial dynamics)is one of the leading causes of ischemia/reperfusion(I/R)-induced myocardial injury.Previous studies showed that mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2(ALDH2)conferred cardioprotective effect against myocardial I/R injury and suppressed I/R-induced excessive mitophagy in cardiomyocytes.However,whether ALDH2 participates in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics during myocardial I/R injury remains unknown.METHODS:In the present study,we investigated the effect of ALDH2 on mitochondrial dynamics and the underlying mechanisms using the H9c2 cells exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)as an in vitro model of myocardial I/R injury.RESULTS:Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was significantly increased after oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation(OGD/R),and ALDH2 activation largely decreased the cardiomyocyte apoptosis.Additionally,we found that both ALDH2 activation and overexpression significantly inhibited the increased mitochondrial fission after OGD/R.Furthermore,we found that ALDH2 dominantly suppressed dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1)phosphorylation(Ser616)and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)phosphorylation(Thr172)but not interfered with the expression levels of mitochondrial shaping proteins.CONCLUSIONS:We demonstrate the protective effect of ALDH2 against cardiomyocyte H/R injury with a novel mechanism on mitochondrial fission/fusion.

Electrochemical properties of powder-pressed Pb-Ag-PbO_(2) anodes

Pb?Ag?PbO2 composite anodes with different mass fractions(1%,2%,3%,4%and 5%)ofβ-PbO2 were prepared by powder-pressed(PP)method.The galvanostatic polarization curves,Tafel curves and anodic polarization curves were tested in sulfuric acid solution.The morphologies and phase compositions of the anodic layers formed after galvanostatic polarization were investigated by using scanning electron microscope(SEM)and X-ray diffractometer(XRD),respectively.The results showed thatβ-PbO2 can improve the electrocatalytic activity of anodic oxide.The anode containing 3%β-PbO2 had the lowest overpotential of oxygen evolution reaction(OER)and the best corrosion resistance.The morphologies of the anode surfaces were gradually transformed from regular crystals to amorphous ones as the content ofβ-PbO2 increased in anodes.

Facial and bilateral lower extremity edema due to drug-drug interactions in a patient with hepatitis C virus infection and benign prostate hypertrophy: A case report

BACKGROUND New direct-acting antivirals(DAAs)-based anti-hepatitis C virus(HCV)therapies are highly effective in patients with HCV infection.However,safety data are lacking regarding HCV treatment with DAAs and drugs for comorbidities.CASE SUMMARY Herein,we reported a case of HCV-infection in a 46-year-old man with benign prostatic hypertrophy.The patient received sofosbuvir/velpatasvir as well as methadone maintenance therapy for drug abuse.The viral load became negative at week 1 post treatment.He developed facial and bilateral lower extremity edema 48 h after starting receiving tamsulosin.Edema disappeared 10 d after treatment with oral furosemide and spironolactone.CONCLUSION In conclusion,this is the first case of an acute edema in the course of treatment with new DAAs,methadone and tamsulosin.These agents are useful in clinical management of patients with HCV infection,particularly in men with benign prostatic hypertrophy.Clinicians should be aware of potential drug-drug interactions in this subset of patients.

Increased expression of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans in rat hepatocellular carcinoma tissues

AIM:To investigate the expression of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans(CSPGs)in rat liver tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups:control group(n=10) and HCC model group(n=20).Rats in the HCC model groups were intragastrically administrated with 0.2%(w/v)N-diethylnitrosamine(DEN)every 5 d for 16 wk,whereas 0.9%(w/v)normal saline was administered to rats in the control group.After 16 wk from the initiation of experiment,all rats were killed and livers were collected and fixed in 4%(w/v)paraformaldehyde.All tissues were embedded in paraffin and sectioned.Histological staining(hematoxylin and eosin and Toluidine blue)was performed to demonstrate the onset of HCC and the content of sulphated glycosaminoglycan(sGAG).Immunohistochemical staining was performed to investigate the expression of chondroitin sulphate(CS)/dermatan sulphate(DS)-GAG,heparan sulphate(HS)-GAG,keratan sulphate(KS)-GAG in liver tissues.Furthermore,expression and distribution of CSPG family members,including aggrecan,versican,biglycan and decorin in liver tissues,were also immunohistochemically determined.RESULTS:After 16 wk administration of DEN,malignant nodules were observed on the surface of livers from the HCC model group,and their hepatic lobule structures appeared largely disrupted under microscope.Toluidine blue staining demonstrated that there was an significant increase in sGAG content in HCC tissues when compared with that in the normal liver tissues from the control group[0.37±0.05 integrated optical density per stained area(IOD/area)and 0.21± 0.01 IOD/area,P<0.05].Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that this increased sGAG in HCC tissues was induced by an elevated expression of CS/DS(0.28±0.02 IOD/area and 0.18±0.02 IOD/area,P< 0.05)and HS(0.30±0.03 IOD/area and 0.17±0.02 IOD/area,P<0.01)but not KS GAGs in HCC tissues.Further studies thereby were performed to investigate the expression and distribution of several CSPG components in HCC tissues,including aggrecan,versican,biglycan and decorin.Interestingly,there was a distinct distribution pattern for these CSPG components between HCC tissues and the normal tissues.Positive staining of aggrecan,biglycan and decorin was localized in hepatic membrane and/or pericellular matrix in normal liver tissues;however,their expression was mainly observed in the cytoplasm,cell membranes in hepatoma cells and/or pericellular matrix within HCC tissues.Semi-quantitative analysis indicated that there was a higher level of expression of aggrecan(0.43± 0.01 and 0.35±0.03,P<0.05),biglycan(0.32±0.01 and 0.25±0.01,P<0.001)and decorin(0.29±0.01 and 0.26±0.01,P<0.05)in HCC tissues compared with that in the normal liver tissues.Very weak versican positive staining was observed in hepatocytes near central vein in normal liver tissues;however there was an intensive versican distribution in fibrosis septa between the hepatoma nodules.Semi-quantitative analysis indicated that the positive rate of versican in hepatoma tissues from the HCC model group was much higher than that in the control group(33.61%and 21.28%,P <0.05).There was no positive staining in lumican and keratocan,two major KSPGs,in either normal or HCC liver tissues.CONCLUSION:CSPGs play important roles in the onset and progression of HCC,and may provide potential therapeutic targets and clinical biomarkers for this prevalent tumor in humans.

Densification and grain growth kinetics of boron carbide powder during ultrahigh temperature spark plasma sintering

Dense B;C material was fabricated using spark plasma sintering(SPS), and the densification mechanisms and grain growth kinetics were revealed. The density, hardness, transverse flexure strength and toughness of samples were investigated and the model predictions were confirmed by SEM and TEM experimental observations. Results show that SPSed B;C exhibits two sintering periods: a densification period(1800-2000 °C) and a grain growth period(2100-2200 °C). Based on steady-state creep model, densification proceeds by grain boundary sliding and then dislocation-climb-controlled mechanism. Grain growth mechanism is controlled by grain boundary diffusion at 2100 °C,and then governed by volume or liquid-phase diffusion at 2200 °C.

Apoptotic bone marrow CD34+ cells in cirrhotic patients

AIM: To access the frequency and level of apoptotic CD34+ cells isolated from the marrow fluid of patients with post-hepatitis cirrhosis. METHODS: The frequency of bone marrow CD34+ cells and apoptotic bone marrow CD34+ cells in 31 inpatients with post-hepatitis cirrhosis (cirrhosis group), and 15 out-patients without liver or blood disorders (control group) was calculated by flow cytometry. Parameters were collected to evaluate liver functions of patients in cirrhosis group. RESULTS: The percentage of normal bone marrow CD34+ cells was 6.30% ± 2.48% and 1.87% ± 0.53% (t = 3.906, P < 0.01) while that of apoptotic marrowCD34+ cells was 15.00% ± 15.81% and 5.73% ± 1.57% (t = 2.367, P < 0.05) in cirrhosis and control groups, respectively. The percentage of apoptotic marrow CD34+ cells was 6.25% ± 3.30% and 20.92 ± 18.5% (t = 2.409, P < 0.05) in Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh B + C cirrhotic patients, respectively. The percentage of late apoptotic marrow CD34+ cells was positively correlated with the total bilirubin and aspartate aminotransferase serum levels in patients with cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: The status of CD34+ marrow cells in cirrhotic patients may suggest that the ability of hematopoietic progenitor cells to transform into mature blood cells is impaired.

Spin-phonon coupling in van der Waals antiferromagnet VOCl

We report magnetization and Raman spectroscopy study on single crystals of VOCl,a van der Waals antiferromagnetic material.Magnetization measurement confirms an antiferromagnetic transition at 79 K and a magnetic easy axis along crystallographic a direction.The temperature-dependent Raman spectrum reveals five peaks at 30 K.Below the Neel temperature TN,the Raman-active modes 247 cm^(−1) and 404 cm^(−1) remarkably deviate from the standard Boltzmann function,which is ascribed to the strong magnetoelastic coupling between spins and phonons.We further observe an anomaly in 383 cm^(−1) mode at around 150 K.This coincides with the broad maximum in VOCl’s magnetic susceptibility,suggesting a development of short-ranged magnetic order at this temperature.