Vitamin D improves viral response in hepatitis C genotype 2-3 nave patients

AIM: To examine whether vitamin D improved viral response and predicted treatment outcome in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2-3. METHODS: Fifty patients with chronic HCV genotype 2-3 were randomized consecutively into two groups: Treatment group [20 subjects, age 48 ± 14 years, body mass index (BMI) 30 ± 6, 65% male], who received 180 μg pegylated α-interferon-2a plus oral ribavirin 800 mg/d (Peg/RBV), together with oral vitamin D3 (Vitamidyne D drops; 2000 IU/d, 10 drops/d, normal serum level > 32 ng/mL) for 24 wk; and control group (30 subjects, age 45 ± 10 years, BMI 26 ± 3, 60% male), who received identical therapy without vitamin D. HCV RNA was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Undetectable HCV RNA at 4, 12 and 24 wk after treatment was considered as rapid virological response, complete early virological response, and sustained virological response (SVR), respectively. Biomarkers of in? ammation were measured. RESULTS: The treatment group with vitamin D hadhigher BMI (30 ± 6 vs 26 ± 3, P < 0.02), and high viral load (> 400 000 IU/mL, 65% vs 40%, P < 0.01) than controls. Ninety-fi ve percent of treated patients were HCV RNA negative at week 4 and 12. At 24 wk after treatment (SVR), 19/20 (95%) treated patients and 23/30 (77%) controls were HCV RNA negative (P < 0.001). Baseline serum vitamin D levels were lower at baseline (20 ± 8 ng/mL) and increased after 12 wk vitamin D treatment, to a mean level of (34 ± 11 ng/ mL). Logistic regression analysis identifi ed vitamin D supplement [odds ratio (OR) 3.0, 95% CI 2.0-4.9, P < 0.001], serum vitamin D levels (< 15 or > 15 ng/mL, OR 2.2, P < 0.01), and BMI (< 30 or > 30, OR 2.6, P < 0.01) as independent predictors of viral response. Adverse events were mild and typical of Peg/RBV. CONCLUSION: Low vitamin D levels predicts negative treatment outcome, and adding vitamin D to conventional Peg/RBV therapy for patients with HCV genotype 2-3 signifi cantly improves viral response.

Theoretical and Empirical Analysis on Influence Factors of Modern Agricultural Equipment Level in the Processof Agricultural Sustainable Development

To promote modem agricultural equipment level is one characteristic of constructing and developing modem agriculture in China. This paper makes up stepwise linear regression analysis model of influence factors of modem agricultural equipment level, and chooses rural labor, per capita income of rural residents, rural investment, proportion of people at secondary education level and at higher level in per hundred rural labor force and arable land area as independent variables, and total power of machine as induced variable. The major results show that the relativity of modem ag- ricultural equipment level, rural investment and education level of peasants is remarkable, and they are the major influence factors of modem agricultural equipment level. Raising investment level of rural infrastructure construction as well as and research and devel- opment and promotion of advanced and applicable modem agricultural equipment, improving quality and education level of peasants can accelerate the development of China＇s modern agricultural equipment effectively in the process of agricultural sustainable development.

Renewable Energy Transition: A Panacea to the Ravaging Effects of Climate Change in Nigeria

Environmental issues linked to climate change and global warming have been at the centre stage of discussion all over the world, considering their magnitude and the broader scope of consequences. These catastrophic effects of greenhouse gases (GHG) such as CO2, CO, water vapour, nitrous oxides, ozone, coupled with other artificially induced chemicals like CFCs have shifted weather patterns across the globe, thereby threatening the environment unpleasantly. However, the effects of climate changes are more pronounced in Nigeria, due to an unprecedented utilization of fossil-based fuels as the main energy source for electricity, transportation, industrial, agricultural, and domestic purposes. As a result, air pollution and land spills by oil led to the destruction of agricultural land and increasing heatwaves were left behind. Consequently, these impacted negatively on the ecosystem by intimidating the environment, counteracting biodiversity, decelerating economy and provoking human comfort, while simultaneously antagonizing socio-economic growth and sustainable developments. Thus, an urgent need for the Nigerian government to redirect from fossil fuels to renewables and intensify the campaign for afforestation to support green conservation of biodiversity. These are considered plausible measures for remediating the lingering energy failure and ravaging effects of climate change. Therefore, this short review of communications X-rayed a few of the recent devasting incidences caused by climate change, their impacts on various sectors of the economy and the need to explore renewable energy resources in the country as a tool to finding solutions to the effects of climate changes and global warming.