AIM:The significance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) serum titers has been examined in several clinical situations. There is much evidence that patients with a lower viral load have better response rates to anti-viral ther...AIM:The significance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) serum titers has been examined in several clinical situations. There is much evidence that patients with a lower viral load have better response rates to anti-viral therapy compared to those with higher levels.Moreover,a direct association has been observed between serum titers of HCV and transmission rates of the virus.The aim of the present study was to determine if there was any correlation between HCV viral load and the severity of liver disease. METHODS:Fifty patients with HCV infection were included in the study.These comprised of 34 subjects with a history of alcohol use and 16 non-alcoholics.Quantitative serum HCV RNA assay was carried out using the branched DNA (bDNA) technique.Linear regression analysis was performed between serum viral titers and liver tests.In addition,for the purpose of comparison,the subjects were divided into two groups:those with low viral liters (≤50 genome mEq/mL) and high titers (>50 mEq/mL). RESULTS:All subjects were men,with a mean±SD age of 47±7.8 years.The mean HCV RNA level in the blood was 76.3×10~5±109.1 genome equivalents/mL.There was no correlation between HCV RNA levels and age of the patients (r=0.181),and the history or amount (g/d) of alcohol consumption (r=0.07).Furthermore,no correlation was observed between serum HCV RNA levels and the severity of liver disease as judged by the values of serum albumin (r=0.175),bilirubin (r=0.217),ALT (r=0.06) and AST (r=0.004) levels.Similarly,no significant difference was observed between patients with low viral titers and high liters with respect to any of the parameters. CONCLUSION:Our results indicate that the severity of liver disease is independent of serum levels of hepatitis C virus.These findings are important since they have a direct impact on the current debate regarding the role of direct cytopathic effect of hepatitis C virus versus immune-mediated injury in the pathogenesis of HCV-related liver damage.展开更多
AIM: To determine the influence of gender on the clinicopathologic characteristics and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of medical records was performed in 29...AIM: To determine the influence of gender on the clinicopathologic characteristics and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of medical records was performed in 299 patients with HCC and their clinicopathologic features and survival were compared in relation to gender. RESULTS: There were 260 male (87%) and 39 female patients (13%),with a male-to-female ratio of 6.7:1.Female patients had lower mean serum bilirubin levels (P=0.03), lower proportion of alcohol abuse (P=0.002),smaller mean tumor size (P=0.02),more frequent nodular type but less frequent massive and diffuse types of HCC (P=0.01),were less advanced in Okuda's staging (P=0.04),and less frequently associated with venous invasion (P=0.03).The median survivals in females (14 too) were significantly longer than that of male patients (4 mo) (P=0.004,log-rank test). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that high serum alpha- fetoprotein levels,venous invasion,extrahepatic metastasis and lack of therapy were independent factors related to unfavorable prognosis.However,gender did not constitute a predictive variable associated with patient survival. CONCLUSION: Female patients tend to have higher survival rates than males.These differences were probably due to more favorable pathologic features of HCC at initial diagnosis and greater likelihood to undergo curative therapy in female patients.展开更多
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between smoking and drinking and constitution types from Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)theory.METHODS:The Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire(CCMQ)was used.A sam...OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between smoking and drinking and constitution types from Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)theory.METHODS:The Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire(CCMQ)was used.A sample of 8448subjects from nine provinces and municipalities was chosen from the database of the TCM constitution and health status survey.Constituent ratio and correspondence analysis were used to find the relationship between smoking and drinking and TCM constitution.RESULTS:There was an association between smokinganddrinkingandtheGentleness,phlegm-dampness,and dampness-heat type constitutions.People that did not smoke tobacco or drink alcohol tended to have Yang-deficiency,Yin-deficiency,Qi-depression,Qi-deficiency,special diathesis,orblood-stasis type constitutions.CONCLUSION:There was a significant correlation between tobacco and alcohol use and TCM constitutions.To improve patient health,more attention should be paid to tobacco and alcohol control.展开更多
Highland barley alcoholic drink(HBD),as one of the most typical rice wines in Qinghai-Tibet plateau area,is generally brewed by adding Jiuqu to highland barley.However,the flavor and quality of HBD fermented with Jiuq...Highland barley alcoholic drink(HBD),as one of the most typical rice wines in Qinghai-Tibet plateau area,is generally brewed by adding Jiuqu to highland barley.However,the flavor and quality of HBD fermented with Jiuqu in various plateau regions are different.This study elucidated the potential correlation between the microbial community,physicochemical properties of five traditional plateau Jiuqu,namely Hongxin1(HX1),Hongxin2(HX2),Huairang(HR),Hoarfrost gypsophila(HG)and Tibet Qu(TQ),and volatile flavor compounds of HBD.Based on high-throughput sequencing(HTS)technology and LEfSe analysis,it was found that the bacteria and fungi of the five traditional plateau Jiuqu were quite different.Differential microorganisms were Weissella and Pichia in HX1,Lactococcus and Kazachstania in HR,Acetobacter and Rhizopus in TQ.Besides,HX1 and HX2 had higher esterification power,TQ had the highest fermentation power while HR had the lowest enzymatic properties.Finally,RDA and Pearson correlation analysis showed that esterification power and moisture content had positive effects on Lactobacillus,fermentation power and saccharification power were highly positively correlated with Pantoea and Rhizopus,but negatively correlated with Aspergillus.In flavor analysis,Rhizopus,Acetobacter were found positively correlated with alcohols and acids,which contributed to the formation of volatile flavor compounds,Lactobacillus_sanfranciscensis and Lactobacillus_sakei were positively correlated with phenolic compounds.This study showed that the flavor of HBD was seriously affected by the microbiota in Jiuqu,which could help to develop new fortified starter to improve the quality of HBD.展开更多
文摘AIM:The significance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) serum titers has been examined in several clinical situations. There is much evidence that patients with a lower viral load have better response rates to anti-viral therapy compared to those with higher levels.Moreover,a direct association has been observed between serum titers of HCV and transmission rates of the virus.The aim of the present study was to determine if there was any correlation between HCV viral load and the severity of liver disease. METHODS:Fifty patients with HCV infection were included in the study.These comprised of 34 subjects with a history of alcohol use and 16 non-alcoholics.Quantitative serum HCV RNA assay was carried out using the branched DNA (bDNA) technique.Linear regression analysis was performed between serum viral titers and liver tests.In addition,for the purpose of comparison,the subjects were divided into two groups:those with low viral liters (≤50 genome mEq/mL) and high titers (>50 mEq/mL). RESULTS:All subjects were men,with a mean±SD age of 47±7.8 years.The mean HCV RNA level in the blood was 76.3×10~5±109.1 genome equivalents/mL.There was no correlation between HCV RNA levels and age of the patients (r=0.181),and the history or amount (g/d) of alcohol consumption (r=0.07).Furthermore,no correlation was observed between serum HCV RNA levels and the severity of liver disease as judged by the values of serum albumin (r=0.175),bilirubin (r=0.217),ALT (r=0.06) and AST (r=0.004) levels.Similarly,no significant difference was observed between patients with low viral titers and high liters with respect to any of the parameters. CONCLUSION:Our results indicate that the severity of liver disease is independent of serum levels of hepatitis C virus.These findings are important since they have a direct impact on the current debate regarding the role of direct cytopathic effect of hepatitis C virus versus immune-mediated injury in the pathogenesis of HCV-related liver damage.
文摘AIM: To determine the influence of gender on the clinicopathologic characteristics and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of medical records was performed in 299 patients with HCC and their clinicopathologic features and survival were compared in relation to gender. RESULTS: There were 260 male (87%) and 39 female patients (13%),with a male-to-female ratio of 6.7:1.Female patients had lower mean serum bilirubin levels (P=0.03), lower proportion of alcohol abuse (P=0.002),smaller mean tumor size (P=0.02),more frequent nodular type but less frequent massive and diffuse types of HCC (P=0.01),were less advanced in Okuda's staging (P=0.04),and less frequently associated with venous invasion (P=0.03).The median survivals in females (14 too) were significantly longer than that of male patients (4 mo) (P=0.004,log-rank test). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that high serum alpha- fetoprotein levels,venous invasion,extrahepatic metastasis and lack of therapy were independent factors related to unfavorable prognosis.However,gender did not constitute a predictive variable associated with patient survival. CONCLUSION: Female patients tend to have higher survival rates than males.These differences were probably due to more favorable pathologic features of HCC at initial diagnosis and greater likelihood to undergo curative therapy in female patients.
基金Supported by a Grant from the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China(973 Program)(No.2011CB505403)
文摘OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between smoking and drinking and constitution types from Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)theory.METHODS:The Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire(CCMQ)was used.A sample of 8448subjects from nine provinces and municipalities was chosen from the database of the TCM constitution and health status survey.Constituent ratio and correspondence analysis were used to find the relationship between smoking and drinking and TCM constitution.RESULTS:There was an association between smokinganddrinkingandtheGentleness,phlegm-dampness,and dampness-heat type constitutions.People that did not smoke tobacco or drink alcohol tended to have Yang-deficiency,Yin-deficiency,Qi-depression,Qi-deficiency,special diathesis,orblood-stasis type constitutions.CONCLUSION:There was a significant correlation between tobacco and alcohol use and TCM constitutions.To improve patient health,more attention should be paid to tobacco and alcohol control.
文摘Highland barley alcoholic drink(HBD),as one of the most typical rice wines in Qinghai-Tibet plateau area,is generally brewed by adding Jiuqu to highland barley.However,the flavor and quality of HBD fermented with Jiuqu in various plateau regions are different.This study elucidated the potential correlation between the microbial community,physicochemical properties of five traditional plateau Jiuqu,namely Hongxin1(HX1),Hongxin2(HX2),Huairang(HR),Hoarfrost gypsophila(HG)and Tibet Qu(TQ),and volatile flavor compounds of HBD.Based on high-throughput sequencing(HTS)technology and LEfSe analysis,it was found that the bacteria and fungi of the five traditional plateau Jiuqu were quite different.Differential microorganisms were Weissella and Pichia in HX1,Lactococcus and Kazachstania in HR,Acetobacter and Rhizopus in TQ.Besides,HX1 and HX2 had higher esterification power,TQ had the highest fermentation power while HR had the lowest enzymatic properties.Finally,RDA and Pearson correlation analysis showed that esterification power and moisture content had positive effects on Lactobacillus,fermentation power and saccharification power were highly positively correlated with Pantoea and Rhizopus,but negatively correlated with Aspergillus.In flavor analysis,Rhizopus,Acetobacter were found positively correlated with alcohols and acids,which contributed to the formation of volatile flavor compounds,Lactobacillus_sanfranciscensis and Lactobacillus_sakei were positively correlated with phenolic compounds.This study showed that the flavor of HBD was seriously affected by the microbiota in Jiuqu,which could help to develop new fortified starter to improve the quality of HBD.
