Interleukin-28 and hepatitis C virus genotype-4:Treatment-induced clearance and liver fibrosis

AIM:To investigate the association between interleukin-28B(IL28B) genotype and response to treatment and hepatic fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV) genotype 4.METHODS:Two hundred and one HCV-genotype 4 patients were included.All patients were treated with Peginterferon alph2a/Ribavirin for 48 wk.End of treatment response(ETR) was defined as loss of detectable serum HCV RNA at the end of treatment.Sustained viral response(SVR) was defined as loss of detectable serum HCV RNA at the end of 24 wk follow up.Genotyping of IL28B rs12979860 was performed using the TaqMan assay.We used logistic regression to estimate the adjusted odds ratio(aOR) and 95%CI.RESULTS:The study included 201 HCV-genotype 4 patients.The majority of patients were men(89.6%),with a median age of 47 years,inter-quartile range(40-51).Approximately 62.5% of patients had ETR,and 49.6% had SVR.Individuals who achieved SVR were more likely to be younger(χ 2 = 4.91,P = 0.027),and less likely to have fibrosis(χ 2 = 15.54,P < 0.0001),or inflammation(χ 2 = 7.58,P = 0.006).The genotype distribution of rs12979860 was 36.2%,49.0% and 14.8% for genotypes CC,CT,and TT,respectively.In these participants,rs12979860 genotype distribution did not differ by gender(P = 0.466),pretreatment viral load(P = 0.600),inflammation(P = 0.435),or fibrosis(P = 0.291).The frequencies of IL28B rs12979860 genotypes were TT(14.8%),CT(49.0%),and CC(36.2%).Compared to rs12979860 genotype TT,aORs(95%CI) for ETR and SVR were:CC genotype,[17.55(5.34-57.69) and 5.92(2.09-16.76),respectively];CT genotype,[5.15(1.80-14.78) and 2.48(0.94-6.52),respectively].In the current study,the patients who did not achieve ETR or SVR had a lower prevalence of rs12979860 CC(17.4% and 23.3%,respectively) than individuals who had ETR or SVR(47.9% and 47.2%,respectively).Individuals with rs12979860 CC genotype had approximately 6 times the odds of SVR compared to individuals with TT genotype(aOR = 5.92;95%CI:2.09-16.76).Similarly,patients with CT genotype had SVR more often than patients with TT genotype(aOR = 2.48;95%CI:0.94-6.52).Carrying at least one copy of the C allele(genotypes CT and CC) had almost 8 times the probability of ETR compared to those with genotype rs12979860 TT(aOR = 7.87;95%CI:2.84-21.82),and approximately 3 times the odds of SVR compared to those with genotype rs12979860 TT(aOR = 3.46;95%CI:1.37-8.74).In addition,data were consistent with a significant gene-dose relationship(aOR = 4.05/allele;95%CI:2.27-7.22).The association between rs12979860 genotype and SVR was similar among those who achieved and those who did not achieve SVR.CONCLUSION:In HCV-genotype 4 patients,rs12979860 is a sensitive predictor of viral clearance,independent of viral load,age,gender or fibrosis,with no similar relation to severity of fibrosis.

Aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index in hepatitis C virus and Schistosomiasis coinfection

AIM: To assess the diagnostic accuracy,of aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI) alone and with antischistosomal antibody(Ab) in patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV) and schistosomiasis coinfection. METHODS: This retrospective study included medical records of three hundred and eighty three Egyptianmen patients who had undergone percutaneous liver biopsy between January 2006 to April 2014 in tertiary care hospital in Qatar for diagnosis or monitoring purpose were selected. Data of patients > 18 years of age were included in the study. The values of HCV RNA titer and antischistosomal antibody titer were also taken into consideration. Patients were excluded from the study if they had any other concomitant chronic liver disease,including; history of previous antiviral or interferon therapy,immunosuppressive,therapy,chronic hepatitis B infection,human immunodeficiency virus co-infection,autoimmune hepatitis,decompensated liver disease,hepatocellular carcinoma,prior liver transplantation,and if no data about the liver biopsy present. RESULTS: Median age of patients was 46 years. About 7.1% had no fibrosis,whereas 30.4%,37.5%,20.4%,and 4.6% had fibrosis of stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and Ⅳ respectively. In bivariate analysis,APRI score,levels of AST,platelet count and age of patient showed statistically significant association with liver fibrosis(P < 0.0001); whereas antischistosomal antibody titer(P = 0.52) and HCV RNA titer(P = 0.79) failed to show a significant association. The respective AUC values for no fibrosis,significant fibrosis,severe fibrosis and cirrhosis of APRI score were 63%,73.2%,81.1% and 88.9% respectively. This showed good sensitivity and specificity of APRI alone for grading of liver fibrosis. But the inclusion of anti-Schistosoma antibody did not improve the prediction of fibrosis stage. CONCLUSION: The study results suggest that noninvasive biochemical markers like APRI are sensitive and specific in diagnosing the degree of fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with coinfection of HCV and schistosomiasis as compared to biopsy. The addition of antischistosomal Ab to APRI did not improve sensitivity for predicting the degree of cirrhosis.

Results of National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program in Croatia(2007-2011)

AIM:To study the epidemiologic indicators of uptake and characteristic colonoscopic findings in the Croatian National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.METHODS:Colorectal cancer(CRC) was the second leading cause of cancer mortality in men(n = 1063,49.77/100 000),as well as women(n = 803,34.89/100 000) in Croatia in 2009.The Croatian National CRC Screening Program was established by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare,and its implementation started in September,2007.The coordinators were recruited in each county institute of public health with an obligation to provide fecal occult blood testing(FOBT) to the participants,followed by colonoscopy in all positive cases.The FOBT was performed by hypersensitive guaiac-based Hemognost card test(Biognost,Zagreb).The test and short questionnaire were delivered to the home addresses of all citizens aged 50-74 years consecutively during a 3-year period.Each participant was required to complete the questionnaire and send it together with the stool specimen on three test cards back to the institute for further analysis.About 4% FOBT positive cases are expected in normal risk populations.A descriptive analysis was performed.RESULTS:A total of 1 056 694 individuals(born between 1933-1945 and 1952-1957) were invited to screening by the end of September 2011.In total,210 239(19.9%) persons returned the envelope with a completed questionnaire,and 181 102 of them returned it with a correctly placed stool specimen on FOBT cards.Until now,12 477(6.9%),FOBT-positive patients have been found,which is at the upper limit of the expected values in European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in CRC Screening and Diagnosis [European Union(EU) Guidelines].Colonoscopy was performed in 8541 cases(uptake 66%).Screening has identified CRC in 472 patients(5.5% of colonoscopied,3.8% of FOBT-positive,and 0.26% of all screened individuals).This is also in the expected range according to EU Guidelines.Polyps were found and removed in 3329(39% of colonoscopied) patients.The largest number of polyps were found in the left half of the colon:64%(19%,37% and 8% in the rectum,sigma,and descendens,respectively).The other 36% were detected in the proximal part(17% in the transverse colon and 19% in ceco-ascending colon).Small polyps in the rectum(5-10 mm in diameter),sigmoid and descending colon were histologically found to be tubular adenomas in 60% of cases,with a low degree of dysplasia,and 40% were classified as hyperplastic.Polyps of this size in the transverse or ceco-ascending colon in almost 20% had a histologically villous component,but still had a low degree of dysplasia.Polyps sized 10-20 mm in diameter were in 43% cases tubulovillous,and among them,32% had areas with a high degree of dysplasia,especially those polyps in the cecoascending or transverse part.The characteristics of the Croatian CRC Screening National Program in the first 3 years were as follows:relatively low percentage of returned FOBT,higher number of FOBT-positive persons but still in the range for population-based programs,and higher number of pathologic findings(polyps and cancers).CONCLUSION:These results suggest a need for intervention strategies that include organizational changes and educational activities to improve awareness of CRC screening usefulness and increase participation rates.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma incidence between 2006 and 2015 in China: estimates based on data from 188 population-based cancer registries

Background:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC)are the most common subtypes of primary liver cancer,but nationwide incidence of both liver cancer subtypes have never been reported in China.We aimed to estimate the most recent incidence of HCC and ICC and temporal trends in China based on the most updated data from high qualified population-based cancer registries(covering 13.1%of the national population),in comparison to those in the United States at the same period.Methods:We used data from 188 Chinese population-based cancer registries covering 180.6 million population of China to estimate the nationwide incidence of HCC and ICC in 2015.And 22 population-based cancer registries’data were used to estimate the trends of HCC and ICC incidence from 2006 to 2015.Multiple imputation by chained equations method was used to impute liver cancer cases with unknown subtype(50.8%).We used data from 18 population-based registries from the Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results program to analyze incidence of HCC and ICC in the United States.Results:In China,an estimated 301,500 and 61,900 newly diagnosed HCC and ICC occurred in 2015.The overall age-standardized rates(ASRs)of HCC incidence decreased by 3.9%per year.For ICC incidence,the overall ASR was relatively stable,but increased in the population of over 65 years old.Subgroup analysis by age showed that the ASR of HCC incidence had the sharpest decline in population who were less than 14 years old and received neonatally hepatitis B virus(HBV)vaccination.In the United States,though the incidence of HCC and ICC were lower than those in China,the overall HCC and ICC incidence increased by 3.3%and 9.2%per year.Conclusions:China still faces with a heavy burden of liver cancer incidence.Our results may further support the beneficial effect of Hepatitis B vaccination on reduction of HCC incidence.Both healthy lifestyle promotion and infection control are needed for future liver cancer control and prevention for China and the United States.

生活方式、降压治疗与脑卒中风险

脑卒中是全球主要致死和致残的原因之一，脑卒中后生活质量下降的程度超过了心肌梗死。在中国，脑卒中正以每年近9％的速度上升，已成为位居第一的致死病因。以往的研究主要集中在急性脑卒中后药物治疗和提高治疗手段方面，虽然这些治疗是有效的，但花费很大，需要医疗干预，而且可能有不良反应，往往会留有严重的功能残疾。

Practical use of electronic health records among patients with diabetes in scientific research

Electronic health(medical)records,which are also considered as patients*information that are routinely collected,provide a great chance for researchers to develop an epidemiological understanding of disease.Electronic health records systems cannot develop without the advance of computer industries.While conducting clinical trials that are always costly,feasible and reasonable analysis of routine patients5 information is more cost-effective and reflective of clinical practice,which is also called real world study.Real world studies can be well supported by big data in healthcare industry.Real world studies become more and more focused and important with the development of evidence-based medicine.These big data will definitely help in making decisions,making policies and guidelines,monitoring of effectiveness and safety on new drugs or technologies.Extracting,cleaning,and analyzing such big data will be a great challenge for clinical researchers.Successful applications and developments of electronic health record in western countries(eg,disease registries,health insurance claims,etc)have provided a clear direction for Chinese researchers.However,it is still at primary stages in China.This review tries to provide a full perspective on how to translate the electronic health records into scientific achievements,for example,among patients with diabetes.As a summary in the end,resource sharing and collaborations are highly recommended among hospitals and healthcare groups.

Are insulin sensitivity and β-cell function associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes among women with gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM),defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy,is a common pregnancy outcome.[1]GDM carries risks for the mothers,and fetus,neonate,and childhoodin the offspring.Women with GDM mayincrease risks of high blood pressure and preeclampsia during pregnancy,primary cesarean section,and future obesity,hypertension,dyslipidemia,metabolic syndrome,and cardiovascular disease.

Association between admission haematocrit and mortality among men with acute ischaemic stroke

Objective Anaemia is associated with higher mortality among patients with non-stroke cardiovascular conditions;less is known regarding the relationship between anaemia and mortality among patients with acute ischaemic stroke.Methods Medical records were abstracted for n=3965 veterans from 131 Veterans Health Administration facilities who were admitted with ischaemic stroke in fiscal year 2007.Haematocrit values within 24 hours of admission were classified as≤27%,28%-32%,33%-37%,38%-42%,43%-47% or≥48%.Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between anaemia and in-hospital,30-day,6-month and 1-year mortality,adjusting for age,medical comorbidities,modified Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-III and stroke severity.Impact factors were calculated to standardise comparisons between haematocrit tier and other covariates.results Among n=3750 patients included in the analysis,the haematocrit values were≤27%in 2.1%(n=78),28%-32% in 6.2%(n=234),33%-37%in 17.9%(n=670),38%-42% in 36.4%(n=1366),43%-47% in 28.2%(n=1059)and≥48% in 9.1%(n=343).Patients with haematocrit≤27%,compared with patients in the 38%-42% range,were more likely to have died across all follow-up intervals,with statistically significant adjusted ORs(aORs)ranging from 2.5 to 3.5.Patients with polycythaemia(ie,haematocrit≥48%)were at increased risk of in-hospital mortality(aOR=2.9;95%CI 1.4 to 6.0),compared with patients with mid-range admission haematocrits.Pronounced differences between patients receiving and not receiving blood transfusion limited our ability to perform a propensity analysis.Impact factors in the 1-year mortality model were 0.46(severe anaemia),0.06(cancer)and 0.018(heart disease).Conclusions Anaemia is independently associated with an increased risk of death throughout the first year post stroke;high haematocrit is associated with early poststroke mortality.Severe anaemia is associated with 1-year mortality to a greater degree than cancer or heart disease.These data cannot address the question of whether interventions targeting anaemia might improve patient outcomes.