Efficacy of early treatment on 52 patients with preneoplastic hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma by compound Phyllanthus Urinaria L / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the change in the number of antibodies of preneoplastic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using early treatment by Compound Phyllanthus Urinaria L. (CPUL) on patients with preneoplastic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated HCC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 102 cirrhosis patients with regenerative or dysplastic nodules whose sera were tested positive for at least one of these six proteins (five up-regulated genes URG4, URG7, URG11, URG12 and URG19, and one down-regulated gene DRG2) were assigned randomly to two groups using continual random codes by SPSS software. Fifty-two patients were in the treatment group and 50 patients were in the control group. CPUL was used in the treatment group for 3 years, while the control group did not receive any treatment. The changes in HBV-DNA level, number of antibodies, and hepatocarcinogenesis occurred were observed. Patients who did not develop HCC were followed up for another 2 years.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HBV-DNA levels decreased ⩾2log in 22.2% (10/45) of patients in the treatment group in contrast to only 5.0% (2/40) of patients in the control group (P=0.0228). The number of antibodies that were tested positive in the treatment group (1.08±1.01) was significantly lower compared with the control group (2.11±1.12) after 24 months of drug treatment (P<0.01). Both the positive rates of anti-URG11 (33/52) and anti-URG19 (31/52) were over 60% at baseline in the two groups, and were decreased to 48.1% (25/52) and 46.2% (24/52) respectively at 36 months of drug treatment, while the rates increased to 68.0% (34/50) and 66.0% (33/50) respectively (P=0.0417, P=0.0436) in the control group. The positive rate of anti-DRG2 was increased to 55.8% (29/52) at 36 months of drug treatment, while in the control group was decreased to 36.0% (18/50, P=0.0452). Among the 102 patients who developed HCC, 2 were in the treatment group and 9 were in the control group, meaning that a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.0212). In 11 patients who developed HCC, anti-URG11 and anti-URG19 were always positive, while anti-DRG2 was negative. Patients newly developing HCC were 6 (20.0%) in the control group, and only one (2.5%) in the treatment group (P=0.0441) during 2-year follow-up after the end of the treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Anti-URG11, anti-URG19 and anti-DRG2 could be used as early markers in the prediction of the therapeutic efficacy of CPUL in treating preneoplastic HCC. CPUL is useful in preventing or delaying the development of HBV-associated cirrhosis to HCC.</p>

Efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid combined with Tongdan Decoction () on immunological indices and histopathological changes in primary biliary cirrhosis patients / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) combined with Tongdan: Decoction () on immunological indices and histopathological changes in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) of IIor III histological stage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty PBC patients were assigned randomly and equally: to the control group treated with UDCA alone and the treatment group treated with UDCA combined with Tongdan Decoction. The immunological indices and histopathological changes were detected before and after 24-week treatment, and the follow-up lasted for 1-3 years.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 24-week treatment, CD4(+)CD28(-) in the peripheral blood was lowered and CD4(+)CD25(+) was increased in both groups, and better effect was shown in the treatment group (P<0.01). The levels of IgM, IgG, and IgA decreased markedly after 96-week treatment in the treatment group (P< 0.05, P< 0.01), while in the control group, only the latter two showed significant decrease after 148 week (all P<0.05). At the end of the 3-year follow-up, the medians of histopathological <inflammation grading and fibrosis staging declined to a lower rank, and the effect on inflammation was superior in the treatment group to the control group shown by non-parameters Wilcoxon paired symbols test ( Z=2.761,P=0.006).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combined therapy of Tongdan Decoction and UDCA showed a better therapeutic effect: than UDCA monotherapy on PBC, especially in improving immunological indices and histopathological hepatic changes.</p>

A cross-sectional survey on hepatitis B among general population in areas along Yangzi River in Anhui province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To describe the epidemic status of hepatitis B along the Yangzi River area,ill Anhui province.Methods A croSS-sectional seroepidemiological survey was conducted and the samples were collected by stratified cluster sampling.Serological biomarkers to hepatitis B virus were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)reagents.Results Among 2282 people.the prevalence rates of HBsAg,HBsAb,HBeAg.HBeAb,HBeAb and hepatitis B virus infection were 9.8%,43.5%.1.0%,7.8%,10.3%and 40.6%respectively.The prevalence rate of HBsAg among males was higllel"than that offemales(P＜0.05).The vaccination rate was 24.7%,higher in urban than in taral areas.The vaccination rate was high in children younger than ten years old and in students.The prevalence rates of HBsAg and HBV among people who had received vaccines were lower than those who had not.Conclusion The standardized prevalence rates of HBsAg(9.3%)Was high in the area along the Yangzi River in Althai province.The vaccinate rate Was low in the country side.Expanded vaccinate which can obviously reduce the prevalence rate of HBsAg should be enhanced.

HIV risk behavior based on intervention among men who have sex with men peer groups in Anhui province / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the feasibility and the effectiveness of HIV risk behavior intervention characterized by initiator taking the lead combined with peer's participation, as to preventing HIV epidemic through promoting condom use and reducing the number of sexual partners among men who have sex with men (MSM) groups.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Subjects were recruited via peer referral chain. Twelve key MSM were recruited as initiators in bars or other MSM venues in 3 cities of Hefei, Wuhu and Fuyang. Then, each initiator recruited up to 3 MSM to participate and also each of them continued recruiting others. A total of 218 eligible MSM were recruited, and there were four intervention activities conducted. Firstly, twelve initiators were trained according to intervention manual and then intervention activities were implemented by initiators based on their referral chain. Participants were required to complete self-administrated questionnaire at baseline and the third month after intervention finished. The comparison of the results before and after intervention was conducted two months later to see any improvement in HIV/AIDS knowledge, and condom use.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of 218 participants, 170 (77.9%) were followed up in assessment three months later. The results from paired t-Test and Chi Square Test showed that intervention increased HIV/STDs related knowledge (baseline, 14.71 +/- 2.59; follow-up, 16.95 +/- 1.81; t = -10.647, P < 0.01) and the rate of having female sexual partner during previous 2 months (baseline, 17.6%; follow-up, 11.2%; P < 0.01) were of significant differences. Meanwhile, the intervention increased rate of condom use in the last three times of anal intercourse with homosexual partners, casual homosexual partners and primary homosexual partners (baseline, 55.3%, 43.2%, 49.1%; follow-up, 65.2%, 52.2%, 60.9%; chi(2) = 9.979, P < 0.01; chi(2) = 5.797, P < 0.05; chi(2) = 13.082, P < 0.01; respectively) and decreased rate of non-condom use in the last anal intercourse with homosexual partners, casual homosexual partners and primary homosexual partners (baseline, 41.2%, 35.3%, 45.3%; follow-up, 25.3%, 27.1%, 31.2%; P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01; respectively) were all of some improvement. Other relevant indicators of 218 participants with 170 followed were compared, excepting the above similar findings, there were no differences in rate of number of female sexual partner during previous 2 months and rate of condom use in the last three anal intercourse with casual homosexual partners and rate of non-condom use in the last anal intercourse with casual homosexual partners.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HIV risk behavior intervention based on MSM peer groups is feasible and might increase the condom use among MSM.</p>