PNPLA3 rs738409 Polymorphism Associated with Hepatic Steatosis and Advanced Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The recognition of a correlation between patatin-like phospholipase domain containing-protein 3 (PNPLA3) rs738409 (C>G) and the severity of liver steatosis or fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) has not reached a consensus. This meta-analysis sought to investigate with accuracy the association between the PNPLA3 rs738409 (C>G) polymorphism and liver steatosis and advanced fibrosis in CHC patients. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive literature search from the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases up to December 31, 2014. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata 12.0 software. RESULTS: The meta-analysis revealed the severity of liver fibrosis was significantly higher in CHC patients with PNPLA3 rs738409 GG in Caucasians (versus CC+CG: OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.57 to 3.35; pG) was associated with the risk of both advanced liver fibrosis and steatosis in patients with CHC, especially among Caucasian populations.

A stability study of hard tissue changes in patients with skeletal class III malocclusion after orthodontic-orthognathic treatments / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The purpose of this study was to analyze the changes of hard tissues at each treatment stage in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion after orthodontic-orthognathic surgery, and to assess the long-term stability after treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>24 patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion were selected. Standardized lateral cephalograms at the following stages were taken for each patient: Before treatment (T0), 3 months after surgery (T1), 1 year after surgery (T2), 3 years after surgery (T3). A total of 16 hard tissue landmarks were selected and evaluated at different stages. SPSS 12.0 software was used to study the changes of the hard tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1) Comparison of angles between stage T0 and T1, except N-S-Ar, N-S-Ba, N-S-Go, NBa-PtGn and Y axis, other discrepancies all had statistical significances. 2) Comparison of angles between stage T1, and T2, only SNPo and U1-SN had significant differences. 3) Comparison of angles between stage T1 and T3, only U1-SN had an obvious change. 4) Comparison of the angles between stage T2 and T3, all angle changes had no statistical significance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>From three months to one year after surgery, the hard tissue angles varied more or less, but that did not essentially affect the surgery results. It is concluded that the orthodontic-orthognathic treatment of skeletal Class III malocclusion had a long-term stability.</p>