Epidemiological distribution of genotypes and sub-genotypes of hepatitis B virus in 15 ethnic groups in China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To understand the distribution of genotypes and sub-genotypes of HBV in different ethnic groups in China. Methods: The HBsAg positive samples were selected by stratified multi-stage cluster sampling from the sample base of national HBV sero-epidemiological survey in 2020 for the amplification of S gene of HBV by nested PCR. A phylogeny tree was constructed to determine the genotypes and sub-genotypes of HBV. The distribution of genotypes and sub-genotypes of HBV were analyzed comprehensively by using laboratory data and demographic data. Results: A total of 1 539 positive samples from 15 ethnic groups were successfully amplified and analyzed, and 5 genotypes (B, C, D, I and C/D) were detected. The proportion of genotype B was higher in ethnic group of Han (74.52%, 623/836), Zhuang (49.28%, 34/69), Yi (53.19%, 25/47), Miao (94.12%, 32/34), Buyi (81.48%, 22/27). The proportions of genotype C were higher in ethnic groups of Yao (70.91%, 39/55). Genotype D was the predominant genotype in Uygur (83.78%, 31/37). Genotype C/D were detected in Tibetan (92.35%,326/353). In this study, 11 cases of genotype I were detected, 8 of which were distributed in Zhuang nationality. Except for Tibetan, sub-genotype B2 accounted for more than 80.00% in genotype B in all ethnic groups. The proportions of sub-genotype C2 were higher in 8 ethnic groups, i.e. Han, Tibetan, Yi, Uygur, Mongolian, Manchu, Hui and Miao. The proportions of sub-genotype C5 were higher in ethnic groups of Zhuang (55.56%, 15/27) and Yao (84.62%, 33/39). For genotype D, sub-genotype D3 was detected in Yi ethnic group and sub-genotype D1 was detected in both Uygur and Kazak. The proportions of sub-genotype C/D1 and C/D2 in Tibetan were 43.06% (152/353) and 49.29% (174/353). For all the 11 cases of genotype I infection, only sub-genotype I1 was detected. Conclusions: Five genotypes and 15 sub-genotypes of HBV were found in 15 ethnic groups. There were significant differences in the distribution of genotypes and sub-genotypes of HBV among different ethnic groups.

Baicalin Alleviates LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Rats Through p38 MAPK/NLRP3 Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and mechanism of baicalin （BA） on lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced acute lung injury in rats. MethodEighty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into the control group， model group， low-dose BA （BA-L） group， medium-dose BA （BA-M） group， high-dose BA （BA-H） group， dexamethasone （DEX） group， SB203580 group， and BA + SB203580 group， with 10 rats in each group. The rats in the BA-L， BA-M， and BA-H groups were injected intraperitoneally with different doses （10， 50， 100 mg·kg-1） of BA solution， the ones in the DEX group with 5 mg·kg-1 DEX solution， the ones in the SB203580 group with 0.5 mg·kg-1 SB203580 solution， the ones in the BA + SB203580 group with 100 mg·kg-1 BA solution and 0.5 mg·kg-1 SB203580， and those in both the control group and model group with the same volume of normal saline， once per day， for seven successive days. One hour after the last administration， rats in all groups except for the control group were given 5 mg·kg-1 LPS via intratracheal instillation for inducing the acute lung injury， whereas those in the control group received the same volume of normal saline solution. Twelve hours later， the lung tissues were sampled and stained with htoxylin-eosin （HE） for observing the pathological changes， followed by the counting of the total number of cells and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF）. The wet/dry weight ratio of the lung tissue and the contents of serum superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） were measured. The activity of reactive oxygen species （ROS） in the lung tissue was detected by immunofluorescence and the levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-18 （IL-18）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in BALF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was conducted to determine the relative expression of p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） and Western blotting was carried out to detect the protein expression levels of p-p38 MAPK， thioredoxin interacting protein （TXNIP）， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， and cysteinyl aspartate specific protease-1 （Caspase-1） in the lung tissue. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group displayed inflammatory pathological changes in lung tissue， elevated wet/dry weight ratio， total number of cells and neutrophils in BALF， and ROS and MDA levels （P<0.01）， decreased SOD activity （P<0.01）， and up-regulated IL-1， IL-18， IL-6， TNF-α， p-p38 MAPK， NLRP3， and Caspase-1 expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， BA at different doses， SB203580， and BA + SB203580 all effectively alleviated the pathological changes in lung tissue induced by LPS， reduce the lung wet/dry weight ratio， the total number of cells and neutrophils in BALF， and ROS and MDA levels （P<0.05，P<0.01）， enhanced the activity of SOD （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and down-regulated the expression of IL-1β， IL-18， IL-6，TNF-α， p-p38 MAPK， NLRP3， and Caspase-1 in lung tissue （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionBA has a protective effect against LPS-induced acute lung injury， which may be related to its inhibition of p38MAPK/NLRP3 signaling pathway and the improvement of inflammatory response.

Effect of Insoles on Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To observe the effect of braces combined with insoles on scoliosis and walking performance in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods:From September, 2019 to September, 2020, 42 subjects with AIS were selected and randomly divided into brace group (n = 21) and brace combined with insole group (n = 21). Both groups received two-month routine rehabilitation, including braces for 22 to 23 hours a day and gymnastics for 30 minutes a day. The brace combined with insole group additionally wore insoles, at least eight hours a day for two months. Meanwhile, 32 even-aged adolescents were recruited as healthy controls. Firstly, gait and plantar pressure of 42 patients and 32 healthy adolescents were compared to find out abnormal indicators. Secondly, the scoliosis and above abnormal indicators were compared between the brace group and the brace combined with insole group Results:The center of pressure excursion index (CPEI) was higher in AIS group than in the healthy group (F = 3.120, P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in walking speed, gait cycle and phase between two groups (P>0.05). An obvious imbalanced pressure was observed between the medial and lateral heel of the single foot and the bilateral foot in AIS patients (P < 0.05). After treatment, the Cobb's angle decreased in AIS patients (t > 7.552, P < 0.001), however, no difference was found between the brace group and the brace combined with insole group (t = 0.459, P > 0.05); the CPEI decreased (t = 2.209, P < 0.05), and the pressure in medial and lateral heel as well as the left and right foot tended to be balanced (t > 2.306, P < 0.05) in the brace combined with insole group, and were better than that of the brace group (|t| > 2.319, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Plantar pressure distribution shows obvious local and global asymmetric changes in AIS patients. The efficacy of insoles on the scoliosis is limited, but the insole can effectively improve the abnormal biomechanics and balance the force.

[Therapeutic effects of Pyranoprofen on the mouse dry eye induced by topical medication of Benzalkonium Chloride].

OBJECTIVE: Randomized controlled experimental study to investigate the therapeutic effect and the possible mechanism of Pranoprofen on the recovery of dry eye induced by topical medication of Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC) in mouse. METHODS: It was an experimental study. Seventy BALB/c mice were treated with topical administration of 0.25% BAC to establish the dry eye condition. Based on the consistency of break-up time of tear-film (BUT), corneal fluorescein staining scores and inflammation index, the eyes were re-selected and randomly divided into four groups on day (D) 21 after the BAC treatment. Group A was set up as blank control, while group B, C and D were treated respectively with 0.1% sodium hyaluronate eye drops, 0.1% fluorometholone eye drops plus 0.1% sodium hyaluronate eye drops, 0.1% pyranoprofen eye drops plus 0.1% sodium hyaluronate eye drops. BUTs, tear volumes, corneal fluorescein staining scores and inflammation index were evaluated in each group on D0, 1, 3 and 5 after the therapeutic treatment. Global specimens were collected on D6. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) or by periodic acid-schiff (PAS) assay, and labeled with cytokeratin 10 (K10) antibody. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the cornea and conjunctiva was quantified by western blot. RESULTS: 72 eyes were included in the sequential experiment, 18 eyes for each group. On D0, 1 and 3, no clinical differences were observed among the groups. On D5, the BUT was (2.933 ± 0.320), (2.900 ± 0.280), (3.464 ± 0.498) and (3.643 ± 0.413) s in group A, B, C and D respectively; the BUTs in group C and D were significant longer than those of group A and B (F = 13.774, P = 0.000). The corneal fluorescein staining score was (11.640 ± 1.008), (11.790 ± 1.188), (10.330 ± 1.371) and (10.270 ± 1.104)s in group A, B, C and D respectively; the scores in group C and D were significant lower than those of group A and B (F = 6.145, P = 0.001). The corneal inflammatory index was (0.232 ± 0.059), (0.229 ± 0.078), (0.151 ± 0.055) and (0.154 ± 0.056) in group A, B, C and D respectively; the index in group C and D were significant lower than those of group A and B (F = 6.703, P = 0.001). No significant difference was found in tear volume among groups. No significant difference was found between Pyranoprofen and Fluorometholone treatment in BUT, corneal fluorescein score or inflammatory index. Corneal morphology showed the feature of thicker corneal epithelial layer in group A and uniformity in group C and D. PAS assay revealed similar goblet cell numbers in group C and D, but less goblet cells in group A and B. Cytokeratin 10 was almost negatively expressed in Pranoprofen or Fluorometholone treated groups, and remained positive in the corneal epithelium with other treatments. The level of TNF-α in the cornea was down-regulated in Pranoprofen or Fluorometholone treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: Pranoprofen or Fluorometholone combined with sodium hyaluronate treatment presented similar therapeutic effects on BAC-induced mouse dry eye, with the more stable tear film, the better regularity of epithelium recovery, the down-regulation of inflammatory TNF-α, the increased number of goblet cells, and the elimination of squamous metaplasia, when compared with the treatment of sodium hyaluronate eye drops only. Our results showed the great potentialities of Pranoprofen in the clinical treatment of ocular surface inflammation in the mild and severity dry eye.

[Effect of doxycycline on inflammation-related cytokines and apoptosis in human conjunctival epithelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of doxycycline on the regulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1, CD54), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), human leukocyte antigen DR (HLA-DR) and apoptosis in human conjunctival epithelial cells. METHODS: Human primary conjunctival epithelial cells were isolated and cultured from donors and identified by immunohistochemistry. Cultured epithelial cells were treated with either 0 U/ml IFN-gamma, 300 U/ml IFN-gamma, 300 U/ml IFN-gamma with 10 microg/ml doxycycline, 300 U/ml IFN-gamma with 20 microg/ml doxycycline, 300 U/ml IFN-gamma with 40 microg/ml doxycycline or 300 U/ml IFN-gamma with 100 microg/ml dexamethasone for 24 hours. The amount of CD54, HLA-DR and IL-1beta was measured by flow cytometry and western blot analysis. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry after the cultured epithelial cells were treated for 72 hours. RESULTS: Cultured conjunctival epithelial cells can express CD54 and IL-1beta. IFN-gamma increased the amount of CD54 and IL-1beta (P < 0.01). Doxycycline and dexamethasone inhibited the IFN-gamma induced increase of express of CD54 and IL-1beta of cultured conjunctival epithelial cells, and the inhibiting effect was dependent on the concentration of doxycycline (P < 0.01). Very little HLA-DR and apoptosis were detected before and after treatment with IFN-gamma. CONCLUSION: Doxycycline can suppress the expression of inflammatory cytokine such as CD54 and IL-1beta, which suggests that doxycycline may be a potent drug for the treatment of ocular surface inflammatory disease.

[Clinical characteristics of patients with dry eye syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To learn the clinical characteristics of patients with dry eye syndrome. METHODS: The following items were recorded in 115 patients (229 eyes) with dry eye, including symptoms, causation, systematic diseases, slit-lamp examination, tear break-up time, basal and reflex Schirmer's test, vital staining (fluorescent and rose bangle) and meibomian gland dysfunction examination. Rheumatoid factor and auto-antibody detection were performed in Sjögren's syndrome suspected patients. RESULTS: Aqueous tear deficiency (ATD, 48.7%) ranked the most common type, followed by over-evaporation dry eye (34.8%), mixed type (13.9%) and conjunctivochalasis (3.5%). In all the causes of the dry eye, about 11.3% had Sjögren syndrome (SS). Females suffering from dry eye were more than males, especially SS. Dryness was the most common symptom (84.0%), especially in ATD patients, then followed by ocular fatigue (72.0%), foreign body sensation (64.0%) and impairment of vision (56.0%). The ocular irritation was more severe in meibomain gland dysfunction (MGD) patients than in ATD patients. Among the results of tear break-up time (BUT), rose bangle (Rb) staining and fluorescent (Fl) staining in all types of dry eye, significant relationship was found among them, especially between Rb and Fl score (r = 0.612, P = 0.000). SS patients had much more severe abnormality in all the four signs than non-SS aqueous tear deficiency (NSTD) and MGD patients. However, in the comparisons of BUT, Rb and Fl between NSTD and MGD patients, there were no significant differences. CONCLUSION: Symptoms combined with examinations of BUT, Schirmer's test, Fl and Rb staining and meibomian gland function are the necessary means to diagnose most of the dry eye patients.