Birch bark extract as therapy for chronic hepatitis C - A pilot study

The hepatoprotective effect of birch bark extract (BBE) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) was studied. Forty-two patients with serologically confirmed chronic hepatitis C were treated for 12 weeks with 160 mg standardized BBE per day. The primary outcome parameter measured was the rate of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization after 12 weeks. Secondary parameters included the course of ALT, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, quantitative HCV RNA levels, subjective symptoms associated with CHC (fatigue, abdominal discomfort, depression, and dyspepsia), safety and compliance. The qualitative-quantitative analysis of BBE was made using high performance liquid chromatography to confirm the presence of 75% betulin and 3.5% betulinic acid. Significant differences in the mean ALT and HCV RNA levels were observed after 12 weeks of treatment. The level of ALT was decreased in 54.0% and normalized (p = 0.046). HCV RNA was reduced in 43.2% (p = 0.016). After 12 weeks of treatment, reports of fatigue and abdominal discomfort were reduced by 6-fold (p = 0.028) and 3-fold (p = 0.05), respectively. Dyspepsia was no longer reported (p = 0.042) and the effect was significantly different from baseline. Because this study lacks a control group clinical relevance of the data can only be estimated in future by following controlled clinical trials.     

Clinical Factors and Viral Load Influencing Severity of Acute Hepatitis A

Background and Aims

Clinical manifestations of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection vary from mild to fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) in adults. We investigated the relationship between laboratory findings, including viral load, and clinical outcomes in patients with acute hepatitis A (AHA) and evaluated predictive factors for severe acute hepatitis (s-AH).

Methods

We analyzed the clinical manifestations of AHA in 770 patients. Patients with a prothrombin time (PT) of less than 40% of normal were classified as s-AH and included 4 patients with FHF, 11 patients with acute renal failure, and 3 patients with prolonged jaundice (n = 128). Other patients were defined as mild acute hepatitis (m-AH) (n = 642). Serum samples were obtained from 48 patients with acute hepatitis A. Among them, 20 with s-AH, and 28 with m-AH, were tested for HAV RNA titer.

Results

In a multivariate analysis, age (HR = 1.042, P = 0.041), peak creatinine (HR = 4.014, P = 0.001), bilirubin (HR = 1.153, P = 0.003), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (HR = 1.001, P<0.001), initial lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (HR = 1.000, P = 0.045) and total cholesterol (HR = 0.978, P<0.001) were independent factors for s-AH. Serum HAV RNA was detected in 20/20 (100%) patients with s-AH and 22/28 (78.6%) patients with m-AH. In a multivariate analysis of the 48 patients who were tested for HAV RNA, peak ALT (HR = 1.001, P = 0.004) and HAV RNA titer (HR = 2.076, P = 0.012) were independent factors for s-AH.

Conclusions

Clinical factors including age, peak creatinine, bilirubin, ALT, initial LDH and total cholesterol were independent factors for s-AH in a multivariate analysis. In particular, HAV load strongly correlated with the severity of hepatitis A.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术对急性化脓性胆囊炎患者血清SOD,MDA及肝功能的影响

目的:探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗急性化脓性胆囊炎的疗效及对患者血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)及肝功能的影响。方法:选择2014年9月至2016年9月我院接诊的92例急性化脓性胆囊炎患者,随机分为观察组(n=46)和对照组(n=46),对照组使用传统开腹式胆囊切除术,观察组使用腹腔镜下胆囊切除术。观察并比较两组患者的术中出血量、术后引流量、手术时间、术后排气时间及住院时间,治疗前后丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、总胆红素(TBIL)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)及丙二醛(MDA)水平,以及术后并发症的发生情况。结果:观察组术中出血量、术后引流量少于对照组,手术时间、术后排气时间、排便时间、住院时间均比对照组短(P0.05);手术后,观察组丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、总胆红素(TBIL)水平均比对照组低(P0.05);观察组超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平高于对照组,丙二醛(MDA)水平低于对照组(P0.05);观察组术后并发症总发生率低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗急性化脓性胆囊炎的效果显著,对患者肝功能损伤较小,术后并发症少,值得临床应用推广。     

Psychological Stress Exerts Effects on Pathogenesis of Hepatitis B via Type-1/Type-2 Cytokines Shift toward Type-2 Cytokine Response

BackgroundPsychological and physical stress has been demonstrated to have an impact on health through modulation of immune function. Despite high prevalence of stress among patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, little is known about whether and how stress exerts an effect on the course of hepatitis B.MethodsEighty patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB) completed the Perceived Stress Scale-10(PSS-10) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI). Fresh whole blood was subject to flow cytometry for lymphocytes count. Plasma samples frozen at −80°C were thawed for cytokines, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and virus load. These patients were grouped into high or low perceived stress, state anxiety and trait anxiety groups according to the scale score. Sociodemographic, disease-specific characteristics, lymphocytes count and cytokines were compared.ResultsFirstly, a negative association between ALT and stress (t = −4.308; p = .000), state anxiety (t = −3.085; p = .003) and trait anxiety (t = −4.925; p = .000) were found. As ALT is a surrogate marker of hepatocytes injury, and liver injury is a consequence of immune responses. Next, we tested the relationship between stress/anxiety and lymphocytes. No statistical significance were found with respect to counts of total T cells, CD4+ T cell, CD8+ T cell, NK cell, and B cell count between high and low stress group. Type-2 cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) level was significantly higher in high stress group relative to lower counterpart (t = 6.538; p = 0.000), and type-1 cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) level shown a decreased tendency in high stress group (t = −1.702; p = 0.093). Finally, INF-γ:IL-10 ratio displayed significant decrease in high perceived stress(t = −4.606; p = 0.000), state anxiety(t = −5.126; p = 0.000) and trait anxiety(t = −4.670; p = 0.000) groups relative to low counterparts.ConclusionOur data show stress is not related to the lymphocyte cells count in CHB patients, however, stress induces a shift in the type-1/type-2 cytokine balance towards a type-2 response, which implicated a role of psychological stress in the course of HBV related immune-pathogenesis.     

Effects of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (silymarin) extract supplementation on antioxidant status and hs-CRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized,triple-blind,placebo-controlled clinical trial

Aim: Diabetes is a serious metabolic disorder and oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to its pathogenesis and complications. Since Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (silymarin) extract is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, this randomized clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of silymarin supplementation on oxidative stress indices and hs-CRP in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.Methods: For the present paralleled, randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 40 type 2 diabetes patients aged 25–50 yr old and on stable medication were recruited from the Iranian Diabetes Society and endocrinology clinics in East Azarbayjan (Tabriz, Iran) and randomly assigned into two groups. Patients in the silymarin treatment group received 140 mg, thrice daily of dried extracts of Silybum marianum (n = 20) and those in the placebo group (n = 20) received identical placebos for 45 days. Data pertaining to height, weight, waist circumference and BMI, as well as food consumption, were collected at base line and at the conclusion of the study. Fasting blood samples were obtained and antioxidant indices and hs-CRP were assessed at baseline, as well as at the end of the trial.Results: All 40 patients completed the study and did not report any adverse effects or symptoms with the silymarin supplementation. Silymarin supplementation significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) compared to patients taking the placebo, by 12.85%, 30.32% and 8.43%, respectively (p < 0.05). There was a significant reduction in hs-CRP levels by 26.83% (p < 0.05) in the silymarin group compared to the placebo group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration significantly decreased by 12.01% (p < 0.05) in the silymarin group compared to the baseline.Conclusions: Silymarin supplementation improves some antioxidant indices (SOD, GPX and TAC) and decrease hs-CRP levels in T2DM patients.     

血浆置换联合血液灌流治疗急性重度有机磷农药中毒的疗效及对患者肝功能的影响

目的:探讨血浆置换联合血液灌流治疗急性重度有机磷农药中毒的临床疗效及对患者肝功能的影响。方法:选择我院于2014年1月至2017年9月收治的66例急性重度有机磷农药中毒患者,按照随机原则分为血液灌流组(n=30)、联合治疗组(n=36),两组均接受急性重度有机磷农药中毒常规治疗,在此基础上血液灌流组和联合治疗组分别接受血液灌流、血浆置换联合血液灌流治疗。观察两组治疗效果,治疗前、治疗1周后血浆丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、总胆红素水平。观察治疗过程中的不良反应发生情况。结果:与血液灌流组比较,联合治疗组胆碱酯酶(CHE)恢复时间较短,而长托宁用量较少,住院时间较短,且抢救成功率较高(P0.05)。治疗1周后联合治疗组血浆ALT、AST、总胆红素显著低于血液灌流组(P0.05)。治疗过程联合治疗组出现1例皮疹,不良反应发生率为2.78%,血流灌注组无不良反应发生,两组不良反应发生率比较无差异(P0.05)。结论:血浆置换联合血液灌流能明显提高急性重度有机磷中毒患者的抢救成功率,同时改善患者肝功能,且安全性良好,值得临床推广。     

Use of selenium–silymarin mix reduces lower urinary tract symptoms and prostate specific antigen in men

The aim of this double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial was to assess the effects of a combination of selenium and silymarin in men with lower urinary tract symptoms, benign prostatic hyperplasia and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) ≤2.5 ng/ml. The volunteers were randomized to two groups: the first one (n = 26) received 240 μg selenium (in the form of yeast l-selenomethionine) plus 570 mg silymarin daily for 6 months and the second (n = 29) received placebo. Outcome measures were changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), bladder volume (V), urinary flow rate, ultrasound estimated postvoid residual urine volume (RV), serum PSA, testosterone and selenium levels, safety clinical biochemistry, hematology and oxidative stress parameters at baseline and on day 180. The results showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between treatment and control groups for the following parameters: IPSS score, urodynamic parameters: maximal rate of urine flow (Q_max), average flow (Q_ave), V and RV, total PSA value and serum selenium levels. There was a significant reduction in PSA in the selenium–silymarin group but no effect on blood testosterone level. Overall the treatment was well-tolerated with no adverse effects.     

Artichoke leave extract for chronic hepatitis C – A pilot study

BackgroundArtichoke leave extracts (ALE) have hepatoprotektive properties and are used by patients with chronic liver disease. Effects in patients with chronic hepatitis C are unclear.Methods17 patients with chronic hepatitis C and persistently elevated aminotransferase levels were treated for 12 weeks with 3200 mg standardized ALE per day. Primary outcome parameter was the rate of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalisation after 12 weeks. Secondary parameters were the course of ALT, aspartate aminotransferase and γ glutamyltransferase levels, quantitative HCV RNA, subjective symptoms frequently associated with chronic hepatitis C (fatigue, discomfort upper abdomen, joint problems) and safety.ResultsNone of the patients had normalized ALT levels after 12 weeks of treatment. There was no significant change of aminotransferase levels or viral load compared to baseline levels. Fatigue and joint problems significantly improved after 4 weeks of treatment. However, after 12 weeks, there was no significant difference to baseline. Tolerability of ALE was rated as good to excellent. Severe side effects did not occur.ConclusionALE seem not to be effective to improve aminotransferase levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C     

Carvacrol improves pulmonary function tests,oxidant/antioxidant parameters and cytokine levels in asthmatic patients: A randomized,double-blind,clinical trial

BackgroundCarvacrol effects on inflammatory mediators, lung pathology and tracheal responsiveness were indicated in animal models of pulmonary diseases.PurposeTo evaluate carvacrol effects on respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function tests (PFT), oxidative stress markers and cytokine levels in asthmatic patients.Study DesignThis study was a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind, clinical trial.MethodsThirty-three moderate asthmatic patients were divided to the two groups of: placebo group (n = 16) and carvacrol group (1.2 mg/kg/day, n = 17). Prepared capsules were taken for two months along, 3 times/day along with routine medications. Respiratory symptoms, PFT, and oxidative stress markers were evaluated before the treatment (step 0), and one (step I) and two months (step II) after the beginning of the treatment. However, cytokine levels in serum and supernatant of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and their gene expression were evaluated in step 0 and II.ResultsIn carvacrol-treated group, respiratory symptoms significantly decreased after one- and two-month treatment with carvacrol compared to pre-treatment values (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Compared to step 0, PFT values were significantly increased in step I and II, in treated group with carvacrol (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Most oxidative stress markers were improved following carvacrol treatment (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Treatment with carvacrol for two‐month also significantly improved cytokine levels in serum and supernatant of PBMC, compared to step 0 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). However, no significant changes were observed in the above-noted parameters in the placebo group.ConclusionDue to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect, carvacrol could be suggested as a therapeutic agent for asthma.     

慢性乙型肝炎患者血清IL-17A、GP73水平与肝功能指标及病情严重程度的关系分析

摘要 目的：探讨慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者血清白细胞介素-17A (IL-17A)、高尔基体蛋白73(GP73)水平与肝功能指标及病情严重程度的关系。方法：选取2018年10月至2019年10月于青海大学附属医院就诊的CHB患者93例作为研究对象（CHB组）,另选取同时期于我院体检的健康志愿者33例作为对照组。比较不同病情严重程度、不同乙型肝炎e抗原（HbeAg）表达的CHB患者IL-17A、GP73水平及肝功能相关指标[丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）、白蛋白、总胆红素（TBiL）]的差异,并分析IL-17A、GP73水平与患者病情严重程度及肝功能相关指标的相关性。结果：CHB组中轻度、中度、重度患者血清IL-17A、GP73、ALT、AST及TBiL水平均高于对照组,白蛋白水平低于对照组（P<0.05）,并且随着CHB患者病情严重程度的加重其血清中IL-17A、GP73、ALT、AST及TBiL水平逐渐升高,白蛋白水平逐渐降低（P<0.05）。CHB组HbeAg阴性患者血清中的IL-17A、GP73、ALT及AST水平均明显高于HbeAg阳性患者（P<0.05）,而白蛋白和TBiL水平无明显差异（P>0.05）。CHB患者血清IL-17A、GP73均与ALT、AST及TBiL呈正相关,与白蛋白呈负相关,与患者病情严重程度呈正相关（P<0.05）。结论：CHB患者血清中IL-17A、GP73水平明显升高,且与患者病情严重程度及肝功能相关指标呈明显相关性,临床中可联合检测用于患者病情评估及预后监测。     

The chemopreventive effect of Ginkgo biloba and Silybum marianum extracts on hepatocarcinogenesis in rats

Background/objective

This study was designed to evaluate the potential chemopreventive activities of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) and Silybum marianum extract (silymarin) against hepatocarcinogenesis induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in rats.

Methods

Rats were divided into 6 groups. Group 1 served as normal control rats. Group 2 animals were intragastrically administrated NDEA at a dose of 10 mg/kg five times a week for 12 weeks to induce hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Groups 3 and 4 animals were pretreated with silymarin and EGb respectively. Groups 5 and 6 animals were posttreated with silymarin and EGb respectively. The investigated parameters in serum are alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The investigated parameters in liver tissue are malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and comet assay parameters.

Results

In NDEA group, MDA level was elevated with subsequent decrease in GSH level and SOD, GPx and GR activities. In addition, NDEA group revealed a significant increase in serum ALT, AST and GGT activities and VEGF level. Furthermore, NDEA administrated animals showed a marked increase in comet assay parameters. These biochemical alterations induced by NDEA were confirmed by the histopathological examination of rat livers intoxicated with NDEA that showed an obvious cellular damage and well differentiated HCC. In contrast, silymarin+NDEA treated groups (3&;5) and EGb+NDEA treated groups (4&;6) showed a significant decrease in MDA level and a significant increase in GSH content and SOD, GPx and GR activities compared to NDEA group. Silymarin and EGb also beneficially down-regulated the increase in serum ALT, AST, GGT activities and VEGF level induced by NDEA. In addition, silymarin and EGb significantly decreased comet assay parameters. Histopathological examination of rat livers treated with either silymarin or EGb exhibited an improvement in the liver architecture compared to NDEA group.

Conclusions

The obtained findings suggested that silymarin and EGb may have beneficial chemopreventive roles against hepatocarcinogenesis through their antioxidant, antiangiogenic and antigenotoxic activities.     

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth ameliorate concanavalin A-induced autoimmune hepatitis by protecting hepatocytes from apoptosis

BACKGROUNDAutoimmune hepatitis is a serious autoimmune liver disease that threatens human health worldwide, which emphasizes the urgent need to identify novel treatments. Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED), which are easy to obtain in a non-invasive manner, show pronounced proliferative and immunomodulatory capacities.AIMTo investigate the protective effects of SHED on concanavalin A (ConA)-induced hepatitis in mice, and to elucidate the associated regulatory mechanisms.METHODSWe used a ConA-induced acute hepatitis mouse model and an in vitro co-culture system to study the protective effects of SHED on ConA-induced autoimmune hepatitis, as well as the associated underlying mechanisms.RESULTSSHED infusion could prevent aberrant histopathological liver architecture caused by ConA-induced infiltration of CD3⁺, CD4⁺, tumor necrosis-alpha⁺, and interferon-gamma⁺ inflammatory cells. Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly elevated in hepatitis mice. SHED infusion could therefore block ConA-induced alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase elevations. Mechanistically, ConA upregulated tumor necrosis-alpha and interferon-gamma expression, which was activated by the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway to induce hepatocyte apoptosis, resulting in acute liver injury. SHED administration protected hepatocytes from ConA-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSIONSHED alleviates ConA-induced acute liver injury via inhibition of hepatocyte apoptosis mediated by the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway. Our findings could provide a potential treatment strategy for hepatitis.     

胆道支架置入联合介入化疗对恶性胆道梗阻患者肝功能及预后的影响

目的:研究胆道支架置入联合介入化疗对恶性胆道梗阻患者肝功能及预后的影响,为临床治疗提供依据。方法:选取2013年2月到2015年2月我院收治的恶性胆道梗阻患者90例,按照随机数字表法将患者分为Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组,每组30例,Ⅰ组给予胆道支架置入联合介入化疗,Ⅱ组给予单纯胆道支架置入,Ⅲ组给予保守治疗,比较三组治疗前、后肝功能、并发症、支架通畅率及生存期。结果:治疗前三组谷草转氨酶(AST)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、γ-谷氨酰转移酶(r-GT)比较无统计学意义(P0.05),治疗后Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组AST、ALT和r-GT均显著改善,与治疗前和Ⅲ组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),且I组显著优于Ⅱ组,比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),Ⅲ组治疗后AST、ALT和r-GT与治疗前比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组并发症发生率比较无统计学意义(P0.05);Ⅰ组术后3个月、6个月和12个月支架通畅率均显著高于Ⅱ组,比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);I组生存期显著高于Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组,Ⅱ组高于Ⅲ组,比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:胆道支架置入联合介入化疗治疗恶性胆道梗阻具有较好效果,能明显改善患者肝功,延长患者生存期。     

Serum microRNA-21 as marker for necroinflammation in hepatitis C patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is up-regulated in tumor tissue of patients with malignant diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Elevated concentrations of miR-21 have also been found in sera or plasma from patients with malignancies, rendering it an interesting candidate as serum/plasma marker for malignancies. Here we correlated serum miR-21 levels with clinical parameters in patients with different stages of chronic hepatitis C virus infection (CHC) and CHC-associated HCC.

Methodology/Principal Findings

62 CHC patients, 29 patients with CHC and HCC and 19 healthy controls were prospectively enrolled. RNA was extracted from the sera and miR-21 as well as miR-16 levels were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR; miR-21 levels (normalized by miR-16) were correlated with standard liver parameters, histological grading and staging of CHC. The data show that serum levels of miR-21 were elevated in patients with CHC compared to healthy controls (P<0.001); there was no difference between serum miR-21 in patients with CHC and CHC-associated HCC. Serum miR-21 levels correlated with histological activity index (HAI) in the liver (r = −0.494, P = 0.00002), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (r = −0.309, P = 0.007), aspartate aminotransferase (r = −0.495, P = 0.000007), bilirubin (r = −0.362, P = 0.002), international normalized ratio (r = −0.338, P = 0.034) and γ-glutamyltransferase (r = −0.244, P = 0.034). Multivariate analysis revealed that ALT and miR-21 serum levels were independently associated with HAI. At a cut-off dC_T of 1.96, miR-21 discriminated between minimal and mild-severe necroinflammation (AUC = 0.758) with a sensitivity of 53.3% and a specificity of 95.2%.

Conclusions/Significance

The serum miR-21 level is a marker for necroinflammatory activity, but does not differ between patients with HCV and HCV-induced HCC.     

更昔洛韦联合大剂量丙种球蛋白治疗婴儿巨细胞病毒性肝炎的疗效观察

目的:研究更昔洛韦联合大剂量丙种球蛋白治疗婴儿巨细胞病毒性(CMV)肝炎的临床疗效,为婴儿CMV肝炎的抗菌治疗提供理论依据。方法:选取我院自2009年7月至2016年1月收治的103例CMV肝炎婴儿,根据随机数字表法分为治疗组58例,对照组45例。两组患儿均常规给予退黄、保肝药物治疗,对照组在此基础上给予更昔洛韦治疗,治疗组给予大剂量丙种球蛋白联合更昔洛韦治疗。对比观察两组患儿治疗后黄疸消退情况、肝功能变化、血CMV-IgM和尿CMV-DNA转阴情况、肝和脾B超变化、治疗效果及不良反应情况。结果:治疗组患儿黄疸消退时间、血CMV-IgM和尿CMV-DNA转阴时间均短于对照组(P0.05);治疗组肝功能指标包括总胆红素(TBIL)、直接胆红素(DBIL)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、γ-谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)水平均较对照组和治疗前降低(P0.05);治疗后两组肝、脾明显减小,且治疗组减小更显著,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗组中血CMV-IgM转阴率、尿CMV-DNA转阴率、治疗总有效率均高于对照组(P0.05);治疗组不良反应发生率低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:更昔洛韦联合大剂量丙种球蛋白治疗婴儿CMV肝炎临床效果良好,可以有效缓解黄疸症状,恢复肝脏功能,肝、脾回缩明显,不良反应少,值得推广。     

Beneficial effects of natural products on female sexual dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundFemale sexual dysfunction (FSD) includes female orgasmic disorder, female sexual interest or arousal disorder, and genito-pelvic pain or penetration disorder. FSD affects 40% of women worldwide, but it is understudied and likely undertreated. Natural products are frequently used by women to treat FSD, but scientific evidence of their efficacy is lacking.ObjectiveThis systematic review and meta-analysis focused on the study of the efficacy of natural products on FSD.Study designSystematic review and meta-analysis of existing studies on natural products in the treatment of FSD.MethodsThe literature search included MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial databases for studies published from January 2000 to February 2020. The quality and the level of evidence of the studies were assessed. The association between natural products and FSD was summarized using standardized mean differences (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsA total of 536 studies were identified, with 20 of them meeting the criteria. According to this meta-analysis, Tribulus terrestris showed a significant positive effect in improving overall female sexual function (SMD = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.46 - 1.79, p = 0.001) and individual sexual arousal (SMD = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.22 - 1.84, p = 0.013), sexual desire (SMD = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.52 - 1.63, p ≤ 0.001) and sexual orgasm (SMD = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.02 - 1.00, p = 0.040) domains compared to placebo. Panax ginseng was found to be effective in treating sexual arousal (SMD = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.11 - 0.97, p = 0.014) and sexual desire (SMD = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.27 - 0.90, p < 0.001) compared to placebo. Meanwhile, other natural products reviewed in this study, such as Trifolium pretense, did not differ significantly from placebo in terms of improving FSD.ConclusionPreliminary evidence suggests that Tribulus terrestris and Panax ginseng may be effective as alternative treatments for FSD in a clinical setting.     

五酯丸联合阿德福韦酯对慢性乙型肝炎患者肝功能及血清细胞因子IL-17、IL-22的影响

目的:探讨五酯丸联合阿德福韦酯对慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者肝功能及血清细胞因子白介素-17(IL-17)、白介素-22(IL-22)的影响。方法:选取2016年3月2018年3月期间我院收治的CHB患者118例,根据随机数字表法分为对照组(n=59)和研究组(n=59),对照组患者给予阿德福韦酯治疗,研究组在对照组的基础上联合五酯丸治疗,比较两组患者疗效、肝功能指标[门冬氨酸氨基转氨酶(AST)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、总胆红素(TBIL)]、血清细胞因子IL-17、IL-22、乙肝病毒基因(HBV-DNA)以及乙型肝炎病毒e抗原(HBeAg)阴转情况,记录两组治疗期间不良反应情况。结果:研究组治疗6个月后的临床总有效率为93.22%(55/59),高于对照组患者的79.66%(47/59)(P<0.05)。两组治疗6个月后ALT、AST、TBIL均下降,且研究组低于对照组(P<0.05)。两组治疗6个月后IL-17、IL-22均下降,且研究组低于对照组(P<0.05)。两组患者HBV-DNA、HbeAg阴转率比较均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。两组不良反应发生率对比未见统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:五酯丸联合阿德福韦酯治疗CHB患者,虽不会增加抗病毒应答,但可改善机体肝功能,降低血清细胞因子IL-17、IL-22水平。     

Development and validation of a coding framework to identify severe acute toxicity from systemic anti-cancer therapy using hospital administrative data

BackgroundThe capture of toxicities from systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) in real-world data will complement results from clinical trials. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a comprehensive coding framework to identify severe acute toxicity in hospital administrative data.MethodsA coding framework was developed to identify diagnostic codes representing severe acute toxicity in hospital administrative data. The coding framework was validated on a sample of 23,265 colon cancer patients treated in the English National Health Service between 1 June 2014 and 31 December 2017. This involved comparing individual toxicities according to the receipt of SACT and according to different SACT regimens, as well as assessing the associations of predictive factors and outcomes with toxicity.ResultsThe severe acute toxicities captured by the developed coding framework were shown to vary across clinical groups with an overall rate of 26.4% in the adjuvant cohort, 53.4% in the metastatic cohort, and 12.5% in the comparison group receiving no chemotherapy. Results were in line with regimen-specific findings from clinical trials. For example, patients receiving additional bevacizumab had higher rates of bleeding (12.5% vs. 2.7%), gastrointestinal perforation (5.6% vs. 2.9%) and fistulation (1.4% vs. 0.5%), and allergic drug reactions (1.4% vs. 0.5%). Severe acute toxicity was associated with pre-existing renal (p = 0.001) and cardiac disease (p = 0.038), and urgency of surgery (p = 0.004). Severe toxicity also predicted lower rates of completion of chemotherapy (p = <0.001) and an increased likelihood of altered administration route (p = <0.001).ConclusionThese results demonstrate that the developed coding framework captures severe acute toxicities from hospital administrative data of colon cancer patients. A similar approach can be used for patients with other cancer types, receiving different regimens. Toxicity captured in administrative data can be used to compare treatment outcomes, inform clinical decision making, and provide opportunities for benchmarking and provider performance monitoring.     

Gender and age-specific reference intervals of common biochemical analytes in Chinese population: Derivation using real laboratory data

BackgroundIndirect sampling methods are not only inexpensive but also efficient for establishing reference intervals (RIs) using clinical data. This study was conducted to select fully normal records to establish ageand gender-specific RIs for common biochemical analytes by laboratory data mining.MethodsIn total, 280,206 records from 2014 to 2018 were obtained from Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Common biochemical analytes total protein, albumin, total bilirubin (TBil), direct bilirubin (DBil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), potassium, sodium, chlorine, calcium, urea, glucose, uric acid (UA), inorganic phosphorus, creatinine (Cr), total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol] were measured using an automatic analyzer. Sources of variation were identified by multiple regression analysis. The 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles were calculated as the lower and upper limits of the RIs, respectivelyResultsGender was the major source of variation among the 13 common biochemical analytes with an rp > 0.15. In contrast to the value listed in the WS/T 404, nearly all RIs established in this study were significantly narrower. Furthermore, age-specific RIs should be determined for DBil, LDH, and urea, whereas gender-specific RIs are suggested for GGT, LDH, and urea.ConclusionsWe recommend that gender-specific RIs should be established for ALT, AST, GGT, DBil, TBil, UA, and Cr as well as genderand age-specific RIs for urea and ALP. Through indirect sampling, ageand gender-specific RIs for common biochemical analytes were established and analyzed.     

The Diagnostic Accuracy and Clinical Utility of Three Noninvasive Models for Predicting Liver Fibrosis in Patients with HBV Infection

AimTo evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of the fibrosis index based on the four factors (FIB-4), aspartate aminotransferase -to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and aspartate aminotransferase–alanine aminotransferase ratio index (AAR) for predicting liver fibrosis in patients with HBV infection.MethodsFrom January 2006 to December 2010,a total of 1543 consecutive chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients who underwent liver biopsies were enrolled. FIB-4,APRI, and AAR were calculated.The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) were calculated to assess the diagnostic accuracy of these models.The AUROCs of these models were compared by DeLong’s test.For further comparisons in different studies,the AUROCs were adjusted to conduct Adjusted AUROCs(ADjAUROCs) according to the prevalence of fibrosis stages using the difference between advanced and nonadvanced fibrosis (DANA).ResultsFor prediction of significant fibrosis,severe fibrosis,and cirrhosis,the AUROCs of FIB-4 were 0.646(ADjAUROC 0.717),0.670(ADjAUROC 0.741), and 0.715(ADjAUROC 0.786) respectively;whereas it were 0.656(ADjAUROC 0.727),0.653(ADjAUROC 0.724) and 0.639(ADjAUROC 0.710) for APRI, 0.498(ADjAUROC 0.569),0.548(ADjAUROC 0.619) and 0.573(ADjAUROC 0.644) for AAR. The further comparisons demonstrated that there were no significant differences of AUROCs between FIB-4 and APRI in predicting significant and severe fibrosis(P > 0.05),while FIB-4 was superior to APRI in predicting cirrhosis(P < 0.001). Further subgroup analysis demonstrated that the diagnostic accuracy of FIB-4 and APRI in patients with normal alanine aminotransferase(ALT) were higher than that in patients with elevated ALT.ConclusionsThe results demonstrated that FIB-4 and APRI are useful for diagnosis of fibrosis. FIB-4 and APRI have similar diagnostic accuracy in predicting significant and severe fibrosis,while FIB-4 is superior to APRI in predicting cirrhosis. The clinical utility of FIB-4 and APRI for fibrosis need further external validation in a large population before it was used for prediction of fibrosis in patients with HBV infection.