Medicine
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The purpose of this article is to evaluate the evolution of microbial translocation (MT) and its role in CD4 and CD8 T cells immune activation (IA) in HIV-1-infected patients on ritonavir-boosted darunavir monotherapy (mtDRV/rtv). Prospective study of consecutive HIV-1-infected patients switched to mtDRV/rtv as a simplification regimen. Subjects were classified according to the virological behavior during a 24-month follow-up as continuous undetectable viral load, blips, intermittent viremia, and virological failure (VF). ⋯ The only variable independently associated with a decrease in CD4 and CD8 T cells activation was an undetectable HIV-1 viremia (β = 4.78, P < 0.001 and β = 2.93, P = 0.005, respectively). MT does not have a pivotal role in T-cell activation, at least in patients with long-term viral suppression. The viremic episodes and VF are the main factors related to CD4 and CD8 T-cells IA, even during mtDRV/rtv.
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This study investigated the preoperative independent risk factors associated with survival and recurrence for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent hepatic resection. In total, 384 consecutive patients who underwent curative hepatic resection for single primary HCC were studied. Predictive factors associated with 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were assessed using a univariate log-rank test and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model. ⋯ These patients had lower survival rates than did patients in the other 2 groups with different levels of GGT and ICG (P < 0.05, respectively). The same was also true for patients with a tumor < 5 cm in size. Combined information in the form of high levels of GGT and ICG-R15 is a preoperative predictor that warrants full attention when evaluating tumor recurrence postoperatively.
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To determine the incidence and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among new-born Chinese infants of multiple gestations. A retrospective review of medical records was performed for all neonates of multiple gestations screened for ROP between January 2007 and December 2012 in 2 neonatal intensive care units in Hong Kong. Screening was offered to very low birth weight (VLBW; ≤1500 g) and/or preterm (gestation ≤32 weeks) neonates using the Royal College of Ophthalmologists ROP guideline and the International Classification of ROP by 3 pediatric ophthalmologists. ⋯ On multivariate analysis, younger GA, surfactant use, invasive mechanical ventilation, higher mean oxygen concentration, thrombocytopenia, intraventricular hemorrhage, total parental nutrition, and hypoglycemia were significant risk factors for ROP. For Type 1 ROP, there were no significant dependent risk factors. In preterm Chinese infants born from multiple gestations, prematurity, lighter weight, postnatal hypotension, inotropes use, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and an intraventricular hemorrhage were common independent risk factors for the development of ROP and Type 1 ROP.
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The acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) enzymes DGAT1 and DGAT2 catalyze the final step in triglycerides biosynthesis. This study examined the relationships of baseline phenotypes and the common polymorphisms in DGAT1 and DGAT2 with the lipid responses to niacin. Lipid responses in Chinese patients with dyslipidemia treated with the extended release (ER) niacin/laropiprant combination 1000/20 mg for 4 weeks and then 2000/40 mg for 8 weeks (n = 121, the primary study) or with ER niacin 1500 mg for at least 4 weeks (n = 68, the replication study) were analyzed according to genotypes of DGAT1 rs7003945 T>C and DGAT2 rs3060 T>C polymorphisms. ⋯ Concomitant statin therapy and lower body weight were also associated with greater reduction in LDL-C. Baseline lipid levels were the main determinants of lipid responses especially for LDL-C. The DGAT2 rs3060 polymorphism might influence the lipid responses depending on baseline phenotype, but this association did not persist after adjustment for the baseline lipid levels.
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Deciphering of genetic variants plays a critical role in research and clinic of genetic disorders, such as the well known neurodegenerative disease Parkinson disease (PD). To combine pool of targeted genes and next-generation sequencing (NGS), investigators could obtain high efficient but low-cost sequencing data of interested genes. Aim to discover genetic variants that might contribute to PD, we selected 48 candidate genes involved in different pathways and conducted a pilot study to screen nonsynonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) in 4 pooled samples from 237 sporadic Chinese PD patients. ⋯ However, genotyping analysis of 6 validated nsSNPs in 50 PD patients and 50 controls showed no significant differences in cases compared with controls. These data represent the first documentation and validation of these mutations in PD using target gene capture sequencing. Additional replication studies in other populations and functional research are merited to better evaluate precapture multiplex protocol and validate the role of the 6 nsSNPs in PD risk.