Differential regulation of pruritic sensation and emotion by cannabinoid type 1 receptors on mPFC glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons.

Itch causes a strong urge to scratch and induces negative emotions, such as aversion and anxiety. Antihistamine medications are key in the clinical management of pruritus, but their therapeutic efficacy in controlling moderate and severe itching remains limited. The neural circuits in the brain that process itching and itch-induced aversion and anxiety remain unclear so far.

Clinical and histological features of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in the grey zone.

Chronic HBV infection patients who do not conform to any of the usual immune states are regarded as 'grey zone' patients. We aimed to investigate the proportion of chronic HBV infection patients in the grey zone, and evaluate the clinical characteristics and liver pathological changes in grey zone patients. Clinical data of 1391 treatment-naive chronic HBV infection patients with liver biopsy were collected.

Influence of physical activity at a young age and lifetime physical activity on the risks of 3 obesity-related cancers: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Context: Excess weight has been linked to increased risks of 13 types of cancers. Physical activity is a non-nutritional modifiable lifestyle factor that is not only crucial for weight control but is also known to regulate hormones and metabolic pathways that may contribute to carcinogenesis. There is solid evidence that being physically active during middle and late adulthood lowers the risks of 3 obesity-related cancers, namely breast cancer, colon cancer, and endometrial cancer.

Associations Between the Knowledge of Different Food Categories and Glycemia in Chinese Adult Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

This study aims to evaluate the levels of knowledge of different food categories and analyze the association between the levels of dietary knowledge and glycemia in Chinese adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A cross-sectional study design was adopted. A total of 334 patients with T2DM were recruited from six hospitals from July to October 2014 in China.

Population genetics, phylogenomics and hybrid speciation of Juglans in China determined from whole chloroplast genomes, transcriptomes, and genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS).

Genomic data are a powerful tool for elucidating the processes involved in the evolution and divergence of species. The speciation and phylogenetic relationships among Chinese Juglans remain unclear. Here, we used results from phylogenomic and population genetic analyses, transcriptomics, Genotyping-By-Sequencing (GBS), and whole chloroplast genomes (Cp genome) data to infer processes of lineage formation among the five native Chinese species of the walnut genus (Juglans, Juglandaceae), a widespread, economically important group.

Correlation between circulating miR-122 and prognosis of chronic HBV-related liver failure.

Objective: To assess the correlation between circulating microRNA (miR)-122 level and the prognosis of chronic hepatitis B-related liver failure (CHBLF).

Methods: Serum miR-122 from CHBLF patients (n = 6) and healthy controls (n = 6) was quantified using an Exiqon locked nucleic acid microarray. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was utilized to determine serum miR-122 expression in 102 patients with different liver diseases [CHBLF (n = 58), acute hepatitis B (n = 10), chronic hepatitis B (n = 22) and hepatitis B-related cirrhosis (n = 12)] and 23 healthy controls.

Identifying at-risk foot among hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study in one Chinese tertiary hospital.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of diabetic at-risk foot and its associated factors.

Methods: A total of 838 hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes were screened for at-risk foot. Neural and vascular disorders were evaluated by assessing vibration perception thresholds and ankle brachial indexes (ABIs).

De novo assembly and characterization of the leaf, bud, and fruit transcriptome from the vulnerable tree Juglans mandshurica for the development of 20 new microsatellite markers using Illumina sequencing.

Manchurian walnut (Juglans mandshurica Maxim.) is a vulnerable, temperate deciduous tree valued for its wood and nut, but transcriptomic and genomic data for the species are very limited. Next generation sequencing (NGS) has made it possible to develop molecular markers for this species rapidly and efficiently.

[Effects of oral antiviral agents on long-term outcomes of treatment-naive patients with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis: a retrospective cohort study].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) treatment and to assess the long-term outcomes, including survival, liver function improvement and virologic response, in patients with decompensated cirrhosis due to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Methods: Patients with Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) scores more than or equal to 7, who had been treated with either lamivudine or other agents, but who were free of co-infection with other hepatitis virus were enrolled between January 2005 and December 2009. The study participants were subgrouped according to the antiviral drugs received or model for endstage liver disease (MELD) score for comparative analyses.

IL28B genetic variations are associated with treatment response of patients with chronic hepatitis C in a Chinese Han population.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between interleukin 28B (IL28B) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and sustained virological response (SVR) in Chinese Han patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and to analyze the correlations between IL28B SNPs and their personal, virological and clinical characteristics.

Methods: Altogether 631 Chinese Han individuals, including 297 CHC patients treated with pegylated interferon α plus ribavirin, 14 spontaneous responders to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and 320 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Two main SNPs of IL28B, rs12979860 and rs8099917, were genotyped using an SNaPshot Multiplex Assay.

Study on female sexual dysfunction in type 2 diabetic Chinese women.

Objective: To investigate the female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in type 2 diabetes patients, by comparing the sexual function between type 2 diabetic women and non-diabetic women with Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Methods: 115 type 2 diabetic women and 107 age-matched non-diabetes women were enrolled with similar backgrounds. Their sexual functions were evaluated with FSFI.

Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C: correlation with patients' characteristics and clinical parameters.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the most up-to-date distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in China, especially the association between HCV genotypes and patients' characteristics and clinical parameters.

Methods: Sera from 483 HCV antibody-positive patients were genotyped using a HCV genotyping chip assay. The distribution of HCV genotypes, clinical parameters, modes of transmission and duration of infection were determined and the relationships among these parameters were analyzed.

Effects of CpG-ODNs on phenotype and function of monocyte-derived dendritic cells in chronic hepatitis B.

Aim: To study the effects of synthetic nonmethylated CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODNs), either alone or combined with recombinant Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) polypeptide, on the phenotype, function, and intracellular signaling pathways of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: Peripheral blood monocytes isolated from CHB patients and healthy volunteers were induced to be dendritic cells by recombinant human granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor and interleukin-4. The DCs were then treated with CpG-ODNs, CpG-ODNs/HBsAg, or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α for 18 h.

[Viral factors influencing histological changes of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients with persistently normal serum ALT levels].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between viral factors and liver histological changes of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients with persistently normal serum ALT levels (PNAL).

Methods: HBV DNA level, HBV genotype, basal core promoter (BCP) and precore mutation were examined in 52 HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients with PNAL (defined as normal ALT measured on at least 3 occasions in the intervals of about two months over a period of 12 months or more prior to the biopsy).

Results: Subjects with both BCP and precore mutations had significantly higher HBV DNA levels than those without mutations [(4.

[Effect of silencing connective tissue growth factor on rat liver fibrosis and the accumulation of extracellular matrix].

Objective: To investigate the anti-fibrogenesis property of intraportal vein injection of small interfering RNA targeting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in a rat model of liver fibrosis and its effect on the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM).

Methods: Thirty male rats were randomly divided into five groups. Some rats received CCl4 subcutaneously every three days for 6 consecutive weeks, and in the meantime they also received either siRNA targeting CTGF (preventive group), saline (model group) or siRNA (siRNA control group) by intraportal vein injections.

[Effects of CpG-ODN combined with HBsAg on the phenotype, function and the activity of NF-kappa B and AP-1 of monocyte-derived dendritic cells in chronic hepatitis B patients].

Objective: To investigate the effect of synthetic non-methylated CpG-ODN combined with recombined HBsAg on the phenotype, function and the expression level of nucleic transcription factor NF-kappa B (NF-kB) and AP-1 of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: Purified monocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of CHB patients and healthy volunteers and cultured with human granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor added together with interleukin-4. On the fifth day of culture, CpG-ODN, HBsAg and other reagents, such as TNF alpha and PBS, were added to the medium, and 18 hours later cells were collected for the detection of surface molecules (HLA-DR/CD86/CD1a).

[Caspase-12 expression and activation in the pathogenesis of acute hepatic failure induced by lipopolysaccharide and D-galactosamine].

Objective: To study the role of caspase-12 expression on hepatocyte apoptosis in an experimental model of acute hepatic failure (AHF).

Methods: A mouse experimental model of AHF was developed by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and D-galactosamine (D-Gal). Hepatocyte apoptosis was examined by DNA agarose gel and liver pathology.