Genetic variants of IFIH1 and DHX58 affect the chronicity of hepatitis C in the Chinese Han population.

Hepatitis C remains a major public health problem in the world. The host immune system plays a key role in viral clearance. This study aimed to investigate the connection between retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like (RIG-I-like) receptor gene polymorphism and hepatitis C chronicity in the Chinese Han population.

Identifying and Exploring the Candidate Susceptibility Genes of Cirrhosis Using the Multi-Tissue Transcriptome-Wide Association Study.

We identify and explore the candidate susceptibility genes for cirrhosis and their underlying biological mechanism. We downloaded the genome-wide association studies summary data of 901 cirrhosis cases and 451,363 controls and integrated them with reference models of five potential tissues from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) Project, including whole blood, liver, pancreas, spleen, and thyroid, to identify genes whose expression is predicted to be associated with cirrhosis. Then, we downloaded gene expression data of individuals with hepatocellular carcinoma from TCGA database to conduct differential expression analysis to validate these identified genes and explored their possible role in driving cirrhosis via functional enrichment and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA).

Genetic and hosts characterization of hantaviruses in port areas in Hainan Province, P. R. China.

Background: Hantaviruses (HVs) are major zoonotic pathogens in China that cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) posing a major threat to people's health. Hainan Province, an island located in Southeast China, is an ideal region for sea ports. The unique tropical monsoon climate in Hainan provides sufficient living conditions for rodents, which help spread HVs and other rodent-borne diseases.

Genetic Mutations in Were Associated With the Chronicity of Hepatitis C Among Chinese Han Population.

Recently, several studies have reported that the host immune response can be related to the RANKL/RANK/OPG signaling pathway. However, the associations of , and gene polymorphisms in the RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection outcomes remain unclear. In this case-control study, 768 persistent HCV infection and 503 spontaneous HCV clearance cases, and 1,259 control subjects were included.

CYP24A1 genetic variants in the vitamin D metabolic pathway are involved in the outcomes of hepatitis C virus infection among high-risk Chinese population.

Background And Aims: It has been demonstrated that 1,25-hydroxyvitamin-D3-24-hydroxylase, encoded by CYP24A1 gene, is a key enzyme that neutralizes the active vitamin D3 metabolite 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)D] in response to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study aimed to investigate whether CYP24A1 genetic variation is associated with HCV infection outcomes.

Methods: 848 HCV chronically infected subjects, 507 natural clearance subjects, and 1017 uninfected controls were enrolled.

Genetic variants in IFIH1 and DDX58 influence hepatitis C virus clearance in Chinese Han population.

Aims: To investigate the association between two RIG-I-like receptor gene polymorphisms and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Chinese Han population.

Methods: The current study genotyped two selected SNPs (IFIH1 rs3747517 and DDX58 rs9695310) using TaqMan allelic discrimination assay to assess their association with the susceptibility and clinical outcome of HCV infection among 3065 participants (1545 non-HCV infection individuals, 568 spontaneous HCV clearance cases, and 952 persistent infection patients).

Results: IFIH1 rs3747517 (dominant model: Adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.

Vitamin D binding protein polymorphisms influence susceptibility to hepatitis C virus infection in a high-risk Chinese population.

Vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) plays an important role in the immune modulation and pathogenesis of hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection by influencing serum vitamin D levels. The present study aims to evaluate the association of VDBP genetic polymorphisms with susceptibility to and chronicity of HCV infection in a high-risk Chinese population. Seven genetic variants in the VDBP gene were genotyped in a case-control study of 886 patients with HCV persistent infection, 539 subjects with spontaneous clearance, and 1081 uninfected controls.

Genetic variation on the NFKB1 genes associates with the outcomes of HCV infection among Chinese Han population.

Aim: To investigate whether nuclear factor-kappa B1 (NFKB1) gene polymorphisms are associated with the outcomes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a Chinese high-risk population.

Methods: In this case-control study, 984 HCV-uninfected controls, 221 infected individuals with spontaneous HCV clearance, and 456 with persistent HCV infection were enrolled. Rs28362491 and rs72696119 were genotyped using the ABI TaqMan allelic discrimination assay.

Elevation of serum uric acid and incidence of type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Recently, several cohort studies suggested a positive relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which is inconsistent with the results of functional research. Our aim was to further evaluate this correlation by conducting a systematic review.

Methods: Computerized literature searches of the Medline database, EMBASE database, and PubMed were used to evaluate the relationship between SUA and T2DM in cohort studies.

The Diagnostic Performance of Coronary CT Angiography for the Assessment of Coronary Stenosis in Calcified Plaque.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) for the assessment of coronary stenosis in a calcified plaque, by using conventional coronary angiography (CAG) as a standard reference.

Materials And Methods: Eight hundred and ninety-four patients were known to have or have been suspicious of having coronary artery disease, underwent CCTA and conventional coronary angiography (CAG). All the images acquired were assessed.

Feasibility of Dual Flip Angle-Based Fast 3-Dimensional T1 Mapping for Delayed Gadolinium-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cartilage of the Knee: A Histologically Controlled Study.

Objective: The aim of the study was to validate dual-flip angle-based fast 3-dimensional (3D) T1 mapping for delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cartilage (dGEMRIC) by means of histological analyses in the assessment of the cartilage of the knee in a porcine model.

Methods: A total of 15 mini pigs were included in this study. The left knee anterior cruciate ligaments of all mini pigs were transected.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Patients With Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis: Is There a Relationship Between Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities of the Common Extensor Tendon and the Patient's Clinical Symptom?

The aim of the study is to determine the inter-reliability and intra-observer reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for lateral epicondylitis and investigate whether there is a potential relationship between MRI abnormalities of the common extensor tendon (CET) and its clinical symptom.The study group comprised 96 consecutive patients (46 men and 50 women) with a clinical diagnosis of chronic lateral epicondylitis, which were examined on 3.0 T MR.

Epidemiology of Intermittent Exotropia in Preschool Children in China.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence, subtypes, and associated risk factors for intermittent exotropia (IXT) in preschool children aged 3 to 6 years in eastern China.

Methods: A population-based study including 5831 preschool children aged 3 to 6 years was conducted from 2011 to 2012 in Yuhua District, Nanjing, China, using an age-stratified random sampling procedure. Clinical examinations including ocular alignment, ocular motility, visual acuity, prism cover test, cycloplegia refraction, stereopsis screening, slitlamp examination, and fundus examination were performed by trained ophthalmologists and optometrists.

Genetic variations in vitamin D receptor were associated with the outcomes of hepatitis C virus infection among Chinese population.

Vitamin D has been considered as an immune modulator, and exerted the effect through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). This study investigated the associations of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of VDR with the outcomes of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Three SNPs (rs2228570, rs757343 and rs739837) were genotyped by TaqMan assay among Chinese population, including 538 HCV spontaneous clearance subjects, 834 persistent infection subjects and 1030 uninfected subjects.

Human Leukocyte Antigen Class II Alleles Are Associated with Hepatitis C Virus Natural Susceptibility in the Chinese Population.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecule influences host antigen presentation and anti-viral immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within HLA class II gene were associated with different clinical outcomes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Three HLA class II SNPs (rs3077, rs2395309 and rs2856718) were genotyped by TaqMan assay among Chinese population, including 350 persistent HCV infection patients, 194 spontaneous viral clearance subjects and 973 HCV-uninfected control subjects.

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection and impact of vaccination.

Aim: To investigate hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence in the general population in China.

Methods: A total of 148931 individuals were investigated by multistage random sampling in Eastern China. Data were collected on demographics and hepatitis B vaccination history, and serum was tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by ELISA.

Interferon-λ-related genes and therapeutic response in Chinese hepatitis C patients.

Aim: To determine the association between rapid viral response and IL28B, IL28RA, IL10RB and MxA polymorphisms in the Chinese Han population.

Methods: The study cohort consisted of 238 chronic hepatitis C patients treated with interferon (IFN)-α-2b and ribavirin. Six single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped using the ABI TaqMan allelic discrimination assay.

Association between childhood strabismus and refractive error in Chinese preschool children.

Purpose: To investigate the association between concomitant esotropia or concomitant exotropia and refractive error in preschool children.

Methods: A population-based sample of 5831 children aged 3 to 6 years was selected from all kindergartens in a representative county (Yuhuatai District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province) of Nanjing, China. Clinical examinations including ocular alignment, ocular motility, visual acuity, optometry, stereopsis screening, slit lamp examination and fundus examination were performed by trained ophthalmologists and optometrists.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of toll-like receptor 7 in hepatitis C virus infection patients from a high-risk chinese population.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection varies in the outcomes depending on both viral and host factors. This study aims to investigate the associations of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), rs179016, rs5743733, and rs1634323, with susceptibility to HCV infection and clearance. The three SNPs were genotyped in a high-risk Chinese population, including 444 HCV spontaneous clearance cases, 732 persistent infection cases, and 1107 healthy controls.

Toll-like receptor 7 variations are associated with the susceptibility to HCV infection among Chinese females.

Toll-like receptors 7 (TLR7) play a crucial role in provoking an immune response in HCV infection. We aimed to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TLR7, including rs179009, rs179010 and rs179012, affect the outcomes of HCV infection among the Chinese population. A total of 1767 Chinese Han individuals were enrolled.

Spatial distribution and risk factors of influenza in Jiangsu province, China, based on geographical information system.

Influenza poses a constant, heavy burden on society. Recent research has focused on ecological factors associated with influenza incidence and has also studied influenza with respect to its geographic spread at different scales. This research explores the temporal and spatial parameters of influenza and identifies factors influencing its transmission.

Association between lutein and zeaxanthin status and the risk of cataract: a meta-analysis.

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the relationship between blood lutein and zeaxanthin concentration and the risk of age-related cataract (ARC). MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI and Cochrane Library were searched to identify relevant studies up to April 2013. Meta-analysis was conducted to obtain pooled relative risks (RRs) for the highest-versus-lowest categories of blood lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations.

Prevalence of asthenopia and its risk factors in Chinese college students.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of asthenopia and identify any associated risk factors in the college students in Xi'an, China.

Methods: From April to September 2012, 1 500 students from five universities in Xi'an were selected according to a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method. Data on demographic features, lifestyle or dietary habits, health status, living environment conditions, sleep and mental status, and asthenopia symptoms were collected through a self-administered validated questionnaire.