An increased prevalence of self-reported allergic rhinitis in major Chinese cities from 2005 to 2011

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) has increased worldwide in recent decades. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of self-reported AR and profiles of AR-related comorbidities in the adult population of China over time.

METHODS

This study surveyed residents of 18 major cities in mainland China. Telephone interviews were conducted with study participants after sampling target telephone numbers by random digit dialing. The questions asked during telephone interviews were based on those included in validated questionnaires and focused on topics regarding AR, nonallergic rhinitis (NAR), acute/chronic rhinosinusitis (ARS/CRS), asthma, and atopic dermatitis (AD).

RESULTS

During 2011, a total of 47 216 telephone interviews were conducted, and the overall response rate was 77.5%. When compared with the AR prevalence in 11 cities surveyed in 2005, there was a significant increase in self-reported adult AR in eight of those cities (P < 0.01). In 2011, the standardized prevalence of self-reported adult AR in the 18 cities was 17.6%. The concentration of SO2 was positively correlated with the prevalence of AR (r = 0.504, P = 0.033). A multiple regression model showed that the absolute change in household yearly income was significantly associated with the change in the prevalence of AR (R(2)  = 0.68), after adjusting for PM10 , SO2 , NO2, temperature, and humidity. The overall prevalences of NAR, ARS, CRS, asthma, and AD in the general population were 16.4%, 5.4%, 2.1%, 5.8%, and 14%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

During a 6-year period, there was a significant increase in the prevalence of self-reported AR in the general Chinese adult population. The incidence of AR being accompanied by rhinosinusitis, asthma, or AD was significantly higher among individuals having self-reported AR compared with the general population.

[Efficacy of different treatment on residual symptoms aftercanalith repositioning procedure in patients withbenign paroxysmal positional vertigo]

Objective:To assess which methods are effective for residual symptoms after canalith repositioning procedure in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV) then guide the clinical treatment.Method:A total of 93 cases who were diagnosed with BPPV,then after the canalith repositioning procedure,which still have residual symptoms were enrolled in our study.They were randomized into three groups,The control group(A),The drug group(Ginkgo Leaves Soft-gel Capsule and Qiangli Dingxuan tablets)(B),The vestibular rehabilitation gymnastics group(C).Then compare the efficacy of different treatment.Result:In the follow-up of 30 days,the number of DHI scores decline of group A is significantly lower than that of group B(P<0.05) and C(P<0.05),making statistical significance.The residual symptom duration of group A is significantly longer than that of group B(P<0.05) and C(P<0.05),making statistical significance.There is no significant statistical difference in comparing the number of DHI scores decline in the follow-up of 30 days,and the residual symptom duration of B and C(P>0.05).Conclusion:The drugs for improve the microcirculation and vestibular rehabilitation gymnastics can reduce the duration of residual symptoms.

Effects of light on the development of melanoposin containing retinal ganglion cells in rats

OBJECTIVE

The present study was planned to evaluate the effect of light on the development of light-sensitive retinal ganglion cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were segregated into 3 groups (n=18) which included routine feeding 10-day group 1, routine feeding 14-day group 2 and light-deprivation feeding 14-day group 3. The group 1 animals were routinely fed for 10 days in normal light conditions and were sacrificed for analyses on day 10. Similarly, group 2 animals were routinely fed for 14 days in normal light conditions and were sacrificed for analyses on day 14. The group 3 animals were kept were routinely fed for 7 days which was followed by their feeding in a light-deprived conditions and were sacrificed on day 14.

RESULTS

The expression of the opsin gene determined by real-time PCR in retinal tissues showed a significant decline in the light-deprived group 3 when compared to other two groups. Furthermore, the melanopsin protein also showed a significant decline in its protein expression in light-deprived group 3 as observed by immune-blot analyses. The immuno-fluorescence analyses also showed the similar trend confirming the effect of light on the development of retinal ganglion cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Light is essential for the proper development process of retinal ganglion cells as light directly affects regulatory opsin gene expression.

GAS5 is downregulated in gastric cancer cells by promoter hypermethylation and regulates adriamycin sensitivity

OBJECTIVE

GAS5 is a tumor suppressive lncRNA that is downregulated in gastric cancer. In this study, we firstly investigated whether epigenetic regulation contributed to GAS5 downregulation and further investigated the role of GAS5 in Adriamycin (ADM) sensitivity in gastric cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

GAS5 expression in 15 paired gastric cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues and in gastric cancer cells were detected using qRT-PCR. Methylation-Specific PCR (MSP) was performed with the use of 5-AZA-dC to detect the methylation status of GAS5 promoter. SGC-7901 and SGC-7901/ADM cells were transfected for GAS5 overexpression and were further used for analysis of ADM sensitivity.

RESULTS

GAS5 expression was significantly downregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cancer cell lines and was further downregulated in ADM resistant cells. SGC-7901/ADM cells had significantly higher level of promoter methylation than SGC-7901 cells. 5-AZA-dC treatment significantly reduced the level of methylation and restored GAS5 expression in both SGC-7901 and SGC-7901/ADM cells. SGC-7901/ADM cells with enforced GAS5 expression had significantly decreased the growth rate and increased the ratio of apoptosis after ADM treatment, suggesting that GAS5 can sensitize gastric cancer cells to ADM.

CONCLUSIONS

GAS5 is significantly downregulated in gastric cancer cells and further decreased in ADM resistant cancer cells at least partly due to promoter hypermethylation. The enforced GAS5 expression can sensitize gastric cancer cells to ADM.

Dynamics of monocyte surface receptors after burns: a pilot study

Previous studies suggested that monocytes may play a vital role in infection and sepsis following burn injury. The aim of this study was to determine whether burn injury had any effect on the levels of expression of monocyte cell-surface receptors at different phases post burn injury. Ten adult burn victims with burns of >25% of the total body surface area were included in this study. Blood samples were collected on the first, third and seventh day post burn injury. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells were extracted, with or without lipopolysaccharide stimulation. The monocyte phenotypes of CD14, CD16, HLA-DR, CD163, TLR2 and TLR4 were characterized by flow cytometry. Six healthy volunteers were recruited as controls. The percentage of expressed CD14+ monocytes increased during the first day, and then decreased on the third and seventh day after burn injury. The percentages of CD14+ cells expressing CD16 and HLA-DR decreased on the first day, followed by an increase on the third and seventh day post burn. In comparison, the percentage of CD14+ monocytes expressing TLR2 and TLR4 was higher on the first day in burn patients than that of control participants, followed by no change on the third and seventh day post burn injury. There was no significant difference in the percentages of CD14+ expressing CD163 between the two groups. This study showed that the expression of the specific receptors on the surface of monocyte is affected by burn injury. The changes in the expression levels of these receptors may contribute to burn-induced infection susceptibility.

Zoledronic Acid Improves Bone Quality in the Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Rat through Affecting the Expression of the Osteoblast-Regulating Transcription Factors

AIMS

To evaluate the short term effect of zoledronic acid on bone remodeling in the streptozotocin induced diabetes rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Diabetes was induced by an injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). The rats were treated with zoledronic acid (0.1 mg/kg) at the onset of diabetes (Z-I group) and 2 weeks later (Z-II group). Rats were sacrificed at the 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 weeks after the onset of diabetes. Real-time PCR and western blot were performed to detect the expression of the following osteogenic gene mRNAs and their proteins: bone morphogenetic proteins 2 (BMP2), Runx2, Osterix and Noggin. The bone mineral density (BMD) and the mechanical resistance test was measured.

RESULTS

BMP2, Runx2 and Osterix mRNA and protein expression in group D had regulated down, while Noggin expression increased. Z-I treatment could reverse the results. However group Z-II showed only a transient reversing effect. On the 5^th week in group D, the BMD decreased, the bone trabecular distance increased, while the trabecular thickness and bone trabecular volume were reduced, the biomechanics index decreased significantly. Zoledronic acid treatment restored these alterations.

CONCLUSIONS

Zoledronic acid administered in the early stage of the diabetes could prevent the osteopenia. The underlying mechanisms might be that zoledronic acid treatment reversed the effect of diabetes on the expression of osteoblast-regulating transcription factors: BMP2, Runx2 and Osterix.

[Clinical analysis of the character and prognostic factors of 23 cases of mantle cell lymphoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients.

METHODS

The clinical data of 23 MCL patients were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemical stain was performed to detect the protein expressions of Mcl-1, pNF-κB p65 and 14-3-3ζ of MCL patients to analyze its prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Among 23 MCL patients, there were 17(73.9%) patients with IPI 0-2 (low risk group) and 6(26.1%) patients with IPI 3-4. Only the rate of 2y-progression-free survival (PFS) of group IPI 0-2 was superior to that of group IPI 3-4 patients (47.1% vs 0, P=0.049); There were 16 (69.5%) patients with MIPI < 5.7, whose rates of overall response rate (ORR), 2y overall survival (OS) and PFS were better than those of the ones with MIPI ≥ 5.7(ORR: 81.3% vs 33.3% P=0.032; OS: 68.8% vs 16.7% P=0.041; PFS: 50% vs 0, P=0.040 respectively). The rates of ORR, 2y-OS and 2y-PFS (100.0%, 80.0% and 70.0%) of patienets received regimen R+CHOP(E) were all superior to those (38.5%, 30.8% and 7.7%) of ones received regimen CHOP(E) (P=0.002, P= 0.024, P=0.003, respectively). Among 12 patients, 2 out of 6 cases with Mcl-1 positive expression achieved good response (CR+PR) and 2y-OS, 1 case 2y-PFS; All 6 cases with Mcl-1 negative expression achieved good response (CR+PR) and 2y-OS, 5 cases 2y-PFS. 3 out of 6 cases with pNF-κB p65 positive expression achieved good response (CR+PR) and 2y-OS, 1 case 2y-PFS; 5 out of 6 cases with pNF-κB p65 negative expression achieved good response (CR+ PR) and 2y-OS/PFS. 5 out of 8 cases with 14-3-3ζ positive expression achieved good response (CR+PR), 4 cases 2y-OS, and 3 cases 2y-PFS. 3 out of 4 cases with 14-3-3ζ negative expression achieved CR, 4 cases 2y-OS, and 3 cases 2y-PFS.

CONCLUSION

MCL patients had high heterogeneity. MIPI has better prognostic significance than IPI. R+CHOP(E) as first line treatment improved the rates of OS/PFS. The expressions of Mcl-1, pNF-κB p65 and 14-3-3ζ proteins in MCL might be related to prognosis.

[Discovery of a novel spliceosome of ABL gene (ABL(Δexon7+35INS)) and its association with TKIs resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To explore whether the ABL(Δexon7) and ABL(35INS) spliceosome contributed to TKIs resistance.

METHODS

Screening ABL(Δexon7) and ABL(35INS) in 74 normal people and 76 CML patients (53 patients in remission and 23 patients with TKIs resistance) by using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis combined with cloning sequencing.

RESULTS

A novel spliceosome ABL(Δexon7+ 35INS) (ABL(Δexon7) and ABL(3)5INS existed at the same time) was identified and the mutation was detected in 8 (10.8%) of 74 normal people, 4 (7.5%) of 53 remission patients and 2 (8.7%) of 23 resistant patients. While 47 (63.5%) cases expressed ABL(Δexon7) and 8 (10.8% ) cases expressed ABL(35INS) in 74 healthy people, 30 (56.6%) cases expressed ABL(Δexon7) and 5 (9.4% ) cases expressed ABL(35INS) in 53 remission patients, 12 (52.2%) cases expressed ABL(Δexon7) and 3(13.0%) cases expressed ABL(35INS) in 23 resistant patients. Three kinds of spliceosome in all groups had no statistical difference.

CONCLUSION

ABL(Δexon7+ 35INS), ABL(Δexon7) and ABL(35INS) may be not uncommon in ABL gene and were unrelated to resistance in CML with TKIs treatment. ABL(35INS) were often accompanying with exon 7 deletion.

[Expression of phosphatase and tensin homology deleted on chromosometen (PTEN) in squamous-cell lung cancer and its clinical significance]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the expression of PTEN in squamous-cell lung cancer(SQCLC) and its clinical significance.

METHODS

A total of 50 patients with SQCLC, including 43 males, 7 females, aged 40 to 83(average age 66 ) years, in Meitan General Hospital from May 2009 to July 2013 were included. Tumor adjacent tissues from 10 patients, including 9 males, 1 female, aged 42 to 79 (average age 59 )years, and 13 patients with benign pulmonary disease tissues, including 11 males, 2 females, aged 34 to 76 (average age 58 ) years were also included as the controls. The expression of PTEN protein was detected by using immunohistochemistry (S-P)method and compared among SQCLC tissues tumor adjacent tissues and benign disease tissues. The correlations of expression of PTEN protein with gender, age, smoking status, lymph node metastasis, clinical stages and differentiation grades were performed.

RESULTS

(1) PTEN expression was low in 50 cases SQCLC, while there was a high expression in the tumor adjacent tissues and benign disease tissues. The PTEN protein positive rate of the SQCLC cases (20%, 10/50) was significantly lower than that of cases of tumor adjacent tissues and benign disease tissues (8/10, 12/13), χ(2)=23.542, P<0.01. (2) In the SQCLC group, the expression of PTEN protein was significantly related to differentiation grades and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05), but not gender, age, smoking status, and clinical stages (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The lower expression of PTEN in SQCLC was associated with high degree of malignancy and lymph node metastasis. The lost of expression of PTEN may serve as a marker for evaluation of malignancy and an independent factor for prognosis.

[Correlative study between X-ray type after healing of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia in children and postoperative refracture]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between postoperative X-ray type in 2 years after healing of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia(CPT) and refracture of CPT in children. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 67 children patients with Crawford type Ⅳ CPT who were treated with combined surgeries from December 2007 to August 2012.There were 46 male and 21 female patients with 37 cases with left CPT and 30 cases with right CPT. There were 12 cases with proximal tibia dysplasia, 56 cases with neurofibromatosis type 1. The median age when operation was 2.8 years(from 0.6 to 11.2 years). The patients were divided into three groups, CPT with hypertrophic group, CPT with mediate group and CPT with atrophic group, on the basis of ratio of healing cross-sectional area and transition zone in pseudarthrosis.The incidence of refracture in the three groups were investigated. Results: The refracture rates of three groups were 13%(5/38), 14%(3/21), 5/8, respectively.The refracture rate difference between CPT with hypertrophic group and CPT with mediate group was not statistically significant(P=0.590). The refracture rate of CPT with atrophic group was statistically significant lower than that of CPT with hypertrophic group and CPT with mediate group(P=0.007, 0.019). In addition, the refracture-free cumulative survival rate of CPT with hypertrophic group or CPT with mediate group was higher than that of CPT with atrophic group with the statistically significant difference(both P<0.05). And the refracture-free cumulative survival rate in CPT with hypertrophic group was lower than that in CPT with mediate group, the difference was not significant(P>0.05). Conclusion: After the union of CPT, patients with hypertrophic, mediate type X ray characteristic showed lower incidence of refracture than those with atrophic type.

Peginterferon add-on results in more HBsAg decline compared to monotherapy in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients

It is unknown whether peginterferon (PEG-IFN) add-on to entecavir (ETV) leads to more HBsAg decline compared to PEG-IFN monotherapy or combination therapy, and whether ETV therapy may prevent HBsAg increase after PEG-IFN cessation. We performed a post hoc analysis of 396 HBeAg-positive patients treated for 72 weeks with ETV + 24 weeks PEG-IFN add-on from week 24 to 48 (add-on, n = 85), 72 weeks with ETV monotherapy (n = 90), 52 weeks with PEG-IFN monotherapy (n = 111) and 52 weeks PEG-IFN + lamivudine (combination, n = 110) within 2 randomized trials. HBsAg decline was assessed at the end of PEG-IFN (EOP) and 6 months after PEG-IFN (EOF) discontinuation. Differences in baseline characteristics were accounted for using inversed probability of treatment weights. At EOP, a HBsAg reduction of ≥1log10 IU/mL was more frequently achieved for patients in the add-on or combination therapy arms (both 36%), compared to PEG-IFN mono (20%) or ETV (8%) (add-on vs PEG-IFN mono P = 0.050). At EOF, the HBsAg reduction ≥1log10 IU/mL was only sustained in patients treated with ETV consolidation (add-on vs combination and PEG-IFN mono: 40% vs 23% and 18%, P = 0.029 and P = 0.003, respectively). For add-on, combination, PEG-IFN mono and ETV, the mean HBsAg-level change at EOF was -0.84, -0.81, -0.68 and -0.33 log10 IU/mL, respectively (P > 0.05 for PEG-IFN arms). HBeAg loss at EOF was 36%, 31%, 33% and 20%, respectively (P > 0.05). PEG-IFN add-on for 24 weeks results in more on-treatment HBsAg decline than does 52 weeks of PEG-IFN monotherapy. ETV therapy may maintain the HBsAg reduction achieved with PEG-IFN.

Relationship between weight change and glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving once-weekly dulaglutide treatment

AIM

To assess the relationship between weight change and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) change in dulaglutide-treated patients by analysing data from six head-to-head phase III AWARD clinical trials.

METHODS

At 26 weeks, the relationship between weight and HbA1c was analysed in each trial rather than by pooling data because of differences in design and background therapy. The effect of baseline characteristics was also evaluated with regard to weight and HbA1c response.

RESULTS

Across the studies, 87-97% and 83-95% of patients treated with dulaglutide 1.5 and 0.75 mg, respectively, had reductions in HbA1c levels, while 57-88% and 43-84% of patients treated with dulaglutide 1.5 and 0.75 mg, respectively, experienced weight loss. The majority (55-83%) of patients receiving dulaglutide 1.5 mg experienced weight loss and HbA1c reductions, while 41-79% of patients in the dulaglutide 0.75 mg arm lost weight and had reductions in HbA1c level. A weak and inconsistent correlation was observed between the changes in weight and HbA1c (range from -0.223 to 0.267) in patients treated with dulaglutide. The baseline characteristics of gender, age, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, body weight and BMI were not related to different combinations of weight and HbA1c responses.

CONCLUSIONS

Dulaglutide is an effective treatment option across the type 2 diabetes treatment spectrum. Dulaglutide showed dose-dependent effects on both weight loss and HbA1c reduction. These effects had a weak correlation and appeared to be independent.

GAS5 modulated autophagy is a mechanism modulating cisplatin sensitivity in NSCLC cells

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigated the association between lncRNA GAS5 and cisplatin (DDP) resistance in NSCLC and further studied the regulative effect of GAS5 on autophagy and DDP resistance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

GAS5 expression in cancerous and adjacent normal tissues from 15 NSCLC patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the following surgery were measured using qRT-PCR analysis. GAS5 gain-and-loss study was performed using A549 and A549/DDP cells as an in-vitro model to investigate the effect of GAS5 on autophagy and cisplatin sensitivity.

RESULTS

NSCLC tissues had a substantially lower expression of GAS5 than adjacent normal tissues. The NSCLC tissues from patients with progressive disease (PD) had even lower GAS5 expression. GAS5 knockdown increased DDP IC50 of A549 cells, while GAS5 overexpression decreased DDP IC50 of A549/DDP cells. A549/DDP cells had significantly higher basal autophagy than A549 cells. GAS5 knockdown resulted in decreased autophagy in A549 cells, while GAS5 overexpression led to increased autophagy in A549/DDP cells. Treatment with 3-MA, an autophagy inhibitor, significantly decreased DDP IC50 and promoted DDP-induced cell apoptosis in A549 cells. In addition, 3-MA also partly reversed the effect of GAS5 knockdown. In A549/DDP cells, GAS5 showed the similar effect as 3-MA in reducing DPP IC50 and promoting DDP-induced apoptosis and also presented synergic effect with 3-MA.

CONCLUSIONS

GAS5 downregulation is associated with cisplatin resistance in NSCLC. GAS5 can inhibit autophagy and therefore enhance cisplatin sensitivity in NSCLC cells.

[Coblation treatment for larynx leukoplakia]

Objective:To evaluate the effect and feasibility of coblation treatment for larynx leukoplakia. Method:One hundred and thirty-one cases with coblation treatment larynx leukoplakia were retrospectively analyzed from Jan 2009 to Dec 2013. Result:One hundred and thirty one patients were treated with coblation, and follow-ups ranged 1 year to 6 years after surgry .Cure rate was 91.6%（120/131）after single surgry,and the recurrent rate was 8.4%（11/131）.Conclusion:Coblation treatment was an ideal method for larynx leukoplakia with less bleeding and less damage.

Predictors of proton pump inhibitor failure in non-erosive reflux disease: A study with impedance-pH monitoring and high-resolution manometry

BACKGROUND

Approximately one-third of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients have symptoms resistant to proton pump inhibitor (PPI). We used the high-resolution manometry (HRM) and multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring to investigate potential predictors of PPI failure in non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) patients.

METHODS

One hundred and seventeen NERD patients were included, within which there were 44 PPI failure patients. The symptomatic questionnaire GerdQ, HRM and 24-hour MII-pH monitoring were performed before PPI therapy. PPI failure was defined as persistent reflux symptoms for more than 1 day during the last week on esomeprazole (20 mg twice daily) for continuous 4 weeks. The predictors for PPI failure were investigated by multivariable logistic regression analysis.

KEY RESULTS

Proton pump inhibitor failure patients had lower body mass index (BMI) and more concomitant functional dyspepsia (FD) symptoms. PPI failure patients had a higher percentage of type I esophagogastric junction (EGJ) morphology (p = 0.005), increased EGJ augmentation (p = 0.000), higher prevalence of esophageal motility disorders (p = 0.005) and a higher ratio of negative symptom index (SI, p = 0.000). Multivariable regression analysis showed that concomitance of FD symptoms, EGJ augmentation and negative SI were independent risk factors for PPI failure in NERD.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Approximately half of PPI failure patients were found to have esophageal motility disorders in HRM. The independent risk factors for PPI failure in NERD were concomitant FD symptoms, increased EGJ augmentation and negative SI.

Barrier function of the nasal mucosa in health and type-2 biased airway diseases

The mucosal lining of the upper airways represents the outer surface of the body to the ambient air and its contents and is prepared for it as the first line of defense. Apart from the well-described physical barrier and the mucociliary clearance, a variety of systems, including the airway microbiome, antimicrobial proteins, damage-associated molecular patterns, innate lymphoid cells, epithelial-derived cytokines and chemokines, and finally the adaptive immune system, as well as eosinophils as newly appreciated defense cells form different levels of protection against and response to any possible intruder. Of interest especially for allergic airway disease, mucosal germs might not just elicit a classical Th1/Th17-biased inflammatory response, but may directly induce a type-2 mucosal inflammation. Innovative therapeutic interventions may be possible at different levels also; however, whether modulations of the innate or adaptive immune responses will finally be more successful, and how the correction of the adaptive immune response might impact on the innate side, will be determined in the near future.

[Characteristics of social supportive network serving the older female sex workers in Qingdao]

OBJECTIVE

To overview the status of social support on older female sex workers (OFSWs) in Qingdao and to better understand the characteristics of this egocentric social support networks.

METHODS

Ucinet 6 software was used to analyze the characteristics of egocentric social networks which involving 400 OFSWs who were recruited by respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method in Qingdao during March 2014 to June. Structural equation model (SEM) was used for data analysis, fitted test and estimation.

RESULTS

A total of 400 OFSWs of Qingdao nominated 1 617 social supportive members, and the average size of egocentric social networks of OFSWs was (4.0 ± 1.5). Among all the alter egos (social support network members of the egos), 613 were female sex workers fellows, accounted for the most important part of all the social ties (37.91%). Characteristics of small size and non-relative relationships were seen more obviously among OFSWs with non-local registration and the ratings of emotional support (4.42±2.38) was significantly lower than the tangible support (5.73 ± 1.69) (P<0.05). Result of the SEM showed that homogeneity, joint strength and the network structure were significantly related to the ratings of average support. The total standard effects of which were 0.110, 0.925 and -0.069 respectively. It seemed that homogeneity can affect the degree of support, both directly and indirectly.

CONCLUSION

OFSWs in Qingdao tended to ask for social support from friends who were also female sex workers. Stronger the joint strength between egos and alters, greater the homogeneity between the two was seen. Tighter relations among the alter egos, higher degree of average social support of the egos were acquired.

Hepatitis B core-related antigen levels are associated with response to entecavir and peginterferon add-on therapy in hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B patients

Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg), a new serum marker, may be useful in monitoring chronic hepatitis B infection. HBcrAg was measured in 175 hepatitis B e antigen-positive patients treated with entecavir (ETV) with or without peginterferon (PEG-IFN) add-on therapy. Decline in HBcrAg was stronger in patients with vs. without combined response (ETV: -3.22 vs. -1.71 log U/mL, p <0.001; PEG-IFN add-on: -3.16 vs. -1.83 IU/mL, p <0.001) and in patients with vs. without hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) response (ETV: -2.60 vs. -1.74 log U/mL, p <0.001; PEG-IFN add-on: -2.38 vs. -2.15 log U/mL, p = 0.31). HBcrAg was associated with combined response (adjusted odds ratio 0.3, 95% confidence interval 0.2-0.5, p <0.001), but was not superior to quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg).