An efficient perovskite solar cell with symmetrical Zn(ii) phthalocyanine infiltrated buffering porous Al2O3 as the hybrid interfacial hole-transporting layer

A new Zn(ii) phthalocyanine (Pc) based low bandgap HTM is introduced for perovskite solar cells. Steady state and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) measurements indicated an evenly matched hole extraction efficiency between sym-HTPcH and spiro-OMeTAD. On account of the low film quality and resulting high recombination, Zn(ii) Pc normally cannot work as an effective HTM. We adopted insulating Al₂O₃ for the infiltration of sym-HTPcH to form a hybrid interfacial buffer layer, affording perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with an average PCE value of up to 12.3%, which is a significant improvement with respect to the control cell without the meso-Al₂O₃ layer (4.21%) and is the highest value ever reported for Zn(ii) phthalocyanine based devices under AM1.5G standard conditions. A hysteresis test revealed that our device structure with the new HTM exhibited a balanced charge extraction behaviour.

Effects of Astragalus Polysaccharides and Astragalosides on the Phagocytosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Macrophages

The herb Astragalus membranaceus is used in traditional Chinese medicine to boost immunity. This study investigated the effects of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) and astragalosides (AS) on the phagocytosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by macrophages. Peritoneal macrophages were obtained by peritoneal lavage from mice stimulated by starch gravy culture medium and cultured with M. tuberculosis and varying concentrations of APS and AS. Phagocytotic activity was measured using a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay to detect M. tuberculosis DNA. Levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α secreted by activated macrophages in the culture supernatant were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Macrophage phagocytotic activity and secreted cytokine levels were significantly increased after treatment with APS and AS. This study provides evidence that APS and AS have strong promoting effects on the phagocytosis of M. tuberculosis by macrophages and the secretion of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α by activated macrophages.

[Retrospective cohort study for the impact on readmission of patients with ischemic stroke after treatment of aspirin plus clopidogrel or aspirin mono-therapy]

OBJECTIVE

To see the influence of different antiplatelet therapies on stroke patients' readmission by performing a deep data-mining into Beijing Healthcare Insuring Database, based on a large sample size.

METHODS

Aretrospective cohort study, was adopted to extract patients primarily diagnosed as ischemic stroke from healthcare database. The first hospital records were considered as the patient's baseline in this study, who were divided into MAPT (aspirin) and DAPT (aspirin and clopidogrel) according to the patient's baseline medications. A follow-up was conducted to see whether the patients would have rehospitalization record because of major result events after medication. The major result events, included: (1) recurrence of ischemic stroke; (2) hemorrhagic transformation of ischemic stroke; (3) myocardial infarction; (4) the digestive hemorrhage. The Kaplan-Meier figure was used to compare the survival situations between these two groups, the log-rank test was used to test the difference of the survival curve, and 1:1 propensity score matching was calculated from the patients' baseline data. Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR).

RESULTS

A total of 27 695 patients From January 2010 to September 2013 were included, 4 047 with DAPT, and 23 648 with MAPT. Because the baseline characteristics of the patients was disequilibrium, so we used 1:1 propensity score matching, after which, the number of the two groups was 4 046 each. Adjusted for the general demographic characteristics such as age, sex, nationality, complication and drug combination, no statistical significance was observed between the survival curves of the two groups (P=0.06). HR value of major result events between the groups was 0.91 (0.82-1.01, P=0.07), which was not statistically significant. The covariate gender HR=1.36 (1.20-1.55, P<0.05), accompanied by diabetes HR= 1.36 (1.20-1.54, P<0.05), dyslipidemia HR=1.13 (1.00-1.27, P=1.13), heart disease HR=1.39 (1.22-1.58, P<0.05) was statistically significant. Drug combination with other antiplatelet agents HR=1.05 (0.95-1.17, P>1.05) did not increase the risk of readmission.

CONCLUSION

There was no difference in prevention of readmission between patients with DAPT and MAPT. Patients with complications should actively treat the complications at the same time as they prevent recurrence after first attack.

The prognostic nutritional index is a predictive indicator of prognosis and postoperative complications in gastric cancer: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The clinical value of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in gastric cancer (GC) remains controversial. Therefore, we performed the meta-analysis to determine the prognostic and clinicopathological values of PNI in patients with GC.

METHODS

A literature search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) were extracted to estimate the association of PNI with survival and clinicopathological characteristics, respectively.

RESULTS

Ten studies involving 3396 patients with GC were analyzed. The pooled results indicated that a low PNI was a significant predictor of poor overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.67-2.13, P < 0.01) and postoperative complications (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.41-2.16, P < 0.01). In the subgroup analysis, a low PNI was significantly associated with poor OS in patients with GC at stage I, II and III, but not at stage IV (HR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.84-1.55, P = 0.40). Moreover, a low PNI was significantly associated with more advanced tumor features, such as older age, deeper depth of tumor, positive lymph node metastasis, more advanced TNM stages, and positive vessel and lymphatic invasion.

CONCLUSION

PNI was a predictive indicator of survival and postoperative complications, and was associated with clinicopathological features in GC patients. However, a low PNI was not significantly associated with poor OS in patients with GC at stage IV.

Donor-π-donor type hole transporting materials: marked π-bridge effects on optoelectronic properties, solid-state structure, and perovskite solar cell efficiency

Donor–π-bridge–donor type oligomers (D–π–D) have been studied intensively as active materials for organic optoelectronic devices.

Donor–π-bridge–donor type oligomers (D–π–D) have been studied intensively as active materials for organic optoelectronic devices. In this study, we introduce three new D–π–D type organic semiconductors incorporating thiophene or thienothiophene with two electron-rich TPA units, which can be easily synthesized from commercially available materials. A thorough comparison of their optoelectronic and structural properties was conducted, revealing the strong influence of the extent of longitudinal π-bridge conjugation on both the solid structure of the organic semiconductive materials and their photovoltaic performance when applied as hole transporting materials (HTM) in perovskite solar cells. Single-crystal measurements and time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) studies indicate that these coplanar donor–π–donor type HTMs could be promising alternatives to state-of-the-art spiro-OMeTAD, due to the multiple intermolecular short contacts as charge transporting channels and efficient charge extraction properties from the perovskite layer. The optimized devices with PEH-9 exhibited an impressive PCE of 16.9% under standard global AM 1.5 illumination with minimized hysteretic behaviour, which is comparable to that of devices using spiro-OMeTAD under similar conditions. Ambient stability after 400 h revealed that 93% of the energy conversion efficiency was retained for PEH-9, indicating that the devices had good long-term stability.

Cockroach allergen exposure and risk of asthma

Cockroach sensitization is an important risk factor for the development of asthma. However, its underlying immune mechanisms and the genetic etiology for differences in allergic responses remain unclear. Cockroach allergens identification and their expression as biologically active recombinant proteins have provided a basis for studying the mechanisms regarding cockroach allergen-induced allergic sensitization and asthma. Glycans in allergens may play a crucial role in the immunogenicity of allergic diseases. Protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2, Toll-like receptor (TLR), and C-type lectin receptors have been suggested to be important for the penetration of cockroach allergens through epithelial cells to mediate allergen uptake, dendritic cell maturation, antigen-presenting cell (APC) function in T-cell polarization, and cytokine production. Environmental pollutants, which often coexist with the allergen, could synergistically elicit allergic inflammation, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation and signaling may serve as a link between these two elements. Genetic factors may also play an important role in conferring the susceptibility to cockroach sensitization. Several genes have been associated with cockroach sensitization and asthma-related phenotypes. In this review, we will discuss the epidemiological evidence for cockroach allergen-induced asthma, cockroach allergens, the mechanisms regarding cockroach allergen-induced innate immune responses, and the genetic basis for cockroach sensitization.

Universality analysis of the existence of substantia nigra "swallow tail" appearance of non-Parkinson patients in 3T SWI

OBJECTIVE

To use the 3.0T susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) for universality analysis of the "swallow tail" appearance in the substantia nigra of non-Parkinson disease and discuss its lack of the value of imaging diagnosis of Parkinson disease (PD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Take 3.0TMR SWI in 60 PD patients (Group PD) and non-PD volunteers (Group N-PD), on the map of range analyze morphology and number of "swallow tail" appearance in substantia nigra of N-PD group volunteers, and compare the performance image of the corresponding region of the patients in the PD group.

RESULTS

After, 15 patients with lesions in the brain stem and significant motion artifacts were excluded. Forty-nine cases of group N-PD (96.08%) had typical "swallow tail" appearance in the bilateral or unilateral substantia nigra compacta posterolateral. All 54 patients with group PD (100%) lacked the "drop" rear elliptical high signal.

CONCLUSIONS

On the 3.0T SWI range map, the "swallow tail" appearance is ubiquitous in the substantia nigra of patients with non-PD. The deficiency of the signs has high sensitivity and specificity for PD diagnosis.

Targeted re-sequencing of linkage region on 2q21 identifies a novel functional variant for hip and knee osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to identify genetic variants predisposing to primary hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) in a sample of Finnish families.

METHODS

Genome wide analysis was performed using 15 independent families (279 individuals) originating from Central Finland identified as having multiple individuals with primary hip and/or knee OA. Targeted re-sequencing was performed for three samples from one 33-member, four-generation family contributing most significantly to the LOD score. In addition, exome sequencing was performed in three family members from the same family.

RESULTS

Genome wide linkage analysis identified a susceptibility locus on chromosome 2q21 with a multipoint LOD score of 3.91. Targeted re-sequencing and subsequent linkage analysis revealed a susceptibility insertion variant rs11446594. It locates in a predicted strong enhancer element region with maximum LOD score 3.42 under dominant model of inheritance. Insertion creates a recognition sequence for ELF3 and HMGA1 transcription factors. Their DNA-binding affinity is highly increased in the presence of A-allele compared to wild type null allele.

CONCLUSION

A potentially novel functional OA susceptibility variant was identified by targeted re-sequencing. This variant locates in a predicted regulatory site and creates a recognition sequence for ELF3 and HMGA1 transcription factors that are predicted to play a significant role in articular cartilage homeostasis.

[Methodological bias and variation of systematic reviews on diagnostic test accuracy]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze methodological bias and variation of systematic reviews on diagnostic test accuracy (DTA).

METHODS

Meta-analyses on DTA were identified through an electronic search through databases as Medline, Embase and Cochrane between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2012. Results from Meta-analyses on 10 primary studies were included. Pairs of reviewers worked independently to extract the related data of interest, together with those original data of the primary studies. Mixed linear model was used to investigate the direction and strength of the association among the 14 studies, featuring on estimates of the diagnostic accuracy.

RESULTS

A total of 23 papers on Meta-analyses with 550 primary studies were included. Results from mixed linear model showed that significant low estimates of diagnostic accuracy in studies unsatisfying " the reference standard would likely to correctly classify the target condition" [relative diagnostic odds ration (RDOR) =0.018 6, 95% CI: 0.001 0-0.358 5]. Studies whose reference standard were not independent of the index test produced significantly higher estimates of diagnostic accuracy (RDOR= 2.396 6, 95% CI:1.242 8-4.622 7).

CONCLUSION

Messages as " Is the reference standard likely to correctly classify the target condition?" and " Was the reference standard independent of the index test", were the origin of the methodological bias and variation of systematic reviews on diagnostic test accuracy.

Multicenter Prospective Trial of Stent Placement in Patients with Symptomatic High-Grade Intracranial Stenosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

On the basis of the high 1-month stroke and/or death (14.7%) rates associated with stent placement in the Stenting versus Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis trial, modifications in patient selection and procedural aspects for intracranial stent placement have been recommended. We performed a multicenter prospective single-arm trial to determine whether such modifications would result in lower rates of periprocedural stroke and/or death.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study enrolled patients with recent transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke (excluding perforator ischemic events) related to high-grade (70%-99% in severity) stenosis of a major intracranial artery. Patients were treated by using angioplasty and self-expanding stents 3 weeks after the index ischemic event at 1 of the 10 high-volume centers in China. An independent neurologist ascertained the occurrence of any stroke and/or death within 1 month after the procedure.

RESULTS

A total of 100 consecutive patients were recruited. The target lesions were located in the middle cerebral artery (M1) (n = 38, 38%), intracranial internal carotid artery (n = 17, 17%), intradural vertebral artery (n = 18, 18%), and basilar artery (n = 27, 27%). The technical success rate of stent deployment with residual stenosis of <50% was 100%. The overall 1-month stroke and/or death rate was 2% (95% confidence interval, 0.2%-7.0%). Two ischemic strokes occurred in the pontine region (perforator distribution) in patients following angioplasty and stent placement for basilar artery stenosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this prospective multicenter study demonstrated that modifications in patient selection and procedural aspects can substantially reduce the 1-month stroke and/or death rate following intracranial stent placement.

Pressure dependent structural changes and predicted electrical polarization in perovskite RMnO₃

High pressure x-ray diffraction measurements on perovskite RMnO3 (R  =  Dy, Ho and Lu) reveal that varying structural changes occur for different R ions. Large lattice changes (orthorhombic strain) occur in DyMnO3 and HoMnO3 while the Jahn-Teller (JT) distortion remains stable. Conversely, in the small R-ion system LuMnO3, Mn-O bond distortions are observed between 4 and 8 GPa with a broad minimum in the JT distortion. High pressure infrared measurements indicate that a phonon near 390 cm(-1) corresponding to the complex motion of the Mn and O ions changes anomalously for LuMnO3. It softens in the 4-8 GPa region, which is consistent with the structural change in Mn-O bonds and then hardens at higher pressures. By contrast, the phonons continuously harden with increasing pressure for DyMnO3 and HoMnO3. Density functional theory methods show that E-phase LuMnO3 is the most stable phase up to the 10 GPa pressure examined. Simulations indicate that the distinct structural change under pressure in LuMnO3 can possibly be used to optimize the electric polarization by pressure/strain.

Demonstration of a near-IR line-referenced electro-optical laser frequency comb for precision radial velocity measurements in astronomy

An important technique for discovering and characterizing planets beyond our solar system relies upon measurement of weak Doppler shifts in the spectra of host stars induced by the influence of orbiting planets. A recent advance has been the introduction of optical frequency combs as frequency references. Frequency combs produce a series of equally spaced reference frequencies and they offer extreme accuracy and spectral grasp that can potentially revolutionize exoplanet detection. Here we demonstrate a laser frequency comb using an alternate comb generation method based on electro-optical modulation, with the comb centre wavelength stabilized to a molecular or atomic reference. In contrast to mode-locked combs, the line spacing is readily resolvable using typical astronomical grating spectrographs. Built using commercial off-the-shelf components, the instrument is relatively simple and reliable. Proof of concept experiments operated at near-infrared wavelengths were carried out at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility and the Keck-II telescope.

Laser frequency combs emit a spectrum of equally spaced peaks that can provide precise frequency references useful for astronomy. Here, the authors demonstrate a frequency comb using electro-optical modulation, which has a line spacing that is resolvable using grating spectrographs unlike the mode-locking approach.

Marker-assisted selection of Fusarium wilt-resistant and gynoecious melon (Cucumis melo L.)

In this study, molecular markers were designed based on the sex determination genes ACS7 (A) and WIP1 (G) and the domain in the Fusarium oxysporum-resistant gene Fom-2 (F) in order to achieve selection of F. oxysporum-resistant gynoecious melon plants. Markers of A and F are cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences that distinguish alleles according to restriction analysis. Twenty F1 and 1863 F2 plants derived from the crosses between the gynoecious line WI998 and the Fusarium wilt-resistant line MR-1 were genotyped based on the markers. The results showed that the polymerase chain reaction and enzyme digestion results could be effectively used to identify plants with the AAggFF genotype in F2 populations. In the F2 population, 35 gynoecious wilt-resistant plants were selected by marker-assisted selection and were confirmed by disease infection assays, demonstrating that these markers can be used in breeding to select F. oxysporum-resistant gynoecious melon plants.

Visualization of nigrosomes-1 in 3T MR susceptibility weighted imaging and its absence in diagnosing Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVE

To assess the imaging features of nigrosomes-1 in the substantia nigra through 3T MR susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) and its disease-specific changes for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 116 subjects were included in this study and allocated into 3 groups: 54 patients diagnosed with PD were assigned to the PD group, 51 age- and sex-matched volunteers without PD served as the control N-PD group, and 11 clinically suspected PD patients were allocated to the undiagnosed (UD) group. All patients received 3.0T superconducting MRI scanning on xxx. The images were analyzed and compared to assess the ability of nigrosomes-1 signals to depict PD pathology.

RESULTS

The signals of nigrosomes-1 were strong, droplet-like or oval in shape, and were found in 49 patients from the N-PD group (96.08%), on both sides of the SN (47 cases) and unilaterally (2 cases). In contrast, these signals were absent in all 54 cases from the PD group, and were undetected in 7 out of 11 cases in the UD group, 7 cases without the "drop" and 1 case with narrow strips of hyperintensity were clinically proven to PD, 2 cases with the typical hyperintensity were clinically proven to Parkinson's plus syndrome, 2 cases with slightly wider strip of hyperintensity were less sensitive to the drug levodopa.

CONCLUSIONS

The absence of typical droplet-like or oval-shaped nigrosomes-1 signals in 3.0T MR SWI may prove useful in identifying PD and Parkinson's syndrome with high sensitivity and specificity.

Pharmacovigilance in China: issues of concern identified through an analysis of the Chinese Adverse Drug Reaction Information Bulletin 2001 to 2014

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

The Adverse Drug Reaction Information Bulletin (ADRIB), issued by China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), is a major source of information on drugs causing safety concerns in China. As the publication is only published in Chinese, we undertook an analysis of the reports in the ADRIB since its first publication in 2001 to give international readers a better appreciation of the pharmacovigilance issues addressed.

METHODS

Every issue of the ADRIB was scrutinized, and the issues addressed as well as the drugs involved are summarized and discussed.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

From 2001 to 2014, 109 items of ADR information have been reported. The antimicrobial agents were most often the subject of discussion. There were 28 traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) discussed. Among the ADRs addressed, the adverse reactions of the skin and its appendages were most frequent. About two-fifths of the ADRs arose from the inherent properties of the active substance, and a majority of the ADRs were caused by off-label use, irrational drug combinations and misuse in special populations.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Many of the pharmacovigilance issues addressed were similar to those considered by Western Drug Regulatory Agencies. The pharmacovigilance issues relating to Chinese traditional medicines are less well addressed internationally, and these would be of particular value as the use of such medicines increases in the West.

Reduction of Lactobacillus in the milks of cows with subclinical mastitis

Clinical and subclinical bovine mastitis are the most frequent diseases encountered on dairy farms worldwide, which cause significant economic loss and veterinary cost. The mastitic disease status is associated with increases in both milk bacterial pathogens and somatic cell count (SCC). Although it is well established that the mastitic pathogens generally correlate with the milk SCC, to our knowledge, the correlation between the probiotic genus, Lactobacillus, and the mastitic causative bacteria and SCC have not been determined previously. Thus, in this study, milk samples from 12 mild and 28 severe subclinical mastitic dairy cows were collected from the same farm. The overall milk bacterial load was quantified with the total plate count method. The Lactobacillus genus and 4 common clinical and subclinical mastitic pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Trueperella pyogenes) in the sampled milk were enumerated by quantitative PCR. Mild and severe subclinical mastitic samples were distinctly separated on the principal component analysis score plot generated based on the quantities of these 5 target bacteria, suggesting that clear differences existed in the microbiological composition between the two sample groups. Based on comparison with the pairwise Mann-Whitney test, the mild subclinical mastitic dairy cows had a significantly higher amounts of lactobacilli (P=0.0175), but lower E. coli (P=0.0002), S. aureus (P<0.0001), S. agalactiae (P=0.0001) and T. pyogenes (P=0.0044) quantities, while an opposite trend occurred in the severe subclinical mastitic group. The negative correlation between Lactobacillus and the pathogenic bacteria, as well as the SCC, was confirmed with Spearman correlation analysis. Data generated from the current study may hint to a close relationship between Lactobacillus and the health of bovine udder.

Active metabolite concentration of clopidogrel in patients taking different doses of aspirin: results of the interaction trial

BACKGROUND

The CURRENT-OASIS-7 and PLATO trials suggest that the benefit of clopidogrel is influenced by the dose of aspirin.

OBJECTIVE

To explore a potential pharmacokinetic interaction between aspirin and clopidogrel, and determinants of clopidogrel active metabolite (AM) levels.

METHODS

In part 1, using a 2 × 2 factorial design, we randomized patients to clopidogrel 600 mg loading dose (LD) followed by 150 mg day(-1) for 6 days and 75 mg day(-1) thereafter, or clopidogrel 300 mg LD followed by 75 mg day(-1) thereafter, and compared aspirin at 325 mg or 81 mg day(-1) . In part 2, patients were given a 600-mg clopidogrel LD, and were randomly allocated to aspirin 325 mg or 81 mg day(-1) . We combine the data from the two parts. Blood samples were collected 1 h after administration of the study drug.

RESULTS

We randomized 302 patients (mean age 60.4 ± 9.9 years). Clopidogrel AM levels were similar in patients randomized to aspirin 325 or 81 mg (geometric mean, 12.70 ng mL(-1) ; 95% CI, 10.96-14.72 ng mL(-1) ; and geometric mean, 12.55 ng mL(-1) ; 95% CI, 10.80-14.58 ng mL(-1) ; P = 0.91). Blood levels of clopidogrel were lower in CYP2C19*2 loss-of-function (LOF) carriers compared with non-carriers (10.72 ng mL(-1) ; 95% CI, 8.83-13.01 ng mL(-1) ; and 15.21 ng mL(-1) ; 95% CI, 13.30-17.40 ng mL(-1) , respectively; P = 0.003) whereas levels in gain of function carriers and non-carriers were similar (13.31 ng mL(-1) ; 95% CI, 11.53-15.35 ng mL(-1) ; and 14.07 ng mL(-1) ; 95% CI, 11.74-16.87 ng mL(-1) , respectively; P = 0.4). Independent baseline predictors of clopidogrel AM levels were LOF genotype, body mass index, diabetes, proton pump inhibitor use and creatinine clearance, but accounted for only 20% of the variability in levels.

CONCLUSION

Aspirin dose does not predict clopidogrel AM levels 1 h post-LD. Most of the variability in clopidogrel AM levels is not explained by patient characteristics or CYP2C19 metabolizer status.

A landscape of hairy and twisted: hunting for new trichome mutants in the Saskatoon Arabidopsis T-DNA population

A total of 88 new Arabidopsis lines with trichome variation were recovered by screening 49,200 single-seed descent T3 lines from the SK activation-tagged population and from a new 20,000-line T-DNA insertion population (called pAG). Trichome variant lines were classified into 12 distinct phenotype categories. Single or multiple T-DNA insertion sites were identified for 89% of these mutant lines. Alleles of the well-known trichome genes TRY, GL2 and TTG1 were recovered with atypical phenotype variation not reported previously. Moreover, atypical gene expression profiles were documented for two additional mutants specifying TRY and GL2 disruptions. In remaining mutants, ten lines were disrupted in genes coding for proteins not implicated in trichome development, five were disrupted in hypothetical proteins and 11 were disrupted in proteins with unknown function. The collection represents new opportunities for the plant biology community to define trichome development more precisely and to refine the function of individual trichome genes.

[Effects and clinical significance of virus load on red blood cell parameters in different stage of hepatitis B]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of the viral load on the red blood cell parameters in chronic hepatitis B patients and its clinical significance.

METHODS

In the study, 373 chronic hepatitis B patients were recruited, including 123 alanine transaminase (ALT) normal patients (ALT<40 U/L),128 ALT greater than or equal to the upper limit of normal, and less than 2 times higher than the upper limit of normal patients(40 U/L ≤ALT<80 U/L), and 122 ALT greater than or equal to 2 times higher than the upper limit of normal patients (ALT≥80 U/L). The blood routine parameters were measured by automatic blood cell counter. The liver function parameters were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer, the hepatitis B virus loads were measured by quantitative PCR analyzer and the results were analyzed by covariance analysis.

RESULTS

In the ALT normal chronic hepatitis B patients group, the viral load had minor effects on the red blood cell parameters.But in the ALT abnormal chronic hepatitis B patients group, the viral load had a significant effect on the red blood cell parameters, and the effect was most manifest in the ALT≥ double upper limit of normal group. The specific performance was that with the viral load increasing, the red blood cell [low copies group (4.10±0.67)×10(12)/L,medium copies group (3.92±0.69)×10(12)/L,high copies group (3.54±0.90) ×10(12)/L], the hemoglobin[low copies group (129.66±21.12 ) g/L, medium copies group (126.23±23.38) g/L, high copies group (112.98±27.77) g/L], the hematocrit (low copies group 37.66±5.68, medium copies group 37.03±6.03, high copies group 33.34±8.15) decreased(P=0.006,0.007,0.010),the mean corpuscular volume [low copies group (92.17±6.53) fL, medium copies group (94.85±7.95) fL, high copies group (101.63±11.33) fL], the mean corpuscular hemoglobin [low copies group (31.70±2.22) pg, medium copies group (33.11±3.62) pg, high copies group (34.65±3.13) pg], the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration [low copies group (344.28±17.17) g/L, medium copies group (351.33±16.90) g/L, high copies group (358.12±15.67) g/L], and the red blood cell distribution width-standard deviation [low copies group (52.49±9.04) fL, medium copies group (56.96±7.19) fL, high copies group (61.23 ±7.23) fL] increased(P=0.000,0.000,0.002,0.000).

CONCLUSION

Observing the effect of the viral load on the red blood cell parameters in chronic hepatitis B patients can reflect the effect of hepatitis B virus on the immune response and liver function in the different pathological stages, providing theoretical support for the clinical antiviral treatment.