Abstract Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance is the highest treatment goal recommended by the current guidelines for hepatitis B. Levels of antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) are strongly associated with HBsAg recurrence, but hepatitis B vaccination may increase the anti-HBs seroconversion rate and reduce recurrence. We conducted a retrospective clinical study to ascertain the effect of this vaccination on the seroconversion rate and levels of protective anti-HBs after HBsAg. In this retrospective study, we distributed a questionnaire through an online survey platform to collect information related to hepatitis B vaccination in patients with functional cure of hepatitis B with Interferon-α (IFNα) therapy. We enrolled 320 patients who achieved functional cure from IFNα therapy. Of these, 219 patients had received hepatitis B vaccination according to their personal preference and drug accessibility after HBsAg seroclearance, whereas the remaining 101 patients did not receive hepatitis B vaccination. The anti-HBs seroconversion rate of 78.1% in the vaccinated group was significantly greater than that in the unvaccinated group (41.6%) (p < 0.001). Stratified comparisons with anti-HBs of ≥ 100 IU/L and ≥ 300 IU/L showed that both proportions in the vaccinated group were greater than those in the unvaccinated group (71.2% vs. 32.7% and 56.2% vs. 17.8%, respectively, all p-values < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio of vaccination was 4.427, which was the strongest influencing factor for anti-HBs, reaching 100 IU/L or higher. Hepatitis B vaccination in patients after HBsAg seroclearance not only increased the anti-HBs seroconversion rate but also significantly increased antibody levels, with good safety, indicating the clinical value of vaccine therapy for patients with functional cure.

ABSTRACT In order to explore the effect of estrogen receptor (ESR) gene polymorphism on the egg production performance of quails, the polymorphisms of exon 1, exon 4 and exon 8 of the ESR gene in three Laying Quail Populations of Chinese Yellow quail, Korean quail and Beijing white quail were detected by PCR-RFLP, and their association with the egg production performance of quails was analyzed. The results showed that three genotypes were detected in exon 1, exon 4 and exon 8 of the ESR gene in three quail populations, namely TT, CC and CT genotypes. Among them, the frequency of CC genotype in exon 1 of the ESR gene was the highest in Chinese Yellow quail, Beijing white quail and Korean quail (0.515, 0.600 and 0.723); Exon 4 of the ESR gene had the highest frequency of TT genotype (0.409, 0.617) in Chinese yellow and Korean quails, while CC genotype was the highest in Beijing white quails (0.667).The frequency of TT genotype in exon 8 of the ESR gene was the highest in Beijing white quail and Korean quail (0.708, 0.500), while the frequency of CT gene was the highest in Chinese yellow quail (0.521). The results of association analysis showed that there was no correlation between exon 1 of the ESR gene and quail egg production performance (p>0.05). Exon 4 of the ESR gene was significantly correlated with laying traits such as feed-egg ratio, egg laying number, laying rate and starting weight of quails (p<0.05). Exon 8 of the ESR gene was significantly correlated with feed-egg ratio, egg laying number and egg laying rate of quails (p<0.05).In conclusion, the research shows that the ESR gene can be used as a candidate gene for marker assisted selection of egg production performance of Laying Quails, which provides a theoretical basis for cultivating new egg laying quail lines with better egg production performance.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a serious threat to human health and an important cause of cancer-related death. Herein, we evaluated the influence of transmembrane protein 158 (TMEM158) on GC cell growth. According to Genomic Spatial Event (GSE) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases, TMEM158 content is amplified in GC tissues. The diagnostic value of TMEM158 expression in GC is huge. GC sufferers with high expression of TMEM158 were associated with poor overall survival. In addition, TMEM158 content was increased in GC cells. TMEM158 promoted GC cell proliferation by modulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Lack of TMEM158 reduced GC tumor growth. Collectively, TMEM158 accelerated GC cell proliferation by modulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, making it a prospective biomarker for survival in GC patients.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) to the basal diets of chickens at late laying period on clutch trait, reproductive organs, serum reproductive hormones and reproduction-related genes expression. A total of 350 hens (37 weeks old) with similar laying rate and clutch trait were randomly allocated into five groups, and fed 0 (Control, CON), 2.5 (MOLP2.5), 5, 7.5 and 10% MOLP supplemented diets for 6 weeks. The hens supplemented with 2.5% MLOP had the average clutch length, clutches and clutch intensity close to those in CON. The numbers and weight of hierarchal follicle were significantly increased at the supplementation 2.5% MOLP group. The estrogen concentration was highest in MOLP2.5 group and lowest in MOLP10 group. Expression levels of steroidogenesis-related genes of StAR and Cyp19a1 were higher in MOLP2.5, MOLP5 and MOLP7.5 groups compared with that in the control. These findings suggested that dietary supplementation with 2.5% MOLP effectively increased hierarchal follicle numbers, estrogen level and gene expression of StAR and Cyp19a1, which has a potential beneficial effect on laying performance in laying chicken.

ABSTRACT Objective: Interstitial cystitis (IC)/bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can cause bladder pain and accompanying symptoms, such as long-term urinary frequency and urgency. IC/BPS can be ulcerative or non-ulcerative. The aim of this study was to explore the core genes involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative IC, and thus the potential biomarkers for clinical treatment. Materials and Methods: First, the gene expression dataset GSE11783 was downloaded using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and analyzed using the limma package in R to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Then, the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) was used for Gene Ontology (GO) functional analysis, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) was used for pathway enrichment analysis. Finally, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and key modules and hub genes were determined using the STRING and Cytoscape software. The resulting key modules were then analyzed for tissue-specific gene expression using BioGPS. Results: A total of 216 up-regulated DEGs and 267 down-regulated genes were identified, and three key modules and nine hub genes were obtained. Conclusion: The core genes (CXCL8, CXCL1, IL6) obtained in this study may be potential biomarkers of interstitial cystitis with guiding significance for clinical treatment.

Abstract Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl., Orchidaceae, is a Chinese medicinal plant which can be effective for some diseases such as hepatitis, nephritis, pneumonia. Its active ingredient is kinsenoside. The mechanisms of kinsenoside on the liver-protective effect have not been fully explored until today. The present study was aimed to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of kinsenoside on acute alcoholic liver injury. The protected activity of kinsenoside (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) were investigated on acute alcoholic liver injury in mice. Male C57BL/6 J mice were fed with non-fat feed for 30 days and oral administrated 14 ml/kg bw of ethanol (50%) on the 31st day. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase, serum alanine aminotransferase, triacylglyceride and very low density lipoprotein were determined in serum. The hepatic levels of oxidative stress as glutathione, malondialdehyde were measured in liver homogenates. The levels of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) were measured by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, histopathological observations were carried out on the separated livers of mice. It was suggested that the trends of acute hepatic injury and fatty degeneration induced by alcohol were reduced in the ethanol group after kinsenoside treatment. Compared to ethanol groups, triacylglyceride, malondialdehyde, very low density lipoprotein, reduced glutathione, serum alanine aminotransferase and serum aspartate aminotransferase levels of kinsenoside (20, 40 mg/kg) groups were decreased (p < 0.05). Meanwhile kinsenoside significantly decreased the level of protein CYP2E1. In conclusion, kinsenoside enhances antioxidant capacity of mice and antagonizes alcohol-induced lipid metabolism disorders. Besides, kinsenoside inhibits alcohol-caused hepatocyte apoptosis, reduces oxidative stress, and relieves hepatocyte death, which may be a mechanism of kinsenoside in the treatment of alcoholic liver.

Resumo Fundamento: A reestenose após intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP) após doença coronariana continua um problema não solucionado. Estudos relataram que os níveis de clusterina (CLU), também chamada de apolipoproteína (Apo) J, encontram-se elevados na progressão da reestenose pós-angioplastia e na aterosclerose. Contudo, seu papel na hihperplasia neointimal ainda é controverso. Objetivo: Elucidar o papel da Apo J na hiperplasia neointimal na artéria carótida utilizando um modelo experimental com ratos in vivo, com e sem intervenção com rosuvastatina. Métodos: ratos Wistar machos foram divididos aleatoriamente em três grupos - grupo controle (n = 20), grupo modelo (n = 20), e grupo intervenção com estatina (n = 32). Os ratos no grupo intervenção receberam 10 mg/kg de rosuvastatina. Um cateter Fogarty 2 F foi introduzido para induzir lesão vascular. A formação de neoíntima foi analisada 1, 2, 3 e 4 semanas após lesão com balão. Concentrações de Apo J foram medidas por PCR em tempo real, imuno-histoquímica e western blotting. Resultados: A razão área íntima/média (I/M) aumentou após a lesão com balão e atingiu o valor máximo 4 semanas pós-lesão no grupo modelo; observou-se um pequeno aumento na I/M na semana 2, que cessou após a administração de rosuvastatina. Os níveis de mRNA e proteína da Apo J nas artérias carótidas aumentaram significativamente após administração de rosuvastatina em comparação ao grupo modelo, atingindo o máximo na semana 2, mais cedo em comparação ao grupo modelo (semana 3). Conclusão: A Apo J atuou como reagente de fase aguda após lesão com balão nas artérias carótidas de ratos. A rosuvastatina pode reduzir a formação de neoíntoma por aumento de Apo J. Nossos resultados sugerem que a Apo J exerce um papel protetor na reestenose após lesão com balão em ratos.

Abstract Background: Restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention in coronary heart disease remains an unsolved problem. Clusterin (CLU) (or Apolipoprotein [Apo] J) levels have been reported to be elevated during the progression of postangioplasty restenosis and atherosclerosis. However, its role in neointimal hyperplasia is still controversial. Objective: To elucidate the role Apo J in neointimal hyperplasia in a rat carotid artery model in vivo with or without rosuvastatin administration. Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (n = 20), the model group (n = 20) and the statin intervention group (n = 32). The rats in the intervention group were given 10mg /kg dose of rosuvastatin. A 2F Fogarty catheter was introduced to induce vascular injury. Neointima formation was analyzed 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after balloon injury. The level of Apo J was measured by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Results: Intimal/medial area ratio (intimal/medial, I/M) was increased after balloon-injury and reached the maximum value at 4weeks in the model group; I/M was slightly increased at 2 weeks and stopped increasing after rosuvastatin administration. The mRNA and protein levels of Apo J in carotid arteries were significantly upregulated after rosuvastatin administration as compared with the model group, and reached maximum values at 2 weeks, which was earlier than in the model group (3 weeks). Conclusion: Apo J served as an acute phase reactant after balloon injury in rat carotid arteries. Rosuvastatin may reduce the neointima formation through up-regulation of Apo J. Our results suggest that Apo J exerts a protective role in the restenosis after balloon-injury in rats.

ABSTRACT Goose fatty liver is a delicious food product and the overfeeding will cause the abnormal physiology of the geese. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementation with hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) on the fatty liver, ileal and cecal microbiota of Landes geese during overfeeding. Sixty 70-day-old Landes geese (body weight= 3.0 ± 0.05 kg) were randomly divided into three groups, two of which were overfed with whole corn supplemented with or without HSCAS for 20 days when the fatty liver reaches to the maximum size and the negative control group was ad libitum access to the corn basal diet. The intestinal contents of the ileum and cecum from three geese per group were used for high-throughput sequencing. As a result of this study, the HSCAS-treatment led to an increase in relative liver weight (p<0.05) of geese compared with the overfeeding control group. The richness and diversity of the bacterial communities decreased in the ileum and ceca after overfeeding. Overfeeding increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes, especially Lactobacillus, in ileal samples. HSCAS supplementation increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, and decreased the relative abundance of Actinobacillus in the ileum and the relative abundance of Erysipelotrichi, Bacteroides and Escherichia in the ceca. Bacterial richness indicators were also increased in samples from ileum and ceca after HSCAS supplementation. In conclusion, dietary HSCAS supplementation promoted liver performance in overfed Landes geese. HSCAS treatment had a beneficial effect on the intestinal microbiota composition in geese during the overfeeding.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare the staining intensity of the upper urinary tract (UUT) urothelium among three UUT delivery methods in an in vivo porcine model. Materials and methods: A fluorescent dye solution (indigo carmine) was delivered to the UUT via three different methods: antegrade perfusion, vesico-ureteral reflux via in-dwelling ureteric stent and retrograde perfusion via a 5F open-ended ureteral catheter. Twelve renal units were tested with 4 in each method. After a 2-hour delivery time, the renal-ureter units were harvested en bloc. Time from harvesting to analysis was also standardised to be 2 hours in each arm. Three urothelium samples of the same weight and size were taken from each of the 6 pre-defined points (upper pole, mid pole, lower pole, renal pelvis, mid ureter and distal ureter) and the amount of fluorescence was measured with a spectrometer. Results: The mean fluorescence detected at all 6 predefined points of the UUT urothelium was the highest for the retrograde method. This was statistically significant with p-value less than <0.05 at all 6 points. Conclusions: Retrograde infusion of UUT by an open ended ureteral catheter resulted in highest mean fluorescence detected at all 6 pre-defined points of the UUT urothelium compared to antegrade infusion and vesico-ureteral reflux via indwelling ureteric stents indicating retrograde method ideal for topical therapy throughout the UUT urothelium. More clinical studies are needed to demonstrate if retrograde method could lead to better clinical outcomes compared to the other two methods.

ABSTRACT Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) infection has frequently affected the poultry industry in recent years. The infection with REV weakens the immune responses of the infected poultry. It is reported that Enteromorphaclathrata polysaccharides are capable of regulating immune function. In order to investigate the immuno regulatory effects of Enteromorphaclathrata polysaccharides (EPS) on the response of REV-infected broilers to a live attenuated Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine. Broilers were intraperitoneally injected with REV at one day of age, subcutaneously infected with EPS at 2 days of age, and vaccinated by nasal drip with a live attenuated ND (Lasota strain) vaccine at 5 days of age. Immune organ index, secretory immunoglobulinA (SIgA), peripheral blood heterophil to lymphocyte ratios (H/L ratio), peripheral blood lymphocyte transformation rates, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels were measured at 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 56 days of age. The results showed that EPS increased the immune organ index, and the secretion of small intestine secretory immunoglobulin A, serum ND antibody titers, blood H/L ratio, peripheral blood lymphocyte transformation rates, and IL-2 and IFN-γ levels. These results indicate that EPS are able to enhance the immune responses of chickens both to REV infection and to ND vaccination. Therefore, Enteromorphaclathrata polysaccharides can be considered as an immune regulator in the future.

ABSTRACT Aim: The role of low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LI-ESWT) in erectile dysfunction (ED) is not clearly determined. The purpose of this study is to investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of LI-ESWT for ED patients. Materials and Methods: Relevant studies were searched in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WANFANG and VIP databases. Effective rate in terms of International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function Domain (IIEF-EF) and Erectile Hardness Score (EHS) at about 1XSmonth after LI-ESWT was extracted from eligible studies for meta-analysis to calculate risk ratio (RR) of effective treatment in ED patients treated by LI-ESWT compared to those receiving sham-treatment. Results: Overall fifteen studies were included in the review, of which four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were for meta-analysis. Effective treatment was 8.31 [95°/o confidence interval (CI): 3.88-17.78] times more effective in the LI-ESWT group (n=176) than in the sham-treatment group (n= 101) at about 1 month after the intervention in terms of EHS, while it was 2.50 (95% CI: 0.74–8.45) times more in the treatment group (n= 121) than in the control group (n=89) in terms of IIEF-EF. Nine-week protocol with energy density of 0.09mJ/mm2 and 1500 pluses seemed to have better therapeutic effect than five-week protocol. No significant adverse event was reported. Conclusion: LI-ESWT, as a noninvasive treatment, has potential short-term therapeutic effect on patients with organic ED irrespective of sensitivity to PDE5is. Owing to the limited number and quality of the studies, more large-scale, well-designed and longterm follow-up time studies are needed to confirm our analysis.

ABSTRACT Ten-week-old Langde geese in similar body weight were randomly selected, four for overfeeding and four for routinly feeding. The abundance of liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP), thyroid hormone-responsive (THRSP or Spot 14), obese (OB), and apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) genes in goose were detected by quantitative RT-PCR. L-FABP was higher expressed in liver and intestine than other tissues, but no expression was detected in the pancreas or brain. The other three genes were widely expressed in different tissues, OB was higher expressed in pancreas and abdominal fat, Spot 14 and Apo A1 was higher expressed in sebum and abdominal fat. Spot 14 and Apo A1 genes were up-regulated in overfed goose livers compared with that in the control. Thus, Spot 14 and Apo A1 genes may play important roles in lipid metabolism in goose fat liver.

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the susceptibility of the hOGG1 genetic polymorphism for bladder cancer and evaluate the impact of smoking exposure. Materials and Methods: Articles included in PubMed, Medline and Springer databases were retrieved using the following key words: “human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase”, “OGG”, “OGG1”, “hOGG1”, “genetic variation”, “polymorphism” , “bladder cancer”, and “bladder carcinoma” to Meta-analysis was performed to detect whether there were differences between the bladder cancer group and the control group about the distribution of genotypes of the hOGG1 gene. Results: The results showed that there are no significant associations between the hOGG1 326Cys polymorphism and bladder cancer: GG vs. CC (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.85–1.40, p=0.480); GC vs. CC (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.85–1.28, p=0.662); GG+GC vs. CC (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.89–1.21, p=0.619); GG vs. GC+CC(OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.78–1.33, p=0.888); G vs. C (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.91–1.13, p=0.818). In the smoker population, no significant associations between the hOGG1 326Cys polymorphism and bladder cancer were observed for all the models. However, individuals carrying the hOGG1 Cys326Cys genotype have increased risk for bladder cancer compared to those carrying the hOGG1 Ser326Ser genotype in the non-smoker Asian population. Conclusion: The hOGG1 326Cys polymorphisms aren't a risk factor for bladder cancer, especially in the smoker population. But GG genotype is a risk factor for bladder cancer to the non-smoker Asian population compared with CC genotype.

Precipitation, throughfall and stemflow were monitored and collected through the rainy season on a natural forest ecosystem of Pinus densata in the Gongbu Nature Reserve in Tibet. The concentrations of N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Si, Mn, Fe, S, Zn and Cu were analyzed in the precipitation, throughfall and stemflow waters, Thereafter, and according to the amount of water of precipitation, throughfall and stemflow, the net input was calculated for each nutrient in the forest. The results showed that: (1) During the entire rainy season, the average concentration of different nutrients in the precipitation of the Pinus densata forest was ranked in the following order: N>K>Na>Ca>Mg>Si>P>Mn>Fe>S>Zn>Cu. The concentration of N 29.6145 mg/L, and that of Cu was only 0.1017 mg/L. (2) The average concentration of these nutrients in throughfall followed the order: N>Na>Ca>K>Mg>Si>P>Mn>Fe>S>Zn>Cu. The highest concentration was 11.2843 mg/L for N, and the lowest was only 0.0937 mg/L for Cu; the difference between the two was 120.4 times. (3) The order of N>K>Ca>Na>Mg>Zn>P>Si>Mn>Fe>Cu>S was found for the nutrient concentration in stemflow. The concentration of N (20.5096 mg/L) was 105.2 times higher than that of the lowest nutrient (S: 0.1949 mg/L). (4) As a whole, every nutrient was quite different on average for the stemflow, throughfall and precipitation. The concentration of Na, Ca, Mg and Zn followed ste mflow>throughfall>precipitation. During the entire rainy season, the net input (kg/hm²) of nutrients in the Pinus densata forest was Na>Si>Ca>Mg>K>Zn>Fe>S>Cu>P>Mn>N, and the net input of N was negative.

La precipitación, la precipitación que atraviesa y corre por encima del follaje vegetal, y aquella que corre por las ramas y el tronco se juntaron durante la estación lluviosa en un ecosistema de bosque natural de Pinus densata en la reserva natural Gongbu en el Tibet. Las concentraciones de N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Si, Mn, Fe, S, Zn y Cu se analizaron en la precipitación, la precipitación que atraviesa y corre por encima del follaje vegetal, y aquella que corre por las ramas y el tronco. Luego, y de acuerdo a la cantidad de estas tres clases de precipitación se calculó la entrada neta de cada nutriente en el bosque. Los resultados mostraron que: (1) Durante toda la estación lluviosa, la concentración promedio de los diferentes nutrientes en la precipitación en el bosque de P. densata siguió el siguiente orden: N>K>Na>Ca>Mg>Si>P>Mn>Fe>S>Zn>Cu. La concentración de N fue 29,61 mg/L y la de Cu de solo 0,10 mg/L; (2) La concentración promedio de estos nutrientes en la precipitación que atravesó el follaje y corrió sobre el mismo siguió el siguiente orden: N>Na>Ca>K>Mg>Si>P>Mn>Fe>S>Zn>Cu. La concentración más alta fue 11,28 mg/L para N, y la más baja de solo 0,09 mg/L para Cu; la diferencia entre el N y el Cu fue de 120,4 veces; (3) El orden de N>K>Ca>Na>Mg>Zn>P>Si>Mn>Fe>Cu>S fue obtenido en la precipitación que corrió por ramas y tronco. La concentración de N (20,51 mg/L) fue 105,2 veces más alta que aquella del nutriente (S) en menor concentración (0,19 mg/L). (4) En general, cada nutriente fue en promedio bastante diferente en los tres tipos de precipitación. Las concentraciones de Na, Ca, Mg y Zn siguieron el orden de agua que corrió por ramas y tronco > agua que atravesó y corrió por encima del follaje de Pirus densata > agua de precipitación natural. Durante toda la estación de crecimiento, la entrada neta de nutrientes (kg/hm²) en el bosque de P. densata fue Na>Si>Ca>Mg>K>Zn>Fe>S>Cu>S>P>Mn>N; la entrada neta de N fue negativa.