Background . The inconsistent finding was between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). This meta-analysis is to explore this relationship in Asia. Methods . A literature search was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library to October 30, 2015. Pooled incidence rate and OR with 95% CI were calculated using STATA 11.0. Results . Thirty-nine studies were included. The pooled incidence rate of CCA patients with HBV infection was 31% (95% CI 22%–39%). The pooled OR showed increased risk of CCA incidence with HBV infection (OR = 2.72, 95% CI 1.90–3.88), especially in ICC (OR = 3.184, 95% CI 2.356–4.302), while it showed no risk in ECC (OR = 1.407, 95% CI 0.925–2.141). Also, the pooled OR showed increased risk of ICC and ECC incidence (OR = 6.857, 95% CI 4.421–10.633 and OR = 1.740, 95% CI 1.260–2.404) in patients with HBsAg+/HBcAb+. The pooled OR showed increased risk of ICC incidence (OR = 1.410, 95% CI 1.095–1.816) in patients with HBsAg−/HBcAb+. Conclusion . It is suggested that HBV infection is associated with an increased risk of CCA in Asia. Two HBV infection models (HBsAg+/HBcAb+ and HBsAg−/HBcAb+) increase the risk of CCA, and patients with HBsAg−/HBcAb+ also had a risk of ICC. This trial is registered with PROSPERO CRD42015029264 .
To evaluate risk factors for the development of dengue into severe dengue in Guangdong. A retrospective analysis of clinical data from 212 dengue patients between June and October 2014. A total of 174 (82.1%) patients in our study had classic dengue, of which 38 (17.9%) had severe diseases. The frequencies of jaundice, pleural effusion, ascites, and vaginal bleeding were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). The routine laboratory test results for alanine aminotransferase, aspertate aminotransferase, albumin, leukocyte count, platelet count, activated partial prothrombin time, prothrombin time, and aspartate aminotransferase/platelet count ratio index showed a significant association with severe dengue (P < 0.01). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) were 0.727 (95% CI 0.662-0.78), 0.699 (95%CI 0.632-0.760), 0.634 (95%CI 0.565-0.698), 0.757 (95%CI 0.694-0.813), 0.775 (95%CI 0.713-0.829), 0.713 (95%CI 0.647-0.773), 0.719 (95%CI 0.730-0.843), and 0.785 (95%CI 0.724-0.893), respectively. The logistic regression analysis identified three factors, including high WBC (OR 1.52), prolonged PT (OR 1.745). and high APRI (OR 1.05) may be associated with the discrimination criteria to identify patients with and without severe diseases. The combination of the three factors (WBC, PT, and APRI) showed better AUC (0.877) and OR (1.52) scores. Our study indicates that laboratory tests such as WBC, PT, and APRI, helped identify patients at risk of developing severe dengue. The APRI was identified as a valuable predictor of patients with severe dengue. Combining the WBC, PT, and APRI scores allowed a better prediction of severe dengue.
We present an engine for enhancing the geometry of a 3D face mesh model while making the enhanced version share close similarity with the original. After obtaining the feature points of a given scanned 3D face model, we first perform a local and global symmetrization on the key facial features. We then apply an overall proportion optimization to the frontal face based on Neoclassical Canons and golden ratios. A nonlinear least-squares solution is adopted to adjust the feature points so that the face profile complies with the aesthetic criteria, which are derived from the profile cosmetology. Through the above processes, we obtain the optimized feature points, which will lead to a more attractive face. According to the original feature points and the optimized ones, we perform Laplacian deformation to adjust the remaining points of the face in order to preserve the geometric details. The analysis of user study in this paper validates the effectiveness of our 3D face geometry enhancement engine.
Background: Because the number of newly diagnosed HIV-positive heterosexual women increased yearly, it was urgent to know about the HIV-1 transmission in heterosexual women in Guangzhou, China.Methods: HIV-1 pol sequences were obtained from HIV-1 infections during 2008 to 2017 in Guangzhou, China. Molecular network was constructed by HIV-TRACE with 1.5% genetic distance. Potential linkage and centrality metric were measured with Cytoscape. Transmission pathways between heterosexual women and MSM were determined by Bayesian phylogenetic analysis.Results: In the network, 1799 (62.6%) MSM, 692 (24.1%) heterosexual men and 141 (4.9%) heterosexual women formed 259 clusters. Molecular clusters included MSM and heterosexuals were more likely to form a larger network (P<0.001). Nearly half of the heterosexual women (45.4%) were linked to heterosexual men and 17.7% to MSM, however only 0.9% of MSM were linked to heterosexual women. Thirty-three (23.4%) heterosexual women linked to at least one MSM node and were in peripheral role. Compared with general heterosexual women, the proportion of heterosexual women linked to MSM infected with CRF55_01B (P<0.001) and CRF07_BC (P<0.001) was higher than that of other subtypes, and the proportion of diagnosed between 2012-2017 (P=0.001) was higher than that in 2008-2012. In MCC trees, 63.6% (21/33) of the heterosexual women differentiated from the heterosexual evolutionary branch, while 36.4% (12/33) were differentiated from the MSM evolutionary branch.Conclusion: Heterosexual women living with HIV-1 were mainly related to heterosexual men and in peripheral positions of the molecular network. The role for HIV-1 transmission was limited for heterosexual women, but the interaction between MSM and heterosexual women were complicate. The awareness of the HIV-1 infection status of sexual partners and active HIV-1 detection was needed for women.
Abstract Background The fragility index (FI) of trial results can provide a measure of confidence in the positive effects reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The aim of this study was to calculate the FI of RCTs supporting HCC treatments.Methods A methodological systematic review of RCTs in HCC treatments was conducted. Two-arm studies with randomized and positive results for a time-to-event outcome were eligible for the FI calculation.Results A total of 11 trails were included in this analysis. The median FI was 0 (range 0-19). FI was ≤ 5 in 8 (72.73%) of 11 trials; in those trials the fragility quotient was ≤ 1%.Conclusion Many phase 3 RCTs supporting HCC treatments have a low FI, which challenges the confidence in concluding the superiority of these drugs over control treatments.
To assess the effect of Danqi Huogan Capsule in protecting the liver, promoting the circulation and removing blood clots in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).
Abstract Scedosporium and Lomentospora species are emerging fungal pathogens capable of causing severe infections in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Previous environmental surveys have suggested potential associations between these fungi and various soil chemical parameters, though the relative influence of human activity versus environmental factors has not been systematically evaluated. Here, we conducted a comprehensive survey of 406 soil samples from 132 locations across Taiwan, analyzing fungal abundance alongside soil physicochemical parameters and the Human Footprint Index (HFI). We recovered 236 fungal isolates comprising 10 species, with S. boydii (32.2%), S. apiospermum (30.9%), and S. dehoogii (14.4%) being the most prevalent. The highest fungal burdens were observed in urban environments (up to 1293 CFU/g), particularly in public spaces and healthcare facilities. Statistical analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between fungal abundance and HFI (r = 0.125, p = 0.013), while soil chemical parameters including nitrogen, carbon, pH, electrical conductivity, and various base cations showed no significant associations despite their wide ranges. These findings indicate that anthropogenic disturbance of environments, rather than soil chemistry, is the primary driver of Scedosporium and Lomentospora distribution in Taiwan. This understanding holds important implications for predicting infection risks and developing targeted public health strategies, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions. Future studies incorporating more specific indicators of human impact may further elucidate the mechanisms underlying these distribution patterns. Lay Abstract We found that human activities, rather than soil properties, determine where Scedosporium / Lomentospora fungi distribute in Taiwan. These fungi are more abundant in urban areas than less-human-disturbed environments, suggesting increased infection risks in densely populated regions.
The Hepatitis B Virus X protein (HBx) plays a major role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, however, its contribution to tumor invasion and metastasis has not been established so far. Heat shock protein 90 alpha (HSP90alpha) isoform is an ATP-dependent molecular chaperone that maintains the active conformation of client oncoproteins in cancer cells, which is abundantly expressed in HCC, especially in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related tumors, might be involved in tumor progression.The levels of HSP90alpha, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and c-Myc in HBx-transfected HepG2 cells were determined by western blots analysis. The endogenous ERKs activity was demonstrated by ELISA assay. The regulation of c-Myc-mediated HSP90 alpha promoter transactivation by HBx was evaluated through electrophoretic mobility shift analysis (EMSA). The c-Myc-mediated HSP90alpha transcription was analysed by promoter assay. The HBx-expressing cells were transfected with specific small interference RNA (siRNA) against c-Myc. The in vitro invasion potentials of cells were evaluated by Transwell cell invasion assay.HBx induces HSP90alpha expression at the transcription level. The induction effect of HBx was inhibited after treatment with c-Myc inhibitor, 10058-F4. In addition, the luciferase activity of the HSP90alpha promoter analysis revealed that the HBx is directly involved in the c-Myc-mediated transcriptional activation of HSP90alpha. Furthermore, HBx induces c-Myc expression by activation of Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 cascades, which in turn results in activation of the c-Myc-mediated HSP90alpha promoter and subsequently up-regulation of the HSP90alpha expression. Overexpression of HSP90alpha in HBx-transfected cells enhances tumor cells invasion. siRNA-mediated c-Myc knockdown in HBx-transfected cells significantly suppressed HSP90alpha expression and cells invasion in vitro.These results demonstrate the ability of HBx to promote tumor cells invasion by a mechanism involving the up-regulation of HSP90alpha and provide new insights into the mechanism of action of HBx and its involvement in tumor metastasis and recurrence of HCC.
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