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This study was to assess the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) risk using a hospital-based case-control design.Patients with pathologically confirmed PDAC (943) and 1128 matched controls were recruited from 2 hospitals. We evaluated the associations between risk of PDAC and age, sex, history of diabetes mellitus (DM), etc. In addition, we examined the interactive effects of HBV status and known risk factors for pancreatic cancer.Chronic hepatitis B and inactive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier state (HBsAg positive) had a significantly increased risk of pancreatic cancer, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.60 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-2.24). Furthermore, significant interactions were detected between a history of DM and chronic hepatitis B and inactive HBsAg positive, but not with antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) positive/antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) negative, with an adjusted odds ratio of 5.42 (95% CI, 2.76-10.64), compared with those who were HBsAg negative/anti-HBc negative without a history of DM.These results suggest that HBsAg-positive or anti-HBc-positive/anti-HBs-negative patients have an increased risk for PDAC independent of other risk factors. Significant interactions were found between a history of DM and chronic HBV infection for PDAC risk.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a feeling of persecution arising from the exposure to a life-threatening event. PTSD shows three kinds of characteristic symptoms including intrusive, avoidance, and arousal syndromes. Numerous literatures had been published on the study of the PTSD epidemiology. However, research results varied due to different research subjects and evaluation methods used. A big difference exists between the studies on refugees, migrating population, and community population, because these studies are affected by different definitions of war trauma, difference in choice of samples, and application of psychological intervention. Therefore, no exact conclusions have been established on the accurate incidence of PTSD in civilians after having endured war trauma or mental torture. Currently, studies on PSTD are still inadequate. The first reason for this inadequacy is the difference existing between previous study methods. In addition, differences also exist in the statistical results between different research groups; the present study objects are all non-western ethnics or some specific population, thus selective bias existing in samples adopted. Secondly, the majority of the studies had no a control group, thus the results lacking reliability and universality. The third reason is that more attention should be paid to the impact of nationality and cultural background on the study of postwar PTSD. In summary, a large amount of work should be done in the field of PSTD epidemiology in the future. Therefore, it is very important to look for simple tools for screening and measuring PTSD in Chinese population, and investigate the incidence of PTSD after all kinds of traumatic events and its distribution for effectively preventing and treating PTSD.

Objective To investigate the effects of amino acids and vitamins on the ultrastructure of the hypothalamus and neurotransmitter in exhausted rats. Methods After adaptive swimming, 36 male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, namely, capsule, control, and granules, with 12 rats in each group. Rats in 3 groups were given respectively amino acids capsule (8 kinds of essential amino acids and 11 kinds of vitamins were contained), normal drinking water, or amino acid-fructose beverage (2.5ml/100g, 2 times per day by gavage for 14 days). Exhaustion of rats was produced by non-loading swimming. The duration of the experiment lasted 14 days. After the last exhaustive swimming, the hypothalamus of the rats was removed for the observation of its ultrastructure under electron microscope. The contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5HIAA), hydroxyphenyl acetic acid (HOPAC), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the hypothalamus were measured with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-ECD). Results The mitochondrial structure in the brain cells of the capsule and granules groups were basically intact. On the other hand, the cells in the control group swelled and degenerated. Different degrees of swelling could be seen in the mitochondria. In addition, obvious morphological changes of the ultrastructure were observed under electron microscopy. Dissolution and rupture of the mitochondrial membrane and cristae were noted, even with the whole mitochondria disrupted and vacuolated. The contents of 5-HT, 5-HTAA, HOPAC, and GABA in the hypothalamus of rats in the capsule and the granules groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (PConclusion Amino acids and vitamins compound can increase the resistance of the nerve center to fatigue by alleviating pathological changes of ultrastructure and changes in neurotransmitter levels of the hypothalamus.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the occurrence of fatigue as a result of military operation and sleep quality of recruits during period of training. Methods The Modified Fatigue Rating Scale (MFIS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to conduct the survey of over 500 recruits undergoing basic military training. The aim of the survey was to analyze the relationship between their sleep quality and the occurrence of military fatigue. Results The mean fatigue score of the 500 recruits was 23.55. The physical fatigue score was 12.52, which was obviously higher than that of mental fatigue, which was 11.02 (PPConclusions Poor sleep quality of the recruits may be one of causes of fatigue occurrence, and the aggravation of fatigue can affect sleep quality. Therefore, the management and regulation of sleep quality of the recruits should be emphasized in order to reduce military fatigue.

Objective To explore the role of amino acids and vitamins in the prevention of and recovery from the fatigue related to military operation in the officers and soldiers at high altitude. Methods The participants were 100 officers and soldiers, whose Modified Fatigue Rating Scale (MFIS) scores were >21 points. The participants were randomly divided into three groups: capsule, placebo, and granules. Amino acids capsule (8 kinds of essential amino acids and 11 kinds of vitamins were contained), placebo, or amino acid-fructose beverage was given to respective group for 14 days continuously. The 3000-m running performance of the officers and soldiers stationed on a plateau was measured on the first and 14th days. The maximal grip strength of the right hand, fist-making times per minute, and the height reaching by the hand after three-step run-up for the same candidate were observed before and after fatigue loading (3000-m running). The blood levels of lactic acid and urea nitrogen of the candidates were measured after fatigue loading on the first and the 14th days. Results The 3000-m running performance of officers and soldiers in the capsule and granules groups on the 14th day were better than that of the first day (PP>0.05). The difference between the capsule and the granules groups in grip strength, fist-making times per minute, and hand reaching height on the 14th day were obviously lower than that on the first day (PP>0.05). The blood levels of lactic acid and urea nitrogen in the capsule and granules groups on the 14th day were lower than that on the first day (PP>0.05). Conclusions Amino acids and vitamins preparations can obviously improve the military performance capacity of officers and soldiers stationed on the plateau. Similarly, they can effectively prevent the lowering of jumping ability and grip strength caused by military fatigue. Therefore, amino acids and vitamins preparations play an important role in the prevention of and rapid recovery from fatigue in servicemen stationed on plateau.

Objective To investigate the effects of the compound amino acids capsule on the immunological function of the naval servicemen during military activity. Methods The subjects included 100 officers and soldiers, whose Modified Fatigue Rating Scale (MFIS) scores were >21 points. The participants were randomly divided into two groups, namely, the amino acids capsule group and placebo group (n=50). Under the condition of military operations, either amino acids capsule (8 kinds of essential amino acids and 11 kinds of vitamins were contained) or placebo capsule was given for 14 days continuously. The humoral immune indices, i.e., IgG, IgA, IgM, and complements C3 and C4, were measured with immunoturbidimetry. The percentage of peripheral blood CD subsets was measured using flow cytometry on the first day and 14th day. Results The levels of IgG, IgM, and complement C3 in the capsule group were significantly higher on the 14th day than on the first day (P+CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD3－CD19+ B lymphocytes in the capsule group on the 14th day were higher than those on the first day, whereas the CD3－CD56+ NK lymphocytes decreased significantly (PConclusion Compound amino acids capsule can improve the humoral and cellular immunological function of naval servicemen.

Objective To investigate the anti-fatigue effects of amino acids and vitamins on rats after exhaustive exercise. In addition, the current research might provide a theoretical foundation for the future development of new anti-fatigue nutritional supplements. Methods Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups after adaptive swimming. Each group consisted of 12 rats, namely amino acids and vitamins capsule group (capsule group), control with bland water group (control group), and amino acid and fructose beverage group (granules group). Exhaustion was produced by non-load swimming. After 14 days of feeding with different beverages, the exhaustion time of swimming was recorded, and then all rats were killed to measure concentrations of muscle and hepatic glycogen, and contents of serum β-endorphin (β-EP), lactic acid (LA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK). Results The swimming time and the levels of the muscle and hepatic glycogen in the capsule and granules groups were longer or higher than those in the control group (PPP>0.05). Conclusion Compound amino acids and vitamins can delay the occurrence of exhaustion after swimming in rats, increase hepatic and muscle glycogen contents, and decrease the generation of various metabolites during fatigue exercises, and hence giving anti-fatigue effects.

To study the potential value and specificity of plasma miR-216a as a marker for pancreatic injury.Two rat models were applied in this article: L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis was used as one model to explore the potential value of plasma miR-216a for detection of pancreatic injury; nonlethal sepsis induced in rats by single puncture cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was used as the other model to evaluate the specificity of plasma miR-216a compared with two commonly used markers (amylase and lipase) for acute pancreatitis. Plasmas were sampled from rats at indicated time points and total RNA was isolated. Real-Time Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify miR-216a in plasmas.In the acute pancreatitis model, among five time points at which plasmas were sampled, miR-216a concentrations were significantly elevated 24 h after arginine administration and remained significantly increased until 48 h after operation (compared with 0 h time point, P0.01, Kruskal-Wallis Test). In the CLP model, plasma amylase and lipase, two commonly used biomarkers for acute pancreatitis, were significantly elevated 24 h after operation (compared with 0 h time point, P0.01 and 0.05 respectively, Pairwise Bonferroni corrected t-tests), while miR-216a remained undetectable among four tested time points.Our article showed for the first time that plasma miR-216a might serve as a candidate marker of pancreatic injury with novel specificity.