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Background Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified as key regulatory factors in tumor development based on accumulating studies. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of the circulating circRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) haven't t been fully elucidated. Methods Five pairs of HCC and adjacent normal tissues were processed using RNA-sequencing to determine the differential expressed circRNAs. The expression levels of genes and proteins were detected by qPCR and Western blotting, respectively. CCK-8, EdU, Flow cytometry, wound healing assay, Transwell assays, and xenograft mouse model were performed to investigate the biological function of circELMOD3 both in vitro and in vivo. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), RNA antisense purification (RAP) and dual luciferase reporter assay were carried out to verify the interaction between circELMOD3, miR-6864-5P and TRIM13. Results CircELMOD3 was downregulated in plasma and tissues from HCC patients and was related to their clinicopathological characteristics. Significantly, plasma circELMOD3 was shown to be a highly sensitive and non-invasive biomarker to distinguish HCC from healthy controls (AUC = 0.908). Functionally, circELMOD3 prevented HCC cells from proliferating and caused them to undergo apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circELMOD3 increased the expression of TRIM13 by acting as a sponge for miR-6864-5P. In addition, overexpression of circELMOD3 lead to enhanced stability and higher expression level of TRIM13 mRNA, to which it directly binds, and in turn activated the P53 signaling pathway. Conclusion CircELMOD3 plays a tumor suppressor role in HCC via TRIM13/P53 signaling axis, which can serve as a potential target for early diagnosis and treatment of HCC patient.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a ubiquitous phospholipid, plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis and pathophysiological process of neurological diseases, which constitute the pathological course after cerebral ischemia. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms associated with the pathogenic roles of LPA remain elusive. In this study, we evaluated the expression of the liver X receptor (LXR) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) by Western blotting, quantified the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and LPA by ELISA, and evaluated apoptosis and infarct by TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nick-end labeling) and TTC (triphenyltetrazolium chloride) staining respectively in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The levels of LPA, an extracellular signaling molecule, increased after ischemia and caused neurological injury effect, decreased the expression level of LXR, and increased the expression level of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) via the NFκB signaling pathway. This elevated LPA-induced pathological process is one of the pathological reactions associated with ischemic brain injury. We present a direct or indirect connection between LPA and LXR in the pathophysiological process. In conclusion, we speculate that the inhibition of LPA generation and administration of LXR agonist may be explored as potential cerebral infarction treatment strategies.

Risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes among Zhuang ethnic pregnant women are unclear. This study analyzed the incidence and risk factors related to preterm birth (PB), low birth weight (LBW) and macrosomia in Zhuang population. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 9965 Zhuang pregnancy women in Guangxi, China. Information on mothers and newborns was obtained by using questionnaires and referring to medical records. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between related factors and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Our results showed that the incidence of PB, LBW and macrosomia in Zhuang people was 5.55%, 5.64% and 2.19%, respectively. Maternal age ≥36 years (OR=2.22, 95% CI: 1.51-3.27) was related to a higher incidence of PB. Those with pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI)18.5 kg/m

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of functional chewing training (FuCT) on masticatory function, the severity of tongue thrust, and the severity and frequency of drooling in children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: A prospective study was performed for 48 children who were diagnosed with oral motor dysfunction from January 2019 to January 2020, and they were randomly divided into an FuCT group and an oral motor training group, with 24 children in each group. Both groups received FuCT or oral motor training for 12 weeks, and then they were evaluated in terms of the changes in the masticatory function, the severity of tongue thrust, and the severity and frequency of drooling. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in the masticatory function, the severity of tongue thrust, and the severity and frequency of drooling before treatment (P > 0.05). After the 12-week training, the FuCT group showed significant improvements in the masticatory function and the severity of tongue thrust and drooling (P < 0.05), but with no improvement in the frequency of drooling (P > 0.05), while the oral motor training group had no improvements in the masticatory function, the severity of tongue thrust, and the severity and frequency of drooling (P > 0.05). After the 12-week training, the FuCT group had more significantly improvements in the severity of tongue thrust and the severity and frequency of drooling than the oral motor training group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: FuCT can effectively improve the masticatory function, the severity of tongue thrust, and the severity and frequency of drooling in children with cerebral palsy.

Several in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the toxicity of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) alternatives, however, relevant epidemiological findings remain to be performed. In addition, the association between PFASs alternatives and blood pressure has not been explored. To address this gap, we quantified serum levels of alternatives and legacy PFAS in 1273 healthy Chinese, aged 34–94 years, from “isomers of C8 health project”. Our results showed that an increase of serum PFASs levels was correlated with elevated blood pressure and higher prevalence of hypertension: per natural log unit (ng/mL) increase of 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acids (Cl-PFESA) elevated 1.31 (95%CI: 0.13, 2.50) mmHg of diastolic pressure (DBP). Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for hypertension with per natural log increase of 6:2 and 8:2 Cl-PFESA were 2.57 (95%CI: 1.86, 3.56) and 1.18 (95%CI: 1.06, 1.32), respectively. When stratified by sex, the effects of PFASs alternatives on increased blood pressure and hypertension were stronger in women. Meanwhile, the association between 6:2 Cl-PFESA (aOR = 6.81; 95%CI: 3.54, 13.09) and hypertension was stronger than perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (aOR = 2.32, 95%CI: 1.38, 3.91) in women. In conclusion, our pilot study demonstrates that serum concentrations of PFASs alternatives are positively associated with blood pressure. Moreover, women seem to be more susceptible, and alternatives exhibited stronger effects than legacy PFASs.

The detrimental effects of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) on several physiological systems have been reported, but the association of PFASs with eye, one of the most sensitive and exposed organ, has never been explored. To investigate the association between eye diseases including visual impairment (VI) and PFASs isomers, a cross-sectional stratified study was conducted in 1202 Chinese population, aged 22–96 years, from Shenyang, China. A standard protocol including Snellen vision chart, slit-lamp microscopy and direct ophthalmoscopy was used to examine eye diseases/conditions relating to anterior and posterior segment of eyes. In addition, we measured the blood concentrations of 19 linear and branched PFASs at one-time point. Results indicated that blood levels of PFASs were significantly higher in eye disease group than normal group. PFASs exposure were positively associated with both combined eye diseases and individual eye diseases. Among other PFASs, linear perfluorooctane sulfonate (n-PFOS; odds ratio [OR] = 3.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.50, 4.56), branched perfluorooctane sulfonate (Br-PFOS; OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.72, 2.93) and linear perfluorooctanoic acid (n-PFOA; OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.36, 2.37) significantly increases the odds of VI. Vitreous disorder was adversely associated with long-chain PFASs exposure. For example, perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA; OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.51, 2.29) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA; OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.36, 2.36) showed the most significant association. In conclusion, this study suggests higher serum PFASs levels were associated with increase odds of VI and vitreous disorder in Chinese adults. Keywords: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), PFASs isomers, Eye diseases, Visual impairment, Vitreous disorder

Chlorinated polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonates (Cl-PFESAs), are ubiquitous alternatives to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a widely used poly- and perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS). Despite in vivo and in vitro evidence of metabolic toxicity, no study has explored associations of Cl-PFESAs concentrations with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a human population. To help address this data gap, we quantified 32 PFAS, including 2 PFOS alternative Cl-PFESAs (6:2 and 8:2 Cl-PFESAs) in serum from 1228 adults participating in the cross-sectional Isomers of C8 Health Project in China study. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of MetS and its various components were estimated using individual PFAS as a continuous or categorical predictor in multivariate regression models. The association between the overall mixture of PFAS and MetS was examined using probit Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR-P). Greater serum PFAS concentrations were associated with higher odds of MetS and demonstrated a statistically significant dose-response trend (P for trend

Poor sleep quality is an important symptom of many medical or psychiatric disorders. However, the impact of cooking oil fumes (COFs) on sleep quality has not been studied. This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the association between COFs of Chinese household cooking and sleep quality. Individual sleep quality assessment was completed in 2197 participants with an average age of 37.52 years, through Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Information about their cooking practice were also collected by self-reported questionnaire. As an internal biomarker of COFs, urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HOP) (n = 562) was further measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Binary logistic regression models were performed to evaluate the association between exposure to COFs and individual sleep quality. We found that, subjective poor kitchen ventilation, preheating oil to smoking, and cooking for over 30 minutes were positively associated with overall poor sleep quality (global PSQI score >5) [odds ratio (OR) = 1.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.43–2.16; 1.25, (1.03–1.52); 1.42, (1.15–1.76), respectively]. After adjusting for potential confounders, subjective poor kitchen ventilation still tend to increase the risk of long sleep latency, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction [OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.09–1.73; 1.91, (1.39–2.61); 1.54, (1.23–1.93), respectively]. Similar results were observed in participants who preheated oil to smoking [OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.08–1.72; 1.55, (1.14–2.14); 1.25, (1.02–1.55), respectively] and cooked for over 30 minutes [OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.05–1.72; 1.46, (1.03–2.06); 1.36, (1.08–1.72), respectively]. Furthermore, high urinary 1-HOP level was also positively associated with overall poor sleep quality (OR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.31–4.05). The results indicated that exposure to COFs from Chinese household cooking may be a risk factor for poor sleep quality among middle-aged Chinese population.

Previous epidemiological and experimental studies have shown that legacy perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are immunotoxic. However, whether the immunosuppressive effects in PFAA alternatives which recently have been widely detected in the environment are unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the relationship of serum legacy PFAAs and PFAA alternatives with the antibody of hepatitis B virus in adults. We recruited 605 participants from a cross-sectional study, the Isomer of C8 Health Project in China. We measured two representative legacy PFAAs (perfluorooctane sulfonate, PFOS and perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOA), and three PFAA alternatives (two chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acids, Cl-PFESAs and perfluorobutanoic acid, PFBA) in serum using ultra-performance liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). We applied linear and logistic regression models to analyze associations between serum PFAAs and hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) with multivariable adjustments. We found negative associations between serum PFAAs concentrations and HBsAb. Lower serum HBsAb levels (log mIU/mL) were observed for each log-unit increase in linear PFOS (β = −0.31, 95% confidential interval: 0.84, −0.18), 6:2 PFESA (β = −0.81, 95% CI: 1.20, −0.42), 8:2 PFESA (β = −0.29, 95% CI: 0.43, −0.14) and PFBA (β = −0.18, 95% CI: 0.28, −0.08). The association between PFAAs and HBsAb seronegative seemed to be higher for 6:2 PFESA (odds ratio = 3.32, 95% CI: 2.16, 5.10) than its predecessors, linear PFOS (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.37, 2.81) and branched PFOS isomers (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.56). We report new evidence that exposure to PFAA alternatives are associated with lower HBsAb in adults. This association seems to be stronger in 6:2 PFESA than PFOS. Our results suggest that more studies are needed to clarify the potential toxicity of PFAA alternatives in human which will facilitate better chemical regulations for PFAAs.

Ten substituted 1,3-dihydroxyxanthones were synthesized in one step. The yields ranged from 40 to 76%. Compounds 8–10 were first reported. Next, the compounds’ in vitro anti-proliferative activities against nine human cancer cell lines, antityrosinase, and antioxidant activities were evaluated. Compounds 1, 4, 6–7, and 9–10 exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity against certain cancer cells. Compounds 2, 8, 9, and 10 inhibited tyrosinase activity to a certain extent. In addition, compound 4 exhibited the best antioxidant activity, which was consistent with theoretical calculations. These results demonstrated that compounds 1–2, 4, and 6–10 were promising leads for further investigation.

The objective was to determine whether serum uric acid concentrations were associated with metabolic syndrome in a population from Wuhan.5,628 subjects (2,838 men, 2,790 women) aged 18-80 years were recruited in Wuhan, China. Biochemical parameters of venous blood were measured by standard methods and metabolic syndrome was defined by Chinese Diabetes Society criteria. Association analysis was performed by logistic regression.8.2% of the included subjects were confirmed as having metabolic syndrome and 14.4% were confirmed as having hyperuricemia. After multivariable adjustment, logistic regression showed the odds ratios of metabolic syndrome for subjects in the highest quartile of serum uric acid concentration was 2.84 (95% CI: 2.09-3.86) compared with those in the lowest quartile and no gender difference was found. For each component of metabolic syndrome, subjects in the highest quartile of serum uric acid concentrations had increased multivariable odds ratios for high BMI (OR: 3.29, 95% CI: 2.71-3.98), for hypertension (OR: 3.54, 95% CI: 2.93-3.86), for dyslipidemia (OR: 2.49, 95% CI: 1.98-3.14), but not for hyperglycemia (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.87-1.67).Odd ratio of metabolic syndrome was significantly positively associated with serum uric acid concentration among the present sample of 5,628 subjects in Wuhan.

The aim was to investigate the association between peripheral circulating white blood cell count (WBC) and the metabolic syndrome among populations in central China.In the present study, 5,278 subjects (2,412 women, 2,866 men) aged 18-75 years were recruited through a health check program in Wuhan, China. Biochemical and haematological parameters were measured by standard methods and the metabolic syndrome diagnosed as defined by the Chinese Diabetes Society criteria for Chinese.Both WBC counts and prevalence of metabolic syndrome were significantly higher in men than in women (p0.01). Participants in the highest quartile of white blood cell count had significantly higher odds ratio of metabolic syndrome (3.79, 95% CI: 2.64, 5.44), compared with subjects in the lowest quartile. The trend remained significant after adjustment for confounding factors and in further subgroup-analyses.Metabolic syndrome prevalence was significantly and positively correlated with the total white blood cell count in this Chinese population.

Corrosion type, reasons and influential factors of the tail heated surface tube of the low carbon steel under the flue gas medium in LNG(Liquefied Natural Gas) power station HRSG(Heat Recovery Steam Generator) were researched through cracks morphology observation, corrosion products analysis, corrosion elements measurement and tube wall temperature field FEM calculation. Results showed that the crack initiated from the outer wall of the tube and propagated toward the inner wall with the arborescent morphology. Intergranular embrittlement ruptured. Rock type feature and secondary crack were observed on the fracture. Mud pattern and polygonal figure of the corrosion products were present. According to these morphology characteristics, the crack was identified as stress corrosion crack, and corrosion type was SCC(Stress Corrosion Cracking). Reasons of SCC were that low feed water or flue gas temperature during a certain period of the unit startup and shutdown for peaking operation brought about the temperature of the outer wall of tube below the flue gas dew point, and the flue gas became dew and corrosion solution emerged on the outer wall of tube. The SCC component was CO2 solution according to the corrosion products. S and Cl elements were found in the outer wall of tube, but their effects on SCC are still needed more researches.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has caused outbreaks of SARS-like disease with 35% case-fatality rate, mainly in the Middle East. A more severe outbreak of MERS occurred recently in the Republic of Korea, where 186 people contracted the infections, causing great concern worldwide. So far, there has been no clinically available drug for the treatment of MERS-CoV infection. The potential drugs against MERS-CoV mainly consist of monoclonal antibodies, peptides and small molecular agents. Small molecular agents have an advantage of easier synthesis, lower cost in production and relatively higher stability. There is better chance for those candidates to gain a quick development. This article reviews the progress of developing small molecular MERS-CoV agents.

In this paper, we first consider difference equations with several delays in the neutral term of the form $$\Delta\left(y_{n}+\sum_{i=1}^{L}p_{i}y_{n-{k_{i}}}-\sum_{j=1}^{M}r_{j}y_{n-{\rho_{j}}}\right)+q_{n}y_{n-\tau}=0\quad \mbox{for}\ n\in\mathbb{Z}^{+}(0),$$ (*) study various cases of coefficients in the neutral term and obtain the asymptotic behavior for non-oscillatory solution of (*) under some hypotheses. Moreover, we consider reaction-diffusion difference equations with several delays in the neutral term of the form $$\begin{array}{l}\Delta_{1}\left(u_{n,m}+\displaystyle \sum_{i=1}^{L}p_{i}u_{n-{k_{i}},m}-\displaystyle \sum_{j=1}^{M}r_{j}u_{n-{\rho_{j}},m}\right)+q_{n,m}u_{n-\tau,m}\\[18pt]\quad {}=a^{2}\Delta_{2}^{2}u_{n+1,m-1}\end{array}$$ for (n,m)∈ℤ+(0)×Ω, study various cases of coefficients in the neutral term and obtain the asymptotic behavior for non-oscillatory solution under some hypotheses.

To study the relationship between the interleukin (IL)6 -572G/C polymorphism and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in men.A hospital-based case-control study was conducted with 500 male HCC patients without tumor history in other organs and 590 healthy male controls without history of tumors or chronic diseases. All HCC cases were diagnosed by histopathology. The controls were recruited from the Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Ophthalmology at the same hospital. The IL-6 promoter -572G/C polymorphism and its genotype variants were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The Chi-squared test and unconditional logistic regression analyses were applied to determine the risk of HCC among men carrying the different genotype variants.The frequencies of alleles and distribution of genotypes in the -572G/C loci were not significantly different between the HCC cases and controls (P more than 0.05). The Chi-squared test indicated that the polymorphisms of the loci were not associated with HCC in our male population. However, after adjusting by multivariate logistic regression, the odds ratio (OR) of HCC for the G allele (CG + GG genotypes) carriers was 1.31 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00 - 1.71) compared with the CC genotype. Among the male HBV carriers, the CG genotype increased HCC risk significantly (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.14 - 2.24) compared with the CC genotype. A trend test indicated that HCC risk was significantly increased with the numbers of G alleles (P trend less than 0.05). Breslow-Day tests of homogeneity of the ORs indicated an interaction between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and polymorphisms of IL-6 (P less than 0.05). The synthetic odds ratio (OReg) of HBV infection and harboring a G allele was 5.95 (95% CI: 3.99-8.87), which represented a super multiplication interaction.Polymorphism of the IL-6 promoter -572 loci may be associated with HCC occurrence in men. Moreover, there is a super multiplication interaction for HCC risk between HBV infection and harboring the IL-6 G allele.

This study aims to investigate the correlation between polymorphism of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) Asp327Asn (rs6259) locus and occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).621 cases with HCC and 621 cancer-free controls from two hospitals of Guangxi were recruited from January, 2007 to June, 2010. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of SHBG Asp327Asn were detected by ABI7500 Fast Real-Time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression was applied to analyze risk of HCC among different genotypes carriers and their interaction with the exposure factors. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to detect the relationship between onset age of HCC and genotypes.The frequencies of Asp/Asp, Asp/Asn and Asn/Asn genotype in case group were 86.31% (536/621), 12.40% (77/621) and 1.29% (8/621), respectively; while those in control group were 81.00% (503/621), 17.39% (108/621) and 1.61% (10/621), respectively. Significant difference in the genotype frequencies distribution was found between case and control groups (χ2=6.465, P0.05). Compared with those harboring Asp/Asp genotype, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the HCC risk of Asn/Asn+Asp/Asn genotype carriers was significantly decreased (adjusted OR=0.63, 95%CI: 0.40-0.98). Interaction analysis showed that there was interaction between the polymorphisms and two exposure factors, drinking (adjusted OR=3.45, 95%CI: 1.74-6.83) and HBV infection (adjusted OR=40.77, 95%CI: 21.60-76.97). Among those male patients with history of drinking, survival analysis indicated that the mean age of onset of individuals harboring Asp/Asp genotypes ((47.99±0.75) years-old) was 6 years earlier than those with Asn/Asn or Asp/Asn genotypes ((53.68±2.07) years-old) (χ2=6.91, P0.01).Polymorphism of SHBG (Asp327Asn) may be associated with both the risk of HCC occurrence and onset age of HCC.

To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in cytokine IL-6, IL-10 genes and HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in 381 cases with HBV-related HCC, 340 HBsAg carriers and 359 non-tumor controls. Genotypes of -572 site of IL-6 gene and -819, -592 sites of IL-10 gene were determined by real-time polymorphism chain reaction. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95 confidence intervals (CIs).For the G/C alleles of -572 loci on IL-6 gene, there were significant differences between the three groups (P0.05). Compared with CC genotype, GG genotype increased the risk of HBV infection (OR = 2.171, 95%CI: 1.068 - 4.415), but did not seem to be associated with HCC. For the alleles of -819 and -592 site of IL-10 gene, there were significant differences between the three groups (P0.05). Compared with CC genotype, TT genotype increased the risks of both HCC (OR = 2.791, 95%CI: 1.326 - 5.874), and HCC in HBsAg carriers (OR = 3.522, 95%CI: 1.707 - 7.266). When compared with CC genotype on -592 site, the AA genotype reduced the risk of both HCC (OR = 0.389, 95%CI: 0.173 - 0.875), and HCC in HBsAg carriers (OR = 0.336, 95%CI: 0.154 - 0.734).The SNPs in -572 site of IL-6 gene might be associated with the risk of HBV infection. The SNPs in -819 site of IL-10 gene increased the risk of HCC, but -592 site of IL-10 gene decreased the risk of HCC.

To investigate whether the polymorphism of DNA repair genes XPC (Ala499Val and Lys939Gln) and XPG (His1104Asp) is associated with the susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in 500 cases with HCC and 507 controls. Genotypes of XPC and XPG were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction with the TaqMan MGB probe.Compared to the CC genotype, the CT genotype and the TT genotype of XPC Ala499Val were not associated with the susceptibility to HCC (adjusted OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.85-2.12; adjusted OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 0.68-2.51, respectively). Compared to the AA genotype, the AC genotype and the CC genotype of Lys939Gln were not associated with the susceptibility to HCC (adjusted OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.78-1.85; adjusted OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 0.88-3.73, respectively). Compared to the CC genotype, the CG genotype and the GG genotype of XPG His1104Asp were not associated with the susceptibility to HCC (adjusted OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.56-1.27; adjusted OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.67-1.87, respectively) However, the stratified analysis revealed that the females with the AC+CC genotype of XPC Lys939Gln had increased risk of HCC compared to those with AA genotype (OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.01-4.64).Our results suggest that XPC and XPG polymorphisms do not independently affect on the susceptibility to HCC, but the joint effect of C allele of XPC Lys939Gln and female may modify the risk of HCC.

To study the relationship between hepatocellular carcinoma and the interaction of polymorphisms in DNA repair gene XPD with environmental factors.A hospital-based case-control study on hepatocellular carcinoma was conducted. All the hepatocellular carcinoma cases (n=300) were newly diagnosed and controls (n=312) were diagnosed with non-tumor cases. XPD genotype (Lys751 Gln and Asp312 Asn) from blood derived DNA was determined using TaqMan MGB Real-time PCR. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).For XPD condon 751 genotypes, there was no significant difference between frequencies of the AC or CC among patients and controls (P0.05) (referent AA). The frequency of XPD312A allelic gene was higher in cases than that in controls and was associated with an increased risk (adjusted OR=2.62, 95% CI: 1.626-4.222) for hepatocellular carcinoma when compared with GG genotype. Interactions were found between infection of HBsAg and XPD312 (OR=7.348), as well as between smoking and non-wild type gene of XPD751 (OR=4.291) and XPD312 (OR=5.341).DNA repair XPD312A allelic gene might increase the risk of Hepatocellular carcinoma. Interactions between HBsAg infection, smoking and XPD were observed in Hepatocellular carcinoma.

To explore etiologic fraction (EF) and interaction of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and other risk factors for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) in Guangxi, China.A hospital-based case-control study including 500 PHC patients and 500 nontumorous patients was carried out in Guangxi. EF and interactions of HBV infection and other risk factors for PHC were analyzed by crossover analysis and nonconditional multiple logistic regression.HBV infection, family history of PHC, diabetes mellitus, eating raw fish, heavy alcohol consumption, frequently used drug, low income, mental oppression and blood type B all were risk factors for PHC. With EFs of 0.725, 0.186, 0.119, 0.486, 0.385, 0.438, 0.277, 0.607, 0.299, respectively and with etiologic fractions attributable to interaction [EF(A xB)] of 0.736, 0.643, 0.849, 0.551, 0.592, 0.618, 0.902, 0.577; and indices of interaction of 0.743, 0.651, 0.853, 0.560, 0.600, 0.626, 0.907, 0.586, respectively.Main risk factors for PHC might include HBV infection, family history of PHC, diabetes mellitus, eating raw fish, heavy alcohol consumption, frequently used drug, low income, mental oppression and blood type B. HBV infection with other risk factors might exert synergistic action on developing PHC and increase the risk of PHC.

To study the correlation of eating raw fish with primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC), and to investigate the synergistic effect of HBV infection, alcohol consumption and eating raw fish on the oncogenesis of PHC.A hospital-based case-control study was conducted among 500 PHC patients and 500 non-cancerous patients in order to compare the history of eating raw fish. The synergistic pathogenetic action of eating raw fish, HBV infection and alcohol consumption on carcinogenesis of PHC was analyzed by crossover analysis and multiple logistic regression.The rates of eating raw fish in the past between the case (54.8%) and the control group (8.4%) were significantly different (P0.001). OR value of suffering PHC in the patients who ate raw fish in the past was 13.6 (95% CI: 9.1-19.5) when compared with the non-cancerous patient. HBV infection, alcohol consumption and eating raw fish showed an interactive effect on the development of PHC, with a relative excessive risk of interaction(RERI) of 195.3 and 17.8; attributable proportion of interaction (API) of 0.8630 and 0.5251; and synergy index (S) of 7.5 and 2.8, respectively.A history of eating raw fish may be an important risk factor for suffering primary hepatic carcinoma. HBV infection, alcohol consumption and eating raw fish may have a synergistic effect on the developing of primary hepatic carcinoma.

To explore the relationship between clonorchiasis and primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and analyze the synergistic actions of HBV infection, alcohol consumption and clonorchiasis on HCC development.This hospital-based case-control study was conducted among 444 HCC patients (cases) and 500 non tumor patients (controls) to compare the prevalence of clonorchiasis in the cases and the controls. The risk of clonorchiasis and the synergistic actions between HBV infection, alcohol consumption and clonorchiasis on HCC development were analyzed by crossover analysis and multiple logistic regression.The prevalence of clonorchiasis in the cases (16.44%) was much higher than that of the controls (2.40%) (X2 = 56.58, P less than 0.01). In the case group, the OR value of those with clonorchiasis was 8.00 (95% CI: 4.34-14.92). The OR value was 4.82 (95% CI: 2.32-10.26) for the subjects whose clonorchiasis was diagnosed less than 10 years before their diagnosis of HCC, and was 17.54 (95% CI: 5.47-57.18) for those whose HCC was diagnosed more than 10 years ago. HBV infection, alcohol consumption and clonorchiasis showed an additive interaction in the development of HCC, with a relative excess risk of interaction of 110.43 and 18.23; attributable proportion of interaction of 0.80 and 0.63; synergy index of 5.18 and 2.84, respectively.Clonorchiasis could be an important risk factor for HCC. When the course of clonorchiasis is prolonged, the risk of HCC could increase. HBV infection, alcohol consumption and clonorchiasis might have synergistic actions on the development of HCC.

To explore congenital heart diseases (CHD) in their offsprings in association with parental methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T, cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) gene T833C, and environmental factors.A 1:1 case-control study was carried out to investigate 115 pairs of case and controlled children and their parents, and the parents' MTHFR gene 677 C--T mutation and CBS gene 833 T--C mutation were also identified. The possible risk factors were analysed by simple and multiple factors logistic regression methods.Results revealed that 5 factors were related to the occurrence of CHD in the offsprings: maternal exposures to pesticides in the early stage of pregnancy (OR = 8.62), suffering from diseases during pregnancy (OR = 2.069), catching cold in the early stage of pregnancy (OR = 4.125), under depressed or nervous condition during pregnancy (OR = 4.653), maternal MTHFR 677TT genotype (OR = 3.872).These results suggested that maternal MTHFR 677TT genotype was one of the risks to the occurrence of CHD in offspring but parents' CBS gene 833 T--C mutation did not get involved in CHD. In addition, the occurrence of CHD was related to maternal exposures to pesticides, catching a cold, suffering from diseases, depressed or under nervous condition in the early stage of pregnancy or during pregnancy.