Purpose: The characteristics of cytokine/chemokine(CK) profiles across different courses of chronic hepatitis B virus infection and the effects of NAs antiviral therapy on cytokine profiles remain unclear. Methods: This report provides evidence from 383 patients with chronic HBV infection. The Luminex multiple cytokine detection technology was used to detect CK profiles. The predictive power of CKs across course of disease was assessedusing univariate analyses and with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.Results: Compared to healthy control (HC), expression levels of interleukin 6 (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-21, matrix metal-loproteinases (MMP)-2 and tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-1 showed a significant increasing trend during chronic HBV infection. IL-23 and IL-33 increased respectively in chronic hepatitis B patients (CHB). interferon (IFN)-gamma and TNF-alpha changed significantly only in liver cirrhosis (LC) patients. Whereas, myeloid-related markers decreased dramatically in those with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The ROC result suggests that combining IL-6, IL-8, CXCL9 and CXCL13 into a nomogram has closely correlation with HCC during chronic HBV infection. In addition, nucleotide analogues (NAs) antiviral treatments are capable of recoveringnormal liver functions and significantly reducing the viral loads, however, they seem to have a limited effect in changing CKs, especially specific antiviral factors. Conclusion: The differential CK and virological markers may serve as potential indicators of distinct immune statuses in chronic HBV infection. They also underscore the varying efficacy and limitations of NAs antiviral therapies. This next step would to break new ground in the optimization of current anti-HBV treatment programs although this requires further research.

BackgroundThe systemic immuno-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are widely used and have been shown to be predictive indicators of various diseases. Diabetic nephropathy (DN), retinopathy (DR), and peripheral neuropathy (DPN) are the most prominent and common microvascular complications, which have seriously negative impacts on patients, families, and society. Exploring the associations with these three indicators and diabetic microvascular complications are the main purpose.MethodsThere were 1058 individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in this retrospective cross-sectional study. SII, NLR, and PLR were calculated. The diseases were diagnosed by endocrinologists. Logistic regression and subgroup analysis were applied to evaluate the association between SII, NLP, and PLR and diabetic microvascular complications.ResultsSII, NLR, and PLR were significantly associated with the risk of DN [odds ratios (ORs): 1.52, 1.71, and 1.60, respectively] and DR [ORs: 1.57, 1.79, and 1.55, respectively] by multivariate logistic regression. When NLR ≥2.66, the OR was significantly higher for the risk of DPN (OR: 1.985, 95% confidence interval: 1.29–3.05). Subgroup analysis showed no significant positive associations across different demographics and comorbidities, including sex, age, hypertension, HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin), and dyslipidemia.ConclusionThis study found a positive relationship between NLR and DN, DR, and DPN. In contrast, SII and PLR were found to be only associated with DN and DR. Therefore, for the diagnosis of diabetic microvascular complications, SII, NLR and PLR are highly valuable.

Background There is no study evaluating the association between exercise and functional dyspepsia (FD) based on the Rome IV criteria. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of FD and evaluate the association between exercise and FD based on Rome IV criteria among a sample of Chinese armed police recruits. Methods An on-site questionnaire survey on FD among a sample of Chinese armed police recruits was conducted based on the Rome IV criteria in 2021. Potential confounders included age, body mass index (BMI), race, marriage, education, smoking, and drinking variables were adjusted. Results A total of 2594 recruits were enrolled, including 46 FD participants and 2548 non-FD participants. In the model adjusted for all demographic variables among participants excluding irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional constipation (FC), compared with no exercise participants, 1 h < each exercise time ≤ 2 h (OR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.03–0.77, P = 0.0230) was inversely associated with FD and compared with no exercise participants, mild exercise (OR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.01–0.71, P = 0.0220) was significantly inversely associated with FD. Conclusions The incidence rate of FD in this sample Chinese armed police recruits was 1.77%, and 1 h < each exercise time ≤ 2 h and mild intensity exercise were independently inversely associated with FD. However, the causal relationship needs to be verified by further randomized controlled trials.

Background The prevalence of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing. The effect of lipid profiles on diabetic microvascular complications remains debated. This research aimed to study the correlation between lipid profiles and microvascular complications. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study included 1096 T2DM patients. The patients were divided into the control, diabetic retinopathy (DR), nephropathy (DKD), and peripheral neuropathy (DPN) groups based on the existence of corresponding complications. The lipid profiles were analyzed, and the effect on complications was assessed by logistic regression. Results Compared with the control group, the diabetic microvascular complications group had a higher dyslipidemia rate. The rate of high TGs increased significantly with an increasing number of complications. High TG levels contributed to the risk of DKD, DR, and DPN [odds ratios (ORs): 2.447, 2.267, 2.252; 95% confidence interval: 1.648–3.633, 1.406–3.655, 1.472–3.445]. In the age (years) > 55, T2DM duration (years) > 10, and HbA1c (%) ≥ 7 groups, the risk of high TGs was higher for DKD (ORs: 2.193, 2.419, 2.082), DR (ORs: 2.069, 2.317, 1.993), and DPN (ORs: 1.811, 1.405, 1.427). Conclusion High TG levels increase the risk of diabetic microvascular complications, and patients with older age, longer T2DM duration, and higher HbA1c levels are recommended to keep lipid levels more strictly.

Abstract Background The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is high in China, especially in Northwest China, and dyslipidemia in diabetes is a major factor at risk for CVD. The dyslipidemia prevalence, treatment and control among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Northwest China were investigated. Methods In the cross-sectional retrospective research, 1386 medical records of T2DM patients were collected from the Endocrine Department of Tangdu Hospital. And patients’ age, sex, diabetes duration, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), complications, lipid levels, and drug use were recorded. The patient characteristics, lipid level and lipid-lowering therapy were analyzed. Results In this study, the dyslipidemia prevalence among T2DM patients was 87.7%, the treatment rate was 68.0%. The overall control rate of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was 43.1%, and control rates reached 52.7% for high-risk subjects and 36.1% for very high-risk subjects. The overall control rate of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) was 19.8%. HbA1c (%) ≥ 7 was indicated as a major factor predicting failure of LDL-C and non-HDL-C control [odds ratio (OR) 1.521; 2.206, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.154–2.005; 1.583–3.076)]. Conclusion Among patients with T2DM, it is high prevalence of dyslipidemia and low rate of treatment and control, and higher HbA1c level is the main factor for poor lipid control. It calls for more efforts to promote early screening, prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia for patients, thereby reducing the risk of CVD.

Abstract Objective: The study aimed to investigate the treatment pattern and economic burden of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) in China, and to evaluate the incidence rate of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) of HoFH patients and their families.Methods: Patients with HoFH diagnosed and treated in Beijing An’Zhen Hospital was included. A questionnaire was developed to investigate and capture the relevant variables of the participants.Results: A total of 120 HoFH patients were investigated, and the number of children (age under 18) was 1.2 times more than adults (age above 18). There were 113 patients with basic medical insurance (including 61 patients with new rural cooperative medical insurance), 4 patients with commercial insurance and 3 patients without any insurance. There were 35 patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), including 29 adults and 6 children. Only 6 pediatric patients achieved their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) treatment targets, and all 54 adult patients did not achieve it. The most commonly used treatment method was diet control with lipid-lowering drugs (16.67%), followed by diet control and lipid-lowering drugs using separately (16.67%). The proportion of patients whose annual personal income reached GDP per capita in 2019 was only 2.5%. The total economic burden of disease was 5,529,100 CNY / year, including direct medical costs of 3,427,200 CNY / year, direct non-medical costs of 1,504,500 CNY / year and indirect costs of 611,300 CNY / year; the per capita economic burden of disease was 46,100 CNY / year, including direct medical costs of 28,600 CNY / year, direct non-medical costs of 12,500 CNY / year and indirect costs of 5,100 CNY / year. There were 32 families with CHE due to the disease, accounting for 26.67%.Conclusion: Patients with HoFH in China are generally at young age, and the economic burden of disease for the family is heavy. The existing treatment is not effective, and it is easy to cause premature death due to ASCVD.

Abstract Background: Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, absolute or relative deficiency of insulin secretion, and chronic inflammation. Shenqi compound (SC) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula widely used in the treatment of diabetes and diabetic complications. Although many randomized clinical trials have proved that SC can benefit a lot from diabetes and its complications, the systematic evaluation of the effect of SC on diabetic blood glucose control and inflammatory markers has not yet appeared. The purpose of this study is to provide evidence that the therapeutic effect of SC on diabetes and its multiple system complications is related to its control of blood glucose and inflammatory mediators. Methods: Three English database and 4 Chinese medical databases will be searched from its inception to May 2020. Then 2 methodological trained researchers will screen the qualified articles by reading the title, abstract, and full texts according to an established inclusion and exclusion criteria. The assessment of risk of bias will be conducted by using the Cochrane collaboration's tool. We will conduct meta-analyses for fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, tumor necrosis factor, C-reactive protein or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and other outcomes. The heterogeneity of data will be evaluated by Cochrane X 2 and I 2 tests. Subgroup analysis will also be carried out. We will conduct sensitivity analysis to evaluate the stability of the results, funnel plot analysis, and Egger test to evaluate the publication bias, and assessment for the quality of evidence by the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluate system. Results: The results of our research will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Conclusion: In this study, we will systematically evaluate the influences of SC on glycemic measures and inflammatory markers of diabetes mellitus. Our research is supposed to provide evidence-based support for clinical practice. Registration number: INPLASY202040179.