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Background and Aim This single‐arm, open‐label, multicenter, phase 3 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of seraprevir, an hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 3/4A (NS3/4A) inhibitor, combined with sofosbuvir for treating Chinese patients with chronic HCV infection without cirrhosis. Methods Treatment‐naive or interferon‐experienced adult patients without cirrhosis were treated with a universal, combinational regimen of seraprevir 100 mg, twice daily and sofosbuvir 400 mg, once daily, for 12 or 24 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virologic response at week 12 after treatment (SVR12). Results Overall, 205 patients with genotype 1 HCV infection without cirrhosis were enrolled from 23 sites, 202 of whom completed the full treatment and post‐treatment course and 3 discontinued follow‐up. In total, 27 patients (13.2%) were interferon experienced. SVR12 was achieved by 201 out of 205 (98.0% [95% CI, 95.1%, 99.5%]) patients, 100.0% of patients with genotype 1a, and 98.0% of genotype 1b. In the other exploratory study, SVR 12 was achieved by 100% patients with genotype 2 (n = 21), genotype 3 (n = 7), and genotype 6 (n = 8). The majority of adverse events were mild to moderate and transient and did not require a specific medical intervention. Conclusions The all‐oral, ribavirin‐free regimen of seraprevir and sofosbuvir is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment option for Chinese patients mono‐infected with HCV, including those with a history of interferon treatment.

Successful pregnancy requires normal placentation, which largely depends on the tight regulation of proliferation, invasion, and migration of trophoblast cells. Abnormal functioning of trophoblast cells may cause failure of uterine spiral artery remodeling, which may be related to pregnancy-related disorders, such as preeclampsia. Here, we reported that an actin-binding protein, α-actinin (ACTN)4, was dysregulated in placentas from early onset preeclampsia. Moreover, knockdown of ACTN4 markedly inhibited trophoblast cell proliferation by reducing AKT membrane translocation. Furthermore, E-cadherin regulated ACTN4 and β-catenin colocalization on trophoblast cell podosomes, and ACTN4 down-regulation suppressed the E-cadherin-induced cell invasion increase via depolymerizing actin filaments. Moreover, loss of ACTN4 recapitulated a number of the features of human preeclampsia. Therefore, our data indicate that ACNT4 plays a role in trophoblast function and is required for normal placental development.-Peng, W., Tong, C., Li, L., Huang, C., Ran, Y., Chen, X., Bai, Y., Liu, Y., Zhao, J., Tan, B., Luo, X., Wang, H., Wen, L., Zhang, C., Zhang, H., Ding, Y., Qi, H., Baker, P. N. Trophoblastic proliferation and invasion regulated by ACTN4 is impaired in early onset preeclampsia.

This study evaluated the prevalence and factors associated with sleep disturbance in a large cohort of HIV-infected patients across China. A cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy at 20 AIDS clinics. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was self-administered by subjects. Socio-demographic characteristics, medical history and HIV-related clinical data were collected. 4103 patients had complete data for analysis. Sleep disturbances were observed in 43.1% of patients. Associated factors in multivariable analysis included psychological factors: anxiety (odds ratio [OR], 3.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.44–4.00; P

The objective of this study was to develop a new Tween-80 microbiological assay (Tween-80 MBA) to determine human or animal serum folate levels and to verify its reliability. The effects of the Lactobacillius casei subspecies rhamnosus (L. casei, ATCC No. 7469) inoculum concentration, incubation time, and Tween-80 on L. casei growth were studied, and the serum folate levels were investigated. Serum samples were collected from patients with esophageal cancer (EC) and healthy control subjects in Yanting, healthy adult subjects in Chengdu, Sichuan, and in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Optimal conditions for the new MBA were as follows: 1.28 × 107 CFU/mL working inoculum, vitamin folic acid assay broth with 0.24% (w/w) Tween-80, and anaerobic incubation with L. casei at 37°C for 22 h. Under the optimal conditions, the working curve was in simple linear rather than logarithmic equation; the linear working curve of the folic acid standard working solution concentration versus the turbidity (adsorption value) of medium with L. casei ranged from 0.05 to 1.00 μg/L; the linear correlation coefficient was 0.9989 (SD 0.0007); the recovery rate of folate was 105.4–112.7%; and the minimum concentration for detecting folate was 0.03 μg/L. The RSD within-day and between-day precisions were 5.6 and 3.3%, respectively. The serum folate level of 100 EC patients was 6.4 (SEM 0.4) μg/L which was significantly lower than that of healthy control subjects [8.0 (SEM 0.6) μg/L, n = 100, P = 0.020]. The new Tween-80 MBA is considered to be a reliable method for measuring serum folate level.

Our goal is to establish criteria for evaluating satisfaction of medical staff and patients of Chinese hospitals and propose measures for improvement. A survey was conducted among medical staff and patients of infectious disease hospitals in three locations, i.e., Shanghai, Chongqing, and Nanning. The analyses included item analysis, factor analysis, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation and one-way analysis of variance. For the patient group, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) = 0.973, Cronbach's α = 0.962 and the Pearson correlation coefficients among the five dimensions of satisfaction ranged from 0.583 to 0.795. For the medical staff group, KMO = 0.972, Cronbach's α = 0.970, and the Pearson correlation coefficients among the five dimensions of satisfaction ranged from 0.603 to 0.854. The means on the five dimensions of satisfaction for the patient group were 0.74 to 1.34, 0.81 to 1.17, 0.78 to 1.07, 0.89 to 1.34, and 0.71 to 1.10. The means on the five dimensions of satisfaction for the medical staff group were 0.17 to 1.03, ‒ 0.16 to 0.60, ‒ 0.18 to 0.74, 0.23 to 0.72, and ‒ 0.39 to 0.37. The clinicians were less satisfied with the hospitals than the patients. Medical staff and patients in Shanghai were relatively more satisfied. Improving the evaluation criteria and survey methods with respect to medical staff and patient satisfaction with Chinese hospitals may increase clinician and patient satisfaction and improve the health care environment in China.

To measure the energy expenditure of healthy adults engaged in light activities in southern China, and to provide reference database for revising Chinese RNI.Thirty four healthy adults eligible for the energy metabolic experiment were selected. A 3-day recycled dietary prescription was designed. The food intake of all foods per person per meal were weighed and recorded, and the energy intake from diets was determined by chemical analysis. The energy expenditure was calculated by combining the change of body weight and dietary consumption.The average energy intake was (8424 +/- 1616) kJ/d [(2013 +/- 386) kcal/d], which was (9990 +/- 798) kJ/d [(2388 +/- 191) kcal/d] for men and (7032 +/- 384)kJ/d [(1681 +/- 92) kcal/d] for women. The average change of body weight of all subjects in 16 days was reduced 0.02 kg, the men increased 0.15 kg, and the women decreased 0.17 kg. According to the energy balance principle, the ultimate energy expenditure of healthy adults in southern China was (8468 +/- 1762) kJ/d [(2024 +/- 421) kcal/d], the men was (9680 +/- 1759) kJ/d [(2314 +/- 420) kcal/d], and the women was (7391 +/- 827) kJ/d [(1767 +/- 198) kcal/d].The energy expenditure of healthy adult male engaged in light activities in southern China was 9680 +/- 1759 kJ/d [(2314 +/- 420 kcal/d)], and that of female was 7391 +/- 827 kJ/d [(1767 +/- 198 kcal/d)]. The energy expenditure of men and women measured in this study were 86kcal and 333kcal lower than the Chinese energy RNI (2400kcal and 2100 kcal) established in 2000.

Using an energy zero balance method to investigate and analyze the level of dietary energy intake of healthy adults in southern China, in order to provide basic data for revising Chinese energy DRIs.A total of 32 healthy adults engaged in light physical activities were recruited randomly. The food intake of each subject including meals and snacks was weighed and made records at same days intervals in a period of 2 month (covering Monday to Sunday of a week). The energy intake was calculated and adjusted with the change of body weight according to the energy balance principle.The average total energy intake of subjects in energy zero balance was (8.895 +/- 1.535) MJ/d, (10.070 +/- 1.150) MJ/d for male and (7.719 +/- 0.765) MJ/d for female.The energy intake of healthy adults at zero balance could be measured at same days intervals within a 2 month period. The method was convenient, economical, available and practicable.

To investigate the energy expenditure at physical activities of young and middle-aged adults in southern China.64 healthy young and middle-aged adults living on light physical activity intensity were recruited by questionnaire and physical examination. A Cosmed k4b2 portable metabolic unit was used to measure the oxygen consumption (Vo2) and carbon dioxide production (Vco2) at a status of basic metabolism and during seven physical activities, including slow walking, brisk walking, walking upstairs, walking downstairs, watching TV, jogging and bicycling. The urinary nitrogen excreted in 24 hours was detected by a standard Kjeldahl method. Energy expenditure at physical activities was calculated by Weir equation.The energy expenditure (kJ x h(-1) x kg(-1)) at physical activities were 14.77 +/- 2.47 for slow walking, 22.18 +/- 3.68 for brisk walking, 41.34 +/- 7.32 for jogging, 18.41 +/- 3.89 for bicycling, 26.11 +/- 4.18 for walking upstairs, 13.68 +/- 2.89 for walking downstairs and 5.06 +/- 1.09 for watching TV. The energy expenditure of males at physical activities was higher than those of females (P0.05).There is a significant difference among energy expenditures at different physical activities; watching TV is a physical activity in light intensity; slow walking, brisk walking, walking upstairs, walking downstairs and bicycling are physical activities in moderate intensity, and jogging is a vigorous physical activity.

To investigate relations between milk consumption and lactose intolerance (LI) in adults and to explore the effect of milk consumption on lactase activity.Total of 182 subjects aged 20-70 years were recruited and interviewed by questionnaires, and their accumulative cow's milk intake (AMI) was calculated. LI was evaluated by hydrogen breath test (HBT).A negative correlation was found between AMI and severity of observed LI symptom (r=-0.2884; P0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed a negative correlation between LI and duration and frequency of milk consumption (OR, 0.317 and 0.465, respectively; both P0.05) and a positive correlation between LI and amount of milk consumed per sitting (OR, 6.337; P0.05).LI is related to various milk consumption behaviors. Most Chinese adults with LI may tolerate moderate milk consumption160 mL.

To explore the life style and diet of pregnant women related to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in order to provide scientific evidences for the prevention of GDM.A total of 450 subjects were recruited in a 1:2 matched case-control study including 150 pregnant women diagnosed as GDM and 300 normal pregnant women. All subjects participated in a questionnaire survey on socio-demographic characteristics, pregnancy relevant status, dietary structure and lifestyle. Conditional logistic regression analysis and t-test were used for the evaluation of relevant factors.There was a statistic significance of the difference between the two groups on total calorie, carbohydrate, fat and protein intakes per day (Por = 0.01). Twenty-three factors based on univariate analysis were associated with the occurrence of GDM. Seven factors were entered into the last logistic multivariate regression model. High blood pressure (OR = 28.50), adverse pregnant history (OR = 3.10), obesity before pregnancy (OR = 2.80), too much consumption of fruits (OR = 2.40), family history of DM (OR = 1.86) and favorite of sweets (OR = 1.68) were risk factors for GDM, while the consumption of more white meat was a protective factor (OR = 0.62).The occurrence of GDM was influenced by some adverse lifestyles, unreasonable dietary structure and other factors, such as hypertension, over weight before gestation and family history of DM. Measures should be taken to avoid and eliminate these risk factors.

To explore association between dietary factor and acute pancreatitis (AP) so as to provide scientific basis for prevention of AP through healthful diet and life-style.100 AP patients were recruited from No. 1 Hospital affiliated to Sichuan University. Those participants in the control group 1 were from the same hospital, and those in the control group 2 were from a community. Controls were matched to cases for age (+/- 2.5) and sex. All of them were interviewed with uniform questionnaires. Conditional logistic regression was used for univariate and multivariate analysis.The statistic analysis indicated that AP was significantly associated with less physical activity (OR = 1.3566), obesity (OR = 3.1600), irregular eating (OR = 2.9547), engorgement after hunger (OR = 1.9603), oftentimes eating meat (OR = 1.9333), high animal oil consumption (OR = 1.5652). High rice and flour consumption (OR = 0.6724), Oftentimes drink milk (OR = 0.7154) and high milk consumption (OR = 0.4313), oftentimes eating laminavia lamx (OR = 0.5924) and green vegetable (OR = 0.3288) were inversely associated with AP.The study suggests that dietary factors may play an important role in AP.

This study was undertaken to know about the dietary pattern and nutrition status of adult Yi people in Liangshan autonomous region so that to provide evidence to ameliorate and promote the health and prevent nutrition-related diseases. 220 families, 468 inhabitants aged from 18 to 60, were sampled for the survey by a multistage, stratified, random, cluster process. Questionnaire-survey and measurement of height and weight were executed on the spot. Between rural and urban Yi inhabitants, there were differences in income, dietary pattern and eating habit. Compared with RNIs, dietary nutrients intakes of adult Yi people were irrational and differences lay between rural and urban. For urban inhabitants, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 188%, and the prevalence of emaciation was 4.7%; while for rural inhabitants, the prevalence of emaciation was 9.8%, but no prevalence of overweight and obesity. There was obvious imbalance in energy and nutrients intakes of rural and urban adult Yi people in Liangshan. Emaciation, overweight and obesity prevalence was different between these two subgroups of population.

In order to establish the optional experimental conditions of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for analysis of colonic microflora, and analyze the stability and validation of the technique, fresh fecal samples were collected from the volunteers and five group-specific 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes were used, and the effects of keeping time and temperature of fresh fecal samples after collected, the centrifugal speed and time, the storage time of paraformaldehyde-stocks of samples on the results were analyzed. The stability and the validation were assessed by CV values. Results showed that: (1) The optional experimental conditions were that the fresh fecal samples were not kept for more than 12 hours at 4 degrees C, the centrifugal speed of samples was 700 g for 2 minutes, and the paraformaldehyde-stocks were not kept for more than 5 months at low temperature (-80 degrees C) before analysis; (2) The method had good stability and could detect the differences of colonic microflora composition between objects at a significant level.

The relationship between breath gas and lactose intolerance symptoms is studied in the subjects with lactose intolerance and lactose mal-absorption. The breath gas samples are collected for 6 hours after consumption of 25 g 13C-lactose. Expired H2 concentration and 13CO2 abundance at each detecting time point is measured by gas chromatography and continuous flow Gas Isotope Mass Spectrometry respectively. The cumulative amount of breath H2 and 13CO2 for 6 hours are calculated, and the abdominal symptoms are recorded by the questionnaire for 12 hours. The results show that the H2 peak is significantly higher in the intolerance group than that in the mal-absorption group(P0.01). The cumulative amount of breath H2 during 6 hours is significantly higher in the intolerance group than that in the mal-absorption group (P0.01). The oral-colon transit time (OCTT) is negatively related to the lactose intolerance symptom scores (r = -0.705). There are no significant differences for the amount of 13CO2 excretion at each detecting time point and cumulative percentage of the expired 13CO2 between the intolerance and the mal-absorption groups. It is suggested that the cumulative breath H2 amount is associated with the severity of lactose intolerance, which can reflect the degree of lactose hydrolysis in the small intestine, while there is no such relationship between the amount of expired 13CO2 and the severity of lactose intolerance.