Background: CD40 is an important costimulatory molecule in both celluar and humoral immune responses, involved in the pathogenic processes of chronic inflammatory diseases. Few studies were performed on the association of CD40 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In this study, we studied whether the CD40-1C/T polymorphism had any effect on the progression of chronic HBV infection in Chinese population. Methods: CD40 -1C/T polymorphism in the 5′-untranslated region was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 453 chronic HBV carriers, who were divided into asymptomatic HBV carriers (ASC), moderate chronic hepatitis B group (MCHB) and severe chronic hepatitis B group (SCHB). 202 healthy individuals in the same region were enrolled in this study as the controls. The CD40 expression on B lymphocytes was detected by flow cytometry. The concentrations of soluble CD40 (sCD40) in sera were assayed by a commercial ELISA kit. Results: Our results showed the frequencies of TT genotype and T allele of CD40-1C/T polymorphism were higher significantly in ASC than those in controls (P< 0.05), while this result was not found in either MCHB or SCHB. On the surface of B lymphocytes, the CD40 expression levels in the individuals with TT genotype were significantly lower than those with CC and CT genotypes in either ASC group or healthy controls (P<0.001). The sCD40 levels in the sera of ASC, MCHB and SCHB groups were significantly higher than the controls (P<0.001). Conclusions: The CD40 -1C/T polymorphism may contribute to the susceptibility of asymptomatic HBV carriers through its effect on cell-surface CD40 expression, which indicated CD40 signaling was involved in immune tolerance of chronic HBV infection.

Background/Aims: B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) is an immune inhibitory receptor involved in the pathogenesis of chronic viral infections. Little is known about the effects of BTLA gene polymorphisms on chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. In this study, we investigated whether the polymorphisms of BTLA are associated with the progression of chronic HBV infection. Methods: A total of 382 chronic HBV carriers and 170 healthy individuals in the same region were recruited for this study. The chronic HBV carriers were divided into three groups: asymptomatic HBV carriers (ASC), moderate chronic hepatitis B group (MCHB), and severe chronic hepatitis B group (SCHB). Two BTLA functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs76844316 and rs9288952) were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced directly. Results: The results showed that the frequency of the G allele of rs76844316 was significantly lower in the SCHB group than in the other three groups. Subjects bearing at least one G allele (TG or GG genotype) at rs76844316 had decreased susceptibility to severe chronic hepatitis B compared with those bearing the TT genotype. Haplotype analysis of the two SNPs revealed that the frequency of the G-G haplotype was significantly lower in SCHB patients than in controls. Moreover, in the SCHB group, patients carrying the G allele of rs76844316 tended to have lower ALT levels than those without it. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the genetic variants of rs76844316 in BTLA influence the susceptibility to severe chronic hepatitis B and might play a protective role against the progression of chronic hepatitis B.

BackgroundOphioglossum vulgatum Linn. (Ophioglossaceae) (OV), which is traditionally used on wounds and burns, enjoys a reputation as the king of medicine in Taiwan. There are few studies on its role in gastrointestinal diseases. Our aim was to assess the antidiarrheal and spasmolytic effect of the ethanol whole plant extract of Ophioglossum vulgatum (EWOV).MethodsStudy was conducted from June 2018 to July 2019. The chemical constituents of EWOV were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vivo, the antidiarrheal activity of EWOV (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg; orally) in castor oil-induced Kun Ming mice was evaluated. In vitro, the effect of EWOV (0.01-10 mg/mL) on the spontaneous contraction of isolated rabbit jejunum smooth muscle was studied. Verapamil was the positive control group in both vivo and vitro studies. The jejunum stripes were pre-contracted by ACh (10-5 M) and KCl (60 mM) which could induce the jejunum spasm. The possible spasmolytic effect was analyzed in the pretreatment of the jejunum preparations with EWOV (0.3, 1 mg/mL) or verapamil (0.03, 0.1 µM) in Ca2+-free and high-K+ (60 mM) solution containing EDTA.ResultsEWOV (250 and 500 mg/kg) exhibited antidiarrheal effect. EWOV (0.01-10 mg/mL) inhibited the spontaneous and ACh/KCl-induced contraction with an EC50 value of 1.46 (0.89-2.04), 1.06 (0.63-1.48) and 0.48 (0.29-0.67), and it shifted the concentration-response curves of CaCl2 to right with decreased in max, similar to verapamil. ConclusionsEWOV has significant antidiarrheal and spasmolytic effect, possibly by mediating calcium channel blocking activity, this provides the pharmacological basis for use in gastrointestinal disorders.

NiMnO3 nanosheets with high specific capacitance were fabricated on carbon cloth (CC) substrates using a facile hydrothermal method. The composition, morphology, and structure of the products were characterized using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, cyclic voltammetry and constant current charge–discharge tests revealed that NiMnO3@CC electrodes presented excellent capacitive properties, and the specific capacitance reached 2330 F/g at the current density of 1 A/g. Moreover, after 1000 charge–discharge cycles at the current density of 10 A/g, the composites still maintained 67.8% of their initial capacity. Our results indicated that the NiMnO3@CC electrodes presented good electrochemical properties with potential application in the energy storage field.