Abstract Objectives: To analyze and summarize the clinical features and image characteristics of Meniere’s Disease (MD) patients with Endolymphatic Hydrops (EH) confirmed by enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Methods: 252 MD patients with EH confirmed by MRI were enrolled. All patients met the diagnostic criteria forMD and underwent intravenous gadolinium injection. After 4 h, MR examinations were performed. The Nakashima grading standard was used to classify EH and evaluate its correlation with clinical features. Results: Different degrees of EH were shown in all MD patients, and 157 of the 252 (62.3%) patients showed significant EH, 95 of the 252 (37.7%) patients showed mild EH. Only 89 (35.3%) met the diagnostic criteria for definite MD, and the remaining 163 (64.7%) patients met the diagnostic criteria for probable MD. Compared with patients with unilateral EH, the symptoms of the first affected ear of patients with bilateral EH were more serious. The degree of EH was related to the degree of hearing loss (p< 0.05). Conclusion: MRI with intravenous gadolinium injection can provide a better assessment of EH in MD patients. The clinical features of MD patients with EH confirmed by enhanced MRI did not fully meet the existing diagnostic criteria for definite MD. Including the diagnosis of EH in the diagnostic criteria of MD can increase the diagnosis rate of MD. The degree and distribution of EH may be related to the degree of hearing loss. Level of evidence: 4. Objectives Menieres Meniere s (MD (EH MRI. . (MRI) Methods 25 enrolled h performed Results 15 62.3% 623 62 3 (62.3% 9 37.7% 377 37 7 (37.7% 8 35.3% 353 35 (35.3% 16 64.7% 647 64 (64.7% serious p< p (p 0.05. 005 0.05 0 05 0.05) Conclusion evidence (MRI 2 1 62.3 6 (62.3 37.7 (37.7 35.3 (35.3 64.7 (64.7 00 0.0 62. (62. 37. (37. 35. (35. 64. (64. 0. (62 (37 (35 (64 (6 (3 (

Abstract To investigate the effect of licorice on anti-liver fibrosis actions, we present systematic review and meta-analysis via systematic literature between 2010 and 2020 from the electronic databases, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, ISI. A software program (Endnote X8) has been utilized for managing the electronic titles. Searches were performed with mesh terms. Mean differences between two groups (Glycyrrhizic acid and control group) with 95% confidence interval (CI), fixed effect model and Inverse-variance method were calculated. Random effects were used to deal with potential heterogeneity and I2 showed heterogeneity. The Meta analysis and forest plots have been evaluated with the Stata V16. A total of 184 potentially relevant titles and abstracts were found during the electronic and manual search. Finally, a total of four publications fulfilled the inclusion criteria required for this systematic review. TGF-β1 mRNA expression significantly decreased following Glycyrrhizic acid relative to the control group and Glycyrrhizic acid significantly decreased expression of TGF-β1 mRNA, which was about 2.90 times that in the control group. Mean difference between Glycyrrhizic acid and control group was -18.12 U/L (MD, -18.12 U/L 95% CI 30.02 U/L, -6.22 U/L. P = 0.00). Glycyrrhizic acid reduced TGF-β1, Smads mRNAs, hypdroxyproline, alanine aminotransferase.

Abstract It has been extensively reported that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were closely associated with multiple malignancies. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects and mechanism of lncRNA POU6F2-AS1 in lung adenocarcinoma (LADC).The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets provided us the information of LADC clinical samples. High-regulation of POU6F2-AS1 was presented in LADC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues, which was correlated with poor outcome of LADC patients. Functional experiments in Calu-3 and NCI-H460 cells showed that POU6F2-AS1 significantly promoted LADC cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion and migration. Moreover, through online prediction, luciferase reporter assay and Pearson’s correlation analysis, we found that POU6F2-AS1 may act as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-34c-5p and facilitated the expression of potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily J member 4 (KCNJ4). The promoting effect of cell aggressiveness induced by POU6F2-AS1 was enhanced by KCNJ4, whilst was abrogated due to the overexpression of miR-34c-5p. Collectively, POU6F2-AS1 might function as a ceRNA through sponging miR-34c-5p to high-regulate KCNJ4 in LADC, which indicates that POU6F2-AS1 might be a promising therapeutic target with significant prognostic value for LADC treatment.

ABSTRACT Climate change and prolong drought adversely affect the grassland ecosystem, is precarious environmental constraint restricting plant growth and productivity. An experiment was conducted to alleviate adverse impacts of drought on physiochemical and morphological attributes of Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvelev using brassinosteroid (BR). Treatments comprised well watered control (soil water contents 80%-85%) including Control (T0) and Control+ BR (TB0), moderate drought stress (soil water contents 50%-55%) including (T1) and T1+ BR (TB1) and severe drought stress (soil water contents 30%-35%) including (T2) and T2+ BR (TB2), they were laid out in completely randomized design with five replicates. Drought stress significantly impaired growth, osmotic substances, photosynthetic rate, and other physiochemical process. Moreover, perturbation in recorded attributes was aggravated by increasing drought severity from moderate to severe. Nevertheless, BR application (0.1 mg L-1) improved plant weight (38.8%-46.2%), relative water content (23.4%-29.1%), chlorophyll a (16.6%-56.5%), chlorophyll b (8.5%-16.9%), carotenoids (29.1%-67.3%), soluble sugars (1.7%-29.4%), free amino acids (15.4%-19.4%), and proline content (45.2%-79.4%); while, lowered malondialdehyde (34.8%-45.4%) at each level of drought. Likewise, BR application enhanced net photosynthetic rate (69.8%-165.1%), transpiration rate (45.0%-146.9%), water utilization efficiency (9.3%-16.0%), carboxylation utilization efficiency (80%- 250%), sunlight utilization efficiency (66.6%-158.8%) and improved chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics at each level of drought, as compared to untreated controls. The adverse implications on physiochemical and morphological attributes were aggravated with the enhancing severity of drought from control to severe drought. Yet, 0.1 mg L-1 exogenous BR improved morphological and physiochemical attributes remarkably over respective controls and hence can be used to improve growth of drought stressed L. chinensis.

ABSTRACT Different light and shade intensities are the main constraints to achieve potential biomass accumulation in Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvelev. An experiment was conducted to explain the physiochemical and morphological adversity triggered by various light intensities. Adverse impacts were lessened with exogenous brassinolide (BR). Treatments consisted of 100% natural light (T0), 100% natural light + 0.1 mg L-1 BR (BT0), light shade (70% natural light) (T1), light shade + BR (70% natural light + 0.1 mg L-1 BR) (BT1), moderate shade (50% natural light) (T2), and moderate shade + BR (50% natural light + 0.1 mg L-1 BR) (BT2). These were completely randomized design treatments with five replicates. Results showed that dry biomass production and endogenous hormone levels (abscisic acid [ABA], zeatin riboside [ZR], gibberellic acid [GA], and indole acetic acid [IAA]) increased, while osmolyte accumulation (soluble sugars and proteins, free amino acids, and proline), antioxidant activity (peroxidase [POD], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and catalase [CAT]), and lipid peroxidation decreased under shade at T0. Treatment T1 depicted the most promising results for these attributes. However, biomass accumulation (33%-56%), osmotic substances (soluble sugars,13%-38%; soluble proteins, 9%-41%; free amino acids, 8%-16%; proline, 11%-41%), and antioxidant enzyme activities (POD, 11%-14%; SOD, 3%-33%; CAT, 4%-23%) increased. On the other hand, lipid peroxidation was reduced by BR application, as indicated by decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content (7%-31%) and relative conductivity (7%-19%) under both natural and shade conditions. Likewise, the biosynthesis of ABA (2%-22%), ZR (11%-24%), and GA (30%-50%) improved under exogenous BR compared with the control. The IAA contents (22%-28%) decreased under foliar-applied BR compared with the control. Results suggested that light to moderate shade improved the biomass production and physiological performance of L. chinensis, while BR application exhibited further improvement

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos Dexmedetomidina (DEX) demonstrou ter efeito pré-condicionante e também efeitos protetores contra lesão organizada. Neste estudo, com células A549 (células epiteliais alveolares humanas), investigamos se o pré-condicionamento com DEX proporcionaria proteção contra lesão pulmonar aguda (LPA) in vitro. Métodos Células A549 foram aleatoriamente distribuídas em quatro grupos (n = 5): controle, DEX, lipopolissacarídeos (LPS) e D-LPS (DEX + LPS). Administramos solução de PBS (tampão fosfato-alcalino) ou DEX. Após 2 h de pré-condicionamento, o meio foi renovado e as células desafiadas com LPS por 24 h nos grupos LPS e D-LPS. Em seguida, malondialdeído (MDA), superóxido dismutase (SOD), Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 e em A549 foram testados. Apoptose também foi avaliada nas células. Resultados Em comparação com o grupo LPS, o pré-condicionamento com DEX reduziu a apoptose (26,43% ± 1,05% vs. 33,58% ± 1,16%, p < 0,05) em células A549, o que está correlacionado com a diminuição de MDA (12,84 ± 1,05 vs. 19,16 ± 1,89 nmol.mg-1 de proteína, p < 0,05) e aumento da atividade de SOD (30,28 ± 2,38 vs. 20,86 ± 2,19 U.mg-1 de proteína, p < 0,05). O pré-condicionamento com DEX também aumentou o nível de Bcl-2 (0,53 ± 0,03 vs. 0,32 ± 0,04, p < 0,05) e diminuiu o nível de Bax (0,49 ± 0,04 vs. 0,65 ± 0,04, p < 0,05), caspase-3 (0,54 ± 0,04 vs. 0,76 ± 0,04, p < 0,05) e citocromo c. Conclusão O pré-condicionamento com DEX tem efeito protetor contra LPA in vitro. Os potenciais mecanismos envolvidos são inibição da morte celular e melhoria da antioxidação.

Abstract Background and objectives Dexmedetomidine (DEX) has demonstrated the preconditioning effect and shown protective effects against organize injury. In this study, using A549 (human alveolar epithelial cell) cell lines, we investigated whether DEX preconditioning protected against acute lung injury (ALI) in vitro. Methods A549 were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5): control group, DEX group, lipopolysaccharides (LPS) group, and D-LPS (DEX + LPS) group. Phosphate buffer saline (PBS) or DEX were administered. After 2 h preconditioning, the medium was refreshed and the cells were challenged with LPS for 24 h on the LPS and D-LPS group. Then the malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 and the cytochrome c in the A549 were tested. The apoptosis was also evaluated in the cells. Results Compare with LPS group, DEX preconditioning reduced the apoptosis (26.43% ± 1.05% vs. 33.58% ± 1.16%, p < 0.05) in the A549, which is correlated with decreased MDA (12.84 ± 1.05 vs. 19.16 ± 1.89 nmoL.mg-1 protein, p < 0.05) and increased SOD activity (30.28 ± 2.38 vs. 20.86 ± 2.19 U.mg-1 protein, p < 0.05). DEX preconditioning also increased the Bcl-2 level (0.53 ± 0.03 vs. 0.32 ± 0.04, p < 0.05) and decreased the level of Bax (0.49 ± 0.04 vs. 0.65 ± 0.04, p < 0.05), caspase-3 (0.54 ± 0.04 vs. 0.76 ± 0.04, p < 0.05) and cytochrome c. Conclusion DEX preconditioning has a protective effect against ALI in vitro. The potential mechanisms involved are the inhibition of cell death and improvement of antioxidation.

Age estimation plays a very important role in individual recognition in forensic dentistry. Morphological data of 3D pulp cavity of maxillary canines were acquired by oral and craniofacial CT scans. In accordance with inclusion criteria, CT data of 103 patients (51 males and 52 females) were collected at the Department of Radiology, Stomatological Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, China from September 2015 to August 2016. Mimics 17.0 software was used to measure pulp volume of maxillary canines and tooth volume, and to calculate the ratio of pulp volume/tooth volume. SPSS 16.0 software was utilized to analyze and establish database. Linear regression analysis was applied to process data and to establish a linear regression equation for individual age: Y=69.137-621.200 (pulp volume/tooth volume), R=0.544. Subjects were grouped according to gender, deriving the inferred function of male age: Y=64.333-468.811 (pulp volume/tooth volume), R=0.435; the inferred function of female age: Y=76.445-843.186 (pulp volume/tooth volume), R=0.691. The ratio of pulp volume to tooth volume can be used to infer individual age, and can provide a new method and pathway for individual recognition in forensic dentistry.

La estimación de la edad juega un papel importante en el reconocimiento individual en la odontología forense. Los datos morfológicos de la cavidad pulpar tridimensional de los caninos maxilares fueron adquiridos por tomografía computarizada oral y craneofacial. De acuerdo con los criterios de inclusión, se recolectaron datos de 103 pacientes (51 hombres y 52 mujeres) en el Departamento de Radiología del Hospital de Estomatología de la Universidad de Medicina de Shanxi, desde septiembre de 2015 hasta agosto de 2016. Se utilizó el software Mimics 17.0 para medir el volumen de pulpa de los caninos maxilares y el volumen del diente, además, se calculó la relación entre el volumen de la pulpa y el volumen del diente. Se utilizó el software SPSS 16.0 para analizar y establecer las bases de datos. El análisis de regresión lineal se aplicó a los datos del proceso y para establecer la edad individual se aplicó una ecuación de regresión lineal: Y = 69.137-621.200 (volumen de la pulpa / volumen del diente), R = 0.544. Los sujetos se agruparon según el sexo, derivando la función inferida de la edad masculina: Y = 64.333-468.811 (volumen de la pulpa / volumen del diente), R = 0.435; La función inferida de la edad de la mujer: Y = 76.445-843.186 (volumen de la pulpa / volumen del diente), R = 0.691. La relación entre el volumen de la pulpa y el volumen del diente puede usarse para inferir la edad individual y puede proporcionar un nuevo método y forma para el reconocimiento individual en la odontología forense.

Neste trabalho, grafeno foi usado na extração em fase sólida dispersiva de 11 herbicidas triazina e 5 inseticidas neonicotina da água. As condições de extração como quantidade de grafeno, solvente de dessorção e pH da solução foram otimizados. Nas condições otimizadas, um enriquecimento de alta eficiência foi alcançado na análise quantitativa dos pesticidas. Triazinas e neonicotinas foram determinadas por espectrometria de massas-cromatografia gasosa (GC-MS) e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência acoplada à espectrometria de massas (LC-MS/MS), respectivamente. Os resultados indicaram que o grafeno foi um excelente adsorvente na adsorção de pesticidas. A recuperação dos pesticidas foi 83,0-108,9% com desvio padrão relativo (RSD) entre 2,4% e 12,3%. Os limites de detecção (LODs) variaram entre 0,03 μg L-1 e 0,40 μg L-1. Finalmente, o método proposto foi aplicado na análise de amostras reais, como água de torneira e de rio.

In this work, graphene was used for dispersive solid-phase extraction of 11 triazine herbicides and 5 neonicotine insecticides from water. The extraction conditions such as the amount of graphene, the desorption solvent and the solution pH were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, high efficient enrichment was achieved for the quantitative analysis of the pesticides. Triazines and neonicotines were determined by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and high performance liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), respectively. The results indicated that graphene was an excellent adsorbent for the adsorption of pesticides. The recoveries of the pesticides were 83.0-108.9% with relative standard deviation (RSD) between 2.4% and 12.3%. The limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.03 μg L-1 to 0.40 μg L-1. Finally, the proposed method was applied for real sample analysis, such as tap and river water.

The state recognition based on the image processing can identify whether or not the target is in normal state. In this paper, there are three creative works in our scheme. Firstly, the improved threshold segmentation (ITS) method can obtain the optimal parameters of the foreground and the background, and it will be favorable for the feature extraction. Secondly, we construct the geometric area ratio (GAR) feature vector to intensify the patterns to simplify the successive state recognition. Thirdly, a novel state recognition algorithm (NSRA) can correctly classify the states of the unknown patterns. Experiments demonstrate the ITS has a best edge effect than the Wavelet method. The proposed GAR feature vector is effective to reflect the similarity of the samples in same Log operator method. The presented NSRA is suitable for the state recognition of the target in an image. In the other words, the proposed algorithm can recognize effectively and correctly the unknown patterns.

OBJETIVOS: Investigar mutações no gene da peroxidase da tireoide (TPO) em irmãos chineses com hipotireoidismo congênito com bócio (HCB). SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: O probando, sua irmão e seus pais foram analisados. Todos os sujeitos passaram por exames clínicos e laboratoriais. A análise para mutações do gene TPO foi feita por meio de sequenciamento de fragmentos amplificados do DNA genômico extraído. RESULTADOS: Os irmãos foram diagnosticados com HCB e déficits de desenvolvimento neurológico. Duas mutações compostas, heterozigotas, inativadoras foram observadas nos dois pacientes: uma mutação frameshift entre as posições 2268 e 2269 (c.2268-2269 insT), e uma mutação missense em c.2089 G>A (p.G667S) do gene TPO. Os pais apresentaram níveis normais de hormônios da tiroide e eram heterozigotos para mutações em c.2268-2269 insT e c.2089 G>A, respectivamente. Foram detectados polimorfismos de c.1207 G>T, c.1283 G>C, e c.2088 C>T na família. CONCLUSÕES: O HCB dos irmãos chineses foi devido a mutações no gene TPO (c.2268-2269 insT e c.2089 G>A). Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(9):614-7

OBJECTIVES: To investigate thyroid peroxidase gene (TPO) mutations in a Chinese siblings with congenital goitrous hypothyroidism (CGH). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The proband, his sister, and their parents were enrolled. All subjects underwent clinical examination and laboratory tests. Mutation screening of the TPO gene was performed by sequencing fragments amplified from extracted genomic DNA. RESULTS: The siblings were diagnosed as CGH with neurodevelopmental deficits. Two compound heterozygous inactivating mutations were found in the two patients: a frameshift mutation between positions 2268 and 2269 (c.2268-2269 insT) and a missense mutation at c.2089 G>A (p.G667S) of the TPO gene. Their parents, with normal thyroid hormone levels, were heterozygous for mutations c.2268-2269 insT and c.2089 G>A, respectively. The polymorphisms of c.1207 G>T, c.1283 G>C, and c.2088 C>T were detected in the family. CONCLUSIONS: CGH of the Chinese siblings was due to the TPO gene mutations (c.2268-2269 insT and c.2089 G>A). Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(9):614-7

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the age-specific disability weight of chronic schistosomiasis japonica in China. METHODS: Between October 2004 and January 2005, residents from two schistosome-endemic counties were screened for Schistosoma japonicum infection using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Disability and morbidity were assessed in seropositive individuals using the European quality of life questionnaire with an additional cognitive dimension (known as the "EQ-5D plus") and ultrasonography. The age-specific disability weight of chronic schistosomiasis was estimated based on participants’ self-rated health scores on the visual analogue scale of the questionnaire; the relationships between health status, morbidity and disability weight were explored using multilevel regression models. FINDINGS: Of 2843 seropositive individuals, 1419 (49.9%) were classified as having chronic schistosomiasis. Hepatomegaly was found in 76.3% (1082/1419); hepatic fibrosis was found in 73.3% (1040/1419); and splenomegaly was found in 18.6% (264/1419). Diarrhoea was the most common self-reported symptom (46.0%; 653/1419), followed by abdominal pain (32.6%; 463/1419), impaired capacity to work or study (30.7%; 436/1419), and blood in the stool (11.1%; 157/1419). More than half of the respondents reported impairments in at least one dimension of the EQ-5D plus questionnaire, particularly pain or discomfort (47.9%; 675/1410) and anxiety or depression (39.4%; 555/1410). The overall disability weight was 0.191, and age-specific weights ranged from 0.095 among those aged 5-14 years to 0.246 among those aged > 60 years. Multilevel regression models indicated that the disability weight was significantly associated with the participant’s sex, grade of hepatic fibrosis, the presence of hepatomegaly, abdominal pain, blood in the stool, impaired capacity to work or study, and cognition. CONCLUSION: The disability weight attributable to chronic schistosomiasis japonica is high and increases with age. Our findings call for a reappraisal of the disability weights due to chronic schistosomiasis mansoni and schistosomiasis haematobia as well as a re-estimation of the global burden of schistosomiasis.

OBJETIVO: Estimar el peso de la discapacidad por edades causada por la esquistosomiasis japonica crónica en China. MÉTODOS: Entre octubre de 2004 y enero de 2005, se sometió a cribado mediante una prueba de inmunosorción enzimática a residentes de dos circunscripciones con esquistosoma endémico a fin de detectar los casos de infección por Schistosoma japonicum. En las personas seropositivas, se procedió a evaluar la discapacidad y la morbilidad utilizando el cuestionario sobre calidad de vida europeo con una dimensión cognitiva adicional (el llamado «EQ-5D plus») y técnicas de ultrasonografía. El peso de la discapacidad por edades correspondiente a la esquistosomiasis crónica se calculó a partir de las puntuaciones de salud autoasignadas por los participantes en la escala analógica visual del cuestionario; las relaciones entre el estado de salud, la morbilidad y el peso de la discapacidad se analizaron utilizando modelos de regresión multinivel. RESULTADOS: De 2843 personas seropositivas, se diagnosticó esquistosomiasis crónica a 1419 (49,9%). Se halló hepatomegalia en un 76,3% de esos casos (1082/1419); fibrosis hepática en el 73,3% (1040/1419); y esplenomegalia en el 18,6% (264/1419). La diarrea fue el más común de los síntomas declarados espontáneamente (46,0%; 653/1419), seguido del dolor abdominal (32,6%; 463/1419), el deterioro de la capacidad para trabajar o estudiar (30,7%; 436/1419), y la presencia de sangre en las heces (11,1%; 157/1419). Más de la mitad de los encuestados notificaron trastornos al menos en una dimensión del cuestionario EQ-5D plus, en particular dolor o malestar (47,9%; 675/1410) y ansiedad o depresión (39,4%; 555/1410). El peso de discapacidad general fue del 0,191, y los pesos por edades se situaron entre 0,095 para los enfermos de 5 a 14 años y 0,246 para los de 60 años o más. Los modelos de regresión multinivel mostraron que el peso de la discapacidad estaba relacionado de forma significativa con el sexo del participante y con el grado de fibrosis hepática, la presencia de hepatomegalia, el dolor abdominal, la sangre en las heces, el deterioro de la capacidad para trabajar o estudiar y los problemas cognitivos. CONCLUSIÓN: El peso de la discapacidad atribuible a la esquistosomiasis japonica crónica es alto y aumenta con la edad. Nuestros resultados sugieren que es necesario reevaluar los pesos de la discapacidad por esquistosomiasis mansoni y esquistosomiasis haematobia crónicas, así como la carga mundial de esquistosomiasis.

OBJETIF: Estimer le poids dans l’incapacité par âge de la schistosomiase sino-japonaise chronique. MÉTHODES: Entre octobre 2004 et janvier 2005, des habitants de deux pays d’endémie de la schistosomiase ont été soumis à un dépistage de l’infection à Schistosoma japonicum à l’aide d’un test immunoenzymatique. L’incapacité et la morbidité ont été évaluées chez les individus séropositifs par l’application du questionnaire européen d’évaluation de la qualité de vie, avec détermination d’une dimension cognitive supplémentaire (connu sous l’appellation « EQ-5D plus »), suivie d’une échographie. Le poids dans l’incapacité par âge de la schistosomiase chronique a été estimé à partir des scores d’autoévaluation par les participants de leur état de santé sur l’échelle visuelle analogique du questionnaire. Les relations entre état de santé, morbidité et poids de l’incapacité ont été étudiées au moyen de modèles de régression multiniveaux. RÉSULTATS: Parmi 2843 individus séropositifs pour la schistosomiase sino-japonaise, 1419 (49,9 %) ont été classés comme atteints d’une schistosomiase chronique. On a relevé une hépatomégalie chez 76,3 % (1082/1419) de ces malades chroniques, une fibrose hépatique chez 73,3 % d’entre eux (1040/1419) et une splénomégalie chez 18,6 % (264/1419) d’entre eux. La diarrhée était le symptôme le plus couramment auto-rapporté (653cas /1419, soit 46,0 % des cas). Suivaient, par ordre de fréquence, des douleurs abdominales (463 cas/1419, soit 32,6 % des cas), une diminution de la capacité de travail ou d’étude (436 cas/1419, soit 30,7 % des cas) et la présence de sang dans les selles (157 cas/1419, soit 11,1 % des cas). Plus de la moitié des personnes interrogées ont signalé des troubles dans l’une au moins des dimensions du questionnaire EQ-5D plus, et notamment une douleur ou une gêne (675 cas/1410, soit 47,9 % des cas) et un état anxieux ou déprimé (555 cas/1410, soit 39,4 % des cas). Le poids global de la maladie dans l’incapacité était de 0,191 et la valeur du poids dans l’incapacité par âge allait de 0,095 pour la tranche d’âges 5-14 ans à 0,246 parmi les plus de 60 ans. En utilisant des modèles de régression multiniveaux, on a pu mettre en évidence des associations statistiquement significatives entre le poids de l’incapacité d’une part et le sexe du participant, le grade de son éventuelle fibrose hépatique et la présence éventuelle d’une hépatomégalie, de douleurs abdominales, de sang dans les selles ou d’une diminution de la capacité de travail ou d’étude et de la capacité cognitive.