[A cross-sectional survey on the types of antiviral treatment plans for patients with chronic hepatitis B].

Objective: To understand the current antiviral treatment status and various clinical types of treatment plans in Xiamen City so as to explore ways to improve and optimize the diagnosis and treatment standards for chronic hepatitis B. Methods: A cross-sectional survey method was used to study the antiviral treatment status and treatment plans for chronic hepatitis B patients who visited and were diagnosed in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology of all tertiary hospitals in Xiamen City at 0:00~23:59 on May 25, 2022. Results: A total of 665 cases were surveyed in this study, with an antiviral treatment rate of 81.2%(540/665). The antiviral treatment rate of patients who accorded with the current guidelines for antiviral treatment indications was 85.8%(507/591). The antiviral treatment rate for 362 outpatients was 72.9%(264/362). Among them, the antiviral treatment rates were 80.1%, 89.3%, and 25.0%(226/282, 25/28, 13/52), respectively, for patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis B cirrhosis, and hepatitis B surface antigen-carrying status. The treatment plan for all outpatient patients was mainly oral nucleos(t)ide analogues, accounting for 59.1%(214/362). The antiviral treatment rate for 303 inpatients was 91.1%(276/303). The various clinical types of antiviral therapy rates among all patients were 70%~95%. The antiviral treatment plan for inpatients was mainly based on pegylated interferon alpha treatment, accounting for 72.6%(220/303). Conclusion: Antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B in Xiamen City can still be strengthened to meet the current demand for expanding antiviral treatment indications. Antiviral treatment rates and various types of treatment plans differ between outpatients and inpatients; thus, further awareness and acceptance of the goal of improving antiviral therapy, especially in outpatients, and the possibility for a clinical cure based on pegylated interferon alpha treatment are needed to maximize the benefit to more patients.

Screening and further analyzing differentially expressed genes in acute idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with DNA microarray.

BACKGROUND: Acute idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious and progressive form of lung disease, and millions of people suffer from this disease in the world. To provide clues for getting a better understanding of the mechanism of this disease, we identified and further analyzed the differential expressed genes in IPF. METHOD: In this study, we downloaded the gene expression microarray (GSE10667) from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The dataset contained a total of 23 samples, including 15 normal controls and 8 diseases samples (IPF). Then, we identified the differentially expressed genes between normal and disease samples with packages in R language. Consequently, the PPI network was also constructed for the products of these DEGs, and modules in the network were analyzed by Cytoscape's plug-in Mcode and Bingo. Furthermore, enrichment analysis was performed by DAVID to illustrate the altered pathways in IPF. The drug compounds for PLK1 were screened in DrugBank. RESULTS: Atotal of 349 genes were identified as differentially expressed genes between normal and disease samples, and we constructed a protein-protein interaction network which included 200 pairs of proteins. Then three modules were identified in our network. Function of these modules were predicted to be related to protein kinase binding, extracellular matrix structural and structural constituent of cytoskeleton, respectively. Finally, we focused on module A including 18 DEGs. CONCLUSIONS: PLK1 (Polo like kinge-1) in this module was predicted as a marker gene in IPF, which was related to cell cycle pathway. Several compounds were found which may be the potential drug for IPF.

Mapping of major quantitative trait loci for economic traits of silkworm cocoon.

The quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with cocoon traits in silkworms were mapped in 44 individuals of a backcross of Dazao females with hybrid F(1) males; the hybrid males were from females of inbred C(1)00 strain, which have white cocoons and superior cocoon traits, crossed with males of inbred strain Dazao, which have green cocoons and inferior cocoon traits. Nineteen putative major QTLs of silkworm cocoon traits, five QTLs of whole cocoon weight, four QTLs of cocoon shell weight, six QTLs of pupa weight, and four QTLs of cocoon shell rate were scattered across nine linkage groups. The variances explained by QTLs for whole cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, pupa weight, and cocoon shell rate were 51.0, 73.69, 51.80, and 59.52%, respectively. The numbers of major QTLs with contributions above 10% for these traits were two, three, two, and four, respectively.

Outcomes of a natural rubber latex control program in an Ontario teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: Allergy to natural rubber latex (NRL) has been frequently reported in health care workers. However, there is little published evidence of the outcome of hospital intervention programs to reduce exposure and detect cases of sensitization early. OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the effects of intervention to reduce NRL allergy in an Ontario teaching hospital with approximately 8000 employees. METHODS: A retrospective review assessed annual numbers of employees visiting the occupational health clinic, allergy clinic, or both for manifestations of NRL allergy compared with the timing of introduction of intervention strategies, such as worker education, voluntary medical surveillance, and hospital conversion to low-protein, powder-free NRL gloves. RESULTS: The number of workers identified with NRL allergy rose annually, from 1 in 1988 to 6 in 1993. When worker education and voluntary medical surveillance were introduced in 1994, a further 25 workers were identified. Nonsterile gloves were changed to low-protein, powder-free NRL gloves in 1995: Diagnoses fell to 8 workers that year, and 2 of the 3 nurses who had been off work because of asthma-anaphylaxis were able to return to work with personal avoidance of NRL products. With a change to lower protein, powder-free NRL sterile gloves in 1997, allergy diagnoses fell to 3, and only 1 new case was identified subsequently up to May 1999. No increased glove costs were incurred as a result of consolidated glove purchases. CONCLUSIONS: This program to reduce NRL allergy in employees was effectively achieved without additional glove costs while reducing expenses from time off work and workers' compensation claims.

[Reconstruction of hepatitis D virus ribozymes and their ability to trans-cleave hepatitis C virus RNA].

OBJECTIVE: To study whether reconstructed hepatitis D virus (HDV) ribozymes have the ability to trans-cleave hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA. METHODS: We reconstructed the stem IV and substrate-binding region of HDV genomic ribozymes, thus obtained three HDV ribozymes named RzC1, RzC2 and RzC3 expected to be able to trans-cleave HCV RNA at predicted sites. The substrate containing HCV RNA 5'-noncoding region (5'-NCR) and 5'-fragment of C region (HCV RNA 5'-NCR-C) was synthesized by transcription in vitro, then radiolabelled at its 5'-end. Under certain pH and appropriate concentration of Mg(2+) with or without deionized formamide, the ribozymes and their substrate were mixed at mol ratio of 100 : 1 and reacted for two hours. Trans-cleaved products were shown by denatured polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography, and the percentage of trans-cleaved substrate was calculated as the activity indicator of these ribozymes. RESULTS: RzC1 and RzC2 were able to trans-cleave HCV RNA 5'-NCR-C site specifically, and their activity could be enhanced by certain concentration of deionized formamide. RzC3 could not trans-cleave the substrate. CONCLUSIONS: Optimized HDV genomic ribozymes can trans-cleave HCV RNA.

Hepatitis C virus infection of human hepatoma cell line 7721 in vitro.

AIM: To establish a cell culture system with long-term replication of hepatitis C virus in vitro. METHODS: Human hepatoma cell line 7721 was tested for its susceptibility to HCV by incubating with a serum from a patient with chronic hepatitis C. Cells and supernatant were harvested at various phases during the culturing periods. The presence of HCV RNA, the expression of HCV antigens in cells and/or supernatant were examined by RTPCR, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry respectively. RESULTS: The intracellular HCV RNA was first detected on d2 after infection and then could be intermittently detected in both cells and supernatant over a period of at least three months. The expression of HCV NS3,CP10 antigens could be observed in cells. The fresh cells could be infected by supernatant from cultured infected cells and the transmission of viral genome from HCV-infected 7721 cells to PBMCs was also observed. CONCLUSION: The hepatoma line 7721 is not only susceptible to HCV but also supports its long-term replication in vitro.

Prevalence and causes of cough in chronic dialysis patients: a comparison between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) are both common forms of dialysis for patients with end-stage renal disease. A few case reports have suggested that cough is associated with PD. From 1991 to 1998, 17 patients being treated with PD at the Toronto Western Hospital demonstrated persistent cough severe enough for referral to a respirologist. Causes of cough, often more than one cause per patient, included asthma, post-nasal drip, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, allergic rhinitis, pleural effusion, and respiratory infection. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to establish the prevalence of cough among PD patients, to determine if PD patients more commonly have a dry persistent cough than do HD patients, and, if the latter case is true, the possible reasons for it. A detailed survey of 92 PD patients and 91 HD patients was conducted in 1998 and 1999 at the University Health Network. Survey questions inquired about patient respiratory symptoms since onset of dialysis. Charts were reviewed to obtain information on use of medications possibly relevant to cough. In the PD and HD groups, 52% and 23% were females (p = 0.001), and the mean ages were 59.1 and 60.1 years, respectively. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors had been taken by 65% (PD) and 55% (HD) of patients, and beta-blocking medications by 43% (PD) and 51% (HD). Since initiation of dialysis--mean 2.7 years (PD) and 3.7 years (HD)--22% of PD patients reported persistent cough versus 7% of HD patients (p = 0.003). Although no significant association was seen between cough and self-reported heartburn in HD patients (p = 0.439), a significant association between cough and self-reported heartburn was seen in PD patients: 67% of PD patients with persistent cough reported heartburn versus 29% of those without cough (p = 0.008). The findings suggest that GERD and associated cough are more common in PD patients than in HD patients, perhaps owing to increases in intra-abdominal pressure from the peritoneal dialysate.

[Significance of polypeptide antigen of HCVE2/NS1 relative conservation region in detection of anti-HCV].

OBJECTIVE: In order to study the significance of HCVE2/NS1 relative conservation region antigen. METHODS: EIA was established with HCVE2/NS1 relative conservation polypeptide antigen, as well as serum HCV RNA and ALT in patients with HCV infection. RESULTS: The positive rate of 96 cases patients who were infected by HCV is 41.67%, acute 13.55% and chronic 25.04%, and we found that there were 3 cases weak positive in 40 healths; Agreement rate is 62.5% in 40 cases of the positive of anti-E2/NS1 in sera with HCVRNA, and they have relation. In ALT level in sera, acute infection of HCV is higher than chronic (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There are virus necleic acid in sera when anti-HCVE2/NS1 appearence positive; however, antibody of anti-E2/NS1 relative conservation region has the some neutralive actions, and this humor immunity may have the actions in clearing virus, but wether anti-body of anti-E2/NS1 relative conservation of HCV is or not neutralive antibody well be investigated further.

[Establishment of a method for detecting anti-HCV IgM using recombinated structural region antigens].

Presence of IgM antibody to viral structural protein can be taken as the marker of its replication, so the detection method for anti-HCV IgM was established using as HCV recombinated structural region antigens, including C, E1, E2, as the coated antigen and rabbit anti-human gamma chain sera for neutralization and sheep anti-rabbit IgG coated for the sorbence of the complex of RAH-gamma with human IgG. 76 serum specimens of the hepatitis C patients were detected by indirect ELISA for anti-HCV IgM and by RT-PCR for RNA. The results suggested that IgM antibodies to C, E1, E2 were closely related with RNA (P < 0.005). The components of the IgM antibody, too were identified by indirect ELISA with recombined antigens coated respectively. When whole-fragment C or C + E2 were used as the coated antigens, anti-HCV IgM in 96.6% or 100% of serum specimens can be respectively detected. Using recombined structural region antigens, detection of anti-HCV IgM by ELISA was high sensitivity and specificity.

[The determination of sialidase activity in the blood serum and saliva]. / Opredelenie aktivnosti sialidazy v syvorotke krovi i sliune.

A method for sialidase (neuraminidase; EC 3.2.1.18) measurements in the blood serum and saliva has been developed. The activity of this enzyme in the blood serum manifests in repeated intensive stressogenic exposures, malignant tumors and acute respiratory diseases. Salivary sialidase activity is elevated in the patients with multiple dental caries.

[Determination of free and bound forms of sialic acids in biologic objects]. / Opredelenie svobodnoi i sviazannykh form sialovykh kislot v biologicheskikh ob"ektakh.

A method for simultaneous measurements of free, oligomer-bound and protein-bound sialic acids in the blood serum, saliva, and tissue homogenates is offered. The results of these parameters measurements after stressogenic exposures and in some diseases are presented.