ABSTRACT
The contradiction between the increasing population and the decrease of tillable land areas is becoming more and more serious in our country. Food security is an important guarantee for sustainable development of our national economy. Photosynthesis is the basis for crop yield. Improving crop photosynthetic efficiency is one of the important approaches to increase crop yield. In this review, we summarized the recent advances in engineering photosynthetic performance by synthetic biology from three key aspects including absorption, transduction and conversion of light energy, light utilization efficiency and carbon assimilation. We also addressed the prospects of its application in increasing photosynthetic efficiency through synthetic biology principles, which may provide important theoretical support and key biotechnology to increase grain production.
ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon α-2a (Peg IFN α-2a) or adefovir dipivoxil(ADV) monotherapy and their combination therapy in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Methods An open randomized controlled multicenter clinical trial was performed. One hundred and twenty cases with CHB were divided into 3 groups: Peg IFN α-2a monotherapy (group A), ADV monotherapy (group B) and Peg IFN α-2a plus ADV combination therapy (group C). The virological response (VR), serological response (HBeAg, HBsAg clearance and seroconversion), biochemical response (BR) and sustained response (SR) were tested at week 24 and 48 of therapy and week 48 of follow-up after end of treatment (EOT) for'evaluation of therapeutic effects, safety and drug resistance. The efficacy was compared using X2 test. Results At week 48 of treatment, the VR (HBV DNA ≤500 copy/mL) rates were 36. 8%(14/38), 37. 5%(15/40) and 62. 9% (22/35), respectively in groups A, B and C; that in group C was higher than those in groups A and B (X2 = 4. 933, 4. 801, respectively; both P < 0. 05); HBeAg seroconversion rates in three groups were 44. 7% (17/38), 17. 5% (7/40) and 51. 4% (18/35), respectively. At week 48 of follow-up,SR rates in three groups were 34. 2%(13/38), 15. 0%(6/40) and 48. 6% (17/35), respectively; those in groups C and A were higher than that in group B (X2 = 9. 894,P<0. 01;X2 =3. 903, P<0. 05, respectively). Conclusions VRs at week 24 and 48 of Peg IFN α-2a plus ADV combination therapy are better than Peg IFN α-2a or ADV monotherapy. SRs at week 48 of follow-up after Peg IFN α-2a monotherapy and combination therapy are both better than ADV monotherapy.
ABSTRACT
Objective To establish a fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for rapid, sensitive and specific determination of -88/-123 polymorphisms in Myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) gene promoter so as to provide molecular biology tool for optimized interferon-a treatment in chronic hepatitis B patients. Methods Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotyping,serum HBV DNA level,and- 88/- 123 polymorphisms in MxA gene promoter of patients who had been treated with interferon-α were detected. The statistical analysis was done by using SPSS software to understand the relationship between MxA gene polymorphisms and interferon-α treatment. Afterwards, an optimal fluorescent PCR system was established to determine -88/-123 polymorphisms in MxA gene promoter. The sensitivity and the specificity of this system were confirmed by DNA sequencing. P-value of chi square test, odds ratios of regression analysis and 95% confidence intervals were employed. Results Patients with- 88 G/T and - 123 C/A in the interferon-stimulated response element in MxA gene promoter were interferon-α sensitive, while patients with - 88 GIG and - 123 C/C were not interferon-α sensitive. The coincidence rate of this system was 99.65% in comparison with DNA sequencing.Conclusion MxA gene polymorphisms could be rapidly and sensitively determined by this fluorescent PCR system.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of IL-12 on IFN-gamma and IL-10 production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in chronic hepatitis B virus infection patients during IFN-alpha treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Before and after IFN-alpha treatment of 3 months and 6 months, PBMC of 20 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection were collected and cultured in vitro in the culture fluid containing PHA (100 microg/ml), HBcAg (1 microg/ml), or HBeAg (1 microg/ml) for 48 h under the condition of the presence or absence of IL-12 (10 ng/ml). Then the levels of IFN-gamma and IL-10 were determined by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 12 responders and 8 nonresponders to IFN-alpha treatment. In the responders, the enhancing effect of IL-12 on IFN-gamma production was significantly greater after IFN-alpha treatment than before the treatment. The production of IL-10 was suppressed in the presence of IL-12 after 3 months and 6 months of IFN-alpha treatment. In the same treatment time, the level of IFN-gamma in the presence of IL-12 was significantly higher than that in the absence of IL-12. To the nonresponders, the enhancing effect of IL-12 on IFN-gamma production was also significantly increased after IFN-alpha treatment. Moreover, in the same treatment time, the level of IFN-gamma in the presence of IL-12 was significantly higher than that in the absence of IL-12.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The enhancing effect of IL-12 on IFN-gamma production of PBMC in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection is increased during IFN-alpha treatment. IFN-alpha and IL-12 may enhance the efficacy for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Antiviral Agents , Therapeutic Uses , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Hepatitis B, Chronic , Blood , Drug Therapy , Interferon-alpha , Therapeutic Uses , Interferon-gamma , Metabolism , Interleukin-10 , Metabolism , Interleukin-12 , Pharmacology , Leukocytes, Mononuclear , Cell Biology , Metabolism , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Objective To study the short term and long term response and the safety of the different doses of recombinant interferon alfa 1b(IFN? 1b) for the treatment of the patients with chronic hepatitis B and the predictive factors of the response. Methods 146 Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B entered randomly into four groups. Three groups were given with IFN ? 1b 3 million unit (MU), 5 MU and 10 MU respectively. The control group was given placebo. The short term(ETR) and long term(SR 12) responses and side effect were observed. Selected nineteen items (host related, drugs related and virus related), which affected the response of IFN alfa 1b probably (host, virus and drugs, et al) were analyzed. Results The end treatment response (ETR) of the IFN ? 1b 5 MU therapy was 55.3%, and 10 MU was 58.1%. Both efficacy were higher than the group of 3 MU IFN alfa 1b (32.6%) and control therapy group (5.9%, P