Hepatic pathological characteristics and factors influencing alanine transaminase value below twice the upper limit of normal in patients with chronic hepatitis B / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To analyze the hepatic pathological characteristics and factors influencing an alanine transaminase value below twice the upper limit of normal in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and further explore the optimal ALT threshold strategy for initiating antiviral therapy. Methods: Clinical data of treatment-naïve CHB patients who underwent liver biopsies from January 2010 to December 2019 were retrospectively collected. Multiple regression models were used to explore the ALT levels and significant risk of hepatic histological changes (≥G2/S2). Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the value of different models in diagnosing liver tissue inflammation≥G2 or fibrosis ≥ S2. Results: A total of 447 eligible CHB patients, with a median age of 38.0 years and 72.9% males, were included. During ALT normalization, there was significant liver inflammation (≥G2) and fibrosis (≥S2) in 66.9% and 53.0% of patients, respectively. With an ALT rise of 1-2×ULN, the proportions of liver inflammation≥G2 and fibrosis≥S2 were 81.2% and 60.0%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, higher ALT levels (> 29 U/L) were found to be associated with significant liver inflammation (OR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.11 ~ 4.77) and fibrosis (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.10 ~ 3.09). After the measurement of glutamyltransferase-platelet ratio (GPR), the proportion of CHB patients with≥G2/S2 was significantly reduced under different treatment thresholds of ALT standards, and in particular, the erroneous evaluation of liver fibrosis≥S2 was significantly improved (33.5% to 57.5%). Conclusion: More than half of CHB patients have a normal ALT or one within 2 × ULN, regardless of whether or not there is apparent inflammation and fibrosis. GPR can significantly improve the precise assessment of different conditions of treatment thresholds for the ALT value in CHB patients.

Real-world study evaluating the incidence of liver damage conditions in patients with primary liver cancer using immune checkpoint inhibitor-based combination therapy / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of immune checkpoint inhibitor-based combination therapy-induced liver damage in patients with primary liver cancer. Methods: Clinical data of 65 hospitalized cases of primary liver cancer treated with programmed cell death-1 its ligand programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) antibody in the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 1, 2018 to March 31, 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The degree of liver injury before and after treatment was assessed according to CTCAE v5.0. Patients were grouped according to gender, age, presence or absence of cirrhosis, baseline Child-Pugh score, BCLC stage, and treatment regimen to compare the incidence of liver injury under different conditions. The χ (2) test or rank-sum test was used for comparison among multiple groups. Results: 46 cases (70.77%) had liver damage of any grade according to the CTCAE V5.0 criteria during the treatment and observation period. All 6 cases who received standardized anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) treatment developed liver damage. 10 (15.38%), 15 (23.08%), 19 (29.23%), and 2 (3.08%) cases had grade 1, 2, 3, and 4 liver damage respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of liver damage between male and female patients (68.33% and 100%, P = 0.180). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of liver damage among different age groups (P = 0.245). The incidence of liver damage in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic group was 72.22%, and 63.64% (P = 0.370), respectively. The incidence of liver damage in patients with baseline Child-Pugh class A, B, and C were 71.43%, 61.11% and 100%, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.878). The incidence of liver damage was not statistically significantly different under different BCLC stages (P = 1.000). The incidence of liver damage in the PD-1/PD-L1 antibody monotherapy, PD-1/PD-L1 antibody combined with targeted drug therapy, and PD-1/PD-L1 antibody combined with TACE/radiofrequency ablation treatment group were 60.00%, 67.85%, and 86.67%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of liver damage between the treatment regimen (P = 0.480). Conclusion: Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy-induced liver damage is common in patients with primary liver cancer; however, it rarely severely endangers the patient's life. Additionally, patient's gender, age, presence or absence of cirrhosis, baseline liver function, BCLC stage and the immunotherapy regimen has no effect on the incidence of immune-related liver damage.

Occlusal deviations in adolescents with idiopathic and congenital scoliosis / 대한치과교정학회지

Objective@#This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the characteristics of malocclusions in scoliotic patients through clinical examinations. @*Methods@#Fifty-eight patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) and 48 patients with congenital scoliosis (CS) participated in the study. A randomly selected group of 152 orthopedically healthy children served as the control group. Standardized orthodontic and orthopedic examination protocols were used to record the occlusal patterns and type of scoliosis. Assessments were made by three experienced orthodontists and a spinal surgery team. The differences in the frequency distribution of occlusal patterns were evaluated by the chi-squared test. @*Results@#In comparison with patients showing IS, patients with CS showed a higher incidence of Cobb angle ≥ 45° (p = 0.020) and included a higher proportion of patients receiving surgical treatments (p < 0.001). The distribution of the Angle Class II subgroup was significantly higher in the IS (p < 0.001) and CS (p = 0.031) groups than in the control group. In comparison with the healthy controls, the CS and IS groups showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) frequencies of asymmetric molar and asymmetric canine relationships, upper and lower middle line deviations, anterior deep overbite, unilateral posterior crossbite, and canted occlusal plane, with the frequencies being especially higher in CS patients and to a lesser extent in IS patients. @*Conclusions@#Patients with scoliosis showed a high frequency of malocclusions, which were most obvious in patients with CS.

Low-level viremia in nucleoside analog-treated chronic hepatitis B patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Low-level viremia (LLV) was defined as persistent or intermittent episodes of detectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA (<2000 IU/mL, detection limit of 10 IU/mL) after 48 weeks of antiviral treatment. Effective antiviral therapies for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, such as entecavir (ETV), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), have been shown to inhibit the replication of HBV DNA and prevent liver-related complications. However, even with long-term antiviral therapy, there are still a number of patients with persistent or intermittent LLV. At present, the research on LLV to address whether adversely affect the clinical outcome is limited, and the follow-up treatment for these patients is open to question. At the same time, the mechanism of LLV is not clear. In this review, we summarize the incidence of LLV, the association between LLV and long-term outcomes, possible mechanisms, and management strategies in these patient populations.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration can improve the diagnostic accuracy of positron emission tomography/computed tomography in hilar and/or mediastinal lymphadenopathy

Context: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) are the two most extensively used methods for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Aims: The present study was designed to compare the diagnostic performance of EBUS-TBNA with that of PET/CT in patients with hilar and/or mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Settings and Design: We compared the accuracy of EBUS-TBNA with that of PET/CT in the diagnosis of hilar and/or mediastinal lymphadenopathy and evaluated the diagnostic utility of EBUS-TBNA in patients with PET/CT false-positive and false-negative findings. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 85 patients with hilar and/or mediastinal lymphadenopathy who underwent EBUS-TBNA and PET/CT between January 2014 and December 2017. The accuracy of EBUS-TBNA histopathology and cytopathology was evaluated and compared with PET/CT scan findings. Results: The diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA combined with PET/CT was significantly higher than that of the single diagnostic method (P < 0.001). Among PET/CT-negative lymph nodes, 4 of 9 (44.4%) malignant lymph nodes were identified by EBUS-TBNA. Among PET/CT-positive lymph nodes, 43 of 47 (91.5%) benign lymph nodes were diagnosed by EBUS-TBNA. Conclusions: EBUS-TBNA combined with PET/CT could effectively reduce false-positive and false-negative rates in the diagnosis of hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, which might provide accurate staging, determine optimum therapeutic strategy and improve survival in patients with lung cancer.

Alterations of respiratory resistance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the association between the components of airway resistance and severity of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 234 patients with snoring during sleep underwent full-night polysomnography in our center between January, 2015 and September, 2017. According to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) scores, the patients were divided into non-OSAHS group (AHI scores <5), mild or moderate OSAHS group (5-30) group, and severe OSAHS group (>30). The pulmonary function and respiratory resistance of the patients were assessed using spirometry and impulse oscillometry, respectively, and the correlation between the parameters of respiratory resistance and the severity of AHI were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The non-OSAHS, mild or moderate OSAHS, and severe OSAHS groups consisted of 31, 90 and 113 patients, respectively. The patients with severe OSAHS had significantly higher levels of respiratory resistance at 5 Hz (R5) and 20 Hz (R20), FEF and MMEF than those in the other two groups (P<0.05). Bivariate correlation analysis identified positive correlations of R5 (r=0.259, P=0.000), R20 (r=0.298, P=0.000) and FEF (r=0.176, P=0.007) with AHI scores of the patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Patients with OSAHS have increased respiratory resistance in the large airways and compensatory reduction in small airway resistance.</p>

Study on in Vitro Screening and in Vivo Validation of Optimized Buyang Huanwu Decoction / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To screen the optimized Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD);To verify it. Methods H2O2 was used to induce PC12 cell oxidative stress models. MTT method was used to determine the prevention effects of BYHWD at different concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.5 mg/mL) on in vitro oxidative stress cell models to define the optimized concentration. Orthogonal design was used to divide BYHWD single medicine into decomposed BYHWD groups, control group (only with DMEM), normal group (without H2O2 and medicine processing), and model group, to investigate the protective effects on PC12 cells. Optimized BYHWD was screened to decide the compatibility ratio of each medicine. MTT was used to detect the cell survival rate in each group. Middle cerebral artery occlusion was used to replicate MACO rat models. SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group, model group, BYHWD group and optimized BYHWD high-, medium-and low-dose groups. Each medication group was given relevant medicine for gavage. The screened results were verified. Results Compared with other decomposed BYHWD groups, the protective effects of the compatibility of Astragali Radix+Chuanxiong Rhizoma+Pheretima on PC12 cells was the best (P<0.05), which was nearly equaled to BYHWD. Compared with the model group, BYHWD and the optimized one could evidently reduce cerebral cortex infarction area and improve the impaired brain edema (P<0.05), and the medium-dose group was the best. Conclusion The optimized BYHWD ratio is:Astragali Radix:Chuanxiong Rhizoma:Pheretima=10:3:1.

Clinicopathological Features and Immunohistochemical Alterations of Keratinocyte Proliferation, Melanocyte Density, Smooth Muscle Hyperplasia and Nerve Fiber Distribution in Becker's Nevus

BACKGROUND: Although Becker's nevus (BN) is a relatively common disease, the systematic studies of clinicopathological and immunohistochemical results are poorly reported. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological features and immunohistochemical alterations of keratinocyte proliferation, melanocyte density, smooth muscle hyperplasia and nerve fiber distribution in BN. METHODS: Clinical and pathological data were collected in 60 newly-diagnosed BN cases. Immunohistochemical stain of Ki-67, Melan-A, keratin 15, smooth muscle actin and protein gene product 9.5 was performed in 21 cases. RESULTS: The median diagnostic and onset age was 17 and 12 years, respectively. Skin lesions usually appeared on the upper trunk and upper limbs. The pathological features included the rete ridge elongation and fusion and basal hyperpigmentation. Epidermal Ki-67, Melan-A and keratin 15 expression and dermal nerve fiber length were significantly higher in lesional and perilesional skin than in normal skin (p<0.05~0.01), while smooth muscle actin expression was upregulated only in skin lesion (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Although the clinical diagnosis of BN is often straightforward, histopathology is helpful to differentiate from other pigmentary disorders. The hyperproliferation of keratinocytes, melanocytes, arrector pili muscle and dermal nerve fibers could be involved in the pathogenesis of BN.

Intervention timing and effect of PJ34 on astrocytes during oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion and cell death pathways / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) plays as a double edged sword in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, hinging on its effect on the intracellular energy storage and injury severity, and the prognosis has relationship with intervention timing. During ischemia injury, apoptosis and oncosis are the two main cell death pathway sin the ischemic core. The participation of astrocytes in ischemia-reperfusion induced cell death has triggered more and more attention. Here, we examined the protective effects and intervention timing of the PARP-1 inhibitor PJ34, by using a mixed oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGDR) model of primary rat astrocytes in vitro, which could mimic the ischemia-reperfusion damage in the "ischemic core". Meanwhile, cell death pathways of various PJ34 treated astrocytes were also investigated. Our results showed that PJ34 incubation (10 μmol/L) did not affect release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from astrocytes and cell viability or survival 1 h after OGDR. Interestingly, after 3 or 5 h OGDR, PJ34 significantly reduced LDH release and percentage of PI-positive cells and increased cell viability, and simultaneously increased the caspase-dependent apoptotic rate. The intervention timing study demonstrated that an earlier and longer PJ34 intervention during reperfusion was associated with more apparent protective effects. In conclusion, earlier and longer PJ34 intervention provides remarkable protective effects for astrocytes in the "ischaemic core" mainly by reducing oncosis of the astrocytes, especially following serious OGDR damage.

Effects of Kaixin Powder on melatonin receptor expression and (125)I-Mel binding affinity in a rat model of depression / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of Kaixin Powder (, KXP) on melatonin receptor (MR) expression and (125)I-Mel binding affinity in a depression rat model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-two male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: a blank control group, model group, ramelteon group, KXP high-dosage group (HKXP), medium-dosage group (MKXP) and low-dosage group (LKXP). To establish the depression model, all groups except the blank control group were singly housed and exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress. Weight gain, sucrose consumption and the open-field test were used to evaluate induction of depression. KXP at 260, 130 and 65 mg/(kg•d) was also respectively administered to the rats in the HKXP, MKXP and LKXP groups for 21 days. Ramelteon [0.83 mg/(kg•d)] was given to the positive drug control group. An equivalent volume of physiological saline was given to the blank and model groups. The liquid chip method was used to measure the concentration of plasma melatonin (MT). Mel1a (MT1) and Mel1b (MT2) expression levels were determined by Western blotting. In addition, a radioactive ligand-binding assay was used to analyze the specific binding properties and dynamic characteristics between MR and (125)I-Mel.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results of weight gain, sucrose consumption and the open-field test showed that our model successfully produced depressive symptoms and depressive-like behavior. The concentration of plasma MT in the model group decreased significantly at night but increased in the MKXP group (P<0.05). The HKXP group showed significantly increased expression of MT1 (P<0.05); however, the expression of MT2 in all groups exhibited no significant differences (P>0.05). The maximum binding capacity (B(max)) for specific binding between MR and 125I-Mel in the MKXP group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P<0.05), but no significant differences were found in the equilibrium dissociation constant (K(d)) of each group (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>KXP may have a similar effect as ramelteon. KXP improved depressive-like behavior by increasing the concentration of plasma MT and MT1 expression, thereby increasing three B(max) of MR to achieve the desired antidepressant effect.</p>

Intervention timing and effect of PJ34 on astrocytes during oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion and cell death pathways / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) plays as a double edged sword in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, hinging on its effect on the intracellular energy storage and injury severity, and the prognosis has relationship with intervention timing. During ischemia injury, apoptosis and oncosis are the two main cell death pathway sin the ischemic core. The participation of astrocytes in ischemia-reperfusion induced cell death has triggered more and more attention. Here, we examined the protective effects and intervention timing of the PARP-1 inhibitor PJ34, by using a mixed oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGDR) model of primary rat astrocytes in vitro, which could mimic the ischemia-reperfusion damage in the "ischemic core". Meanwhile, cell death pathways of various PJ34 treated astrocytes were also investigated. Our results showed that PJ34 incubation (10 μmol/L) did not affect release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from astrocytes and cell viability or survival 1 h after OGDR. Interestingly, after 3 or 5 h OGDR, PJ34 significantly reduced LDH release and percentage of PI-positive cells and increased cell viability, and simultaneously increased the caspase-dependent apoptotic rate. The intervention timing study demonstrated that an earlier and longer PJ34 intervention during reperfusion was associated with more apparent protective effects. In conclusion, earlier and longer PJ34 intervention provides remarkable protective effects for astrocytes in the "ischaemic core" mainly by reducing oncosis of the astrocytes, especially following serious OGDR damage.

Effect of Baishile Capsule on Behavior and Expression of Hippocampal Synaptophysin in Chronic Stress and Depression Model Rats / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study was aimed to investigate Baishile Capsule on behavior, memory and expression of SYN I and SYNA in hippocampal CA3 region of depression model rats. SD rats were randomly divided into six groups, which were the control group, depression model group, fluoxetine hydrochloride group, and the Baishile Capsule group (2.88 g·kg-1, 1.44 g·kg-1, 0.72 g·kg-1). The chronic stress depression model rats were established by chronic and mild unpredictable stressors as described in the literature. In the model group, medicine was intragastricly administered once per day and continued for 21 days. In the control group and model group, same volume of distilled water was intragastricly administered. The open-field test, preference for 1% sucrose solution, Morris water maze, and rate of weight were carried out and observed. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used in the observation of the expression of SYN I and SYNA in each group of model rats. The results showed that high-dosage Baishile Capsule can significantly increase the horizontal and vertical activities of score after two-week treatment (P< 0.01). The middle-dosage Baishile Capsule can significantly increase the horizontal activity of score after three-week treatment (P< 0.05). The rat's preference for sucrose solution was obviously increased in the high-dosage group after one-week treatment and in the middle-dosage group after three-week treatment (P< 0.01, or P< 0.05). The rate of weight of rats was obviously increased in the high-dosage group after two-week treatment and in the middle-dosage group after three-week treatment (P< 0.01, or P< 0.05). The high-dosage and middle-dosage Baishile Capsule can shorten EL, and significantly increase the number of target quadrant. The high-dosage Baishile Capsule can obviously shorten the target quadrant latency (P< 0.05). Compared with the model group, the immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization showed high-dosage Baishile can significantly promote the expression of SYN I and SYNA in hippocampal CA3 region; and the middle-dosage group can enhance the expression of SYNA (P < 0.05, or P <0.01). It was concluded that Baishile Capsule can obviously improve the behavior and the expression of SYN I and SYNA in hippocampal CA3 region of depression model rats.

Study on regulatory effect of Kaixin San on endogenous melatonin biosynthesis in rat depression model / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Kaixin San on the rate-limiting enzyme in biosynthesis of melatonin (MT) and pineal body in rat depression model.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The unpredictable chronic mild stress was used to establish the rat depression model for 21 days. The rats were divided into the normal control group, the model group, Kaixin San low, medium and high dose groups (KXS 65, 130, 260 mg x kg x d(-1)) and the trazodone group. All groups were administered at 30 min after modeling each day. Rats were sacrificed and the pineal glands were isolated immediately after acquisition tail venous blood at 2:00a. m on the 22nd day. The plasma was analyzed for melatonin content by using a rat metabolic panel Milliplex kit. The pineal glands were analyzed for AANAT and HIOMT mRNA levels by Real-time quantitative PCR and for AANAT and HIOMT activity by a radiometric assay simultaneously.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The plasma MT concentration, expression of AANT and HIOMT mRNA, activity of AANAT in rat pineal glands of the model group were significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05), but the activity of HIOMT showed not change. Compared with the model group, all of Kaixin San groups showed increase in MT concentration in plasma (P <0. 05) , with the medium dose group revealing the highest level. Besides, the medium dose group displayed significant increase in AANAT, HIOMT mRNA level and AANAT activity (P < 0.05), but no increase in HIOMT activity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Kaixin San can regulate AANAT activity of pineal bodyand regulate MT biosynthesis in rat depression model.</p>

Analysis of spontaneous decline of HBV DNA in chronic hepatitis B patients in 12 weeks / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the spontaneous decline of HBV DNA in chronic hepatitis B patients in 12 weeks.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Chronic hepatitis B patients not receiving antiviral treatment from 2003 to 2005 were divided into two groups according to the baseline value of ALT and TBil. Spontaneous decline of HBV DNA were retrospected, and the influence of the baseline value of ALT and TBil on spontaneous decline of HBV DNA was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Total of 213 chronic hepatitis B patients (male 174, female 39, aged from 18 to 65) were recruited in this study, including 124 mild and moderate type of hepatitis B, 89 severe type of hepatitis B, and 19 patients (8.92%) were lost at the end of the 12th week. The mean baseline value of HBV DNA of all the patients was (6.66+/-1.03) log10 copies/ml, at 12 week the mean value of HBV DNA of all the patients was (5.98+/-1.53) log10 copies/ml (compared to baseline P<0.01), the decline value of HBV DNA was (0.68+/-1.46) log10 copies/ml. The mean baseline value of HBV DNA of patients with the severe type of hepatitis B was lower than that with the mild or moderate type of hepatitis B patients [(6.45+/-0.99) log10 copies/ml and (6.81+/-1.04) log10 copies/ml respectively] (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the mean and the declined value of HBV DNA between these two groups at the 12th week (P<0.05). At the 12th week, the baseline values of ALT and TBil were higher in patients with HBV DNA<or=3 log10 copies/ml than those in patients with HBV DNA>3 log10 copies/ml (P>0.05); And there were no significant difference in the baseline values of ALT and TBil between patients with the declined value of HBV DNA>or=2 log10 copies/ml and patients with declined value of HBV DNA less than 2 log10 copies/ml. At the 12th week, the mean and the declined value of HBV DNA were similar between the patients with ALT<or=5xULN and the patients with ALT>5xULN at baseline. The mean baseline value of HBV DNA of patients in the group of patients whose baseline value of ALT<or=5xULN while TBil<or=5xULN was higher than that in the group of patients whose baseline value of ALT>5xULN while TBil>5xULN, ALT<or=5xULN while TBil>5xULN, ALT>5xULN while TBil<or=5xULN (P<0.05 respectively), there were no significant difference in the rate of the HBV DNA<or=3 log10 copies/ml and the rate of the declining value of HBV DNA<or=2 log10 copies/ml between the groups at 12 week (P>0.05 respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There is spontaneous decline of HBV DNA in patients with chronic hepatitis B in 12 weeks, but the level of liver injury is not correlated with the level of spontaneous decline of HBV DNA in chronic hepatitis B patients in 12 weeks.</p>

Transurethral electrotomy for cystis vesicular seminalis induced by obstruction of the distal end of the ejaculatory duct / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the treatment of cystis vesicular seminalis induced by the obstruction of the distal end of the ejaculatory duct.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From November 2005 to December 2006,12 cases of cystis vesicular seminalis ( [2.3 +/- 1.1] cm) were diagnosed by semen analysis (as on the seminal volume, pH and fructose), transrectal palpation and ultrasonography. All cases were treated by transurethral incision or resection of the obstructive ejaculatory duct till milky semen discharged.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cysts were significantly reduced ([1.0 +/- 0.8] cm, P < 0.05) in all the 12 cases and no complications were observed during the follow-up 1, 3 and 12 months later.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transurethral electrotomy is a simple and effective method for the treatment of cystis vesicular seminalis induced by the obstruction of the ejaculatory duct.</p>

A study on the anti-HBV effect of dendritic cell from human umbilical cord blood / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Regarding the strong antigen-presenting abilities of dendritic cells (DC), this study was carried out based on the induction and proliferation of DC derived from human umbilical cord blood; the anti-HBV effect of cytotoxicity T lymphocytes (CTL) activated by those DC pulsed with HBsAg was also carried out to explore a new way to activate the HBsAg-specific CTL.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cord blood was collected from the cord veins of normal placentae after Cesarean sections, from which cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) were separated through density gradient centrifugation. The CBMC were cultured in RPMI 1640 with a cytokine cocktail. Pulsed with HBsAg, the DC were prepared to activate the HBsAg-specific CTL among the CBMC. The cytotoxic effect of CBMCs activated by the DC primed with HBsAg was assayed through the killing of those HepG2-S target cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Typical DC could be induced from CMBC cultured with a cytokine cocktail. DC pulsed by HBsAg activated HBsAg-specific CTL, which killed the target HepG2-S cells to some extent.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DC can be induced from CMBC with the cytokine cocktail and they show a strong antigen-presenting ability. DC produced in this way and pulsed by HBsAg can activate HBsAg-specific CTL in vitro. This might mean that it could be a new way to break the tolerance to HBV in chronic HBV-infected patients.</p>

A preliminary study using RNA interference technique against replication of HBV in vitro / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the siRNA interference ability for the replication of HBV.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on the sequence of HBV in HepG2 2.2.15 cells in GenBank, one sequence targeting the C antigen of HBV was cloned into the RNA polymerase III based expression vector pSuper. This recombinant was electroporated into HepG2 2.2.15 cells and the expression of HBsAg and HBeAg was assayed using ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The construction of the recombinant expression vector pSuper-C and its control vector pSuper was successfully confirmed by the results of enzyme digestion, electrophoresis and sequencing. However, there was no difference between the expression of HBsAg and HBeAg in the supernatant of HepG2 2.2.15 cell culture in the experimental and control groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The constructed pSuper-C did not show an interfering effect on the replication of HBV in HepG2 2.2.15 cells. In order to display this effect, further study is needed</p>

The primary study on the anti-HBV effect of whole recombinant yeast / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>Based on the immunologic character of Pichia pastoris yeast, a new therapeutic vaccine, whole recombinant yeast, was used to explore a new way to activate cell-mediated anti-viral immunity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The recombinant plasmids, pPIC9K/S and PIC9K/hsp(1-370)-S, were constructed by inserting the gene encoding HBsAg, HSP70 (1-370) -HBsAg into vector pPIC9K and then the recombinants were transfected into Pichia pastoris yeast,GS115, respectively. Then that recombinant yeast immunized BALB/C mice were detected for humoral and cellular immunity to HBsAg.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Recombinant yeast successfully activated the humoral immunity to HBsAg in mice, but failed to activate the cellular immunity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The whole recombinant yeast can be used as vaccine, but need further study for optimal way of immunization.</p>

The role of dendritic cell and macrophage in hepatoma antigen-presenting / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the role of dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, differentiated from the same individual peripheral blood monocytes, in tumor antigen- presenting.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>DCs and macrophages were differentiated from human peripheral blood monocytes by adding both Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) or GM-CSF only. Then they were loaded with tumor antigen at different concentrations and cocultured with autologous T cells in 96-well flat-bottomed microtiter plates for five days at 37 degrees C, 5% CO(2). (3)H-thymine was added before the culture terminated, and twelve hours later, the cells were gathered to test the cpm value.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both DCs and macrophages chased with tumor antigen could strongly stimulate the proliferation of autologous T cells, especially DCs. The stimulation effect with 20 microl/ml antigen was the most remarkable and the cmp values were 11,950.3 +/-1621.8, 8,708.5 +/-176.1, 402.5+/-43.1 in DCs group, Macrophages group, and lymphocytes group, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The antigen presenting role of DCs is stronger than that of macrophages from the same individual.</p>

Transient expression of fusion protein with a chimeric HBsAg-HSP70 construct in HepG2 cells / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate transient expression of fusion protein with a chimeric HBsAg-HSP70 construct in HepG2 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Enkaryotic expression plasmids inserted HBsAg gene or chimeric HBsAg-HSP70 gene were prepared and transfected into HepG2 cells by means of cationic liposome. mRNA were detected by RT-PCR and proteins expressed in the cells were detected by immunocytochemistry 48 hours later. HBsAg in cultured supernatants and cell lysates were assayed by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fusion protein (HBsAg-HSP70) transient expression in HepG2 cells were confirmed by RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry or ELISA, but fusion protein was not assayed in cell cultured supernatants by ELISA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Transfection of HepG2 cells with a chimeric HBsAg-HSP70 construct leads to express fusion protein, but it does not secrete into cell cultured supernatants.</p>