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With the determination of the whole genome sequence of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) virus, the successful breakthrough of infectious cloning technology of VZV, and the emergence of effective preventive vaccines, which have been proven to be effective and safe, varicella has become a disease preventable by specific immunity. This article will review the genomic structure, epidemiological characteristics, and research application progress of varicella vaccine and herpes zoster vaccine of varicella zoster virus to provide reference for primary prevention of the disease.
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Humans , Herpesvirus 3, Human/genetics , Herpes Zoster/prevention & control , Herpes Zoster Vaccine , Chickenpox Vaccine , GenomicsABSTRACT
The level of intracellular keratin 8(KRT-8) is associated with liver diseases, whose expression is increased in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients with hepatocarcinoma and in cultural cells infected with HCV. However, it is not clear whether KRT-8 will impact HCV replication. In this paper, the HCV replication was analyzed in response to high expression and silence of KRT-8. The inhibitory activities against wild-type and mutant HCV were also analyzed by silence of KRT-8 or combined with known anti-HCV drug telaprevir. Results showed that the protein level of KRT-8 was increased in proportion with the HCV replication. The high expression was found to facilitate HCV replication, while the silence of KRT-8 was able to inhibit HCV replication and enhanced the anti-HCV activity of telaprevir. It also inhibited A156T and D168V mutant HCV, which are resistant to protease inhibitors. These results suggest that KRT-8 is a co-factor for HCV replication. Down-regulation of KRT-8 can inhibit wild type and mutant HCV replication to enhance the anti-HCV activity of known anti-HCV drugs. Therefore, KRT-8 may be a new target in the development of anti-HCV agents.
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Objective To analyze the ultrasonographic features of retroperitoneal ifbrosis (RPF). Methods Totally 13 patients with retroperitoneal ifbrosis from February 2000 to October 2012 in the Long Gang central Hospital of Shenzhen were retrospectively analyzed. Results In all patients who underwent ultrasound examination, there were ten cases of idiopathic RPF and three cases of secondary RPF with abdominal tumors. In 11 cases, the masses were hypoechoic locating at retroperitoneum and surrounding the abdominal aorta without deifnitive margin. One case showed hypoechoic mass with clear boundary. In ten cases, the internal echogenicity of masses were uniform. In two cases, the internal echogenicity of masses were uneven with a small amount of ifbrous separator with slightly higher echogenicity. No blood was found in all masses. The encasement of inferior vena cava was found in three casesand the masses extended to iliac arteries in three cases. Hydronephrosis could be found in 11 patients (84.6%) and ureter dilatation was found in ten cases. Ureteral localized stenosis were found in two cases. Conclusion Ultrasonography is a preferred imaging method in diagnosing RPF.
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Immunological sensitization remains a major problem following renal transplantation. There is no consensus for the management of sensitized renal allograft recipients. The patients become tethered to dialysis while waiting for compatible donors. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative single-bolus high-dose antithymocyte globulin (ATG) as induction therapy in sensitized renal transplant recipients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 56 patients were divided into two groups according to the level of panel reactive antibody (PRA): non-sensitized group (PRA < 10%, n = 30) and sensitized group (PRA > or = 10%, n = 26). The characteristics of the recipients and donors were comparable between the two groups. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF, 1 g) or ATG (iv. 9 mg/kg) were given preoperatively in the two groups as induction therapy. After the transplantation, the patients were treated with standard triple therapy regimen consisting of tacrolimus (FK-506) or cyclosporine A, MMF, and prednisolone. Acute rejection (AR) and infection episodes were recorded and renal function was monitored during a 12-month follow-up. Chi(2) test and t test were used to analyze the data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During the follow-up, 6 patients (20.0%) suffered AR episodes in the non-sensitized group and 4 (15.4%) in the sensitized group (P = 0.737); 8 patients (26.7%) experienced 11 infection episodes (average, 1.4 episodes per infected patient) in the non-sensitized group, and 6 (23.1%) experienced 10 infection episodes (average, 1.7 episodes per infected patient) in the sensitized group (P = 0.757, 0.890). The safety of the drugs, which was assessed by the occurrence of side effects, was comparable between the two groups. The hospital stay was 13 - 25 days (mean, 16.7 +/- 3.3) in the non-sensitized group and 14 - 29 days (mean, 16.2 +/- 3.1) in the sensitized group, respectively (P = 0.563). No delayed graft function (DGF) was observed in all the patients. Both the 12-month actuarial patient and graft survival rates were 100% in the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Preoperative single-bolus high-dose ATG is an effective and safe induction therapy yielding acceptable acute rejection rate in sensitized renal transplant recipients.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Antilymphocyte Serum , Therapeutic Uses , Graft Rejection , Graft Survival , Immunosuppressive Agents , Kidney TransplantationABSTRACT
A prokaryotic expression plasmid containing VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) and sTNFRII(soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II ) genes was constructed. The sTNFRII was cloned by PCR by using special primers which contained VIP gene ORF and a linker in its forward primer. The amplified fragment was inserted into the expression vector pET32a between BamHI and Hind III restriction sites. Transformed E.coli DH5 by pET32a-VIP- sTNFRIIexpressed the fusion protein. After being identified, the protein was purified by ion exchange chromatography and by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The reconstructed protein showed high bio-activity and could be applied for further use.
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Objective To explore the MRI finding of female normal levator ani muscle and the levator ani muscle injuries and to evaluate the correlation between childbirth and levator ani muscle injuries. Methods One hundred asymptomatic nulliparous women(control group)and 200 vaginally primiparous women(study group)were selected as the object of this study.Moreover,the study group was divided into two subgroups:group A(100 cases)with stress incontinence,group B(100 cases)without clinical symptoms.Multiplanar proton density magnetic resonance images were obtained at 0.5 cm intervals from these study individuals.All images were used to analyze the differentiation of MRI features between normal levator ani muscle and levator ani muscle injuries.Results No levator ani injuries were identified in the control group.Fifty-four primiparous women(27%)had visible injuries in their levator ani muscles,42 in group A and 12 in group B.Injuries were identified in the puborectalis muscle in 49 cases and in the iliococeygeus muscle in 5 cases(X~2=41.447,P