Apolipoprotein E Genotype and Expression Correlated with Hepatitis C Virus Genotype and Infection

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a globally prevalent human pathogen that causes persistent liver infections in most infected individuals. Several studies reported that HCV particles are enriched in apolipoprotein E (apoE) and that apoE is required for HCV infectivity and production. However, the relationship between apoE gene polymorphisms and HCV genotypes in patients with HCV is less well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between apoE gene polymorphism and HCV genotypes in patients. The HCV genotypes were identified among the 124 patients infected with HCV, and the genetic characteristics of the HCV genotype were analyzed. In addition, the results of the clinical laboratory test were comparatively analyzed according to the classified genotypes. Both HCV 1b (n=80) and 2a (n=42) patients had higher AFP, AST, ALT, ALP, γ-GTP, apoB, and apoE values compared with the normal control group. In particular, apoB and apoE levels were statistically significantly higher in the HCV 2a patients (P<0.05) and apoE levels were significantly higher in the HCV 1b patients (P<0.000). According to the results the patients with HCV genotype 1b showed higher values of liver damage related indicators and apoB expression than the patients with HCV genotype 2a. The fat related indicators and apoE expression were not different between the two major HCV genotypes (2a and 1b). We anticipate that the apoE ε3 allele is the most common type in HCV genotype 1b (89.2%) and 2a (91.7%). As a result of apoE genotyping, we confirmed an association with HCV infection and the apoE ε3 allele. However, the ratios of the apoE ε3 allele among the patients with genotype 1b and 2a were similar to each other.

Histopathological Evaluation of the Efficacy for Plant-produced E2 Protein Vaccine against Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV) in Piglets

Classical swine fever (CSF), previously known as hog cholera, remains one of the most important swine-related contagious diseases worldwide. In order to eradicate classical swine fever virus (CSFV), it is commonly used in LOM-850 strain as a live attenuated CSF vaccine. However, there are symptoms of vaccination, such as the depression of feed intake, and difficulty of differentiation between infected and vaccinated hosts is impossible based on the antibodies induced. Nicotiana benthamiana were considered as an alternative to the production of recombinant vaccines on account of higher yields and levels of soluble protein than other models and crops in protein recombinant products. This study was conducted to evaluate histopathological validation of the plant-produced E2 fusion protein (ppE2) in piglets. The piglets were challenged by an injection of YC11WB strain in 7 days, 11 days and 14 days after one shot of the vaccination. The histopathological examination indicated that ppE2 can protect against lethal CSFV challenge at least 11 days of vaccination in piglets. These data suggest that the ppE2 can be an effective vaccine against CSFV in piglets.

Differences in Hematological Characteristics, Including Cholesterol and Apolipoprotein B and E, between Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Patients in Korea

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronically cause hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and biomarkers related to liver damage are elevated in HBV and HCV patients. However, comparisons of biomarkers between HBV and HCV patients have not previously been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in hematological biomarker in the sera of HBV and HCV patients and to find a key biomarker to differentiate between HBV and HCV infections. HBV (n=115) and HCV (n=128) samples (serum and whole blood) were collected and tested using a biochemical analysis system. The obtained data were analyzed with SPSS 18.0 statistical software. The mean age of the HCV group (60.3±14.1) was much higher than that of the HBV group (51.1±12.4). Male and female rates were 71.3% and 28.7% in the HBV group and 53.9% and 46.1% in the HCV group, respectively (p = 0.005). AST, ALT, and TG values were higher in the HCV group than in the HBV group. Although γ-GTP and LDL levels were higher in the HBV group than in the HCV group, apoB and apoE levels were much higher in HCV group than in HBV group (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the other hematological biomarkers between the HBV and HCV groups. In conclusion, HBV rates were higher in male patients, and HCV rates were higher in older patients. In particular, apoE and apoB were more highly expressed in HCV patients, and they might be key markers to differentiate HCV infection.

The Outcomes of the Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A collaborative research of three hospitals

BACKGROUND: There has been a lot of changes in prehospital medical environment with development of EMSS(emergency medical service systems). Especially in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, the patients could survive when they are moved to the hospitals earlier. The purpose of this research is to know the status of EMSS in Korea by analyzing CPR(cardiopulmonary resuscitation) outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients at 3 hospital in the western area of Seoul and Incheon. METHODS: From July 1997 to June 1998, we collected data about out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims at Ewha Womens University Mokdong Hospital, Catholic University Medical College St. Mary Hospital, and Kachon University Chung Ang Gil Hospital. We used same record form based on the 'Utstein Style'. RESULTS: CPR were performed in 265 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients at 3 hospitals. One hundred twelve(42.3%) patients recovered the spontaneous circulation at least once and eight(3.0%) patients discharged alive. One hundred ninety four(73.2%) patients died of medical causes, one hundred two(38.5%) cardiogenic and ninety two(34.7%) non-cardiogenic, and seventy(26.4%) patients died of traumatic causes. Initial EKG showed VT/VF(ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation) in thirty one(11.7%) patients, asystole in one hundred fifty one(57.0%) patients and other rhythms in eighty three(31.3%) patients. Among one hundred two cardiogenic cardiac arrest patients, two(2.0%) patients was discharged alive. CONCLUSION: Overall survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac angst patients was 3% which was poorer than that of the western country. The proportion of the cardiogenic cause was 3% which was only hart of the western country. VT/VF is relatively not common as a initial EKG rhythm. These differences might be due to difference in the prevalence pattern of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest as well as prematurity of the EMSS.