H1foo is essential for in vitro meiotic maturation of bovine oocytes.

Oocyte-specific linker histone, H1foo, is localized on the oocyte chromosomes during the process of meiotic maturation, and is essential for mouse oocyte maturation. Bovine H1foo has been identified, and its expression profile throughout oocyte maturation and early embryo development has been established. However, it has not been confirmed if H1foo is indispensable during bovine oocyte maturation.

[The relationship between HBV genotypes and the efficacy of antiviral therapies in hepatitis B e antigen- positive patients].

Objectives: To study the relationship between HBV genotypes and the efficacy of antiviral therapies.

Methods: HBV genotypes of 90 hepatitis B e antigen positive patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were determined by PCR sandwich hybridization-ELISA technique. Forty-one patients with CHB were treated with lamivudine (100 mg/day) for 48 weeks and 49 patients with CHB were given alpha-interferon (3 MU/QOD) therapy for 48 weeks.

[Liver pathological changes and clinical features of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in their immune tolerant phase and non-active status].

Objective: To investigate the liver pathological changes and the clinical features of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in their immune tolerant phase and non-active status.

Methods: Fifty-four patients with chronic HBV infection in their immune tolerant stage and another 47 patients with the same infection but in non-active status were involved in this study. Statistical analysis including the ages and sex of the patients, their serum levels of HBV DNA, hepatocytic expression of HBsAg and HBcAg and their liver pathology were studied and statistically analyzed.

[Relationship between the quantities of peripheral dendritic cells and of serum HBV DNA and the inflammatory reaction levels in the liver].

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between the quantity of peripheral dendritic cell (DC) and of serum HBV DNA and the inflammatory level in chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: The myeloid DC (DC1) and plasmacytoid DC (DC2) in fresh peripheral blood were enumerated by using three-color flow cytometry in chronic hepatitis B patients and healthy donors. The hepatic inflammatory levels were evaluated by percutaneous liver biopsy.