Levitt's CO breath test in the differential diagnosis of chronic isolated hyperbilirubinemia.

A key component of the differential diagnosis of isolated hyperbilirubinemia (HB) is distinguishing between hemolytic and non-hemolytic types. Routine hemolysis screening markers have unsatisfactory sensitivity and specificity. Erythrocyte (RBC) lifespan shortening, the gold standard marker of hemolysis, is seldomly measured due to the cumbersome and protracted nature of standard methods.

Rapid CO breath test screening of drugs for protective effects on ribavirin-induced hemolysis in a rabbit model: a pilot study.

Hemolytic anemia is a major side effect of ribavirin antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C. Ribavirin dose reduction may compromise the antiviral response and erythropoietin can take several weeks to alleviate anemia. The purpose of the present study was to screen potentially protective drugs against ribavirin-induced hemolytic anemia in a rabbit model, using our modified CO breath test for measuring erythrocyte (RBC) lifespan, the gold standard diagnostic index of hemolysis.

The draft genome, transcriptome, and microbiome of Dermatophagoides farinae reveal a broad spectrum of dust mite allergens.

Background: A sequenced house dust mite (HDM) genome would advance our understanding of HDM allergens, a common cause of human allergies.

Objective: We sought to produce an annotated Dermatophagoides farinae draft genome and develop a combined genomic-transcriptomic-proteomic approach for elucidation of HDM allergens.

Methods: A D farinae draft genome and transcriptome were assembled with high-throughput sequencing, accommodating microbiome sequences.

[Cloning, expression and identification of Der f7 gene from Dermatophagoides farinae and its immunological characteristics].

Objective: To clone and express Der f7 gene of Dermatophagoides farinae, and identify its immunogenicity.

Methods: Total RNA was extracted from D. farinae mites.

A two-site monoclonal antibody immunochromatography assay for rapid detection of peanut allergen Ara h1 in Chinese imported and exported foods.

Food allergen labeling has not yet been implemented in China. Therefore, a gold immunochromatography assay (GICA) was developed using two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against the peanut allergen Ara h1. The GICA was specific for standard peanut samples with a sensitivity of 10ng/ml.

Monoclonal antibodies against recombinant Der f 3 reveal localization of Der f 3 in the gut and faecal pellets of Dermatophagoides farinae.

Home dust mite derived materials are known to be a major source of problematic inhalant allergens. The aim of this study was to determine the localization of the group 3 allergen, Der f 3, within Dermatophagoides farinae, in order to assess the relative importance of excreted materials and nonexcreted body components as allergen sources. Recombinant Der f 3 (rDer f 3) was expressed in bacteria and purified as an immunogen for production of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against it.

Sublingual immunotherapy efficacy of Dermatophagoides farinae vaccine in a murine asthma model.

Background: Allergen-specific sublingual immunotherapy is a potential treatment for allergic diseases. Its effective dose and underlying mechanism are still to be explored. Here, we investigated the efficacy and mechanism of sublingually administered Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f) vaccine in a murine asthma model.

Artesunate induces oncosis-like cell death in vitro and has antitumor activity against pancreatic cancer xenografts in vivo.

Pancreatic cancer is highly resistant to the currently available chemotherapeutic agents. Less than 5% of patients diagnosed with this disease could survive beyond 5 years. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of novel, efficacious drugs that can treat pancreatic cancer.

Conservative management of pediatric nephrolithiasis caused by melamine-contaminated milk powder.

Objective: In this article we report our experience with the diagnostic screening and management of children with melamine-induced nephrolithiasis.

Methods: A total of 1091 children younger than 4 years who had been exposed to melamine-contaminated formula from September 17 to October 12, 2008, were screened for nephrolithiasis at the department of pediatrics at Shenzhen Nanshan Hospital in China. During the clinical examination, each patient's demographic characteristics were recorded together with the details of his or her milk-consumption profile during the contamination scare and any clinical signs of poisoning.

[Cloning, expression and purification of allergen arginine kinase from Periplaneta americana and its allergic activity].

Objective: To clone the gene of arginine kinase (AK) from Periplaneta americana, produce its recombinant protein and investigate its allergenicity.

Method: The cDNA of AK was cloned using specific primers from the total RNA of P. americana.

New BZLF1 sequence variations in EBV-associated undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma in southern China.

The viral lytic gene BZLF1 triggers replication of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is commonly found in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here, RT-PCR revealed five new BZLF1 variants in 8 of 12 NPC and 4 of 12 non-NPC nasopharyngeal biopsies from an NPC-endemic area in southern China. The deduced peptide sequence of the dominant BZLF1 variant differed by 11 amino acids from that of the prototypical strain B95.

[Cloning, expression and purification of dust mite allergen Der f 3 and identification of its allergic activity].

Objective: To clone, express and identify Der f 3 gene.

Methods: Live mites were collected from southern China region, identified as Dermatophagoides farinae, and cultured. The total RNA was extracted.

[Detection of Periplaneta americana sIgE with chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA)].

Crude extract of Periplaneta americana was prepared by liquid nitrogen grinding. After being purified with DEAE Sephadex A-50 ion exchange chromatography, the protein content of the extract was determined and the extract solution was prepared at gradient concentrations. The crude extract and purified allergen at different concentrations were dotted respectively on nitrocellulose (NC) membrane.