Exploring the Role of Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Coronary Artery Disease From the Difference of Gene Expression.

Objectives: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is closely adjacent to the coronary arteries and myocardium, its role as an endocrine organ to affect the pathophysiological processes of the coronary arteries and myocardium has been increasingly recognized. However, the specific gene expression profiles of EAT in coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been well characterized. Our aim was to investigate the role of EAT in CAD at the gene level.

Transfusion of multi-factors activated immune cells as a novel treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background And Objectives: Host-virus interactions play a central role in determining the prognosis of hepatitis B virus infection. Multi-factors activated immune cells (MAICs) are autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells activated with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma. The present pilot clinical trial was designed to determine whether adoptively transferred MAICs inhibit the replication of hepatitis B virus and is safe for patients.

[Comparison of hepatitis B virus serotype and genotype among HBsAg positive hepatitis B patients in a northern and a southern city of China].

Objective: To understand HBV serotypes and genotypes epidemiology in a northern city and a southern city in China.

Methods: Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing of HBV DNA PCR products, the serotypes and genotypes of HBV in 530 from HBsAg positive samples. The enrolled patients were from Harbin, a northern city and Lianjiang, a southern city in China.

Dendritic cells from chronic hepatitis B patients can induce HBV antigen-specific T cell responses.

Aim: To determine whether dendritic cells (DCs) from chronic hepatitis B patients could induce HBV antigen-specific T cell responses or not.

Methods: DCs were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection and healthy donors. We compared the phenotypes of these DCs and their ability to secrete cytokines and to participate in mixed lymphocyte reactions.

[Impaired non-viral specific immune function of dendritic cell does not interfere with clearance and cytotoxic T lymphocyte response to HBV or HCV].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between impaired non-viral specific immune function of dendritic cell (DC) and viral clearance and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to HBV or HCV in patients with HBV and HCV coinfection.

Methods: Twenty-five patients with HBV and HCV coinfection were investigated in this study. In 1994 and 2002, biochemical and virological markers and quantitative serum HBV DNA and HCV RNA levels were detected in these patients.

[Dendritic cells originated from the peripheral blood in chronic hepatitis B patients can induce specific T cell immune response].

Objective: To study whether dendritic cells (DCs) derived from the peripheral blood in chronic hepatitis B patients can induce specific T cell immune response.

Methods: (1)The subjects were divided into 3 groups: chronic hepatitis B group (CHB), acute hepatitis B group (AHB), and normal donor group (ND). The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from those subjects were stimulated with HBcAg 18 to 27 CTL epitope peptide, and intracellular cytokine staining (ICCS) was used for detecting IFN-gamma, IL-2 and TNF-alpha produced by CD8+ T cell.

Spontaneous viral clearance after 6-21 years of hepatitis B and C viruses coinfection in high HBV endemic area.

Aim: To investigate the clinical and virological course of coinfection by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in China.

Methods: We enrolled 40 patients with chronic HBV and HCV coinfection (Group BC), 16 patients with chronic HBV infection (Group B) and 31 patients with chronic HCV infection (Group C). They infected HBV and/or HCV during 1982 to 1989.

[Clinical and virological course of dual infection by hepatitis B and C viruses in China].

Objective: To investigate the clinical and virological course of dual infection by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in China.

Methods: We enrolled 40 patients with chronic HBV and HCV dual infection (Group BC), 16 patients with chronic single HBV infection (Group B) and 31 patients with chronic single HCV infection (Group C). They infected HBV and/or HCV during 1982 to 1989.

Tissue-engineered heart valve on acellular aortic valve scaffold: in-vivo study.

The feasibility of constructing a tissue-engineered heart valve on an acellular porcine aortic valve leaflet was evaluated. A detergent and enzymatic extraction process was developed to remove the cellular components from porcine aortic valves. The acellular valve leaflets were seeded for 7 days in vitro with cells from canine arterial wall and endothelial cells.