Correlations between serum hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B core antibody titers and liver fibrosis in treatment-naïve CHB patients.

Background: Previous studies have revealed that quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or hepatitis B core antibody (qAnti-HBc) levels can be used as predictors of treatment response in both interferon-α and nucleoside analogue therapies. Few data have been published regarding the relationship between quantitative HBsAg or Anti-HBc levels and liver fibrosis stages in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of treatment-naïve CHB patients.

Quantitative hepatitis B core antibody level is associated with inflammatory activity in treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B patients.

Previous studies have shown that hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) levels vary during different phases of disease in treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and can be used as a predictor of both interferon-α and nucleoside analogue therapy response. However, there is no information on the association between the quantitative serum anti-HBc (qAnti-HBc) level and liver inflammation in CHB patients. Therefore, we investigated these relationships in a large cohort of treatment-naïve CHB patients.

Occurrence and distribution of the environmental pollutant antibiotics in Gaoqiao mangrove area, China.

Occurrence and distribution of 15 antibiotics belonging to families of sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines and chloramphenicols were investigated in water and sediment in Gaoqiao mangrove area, China, using LC-MS-MS. The influence of tidal level and mangrove vegetation on antibiotic residues were examined. The levels of antibiotics were found to be ranged from 0.

[Experimental study on Dendrobium candidum polysaccharides on promotion of hair growth].

Objective: To observe the effect and mechanism of Dendrobium candidum polysaccharides (DCP) in promoting hair growth, in order to lay a foundation for the development and utilization of D. candidum.

Method: The water-extraction and alcohol-precipitation method was adopted to extract DCP, and the phenol-sulphuric acid method was used to determine its content.

Effects of a coastal power plant thermal discharge on phytoplankton community structure in Zhanjiang Bay, China.

The effects of a thermal discharge from a coastal power plant on phytoplankton were determined in Zhanjiang Bay. Monthly cruises were undertaken at four tide times during April-October 2011. There were significant differences for dominant species among seven sampling months and four sampling tides.

Antibiotic resistance of bacteria isolated from shrimp hatcheries and cultural ponds on Donghai Island, China.

The resistance of bacteria to 12 different antibiotics was investigated in shrimp farms on Donghai Island, China. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria were found to be widespread in shrimp farms, indicating a high environmental risk. Further, significant differences were found in bacterial strains among farms (ANOVA, p<0.