Suboptimal performance of simple noninvasive tests for advanced fibrosis in Chinese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of some noninvasive fibrosis models in Chinese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: Consecutive biopsy-proven NAFLD patients were recruited from a single center from January 2005 to December 2010. Advanced fibrosis (stage 3 and 4) was defined using Kleiner criteria.

Immunological screening and characterization of highly specific monoclonal antibodies against 20 kDa hGH.

Background: hGH has been widely abused as a doping agent in sports for many years. There are some important approaches for the detection of hGH doping, and the ratio of 22:20 kDa GH was considered one of the most suitable detection indicators of GH abuse. Currently, effective anti-GH antibodies and related reagents are needed to develop a detection method, in particular, highly specific anti-20 kDa hGH monoclonal antibodies are a prerequisite.

[Impact of liver steatosis on antiviral effects of pegylated interferon-alpha in patients with chronic hepatitis B].

Objective: To investigate the impact of hepatic steatosis on virologic response in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients treated with pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFNa).

Methods: Ninety-six naive patients positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and with biopsy-proven CHB were administered PEG-IFNa-2a or PEG-IFNa-2b for 48 weeks. Virologic response (HBeAg clearance and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA less than 5 log10 copies/ml) and biochemical response (alanine transaminase (ALT) normalization) were compared between patients with (n=34) and without (n=62) steatosis.

[Value of delta model for end-stage liver disease in evaluating the prognosis of liver failure patients with hepatitis B virus].

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and deltaMELD in liver failure patients infected with hepatitis B virus.

Methods: Based on prospective study design, 98 hospitalized cases were studied and followed up for 24 weeks. The clinical data were recorded.

[The effect of extract of ginkgo biloba leaf during the formation of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the effect of extract of ginkgo biloba leaf (EGb) during the formation of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: 99 HBV transgenic mice were randomly divided into control group, high-dose group, low-dose group. High-dose group and low-dose group were intraperitoneal injected 35mg/(kg x d) and 17.

[P53 expression in liver tissue of patients with chronic hepatitis B and its influencing factors].

Objective: To observe p53 expression in liver tissue of patients with chronic hepatitis B and its influencing factors.

Methods: 17 cases HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients and 31 cases HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients were divided into 2 groups.

Results: (1) HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients were older, mostly male and HBV DNA lower.

Circular IGFBP-3 level affected by the gene transfer of different growth hormone isoforms.

To evaluate whether through gene transfer, which growth hormone (GH) isoform can influence the circulation IGFBP-3 level, mice were injected three times with the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) mediated mammalian expression vector encoding different GH isoform gene. Then blood samples were drawn and the ELISA method was used to determine the circulation concentration of IGFBP-3. It was found that the 22 kDa GH gene could increase IGFBP-3 levels to 1.

Measurement of heterogeneous reaction rates: three strategies for controlling mass transport and their application to indium-mediated allylations.

We describe three new strategies for determining heterogeneous reaction rates using photomicroscopy to measure the rate of retreat of metal surfaces: (i) spheres in a stirred solution, (ii) microscopic powder in an unstirred solution, and (iii) spheres on a rotating shaft. The strategies are applied to indium-mediated allylation (IMA), which is a powerful tool for synthetic chemists because of its stereoselectivity, broad applicability, and high yields. The rate-limiting step of IMA, reaction of allyl halides at indium metal surfaces, is shown to be fast, with a minimum value of the heterogeneous rate constant of 1 × 10(-2) cm/s, an order of magnitude faster than the previously determined minimum value.

[Prognostic analysis of 336 patients with chronic severe hepatitis B].

Objective: To investigate the risk factors related to outcome of chronic severe hepatitis B.

Methods: A total of 336 consecutive patients with chronic severe hepatitis B (CSHB) were analysed retrospectively. According to the outcome, objects were divided into survival group (n = 137) and death group(n = 199), then to observe the differences between them in respect to age, sex, family history, prothrombin activity (PTA), complications including ascites, infection, electrolyte disturbance, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome and the corresponding quantity of complications in each individual, antivirus therapy, artificial liver support system (ALSS) therapy, and alprostadil therapy.

Effect of menthol on ocular drug delivery.

Background: To assess how safe and effective it is to use menthol as a permeability enhancer in ophthalmic drug delivery systems.

Methods: In this study, the effect of menthol on permeability of dexamethasone disodium phosphate in the cornea and sclera was investigated in vitro. Application of topical drops and subconjunctival injection of dexamethasone disodium phosphate with or without 0.

[Efficacy and safety of lamivudine plus adefovir combination therapy and entecavir monotherapy for chronic hepatitis B patients].

To compare the efficacy and safety of Lamivudine (LAM) plus Adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) combination therapy and Entecavir (ETV) monotherapy for chronic hepatitis B patients. 120 patients with chronic hepatitis B managed in a single-centre clinical practice (median 96 weeks) were split into 2 cohorts, one was treated with de-novo combination Lamivudine (100 mg/day) plus Adefovir (10 mg/day) (LAM+ADV), the other with Entecavir (0.5 mg/day) monotherapy.

[Analysis of 96 cases with novel H1N1 influenza A].

Objective: To review the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of 96 cases with novel H1N1 influenza A, and improve the diagnosis and treatment level of novel H1N1 influenza A.

Methods: 96 cases of novel H1N1 influenza A admitted to the isolation wards from Oct 20 to Sep 23, 2009 were studied. Their epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory, and radiologic characteristics were analyzed.

[Association between HLA-DQA1 gene polymorphism and the outcomes of hepatitis B virus infection].

Objective: To investigate the association between HLA-DQA1 gene polymorphism and the outcomes of hepatitis B virus infection in Chinese Han population.

Methods: A total of 180 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven hepatitis B virus infection (120 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 60 patients with asymptomatic HBV carrier) and 60 subjects who resolved from HBV infection spontaneously were studied. Genotype of human leukocyte antigen(HLA)-DQA1 was detected by polymerase chain reaction sequence specific primer(PCR-SSP).

Effect of sperminated pullulans on drug permeation through isolated rabbit cornea and determination of ocular irritation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two sperminated pullulans (SP) with a different number of amino groups (SP-L, amino group content 0.124 mmol/g polymer; and SP-H, amino group content 0.578 mmol/g polymer) on the permeation of drugs through isolated rabbit corneas.

In-hospital delay to primary angioplasty for patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction between cardiac specialized hospitals and non-specialized hospitals in Beijing, China.

Background: Evidence indicates that early reperfusion therapy in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) reduces complications. This study was undertaken to compare the in-hospital delay to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for patients with STEMI between specialized hospitals and non-specialized hospitals in Beijing, China.

Methods: Two specialized hospitals and fifteen non-specialized hospitals capable of performing PPCI were selected to participate in this study.

[Association of chinese medicine constitution and human leukocyte antigen-DQA1 gene polymorphism with outcomes of hepatitis B virus infection].

Objective: To observe the Chinese medicine constitution types and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQA1 gene polymorphism in patients with hepatitis B (HB) virus infection in Chinese Han population of Zhejiang Province, for exploring the roles of constitution factor in pathogenesis of HB.

Methods: A total of 240 subjects, including 120 biopsy-proven chronic HB (CHB), 60 HB asymptomatic carrier (ASC) and 60 resolved from HBV infection spontaneously (RHBS) were studied. Their Chinese medicine constitution type was judged by Wangqi's classification, and their genotype of HLA-DQA1 was detected by polymerase chain reaction sequence specific primer for comparing the difference between groups in distribution frequency (DF) of constitution types and genes.

[Clinical and histological features of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease].

Objective: To investigate the clinical and histological features in Chinese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: 108 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD were enrolled in this study. Clinical, demographic, and biochemical data were compared between NAFLD patients with abnormal ALT and those with normal ALT.

Influence of borneol on in vitro corneal permeability and on in vivo and in vitro corneal toxicity.

This study examined whether borneol could enhance corneal drug permeability. Model drugs containing either synthetic or natural borneol were co-administered to isolated intact or de-epithelialized rabbit corneas and the apparent permeability coefficients were measured. Draize tests in rabbits and levels of isolated intact rabbit corneal hydration were used to measure in vivo and in vitro toxicity, respectively.

Cell-free synthesis and combinatorial selective 15N-labeling of the cytotoxic protein amoebapore A from Entamoeba histolytica.

Amoebapore A is a pore-forming protein produced by the pathogenic parasite Entamoeba histolytica, which causes human amoebic dysentery. The pore-forming activity of amoebapore A is regulated by pH-dependent dimerization, a prerequisite for membrane insertion and pore formation. Understanding of these important processes has been hampered by the cytotoxicity of amoebapore A, which prevents the production of this protein in cell-based expression systems.

[Level of serum and liver tissue TGF-beta1 in patients with liver fibrosis due to chronic hepatitis B].

Objective: To detect the level of serum and liver tissue TGF-beta1 in patients with chronic hepatitis B, to study their relation to liver fibrosis and gain the evidence for diagnosis of liver fibrosis.

Methods: The liver fibrosis grades (S0-S4) of 131 cases with chronic HBV infection were diagnosed after liver biopsy. Serum TGF-beta1 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the semiquantitative analysis was applied after detecting the expression of TGF-beta1 in liver tissue with immunohistochemistry.

Toward a stem cell gene therapy for breast cancer.

Current approaches for treatment of late-stage breast cancer rarely result in a long-term cure. In part this is due to tumor stroma that prevents access of systemically or intratumorally applied therapeutics. We propose a stem cell gene therapy approach for controlled tumor stroma degradation that uses the pathophysiologic process of recruitment of inflammatory cells into the tumor.

[Hepatic steatosis: a common reason for elevated alanine aminotransferase levels in HBsAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients with low HBV DNA loads].

Objective: To evaluate the causes of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level elevation in HBsAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with low HBV DNA loads.

Methods: One hundred nineteen HBsAg positive CHB patients with both serum HBV DNA loads less than 1000 copies/ml and ALT more than 1.25 upper limits of normal (ULN) lasting for at least 6 months were enrolled in this study.

[The analysis of the content of bile acids in ox-bile powder and goat gall powder of Mongolian medicine].

The present study was to detect and compare the content of bile acids in ox bile powder and goat gall powder of Mongolia medicine by UV. Cholic acid with sulphuric acid were heated and dehydrated, and they produced conjugated double bond. The conjugated bond showed the same absorption peak in the ultraviolet range.

[Oil content of Pyracantha seeds and its relations to soil nutrients in northwestern Hunan Province].

Pyracantha seeds were collected from five habitats in the Karst region of northwestern Hunan Province, and the oil content and its components were determined, with their relations to soil nutrients studied. The results showed that soil total P had positive correlation with the linolic acid in P. fortuneana seed oil, while other soil nutrients had no correlations with the fat acids in the oil.

[Effects of maternal hyperthyroidism and antithyroid drug therapy on thyroid function of newborn infants].

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the incidence of abnormal thyroid function of newborns and maternal hyperthyroidism with antithyroid drug therapy.

Method: The clinical data of 35 neonates born to mothers with hyperthyroidism from 1983 to 2003 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. According to the maternal thyroid function and the antithyroid drugs taken during pregnancy, subjects were divided into different groups.