Evolutionary pattern of full hepatitis B virus genome during sequential nucleos(t)ide analog therapy.

The evolutionary and mutational pattern of full hepatitis B virus (HBV) quasispecies during sequential nucleos(t)ide analog (NUC) therapy remains unclear. In this study, full-length HBV clones were generated from serial serum samples of five chronic hepatitis B patients who received sequential NUC therapies (treated patients) and two untreated patients with acute flares. The evolutionary and mutational patterns of full HBV quasispecies were studied.

New insights into the role of TFIIB in transcription initiation.

The general transcription factor TFIIB plays essential, but as yet unclear, roles in transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II. We recently found that phosphorylation of TFIIB is required for productive transcription. We discuss the implications of this work for the functions of TFIIB in promoter escape and gene loop formation.

[High performance liquid chromatographic fingerprints of triterpene glycosides from Stichopus japonicus].

The fingerprint chromatograms of triterpene glycosides in Stichopus japonicus were established for its quality control. The samples were prepared by solid phase extraction (SPE). The analysis was performed on a Zorbax SB-C18 column (250 mm x 4.

Study on possible mechanism of orotic acid-induced fatty liver in rats.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible mechanism of orotic acid-induced fatty liver in rats.

Methods: Rats were randomly divided into two groups and fed an AIN-93 diet with 1% orotic acid or without orotic acid for 10 d. Hepatic lipid concentrations, such as triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, and phospholipids, were examined.

[Analysis of fatty acid composition of Ulva pertusa Kjellm by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry].

A method of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was established to determine the fatty acids of Ulva pertusa Kjellm. The total lipids of Ulva pertusa Kjellm were extracted using Folch method, derivatized with HCl-CH3OH solution, and analyzed by GC/MS. The fragmentation patterns and mass spectrometry characteristics of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids were analyzed and concluded by regular patterns of organic mass spectrometry.

Association of TBX21 promoter polymorphisms with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis in a Chinese population.

The T-box transcription factor T-bet is a key regulator for the lineage commitment in CD4 Th1 cells and CD8 T cells by activating the hallmark production of interferon-γ, and its expression level is linked to autoimmune diseases. T-1993C and T-1514C polymorphisms in the TBX21 gene (encoding T-bet) promoter can affect transcription activity. We investigated the distributions of these functional polymorphisms in 84 adult patients with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis (AIH-1) and 318 healthy controls.

[Effect of sea cucumber cerebroside on lipid metabolism in fatty liver rats].

Objective: To investigate the effect of sea cucumber cerebroside (SCC) on the lipid metabolism in rats with orotic acid-induced fatty liver.

Methods: The non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) model was established by adding orotic acid to the diets in rats. The rats were randomly assigned to four groups:control group, NAFLD group, NAFLD + low SCC group and NAFLD + high SCC group.

Prognostic value of pretreatment carcinoembryonic antigen after definitive radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Purpose: To evaluate whether pretreatment carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels have a prognostic role in patients after definitive radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix.

Methods And Materials: A retrospective study of 550 patients was performed. The SCC antigen (SCC-Ag) and CEA levels were regarded as elevated when they were ≥2 and ≥5 ng/mL, respectively.

[Dorsal metatarsal artery distal perforator pedicle link-pattern flaps for wound repairing in the distal feet].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of repairing the wounds in the distal feet with dorsal metatarsal artery distal perforator pedicle link-pattern flaps.

Methods: Since January of 2004 to April of 2009, 30 patients with distal wounds in the feet underwent surgical wound repair using by dorsal metatarsal arteries distal perforator pedicle link-pattern flaps. Seventeen patients used the 1, 2 dorsal metatarsal artery distal perforator flaps, and 13 had the 3, 4 dorsal metatarsal artery distal perforator flaps, with the flaps measuring 4 cmx4 cm to 8 cmx7cm and the flap pedicle ranged 3-6 cm in length.

[Clinical observation of basic fibroblast growth factor combined with topical oxygen therapy in enhancing burn wound healing].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) combined with topical oxygen therapy for deep II degree burn wounds, by comparing the effects of bFGF combined with topical oxygen therapy and bFGF with routine therapy.

Methods: From February 2004 to July 2009, 85 patients with deep II degree burn wounds (117 wounds) were enrolled and divided into 4 groups randomly according to different treatments. There was no significant difference in sex, age, disease course, wound size, and wound treatment size among 4 groups (P > 0.

[Evolution of hepatitis B virus quasispecies during lamivudine-entecavir sequential therapy].

Objectives: To study the evolution of HBV quasispecies under the pressures of lamivudine (LAM) - entecavir (ETV) sequential therapy and its clinical significance.

Methods: Consecutive serum samples from 2 patients underwent LAM-ETV sequential therapy were extensively studied for HBV quasispecies composition and evolution, using PCR-cloning-sequencing method. Maximum likelihood trees were built to analyze the genetic relationship between representative sequences.

[Positive selection analysis of hepatitis C virus genotype 1b envelope 2 gene and its significance during natural chronic infection].

Aim: To elucidate adaptive evolution patterns and perform a positive selection analysis of hepatitis C virus(HCV) genotype 1b envelope 2 gene(E2) during natural chronic infection by a longitudinal study.

Methods: HCV E2 quasispecies profiles were derived from partially sequenced domains of 6 000 bp recombinant clones. Phylogenetic trees for HCV E2 gene were constructed by MEGA software and the specific codons undergoing diversifying positive selection were identified by FEL method.

Phosphorylation of TFIIB links transcription initiation and termination.

The general transcription factor TFIIB plays a central role in preinitiation complex (PIC) assembly and the recruitment of RNA polymerase II (RNA pol II) to the promoter. Recent studies have revealed that TFIIB engages in contact with the transcription termination region and also with complexes that are involved in 3' end processing and/or termination. Here we report that TFIIB can be phosphorylated within the N terminus at serine 65 in vivo and that the phosphorylated form of TFIIB is present within (PICs).

Dietary saponins of sea cucumber alleviate orotic acid-induced fatty liver in rats via PPARalpha and SREBP-1c signaling.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common chronic liver disease in the world, and is becoming increasingly prevalent. Saponins of sea cucumber (SSC) are proven to exhibit various biological activities. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to examine the effect of saponins extracted from sea cucumber (Pearsonothuria graeffei) on the preventive activity of fatty liver in rats.

[Fibular artery perforator link-pattern flaps at lateral and posterior part of leg].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of fibular artery perforator link-pattern flaps at lateral and posterior part of legs.

Methods: From January 2007 to March 2009, 12 cases of with feet and ankle wounds were treat with fibular artery perforator link-pattern flaps at lateral and posterior part of legs. The flap size ranged from 10 cm x 10 cm to 25 cm x 13 cm.

Adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) by Squid Ommastrephes bartrami Melanin.

The adsorption of Cd(II) and Pb(II) by squid melanin was investigated. At a metal ion concentration of 2 mM/L, the biosorption efficiency of melanin reached 95% for Cd(II) and Pb(II). The maximum content of bound Cd(II) and Pb(II) was 0.

[Repair of irregular wounds on thumbs and index fingers with first dorsal metacarpal artery-based pedicle dictyo-pattern sublobe flaps].

Objective: To explore the effect of the first dorsal metacarpal artery-based pedicle dictyo-pattern sublobe flaps in repairing irregular wounds on thumbs and index fingers.

Methods: From December 2006 to March 2009, 15 patients with irregular wounds on thumbs and index fingers were treated, including 11 males and 4 females, with an average age of 31 years (range, 18-48 years). Of them, 6 cases of hyperplastic scar of postburn had a 2-25 years course of disease (7.

[A study of efficiacy of infliximab treatment for Crohn's disease.].

Objective: To investigated the potential and safety of the monoclonal antibody to TNFalpha infliximab (IFX) in the treatment of active Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: Patients who were confirmed diagnosis of CD and were unresponsive to the conventional treatments, or recurred after surgeries, or discontinued treatment due to drug intolerance, were treated with IFX intravenously in a dose of 5 mg/kg at week 0, 2, 6 (IFX infusion continued at an interval of every 8 weeks if respond to initial dosing). Clinical assessments, including disease activity, blood biological markers and colonoscopic findings, were performed at baseline (week 0) and each week (4 weeks or later for colonoscopy) after IFX infusion were conducted until the week before 4(th) infusion from initiated.

[The inhibitory effect of curcumin on the proliferation of HT-29 colonic cancer cell induced by deoxycholic acid].

Objective: To assess the effect of curcumin on deoxycholic acid (DCA) induced cell proliferation in human HT-29 colon cancer cell line and to discuss its underlying anti-cancer mechanisms.

Methods: The effect of curcumin on cell proliferation was tested in vitro with MTT assay. RT-PCR was applied to measure cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA transcription.

The mechanism of dietary cholesterol effects on lipids metabolism in rats.

Background: Cholesterol administration has been reported to influence hepatic lipid metabolism in rats. In the present study, the effect of dietary cholesterol on hepatic activity and mRNA expression of the enzymes involved in lipid metabolism were investigated. Fourteen male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups and fed 1% cholesterol or cholesterol free AIN76 diets for 4 weeks.

[Results of 3 years of continuous entecavir treatment in nucleos(t)ide-naive chronic hepatitis B patients].

Objective: To evaluate the virological, serological and biochemical outcomes of 3 years of entecavir (ETV) treatment in nucleoside-naive chronic hepatitis B patients.

Methods: This study was divided into two stages: Patients receiving either ETV 0.5 mg/d (n = 258) or lamivudine (LAM) 100 mg/d (n = 261) entered the initial 96-week randomized, double blind, controlled efficacy study.

[Applied anatomy of medial plantar artery combined flaps and repairing heel and adjacent vast soft tissue defects].

Objective: To explore an anatomical basis and incising scope for the medial plantar artery combined flaps and its feasibility of repairing heel and adjacent vast soft tissue defects.

Methods: The origin, branches, course and distribution of the medial plantar artery were studied in 20 legs of adult cadavers. The largest area of healthy adult's medial plantar and medialis pedis scope that could be incised for the combined flap was measured.