Objective To construct 1.3-fold-overlength infectious clone of hepatitis B virus isolated from Chinese patients , observe the expression of plasmid in Huh7 of liver cancer cells and establish genome of HBV in vitro. Methods HBV DNA in serum was extracted from HBV patient. SOE-PCR was performed to produce a 1.3-fold-overlength genome of HBV. The plasmid was named pHBV1.3 (C). After that,pHBV1.3 (C) was transfected into Huh7 cells, HBV related viral antigens and DNA were detected by ELISA,Western Blot and Fluorescence quantitative PCR. Furthermore, adefovir dipivoxil, a clinic anti-viral drug, was utilized to test the sensitivity of the new infectious clone. Results An infectious clone of pHBV1.3 (C) was successfully constructed. HBV gene carried in pHBV1.3 (C) could be efficiently replicated and expressed in Huh7 cells. Adefovir could inhibit HBV replication in this HBV cell model. Conclusions A recombinant plasmid containing 1.3-fold-overlength of HBV genotype C was successfully constructed. This construct is competent to support viral transcription and replication in vitro , suggesting that infectious cells are expected to be a new model of HBV infection in vitro.

Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods

The brain-gut peptide ghrelin, a endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue hormone receptor, is mainly produced by gastric cells in the periphery, regulating energy metabolism via stimulating the appetite. Inside the brain, ghrelin is mainly expressed in the pituitary and in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, regulating the synthesis and secretion of neuropeptides that are correlated with feeding behavior, reproduction, and stress responses. Recently, more and more researches focused on the regulating roles of ghrelin on learning and memory, and mood regulation have indicated that ghrelin may inhibit neuronal apoptosis, improve cognitive function, and regulate the activities of neuroendocrine systems such as the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis thus get involved in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric diseases. The aim of this review is to summarize the main findings in this field, with the purpose of promoting further studies on the role of ghrelin in the brain.
Apoptosis ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiology ; Ghrelin ; metabolism ; physiology ; Humans ; Learning ; Memory ; Neurons ; pathology ; Parkinson Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology

Objective To observe the changes of esophageal motility in patients with achalasia (AC) before and after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM ) and to evaluate the effects of POEM on esophageal motility in AC .Methods A total of 35 patients with AC received POEM .The esophageal motility in response to different food swallows (5 mL liquid and 2 cm × 2 cm × 2 cm solid food) was evaluated by high-resolution manometry (HRM) system before operation and one month after operation .The changes of parameters of esophageal body and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) were analyzed and compared before and after operation .The t-test ,non-parametric test or single factor analysis of variance was performed for statistical analysis .Results Before POEM operation ,lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) of 35 patients in response to liquid swallows and solid swallows was (28 .94 ± 18 .70) mmHg (1 mmHg=0 .133 kPa) and (26 .41 ± 11 .57) mmHg ,respectively ;after operation it was (16 .02 ± 5 .46) mmHg and (15 .82 ± 5 .04) mmHg ,respectively ;and the differences were statistically significant (t= 4 .338 and 4 .726 ,both P<0 .01) .Before operation ,4 s integrated relax pressure (4 s IRP) during liquid swallows and solid swallows was (27 .18 ± 14 .63) mmHg and (28 .46 ± 11 .15) mmHg ,respectively ;after operation it was (12 .22 ± 6 .75) mmHg and (14 .54 ± 7 .83) mmHg ,respectively ;and the differences were statistically significant (t= 5 .902 and 5 .436 ,both P< 0 .01) .And after operation intra boluspressure (IBP) of liquid swallows and solid swallows also decreased compared to that before operation (t=5 .075 and 2 .944 ,both P< 0 .01) .Lower esophageal sphincter relaxation rate (LESRR) during liquid swallows and solid swallows increased compared to that before operation (t= -2 .990 , P< 0 .01 ;t=-0 .340 ,P>0 .05) .There was no difference in the distal contractile integral (DCI) and distal esophageal peristaltic amplitude in subtype Ⅰ and Ⅲ patients before and after operation (all P>0 .05 ) .All those parameters decreased in subtype Ⅱ patients (Z= -2 .704 and -2 .489 ,P< 0 .05 ;Z= -1 .929 and-0 .747 , P> 0 .05 ) . Proximal esophageal peristalsis was observed in two patients after operation , however there was no integrated esophageal body peristalsis .Clinical symptoms quickly relieved in all patients after POEM operation and clinical score significantly decreased compared to that before operation (0 .86 ± 1 .19 vs 8 .16 ± 1 .84 ,t=20 .605 , P<0 .05) .Conclusions POEM can effectively relieve LES relaxation disorder in AC patients and improve esophageal body peristalsis to a certain degree .The efficacy is regardless of AC types ,and further studies are need to shed light on the long-term efficacy .The long-term efficacy still need further follow-up study .

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease ,which is still endemic in western China .An earthquake struck south-western China on May 12th ,2008 ,which affected Longnan City of Gansu Province considerably .The objective of this survey is to determine the effect of the Wenchuan earthquake on the Kala-azar epidemic in Longnan City .In this study ,VL cases were collected from 2005 to 2013 and diagnosed on positive test for anti-rK39IgG antibodies by the Kala-azar Detect rK39 dip-stick (InBios ,USA) .The incidence rates were calculated among various counties of Longnan City with SPSS 19 .0 soft-ware .The epidemiological characteristics of the disease were analyzed before and after the Wenchuan earthquake .From 2005 to 2013 ,there were 825 VL cases in Longnan City ,with an annual incidence of 3 .36/100 000 and a significantly higher incidence in males than that in females (P＜ 0 .001) .All age groups were affected .During this period ,there was an obvious upward trend from 2005 to 2008 ,and a distinct downward tendency since 2010 .The incidences of VL between 2008 and 2010 were sig-nificantly different with that in other years (P＜0 .01) .Results revealed that VL was widespread in Longnan City ,which was likely exacerbated by the earthquake in 2008 .Earthquake created diverse natural environment and social circumstances ,w hich may contribute to the spread of the VL epidemic .Together ,our data strongly suggest that the epidemic of VL should be close-ly monitored after earthquake .

Adolescent ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Sotalol ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To evaluate the clinical results of femoral-deep femoral crossover bypass in the treatment of long-segment unilateral iliac artery occlusive disease.Methods From July 1995 to December 2010,40 patients (28 males,12 females,aged from 66 to 90,with mean age of 73) with comprehensive unilateral iliac-superficial femoral arteriosclerosis obliterans were enrolled in this procedure.All patients suffered from unilateral common iliac,external iliac,common femoral,and superficial femoral arteriosclerosis obliterans.These patients were treated with femoral-deep femoral crossover bypass.Postoperative ankle-brachial index,blood flow velocity and patency rates in 5,7 and 10 years and limb salvage rates in 5,7 and 10 years were evaluated.Results There was no perioperative mortality nor extremity amputation.35 (87.5％ ) patients were followed-up from 1 to 13 years (mean 5.7 y).Anklebrachial index rose from preoperative 0.23 ± 0.10 to postoperative 0.55 ± 0.11 (t =15.91,P =0.000 ).Popliteal arterial velocity rose from preoperative ( 14 ±6) cm/s to postoperative (34 ± 10) cm/s (t =15.63,P =0.000) ; Tibial arterial velocity rose from ( 10 ±4) cm/s to (22 ±7) cm/s (t =15.71,P =0.000).The primary and secondary patency rates were 60.1％,44.3％,25.3％,and 93.5％,86.8％,57.9％ at 5,7 and 10 years,respectively.Limb salvage rates were 97.5％,95％,and 90％,at 5,7 and 10 years,respectively.Conclusions Femoral-deep femoral crossover bypass is safe and reliable in treating certain unilateral iliofemoral occlusive disease,especially for high-risk old patients or those who are not indicated for endovascular therapies or direct aortic approaches.

Objective To evaluate the surgical treatment of carotid artery stenosis. MethodAccording to the level and degree of the stenosis, different operations were performed on 120 patients who suffered from the extracranial carotid stenosis. Treatment result was retrospectively reviewed. ResultSurgery was successful in all the patients. We performed carotid endarterectomy on 111 cases and other operations on 9 cases. The incidence of postoperative complications was low, especially for carotid endarterectomy. ConclusionCarotid endarterectomy is still the main therapy for the treatment of carotid artery stenosis with a satisfactory result.

0.05),but the expression in controls were negative.The expression levels of PRAME gene at remission was decreased obviously,but increased again when the patients relapsed.Conclusions Expression of PRAME gene has a high level in childhood acute leukemia.The dynamic changes are closely related with the prognosis.It can be regarded as a candidate for detecting minimal residual disease in acute leukemia,and may have important implications for estimating the prognosis and guiding the chemical therapy.

Objective To analyze the clinical epidemiology of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) in the Xinjiang region. Methods Clinical data of the patients with PHC were collected at First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from 5 577 cases from January 2002 to December 2014, their gender, race, age, household distribution, hepatitis virus-positive rate were analyzed retrospectively. Results Among the 5 577 eases, the men/women gender ratio was 3.45∶1;the proportion of Han, Uighur, Kazakh, and other ethnic groups (Hui, Mongolian, Manchu, Xibo) was 79.67%, 9.86%, 4.55%, 3.31%and 2.61%, respectively. The Constituent ratio difference between Uighur and Han was significant (P<0.05);4 232 patients had hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) detection, and 3 833 patients had HCV antibody (HCV-Ab) detection. HBsAg was positive in 2 560 cases (60.49%), HCV-Ab was positive in 490 cases (12.78%). Hepatitis B virus detection positive rate in Uygur was 35.52%, in Kazak was 40.00%, which was lower than the Han's (65.68%, P<0.05). Urban and rural population had 3589 cases (64.35%) and 1988 cases (35.65%). Conclusion An increased risk for PHC was found in hepatitis virus-positive patients, the Xinjiang Uygur and Kazak people had significantly lower prevalence of HBV infection than the Han's. Appropriate measures should be taken for clinical diagnosis, treatment and prevention of PHC.