BACKGRUND:The high prevalence of hepatitis B virus(HBV) is related with the sexual characteristics in drug abusers.How about the relationship between prevalence of HBV/hepatitis C virus(HCV) co infection and the sexual characteristics in drug abusers? OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between sexual characteristics and HBV/HCV co infection in drug abusers. DESIGN:A cross sectional survey taking the drug abuser as the subjects. SETTING:A department of clinical laboratory of a municipal hospital,an epidemiological department of the college of public health of a university,a professional drug abuser treatment center. PARTICIPANTS:Totally 452 male and 320 female drug abusers were randomly selected from the Changsha Xinkaipu Drug Abusers Treatment Center and Zhuzhou Baimalong Female Drug Abusers Treatment Center as the subjects from 1st to 31st January 2001. INTERVENTIONS:A self designed questionnaire was used to investigate the sexual characteristics of drug abusers.HBV surface antigen and HCV antibody were detected in the serums of the participants with ELISA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The relationship between HBV/HCV co infection and the sexual behavior, numbers of sexual partners,and the usage of condom in drug abusers. RESULTS:The total prevalence of HBV/HCV co infection in drug abusers was 21.24% ; the prevalence of HBV/HCV co infection in male drug abusers was 29.6% ),which was significantly higher than that in females(9.4% )(χ 2=46.016,P< 0.01).There was no significant difference in the prevalence of HBV/HCV co infection between male and female drug abuser whether they had or had not sexual behaviors(χ 2=3.775,P >0.05).The prevalence of HBV/HCV co infection was in an ascending tendency with the increase of sexual partner(χ 2=9.846,P< 0.05).The using frequency of condom was significantly higher in females than in males(U=14.80,P< 0.01). CONCLUSION:There is no correlation between sexual experience and prevalence of HBV/HCV co infection;male drug abusers have higher prevalence of co infection than females;the number of sexual partners is correlated with the prevalence of HBV/HCV co infection,the more sexual partners,the higher prevalence is.The protective effect of condom is greater in female drug abusers than in males.

OBJECTIVETo establish a nested real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for detection of hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA in PBMC( peripheral blood monocyte) and MMNC (marrow monocyte).

METHODSBased on the structural differences between HBVcccDNA and HBV rcDNA, two pairs of specific primers spanned the gap of the positive and negative chains and a specific TaqMan probe situated downstream were designed. To remove rcDNA, cccDNA was processed by Mung Bean Nuclease,and then amplified by nested real-time quantitative PCR using a pair of outer primers and a pair of inner primers. According to the standard preparation, cccDNA levels of specimen were calculated.

RESULTSWe have established a nested real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR method for HBV cccDNA successfully, and the linear range is from 5.0 x 10(2) to 3. 9 x 10(7) copies per milliliter. Of the 25 PBMC samples and 7 MMNC samples of the chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis patients, 3 MMNC samples and 9 PBMC samples were HBV cccDNA positive, while all of the 21 healthy donator blood PBMC samples were negative.

CONCLUSIONSThe nested real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR method may be applied to detect HBVcccDNA level in PBMC and MMNC. HBVcccDNA can be detected in PBMC and MMNC.

DNA, Circular ; genetics ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Hepatitis B ; diagnosis ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; virology ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUNDSuccessful treatment of hepatitis B can be achieved only if the template for hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA replication, the covalently closed circular HBV DNA (cccDNA) can be completely cleared. To date, detecting cccDNA remains clinically challenging. The purpose of this study was to develop a nested real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for detecting HBV cccDNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and bone marrow mononuclear cells (MMNCs).

METHODSBased on the structural differences between HBV cccDNA and HBV relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA), two pairs of primers were synthesized as well as a downstream TaqMan probe. Blood and bone marrow samples were collected from hepatitis B patients and healthy controls. To remove rcDNA, samples were incubated with mung bean nuclease and the resultant purified HBV cccDNA was then amplified by nested real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The cccDNA levels were calculated using a positive standard.

RESULTSThe nested real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR method for HBV cccDNA was successful, with a linear range of 3.0 × 10(2) copies/ml to 3.9 × 10(8) copies/ml. Of the 25 PBMC samples and 7 MMNC samples obtained from chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis patients, 3 MMNC samples and 9 PBMC samples were positive for HBV cccDNA, while all of the 21 PBMC samples from healthy controls were negative.

CONCLUSIONThe nested real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR may be used as an important tool for detecting cccDNA in hepatitis B patients.

Cells, Cultured ; DNA, Circular ; genetics ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

This paper is aimed to develop a rapid and sensitive HPLC-fluorescence detection (FLD) method for the determination of tetrahydropalmatine (TET) in rats' plasma. The influence of combinations of Extractum Angelicae Dahuricae Siccum (coumarin and volatile oil) and total alkaloids (TA) from Rhizoma Corydalis (TA) on pharmacokinetics of TET in rats was studied. Plasma samples were treated with hexane-isopropanol (95:5) to precipitate the protein, and were determined by HPLC-fluorescence detection. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 2.096-167.68 microg L(-1). The limit of quantification was 2.096 microg L(-1). The method recovery of TET was 94.0%-100.0%. The extract recovery was 72.0%-81.5%. RSDs ofintra- and inter-day precisions were all less than 7.0%. Pharmacokinetics of TET in rats was fitted to two compartments open model after oral administration of TA, TA-volatile oil (VO), TA-coumarin (Cou) and TA-VO-Cou. Compared with TA, AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), MRT(0-t), and MRT(0-infinity) of TET had significant deviation when combined with VO and/or Cou. The determination method is sensitive, specific, accurate, and appropriate for determination of TET in vivo. Coumarin and/or VO combined with TA can prolong the resistance time of TET significantly, delay elimination and enhance bioavailability of tetrahydropalmatine.
Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Angelica ; chemistry ; Animals ; Berberine Alkaloids ; pharmacokinetics ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; Coumarins ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Oils, Volatile ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhizome ; chemistry

This study was aimed to investigate the occurrence and clinical significance of the SET-NUP214 fusion gene in patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), analyse clinical and biological characteristics in this disease. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of SET-NUP214 fusion gene in 58 T-ALL cases. Interphase FISH and Array-CGH were used to detect the deletion of 9q34. Direct sequencing was applied to detect mutations of PHF6 and NOTCH1. The results showed that 6 out of 58 T-ALL cases (10.3%) were detected to have the SET-NUP214 fusion gene by RT-PCR. Besides T-lineage antigens, expression of CD13 and(or) CD33 were detected in all the 6 cases. Deletions of 9q34 were detected in 4 out of the 6 patients by FISH. Array-CGH results of 3 SET-NUP214 positive T-ALL patients confirmed that this fusion gene was resulted from a cryptic deletion of 9q34.11q34.13. PHF6 and NOTCH1 gene mutations were found in 4 and 5 out of 6 SET-NUP214 positive T-ALL patients, respectively. It is concluded that SET-NUP214 fusion gene is often resulted from del(9)(q34). PHF6 and NOTCH1 mutations may be potential leukemogenic event in SET-NUP214 fusion gene.
Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Histone Chaperones ; genetics ; Humans ; Mutation ; Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins ; genetics ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics ; Receptor, Notch1 ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo cultivate adventitious roots of Hypericum perforatum in bioreactors, in order to seek for suitable conditions for adventitious growth.

METHODThe effect of IBA concentration, sugar type and concentration, inoculum volume and air volume of adventitious roots on the cultivation of adventitious roots of H. perforatum was observed in a 5 L air-lift bioreactor.

RESULTAdventitious roots of H. perforatum were cultivated in a MS culture dish. With the increase of IBA concentration, the propagation coefficient of adventitious roots of H. perforatum was on the rise. The IBA concentration ranging between 1.25-1.75 mg x L(-1) was suitable for the growth of adventitious roots. Adventitious roots grew best with sucrose in MS medium, with the propagation coefficient up to 22.15. When sucrose concentration was 30 g x L(-1), fresh weight, dry weight and propagation coefficient reached the maximum value. An adventitious root reactor with an inoculum volume of 20 g was favorable for the growth of adventitious roots. The air volume of reactors of 0.075 vvm (air volume/culture volume per minute) was favorable for the growth of adventitious roots, with the significant increase in the propagation coefficient of adventitious roots. In the amplification experiment, we found that the cultivation conditions of adventitious roots in a 5 L bioreactor was completely applicable to that in 10 and 20 L bioreactors, and adventitious roots grew well in a large bioreactor.

CONCLUSIONIBA concentration, sugar type and concentration, inoculum volume and air volume had a significant effect on the growth of adventitious roots.

Air ; Biomass ; Bioreactors ; Carbohydrates ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Hypericum ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Sucrose ; pharmacology ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical effect and mechanisms of specific sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for the treatment of allergic rhinitis or asthma in children.

METHODSThirty children suffering from Dermatophagoides farinae-allergic rhinitis or asthma (case group) and 30 healthy children (control group) were enrolled in this study. The case group accepted SLIT between January and December 2011. The ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and its expected value, the ratio of airway resistance and its expected value, peripheral blood eosinophil (Eos) count and serum levels of IL-17 and IL-35 were measured before treatment and one and two years after treatment. The rhinitis or asthma symptom scores were rated and the level of asthma control was monitored.

RESULTSSerum IL-17 level in the case group was significantly higher than in the control group before treatment and one year after treatment (P<0.01). Furthermore, serum IL-17 level in the case group gradually decreased from before treatment to 1 year to 2 years after treatment (P<0.01). By two years of treatment, there was no significant difference in serum IL-17 level between the case and control groups (P>0.05). The changes of serum IL-35 level after treatment were opposite to serum IL-17 in the case group. The ratio of FEV1 and its expected value gradually increased from before treatment to 1 year to 2 years after treatment (P<0.01) in the case group. In contrast, the change of the ratio of airway resistance and its expected value and Eos count gradually decreased from before treatment to 1 year to 2 years after treatment (P<0.01) in the case group. More patients achieved improved rhinitis or asthma symptom scores two years after treatment than one year after treatment in the case group (P<0.01). SLIT was effective in 85% of children with allergic rhinitis one after treatment vs 100% two years after treatment. Asthma control was observed in 76% of the asthmatic patients one after treatment vs 92% two years after treatment.

CONCLUSIONSSLIT is effective for allergic rhinitis and asthma in children, and the treatment period of two years seems to be superior to one year. The mechanism of action of SLIT for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and asthma may be associated with inhibition of IL-17 expression and promotion of IL-35 expression.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; blood ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Interleukins ; blood ; Male ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; blood ; therapy ; Sublingual Immunotherapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on thyroid gland volume, thyroid function and thyroid autoantibodies in the areas with different iodine intakes.

METHODSA cross-sectional epidemiological study in Panshan (mild iodine-deficient area), Zhangwu (more than adequate iodine intake area) and Huanghua (iodine-excessive area) was conducted in 3761 subjects in 1999.80.2 % of them were followed up in 2004. Questionnaires, thyroid function, thyroid autoantibodies, urinary iodine concentration,and thyroid B ultrasound were performed.

RESULTSThe prevalence of goiter was higher in smokers than in non-smokers (15.1% vs. 11.5%, P< 0.05). The average thyroid volume was higher in smokers with phenomenon more obvious in Panshan and Huanghua areas. Data from logistic analysis showed that smoking cigarette was an independent risk factor of goiter. There was no difference in serum TSH and Tg level between smokers and non-smokers. The positive rate of TPOAb (>100 IU/ml) was higher in smokers than in non-smokers(10.8% vs. 9.0 % , P <0.05) and was especially obvious in Huanghua area. Smoking was a independent risk factor of increasing positive rate of TPOAb. During the prospective observation,it was found that the incidence of positive TPOAb(>,100 IU/ml) was 7.4% in the subjects that were from non-smokers turning to smokers and 2.9% in those whose smoking behavior did not change. Logistic analysis indicated that the shifting from non-smoking to smoking was independent risk factor for the increase on high incidence of positive TPOAb.

CONCLUSIONSmoking cigarette was a independent risk factor of goiter. Smoking was also a risk factor of increasing TPOAb positive rate. Shifting from not smoking to smoking was an independent risk factor of increasing high incidence of positive TPOAb.

Autoantibodies ; blood ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Goiter ; blood ; epidemiology ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland ; physiopathology ; Thyroid Hormones ; blood

Objective To investigate epidemiologieal characteristics of hypothyroidism and factors influencing its outcome in the areas with different iodine intakes.Methods An epidemiologic follow-up study of thyroid diseases was performed in Panshan (iodine deficient),Zhangwu [mild iodine deficiency before universal salt iodination (USI) and more than adequate iodine intakes after USI ] and Huanghua ( iodine excessive) in China.A total of 3 761 subjects were investigated in 1999,and 3 018 (80.2% ) of them were followed up in 2004.FT_4,FT_3,TSH,thyroid autoantibodies and urinary iodine concentration were determined and thyroid B ultrasound was performed in all participants.Results Five-year cumulative incidence of overt hypothyroidism was 0.23%,0.47% and 0.35% in Panshan,Zhangwu and Huanghua,respectively.Twenty patients with autoimmune- induced overt hypothyroidism did not comply with the physician's orders to take thyroxine.Thyroid function spontaneously turned to normal in 55% of them,turned to subclinical hypothyroidism in 20% and maintained overt hypothyroidism in 25%.Five-year cumulative incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism in Zhangwu (2.60%) and Huanghua (2.89%) were significantly higher than that in Panshan(0.23% ) (both P＜0.01 ).One hundred patients with subclinical hypothyroidism were followed up,and 5% of them developed overt hypothyroidism,66% turned to euthyroidism and 29% maintained subclinical hypothyroidism.Raised serum TSH (＞6 mU/L) in the original survey ( OR = 3.4),positive thyroid autoantibodies in the follow-up study ( OR = 5.3 ) and more than adequate iodine supplementation in the mild iodine-deficient population ( OR = 8.0) were risk factors influencing outcome of subclinical hypothyroidism.Conclusion More than adequate iodine supplementation among a population in the mildly iodine-deficient area may increase the incidence of overt and subolinical hypothyroidism, and also influence outcome of subclinical hypothyroidism.

Objective To perform a follow-up survey about thyroid disorders in three rural communities with different iodine intakes in China,observe the incidences and natural outcomes of positive thyroid autoantibodies in euthyroid population,and also explore the influence of iodine intakes on these outcomes and autoantibodies.Methods In 1999,a cross-sectional study on thyroid disorders was performed in three rural communities of Pansan ( mild iodine deficient area),Zhangwu ( more than adequate iodine intake area) and Huanghua (excessive iodine intake area) in China.The 5-year follow-up study was performed in 2004.Both in 1999 and 2004,serum levels of TSH,thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) were measured with the same method.Iodine in urine and B ultrasound on thyroid were also examined.Results Among the euthyroid subjects with normal TSH level in 1999,an increased prevalence of positive TPOAb in Zhangwu and an increased prevalence of positive TgAb in Hnanghua were observed in 2004 (both P＜0.05 ).Most of euthyroid subjects with positive TPOAb or positive TgAb in 1999 remained positive thyroid antibodies in 2004. The percentage was even higher in those with high levels of antibodies.Thyroid dysfunction was more frequent in subjects with positive TPOAb and/or TgAh than in those without thyroid antibodies (14.44% vs 3.11%,P＜0.01).For those with positive antibodies in 1999,the incidence of hypothyroidism in 2004 was 1.32%,8.46% and 15.38% in Pansan,Zhangwu and Huanghua,respectively (P＜0.05).The 5-year cumulative incidences of positive TPOAb (≥50 U/ml) and TgAb (≥40 U/ml) were 2.81% and 3.82%,respectively.The incidence of positive TPOAb was the highest in Zhangwu ( 3.84% ).The incidence of positive TgAb was the highest in Huanghua (5.07%),significantly higher than those in other two areas (P＜0.05).Conclusion The incidence of thyroid dysfunction is higher in subjects with positive antibodies than that in those with negative antibodies.The high iodine intake is a risk factor of hypothyroidism in subjects with positive thyroid antibodies.Sustained excessive iodine intake increases the incidence of positive thyroid antibodies.