To explore the effect of products of nan A gene on the changes of cell surface carbohydrates of the chinchilla eustachian tube after infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Methods Using lectin histochemical techique to compare the changes of the cell surface carbohydrates in the chinchilla eustachian tube after infection with S.pneumoniae D39 or ?NA1 mutant. Results The labeling pattern revealed that the staining with Limax flavus agglutinin (LFA) and Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA) was decreased in epithelium of the eustachian tube in the D39 cohort compared to the uninfected control, which indicated that the normal terminal sialic acid residue were removed. Concurrently, the increased staining with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), succinylated wheat germ agglutinin (Succ WGA), Bandeiraea simplicfolia lectin II (BSL II), peanut agglutinin (PNA) and Erythrina cristagalli lectin (ECL) was observed in the lumen surface of eustachian tube subsequent to intranasal inoculation with D39. However, the ?NA1 neuraminidase deficient mutant did not show any significant changes in the lectin labeling patterns as compared with those of the control cohort. Conclusions The products of the nan A gene play an important role in the changes of cell surface carbohydrates and thus may be responsible for the colonization in the chinchilla eustachian tube after infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae.

The T helper cell 17 (Th17) has important relationship with liver failure caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV).Some studies found that mature,differentiation and proliferation of Th17 cells have a close relationship with interleukin 23,newly discovered in recent years,which function of immune and regulatory mechanism in chronic hepatitis B patients is still unclear.In our country,the main cause of liver failure is hepatitis viruses (mainly HBV),thus the study of immune pathogenesis that why acute exacerbation or liver failure happens in chronic hepatitis B patients has a realistic meaning for improving the prognosis of chronic hepatitis B.

Objective In order to evaluate the efficacy of Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Methods The randomized clinical trials(RCTs) that compared the efficacy of Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate and other kind of treatment in chronic hepatitis-B were chosen from CBM disks from 1995 to 2004 and CNKI from 1995 to 2004.A meta-analysis was employed to evaluate the results of these therapies. Results Twenty-four RCTs including 3201 cases were analyzed.Compared with control group,the total RR of efficiency rate of Diammonium Glycyrrhizinate group were 1.378(95%CI 1.243～1.529),showing significant difference(P

Objective To detect the expression of type Ⅰ interferon in monocyte-derived dendritic cells(MoDCs)after Toll like receptor(TLR)3 triggered in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB),and to evaluate immune responses of CHB patients and its roles in the mechanisms of persistent infection of hepatitis B virus(HBV)and chronicity of hepatitis.Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)were isolated and purified using magnetic beads(plasma was saved simultaneously)from 26 CHB patients and 18 healthy volunteers(HV).Dendritic cells(DCs)were induced and proliferated in a culture medium with recombinant human granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor(rhGM-CSF)and recombinant human interleukin(rhIL-4).EX3s were stimulated with Poly Ⅰ:C and the supernatants were collected at 0 h and 24 h after stimulation.Type Ⅰ interferon(IFN-α and IFN-β)in plasma and supernatants were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results The levels of type Ⅰ interferon in plasma were not significantly different in groups of HV and CH B.IFN-α and IFN-β expressions in supernatants before Poly Ⅰ:C stimulation were(80.00±16.15)ng/L,(36.39±13.90)ng/L in CHB group and(76.76±15.90)ng/L,(37.14±13.68)ng/L in HV group,respectively.And there were no statistical differences between two groups(t=1.651,t=0.178;both P＞0.05).IFN-α expressions in supernatants at 24 h after stimulation in two groups were both higher than those before stimulation(at 0 h),but there were no statistical differences(t=1.534,t=1.243;both P＞0.05).IFN-β expressions in supernatants at 24 h after stimulation in HV group was(54.57±16.80)ng/L,which was significantly higher than that at 0 h(37.14±13.68)ng/L(t=4.061,P＜0.05).However,there was no significant difference at 24 h than tht at 0 h in CHB group(t=1.796,P＞0.05).At 24 h after stimulation.IFN-β level was(54.57±16.80)ng/L in HV group,which was significantly higher than that[(41.64±12.57)ng/L]in CHB group(t=2.921,P＜0.05).Conclusions Functions of MoDCs from CHB patients are impaired and MoDCs could not express type Ⅰ interferon normally.Expression of type Ⅰ interferon after TLR3 triggered in CHB patients is mainly IFN-β.

Objective To elucidate the expression of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) on dendritic cells(DCs) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and to explore the correlation between hepatitis B virus (HBV) persistent infection and TLR3 expression. Methods Sixty CHB patients (CHB group) and 20 healthy controls (control group) were enrolled. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and CD14~+ monocytes were sorted by immunomagnetic beads. Immature DCs (imDC) were induced and proliferated in vitro and mature DCs (mDC) were obtained after the poly I:C stimulation. The expression of intracellular TLR3 mRNA was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and surface markers [CD80 and human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR] were determined by flow cytometry after 48 h of stimulation. The comparison of quantitative data was done using t test. The qualitative data were compared using chi-square test.Results The mean fluorescence intensities (MFI) of intracellular TLR3 of imDC before poly I:C stimulation in CHB group and control group were 1212.05 ± 250.80 and 1192.95 ± 301.40,respectively, which were not significantly different (t = 0. 280, P>0. 05). While after stimulation,those were 1352.98± 313.67 and 1593. 00± 349. 65, respectively, the latter was significantly higher than the former (t = 2. 880, P<0. 05). The levels of TLR3 mRNA inside mDCs in both groups were increased after poly I:C stimulation, which were 0. 1204 ±0.0267 and 0. 1780 ± 0.0664, respectively in CHB group and control group, and that in control group was significantly higher (t = 3. 909, P<0.05). Furtherly, patients in CHB group were divided into HBeAg(+ ) and HBeAg( -) subgroups.After stimulation, the MFI and mRNA of TLR3 inside mDC were greatly elevated in both subgroups,but there were no difference between these two subgroups (t = 0. 366, P>0. 05). Conclusions The intracellular expressions of TLR3 in mDC in CHB group and control group are obviously increased after the poly I:C stimulation, but the increased level in CHB group is lower than that in control group. The results suggest that the insufficiency of TLR3 synthesis may be related to the HBVpersistent infection.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lamivudine combined with thymosin α1 therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods Sixty-eight eligible patients with chronic hepatitis B were enrolled in this multi-center randomized controlled rlinical trial.Patients were randomized into the trial group and the control group(n=34 for each).Patients in trial group received thymosin α1 for 6 months and lamivudine for 12 menths:patients in control group received lamivudine for 12 months only.The rates of serum HBV DNA clearance.HBeAg loss,HBeAg seroconversion,ALT normalization and the safety of thymosin α1 were observed at 3rd.6th,12th and 18th month during and after the treatment.Results At 12th month of the treatment,there were significant differences in the rates of serum HBV DNA clearance,HBeAg loss and ALT normalization between two groups(χ2=31.17,7.17 and 5.92,P＜0.05);at 6th month after the treatment.there were significant differences in the rates of sernm HBV DNA clearance and HBeAg loss between two groups(χ2=4.53 and 7.17,P＜0.05).HBV DNA was not detected in 2 patients during 6-month follow-up study and no sever side effect was observed throughout the study.Conclusion The conlbination of lamivudine and thymosin α1 is safe and has better effect than the monotherapy of lamivudine in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

The development status of acupuncture and moxibustion in Tunisia is introduced in this article. Although acupuncture and moxibustion only has a history of more than 30 years in Tunisia, it is very popular among the local people. Until now, there is one acupuncture and moxibustion center aided and built with the help of the Chinese government. Acupuncture and moxibustion clinical department has been set in some of the hospitals, and acupuncture and moxibustion clinical practice is also carried out in some private clinics. Cost of acupuncture and moxibustion in public hospitals has already been covered by medical insurance. As for education of acupuncture and moxibustion, training courses were set up in medical colleges of Tunisia by Tunisian government which is lectured by Chinese acupuncture experts. Acupuncture and moxibustion has been used to treat many diseases in Tunisia and is warmly welcomed by Tunisian.
Acupuncture ; economics ; education ; history ; Acupuncture Therapy ; economics ; history ; trends ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; economics ; history ; trends ; Tunisia

Objective To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of muhisystemic invasive fungal diseases. Methods Twenty-one patients with multisystemic invasive fungal diseases who were hospitalized in department of infectious diseases from January 2001 to June 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The pathogenic bacteria, involved organs, underlying diseases, clinical manifestations, treatments and prognoses of muhisystemic invasive fungal diseases were analyzed. Results Among 21 recruited cases, 17 had underlying diseases and 11 were treated with long-term immunosuppressive agents. The main pathogenic bacteria were Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus and Candida parapsilosis. Lung and brain were involved in 16 cases (skin involve in 2 cases and lymph node involved in 1 case simultaneously), lung and lumbar involved in 2 cases, heart valves involved in 2 cases, and liver, spleen and bone marrow involved in 1 case. Eight cases were cured, 6 were improved and 7 died. Conclusions In this study, most of the 21 cases with multisystemic invasive fungal diseases are immunocompromised. The main pathogenic bacterium is Cryptococcus neoformans. The lung and brain are common organs involved. Prognosis is associated with early diagnosis and active anti-fungal treatment.

Objective To understand the immune regulatory function of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDC) in patients with chronic severe hepatitis B (CSHB) and its roles in the severe illness progression of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) by detecting surface phenotype of MoDC and expression level of cytokines in MoDC after polyl : C treatment. Methods The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated by Ficoll density gradient separation from 37 patients with CSHB, 20 patients with CHB, and 20 healthy controls (NC). Purified PBMC were acquired using immunomagnetic anti-CD14-beads. Then PBMC were induced to immature dendritic cell (iDC) in vitro. PolyI : C was added to induce DC maturation. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of the phenotype marker molecules including HLA-DR, CD83, CD86 and CD80 on surface of iDC and mature DC (mDC) were detected by flow cytometry. The supernatants of MoDC culture were collected at 12,24 and 48 h after polyI : C treatment, respectively and the release levels of interleukin (IL)-12, IL-6and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Comparisons among groups were done by single factor analysis of variance and homogeneity of variance was tested. Results There were no significant differences of phenotype marker molecules on cell surface of iDC, including HLA-DR, CD83, CD86 and CD80 in CSHB, CHB and NC groups.However, the expressions of HLA-DR, CD83, CD86 and CD80 on cell surface of mDC in CSHB group were lower than those in CHB and NC groups (F=59.73, 13.95, 34.80 and 73.02, respectively; all P＜0. 05). The secretions of IL-12 at three time points of 12 h, 24 h and 48 h after polyI : C treatment in group NC were higher than those in CHB and CSHB groups (F= 151.34, 126.65 and 72.76, respectively; P＜0.05), and peaked at 24 h which were (48.2±7.6), (56.7±11.8) and (97.8±16.2) ng/L, respectively. The secretions of IL-6 at the above three time points were CSHB＞CHB＞NC (F=92.50, 86.89 and 64.57, respectively; all P＜0. 05) and peaked at 12 h which were (1698.3±340.4), (965.8±231.7), (697.8±213.6) ng/L, respectively. The secretions of TNF-αat the above three time points were CSHB＞CHB＞NC (F=58.66, 122.36 and 44.73, respectively;all P＜0. 05) and were (19 672. 7±4214. 7), (9946. 1 ± 2586 5), (6659. 2±955. 8) ng/L,respectively at 24 h after treatment. Conclusions MoDCs of CSHB patients show mature defection and abnormal cytokine secretion. The expression level of IL-12 which mediates cellular immune is low.Meanwhile, the productions of IL-6 and TNF-α which mediate inflammatory response are up-regulated. This may be one of the major factors which lead to exacerbation of liver inflammation and ultimately development of severe hepatitis.

Objective To investigate the frequencies of circulating dendritic cell (DC) subsets and the function of monocyte-derived dendritic cells in patients with hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure.Methods Peripheral blood was collected from hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure patients (ACLF,n =40) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB,n =40) as well as normal controls (NCs,n =20).Circulating myeloid dendritic cell (Mdc) and plasmic dendritic cell (pDC) frequencies in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were analyzed by flow cytometric analysis.Purified monocytes were isolated by combination of Histopaque-1.077 and CD14 Microbeads.Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) generated in vitro in the presence of interleukin (IL)-4 and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor upon activation by poly I:C.Costimulatory molecule expression and allostimulatory mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR) of MoDCs were detected in patients with hepatitis B-related ACLF.Results The number of circulating mDC decreased only in patients with hepatitis B-related ACLF compared with that in normal controls.However,pDC numbers decreased in both CHB and ACLF patients.We observed a further decrease the pDC numbers in ACLF compared to CHB patients without statistical significance (P ＞ 0.05).MoDC from ACLF patients showed lower expression of costimulatory molecules CD80,CD86 and the mature marker CD83,as well as MHC Ⅱ molecule (HLA-DR) compared to CHB and NC group.Interestingly,MoDC impaired allostimulatory mixed lymphocyte reaction from ACLF patients compared to those in CHB patients and NCs.Conclusions Patients with hepatitis B-related ACLF have a significantly lower expression of surface markers and impaired AMLR of MoDC,as well as decreased number of circulating mDC and pDC,which may be partially related to HBV disease progression in these patients.