OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between the efficacy of interferon-alpha and the variation of perforin protein expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 35 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODSThe perforin protein in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells was detected by immunocytochemistry technique.

RESULTSThe level of the perforin protein expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells was significantly higher in the post-treatment group with interferon-alpha than in the pre-treatment group. At the end of the treatment with interferon-alpha, there were 12 cases of complete responders, 14 cases of partial responders, and 9 cases of non-responders. After interferon-alpha treatment, the mean level of the perforin protein expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells was 12.1%, 6.9% and 3.9% respectively, and there existed significant differences among the three groups. Moreover, before treatment, the level of the perforin protein expression in the complete responder group was significantly higher compared to the partial responder group or the non-responder group.

CONCLUSIONTreatment with interferon-alpha can increase the perforin protein expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with CHB. The variation of perforin protein expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells may be closely related to the efficacy of interferon-alpha treatment against hepatitis B virus.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perforin ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the effects of touching bathing for cesarean delivered newborns. Methods 404 cesarean delivered newborns were divided into two groups. Newborns in Group 1 were bathed with routine method. Newborns in Group 2 were bathed with touching method, namely, touching was given to the newborns before bathing and during bathing. The differenees of the appearing rates of crying and cuddling reflex before and during bathing were compared between the two group. Results The appearing rates of crying and cuddling reflex before bathing in Group 2 were significantly lower than Group 1 from the third day to the fifth day after birth ( P < 0. 05 ). The appearing rates of crying and cuddling reflex during bathing in Group 2 weresignificantly lower than Group 1 from the second day to the fifth day after birth (P<0.01). Conclusions Compared with the routine bathing method, the touching bathing method was more easily to be endured by newborns.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of CD4+CD25+high regulatory T cells in the pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis.

METHODSCD4+CD25+ high regulatory T cells and CD4+ T cells were measured by using flow cytometry in 16 patients with autoimmune hepatitis, 22 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 20 healthy blood donors. Foxp3 protein was detected by immunohistochemical assay in liver tissues from the patients with autoimmune hepatitis or chronic hepatitis B.

RESULTSThe percentage of CD4+CD25+high/CD4+ in patients with autoimmune hepatitis was significantly lower than that in healthy controls and patients with chronic hepatitis B. Meanwhile, the percentage of CD4+CD25+high/CD4+ highly increased in patients with chronic hepatitis B, compared with healthy controls; Foxp3 positive cells were mostly located in the hepatic lobular perisinusoidal spaces and the portal tract, and there was a significant difference in the quantity of Foxp3 positive cells between patients with autoimmune hepatitis and chronic hepatitis B.

CONCLUSIONPatients with autoimmune hepatitis harbor a decreased percentage of CD4+CD25+ high regulatory T cells, which may be associated with development of autoimmunity.

Adult ; Female ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; analysis ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; Hepatitis, Autoimmune ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver ; chemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology