Abstract:Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a global health problem, which is prevalent all over the world. China is a low epidemic area. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is mainly transmitted through blood, and nowadays, intravenous drug addicts are the key population for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis C. HCV has multiple genotypes and gene subtypes, and the distribution of these genotypes and gene subtypes varies significantly among the regions of the world. Nowadays, the treatment of hepatitis C has entered the era of direct-acting antiviral agents, which have high efficacy and safety in the general population. However, when special populations use direct-acting antiviral agents to treatment hepatitis C, we don't know how its efficacy and safety will be. The special populations include children, adolescents, drug users, HCV/HBV co-infected patients, HCV/HIV co-infected patients, and patients who have comorbidity of HCV and chronic kidney disease. This review will discuss the efficacy and safety of using direct-acting antiviral agents to treat hepatitis C in these special populations.

C-Reactive Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Abstract: In the United States, it is estimated that 1% to 4% of pregnant women are infected with hepatitis C virus （HCV）, which carries approximately a 5% risk of transmission from mother to infant. Hepatitis C virus can be transmitted to the infant in utero or during the peripartum period, and infection during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of adverse fetal outcomes, including fetal growth restriction and low birthweight. The purpose of an excerpt of Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Consult Series #56: Hepatitis C in pregnancy—updated guidelines: Replaces Consult Number 43, November 2017 is to discuss the current evidence, provide updated recommendations regarding screening, review treatment, and address management of hepatitis C virus during pregnancy.

In order to find the cardiotonic constituents of lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx., the investigation was carried out. Silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20, medium-pressure MCI and reverse phase ODS column chromatography were used to separate the 90% EtOH extract of the lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. The structures of the isolated compounds have been identified by chemical properties and spectroscopic analyses. Ten compounds were isolated and their structures were elucidated as benzoic acid-5-hydroxy-2-benzoyl-amino methyl ester (1), honokiol (2), pinoresinol (3), salicylic acid (4), p-hydroxy-cinnamic acid (5), songorine (6), karakoline (7), mesaconitine (8), hypaconitine (9) and 14-benzoylhypaconitine (10), separetely. Compound 1 is a new compound and its structure has been established by NMR, HR-ESI-MS, UV, IR and X-Ray. Compound 2-5 are isolated from the lateral roots of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. for the first time.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; Cardiotonic Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry

The aim of this study was to improve the stability and cover the unpleasant odor of valerian oil by preparation of beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex. The preparation method was established based on the yield of inclusion complex and entrapment efficiency of valerian volatile oil. After that, the formulation and processing parameters were optimized by uniform design table. The formations of inclusion complex were validated by DSC and X-RD method. The stability of valerian oil beta-cyclodextrin inclusion was studied under stressed conditions. In conclusion, relatively high yield of inclusion complex and entrapment efficiency were obtained by saturated solution-ultrasonication method. Inclusion complex yield and entrapment efficiency of the valerian oil were (84.78 +/- 3.23)% and (86.23 +/- 2.48)%, which were prepared under the optimized conditions, respectively. The results of DSC and X-RD were indicated the formation of inclusion complex. The stability of test showed that the valerian oil-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex was improved significantly.
Drug Stability ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Odorants ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; Valerian ; chemistry ; beta-Cyclodextrins ; chemistry

BST-2 plays an important role in host innate immune response via inhibiting the release of HIV-1. HIV-1 accessory protein Vpu can interact with BST-2 through its transmembrane domains, degrade BST-2, and decrease BST-2 that are transported to the cell surface, thus anti-virus function of BST-2 is antagonized. In our study, we constructed plasmid RB connecting Rluc to the N-termimal of BST-2, and plasmid VE connecting EYFP to the C-terminal of Vpu. The two fusion proteins were co-expressed in 293 cells, and the interaction between the two proteins was detected via BRET method. And we further established a stable 293 cell line of dual-expression. By using BRET method, and the interaction between BST-2 and Vpu transmembrane domain as the target, a high-throughput screening assay was created that was expected to seek novel interaction inhibitors.
Antigens, CD ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; HIV Infections ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; High-Throughput Screening Assays ; methods ; Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Protein Binding ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of palate cleft gap of complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) infants before and after presurgical orthodontic and cheiloplasty.

METHODSThe sample consisted of 18 complete UCLP infants who were treated using presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) appliance and cheiloplasty. The maxillary models were obtained at the initial visit, after PNAM treatment 1 month before cheiloplasty, and 2 months after cheiloplasty. The change of palate cleft gap were compared.

RESULTSAfter PNAM treatment and cheiloplasty, the lip profile was obviously improved, cleft gap was reduced, and the height of ala nasi fornix was recovered.

CONCLUSIONPNAM treatment can improve the lip shape and nasal deformity degree of UCLP patient. The cleft gap and upper lip tension are reduced.

Cleft Lip ; Cleft Palate ; Humans ; Infant ; Lip ; Nose ; Preoperative Care

We investigated inhibition of Moloney leukemia virus 10 (MOV10) upon xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) and made a preliminary study of the mechanism of action. Using transfection, infection, western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction, we found that MOV10 inhibited XMRV replication. Using MOV10 overexpressed in viral producer cells, MOV10 was shown to reduce the infectivity of XMRV. MOV10 could be incorporated into XMRV, suggesting that MOV10 could undergo encapsidation by XMRV during viral assembly. MOV10 could also restrict the DNA production of XMRV in target cells. We found that the putative RNA-helicase domain of MOV10 maintained most of its XMRV inhibition. These results suggest that MOV10 could be required during the retroviral lifecycle. Perturbation of MOV10 disrupts the generation of infectious viral particles, suggesting that MOV10 has broad antiretroviral activity. Hence, MOV10 could be actively involved in host defense against retroviral infection.
Humans ; Moloney murine leukemia virus ; physiology ; RNA Helicases ; physiology ; Virus Replication

OBJECTIVEIn order to study the feature of T cell TCR-CD3 complex-mediated gene in lead poisoning patients.

METHODSReal-time PCR with SYBR Green I technique was used for determination of the expression levels of CD3 genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 46 cases lead poisoning patients (11 cases in observation group and 35 cases in mild lead poisoning group) and 31 cases in control group.

RESULTSThe median expression levels of CD3γ gene in observation group and mild lead poisoning group (6.89%, 5.87 %) were higher than the control group (P < 0.05). The median expression levels of CD3δ gene in observation group and mild lead poisoning group (0.54%, 0.70%) were lower than the control group (P < 0.05). The median expression levels of CD3ε gene in observation group and mild lead poisoning group (10.22%, 6.08%) were higher than the control group (P < 0.05). A significant Positive correlation was found between CD3γ, CD3ε and seniority in lead poisoning patients. A significant negative correlation was found between CD3ε and blood ZPP, urea δ-ALA (r = -0.358, P < 0.05; r = -0.385, P < 0.05), but there was no significant correlation between them after controlling for blood lead, urea lead. The expression levels of CD3 genes prove to be a descending order of CD3γ, CD3ε, CD3δ in control group, while it was changed for CD3ε, CD3γ, CD3δ in the observation group as well as in mild lead poisoning group.

CONCLUSIONExpression of T cell TCR-CD3 complex-mediated gene was changed in lead poisoning patients, it might be related to the body immunodeficiency. The expression level of CD3ε gene can be used as sensitive immune function screening indicator in Lead poisoning patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lead Poisoning ; immunology ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; immunology ; Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Qumazi is a commonly used Tibetan medicine. With a long history, it can be found in the Four Medical Tantras written by gYu-thog rNying-ma Yon-tan mGon-po since the 8th century AD. Qumazi grows in mudflats and fields, including species growing in highlands, lowlands, mountains and farmlands. According to records in Crystal Beads Materia Medica, it features green sword-shaped leaves, thin stems with red veins, inserted panicles, white chicken-like flowers and copper needle row-like roots. However, there are many inconsistent morphological descriptions for Qumazi plants in many Chinese versions of Tibetan medicine books. In this article, after studying ancient and modern Tibetan medicine books, consulting experts and conducting surveys, the authors confirmed that Qumazi belongs to Rheum of Polygonaceae, including Rheum nobile Hook. f. et. Thoms, R. globulosum Gage, R. alexandrae Hook. f. et. Thoms, R. pumilum Maxim and R. delavayi Franch. In some regions, Qumazi is substituted by R. spiciforme Royle and R. przewalskyi Losinsk. After the Chinese version of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Drug Illustrations was published in 1972, Qumazi has been miswritten as P. sibiricum Laxm in many Chinese versions of Tibetan medicine books, perhaps because P. sibiricum Laxm has many similar features with Qumazi as described in Crystal Beads Materia Medica and then is mistranslated from Tibetan to Chinese versions. According to records, Qumazi can reduce edema and is mainly applied to treat the minamata disease in clinic.
China ; History, Ancient ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; history ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Polygonaceae ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Reference Books, Medical