Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) in treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with lamivudine (LAM) resistance. Methods There were treatment group (32 CHB patients with LAM resistance) and historical control group (24 CHB patients with LAM resistance) in this study. The treatment group received ADV 10 mg/d and LAM 100 mg/d for 48 weeks; the historical control group continued to use LAM monotherapy. During the treatment causes, serum HBV DNA levels, liver function and HBV serology were monitored regularly, and safety assessments were also conducted. Results In treatment group, mean HBV DNA levels decreased by 2.56 log10 eopies/ml and 2.93 log10 copies/ml, virus response rates were 50. 0% and 75.0%, ALT normalization rates were 53.1% and 68.8% after 24 and 48 weeks of treatment, respectively. The histological improvement rate was 65.6% after 48 weeks. Comparing with those in control group, the differences were statistically significant ( P <0. 05), while there was no significant statistical differences in HBeAg loss rate and HBeAg seroconversion rate between two groups. There was no severe adverse event during the treatment. Conclusion ADV is effective and safe in treatment of lamivudine-resistant CHB.

Approximately 15% of couples suffer from infertility worldwide, and male factors contribute to about 30% of total sterility cases. However, there is little progress in treatments due to the obscured understanding of underlying mechanisms. Recently microRNAs have emerged as a key player in the process of spermatogenesis. Expression profiling of miR-181a was carried out in murine testes and spermatocyte culture system. In vitro cellular and biochemical assays were used to examine the effect of miR-181a and identify its target S6K1, as well as elucidate the function with chemical inhibitor of S6K1. Human testis samples analysis was employed to validate the findings. miR-181a level was upregulated during mouse spermatogenesis and knockdown of miR-181a attenuated the cell proliferation and G1/S arrest and increased the level of S6K1, which was identified as a downstream target of miR-181a. Overexpression of S6K1 also led to growth arrest of spermatocytes while inhibitor of S6K1 rescued the miR-181a knockdown-mediated cell proliferation defect. In human testis samples of azoospermia patients, low level of miR-181a was correlated with defects in the spermatogenic process. miR-181a is identified as a new regulator and high level of miR-181a contributes to spermatogenesis via targeting S6K1.

Approximately 15% of couples suffer from infertility worldwide, and male factors contribute to about 30% of total sterility cases. However, there is little progress in treatments due to the obscured understanding of underlying mechanisms. Recently microRNAs have emerged as a key player in the process of spermatogenesis. Expression profiling of miR-181a was carried out in murine testes and spermatocyte culture system. In vitro cellular and biochemical assays were used to examine the effect of miR-181a and identify its target S6K1, as well as elucidate the function with chemical inhibitor of S6K1. Human testis samples analysis was employed to validate the findings. miR-181a level was upregulated during mouse spermatogenesis and knockdown of miR-181a attenuated the cell proliferation and G1/S arrest and increased the level of S6K1, which was identified as a downstream target of miR-181a. Overexpression of S6K1 also led to growth arrest of spermatocytes while inhibitor of S6K1 rescued the miR-181a knockdown-mediated cell proliferation defect. In human testis samples of azoospermia patients, low level of miR-181a was correlated with defects in the spermatogenic process. miR-181a is identified as a new regulator and high level of miR-181a contributes to spermatogenesis via targeting S6K1.