The incremental cost of switching from Option?B to Option?B+ for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV

Objective

To estimate the incremental cost over 5 years of a policy switch from the Option B to the Option B+ protocol for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Methods

Data from cost studies and other published sources were used to determine the cost, per woman and per cohort (1000 breastfeeding and 1000 non-breastfeeding women), of switching from Option B (maternal triple antiretroviral [ARV] regimen during pregnancy and breastfeeding plus daily nevirapine for the infant for 6 weeks) to Option B+ (maternal triple ARV regimen initiated during pregnancy and continued for life). The variables used to model the different scenarios were maternal CD4+ T lymphocyte (CD4+ cell) count (350–500 versus > 500 cells/µl), rate of decline in CD4+ cells (average, rapid, slow), breastfeeding status (yes, no) and breastfeeding duration (12, 18 or 24 months).

Findings

For women with CD4+ cell counts of 350–500 cells/µl, the incremental cost per 1000 women was 157 345 United States dollars (US$) for breastfeeding women and US$ 92 813 for non-breastfeeding women. For women with CD4+ cell counts > 500 cells/µl, the incremental cost per 1000 women ranged from US$ 363 443 to US$ 484 591 for breastfeeding women and was US$ 605 739 for non-breastfeeding women.

Conclusion

From a cost perspective, a policy switch from Option B to Option B+ is feasible in PMTCT programme settings where resources are currently being allocated to Option B.     

Bioavailability of vitamin B₁₂ in cows' milk

The natural source of vitamin B?? in human diets comes from animal products. For example, one glass (250 ml) of milk provides approximately 50 % of the RDA (2·4 μg/d). It was hypothesised that the provision of vitamin B?? from milk is more efficiently absorbed than the synthetic form used in vitamin supplements. Pigs (n 10) were used as a model for intestinal absorption of vitamin B?? in humans to compare the net fluxes of vitamin B?? across the portal-drained viscera (PDV; an indicator of intestinal absorption) after ingestion of meals complemented with conventional and vitamin B??-enriched (via injections to cows) milk (raw, pasteurised or microfiltrated) or with equivalent amounts of cyanocobalamin, the synthetic form used in supplements or unsupplemented. Net flux of vitamin B?? across PDV after the ingestion of milk was positive, though not influenced by milk enrichment (P>0·3) or technological processes (P = 0·8) and was greater than after ingestion of equivalent amounts of cyanocobalamin (cyanocobalamin v. all milk, P ≤ 0·003). In fact, net fluxes of this vitamin were not different from 0 after either cyanocobalamin or the meal devoid of vitamin B?? (unsupplemented v. cyanocobalamin, P = 0·7). The cumulative PDV fluxes during the 24 h following ingestion of meals complemented with milk varied from 5·5 to 6·8 μg. These values correspond to an efficiency of intestinal absorption of vitamin B?? from milk varying between 8 and 10 %. Therefore, vitamin B??, which is abundant in cows' milk, is also substantially more available than the most commonly used synthetic form of this vitamin.     

Effect of Method of Preparation on the Vitamin B1 Content of Rice （Abridged）

Samples of Shanghai rice contains 34-180 γ of vitamin B1 100g. Yellow rice contains only a very slight amount. During washing and cooking both polished and unpolished rice lose much vitamin B1. The loss with parboiled rice is small.The diet of Shanghai factory workers can be much improved by not washing the rice or by using partially polished rice or parboiled rice. The latter is specially recommended since it involves a minimum change in food habits.     

Observation on Efficacy of Kurarinone Treating Chronic Hepatitis B

Objective To observe clinical effect and security with kurarinone injection and kurarinone capsule treating chronic hepatitis B. Methods With open and stochastic counterpoint, 20 cases treatment group adopted sequent treatment, kurarinone injection 600 milligram dropping, one time a day. After one month of therapeutic course it was changed into kurarinone capsule 200 milligram, three times a day, two month of therapeutic course. Control group adopted general liver- protecting drugs, with the same therapeutic course. To observe symptoms and syndromes, recovery circumstances of liver function, the feminine gender rate of HBeAg, HBV- DNA, meantime watching adverse reaction. Results By statistical dealing with, there was obvious discrepancy in recovery circumstances of liver function, the feminine gender rate of HBeAg, HBV - DNA of treatment group compared with control group, at the same time no adverse reaction existing. Conclusions Stochastic controlled experiment displayed Kurarinone injection and capsule toward chronic hepatitisB patients had good effects of amending clinical symptoms, syndromes, liver function and the feminine gender rate of HBeAg, HBV - DNA. Simultaneously, superiority of sequent treatment would further improve therapeutic effect.     

Hepatitis B infection control in Colombian Amazon after 15 years of hepatitis B vaccination. Effectiveness of birth dose and current prevalence

BackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is highly endemic in the Colombian Amazon basin. In Colombia, the universal hepatitis B vaccination in that area has been active since 1993. The program targets children aged under five years. Newborns receive at least three doses, and in 2001, HBV vaccine birth dose was included. This study aimed to evaluate the advances on HBV control in the Colombian Amazon.MethodsA population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in children less than 11 years old in rural areas of the Colombian Amazon, in order to assess the current levels of HBV prevalence and evaluate the effectiveness of HBV vaccination. Participants were selected from villages scattered along the Amazon, Putumayo and Loretoyaco Rivers. Blood samples were taken from children. All the samples were examined for surface antigen (HBsAg) and IgG antibodies against core antigen (AntiHBc) of HBV. Data on HBV vaccination status and other risk factors were also collected.ResultsBlood samples from 1275 children were included in the study. The positivity for IgG AntiHBC and HBsAg was 3.8% and 0.5%, respectively. It was observed that receiving a dose of HBV vaccine within 48 h after birth decreased the risk of HBV infection and carriage by 95%. Being born to an AntiHBc positive mother increased 8 times the risk of HBV infection (OR  =  7.8 CI 95% 3.3–10.2) and 7 times the risk of HBsAg carriage (OR  =  6.6 CI 95% 2.1–10.1).ConclusionThe prevalence of HBV infection and HBsAg carriage continues to decrease among children living in the Colombian Amazon. The high protective effectiveness of an HBV birth does suggest that perinatal transmission is important in endemic areas of Latin America, an aspect that has not been fully studied in the region.     

Prevention of dementia: a role for B vitamins?

Dementia has reached epidemic proportions, with an estimated 4.6 million new cases worldwide each year. With an aging world population the prevalence of dementia will increase dramatically in the next few decades. Of the predicted 114 million who will have dementia in 2050 about three-quarters will live in the less-developed regions. Although strongly age -related, dementia is not an inevitable part of aging but is a true disease caused by exposure to several genetic and non-genetic risk factors. Prevention will be possible when the non genetic risk factors have been identified. Apart from age, more than 20 non-genetic risk factors have been postulated but very few have been established by randomised intervention studies. Elevated blood concentrations of total homocysteine and low-normal concentrations of B vitamins (folate, vitamins B-12 and B-6) are candidate risk factors for both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. A review of the literature up to the end of 2005 shows the following. Seventy seven cross-sectional studies on > 34,000 subjects and 33 prospective studies on > 12,000 subjects have shown associations between cognitive deficit or dementia and homocysteine and/or B vitamins. Biologically plausible mechanisms have been proposed to account for these associations, including atrophy of the cerebral cortex, but a definite causal pathway has yet to be shown. Raised plasma total homocysteine is a strong prognostic marker of future cognitive decline, and is common in world populations. Low-normal concentrations of the B vitamins, the main determinant of homocysteine concentrations, are also common and occur in particularly vulnerable sections of the population, such as infants and the elderly. Large-scale randomised trials of homocysteine-lowering B vitamins are needed to see if a proportion of dementia in the world can be prevented.     

Clinical study of the efficacy of interferon-α therapy for HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients

Objective To investigate the effect of IFN-α therapy for HBeAg-negative ehronie hepatitis B(CHB). Methods 50 cases of HBeAg-negative CHB patients were selected as treated group, while 52 cases of HBeAg-positive CHB as control group. Both groups received injection of IFN-α at dose of 6 MU every other day for 48 weeks. Levels of alanine aminotransferase, viral markers levels of HBeAg, HBV DNA and the four serum fibrosis markers were analysed before and after treatment and 24 weeks after the course. Results There were 36 cases in treated group and 26 cases in control group who had got obvious therapeutic effects at the end of 24 weeks after treatment. And the rates of efficacy were 72% and 50% separately. The rate of treated group was higher than that of control group(X2 = 5.43, P <0.05). The four serum fibrosis markers of the both groups were clearly dropped after treatment (t = 2.365, P < 0.05). Conclusions The theraputie effects of IFN-α at dose of 6 MU for HBeAg-negative CHB is prior to HBeAg-positive CHB. And IFN-α also have an evident funtion on preventing or delaying hepatic fibrosis in patients with CHB.     

Clinical study of the efficacy of interferon-α therapy for HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients

Objective To investigate the effect of IFN-α therapy for HBeAg-negative ehronie hepatitis B(CHB). Methods 50 cases of HBeAg-negative CHB patients were selected as treated group, while 52 cases of HBeAg-positive CHB as control group. Both groups received injection of IFN-α at dose of 6 MU every other day for 48 weeks. Levels of alanine aminotransferase, viral markers levels of HBeAg, HBV DNA and the four serum fibrosis markers were analysed before and after treatment and 24 weeks after the course. Results There were 36 cases in treated group and 26 cases in control group who had got obvious therapeutic effects at the end of 24 weeks after treatment. And the rates of efficacy were 72% and 50% separately. The rate of treated group was higher than that of control group(X2 = 5.43, P <0.05). The four serum fibrosis markers of the both groups were clearly dropped after treatment (t = 2.365, P < 0.05). Conclusions The theraputie effects of IFN-α at dose of 6 MU for HBeAg-negative CHB is prior to HBeAg-positive CHB. And IFN-α also have an evident funtion on preventing or delaying hepatic fibrosis in patients with CHB.     

Immunity to hepatitis B persists in adolescents 15–16 years of age vaccinated in infancy with three doses of hepatitis B vaccine

ObjectiveVaccination of infants against hepatitis B virus (HBV) using hepatitis B vaccine is effective in preventing the infection during early childhood and there is a growing evidence of long-term protection. So far, no need for a booster dose has been identified in healthy subjects; however further follow-up continues to determine the exact duration of protection. We evaluated antibody persistence and immune response to a hepatitis B vaccine challenge dose in children aged 15–16 years, previously vaccinated with 3-doses of the same vaccine in infancy (third dose received before 18 months of age).MethodsA single hepatitis B vaccine challenge dose containing 10 μg hepatitis B surface (HBs) antigen was administered to adolescents aged 15–16 years. Blood samples were taken before and one month after the challenge dose to measure anti-HBs antibodies using a chemiluminescence immunoassay. Solicited local and general symptoms, as well as unsolicited and serious adverse events were recorded after the challenge dose.Results303 subjects were enrolled, of whom 302 and 293 subjects formed the total vaccinated and according-to-protocol cohorts, respectively. Pre-challenge, 65.4% (95% CI: 59.6–70.9) subjects were seroprotected (anti-HBs antibody concentration ≥10 mIU/mL). One month post-challenge, 97.9% (95% CI: 95.6–99.2) were seroprotected, while 90.8% (95% CI: 86.8–93.8) had anti-HBs antibody concentrations ≥100 mIU/mL. The post-challenge geometric mean concentration (GMC; 4134.9 [95% CI: 3114.2–5490.1]) was 150-fold higher than the pre-challenge GMC. Overall, 96.9% (95% CI: 94.2–98.6) subjects mounted an anamnestic response. The safety and reactogenicity profile of the hepatitis B vaccine challenge dose was consistent with previous experience.ConclusionsImmunity to hepatitis B persists in 15–16 year old adolescents following primary vaccination in infancy.Trial registrationhttp://www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT01847430.     

Zinc-suppressed inflammatory cytokines by induction of A20-mediated inhibition of nuclear factor-κB

ObjectiveChronic generation of inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species are implicated in atherosclerosis, aging, cancers, and other chronic diseases. We hypothesized that zinc induces A20 in premonocytic, endothelial, and cancer cells, and A20 binds to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-receptor associated factor, and inhibits Iκ kinase-α (IKK-α)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), resulting in downregulation of TNF-α and interleukin-1β (IL-1β).MethodsTo test this hypothesis, we used HL-60, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and SW480 cell lines under zinc-deficient and zinc-sufficient conditions in this study. We measured oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines, A20 protein and mRNA, A20–FRAF-1 complex, and IKK-α/NF-κB signaling in stimulated zinc-deficient and zinc sufficient cells. We also conducted antisense A20 and siRNA studies to investigate the regulatory role of zinc in TNF-α and IL-1β via A20.ResultsWe found that zinc increased A20 and A20–tumor necrosis factor-receptor associated factor-1 complex, decreased the IKK-α/NF-κB signaling pathway, oxidative stress markers, and inflammatory cytokines in these cells compared with zinc-deficient cells. We confirmed that zinc-induced A20 contributes to downregulation of TNF-α and IL-1β by antisense and short interfering RNA A20 studies.ConclusionOur studies suggest that zinc suppresses generation of NF-κB–regulated inflammatory cytokines by induction of A20.     

Clinical study of the efficacy of interferon-α therapy for HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients

Objective To investigate the effect of IFN-α therapy for HBeAg-negative ehronie hepatitis B(CHB). Methods 50 cases of HBeAg-negative CHB patients were selected as treated group, while 52 cases of HBeAg-positive CHB as control group. Both groups received injection of IFN-α at dose of 6 MU every other day for 48 weeks. Levels of alanine aminotransferase, viral markers levels of HBeAg, HBV DNA and the four serum fibrosis markers were analysed before and after treatment and 24 weeks after the course. Results There were 36 cases in treated group and 26 cases in control group who had got obvious therapeutic effects at the end of 24 weeks after treatment. And the rates of efficacy were 72% and 50% separately. The rate of treated group was higher than that of control group(X2 = 5.43, P <0.05). The four serum fibrosis markers of the both groups were clearly dropped after treatment (t = 2.365, P < 0.05). Conclusions The theraputie effects of IFN-α at dose of 6 MU for HBeAg-negative CHB is prior to HBeAg-positive CHB. And IFN-α also have an evident funtion on preventing or delaying hepatic fibrosis in patients with CHB.     

Clinical study of the efficacy of interferon-α therapy for HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients

Objective To investigate the effect of IFN-α therapy for HBeAg-negative ehronie hepatitis B(CHB). Methods 50 cases of HBeAg-negative CHB patients were selected as treated group, while 52 cases of HBeAg-positive CHB as control group. Both groups received injection of IFN-α at dose of 6 MU every other day for 48 weeks. Levels of alanine aminotransferase, viral markers levels of HBeAg, HBV DNA and the four serum fibrosis markers were analysed before and after treatment and 24 weeks after the course. Results There were 36 cases in treated group and 26 cases in control group who had got obvious therapeutic effects at the end of 24 weeks after treatment. And the rates of efficacy were 72% and 50% separately. The rate of treated group was higher than that of control group(X2 = 5.43, P <0.05). The four serum fibrosis markers of the both groups were clearly dropped after treatment (t = 2.365, P < 0.05). Conclusions The theraputie effects of IFN-α at dose of 6 MU for HBeAg-negative CHB is prior to HBeAg-positive CHB. And IFN-α also have an evident funtion on preventing or delaying hepatic fibrosis in patients with CHB.     

Clinical study of the efficacy of interferon-α therapy for HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients

Objective To investigate the effect of IFN-α therapy for HBeAg-negative ehronie hepatitis B(CHB). Methods 50 cases of HBeAg-negative CHB patients were selected as treated group, while 52 cases of HBeAg-positive CHB as control group. Both groups received injection of IFN-α at dose of 6 MU every other day for 48 weeks. Levels of alanine aminotransferase, viral markers levels of HBeAg, HBV DNA and the four serum fibrosis markers were analysed before and after treatment and 24 weeks after the course. Results There were 36 cases in treated group and 26 cases in control group who had got obvious therapeutic effects at the end of 24 weeks after treatment. And the rates of efficacy were 72% and 50% separately. The rate of treated group was higher than that of control group(X2 = 5.43, P <0.05). The four serum fibrosis markers of the both groups were clearly dropped after treatment (t = 2.365, P < 0.05). Conclusions The theraputie effects of IFN-α at dose of 6 MU for HBeAg-negative CHB is prior to HBeAg-positive CHB. And IFN-α also have an evident funtion on preventing or delaying hepatic fibrosis in patients with CHB.     

Clinical study of the efficacy of interferon-α therapy for HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients

Objective To investigate the effect of IFN-α therapy for HBeAg-negative ehronie hepatitis B(CHB). Methods 50 cases of HBeAg-negative CHB patients were selected as treated group, while 52 cases of HBeAg-positive CHB as control group. Both groups received injection of IFN-α at dose of 6 MU every other day for 48 weeks. Levels of alanine aminotransferase, viral markers levels of HBeAg, HBV DNA and the four serum fibrosis markers were analysed before and after treatment and 24 weeks after the course. Results There were 36 cases in treated group and 26 cases in control group who had got obvious therapeutic effects at the end of 24 weeks after treatment. And the rates of efficacy were 72% and 50% separately. The rate of treated group was higher than that of control group(X2 = 5.43, P <0.05). The four serum fibrosis markers of the both groups were clearly dropped after treatment (t = 2.365, P < 0.05). Conclusions The theraputie effects of IFN-α at dose of 6 MU for HBeAg-negative CHB is prior to HBeAg-positive CHB. And IFN-α also have an evident funtion on preventing or delaying hepatic fibrosis in patients with CHB.     

Cost–Utility Analysis of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) versus alternative nucleos(t)ides from a UK National Health Service (NHS) perspective.MethodsA Markov model was used to calculate costs and benefits of nucleos(t)ide strategies in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and HBeAg-negative patients with hepatitis B virus mono-infection and compensated liver disease. The model included 18 disease states representing CHB progression. Quality-of-life data and costs for severe disease states were based on published studies, while monitoring costs for other disease states were based on expert opinion. Transition probabilities for movements between states were based on a meta-analysis, clinical trials, and natural history studies.ResultsFirst-line TDF generated the highest net benefits of all 211 nucleos(t)ide strategies evaluated at a threshold of £20,000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. First-line TDF cost £19,084/QALY gained compared with giving lamivudine (LAM) first-line and switching to TDF when LAM resistance occurs. First-line TDF was also more effective and less costly than first-line entecavir (ETV), and showed extended dominance over first-line adefovir and strategies reserving adefovir, ETV, or combination therapy until after LAM resistance develops. For patients who have developed LAM resistance, TDF was also the most cost-effective treatment, generating greater net benefits than any other second-line strategy.ConclusionsFirst-line TDF is the most cost-effective treatment for patients with CHB at a £20,000 to £30,000/QALY ceiling ratio, costing £19,084/QALY gained compared with the next best alternative.