Molecular epidemiological and clinical aspects of hepatitis D virus in a unique triple hepatitis viruses (B,C, D) endemic community in Taiwan

The molecular epidemiological and clinical aspects of hepatitis D virus (HDV) in a unique HBV, HCV, and HDV triple virus endemic community in southern Taiwan were investigated. A total of 2,909 residents aged 45 or older were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV antibody, and anti-HDV antibody (specifically for HBsAg-positive carriers). Factors that might be associated with HDV infection, viral nucleic acid detection, and genotyping of HBV, HCV, and HDV were investigated. The prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV were 12.6% (366/2,909) and 41.6% (1,227/2,909), respectively. For HBsAg carriers, 15.3% (56/366) were positive for anti-HDV assay. Living in a higher endemic district of HCV infection (odds ratio [OR] = 3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.7-6.3), male gender (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.1-3.6) and co-infection with HCV (OR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.0-3.3) were significantly independent factors associated with HDV infection. The detection rate of HDV RNA among anti-HDV-positive patients was only 12.7% (7/55). The mean HBV titer of triple infection group was significantly lower than in the HBV/HDV co-infection group (2.23 vs 3.05 in log(10), copies/ml, P = 0.046). HCV RNA detection among the triple infection group showed 47.4% (9/19) viremia rate and viral loads of 579,121 IU/ml in median (16,803-1,551,190 IU/ml). The prevalent genotype of HBV was type B (23/25); HCV was 1b (7/9) and HDV was IIa/IIb (4/4). Only the presence of HCV RNA predicted the presence of elevated ALT significantly (OR = 25.0; 95% CI = 3.39-184.6). In conclusion, the geographical aggregation of HDV infection paralleled that of HCV infection in this community. HCV suppressed the replication of HBV among triple vital infection patients. HBV and HDV lapsed into a remission or nonreplicative phase in most cases, and HCV acted as a dominant factor in triple viral-infected individuals. Only the presence of HCV RNA was associated with elevated ALT values, but not HBV or HDV.     

The role of mPer1 in morphine dependence in mice

Investigations using Drosophila melanogaster have shown that the circadian clock gene period can influence behavioral responses to cocaine, and the mouse homologues, mPer1 and mPer2, modulate cocaine sensitization and reward. In the present study, we applied DNAzyme targeting mPer1 to interfere the expression of mPer1 in CNS in mice and studied the role of mPer1 on morphine dependence. We found that the DNAzyme could attenuate the expression of mPer1 in CNS in mice. Mice treated with DNAzyme and morphine synchronously did not show preference to the morphine-trained side, whereas the control group did. In contrast, mice treated with DNAzyme after morphine showed preference to the morphine-trained side as well as the control group did. These results indicate that drug dependence seems to be influenced at least partially by mPer1, but mPer1 cannot affect morphine dependence that has been formed.     

敌枯双对雄性小鼠生殖细胞分裂比率及精原细胞染色体畸变的影响

本文研究丁敌枯双对BALB/C雄性小鼠生殖细胞分裂比率及精原细胞染色体畸变的影响。将实验小鼠随机分为三组,即实验组(敌枯双组),阳性对照组(环磷酰胺组)和阴性对照组(双蒸水组)。结果发现:敌枯双能明显诱发精原细胞多倍体率和裂隙率增加,抑制终变期/中期Ⅰ和中期Ⅱ细胞的减数分裂比率,促进精原细胞有丝分裂比率。实验结果还提示:在遗传毒理检测中亚急性实验是必要的,并对实验结果进行了初步讨论。     

Cervical tissue uptake of all-trans-retinoic acid delivered via a collagen sponge-cervical cap delivery device in patients with cervical dysplasia

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the systemic absorption and cervical tissue uptake of all-transretinoic acid (TRA), delivered via a collagen spongecervical cap delivery device in patients with intraepithelial cervical dysplasia. Ten patients with histologically proven mild or moderate cervical dysplasia were included in this pharmacologic study. The two TRA concentrations (0.05% and 0.372%) selected for study represent the starting and maximally tolerated doses used in phase I clinical trial. All-trans-retinoic-11-³H acid (³H-TRA, 500 Ci) was used to facilitate cervical tissue uptake studies. Cervical biopsies and post-treatment blood samples were obtained from each patient after TRA exposure. The uptake of TRA into cervical tissues four hours after drug administration was significantly increased at the maximally tolerated TRA dose. There was a rapid decrease in cervical tissue concentration of TRA at the 0.372% dose between 4 and 24 h after drug exposure, suggesting a relatively short elimination half-life of TRA in cervical tissues. HPLC analysis of post-treatment blood samples indicate that there was no systemic absorption of TRA after local cervical administration.     

非开胸食管内翻剥脱术

目的　研讨非开胸食管内翻剥脱的手术方法、优缺点及适应症。方法 :分析我院 1 992年至 2 0 0 0年 6月非开胸食管内翻剥脱胃重建食管术的 1 8例病历 ,其中下咽癌 5例、甲状腺鳞癌 1例、喉癌侵犯下咽者 4例、食管颈段癌 8例。结果 :本组病人食管床出血量均在 1 0 0ml以下 ,无吻合口漏等严重并发症 ,无手术死亡。结论 :本手术安全具有简便创伤小的优点 ,适用于颈段食管癌、下咽癌及甲状腺癌和喉癌侵及下咽者、部分早期食管癌和贲门癌。     

醒脑静在重症一氧化碳中毒抢救中的临床应用

目的　探讨醒脑静对急性重症一氧化碳 (CO)中毒的催醒作用。方法　在急性重症CO中毒常规综合抢救中加入醒脑静并与常规方法进行对比研究。结果　醒脑静治疗组较常规治疗组清醒时间明显缩短 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　醒脑静可作为急性重症CO中毒病人综合抢救中常规用药。     

Approach selection and outcomes of craniopharyngioma resection: a single-institute study

Neurosurgical Review - Since there are many approaches for successful craniopharyngioma resection, how to choose a suitable approach remains problematic. The aim of this study was to summarize...