Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) has a wide range of outcomes depending on host immune responses mainly Toll-like receptors (TLRs) signaling and released cytokines. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) may influence the course of CHB. We aimed to elucidate the relation between TLR-2 polymorphism, IL-6 profile, and CHB progression. We analyzed TLR-2 polymorphism (SNP; rs3804099) in 185 CHB patients and 60 controls using TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Serum IL-6 levels were assessed by ELISA. IL-6 levels were considerably higher in active CHB and cirrhotic patients compared with inactive carriers and controls (P < 0.001). IL-6 showed positive correlation with ALT and advanced fibrosis in active CHB patients (r = 0.31, P = 0.02). A significant positive correlation was noticed between IL-6 and HBV DNA PCR in all CHB groups. TT genotype of rs3804099/TLR-2 was significantly more prevalent in inactive carriers compared to active hepatitis patients (P = 0.04, OR = 0.39 and 95% CI: 0.16–0.95). Both heterozygous CT and mutant TT genotypes were significantly more frequent among inactive carriers compared to cirrhotic patients (P = 0.01, OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13–0.81 and P = 0.009, OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13–0.77). TT genotype was significantly related to lower IL-6 levels in active hepatitis and cirrhotic groups (P = 0.005 and P = 0.001, respectively) showing that TLR mutations would be associated with milder hepatitis activity and lower possibility for disease progression. There may be a positive association between TLR2 rs3804099 polymorphism and hepatitis B activity. IL-6 is a good indicator of CHB disease progression.
Magnetic resonance imaging of pulmonary parenchyma perfusion using pulsed arterial spin labeling (ASL) techniques is presented. ASL uses magnetically labeled water as an endogenous, freely diffusible tracer. Presented are comparative results of ASL methods called Flow sensitive Alternating Inversion Recovery (FAIR), and FAIR with an Extra Radiofrequency pulse (FAIRER). Six healthy human volunteers were imaged. Perfusion-weighted images at different time delays, TI, were calculated from the subtraction of the control and tag images, which were acquired within a single breathhold. Detailed pulmonary structures can be visualized with negligible cardiac or respiratory motion artifacts. Different patterns of signal enhancement between the pulmonary vessels and parenchyma are shown in the perfusion images acquired at different TIs. 相似文献
Cyclosporine is a powerful immunosuppressant with a narrow therapeutic window and considerable inter- and intrapatient variability.
The pre-dose trough concentration (Cmin) is commonly used for therapeutic drug monitoring. With the new microemulsion (Neoral), intrapatient variability was reduced.
However, the usefulness of Neoral Cmin was questioned. Firstly, because of the improved and more-rapid absorption, accidental intake before blood sampling has a
greater impact on Cmin than with classic cyclosporine. Secondly, Cmin may be low despite high drug exposure, due to rapid clearance in children. A full pharmacokinetic (PK) profile with determination
of the area under the curve (AUC) is expensive and cumbersome, and therefore a search for an abbreviated AUC began. Here,
we present a retrospective analysis of 84 PK profiles from 78 pediatric renal transplant recipients. By analysis of rejection
episodes and toxicity, we estimated a target AUC above 5,000 ng×h/ml in the early post-transplant period and 3,900 ng×h/ml
beyond 100 days. The abbreviated AUC using the 2- and 6-h concentrations (C2 and C6) and a simple estimate derived from the
3-h concentration (C3) were equally well correlated with the AUC. From our data, we recommend a target C3 at approximately
800 ng/ml early after transplantation and 450–550 ng/ml beyond 100 days.
Received: 28 January 1998 / Revised: 10 June 1998 / Accepted: 15 June 1998 相似文献
