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A chiral metasurface, which obtains chirality through a subwavelength artificial structure, is essential for realizing asymmetric transmission in the application of enantioselective sensing, spin-dependent light emission, and other polarization control systems. Here, we studied a split Archimedean spiral metasurface, which can control the propagating wave from asymmetric transmission to symmetric transmission for linear polarized light. As a proof of concept, a dual-band asymmetric transmission is demonstrated in the GHz region using the coupling of the split spiral structures. The maximum asymmetric transmission parameter reaches 53%. By manipulating the height of the split spiral structures using microfluidic technology, a broadband asymmetric transmission is obtained with the bandwidth of 25.9%. Meanwhile, the asymmetric transmission can be controlled from 50% to 0%, enabling the propagation wave from asymmetric transmission to symmetric transmission. Furthermore, the asymmetric transmission is maintained when the metasurface is bent into different curvatures, promising high potential applications for optical isolation, one-way glass, and optical interconnects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are currently 36 blood group systems comprising over 300 antigens. The genomic backgrounds of polymorphisms responsible for antigens of each blood group have been established. Current blood group genotyping platforms are focused on testing for antigen‐determine single nucleotide polymorphisms, which are the differences on DNA level for predicting the antigen phenotype, and thus are faced with challenges because of lack of ability to detect unknown variants, structural variants and copy number variations. With the advances in technology and bioinformatics analyses, next‐generation sequencing (NGS) is now an applicable platform for high‐throughput, accurate and extensive blood group genotyping. The widely used platforms and processing steps of NGS are illustrated in this article, as well as an overview of published works. NGS has been used in various applications involving blood group genomics, including location of genetic variants for blood group expression, antenatal care, allele frequency estimation and blood group antigen prediction. Even for some of the most complicated blood group systems, NGS provides insight to solve cis/trans associations and gene rearrangements occurring in homologous genes, as featured for the ABO, RH and MNS systems in this review. Although certain issues such as cost, turnaround time, secured data storage and verification remain challenges for routine blood group genotyping practices, NGS still holds great promise advancement in future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Apis mellifera plays crucial roles in maintaining the balance of global ecosystems and stability of agricultural systems by helping pollination of flowering plants, including many crops. In recent years, this balance has been disrupted greatly by some pesticides, which results in great losses of honeybees worldwide. Previous studies have found that pesticide‐caused memory loss might be one of the major reasons for colony loss. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) are chemical compounds that inhibit the activity of histone deacetylases and are known to cause hyperacetylation of histone cores and influence gene expression. In our study, the HDACi sodium butyrate was applied to honeybees as a dietary supplement. The effect of sodium butyrate on the expression profiles of memory‐related genes was analysed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. The results revealed that this HDACi had up‐regulation effects on most of the memory‐related genes in bees, even in bees treated with imidacloprid. In addition, using the proboscis extension reflex to evaluate olfactory learning in bees, we found that this HDACi boosted the memory formation of bees after impairment owing to imidacloprid exposure. This study investigated the association between gene expression and memory formation from an epigenetic perspective. Additionally, we further demonstrate the possibility of enhancing bee learning using HDACis and provide initial data for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Sumatriptan (Imigran) is a potent and highly selective 5‐HT1 receptor agonist often used in treating acute migraine. Intranasal sumatriptan is well absorbed and is generally effective in relieving headache. However, the effects of Imigran on human nasal mucosa have rarely been well explored, to verify the effect of Imigran, which act on human nasal mucosa directly in vitro. Design and participants: We examined the effectiveness of Imigran on human nasal mucosa by testing: (i) effect on human nasal mucosa resting tension; (ii) effect on contraction caused by 10−6 mol/L methoxamine as a sympathetic mimetic; and (iii) effect of the drugs on electrically induced on human nasal mucosa contractions. Results: The results indicated that addition of methoxamine to the incubation medium caused the nasal mucosa to contract in a dose‐dependent manner. Addition of Imigran at doses of 10−4 mol/L elicited a significant relaxation response to 10−6 mol/L methoxamine‐induced contraction. Imigran could not inhibit electrical field stimulation‐induced spike contraction. It also had a minimal effect on the basal tension of nasal mucosa as the concentration increased. Conclusions: The study indicated that high concentrations of Imigran had a significant spasmolytic effect by antagonising α‐adreoceptors and nasal obstruction could not be released in the patient combined with acute migraine and stuffy nose by concomitant α‐adrenergic agonist nasal spray plus Imigran nasal spray. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terahertz metasurface absorption materials, which absorb terahertz wave through subwavelength artificial structures, play a key role in terahertz wave shielding and stealth technology, etc. However, most of the metasurface absorption materials in terahertz suffer from limited tuning range and narrow incident angle characteristics. Here, we demonstrate a liquid-metal-based metasurface through microfluidic technology, which functions as a terahertz absorption material with broadband tunability and wide-angle features. The proposed terahertz metasurface absorption material exhibits an experimental tuning range from 0.246 THz to 0.415 THz (the tuning range of central frequency reaches 51.1%), and the tuning range maintains at high level with wide-angle response up to 60°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we demonstrate an adaptable metasurface with a periodic array of liquid-metal ring-shaped resonators. Its optical properties can be dynamically controlled by individually reconfiguring the geometry (shape and orientation) of the resonators. For the proof of concept, by tailoring the phase profile of the scattered electromagnetic wave, a dynamic anomalous reflection is demonstrated, whereby the reflection angle is fixed at −45° for three different normal incident frequencies of 10.5, 12, and 14 GHz. The demonstrated adaptable metasurfaces pave a way for promising applications in multi-frequency tracking radar systems and broadband scanning systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capillary pressure is one of the most important factors in characterizing the fluid behavior in a wide variety of processes with environmental and energy concerns. In this paper, Washburn equation is extended to describe the displacement kinetics of the continuous gas–oil–water flow in a single horizontal tube. Experimental investigations of the continuous two- and three-phase flows in capillaries with diameters of 2–10 μm were performed to study the effect of the capillary pressure on their fluid behavior. The results indicate that the total capillary pressure of a continuous three-phase flow is affected by the combined action of the two fluid interfaces presented: gas–liquid and liquid–liquid interfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies evaluated the effects of pentoxifylline on hard endpoints in patients with predialysis stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD). Thus, we tried to explore the effects of pentoxifylline and its interaction with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade on the development of endstage renal disease (ESRD) and mortality. This nationwide cohort study retrospectively included patients who had a serum creatinine level of >6 mg/dL and received erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) between 2000 and 2010. We analyzed 7,366 pentoxifylline users and 7,366 propensity score-matched nonusers. Using Cox proportional hazard models, pentoxifylline reduced the risks of ESRD and the composite renal outcome but not that of mortality. In terms of the risks of developing ESRD, pentoxifylline alone exerted a comparable beneficial effect to combined therapy with an RAAS inhibitor and greater renoprotection than RAAS inhibitor monotherapy. This study suggests pentoxifylline is efficacious in slowing progression to ESRD in patients with predialysis stage 5 CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AimThis study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of and the risk factors associated with early and late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) among Chinese individuals aged ≥65 years residing in Puzih, Taiwan.MethodsThis population-based cross-sectional study graded digital colour photographs of the ocular fundus of 673 individuals using the Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System. We compared the characteristics of individuals with early and late AMD using χ2-analyses and described risk factors for early and late AMD using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.ResultsIndividuals with late AMD were significantly older and more likely to have hypertension. Further, their sunlight exposure time was longer than that of those with early AMD, only drusen, or no AMD lesions (P<0.01). A history of hyperlipidaemia for >10 years was a significant risk factor for early AMD, while old age, hypertension for >10 years, and exposure to sunlight for >8 h per day were associated with late AMD.ConclusionsThe prevalence rate of early AMD in the present study was 15.0%, which is similar to that reported for Caucasians and Japanese included in the European Eye Study and the Hisayama Study, respectively. The late AMD prevalence rate of 7.3% found among our study participants was comparable to that reported by the Greenland Inuit Eye Study and Reykjavik Study, but considerably lower than that reported for Caucasians, indicating that late AMD might be less prevalent among Asians than Caucasians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have been done to elucidate the velocity dependence of dynamic capillary pressure in the process of water displacing oil under constant pressure drops in hydrophilic capillaries with 0.92 μm in radius. Experimental results show that this dependence is closely correlated with the relative viscosities of the liquids involved. When the liquids are equal in viscosity, the displacement proceeds with constant rate and the dynamic capillary pressure stays almost unchanged, while it increases gradually with a increase in velocity in the case of water displacing more viscous oil, in contrast, it decreases gradually with a reduction in velocity when water displaces less viscous oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The associated risk of phthalate exposure, both parent compounds in the home and their metabolites in urine, to childhood allergic and respiratory morbidity, after adjusting for exposures of indoor pollutants, especially bioaerosols, was comprehensively assessed. Levels of five phthalates in settled dust from the homes of 101 children (3-9 years old) were measured, along with their corresponding urinary metabolites. Other environmental risk factors, including indoor CO2, PM2.5, formaldehyde, 1,3-β- d-glucan, endotoxin, allergen and fungal levels, were concomitantly examined. Subject's health status was verified by pediatricians, and parents recorded observed daily symptoms of their children for the week that the home investigation visit took place. Significantly increased level of benzylbutyl phthalate, in settled dust, was associated with test case subjects (allergic or asthmatic children). Higher levels of dibutyl phthalate and its metabolites, mono- n-butyl phthalate, and mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate were found to be the potential risk factors for the health outcomes of interest. Similarly, indoor fungal exposure remained a significant risk factor, especially for reported respiratory symptoms. The relative contribution from exposure to phthalates and indoor biocontaminants in childhood allergic and respiratory morbidity is, for the first time, quantitatively assessed and characterized. Practical Implications For asthmatic and allergic children living in subtropical and highly developed environments like homes in Taiwan, controlling environmental exposure of phthalates may be viewed as equally important as avoiding indoor microbial burdens, for the management of allergy-related diseases. It is also recognized that multidisciplinary efforts will be critical in realizing the true underlying mechanisms associated with these observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of Internet applications and services render network management more troublesome for bandwidth misuse and security concern. As a result, network traffic identification plays an increasingly important role in network management. Deep packet inspection (DPI) is one of the effective approaches. Conventional network devices lookup the header of a packet, but DPI means the network device is required to match a pattern in the payload of a packet. This study proposes a DPI system and WMT (Wu-Manber with trie) algorithm to classify popular network services; The Net-DPIS is developed based on Netfilter framework in Linux kernel. The authors show how to rearrange the rule policies to increase the performance of Net-DPIS. In the results, the authors show that WMT algorithm is faster than WM algorithm; Net-DPIS has higher average accuracy and performance than L7-filter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cyclophane ligand, 2,11-dithia[3.3](2,6)pyrazinophane (L), was synthesized by a simpler method and characterized by H NMR, which was used to synthesize coordination complexes by reactions with Cu ( I) and Co ( II) cations. Single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed that the conformation of the ligand L is syn(boat-chair), while in I and II it adopts syn(boat-chair) and syn(chair-chair), respectively. In the former coordination compound, Cu(I) is coordinated with two nitrogen and one sulfur atom of the ligand. In the latter one, Co(II) is coordinated with two nitrogen and two sulfur atoms of the ligand. In complexes I and II, the formation of three-dimensional structure depends on π-π-stacking and hydrogen bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab in Chinese patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathologic myopia.MethodsEight eyes of consecutive patients with myopic CNV without earlier treatment were treated with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (2.5 mg). All patients underwent a clinical examination, which included visual acuity measurements, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography.ResultsEight eyes of eight patients with ages ranging from 26 to 62 years (mean 41.5 years) were enroled. The follow-up period ranged from 13 to 17 months (mean, 14.9 months). At the 12-month follow-up, vision had improved in all eyes by three or more lines. However, a new-onset CNV adjacent to the earlier lesion and visual loss of one line at the 16th month were observed in one eye. The mean VA had significantly improved from the baseline value 20/82 to 20/25 (P=0.017). The final mean central retinal thickness was 214.1±36.3 μm, with a mean decrease of 59.8 μm from the pre-treatment value (P=0.017). The mean number of injections was 1.4 (ranging from 1 to 2) within 12 months. No other ocular or systemic side effects were noted.ConclusionsIn this small series of patients with 1-year follow-up, intravitreal injection of 2.5 mg bevacizumab seems to be effective and safe in patients with myopic CNV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo evaluate the correlation between glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and central foveal thickness as measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with diabetes.MethodsRetrospectively review of medical records of central foveal thickness as measured by OCT and laboratory data of glycosylated haemoglobin. HbA1c was compared with foveal thickness measured by OCT within the preceding 3 months. Clinically significant macular oedema (CSME) was diagnosed if central foveal retinal thickness was greater than 325 μm in OCT.ResultsOne hundred and two eyes of 102 patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Univariate analysis revealed that the CSME diagnosed by OCT in diabetes was not statistically significant with sex, right or left eye, DM duration over 10 years or not, and AC sugar level (over 140 or not). The HbA1C level (8 or over) and age (50 or less) showed a significant (P=0.005 and 0.006, respectively) and positive association with macular thickness in OCT. A trend towards higher risk was seen for factors of age 50 and HbA1c 8%.ConclusionsPatients with HbA1c of 8 or above had an increase in macular thickness in type 2 diabetic eyes and there was a statistical significant correlation between younger age, shorter DM duration and thicker macular thickness. Strict sugar control decreased the risk of diabetic macular retinopathy, and OCT could be an excellent detector of early diabetic macular oedema.Eye (2009) 23, 1360–1363; doi:10.1038/eye.2008.279; published online 12 September 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo investigate the associated factors of foveoschisis and foveal detachment without macular hole in highly myopic eyes.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 124 eyes of 68 highly myopic patients was performed. The patients underwent complete ocular examination, fundus photography, and optical coherence tomography (OCT).ResultsOf the 124 eyes, 10 (8%, 10/124) had foveoschisis or foveal detachment without a macular hole on OCT examination. On the basis of univariate analysis, six variables were associated with the pathologic changes, including age over 40 years (P=0.018), spherical equivalent over 10 D (P=0.042), axial length over 31 mm (P=0.001), macular chorioretinal atrophy (P=0.00003), posterior staphyloma (P=0.0003), and vitreoretinal interface factors, including epiretinal membrane, posterior vitreoschisis, and vitreomacular traction (P=0.00002). In the multivariate analysis, three factors were independently associated with foveoschisis and foveal detachment without macular hole in high myopia: axial length, macular chorioretinal atrophy, and vitreoretinal interface factors.ConclusionsFoveoschisis and foveal detachment without macular hole are sight-threatening disorders in highly myopic eyes. Axial length, macular chorioretinal atrophy, and vitreoretinal interface factors were independently associated with these pathological conditions. Thus, both intraocular and outer ocular wall factors play important roles and merit further study.Eye (2009) 23, 356–361; doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6703038; published online 7 December 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo compare the macular retinal thickness and macular volume between subjects with high myopia and non-myopia.MethodsThis prospective nonrandomized, comparative study recruited healthy subjects with high myopia subjects, defined as a spherical equivalence (SE) over −6 dioptres (D) or AXL26.5 mm and the best corrected visual acuity better than 20/25, and subjects with non-myopia, defined as an with SE between 1.5D and −1.5 D and the BCVA better than 20/25. Optical coherence tomography was performed in each eye.ResultsEighty high myopic eyes and 40 non-myopic eyes were included. The mean age of the high myopic group and non-myopia group was 29.6 and 27.5 years old, respectively. The mean refraction was –9.27 D in the high myopia group and –0.22 D in the non-myopia group. The high myopia group had significantly greater mean retinal thickness in the foveola and fovea 1 mm area than the non-myopia group (166 vs149 μm, P<0.0001, 199 vs188 μm, P=0.0063, respectively). However, the mean retinal thickness in the inner and outer macular area (superior, nasal, inferior, or temporal) of the high myopia group was significantly less than in the non-myopia group. In addition, the high myopia group had significantly smaller macular volume than the non-myopia group (P<0.0001).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that the retinal thickness in individuals with high myopia is thicker in the foveola and fovea, but thinner in the inner and the outer macular region. The retina of individuals with high myopia had smaller macular volume than those with non-myopia.Eye (2008) 22, 551–555; doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6702789; published online 27 April 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: antibody calcitonin gene related peptide; galcanezumab; humanized monoclonal antibody; LY2951742; migraine We anticipate future studies identifying the optimal treatment strategy of galcanezumab in treating migraine patients with a different history of preventive treatment failure. [Extracted from the article]

Our study conducted serial environmental measurements in 12 large office buildings with two different ventilation designs to obtain airborne microbial concentrations in typical office buildings, and to examine the effects of occupant density, ventilation type and air exchange efficiency on indoor microbial concentrations. Duplicate samples of airborne fungi and bacteria, a total of 2477 measurements, were collected based on a scheme of conducting sampling three times a day for at least seven consecutive days at every study building. Air change rates (ACHs) were also estimated by tracer gas concentration decay method, and measured by continuous Multi-Gas monitor for each building. Most sampling sites were with total fungal and bacteria concentrations higher than 1000 CFU/m3, an often-quoted guideline in earlier research. Significantly higher concentrations of fungi and bacteria, as well as higher indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios across most groups of airborne microbes, were identified in buildings with fan coil unit (FCU) system than those with air-handling unit (AHU) system (Student'sttest,P < 0.0001). Older buildings and higher air exchange rates were statistically associated with greater indoor bacteria levels in FCU ventilated buildings (R2 = 0.452); a pattern not found in AHU buildings. Increasing ACH seemed to be the determinant factor for rising indoor fungal andCladosporiumconcentrations in those FCU buildings (R2 = 0.346; 0.518). Our data indicated that FCU ventilated buildings might have provided more outdoor matters into indoor environments through direct penetration of outdoor air. Results also demonstrated a quantitative association between rising numbers of occupants and increasing indoor levels of yeast in both FCU and AHU ventilated buildings. The regression model identified in this study may be considered a reference value for proposing an optimal ACH, while with adequate filtration of fresh air, as an effective strategy in lowering indoor microbial concentrations in air-conditioned buildings. As control of indoor microbial contamination has become an increasing concern around the world, feasibility and effectiveness of adopting ventilation approach has attracted a significant interest. This field investigation demonstrated, quantitatively, critical variables to be taken into consideration while applying such a measure, including the kinds of microbes to be removed and the types of ventilation system already in place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a gene gun method for the transfer of human agouti signalling protein (ASP) cDNA to alter rat skin colour in vivo. Human ASP cDNA was cloned into a modified cytomegalovirus plasmid and delivered to the skin of Long-Evans rats by gene gun bombardment. Skin pigmentation, body weight and blood sugar of ASP cDNA-transfected rats were recorded against the control group, which were injected with plasmids encoding for green fluorescent protein. The treated skin showed lighter skin colour after 3 days of ASP gene transfection. This depigmentation effect was most prominent on day 14 and the skin gradually returned to its original pigmentation by day 28. Successful transfection of ASP gene in skin and hair follicles, as well as downregulation of melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) and tyrosinase expression upon treatment, was confirmed using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Body weight and blood sugar in the treated rats did not show statistically significant differences as compared to control groups. These observations demonstrate that gene transfer using the gene gun method can induce high cutaneous ASP production and facilitate a switch from dark to fair colour without systemic pleiotropic effects. Such a colour switch may be that ASP is acting in a paracrine fashion. In addition, this study verifies that ASP exerts its functions by acting as an independent ligand that downregulates the melanocyte MC1R and tyrosinase protein in an in vivo system. Our result offers new, interesting insights about the effect of ASP on pigmentation, providing a novel approach to study the molecular mechanisms underlying skin melanogenesis.Gene Therapy (2004) 11, 1033-1039. doi:10.1038/sj.gt.3302264; Published online 27 May 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study conducts a series of investigations in five office buildings chosen according to the types of construction, ventilation, and building age. Formaldehyde was measured by continuous photoacoustic Multi-Gas monitor Type 1302 (Brüel & Kjær). The 8-h average concentrations in working hours were used to estimate the lifetime cancer probability (LCP) and chronic non-carcinogenic hazard index (HI). The carcinogenic effect of formaldehyde estimate by LCP (70 years old) is about 2.06 × 10−4 to 1.75 × 10−3 after adjusting their working time. The levels of risk are 100–1000 times of the acceptable carcinogenic risk. A similar trend is observed for the levels of HI calculated. Many studies have suggested that exposure to high levels of formaldehyde may cause nasal cancer and other health effects. Therefore, promoting the labeling system for low emission materials to protect consumers from exposure to excessive emissions and helping the industry to develop low emission materials is evidently urgent and deserves greater efforts. Formaldehyde is a widely used compound in many building materials and products, and is often considered as a potential indoor hazard for human health. This study demonstrates the likely presence of high formaldehyde exposures in Taiwan's office buildings, and the attributable risk to excessive cancerous or chronic diseases deserves special concern. Such an issue should be adequately addressed for those countries without material-labeling or control regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the development of a gene-gum method for the transfer of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) cDNA in vivo to evaluate its therapeutic effect on inflammatory pain in a rat model of formalin-induced pain. Measurement of endorphin levels; Increase in the endorphin immunoreactivity in the skin; Relationship between gene-gun therapy and antinociception.

This study is dedicated to developing a fuzzy neural network with linguistic teaching signals. The proposed network, which can be applied either as a fuzzy expert system or a fuzzy controller, is able to process and learn the numerical information as well as the linguistic information. The network consists of two parts: (1) initial weights generation and (2) error back-propagation (EBP)-type learning algorithm. In the first part, a genetic algorithm (GA) generates the initial weights for a fuzzy neural network in order to prevent the network getting stuck to the local minimum. The second part employs the EBP-type learning algorithm for fine-tuning. In addition, the unimportant weights are eliminated during the training process. The simulated results do not only indicate that the proposed network can accurately learn the relations of fuzzy inputs and fuzzy outputs, but also show that the initial weights from the GA can coverage better and weight elimination really can reduce the training error. Moreover, real-world problem results show that the proposed network is able to learn the fuzzy IF-THEN rules captured from the retailing experts regarding the promotion effect on the sales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is prevalent among patients on renal replacement therapy. Viral genomic differences can contribute to diversities in clinical manifestation. The distribution of HCV genotypes depends on the geographical region and risk factors unique to the patient population. We determined the HCV genotypes in patients on renal replacement therapy in order to define the genotypic profile and examine the relationship between genotype, mode of renal replacement therapy, and the prevalence as well as severity of liver disease. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

BACKGROUND: This study examined the efficacy and tolerability of interferon alpha-2b (IFN) in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients on maintenance haemodialysis. METHODS: A 24-month prospective cohort study was performed in 11 HCV RNA-positive haemodialysis patients, who were treated with IFN at 3 MU thrice weekly for 6 months. Serial biochemical and virological monitors included serum alanine aminotransferase levels, and HCV RNA by both qualitative PCR assay and quantitative bDNA assay. HCV genotypes were determined by PCR and nucleotide sequencing. Ten patients had baseline liver biopsy. RESULTS: HCV genotypes 1b and 2b were identified in 10 and one patients respectively. Six (55%) patients had biochemical and/or histological features of chronic active hepatitis before treatment. All 11 patients became HCV RNA-negative by PCR, with normalization of deranged aminotransferase levels, within 2-8 weeks of IFN therapy. HCV RNA reappeared in eight (73%) patients 2-8 weeks after the cessation of IFN, while biochemical relapse occurred in six (55%) patients. Sustained eradication of HCV was achieved in three (27%) patients. Sustained responders were characterized by pretreatment HCV RNA level < 3.5 x 10(5) Eq/ml as determined by the bDNA assay, and less severe histological abnormalities ('Total score' 1.7 +/- 1.2 compared to 5.4 +/- 2.2 in relapsers, P < 0.05). HCV RNA levels were similar before and after IFN treatment in non-responders and relapsers. Persistent malaise and poor appetite were noted in eight (73%) patients during IFN therapy. Other side-effects of IFN included the exacerbation of anaemia, induction of resistance to erythropoietin, weight loss, and reduced serum albumin level. CONCLUSIONS: Eradication of chronic HCV infection with IFN can be achieved in 27% of haemodialysis patients. Predictors of sustained response include low baseline HCV RNA level and mild liver pathology. Virological relapse can occur despite normal liver biochemistry. Exacerbation of anaemia, erythropoietin resistance, and malnutrition constitute the side-effects of IFN that deserve special attention in uraemic subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

AIM: To describe the clinicopathological and immunophenotypical findings of two cases of inflammatory pseudotumour in the oral cavity. METHODS AND RESULTS: The patients presented with a short history of swelling in the cheek and the maxilla respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging or computerised tomography scan showed space occupying lesions with infiltrative margins which were interpreted as aggressive malignant neoplasms. Histological examination showed fascicles of spindle cells in a background of chronic reactive inflammatory cells including plasma cells, typical of inflammatory pseudotumour. The spindle cells were positive for vimentin, smooth muscle actin and CD68, but were negative for follicular dendritic cell markers. The lymphocytes showed no light chain restriction. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory pseudotumour in the oral cavity is completely benign and simple excision is curative. However, it may be confused with a malignant tumour on clinical and radiographic grounds, and histologically the appearances can also be misinterpreted as those of a more aggressive lesion. Its correct recognition by the surgical pathologist is important to avoid unnecessarily radical and potentially mutilating surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]