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Objective: In vitro studies showed that mutations in the basal core promoter (BCP) or precore (PC) region restore the replication inefficiency of the lamivudine-resistant mutant. The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of molecular characteristics on the antiviral response to adefovir in patients with lamivudine-resistant chronic hepatitis B (CHB)., Methods: Sixty-six lamivudine-resistant patients who were treated with adefovir monotherapy were studied. Sequences of BCP, PC region and reverse transcriptase were determined before adefovir therapy. In patients with virologic breakthrough, reverse transcriptase sequencing was performed., Results: The cumulative probabilities of virologic response were 23.3, 46, 52.7 and 59.5% at years 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. PC mutation, the absence of compensatory mutations (rtL80I/V or rtV173L), and a decrease in serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA by 3 log or greater at 6 months were independent predictors of virologic response. The cumulative probabilities of virologic breakthrough were 0, 12.9, 30.7 and 44.5% at years 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. BCP mutation and a less than 3 log decrease in serum HBV DNA at 6 months were 2 independent risk factors for virologic breakthrough., Conclusion: Response to adefovir depends on mutation patterns in the BCP, PC region and reverse transcriptase, and on-treatment decreases in serum HBV DNA in lamivudine-resistant CHB patients.

Degeneration of the lumbar spine plays an important role in most chronic low back pain. Prevention of lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is therefore a high research priority. Both our previous multicenter clinical trials and pharmacological research showed that Fufangqishe-Pill (FFQSP), a newly patented traditional Chinese medicine, could effectively relieve the symptoms of neck pain and prevent cervical degeneration. To clarify the effect of FFQSP on lumbar IVD degeneration, we applied a lumbar IVD degeneration rat model induced by prolonged upright posture. Pretreatment of FFQSP for one month prevented the histological changes indicating IVD disorganization; increased type II-collagen level, decreased type X-collagen protein level, and increased Col2alpha1 mRNA expression at all time points; and decreased Col10alpha1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP13, and Interleukin (IL)-1beta mRNA expression induced by upright posture for 7 and 9 months. These results suggest that FFQSP prevents lumbar IVD degeneration induced by upright posture. FFQSP is a promising medicine for lumbar IVD degeneration disease.

Aim: In endemic areas of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, lamivudine-induced hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) loss is not durable. We developed a scoring system to predict the relapse after lamivudine-induced HBeAg loss., Methods: Of 93 HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients receiving lamivudine therapy, we studied the 30 patients who achieved HBeAg loss. Qualitative polymerase chain reaction assays for HBV DNA were performed after HBeAg loss; if results were negative on two consecutive occasions, lamivudine treatment was stopped. Serum HBV DNA levels at the time of HBeAg loss were determined using stored serum by the Cobas Amplicor HBV Monitor Kit., Results: Cumulative relapse rates were 44%, 55.8% and 59.8%, after 1, 2 and 5 years, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the risk factors for relapse were age (>/= 30 years), HBV DNA level (>/= 60 IU/mL) at the time of HBeAg loss and liver cirrhosis. Independent risk factors for relapse were age (odds ratio [OR], 4.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-17.6) and serum HBV DNA level at the time of HBeAg loss (OR, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.3-21.6). We developed a scoring system based on these independent risk factors. No relapse was observed for patients with a risk score of 0. For patients with a risk score of 1, the relapse rates were 41%, 49% and 56% at 1, 2 and 5 years, respectively. All patients with a risk score of 2 relapsed (P = 0.01)., Conclusion: Our new scoring system may be useful for predicting relapses in patients with lamivudine-induced HBeAg loss. Treatment strategies should be individualized according to risk score.

Study Design: Pathologic changes were observed in the spine of small mother against decapentaplegic (Smad) 3 mice at different time points., Objective: To observe the degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD) in Smad3 gene knock-out mice with growth., Summary of Background Data: Smad3 gene knock-out (Smad3) mice displays phenotypes similar to human osteoarthritis. Despite the similarities between IVD cartilage endplate and the articular cartilage, there has been relatively little interest in exploring the possibility that IVD degeneration might be driven by the deficiency of Smad3., Methods: The Smad3 mice were killed at the 10th, 30th, and 60th day after their birth and the IVD samples of spine were harvested for histologic and immunohistochemical studies. Total RNA isolated from these samples were used for real-time PCR analysis of type II collagen (Col2alpha1), type X collagen (Col10alpha1), aggrecan, and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1)., Results: Compared with the wild-type mice, Smad3 mice appeared significantly smaller in size. Radiograph showed that the spine of Smad3 mice is malformation and kyphosis. Histologic analysis revealed the declined height of cartilage endplate, decreased proteoglycan and collagen content in disc of Smad3 mice. With growth, especially of the 30- and 60-day old Smad3 mice, the protein positive staining of type II collagen, aggrecan, and TGF-beta1 in the disc decreased, while that of type X collagen increased. And the analysis of real-time PCR showed that the mRNA expression of Col2alpha1, aggrecan, and TGF-beta1 decreased, while that of Col10alpha1 increased., Conclusion: Smad3 gene knock-out mice develop IVD degeneration with growth.

Based on the technology of tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) in conjunction with second harmonic wave detection, a long open-path TDLAS system using a 1.65 microm InGaAsP distributed feedback laser was developed, which is used for detecting pipeline leakage. In this system, a high cost performance Fresnel lens is used as the receiving optical system, which receives the laser-beam reflected by a solid corner cube reflector, and focuses the receiving laser-beam to the InGaAs detector. At the same time, the influences of the concentration to the fluctuation of light intensity were taken into account in the process of measurement, and were eliminated by the method of normalized light intensity. As a result, the measurement error caused by the fluctuation of light intensity was made less than 1%. The experiment of natural gas leakage detection was simulated, and the detection sensitivity is 0.1 x 10(-6) (ratio by volume) with a total path of 320 m. According to the receiving light efficiency of the optical system and the detectable minimum light intensity of the detector, the detectable maximal optical path of the system was counted to be 2 000 m. The results of experiment show that it is a feasible design to use the Fresnel lens as the receiving optical system and can satisfy the demand of the leakage detection of natural gas.

Our study aimed to establish a model of compression injury of cervical dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in the rat and to investigate the pathological changes following compression injury and decompression procedures. Thirty rats were divided into three groups: control group receiving sham surgery, compression group undergoing surgery to place a micro-silica gel on C6 DRG, and decompression group with subsequent decompression procedure. The samples harvested from the different groups were examined with light microscopy, ultrastructural analysis, and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) retrograde tracing techniques. Apoptosis of DRG neurons was demonstrated with TUNEL staining. Changes in PGE2 and PLA2 in DRG neurons were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Local expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was monitored with immunohistochemistry. DRG neurons in the compression group became swollen with vacuolar changes in cytoplasm. Decompression procedure partially ameliorated the resultant compression pathology. Ultrastructural examination showed a large number of swollen vacuoles, demyelinated nerve root fibers, absence of Schwann cells, and proliferation in the surrounding connective tissues in the compression group. Compared to the control group, the compression group showed a significant decrease in the number of the HRP-labeled cells and a significant increase in levels of PGE2 and PLA2, in the expression of VEGF protein, and in the number of apoptotic DRG neurons. These findings demonstrate that compression results in local inflammation, followed by increased apoptosis and upregulation of VEGF. We conclude that such a model provides a tool to study the pathogenesis and treatment of cervical radiculoneuropathy.

Objective: To explore the mechanism of Yiqi Huayu Bushen Recipe (YHBR), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in treating cervical syndrome (CS) with qi deficiency, blood stasis and kidney deficiency in rats., Methods: A total of 30 three-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group, untreated group and YHBR group; there were ten rats in each group. The rat model of cervical syndrome with qi deficiency, blood stasis and kidney deficiency was established by combining disease and syndrome models. After one-month YHBR treatment in YHBR group, all rats were sacrificed. Serum, plasma and cervical intervertebral discs were detected and observed by radio-immunology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, etc., Results: Compared with those in the normal control group, rats in the untreated group showed obvious signs of deficiency in vital energy, such as tiredness, ptosis, few movement, bluish-purple tongue and tail and weight loss; the weight of uterus and appendages, and the ratio of cyclic adenosine monophosphate/cyclic guanosine monophosphate were decreased; hemorheological parameters and the expression of alpha-granular membrane protein (CD62p) were increased; the content of serum estradiol was decreased. YHBR could improve the above indexes except for the weight of uterus and appendages. HE staining showed annulus fibrosus with cracks, diminish of pulposus nucleus, and decrease in the height of intervertebral disc and the thickness of end-plate in the untreated group; and YHBR could improve the changes of cervical intervertebral discs, but no obvious changes in end-plate. Type II collagen protein (Col2a1)was distributed in every part of the annulus fibrosus in normal control group, but was decreased in untreated group; YHBR could increase Col2a1 expression in annulus fibrosus as compared with the untreated group. The expressions of Col2a1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) mRNAs were decreased in untreated group as compared with the normal control group (P<0.01); the expressions of Col2a1 and TIMP-1 mRNAs were higher and matrix metalloproteinase-13 mRNA was lower in the YHBR group than those in the untreated group (P<0.05, P<0.01)., Conclusion: YHBR may improve the condition of cervical syndrome with qi deficiency, blood stasis and kidney deficiency by regulating immune system, coagulation system and endocrine system, and delay the degeneration of cervical intervertebral disc by regulating extracellular matrix and metalloproteases in intervertebral disc.

With the conjunction of tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy technology (TDLAS) and the open long optical path technology, the system designing scheme of CO2 on-line monitoring based on near infrared tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy technology was discussed in detail, and the instrument for large-range measurement was set up. By choosing the infrared absorption line of CO2 at 1.57 microm whose line strength is strong and suitable for measurement, the ambient atmospheric CO2 was measured continuously with a 30 s temporal resolution at an suburb site in the autumn of 2007. The diurnal atmospheric variations of CO2 and continuous monitoring results were presented. The results show that the variation in CO2 concentration has an obvious diurnal periodicity in suburb where the air is free of interference and contamination. The general characteristic of diurnal variation is that the concentration is low in the daytime and high at night, so it matches the photosynthesis trend. The instrument can detect gas concentration online with high resolution, high sensitivity, high precision, short response time and many other advantages, the monitoring requires no gas sampling, the calibration is easy, and the detection limit is about 4.2 x 10(-7). It has been proved that the system and measurement project are feasible, so it is an effective method for gas flux continuous online monitoring of large range in ecosystem based on TDLAS technology.

Objective: To research the action mechanism of Yiqi Huayu Bushen Recipe (YHBR), a compound of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in treating cervical syndrome (CS) with kidney deficiency in rats., Methods: A total of 30 three-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group, CS with kidney deficiency model group (untreated group) and YHBR group, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal control group received no treatment, while rats of the other two groups underwent resection of both cervical muscles and ovaries to establish the model of CS with kidney deficiency. Three months after surgery, rats in the YHBR group were intragastrically administered YHBR for one month. Another one month later, all rats were sacrificed. The content of serum estradiol (E2) was detected by radio-immunoassay; contents of plasma cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were tested, and the ratio of cAMP/cGMP was also calculated. Hemorheology was detected by Weissenberg's method; expression of alpha-granular membrane protein (CD62p) was detected by flow cytometry; HE staining was used to detect the histopathology of cervical intervertebral disc degeneration; type II collagen protein was detected by immunohistochemistry and aggrecan-1 (Agc1), type II procollagen gene, Col2a1, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) mRNAs were detected by fluorescent quantization polymerase chain reaction., Results: Compared with the untreated group, rats in the YHBR group showed an obvious increase in serum E2 content (P<0.05), and an increase in plasma cAMP and cGMP content without significant difference; hemorheological parameters and percentage of CD62p expression were significantly decreased in the YHBR group (P<0.05, P<0.01). YHBR could improve the degeneration of cervical intervertebral discs, decrease the Miyamoto scores (P<0.05), and increase the type II collagen. The expressions of Agc1, Col2a1 and TIMP-1 mRNAs were significantly increased and MMP-13 mRNA significantly decreased in YHBR group (P<0.05, P<0.01)., Conclusion: YHBR may improve CS with kidney deficiency and delay the degeneration of cervical intervertebral disc by regulating the immune-metabolism system, coagulation system and endocrine system.

Objective: To establish a rat model of cervical syndrome with qi deficiency, blood stasis and kidney deficiency., Methods: A total of 30 three-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group, cervical syndrome group and cervical syndrome with qi deficiency, blood stasis and kidney deficiency group (combined group), with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal group received no treatment, rats in cervical syndrome group underwent resection of cervical muscles and ligaments as unbalanced dynamic and static animal model, and rats in combined group underwent resection of both cervical muscles and ovaries, swimming and irregular diet, and injection of adrenal cortex hormone and adrenaline two and a half months after resection as combined model. The qi deficiency, blood stasis and kidney deficiency were determined by observing behaviors and physical signs of the rats, detecting the contents of plasma cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), the hemorrheology, the expression of alpha-granular membrane protein (CD62p) and the serum estradiol (E(2)) content. The aggrecan-1, type II procollagen gene (Col2a1), matrix metalloproteinases-13 (MMP-13) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) mRNAs in cervical intervertebral discs were detected by histopathology, immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The cataplasia of the intervertebral discs was determined by detecting the histopathology, the expressions of type II collagen and type X collegen proteins, and the expressions of aggrecan-1 (Agc1), type II procollagen gene (Col2a1), matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) mRNAs., Results: Compared with those in the normal group and cervical syndrome group, the rats in the combined group were noted with obvious signs of deficiency of vital energy, such as depression, tiredness, ptosis, obvious weight loss and blue tail. And the ratio of cAMP/cGMP was decreased; the reducing viscosity was significantly up-regulated; the expression of CD62p was increased; the content of serum E(2) was decreased; the intervertebral disc structure was destructed; the cervical intervertebral disc was more seriously deteriorated. There exhibited a decrease in type II collagen protein expression, an increase in type X collagen protein expression, as well as decreases of Agc1, Col2a1 and TIMP-1 mRNA expressions in intervertebral disc, and the expression of MMP-13 mRNA was noted an increase., Conclusion: The rat model of cervical syndrome with qi-deficiency, blood stasis and kidney deficiency is established. Qi deficiency, blood stasis and kidney deficiency can aggravate cervical intervertebral disc degeneration.

Objective: To establish a rat model of cervical syndrome (CS) with kidney deficiency., Methods: A group of 30 three-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group, CS group and CS with kidney deficiency group (combined group), with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal control group received no treatment, rats in the CS group underwent only resection of cervical muscles and ligaments as unbalanced dynamic and static animal model, and rats in combined group underwent resection of both cervical muscles and ovaries as kidney deficiency model. Serum and cervical intervertebral discs were collected. Kidney deficiency was determined by observing the morphologic changes of uterus and appendages, detecting the weight of uterus and appendages and the content of serum estradiol (E(2)). The degeneration of intervertebral discs was determined by detecting the histopathology, the expressions of type II collagen and type X collagen proteins, and the expressions of aggrecan-1 (Agc1), type II procollagen gene (Col2a1), matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) mRNAs., Results: Compared with those in the normal control group and CS group, the rats in the combined group were noted with the uterus atrophied, the caliber of oviduct thinned, the weight of uterus and appendages diminished obviously, the content of serum E(2) decreased, cervical intervertebral disc degenerated more seriously, type II collagen protein expression decreased, type X collagen protein expression increased, Agc1 and Col2a1 mRNA expressions in intervertebral disc decreased, and the MMP-13 mRNA expression increased., Conclusion: The rat model of CS with kidney deficiency is established. Kidney deficiency can aggravate cervical intervertebral disc degeneration.

As one of the materials in organic chemical industry, acetylene has been used in many aspects of chemical industry. But acetylene is a very dangerous inflammable and explosive gas, so it needs in-situ monitoring during industrial storage and production. Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) technology has been widely used in atmospheric trace gases detection, because it has a lot of advantageous characteristics, such as high sensitivity, good selectivity, and rapid time response. The distribution characteristics of absorption lines of acetylene in near infrared band were studied, and then the system designing scheme of acetylene on-line monitoring based on near infrared tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy technology was discussed in detail. Moreover, the system of experiment measurement was set up and the method of signal detection and the algorithm of concentration inversion were studied. In addition, the sample cell with a path length of 10 cm, and the acetylene of different known concentrations were measured. As a result, the detection limit obtained reached 1.46 cm3 x m(-3). Finally the dynamic detection experiment was carried out, and the measurement result is stable and reliable, so the design of the system is practicable through experiment analysis. On-line acetylene leakage monitoring system was developed based on the experiment, and it is suitable for giving a leakage alarm of acetylene during its storage, transportation and use.

Study Design: Both forelimbs of rats were amputated, and these rats were kept in the custom-made cages that kept the rats in prolonged upright posture. Pathologic changes were observed in the lumbar spine at different time points after the surgery., Objective: To investigate the effect of upright posture on intervertebral discs of rat lumbar spine., Summary of Background Data: Previous studies have shown that increased axial forces on the spine can decrease the height of the intervertebral disc, but there are no data to indicate whether or not long-term and repeated assumption of the upright posture could result in degenerative changes., Methods: The forelimbs of 30 rats were amputated when they were 1-month old. These rats were kept in the custom-made cages and were forced to stand upright on their hind-limbs and tails to obtain water and food. Normal rats of the same ages kept in regular cages were used as control. The rats were killed at 5, 7, and 9 months after the surgery, and the intervertebral discs samples of lumbar spine were harvested for histologic and immunohistochemical studies. Total RNA isolated from these samples was used for real-time PCR of type II collagen (Col2alpha1), type X collagen (Col10alpha1), matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), aggrecan, and disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS-5). RESULTS.: Histologic analysis showed degenerative changes of the intervertebral discs after surgery such as disordered collagen structure of endplate cartilage, fragmentation of annulus fibrosus, and decreased height of disc. Immunostaining revealed decreased protein level of type II collagen and increased protein expression of type X collagen. Real-time PCR showed upregulated expression of MMP 13, ADAMTS-5, and Col10alpha1 mRNA and downregulated mRNA expression of Col2alpha1 and aggrecan., Conclusion: Long-term and repeated assumption of the upright stance accelerates disc degeneration in rats.

A new method for the determination of trace selenium based on solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry (SS-RTP) has been established. This method was based on the fact that in HCl-KCl buffer solution, potassium chlorate could oxidize phenyl hydrazine to form chloridize diazo-ion after being heated at 100 degrees C for 20 min, and then the diazo-ion reacted with 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic acid to form red azo-compound which could emit strong room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) signal on filter paper. Selenium could catalyze potassium chlorate oxidizing the reaction between phenyl hydrazine and 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic acid, which caused the sharp enhancement of SS-RTP. Under the optimum condition, the relationship between the phosphorescence emission intensity (DeltaIp) and the content of selenium obeyed Beer's law when the concentration of selenium is within the range of 1.60-320 fg spot-1 (or 0.0040-0.80 ng ml-1 with a sample volume of 0.4 microl). The regression equation of working curve can be expressed as DeltaIp=13.12+0.4839CSe(IV) (fg spot-1) (n=6), with correlation coefficient r=0.9991 and a detection limit of 0.28 fg spot-1 (corresponding to a concentration range of 7.0x10(-13) g ml-1 Se(IV), n=11). After 11-fold measurement, R.S.D. were 2.8 and 3.5% for the samples containing 0.0040 and 0.80 ng ml-1 of Se(IV), respectively. This accurate and sensitive method with good repeatability has been successfully applied to the determination of trace selenium in Chinese wolfberry and egg yolk with satisfactory results. The mechanism of the enhancement of phosphorescence was also discussed.

A new solid substrate-room temperature phosphorescence (SS-RTP) method for the determination of trace manganese (II) has been established. It bases on the fact that fullerol (R) emits strong and stable room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) on filter paper substrate. H2O2 can oxidize R to cause the SS-RTP quenching. But manganese (II) can obstruct H2O2 to oxidize R, and enhance the RTP of R. alpha,alpha'-Bipyridine (Bipy) can sensitize the RTP. After adding Bipy, the DeltaI(p) enhances 7 times than that without Bipy. Under the optimum conditions, the linear dynamic range of this method is 0.016-1.12 pg spot(-1) with a detection limit (L.D.) of 4.6 fg spot(-1) (m(Mn(2+) is the absolute mass of Mn(2+)), and the regression equation of working curve is DeltaI(p)=25.20 + 63.55 m(Mn(2+) (pg spot(-1)), n=6, r=0.9983. For 0.016 and 1.12 pg spot(-1) Mn(2+), RSDS are 4.3 and 4.8%, respectively (n=7). This method has been applied to the determination of trace manganese (II) in actual sample with high sensitivity and good selection. And the reaction mechanism of SS-RTP is discussed.

Angiotensinogen (AGT) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) are expressed in both vascular and adipose tissues. Angiotensin II (AG II) has an adipogenic effect and increases PAI-1 expression. To evaluate the chronic effects of AG II type 1 receptor (AT(1)R) antagonism on adipose mass and PAI-1 expression in vascular and adipose tissues, losartan (30mg/kg/day) was administered to Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, a model of type 2 diabetes, for 20 weeks. Adipose mass and regional fat distribution in the abdomen did not change after chronic AT(1)R antagonism in OLETF rats. AGT and PAI-1 mRNA expressions in adipose tissue of OLETF rats were significantly increased compared with Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats, the normal control. Chronic losartan therapy further increased the level of adipose AGT in OLETF rats, but did not affect the level of adipose PAI-1 mRNA. In contrast, aortic PAI-1 expression in OLETF rats was attenuated by chronic losartan therapy. Our results have two implications. First, adipose tissue may be an important source of AG II in metabolic syndrome even after chronic losartan therapy. Second, chronic AT(1)R antagonism with losartan causes differential effects on vascular and adipose PAI-1 expression.

Objectives: Despite the pathogenic role of the basal core promoter (BCP) and the precore mutations in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, their role in the progression of liver disease is still controversial. We analyzed whether the accumulation of these mutations might enhance the progression of HBV-related chronic liver disease., Methods: Forty consecutive patients at each clinical status were analyzed. Clinical statuses were as follows: HBeAg-positive asymptomatic carrier (HBeAg(+) ASC) (defined as HBeAg(+), anti-HBe(-), HBV-DNA(+) by hybridization, normal ALT); inactive HBsAg carrier; chronic hepatitis B; liver cirrhosis. The genotype and the BCP/precore regions were determined by PCR using genotype specific primers and direct sequencing, respectively., Results: All patients except one were infected with genotype C. The A to T mutation at nucleotide 1762 and/or G to A mutation at nucleotide 1764 were found in 30% in HBeAg(+) ASC, 65.7% in inactive HBsAg carrier, 95% in chronic hepatitis B, and 90% in liver cirrhosis (p < 0.001). The prevalence of the G to A mutation at nucleotide 1896 was 5% in HBeAg(+) ASC, 22.5% in inactive HBsAg carrier, 32.5% in chronic hepatitis B, and 50% in liver cirrhosis, respectively (p < 0.001). The T to C/A mutation at nucleotide 1753 in the BCP and G to A mutation at nucleotide 1899 in the precore were more frequent in liver cirrhosis than in the other clinical statuses (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Sequential accumulation of mutations in the BCP/precore has an important role in the progression of HBV-related liver disease.

The UV-vis spectra of peripherally substituted tetranitrometallophthalocyanines (TNMPcs) 1a-1d and non-peripherally substituted TNMPcs 2a-2d were investigated. In comparison of 1a with 2a, there is the only difference in the substitution position of nitro-groups. The structural diversity of 1a and 2a resulted in different electronic effects of nitro-group on Pc rings, which caused them have two kinds of Q bands. The Q band in the UV-vis spectra of 1a-1d was split into two peaks, which were obviously influenced by temperature, while no split was observed in the Q band of 2a-2d. We can draw a conclusion that tuning nitro-group electronic effect is an important approach for controlling the properties of Pcs.

Objectives: It has been reported that distribution of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes shows geographic difference and are associated with clinical outcomes of HBV infection, including response to antiviral therapy and progression of chronic liver diseases. In this study, we analyzed the distribution of HBV genotypes according to the various clinical outcomes of chronic HBV infection in Korea, which is one of the most endemic areas of HBV infection., Methods: A total of 200 patients with chronic HBV infection were enrolled. Clinical diagnoses of the 200 patients with chronic liver diseases were as follows: hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive healthy carrier (defined as HBeAg(+), anti-HBe(-), HBV DNA(+) by hybridization, normal transaminase; n = 40); inactive HBsAg carrier (n = 40); chronic hepatitis B (n = 40); liver cirrhosis (n = 40); hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 40). HBV genotypes were determined by nested polymerase chain reaction using genotype-specific primers., Results: All patients except 2 (inactive HBsAg carriers) were positive for nested PCR and they have genotype C regardless of clinical outcomes., Conclusions: HBV genotype was genotype C regardless of various clinical outcomes of chronic HBV infection in Korea. Considering that HBV genotypes have clinical relevance, distribution of HBV genotype in each area should be monitored when management for chronic HBV infection is planned., (Copyright (c) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

A temperature-constrained cascade-correlation network (TCCCN) was used to identify ultraviolet (UV) spectra of organic environmental pollutants. Library search for UV spectra is more difficult than that for infrared (IR) spectra, because the UV spectra overlap more severely than IR spectra. Besides, drift and noise in the measurement will have significant effect on UV library spectra search. Therefore, neural networks with fuzzy output should be a better alternative for the library search. The TCCCN is different from the commonly used BP networks in architecture. The processing units in the TCCCN are connected in a cascade mode, and a temperature constraint is introduced. Therefore, the TCCCN can reduce overtraining and fast training speed. TCCCN was used for library search of UV spectra in the present work and the effects of network parameters and noise were investigated. Results showed that better results were obtained with the TCCCN than with conventional correlation method.

This prospective study investigated whether major depressive disorder can cause negative life events. One hundred and thirteen normal college men have been followed biennially from age 26 until age 62. Fourteen major negative life events were assessed retrospectively by a self-report checklist. A blind rater read each man's complete records over the 35 years and used the same checklist prospectively. The negative life events were divided into dependent and independent groups according to whether the men's own behavior could have played a role in causing the events. In comparison with the normal control group, depressed individuals had a higher density of dependent negative life events after their first episode of depression. This difference did not exist for the occurrence of independent negative life events. Independent negative life events tended to be related to help seeking behaviors rather than to depression. This study confirmed our hypothesis that affective spectrum disorder can generate self-induced negative life events, which may contribute to the chronicity of the disorder.

Objective: This study investigated whether negative life events affected subjects' long-term physical and mental health., Method: One hundred thirteen normal college men completed biennial follow-up questionnaires from age 26 until age 62. At age 62 they retrospectively assessed 16 major negative life events with a self-report checklist. A blind rater read each man's complete records over the 35 years and completed the same checklist prospectively. The men had independent physical examinations at age 65., Results: It was demonstrated that negative life events affect men's psychological health more than their physical health. The correlation of negative life events with physical health was so low that no significant relationship between the two variables could be established. Negative life events were significantly associated with affective spectrum disorder and its relevant indicators. Further, the Cox proportional hazards model revealed that negative life events, family history of depression, and psychosocial stability during the college years were independent and statistically significant predictors of depression., Conclusions: This study supports the widely held belief that biological factors (heredity), psychological factors (unstable personality), and social factors (negative life events) are all etiologically related to depression.

Eight cases of the primary hepatosarcoma were reported in this paper. These cases were verified by resection and pathological examination. The abdominal pain and mass were of the main clinical features. The image studies showed the occupied lesions of the liver. The preoperative differential diagnosis is of difficulty. All these cases were misdiagnosed: 6 cases (75%) as cystic lesions and 2 cases (25%) as cancer of the liver, The sarcoma of the liver is usually huge and central necrotized which formed liquid-cavity. Therefore the differential diagnosis of huge mixed cystic lesions of the liver should be stressed. During operation, the frozen section pathological examination should be performed as a routine in case misdiagnosis and mistreatment happen. Early surgical resection is suggested in order to raise the survival rate.