Alterations of CD8+CD28- T cells in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis

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Somatostatin in the treatment of acute pancreatitis: A prospective randomised controlled trial

A prospective study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of somatostatin in the treatment of acute pancreatitis. Seventy one patients were randomised to control (h = 36), or to the somatostatin group (h = 35) who received somatostatin 100 μg/h after a 250 μg bolus for the first two days. The following were compared in the two groups on admission and two days later: laboratory tests of prognostic significance, severity of pancreatitis, and also morbidity and mortality. Of the nine laboratory tests compared, the white blood cell count, lactate dehydrogenase, and urea concentrations were significantly lower in the somatostatin group two days after admission. Severity of pancreatitis after hospitalisation increased in fewer patients given somatostatin (NS). There was a trend toward fewer complications, especially local, in the somatostatin group. Mortality in both groups was low. Somatostatin appeared to reduce the local complications of acute pancreatitis. A larger trial is necessary to show its beneficial effect conclusively.published_or_final_versio

Application of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA sequence polymorphisms to the study of HBV transmission

Short sequences in hypervariable regions of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome can be used to identify different strains, providing a novel approach to the study of HBV transmission. The nucleotide sequence in positions 2551-2650 (1: EcoRI site) was determined for serum HBV DNA from 96 Chinese children living in Hong Kong and from 38 of their parents. HBV DNA was extracted and sequenced after amplification with the polymerase chain reaction, using as primers oligonucleotides corresponding to two conserved sequences. Among 82 unrelated children, 32 HBV DNA variants were present. One sequence was present in 33 children and 31 variants were found among the other 49. Siblings within each of nine families had the same variant; in three families siblings had different variants. Six of the eight fathers and 28 of the 30 mothers had HBV DNA sequences identical to those of their offspring. A total of 34 variants were found among the 134 individuals. The hypothesis of random assortment of sequences in parents and children was rejected (P < .00005). Thus, this new approach proves the occurrence of intrafamilial transmission of HBV among Chinese.published_or_final_versio

Transcultural and psychometric validation of the Dispositional Resilience Scale (DRS-15) in Chinese adult women

postprin

Blood-based high sensitivity measurements of beta-amyloid and phosphorylated tau as biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: a focused review on recent advances

Discovery and development of clinically useful biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias have been the focus of recent research efforts. While cerebrospinal fluid and positron emission tomography or MRI-based neuroimaging markers have made the in vivo detection of AD pathology and its consequences possible, the high cost and invasiveness have limited their widespread use in the clinical setting. On the other hand, advances in potentially more accessible blood-based biomarkers had been impeded by lack of sensitivity in detecting changes in markers of the hallmarks of AD, including amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides and phosphorylated tau (P-tau). More recently, however, emerging technologies with superior sensitivity and specificity for measuring Aβ and P-tau have reported high concordances with AD severity. In this focused review, we describe several emerging technologies, including immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry (IP-MS), single molecule array and Meso Scale Discovery immunoassay platforms, and appraise the current literature arising from their use to identify plaques, tangles and other AD-associated pathology. While there is potential clinical utility in adopting these technologies, we also highlight the further studies needed to establish Aβ and P-tau as blood-based biomarkers for AD, including validation with existing large sample sets, new independent cohorts from diverse backgrounds as well as population-based longitudinal studies. In conclusion, the availability of sensitive and reliable measurements of Aβ peptides and P-tau species in blood holds promise for the diagnosis, prognosis and outcome assessments in clinical trials for AD

Use of interferon gamma release assay to assess latent tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers in Hong Kong

Key Messages 1. Overall baseline interferon gamma release assay positivity was 20.7%. 2. The conversion to interferon gamma release assay positivity at 3 months was 8.85% in the exposed group and 4.54% in the non-exposed group using the conventional cut-off of 0.35 IU/mL. 3. When grey zone results (0.2I-0.7 IU/mL) were included, the proportion of non-specific conversions and reversions could be reduced. 4. Interferon gamma release assay can be an adjunct tool in contact investigation of latent tuberculosis infection in healthcare workers.published_or_final_versio

Brain atrophy and white matter hyperintensities are independently associated with plasma neurofilament light chain in an Asian cohort of cognitively impaired patients with concomitant cerebral small vessel disease

Introduction: Plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a potential biomarker for neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD), ischemic stroke, and non-dementia cohorts with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). However, studies of AD in populations with high prevalence of concomitant CSVD to evaluate associations of brain atrophy, CSVD, and amyloid beta (Aβ) burden on plasma NfL are lacking. Methods: Associations were tested between plasma NfL and brain Aβ, medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) as well as neuroimaging features of CSVD, including white matter hyperintensities (WMH), lacunes, and cerebral microbleeds. Results: We found that participants with either MTA (defined as MTA score ≥2; neurodegeneration [N]+WMH−) or WMH (cut-off for log-transformed WMH volume at 50th percentile; N−WMH+) manifested increased plasma NfL levels. Participants with both pathologies (N+WMH+) showed the highest NfL compared to N+WMH−, N−WMH+, and N−WMH− individuals. Discussion: Plasma NfL has potential utility in stratifying individual and combined contributions of AD pathology and CSVD to cognitive impairment

Protein interactions in Xenopus germ plasm RNP particles

Hermes is an RNA-binding protein that we have previously reported to be found in the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles of Xenopus germ plasm, where it is associated with various RNAs, including that encoding the germ line determinant Nanos1. To further define the composition of these RNPs, we performed a screen for Hermes-binding partners using the yeast two-hybrid system. We have identified and validated four proteins that interact with Hermes in germ plasm: two isoforms of Xvelo1 (a homologue of zebrafish Bucky ball) and Rbm24b and Rbm42b, both RNA-binding proteins containing the RRM motif. GFP-Xvelo fusion proteins and their endogenous counterparts, identified with antisera, were found to localize with Hermes in the germ plasm particles of large oocytes and eggs. Only the larger Xvelo isoform was naturally found in the Balbiani body of previtellogenic oocytes. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) experiments confirmed that Hermes and the Xvelo variants interact in germ plasm, as do Rbm24b and 42b. Depletion of the shorter Xvelo variant with antisense oligonucleotides caused a decrease in the size of germ plasm aggregates and loosening of associated mitochondria from these structures. This suggests that the short Xvelo variant, or less likely its RNA, has a role in organizing and maintaining the integrity of germ plasm in Xenopus oocytes. While GFP fusion proteins for Rbm24b and 42b did not localize into germ plasm as specifically as Hermes or Xvelo, BiFC analysis indicated that both interact with Hermes in germ plasm RNPs. They are very stable in the face of RNA depletion, but additive effects of combinations of antisense oligos suggest they may have a role in germ plasm structure and may influence the ability of Hermes protein to effectively enter RNP particles

Prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection in a highly endemic area for chronic hepatitis B: A study of a large blood donor population

Background and aims: The aim of the present study was to determine the population prevalence of occult hepatitis B (OHB) infection and its clinical profile in a highly endemic area of chronic hepatitis B virus disease. Methods: OHB was first identified by individual sample testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) followed by nucleic acid testing (NAT) and vice versa for 3044 (cohort 1, stored sera from donation within 1 year) and 9990 (cohort 2, prospective study) blood donors, respectively. OHB was confirmed meticulously by ≥2 out of 3 tests with detectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA using a sensitive standardised assay. Detailed serology and viral load in the serum and liver were studied. Results: The prevalence of OHB was 0.13% (4/3044) and 0.11% (11/9967) for cohort 1 and 2, respectively. In cohort 2, 10 out of 11 OHB samples were positive for anti-HBc (hepatitis B core antigen) antibody (all were immunoglobulin G). Seven had detectable anti-HBs. The serum HBV DNA levels were extremely low (highest 14.1 IU/ml). Of the six donors who underwent liver biopsies, all had normal liver biochemistry, extremely low liver HBV DNA (highest 6.21 copies/cell) and nearly normal liver histology. For those with viral sequence generation, none had the common HBsAg mutant G145R. Conclusions: The prevalence of OHB in a highly endemic area of chronic HBV was very low, thus implying a low impact on transfusion services. To implement universal screening, the high cost of NAT should be taken into account. OHB blood donors had very low HBV replication, and normal liver biochemistry and histology, conferring a favourable prognosis.published_or_final_versio