Hepatitis C Virus-specific T-cell Response Correlates with Hepatitis Activity and Donor IL28B Genotype Early after Liver Transplantation

It is not known how the immune system targets hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected HLA-mismatched hepatocytes under immune-suppressed conditions after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). In addition, the relationship between the HCV-specific immune response and IL28B variants as predictors of HCV clearance has not been well-characterized. We determined the IL28B polymorphisms for 57 post-OLT HCV carriers, and we assessed the HCV-specific immune responses by measuring the peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived HCV-specific interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) response using an enzyme-linked immunospot assay. At 1-3 years after OLT, patients with no active hepatitis showed higher total spots on the immunospot assay. At＞3 years after OLT, patients with resolved HCV showed higher levels of core, NS3, NS5A, and total spots compared to the chronic hepatitis patients. The IL28B major genotype in the donors correlated with higher spot counts for NS5A and NS5B proteins at 1-3 years after OLT. In the post-OLT setting, the HCV-specific immune response could be strongly induced in patients with no active hepatitis with an IL28B major donor or sustained virological response. Strong immune responses in the patients with no active hepatitis could only be maintained for 3 years and diminished later. It may be beneficial to administer IFN treatment starting 3 years after OLT, to induce the maximum immunological effect

Sensitivity of minimaxity and admissibility in the estimation of a positive normal mean

Admissibility, minimaxity, complete class theorem, positive normal mean, misspecification,

Repair Technologies Of Mechanical Drive Steam Turbines For Catastrophic Damage.

LecturePg. 15-24Mechanical drive steam turbines play an important role as core equipment in petrochemical plants, and these turbines are protected for safe operation by an antioverspeed trip device, as well as other monitoring and protection systems. However, in some cases a turbine will suffer severe mechanical damage due to improper operation or failure to activate the protection system as a result of human error. For urgent plant recovery and to minimize the duration of risky operation with no spare rotor, a damaged turbine has to be repaired in as short a time as possible. This paper introduces actual experiences in repairing and reviving catastrophically damaged turbine rotors through special welding procedures, based on element test to find the optimized welding condition, detailed strength calculations to confirm the integrity, and heat transfer analysis for proper heat treatment process conditions. These basic procedures are discussed to show useful data. The revived rotor of the extraction condensing turbine was placed back into the casing and operated. The turbine was uniquely modified in order to balance the required amount of power and minimize the repair time, to restart the plant as quickly as possible. The case study for this optimization is discussed by showing thermodynamic calculations, performance, and repair schedules. Root cause analysis for the process of the catastrophic failure is explained, for the integrated control system governing the control and operation positioner systems