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Biomedical subjects

Lai Wei

Publications and source records attributed to Lai Wei.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

[Relative stasis of hepatitis C virus quasispecies in natural duration].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the evolution of HCV quasispecies in persistent and self-limited infection patients. METHODS: Peripheral blood HCV preserved for 10 years from 8 naive patients were analyzed. HCV core and E2 genes were cloned and sequenced. Genetic distances of different isolates at different time were analyzed by phylip software. RESULTS: The genetic distances of HCV quasispecies were higher in persistent infection patients than that of self-limited patients. In each patient the genetic distance of HCV E2 region isolates were higher than that of HCV C region which has some relationship between each other. In the 4 persistent patients there exist no differences between within-group and between-group genetic distance in HCV C region and also exist no differences in HCV E2 region in 2 of the 4 persistent patients. CONCLUSIONS: The diversity degree of HCV quasispecies may affect the outcome of hepatitis C. Research on HCV C and E2 region to study HCV quasispecies may obtain different results. The distribution of HCV quasispecies may be stable in hepatitis C natural history.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Spontaneous viral clearance after 6-21 years of hepatitis B and C viruses coinfection in high HBV endemic area.

AIM: To investigate the clinical and virological course of coinfection by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in China. METHODS: We enrolled 40 patients with chronic HBV and HCV coinfection (Group BC), 16 patients with chronic HBV infection (Group B) and 31 patients with chronic HCV infection (Group C). They infected HBV and/or HCV during 1982 to 1989. Sera of all the 87 patients were collected in 1994 and 2002 respectively. We detected biochemical and virologic markers and serum HBV DNA and HCV RNA levels of all the patients. B-type ultrasound detection was performed in some patients. RESULTS: In Group BC, 67.5 % of the patients cleared HBsAg, and 92.5 % of the patients cleared HBeAg. The clearance rate of HBV DNA was 87.5 %. There was no significant difference of HBV clearance between Group BC and Group B. In Group BC, 85.7 % of males and 47.4 % of females cleared HBV, and males were easier to clear HBV (chi(2)=6.686, P=0.010). Such a tendency was also found in Group B. The clearance rate of HCV RNA in Group BC was 87.5 %, significantly higher than that in Group C (chi(2)=22.963, P<0.001). Less than 40 % of the patients in all groups had elevated liver enzyme values. The highest value of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 218 u/L (normal range for ALT is 0-40 u/L). In most patients the ultrasonogram presentations changed mildly. CONCLUSION: The clinical manifestations of patients with HBV/HCV coinfection are mild and occult. High clearance rate of HBV and easy to clear HBV in male patients are the characteristics of HBV infection in adults in China. HBV can inhibit HCV replication, but no evidence has been found in our data that HCV suppresses HBV replication.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Relationship between the genotypes of hepatitis B virus and the severity of liver diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between different genotypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the severity of liver diseases. METHODS: The S nucleotide sequences of HBV strains isolated from plasma samples of 284 patients were detected and compared. Among them, 87 patients were HBV asymptomatic carriers (ASC), 157 chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 22 liver cirrhosis (LC), and 18 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). RESULTS: Genotypes B and C were predominant, with a 26.1% proportion and a 63.2% proportion respectively. The percentage of genotypes B and C in patients with ASC, CHB, LC, and HCC were significantly different (x(2)=15.09, P<0.001). Compared with genotype B, genotype C was more common in patients with CHB and HCC (59.6% vs 43.2%, chi(2)=10.87, P<0.001; 7.7% vs 1.4%, x(2)=7.41, P<0.001), but in patients with LC there was no different (7.7% vs 8.1%, chi(2)=1.29, P>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that genotype B and C are predominant. And genotype C may induce more severe the liver inflammation than genotype B may do.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Expression of tumor-specific cancer/testis antigens in hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: (1) To investigate the expression and gene diversity of the 7 major cancer/testis (CT) antigens, MAGE-1, MAGE-3, MAGE-4, MAGE-10, NY-ESO-1, SSX-2 and SCP-1, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). (2) To analyze the correlations between the clinical characters and CT antigens' expression. METHODS: The cancer and para-cancer tissues were collected from 30 HCC patients. The mRNAs of seven CT antigens were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with the specific primers. The PCR products were sequenced to analyze the CT genes. RESULTS: The MAGE-1, MAGE-3, MAGE-4, MAGE-10, NY-ESO-1, SSX-2 and SCP-1 were expressed in 66.7%, 70.0%, 20.0%, 36.7%, 40.0%, 33.3% and 33.3% of the tumor tissues from HCC patients respectively, however, they were not expressed in the para-cancer tissues. Among the 30 patients investigated, 90.0% expressed one CT gene at least, 70.0% expressed two CT genes, and 53.3% expressed three CT genes of the seven CT genes. The coding genes of these CT antigens were highly conserved between in Chinese patients and patients abroad. There were discernible correlations between alpha-fetoprotein level and MAGE-10 or SCP-1 expression level, as well as between average age and MAGE-3 or SSX-2 expression levels (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: With a highly conserved coding gene, seven CT antigens were expressed in 20.0% - 70.0% of Chinese HCC patients. CT antigens' expression had correlations with some clinical characters.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed2003

Effects of vitamin E on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of rat hepatic stellate cells treated with IL-2 or TNF-alpha.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of vitamin E on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of rat hepatic stellate cells treated with interleukin-2 (IL-2) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). METHODS: Hepatic stellate cells were isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats by using modified Friedman's method. Using the isolated cells cultured and treated with IL-2 or TNF-alpha, we studied the effects of vitamin E on their proliferation and collagen synthesis through an (3)H-thymidine and (3)H-proline incorporation assay, as well as through observation of these cells under a contrary phase microscope. RESULTS: Adding IL-2 increased the both proliferation and collagen synthesis of hepatic stellate cells. Their proliferation was also increased by the addition of TNF-alpha, although it decreased collagen synthesis. Vitamin E had marked inhibitory effects on the ability of cells treated with IL-2 or TNF-alpha to reproduce or synthesize collagen. CONCLUSION: Vitamin E can inhibit the proliferation and collagen synthesis of hepatic stellate cells. It is possible that vitamin E affects liver fibrosis through these activities.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Cloning and sequence analysis of E1, E2/NS1 region of genotype 2a hepatitis C virus genome].

BACKGROUND: To investigate sequence of the complete E region of genotype 2a hepatitis C virus genome and to set up the basis for the further study on biological functions of envelope proteins of HCV. METHODS: Two cDNA fragments of 770bp, 1,100bp long, from serum of a patients infected HCV, were amplified by reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR). After being digested with two restriction endonucleases, the two fragments were cloned into JM105 respectively, then sequenced. RESULTS: The two corresponding nucleotide sequences were obtained and ligated. The complete nucleotide sequences of envelope region and corresponding deduced amino acid sequences were compared with those of HCV-1, HC-C2, HCV-BK, HC-J6 and HC-J8. The homology of nucleotide sequence of the isolated strains was 60.5%, 60.1%, 59.7%, 87.8% and 67.5% respectively; the amino acid sequence homology to the isolated strains was found to be 67?3%, 66.4%, 65.0%, 87.8%, 79.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the isolated strain (HCV-JS) belongs to genotype 2a, but there is heterogeneity between HCV-JS and HC-J6 strain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

[Relationship between chronic hepatitis C and type II diabetes mellitus].

BACKGROUND: To study the relationship between HCV infection and the development of type II diabetes mellitus. METHODS: 1. The case record files of 126 patients with chronic hepatitis C vs. 227 with chronic hepatitis B were reviewed and the laboratory and demographic data were extracted. 2. Anti-HCV and HBsAg were determined for 160 type II diabetes patients and 223 healthy adults by ELISA. RESULTS: 1. The occurrence of diabetes in patients with chronic hepatitis C was 19.05%, higher than 8.37% in patients with chronic hepatitis B (P<0.01). Age and HCV infection were independent risk factors for diabetes. 2. Five patients with type II diabetes were anti-HCV positive (3.12%) while none of the 223 healthy adults was anti-HCV positive (P<0.05). Seven patients with diabetes (4.37%) and 12 healthy adults (5.38%)were HBsAg positive (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 1. The occurrence of diabetes was significantly higher in patients with HCV related liver disease than in patients with HBV related liver disease. 2. The occurrence of anti HCV was higher in diabetes patients than in healthy adults. HCV may play a role in the development of diabetes mellitus.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation with enteric drainage of exocrine secretions.

OBJECTIVES: To simplify the enteric drainage (ED) procedure and to decrease surgical and metabolic complications in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) patients. METHODS: Between June 2000 and June 2002, nine patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and uremia underwent simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. The arterial inflow of the pancreas was based upon the right external iliac artery, while venous drainage was systemic via the external iliac vein. The allografts' exocrine secretions were drained into the proximal jejunum via a two-layer hand sewn, side-to-side donor duodenum to proximal small bowel anastomosis after reperfusion. No Roux-en-Y an astomosis of the jejunum was performed. The kidney graft was placed in the left iliac fossa. Quadruple immunosuppressive therapy with antilymphocyte globulin or anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (Zenapax), tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and steroids was standard treatment in all patients. RESULTS: This procedure was successfully applied in all 9 patients without complication referable to the technique. All patients had achieved euglycemia and excellent renal function, and stopped being dependent on an external insulin source. Fasting serum glucose fell from 9.5 preoperatively to 4.8 mmol/L and remained stable thereafter. At the time this paper was written, the grafts from eight patients were functioning well. CONCLUSIONS: Our primary experience suggests that SPK with ED without Roux-en-Y anastomosis represents a more physiologic milieu, and a viable alternation to replace the bladder (BD) as the primary route of drainage for exocrine secretions of the pancreas. It is a feasible and safer procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Autologous adoptive immunotherapy without destruction of infected cells during the treatment of chronic hepatitis B].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the profile of liver histological damage after autologous adoptive immunotherapy with cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK cells) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: 16 CHB patients were randomly enrolled and received autologous adoptive immunotherapy, then followed up 52 weeks. Liver samples were taken from the patients to evaluate the degree of inflammation and fibrosis. The markers of hepatitis B virus and liver function were also detected. RESULTS: 4 patients had two liver-biopsied samples before therapy and after 52 weeks follow-up. One patient's histological assessment revealed a significant improvement in intralobular necroinflammation (G2 --> G1) and fibrosis (S2 --> S1). The others failed to show obvious changes in liver histology. After 10 days culture in vitro, phenotypic characterization of CIK cells changed significantly by flow cytometry. The percentage of CD4+ cells decreased gradually, while the percentage of CD8+ cells increased from 20% to 60% - 80%. After 52 weeks follow-up, HBV DNA was negative (HBV DNA<4pg/ml in serum) in 6 out of 14 patients. The rates of both HBeAg/anti-HBe seroconversion and alanine aminotransferase normalization were 42.86%(6/14). There was no HBsAg/anti-HBs seroconversion. There was few severe treatment-related adverse events. CONCLUSION: Autologous adoptive immunotherapy doesn't induce the damage of liver histology in chronic hepatitis B patients, which inhibits hepatitis B virus replication by a certain noncytotoxic mechanism.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Ten years outcome observation of infants with hepatitis C virus mother to infant transmission].

OBJECTIVE: To study the outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) vertical transmitted infants. METHODS: Thirteen HCV vertical infected infants were followed up for 10 years. HCV antibody and HCV RNA in the blood samples from them were tested using second generation HCV antibody EIA kits and RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: Among the 13 infants, one developed clinical hepatitis C, and serum HCV antibody and HCV RNA could be detected for 7 and 8 years, respectively. Three were subclinical hepatitis C, serum HCV antibody continued to be positive for 12 months (2 infants) and 24 months (1 infant), respectively, and serum HCV RNA turned to be negative at the 24th month (2 infants) and the 60th month (1 infant), respectively. Nine were HCV insidious infection, whose serum HCV antibody and HCV RNA turned to be negative in 12 months. During the eight to ten years, there was no infants with anti-HCV or HCV RNA positive again. CONCLUSIONS: It is rarely happened that vertical transmitted HCV induce chronic HCV carrying state and chronic viral hepatitis, and most of the infected infants have good outcome.

Child↗
PubMed2003

[Dendritic cells originated from the peripheral blood in chronic hepatitis B patients can induce specific T cell immune response].

OBJECTIVE: To study whether dendritic cells (DCs) derived from the peripheral blood in chronic hepatitis B patients can induce specific T cell immune response. METHODS: (1)The subjects were divided into 3 groups: chronic hepatitis B group (CHB), acute hepatitis B group (AHB), and normal donor group (ND). The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from those subjects were stimulated with HBcAg 18 to 27 CTL epitope peptide, and intracellular cytokine staining (ICCS) was used for detecting IFN-gamma, IL-2 and TNF-alpha produced by CD8+ T cell. (2) DCs generated from PBMCs were pulsed with HBcAg 18 to 27 CTL epitope peptide, then were cocultured with autologous lymphocytes for 10 days to induce antigen-specific T cell, which was assessed by ICCS and cytotoxic assay. RESULTS: (1) The memory effect of the PBMCs from AHB group to HBcAg 18 to 27 CTL epitope peptide was stronger than that from CHB or ND group (t=2.508-3.305, P<0.05). (2)After lymphocytes were cocultured with DC treated with HBcAg 18 to 27 CTL epitope peptide, antigen-specific T cell effect was induced. And the killing rates were (57.0+/-23.0)%, (49.5+/-20.2)%, (21.8+/-12.9)% at the effector/target of 30:1, 10:1, 3:1, which were higher than that in control group. CONCLUSIONS: The memory T cells against HBV antigen lacks in CHB patients. DCs from CHB patients pulsed with HBcAg 18 to 27 epitope peptide can induce HBV antigen-specific T cell, which can kill specific target cells and produce cytokines involved in virus clearance.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Differentiation of bone marrow stem cells in rat hepatic fibrogenesis environment].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the differentiation of bone marrow stem cells in rat hepatic fibrogenesis environment into hepatocytes. METHODS: Rat hepatic fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous injection of CCl4. Bone marrow stem cells with Thy positive, CD3 and CD45RA negative were enriched from the bone marrow by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The bone marrow stem cells were labeled with PKH26-GL, and then autotransplanted. After six weeks, albumin, ck8 and a-smooth muscle actin expression were determined by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: The PKH26-GL labeled cells expressed albumin and ck8, but did not express a-smooth muscle actin in hepatic fibrogenesis environment. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow stem cells in hepatic fibrogenesis environment can differentiate into hepatocytes, but can't differentiate into myofibroblasts

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Cationic lipid and polyethylene glycol enhance liposomes-mediated cell transfection and increase the fluidity of liposomes membranes].

AIM: To prepare fluorescein sodium (FS) cationic liposomes and investigate the influence of cationic lipid (DC-chol) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) with different molecule weight (MW) on cationic liposome incorporation efficiency, cellular delivery and fluidity of liposome membrane. METHODS: Using FS as a model material for encapsulation, the liposomes were prepared and separated (by sephadex G-50 1 cm x 20 cm column), and the liposome incorporation efficiencies was measured. The interaction between the FS and cationic liposomes was investigated by measuring the change of fluorescent spectrum. The cellular uptake of different liposome forms by choosing HepG2 2.2.15 as an in vitro cell culture assay model, and the influence of PEG on the fluidity of liposome membrane with the technique of fluorescence polarization were investigated. RESULTS: Cationic lipid and different PEGs showed great effects on increasing liposome incorporation efficiency (from 0.64% to 86.57%), cellular uptake (from 2.18% to 48.46%) and fluidity of liposome membrane. The effect of PEG was MW dependent, and with the increase of MW, the incorporation efficiency and transfection was improved, and the fluidity of liposome membrane increased. CONCLUSION: Addition of cationic lipid and high MW PEG into cationic liposomes can enhance the cellular delivery and fluidity of cationic liposomes. Also, they can improve the incorporation efficiency of cationic liposomes.

Cholesterol↗
PubMed2003

[Comparison of hepatitis B virus serotype and genotype among HBsAg positive hepatitis B patients in a northern and a southern city of China].

OBJECTIVE: To understand HBV serotypes and genotypes epidemiology in a northern city and a southern city in China. METHODS: Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing of HBV DNA PCR products, the serotypes and genotypes of HBV in 530 from HBsAg positive samples. The enrolled patients were from Harbin, a northern city and Lianjiang, a southern city in China. RESULTS: Comparison of the serotypes and genotypes of HBV between Harbin and Lianjiang showed that adrq+ was the most predominant hepatitis B virus serotype in both Harbin and Lianjiang (87.2% and 73.5%,respectively), adw2 was the next (12.0% and 25.7%, respectively); genotype C was the most frequent in Harbin and Lianjiang (87.8% and 73.2%, respectively), and genotype B was the next (12.2% and 26.1%, respectively) only 1 patient was infected by genotype D, and 1 patient was found to be co-infected by genotype B and C in Lianjiang. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the percentage of HBV serotypes and genotypes between Harbin and Lianjiang was significantly different (P less than 0.001), but the main HBV serotype and genotype of the two cities were similar.

China↗
PubMed2002

[Selection of surgical procedure of combined kidney-pancreatic transplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate simultaneous kidney-pancreatic transplantation (SKPT) with bladder drainage and enteric drainage for its efficacy and safety. METHOD: SKPT was performed in 10 patients from Jan. 2000 to Feb. 2002. All patients had long-standing insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and subsequent renal failure. Bladder drainage (BD) of exocrine secretion was used in the first 2 cases and enteric drainage (ED) in last 8 patients. In BD, a two-layer hand sewn duodenocystostomy was performed. In ED, a two-layered side-to-side anastomosis was fashioned between the donor duodenal segment and the recipient jejunum. No Roux-en-Y limb was used. Quadruple immunosuppressive therapy with antithymocyte globulin, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and steroids was standard treatment in all patients. The patients were treated with quadruple therapy, which included antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) or anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (Zenapax) induction therapy, prednisone, Cyclosporine A/tacrolimus, and mycophenolat-mofetil (MMF). RESULTS: SPK was successfully applied to all cases without complication referable to the technique. All patients have achieved excellent renal function and euglycemia, and no further insulin treatment was needed between 1 and 5 days posttransplant. One patient with ED died due to sepsis and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage 5 weeks after operation. The death occurred with functioning grafts. Until now no rejection episode and thrombosis were observed and all the grafts from nine patients are functioning well. The first 2 patients with BD underwent slight metabolic complications and microscopic hematuria with entire follow-up time. Two episodes of reflux graft pancreatitis followed by macroscopic hematuria occurred in one patient with BD. CONCLUSION: Compared with SPK with BD, ED without Roux-en-Y anastomosis might be a more physiological and prior procedure for type I diabetes mellitus with uremia.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Functions of cultured dendritic cells from patients with chronic hepatitis Beta decreased].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the phenotype and function of dendritic cells (DCs) of patients with chronic hepatitis Beta with those of DCs from healthy persons. METHOD: Peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) were isolated from 10 patients with chronic hepatitis Beta and 10 healthy blood donors. DCs were generated by culturing PBMCs in 1 000 U/ml granulocyte-macrophage stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and 500 U/ml IL-4 with AIM-V in vitro. DCs and supernatant were collected 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 days after culture. TNF- alpha 50 ng/ml was added into the culture of DCs from patients with hepatitis Beta and DCs were collected 48 hours after. FACS was used to detect the phenotype. The changes of cell phenotype on different days with or without TNF-alpha were tested by immunolabelling and flow cytometry analysis. IL-12 ELISA kit was applied to investigate IL-12 secretion of DCs. To perform mixed leucocyte reaction (MLR) test, DCs were cocultured with allogeneic T cells at different stimulatory ratio. RESULTS: The expression of CD83 was higher in the group with TNF-alpha than in the group without TNF-alpha. The positive rates of CD80 and CD54 were not different between the two groups. DCs from patients and normal donors with typical morphology were harvested successfully in vitro. The IL-12 level was 103.93 +/- 12.59 pg/ml in the group with TNF-alpha, higher than that in the group without TNF-alpha (11.45 +/- 2.58 pg/ml, P < 0.05). MLR test showed that when the stimulatory ratio of allogeneic T cells was 1 : 20, 1 : 50, and 1 : 100 respectively, the results were 40 835 +/- 3 480, 37 525 +/- 6 398, and 31 814 +/- 5 521 respectively in group of patient; and 49 097 +/- 2 273, 43 049 +/- 2 833, and 39 091 +/- 6 469 respectively in the group of healthy blood donors. CONCLUSION: 1.DCs of patients and of healthy persons can be cultured success fully with AIM-V when induced by GM-CSF, IL-4 and TNF-alpha in vitro. 2. Functions of DCs from patients are lower than those from healthy donors. However, they are not different in amount and morphology.

Adult↗