The performances of the systems and tests indicated that both were acceptable for routine NAT by the National Blood Center, the Thai Red Cross Society. However, the Procleix Ultrio test appeared to be less sensitive than the cobas TaqScreen test for HBV.

The majority of donors detected during routine screening, who were HBsAg negative and NAT reactive, had an occult HBV infection, thus validating the decision to introduce NAT for blood donations in Thailand.

Background: The present study was conducted to investigate the role of renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) and angiotensin II (ANG II) on mRNA and protein levels of renal dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), GTP-cyclohydrolase 1 (GTP- CH 1), and endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase (eNOS and iNOS, respectively). Methods: Male Wistar rats were sham operated or received IR (30 min occlusion, and reperfusion for 1 day). Each group was treated separately with water, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and ANG II receptor type 1 blocker (ARB) for 1 day before the sham operation or IR, and continuously for 1 day after the operation. The mRNA and protein levels were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Results: IR decreased DHFR mRNA and protein levels (p < 0.01), both of which were restored by ACEI or ARB, whereas GTP-CH 1 expression was unaltered. IR suppressed eNOS dimer while enhancing the monomer (p < 0.01). IR augmented iNOS mRNA, total iNOS protein and iNOS monomer (all p < 0.01) which were attenuated by ACEI or ARB. Conclusion: Our study is the first to demonstrate that the heightened ANG II in IR, via stimulation of ANG II receptor type 1, suppresses DHFR and eNOS dimer, while activating both iNOS mRNA and protein levels.

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Abstract:To study the molecular epidemiology of rabies virus that is prevalent among cats in greater Bangkok, Thailand, a total of 17 rabies virus isolates from cats were characterized and compared with 120 rabies virus isolates from dogs. Analyses were performed on the genetic polymorphism in the rabies virus nucleoprotein (N) gene. Rabies virus N gene of isolates was amplified by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction. The diversity of N gene was revealed by the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. The rabies virus isolates from cats could be classified into 5 types, designated as Dd I-Hf I, Dd II-Hf II, Dd III-Hf I, Dd IV-Hf I, and Dd IV-Hf III. Type Dd I-Hf I was encountered more frequently than the others. It was apparent that no less than five rabies virus types presented in the areas of Bangkok. Moreover, all five RFLP patterns were typical of those which had been observed in dogs. Our findings suggest that there had been viral transmission between the dogs and the cats.

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C ases of fulminant hepatitis caused by herpes virus infection is quite rare. 1 Most reported cases are pregnant woman and immune suppressed patients such as renal transplantation patients and patients on prolonged steroid therapy. 2-6 Most cases of herpes infection leading to fulminant hepatitis, are post mortem diagnosis. 1 Early diagnosis and treatment can save the patient's life and avoid the need for liver transplantation.