To determine the expression of components in Toll-like receptors (TLRs)/Nod-like receptors (NLRs)/ infiammasome/caspase-llinterleukin (IL-l)-P pathway, we examined the expression profiles of those genes by analyzing the data from expression sequence tag cDNA cloning and sequencing. We made several important findings: firstly, among 11 tissues examined, vascular tissues and heart express fewer types of TLRs and NLRs than immune and defense tissues including blood, lymph nodes, thymus and trachea; secondly, brain, lymph nodes and thymus do not express proinflammatory cytokines IL-IP and IL-18 constitutively, suggesting that these two cytokines need to be up regulated in the tissues; and thirdly, based on the expression data of three characterized inflammasomes (NALPl, NALP3 and IPAF inflammasome), the examined tissues can be classified into three tiers: the first tier tissues including brain, placenta, blood and thymus express inflammasome(s) in constitutive status; the second tier tissues have inflammasome(s) in nearly-ready expression status (with the requirement of upregulation of one component); the third tier tissues, like heart and bone marrow, require upregulation of at least two components in order to assemble functional inflammasomes. Our original model of three-tier expression of inflammasomes would suggest a new concept oftissue inflammation privilege, and provides an insight to the differences among tissues in initiating acute inflammation in response to stimuli.

Chronic hepatitis B and its life-threatening sequelae are highly prevalent in China. There is a need for effective new therapies to suppress hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and ameliorate liver disease. In this study, we compared the efficacy of telbivudine, a nucleoside analogue, with lamivudine in Chinese patients. In this phase III, double-blind, multicenter trial conducted in China, 332 patients with compensated hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive or HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B were randomly assigned to treatment with 600 mg of telbivudine or 100 mg of lamivudine daily for 104 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was reduction in serum HBV DNA levels at week 52 of treatment. Secondary endpoints included clearance of HBV DNA to undetectable levels, HBeAg loss and seroconversion, therapeutic response, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization. Viral resistance and safety were assessed. At week 52, among 290 HBeAg-positive patients, mean reductions of serum HBV DNA were significantly greater in telbivudine recipients than lamivudine recipients (6.3 log 10 versus 5.5 log 10 , P < 0.001), and HBV DNA was polymerase chain reaction-negative in significantly more telbivudine recipients than lamivudine recipients (67% versus 38%, P < 0.001). ALT normalization (87% versus 75%, P ‫؍‬ 0.007), therapeutic response (85% versus 62%, P ‫؍‬ 0.001), and HBeAg loss (31% versus 20%, P ‫؍‬ 0.047) were also significantly more common in the telbivudine group. Treatment effects showed similar patterns in the smaller HBeAg-negative group (n ‫؍‬ 42). Viral resistance in telbivudine recipients was approximately half that observed with lamivudine; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Clinical adverse events were similar in the two treatment groups. Conclusion: In Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B, telbivudine treatment for 52 weeks provided greater antiviral and clinical efficacy than lamivudine, with less resistance. (

HBsAg and anti-HBs with an unmatched specificity coexisted in 4.9% of patients. The presence of anti-HBs was not associated with the appearance of specific HBV mutants in patients with chronic infection. Apparently, the presence of anti-HBs in patients with chronic HBV infection did not lead to a selection of HBV escape mutants.

Exposure of the skin to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation causes oxidative damage to skin, resulting in sunburn, photoaging, and skin cancer. It is generally believed that the skin damage induced by UV irradiation is a consequence of generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Recently, there is an increased interest in the use of natural products as chemopreventive agents for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) due to their antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Quercitrin, glycosylated form of quercetin, is the most common flavonoid in nature with antioxidant properties. The present study investigated the possible beneficial effects of quercitrin to inhibit UVB irradiation-induced oxidative damage in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that quercitrin decreased ROS generation induced by UVB irradiation in JB6 cells. Quercitrin restored catalase expression and GSH/GSSG ratio reduced by UVB exposure, two major antioxidant enzymes, leading to reductions of oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis and protection of the skin from inflammation caused by UVB exposure. The present study demonstrated that quercitrin functions as an antioxidant against UVB irradiation-induced oxidative damage to skin.

The choice of low-dose IFN regimen might be a relevant clinical option to reduce the cost and adverse effects of therapy for younger patients with chronic HBV infection and genotype B infection in countries where it is prevalent.

Skin cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States. Exposure to ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation induces inflammation and photocarcinogenesis in mammalian skin. Cyanidin-3-Glucoside (C3G), a member of the anthocyanin family, is present in various vegetables and fruits especially in edible berries, and displays potent antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. In this study, we have assessed the in vivo effects of C3G on UVB irradiation induced chronic inflammatory responses in SKH-1 hairless mice, a well-established model for UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis. Here, we show that C3G inhibited UVB-induced skin damage and inflammation in SKH-1 hairless mice. Our results indicate that C3G inhibited glutathione depletion, lipid peroxidation and myeloperoxidation in mouse skin by chronic UVB exposure. C3G significantly decreased the production of UVB-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-α, associated with cutaneous inflammation. Likewise, UVB-induced inflammatory responses were diminished by C3G as observed by a remarkable reduction in the levels of phosphorylated MAP Kinases, Erk1/2, p38, JNK1/2 and MKK4. Furthermore, C3G also decreased UVB-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), PGE2 and iNOS levels, which are well-known key mediators of inflammation and cancer. Treatment with C3G inhibited UVB-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB and degradation of IκBα in mice skin. Immunofluorescence assay revealed that topical application of C3G inhibited the expression of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and cyclin D1 in chronic UVB exposed mouse skin. Collectively, these data indicates that C3G can provide substantial protection against the adverse effects of UVB radiation by modulating UVB-induced MAP kinase and NF-κB signaling pathways.

AIM:To study the efficacy and safety of Fuzhenghuayu capsule (FZHY capsule, a capsule for strengthening body resistance to remove blood stasis) against liver fibrosis due to chronic hepatitis B.

Two of the most common signalling pathways in breast cancer are the ER (oestrogen receptor) ligand activation pathway and the E-cadherin snai1 slug EMT (epithelial–mesenchymal transition) pathway. Although these pathways have been thought to interact indirectly, the present study is the first to observe direct interactions between these pathways that involves the regulation of slug expression. Specifically we report that ligand-activated ERα suppressed slug expression directly by repression of transcription and that knockdown of ERα with RNA interference increased slug expression. More specifically, slug expression was down-regulated in ERα-negative MDA-MB-468 cells transfected with ERα after treatment with E2 (17β-oestradiol). The down-regulation of slug in the ERα-positive MCF-7 cell line was mediated by direct repression of slug transcription by the formation of a co-repressor complex involving ligand-activated ERα protein, HDAC1 (histone deacetylase 1) and N-CoR (nuclear receptor co-repressor). This finding was confirmed by sequential ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipitation) studies. In the MCF-7 cell line, slug expression normally was low. In addition, knockdown of ERα with RNA interference in this cell line increased slug expression. This effect could be partially reversed by treatment of the cells with E2. The efficacy of the effect of ERα on slug repression was dependent on the overall level of ERα. These observations confirmed that slug was an E2-responsive gene.