Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play pivotal roles in the innate immune system and control inflammatory responses adaptive immunity. We previously evaluated associations between TLR7 TLR8 gene SNPs susceptibility to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Our results suggested that TLR7IVS2-151G TLR8-129G alleles were present at higher frequency males of an HCV-infected group as compared a (24.1% vs. 14.4%, p = 0.028; 17.6% 6.8%, 0.004, respectively). Based upon their recognition single stranded viral...

Zoledronic acid (ZA), a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, inhibits osteoclastogenesis. Emerging evidence suggests that ZA has anti-tumor and anti-metastatic properties for breast cancer cells. In mouse model of ZA-related osteonecrosis the jaw, administration was found to suppress regulatory T-cells (Tregs) function. Our previous reports also demonstrated acted as an immune modulator block Tregs. Manipulation Tregs represents new strategy treatment. However, relationship among ZA, Tregs,...

To elucidate the putative role of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in etiology conjunctival tumors, 44 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens tumors (24 patients with papillomas and 20 dysplastic and/or malignant tumors) were screened for HPV using 4 different polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). Of 24 samples papilloma, 14 (58%) displayed positive results by applying nested PCR primer sets consensus L1 region. type 6 or 11 was detected 9 cases papilloma type-specific sets, but none...

Abstract Background Concern about Haemophilus influenzae infection has been increasing over recent decades. Given the emergence of H. with severe drug resistance, we assessed prevalence as well risk factors and potential therapies for extensively drug-resistant (XDR) in Taiwan. Results In total, 2091 isolates disk diffusion-based antibiotic susceptibility testing from 2007 to 2018 were enrolled. strains resistant ampicillin, chloramphenicol, levofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole tended...

Approximately 30% of apparently Rh–Taiwanese people actually were RhDel, a rare variant the Rh system that might carry grossly intact RHD gene. Several studies have indicated RhDel trait be generated by multiple molecular mechanisms. In this study, total 294 Taiwanese serologically RhD–blood donors tested for phenotypes and genotypes. Among them, deletion, partial gene, found in 185 (62.9%), 15 (5.1%), 94 (32.0%), respectively. The 1227A allele exon 9 gene all donors. Ccee was most prevalent...

Objective.To investigate whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter regions of endotoxin-responsive genes CD14 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) are associated with biliary atresia (BA) idiopathic neonatal cholestasis (INC). Methods.We obtained genomic DNA from 90 patients established diagnosis BA 28 INC. Forty-two adult hepatitis B–related cirrhosis 143 healthy children served as control populations. The genotypes CD14/C(−159)T TNF-α/G(−308)A (G allele, TNF*1; A TNF*2) were...

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells suppress tumor immunity by inhibiting immune cells. Manipulation of Treg represents a new strategy for cancer treatment. Zoledronic acid (ZA), nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, inhibits the expression receptor activator nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) on osteoblasts to inhibit osteoclastogenesis. In mouse model bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis jaw, administration ZA suppressed Treg-cell activity and activated inflammatory Th17 However,...

Abstract Background Biliary atresia (BA) is a typical cholestatic neonatal disease, characterized by obliteration of intra- and/or extra-hepatic bile ducts. However, the mechanisms contributing to pathogenesis BA remain uncertain. Because decreased flow, infectious complications and damaging endotoxemia occur frequently in patients with BA. The aim this study was investigate endotoxin levels relation these expression receptor, CD14. Methods plasma soluble CD14 were measured pyrochrome...

Cholestatic liver injury may activate HSCs (hepatic stellate cells) to a profibrogenic phenotype, contributing fibrogenesis. We have previously demonstrated the involvement of TLR (Toll-like receptor) 7 in pathogenesis biliary atresia. In present study we investigated ability TLR7 modulate phenotype HSCs. Obstructive jaundice was associated with significant down-regulation TLR7. Primary isolated from BDL (bile duct ligation) rats obstructive exhibited reduced expression and increased α-SMA...

High diversity of VP1 protein among enteroviruses has been a barrier in developing universally effective antiviral drugs. To maintain structure stability during evolution, several residues are conserved. Therefore, investigation highly conserved may provide information for drug candidates against enteroviruses.To identify amino acid sequences the enterovirus genus, Consurf and CABS-flex 2.0 web software were applied. Through combination with secondary information, we focused on acids...

Cholestasis is frequently related to endotoxemia and inflammatory response. Our previous investigation revealed a significant increase in plasma endotoxin CD14 levels during biliary atresia. We therefore propose that lipopolysacharides (LPS) may stimulate production liver cells promote the removal of endotoxins. The aims this study are test hypothesis upregulated by LPS investigate pathophysiological role cholestasis. Using Western blotting, qRT-PCR, promoter activity assay, we demonstrated...

Bacterial colonization patterns in daily chlorhexidine care at the exit site peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients were not known. We performed a prospective, randomized controlled trial enrolling 89 PD patients. After stratification by initial Staphylococcus aureus (SA) carrier status, randomly assigned to receive 4% (intervention group) or normal saline (control site. Monthly, we cultured bacteria from and nasal swabs for 1 year. The SA rates 6 12 months significantly lower intervention group...

The NLRP3 inflammasome is responsible for the maturation of caspase-1 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Despite study about basal activity in hemodialysis (HD) patients, little known its inducibility milieu uremia. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from 11 HD patients 14 volunteers without a history chronic kidney disease, as well macrophages with or uremic toxin indoxyl sulfate (IS) pretreatment, underwent canonical induction. high plasma levels IL-1β PBMCs remained...