The nodules were located in the VII and VIII segments and had diameters of 24 and 39 mm, respectively. For characterization and staging, CEUS and contrast-enhanced computed tomography were performed. Both techniques showed intense and homogeneous arterial enhancement (Fig. 1A,B) followed by washout in the portal and delayed phases (Fig. 1D,E). In order to complete the genetic and immunochemical study protocol, biopsy was performed on both nodules. The lesion in the VIII segment selleck products was revealed

to be well-differentiated ICC (Fig. 1C), whereas the other lesion showed features of well-differentiated HCC (Fig. 1F). This case clearly demonstrates the risk of accepting imaging findings as conclusive for HCC in the setting of liver cirrhosis and the risk of considering the largest of multiple nodules to be representative of all others. The AASLD guidelines should be amended with respect to the possible misdiagnosis of lesions whose imaging simulates HCC but that are due to different diseases (e.g., ICC or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) and with respect to synchronous nodules occurring in patients with cirrhosis. In conclusion, our case and the results of Vilana et al.1 confirm that aimed biopsy is the most accurate option for a confident diagnosis Ensartinib order of liver nodules.4 The AASLD diagnostic

criteria increasingly seem to display evidence of low sensitivity and specificity, and this suggests the need for redefinition. Giorgia Ghittoni M.D.*, Eugenio Caturelli M.D.†, Sandro Rossi M.D.*, * Medicina VI, Ecografia Interventistica, Istituto di Ricovero MCE公司 e Cura a Carattere, Scientifico Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy, † Unità Operativa di Gastroenterologia, Ospedale Belcolle,

Viterbo, Italy. “
“We read with interest the study by Solà et al.,1 who found that 39 patients (67%) had a very alarming decrease in their serum sodium levels ≥ 5 mEq/L during terlipressin treatment for acute variceal bleeding (AVB). We, however, feel that some of their observations may require a closer look by the readers. Terlipressin for AVB has been evaluated in a number of studies, but hyponatremia has not been mentioned, has not been found significant, or has not been examined in most. Escorsell et al.2 observed hyponatremia in 4 of 105 patients (3%) treated with terlipressin; similarly, Feu et al.3 observed 5 cases of hyponatremia among 80 patients (6%) with AVB. At our center, 47 patients were treated with band ligation along with terlipressin (2 mg every 6 hours for the first 48 hours and then 1 mg every 6 hours for the next 3 days) over the last 12 months [age = 50.4 ± 11.9 years, hemoglobin level = 8.1 ± 2.1 g %, median total bilirubin level = 2.3 mg % (range = 1.0-27.0 mg %), serum sodium level = 132.2 ± 6.3 mmol/L, serum albumin level = 2.5 ± 0.5 g %, median serum creatinine level = 0.

The diagnosis of AIP can be a clinical challenge, because the price of misdiagnosis is heavy. Although AIP can mimic any know pancreatic disease, in practice, the chief differential diagnosis is pancreatic cancer. Thus, pancreatic Autophagy Compound Library ic50 cancer diagnosed as AIP or vice versa can conceivably delay therapy for potentially-curable cancer or lead to unnecessary surgery. Thus, it is important to consider a few salient facts when diagnosing AIP. First, pancreatic

cancer is far more common, and second, the gold standard to diagnose AIP is histology.6,16,32 The presence of more than 10 IgG4-positive cells/high power field, along with other feature of AIP, that is LPSP or the presence of GEL, is diagnostic of AIP (see Histology). As obtaining pancreatic tissue for histology often involves invasive procedures (EUS-guided biopsy or pancreatic resection), the need for less invasive surrogates was realized. This led to the evolution of diagnostic criteria for AIP that try to limit pancreatic tissue sampling to only the most challenging cases. In addition, the exquisite sensitivity of AIP to steroid therapy is such

that in select situations, this response to therapy can itself be diagnostic. That said, the use of an empirical trial of corticosteroid therapy to diagnose AIP should be reserved for select situations with careful monitoring, and is strongly discouraged in the presence of features suggestive of pancreatic cancer. SRT1720 chemical structure In 2002, the Japan Pancreas Society devised the first diagnostic criteria for AIP, and these were modified in 2006.33,34 The early emphasis was not to miss cases of resectable pancreatic cancer rather than to positively diagnose AIP. Since that time, a plethora of diagnostic criteria have been proposed. They

include the Italian criteria (2003 and 2009), the Mayo clinic HISORt criteria (Histology, Imaging, Serology, Other Organ Involvement and Response to Therapy 2006), the Korean criteria (2007), Asian Consensus criteria (2008), and the International Consensus criteria (2011).6,16,35Table 1 illustrates the HISORt criteria. Despite the numerous sets of diagnostic criteria for AIP, until recently, there have been no established algorithms to help differentiate AIP from pancreatic cancer. We recently published such an algorithm in an attempt medchemexpress to allow clinicians to select the various diagnostic tools available to differentiate AIP from pancreatic cancer (Table S2).36,37 Once the diagnosis of AIP has been established, corticosteroids are the mainstay of therapy. Recent studies have shown that corticosteroid therapy favorably alters the natural history of AIP; it hastens recovery, decreases complications, and improves symptoms.38,39 There are numerous dosing strategies, and to date, there have been no head-to-head comparisons between these. In our practice, we start with 40 mg/day prednisone orally for 1 month.

These recorders were deployed in July 2008 at three depths: two in shallow (64–73 m), one in medium (236 m), and two in deep (~366 m) water. We found that habitat influenced the occurrence of odontocete vocalizations, with significantly greater daily vocal activity from delphinids on recorders

in deeper waters and sperm whale clicks recorded only on the medium and deep recorders. These findings suggest that a greater diversity and occurrence of animals are located in waters beyond the shelf break in this area, Anti-infection Compound Library purchase a conclusion supported by visual surveys. We also found an increase in the occurrence of delphinid clicks at night on the shallow and deep recorders, likely reflecting nocturnal foraging activity, and a regular nocturnal occurrence of sperm whale clicks on the medium-depth recorder located near the shelf click here break, suggesting that one or more sperm whales moved into that area to feed at night. These observations improve our understanding of the occurrence and behavior of odontocetes in this region of the U.S. Atlantic seaboard. “
“We used stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes to examine ontogenetic dietary changes in 289 California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) at San

Miguel Island, California during 2004–2007. Tissues analyzed included fur, red blood cells, plasma, and serum. For all tissues, pups had higher δ15N values and lower δ13C values compared to adults, which indicated that pups were feeding higher trophically than older conspecifics and on a lipid-rich milk diet prior to weaning. Yearling δ15N values were slightly lower than pup or nearly indistinguishable from adult values depending on the tissue analyzed, indicating a dietary shift from maternal dependency to independent foraging. Juveniles (2–4 yr) and adults (>4 yr) had similar δ15N values indicating they fed at a similar trophic level. There did not appear to be a pronounced dietary shift in δ13C values. However, δ13C values integrated with telemetry data indicated that postweaned individuals fed in similar foraging areas. Dietary changes during early life stages may be due to differences in physiology, morphology,

experience, or energetic requirements; however, young animals are able to attain the skills needed to consume adult prey types near the end of 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 their second year of life. “
“Diet estimation in marine mammals relies on indirect methods including recovery of prey hard parts from stomachs and feces, quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA), stable isotope mixing models, and identification of prey DNA in stomach contents and feces. Experimental evidence (9 species/13 studies) shows that digestion strongly influences the proportion and size of otoliths that can be recovered in feces. Number correction factors (NCF) and digestion coefficients have been experimentally determined to reduce the biases in fecal analysis.

2. There’s no statistical difference in the diseased parts and pathological type of the elderly and young patients. They mainly occur in the papilla. The most pathological types of the two groups are adenocarcinoma. 3. The key to promoting survival rate of primary duodenal malignant tumors is early diagnosis. 4. Primary duodenal malignant tumors are lack of relative specificity of serological markers, but the γ-GT, and CA199 have high value in early diagnosis of the disease.

Key Word(s): 1. duodenal tumors; 2. the lesion site; 3. pathological type; Presenting Author: JIA SONG Additional Authors: WEIGUO DONG, XIULAN PENG, MENGYAO JI, JIXIANG ZHANG Corresponding Author: WEIGUO DONG Affiliations: Renmin Hospital BGB324 ic50 of Wuhan University; Wuhan university Objective: The human giant larvae homolog 1 gene (Hugl-1/Llg1/Lgl1), which has significant homology to the Drosophila tumor suppressor gene lethal (2) giant larvae (lgl), has been reported to be involved in the development

and progression of human tumor. The lgl gene codes for a cortical cytoskeleton protein, Lgl, that is involved in maintaining cell polarity, cell adhesion and epithelial integrity. However, little is known about the function PD0325901 supplier of Hugl-1 in esophageal cancer. Methods: We constructed a Hugl-1 expression plasmid, pEZ-M29-Hugl1, for gene transfection. The transfection efficiency was confirmed with Real-time RT-PCR and western blotting. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of β-catenin and E-cadherin before and after the transfection of the plasmid into the esophageal carcinoma cell line Eca109 cells. In vitro cell proliferation was examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The regulation of Hugl-1 on migration was determined by transwell and wounding healing assay. Cell adhesion assay was performed to detect

the adhesiveness rate of Eca109 cells. Results: Our Real-time RT-PCR and western blotting results show that compared with control groups the mRNA levels and protein levels of Hugl-1 in pEZ-M29-Hugl1-treated group were remarkably increased (P < 0.05). The expression of β-catenin was downregulated and E-cadherin was upregulated in cells overexpressing Hugl-1. The CCK-8 assay demonstrated that the growth 上海皓元 of cells overexpressing Hugl-1 was significantly lower than control groups (P < 0.05). The transwell assay and wound healing assay showed that cell migration was significantly inhibited in cells overexpressing Hugl-1 compared with control groups. Cell adhesion assay revealed that Hugl-1 inhibited adhesion of Eca109 cells after transfection. Conclusion: These results suggest that Hugl-1 induces growth suppression and regulates adhesion in a human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line Eca109. Key Word(s): 1. esophageal carcinoma; 2. Hugl-1; 3. tumor suppressor; 4. adhesion; Presenting Author: HANHUA LI Corresponding Author: HANHUA LI Affiliations: Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital Objective: Helicobacter pylori (H.

Key Word(s): 1. Curcuma Wenyujin; 2. Gastric Cancer Cell; 3. Inflammatory Factors; Presenting Author: PU WANG Additional Authors: ZHONGQIU WANG, YE CHEN Corresponding Author: PU WANG Affiliations: Southern Medical University Objective: In recently years, epidemics of C. difficile-associated disease

due to the new and highly virulent strain, C.difficile 027, have been isolated HDAC inhibitor mechanism in North American and several European countries. It is also emerging in Asia, with the first cases reported from Japan as well as South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong. Methods: On 29 October 2012, a 44-year-old female patient with chronic abdominal pain and loose stools (6 bowel movements /day) lasting for 3 years was re-admitted to Nanfang hospital, Guangzhou, China. She and her family members had not been abroad before. Medical history included hospitalizations in local hospital because of enterophthisis and antitubercular

therapy (isoniazid, rifampin, streptomycin), but the patient’s condition did not improve. In 2011, the patient was admitted to Nanfang hospital and diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Therefore, the patient was treated with long-term mesalazine and dexamethasone and later, three cycles of remicade therapy. During her Oct admission, the patient developed a relapse of diarrhea and was tested positive for C. difficile infection (CDI), and recovered with oral metronidazole treatment after two weeks. Results: C. difficile isolated

from fresh clinical loose stool was identified by colony morphology, Gram staining,RAPID ID 32A and cell culture Selumetinib cytotoxicity assay. The isolate contained the genes for toxin A, toxin B, and the binary toxin detected by PCR as previously described, and further characterized as C. difficile PCR ribotype 027 by PCR ribotyping. Sequence 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 analysis of tcdC in these isolates showed a single-base pair deletion as well as a well-documented 18-bp deletion, which were identical to the sequence results in that of the reference strain(Figure 1). The results above were confirmed by Gene Xpert (Cepheid, GX-XVI), which is a multiplex real-time PCR that detects the toxin B gene (tcdB), the binary toxin gene (cdt), and the tcdC gene deletion at nt 117(Figure 2). Conclusion: We report the first isolation of a high-leveled toxin-producing strain of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) PCR ribotype 027 in Mainland China. Key Word(s): 1. C.difficile; 2. Ribotype; 3. Mainland China; Presenting Author: NANNAN FAN Additional Authors: YUNSHENG YANG, LIHUA PENG Corresponding Author: YUNSHENG YANG Affiliations: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital Objective: Diarrhea–predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is similar to mild or insidious ulcerative colitis (UC) in clinical symptoms and pathophysiologic mechanisms.

Key Word(s): 1. Curcuma Wenyujin; 2. Gastric Cancer Cell; 3. Inflammatory Factors; Presenting Author: PU WANG Additional Authors: ZHONGQIU WANG, YE CHEN Corresponding Author: PU WANG Affiliations: Southern Medical University Objective: In recently years, epidemics of C. difficile-associated disease

due to the new and highly virulent strain, C.difficile 027, have been isolated Napabucasin manufacturer in North American and several European countries. It is also emerging in Asia, with the first cases reported from Japan as well as South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong. Methods: On 29 October 2012, a 44-year-old female patient with chronic abdominal pain and loose stools (6 bowel movements /day) lasting for 3 years was re-admitted to Nanfang hospital, Guangzhou, China. She and her family members had not been abroad before. Medical history included hospitalizations in local hospital because of enterophthisis and antitubercular

therapy (isoniazid, rifampin, streptomycin), but the patient’s condition did not improve. In 2011, the patient was admitted to Nanfang hospital and diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Therefore, the patient was treated with long-term mesalazine and dexamethasone and later, three cycles of remicade therapy. During her Oct admission, the patient developed a relapse of diarrhea and was tested positive for C. difficile infection (CDI), and recovered with oral metronidazole treatment after two weeks. Results: C. difficile isolated

from fresh clinical loose stool was identified by colony morphology, Gram staining,RAPID ID 32A and cell culture ZD1839 cytotoxicity assay. The isolate contained the genes for toxin A, toxin B, and the binary toxin detected by PCR as previously described, and further characterized as C. difficile PCR ribotype 027 by PCR ribotyping. Sequence MCE analysis of tcdC in these isolates showed a single-base pair deletion as well as a well-documented 18-bp deletion, which were identical to the sequence results in that of the reference strain(Figure 1). The results above were confirmed by Gene Xpert (Cepheid, GX-XVI), which is a multiplex real-time PCR that detects the toxin B gene (tcdB), the binary toxin gene (cdt), and the tcdC gene deletion at nt 117(Figure 2). Conclusion: We report the first isolation of a high-leveled toxin-producing strain of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) PCR ribotype 027 in Mainland China. Key Word(s): 1. C.difficile; 2. Ribotype; 3. Mainland China; Presenting Author: NANNAN FAN Additional Authors: YUNSHENG YANG, LIHUA PENG Corresponding Author: YUNSHENG YANG Affiliations: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital Objective: Diarrhea–predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is similar to mild or insidious ulcerative colitis (UC) in clinical symptoms and pathophysiologic mechanisms.

Louis, MO). After incubation, all cells were collected, washed, stained with surface markers, and analyzed by FACS. Patterns

of CD69 coexpression were determined by gating on CD3+, CD8+ T-cells. Lymphocytes were labeled with 1 μM carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR) as described previously11 and cultured for 7 days in the presence of HBV core peptide (10 μg/mL) and anti-CD244 (10 μg/mL) or anti-PD-L1/2 (5 μg/2.5 μg/mL). Plain medium, isotype control, and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (Biochrom, Berlin, Germany) (2.4 μg/mL) served as controls. At day 3, 20 IU/mL recombinant human interleukin 2 (rhIL-2) was added. At day 7, cells were collected, washed, stained with surface selleck inhibitor markers, and analyzed by FACS. The percentage of proliferating CD8+CFSElow T-cells was determined after gating on CD3+ T-cells. In vitro expansion was performed with 2 MAPK inhibitor × 106 PBMCs diluted in 1 mL culture medium. After preincubation with anti-CD244 (10 μg/mL), anti-CD48 (5 μg/mL), anti-CD244/CD48/anti-PD-L1/2 (5 μg/2.5 μg/mL) for 30 minutes at 37°C, cells were stimulated with HBV core or EBV posttranscriptional regulator protein of

EBV containing a CD8 epitope (BMFL1) peptide (10 μg/mL). At day 7, 20 IU/mL rhIL-2 was added. Isotype control and healthy donors (n = 9) served as controls. At day 21, cells were collected, washed, stained with pentamers, and analyzed by FACS. If the mean value plus 2SD in healthy individuals was exceeded, the increase of virus-specific CD8+ T-cells was defined as positive. After in vitro expansion of 3 × 106 PBMCs with HBV core or EBV peptide in the presence or absence of anti-CD244, cells were re-stimulated with or without antigen (10 μg/mL) in the presence of Monensin (2μM) and anti-CD107a

(15 μg/mL). Anti-CD3/CD28 (10 μg/mL/2 μg/mL) was used as positive control. After 6 hours of incubation, cells were collected, washed, stained with surface markers, fixed, and permeabilized. Cells were then stained with anti-IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α for 20 minutes at room temperature and analyzed by FACS after a wash step. Cells were gated MCE公司 on CD3+, CD8+ T-cells. Background-corrected data were shown, with subtraction of individual costimulated control sample. Data were shown as mean values. GraphPad Prism was used for analysis of the Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, Fisher’s exact test, and Spearman correlation test. P values of less than 0.05 were considered significant. We first performed a comparative analysis of CD244 on total and HBV core (c)18-27–specific CD8+ T-cells. The characterization of CD244 distribution was done in the peripheral blood of 27 chronically infected patients, 13 acutely infected patients, 8 resolvers, and 15 healthy individuals. CD244 expression was also investigated in the liver tissue of four chronically infected patients. The mean frequency of CD8+Pentc18-27+ T-cells in chronically infected and untreated patients was 0.02%.

2b). The transiently transfected cells indeed responded to treatment with 15 μM PEITC involving a disintegration of the microtubular filaments over a 25–35-min period followed by the formation LY2606368 order of apoptotic blebs surrounding the cells (Fig. 2b,c). Cells treated with vehicle control were observed for up to 1 h without any apparent changes in the microtubular network or formation of apoptotic blebs (Fig. 2d), which suggests that treatment of Kato-III cells with PEITC leads to deformation of microtubular filaments to presumably contribute to a shift in the cell cycle distribution and ultimately induction of apoptosis. As MKN74 cells responded differently to PEITC treatments compared

with Kato-III cells

when assayed for the effects on proliferation, cell cycle distribution, and appeared to form less apoptotic blebs, these cells were further investigated in order to elucidate if these cells in fact became significantly apoptotic by PEITC treatments. Subjecting MKN74 cells treated with PEITC for 48 h to a flow cytometry-based apoptosis assay kit resulted in an increase in the relative number of apoptotic cells from 10% in the vehicle control treated culture to 13% and 16% in the cultures treated with 5 and 15 μM, respectively (Fig. 3a). learn more The weak response in apoptotic cells coincided with the findings when PEITC-treated MKN74 cells were analyzed for caspase-3 activity (Fig. 3b). Cells were treated with 5–15 μM PEITC for 48 h before harvested and analyzed for caspase-3 activity which revealed a weak dose-dependent effect of PEITC on caspase-3 activity in MKN74 cells. Further, we investigated the effect of PEITC on the GSH pool of MKN74 cells as ITCs readily bind to the sulfhydryl group of GSH which may disturb the intracellular redox balance in cells. The reduction 上海皓元 of total intracellular GSH in MKN74 cells treated with 1–5 μM PEITC for 5 h was approximately 20% and, surprisingly, did not respond dose-dependently (Fig. 3c). This reduction was presumably insufficient

to disturb the intracellular redox homeostasis and further induce secondary effects such as increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Flow cytometric analysis of MKN74 cells treated with 1–5 μM PEITC for 5 h showed no significant differences in ROS levels (data not shown). The dietary plant phytochemical PEITC is thought to contribute to chemoprevention against several types of human cancer diseases alongside with other plant phytochemicals enriched in a diet with cruciferous vegetables. Moreover, PEITC has also been suggested for clinical treatment of cancer as it may cure resistance to cancer drugs and thus sensitize cancer cells to these drugs.[22] It is therefore important to understand the underlying mechanisms upon the PEITC entry to a cancer cell.

2b). The transiently transfected cells indeed responded to treatment with 15 μM PEITC involving a disintegration of the microtubular filaments over a 25–35-min period followed by the formation KPT-330 ic50 of apoptotic blebs surrounding the cells (Fig. 2b,c). Cells treated with vehicle control were observed for up to 1 h without any apparent changes in the microtubular network or formation of apoptotic blebs (Fig. 2d), which suggests that treatment of Kato-III cells with PEITC leads to deformation of microtubular filaments to presumably contribute to a shift in the cell cycle distribution and ultimately induction of apoptosis. As MKN74 cells responded differently to PEITC treatments compared

with Kato-III cells

when assayed for the effects on proliferation, cell cycle distribution, and appeared to form less apoptotic blebs, these cells were further investigated in order to elucidate if these cells in fact became significantly apoptotic by PEITC treatments. Subjecting MKN74 cells treated with PEITC for 48 h to a flow cytometry-based apoptosis assay kit resulted in an increase in the relative number of apoptotic cells from 10% in the vehicle control treated culture to 13% and 16% in the cultures treated with 5 and 15 μM, respectively (Fig. 3a). Selleck PLX 4720 The weak response in apoptotic cells coincided with the findings when PEITC-treated MKN74 cells were analyzed for caspase-3 activity (Fig. 3b). Cells were treated with 5–15 μM PEITC for 48 h before harvested and analyzed for caspase-3 activity which revealed a weak dose-dependent effect of PEITC on caspase-3 activity in MKN74 cells. Further, we investigated the effect of PEITC on the GSH pool of MKN74 cells as ITCs readily bind to the sulfhydryl group of GSH which may disturb the intracellular redox balance in cells. The reduction MCE of total intracellular GSH in MKN74 cells treated with 1–5 μM PEITC for 5 h was approximately 20% and, surprisingly, did not respond dose-dependently (Fig. 3c). This reduction was presumably insufficient

to disturb the intracellular redox homeostasis and further induce secondary effects such as increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Flow cytometric analysis of MKN74 cells treated with 1–5 μM PEITC for 5 h showed no significant differences in ROS levels (data not shown). The dietary plant phytochemical PEITC is thought to contribute to chemoprevention against several types of human cancer diseases alongside with other plant phytochemicals enriched in a diet with cruciferous vegetables. Moreover, PEITC has also been suggested for clinical treatment of cancer as it may cure resistance to cancer drugs and thus sensitize cancer cells to these drugs.[22] It is therefore important to understand the underlying mechanisms upon the PEITC entry to a cancer cell.

Baseline characteristics of patients are summarized in Table 1. In the majority of patients (n = 22, 78.6%), HCV recurred within the first postoperative year. Liver

biopsies were taken twice: at the time when HCV recurrence was observed following check details liver transplantation and after the end of antiviral therapy. Normal liver samples (n = 13) were obtained from deceased donors during organ receiving, just before ligation of the abdominal aorta and reperfusion. These donor livers were used for transplantation before the start of this project. Liver samples were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin. HAI (histology activity index, modified ISHAK score /0–18/) and fibrosis score /0–6/ were determined for Selleck GPCR Compound Library histological grading and staging of liver specimens. The study followed the ethical guidelines of the 1975 Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from all patients included in the study. All selected patients received the combination of IFN/RBV for 12 months without interruption. Patients with good renal function received pegylated IFN 2b, while patients with impaired renal function were treated with pegylated

IFN 2a. No additional treatment was applied. Six patients (21%) achieved sustained viral response (SVR: HCV was undetectable in the sera using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] 6 months following the completion of IFN/RBV therapy). Patients were defined as being non-responders (NR) if their sera were positive for HCV RNA (22 patients). All patients had HCV genotype 1b infection. There were

no significant differences in patient gender or age between the NR and SVR groups. In silico identification of miRs that may bind to any mRNAs of HCV receptors CLDN1, OCLN, SCARB1, and CD81 was performed using microRNA.org (http://www.microrna.org) target prediction database and software application developed by Tömböl and coworkers.[19] The latter is capable of merging three target prediction databases such as TargetScan 6.0 (http://www.targetscan.org), PicTar (http://pictar.mdc-berlin.de), MCE公司 and MicroCosm Targets Version 5 (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/enright-srv/microcosm/htdocs/targets/v5/). The database search resulted in about 550 specific miRs, from which there were 39 (CLDN1), 13 (OCLN), 1 (miR-194; CD81), and 8 (SCARB1) miRs commonly present in the database lists for the four mRNAs, respectively. Finally, the microRNA lists were narrowed down by either selecting the consensus sequences of all three databases or the sequences possibly targeting several mRNAs of different HCV receptor types, or mRNAs connected to HCV hepatitis according to the literature.