Sustained virological response based on rapid virological response in genotype-3 chronic hepatitis C treated with standard interferon in the Pakistani population

AIM:To document the sustained virological response (SVR) in rapid virological responders (RVR) of genotype-3 chronic hepatitis C with standard interferon (SdIF). METHODS:Hepatitis C genotype-3 patients during the period July 2006 and June 2007 were included. Complete blood counts, prothrombin time, ALT, albumin, qualitative HCV RNA were done. SdIF and ribavirin were given for 4 wk and qualitative HCV RNA was repeated. Those testing negative were allocated to group-A while the rest were allocated to group-B. Treatment was continued a total of 16 and 24 wk for group A and B respectively. HCV RNA was repeated after 24 wk of treatment. End virological and sustained virological responses were compared by χ2 test. ROC of pretreatment age, ALT and albumin were plotted for failure to achieve SVR. RESULTS:Of 74 patients treated, RCV RNA after 16 wk of therapy became undetectable in 34 (45.9%) and was detectable in 40 (54.1%) and were allocated to groups A and B respectively. SVR was achieved in 58.8% and 27.8% in groups A and B respectively. SVR rates were significantly higher in patients who had RVR as compared to those who did not (P = 0.0;γ = 2). Both groups combined ETR and SVR were 70% and 33% respectively. ROC plots of pretreatment age, ALT and albumin for SVR showed only ALT to have a significantly large area under the curve.CONCLUSION:SVR rates were higher in patients who had RVR with SdIF and high pre treatment ALT values correlated to probability of having RVR.

Highly sensitive and rapidly responding room-temperature NO2 gas sensors based on W03 nanorods/sulfonated graphene nanocomposites

Metal oxide/graphene nanocomposites are emerging as promising materials for developing room-temperature gas sensors. However, the unsatisfactory performances owing to the relatively low sensitivity, slow response, and recovery kinetics limit their applications. Herein, a highly sensitive and rapidly responding room-temperature NO2 gas sensor based on WO3 nanorods/sulfonated reduced graphene oxide （S-rGO） was prepared via a simple and cost-effective hydrothermal method. The optimal sensor response of the WO3/S-rGO sensor toward 20 ppm NO2 is 149% in 6 s, which is 4.7 times higher and 100 times faster than that of the corresponding WO3/rGO sensors. In addition, the sensor exhibits excellent reproducibility, selectivity, and extremely fast recovery kinetics. The mechanism of the WOJS-rGO nanocomposite gas sensor is investigated in detail. In addition to the high transport capability of S-rGO as well as its excellent NO2 adsorption ability, the superior sensing performance of the S-rGO/WO3 sensor can be attributed to the favorable charge transfer occurring at the S-rGO/WO3 interfaces. We believe that the strategy of compositing a metal oxide with functionalized graphene provides a new insight for the future development of room-temoerature gas sensors.

Editorial: Moving Forward to Respond to Rapid Changes of Computer Science and Technology

Since its inaugural issue in 1986,the Journal of Computer Science and Technology(JCST)has been the premier English journal of China Computer Federation(CCF),serving international readers and authors by disseminating scholarly and technical papers under a rigorous review process.