Evaluation of Interferon-Gamma Release Assay Testing and Tuberculin Skin Test for Early Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Children and Adolescents

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of interferon-γ release assay (IGRA), a sensitive microbiological diagnostic method, in children and adolescents with suspected tuberculosis in a country with a high burden of tuberculosis. Method: This study included 581 children and adolescents aged 4 - 19 years who were suspected of having tuberculosis, were latently infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and had received at least one dose of BCG vaccine between April 17, 2019, and February 24, 2021. The study evaluated the TST results of 106 patients who had a positive Quantiferon test and were suspected of having tuberculosis. Results: The study included 581 patients aged between 4 and 19 years. Of these, 106 patients tested positive for the Quantiferon test, while 19 were indeterminate and 456 were negative. The Quantiferon test positivity rate was 18.24%. Among the 106 QFT-Plus-positive cases, 23 patients also tested positive for TST. The difference in distribution was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: The QFT-Plus test is considered an alternative to TST and other microbiological diagnostic methods for early tuberculosis diagnosis, particularly in children and adolescents.

Interferon-lambda:New functions on intestinal symptoms in COVID-19

The tremendous public health and economic impact of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARSCoV-2), has become a huge challenge globally. There is increasing evidence that SARS-CoV-2 induces intestinal infections. Type Ⅲ interferon(IFN-λ) has an antiviral role in intestinal infection, with focused, long-lasting, and non-inflammatory characteristics. This review presents a summary of the structure of SARSCoV-2, including its invasion and immune escape mechanisms. Emphasis was placed on the gastrointestinal impact of SARS-CoV-2, including changes to the intestinal microbiome, activation of immune cells, and inflammatory responses.We also describe the comprehensive functions of IFN-λ in anti-enteric SARS-CoV-2 infection, and discuss the potential application of IFN-λ as a therapeutic agent for COVID-19 with intestinal symptoms.

Construction of Fluorescence Sensing Platform on the Basis of Carbon Nitride Nanosheet for the Detection of Interferon-γ

Purpose: Interferon-γ (INF-γ) is a cytokine that participates in the immune reaction of the body. Its level of secretion can reflect the immune response condition after the body is infected by pathogens, which is a significant indication of clinically-related diseases. Therefore, it is of great significance in application to develop a fluorescence biosensor to inspect INF-γ with rapidness, high sensitivity and high practicability. Method: The fluorescence sensor is made on the basis of the two-dimensional nano-material namely Carbon Nitride Nanosheet (CNNS) and the Aptamer probe to identify INF-γ (Apt®INF-γ). CNNS can quickly quench the Cy5 fluorescent dye modified on the Apt®INF-γ probe due to the Photoinduced Electron Transfer (PET), but when the INF-γ exists, Apt®INF-γ specifically identifies and combines it. The complex of Apt®INF-γ and INF-γ is away from CNNS, which can effectively block the fluorescent signal of Apt?INF-γ being quenched by CNNS. Result: The sensitive detection of IFN-γ protein can be achieved through the application of CNNS/Apt®INF-γ fluorescence sensing platform. In this method, the intensity of the fluorescent signal is positively correlated with the concentration of IFN-γ, of which the liner response range is 0.5 - 100 ng/mL and the limit of detection is 0.303 ng/mL. In addition, this fluorescence sensing platform has the advantages of high specificity, simple operation and low costs. It can inspect the content of IFN-γ in clinical serum samples without interference. The actual recovery rate of serum samples is 97.11% - 106.96%. Conclusion: Therefore, the CNNS/Apt®INF-γ sensing platform is expected to be implemented in the actual clinical detection, also conducive to developing a universal fluorescence biosensor to inspect other target materials.

Development and validation of a prognostic indicator for thyroid carcinoma based on interferon-γ-related gene analysis

Background:Women are mostly affected by thyroid carcinoma(THCA),an endocrine system cancer.However,the biomarkers of interferon-gamma(IFN-γ)in THCA have not been identified,so this study aimed to investigate whether IFN-γ-related genes could predict the overall prognosis of THCA patients.Methods:Transcriptome-related expression data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database.Differential expression of IFN-γ-responsive genes(DE-IFN-γ)between THCA and normal samples was determined based on the“limma”package in R.The prognostic value of the model was determined by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator,univariate Cox,and multivariate Cox analyses,as well as Kaplan-Meier curves.A nomogram was created to predict the THCA survival probabilities by combining clinicopathological features and prognostic genetic features.High-risk and low-risk groups were examined THCA-related pathways using gene set enrichment analysis.Correlations between the two groups with different scores and the immune microenvironment and immunotherapy were also explored.Finally,we verified the expression levels using real-time PCR.Results:From 48 DE-IFN-γ,4 DE-IFN-γ(METTL7B,VAMP8,CFB,IFIT3)associated with good prognosis were selected by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and Cox co-screening.Based on these four genes,THCA patients were divided into two groups,with the high-risk group having a poorer overall survival rate.The risk score,age,and staging were identified as independent prognostic factors.The low-scoring group had significantly enriched 13 signaling pathways,according to gene set enrichment analysis.Meanwhile,the two groups delineated according to the risk score differed in terms of the immune microenvironment and immune checkpoints.Finally,our real-time PCR results corroborated previous hypotheses.Conclusion:Researchers identified four DE-IFN-γbiomarker genes with promising prognostic value for THCA patients,which may help guide immunotherapy preference.Moreover,it may subsequently influence our THCA treatment decisions.

Acute Toxicity of Recombinant Porcine Interferon-alpha

To observe the acute toxicity of recombinant porcine interferen-alpha （IFN-alpha） in mice and thus provide a basis for the clinical safety. [Method] According to the principles of acute toxicity, all the mice were divided into two major groups （intraperitoneally injected group and intramuscularly injected group） respectively at high dose, moderate dose and low dose. And the normal control group was also set up. Within 14 d after administration, the behavior of mouse and the degree of toxicity were continuously observed. The hematological indexes and biochemical indexes of blood were detected to obtain the preliminary toxicity data of the recombinant porcine IFN-alpha. And at the end of the experiment, mice were sacrificed for autopsy. [ Result] There was not significant difference in external performance, behavioral characteristics, body temperature, weight, pathological anatomy of visceral organs, hematological indexes and biochemical indexes between the experimental groups and the control group. [ Conclusion] The highest dose of porcine interferon （5.0 x 10s IU per mouse） in this experiment or the dose lower than this dosage should not have significant toxic effects on mice, and the recombinant porcine IFN-alpha is safe in clinical application.

Interferon-γ mRNA attenuates its own translation by activating PKR： A molecular basis for the therapeutic effect of interferon-β in multiple sclerosis

PKR, the interferon （IFN）-inducible protein kinase activated by double-stranded RNA, inhibits translation by phosphorylating the initiation factor eIF2α chain. Uniquely, human IFN-γ mRNA uses local activation of PKR in the cell to control its own translation yield. IFN-γ mRNA activates PKR through a structure in its 5＇- region harboring a pseudoknot which is critical for PKR activation. Mutations that impair pseudoknot stability reduce the ability of IFN-γ mRNA to activate PKR and strongly increase its translation efficiency. The cis-acting RNA element in IFN-γ mRNA functions as a biological sensor of intracellular PKR levels. During an immune response, as IFN-γ and other inflammatory cytokines build up in the cell＇s microenvironment, they act to induce higher levels of PKR in the cell, resulting in a more extensive activation of PKR by IFN-γ mRNA. With the resulting phosphorylation of eIF2α, a negative feedback loop is created and the production of IFN-γ is progressively attenuated. We propose that the therapeutic effect of IFN-β in multiple sclerosis may rest, at least in part, on its exquisite ability to induce high levels of PKR in the cell and thereby to limit IFN-γ mRNA translation through this negative feedback loop, blocking the excessive IFN-γ gene expression that precedes clinical attacks.

Preliminary results of Thymosin-a1 versus interferon-α treatment in patients with HBeAg negative and serum HBV DNA positive chronic hepatitis B

INTRODUCTIONIn China ,the incidence and mortality of gastric cancer rank the second among all cancers. Recent development of cancer [1-20].The aim of this study was investigat the insight of apoptosis and bcl-2, p53 and C-myc protein expression in the development of gastric cancer .

Adeno-associated virus mediated interferon-gamma inhibits the progression of hepatic fibrosis in vitro and in vivo

AIM:To investigate the effects of adeno-associated virus (AAV) mediated expression of human interferon-γ for gene therapy in experimental hepatic fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: We constructed the recombinant AAV encoding human INF-γ (rAAV- INF-γ) and took the primary rat hepatic stellate cells and carbon tetrachloride induced rats as the experimental hepatic fibrosis model in vitro and in vivo. Immunocytochemistry analysis was used to reveal the expression of α-SMA, the marker protein expressed in hepatic stellate cells. The mRNA expression of TGF-β, TIMP-1, and MMP-13 were analyzed by RT-PCR method. In vivo study, the hydroxyproline content in liver and serum AST, ALT were also detected. RESULTS: In vitro study, AAV vector could mediated efficient expression of human INF-γ, which inhibit the activation of hepatic stellate cells, decrease the expression of α-SMA and mRNA of TIMP-1, TGF-β, with the MMP-13 unchanged. In vivo study, the histological examination revealed that rAAV- INF-γ could inhibit the progression of the hepatic fibrosis. In the rAAV-INF-γ induced group, the hydroxyproline content and serum AST, ALT level were decreased to 177±28 μg/g wet liver, 668.5±140.0, 458.4±123.5 U/L, compare with the fibrosis control group 236±31 μg/g wet liver, 1 019.1±276.3, 770.5±154.3 U/L, respectively (P<0.01). mRNA expression of TIMP-1 in the rAAV-INF-γ induced rat liver was decreased while no significant change was observed in TGF-β and MMP-13. CONCLUSION: All these results indicated that rAAV-INF-γ has potential effects for gene therapy of hepatic fibrosis, which could inhibit the progression of hepatic fibrosis.

Influence of HLA-DRB1 alleles and HBV genotypes on interferon-α therapy for chronic hepatitis B

AIM. To investigate the influence of HLA-DRB1 alleles and HBV genotypes on inberferon-α therapy for chronic hepatitis B. METHODS： HLA-DRBI＊03, ＊07, ＊09,＊12, ＊15 alleles were determined using polymerase chain reaction/sequence specific primer （PCR/SSP） technique in 126 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 76 normal control subjects in Shandong Province, and HBV genotypes were determined by nested-PCR analysis using type-specific primers in 126 patients. RESULTS： The positivity of HLA-DRB1＊07 allele in chronic hepatitis B group was significantly higher than that in normal control group （X^2 = 6.33, P〈0.025, RR = 2.37）. Among the 126 patients, genotype B was found in 38 （30.2%）, genotype C in 69 （54.8%）, and mixed genotype （B＋C） in 19 （15.0%）, genotypes D-F were not found. Among the 46 DRB1＊07（＋） patients, 7 were responders and 39 were non-responders among them （X^2 = 6.71, P〈0.05）. The positivity of HLADRB1＊07 and prevalence of HBV genotype C were significantly higher in non-responders than in responders. CONCLUSION： High positivities of HLA-DRB1 ＊07 allele and HBV genotype C are closely associated with the lower response to interferon-α therapy for chronic hepatitis B.

Inhibition of hepatitis B virus DNA replicative intermediate forms by recombinant interferon-γ

AIM: To evaluate the in vitro anti-HBV activity of recombinant human IFN-γ, alone and in combination with lamivudine. METHODS: A recombinant baculovirus-HBV/HepG2 culture system was developed which could support productive HBV infection in vitro. Expression of HBsAg and HBeAg in infected HepG2 culture medium was detected by commercial enzyme immunoassays. HBV DNA replication intermediates were detected in infected cells by Southern hybridization and viral DNA load was determined by dot hybridization. RESULTS: IFN-γat 0.1 to 5μg/L efficiently down regulated HBsAg expression in transduced HepG2 cells. At 5μg/L, IFN-γalso suppressed HBV DNA replication in these cells. While treatment with a combination of lamivudine and IFN-γshowed no additive effect, sequential treatment first with lamivudine and then IFN-γwas found to be promising. In this culture system the best HBV suppression was observed with a pulse of 2μmol/L lamivudine for two days, followed by 1μg/L IFN-γfor another four days. Compared to treatment with lamivudine alone, the sequential use of 0.2μmol/L lamivudine for two days, followed by 5μg/L IFN-γfor six days showed a 72% reduction in HBV cccDNA pool. CONCLUSION: This in vitro study warrants further evaluation of a combination of IFN-γand lamivudine, especially in IFN-αnon-responder chronic hepatitis B patients. A reduced duration of lamivudine treatment would also restrict the emergence of drug-resistant HBV mutants.

Anti Cervix Cancer Activity of Co-immobilized Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Interferon-γ

Tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α） and interferon-γ （IFN-γ） are cytokines with strong antitumor activities. They were reacted with a photoactive arylazide-4-azidobenzoic acid, resulting in photoactive TNF-α and IFN-γ. The infrared （IR） spectra of these products showed the characteristic absorption of an azido group at 2127 cm^-1. By photo-immobilization, this modified TNF-α and IFN-γ were immobilized on polystyrene membranes for cell culture to prepare biomaterials. The micro-morphology of photoactive cytokines was observed with a scanning electron microscope （SEM）. The inhibitory effect on growth of Hela cells and inducing apoptosis activity of these two cytokines were analyzed by growth curve, transmission electron microscope （TEM） and fluorescence active cell sorter （FACS）. The results showed that co-immobilization of IFN-γ and TNF-α had significant inhibitory effect on growth of Hela cells, inhibitory rate up to 82%, and IFN-γ had obviously synergistic action.

Precise prediction model and simplified scoring system for sustained combined response to interferon-α

AIM:To establish a predictive algorithm which may serve for selecting optimal candidates for interferon-α(IFN-α) treatment.METHODS:A total of 474 IFN-α treated hepatitis B virus e antigen(HBeAg)-positive patients were enrolled in the present study.The patients' baseline characteristics,such as age,gender,blood tests,activity grading(G) of intrahepatic inflammation,score(S) of liver fibrosis,hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA and genotype were evaluated;therapy duration and response of each patient at the 24th wk after cessation of IFN-α treatment were also recorded.A predictive algorithm and scoring system for a sustained combined response(CR) to IFN-α therapy were established.About 10% of the patients were randomly drawn as the test set.Responses to IFN-α therapy were divided into CR,partial response(PR) and non-response(NR).The mixed set of PR and NR was recorded as PR+NR.RESULTS:Stratified by therapy duration,the most significant baseline predictive factors were alanine aminotransferase(ALT),HBV DNA level,aspartate aminotransferase(AST),HBV genotype,S,G,age and gender.According to the established model,the accuracies for sustained CR and PR+NR,respectively,were 86.4% and 93.0% for the training set,81.5% and 91.0% for the test set.For the scoring system,the sensitivity and specificity were 78.8% and 80.6%,respectively.There were positive correlations between ALT and AST,and G and S,respectively.CONCLUSION:With these models,practitioners may be able to propose individualized decisions that have an integrated foundation on both evidence-based medicine and personal characteristics.

Anti-rods/rings autoantibody generation in hepatitis Cpatients during interferon-α/ribavirin therapy

Chronic inflammation associated with hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection can lead to disabling liver diseases with progression to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite the recent availability of more effective and less toxic therapeutic options, in most parts of the world the standard treatment consists of a weekly injection of pegylated interferon α(IFN-α) together with a daily dose of ribavirin. HCV patients frequently present circulating non-organ-specific autoantibodies demonstrating a variety of staining patterns in the indirect immunofluorescence assay for antinuclear antibodies(ANA). Between 20% to 40% of HCV patients treated with IFN-α and ribavirin develop autoantibodies showing a peculiar ANA pattern characterized as rods and rings(RR) structures. The aim of this article is to review the recent reports regarding RR structures and anti-rods/rings(antiRR) autoantibody production by HCV patients after IFN-α/ribavirin treatment. Anti-RR autoantibodies first appear around the sixth month of treatment and reach a plateau around the twelfth month. After treatment completion, anti-RR titers decrease/disappear in half the patients and remain steady in the other half. Some studies have observed a higher frequency of anti-RR antibodies in relapsers, i.e., patients in which circulating virus reappears after initially successful therapy. The main target of anti-RR autoantibodies in HCV patients is inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase 2(IMPDH2), the rate-limiting enzyme involved in the guanosine triphosphate biosynthesis pathway. Ribavirin is a direct IMPDH2 inhibitor and is able to induce the formation of RR structures in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, these observations led to the hypothesis that anti-RR autoantibody production is a human model of immunologic tolerance breakdown that allows us to explore the humoral autoimmune response from the beginning of the putative triggering event: exposure to ribavirin and interferon.

Clinical Value of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Combined with Interferon-γ in Diagnosing Malignant Pleural Effusion and Tuberculous Pleural Effusion

In order to investigate the clinical value of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） combined with interferon-γ （IFN-γ） in diagnosing malignant pleural effusion and tuberculous pleural effusion, 42 cases of malignant pleural effusion and 45 cases of tuberculous pleural effusion in Tongji Hospital, from March 2004 to May 2005, were included, The carcinoembryonic antigen （CEA）, VEGF and IFN-γ levels of pleural effusion were detected by using ELISA, and adenosine deaminase （ADA） activity was determined by using enzyme kinetic analytical method. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and area under the curve （AUCR^ROC） of CEA and VEGF, VEGF/IFN-γ ratio, ADA and IFN-γ were measured by receiver operating characteristic curve （ROC）, The results showed that CEA, VEGF levels and VEGF/IFN-γ ratio were significantly higher and the ADA and IFN-γ levels were significantly lower in malignant group than those in tuberculous group （P〈0,01）, The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and AUCR^ROC of VEGF/IFN-γ ratio （88,7%, 99,8%, 94,4%, 0.96 respectively） were higher than those of CEA （67.8%, 96.1%, 82,4%, 0.78 respectively） and VEGF （81,5%, 84,3%, 82.9%, 0.79 respectively）. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and AUCR^ROC of IFN-γ （85.7%, 96,4%, 90.9%, 0.94 respectively） were higher than those of ADA （80,2%, 87,6%, 83.8%, 0,81 respectively）. It was concluded that VEGF/IFN-γ ratio and IFN-γ could be used as valuable parameters for the differential diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion and tuberculous pleural effusion.

IFIT1 polymorphisms predict interferon-α treatment efficiency for hepatitis B virus infection

AIM To investigate the association between interferoninduced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 1(IFIT1) polymorphisms and interferon-α(IFNα) treatment efficiency among Chinese hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection patients.METHODS Two hundred and twenty five newly diagnosed chronichepatitis B(CHB) patients were enrolled in the study. All of these patients received IFNα treatment for a course of 48 wk, and were followed up for 24 wk after the treatment was end. Clinical information about virological response, hepatitis B e antigen(HBe Ag) seroconversion rate and combined response at the end of the treatment, as well as the sustained response by the time of following up 24 wk after the treatment, was collected. Four tag-single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) of IFIT1 were selected and assessed for their association with these clinical outcomes.RESULTS At the end of the treatment, HBe Ag seroconversion was observed in 27.1% patients. Thirty-six point nine percent patients achieved virological response, and 15.6% patients exhibited combined response. Sustained response was obtained in 26.2% patients. The main HBV genotype of the study was genotype B. Patients who infected with HBV genotype B or C showed better treatment efficiency, no matter which clinical outcome was considered. Among the four SNPs assessed, rs303218(A > G) was found to be significantly associated with the end point virological response when assuming additive model [OR = 0.64(95%CI: 0.42-0.96), P = 0.032]. Patients who carried rs303218 GG genotype had a rather higher rate of achieving virological response(response rate: 52%, OR = 0.40, 95%CI: 0.18-0.91; P = 0.028) when compared to those had AA genotype(response rate: 27%). The most significant interaction was observed in patients who had relative lower baseline aspartate transaminase. No association between SNPs and HBe Ag seroconversion, combined response or sustained response was observed.CONCLUSION IFIT1 involves in the regulation of IFNα treatment for CHB and its polymorphism rs303218 can predict the end point virological response. The finding requires further validation.

Inhibitory effect of interferon-α-2b on expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor in human hepatocellular carcinoma inoculated in nude mice

AIM： To evaluate the effects of interferon-α-2b （IFN- α-2b） on expression of cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in human hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） inoculated in nude mice and to study the underlying mechanism of IFN-α- 2b against HCC growth. METHODS： Thirb/-two nude mice bearing human HCC were randomly divided into four groups （n = 8）. On the 10th day after implantation of HCC cells, the mice in test groups （groups A, B and C） received IFN-α- 2b at a serial dose （10000 IU for group A, 20000 IU for group B, 40000 IU for group C sc daily） for 35 d. The mice in control group received normal saline （NS）. The growth conditions of transplanted tumors were observed. Both genes and proteins of COX-2 and VEGF were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Apoptosis of tumor cells in nude mice was detected by TUNEL assay after treatment with IFN-α-2b. RESULTS： Tumors were significantly smaller and had a lower weight in the IFN-α-2b treatment groups than those in the control group （P 〈 0.01）, and the tumor growth inhibition rate in groups A, B and C was 27.78%, 65.22% and 49.64%, respectively. The expression levels of both genes and proteins of COX-2 and VEGF were much lower in the IFN-α-2b treatment groups than in the control group （P 〈 0.01）. The apoptosis index （AI） of tumor cells in the IFN-α-2b treatment groups was markedly higher than that in the control group （P 〈 0.01）. Group B had a higher inhibition rate of tumor growth, a lower expression level of COX-2 and VEGF and a higher AI than groups A and C （P 〈 0.05）, but there was no significant difference between groups A and C. CONCLUSION： The inhibitory effects of IFN-α-2b on implanted tumor growth and apoptosis may be associated with the down-regulation of COX-2 and VEGF expression. There is a dose-effect relationship. The medium dose of IFN-α-2b for inhibiting tumor growth is 20 000 IU/d.

Effect of oxymatrine on interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha serum levels in an experimental rat model of autoimmune encephalomyelitis

BACKGROUND： Studies have demonstrated that experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis （EAE） onset correlates with increased interferon-v （IFN-γ） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） expression. Oxymatrine （OM） has been shown to inhibit autoimmune responses, but there are no reports showing that it could prevent the development of EAE. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effect of OM on serum levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α in a rat model of EAE.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, animal study was performed at the Experimental Animal Center of Henan Academy of Chinese Medicine and at the Key Disciplines Laboratory Clinical Medicine of Henan Province between July and December 2008. MATERIALS： OM was purchased from Chia-tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical, China; complete Freund＇s adjuvant was purchased from Sigma, USA. METHODS： Forty female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups： EAE model （M）, low-dose OM treatment （OM-L）, high-dose OM treatment （OM-H）, and normal control （N, no immunization）, with 10 rats in each group. EAE was established in the M, OM-L, and OM-H groups following immunization with Guinea pig spinal cord homogenate and complete Freund＇s adjuvant. The M and N groups were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline （6.7 mL/kg per day）, the OM-L group received an intraperitoneal injection of OM （100 mg/kg per day）, and the OM-H group received OM （150 mg/kg per day）. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At 16 days after immunization, the degree of histopathological changes in the spinal cord was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin stanining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum levels of IFN-γ, and radioimmunoassay was utilized to determine serum TNF-α level. Neurological scores were measured on a daily basis according to a 0-5 scale. RESULTS： Daily injections of OM, both high and low doses, resulted in decreased neurological scores in EAE rats （P〈0.01）, as well as reduced cellular infiltration in the spinal cord and decreased levels of serum IFN-γ and TNF-α （P〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： OM reduced the onset and severity of EAE, which correlated with decreased IFN-γ and TNF-α expression.

A randomized controlled clinical trial on the treatment of Thymosin-a1 versus interferon-α in patients with hepatitis B

INTRODUCTIONChronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious problem because of its world wide distribution and possible adverse sequelae ,such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma .The World Health Organization estimates that HBV has infected mord than 350 million people worldwide ,and up to 20% of them will become chromic carricrs and will be at significant risk for cirrhosis and HCC .The ultimate goal of the therapy for chronic hepatitis B is to prevent progression to cirrhosis and to prevent development of HCC.

Interferon-α induced severe thrombocytopenia:A case report and review of the literature

We report a case of severe thrombocytopenia following pegylated interferon-α 2a(Peg-IFN-α 2a)treatment of hepatitis C virus infection and summarize the clinical characteristics of 16 cases of IFN-α induced severe thrombocytopenia and its immune-mediated mechanism.Discontinuation of IFN-α and early administration of immunosuppressants are the effective therapy for IFN-αinduced severe thrombocytopenia.

Assessment by meta-analysis of interferon-gamma for the diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis

AIM:To investigate the performance and diagnostic accuracy of interferon-gamma(IFN-γ) for tuberculous peritonitis(TBP) by meta-analysis.METHODS:A systematic search of English language studies was performed.We searched the following electronic databases:MEDLINE,EMBASE,Web of Science,BIOSIS,LILACS and the Cochrane Library.The Standards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy initiative and Quality Assessment for Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy tool were used to assess the methodological quality of the studies.Sensitivity,specificity,and other measures of the accuracy of IFN-γ concentration in the diagnosis of peritoneal effusion were pooled using random-effects models.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves were applied to summarize overall test performance.Two reviewers independently judged study eligibility while screening the citations.RESULTS:Six studies met the inclusion criteria.The average inter-rater agreement between the two reviewers for items in the quality checklist was 0.92.Analysis of IFN-γ level for TBP diagnosis yielded a summary estimate:sensitivity,0.93(95%CI,0.87-0.97);specificity,0.99(95%CI,0.97-1.00);positive likelihood ratio(PLR),41.49(95%CI,18.80-91.55);negative likelihood ratio(NLR),0.11(95%CI,0.06-0.19);and diagnostic odds ratio(DOR),678.02(95%CI,209.91-2190.09).χ 2 values of the sensitivity,specificity,PLR,NLR and DOR were 5.66(P = 0.3407),6.37(P = 0.2715),1.38(P = 0.9265),5.46(P = 0.3621) and 1.42(P = 0.9220),respectively.The summary receiver ROC curve was positioned near the desirable upper left corner and the maximum joint sensitivity and specificity was 0.97.The area under the curve was 0.99.The evaluation of publication bias was not significant(P = 0.922).CONCLUSION:IFN-γ may be a sensitive and specific marker for the accurate diagnosis of TBP.The level of IFN-γ may contribute to the accurate differentiation of tuberculosis(TB) ascites from non-TB ascites.