Combination of "low-dose" ribavirin and interferon alfa-2a therapy followed by interferon alfa-2a monotherapy in chronic HCV-infected nonresponders and relapsers after interferon alfa-2a monotherapy

AIM To report on the efficacy, safety and tolerability of interferon alfa-2a combined with a "low dose" of ribavirin for relapsers and non responders to alpha interferon monotherapy.METHODS Thirty-four chronic hepatitis C virus-infected non-responders to interferon alfa2a monotherapy (a course of at least 3 months treatment) and 13 relapsers to interferon alfa 2a monotherapy (a dose of 3 to 6 million units three times per week for at least 20 weeks but not more than 18 months) were treated with the same dose of interferon alfa-2a used before (3 to 6 million units three times per week) and ribavirin (10 mg/ kg daily) for 6 months. In complete responders, interferon alfa-2a was administered for further 6 months at the same dose used before as monotherapy.RESULTS Seven (20.6%) of 34 non-responders stopped the combined therapy due to adverse events, including two patients with histological and clinical Child A cirrhosis. In 17/27 (63%)non-responders, the combined therapy was stopped after three months because of non-response. Ten of the 27 non-responders completed the 1;2-month treatment course. At a mean follow up of 28 months (16- 37 months)after the treatment, 4/10 (15%) previous non-responders still remained complete responders,All 13 previous relapsers completed the 12-month treatment course. At a mean follow up of 22months (9 - 36 months) after treatment, 6/13(46%) the previous relapsers were stillsustained complete responders.CONCLUSION Our treatment schedule of the combined therapy for 6 months of interferon alfa2a with a low dose of ribavirin (10 mg/kg/day)followed by 6 months of interferon alfa-2amonotherapy is able to induce a sustainedcomplete response rate in 15% of non-responders and 46% of relapsers with chronic hepatitis C virus-related liver diseases comparable to those obtained with the standarddoses of ribavirin 1000 - 1200 mg/day.Randomized prospective controlled trials using lower total amounts of ribavirin in combination with interferon should be performed.

奥沙利铂与氟尿嘧啶及亚叶酸钙联合治疗晚期大肠癌

目的 :研究奥沙利铂 (L OHP)与氟尿嘧啶 (5 FU)及亚叶酸钙 (CF)联合应用治疗晚期大肠癌的疗效和毒副反应。方法 :采用L OHP 130mg/m2 ,静脉滴入 2h ,d1;CF 2 0 0mg/m2 ,静脉滴入 2h ,d1～d5;5 FU 30 0mg/m2 (≤ 5 0 0mg/d) ,静脉滴入 4h ,d1～d5(CF滴完后 ) ;2 1d为 1个周期。结果 :总有效率为30 % ,毒副反应以骨髓抑制、感觉神经毒性为主 ,白细胞下降发生率为 4 5 % ,神经毒性发生率 80 % ,本组无Ⅳ度毒副反应。结论 :L OHP、5 FU、CF联合应用治疗晚期大肠癌疗效肯定 。

Effects of chitosan on dental bone repair

Objectives: Bone defects following tumor resection and osteolysis due to dental and bone lesions and periodentium tissue disorders are serious challenges. One of these materials used is chitosan, a derivative of crustaceans’ exoskeleton. The aim of this study was to assess effects of chitosan on socket repair after dental extraction. Methods: Twenty four dental sockets of 15-24 years old patients were visited by a maxillofacial surgeon for extracting premolar teeth for orthodontic purposes. The sockets in one side were filled-in by chitosan. In the other side, the sockets were left unfilled. After 10 weeks, periapical radiographs were obtained from the repair sites, were digitalized and then evaluated for densitometry using Adobe Photoshop Software. Each socket was divided into coronal, middle and apical. Dental density of each socket in case and control groups was recorded. The density of regenerated bone was compared against the maximum bone density of each individual. Wilcoxon signed range test and paired t-test were used for data analysis. Results: Bone density in middle and apical sections in case group was significantly more than control group. In apical section in case group regenerated bone reached up to 98.2% of normal bone density. In each patient, the bone density in epical and middle sections was increase 29.3% and 10.8% of normal bone density. Conclusions: Chitosan significantly increased bone density in epical and middle sections. Chitosan can be used for bone repair in cases of bone loss. Various densitometry studies for evaluating chitosan effects in different bone defects are suggested.

“No Need to Get Salty” Or Is There? Sodium Functionality as a Consideration in Nutrition Public Health Policy

Aim: Public health professionals focus on both downstream (individual) and upstream (population-level) interventions to reduce sodium consumption and prevent sodium-related chronic diseases. Effective upstream interventions specifically aimed at reducing dietary sodium intake include the implementation of comprehensive nutrition standards that restrict the amount of sodium contained in foods available for purchase. The aim of this work was to identify sought-after foods that did not meet the Philadelphia Nutrition Standards’ sodium limits and reformulate those foods to be standards-compliant and consumer-acceptable. Subject and Methods: Two foods were reformulated for compliancy with the Philadelphia Nutrition Standards’ sodium limits and consumer acceptability: the hoagie roll and soft pretzel. Reformulation included sensory testing and engaging potential manufacturing partners to investigate products’ commercial potential. Results: While hoagie roll reformulation led to a local company manufacturing and selling the reformulated product, soft pretzel reformulation stalled due to lack of consumer acceptability of the reformulated product. Salt contributes desirable characteristics in the texture, taste, and appearance of the soft pretzel, the absence of which consumers found unacceptable. Conclusion: Product reformulation holds great potential to create lower-sodium foods that otherwise have all of the characteristics of the higher-sodium “original” products but requires an understanding of the role of salt in product recipes. Reducing salt without considering its multiple functions in food may result in a product that is unacceptable or even unsafe. A simple four-step tool can help public health practitioners evaluate the extent to which products are suitable for reformulation.