Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for identifying and treating an early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a subject. The method mainly includes determining the level of serum amyloid A (SAA) protein, and providing anti-cancer treatment based on the determined level of SAA protein. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the anti-cancer treatment is provided when the determined level of SAA protein is lower than that of a first control sample, or when the determined level of SAA protein is higher than that of a second control sample. In some embodiments, the first control sample is derived from a subject having a late stage HCC, and the second control sample is derived from a subject having a liver disease that is any of hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying a viral-host junction sequence from a subject with a hepatocellular carcinoma caused by chronic infection of hepatitis B virus. The viral-host junction sequence has a length of less than 200 bps and comprises a hepatitis B viral genome sequence and a host genome sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chimera nucleic acid obtained from circulatory system for monitoring tumor size. The nucleic acid comprises partial sequence derived from host genome and partial sequence derived from non-host genome. The partial sequence derived from host genome and the partial sequence derived from non-host genome form a chimera junction. The chimera junction is obtained from cell-free nucleic acids and is indicative of tumor size.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for amplifying a nucleic acid sequence by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The method comprises placing a PCR sample in a container which is heated by only a single heat source that provides a high temperature for denaturation in the bottom of the PCR sample, while annealing and extension automatically occur in different regions of the PCR sample due to the convection induced by a temperature gradient descending from the bottom of the PCR sample to the surface of the PCR sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chimera nucleic acid obtained from circulatory system for monitoring tumor status. The nucleic acid comprises partial sequence derived from host genome and partial sequence derived from non-host genome. The partial sequence derived from host genome and the partial sequence derived from non-host genome form a chimera junction. The chimera junction is obtained from cell-free nucleic acids and is indicative of disease status.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for amplifying a nucleic acid sequence by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The method comprises placing a PCR sample in a container which is heated by only a single heat source that provides a high temperature for denaturation in the bottom of the PCR sample, while annealing and extension automatically occur in different regions of the PCR sample due to the convection induced by a temperature gradient descending from the bottom of the PCR sample to the surface of the PCR sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for amplifying a nucleic acid sequence by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The method comprises placing a PCR sample in a container which is heated by only a single heat source that provides a high temperature for denaturation in the bottom of the PCR sample, while annealing and extension automatically occur in different regions of the PCR sample due to the convection induced by a temperature gradient descending from the bottom of the PCR sample to the surface of the PCR sample.

Abstract: Sets of nucleic acids and methods for predicting a subject's responsiveness to therapy for liver disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for amplifying a nucleic acid sequence by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The method comprises placing a PCR sample in a container which is heated by only a single heat source that provides a high temperature for denaturation in the bottom of the PCR sample, while annealing and extension automatically occur in different regions of the PCR sample due to the convection induced by a temperature gradient descending from the bottom of the PCR sample to the surface of the PCR sample.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recombinant plasmid for expressing hepatitis B viral antigens in vivo, comprising an adeno-associated virus (AVV) vector and a replication-competent hepatitis B virus genome fragment. Mice hydrodynamically injected with the recombinant plasmid of the present invention show persistent expression of hepatitis B viral antigens for more than 6 months in the hepatocytes, thus a immuno-competent mouse model for persistent expression of hepatitis B antigens and also for human chronic hepatitis B virus infection is established, which can be applied in evaluation and elucidation of mechanism of chronic hepatitis and anti-viral drug discovery research.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of hearing loss. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), and is useful to decreasing acute or chronic hearing loss of patients related to the mutation or degenerative dysfunction of SLC26A4 gene.

Abstract: Sets of nucleic acids and methods for predicting a subject's responsiveness to therapy for liver disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recombinant plasmid for expressing hepatitis B viral antigens in vivo, comprising an adeno-associated virus (AVV) vector and a replication-competent hepatitis B virus genome fragment. Mice hydrodynamically injected with the recombinant plasmid of the present invention show persistent expression of hepatitis B viral antigens for more than 6 months in the hepatocytes, thus a immuno-competent mouse model for persistent expression of hepatitis B antigens and also for human chronic hepatitis B virus infection is established, which can be applied in evaluation and elucidation of mechanism of chronic hepatitis and anti-viral drug discovery research.

Abstract: It is provided isolated polynucleotides that include sequences from genomic region around the gene CD 81. The polynucleotides include polymorphisms associated with treatment response of HCV patients to interferon-? and ribavirin combined therapy and are useful as the probes in screening for patients who will response to interferon-? and ribavirin combined therapy. It is further provided linkage disequilibrium structure of the CD81 gene and haplotype information within a particular LD block, which can be used for prediction of the treatment outcome of the interferon-? and ribavirin combined therapy on HCV patients.

Abstract: Sets of nucleic acids and methods for predicting a subject's responsiveness to therapy for liver disorders.

Abstract: It is provided isolated polynucleotides that include sequences from genomic region around the gene CD 81. The polynucleotides include polymorphisms associated with treatment response of HCV patients to interferon-? and ribavirin combined therapy and are useful as the probes in screening for patients who will response to interferon-? and ribavirin combined therapy. It is further provided linkage disequilibrium structure of the CD81 gene and haplotype information within a particular LD block, which can be used for prediction of the treatment outcome of the interferon-? and ribavirin combined therapy on HCV patients.

Abstract: By genotyping analysis in combination with Monte-Carlo estimation, a model for predicting an hepatitis B patient to response to interferon treatment is constructed. With this model, by selecting STR markers combination, the hepatitis B patients are divided into three groups comprising high response rate, ambiguous, and low response rate, respectively, and hence, predictions of treatment response for HBV patients, especially for interferon therapy, are obtained.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously genotyping and quantifying Hepatitis B Virus. Also disclosed are (1) a pair of primers containing, respectively, the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 13 and 14, SEQ ID NOs: 17 and 14, or SEQ ID NOs: 20 and 6, each primer being 8-50 nucleotides in length; (2) a pair of probes, containing, respectively, the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 18 and 19, SEQ ID NOs: 15 and 16, or SEQ ID NOs: 21 and 22, each probe being 9-50 nucleotides in length; (3) a nucleic acid obtained from amplification of a Hepatitis B Virus nucleic acid template, containing the sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 15, 19, or 22, or its complementary sequence, the nucleic acid being 100-1,000 nucleotides in length.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously identifying a single nucleotide polymorphism in a target nucleic acid from a microorganism and quantifying the target nucleic acid.