Early autoimmunity and outcome in virus encephalitis: a retrospective study based on tissue-based assay.

To explore the autoimmune response and outcome in the central nervous system (CNS) at the onset of viral infection and correlation between autoantibodies and viruses. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted in 121 patients (2016-2021) with a CNS viral infection confirmed via cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) next-generation sequencing (cohort A). Their clinical information was analysed and CSF samples were screened for autoantibodies against monkey cerebellum by tissue-based assay. In situ hybridisation was used to detect Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in brain tissue of 8 patients with glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP)-IgG and nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue of 2 patients with GFAP-IgG as control (cohort B). RESULTS: Among cohort A (male:female=79:42; median age: 42 (14-78) years old), 61 (50.4%) participants had detectable autoantibodies in CSF. Compared with other viruses, EBV increased the odds of having GFAP-IgG (OR 18.22, 95% CI 6.54 to 50.77, p<0.001). In cohort B, EBV was found in the brain tissue from two of eight (25.0%) patients with GFAP-IgG. Autoantibody-positive patients had a higher CSF protein level (median: 1126.00 (281.00-5352.00) vs 700.00 (76.70-2899.00), p<0.001), lower CSF chloride level (mean: 119.80±6.24 vs 122.84±5.26, p=0.005), lower ratios of CSF-glucose/serum-glucose (median: 0.50[0.13-0.94] vs 0.60[0.26-1.23], p=0.003), more meningitis (26/61 (42.6%) vs 12/60 (20.0%), p=0.007) and higher follow-up modified Rankin Scale scores (1 (0-6) vs 0 (0-3), p=0.037) compared with antibody-negative patients. A Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that autoantibody-positive patients experienced significantly worse outcomes (p=0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Autoimmune responses are found at the onset of viral encephalitis. EBV in the CNS increases the risk for autoimmunity to GFAP.

Virologic failure and all-cause mortality among older people living with HIV/AIDS in South China.

This retrospective cohort study investigated older people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) characteristics, HIV care, and treatment outcomes among all cases between 1996 and 2019 in Guangxi, China. Secondary data were extracted from two national surveillance databases. Older (≥50 years old) and younger (18-49 years old) PLWHA were compared regarding demographic and behavioral characteristics, HIV care, virologic failure, and all-cause mortality. Older PLWHA accounted for 41.6% of all HIV cases (N = 144,952) between 1996 and 2019. The proportion of older cases increased from 10.4% to 64.8% for men and from 2.4% to 66.7% for women between 2002 and 2019. Heterosexual contact accounted for 96.0% of older adults. Moreover, older PLWHA had a lower median CD4 count at the HIV diagnosis (193 vs. 212 cells/µL, p < 0.0001) and were less likely to receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) than younger adults (72.1% vs. 86.1%, p < 0.001). The all-cause mortality risk of older PLWHA was 2.87 times of younger adults [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 2.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.76-2.98]. In addition, older PLWHA reported an 18% increase in odds for virologic failure than younger adults (AOR 1.18; 95% CI 1.08-1.30). Therefore, enhanced HIV prevention and care are urgently needed in older people.

The crystal structure of Arabidopsis BON1 provides insights into the copine protein family.

The Arabidopsis thaliana BON1 gene product is a member of the evolutionary conserved eukaryotic calcium-dependent membrane-binding protein family. The copine protein is composed of two C2 domains (C2A and C2B) followed by a vWA domain. The BON1 protein is localized on the plasma membrane, and is known to suppress the expression of immune receptor genes and to positively regulate stomatal closure. The first structure of this protein family has been determined to 2.5-Å resolution and shows the structural features of the three conserved domains C2A, C2B and vWA. The structure reveals the third Ca2+ -binding region in C2A domain is longer than classical C2 domains and a novel Ca2+ binding site in the vWA domain. The structure of BON1 bound to Mn2+ is also presented. The binding of the C2 domains to phospholipid (PSF) has been modeled and provides an insight into the lipid-binding mechanism of the copine proteins. Furthermore, the selectivity of the separate C2A and C2B domains and intact BON1 to bind to different phospholipids has been investigated, and we demonstrated that BON1 could mediate aggregation of liposomes in response to Ca2+ . These studies have formed the basis of further investigations into the important role that the copine proteins play in vivo.

Improvement in mild anti-IgLON5 encephalopathy without immunotherapy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Anti-IgLON5 antibody-related encephalopathy is a recently discovered and rare autoimmune disease, and its diagnosis and treatment are more challenging than for other autoimmune encephalopathic diseases. Sleep disorder is the most prominent symptom of the disease. It can also present with gait instability, dysarthria, dysphagia, dementia, ataxia, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, chorea, vertical gaze paralysis, and other symptoms. Immunotherapy remains the primary treatment for this disease; however, there is no definitive conclusion regarding the effect of immunotherapy. The clinical symptoms of the reported cases of anti-IgLON5 antibody-related encephalopathy were generally severe. However, the symptoms in our patient were mild and relieved without immunotherapy, unlike the previously reported cases. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old man presented with behavioural abnormalities and involuntary movements after nearly 2 months of fever and headache. He also had symptoms of mild sleep disorder. Due to the abnormal levels of infection-related indicators, antiviral treatment was started on the day of admission. The serum analysis confirmed the presence of IgLON5 antibody, and the patient was found to be genetically susceptible. The patient's symptoms resolved rapidly without immunotherapy and did not recur. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrated that IgLON5 antibody-related encephalopathy might have mild manifestations. Infection and a genetic predisposition may be important causes for the disease. Patients with a mild disease may have a better prognosis.

HIV drug resistance and HIV transmission risk factors among newly diagnosed individuals in Southwest China.

BACKGROUND: The widespread use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has resulted in the development of transmitted drug resistance (TDR), which reduces ART efficacy. We explored TDR prevalence and its associated risk factors in newly diagnosed individuals in Guangxi. METHODS: We enrolled 1324 participants who were newly diagnosed with HIV-1 and had not received ART at voluntary counselling and testing centres (VCT) in Guangxi, China, who had not received ART. Phylogenetic relationship, transmission cluster, and genotypic drug resistance analyses were performed using HIV-1 pol sequences. We analysed the association of demographic and virological factors with TDR. RESULTS: In total, 1151 sequences were sequenced successfully, of which 83 (7.21%) showed evidence of TDR. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that there was significant difference between the prevalence of TDR and unmarried status (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.23-4.71), and CRF08_BC subtype (aOR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.13-3.64). Most cases of TDR were related to resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (4.87%) and V179E was the most common mutation detected. We identified a total of 119 HIV transmission clusters (n = 585, 50.8%), of which 18 (15.1%) clusters showed evidence of TDR (36, 41.86%). Three clusters were identified that included drug-resistant individuals having a transmission relationship with each other. The following parameters were associated with TDR transmission risk: Unmarried status, educational level of junior high school or below, and CRF08_BC subtype may be a risk of the transmission of TDR. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that moderate TDR prevalence and highlighted the importance of continuous TDR monitoring and designing of strategies for TDR mitigation.

[Effects of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-positive Mothers Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy to Prevent Mother-to-child Transmission on the Growth and Development of 18-month-old Children in Lingshan County of Guangxi].

Objective To evaluate the effects of antiretroviral therapy(ART)for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission(PMTCT)of acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS)on the growth and development of 18-month-old children born by human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-positive pregnant women in Lingshan County,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,and provide scientific evidence for improving the ART medication plan for PMTCT.Methods Lingshan County,ranking the first in the HIV-epidemic counties of Guangxi,was selected as the research site.According to the design of retrospective case-control study,we assigned all the subjects into the case group and the control group:(1)The case group included the HIV-positive pregnant women who had received ART for PMTCT and their HIV-negative infants in Lingshan County from 2010 to 2017.The historical cards and PMTCT data of them were collected from the national PMTCT database.(2)The control group included the healthy pregnant women and their healthy babies born in the Lingshan Maternity and Infant Hospital in 2017,and the children's growth and development data were collected.The stunted growth in children was defined as at least one of the three main indicators of body height,body weight,and head circumference below the normal range.Results The number of HIV-positive mothers and their infants in the case group was 391 and 368,respectively,and 87.21%(341/391)and 95.38%(351/368)of mothers and infants respectively received ART medication.The HIV positive rate,mortality rate,and mother-to-child transmission rate of 18-month-old children were 1.36%(5/368),4.35%(16/368),and 2.01%(5/249),respectively.The incidence of stunted growth of 18-month-old children in the case group and the control group was 42.12%(155/368)and 23.06%(101/438),respectively,with significant difference(χ2=33.520,P<0.001).Conclusion After HIV-positive mothers in Lingshan County of Guangxi received ART for PMTCT,the incidence of growth stunting in 18-month-old children increased.

Acute renal impairment characterization using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging: Validation by histology.

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging has been demonstrated to be a simple, noninvasive and accurate method for the detection of renal microstructure and microcirculation, which are closely linked to renal function. Moreover, serum endothelin-1 (ET-1) was also reported as a good indicator of early renal injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and capability of diffusion MRI and ET-1 to detect acute kidney injury by an operation simulating high-pressure renal pelvic perfusion, which is commonly used during ureteroscopic lithotripsy. Histological findings were used as a reference. Fourteen New Zealand rabbits in an experimental group and 14 in a control group were used in this study. Diffusion tensor imaging and intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging were acquired by a 3.0 T MRI scanner. Significant corticomedullary differences were found in the values of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), pure tissue diffusion, volume fraction of pseudo-diffusion (fp) and fractional anisotropy (FA) (P < 0.05 for all) in both preoperation and postoperation experimental groups. Compared with the control group, the values of cortical fpmean , medullary ADCmean and FAmean decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after the operation in the experimental group. Also, the change rate of medullary ADCmean in the experimental group was more pronounced than that in the control group (P = 0.018). No significant change was found in serum ET-1 concentration after surgery in either the experimental (P = 0.80) or control (P = 0.17) groups. In the experimental group, histological changes were observed in the medulla, while no visible change was found in the cortex. This study demonstrated the feasibility of diffusion MRI to detect the changes of renal microstructure and microcirculation in acute kidney injury, with the potential to evaluate renal function. Moreover, the sensitivity of diffusion MRI to acute kidney injury appears to be superior to that of serum ET-1.

Crystal Structure of the GRAS Domain of SCARECROW-LIKE7 in Oryza sativa.

GRAS proteins belong to a plant-specific protein family with many members and play essential roles in plant growth and development, functioning primarily in transcriptional regulation. Proteins in the family are minimally defined as containing the conserved GRAS domain. Here, we determined the structure of the GRAS domain of Os-SCL7 from rice (Oryza sativa) to 1.82 Å. The structure includes cap and core subdomains and elucidates the features of the conserved GRAS LRI, VHIID, LRII, PFYRE, and SAW motifs. The structure is a dimer, with a clear groove to accommodate double-stranded DNA. Docking a DNA segment into the groove to generate an Os-SCL7/DNA complex provides insight into the DNA binding mechanism of GRAS proteins. Furthermore, the in vitro DNA binding property of Os-SCL7 and model-defined recognition residues are assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift analysis and mutagenesis assays. These studies reveal the structure and preliminary DNA interaction mechanisms of GRAS proteins and open the door to in-depth investigation and understanding of the individual pathways in which they play important roles.

Localized intrahepatic IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC) as an additional type of IgG4-SC: a systematic analysis of 12 cases.

OBJECTIVES: IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC), a recently defined disease entity, has been classified into four types based on the stricture regions revealed by cholangiography. However, localized intrahepatic IgG4-SC is not included into the classification. This study aimed to analyze and characterize localized intrahepatic IgG4-SC and justify the inclusion of this type into the classification. METHODS: PubMed and Embase were searched for studies published from March 2001 to June 2017 reporting localized intrahepatic IgG4-SC. Data were obtained and analyzed from the included articles. RESULTS: Twelve cases of localized intrahepatic IgG4-SC were included. All patients were adults with the median age of 73 years (range 46-78), and had a male preponderance (88.9%). The most common clinical presentation was obstructive jaundice (50%), abdominal pain (25%) and absence of symptoms (25%). On imaging and macroscopically, localized intrahepatic IgG4-SC presented with three subtypes, i.e., mass-forming (n = 6, 50%), stricture (n = 5, 41.7%) and periductal infiltrating (n = 1, 8.3%) subtypes. Among the eight cases with diagnoses reported, six patients were misdiagnosed as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; one was diagnosed as hepatic mass and one as IgG4-SC before biopsy or operation. Information on treatment was available on 10 cases; eight underwent surgical resection, one received steroid treatment alone and one underwent endoscopic biliary drainage. No relapse was noted in patients with surgical resection during a period of followed up. CONCLUSIONS: The localized intrahepatic IgG4-SC presents with mass-forming, stricture and periductal infiltrating subtypes, and should be recognized as an additional type of IgG4-SC according to the cholangiographic classification or anatomic site.

Expression and significance of FOXP1, HIF-1a and VEGF in renal clear cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the expressions of FOXP1, hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1a and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in renal cell carcinoma of the clear type (CCRCC) and their relationship with the patient clinicopathological features. METHODS: The expressions of forkhead box-P1 (FOXP1), HIF-1a and VEGF in 55 cases of CCRCC tissues were determined using immunohistochemistry. Then, their correlations with clinical stage, histological grade and lymph node metastasis were analyzed using chi-square test. RESULTS: Thirty-seven of the 55 cases (67.3%) of CCRCC expressed FOXP1 with an abnormal expression rate of 38.2% (21/55), in which there were 10 cases with positive FOXP1 both in the nucleus and the cytoplasm and 11 cases with positive FOXP1 in cell membrane. The abnormal expression rate of FOXP1 inhigh grade CCRCC (G3/G4) was significantly higher than that in low grade CCRCC (G1/G2, p<0.05). FOXP1 expression was significantly correlated with the expression of HIF1 and VEGF (r=0.54, p<0.01 and r=0.37, p<0.05, respectively), but was not obviously correlated with clinical stage, lymph node metastasis and 5-year overall patient survival (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Abnormal expression of FOXP1 and its deficiency are common events in CCRCC. Abnormal expression of FOXP1 may create progression of tumor from low grade to high grade by regulating the HIF-1-VEGF pathway.

Long noncoding RNA PCA3 gene promoter region is related to the risk of prostate cancer on Chinese males.

INTRODUCTION: Long noncoding RNA prostate cancer gene antigen 3 (PCA3) is one of the most prostate cancer-specific genes at present. Consequently, the prostate-specific expression and the sharp up-regulation of PCA3 RNA in prostate cancer suggest a unique transcriptional regulation, which possibly can be attributed to promoter polymorphism. In this study, we investigated a short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphism of TAAA in the promoter region of PCA3 gene found in our previous study in prostate cancer (PCa) patients and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) patients, aiming to evaluate the association between the STR and increased risk for PCa. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 120 PCa cases and 120 benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) cases were identified among participants. The region encompassing the TAAA repeat was amplified with a specific primer set we designed and screened by PCR-based cloning and sequencing in paired peripheral blood leukocytes and prostate tissues. Genotype-specific risks were estimated as odds ratios (ORs) associated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and adjusted for age by means of unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: 5 PCA3 TAAA STR polymorphisms and 8 genotypes were found in both peripheral blood leukocytes and prostate tissues, the carriers with more TAAA repeats were associated with increased risk for PCa than individuals having less TAAA repeats. Interestingly, 18 (15.0%) of 120 PCa patients had more (TAAA)n repeats in prostate tissues than that in peripheral blood leukocytes, and 3 (2.5%) of 120 had less (TAAA)n repeats in prostate tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that short tandem repeat polymorphism of TAAA in the promoter region of PCA3 gene is a risk-increasing factor for prostate cancer in the Chinese population. In addition to the hereditary factor, the insertion mutation of (TAAA)n in a local tissue maybe another mechanism of the onset of PCa.

Disease knowledge level is a noteworthy risk factor of anxiety and depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors of anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been widely researched, but most of them cannot be addressed clinically. The aim of this study was to investigate whether COPD knowledge level is a risk factor of anxiety and/or depression in COPD patients in addition to functional capacity and quality of life, and to determine the key topics of COPD knowledge. METHODS: A total of 364 COPD patients from four centers were recruited into this cross-sectional survey. Subjects' general medical information, assessments of lung function, dyspnea, quality of life, and exercise capacity, and responses to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) and the Bristol COPD Knowledge Questionnaire (BCKQ) were collected. Partial correlation analysis was performed, and a multivariable model testing risk factors of anxiety and depression as well as a multivariable model of 13 topics of knowledge derived from BCKQ were constructed. RESULTS: Subjects with anxiety or depression were more likely to have less COPD knowledge. Partial correlation analysis revealed that HAD score was negatively correlated with BCKQ score (rho = -0.153, P = 0.004). BCKQ score was significant in the multivariable model that tested risk factors of anxiety and depression (P = 0.001, OR = 0.944). Topics of epidemiology (P < 0.001, OR = 0.653) and infections (P = 0.006, OR = 0.721) were significant in the multivariable model evaluating 13 topics. CONCLUSIONS: The level of patients' disease knowledge is a significant risk factor of anxiety and depression in COPD patients. Epidemiology and infections are key topics of COPD knowledge to target in the Chinese population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR-OCS-12002518.

Associations of anxiety and depression with restless leg syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The levels of anxiety and depression among patients with restless leg syndrome (RLS) are controversial. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the levels of depression and anxiety among individuals with RLS with those of healthy controls. Methods: We conducted an extensive electronic search of the PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases from their inception dates to 20 June 2023. Studies presenting data on depression and anxiety in individuals with RLS were included, and a comprehensive meta-analysis was performed. Results: Twenty-one studies matched the inclusion criteria. Significantly more depressive symptoms were present in the individuals with RLS than in those without RLS, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory [mean difference (MD) = 6.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.54-7.62, p < 0.01; heterogeneity I2 = 0%, p = 0.99]. Similarly, the results from the Beck Anxiety Inventory indicated that there were significantly more pronounced anxiety symptoms in the individuals with RLS than in those without RLS (MD = 9.30, 95%CI = 7.65-10.94, p < 0.01; heterogeneity I2 = 0%, p = 0.92). The other anxiety and depression scales also yielded statistically significant results. Significant heterogeneity was observed in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, with the primary contributing factor probably being the scoring criteria of the scales. Conclusion: This meta-analysis found that the levels of depression and anxiety symptoms were significantly higher in individuals with RLS than in their healthy counterparts.Systematic review registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023410364, (identifier CRD42023410364).

Deviation influences on sectional image reconstruction in optical scanning holography using a random-phase pupil.

In this paper, we analyze the influence of two kinds of deviation errors on sectional image reconstruction for an optical scanning holography system using a random-phase pupil. The first deviation occurs in the lateral pixel position while the second occurs in the pixel value of the decoding function. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulation show that these two deviations may lead to noise in the reconstructed image. Additional discussions include the signal-to-noise ratio of the reconstructed image.

Mechanism of regulation of the Helicobacter pylori Cagß ATPase by CagZ.

The transport of the CagA effector into gastric epithelial cells by the Cag Type IV secretion system (Cag T4SS) of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is critical for pathogenesis. CagA is recruited to Cag T4SS by the Cagß ATPase. CagZ, a unique protein in H. pylori, regulates Cagß-mediated CagA transport, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we report the crystal structure of the cytosolic region of Cagß, showing a typical ring-like hexameric assembly. The central channel of the ring is narrow, suggesting that CagA must unfold for transport through the channel. Our structure of CagZ in complex with the all-alpha domain (AAD) of Cagß shows that CagZ adopts an overall U-shape and tightly embraces Cagß. This binding mode of CagZ is incompatible with the formation of the Cagß hexamer essential for the ATPase activity. CagZ therefore inhibits Cagß by trapping it in the monomeric state. Based on these findings, we propose a refined model for the transport of CagA by Cagß.

Significance of Nasopharyngeal Cavity Area in Individuals with Adenoid Hypertrophy Assessed by Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

Objective: To determine the significance of the nasopharyngeal cavity area (S) in diagnosing and treating adenoid hypertrophy (AH) in children by measuring it with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of eighty-five 5- to 6-year-old children with AH admitted to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Dalian Central Hospital between January 2022 and April 2023. Of the 85 patients, 48 were male and 37 were female; all had been diagnosed with AH and underwent surgery. Sleeping with open-mouth breathing was frequently accompanied by clinical manifestations such as chronic sinusitis in most patients. Every patient was subjected to a CBCT examination of the nasopharynx and 3D airway reconstruction. The adenoid thickness (A) and nasopharyngeal cavity width (N) were measured in the sagittal plane, while the S was measured in the coronal plane. The factors that had a significant impact on S's size was analyzed using linear regression. Results: S and age, A, N, height, weight, BMI, allergic rhinitis, deviated nasal septum, and enlarged turbinate hypertrophy did not differ significantly (P > .05). However, there was a significant linear relationship between A/N and chronic sinusitis (R2 = 0.948, P < .01). Regression equation: S = -4.115 × A/N × 100-5.037 × 1/0 (with chronic sinusitis/without chronic sinusitis) +418. 097. The calculated S in individuals with A/N = 70% and no chronic sinusitis was 130 mm2. Conclusion: The S can be used as an important imaging index for diagnosing and evaluating the severity of AH in minors. When a child exhibits clinical signs of AH but A/N ≤ 70%, it is difficult to determine whether surgical intervention is necessary. At this time, CBCT is required to measure the nasopharyngeal cavity's size. When S ≤ 130 mm2, the patient should actively undertake surgical treatment.

Impact of HIV/HCV Co-Infection on Mortality and Attrition in Antiretroviral Therapy Among People with HIV - Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, 2003-2022.

What is already known about this topic?: The effects of concurrent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on mortality and patient attrition in those undergoing antiretroviral therapy continue to be a contested area of research. What is added by this report?: According to the propensity score-matched cohort, individuals with HIV/HCV co-infection exhibit an elevated risk of all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio: 2.048, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.526-2.749] and attrition (adjusted incidence rate ratio: 1.659, 95% CI: 1.4.8-1.961) compared to their counterparts who are mono-infected with HIV. What are the implications for public health practice?: The pressing need for tailored testing and follow-up protocols for individuals co-infected with HIV/HCV cannot be overstated.

Effects of oral cysteine leukotriene receptor antagonist-montelukast on adenoid lymphoid tissue: a histopathological study under light microscope.

Background: Adenoidal hypertrophy (AH) is one of the most common causes of upper airway obstruction in children. Drug and surgical treatment are the typical treatment of AH. The study on the inflammatory mechanism of AH in children provides a new idea for preoperative intervention and non-surgical treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs such as montelukast sodium (a cysteine leukotriene receptor antagonist). The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of montelukast sodium on adenoidal lymphoid tissue pathology in children with AH under light microscope. Objective: To study whether there is any change in pathology of the adenoidal lymphoid tissue under the light microscope compared with the control group in children with moderate to severe simple AH treated with montelukast sodium for 1 month before operation. Materials and methods: Twenty patients (8 males, 12 females, 3-8 years old) with moderate to severe AH who were prepared for surgical treatment were selected. All the patients were examined by Nasopharyngeal CT and hemocyte analysis before operation. 20 subjects were randomly divided into two groups: One group was given montelukast chewable tablets 5 mg/d, qn, for 4 weeks; The control group was given placebo 5 mg/d, qn, for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, the adenoids were removed and examined histopathology. Results: Compared with the control group, the number of lymphocytes in the blood cell analysis of the study group was significantly reduced, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). And the number of germinal centers in adenoid tissue of the study group was relatively reduced, no small cyst was found in the epithelium, and the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Montelukast can reduce the number of reactive cells, the number of lymphocytes in blood cells and blood vessels in adenoid lymphoid tissue, which can provide a new idea for preoperative intervention and non-surgical treatment of adenoid hypertrophy in children. However, this is only a pilot study and a longer treatment period is needed to assess the long-term effects of montelukast sodium on adenoid lymphoid tissue. Clinical Trial Registration: www.Chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2300075040.

HIV Epidemiology, Care, and Treatment Outcomes Among Student and Nonstudent Youths Living With HIV in Southwest China Between 1996 and 2019: Historical Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Nearly one-third of new HIV infections occurred among youth in 2019 worldwide. Previous studies suggested that student youths living with HIV and nonstudent youths living with HIV might differ in some risk factors, transmission routes, HIV care, and disease outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the HIV epidemic, disease outcomes, and access to care among student and nonstudent youths living with HIV aged 16 to 25 years in Guangxi, China. METHODS: We performed a historical cohort study by extracting data on all HIV or AIDS cases aged 16 to 25 years in Guangxi, China, during 1996-2019 from the Chinese Comprehensive Response Information Management System of HIV or AIDS. We conducted analyses to assess possible differences in demographic and behavioral characteristics, HIV care, and disease outcomes between student and nonstudent youths living with HIV. Multivariate Cox regression was used to assess differences in mortality and virologic failure between student and nonstudent cases. RESULTS: A total of 13,839 youths aged 16 to 25 years were infected with HIV during 1996-2019. Among them, 10,202 cases were infected through sexual contact, most of whom were men (n=5507, 54%); 868 (8.5%) were students, and 9334 (91.5%) were not students. The number of student youths living with HIV was lower before 2006 but gradually increased from 2007 to 2019. In contrast, the nonstudent cases increased rapidly in 2005, then gradually declined after 2012. Student cases were mainly infected through homosexual contact (n=614, 70.7% vs n=1447, 15.5%; P<.001), while nonstudent cases were more likely to be infected through heterosexual contact (n=7887, 84.5% vs n=254, 29.3%; P<.001). Moreover, nonstudent cases had a significantly lower CD4 count than student cases at the time of HIV diagnosis (332 vs 362 cells/µL; P<.001). Nonstudents also had a delayed antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation compared to students (93 days vs 22 days; P<.001). Furthermore, the mortality rate of 0.4 and 1.0 deaths per 100 person-years were recorded for student and nonstudent youths with HIV, respectively. Overall, the mortality risk in nonstudent cases was 2.3 times that of student cases (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 2.3, 95% CI 1.2-4.2; P=.008). The virologic failure rate was 2.3 and 2.6 per 100 person-years among student and nonstudent youths living with HIV, respectively. Nonstudent cases had double the risk of virologic failure compared to student cases (AHR 1.9, 95% CI 1.3-2.6; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Nonstudent youths living with HIV might face a low CD4 count at the time of HIV diagnosis, delayed ART initiation, and increased risk of death and virologic failure. Thus, HIV prevention and interventions should target youths who dropped out of school early to encourage safe sex and HIV screening, remove barriers to HIV care, and promote early ART initiation to curb the HIV epidemic among youths.

Characteristics of Migration Among HIV-Positive MSM - Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, 2005-2021.

What is already known about this topic?: Migration has a significant impact on the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To date, there have been few studies examining the characteristics of migration among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). What is added by this report?: The prevalence of migrants among newly reported HIV-positive MSM in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region increased from 2005 to 2021. Yulin Prefecture had the highest proportion of out-migrant MSM (12.6%), while Nanning Prefecture had the highest proportion of in-migrant MSM (55.9%). Risk factors associated with migration among MSM included being in the 18-24 age range, having a college education or higher, and being a student. What are the implications for public health practice?: A complex prefecture-level network of HIV-positive MSM exists in Guangxi. To ensure effective follow-up management and antiretroviral therapy for migrant MSM, effective measures must be taken.