Synergistic Effect of Rhamnolipids and Inoculation on the Bioremediation of Petroleum-Contaminated Soils by Bacterial Consortia.

Crude oil is a serious soil pollutant, requiring large-scale remediation efforts. Bacterial consortia in combination with rhamnolipids can be an effective bioremediation method. However, the underlying mechanisms and associated changes in soil bacterial composition remain uncharacterized. Therefore, this study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of rhamnolipids in petroleum hydrocarbon removal, and the associated bacterial community dynamics during bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated soils. Contaminated soils were subjected to natural attenuation, bioremediation with rhamnolipids, bioremediation with bacterial consortia, or bioremediation with bacterial consortia supplemented with rhamnolipids (BMR). High-throughput sequencing of bacterial sample partial 16S rRNA sequences was performed. Additionally, the n-alkanes and aromatic fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The results showed that rhamnolipid supplementation increased the rate and extent of total petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation to a maximum of 81% within 35 days. Further, phylogenetic analysis revealed that the bacterial community was composed of 14 phylotypes (similarity level = 97%). Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were the two core phyla in all samples, accounting for 63-89%, but Proteobacteria was the most dominant phylum in the BMR sample (~ 53%). Among the top 20 genera, Pseudomonas, Pseudoxanthomonas, Cavicella, Mycobacterium, Rhizobium, and Acinetobacter were more abundant in BMR samples compared to other samples. Predicted functional profiles revealed that rhamnolipid addition also induced changes in gene abundance related to hydrocarbon metabolic pathways. This study provided comprehensive insights into the synergistic effect of rhamnolipids and bacterial consortia for altering bacterial populations and specific functional traits, which may serve to improve bacteria-mediated petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation in contaminated soils.

MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, enhances LDL uptake in HepG2 cells in vitro by regulating LDLR and PCSK9 expression.

AIM: Expression of liver low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), a determinant regulator in cholesterol homeostasis, is tightly controlled at multiple levels. The aim of this study was to examine whether proteasome inhibition could affect LDLR expression and LDL uptake in liver cells in vitro. METHODS: HepG2 cells were examined. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were used to determine the mRNA and protein levels, respectively. DiI-LDL uptake assay was used to quantify the LDLR function. Luciferase assay system was used to detect the activity of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9, a major protein mediating LDLR degradation) promoter. Specific siRNAs were used to verify the involvement of PCSK9. RESULTS: Treatment of HepG2 cells with the specific proteasome inhibitor MG132 (0.03-3 µmol/L) dose-dependently increased LDLR mRNA and protein levels, as well as LDL uptake. Short-term treatment with MG132 (0.3 µmol/L, up to 8 h) significantly increased both LDLR mRNA and protein levels in HepG2 cells, which was blocked by the specific PKC inhibitors GF 109203X, Gö 6983 or staurosporine. In contrast, a longer treatment with MG132 (0.3 µmol/L, 24 h) did not change LDLR mRNA, but markedly increased LDLR protein by reducing PCSK9-mediated lysosome LDLR degradation. Furthermore, MG132 time-dependently suppressed PCSK9 expression in the HepG2 cells through a SREBP-1c related pathway. Combined treatment with MG132 (0.3 µmol/L) and pravastatin (5 µmol/L) strongly promoted LDLR expression and LDL uptake in HepG2 cells, and blocked the upregulation of PCSK9 caused by pravastatin alone. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of proteasome by MG132 in HepG2 cells plays dual roles in LDLR and PCSK9 expression, and exerts a beneficial effect on cholesterol homeostasis.

[Evaluation of PIMA analyzer detecting CD4 cell count of venous and capillary blood in HIV-infected individuals].

OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed at evaluating the utility of the portable CD4 analyzers (PIMA). METHODS: The paired finger prick blood (25 µl) and 5 ml venous blood samples were collected from 196 HIV infected patients, who came to Yunnan CDC voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clinic for CD4 test services, from May to August, 2012. The absolute CD4 cell counts were measured by PIMA (using venous and finger-prick blood) and by Calibur (using venous blood) as the reference. The PIMA and Calibur CD4 results were compared using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs test, and the Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were estimated. The Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the consistency of the two methods. RESULTS: The median absolute CD4 counts of 196 venous blood samples obtained by PIMA and by Calibur were 268 (range:169-403) cells/µl and 302 (range:181-474) cells/µl respectively, which showed significant difference (Z = -7.31, P < 0.01). The median absolute CD4 counts measured by PIMA and by Calibur (using 188 finger-prick and venous blood samples respectively) were 271 (range: 165-450) cells/µl and 304 (range:188-476) cells/µl, which also showed significant difference (Z = -7.60, P < 0.01). The CD4 counts obtained by PIMA CD4 analyzer (using venous and finger-prick blood) showed strong positive correlation with the CD4 counts obtained by the reference method (using venous blood), and the r values were 0.94 and 0.92 respectively (P < 0.01) . The mean biases (limit of agreement) were -38.7 (-210.9-133.5)cells/µl and -45.4 (-221.8-131.0) cells/µl, respectively.Using 350 CD4 counts as the threshold for ART treatment initiation, the sensitivity and specificity of PIMA were 99.1% and 79.3% for venous blood samples, and 97.2%and 78.5% for finger-prick blood samples, respectively. CONCLUSION: The CD4 counts obtained by PIMA are lower than that obtained by Calibur, while the sensitivity is high.

Comparative genomic analysis of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia unravels their genetic variations and versatility trait.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a species with immensely broad phenotypic and genotypic diversity that could widely distribute in natural and clinical environments. However, little attention has been paid to reveal their genome plasticity to diverse environments. In the present study, a comparative genomic analysis of S. maltophilia isolated from clinical and natural sources was systematically explored its genetic diversity of 42 sequenced genomes. The results showed that S. maltophilia owned an open pan-genome and had strong adaptability to different environments. A total of 1612 core genes were existed with an average of 39.43% of each genome, and the shared core genes might be necessary to maintain the basic characteristics of those S. maltophilia strains. Based on the results of the phylogenetic tree, the ANI value, and the distribution of accessory genes, genes associated with the fundamental process of those strains from the same habitat were found to be mostly conserved in evolution. Isolates from the same habitat had a high degree of similarity in COG category, and the most significant KEGG pathways were mainly involved in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, indicating that genes related to essential processes were mostly conserved in evolution for the clinical and environmental settings. Meanwhile, the number of resistance and efflux pump gene was significantly higher in the clinical setting than that of in the environmental setting. Collectively, this study highlights the evolutionary relationships of S. maltophilia isolated from clinical and environmental sources, shedding new light on its genomic diversity.

Association between Changes in White Matter Microstructure and Cognitive Impairment in White Matter Lesions.

This study investigated the characteristics of cognitive impairment in patients with white matter lesions (WMLs) caused by cerebral small vessel disease and the corresponding changes in WM microstructures. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data of 50 patients with WMLs and 37 healthy controls were collected. Patients were divided into vascular cognitive impairment non-dementia and vascular dementia groups. Tract-based spatial statistics showed that patients with WMLs had significantly lower fractional anisotropy (FA) and higher mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) values throughout the WM areas but predominately in the forceps minor, forceps major (FMA), bilateral corticospinal tract, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, superior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF), and anterior thalamic radiation, compared to the control group. These fiber bundles were selected as regions of interest. There were significant differences in the FA, MD, AD, and RD values (p < 0.05) between groups. The DTI metrics of all fiber bundles significantly correlated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (p < 0.05), with the exception of the AD values of the FMA and ILF. Patients with WMLs showed changes in diffusion parameters in the main WM fiber bundles. Quantifiable changes in WM microstructure are the main pathological basis of cognitive impairment, and may serve as a biomarker of WMLs.

Photodynamic therapy combined with immunotherapy for an advanced esophageal cancer with an obstruction post metal stent implantation: A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the main treatment for resectable esophageal cancer but not for advanced esophageal cancer with distant metastasis. PDT is a therapeutic strategy for dysphagia and select unresectable esophageal cancer, with tremendous advantages of minimal invasiveness and organ-preserving treatment modality. PDT prevents tumor progression and growth by inducing vascular injury and local acute inflammatory responses. Immunotherapy, combined with PDT, may contribute to the efficacy of PDT in the treatment of esophageal cancer and reduce the probability of tumor recurrence. CASE REPORT: A 54-year-old male patient with advanced esophageal cancer was hospitalized in the author's hospital on 20th April 2020, who had been treated with two cycles of chemotherapy at the local hospital but failed. In this case, after metal stent implantation, the patient underwent a remarkable and successful treatment of PDT combined with sintilimab, a PD-1 inhibitor. An additional immune checkpoint inhibitor and chemotherapy offer the opportunity to eliminate residual and invisible tumors. The patient had an excellent prognosis that not only the primary lesion was cured, but also the metastatic lymph nodes were significantly reduced, with no tumor recurrence in the last endoscopic review. CONCLUSION: PDT in combination with immunotherapy is a promising strategy to eliminate primary and metastatic esophageal cancer by generating local and systemic antitumor responses, especially after interventional esophageal stent implantation for relief of obstruction.

High prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and risk factors among HIV-positive individuals in Yunnan, China.

BACKGROUND: Yunnan has the highest rates of HIV in China. Other treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are associated with accelerated HIV transmission and poor ART outcomes, but are only diagnosed by syndromic algorithms. METHODS: We recruited 406 HIV-positive participants for a cross-sectional study (204 ART-naive and 202 receiving ART). Blood samples and first-voided urine samples were collected. Real-time polymerase chain reaction methods were used for diagnosing Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhea (NG) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG). Syphilis and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) tests were also performed. RESULTS: Among the 406 participants, the overall prevalence of STIs was 47.0% and 45.1% in ART-naive individuals and 49.0% in individuals receiving ART, respectively. The testing frequencies were 11.6% (11.8% vs. 11.4%), 33.2% (29.4% vs. 37.1%), 3.2% (3.4% vs. 3.0%), 2.0% (3.4% vs. 0.5%) and 4.7% (6.4% vs. 3.0%) for active syphilis, HSV-2, CT, NG and MG, respectively. The percentage of multiple infections in both groups was 10.8% (22/204) in ART-naive participants and 9.9% (20/202) in participants receiving ART. Female sex, an age between 18 and 35 years, ever injecting drugs, homosexual or bisexual status, HIV/HBV coinfection, and not receiving ART were identified as risk factors. Self-reported asymptomatic patients were not eliminated from having a laboratory-diagnosed STI. CONCLUSIONS: The STI prevalence was 47.0% (45.1% vs. 49.0%), and HSV-2, syphilis and MG were the most common STIs in HIV-infected individuals. We found a high prevalence (6.4%) of MG in ART-naive individuals. HIV-positive individuals tend to neglect or hide their genital tract discomfort; thus, we suggest strengthening STI joint screening and treatment services among HIV-infected individuals regardless of whether they describe genital tract discomfort.

Hope During the COVID-19 Epidemic Decreased Anxiety and Depression Symptoms Mediated by Perceived Stress: Coping Style Differences Among Patients with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether perceived stress mediated the relationship between hope and anxiety/depression symptoms among patients with COVID-19 during the epidemic. In addition, the potential moderating effect of coping styles was examined. METHODS: From February 26 to March 10, 2020, patients with COVID-19 were asked to complete a questionnaire online, which included demographic characteristics, as well as the SCL-90-Anxiety, SCL-90-Depression, Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS), Herth Hope Index (HHI), and Trait Coping Style Questionnaire (TCSQ). Hierarchical linear regression was performed to explore independent factors of anxiety/depression. A multi-group structural equation modeling with the collected data from patients in the Negative Coping style (NC) group and Positive Coping style (PC) group was used to test the hypothesized mechanism. RESULTS: In total, 382 valid questionnaires of patients were obtained, including 96 from NC patients and 286 from PC patients. In the hierarchical linear regression, hope and perceived stress were independent risk factors for both anxiety and depression in the total sample and PC group. However, hope was not independently related to anxiety/depression in the NC group. As hypothesized, the hope of patients had significant and negative indirect effects on both anxiety and depression that were mediated by perceived stress, However, the direct effect from stress on anxiety and depression was stronger for NC patients than for PC patients. Besides, hope had significant direct effects on anxiety/depression in PC patients, but not in NC patients. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 epidemic, perceived stress could mediate the relationship between hope and anxiety/depression symptoms among COVID-19 patients, with coping style moderating this cultivation process.

The inhibition of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 exerts beneficial effects against atherosclerosis in LDLR-deficient mice.

AIM: To investigate the effects of darapladib, a specific inhibitor of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (lp-PLA2), on inflammation and atherosclerotic formation in the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-deficient mice. METHODS: Six-week-old LDLR-deficient mice were fed an atherogenic high-fat diet for 17 weeks and then randomly divided into two groups. One group was administered darapladib (50 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1); po) for 6 weeks. The other group was administered saline as a control. Serum lipid levels were measured using the corresponding kits, and three inflammatory markers--interleukin-6 (IL-6), C reactive protein (hs-CRP), and platelet activating factor (PAF)--were determined using ELISA. Atherosclerotic plaque areas were stained with Sudan IV, and inflammatory gene expression at the lesions was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: The body weight and serum lipid level between the two groups were similar at the end of the dietary period. The serum lp-PLA2 activity, hs-CRP and IL-6 levels, however, were significantly reduced in the darpladib group. The inhibition of lp-PLA2 did not alter the serum PAF level. Furthermore, the plaque area, from the aortic arch to the abdominal aorta, was significantly reduced in the darpladib group. Additionally, the expression of inflammatory genes monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) was significantly reduced at the lesions in the darapladib group. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of lp-PLA2 by darapladib decreases the inflammatory burden and atherosclerotic plaque formation in LDLR-deficient mice, which may be a new strategy for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Binding interaction of a ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase with fluoranthene in Pseudomonas aeruginosa DN1.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa DN1 can efficiently utilize fluoranthene as its sole carbon source, and the initial reaction in the biodegradation process is catalyzed by a ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase (RHD). To clarify the binding interaction of RHD with fluoranthene in the strain DN1, the genes encoding alpha subunit (RS30940) and beta subunit (RS05115) of RHD were functionally characterized through multi-technique combination such as gene knockout and homology modeling as well as molecular docking analysis. The results showed that the mutants lacking the characteristic alpha subunit and/or beta subunit failed to degrade fluoranthene effectively. Based on the translated protein sequence and Ramachandran plot, 96.5% of the primary amino-acid sequences of the alpha subunit in the modeled structure of the RHD were in the permitted region, 2.3% in the allowed region, but 1.2% in the disallowed area. The catalytic mechanism mediated by key residues was proposed by the simulations of molecular docking, wherein the active site of alpha subunit constituted a triangle structure of the mononuclear iron atom and the two oxygen atoms coupled with the predicted catalytic ternary of His217-His222-Asp372 for the dihydroxylation reaction with fluoranthene. Those amino acid residues adjacent to fluoranthene were nonpolar groups, and the C7-C8 positions on the fluoranthene ring were estimated to be the best oxidation sites. The distance of C7-O and C8-O was 3.77 Å and 3.04 Å respectively, and both of them were parallel. The results of synchronous fluorescence and site-directed mutagenesis confirmed the roles of the predicted residues during catalysis. This binding interaction could enhance our understanding of the catalytic mechanism of RHDs and provide a solid foundation for further enzymatic modification.

Corticosteroids Treatment of Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Propensity Score Matching Study.

The role of corticosteroids in the treatment of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is controversial. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of adjuvant corticosteroids treatment on the outcome of patients with COVID-19 (n=966), using Propensity Score Matching to adjust for potential differences between the corticosteroids group (n=289) and the non-corticosteroids group (n=677). Analysis of data without adjusting differences in baseline characteristics indicated that the proportion of mechanical ventilation and the mortality was higher in the corticosteroids treatment group in total or severe/critical patients. The duration of viral shedding was longer in the non-corticosteroids treatment group in total or general/mild patients. After adjusting the difference between the corticosteroids and non-corticosteroids treatment group, the analysis revealed that the use of corticosteroids had no effect on the duration of viral shedding, in-hospital mortality or 28-day mortality.

Co-infection of SARS-COV-2 and Influenza A Virus: A Case Series and Fast Review.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurs in the influenza season and has become a global pandemic. The present study aimed to examine severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) co-infection with influenza A virus (IAV) in an attempt to provide clues for the antiviral interventions of co-infected patients. We described two patients who were co-infected with SARS-CoV-2 and IAV treated at Wuhan Union Hospital, China. In addition, we performed a review in PubMed, Web of Science and CNKI (from January 1 up to November 1, 2020) with combinations of the following key words: "COVID-19, SARS-COV-2, influenza A and co-infection". A total of 28 co-infected patients were enrolled in the analysis. Of the 28 patients, the median age was 54.5 years (IQR, 34.25-67.5) and 14 cases (50.0%) were classified as severe types. The most common symptoms were fever (85.71%), cough (82.14%) and dyspnea (60.71%). Sixteen patients had lymphocytopenia on admission and 23 patients exhibited abnormal radiological changes. The median time from symptom onset to hospital admission was 4 days (IQR, 3-6), and the median time of hospital stay was 14 days (IQR, 8.5-16.75). In conclusion, patients with SARS-COV-2 and IAV co-infection were similar to those infected with SARS-COV-2 alone in symptoms and radiological images. SARS-COV-2 co-infection with IAV could lead to more severe clinical condition but did not experience longer hospital stay compared with patients infected with SARS-COV-2 alone.

[Killing effect of dendritic cell vaccine transfected by recombinant adeno-associated virus with hAFP gene fragment on hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: Dendritic cell vaccines are one of the important active immunotherapies for neoplasms. The aim of this study was to observe the killing effect of specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) on liver carcinoma HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells in vitro. The CTL was induced by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells-originated dendritic cells (DC) transfected by recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) with hAFP gene fragment (137-145). METHODS: Immature DCs were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy volunteers and then transfected by rAAV with AFP gene fragment. The CTL was thereafter induced. The activities of DC and CTL were measured and the killing effect of the CTL on HepG2 cells was detected using M1Tr assay. RESULTS: The mature DC, transfected or not, highly expressed CD40, CD86 and IL-12. IFN-gamma was highly expressed in the CTL. The DC-induced CTL could effectively recognize and destroy the HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells. CONCLUSION: DC transfected by rAAV can stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of lymphocytes and also induce the proliferation of CTL, and their own phenotypes are not significantly altered. The DC vaccine can be effectively used as an adjuvant immunotherapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Massage Intervention for the Treatment of Poststroke Constipation: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is essential to determine a safe and effective method for treating constipation after stroke. Massage has been widely used in recent years. However, meta-analysis data on the efficacy of massage for the treatment of constipation experienced after stroke are almost nonexistent. OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to examine the effectiveness of using massage therapy to treat constipation in patients who suffered a stroke event. METHODS: This systematic review adhered to the reporting guidelines for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Electronic databases, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine, Wan Fang Data, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and National Knowledge Infrastructure, were searched for relevant studies on the efficacy of massage for the treatment of poststroke constipation. Rev-Man 5.3 software was used to analyze the study data. RESULTS: A total of 11 randomized controlled trials with 1045 patients were included. A statistically significant difference in the total effective rates was found between the massage and control groups (OR = 4.96; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.81, 8.76; P < 0.001). Compared with the control groups, the massage group had markedly reduced incidences of constipation (OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.25, 0.47; P < 0.001) and of four symptoms of discomfort (P < 0.001). The frequency of defecation on day two and day three in the massage group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results strongly suggest that massage can effectively reduce the incidence and severity of constipation after stroke. However, large, multicenter, long-term, and high-quality randomized controlled trials need to be conducted to establish a definitive conclusion.

Pretreatment HIV drug resistance in adults initiating antiretroviral therapy in China, 2017.

BACKGROUND: After the scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV infected people, increasing numbers of patients have pretreatment drug resistance (PDR). In this study, the prevalence of PDR was evaluated in adults initiating antiretroviral therapy in China. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 1943 patients who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2017 from 13 provinces or cities in China. Pol sequences were used to analyze drug resistance and construct transmission networks. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the potential factors associated with PDR. RESULTS: In total, 1711 eligible patients (76.0% male; 87.8% aged ≥ 25 years) were included, of which 117 (6.8%) had PDR. The highest rates of PDR were 12.2% in Liangshan Prefecture of Sichuan and 9.3 and 8.9% in Dehong and Lincang Prefecture of Yunnan. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that PDR was significantly higher among intravenous drug users (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.57-4.44) and individuals from Liangshan, Dehong, and Lincang (aOR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.26-3.30). In total, 754 sequences were used to generate 164 transmission networks. Five transmission networks had two or three sequences containing the same mutations, two networks contained subjects from Liangshan, and one network contained subjects from Dehong. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the PDR prevalence was moderate, with a particularly high prevalence in areas with severe HIV epidemics. These results indicate the importance of continuous PDR monitoring in patients initiating antiretroviral therapy.

[The analysis of human immunodeficiency virus-1 subtypes in Yunnan province].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the geographical distribution and risk factors of HIV-1 subtypes in Yunnan province. METHODS: Blood samples from 1319 HIV positives were collected in Yunnan Province from 2001 to 2006. The nested polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the gag (p24)-protease fragments from RNA extracted from plasma or sera. The sequences were used for subtype determination by phylogenetic tree analysis. RESULTS: Among 1319 samples studied, the subtypes has been successfully obtained from 644 samples that were constituted of seven subtypes: CRF08_BC, CRF07_BC, CRF07/08_BC, CRF01_AE, C, B' and URFB/C. C/CRF07_BC/CRF08_BC were distributed in the whole province, but CRF01_AE were mainly distributed in the boarding areas with Myanmar such as Dehong, Baoshan, Xishuangbanna and Puer. Moreover, injecting drugs users accounted for 61.6% (270/438) among C/CRF07_BC/CRF08_BC infections, while only 8.5% (15/177) among CRF01_AE infections. CONCLUSION: Our data indicated that at least seven subtypes were identified in Yunnan province, the relationship between subtypes and transmission routes were analyzed, and the geographic difference of subtypes was also observed.

Potential roles of IL-1 subfamily members in glycolysis in disease.

The interleukin-(IL)-1 subfamily consists of IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-1 receptor antagonist IL-1Ra and IL-33. These cytokines are the main members of the IL-1 family and have been widely recognized as having significant roles in pro-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions. Mounting evidence has revealed that these cytokines also play key roles in the regulation of glycolysis, which is an important metabolic pathway in most organisms that provides energy. Dysregulation of glycolysis is associated with various diseases, including type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and cancer. We reviewed studies addressing the important roles of IL-1 subfamily cytokines, with particular focus on their ability to regulate glycolysis in disease states. In this review, we summarize the potential roles of IL-1 subfamily members in glycolysis in disease states and address the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of these cytokines as therapeutic targets in clinical applications to provide insight into possible therapeutic strategies for treatment, especially for cancers.

[Epidemiologic study on STD/HIV infections among tin mining workers in Gejiu, Yunnan province].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) related knowledge, the prevalence and risk factors for HIV/STDs among tin miners in Gejiu, Yunnan Province. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in tin miners working at 5 mining regions from March to June 2006 in Gejiu City, Yunnan Province. A total of 1796 miners were enrolled in the study, and a standardized questionnaire was administered probing socio-demographic factors, knowledge of HIV/STDs and sexual behavior. 7 ml-volume venous blood and 15 ml urine specimens were collected for HIV/STDs testing. RESULTS: Twelve participants [0.7%] (12/1760) were identified HIV positive. While, the positive proportions for syphilis, herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2), Neisseria gonorrhea and Chlamydia trachoma were 1.8% (31/1760), 9.6% (169/1760), 0.8% (14/1773), 4.8% (85/1773), respectively. The total prevalence of STDs was 14.9% (264/1776). Factors associated with HIV infection were illegal drug use (adjusted OR = 17.8; 95% CI: 4.0 - 78.8), frequencies of visiting female sex workers in the past twelve months (adjusted OR = 8.7; 95% CI: 1.9 - 39.0), tattoos (adjusted OR = 6.6; 95% CI: 1.8 - 24.0), surgical operation experiences (adjusted OR = 6.0; 95% CI: 1.6 - 22.5) and toothbrush sharing (adjusted OR = 5.6; 95% CI: 1.0 - 31.3). Factors associated with STDs infection were race (adjusted OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.5 - 2.7), age (adjusted OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.0 - 2.9), illegal drug use (adjusted OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.0 - 5.2), living with spouses (adjusted OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1 - 1.9) and visiting female sex workers (adjusted OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.4 - 2.6). Only 4.1% (49/1201) of respondents aware the correct transmission routes of HIV. 21.6% (339/1569) of the miners who had previous sexual experience self-reported visiting female sex workers. CONCLUSION: HIV and other STDs are highly prevalent amongst miners in this region. In addition, the awareness of HIV/STDs is low and multiple routes of HIV transmission, such as heterosexual intercourse and IDU, were also observed in these study subject. HIV/STDs interventions should therefore be reinforced among the miners in this region.

[Transplantation of human limbal cells cultivated on amniotic membrane for reconstruction of rat corneal epithelium after alkali burn].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biological characters of limbal cells and evaluate the effect of cultivated human limbal epithelial cells transplantation on ocular surface reconstruction. METHODS: Human limbal cells were isolated and cultivated in vitro. Immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR were used to study the phenotype of the cells, BrdU labeling test was used to identify the slow-cycling cells in the cultures. Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) was established in rat cornea by alkali burn. Two weeks after the injury, the rats received transplantation of cultivated human limbal epithelial cells with amniotic membrane carrier, and then the therapeutic effects were evaluated by slit lamp observation, HE staining and immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS: On day 7, p63 and K19 were strongly expressed by most cells, only a few cells expressed K3. On day 14 and day 21, p63 and K19 were still expressed by a majority of cells, while the proportion of K3 positive cells increased, some cells co-expressed p63 and K3. RT-PCR showed that gene expression of both p63 and K12 were positive in cultivated limbal cells, but in mature superficial epithelial cells only K12 was detected. Slow-cycling cells were observed after cultured for 21 days with BrdU free medium. Four weeks after limbal stem cells combined amniotic membrane transplantation (LSAT), both slit lamp observation and HE staining showed that LSAT relieved the pathological changes of rat cornea notably as compared with the amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) group and control group. The rats that received LSAT exhibited reconstructed corneas with the intact epithelium and improved transparency. Immunofluorescence staining showed that a majority of the rat corneal epithelial cells stained positively to anti-human nuclear antibody and K3 antibody. CONCLUSIONS: P63 is not exclusively expressed by limbal stem cells (LSCs), a certain amount of p63 may also expressed by transient amplifying cells, LSCs are identified as p63 and K19 positive, K3/K12 negative cells. The detection of slow-cycling cells in the culture confirms that LSCs can be cultivated in vitro. Cultivated LSCs combine with amniotic membrane transplantation can functionally reconstruct the cornea suffered with LSCD.