The Effect of Pretreatment Potential Resistance to NNRTIs on Antiviral Therapy in Patients With HIV/AIDS.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing coverage of antiretroviral therapy, concerns for the emergence and transmission of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) are arising. HIVDR was divided into 5 levels: sensitive, potentially resistant, low resistant, intermediate resistant, and high resistant. Most of the articles on HIVDR involved low-level, intermediate-level, and high-level drug resistance to antiretroviral drug, and few articles deal with potential drug resistance. Treatment failure associated with the level of low-level, intermediate-level, and high-level resistance to antiretroviral drug has been reported. However, whether virological failure (VF) is related to potential resistance remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to describe the situation of potential resistance to antiretroviral drug and whether it is related to VF. METHODS: We analyzed the demographic, behavioral information, medical history, and drug resistance-associated mutation data from subjects. Drug resistance mutations at baseline and time of failure in patients suffering VF were detected by using the Vela automated next-generation sequencing platform. The χ2 test or Fisher exact test and logistic regression were used to assess the risk factors that contribute to VF in the potential drug-resistant people. RESULTS: The prevalence of overall pretreatment drug resistance was 7.06% (233/3300), and the prevalence of pretreatment potential resistance was 8.79% (290/3300). All these patients with pretreatment potential first-line drugs resistance showed potential resistance to nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), and some of them had potential drug resistance to NNRTIs and NRTIs or NNRTIs and PIs; among these patients, 94.71% (179/189) had V179 D/E mutations. The VF rate of first-line treatment for potentially resistant people is 17.99%. CD4+ T-cell count ≤200 cells/L at antiretroviral therapy initiation are risk factors for the failure of first-line treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of potential drug resistance among individuals with HIV and the VF rate of first-line treatment for potential drug-resistant people were high. To better optimize clinical management, prevention, and control of HIV, attention should be devoted to the potential resistance of nonnucleoside drugs.

Sexual mixing patterns among social networks of HIV-positive and HIV-negative Beijing men who have sex with men: a multilevel comparison using roundtable network mapping.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are of immediate concern in China's HIV epidemic. In 2008, approximately 2.5-6.5% of China's eight million MSM were HIV positive, while MSM represented 11% of all new HIV cases. Two factors that will in-part determine HIV-transmission dynamics among MSM, are sexual mixing patterns and the social networks which shape them. Sexual mixing patterns and social networks of Chinese MSM, however, remain poorly understood with little refined data available. One reason is that stigma discourages disclosure of names and identifiers to researchers. Using an alternative network-mapping approach, matched case-control design, and snowball sampling, this pilot study sought to compare characteristics of social networks of HIV-positive and HIV-negative Beijing MSM at the individual, dyad, and network levels. First, HIV-negative MSM controls were matched to HIV-positive MSM cases based on age, education, residency, and ethnicity. Then, each case or control and their MSM social network convened at a specific time and location with study investigators. Venues included health clinics, karaoke clubs, brothels, and community centers. Then, using arbitrarily assigned numbers in lieu of actual names, all participants simultaneously completed self-administered surveys regarding their sexual relationships with other participants of the same social network. These new findings indicate that cross-generational sex (anal or oral sex between men with ≥10 years age difference) was more prevalent among social networks of HIV-positive MSM, and was due to older age structure of the social network, rather than behavioral differences in sex-partner selection. Members of social networks of HIV-positive MSM were also less likely to have ever disclosed their MSM identity to non-MSM. Future studies should partner with MSM advocacy groups to explore behavioral and structural interventions as possible means of reducing the cross-generational sex and sexual identity-development issues elevating HIV risk for young Chinese MSM.

[The proliferous rule of bile duct endothelium after the placement of metallic biliary stent:a study in canine].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the proliferous rule of bile duct endothelium after the placement of metallic biliary stent. METHODS: The metallic biliary stent was placed at the inferior segment of common bile duct of canine after a percutaneous transhepatic puncture at cholecyst. All the stented dogs were assigned randomly to 4 group including A, B, C and D, each group had been under research for 1 month, 3 months, 12 months and 24 months. The expression of PCNA and Ki-67 in bile duct endothelium covered by the stent were calculated on the immunohistochemistry staining images and compared with those uncovered in each group, then the expression of PCNA and Ki-67 in bile duct endothelium covered by the stent were compared between every two adjacent groups. The thickness of bile duct wall covered by the stent were measured on the HE staining images and compared between every two adjacent groups. The t-test was performed for the statistics. RESULTS: The animal model were successfully set in 18 canines. The expression of PCNA and Ki-67 in bile duct endothelium covered by the stent were significantly higher than those uncovered in every group (P < 0.05), which got much high within 1 month after stenting (P < 0.05) and gradually raised up again from 3 months to 1 year (P < 0.05) after a period of relatively low proliferation. The thickness of the bile duct covered by the stent changed following the same rule as well. CONCLUSION: The metallic biliary stent indeed induced the proliferation of bile duct endothelium. This phenomenon enhanced gradually from 3 months to 1 year after stenting, and continued persistently after that.

[The pathogenic analysis of 120 acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients with pulmonary infections via bronchoscopy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical value of bronchoscopy in the pathogenic diagnosis of AIDS patients with pulmonary infections and to illustrate the constituent ratio of different pulmonary pathogens. METHODS: From August 2006 to September 2009, we performed bronchoscopies to 120 AIDS patients who had pulmonary infections. We described the manifestations under the bronchoscope and each patient underwent bronchoalveolar lavage for further detection including bacterial culture and pathological test. We also took biopsies in patients who had obviously abnormal lesions under the bronchoscope.At the same time, we collected the clinical information for analyzing. RESULTS: Among 120 patients, we found 30 cases of mycobacteria infection, 25 cases of bacterial infection, 12 cases of PCP, 5 cases of fungal positive, 3 cases of CMV. Bronchial mucosa biopsies were taken in 26 patients, 12 cases of chronic inflammation, 7 cases of granulomatous inflammation, 4 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 2 cases of adenocarcinoma and 1 case of lymphoma. CONCLUSION: Bronchoscopy is a very useful tool and it's of great value for pathogenic detection in AIDS patients with pulmonary infections. At present, in China the main pulmonary infections in AIDS patients are TB, bacterial infection and PCP.

Bare-metal stents across the Vater's ampulla is a safe method for patients with lower bile duct obstruction.

This study explored the effect of the implant position of stents across the Vater's ampulla on treatment outcomes in patients with lower bile duct obstruction.In the retrospective study, 41 patients with malignant obstruction of the lower bile duct and obstructive jaundice received percutaneous transhepatic biliary placement of bare-metal stents. Basic demographic data on patients, such as sex, age, and primary diseases, and follow-up data, including postoperative complications and jaundice-free survival, were recorded. The follow-up data on patients with an involved ampulla, patients with an uninvolved ampulla, patients with a stent across the ampulla, and patients with a stent at a site other than the ampulla were compared. Furthermore, prognostic factors for jaundice- free survival were investigated using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.Among the 41 patients, 38 patients experienced subsiding of jaundice, whereas 3 cases had unsuccessful stent patency. Whether or not the ampulla was involved did not influence the incidence rates of postoperative complications and the jaundice-free survival time. Notably, when stents were placed across the ampulla, the jaundice-free survival time was significantly longer than when stents were placed at sites other than across the ampulla (P < .05). Furthermore, placement of the stent across the ampulla or at other sites was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio = 0.154, 95% confidence interval 0.042-0.560, P = .005) for jaundice-free survival of patients.The current study revealed that the implant position of a stent across the ampulla resulted in maintenance of stent patency and prolongation of the jaundice-free survival time.

Sequential Use of Transhepatic Arterial Chemoembolization and Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation in the Clinical Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

This retrospective study investigated the clinical application of sequential therapy with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using a bipolar needle in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumors of different sizes. The study included patients (N = 46) with HCC from Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University who had received TACE and RFA from November 2012 to November 2013. Eligible patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score of 0-1, a Child-Pugh grade of A-B, and no contradictions for TACE and/or RFA. Fifty one hepatic lesions of varying sizes were treated with TACE followed by RFA. Clinical response and 1- and 2-year survival rates were assessed. The frequency of complete and incomplete ablation following therapy was significantly different across the varying RFA pin numbers and the maximum diameter of the lesion (p ≤ 0.001). A greater percentage (97.3%) of lesions that were ≤3 cm in diameter were completely ablated compared with lesions that were 3-5 cm (88.9%) and >5 cm in diameter (20%). The median survival time of patients was 16.5 months, and the 1- and 2-year survival rates were 95.7% and 69.3%, respectively. There were only a limited number of complications, all of which were minor. These included hemothorax (4.3%), abdominal hemorrhage (10.9%), and abdominal hemorrhage with minor pneumothorax (2.2%). This study found that the sequential treatment with TACE and CT-guided RFA using a bipolar needle is effective and well tolerated in patients with HCC and that the effectiveness of treatment is dependent on tumor size.

Clinical features and risk factors of cerebral infarction after mild head trauma under 18 months of age.

Mild head trauma can cause cerebral infarction in children younger than 18 months of age, yet the pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, and risk factors are not fully understood. Data of 16 cases between August 2008 and September 2011, including clinical manifestations and imaging and laboratory findings were collected and analyzed. All patients had the history of mild head trauma. The median age of the cohort was 13.5 months (range 6 months to 18 months). All children developed neurologic symptoms and signs within 72 hours after trauma, 62.5% (10/16) within 30 minutes. The first symptoms included hemiparesis (9/16), facial paresis (4/16), and convulsion (6/16). Overall, 93.75% (15/16) of the lesions were in the basal ganglia region. Two risk factors were identified, basal ganglia calcification in 10 and cytomegalovirus infection in eight. After conservative therapy, the neurologic deficits recovered to some extent. Cerebral infarction after mild head trauma in children younger than 18 months of age may take place, especially under the circumstances of basal ganglia calcification or cytomegalovirus infection.

Cerebral infarction after mild head trauma in children.

We conducted this retrospective, case record review to determine the risk factors and clinical features associated with cerebral infarction after mild head trauma in children. The median age of the cohort was 2.18 years (range, 6 mo-8 y). Most (26/29) of the patients developed the neurological symptoms and signs within 72 hours after trauma, 51.7% within 30 minutes. The first symptoms included hemiparesis (20), facial paresis (7), and convulsion (7). 86.21% of the lesions lay in basal ganglia region. Pre-existing basal ganglia calcification was identified in 13 as a risk factor.

Clinical analysis of 10 AIDS patients with malignant lymphoma.

OBJECTIVE: This work summarizes the clinical features and treatment of 10 AIDS patients with malignant lymphoma. METHODS: A total of 10 AIDS patients with malignant lymphoma seen in Beijing Ditan Hospital since 2009 were enrolled. Clinical manifestations, pathological examinations, immunity levels, Epstein-Barr virus antibody examinations, complications, treatments, and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The main clinical manifestations of these patients included intermittent fever in 2 cases, neck masses and fever in 3 cases, auxiliary lymph node enlargement in 2 cases, and abdominal pain and bloating with fever in 3 cases. Up to 7 patients were pathologically diagnosed with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and 3 patients were pathologically diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma. Up to 8 patients had CD4 cell counts below 200/µL, and 2 patients had a level of more than 200/µL. Up to 7 patients were negative for EBV-IgM antibodies and 3 patients were not examined. Six patients underwent different chemotherapy and their prognoses were different. One patient with Burkitt's lymphoma alternatively took CODOXM and IVAC for 3 turns after VP chemotherapy; 1 patient with liver metastasis took R-CHOP 5 times, then changed therapy regimen to R-MINE and MINE. One patient with adrenal DLBCL took CHOP 6 times. Three patients with DLBCL took CHOP 1 or 2 times. Four patients gave up treatment. Various infections and side effects occurred, including bone marrow suppression, gastrointestinal bleeding, and renal dysfunction during chemotherapy. Six patients took HAART, and 4 did not. Six patients died, whereas 3 patients got improved; and 1 patient was discharged. CONCLUSIONS: AIDS patients with malignant lymphoma had various clinical manifestations, were immunocompromised, and had multiple metastases when they were admitted; they were already in the interim or late stage of lymphoma. Chemotherapy was not effective, and additional complications occurred. HAART failed to improve patient prognosis, and the overall prognosis was poor.