Clinical study of electroacupuncture combined with exercise therapy in improving the balance function of patients with knee osteoarthritis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture(EA)combined with exercise therapy on balance function in patients with knee osteoarthritis(KOA). Methods:Seventy patients with KOA were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,with 35 cases in each group.The treatment group was treated with EA combined with exercise therapy.EA was applied to Dubi(ST35),Neixiyan(EX-LE4),Xuehai(SP10),Liangqiu(ST34),Yanglingquan(GB34),and Zusanli(ST 36).Exercise therapy(muscle strength training and knee mobility training)was applied after EA.The control group only received the same exercise therapy as the treatment group.The two groups were treated with the same course of treatment,3 times a week for 4 consecutive weeks,12 times in total,and followed up for 1 month.The Pro-Kin254P balance test system was used to measure the balance function parameters at 4 time points,including before treatment,after 1 session of treatment,after 12 sessions of treatment,and at 1-month follow-up after treatment.The visual analog scale(VAS)and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index(WOMAC)scores were recorded. Results:The markedly effective rate and total effective rate in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.01).The Romberg area,Romberg length,and VAS scores of the two groups decreased significantly after 1 session of treatment,12 sessions of treatment,and 1 month after treatment,and the differences between different time points in the same group were statistically significant(P<0.01).There were significant differences between the two groups at the same time point(P<0.05).The total WOMAC scores of the two groups after 1 session of treatment,12 sessions of treatment,and 1 month after treatment decreased significantly,and there were significant differences between different time points in the same group(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between the two groups at the same time point(P>0.05). Conclusion:EA combined with exercise therapy or exercise therapy alone can enhance the balance function,relieve joint pain,and improve joint function in patients with KOA.EA combined with exercise therapy is superior to exercise therapy alone in improving balance function and pain,but the two treatment protocols have similar effects in improving joint function.

Effects of horse-riding squat exercise plus Governor Vessel-regulating Tuina therapy on static balance function in patients with stroke / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the effect of horse-riding squat exercise plus Governor Vessel-regulating Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)therapy on static balance function in patients with stroke.Methods:A total of 176 stroke patients were enrolled as the study subjects and divided into four groups by the random number table method,namely horse-riding squat+Tuina group,horse-riding squat group,Tuina group,and control group,with 44 cases in each group.The control group was treated with rehabilitation balance training.The horse-riding squat+Tuina group,horse-riding squat group,and Tuina group were treated with additional horse-riding squat exercise plus Tuina,horse-riding squat exercise,and Tuina treatment,respectively.Four weeks of treatment was regarded as one treatment course.After 1 treatment course,the balance function of the four groups was compared.Results:After treatment,the ellipse area of motion and the length of motion in all four groups were reduced,and the intra-group differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05).The difference in the ellipse area of motion before and after treatment in the horse-riding squat+Tuina group and the horse-riding squat group was larger than that in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The difference in the ellipse area of motion before and after treatment in the horse-riding squat+Tuina group was larger than that in the Tuina group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The difference in the length of motion before and after treatment in the horse-riding squat+Tuina group,the horse-riding squat group,and the Tuina group was greater than that in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the pairwise comparison between the horse-riding squat+Tuina group,the horse-riding squat group,and the Tuina group(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Horse-riding squat exercise plus Governor Vessel-regulating Tuina therapy can effectively improve the static balance function in patients with stroke.Training the affected lower limb weight-bearing exercise,adjusting the center of gravity distribution,and promoting the mutual balance and coordination between muscle groups may be the mechanism of improving the static balance function.

Application of pressure-strain loops in evaluating early left ventricular myocardial work in patients with metabolic syndrome / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To evaluate early left ventricular myocardial work in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) by pressure-strain loops (PSL).Methods:From September 2020 to April 2021, 70 MS patients in the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao Affiliated to Hebei Medical University without left ventricular remodeling were selected as MS group and 65 normal controls as control group, PSL was used to obtain the myocardial power parameters, including global work index (GWI), global work efficiency (GWE), global constructive work (GCW) and global wasted work (GWW). The changes of the parameters were compared between the two groups and their correlations with biochemical parameters were performed in MS group.Results:The left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), GWI, GCW and GWE in MS group were lower than those in normal group, while GWW was higher than that in normal group ( P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that GWI was positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ( r=0.194, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with diastolic blood pressure (DBP), waist circumference (WC), fasting blood glucose (Glu), triglyceride (TG) and GLS ( r=-0.257, -0.452, -0.239, -0.193, -0.758, all P<0.05). GWE was negatively correlated with SBP, DBP, WC, Glu, TG and GLS ( r=-0.360, -0.269, -0.326, -0.352, -0.265, -0.663, all P<0.01), and positively correlated with HDL-C ( r=0.201, P<0.05). GCW was negatively correlated with WC and GLS ( r=-0.299, -0.737; all P<0.001). GWW was positively correlated with SBP, DBP, WC, Glu, TG and GLS ( r=0.435, 0.308, 0.413, 0.547, 0.272, 0.400, all P<0.01), and negatively correlated with HDL-C ( r=-0.336, P<0.001). Conclusions:PSL can quantitatively evaluate the changes of early myocardial work in MS patients with good repeatability and has certain clinical value.

Electronic moxibustion apparatus and traditional moxibustion in treating knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of DZWJY-1 type electronic moxibustion apparatus and traditional moxibustion in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: A total of 76 eligible patients were randomized into an electronic moxibustion apparatus group and a traditional moxibustion group, with 38 cases in each group. The electronic moxibustion apparatus group was intervened by DZWJY-1 type electronic moxibustion apparatus, and the traditional moxibustion group received moxa stick moxibustion for treatment. Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Dubi (ST 35), Xuehai (SP 10) and Liangqiu (ST 34) were selected for both groups and the treatment was conducted 3 times a week for a total of 12 times. The visual analog scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) scores were observed before treatment and after 6 and 12 sessions of treatment, respectively. Results: There were 4 dropout cases in the traditional moxibustion group. Therefore, this trial had 72 valid cases, including 38 cases in the electronic moxibustion apparatus group and 34 cases in the traditional moxibustion group, the differences in the baseline data between the two groups were statistically insignificant (P>0.05). After 6 and 12 sessions of treatment, the VAS scores decreased significantly with the increase of treatment sessions in both groups (all P<0.01), and the betweengroup differences were statistically insignificant at the same time points (both P>0.05). The pain intensity was evaluated using the weighted value of VAS score. The markedly effective rate was 47.4％ and the total effective rate was 89.5％ in the electronic moxibustion apparatus group, versus 50.0％ and 94.1％ in the traditional moxibustion group, and the betweengroup differences were statistically insignificant (both P>0.05). After 6 and 12 sessions of treatment, the total score and the component scores including pain, stiffness and difficulty moving in the WOMAC decreased significantly with the increase of treatment sessions in both groups (all P<0.01), and the between-group differences were statistically insignificant (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Electronic moxibustion apparatus and traditional moxibustion both are effective in reducing joint pain and improving joint function in KOA patients, and they are equivalent comparing the clinical efficacy.

A qualitative research on psychological experience of standardized patients / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To understand and explore the psychological experience of standardized patients, in order to provide an effective basis for training and applying standardized patients.Methods:The phenomenological methodology in qualitative research was used in the study, and the Colaizzi 7-step data analysis method was used for analysis the interview recording.Results:The psychological experience of standardized patients can be summarized into three themes: understanding of pressure from medical staffs, the desire for balance the effort and harvest, challenge and growth.Conclusions:Medical staffs need to considere the psychological experience of standardized patients in the training and application, pay more attention to their psychological changes and provide corresponding work and emotional support.

Efficacy and safety of minimally invasive puncture and drainage for hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage at different time windows / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive puncture and drainage for hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage at different time windows.Methods:A total of 98 patients with spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage underwent minimally invasive puncture and drainage in our hospital from January 2016 to December 2019 were chosen. These patients were divided into 3 groups in accordance with operation time: an ultra-early-stage group (accepted surgery within3 h of onset), an early-stage group (accepted surgery within 3-24 h of onset), an acute-stage group (accepted surgery within 24-72 h of onset); the clinical data of these patients were retrospectively analyzed. The hematoma clearance, muscle strength improvement 14 d after surgery, consciousness improvement 14 d after surgery, National Institutes of Health Neurological Deficit Scale (NIHSS) scores 14 d after surgery, and re-hemorrhage were compared among the 3 groups.Results:In the ultra-early-stage group, there were 11 patients (84.6%), 2 patients (15.4%) and 0 patients (0%) with low, medium and high hematoma clearance rates. In the early-stage group, there were 20 patients (33.9%), 32 patients (54.2%) and 7 patients (11.9%) with low, medium and high hematoma clearance rates. In the acute-stage group, 8 patients (30.8%), 14 patients (53.8%) and 4 patients (15.4%) had low, medium and high hematoma clearance rates. The hematoma clearance rate in the early group and the acute group was higher than that in the ultra-early group. Fourteen d after surgery, the proportion of patients with muscle strength improvement in the early-stage group and acute-stage group was significantly higher than that in the ultra-early-stage group ( P<0.05); the proportion of patients with consciousness improvement in the early-stage group was significantly higher than that in the ultra-early-stage group and acute-stage group ( P<0.05); NIHSS scores of patients in the early-stage group were significantly lower than those in the ultra-early stage group and acute-stage group ( P<0.05). There were 4 patients with postoperative re-hemorrhage, including one from the ultra-early-stage group and 3 from the early group. Conclusion:In patients with cerebral hemorrhage, hematoma clearance is relatively good and postoperative recovery is good when minimally invasive puncture and drainage is performed within 3-24 h of onset.

Therapeutic Observation of Electronic Mild Moxibustion Equipment in Treating Knee Osteoarthritis / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of electronic mild moxibustion equipment in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Method Sixty-six eligible patients were randomized into a mild moxibustion equipment group of 33 cases and a moxibustion group of 33 cases. The mild moxibustion equipment group was intervened by electronic mild moxibustion equipment, and the moxibustion group was treated with moxibustion. In the two groups, same acupoints were selected, including Neixiyan (EX-LE4), Dubi (ST35), Xuehai (SP10) and Liangqiu (ST34), and the treatment lasted for 4 weeks. The WOMAC scores of the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.Result The WOMAC scores dropped significantly in both groups after the intervention (P<0.001), and the score of the mild moxibustion equipment group was significantly lower than that of the moxibustion group (P<0.05).Conclusion Electronic mild moxibustion equipment and moxibustion both can effectively mitigate joint pain and improve knee joint function, but the moxibustion equipment can produce a more significant effect in improving the joint function than moxibustion.

Therapeutic Observation of Electronic Mild Moxibustion Equipment in Treating Knee Osteoarthritis / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of electronic mild moxibustion equipment in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Method Sixty-six eligible patients were randomized into a mild moxibustion equipment group of 33 cases and a moxibustion group of 33 cases. The mild moxibustion equipment group was intervened by electronic mild moxibustion equipment, and the moxibustion group was treated with moxibustion. In the two groups, same acupoints were selected, including Neixiyan (EX-LE4), Dubi (ST35), Xuehai (SP10) and Liangqiu (ST34), and the treatment lasted for 4 weeks. The WOMAC scores of the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.Result The WOMAC scores dropped significantly in both groups after the intervention (P<0.001), and the score of the mild moxibustion equipment group was significantly lower than that of the moxibustion group (P<0.05).Conclusion Electronic mild moxibustion equipment and moxibustion both can effectively mitigate joint pain and improve knee joint function, but the moxibustion equipment can produce a more significant effect in improving the joint function than moxibustion.

Antiviral Activity of Dual-acting Hydrocarbon-stapled Peptides against HIV-1 Predominantly Circulating in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>New rationally designed i,i+7-hydrocarbon-stapled peptides that target both HIV-1 assembly and entry have been shown to have antiviral activity against HIV-1 subtypes circulating in Europe and North America. Here, we aimed to evaluate the antiviral activity of these peptides against HIV-1 subtypes predominantly circulating in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The antiviral activity of three i,i+7-hydrocarbon-stapled peptides, NYAD-36, NYAD-67, and NYAD-66, against primary HIV-1 CRF07_BC and CRF01_AE isolates was evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The activity against the CRF07_BC and CRF01_AE Env-pseudotyped viruses was analyzed in TZM-bl cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We found that all the stapled peptides were effective in inhibiting infection by all the primary HIV-1 isolates tested, with 50% inhibitory concentration toward viral replication (IC50) in the low micromolar range. NYAD-36 and NYAD-67 showed better antiviral activity than NYAD-66 did. We further evaluated the sensitivity of CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC Env-pseudotyped viruses to these stapled peptides in a single-cycle virus infectivity assay. As observed with the primary isolates, the IC50s were in the low micromolar range, and NYAD-66 was less effective than NYAD-36 and NYAD-67.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hydrocarbon-stapled peptides appear to have broad antiviral activity against the predominant HIV-1 viruses in China. This finding may provide the impetus to the rational design of peptides for future antiviral therapy.</p>

Feasibility study on low-dose technique for coronary artery angiography in overweight patients / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To explore the feasibility of low-tube-voltage and low-concentration contrast agent applied to coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) in the overweight patients. Methods Totally 83 overweight patients with suspected coronary heart disease who underwent coronary artery angiography were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A used 100 kVp and ioversol-320 mg/ml, and Group B received 120 kVp and iopamidol-370 mg/ml. Both the groups went through prospectively ECG-gated scanning. The two groups were compared on the image quality, radiation dose, iodine intake and coronary artery segments scores. Results The effective radiation dose and iodine intake in Group A were significantly lower than those in Group B (P<0.05). Group A had the coronary artery CT value and image noise lower significantly than Group B (P<0.05). No significant differences in signal to noise ratio, contrast to noise ratio and coronary artery segments scores were observed between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion For coronary artery CTA in the overweight patients, low-tube-voltage and low-concentration contrast agent still preserves the image quality, as well as significantly reduces the radiation dose and iodine intake.

Evaluation of the preventive effects of nosocomial post abortion care on repeated pregnancy in unmarried female people / 中国综合临床

Objective To investigate the preventive effect of post abortion care(PAC) on unsafe sexual behaviors and deficiency in the knowledge of unmarried females,especially the youth in order to prevent repeated.unintended pregnancies as well as to promote the unmarried female's reproductive health.Methods During the period from Jan.2012 to Jun.2013,171 unmarried young women (＜ 24 years old) were enrolled in the study who were underwent free willed induced abortion due to unwanted pregnancy in Maternal and Child Health-Care Hospital of Huangpu District of Shanghai.Their reproductive health related knowledge,attitude and behavior were investigated by questionnaires.Based on the information above,they were provided with a series of post abortion services and improvement of reproductive health cognition and prevention effect of repeat pregnancy were evaluated after the intervention.Results After the nosocomial PAC intervention,the research objects are improved in the contraceptive knowledge and contraceptive behavior largely than before.The awareness rate on the female fertile time was increased from 53.8％ (92/171) to 80.6％ (137/170).The common contraceptive awareness rate increased from 49.1％ (84/171) to 91.8％ (156/170).The difference was statistically significant (x2 =27.30,x2 =75.69,P ＜ 0.05).After 1 year follow-up,the PAC intervention make in contraceptive behavior change.The contraception rate increased from 8.2％ (14/171) to 65.3％ (111/170).The contraceptive failure rate was reduced from 35.7％ (61/171) to 4.7％ (8/170) (x2 =165.24,36.12,P ＜ 0.05).There was not complications occurrence.Conclusion PAC can improve the contraception rate and reduce the unmarried female youth repeated abortion rate effectively.

Vascular intervention joint foot plastic surgery in the treatment of diabetic foot / 中国基层医药

Objective To evaluate the chnical value of intervention therapy combined with the foot plastic surgery in the treatment of diabetic foot.Methods 67 patients who accepted the intervention therapy combined with the plastic surgery for occlusive lesion of lower limbs arteries were selected.The clinical symptom,ankle brachial pressure index and hemodynamics were observed before and after treatment.All clinical indicators were compared between the therapeutic group and the control group.Results Among 67 patients,63 cases were successful in clinical treatment (the success rate:94.0％).One month,three months,six months after operation,the skin temperature,anklebrachial index,limp distance,clinical symptom,ankle brachial pressure index and hemodynamics were increased.Compared with preoperation,all above-mentioned indicators were improved obviously (P ＜ 0.05,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Intervention therapy for diabetic foot has the merits of less trauma,higher effectiveness of treating diabetic foot ulcers,defect repair,maximally reserved limbs and better shapes of limbs,which made both doctors and patients satisfied.It is a new direction for minimally invasive therapy.

Genetic characteristics of viral quasispecies of HIV-1 CRF07_BC among intravenous drug users / 病毒学报

To explore the genetic characteristics of viral quasispecies in HIV-1 CRF07_BC infections among intravenous drug users (IDU), the gp120 fragments of HIV-1 env gene were amplified from plasma samples collected from 6 CRF07_BC infected persons using single genome amplification and sequencing (SGA/ SGS) method, and 11 to 28 sequences were obtained from these samples, respectively, A neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree was reconstructed to describe the genetic characteristics of viral quasispecies. The Simplot, segments' phylogenetic trees and diversity plots based on average pairwise distance (APD) were used to identify the recombination events between quasispecies. The SGA sequences derived from single specimen formed a large monophyletic cluster in the neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree and showed the complex topologic structures of viral quasispecies. Of the 6 CRF07_BC infected patients, only one possessed the high genetic homogeneity, whereas the other five individuals showed high heterogeneity, with two to four subclusters inside the monophyletic cluster for each specimen. In addition, the recombinant events were identified among viral quasispecies from 3 cases. The results show SGA technique and phylogenetic analyses are useful tool to investigate the intrahost CRF07_BC gp120 complex quasispecies variation and high genetic diversity.

The primary HIV drug resistance in partial region of Henan province / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the prevalence of primary HIV drug resistance in antiretroviral therapy (ART) areas of Henan province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 121 drug-naive long-term infected individuals and 154 patients with newly diagnosed from January 2011 to March 2012 were recruited, the questionnaires were surveyed and whole blood were collected to analyze the CD4(+)T cell counts and viral load. In-house method for genotypic resistance test was determined in those with viral load > 1000 copies/ml samples, the differences of demographic characteristics, immunological parameters and primary drug resistance were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 121 cases of long-term individuals who had infected (12.50 ± 3.21) years were mainly previous paid blood donors, and the age was (46.61 ± 9.32) years old. The infection route of the newly diagnosed were diversity, including blood, sexual transmission and others, the cases were 73, 73, 8, respectively, the confirmatory year was (0.91 ± 0.28) years, and average age was (22.21 ± 3.11) years old. The difference were statistically significant in the route of transmission, age and infection time from demographic analysis of the two groups (P < 0.05). The absolute M(P(25)-P(75)) counts of CD4(+)T lymphocytes of long-term group was 322 (217 - 422) cell/µl, which was lower than the newly diagnosed was 434(308 - 578) cell/µl (P < 0.05), and viral load was 4.0 (2.96 - 4.64) copies/ml, 3.77 (2.94 - 4.53) copies/ml, the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). The prevalence of primary drug resistance in long-term group and newly diagnosed was 5.79% (7/121), 9.09% (14/154), respectively, and the difference was statistically different (P < 0.05), and one PI-resistant strain was found in the newly diagnosed group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The primary drug resistant strains in untreated patients were found in Henan province of ART areas, and there was difference in degree of resistance between long-term infected individuals and newly diagnosed.</p>

Analysis of gag-specific IFN-gamma secretion responses in HIV-1 B/C recombinant infectors / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To characterize the Gag-Specific T lymphocyte responses and identify immunodominant region recognized in Chinese HIV-1 recombinant subtype B/C infectors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>10 antiretroviral treatment (ART) naive HIV-1 recombinant subtype B/C infectors with infected time in 1 year, 25 ART-naive infectors with infected time > 3 years and 10 HIV-1-seronegative healthy individuals were enrolled. HIV-1-specific T lymphocyte responses were analyzed by an IFN-gamma Elispot assay against 123 overlapping peptides spanning HIV-1 Gag protein in the present study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Gag-specific T lymphocyte responses of interferon-gamma secretion were identified in 8(8/10) Chinese HIV-1 recombinant subtype B/ C infectors with infected time in 1 year, the specific T lymphocytes are mainly targeted at five seperated peptides. Responses were identified in 17(68%) infectors with infected time more than 3 years, the specific T lymphocytes are mainly targeted at one peptide in p17 and six in p24. There was obviously positive correlation (P = 0.0318, r = 0.519) between the magnitude of responses and viremia in infectors infected time > 3 years. The magnitude of response in infectors infected in 1 year was significantly higher than group infected time > 3 years (P = 0.021). None of healthy individuals produced positive responses.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HIV-1 recombinant subtype B/C Infectors at different stages of diseases recognize different region of gag.</p>

HIV-specific IL-2(+) and/or IFN-γ(+) CD8(+) T cell responses during chronic HIV-1 infection in former blood donors / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Conflicting data have been generated from previous studies to determine which kind of relationship exists between HIV-1 specific CD8 Tcell responses and HIV-1 viral load or CD4 count over the course of infection. In this study, 153 HIV-1 infected LTNPs were enrolled to investigate the role of HIV-1 specific CD8 T-cell responses in chronic HIV-1 infection among HIV-1 infected former blood donors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The patients were stratified into three groups according to CD4 count: CD4≥500 cells/μL; 350 cells/μL≤CD4<500 cells/μL; CD4<350 cells/μL. PBMCs were isolated from the patients' anticoagulated blood samples. IL-2 and IFN-γ secretions of CD 8 T cells against 17 HIV-1 consensus B full peptide pools were analyzed by using ICS assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>An overall inverse correlation were observed between CD4 count and plasma viral load. Although no significant difference was observed during the comparisons of frequency/breadth of HIV-1 specific CD8 T cell responses, CD4 count stratification analysis showed that different correlation pattern existed in three strata: as for patients whose CD4 counts were less than 350 cells/μL, no significant correlations were identified between frequency/breadth of HIV-1 specific CD8 T cell responses and CD4 count/viral load; as for patients whose CD4 counts ranged from 350 cells/μL to 500 cells/μL, significant correlation was only observed between the response breadth of IL-2+IFN-γ+ CD8 T cells and CD4 count; however, as for patients whose CD4 counts were more than 500 cells/μL, direct correlations were identified between IL-2+IFN-γ+/IL-2+/IFN-γ+ CD8 T cells and viral load or CD4 count.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Universal consistent inverse correlation was only indentified between CD4 count and viral load. The relationship between HIV-1 specific CD8 T cell responses and CD4 count/viral load varied in different CD4 strata, which showed that better preserved CD4 T cells were correlated with better CD8 T cell functions.</p>

Comparison of the quantities and subset distributions of natural killer cells among different races / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Natural killer (NK) cells play critical roles in host immune defense, while the quantities and subset distributions may vary among different races. To address the difference, we compared these variables among Chinese Han, the Caucasians and the Blacks. The study may provide critical background information for both basic research and clinical investigation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Blood samples collected from populations of different races were tested within 12 hours after collection and subsets of NK cells were characterized using flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The absolute NK count in the Chinese Han was significantly higher than that in the Caucasian. The Han and Caucasian groups showed higher percentages of cytotoxic subset compared to that of the Black group. The percentage of cytokine-producing subset of Chinese Han group was lower than that of Caucasian and Black groups. Black group had a higher percentage of function-unknown NK subset than that of the Han and Caucasian groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our data indicated that NK cell count and the distribution of different subsets varied among different races, which should be taken into consideration in related investigations.</p>

Complete human immunodeficiency virus-1 specific T lymphocyte response to Chinese human immunodeficiency virus-1 B/C chronic infectors / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To characterize the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -specific T lymphocyte responses and identify the immunodominant regions in Chinese HIV-1 recombinant subtype B/C chronic infectors at complete genome level.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-five HIV-1B/C recombinant chronic infectors were screened for their specific T lymphocyte responses to a panel of peptides corresponding to the complete HIV-1 subtype B genome by gamma interferon ELISPOT assay. Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric analysis of variance was used to test significant differences across gene regions, and Tukey pairwise analysis was used to identify differences between gene regions. Spearman rank correlation was used to assess the relation between responses. Results The order of recognized frequencies of specific T lymphocyte responses to HIV proteins was Nef>Vpr>Gag>Pol>Vpu>Env>Rev>Vif>Tat. When adjusted for protein length, Nef, Vpr, Gag, and Pol were the most intensely targeted proteins and the central region of Nef, Gag p24, Pol RT, and Vpr was most frequently recognized. No significant correlation was observed between the magnitude of IFN-gamma production of HIV-l-specific T lymphocyte responses and plasma viremia, breadth of response and CD4 counts. Conclusion The central region of Nef, Gag p24, Pol RT, and Vpr is most frequently targeted in HIV-1 B/C recombinants chronic infectors. HIV-l-specific T lymphocyte responses and plasma viremia or CD4 counts play no protective role at complete genome level in these infectors.</p>

Genetic variation of gag gene in HIV-1 subtype B infections from Henan and Shanxi provinces of China / 病毒学报

The 109 whole blood samples were collected from HIV-1 infected former blood donors in Henan and Shanxi. The RNA templates were extracted from plasma and used for the full gag gene amplification and sequencing. The sequences were divided into 3 groups according to sampling year. The Entropy software was used to identify the amino acids with composition difference among different groups of amino acid sequences. The results showed that there existed 8 and 13 amino acid sites with the statistical significance difference, respectively, in sequences in year 2004 and 2005, compared to those in 2002. Among them, there existed 5 amino acid sites in two groups. Of 16 amino acid sites, the increasing polymorphism and the decreasing polymorphism along the sampling year were observed in 10 and 6 amino acid sites respectively. Of 10 sites with increased polymorphism, 8 sites were located in the CTL epitopes recognized and presented by the main HLA alleles existed in Chinese population. The 6 sites with decreasing polymorphism all existed in main domains of Gag proteins.

Correlation of plasma adiponectin and components of metabolic syndrome / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the relationship of adiponectin and the components of metabolic syndrome (MS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cluster random sampling was applied in two districts of Shanghai. Two communities were selected. After investigating and physical examination, 235 MS subjects were obtained. Correlation analysis and principle components regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between adiponectin and components of MS (waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose and lipid).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Adiponectin in male was (2.82 +/- 1.73) microg/ml, lower than in female [(5.12 +/- 3.51) microg/ml] with statistical difference (Z = -5.25, P = 0.00). Adiponectin levels [(4.38 +/- 3.23) microg/ ml] correlated with abdominal obesity, including waist circumference [(93.37 +/- 7.76) cm] (r(s) = - 0.18, t(r) = -2.79, P = 0.01) and waist hip ratio (0.91 +/- 0.05) (r(s) = -0.28, t(r) = -4.44, P = 0.00), but did not correlate significantly with body mass index (BMI) [(26.85 +/- 3.10) kg/m2] (r(s) = -0.10, t(r) = - 1.45, P = 0. 15). Adiponectin correlated negatively with insulin resistance related indexes, including fasting glucose [(5.48 +/- 1.72) mmol/L] (r(s) = -0.13, t(r) = -2.00, P = 0.05), fasting insulin [(11.52 +/- 5.34) mU/L] (r(s) = -0. 15, t(r) = - 2.31, P = 0.02), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (2.90 +/- 2.07) (r(s) = -0.17, t(r) = -2.63, P = 0.01) and triglyceride [(2.11 +/- 1.24) mmol/L] (r(s) = -0.24, t(r) = -3.77, P = 0.00). The correlations were not observed between adiponectin with total cholesterol [(5.01 +/- 1.19) mmol/L] ( r(s) = -0.05, t(r) = -0.78, P = 0.44), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) [(1.21 +/- 0.32) mmol/L] (r(s) = 0.06, t(r) = 0.93, P = 0.36), systolic blood pressure [(131.40 +/- 14.93) mm Hg, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa] (r(s) = -0.02, t(r) = -0.34, P = 0.73) and diastolic blood pressure [(86.77 +/- 9.14)mm Hg] (r(s) = -0.02, t(r) = -0.27, P = 0.78).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Adiponectin should correlate negatively with abdominal obesity and insulin resistance, but not directly correlate with blood pressure in MS.</p>