The Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), one of the most common adverse events associated with chemotherapy, may affect efficacy because of the interruption of chemotherapy or change of regimen in severe cases, and may even increase cancer mortality. Relevant data supports the evidence that acupuncture can treat pain and sensory abnormalities. However, choosing the most effective acupuncture therapy is difficult because of the lack of evidence-based medicine and comparisons between different acupuncture therapies for treating CIPN. The aim of this study was to use a network meta-analysis (NMA) to evaluate the efficacy of different acupuncture therapies for CIPN. Methods: We searched Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, The Chinese Journal Full Text Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and WanFang Database for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for CIPN. The search period was from the creation of the relevant library to August 10, 2023. A total of 2 investigators independently performed literature screening, data extraction, and risk for bias evaluation. Stata 14.0 software (StataCorp LLC, College Station, Texas USA), was used for the NMA. Results: A total of 13 eligible RCTs involving 746 patients and 6 acupuncture therapies were included in the study. The NMA results showed that electroacupuncture was superior to moxibustion, manual acupuncture, acupoint injection and Western medicine in improving the total effective rate of treatment of CIPN; electroacupuncture + moxibustion was better than manual acupuncture, acupoint injection, and Western medicine. Manual acupuncture's total effective rate was better than Western medicine. However, electroacupuncture was the most effective treatment for CIPN according to the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) ranking. Conclusion: After a comprehensive evaluation of 6 acupuncture therapies for treating CIPN based on NMA, electroacupuncture may be the best option for treating CIPN. However, would be more convincing to get evidence from more RCTs.

Increased systemic immune-inflammation index predicts hemorrhagic transformation in anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke due to large-artery atherosclerotic.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Inflammation and immune response play an important role in hemorrhage transformation after acute ischemic stroke. According to previous studies, systemic immune-inflammation index is associated with severity of stroke. We aimed to evaluate the association between systemic immune-inflammation index and hemorrhage transformation in anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke due to large-artery atherosclerosis. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of patients with anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke due to large-artery atherosclerosis. The laboratory data were collected within 24 h after admission. Hemorrhage transformation was defined on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging or Computed Tomography. The univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed to assess the association of systemic immune-inflammation index with hemorrhage transformation. Then the relationship between systemic immune-inflammation index and hemorrhage transformation in different stroke subtypes was further studied. RESULTS: We included 310 Chinese anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke patients due to large-artery atherosclerosis (mean age 65 ± 11.4 years; 72.6% male). Hemorrhage transformation occurred in 41 patients (13.2%). After multivariate regression analyses, systemic immune-inflammation index (odds ratio [OR] 1.109, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.054-1.167, p＜0.001) was independently associated with hemorrhage transformation. Systemic immune-inflammation index was found to be significantly related to hemorrhagic transformation in artery-to-artery embolization (OR 1.111, 95% CI 1.029-1.210, p＜0.001) and in-situ thrombosis (OR 1.059, 95% CI 1.011-1.194, p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Higher systemic immune-inflammation index is associated with greater risk of hemorrhagic transformation in patients with anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke due to large-artery atherosclerosis, especially in artery-to-artery embolization and in-situ thrombosis.

The GntR-like transcriptional regulator HutC involved in motility, biofilm-forming ability, and virulence in Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

As a halophilic food-borne pathogen, Vibrio parahaemolyticus continueo be a major health issue worldwide. The pathogenic mechanisms of V. parahaemolyticus are still not fully understood. One of the most abundant and widely distributed groups of helix-turn-helix transcription factors is the GntR family of regulators, which are involved in the regulation of various biological processes in bacteria, but little is known about their functions in V. parahaemolyticus. Here, we identified a gene designated as hutC in V. parahaemolyticus SH112 that encodes a member belongs to the HutC subfamily of the large GntR transcriptional regulator family. Compared to the wild type, the hutC mutant strain was significantly more sensitive to acid, bile salt, Triton X-100, and sodium dodecyl sulfate stresses. Our results showed that HutC is required for optimal swimming motility but not necessary for the swarming of V. parahaemolyticus. In addition, inactivation of hutC in V. parahaemolyticus SH112 led to decreased biofilm formation, reduced cytotoxicity in Coca-2 cells, and defective virulence in vivo compared to the wild-type strain. Furthermore, transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis and real-time PCR indicated 4 upregulated and 14 downregulated genes in the hutC mutant strain. Functional analysis revealed that 4 upregulated genes were related to the histidine metabolism pathway. The 14 downregulated genes were mostly related to the cellular metabolic process, binding, and membrane part. This study presents evidence that HutC is involved in bacterial survival under conditions of stress, swimming motility, biofilm formation, cytotoxicity, virulence, and gene regulation of V. parahaemolyticus during infection.

Low-Temperature Light-off MnOx -Na2 WO4 -Based Catalysts: A Step Forward to OCM Process Industrialization.

Oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) catalyzed by MnOx -Na2 WO4 -based catalysts has great industrial potential to convert CH4 directly to C2-3 products, but the high light-off temperature is a big challenge to OCM commercialization. The reaction mechanism studies disclosed that O2 /CH4 -activation relevant "Mn2+ ↔Mn3+ " redox cycle is tightly linked with the catalyst light-off. One concept is thus put forward that the OCM light-off temperature could be lowered once a "Mn2+ ↔Mn3+ " redox cycle was established to be triggered at low temperature over MnOx -Na2 WO4 -based catalysts. The relevant studies in recent years are reviewed, showing that the establishment of low-temperature light-off "Mn2+ ↔Mn3+ " redox cycle over the MnOx -Na2 WO4 -based catalysts indeed works effectively toward a low-temperature light-off OCM process. Moreover, three perspectives for the OCM industrialization are discussed based on this concept, including monolithic catalyst, fluidized-bed method and chemical-looping process.

A comparative study of two-step anodization with one-step anodization at constant voltage.

Two-step anodization has been widely used because it can produce highly self-organized anodic TiO2nanotubes, but the differences in morphology and current-time curve of one-step anodization and two-step anodization are rarely reported. Here, one-step anodization and two-step anodization were conducted at different voltages. By comparing the FESEM image of anodic TiO2nanotubes fabricated by one-step anodization and two-step anodization, it was found that the variation of morphology characteristics is same with voltage. The distinction of morphology and current-time curve between one-step anodization and two-step anodization at the same voltage were analyzed: the nanotube average growth rate and porosity of two-step anodization are greater than that of one-step anodization. In the current-time curve, the duration of stage I and stage II in two-step anodization are significantly shorter than one-step anodization. The traditional field-assisted dissolution theory cannot explain the three stages of the current-time curves and their physics meaning under different voltages in the same fluoride electrolyte. Here, the distinction between one-step anodization and two-step anodization was clarified successfully by the theories of ionic current and electronic current and oxygen bubble mould.

Self-oxygenation mesoporous MnO2 nanoparticles with ultra-high drug loading capacity for targeted arteriosclerosis therapy.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a leading cause of vascular diseases that severely threats the human health due to the lack of efficient therapeutic methods. During the development and progress of AS, macrophages play critical roles, which are polarized into pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to excrete abundant cytokines and overproduce reactive oxygen species (ROS), and take up excess amount of lipid to form foam cells. In this work, we developed a MnO2-based nanomedicine to re-educate macrophages for targeting AS therapy. The MnO2 was one-pot synthesized under mild condition, showing intrinsic catalase-mimic activity for self-oxygenation by using endogenous H2O2 as substrate. Moreover, the mesoporous structure as well as the abundant metal coordination sites in MnO2 structure facilitated the loading of an anti-AS drug of curcumin (Cur), achieving extraordinarily high drug loading capacity of 54%. Cur displayed a broad spectrum of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities to repolarize M1 macrophages into M2 phenotype, and the catalytic MnO2 recovered the function of lipid efflux transporter to remove lipid from cells by suppressing HIF-1α. Collectively, the nanocarrier and the payload drug functioned as an all-active nanoplatform to synergistically alleviate the syndromes of AS. In ApoE-/- mice model, the nanosystem could significantly prolong the circulation half-life of Cur by sixfold, and enhance drug accumulation in atherosclerotic lesion by 3.5-fold after intravenous injection by virtue of surface hyaluronic acid (HA) modification. As a result, a robust anti-AS efficacy was achieved as evidenced by the decrease of atherosclerotic lesion, plaque area, lipid level.

Global atmospheric oxygen variations recorded by Th/U systematics of igneous rocks.

Atmospheric oxygen has evolved from negligible levels in the Archean to the current level of about 21% through 2 major step rises: The Great Oxidation Event (GOE) in the early Proterozoic and the Neoproterozoic Oxygenation Event (NOE) during the late Proterozoic. However, most previous methods for constraining the time of atmospheric oxygenation have relied on evidence from sedimentary rocks. Here, we investigate the temporal variations of the Th/U of arc igneous rocks since 3.0 billion y ago (Ga) and show that 2 major Th/U decreases are recorded at ca. 2.35 Ga and ca. 0.75 Ga, coincident with the beginning of the GOE and NOE. The decoupling of U from Th is predominantly caused by the significant rise of atmospheric oxygen. Under an increasingly oxidized atmosphere condition, more uranium in the surface environment became oxidized from the water-insoluble U4+ to the water-soluble U6+ valance and incorporated in the sea water and altered oceanic crust. Eventually, the subduction of this altered oceanic crust produced the low-Th/U signature of arc igneous rocks. Therefore, the sharp decrease of Th/U in global arc igneous rocks may provide strong evidence for the rise of atmospheric oxygen. We suggest that the secular Th/U evolution of arc igneous rocks could be an effective geochemical indicator recording the global-scale atmospheric oxygen variation.

Oxidative Coupling of Methane: Examining the Inactivity of the MnOx -Na2 WO4 /SiO2 Catalyst at Low Temperature.

Oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) catalyzed by MnOx -Na2 WO4 /SiO2 has great industrial promise to convert methane directly to C2-3 products, but its high light-off temperature is the most challenging obstacle to commercialization and its working mechanism is still a mystery. We report the discovery of a low-temperature active and selective MnOx -Na2 WO4 /SiO2 catalyst enriched with Q2 units in the SiO2 carrier, being capable of converting 23 % CH4 with 72 % C2-3 selectivity at 660 °C. From experiments and theoretical calculations, a large number of Q2 units in the MnOx -Na2 WO4 /SiO2 catalyst is a trigger for markedly lowering the light-off temperature of the Mn3+ ↔Mn2+ redox cycle involved in the OCM reaction because of the easy formation of MnSiO3 . Notably, the MnSiO3 formation proceeds merely through the SiO2 -involved reaction in the presence of Na2 WO4 : Mn7 SiO12 +6 SiO2 ↔7 MnSiO3 +1.5 O2 . The Na2 WO4 not only drives the light-off of this cycle but also gets it working with substantial selectivity toward C2-3 products. Our findings shine a light on the rational design of more advanced MnOx -Na2 WO4 based OCM catalysts through establishing new Mn3+ ↔Mn2+ redox cycles with lowered light-off temperature.

Combination of medical and health care based on digital smartphone-powered photochemical dongle for renal function management.

Currently, the global healthcare market is increasing at high speed with the impendent global aging issue. Healthcare Industry 4.0 has emerged as an efficient solution towards the aging issue since it was integrated with ubiquitous medical sensors, big health processing platform, high bandwidth, speed technologies, and medical services, etc. It is believed to fulfil the requirement of the tremendously growing health market. The acquisition of medical data acts as the dominant precondition to implement the Healthcare Industry 4.0. In the same way, the widely available smartphone could serve as the best biomedical information collect station. In this study, a smartphone-powered photochemical dongle is demonstrated to precisely estimate blood creatinine from the fingertip blood, which works as a highly compact reflectance spectral analyzer with an enzymatically dry chemical test strip. Comparing with conventional laboratory facility for the evaluation and treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD), it implemented the platform of point care with agreed accuracy. In order to estimate the efficiency of treatment and recovery of the CKD, the proposed photochemical dongle would provide a flexible and rapid platform for point of care. Furthermore, the proposed measured technology is very promising method for remote CKD management.

Analysis of the Effect of Lyophilized Recombinant Human Brain Natriuretic Peptide on Endothelial Function in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the effect of lyophilized recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide on the endothelial function of patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-six patients with acute myocardial infarction in our hospital were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group (68 cases each). The patients in the control group were treated by conventional treatment. The patients in the experimental group were treated with lyophilized recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide besides the conventional treatment. The levels of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), serum nitric oxide (NO), and endothelin-1 were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: Before treatment, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the level of FMD (P>0.05); after treatment, the level of FMD in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); before treatment, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the levels of serum NO and endothelin-1 (P>0.05); after treatment, the levels of serum NO and endothelin-1 in the experimental group significantly improved, which were better than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Lyophilized recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide can improve the FMD, increase the content of NO in the blood, and effectively reduce the level of endothelin-1, which is of great significance to improve the endothelial function of patients with acute myocardial infarction and is worth clinical application.

Mechanical stress promotes angiogenesis through fibroblast exosomes.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical stress can induce multiple functional changes in vascular endothelial cells, including proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Furthermore, human fibroblasts are susceptible to external mechanical stress. In this work, we investigated whether mechanical stress can induce exosome secretion from fibroblasts to modulate angiogenesis. METHODS: A CCK-8 cell proliferation assay was used to determine mechanical parameters. Then, exosomes from fibroblasts were isolated and characterized with regard to concentration and markers. We subsequently explored the effect of exosomes on proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. Additionally, high-throughput sequencing was used to screen differentially expressed miRNAs in the mechanical stress-induced exosomes. RESULTS: A static stretching of 15% significantly enhanced the cell viability of the fibroblasts (p < 0.05) and significantly induced the secretion of exosomes from the fibroblasts, which had a stronger internalization ability. Further experiments demonstrated that the presence of static stretching-induced exosomes significantly increased cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis by regulating the Erk1/2 signaling pathway. Additionally, 12 up-regulated and 12 down-regulated candidate miRNAs were discriminated in the static stretching-induced exosomes. CONCLUSION: Our findings conclusively demonstrate that static stretching-derived exosomes from fibroblasts promote angiogenesis through differentially expressed miRNAs, providing novel insights into the molecular mechanism by which mechanical stress influences angiogenesis.

Occurrence of Halogenated Organic Pollutants in Hadal Trenches of the Western Pacific Ocean.

The hadal trenches are the most remote and inaccessible habitats on earth and were once believed to be pristine. A recent study has reported the detection of high levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in endemic amphipods from two hadal trenches (Mariana and Kermadec) in the Western Pacific, implicating that the trenches are indeed polluted. However, a fundamental question remains unanswered, if and to what extent such the physical environment of the trenches is polluted by POPs. In this study, we sampled Mariana, Mussau, and New Britain trenches and analyzed samples of amphipods, sediment, and suspended particulate matter (SPM). Our results show that the amphipods contained elevated levels of PCBs and PBDEs, comparable to those reported in the earlier study. We also detected significantly high concentrations (up to 1343 ng g-1 lw) of chlorinated pesticides, such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes and chlordanes. Furthermore, four brominated natural products (BNPs), which structurally resembled methoxylated brominated diphenyl ethers or polybrominated biphenyls, were identified in the endemic amphipods. However, neither POPs nor BNPs were detected in sediments or SPM. Taken together, we propose that the POPs detected in endemic amphipods likely resulted from bioaccumulation by feeding on polluted large detritus (e.g., carrion) falling to the trench bottoms from the surface ocean.

Self-Assembled Carcerand-like Cage with a Thermoregulated Selective Binding Preference for Purification of High-Purity C60 and C70.

Fullerene molecules have attracted considerable interest because of the unique curved aromatic π-conjugated systems. However, the complicated and costly technologies for purification of highly pure fullerenes hamper easy access to these attractive molecules and consequently limit most of the fullerene applications. Here, we report the discovery of a carcerand-like cage acting as a stand-alone host for efficient separation and purification of C60 and C70 from fullerene soot. The cage, built through the self-assembly of metal coordination, is capable of quantitatively encapsulating fullerenes C60 and C70. The fullerene complexes are highly stable at high temperatures because of the small crevices with precisely defined sizes, multiple favorable CH-π interactions, and concave-convex aromatic interaction between fullerenes and corannulenes. Importantly, the carcerand-like cage shows a temperature-dependent selective binding preference for C60 over C70, which allows us to develop an efficient and green procedure for isolating C60 and C70 with high purity and low mass loss from fullerene soot without the help of recrystallization or high-performance liquid chromatography.

Ilexgenin A exerts anti-inflammation and anti-angiogenesis effects through inhibition of STAT3 and PI3K pathways and exhibits synergistic effects with Sorafenib on hepatoma growth.

Recently, we reported that Ilexgenin A exhibits anti-cancer activities and induces cell arrest. Here, we investigated the effect of Ilexgenin A on the inflammation, angiogenesis and tumor growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our current study revealed that Ilexgenin A significantly inhibited the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 levels and downregulated pro-angiogenic factor VEGF production and transcription in HepG2 cells. The underlying mechanism for Ilexgenin A effects appears to be through inhibiting STAT3 and PI3K pathways. Furthermore, we found that not only Ilexgenin A inhibited STAT3 and PI3K pathways in HepG2 cells but also blocked these signaling pathways in HUVECs. Most importantly, by employing two HCC xenografts models - HepG2 and H22, we showed that Ilexgenin A reduced tumor growth and exhibited synergy effect with Sorafenib. ELISA assay, histological analysis and immunohistochemistry examination revealed that the expression of VEGF and MVD was significantly decreased after the treatment with Ilexgenin A and the combination. Moreover, Ilexgenin A could enhance caspase-3/7 activity in vitro and transmission electron microscope indicated that the combination induced evident apoptosis of tumor cells and caused the structural changes of mitochondria in vivo. Although no apparent adverse effects occurred during the treatment period, Sorafenib monotherapy elicited hepatotoxicity for specific expression in the increased level of AST and the ratio of AST/ALT. However, the combination could remedy this adverse effect. In conclusion, the results described in the present study identifies Ilexgenin A as a promising therapeutic candidate that modulates inflammation, angiogenesis, and HCC growth.

A Contained Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Presenting with Vertebral Erosion.

Chronic contained rupture (CCR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with vertebral erosion is a rare condition. Although it has been reported previously, it is still liable to be misdiagnosed. We present a case of CCR of AAA with vertebral erosion. A brief analysis of similar cases reported in the last 5 years is presented. A 71-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of severe prickling pain in his left thigh. Computerized tomography angiography revealed an AAA which had caused erosion of L3 vertebral body and the left psoas muscle. An aortotomy was performed, and the excised aortic aneurysm replaced with a Dacron graft. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) angiography indicated a normal aortic graft. The patient was discharged 13 days after the surgery. In conclusion, pain in lower back and leg could be associated with vertebral erosion caused by CCR of AAA. Ultrasonography, CT, or magnetic resonance imaging of abdomen should be routinely performed in cases of lumbago that have associated risk factors for AAA.

Effectiveness and safety of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction in elderly in combination with cardiac failure.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and safety of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) in the treatment of elderly acute myocardial infarction induced cardiac failure. METHODS: One hundred and forty-six patients who were diagnosed as elderly acute myocardial infarction induced cardiac failure in the hospital from July 2014 to July 2015 were selected. They were divided into a test group and a control group, 73 each. Patients in both groups were given conventional treatment such as stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques, anti-platelet and remodeling and reversion of myocardium. The curative effects and the incidence of adverse reactions of the two groups were observed. RESULTS: The overall efficacy of the test group and the control group was 87.7% and 65.8% respectively, and the difference had statistical significance (P<0.05). The heart rate, urine volume, n-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of both groups significantly improved after treatment, and the improvement of the test group was superior to that of the control group (P<0.05). The serum creatinine of the test group remarkably reduced after treatment (P<0.05). The incidence of hypotension and arrhythmia of the test group was lower than that of the control group during hospitalization period (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: rhBNP can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms, cardiac function indexes and hemodynamic indexes of patients with elderly acute myocardial infarction induced cardiac failure, with a high safety. It can be extensively applied in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction in combination with cardiac failure.

Synthesis, Crystal Structures and Antibacterial Activities of Trifluoromethylsulfonate Salts of 2-[(3-Chloropyridinium-2-yl)hydrazonomethyl]-6-methoxyphenol and its Copper(II) and Cobalt(III) Complexes.

A new trifluoromethylsulfonate salt of 2-[(3-chloropyridinium-2-yl)hydrazonomethyl]-6-methoxyphenol, (HL)CF3SO3, and its copper(II) and cobalt(III) complexes, [CuL(OH2)]CF3SO3 · 0.5H2O (1) and [CoL2]CF3SO3 · CH3OH (2), were prepared and characterized by physico-chemical methods and single crystal X-ray analysis. A trifluoromethylsulfonate anion is present in each of the compounds. The Cu atom in complex 1 is coordinated by the phenolate O, imino N and pyridine N atoms of L ligand, giving square planar geometry. The Co atom in complex 2 is coordinated by two phenolate O, two imino N and two pyridine N atoms from two L ligands, giving octahedral geometry. The three compounds were tested in vitro for their antibacterial activities.

[Analysis on factors associated with taking subsequent confirmation test among men who have sex with men after being tested positive in oral fluid HIV antibody test in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the proportion and associated factors of taking subsequent confirmation test among men who have sex with men (MSM) after being tested positive in oral fluid HIV antibody test. METHODS: By using successive sampling, 1 003 MSM, who were tested positive in oral fluid HIV antibody test in China-Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation AIDS prevention Program (Extension program) in Beijing during May 1 to December 31, 2013, were recruited. The inclusion criteria included: the objects were men who reported having sex with men; the objects aged more than 18 years old; the objects were tested positive in oral fluid HIV antibody test; the objects had not been reported as HIV positives in China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention previously. According to the program strategy, MSM grassroots organizations transferred the respondents to seek subsequent confirmation tests in specific Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs) or hospitals. The subsequent confirmation tests included: fingertip blood HIV antibody rapid test, venous blood Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) HIV antibody test and venous blood Western Blot (WB) HIV antibody test. Chi-square test was adopted to compare the proportion of taking subsequent confirmation tests in different groups. Nonconditional multivaritae binarylogistic regression analysis was taken to identify the associated factors with whether taking subsequent confirmation tests and to calculate the OR (95% CI) values. RESULTS: The 1 003 respondents were (30.9 ± 9.1) years old. Among all objects, 87.8% (881/1 003) of them took fingertip blood HIV antibody rapid tests and the positive rate was 85.4% (752/881). 98.0% (737/752) of those who were identified as positive in fingertip blood HIV rapid tests took ELISA and WB tests, and the positive rate was 94.4% (696/737). Comparing with those who were expected to seek subsequent confirmation tests in CDCs, the OR (95% CI) value of those who were expected to seek tests in hospitals was 5.10 (1.69-15.36). The OR (95% CI) values of those who used condom sometimes and those who never used condom in anal sex were 5.81 (2.14-15.77) and 3.45 (2.00-5.97) respectively, in comparison with those who reported not having anal sex or using condom consistently in anal sex during the past 6 months. Comparing with the respondents recruited from the internet, the OR (95% CI) values of those recruited in bathrooms, parks/toilets and bars were 0.17 (0.05-0.53), 0.10 (0.04-0.29) and 0.22 (0.06-0.79) respectively. The likelihood of taking subsequent confirmation test decreased with the increase of number of male sexual partners in the past 3 months, and the OR (95% CI) value was 0.92 (0.86-0.99). CONCLUSION: The potential HIV positive MSM in the bathroom, park/toilet and bars are less likely to take subsequent confirmation test. Those who do not use condom consistently during anal sex are more likely to seek subsequent confirmation test. Medical organization conducting subsequent confirmation tests is more likely to increase the confirmation test rate of potential HIV positive MSM. The number of male sexual partners has negative correlation with whether to accept the subsequent confirmation test.

Determine the structure of phosphorylated modification of icariin and its antiviral activity against duck hepatitis virus A.

BACKGROUND: Our previous research showed that icariin (1) and its phosphorylated structural modification (2) improved the survival and attenuated oxidative stress and liver dysfunction induced by duck virus hepatitis. In this paper, we were one step closer to determine the structure of phosphorylation icariin (2) by the FT-IR, HRESIMS and (13)C NMR. Anti-DHAV activities of 1 and 2 were compared in duck embryonic hepatocytes (DEHs) cultured in vitro and by artificial infection method in vivo. Additionally, the antiviral mechanisms of replication/release in vitro and the DHAV gene expression in vivo of 1 and 2 were analyzed. RESULTS: Compound 2's molecular formula was C33H42O18P. The results indicated that 1 and 2 effectively resisted DHAV invading DEHs, that they decreased the mortality of ducklings challenged with DHAV, and that 2 performed more effectively. 1 and 2 performed evenly on DHAV release; however, 2 restrained virus replication far more effectively. Since the anti-DHAV mechanisms of 1 and 2 in vitro probably involve suppression of replication and release, 2's better performance in anti-DHAV may result from its far more effectively inhibiting virus replication. CONCLUSIONS: The compound 2's chemical structure was defined as 8-prenylkaempferol-4'-methylether-3-rhamnosyl-7-(6'''-phosphate)-glycoside. 1 and 2 exhibited anti-virus activity on DHAV. Our results suggest that 1 and 2 might become an anti-virus plant material candidate.

HER2 expression variability between primary gastric cancers and corresponding lymph node metastases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The efficacy of anti-HER2 therapy is mainly dependent on HER2 overexpression in the metastatic lesions. It is essential to decipher the heterogeneity of gene profiles between primary tumor and matched metastases in gastric cancer. METHODOLOGY: The frequency of HER2 expression in 100 gastric cancers of both primary tumors and corresponding multiple lymph node metastases were determined immunohistochemically. A modified HER2-scoring criteria by Hofmann et al recommended for gastric cancer were followed in our study, which considers basolateral, so-called "U-shape", HER2-expression as positive. RESULTS: HER2 overexpression (2+, 3+) was seen in 33.0% of primary gastric cancers and 39.4% of the corresponding metastatic lymph nodes. For the first time, we compare HER2 expression heterogeneity among different lymph node metastases in the same patient, for the cases with 2 or more metastatic lymph nodes, HER2 expression discordance among the nodes was observed in 25.3% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: HER2 overexpression was seen in one-third of primary gastric cancers with lymph node metastases. As the receptor expression may lose or gain in the metastases at a probability of approximately 30%, assessment of the receptor status in metastatic lesions is encouraged.