Prevention of acute and chronic allograft rejection by combinations of tolerogenic dendritic cells.

It is well known that adoptive transfer of donor-derived tolerogenic dendritic cells (DC) helps to reduce acute allograft rejection. However, this method cannot effectively prevent grafts from infiltration of inflammatory cells and fibrosis, and thus has minimal effect on chronic allograft rejection. In this study, we used mitomycin C (MMC) to generate tolerogenic DC and demonstrated that donor (Balb/c)-derived MMC-DC could induce hyporesponsiveness of recipient (C57BL/6) T cells in vitro, potentially by inducing T-cell apoptosis, decreasing IL-2 and IL-12 secretion, and increasing regulatory T-cell numbers and IL-10 secretion. Furthermore, anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment combined with donor-derived MMC-DC prolonged the survival of the allografts in vivo. The mechanisms were similar to those in vitro. Impressively, both acute and chronic rejection were prevented when donor and F1 generation (Balb/c × C57BL/6) derived MMC-DC were injected together with anti-CD154 mAb into recipients before heart allotransplantation. In summary, we showed that donor and F1-derived tolerogenic DC have a synergistic effect on induction and maintenance of T-cell regulation and the secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines. Moreover, adoptive transfer of these two types of DC could inhibit both acute and chronic transplant rejection in mice.

[Correlative factors related to the density of Meriones unguiculatus in the Meriones unguiculatus plague foci of Hebei province, 2001-2013].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the yearly, monthly and habitat-related distribution and their relations with Meriones unguiculatus density in the Hebei Meriones unguiculatus plague foci, from 2001 to 2013. METHODS: Data related to Meriones unguiculatus was gathered through the monitoring programs set up at the national and provincial Meriones unguiculatus plague foci in Hebei province, from 2001 to 2013. According to the yearly density of Meriones unguiculatus, criteria set for the three groups under study, were as follows:'high-risk group'-when the rodent density was≥1.00 under rodents/hm(2),'warning group'-when the rodents/hm(2)>rodent density> 0.20,'standard group'-when rodents/hm(2) rodent density≤0.20 rodents/hm(2). Differences of habitats and monthly distribution among the three groups were compared, under the Kruskal-Wallis H rank sum test while their relations were under the multiple correspondence analysis. RESULTS: The Meriones unguiculatus densities were higher than 1.00 rodents/hm(2), far above the set national standards, in the monitoring area, between 2001 and 2005. From 2005, though the rodent densities began to decrease, however, figures from 2008 to 2013 were still among 0.20 to 1.00 rodents/hm(2). The distribution of habitats in the three groups showed that the Meriones unguiculatus densities were all different in habitats and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The highest median densities were all in the arable land, with maximum value of high-risk group appeared the highest (20.50 rodents/hm(2)) in the wasteland. Monthly distribution showed that the Meriones unguiculatus densities were different and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) in the high-risk and standard groups but not statistically significant in the warning group. Data from the multiple correspondence analysis showed that there was a strong aggregation among wasteland, in April and June, while the warning group was associated with weather in July and the arable land. CONCLUSIONS: When the density became higher than 1.00 rodents/hm(2), the risk on animal plague increased in Hebei Meriones unguiculatus plague foci. Based on the distribution of Meriones unguiculatus, programs should be set to monitor the rodent in arable land and wasteland, in April and June, to reduce the prevalence of animals plague.

Effectiveness of phenol-atabrine-paste (PAP) instillation for female sterilization.

Two groups of sterilized women, 3307 by phenol-atabrine-paste (PAP) instillation and 1026 by mini-lap technique, were follow-up interviewed to determine their relative effectiveness. PAP, if successfully performed, was as effective as the mini-lap. The life table pregnancy rates among successful PAP women were 0.21 and 0.28 at 12 and 24 months, respectively. The rates among the unsuccessful PAP women, however, were high: 15.1 and 30.5 at 12 and 24 months, respectively. In spite of its distinctive advantage of being non-surgical, wider promotion of PAP sterilization procedure deserves caution.

Public awareness of tuberculosis in China: a national survey of 69 253 subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the level of awareness about tuberculosis (TB) in the public and associated factors in China. METHODS: Participants were recruited from 60 counties in 19 provinces and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Questions asked covered the following areas: 1) overall TB awareness, 2) signs/symptoms of TB, 3) mode of TB transmission, 4) TB dispensaries, 5) free TB detection/treatment policy, 6) TB curability and 7) stigma attached to TB. Factors associated with TB awareness were examined using logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 69 253 respondents aged 12-65 years were interviewed, revealing an overall TB awareness rate of 89.0% (95%CI 88.8-89.3). The awareness rates for TB symptoms, TB dispensaries and the free TB detection/treatment policy were respectively 15.1% (95%CI 14.8-15.4), 41.9% (95%CI 41.6-42.3) and 44.7% (95%CI 44.3-45.0). Approximately 71.9% (95%CI 71.6-72.3) had some extent of stigma towards patients with TB. People in the farming industry and those with low educational levels had poorer knowledge of all aspects of TB knowledge and were more likely to stigmatise TB. CONCLUSIONS: Future TB control programmes in China should emphasise TB symptoms, TB dispensaries and its free TB detection/treatment policy to increase public TB awareness, and should target farm workers and people with low educational levels.