[Spectral Characteristics and Sources of Dissolved Organic Matter in Inflow Rivers of Baiyangdian Lake Water in Summer Flood Season].

DOM is the largest reservoir of organic carbon in the world, and it plays a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycles of natural water bodies. A river is a transition area connecting source water and receiving water that controls the DOM exchange between them. Therefore, in this study, ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) and three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy (EEMs) combined with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) were used to analyze the spectral characteristics and sources of dissolved organic matter in the Fuhe River, Xiaobai River, Baigouyin River, and Puhe River of Baiyangdian. The results showed that a245 and a355 in the Fuhe River and Xiaobai River were significantly higher than those in the Baigouyin River and Puhe River. E2/E3 showed that the DOM relative molecular mass of the inflow river water body was Puhe River > Baigouyin River > Fuhe River > Xiaobai River. Three components, tyrosine-like (C1), terrigenous humus (C2), and tryptophan-like (C3), were determined using three-dimensional fluorescence through PARAFAC. There was no difference among the fluorescence components (P>0.05), but there were differences among the C2 and C3 components (P<0.05). The proportion of easily degradable protein-like components (C1+C3) was higher than that of humus-like components (C2). The autogeny index BIX was greater than 1, and the humification index HIX was less than 4, indicating that the autogeny characteristics of the river bodies were obvious, and the humification degree was weak. The FI index was the highest (1.96±0.25), and the HIX index was the lowest (0.46±0.08), and the self-generated source characteristics gradually strengthened along the direction of the river entering the lake, indicating that the water body of the Fuhe River showed higher endogenous and autogenic characteristics. Based on the correlation analysis of fluorescence components and characteristic parameters of DOM, the correlations between the Fuhe River and Xiaobaihe River and between the Baigouyin River and Puhe River bodies were similar. The correlation between fluorescence components of DOM and water quality parameters of each lake was significantly different, and it was strongly correlated with nitrogen and phosphorus in water. According to multiple linear regression analysis, there was no significant difference among C1 components, but there was a significant difference between C2 and C3 components. In summary, the carbon cycle process of Baiyangdian Lake was further understood through the study on the DOM spectral characteristics and sources of the inflow river waters in the summer flood season.

Development and validation of a machine learning model for differential diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion using routine laboratory data.

BACKGROUND: The differential diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) and benign pleural effusion (BPE) presents a clinical challenge. In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning models for disease diagnosis has increased. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and validate a diagnostic model for early differentiation between MPE and BPE based on routine laboratory data. DESIGN: This was a retrospective observational cohort study. METHODS: A total of 2352 newly diagnosed patients with pleural effusion (PE), between January 2008 and March 2021, were eventually enrolled. Among them, 1435, 466, and 451 participants were randomly assigned to the training, validation, and testing cohorts in a ratio of 3:1:1. Clinical parameters, including age, sex, and laboratory parameters of PE patients, were abstracted for analysis. Based on 81 candidate laboratory variables, five machine learning models, namely extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) model, logistic regression (LR) model, random forest (RF) model, support vector machine (SVM) model, and multilayer perceptron (MLP) model were developed. Their respective diagnostic performances for MPE were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Among the five models, the XGBoost model exhibited the best diagnostic performance for MPE (area under the curve (AUC): 0.903, 0.918, and 0.886 in the training, validation, and testing cohorts, respectively). Additionally, the XGBoost model outperformed carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in pleural fluid (PF), serum, and the PF/serum ratio (AUC: 0.726, 0.699, and 0.692 in the training cohort; 0.763, 0.695, and 0.731 in the validation cohort; and 0.722, 0.729, and 0.693 in the testing cohort, respectively). Furthermore, compared with CEA, the XGBoost model demonstrated greater diagnostic power and sensitivity in diagnosing lung cancer-induced MPE. CONCLUSION: The development of a machine learning model utilizing routine laboratory biomarkers significantly enhances the diagnostic capability for distinguishing between MPE and BPE. The XGBoost model emerges as a valuable tool for the diagnosis of MPE.

The effects of four primers and two cement types on the bonding strength of zirconia.

Background: To evaluate the effects of four ceramic primers and two cement types on the bonding strength and durability between zirconia and resin cement. Methods: A total of 115 polished and air-abraded zirconia blocks were randomly divided into five groups (with 23 in each group) to test the performance of various primers. Meanwhile, all primer samples were divided into two subgroups randomly to measure the difference between the two cement types. Group No treat - Clearfil SA Cement (NT-C); group No treat - RelyX Unicem Cement (NT-U); group Z-Prime Plus - Clearfil SA Cement (ZPP-C); group Z-Prime Plus - RelyX Unicem Cement (ZPP-U); group Rely X Ceramic Primer - Clearfil SA Cement (RCP-C); group Rely X Ceramic Primer - RelyX Unicem Cement (RCP-U); group Clearfil Ceramic Primer - Clearfil SA Cement (CCP-C); group Clearfil Ceramic Primer - RelyX Unicem Cement (CCP-U); group Monobond-S - Clearfil SA Cement (MS-C); group Monobond-S - RelyX Unicem Cement (MS-U). According to the type of cement, the specimens were randomly selected for electron microscope scanning and energy spectrum analysis, and the tightness of zirconium porcelain resin adhesive interface was observed. The bonding strength of different adhesives and aging experiments were tested by shear test mode, and the shear strength of each experimental group was analyzed by one variable three factor analysis of variance. Results: All primers in the treated groups maintained a pristine structure without micro-crack, while the non-primer treatment sample exhibited obvious micro-cracks. Furthermore, among the four primers, the sample treated with Clearfil Ceramic Primer (CCP) obtained the highest bonding strength, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). However, cohesive failure mainly occurred in the CCP group before thermal cycles, and mixed failure occurred after thermal cycles. Conclusions: CCP is the superior primer, and can improve the bonding strength between zirconia and resin cement. Because the thermal cycles have a significantly adverse effect on the shear bond strength, CCP can be helpful in improving the durability of the zirconia bonding strength. Furthermore, the two cement types exhibited a similar bonding performance for zirconia.

The effect of adhesive surface with porcelain sintering and two silane coupling agents on the adhesive properties of zirconia.

Background: To explore the effect of adhesive surface with porcelain sintering and different silane coupling agents on adhesive properties of zirconia ceramics. Methods: Zirconia blocks (n=72) were randomly divided into two large groups (n=36) according to whether the adhesive surface was treated with sintered porcelain: N (no porcelain sintering), P (porcelain sintering). Then, according to different silane coupling agents, each group was randomly divided into three small groups, six small groups in total (n=12): NN (no porcelain sintering and agent), NM (no porcelain sintering + Monobond-S), NC (no porcelain sintering + Clearfil Repair); PN (porcelain sintering + no agent), PM (porcelain sintering + Monobond-S), PC (porcelain sintering + Clearfil Repair). After surface treatment, RelyX Unicem Cement was used to make ceramic-resin bonding specimens. Then, each of the six small groups was randomly divided into two subgroups; shear bond strength (SBS) was tested and bond failure mode was analyzed before and after thermal cycling 5,000 times. Results: (I) SBS analysis: the SBS values of the P groups were significantly higher than those of the N groups (P<0.05). The groups treated with silane coupling agents showed higher SBS values than the control group (P<0.05), and the PC groups showed the highest SBS values (P<0.05). The SBS of each group was significantly decreased after thermal cycling (P<0.05). (II) The microcharacteristics under scanning electron microscopy and energy spectrum analysis: the ceramic blocks being treated by porcelain sintering showed more roughness than the control group. A large amount of silicon (Si) appeared on the surface of the ceramic blocks after porcelain sintering. Conclusions: (I) Treating the adhesive surface by porcelain sintering can improve the bonding strength between zirconia and RelyX Unicem Cement, and the effect was better in conjunction with silane coupling agent. (II) The two kinds of silane coupling agent (Monobond-S, Clearfil Repair) can improve the bonding strength between zirconia and resin cement. The effect of Clearfil Repair is better than that of Monobond-S. (III) Thermal cycling had a significant adverse effect on SBS between zirconia and RelyX Unicem Cement. Clearfil Repair is helpful in improving the durability of zirconia bonding strength.

[Temporal and Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Driving Factors of Denitrification Bacterial Community Structure from Landscape Water in Hebei Province: Taking Shijiazhuang as Example].

Landscape water is an important part of urban water systems, and excessive nitrogen affects its ecological functions. This study aimed to investigate the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics and driving factors of the community structure of denitrifying bacteria from landscape water. The functional gene nirS was used as a functional marker to explore the community of denitrifying bacteria in the water and sediment of landscape water. Based on parameters of the water and sediment, the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics and driving factors of the community of denitrifying bacteria were studied. The results showed significant seasonal differences in water parameters and spatial differences in sediment nitrogen (P<0.001). No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in α-diversity; the EC and SOEF-NH4+-N were important factors affecting the α-diversity of the water and sediment. Denitrifying bacteria mainly belonged to the phylum Proteobacteria and the genera Dechloromonas, Rhodocyclaceae, Pseudomonas, Rhodobacter, and Thauera. Principal coordinate analysis revealed that the community of denitrifying bacteria in the water and sediment exhibited significant spatial differences (P<0.001); keystone denitrifying bacteria in the water also exhibited significant spatial differences (P<0.001). RDA and RF analysis showed that the permanganate index and TP were the main environmental factors affecting the total and keystone denitrifying bacteria in the water; SOEF-NH4+-N, IEF-NH4+-N, and WAEF-NO3--N were the main environmental factors affecting the total and keystone denitrifying bacteria in the sediment. These findings could serve as a reference to understand the interaction mechanism between nitrogen and denitrification bacterial communities in landscape water.

Pre-treatment drug resistance of newly reported HIV-1 infected individuals in Wenzhou / 预防医学

Objective@#To know the pre-treatment drug resistance ( PDR ) status of newly reported human immunodeficiency virus type 1 ( HIV-1 ) infected individuals in Wenzhou, so as to provide guidance for antiretroviral therapy ( ART ). @*Methods@# Totally 232 plasma samples of newly reported HIV-1 infected individuals who had not received ART were collected in Wenzhou in 2019. Virus ( HIV-1 ) RNA was extracted, followed by reverse transcription PCR and nested PCR to amplify the pol region and sequence. Resistance mutations and resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors ( NNRTIs ), nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors ( NRTIs ) and protease inhibitors ( PIs ) was analyzed.@*Results@#The pol region sequences from 199 infected patients were obtained and the incidence of PDR was 8.04% ( 16/199 ). Eight genotypes were detected, including circulating recombinant forms ( CRFs ) CRF07_BC ( 47.24%, 94/199 ) and CRF01_AE ( 29.15%, 58/199 ) which were the dominant types. Two unique recombinant forms ( URFs ) were detected, namely URF( CRF01_AE/BC ) and URF( B/C ) . Thirty-one cases ( 15.58% 31/199 ) had drug-resistant mutations. For NNRTIs, NRTIs and PIs, 20 cases ( 64.52% ) , 2 cases ( 6.45% ) and 9 cases ( 29.03% ) with drug resistance mutations were detected, respectively. The resistance mutations to NNRTIs included K101E, K103N/R, V106I, E138K, V179D/E/T, Y181C, G190A and H221Y. Four cases each had two resistance mutations to NNRTIs. The resistance mutations to NRTIs were V75M and M184V. The resistance mutations to PIs were M46I, L33F and Q58E. For the newly released NNRTI drug Doravirine ( DOR ), two cases were found to have mutations of resistance. @*Conclusions@#The incidence of PDR among newly reported HIV-1 patients in Wenzhou is 8.04%, mainly caused by NNRTIs drug-resistant mutation. Resistance to the new drug DOR has emerged. The surveillance of drug resistance should continue to be strengthened.

Enhancing the Rapid Na+-Storage Performance via Electron/Ion Bridges through GeS2/Graphene Heterojunction.

Hybridizing carbonous matrix into metal sulfide is confirmed as an effective strategy to enhance electrode conductance and structure stability. However, a comprehensive understanding of the interface reaction mechanism between active materials and carbon substrate is still urgently needed. Based on the band energy theory, a route to enhance the rate ability for electrode is exploited on regulating interfaces of substrates/active heterojunction. Herein, the highly stable Na+-storage performance of GeS2/3DG is delicately designed, where the hierarchical structure is enabled by uniformly overcoating GeS2 nanograins with graphene matrix. Different from the widespread doping route of active materials for fast ion transfer, we focus on the effects of interface regulation on the high-rate Na- ion-storage performance of substrate/active materials. Here, a well-designed interface of the C-Ge bond at the heterointerface induced by hierarchical GeS2/graphene heterojunction is pioneeringly explored, which can result in a fast electron transfer by reducing electron gathering polarization. More importantly, defects in graphene can alleviate the polarization aroused by ion concentration, which not only offers anchoring/doping sites for C-Ge bond but also provides extra ion channels for Na-ion transportation into GeS2. This interface regulation of constructing metal-carbon bonds will shine light on the reaction kinetics and interface stability and contribute to the fundamental understanding of interface reaction mechanisms for metal sulfide anode materials.

Discrimination of vertebral fragility fracture with lumbar spine bone mineral density measured by quantitative computed tomography.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: This study is a case-control study to explore risk and protective factors, including clinical data and bone mineral density (BMD), affecting vertebral body fragility fracture in elderly men and postmenopausal women. In addition, we investigate the effectiveness of lumbar spine BMD by quantitative computed tomography (QCT) in discriminating vertebral fragility fracture. METHODS: In this case-control study, 52 males and 198 females with vertebral fragility fracture were compared with sex- and age-matched healthy controls to analyse the risk factors that may affect vertebral fragility fracture. The L1-L3 vertebral BMDs were measured by QCT. The difference in risk factors between fracture cases and controls were analysed using student t test and Mann-Whitney U test. The correlation between BMD, age, height and weight were analysed using univariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to study statistically significant indexes. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to calculate the cut-off values for positive and negative predictive values of BMD for vertebral fracture discrimination. RESULTS: In males, body weight and BMD were significantly different between the fracture group and the control group, whereas BMD was only weakly correlated with age (r = -0.234). In females, only BMD was significantly different between the fracture and control groups. BMD was weakly correlated with height (r = 0.133) and weight (r = 0.120) and was moderately correlated with age (r = -0.387). There was no correlation between BMD and the remaining variables in this study. In both men and women, the BMD (p = 0.000) was the independent protective factor against vertebral fracture. The cut-off values of vertebral BMD for fractures were 64.16 mg/cm3 for males and 55.58 mg/cm3 for females. QCT-measured BMD has a high positive predictive value and negative predictive value for discriminating vertebral fragility fracture across a range of BMD values. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that BMD is closely related to vertebral fragility fracture and that QCT is an effective technique to accurately discriminate vertebral fragility fracture. THE TRANSLATIONAL POTENTIAL OF THIS ARTICLE: The spine BMD measured by QCT is closely related to fracture, which may allow clinicians to more accurately discriminate which individuals are likely to experience vertebral fragility fracture.

Effect of Nb and F Co-doping on Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 Cathode Material for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The Li1.2Mn0.54-xNbxCo0.13Ni0.13O2-6xF6x (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05) is prepared by traditional solid-phase method, and the Nb and F ions are successfully doped into Mn and O sites of layered materials Li1.2Mn0.54Co0.13Ni0.13O2, respectively. The incorporating Nb ion in Mn site can effectively restrain the migration of transition metal ions during long-term cycling, and keep the stability of the crystal structure. The Li1.2Mn0.54-xNbxCo0.13Ni0.13O2-6xF6x shows suppressed voltage fade and higher capacity retention of 98.1% after 200 cycles at rate of 1 C. The replacement of O2- by the strongly electronegative F- is beneficial for suppressed the structure change of Li2MnO3 from the eliminating of oxygen in initial charge process. Therefore, the initial coulombic efficiency of doped Li1.2Mn0.54-xNbxCo0.13Ni0.13O2-6xF6x gets improved, which is higher than that of pure Li1.2Mn0.54Co0.13Ni0.13O2. In addition, the Nb and F co-doping can effectively enhance the transfer of lithium-ion and electrons, and thus improving rate performance.

Effect of Ti-doping on the electrochemical performance of sodium vanadium(iii) phosphate.

Na3V2-x Ti x (PO4)3 (x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15) was successfully synthesized by a conventional solid-state route. The XRD results show that Ti is incorporated in the lattice of Na3V2(PO4)3 and the tetragonal structure has not been changed after doping. Among all the composites, the Na3V1.9Ti0.1(PO4)3 composite delivers the highest discharge capacity of 114.87 mA h g-1 at 0.1C and possesses a capacity retention of 96.23% after 20 cycles at 0.1C, demonstrating the better rate performance and cycle stability in the potential range of 2.0-3.8 V. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results reveal that the Na3V1.9Ti0.1(PO4)3 composite has a lower charge transfer resistance and a higher Na-ion diffusion coefficient compared to other composites. The results indicate that Ti-doping in Na3V2(PO4)3 can effectively enhance the electrochemical performance of this tetragonal compound, especially at a high charge/discharge rate.

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Osteoporosis: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem in the elderly population. Several studies have suggested that Chinese herbal medicine has antiosteoporotic activities that might be beneficial for osteoporosis. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine in osteoporosis patients. We comprehensively searched for randomized controlled trials (until December 2016) that compared Chinese herbal medicine with Western medicine in adults with osteoporosis and reported bone mineral densities (BMDs). A total of 10 randomized controlled trials were included. The pooled results suggested that the increased spine BMD was lower but not significant in the Chinese herbal medicine group than in the Western drug group (standard mean difference [SMD] = -0.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.62 to 0.39, p > 0.05). In the subgroup analysis, in postmenopausal women, Chinese herbal medicine also showed a insignificantly higher increment in BMD than the control group (SMD = 0.22, 95% CI: -0.00 to 0.43, p = 0.05). For different treatment durations, subgroups over 6 mo (SMD = 0.09, 95% CI: -0.24 to 0.41, p > 0.05) and less than 6 mo (SMD = -0.25, 95% CI: -1.14 to 0.64, p > 0.05) showed comparable BMDs between the 2 therapies. Our study demonstrated that Chinese herbal medicine alone did not significantly increase lumbar spine BMD. Further studies with better adherence to the intervention are needed to confirm the results of this meta-analysis.

Increased frequency of self-fertile isolates in Phytophthora infestans may attribute to their higher fitness relative to the A1 isolates.

Knowledge of population dynamics of mating types is important for better understanding pathogen's evolutionary potential and sustainable management of natural and chemical resources such as host resistances and fungicides. In this study, 2250 Phytophthora infestans isolates sampled from 61 fields across China were assayed for spatiotemporal dynamics of mating type frequency. Self-fertile isolates dominated in ~50% of populations and all but one cropping region with an average frequency of 0.64 while no A2 isolates were detected. Analyses of 140 genotypes consisting of 82 self-fertile and 58 A1 isolates indicated that on average self-fertile isolates grew faster, demonstrated higher aggressiveness and were more tolerant to fungicides than A1 isolates; Furthermore, pattern of association between virulence complexity (defined as the number of differential cultivars on which an isolate can induce disease) and frequency was different in the two mating types. In A1 isolates, virulence complexity was negatively correlated (r = -0.515, p = 0.043) with frequency but this correlation was positive (r = 0.532, p = 0.037) in self-fertile isolates. Our results indicate a quick increase of self-fertile isolates possibly attributable to their higher fitness relative to A1 mating type counterpart in the field populations of P. infestans in China.

VOPO4 nanosheets as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

VOPO4 nanosheets are successfully synthesized using a hydrothermal method followed by calcination. The XRD results reveal that obtained products are crystallized in the orthorhombic VOPO4 phase. SEM and TEM images demonstrate that VOPO4 products possess unique nanosheet morphology. Electrochemical tests show that the VOPO4 nanosheets exhibit an excellent electrochemical performance as anode materials. They can deliver an initial discharge capacity of 1356 mA h g(-1) at 0.1 C, and possess a favorable capacity at rates of 0.2, 1, and 2 C. The synthesized VOPO4 can be used as a good anode material; furthermore, the nanosheet structure can effectively improve the electrochemical performance of this material.

Comparative investigation of phosphate-based composite cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

Li3V2(PO4)3-LiVPO4F, LiFePO4-Li3V2(PO4)3, and LiFePO4-Li3V2(PO4)3-LiVPO4F composite cathode materials are synthesized through mechanically activated chemical reduction followed by annealing. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results reveal that the obtained products are pure phase, and the molar ratio of each phase in the composites is consistent with that in raw material. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show that each phase coexists in the composites. The LiFePO4-Li3V2(PO4)3-LiVPO4F composites exhibit the best electrochemical performance. These composites can deliver a capacity of 164 mAh g(-1) at 0.1 C and possess favorable capacities at rates of 0.5, 1, and 5 C. The excellent electrochemical performance is attributed to the mutual modification and the synergistic effects.

Electrochemical properties of VPO4/C nanosheets and microspheres as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

VPO4/C nanosheets and microspheres are successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal method followed by calcinations. The XRD results reveal that the obtained products both have an orthorhombic VPO4 phase. The SEM and TEM images demonstrate that nanosheets and spherical morphology can be obtained by controlling the synthesis conditions. The samples are both uniformly coated by amorphous carbon. The electrochemical test results show that the sample with a nanosheet structure has a better electrochemical performance than the microsphere samples. The VPO4/C nanosheets can deliver an initial discharge capacity of 788.7 mAh g(-1) at 0.05 C and possessed a favorable capacity at the rates of 1, 2, and 4 C. The nanosheet structure can effectively improve the electrochemical performances of VPO4/C anode materials.

[Molecular epidemiological study on HIV/AIDS under the follow-up program in Zhejiang province in 2009].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the molecular epidemiological characteristics on HIV infectors/AIDS patients (HIV/AIDS) under a follow-up program in Zhejiang province in 2009. METHODS: 303 cases were randomly sampled. Information on the cases was collected and followed by genomic DNA extraction. Gag gene fragments were amplified by nested PCR, followed by sequencing and bio-informatic analysis. RESULTS: The rate of success for sequence acquisition was 74.3% (225/303). Distributions of HIV subtypes were as follows: CRF01_AE (58.7%), CRF07_BC (13.8%), CRF08_BC (9.8%), B' (15.1%), C (1.8%), G (0.4%) and unassigned BC (unique recombinant form 0.4%). RESULTS: from the HIV BLAST analysis showed that the sources of strains with the highest homology involved in 10 provinces/municipalities (Liaoning, Guangxi, Yunnan, Henan, etc.) and five other countries (Thailand, Vietnam, India, South Africa and Libya). The CRF01_AE phylogenetic tree was divided into four clusters. The sequences of HIV/AIDS with homosexual transmission showed a gather in cluster 1, and mix with those infected through heterosexual contact. CONCLUSION: Circulating recombinant forms of HIV seemed to play a dominant role in Zhejiang province. Unique recombinant form and new subtype of HIV were found. People living with HIV under homosexual transmission and heterosexual transmission had a trend of interwoven with each other. Increase of both the diversity and complexity of HIV strains were also noticed in Zhejiang province.

[Survey of HIV drug resistance threshold in Zhejiang province from 2009 to 2011].

OBJECTIVE: To survey the prevalence of drug resistant HIV in Zhejiang province in 2009-2011. METHODS: WHO truncated sequential sampling technique was adopted annually by using 63, 62 and 57 samples of newly diagnosed as HIV positive and aged 16-25 years in Hangzhou, Ningbo and Wenzhou from 2009 to 2011, respectively. RNA was prepared and HIV pol region was amplified by RT-PCR and nested PCR. Pol genetic mutation associated with drug resistance was analyzed. RESULTS: The success rates for sequence acquisition of the survey were 82.5% (52/63), 95.2% (59/62) and 94.7% (54/57) from year 2009 to 2011, respectively, and the main subtype was CRF01_AE (68.5% (37/54)-71.2% (37/52)). A total of 4 surveillance drug-resistance mutation (SDRMs), 2 SDRMs and 2 SDRMs were found by analyzing the 47 sequences each year, sampled from year 2009 to 2010, respectively, indicating that the prevalence of drug resistant HIV stains was moderate in 2009, and low for the next two years (2010-2011). A total of 8 individuals with drug resistant HIV stains found in this study were all infected by sexual transmission, especially in homosexual transmission (6 cases), and the main subtype was CRF01_AE (7 cases). SDRMs for protease inhibitor (PI), nucleotide HIV-reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and non-NRTI (NNRTI) (L90M, T215S and Y188L) were all found in one case. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of drug resistant HIV stains in major areas with AIDS epidemic in Zhejiang province was low in 2009-2011.

[Molecular characteristics of HIV-1 CRF01_AE strains in Zhejiang province in 2009].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the molecular epidemiological characteristics of HIV-1 subtype CRF01_AE strains being prevailed among HIV/AIDS in Zhejiang province in 2009. METHODS: A total of 303 subjects were identified by stratified random sampling among HIV infected individuals in Zhejiang province in 2009. Gag fragments of the HIV-1 strains were amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction from the DNA extracted from whole blood of HIV-1 infected individuals. PCR products were sequenced and analyzed by phylogenetic method. RESULTS: A total of 132 HIV-1 subtype CRF01_AE sequences were identified from the 225 samples that sequenced successfully, accounting for 58.67% (132/225). A total of 90.91% (120/132) CRF01_AE strains infected HIV/AIDS were transmitted mainly by sexual contacts. A total of 65.91% (87/132) of the cases infected by heterosexual route and 25.00% (33/132) by homosexual route. There were three main clusters in the phylogenetic tree. Pairwise DNA distance within three groups was 0.037 ± 0.011, 0.034 ± 0.008 and 0.047 ± 0.010, which has statistical significance (P < 0.05). Distribution of the sequence of homosexual behavior infected individuals was relatively concentrated in clusters one (96.97%, 32/33), and crossed with heterosexual behavior infectors, and presented the close relations with strains from Jiangsu province, Zhengzhou of Henan province, Liaoning province, Shijiazhuang of Hebei province. CONCLUSION: The CRF01_AE strains were the dominant subtypes among HIV infected individuals. The majority of the CRF01_AE infected cases had high risk sexual behavior. The heterosexual infected cases were more than homosexual cases. The circulating status of CRF01_AE strains in homosexual population was relatively independent, but also had evidence of transmission from man who have sex with man to heterosexual population.

[Relationship between strain subtypes and transmission of HIV infection within marriage-based immigrant women in rural area of Zhejiang province].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between strain subtypes and transmission of HIV infection on marriage-based immigrant women, their spouses and children in rural area of Zhejiang province. METHODS: Marriage-based immigrant women with HIV infection, their HIV infected spouses and children in rural area in Zhejiang province, were selected as study objects. Analysis on genetic sequence and epidemiologic information was carried out. Subgenomic gag was amplified by nest-PCR analysis on the whole blood samples. Genetic subtype characterization and the source of HIV strains were analyzed. Relationships on sequences were also examined by phylogenetic tree analysis. RESULTS: Genetic sequences of 72 samples from HIV infected marriage-based immigrant women were obtained. The genetic subtypes comprised 21 CRF01_AE (29.2%), 12 CRF07_BC (16.7%), 31 CRF08_BC (43.1%), 6 B (8.3%), 2 C (2.8%). HIV strains from 45 cases (62.5%) were similar to the prevalent HIV strains in the province where former census of marriage-based immigrant women were registered. In total, there were 26 (70.3%) cases from Yunnan province. 84.7% of the infected women had heterosexual behaviors before settling down in Zhejiang province. Genetic sequences of 17 pairs showed the same subtype between the couples and data from phylogenetic tree analysis supported the assumption of transmission linkage in the family. CONCLUSION: The HIV subtype strains detected in those HIV infected marriage-based immigrant women in the rural area of Zhejiang province characterized with diversity, showing CRF08_BC and CRF01_AE were the main HIV strain subtypes. HIV infection originated mainly from Yunnan province and nearby regions. Heterosexual behaviors of the marriage-based immigrant women in the original region where they had their residence registration, seemed to be the primary high risk factors for these women. Surveillance and intervention programs on these marriage-based immigrant women and their family members should be improved.

[Subtype and transmission of HIV strain in both HIV infected spouses in Zhejiang province].

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the subtype and transmission of HIV strain in both HIV infected spouses. METHODS: Reported both HIV infected spouses were selected as objects. Analysis on genetic sequence and high risk behaviors was carried out. Subgenomic gag was amplified by nest-PCR analysis of whole blood samples from objects. Genetic subtype characterization of HIV was identified and pairwise genetic distances were calculated. Sequence relationships were also examined by phylogenetic tree analysis. RESULTS: Genetic sequences of 46 pairs (92 cases) were obtained. The genetic subtype comprised 39 CRF01_AE (42.4%), 10 CRF07_BC (10.9%), 18 CRF08_BC (19.6%), 18 B (19.6%), 5 C (5.4%) and 2 CRF02_AG (2.2%). 44 pairs had the same subtype between the two partners, accounted for 95.7% of the total. 33 of the 41 pairs with phylogenetic tree analysis were found having epidemiological linkage in pair wise. Sexual behaviors of out-marriage were the main risk factors of CRF01_AE and CRF08_BC and CRF02_AG strains infection. Blood transmission was associated with B and CRF07_BC. CONCLUSION: The HIV strains subtype detected in HIV infected spouses characterized with diversity. CRF01_AE was the main strain subtype. The main route of transmission to the spouses was through unprotected sexual contacts. Surveillance programs on HIV infected partner together with intervention between the spouses should be improved.