[Prevalence and related factors of CD4+T lymphocytes immune recovery among adult HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture].

Objective: To analyze the longitudinal characteristics of CD4+T lymphocytes (CD4) among the adult HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the related factors. Methods: A retrospective cohort of adult HIV/AIDS starting ART in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (Dehong) in 2007-2016 was followed up to December 31, 2018. Group-based trajectory models were utilized to identify CD4 subgroups based on immune recovery (whether and when CD4 reached the average level of >500 cells/µl). The demographics and information at ART baseline were described, and the related factors were analyzed with polytomous logistic regression. The SAS 9.4 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 7 605 adults with HIV/AIDS were included, of which the median (P25,P75) age at ART were 36 (30,43) years old, 61.0% were male, 42.5% were Han nationality, and 60.8% with the education of primary school or below. The follow-up duration M (P25, P75) was 6.1 (4.1,8.1) years. HIV/AIDS in Dehong showed four CD4 trajectory subgroups from low to high: below the average level, primary recovery to a normal level, full recovery to a moderate level, and normal steady level, accounting for 34.4%, 39.8%, 20.6%, and 5.2%, respectively. When compared with corresponding control groups, age <35 years at ART, female, education of middle school or above, sexual transmission, no opportunistic infection, CD4 ≥200 cells/µl, baseline regimen with tenofovir (TDF) and time from HIV diagnosis to ART <1 year were the related factors facilitating the higher CD4 subgroups. Conclusions: The various CD4 immune recoveries of HIV/AIDS were changing patterns after ART. Starting ART with a high CD4 level was beneficial to CD4 recovery to normal level during the follow-up period. Early initiation of ART and exceptional attention to CD4 immune recovery should be encouraged after the ART.

[Survival time and related factors of antiretroviral therapy among HIV/AIDS patients in Liangshan Prefecture, during 2005-2015].

Objective: To analyze the survival time and to explore the releated factors of antiretroviral therapy among HIV/AIDS patients in LiangShan Prefecture, Sichuan Province for reduction of AIDS death rate. Methods: The retrospective research method was used to collect relevant information from the Management Database of Antiviral Treatment from the National AIDS Comprehensive Prevention Information System. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to describe the survival distribution and to analyze the survival time by single factor and the model of Cox proportional riskanalysis was performed to analyze the survival time of HARRT by multi-factors analysis. Results: Total 14 219 adults and young persons aged ≥15 HIV/AIDS patients received antiviral treatment from 2005 to 2015. The average age of all cases was (36.10±9.41) years old and 10 021 were males (70.5%). The main route of infection was intravenous drug use (61.0%, 8 678 cases). At the end of the observation, 10001 cases (70.3%) were still treated, and 1 425 cases (10.0%) died; Cox Regression analysis showed that female (0.67 (0.55-0.81)), route of sexual infection (0.67 (0.56-0.79)), baseline CD4+T lymphocyte count 200-350 (0.41 (0.35-0.47)) and ≥350 (0.28 (0.24-0.34)), was a protective factor in death. At the beginning of treatment, the patient is clinically staging stage Ⅱ (0.70 (0.58-0.84)) and abnormal BMI (1.75 (1.50-2.03)), is a risk factor for death (P<0.05). Conclusion: Early antiviral treatment is of great significance in improving the anti-viral treatment effect of AIDS. Compliance education should be further strengthened so as to enhance their knowledge. And it is feasible to enhance the effect of treatment through nutritional support for prolonging patients survival time and improving the quality of life.

Temperature decline is a trigger of subarachnoid hemorrhage: case-crossover study with distributed lag model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to use a novel statistical test to predict the trend of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) incidence in response to temperature change and demonstrate its delayed effect in a short hazard period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, data collected between January 2005 and September 2019 were analyzed and 1682 consecutive SAH patients from one hospital were enrolled. Meteorological data in this period including temperature, atmospheric pressure, and humidity were obtained from the China Surface Meteorological Station. Using a case-crossover analysis and distributed lag linear model (DLM) with 4 days lag period to assess the association of temperature change from the previous day (TCP) and risk of SAH. Results were presented as overall cumulative odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CI. RESULTS: Temperature decline was associated with increased risks of SAH: overall cumulative OR was 1.14 (95% CI: 1.05-1.23) for -1.1°C; 2.11 (95% CI: 1.37-3.25) for -6.2°C, as compared with a reference TCP of 0°C. Temperature decline on the day of SAH onset was significantly associated with SAH incidence days, ORs 1.34 (95% CI: 1.19-1.52). In addition, December, ORs 1.49 (95% CI: 1.17-1.90) in winter was the ictus peak in Rizhao throughout the year. CONCLUSIONS: Temperature decline from the previous day is a trigger for the occurrence of SAH. Its effect was most apparent on the day of exposure.

[Early containment strategies and core measures for prevention and control of novel coronavirus pneumonia in China].

In December 2019, novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Province, and spread rapidly across the country. In the early stages of the epidemic, China adopted the containment strategy and implemented a series of core measures around this strategic point, including social mobilization, strengthening case isolation and close contacts tracking management, blocking epidemic areas and traffic control to reduce personnel movements and increase social distance, environmental measures and personal protection, with a view to controlling the epidemic as soon as possible in limited areas such as Wuhan. This article summarizes the background, key points and core measures in the country and provinces. It sent prospects for future prevention and control strategies.

[Effects of rhodiola rosea on oxidative stress and negative emotional states in patients with obstructive sleep apnea].

Objective:The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of rhodiola rosea on oxidative stress, anxiety and depression in patients with OSA. Method:Ninety patients with moderate and severe OSA patients with negative emotions diagnosed by PSG, self-rating depression scale （SDS） and self-rating anxiety scale （SAS） were selected from the respiratory department of our hospital from February 2015 to February 2018. According to the random number table method, the patients were randomly divided into non-invasive ventilator group, rhodiola rosea+non-invasive ventilator group and rhodiola rosea group, with 30 cases in each group. Patients in the non-invasive ventilator group were treated with continuous positive airway pressure （CPAP） for 3 months, and those in the rhodiola rosea+non-invasive ventilator group were treated with oral rhodiola capsules for 3 months on the basis of CPAP, and those in the rhodiola rosea treatment group were treated with pure oral rhodiola capsules for 3 months. The changes of SDS and SAS before and after the three groups were compared, and the changes of serum SOD and MDA were detected by immunoenzyme-linked adsorption for comparative analysis. Result:There were no significant differences in SDS and SAS scores between the three groups （P>0.05）. SDS and SAS scores of patients in the rhodiola rosea+non-invasive ventilator group decreased after treatment （P<0.05） compared with those in the non-invasive ventilator group. SDS and SAS scores of patients in the rhodiola treatment group increased after treatment （P<0.05）. Compared with those in the rhodiola treatment group, SDS and SAS scores of patients in the rhodiola+non-invasive breathing group decreased after treatment （P<0.05）. Three group patients were no significant difference in serum SOD and malondialdehyde （MDA） before treatment （P>0.05）. Compared with before treatment, serum SOD level were all increased and MDA level were all decreased in the three groups after treatment （P<0.05）. Compared with noninvasive breathing unit after treatment, rhodiola+noninvasive breathing unit after treatment in patients with elevated levels of serum SOD, MDA level decreased （P<0.05）, and for the treatment group after treatment in patients with serum SOD levels drop, the MDA levels （P<0.05）, and the after rhodiola rosea treatment group compared, rhodiola+noninvasive breathing unit after treatment in patients with elevated levels of serum SOD, MDA level decreased （P<0.05）. Conclusion:Rhodiola may improve the negative emotions such as anxiety and depression by inhibiting oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxidation in patients with OSA.

[Epidemiological analysis of the deaths with antiretroviral treatment among adult HIV/AIDS patients in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture from 2005 to 2015].

Objective: To analyze the deaths with antiretroviral treatment among adult HIV/AIDS patients in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture from 2005 to 2015, in order to understand the epidemiological characteristics and to further reduce the mortality rate in Liangshan Prefecture. Methods: The relevant information was collected through the Management Database of Antiretroviral Treatment from the National AIDS Comprehensive Prevention Information System. Results: From 2005 to 2015, a total of 14 219 adult HIV/AIDS patients received antiretroviral treatment and 1 425 death cases were reported during the treatment. The cause of death was mainly AIDS-related diseases (58.9%), and the cumulative mortality rate was 10.02%. Gender, age, the way of infection, duration of antiretroviral therapy, clinical stage when received antiretroviral therapy, and CD(4)(+) T lymphocyte levels were factors for the mortality rate (P<0.001). The mortality increased with older age, higher initiation clinical stage and lower level of CD(4)(+) T lymphocyte. Among the death cases, 82.6% were male, 1 182 (82.9%) were married or cohabited, most aged between 30-39 years old (48.6%). At the initial point of receiving antiretroviral therapy, 49.7% of the cases with CD(4)(+)T lymphocytes levels< 200/µl, 61.2% of the deaths cases were>1 000 copies/ml during the last viral load test, and 16.2% of deaths were ≥500/µl in the last CD(4)(+)T lymphocyte test; 44.5% of deaths were received antiretroviral treatment within one year. Conclusion: Early and timely antiretroviral therapy should be carried out. It is necessary to strengthen the propaganda of antiretroviral therapy and to improve the management quality of follow-up information of antiretroviral therapy case files, and to improve the medication compliance of patients.

MiR-9-5p suppresses cell metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition through targeting FOXP2 and predicts prognosis of colorectal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive tract that occurs in the colon, and the incidence is the third in the gastrointestinal tumor. Recently, the dysregulated expression of microRNA-9 (miR-9) has been identified in many human cancers. However, the special function of miR-9 in the progression of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) remains unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-9-5p in 72 pairs of CRC tissues and cell lines. The correlation between miR-9-5p expression and clinical features or prognosis of CRC patients was analyzed. In addition, we examined the mRNA and protein expression levels of forkhead box P2 (FOXP2) using Western blot analysis and qRT-PCR. The functions of miR-9-5p and FOXP2 were investigated using transwell assay and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The relation between miR-9-5p and FOXP2 was confirmed by the dual-luciferase assay. RESULTS: In this study, down-regulation of miR-9-5p and up-regulation of the forkhead box P2 (FOXP2) were detected in CRC tissues and cell lines. Moreover, miR-9-5p was found to inhibit cell metastasis and EMT in CRC. In addition, it was confirmed that miR-9-5p directly targeted FOXP2 in CRC. Furthermore, FOXP2 had a carcinogenic effect on CRC. And the overexpression of FOXP2 weakened the suppressive effect of miR-9-5p in CRC. Of note, we observed found that the low expression of miR-9-5p and the high expression of FOXP2 were correlated with poor prognosis of CRC patients. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-9-5p suppressed cell metastasis and EMT through targeting FOXP2. Furthermore, dysregulation of miR-9-5p predicted the prognosis of CRC patients. Therefore, miR-9-5p may be a biomarker for cell metastasis and a prognostic factor for CRC patients. MiR-9-5p/FOXP2 axis will provide a new breakthrough in the diagnosis and treatment of CRC.

[Effect of peripheral hyperinsulinemia on assessment of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of insulin preparations in euglycemic clamp].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of peripheral hyperinsulinemia on assessment of pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of insulin preparations in euglycemic clamp. Method: A total of 40 healthy male volunteers aged 18-45 years old in West China Hospital between 2015 and 2017 were divided into euglycemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp (A) group and euglycemic clamp (B) group. Humulin R (0.2 U/kg) was given subcutaneously at steady state of clamp after infusion of short-acting insulin in A group while in B group Humulin R was given subcutaneously without establishment of artificial hyperinsulinemia. The blood glucose was maintained within target range during the whole clamp. Result: Maximum insulin concentration [(667±141) pmol/L vs (267±68) pmol/L, P<0.01] and area under curve (AUC) of insulin concentration [(152±32) nmol·L(-1)·min vs (57±7) nmol·L(-1)·min, P<0.01] in A group were higher while maximum glucose infusion rate (GIR) [(3.70±0.70) mg·kg(-1)·min(-1) vs (7.66±2.11) mg·kg(-1)·min(-1), P<0.01] and AUC of GIR [(931±272) mg/kg vs (1 920±452) mg/kg, P<0.01] were lower compared to B group. The serum C-peptide levels were lower in both groups after administration of insulin compared with baseline. Conclusion: It is not necessary applying euglycemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp to evaluate the PK/PD of insulin preparations, which may overestimate the PKparameters and underestimate the PD parameters of insulin preparations.

[Progress in studies on obstructive sleep apnea and intestinal microecological balance].

SummaryObstructive sleep apnea （OSA） is closely related to the development of various diseases. Hypoxic perfusion caused by OSA can mediate the occurrence of inflammatory reactions or aggravate metabolic disorders to affect intestinal microecological balance. Intestinal bacteria can participate in the development of inflammatory reaction or metabolic disorder by itself or its components, and the oxidative stress reaction of the body develops in a vicious circle. The mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated, so we reviewed the research progress on OSA and intestinal microecological balance.

Protective effect of ulinastatin combined with dexmedetomidine on lung injury after cold ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the protective effect of ulinastatin combined with dexmedetomidine on lung injury after hepatic ischemia-reperfusion in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 healthy and clean male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into the blank control group (group O), the model control group (group K), the ulinastatin and dexmedetomidine group (group F) according to random number table with 20 rats in each group. RESULTS: The plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and malondialdehyde (MDA) at T1, T2 and T3 time points in rats of the three groups were significantly higher than those of the T0 time point (p<0.05). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the plasma of rats of the three groups was significantly lower at T1, T2 and T3 time point when compared with that of T0 (p<0.05). The concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and MDA in group K at T1, T2 and T3 moments were significantly higher than those of group O (p<0.05). However, the concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and MDA in group F at T1, T2, T3 were significantly lower than those of group K (p<0.05). The activities of SOD in group K at T1, T2, T3 were all significantly higher than those of group O (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the activities of SOD in group F at T1, T2, T3 were significantly higher than those of group K (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ulinastatin combined with dexmedetomidine can reduce the inflammatory response and inhibit lipid peroxidation, eventually alleviating acute lung injury after hepatic ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

Placental mitochondrial biogenesis and function was slightly changed by gestational hypercholesterolemia in full-term pregnant women.

It was reported that high blood cholesterol levels increased the susceptibility to mitochondrial dysfunction. This study hypothesized that the gestational hypercholesterolemia (HC) could induce the mitochondrial dysfunction in term human placenta. The eligible pregnant women were recruited from Xuanwu Hospital in Beijing during their first prenatal visit (before their 10th week of pregnancy). In total, 19 pregnant women whose serum total cholesterol levels were higher than 7.25 mm at third trimester (measured at 36-38 weeks) were selected as gestational HC. Other 19 pregnant women with normal cholesterol level matched with age, pre-gestational body mass index, and the neonatal gender were included as the control group. Full-term placenta samples were collected. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, adenosine triphosphate monophosphatase 6 (ATP6ase), citrate synthase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) co-activator 1α, PPARγ co-activator 1ß and estrogen-related receptor-α, and the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme complex were measured. Pregnancy outcomes were obtained by extraction from medical records and the labor ward register. The results showed that only placental mtDNA copy number and mRNA expression of ATP6ase were significantly decreased in HC group. No significant differences were detected of other measurements between the two groups. These findings indicated that gestational HC might not induce the damage of placental function seriously.

Liquid-like thermal conduction in intercalated layered crystalline solids.

As a generic property, all substances transfer heat through microscopic collisions of constituent particles 1 . A solid conducts heat through both transverse and longitudinal acoustic phonons, but a liquid employs only longitudinal vibrations2,3. As a result, a solid is usually thermally more conductive than a liquid. In canonical viewpoints, such a difference also serves as the dynamic signature distinguishing a solid from a liquid. Here, we report liquid-like thermal conduction observed in the crystalline AgCrSe2. The transverse acoustic phonons are completely suppressed by the ultrafast dynamic disorder while the longitudinal acoustic phonons are strongly scattered but survive, and are thus responsible for the intrinsically ultralow thermal conductivity. This scenario is applicable to a wide variety of layered compounds with heavy intercalants in the van der Waals gaps, manifesting a broad implication on suppressing thermal conduction. These microscopic insights might reshape the fundamental understanding on thermal transport properties of matter and open up a general opportunity to optimize performances of thermoelectrics.

Multi-functional spintronic devices based on boron- or aluminum-doped silicene nanoribbons.

Zigzag silicene nanoribbons (ZSiNRs) in the ferromagnetic edge ordering have a metallic behavior, which limits their applications in spintronics. Here a robustly half-metallic property is achieved by the boron substitution doping at the edge of ZSiNRs. When the impurity atom is replaced by the aluminum atom, the doped ZSiNRs possess a spin semiconducting property. Its band gap is suppressed with the increase of ribbon's width, and a pure thermal spin current is achieved by modulating ribbon's width. Moreover, a negative differential thermoelectric resistance in the thermal charge current appears as the temperature gradient increases, which originates from the fact that the spin-up and spin-down thermal charge currents have diverse increasing rates at different temperature gradient regions. Our results put forward a promising route to design multi-functional spintronic devices which may be applied in future low-power-consumption technologies.

Effect of NF-κB signaling pathway mediated by miR-711 on the apoptosis of H9c2 cardiomyocytes in myocardial ischemia reperfusion.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the change of the expression of miR-711 in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and the possible mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cardiomyocyte model of I/R injury was constructed. Real-time quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of miR-711 as well as the mRNA and protein levels of NF-κB (p65). Flow cytometry, CCK-8 kit, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect the apoptosis, cell viability, and the content of LDH and MDA, respectively. RESULTS: Compared to control cells, the expression levels of miR-711, the mRNA, and protein levels of NF-κB were higher in H9c2 cardiomyocytes of I/R, the apoptosis rate of H9c2 cardiomyocytes of I/R was higher, the levels of LDH and MDA were higher in the supernatant of cell culture, and the cell viability was lower. In comparison to the cells of I/R, the apoptosis rate of H9c2 cardiomyocytes of I/R plus miR-711 inhibitors was lower, the levels of LDH and MDA were lower in the supernatant of cell culture, and the cell viability was higher. In comparison to control cells, the expression level of Bcl-2 was lower, and the expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3 were higher in the cells of I/R. In comparison to the cells of I/R, the expression level of Bcl-2 was lower, and the expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3 were higher in the cells of I/R plus miR-711 inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of miR-711 could promote the expression of NF-κB (p65) in the cardiomyocytes of I/R and accelerate the transportation of NF-κB (p65) into the nucleus, thus promoting the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.

Analysis of differential expression of miR-223 in platelets of elderly CHD patients before and after the autologous stem cell transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the differential expression of miR-223 in the platelets of elderly patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) before and after autologous stem cell transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, 26 elderly CHD patients were enrolled for treatment from February 2014 to August 2015. Elbow venous blood was collected before and after autologous stem cell transplantation, respectively. Phosphorylation levels of vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) of platelets were assayed before and after the treatment through the flow cytometer. The VASP and Ago-2 protein expression were detected by using ELISA and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: The differential expression of miR-223, VASP and Ago-2 in CHD patients before and after treatment were detected using qRT-PCR. The platelet aggregation rate in the blood of patients was measured before and after the treatment by a platelet aggregation test. Compared to the levels before the treatment, the results of flow cytometry revealed that the phosphorylation levels of VASP in platelet of CHD patients who received the autologous stem cell transplantation was significantly increased (p<0.05). Also, ELISA and Western blot results showed that the protein expression of Ago-2 in elderly patients that received the treatment was significantly increased at (2.36±0.17) µg/L. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the comparison of VASP protein expression before and after treatment (p<0.05). The results of qRT-PCR showed that the expressions of Ago-2 and miR-223 in elderly CHD patients were significantly increased after autologous stem cell transplantation compared to those before the treatment with statistically significant differences (p<0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences identified in the comparison of the mRNA expression of the VASP gene before and after the treatment (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, the miR-223 expression of platelets was significantly decreased after elderly CHD patients received autologous stem cell transplantation. Moreover, it leads to a decrease in protein expression and phosphorylation levels of VASP in order to reduce the occurrence of platelet aggregation.

Zigzag C2N nanoribbons with edge modifications as multi-functional spin devices.

Recently, a holey two-dimensional (2D) C2N crystal with a wide band gap has been successfully synthesized. However, its non-magnetic property largely limits real applications in spintronics. Here we find that edge magnetism can be introduced by tailoring the holey 2D C2N crystal into nanoribbons with zigzag edges. When edge N atoms are bare or passivated by H atoms, the device can be used to design high-performance thermospin devices and thermal rectifiers. This is ascribed to the emergence of a spin semiconducting property with a wide band gap. Moreover, if the edge N atoms are passivated by O atoms, the device shows a half-metallic property; meanwhile an obvious spin Seebeck effect can also be observed when a temperature difference is applied across the device.

Difference in resting-state fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation between bipolar depression and unipolar depression patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the difference in fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) of localized brain activities in the resting-state between bipolar depression and unipolar depression patients and to find biological markers that differentiate the two groups of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients with bipolar depression, 15 patients with unipolar depression, and 16 healthy control subjects that were matched in age and years of education were subjected to 3.0 T resting-state functional magnetic resonance scans. The values of whole brain fALFF were calculated and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: The fALFF-values of the right inferior temporal gyrus, left cerebellar posterior lobe, right middle temporal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus/insula, right inferior frontal gyrus/insula, left lingual gyrus and right middle temporal gyrus of the three groups showed significant differences (p < 0.05). Compared with the healthy control (HC) group, the fALFF-values of the unipolar depression (UD) patient group significantly increased in the right superior temporal gyrus, left insula, left inferior frontal gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus, right supramarginal gyrus and right medial frontal gyrus but significantly decreased in the right medial occipital gyrus, left frontal lobe, right superior parietal lobule; the fALFF-values of the bipolar depression (BD) patient group significantly decreased in the left cerebellum posterior lobe, right lingual gyrus, left lingual gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, and left superior frontal gyrus and significantly increased in the right inferior frontal gyrus and left insula compared to those of the HC group; compared with those of the UD group, the fALFF-values of the BD group significantly decreased in the left middle occipital gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, and left medial frontal gyrus. CONCLUSIONS: The brain activities of BD and UD patients in the resting-state exhibit abnormalities, which differ between the two groups of patients.

Carbon-based molecular devices: Fano effects controlled by the molecule length and the gate voltage.

Fano effect is an important quantum phenomenon in mesoscopic systems, which arises from an interference between the localized state and the extended state. Here we observe an obvious Fano effect near the Fermi level in an all-carbon molecular device consisting of an acene molecule sandwiched between two zigzag graphene nanoribbon (ZGNR) electrodes. By increasing the length of the molecule, an extended state gradually evolves into a localized state. With the aid of the nearby extended state, a Fano effect is achieved. Using a gate voltage, we can easily tune the Fano effect induced by the single-transmission channel. When the spin degree of freedom is involved, the all-carbon device can show a half-metallic property with positive or negative 100% spin polarization at the Fermi level under the gate voltage; meanwhile the spin thermoelectric effect can also be enhanced.

[Factors associated with adherence of highly active antiretroviral therapy among 386 HIV/AIDS patients in 3 provinces of China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate adherence and the influence factors among patients who are on antiretrovirus therapy (ART) of 3 provinces in China. METHODS: This study selected 18-year-old and older AIDS patients as the survey objects who initiated anti-retrovirus therapy between April and September of 2014 and kept on the treatment for one year in Yunnan,Sichuan,and Hu'nan province. Information of demography, treatment and social support was collected by questionnaires. Adopt SSRS questionnaire to calculate the information of objective support, subjective support and utilization of social support. χ(2) test and logistic regression were performed to examine relationships between factors and adherence. RESULTS: A total of 386 patients with medication were investigated. Among them, there were 365 (94.6%) cases who were compliant to the ART, and 357 (92.5%) cases can take their pills on time, and 29 (7.5%) cases take their medication in excess of the prescribed time more than two hours. Social support score was 27.2 ± 7.3, including objective support score (5.6 ± 2.7), subjective support score (16.1 ± 4.8), and utilization of social support (5.5 ± 1.9). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that adherence was significantly associated with the correct cognition of medication (OR (95%CI): 3.24 (1.17-9.00)), the self-awareness of the drug regimen was not complexity (OR (95%CI): 9.34 (3.27-26.68)), taking medication 1 time a day (OR (95%CI): 4.00 (1.35-11.84)), and the batter utilization of social support (OR (95%CI): 1.49 (1.06-2.01)). Married/cohabiting or farmers tend to be nonadherenced, while the OR (95%CI) was 0.24 (0.08-0.67) and 0.23 (0.08-0.69), respectively. CONCLUSION: The patients among these provinces were compliant to the ART, and most of them can take their pills on time. The social support score of these patients was lower than normal person. Participants who have correct cognition of medication, thinking their drug regimen was not complexity; Taking medication 1 time a day or have high level of utilization of social support showed a significantly higher level of self-reported adherence.

27-Hydroxycholesterol contributes to disruptive effects on learning and memory by modulating cholesterol metabolism in the rat brain.

Cholesterol metabolism is important for neuronal function in the central nervous system (CNS). The oxysterol 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC) is a cholesterol metabolite that crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and may be a useful substitutive marker for neurodegenerative diseases. However, the effects of 27-OHC on learning and memory and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. To determine this mechanism, we investigated learning and memory and cholesterol metabolism in rat brain following the injection of various doses of 27-OHC into the caudal vein. We found that 27-OHC increased cholesterol levels and upregulated the expression of liver X receptor-α (LXR-α) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette transporter protein family member A1 (ABCA1). In addition, 27-OHC decreased the expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CR) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in rat brain tissues. These findings suggest that 27-OHC may negatively modulate cognitive effects and cholesterol metabolism in the brain.