Masks as a moral symbol: Masks reduce wearers' deviant behavior in China during COVID-19.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, mask wearing has become a global phenomenon. How do masks influence wearers' behavior in everyday life? We examine the effect of masks on wearers' deviant behavior in China, where mask wearing is mostly a public-health issue rather than a political issue. Drawing on behavioral ethics research, we test two competing hypotheses: (a) masks disinhibit wearers' deviant behavior by increasing their sense of anonymity and (b) masks are a moral symbol that reduces wearers' deviant behavior by heightening their moral awareness. The latter hypothesis was consistently supported by 10 studies (including direct replications) using mixed methods (e.g., traffic camera recording analysis, observational field studies, experiments, and natural field experiment) and different measures of deviant behavior (e.g., running a red light, bike parking in no-parking zones, cheating for money, and deviant behavior in the library). Our research (n = 68,243) is among the first to uncover the psychological and behavioral consequences of mask wearing beyond its health benefits.

Efficacy and safety of the long-acting fusion inhibitor albuvirtide in antiretroviral-experienced adults with human immunodeficiency virus-1: interim analysis of the randomized, controlled, phase 3, non-inferiority TALENT study.

BACKGROUND: Albuvirtide is a once-weekly injectable human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 fusion inhibitor. We present interim data for a phase 3 trial assessing the safety and efficacy of albuvirtide plus lopinavir-ritonavir in HIV-1-infected adults already treated with antiretroviral drugs. METHODS: We carried out a 48-week, randomized, controlled, open-label non-inferiority trial at 12 sites in China. Adults on the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended first-line treatment for >6 months with a plasma viral load >1000 copies/mL were enrolled and randomly assigned (1:1) to receive albuvirtide (once weekly) plus ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (ABT group) or the WHO-recommended second-line treatment (NRTI group). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with a plasma viral load below 50 copies/mL at 48 weeks. Non-inferiority was prespecified with a margin of 12%. RESULTS: At the time of analysis, week 24 data were available for 83 and 92 patients, and week 48 data were available for 46 and 50 patients in the albuvirtide and NRTI groups, respectively. At 48 weeks, 80.4% of patients in the ABT group and 66.0% of those in the NRTI group had HIV-1 RNA levels below 50 copies/mL, meeting the criteria for non-inferiority. For the per-protocol population, the superiority of albuvirtide over NRTI was demonstrated. The frequency of grade 3 to 4 adverse events was similar in the two groups; the most common adverse events were diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infections, and grade 3 to 4 increases in triglyceride concentration. Renal function was significantly more impaired at 12 weeks in the patients of the NRTI group who received tenofovir disoproxil fumarate than in those of the ABT group. CONCLUSIONS: The TALENT study is the first phase 3 trial of an injectable long-acting HIV drug. This interim analysis indicates that once-weekly albuvirtide in combination with ritonavir-boosted lopinavir is well tolerated and non-inferior to the WHO-recommended second-line regimen in patients with first-line treatment failure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02369965; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov.Chinese Clinical Trial Registry No. ChiCTR-TRC-14004276; http://www.chictr.org.cn/enindex.aspx.

The Role of IL-27 and its Receptor in the Pathogenesis of HIV/AIDS and Anti-viral Immune Response.

BACKGROUND: Cytokines have been widely demonstrated to involve in the pathogenesis of AIDS and the mechanisms of antiretroviral therapy. Interleukin 27 (IL-27) is a new member of the IL-12 cytokine family and has been shown to interfere HIV-1 virus replication with controversial findings. This study is to investigate the dynamic changes in plasma IL-27 level and cell surface IL-27 receptor expression in HIV/AIDS patients who underwent HAART. METHODS: Whole blood was collected from 34 HIV-positive/AIDS patients 0, 6, and 12 months after initiation of HAART and 27 healthy subjects. Plasma IL-27, IFN-γ, and IL-4 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while peripheral blood CD3+CD4+ T cells count and the gp130 expressed CD3+CD4+cell were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The plasma IL-27 concentration, IFN-γ concentration, and percentage of positive gp130 CD4 cells were significantly decreased in previously treatment-naive HIV/AIDS patients compared to healthy controls, but gradually increased 6 and 12 months after initiation of HAART. Conversely, IL-4 levels were significantly increased in treatment-naive HIV/AIDS patients compared to healthy controls, but gradually decreased 6 and 12 months after HAART. The concentrations of plasma IL-27 were positively correlated with the percentage of gp130 positive CD4 cells (r=0.438, p=0.016). Both plasma IL-27 concentration and gp130 positive cell percentage were positively associated with peripheral blood CD3+CD4+ T cell count (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but negatively associated with plasma HIV viral load (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: IL-27 signaling (IL-27 and its receptor) may be involved in the pathogenesis of HIV infection and immune reconstitution in HIV/AIDS patients who underwent HAART. IL-27 may exert effects through regulating Th1 / Th2 ratio.

The role of categorization and scale endpoint comparisons in numerical information processing: A two-process model.

We propose a two-process conceptualization of numerical information processing to describe how people form impressions of a score that is described along a bounded scale. According to the model, people spontaneously categorize a score as high or low. Furthermore, they compare the numerical discrepancy between the score and the endpoint of the scale to which it is closer, if they are not confident of their categorization, and use implications of this comparison as a basis for judgment. As a result, their evaluation of the score is less extreme when the range of numbers along the scale is large (e.g., from 0 to 100) than when it is small (from 0 to 10). Six experiments support this two-process model and demonstrate its generalizability. Specifically, the magnitude of numbers composing the scale has less impact on judgments (a) when the score being evaluated is extreme, (b) when individuals are unmotivated to engage in endpoint comparison processes (i.e., they are low in need for cognition), and (c) when they are unable to do so (i.e., they are under cognitive load). Moreover, the endpoint to which individuals compare the score can depend on their regulatory focus. (PsycINFO Database Record

The role of autophagy in THP-1 macrophages resistance to HIV- vpr-induced apoptosis.

Macrophages are resistant to cell death and are one of HIV reservoirs. HIV viral protein Vpr has the potential to promote infection of and survival of macrophages, which could be a highly significant factor in the development and/or maintenance of macrophage viral reservoirs. However, the impact of vpr on macrophages resistance to apoptosis is yet to be comprehended. Autophagy is a cell survival mechanism under stress state. In this study, we investigated whether autophagy is involved in macrophages resistant to vpr-induced apoptosis. Using the THP1 macrophages, we studied the interconnection between macrophages resistance to apoptosis and autophagy. We found that vpr is able to trigger autophagy in transfected THP-1 macrophages confirmed by electron microscopy (EM) and western blot analysis, and inhibition of autophagy with 3MA increased vpr-induced apoptosis. The results indicate that autophagy may be responsible for maintenance of macrophage HIV reservoirs.

Changing Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype among Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Hepatitis C Virus Co-Infection in China.

BACKGROUND: Co-infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become the most common cause of death in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients on antiretroviral therapy. The distribution of HCV genotypes varies with geographical regions and time, and limited studies have focused on the HCV genotype in HIV/HCV co-infection. METHODS: The distribution of HCV genotypes was evaluated in 414 patients with HIV/HCV co-infection in three regions (South, Central and Northwest) of China from 2008 to 2010. The NS5B region of HCV was characterized using nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Nucleotide sequences obtained were subjected to phylogenetic analysis, and genotypes were assigned using published reference genotypes. RESULTS: Genotype 3 was the most prevalent HCV strain (36.2%), followed by genotype 6 (30.0%), genotype 1 (28.5%), genotype 2 (5.1%), and genotype 5 (0.2%). The distribution varied geographically. Genotype 6 (37.6%) was the predominant strain while genotype 1 (20.2%) was less common in the South compared to the Central and Northwest regions (all P < 0.001). The distribution also varied temporally. There was no significant difference in genotype distribution in Guangdong (a province in the South region), between patient cohorts from 2005-2008 and 2009-2010. However, outside Guangdong, genotypes 3 and 6a became significantly more prevalent (22.4% vs.42.2%, P< 0.001; 8.0% vs. 19.8%, P = 0.004), and genotype 1 less prevalent (54.4% vs.26.6%, P< 0.001) over time. CONCLUSION: The most dramatic shift in genotypic distribution was the movement of HCV genotypes 3 and 6a outside of Guangdong in HIV/HCV co-infected patients. This movement appeared closely associated with transmission via injected drug use.

The immune pathogenesis of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy in AIDS.

The present study investigated the immunological pathogenesis of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). A total of 238 patients with AIDS who received initial HAART were included in this prospective cohort study. Blood samples were collected immediately, at baseline, at week 12, and at week 24 after initial HAART and at the onset of IRIS. Lymphocyte subsets, Th1 and Th2 cytokines, and interleukin (IL)-7 levels were measured by flow cytometry or ELISA. Among the 238 patients with AIDS who received HAART, 47 patients developed IRIS. The percentages of CD4(+) and CD8(+) naive, memory, and activated cells exhibited no significant differences between AIDS patients with and without IRIS 24 weeks after initial HAART. The percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells was lower in IRIS patients than in non-IRIS patients before HAART, 12 weeks after HAART, 24 weeks after HAART, and at the onset of IRIS. IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-γ levels were significantly higher at week 4 and at the onset of IRIS in IRIS patients than in non-IRIS patients. In contrast, IL-4 and IL-10 levels were significantly lower at week 4 and at the onset of IRIS in IRIS patients than in non-IRIS patients. Plasma IL-7 decreased gradually with the progression of HAART. The level of IL-7 was higher in IRIS patients than in non-IRIS patients at all follow-up time points. An imbalance of Th1/Th2 cytokines, a consistently low CD(+)CD25(+)Fox3(+) percentage, and a high IL-7 level may be crucial in the pathogenesis of IRIS in AIDS patients who had received HAART.

A model of acute compressive spinal cord injury with a minimally invasive balloon in goats.

Research into spinal cord injury depends upon animal models of trauma. While investigations using small animals have yielded critical insights into the cellular mechanisms of neurotrauma, no effective therapies have been translated to human clinical treatments. There are considerable differences in pathophysiology, scale, and anatomical organization between rodents and primates. Here, the established method of inflating balloons to compress the cord within the spinal canal was adapted for use in goats. By using surgical techniques to insert a kyphoplasty balloon, spinal cord injury was accomplished with minimal trauma to the surrounding tissues, as is common in other traumatic models. Dye volumes of 0, 1.26 ± 0.18, and 2.82 ± 0.20 mL were injected into the balloon to produce spinal occupancies of 0%, 33 ± 2%, and 89 ± 4%, as evaluated by X-ray and computerized tomography imaging. A significant dose response was observed for the different levels of trauma, with reduced conduction of somatosensory evoked potentials and impaired mobility 7 days after injury. From the strong correlations between injection volume, balloon pressure, spinal occupancy, nerve function, and animal behavior, we conclude that hydraulic compression in goats is a useful model of spinal cord injury.

[Multi-centered, randomized controlled clinical study on Chinese medicine formula particles for hyperlipidaemia associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect and safety of Xiaozhi particles, integrated taohong Siwu tang and Erchen tang and Xuezhikang capsule in treating hyperlipidaemia (HLP) associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHOD: In the multi-centered, randomized controlled clinical study, 180 hyperlipidaemia associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy cases were divided into the treatment group treated by Xiaozhi particles, integrated Taohong Siwu tang and Erchen tang, and the control group treated by Xuezhikang capsule. The treatment course was 12 weeks. The total cholesterol (Tch), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein(HDL) were observed. RESULT: After 12 weeks, compared with Xuezhikang capsule, the change difference of Tch, LDL, HDL in the Chinese traditional medicine formula groups of patients is significant (P < 0.05), the change of the TG has no significant difference. The effect of Tch, LDL in Xuezhikang capsule groups is better than in traditional Chinese medicine formula group,but the effect of HDL in traditional Chinese medicine formula group is better than in Xuezhikang capsule groups. CONCLUSION: Integrated Taohong Siwu tang and Erchen tang, Xiaozhi particles and Xuezhikang capsule can be used to control the hyperlipidaemia associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy as one of the main Chinese native medicine preparation.

[Dynamic changes of cellular HIV-1 DNA quantification during highly active antiretroviral therapy in Chinese HIV infected individuals].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the dynamic changes of 3 types of viral reservoir cells (NK cells, T lymphocytes and monocytes), and its relationship with treatment effect in Chinese HIV-1 infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) for 2 years. METHODS: A total of 40 chronic HIV-1-infected adults who initiated HAART were enrolled in this study and followed up for 2 years. Peripheral whole blood was obtained from each patient at baseline (0 month), 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the HIV-1 RNA in the plasma and HIV-1 DNA in NK cells, T lymphocytes and monocytes. All the data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: CD4 count increased with the decrease of the viral load during HAART. After HAART initiation, HIV-1 DNA showed a significant decrease in NK cells, T lymphocytes and monocytes. The HIV-1 DNA from T lymphocytes, NK cells and monocytes correlated positively with the HIV- 1 RNA (P<0.05) while NK cells and T lymphocytes correlated negatively with CD4+ T cell count. However we did not find significant correlation between CD4+ T cell count and HIV-1 DNA in monocytes at the baseline of HAART. CONCLUSION: This study found that NK cell was an important HIV cellular reservoir besides T lymphocytes and monocytes. T lymphocytes may be the main long lasting HIV reservoir. HIV-1 proviral DNA may play an important role in the efficacy of treatment and monitoring the disease progression.

Identifying risk factors of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in AIDS patients receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapy

Immune reconstitution inflammation syndrome typically occurs within days after patients undergo highly active anti-retroviral therapy and is a big hurdle for effective treatment of AIDS patients. In this study, we monitored immune reconstitution inflammation syndrome occurrence in 238 AIDS patients treated with highly active anti-retroviral therapy. Among them, immune reconstitution inflammation syndrome occurred in 47 cases (19.7%). Immune reconstitution inflammation syndrome patients had significantly higher rate of opportunistic infection (p < 0.001) and persistently lower CD4+ cell count (p < 0.001) compared to the non-immune reconstitution inflammation syndrome patients. In contrast, no significant differences in HIV RNA loads were observed between the immune reconstitution inflammation syndrome group and non-immune reconstitution inflammation syndrome group. These data suggest that a history of opportunistic infection and CD4+ cell counts at baseline may function as risk factors for immune reconstitution inflammation syndrome occurrence in AIDS patients as well as potential prognostic markers. These findings will improve the management of AIDS with highly active anti-retroviral therapy.

Identifying risk factors of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in AIDS patients receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapy.

Immune reconstitution inflammation syndrome typically occurs within days after patients undergo highly active anti-retroviral therapy and is a big hurdle for effective treatment of AIDS patients. In this study, we monitored immune reconstitution inflammation syndrome occurrence in 238 AIDS patients treated with highly active anti-retroviral therapy. Among them, immune reconstitution inflammation syndrome occurred in 47 cases (19.7%). Immune reconstitution inflammation syndrome patients had significantly higher rate of opportunistic infection (p<0.001) and persistently lower CD4(+) cell count (p<0.001) compared to the non-immune reconstitution inflammation syndrome patients. In contrast, no significant differences in HIV RNA loads were observed between the immune reconstitution inflammation syndrome group and non-immune reconstitution inflammation syndrome group. These data suggest that a history of opportunistic infection and CD4(+) cell counts at baseline may function as risk factors for immune reconstitution inflammation syndrome occurrence in AIDS patients as well as potential prognostic markers. These findings will improve the management of AIDS with highly active anti-retroviral therapy.

The effect of a year of highly active antiretroviral therapy on immune reconstruction and cytokines in HIV/AIDS patients.

To investigate the effect of a year of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on immune reconstruction and cytokine production in HIV/AIDS patients, 35 AIDS patients were recruited for HAART treatment and 35 healthy volunteers were assigned as controls. The dynamic changes in HIV load, blood T cell subset counts, as well as interleukin (IL)-12, interferon (IFN)-γ, and interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) levels in AIDS patients were evaluated before HAART and at 6 and 12 months after therapy. Our results revealed that HIV virus load in HIV/AIDS patients was reduced below the detectable limit after patients received 6 months of HAART. CD3(+)CD4(+), CD4(+)CD45RA(+)62L(+), and CD4(+)CD45RO(+) T cells were found to be significantly decreased in HIV/AIDS patients compared to the healthy controls, but increased after HAART. CD3(+)CD8(+) and CD8(+)CD38(+) cells were found to be increased in HIV/AIDS patients but decreased after HAART. Plasma IL-12 and IFN-γ levels were lower but IP-10 level was higher in AIDS patients compared to controls. HAART significantly improved IL-12 and IFN- γ levels but reduced IP-10 level in AIDS patients (p<0.01). CD4(+)CD45RA(+)62L(+) and CD4(+)CD45RO(+) T cells were positively correlated with plasma IL-12/IFN-γ levels (p<0.05), but negatively correlated with plasma IP-10 level. However, CD3(+)CD8(+) cells were negatively correlated with plasma IL-12 and IFN-γ levels, but positively correlated with IP-10 level (p<0.05). HAART benefits HIV/AIDS patients by not only inhibiting virus replication but also by contributing to immune reconstruction, such as restoring subsets of T cells and adjusting cytokine production in HIV/AIDS patients.

Interleukin-21 plays an important role in CD8 T-cell activation and poor outcome in HIV infection.

To present the relationship between high CD8+ T-cell activation and poor outcome in HIV-1 pathogenesis. We hypothesized that the decrease of interleukin-21 (IL-21) levels would lead to alterations in survival of elevated immune activation with disease progress. Fifty-eight HIV-1-seropositive subjects and 21 uninfected healthy control volunteers were recruited in this study. The serum IL-21 concentrations and the levels of expression of CD38, HLA-DR, and IL-21 receptor in CD8 T cells were detected by flow cytometry. The percentages of both CD38 and HLA-DR cells in CD8 T cells were significantly inversely related to the serum IL-21 levels. IL-21 plays an important role in the mechanism of elevated CD8+ T cell immune activation leading to poor outcome in HIV-1 pathogenesis, which will be helpful for the development of current and future anti-HIV strategies.

[Cellular HIV DNA quantitative testing and its significance in Chinese AIDS patients during 48 weeks' highly-active antiretroviral treatment].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the dynamic changes of peripheral blood T lymphocytes and monocytes, which serve as HIV-1 viral reservoirs, in Chinese HIV-infected patients receiving highly-active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) for 48 weeks and its clinical significance. METHODS: A total of 35 chronic HIV-1 infected adults initial received HAART. The peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets counts were determined by flux cytometry at week 0, 24 and 48. Magnetic activated cell sorting was used to extract cellular DNA from monocytes and T lymphocytes purified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the serum HIV RNA and HIV DNA of monocytes and T lymphocytes. SPSS 18.0 software was used to analyze the collected data. RESULTS: At week 0, 24, and 48 after initiation of HAART, HIV RNA levels of peripheral blood were (4.12 ± 1.41), ≤ 1.69, and ≤ 1.69 lg copies/ml, respectively; CD(4)(+) T cells were (196 ± 101), (321.90 ± 112) and (392 ± 127) cells/µl, respectively; HIV DNA level in T lymphocytes were (4.03 ± 0.53), (2.74 ± 1.16) and (2.45 ± 0.41) lg copies/10(6) cells respectively; while in monocytes, HIV DNA levels were (2.51 ± 0.68), (2.16 ± 0.34)and (2.03 ± 0.25)lg copies/10(6) cells. Statistical analysis revealed that HIV RNA level was negatively correlated with the CD(4)(+) T cell count through the whole trail, while positively correlated with the HIV DNA level in blood T lymphocytes and monocytes. HIV DNA level in T lymphocytes decreased more slowly than HIV DNA in monocytes. Moreover, peripheral blood CD(4)(+) T cell count was negatively associated with the HIV DNA capacity from T lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Both T lymphocyte and monocyte may serve as viral reservoirs, and T lymphocyte might play a more important role as HIV reservoirs. The blood HIV RNA is correlated positively with the cellular HIV DNA, whereas, CD(4)(+) T cell count is correlated negatively with HIV DNA from lymphocytes, which suggests that HIV DNA levels in T lymphocyte might be one of indicators of AIDS progress during HAART.

A randomized case-control study of dynamic changes in peripheral blood Th17/Treg cell balance and interleukin-17 levels in highly active antiretroviral-treated HIV type 1/AIDS patients.

Our objective was to dynamically observe changes in peripheral blood Th17, Treg cells, and interleukin (IL)-17 levels in HIV-1/AIDS patients before and after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The study design consisted of a randomized case-controlled study. A total of 33 HIV-1/AIDS patients were chosen to receive a HAART regimen and 30 healthy volunteers were assigned as controls. Peripheral blood Th17 and Treg cells were measured by flow cytometry before or 6 and 12 months after HAART therapy. The plasma IL-17 level was determined by ELISA. The percentage of Th17 cells to total CD4(+) cells was 1.2 ± 0.37% in HIV/AIDS patients before treatment, which was significantly lower than that in uninfected controls (4.7 ± 1.43%). After HAART therapy for 6 or 12 months, the Th17 percentage increased to 2.5 ± 1.03% and 3.7±1.56%, respectively. The percentage of Treg cells to CD4(+) cells is 9.16 ± 3.33% in HIV/AIDS patients, which was significantly elevated compared to controls (4.43 ± 0.97%). HAART therapy for 6 and 12 months significantly decreased Treg cell percentage (7.19 ± 2.91% and 5.53 ± 1.88%, respectively). Interestingly, the ratio of Th17/Treg cells was significantly decreased in HIV/AIDS patients before treatment, while HAART treatment partially normalized the Th17/Treg ratio. IL-17 levels were 5.3 ± 2.5 and 17.7 ± 6.60 pg/ml in HIV/AIDS patients and controls, respectively; the HAART regimen increased the IL-17 level to 7.7 ± 2.4 and 10.4 ± 3.1 pg/ml at 6 and 12 months, respectively. The percentage of Th17 cells correlated with IL-17 level, but both negatively correlated with viral load before treatment, whereas the percentage of Treg cells positively correlated with viral load before HAART therapy. The imbalance of peripheral blood Th17 and Treg cells may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AIDS. HAART can restore the balance of Th17 and Treg cells as well as the IL-17 level, which may gradually rebuild the immune equilibrium in HIV/AIDS patients.

YKL-40 expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma: a potential biomarker?

BACKGROUND: YKL-40 is a new biomarker with diagnostic value in many different cancers. Whether it may serve as a biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear. This study aimed to examine the expression of YKL-40 in the serum and liver tissues of HCC patients and in HCC cell lines, in comparison with that in non-HCC liver disease patients and non-tumor hepatic cell lines, respectively. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect YKL-40 protein expression in liver biopsy specimens from 8 HCC patients. ELISA was used to assess the serum YKL-40 level in 90 HCC patients, 90 inactive HBsAg carrier (IHC) patients with normal liver functions, and 90 liver cirrhosis patients. Real-time PCR was used to determine the YKL-40 mRNA expression in three HCC cell lines and two non-tumor hepatic cell lines. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining of liver biopsy specimens from HCC patients showed that the YKL-40 protein expression in tumor tissue was higher than that in adjacent normal tissues. ELISA revealed that the YKL-40 serum level in the HCC group was significantly higher than that in the IHC group, but not significantly different from that in the cirrhosis group. Real-time PCR showed that YKL-40 mRNA levels in HCC cell lines were significantly higher than those in non-tumor hepatic cells. CONCLUSIONS: YKL-40 is highly expressed in HCC at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels. However, it may not serve as a serum biomarker for HCC because measurement of the serum YKL-40 level cannot distinguish HCC from cirrhosis.

Prospect of IL-2, IL-7, IL-15 and IL-21 for HIV immune-based therapy.

Although highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can effectively reduce the HIV replication, complete recovery of CD4(+) T cells does not always occur, even among patients with high virological control. Current researches on γ-chain cytokines have understood the biology and their crucial roles in initiating, maintaining, and regulating the immunologic homeostasis and the inflammatory processes. Due to the multiple functions such as the regulatory and effector cellular function in healthy and disease state, these molecules, their receptors, and their signal transduction pathways are promising candidates for therapeutic interference. The common γ-chain cytokines IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 are primary regulators of T cell homeostasis and thus have been considered prime immunotherapeutic candidates, both for increasing T cell levels/function and augmenting vaccine-elicited viral-specific T cell responses in immunocompromised AIDS patients. The Objective of this review is to update the role of the common γ-chain cytokines IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 in HIV AIDS pathogenesis.

IL-21 level in Chinese HIV infected individuals and its dynamics undergoing HAART.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dynamics of interleukin-21(IL-21) cytokine in the Chinese HIV patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAAPT). METHODS: A total of 25 adults with chronic HIV infections, responding to combined highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) guideline criteria were enrolled for a 1-year follow-up. After signing an informed consent, 20 mL blood was collected from each patient at the base line, 6 month and 12 month, respectively. CD4 and CD8 cell count was quantified by flux cytometry, serum HIV RNA quantified by real time PCR and IL-21 concentrations by ELISA. RESULTS: IL-21 levels increased gradually during the follow-up but did not reach the healthy levels. IL-21 correlated positively with the CD4 cells but not with CD8 T cells. HIV RNA correlated negatively with CD4 cell count but did not show any relationship with the CD8 cells. CONCLUSION: IL-21 has potential role in the immunopathogenesis of HIV, and might be an important factor in immune construction during HAART.