Objective To investigate human plasma glycoproteomie changes related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection,and to identify glycoproteins with potential anti-HIV activity or anti-HIV drug targets. Methods Plasma proteins with lower abundance were enriched through affinity purification to remove albumin and IgG in clinical samples (HIV-positive patient, n= 10, and healthy controls, n= 20). Proteins were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and stained by Pro-Q emerald glycoprotein stain kits. The 2-DE image was analyzed by ImageMaster software to find differential glycoproteins. Furthermore, the depleted HIV-positive and healthy control plasma proteins were digested by PNGase F. Glycoproteins were deglycoliszed, separated by 2-DE and analyzed by ImageMaster software. Differential glycoproteins were identified by liquid chromatography combined with high capacity ion trap mass spectrometry (HCT). Results The pretreatment of HIV-positive plasma prior to 2-DE could efficiently remove the high aboundant albumin and IgG in plasma and improve the detection of proteins with low-abundance. High revolution 2-DE gel images of glycoproteins from HIV positive and healthy control plasma samples were obtained. Glycoproteins were successfully deglycolized through PNGase F treatment. Thirteen differential glycoproteins were identified by liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. These proteins included alphalantitrypsin precursor and serine/threonine-protein kinase N1. Conclusions Potential HIV infection related proteins,such as alphal-antitrypsin precursor are successfully identified. Our study may offer some help to understand the molecular mechanism of HIV infection and select new drug targets for preventing HIV infection.

Objective To investigate the specific humoral immune response and cellular immune response induced by DNA vaccine with Neisseria gonorrhoeae porin B (PorB) fused with B subunit of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin B (LTB) in mice. Methods Target genes of porB, ltB and ltB-porB were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned into eukaryotic vector pcDNA3.1(-). The recombinants were identified by PCR, enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing.The vectors were transfected into Hela cells, and expressed proteins were checked by cytoimmunofluorescence. Female BALB/c mice were intranasally immunized with recombination vectors. The humoral immune response and cellular immune response were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay. The expressions of recombination vectors in intranasal mucosal tissues of the immunized mice were detected by immunohistochemistry. The means between groups were compared by analysis of variance. Results All the three recombinants were expressed in Hela cells and intranasal mucosal tissues. The PorB specific IgG in serum and sIgA in vaginal secretions in DNA vaccine immunized mice were significantly higher than those in controls (P＜0.01 ; P＜0.05). Moreover, the sIgA level in pcDNA3.1 (-)/ltB-porB group was higher than that in peDNA3, 1(-)/porB group (P＝0. 002). The levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the supernatants and stimulation index (SI) of spleen lymphocyte culture in pcDNA3, 1(-)/porB group were (170.04±23.89) pg/mL, (114.68±14.27) pg/mL and 1. 68±0.19, respectively; and those in pcDNA3, 1(-)/ltB-porB group were (161.42±27.50) pg/mL, (124.16±19.04) pg/mL and 1.73±0.28, respectively; which were both higher than those in pcDNA3.1(-)/ phosphate buffered saliae (PBS) group (P＜0. 01; P＜0.05) and pcDNA3.1 (-)/ltB group (all P＜0.05), while there was no significant difference between pcDNA3.1 (-)/ltB-porB group and pcDNA3. 1 (-)/porB group (0. 998, 0. 696, 0. 994; all P＞0.05). Conclusions The constructed DNA vaccines are all successfully expressed in Hela cells and murine intranasal mucosal tissues. The mucosal immunization of the vaccines [pcDNA3. 1 (- )/porB and pcDNA3.1 ( -)/ltBporB] could induce humoral immune response and cellular immune response, especially mucosal immune response. It is confirmed that mucosal adjuvant LTB could promote PorB to induce higher level of mucosal immune response in mice.

Objective To understand the clinical epidemiology of nosocomial candidemia in Huashan Hospital during a 10-year period. Methods One hundred and nine cases of nosocomial candidemia in Huashan Hospital affiliated Fudan University during the period of 1998- 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. The underlying conditions, risk factors, clinical manifestations, treatment and outcome were described. The prognostic factors were analyzed by chi square test or Fisher exact probability test. Multivariate analysis was done by multiple Logistic regression. Results The average annual incidence of nosocomial candidemia during the study period was 0.28/10 000 patients per day.The most common pathogen was C. albicans (59/109,54.1%), followed by C. tropicalis (20/109,18.3%), then C. parapsilosis (11/109, 10. 1%), C. glabrata (11/109, 10.1%), and other Candida spp. (8/109, 7.3% ). Underlying diseases frequently identified included diabetes (50,45.9%), solid malignancy (32, 29.4%), head trauma (13, 11. 9%) and stroke (12, 11.0%).There were 37 cases who died or deteriorated. The overall mortality was 34.0% and the attributable mortality was 22. 0% (24/109). In multivariate prognostic analysis, retention of central venous catheters (OR: 5.42, 95% CI: 1.68-17.41, P＝0.005), corticosteroid medication (OR: 3.69,95% CI: 1.10-12.34, P=0. 034), and severe sepsis on the day of candidemia (OR: 2.94, 95% CI:1.72-15. 21, P = 0. 003) were factors independently correlated to increased mortality. Furthermore,adequate antifungal therapy was the only independent predictor of decreased overall mortality (OR: 0. 27,95% CI: 0. 09-0. 78,P=0.015). Conclusions The incidence of nosocomial candidemia in our hospital has been increasing during the past decade. Timely diagnosis and treatment plays a key role in the management of nosocomial candidemia,

Objective To analyze the patterns of amino acid changes in liver failure patients treated with non-bioartificial liver support system (ALSS), and to explore the efficacy of ALSS in liver failure treatment. Methods A total of 146 liver failure patients treated with ALSS from June 2009 to August 2010 were recruited in this study. Paired blood samples were collected from every patient and serum amino acids and ammonia were tested by automatic amino acid analyzer. The changes of amino acids in patients with different prognoses, different types/phases of liver failure were evaluated.Measurement data were compared by paired t test. Results After ALSS treatment, liver failure patients experienced a significant decrease in serum glutamic acid and lysine [(395.62±200.24)μmol/Lvs (260. 05±169.56) μmol/L and (436. 73±326. 18)μmol/L vs (407. 12±292.01) μmol/L,respectively; t= 8. 611 and 2. 659, respectively; both P＜0.01)], while experienced greatly increases in threonine and branched-chain amino acids/aromatic amino acid ratio [( 1302. 90 ±1288.70) μmol/L vs (1406.70 ±1272. 34) μmol/L and 1. 23 ± 0. 53 vs 1. 36 ± 0.57, respectively; t = 2. 895 and 1. 061,respectively; both P＜0. 01)]. The changes of glutamic acid, tyrosine, arginine and methionine before and after ALSS treatment in patients with different prognoses, different types/phases of liver failure were all significantly different. Conclusions ALSS treatment could improve the serum amino acid disorder in liver failure patients. The amino acids in patients with different types/phases or different prognoses of liver failure change significantly after ALSS treatment.

Objective To study the relationship between programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-1 ligand (PD-L1) expressions and serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Methods A total of 137 CHB patients and 10 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from fresh blood samples. HBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) was expanded in vitro in 64 human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 positive patients. Flow cytometry was used to detect HLA-A2 type,expressions of PD-1/PD-L1 on PBMCs and PD-1 on HBV specific CTL. Interferon gamma (IFN-γ)was measured by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. PD-1/PD-L1expressions on PBMCs, HBV-specific CTL and IFN-γ level in PBMC culture medium were compared among patients with different baseline HBV DNA levels. Ten hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive patients were treated with telbivudine for 24 weeks. The above mentioned parameters were determined and compared before and after the antiviral treatment. Independent-samples t test were used to compare means between two groups and one-way A NOVA were used to compare means among multigroups. We used the pearson corretation test to assess corretation significance. Results The PD-1 and PD-L1 expressions on PBMCs in patients with baseline HBV DNA＜3 lg copy/mL, 3-6 lg copy/mL and ＞6 lg copy/mL were all significant higher than those in healthy control group, but no statistical differences were found. PD-1 expressions on HBV-specific CTL in the three CHB patient groups were (69.3±11.2)%, (76.5±9. 1)% and (78.0±11.7)%, respectively. However, PD-1 expression on HBV-specific CTL was higher, while the frequency of HBV-specific CTL cells was lower in HBV DNA ＞6 lg copy/mL group compared to HBV DNA＜3 lg copy/mL group. The above parameters, including expressions of PD-1 and PD-L1, the frequency of HBV-specific CTL and its PD-1 expression were not significantly different between HBeAg-positive group and HBeAg-negative group. Compared with baseline, PD-1 and PD-L1 expression decreased obviously accompanying with increase of HBV-specific CTL cells frequency and IFN-γ level after 12 weeks and 24 weeks of telbivudine treatment. Conclusions PD-1 expression on HBV-specific CTL correlates with serum HBV DNA level, but not HBeAg status in CHB patients. Suppression of HBV replication can reduce PD-1/PD-L1 expressions and partially restore HBV specific CTL function.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) gene and early virologic response of interferon-α (IFN-α) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods A total of 135 CHB patients were prospectively enrolled in this study. SNP of PD-1.1 and PD-1.2 genes were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in these patients.Then its relationship with early virologic response to IFN-α treatment was analyzed. The data were analyzed by x2 test. Results Among the 135 patients, 33 (24.4%) achieved early virologic response to IFN-α. There were 35, 77, and 23 patients with AA, AG, GG genotgpe of PD-1.1. The early virologic response was achived in 5(14.3%), 25(32.5%) and 3(13.0%) among patients with AA,AG, GG genotypes of PD-1.1, respectively. There were statistically different (x2 = 6. 258, P =0. 044). The subjects with AG genotype showed higher response rate than those with AA or GG genotypes (x2 = 6. 246, P= 0. 012). However, the early virologic response rates were not significant different among subjects with AA, AG or GG genotype of PD-1. 2 ( x2= 3.957, P= 0. 138).Conclusion SNP of PD-1.1 gene may be used as a marker to predict the early virologic response to IFN-α treatment in Chinese CHB patients.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the maturity and function of dendritic cells (DC) and hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA (HBV cccDNA) load in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)/monocyte-derived DC in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods The peripheral blood samples were collected from 29 patients with CHB and 10healthy controls. PBMC were isolated freshly and induced with granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). A large amount of DC were harvested after seven days of culture. The expressions of CD209, CD80, CD86, human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR and CD1a of DC were analyzed by flow cytometry. The HBV cccDNA load in PBMC and DC were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The interleukin-12 (IL-12) level in the culture supernatant of DC was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effects on T lymphocyte proliferation induced by DC were tested by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). The data was compared by t test and analysis of variance. Results HBV cccDNA could be detected in PBMC from 16 patients, but not in DC from all 29 patients. HBV cccDNA load was all negatively correlated with the expressions of CD209 (r= -0. 793, P＜0.01), CD80 (r= -0. 581,P＜0.05), CD86 (r=-0. 698, P＜0.01), HLA-DR (r=-0. 817, P＜0.01), CD1a (r=-0. 734, P＜0.01), IL-12 level (r=-0. 632, P＜0.05) and allogenic T lymphocyte proliferation induced by DC (r=-0. 617, P＜0.05). The expressions of CD209, CD80, CD86, CD1a and HLA-DR on DC,IL-12 level in culture supernatant of DC and the allogenic T lymphocyte proliferation induced by DC in patients with positive PBMC HBV cccDNA were all significantly lower compared to those in healthy controls, and the changes of the parameters mentioned above were greater in PBMC HBV cccDNA positive patients than those in PBMC HBV cccDNA negative patients (P ＜ 0. 05 or P ＜ 0. 01).Conclusions The function and maturity of DC are impaired in CHB patients. HBV cccDNA can be detected in PBMC from CHB patients. Moreover, the higher PBMC HBV cccDNA is, the worse DC function and maturity are, which could be one of the important mechanisms of HBV persistent infection.

Objective To evaluate the predictive value of modified early warning score (MEWS) and SMART-COP score on mechanical ventilation in patients with severe influenza A H1N1. Methods Fifty cases diagnosed with severe influenza A H1N1 were retrospectively analyzed. The MEWS and SMART-COP score were calculated. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was evaluated using ROC curve. MEWS, SMART-COP score and AUC were analyzed by Z test. Results The AUCs of MEWS and SMART-COP score for predicting mechanical ventilation were 0. 923 and 0. 889, respectively, which were not significantly different (Z=0. 548, P =0. 584).Conclusion Both of MEWS and SMART-COP score are predictive factors of mechanical ventilation in the patients with severe influenza A H1N1.

Objective To identify Taenia cestodes specimens collected from Baoshan and Puer regions of Yunnan Province by analyzing mitochondrial DNA gene encoding ribosomal RNA small subunit (mtDNA-12S rRNA) gene sequence. Methods The adult Taenia cestode samples were collected from Baoshan and Puer regions of Yunnan Province. The genomic DNA was extracted and mtDNA-12S rRAN gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), then sequenced.Combined with the known mtDNA-12S rRNA gene sequence of Taenia solium, Taenia saginata,Taenia asiatica in GenBank, homology tree and phylogenetic tree were constructed by DNA MAN software. Results Taenia cestode homology tree and phylogenetic tree showed that gene sequences of BS1, BS2, BS4 and BS5 were most close to YZ with identity of 99% and those of BS3, BS6, BST,PE1 and PE2 were most close to ND with identity of 99%. Conclusions Taenia saginata and Taenia asiatica can be found in Baoshan area, while Taenia saginata can be found in Puer area. The gene sequence of mtDNA-12S rRNA can be used for clarifying the three types of Taenia cestode.

Objective To investigate the occurrence and the characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 co/super-infection among high-risk populations in Myanmar.Methods Forty-six HIV-1 positive plasma in Myanmar were collected. Possible cases with HIV-1 co/super infection were identified by discordant sequence results obtained with different polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/sequencing primers or by ambiguous readings in direct sequencing. HIV-1 quasispecies in plasma were then characterized by clonal sequence analysis of independent PCR-clones generated by TA cloning method. Thereafter, their phylogeny and recombinant structure were investigated. Results Co/super infection was identified in 3 (6.5 %) cases among the 46 screened HIV-1 positive patients.All of these three patients were heterosexuals and were co/super infected with CRF01_AE/subtype B′recombinants. Conclusions HIV-1 co/super infections are relatively common and provide a prerequisite for rapid generation of new recombinant forms in Myanmar.