Objective:To investigate the potential molecular mechanisms of liver cancer cell-derived secretory autophagosomes, extracellular vesicles expressing LC3B (LC3B + EVs), in promoting the exhaustion of CD8 + T cells. Methods:The proportions of LC3B + EVs and PD-1 + CD8 + T cells in peripheral blood and ascites of liver cancer patients were measured by flow cytometry. Spearman correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between the proportions of LC3B + EVs and PD-1 + CD8 + T cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors were treated with LC3B + EVs or heat shock protein 90α (HSP90α) blocking antibody-pretreated LC3B + EVs for 72 h in the presence of αCD3/CD28 antibodies and IL-2 in vitro. The proportions of PD-1 + CD8 + T and IFN-γ + CD8 + T cells and the concentrations of IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ in the supernatants were all detected by flow cytometry. Results:The proportions of LC3B + EVs and HSP90α + LC3B + EVs in plasma and ascites from liver cancer patients were significantly higher than those in healthy control group and non-cancerous ascites group. The level of plasma LC3B + EVs, especially HSP90α + LC3B + EVs, was significantly correlated with the percentage of exhausted PD-1 + CD8 + T cells. In addition, LC3B + EVs from human liver cancer cells up-regulated the percentage of exhausted CD8 + T cells in vitro. However, LC3B + EVs pretreated with HSP90α blocking antibody could significantly inhibit LC3B + EVs-induced CD8 + T cell exhaustion. Conclusions:Liver cancer cell-derived LC3B + EVs could effectively induce CD8 + T cell exhaustion mainly through the membrane-bound HSP90α.

Objective To investigate the effect of autophagy on acquired secondary resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) in patients of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Methods Ninety-eight patients with pathological confirmation of lung adenocarcinoma were selected, and they were treated with EGFR-TKI. Among them, 49 patients were sensitive to EGFR-TKI, (EGFR-TKI sensitive group), and the others were resistant (EGFR-TKI resistant group). The expressions of mTOR, Beclin-1 and LC3 were detected by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot method. Results The immunohistochemistry results showed that the Beclin-1 and LC3 positive expression rates of tumor tissue in EGFR-TKI resistant group were significantly lower than those in EGFR-TKI sensitive group:24.49%(12/49) vs. 83.67%(41/49) and 22.45% (11/49) vs. 85.71% (42/49), and the mTOR positive expression rate was significantly higher than that in EGFR-TKI sensitive group: 77.55% (38/49) vs. 20.41% (10/49), and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). The RT-PCR results showed that the Beclin-1 and LC3 positive expressions of tumor tissue in EGFR-TKI resistant group were significantly lower than those in EGFR-TKI sensitive group: 0.723 ± 0.029 vs. 2.542 ± 0.104 and 0.886 ± 0.034 vs. 2.234 ± 0.164, and the mTOR positive expression was significantly higher than that in EGFR-TKI sensitive group:2.142 ± 0.132 vs. 0.638 ± 0.031, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). The Western blot results showed that the Beclin-1 and LC3 positive expressions of tumor tissue in EGFR-TKI resistant group were significantly lower than those in EGFR-TKI sensitive group:0.315 ± 0.037 vs. 1.226 ± 0.017 and 0.420 ± 0.016 vs. 1.023 ± 0.014, and the mTOR positive expression was significantly higher than that in EGFR-TKI sensitive group: 0.986 ± 0.032 vs. 0.282 ± 0.021, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). In EGFR-TKI sensitive group and EGFR-TKI resistant group, the Beclin-1 and LC3 showed positive correlation, and the Beclin1 and LC3 showed negative correlation with mTOR. Conclusions The signaling molecules of autophagy play an important role in secondary resistance to EGFR-TKI in patients of NSCLC. As a regulation mechanism of autophagy, mTOR takes part in the procedure of resistance to EGFR-TKI, and give a new biological marker of the predication of drug resistance. Meanwhile, it gives a new target of drug resistance reversal and individualized treatment.

Objective To understand the correlations between HIV-1 subtypes and changes in CD4+T cell count over time in patients with different subtypes of HIV-1 infection.Methods A total of 94 patients who were diagnosed with HIV-1 infection in Nanjing and received at least twice CD4+T cell counting test before antiretroviral therapy (ART) were recruited in this study.Descriptive analysis was used to present the rates of CD4+T cell decline for different HIV-1 subtypes.Logistic regression analysis and nonparametric test were conducted to investigate the factors responsible for CD4+T cell decline and to analyze the correlations between the rates of CD4+T cell decline and HIV-1 subtypes.Results The median monthly rate of CD4+T cell decline was-2.20 [interquartile range (IQR):-11.36-2.13] cell/μl.Of all patients,25.5% (24/94) had a significant decline (≥30%) in CD4+T cell count.Compared with the patients infected with CRF01_AE,those infected with CRF07_BC (OR=0.28,95%CI: 1.7-6.5) or other subtypes (OR=0.16,95%CI: 1.0-2.9) had a lower risk of significant decline in CD4+T cell count.In addition,results of the nonparametric test showed that the patients infected with CRF01_AE (M=-21.54,IQR:-30.97——11.92 cell/μl) had a faster CD4+T cell loss than those infected with CRF07_BC (M=-11.26,IQR:-14.06——5.63 cell/μl) (P=0.033).Conclusion HIV-1 subtype is associated with the rate of CD4+T cell decline.It is important to monitor the changes in CD4+T cell count in patients infected with CRF01_AE and to carry out timely ART.

Objective: To analyze the influence of growing experience on non-heterosexual orientation among male college students. Methods: From October to November in 2015, a total of 2 535 male students from 96 classes in 14 colleges/departments were recruited from two colleges that participated in the experimental work of AIDS prevention by cluster random sampling method. A structured questionnaire was administered in this study, including general demographic information, growing experience and Kinsey scale (to evaluate sexual orientation). Out of 2 500 questionnaires distributed in this study, 2 332 effective copies were withdrew, with the effective rate at 93.3%. Chi square test was used to analyze the differences of non-heterosexual orientation among the individuals with different social demographic characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of non-heterosexual orientation. Results: Among the 2 332 individuals, the proportion of self-reported non-heterosexual was 6.2% (144).The proportions of male students who identify as non-heterosexual from freshman to junior year were 5.2%(63/1216),6.9%(65/941),11.7%(13/111) and 4.7%(3/64), respectively (χ²=9.06,P=0.029). Compared with the individuals of very good relationship with parents, those with bad relationship (OR=3.3, 95%CI: 1.7-6.5) and general relationship (OR=1.7, 95%CI: 1.0-2.9) with parents had a higher risk of non-heterosexual orientation, respectively. Those encountered sexual assault had a higher risk of non-heterosexual orientation than those without encountered sexual assault (OR=5.9, 95%CI: 3.2-10.9). Conclusions This study reported a high proportion of self-reported non-heterosexual among college male students in Nanjing, and highlighted the importance of targeting students with poor parental relationships and who subjected to sexually abused.

Objective To construct the molecular transmission networks of HIV-1 CRF01 AE strains circulating in China and to analyze their characteristics. Methods Sequences of the pol genes of Chinese CRF01 AE strains were downloaded from Los Alamos database and the related demographic informa-tion was checked. Transmission networks were created by four steps,including phylogenetic tree construc-tion,transmission cluster extraction,minimum genetic distance identification and network visualization. Chi-square test was performed to analyze the differences in the distribution of different populations in the networks and the differences in the distribution of subjects with different degrees among different sub-populations. De-scriptive analysis was used to investigate the transmission links between sub-populations and various regions. Results The 2 419 sequences constituted 250 separate networks including 847 nodes and 610 edges. The number of subjects covered by different networks ranged from 2 to 25. Subjects with degree ≥2 represented only 26. 4%(224 / 847)of network-individuals,but were connected with 66. 5%(563 / 847)of all network-individuals. There were 37. 6%(669 / 1 781)of men who have sex with men(MSM),28. 4%(102 / 359) of heterosexual men,16. 1%(10 / 62)of intravenous drug users(IDUs)and 30. 4%(66 / 217)of hetero-sexual women involved in the networks(χ2 =23. 774,P﹤0. 001). The percentage of subjects with degree ≥2 was high in MSM(10. 8% ,193 / 1 781)compared to that in heterosexual men(5. 6% ,20 / 359)(P =0. 002)and heterosexual women(4. 6% ,10 / 217)(P=0. 004). Of the 669 MSM in the networks,95. 5%(639 / 669)linked to other MSM and only 2. 4% (16 / 669)linked to heterosexual women. However, 15. 1%(10 / 66)of the heterosexual women in the networks linked to MSM. Of the heterosexual men in the networks,35. 3%(36 / 102)linked to heterosexual women,9. 8%(10 / 102)linked to MSM. Of the sub-jects in the networks,20. 9%(177 / 847)linked to other regions' individuals. Conclusion The super-spreaders played an important role in the molecular transmission networks of HIV-1 CRF01 AE strains even though they were in a minority. The transmission of HIV-1 CRF01 AE strains between sub-populations and various regions was complicated and active.

ObjectiveTo discuss the diagnostic value of MRI in female patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).Methods All SUI patients underwent pelvic MRI examination.The 16 patients mean age was 58 years (range,48 -66 years),disease course was 6 years (range,2 -15 years).All patients underwent transobturator tension-free tape (TOT) procedures.The 28 volunteers with no pelvic diseases were set as control,Mean age was 45 years (range,30 -55 years).Results28 Volunteers' urethral support ligaments appeared as low signal intensity broad linear structures in both T1 WI and T2WI images.Display rate:periurethral ligament was 89％ (25 cases) ; paraurethral ligament was 75％ (21 cases),unilateral 25％ (7 cases) ; pubourethral ligament,in each distal 100％ (near,28 cases),10％(medium,3 cases),7％ (distal,2 cases); suburethral ligament was 100％(28 cases). Levator ani muscle in T1WI,T2WI showed Moderate- intensity signal and the display rate was 100％.16 SUI patients showed varyious degrees of laxity and rupture of urethral supporting ligaments which occurred in one group (4 cases) or multi-group (12 cases) ligaments.The ligament laxity showed that periurethral ligament 14 cases,paraurethral ligament 2 cases and proximal pubourethral ligament 10 cases.The ligament rupture was seen in periurethral ligament 2 cases,paraurethral ligament 5 cases,pubourethral ligament 6 cases and suburethral ligament 7 cases.16 patients showed a relaxation of the levator ani muscle changes,including 4 cases with cervical and vaginal wall prolapsed.Conclusions MRI could clearly show the weak of support structures around the urethra in female SUI patients,and showed the cervical and vaginal prolapsed.Therefore,MRI may provide imaging evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To evaluate the MRI value in changes of mid-urethral ligament injury offemale stress urinary incontinence (SUI).MethodsComparison of MRI changes of mid-urethral ligament on 30 healthy female volunteers and 20 female SUI patients.Chi-square test was used to compare the form of SUI patient's mid-urethral support ligaments Results The female nid-urethral support ligaments were composed of 4 groups of ligaments,including the periurethral ligament and pubourethral ligaments (1 pair),and at both sides of the urethra's paraurethral ligaments (1 pair) and suburethral ligament lying dorsal urethra,connecting the urethra and pelvic arcus tendinous fasciae.In normal MRI,ligament was a thin strip and showed low signal on both T1WI and T2WI,T2WI sagittal and cross-section scan was the best combination to show the middle urethral support ligaments changes,with tension;6 patients (20％) in the 30 patients normal control group could be seen tortuously and slack like around the urethra ligaments.Twenty SUI patients mid-urethral support ligaments were performance laxity or rupture,rates were 39％ (47/120) and 42％ (50/120) (x2 =43.191,P ＜ 0.05 ).On T2WI,the ligamentous laxity was floating,and losstension,also could performance one side extension and thinner than the other side.The ligament rupture was performance of the signal interruption,ligament contracture and one end of liganent attachment points separation.ConclusionMRIcanobjectiveeffectiveevaluatethemid-urethralsupportligaments' pathological changes in stress urinary incontinence patients.

0.05);but the treatment outcome of type Ⅲ fracture in operative reduction and internal fixation group was superior to that in there was statistical difference in manipulation plus plaster external fixation group(?2=7.636,P =0.006

AIM: To study the effect and the mechanism of crenulatin, an effective constituent of Chinese traditional medicine, on apoptosis of cerebral microvascular endothelial cells. METHODS: The following terminal concentrations of crenulatin were used in the study: 25 mg/L and 100 mg/L. Apoptosis of mouse cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (bEnd. 3 cell line) was evaluated by flow cytometer, immunocytochemical assay (Fas, Bcl - 2) and Western blotting (caspase - 3) after culture for 24 h. RESULTS: Compared with control group, apoptosis of bEnd. 3 cells in 25 mg/L group was significantly inhibited ( P ＜0.05), but apoptosis in the 100 mg/L group was significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05). In apoptosis inhibited group, the Fas immunocytochemical staining was weaker, the positive cells were significantly decreased ( P ＜ 0.05) and caspase - 3 expression was decreased compared with control group; however, the Bcl - 2 staining was stronger and the positive cells were significantly increased ( P ＜ 0.05). On the other hand, in apoptosis increased group ( 100 mg/L group), the changes were just opposite. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of crenulatin on apoptosis of mouse cerebral microvascular endothelial cells possesses a dual - direction change, inhibitive effect in 25 mg/L and stimulative effect in 100 mg/L group, respectively. The mechanism is related to the alterations of Fas/Bcl - 2 expression and caspase - 3 activity.

To set up a method of amplification for the whole CagA gene of Helicobacter pylori and its fingerprinting by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), nested PCR was employed in combination with TD-PCR to amplify the gene and EcoRI and Hind III were used to generate the RFLP fingerprinting. Target DNA fragments from 13 of 20 samples were successfully amplified and the relevant RFLP fingerprintings were obtained. It is concluded that the method can be used to amplify the whole CagA gene and CagA gene has apparent diversity of RFLP profile.
Antigens, Bacterial ; genetics ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; DNA Fingerprinting ; methods ; Gene Amplification ; genetics ; Helicobacter pylori ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length