Objective To evaluate the effect of ulinastatin on neuronal apoptosis in spinal cord af-ter peripheral nerve injury in mice. Methods A total of 225 healthy male SPF C57BL∕6J mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 18-22 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=75 each) using a random number table method:sham operation group ( group Sham), peripheral nerve injury group ( group PNI) and ulinastatin group ( group UTI) . The model of unilateral sciatic nerve transection was established in PNI and UTI groups. Uli-nastatin 10000 U∕kg was injected intraperitoneally once a day for 3 consecutive days in group UTI, while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in Sham and PNI groups. The mice were sacrificed at 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after administration ( T0-4 ) , and the L4-6 segments of the spinal cord were re-moved for examination of the pathological changes ( under the light microscope ) and for determination of neuronal apoptosis (by TUNEL) and expression of caspase-12, Bcl-2, Bax and activated caspase-3 (by Western blot) and expression of caspase-12 mRNA ( by real-time polymerase chain reaction) . Apoptosis in-dex ( AI) and Bcl-2∕Bax ratio were calculated. Results Compared with group Sham, AI was significantly increased, the expression of Bcl-2 was down-regulated, the expression of caspase-12, activated caspase-3 and Bax was up-regulated, and Bcl-2∕Bax ratio was decreased in PNI and UTI groups (P<0. 05). Com-pared with group PNI, AI was significantly decreased, the expression of Bcl-2 was up-regulated, the ex-pression of caspase-12, activated caspase-3 and Bax was down-regulated, and Bcl-2∕Bax ratio was in-creased in group UTI ( P<0. 05) . The pathological changes of the spinal cord were significantly attenuatedin group UTI than in group PNI. Conclusion Ulinastatin can inhibit neuronal apoptosis in the spinal cord after peripheral nerve injury in mice.

Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of major public health issues. Difference is found on effect of preventions of mother to child transmission of HBV such as Hepatitis B vaccine, Hepatitis B immunoglobulin and antiretroviral drugs. Based on the risks of hepatitis B virus on children, influencing factors and interventions of HBV mother-to-child transmission were explored to improve prevention mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B and to search appropriate strategies reducing mother-to-child transmission of HBV.

Objective: To analyze serologic surveillance indicators during pregnancy among syphilis-infected women who delivered in 2013 in East China. Methods: Data were from national 'Information System of Prevention of Mother-to-child Transmission of HIV, syphilis and HBV Management’ and in total 5 206 syphilis-infected pregnant women who delivered in 2013 and in East China were involved in the analysis. Information on demographic characters, laboratory tests, and treatment regimens were collected. The maternal non-treponemal testing surveillance and titer distribution were described and compare the proportions between pregnant women receiving standard testing and non-standard testing, taking baseline testing and testing before delivery or at the third trimester. Multivariate logistic regression model was analyzed using maternal titer control as dependent variable, using prior history of syphilis infection, syphilis stages, titer, gestational weeks of treatment initiation and treatment regimens as independent variables in 3 940 pregnant women with both baseline testing results and testing results before delivery or at the third trimester. Results: The ages of the 5 206 syphilis infected pregnant women were (28.1±5.8) years old. The numbers of women received penicillin treatment, other treatment regimens and no treatment were 2 967 (57.0%), 281 (5.4%), and 1 958 (37.6%), respectively. The number of women with maternal seroconversion, 4-fold or greater titer decline, or titer increase were 349 (6.7%), 251 (4.8%) and 28 (0.5%). Multivariate analysis results showed that compared with pregnant women with prior history of syphilis, the OR(95%CI) for maternal titer control was 1.49 (1.18-1.88) among those with syphilis-infection history. Compared with pregnant women initiated treatment at 28 gestational weeks or before, the OR (95%CI) for maternal titer control was 4.09 (3.19-5.24) among those who initiated treatment after 28 gestational weeks. Compared with pregnant women initiated treatment at 28 gestational weeks or before, the OR (95%CI) for maternal titer control was 4.09 (3.19-5.24) among those who initiated treatment after 28 gestational weeks or received no treatment. Compared with pregnant women received penicillin treatment, the OR (95%CI) for maternal titer control among those received non-penicillin treatment and those received no treatment were 2.35 (1.46-3.76) and 1.55 (1.13-2.12), respectively. Conclusion In East China, the proportion of women achieved seroconversion or 4-fold or greater titer decline during pregnancy was very low. Pregnant women with no prior history of syphilis infection, early maternal initiation of treatment, and penicillin treatment were more likely to reach maternal titer control.

OBJECTIVETo measure the incidence rates of preterm delivery in HIV-infected pregnant women and to explore related potential risk factors.

METHODSData from 'Information System of Prevention of Mother-to-child Transmission of HIV Management in China, 2013' was used in the study. Information regarding demographic characteristics, pregnancy, HIV relevant situations and pregnancy outcomes related to these HIV-infected pregnant women, were extracted and analyzed. Incidence of preterm delivery was calculated with related potential risk factors explored.

RESULTS3 913 HIV-infected pregnant women were involved in this study, including 336 of them having undergone preterm deliveries (8.6%). Results from univariate and multivariate analyses showed that preterm delivery was associated with factors as: maternal age, ethnicity, education, being migrant, pregnancy hypertension, multiple pregnancy and times of antenatal care visits (P < 0.05) of the pregnant women. Compared with those who contracted the HIV infection through drug injection, the ones who were infected through other routes suffered fewer preterm deliveries (adjusted OR = 0.562, 95% CI: 0.360-0.879). Pregnant women who received antiretroviral therapy either between 14 to 27 gestational weeks or during the period of less than 14, were more likely to experience preterm delivery, comparison to those who did not receive the therapy during pregnancy. The adjusted ORs were 1.712 (95% CI: 1.196-2.451) and 1.862 (95% CI: 1.261-2.749), respectively.

CONCLUSIONPreterm delivery was a common adverse outcome during pregnancy among HIV-infected women in China. Other than traditionally known risk factors, routes of transmission and the use of antiretroviral therapy might also be associated with the increased risks for preterm delivery.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; epidemiology ; Premature Birth ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors