OBJECTIVETo analyze the impact of efforts of community-based organizations (CBO) in HIV testing mobilization and case finding among men who have sex with men(MSM).

METHODSResults of HIV testing mobilization among MSM through CBOs in 15 program areas were collected and compared with corresponding HIV case reporting data to demonstrate the contribution of CBO-based HIV testing in HIV case finding among MSM from July 2008 to December 2011. Meanwhile,the proportion of screened HIV positives who received testing results notification,confirmatory test, following up and CD4 cell tests were analyzed and compared with those identified in medical institutions.

RESULTSA total of 196 075 HIV tests were performed for MSM, as a result of mobilization efforts of CBOs. Cumulatively 7704 new HIV cases were identified, accounting for 51.7% (7704/14 914) of all newly diagnosed HIV cases infected via homosexual sex in the program areas.Among the newly diagnosed MSM HIV infections in the program areas,the proportion of infections detected through the mobilization of CBOs increased from 35.4% (609/1722) in 2008 to 63.7% (2371/3722) in 2010, and 58.3% (3024/5189) in 2011. Compared with those identified through medical institutions, newly diagnosed MSM infections detected though CBOs testing mobilization have higher rates of receiving screening testing results notification (97.3% (4441/4563) vs 92.8% (13 140/14 153)) , (84.6% (2559/3024) vs 79.8% (5589/7002)) and CD4 cell tests (66.1% (1999/3024) vs 52.9% (3705/7002)), and a lower rate of receiving confirmatory test (78.6% (3588/4563) vs 85.6% (12 115/14 153)).

CONCLUSIONCBOs can take their advantages in mobilizing MSM to receive HIV test, and MSM HIV cases detected through CBOs have become the main source of MSM HIV case finding in program areas.

Community Health Services ; HIV Infections ; prevention & control ; HIV Seropositivity ; Health Promotion ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening

BACKGROUNDNatural articular cartilage has a limited capacity for spontaneous regeneration. Controlled release of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) to cartilage defects can enhance chondrogenesis. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of using biodegradable chitosan microspheres as carriers for controlled TGF-beta1 delivery and the effect of released TGF-beta1 on the chondrogenic potential of chondrocytes.

METHODSChitosan scaffolds and chitosan microspheres loaded with TGF-beta1 were prepared by the freeze-drying and the emulsion-crosslinking method respectively. In vitro drug release kinetics, as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, was monitored for 7 days. Lysozyme degradation was performed for 4 weeks to detect in vitro degradability of the scaffolds and the microspheres. Rabbit chondrocytes were seeded on the scaffolds containing TGF-beta1 microspheres and incubated in vitro for 3 weeks. Histological examination and type II collagen immunohistochemical staining was performed to evaluate the effects of released TGF-beta1 on cell adhesivity, proliferation and synthesis of the extracellular matrix.

RESULTSTGF-beta1 was encapsulated into chitosan microspheres and the encapsulation efficiency of TGF-beta1 was high (90.1%). During 4 weeks of incubation in lysozyme solution for in vitro degradation, the mass of both the scaffolds and the microspheres decreased continuously and significant morphological changes was noticed. From the release experiments, it was found that TGF-beta1 could be released from the microspheres in a multiphasic fashion including an initial burst phase, a slow linear release phase and a plateau phase. The release amount of TGF-beta1 was 37.4%, 50.7%, 61.3%, and 63.5% for 1, 3, 5, and 7 days respectively. At 21 days after cultivation, type II collagen immunohistochemical staining was performed. The mean percentage of positive cells for collagen type II in control group (32.7% +/- 10.4%) was significantly lower than that in the controlled TGF-beta1 release group (92.4% +/- 4.8%, P < 0.05). Both the proliferation rate and production of collagen type II in the transforming growth factor-beta1 microsphere incorporated scaffolds were significantly higher than those in the scaffolds without microspheres, indicating that the activity of TGF-beta1 was retained during microsphere fabrication and after growth factor release.

CONCLUSIONChitosan microspheres can serve as delivery vehicles for controlled release of TGF-beta1, and the released growth factor can augment chondrocytes proliferation and synthesis of extracellular matrix. Chitosan scaffolds incorporated with chitosan microspheres loaded with TGF-beta1 possess a promising potential to be applied for controlled cytokine delivery and cartilage tissue engineering.

Animals ; Cartilage ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Chitosan ; administration & dosage ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; Drug Carriers ; Microspheres ; Rabbits ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; administration & dosage ; chemistry

OBJECTIVEQuantitative study of the effect of anti-human VEGF mAb E11 to VEGF level in serum of nude mice transplanted buccal carcinoma.

METHODSE11 was administered into BALB/c nu/nu mice which were transplanted human buccal carcinoma. The saline was administrated as negative control. Mice were killed at 18 days. The VEGF level in serum of mice was determined by improved indirect ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the VEGF level in serum of mice in saline group, it was dramatically decreased in E11 group. The VEGF level in serum of mice treated E11 by subcutaneous was lowest and only reached (1.17 +/- 0.13) microg/L.

CONCLUSIONIt demonstrated that the anti-human VEGF mAb could reduce the VEGF level in serum by binding VEGF, and block its biological activity. It indicates that VEGF in serum of malignant tumor patient is a new tumor marker.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Carcinoma ; blood ; Humans ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Mouth Mucosa ; pathology ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neoplasms ; blood ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

This study was aimed to clarify whether valproic acid (VPA) induces apoptosis of leukemia HL-60 cell line and its possible mechanism. The effect of different concentrations and treatment time of VPA on HL-60 cell proliferation was assayed by cytotoxicity test (CCK-8 method) and fluorescence microscopy, and flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis. The expressions of telomerase subunit h-tert mRNA and apoptosis-related protein as well as caspase-3 activity were detected by real time-quantitative PCR, Western blot and ELISA respectively. The results indicated that VPA inhibited proliferation of HL-60 cells and induced cell apoptosis in a dose dependent manner (r = -0.87). The expressions of anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2 and h-tert mRNA were significantly decreased while the pro-apoptotic protein BAX and caspase-3 activity increased after treatment with VPA. The apoptosis rate of HL-60 cell was negatively correlated with expression of h-tert mRNA. It is concluded that VPA can inhibit leukemia HL-60 cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. The VPA displays anti-leukemia activity possibly through reducing h-tert mRNA and BCL-2 protein expression, increasing BAX expression and activity of caspase-3.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Telomerase ; metabolism ; Valproic Acid ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of Vojta therapy on the respiratory function in young male smokers.METHODS: Three subjects were tested using the ABA design for Single-subject Experimental Research Design. This study was conducted with the baseline, intervention, and follow-up phase. Intervention was conducted three to four times a week for 20 minutes per times and a total of 25 sessions. The respiratory function was measured using a Spirometer.RESULTS: The results of Forced Vital Capacity and Forced Expiratory Volume at one second for all subjects showed improvements in the intervention phase over the baseline phase. In the follow-up phase, the improved ability was still maintained or slightly reduced.CONCLUSION: Vojta therapy used on young male smokers was effective in both FVC and FEV1. In other words, the Vojta therapy worked effectively in improving the respiratory function. In future studies, it is necessary to have a control group and increase the number of trials in order to generalize the effect of Vojta therapy.
Follow-Up Studies ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Male ; Research Design ; Smoking ; Vital Capacity

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) and St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) in women with climacteric symptoms, and to assess their effects on vaginal atrophy, hormone levels, and lipid profiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, 89 peri- or postmenopausal women experiencing climacteric symptoms were treated with St. John's wort and black cohosh extract (Gynoplus
Plant Extracts/*therapeutic use ; Placebos ; *Phytotherapy ; *Perimenopause ; Middle Aged ; *Hypericum ; Humans ; Hot Flashes/*prevention & control ; Female ; Estrogens/blood ; Double-Blind Method ; *Cimicifuga

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of surgical treatment of sternal tumors and repairing methods of the chest wall defects.

METHODSFifteen patients with sternal tumors were diagnosed and underwent resection of the sternal tumors according to the en-bolck principle and repair of the chest wall defects using various materials from January 1968 to December 2010 in our hospital.

RESULTSOf 6 patients with sternal manubrim tumors, one patient had reconstruction only with steel wire, other 5 patients healed completely after repair with soft materials. Of 7 patients with sternal body tumors, one patient recovered quickly without reconstruction because he had only partial resection; four patients had chest wall repair with soft materials, but they breathed hardly; and two patients had chest wall reconstruction with rigid materials. One patient had ventilatory support, another patient recovered quickly. Ventilatory support was needed in two patients treated by subtotal sternectomy because they had chest wall repair with soft materials.

CONCLUSIONSIn surgical treatment of sternal tumors by manubrim sternetomy, the chest wall defects can be constructed with soft materials. After resection of sternal body tumors and subtotal sternectomy, the thoracic wall defects need to be reconstructed with rigid materials.

Adenocarcinoma ; secondary ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Chondrosarcoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Sternum ; pathology ; surgery ; Thoracic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Thoracic Wall ; pathology ; surgery

Objective: Total mesorectal excision (TME) is the gold standard for surgical treatment of mid-low rectal cancer, but the postoperative incidence of urination and sexual dysfunction is relatively high. Preserving the Denonvilliers fascia (DF) during TME can reduce the postoperative incidence of urination and sexual dysfunction. In this study, high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to observe the imaging performance and display of DF, so as to determine the value of this technique in preoperative evaluation of the preservation of DF. Methods: A descriptive cohort study was carried out. Clinical data of patients with rectal cancer who underwent TME and received preoperative high-resolution MRI at department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from August 2015 to June 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The characteristics of DF were examined, and the shortest distance (d) between the anterior edge of tumor and DF was measured on high-resolution MRI. The distance d was compared between patients with stage T1-T2 and those with stage T3. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the predictive value of d for stage T1-T2 disease. Results: Thirty-two patients were enrolled in the study, including 27 males and 5 females with mean age of (62.9±8.9) years. DF was visualized in 96.9% (31/32) of cases on the T2WI sequence. The mean distance d in patients with stage T1-T2 disease (n=23) was (6.73±2.65) mm, and in those with stage T3 disease (n=9) was (1.30±1.15) mm (t=5.893, P<0.001). A cutoff of d >3 mm yielded specificity and positive predictive value for diagnosing stage T1-T2 disease of both 100%, sensitivity of 95.7% and negative predictive value of 90%. The optimum threshold of d was >3.05 mm, and Youden index was 0.957. Conclusions: High-resolution MRI can show the DF and accurately evaluate the relationship of DF with tumor in rectal cancer patients. Analysis on d value can provide an objective basis for the safe preservation of DF.
Aged ; Cohort Studies ; Fascia/pathology* ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Rectal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To investigate the effects of artesunate （ART） on epithelial-mesenchymal transformation （EMT） of colorectal cancer HCT-8 cells，and explore the effects of ART on cell migration，invasion，EMT ability， and protein kinase B （Akt）/Snail signaling pathway of colorectal cancer. Method:3-（4-5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl）2，5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide （MTT） assay was used to detect the effects of ART at different concentrations on the proliferation of HCT-8 cells. Wound healing assay and Transwell assay were used respectively to detect the effects of ART on migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells. The effects of different concentrations of ART on the distribution of EMT-related proteins vimentin and E-cadherin in HCT-8 cells were detected by double-immunofluorescent staining. The effects of ART on protein expression levels of EMT markers E-cadherin，vimentin and N-cadherin in HCT-8 cells and the expression of Akt1， p-Akt1， and Snail1 in the Akt/Snail signaling pathway were determined by Western blot. Result:The dose-dependent inhibitory effects of ART on the proliferation of HCT-8 cells were determined and the inhibition rate was calculated. A dose-response curve was plotted accordingly. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration （IC₅₀） of ART on HCT-8 cells was （16.67±1.95） μmol·L^-1. The following four groups were set up： a control group （0 μmol·L^-1），and low-， medium-， and high-dose ART groups（2， 10， 50 μmol·L^-1）. Compared with the results in the control group，ART inhibited the migration and invasion of HCT-8 cells（P<0.05）. Specifically， the expression of E-cadherin in HCT-8 cells was significantly up-regulated，and that of vimentin and N-cadherin was significantly down-regulated （P<0.05）. The expression levels of p-Akt1 and Snail1 were significantly decreased after ART treatment，thus inhibiting EMT（P<0.05）. Conclusion:The findings of this study suggested that ART inhibited the EMT-triggered migration and invasion of HCT-8 cells presumedly by inhibiting the activation of the Akt/Snail pathway to reverse EMT.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the sociodemographic and clinical factors related to anxiety in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: This study involved a secondary analysis of data obtained from the Diagnostic Assessment Service for People with Bipolar Disorders in China (DASP), which was initiated by the Chinese Society of Psychiatry (CSP) and conducted from September 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011. Based on the presence or absence of anxiety-related characteristics, 1,178 MDD patients were classified as suffering from anxious depression (n=915) or non-anxious depression (n=263), respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the non-anxious group, the anxious-depression group had an older age at onset (t=-4.39, p<0.001), were older (t=-4.69, p<0.001), reported more lifetime depressive episodes (z=-3.24, p=0.001), were more likely to experience seasonal depressive episodes (chi2=6.896, p=0.009) and depressive episodes following stressful life events (chi2=59.350, p<0.001), and were more likely to have a family history of psychiatric disorders (chi2=6.091, p=0.014). Their positive and total scores on the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) and the 32-item Hypomania Checklist (HCL-32) (p<0.05) were also lower. The logistic regression analysis indicated that age (odds ratio [OR]=1.03, p<0.001), a lower total MDQ score (OR=0.94, p=0.011), depressive episodes following stressful life events (OR=3.04, p<0.001), and seasonal depressive episodes (OR=1.75, p=0.039) were significantly associated with anxious depression. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that older age, fewer subclinical bipolar features, an increased number of depressive episodes following stressful life events, and seasonal depressive episodes may be risk factors for anxiety-related characteristics in patients with MDD.
Anxiety* ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bipolar Disorder ; Checklist ; China ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder ; Depressive Disorder, Major* ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mood Disorders ; Risk Factors* ; Seasons