OBJECTIVETo investigate subtype and genetic analysis of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1).

METHODSDNA sequences were amplified by nested-PCR from uncultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from 100 HIV-1 patients from Guangdong Province. The C2 to V3 region of the envelope glycoprotein gp120 of HIV-1 was sequenced directly. The analysis of the gene-based phylogenetic tree and variation of amino acid were carried out by using Wisconsin software package or genetics computer group (GCG).

RESULTSDNA fragments were amplified from 75 PBMC samples by using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sequence analysis showed that there were 3 HIV-1 subtypes or circulating recombinant forms (CRF): CRF01-AE (n = 44), CRF-BC (n = 27) and B' (n = 4).

CONCLUSIONSThree HIV-1 subtypes or circulating recombinant forms: CRF01-AE, CRF-BC and B' might be circulating in Guangdong Province. Findings from this study suggested that several subtypes might exist in Guangdong Province and the epidemic situation of AIDS be serious. It should be a challenge for Guangdong Province in treating patients, preventing and controlling AIDS in the future.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; blood ; epidemiology ; virology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Base Sequence ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Viral ; Female ; HIV-1 ; classification ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Protein Isoforms

Objective To explore and compare the relevant regional anatomies as they relate the fron- tolateral keyhole approach under microscopy and neuroendoscopy for operations in anterior cranial base and sellar region.Methods Fifteen silieone-injected cadaveric heads were dissected to reveal and compare the extent of expesure through the transfrontolateral keyhole approach under neuroendoscopy and microscopy. Results Portions in the areas of olfactory groove,sellar region and sylvian tissure were blind under micro- scope.Endoscope could allow observation of areas considered blind under the microscope.It could increase light intensity during the approach to objects,extend viewing angles,clear depiction of details in close-up po- sitions and inspect hidden structures.But images of endoscope were two dimensional,lack of view depth.Mi- croscopy and neuroendoscopy could help each other to recuperate deficiency.Conclusion Endoscope-assis- ted neuromicrosurgery is helpful,safe and minimally invasive to treat deepseated lesions in anterior cranial base,sellar region by transfrontolateral keyhole approach.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy between Tiaoshen Jieyu acupuncture (acupuncture for regulating mind and relieving depression) combined with sertraline hydrochloride tablet and simple sertraline hydrochloride tablet for post-stroke depression (PSD). METHODS: A total of 76 patients with PSD were randomized into an observation group (38 cases, 6 cases dropped off) and a control group (38 cases, 4 cases dropped off). Both groups were treated with conventional treatment i.e. controlling blood pressure and anti-inflammation. Sertraline hydrochloride tablet was given orally in the control group, 20 mg a time, once a day. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, Tiaoshen Jieyu acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 24⁺), Neiguan (PC 6), Taichong (LR 3), etc. in the observation group, Baihui (GV 20) and Yintang (GV 24⁺) were connected to electroacupuncture, with disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/100 Hz in frequency, 30 min a time, once a day, 6 times a week. Treatment of 8 weeks was required in both groups. Before and after treatment, the scores of Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), Barthel index (BI) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were observed respectively, the therapeutic efficacy and rate of adverse reactions were evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of HAMD, NIHSS and PSQI were lower while BI scores were higher than those before treatment in both groups (P<0.05); the scores of HAMD, NIHSS and PSQI in the observation group were lower while BI score was higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.8% (30/32) in the observation group, which was higher than 70.6% (24/34) in the control group (P<0.05). The rate of adverse reactions was 9.4% (3/32) in the observation group, which was lower than 32.4% (11/34) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Tiaoshen Jieyu acupuncture combined with sertraline hydrochloride tablet can improve the depression degree, neurological function, activity of daily living and sleep quality in patients with post-stroke depression, the clinical efficacy is superior to simple sertraline hydrochloride, and can alleviate the adverse reactions caused by medication.
Humans ; Sertraline/adverse effects* ; Depression/etiology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Stroke/complications* ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome ; Tablets

The study investigates the mechanism by which Peganum harmala L. (Luotuopeng, LTP) inhibits tube formation in retinal vascular endothelial cells. Tube formation was induced by treatment of retinal vascular endothelial cells with glucose. The cells were divided into a normal group, model group, and an LTP group. The total length of tube formation was measured. The active components, targets, and pathway by which LTP acts in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy was explored by network pharmacology. The mRNA expression levels of targets [extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2), phosphoinositide 3 kinase catalytic alpha polypeptide (PIK3CA), serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (AKT1)] related to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway was measured by real-time PCR. The results of tube formation indicated that compared with the normal group, the total tube length increased in the model group (P < 0.01); after the treatment with LTP, the total tube length decreased compared with the model group (P < 0.01). Network pharmacology revealed that the targets of LTP included PIK3CA, AKT1, and ERK2, and the pathways involved the MAPK signaling pathway and the VEGF signaling pathway. Real-time PCR indicated that compared with the normal group, the mRNA expression levels of ERK2, PIK3CA and AKT1 were elevated in the model group (P < 0.05); after treatment with LTP, the mRNA expression levels of ERK2, PIK3CA and AKT1 decreased compared with the model group (P < 0.05). LTP may inhibit retinal vascular endothelial cell tube formation by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway and the VEGF signaling pathway. This study confirms the multi-targets and multi-pathways of LTP and provides a basis for its use in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy．

IG-105, N-(2,6-dimethoxypyridine-3-yl)-9-methylcarbazole-3-sulfonamide, a novel antimicrotubule agent, showed potent anticancer activity in a variety of human tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. In order to characterize the metabolism and the possible drug-drug interaction of IG-105, we carried out a series of experiments. Drug metabolizing enzymes involved in IG-105 metabolism were investigated by using pooled human liver microsomes (HLMs) and recombinant cytochrome P450 isoforms (rP450s) respectively. The possible metabolites were analyzed by liquid chromatography-orbitrap-mass spectrometry (LC-Orbitrap-MS). The inhibitory effect of IG-105 on main P450 enzymes was also evaluated. The results showed that IG-105 can be metabolized by a series of rP450s, including CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5, with the major contribution enzymes being CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, and CYP3A. Three metabolites (M1-M3) were identified and demethylation was the major phase I metabolic reaction for IG-105. IG-105 moderately inhibited CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A enzyme activities with IC₅₀ values of 6.42, 23.64, 0.39, 1.4, and 3.14 μmol·L^-1, respectively. Since the biotransformation of IG-105 involves multiple enzymatic pathways, the compound is less likely to be a victim of a concomitantly used medicine which inhibits activity of one of the CYPs. However, as IG-105 showed medium to strong inhibition on CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP3A, and CYP2C19, caution is particularly needed when IG-105 is co-administrated with other anticancer drugs which are mainly metabolized by the above enzymes.