The aim of the current study was to determine whether tumor-specific T cells can be primed in and obtained from sponge implants loaded with tumor associated peptides. Naive C57BL/6 mice as well as C57BL/6 mice previously primed with FBL-3 tumor cells were implanted with small polyurethane sponges containing FBL-3 gag peptides CCLCLTVFL(gPr80 gag 85-93)or RSPTNLAKV(Pr65 gag p30 131-139). Both FBL-3 gag peptides were shown could bind to H-2 Db molecules. Ten days later, cells that had accumulated in the sponges were harvested, stimulated in vitro with the immunizing peptide, and tested for cytolytic activity against FBL-3 tumor and FBL-3 gag peptides. The results demonstrated that peptide-specific CD8+ CTL could be elicited and obtained from the sponge implants of both naive and immune mice. The FBL-3 gag p85-93 peptide induced CTL could specifically lyse syngeneic targets pulsed with the FBL-3 gag p85-93 peptide as well as FBL-3 tumor. However, the FBL-3 gag p131-139 peptide induced CTL lysed only the FBL-3 gag p131- 139 peptide pulsed syngeneic targets but not the FBL- 3 tumor. Tumor-specific T cells obtained from peptide-loaded sponge implants could be induced to grow to large numbers in vitro by periodic restimulation with the immunizing peptide plus syngeneic APC and low concentrations of IL- 2. Adoptive transfer of the resultant expanded FBL-3 gag p85-93 peptide-induced CTL into mice with disseminated FBL-3 could mediate effective anti-tumor therapy. Thus,in vivo immunization with peptide-loaded sponges provides a potentially useful technique for procuring primed peptide- specific T cells for tumor therapy.

Objective To investigate the effect of operation for hyperthyroidism assoiciated with hypokalemic periodic paralysis(HPP).Methods We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 121 cases of hyperthyoidism associated with HPP.Among them 81 patients received subtotal thyroidectomy after taking Lugol solution for 2 weeks;40 patients received non-operative therapy.Results The plasma potassium,T3,T4,TSH and BMR levels of patients who received subtotal thyroidectomy were all normal 1 week post-operatively,Only 2 patients suffered symptoms of relapse at follow up of 0.5-10 years,with cure rate of 97.5%;8 of the patients who received non-operative therapy recovered,with cure rate of 20.0%.Conclusions Operation for hyperthyroidism associated with HPP could cure HPP and hyperthyroidism simultaneously.The therapeutic efficacy of operation is rapid and stable,and is markedly better than that of non-operative therapy.

Objective To evaluate five detection methods for the laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection in the hospitals of USA, and explore a sensitive, specific, accuracy and rapid regimen for the early diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection. Methods A total of 174 stool specimens submitted to the clinical microbiology laboratory for Clostridium difficile testing were separately tested by five methods including toxigenic culture (TGC), Premier Toxin A&B EIA( A/B-EIA), C. Diff Quick Chek Complete( DEIA), BD G eneOhm Cdiff assay(BD-PCR) and Laboratory-developed PCR(LD-PCR). The gold standard of TGC was used as a reference criterion, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value ( PPV )and negative predictive value (NPV) of A/B-EIA, D-EIA, BD-PCR and LD-PCR assays were determined. Results Among the 174 specimens studied, 24 were defined as true positives for Clostridium difficile infection by TGC assay, giving a positive rate of 13.8% (24/174). In comparison to the standard,the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 62.5%, 99.3%, 93.8% and 94.3% for A/B-EIA;66.7%, 98.7%, 88.9% and 94.9% for D-EIA; 83.3%, 98.7%, 90.9% and 97.4% for BD-PCR;79.2%, 93.3%, 65.5% and 96.6% for LD-PCR. Among all tested specimens, 34 were positive by atleast one of five methods, and of which 15 were concordant by all five methods. The D-EIA results were divided into three groups depending on results of GDH and (or) toxins A/B: 18 were positive for both GDH and toxins A/B, 23 were positive for only GDH, and 133 were negative for both GDH and toxins A/B. Of 18 positive specimens by D-EIA assay, all were concordant with results of BD-PCR assay and 16 were agreement with results of TGC assay. Twenty-two of 24 positive specimens by TGC assay were included in 41 specimens that were positive for GDH. Among eight false negative specimens by D-EIA assay, four were differentiated as positive results by BD-PCR. According to the present study, the sensitivity, specificity,PPV and NPV of a two-step detection algorithm in combination with D-EIA and BD-PCR assays were 83.3%, 98.7%, 90.9% and 97.4%, respectively. Conclusions From the point of technological evaluation, BD-PCR is preferable. A two-step detection algorithm combining D-EIA with BD-PCR is proposed for the laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection. This algorithm has demonstrated an excellent sensitivity and specificity, as well as decreased test turnaround time and test cost.

Objective To study the relationship between IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and prostatic volume (PV) by examining the levels of insulin and insulin-like growth fator-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 ( IGFBP-3 ) and other indicators in patients with impaired glucose regulation and benign prostate hypertrophy. Methods According to 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results, 109 BPH patients aged over 50 years were divided into three groups: normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group (n = 56), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) group (n = 14), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT group, n = 39). The biochemical indicators and postatic hyperplasia related factors and IGF-1, GFBP-3 were measured. Results There were no statistical differences between the three groups in terms of blood lipids, homocysteine, urinary inhibition C, fasting insulin (FINS), glycosylated hemoglobin, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of PV, prostate specific antigen, the quality of life score and the international prostate symptom score (P > 0.05). Fasting plasma glucose and insulin resistance index (HOMA IR) were higher in IFG group than NGT group (P′ < 0.017) and IGT group (P′ < 0.017). 2-hour plasma glucose and 2-hour insulin were higher in IGT group than NGT group (P′ < 0.017) and IFG group (P′ < 0.017). PV was positively correlated with FINS but not correlated with IGF-1, IGFBP- 3 by multiple multiple step wise regression analysis. Conclusion Oyperinsulinemia is a risk factor in the development of BPH with IGR, and IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 are not associated with BPH risk. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the role of the IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in BPH.

Objectives:Economic growth and rapid development of health technology in China have created opportunities to strengthen health technology assessment (HTA) capacity.Over the time,HTA institutions have been established to conduct HTA related work.This study reviewed the current status of HTA in China and analysed the challenges of HTA development in the context of health reform under"new normal"economy.Methods:Literature review and webpage searches were used to document the development of HTA in China.An institutional survey has also been conducted to collect information on the HTA research institutions in China.Results:The number of articles and research projects on HTA were rising and are continuing to rise.HTA development has made substantial progress in China in terms of growing number of research institutions and qualified HTA workforce.However,HTA has notable weaknesses such as low capacity for conducting HTA research,limited experience in HTA researchers,and lack of knowledge translation.Conclusion:Currently,the translation of HTA findings to policy-making is limited and the integration of HTA in the policy-making processes is still in its infancy.The HTA development in China has had opportunities due to demands of health care,health insurance,and health technology as a result of health reform.Capacity building and institutionalization of HTA are urgently needed for further development of HTA in China.

Objective To investigate the effects of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)on the pathological structure and cytokine expression of lung tissue in septic model of diabetic rats. Methods Diabetic rats were ran-domly divided into control,sham-operation,sepsis and MSC-treated groups. The diabetic model was induced by high-sucrose and high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin and cecal ligation and puncture. The pathological changes of lung tissue were observed at 6,12,18 and 24 hours after operation respectively,and the expression of SP-D,TNF-α,IFN-γ and IL-10 in lungs were measured.Results The levels of SP-D,TNF-α and IFN-γ in lung tissue increased gradually with the elongation of time after CLP. The expression of IL-10 in lung tissue increased and then decreased. The trend of MSC intervention increased the content of SP-D,TNF-α and IL-10 in the lung tissue of non-diabetic septic rat model and reduced the content of IFN-γ.MSC intervention reduced the SP-D and TNF-α content.The intervention of MSC had no effect on the content of IFN-γ in the lung tissue of diabetic septic rats.However,it increased and then decreased the content of IL-10.Conclusions The model of sepsis in diabetic rats can be established by feeding combined high-sugar and high-fat diet and streptozotocin combined with cecal ligation and puncture. Mesenchymal stem cells affect sepsis inflammation and organ damage. But its specific role depends on the immune status and the timing of mesenchymal stem cell selection.

Objective:To explore the effects of different approaches for second-trimester multifetal pregnancy reduction on pregnancy outcome in women with dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) triplet.Methods:A retrospective study was performed on 51 women with DCTA triplet pregnancies who were referred to Guangdong Women and Children Hospital for second-trimester multifetal pregnancy reduction from January 2014 to January 2020. All participants were divided into either preventive group ( n=39) or treatment group ( n=12) according to the indication for multifetal pregnancy reduction, and they were further allocated to three subgroups based on different reduction methods, which were reduction to dichorionic twin by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (RFA subgroup), reduction to monochorionic singleton (KCl-singleton subgroup) or monochorionic twin (KCl-twin subgroup) by cardiac injection of potassium chloride. Pregnancy loss rate, neonatal birth weight, gestational age at delivery, incidence of intrauterine death, and neonatal death were compared and analyzed between different groups using t-test, analysis of variance, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and Bonferroni correction. Results:(1) The mean gestational week at operation in the treatment group was significantly later than that in the preventive group [(18.5±3.1) vs (15.0±2.3) weeks, t=-4.209, P<0.001]. In the preventive group, the mean gestational week at operation in the RFA subgroup was later than the KCl-singleton and KCl-twin subgroup[(17.2±1.6) vs (13.8±1.5) and (12.7±1.0) weeks, t=6.630 and 3.875, respectively, both P<0.05]. (2) The postoperative pregnancy loss rate in the preventive group was decreased compared with the treatment group [10.3%(4/39) vs 5/12, Fisher's exact test, P<0.05], and the live birth ratio was increased [ 85.7%(48/56) vs 10/18, χ2=5.640, P=0.018]. No live birth infants with birth weight <1 500 g was reported in the KCl-singleton subgroup in preventive group, and the statistical significance was observed in the intra-group differences ( P<0.05) rather than the pairwise comparison differences in the preventive group. For the proportion of live births, there was a statistically significant difference in the intra-group comparison in the treatment group, which was higher in the RFA subgroup than that in the KCl-twin subgroup (6/6 vs 1/6, P=0.045). No significant difference was revealed among pregnancy loss rate, gestational weeks at delivery, the mean birth weight, premature delivery <32 gestational weeks, and full-term birth rate among three different approaches within the two groups. (3) No monochorionic twin complications or perinatal death occurred in any RFA or KCl-singleton subgroups in the two groups. In the KCl-twin subgroups including five cases with ten fetuses, including three live birth, four miscarriage, three intrauterine death occured, while no neonatal death was reported. One case with selective fetal uterine growth restriction in the preventive group delivered two live births, and one case with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome in the treatment group had intrauterine death in one fetus and one survival neonate. Conclusions:The pregnancy outcome of multifetal pregnancy reduction to dichorionic diamniotic twins by RFA or reduction to singleton by cardiac injection of potassium chloride are comparative in women with DCTA triplet, regardless of whether it is a preventive or therapeutic reduction.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health preservation shows unique advantages in the international communication and overseas development.It is characterized by its cultural complexity and medical science,along with the policy support from the "Belt and Road Initiative" of TCM,as well as the increasing attention both at home and abroad.However,many problems and obstacles which cannot be ignored still hinder the enrichment and development of TCM health preservation in the world.This paper focused on analyzing these problems and obstacles,and indicated that the basic principle of international communication of TCM health preservation is to build a relatively steady long-term purpose and several segmented adjusting periodic orientations.At the same time,according to the characteristics of different regions along the line,changing the modes and contents of propagation is also needed.

Objective To understand the infection status of enterovirus 71(EV71) and coxsackievirus A16(Cox A16) among children receiving health examination for child care setting entrance in Beijing and their related medical care seeking practice and provide evidence for the estimation of disease burden caused by hand foot and mouth disease(HFMD). Methods Serological survey was conducted in the local children receiving health examination for child care setting entrance. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to detect anti-EV71 and anti-Cox A16 IgG and IgM. Results A total of 813 children were surveyed(mean age:3.5±1.0 year old). The seropositive rate was 61.9%and 4.4%for anti-Cox A16 IgG and IgM. The seropositive rate was 9.3% and 1.1% for anti-EV71 IgG and IgM. No significant difference was observed in sex specific seropositive rate (P>0.05). However,significant differences were found in seropositive rate among different age groups(P<0.05). Among the children who were anti-Cox A16 positive, 7.8%had ever had rashes on their hands and feet,mouth or buttocks(HFMD-like rashes). Among the children who were anti-EV71 positive,10.7%had ever had HFMD-like rashes. For the children who were anti-Cox A16 or anti-EV71 positive,only 7.1% were brought to see doctors by their parents. However,among the seropositive children with rashes,80.5% were brought to see doctors. Conclusion In the healthy children at the age to go to child care setting in Beijing,most had ever infected with Cox A16. The anti-EV71 positive rate was much lower than the anti-Cox A16 positive rate. It was necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of EV71 infection in child cares settings.

Based on the review of existed references,research methods and experiences of ethnographic studies of Chinese medicine in the UK,this article proposed several suggestions on the social scientific studies of Chinese medicine abroad under the background of the "Belt and Road":studies should be more pragmatic in order to take the role of think tank;multi-discipline studies are encouraged to take the advantages of professional subjects;multi-cultures should be respected and local conditions should be taken into consideration to achieve conversational communication and all-win interest consortium;qualitative research should be more emphasized to present more ethnographic work for analytical studies;historical studies should be paid attention to in order to get dynamic trends.