OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Chinese medicine and pharmacy (CMP) on the mortality of senile HIV/AIDS patients as adjunctive therapy.

METHODSHIV/AIDS patients of a certain rural area of Hanna Province, who were recruited in national CMP HIV treatment trial program (NTCMTP) in 2004, were enrolled as the CMP treatment group. HIV/AIDS patients in the same village without recruiting in NTCMTP were enrolled as the non-CMP treatment group. Data related to subjects were collected from the database of NTCMTP and National HAART Reporting System. Multiple regression analysis under Cox proportional hazard model was applied to examine the risk factors for death of senile HIV/AIDS patients.

RESULTSA total of 436 HIV/AIDS were enrolled in this study, 204 in the CMP treatment group and 232 in the non-CMP treatment group. There were 70 AIDS-relative deaths in the CMP treatment group, with 8-year mortality rate of 37.74%. There were 111 AIDS-relative deaths in the non-CMP treatment group, with 8-year mortality rate of 48.34%. The 8-year mortality rate was higher in the non-CMP treatment group than in the CMP treatment group (chi2 = 5.136, P < 0.05). Results of univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed the hazard ratio in the non-CMP treatment group was 1.41 times that of the CMP treatment group (P < 0.05). Result of multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed the hazard ratio in the non-CMP treatment group was 1.44 times that of the CMP treatment group (P < 0.05). Besides, gender and marital conditions were significantly associated with death of HIV/AIDS patients.

CONCLUSIONCMP treatment was favorable to lower the mortality rate of senile HIV/AIDS patients, and its objective evaluation awaits for further prospective study.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Alzheimer Disease ; therapy ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; Communicable Diseases ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Humans ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Objective To synthesize 99Tcm- (hydrazinonictinamide- [Lys3] -bombesin) (tricine)(trisodium triphenylphosphine-3,3',3"-trisulfonate) ((HYNIC-[Lys3]-BBS) (tricine) (TPPTS)) and evaluate its biodistribution and binding capability with tumor tissue in Balb/c nude mice bearing human pancreatic cancer xenografts. Methods HYNIC was conjugated to the [Lys3] -BBS at pH = 9.0 with SnCl2 as reducing agent and both tricine and TPPTS as coligands for 99Tcm-labeling. 99Tcm-HYNIC-[Lys3]-BBS)(tricine) (TPPTS) was purified by Sep-Pak C18 cartridge and was analysed by HPLC. The radiochemical purity and radiolabeling yield were measured. The stability of 99Tcm-(HYNIC-[Lys3]-BBS) (tricine)(TPPTS) in serum, biodistribution (% ID/g) in the normal mice and imaging of the Balb/c nude mice bearing human pancreatic cancer xenografts in vivo were studied. Results The radiolabeling yield was (90 ±2)% and the radiochemical purity was over 95%. The radiochemical purity after 4 h in serum was over 85%. The distribution in normal mice showed rapid clearance from blood (the uptake was (0.07 ±0.01) %ID/g at 2 h postinjection). 99Tcm-(HYNIC-[Lys3]-BBS) (tricine) (TPPTS) was excreted mainly via the kidney with little radioactivity accumulation in the liver and gastrointestinal tract (the uptake of liver, stomach, intestine was (0.27 ±0.03), (0.06 ±0.03), (0.04 ±0.00) %ID/g at 2 h postinjection). Marked uptake of radioactivity was found in tumor tissue of the Balb/c nude mice bearing human pancreatic cancer with maximum T/NT ratio of 3.71 ± 0.57 at 2 h postinjection. Conclusions 99Tcm-(HYNIC-[Lys3]-BBS)(tricine) (TPPTS) can be easily prepared with high radiolabeling yield and radiochemical purity. The stability in serum and good biodistribution charateristics make it useful for the diagnosis of human pancreatic cancer with over-expression of the gastric-releasing peptide(GRP) receptor.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Ossification, Heterotopic ; genetics ; Signal Transduction ; genetics ; physiology

Based on the principle of molecular hybridization, fifteen compounds were designed and synthesized through the combination of aminothiazoloxime and phosphonate fragment. The results showed that these compounds had better inhibitory effects on the tested bacteria. In particular, the activities of compounds Ⅲf and Ⅲi against S. aureus, E. coli, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli (FREC) were the most significant, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Ⅲf was 1, 8, 4, 16 μg·mL^-1 respectively, and the MIC of Ⅲi was 4, 4, 16, 8 μg·mL^-1 respectively, which were slightly lower than that of the control drug oxacillin, and their anti-E. coli, MRSA and FREC activities were superior to that of the control drug oxacillin. Their activities to S. aureus were close to that of oxacillin, and to E. coli, MRSA and FREC were superior to that of oxacillin, which is worthy of further study.

Abstract: Due to the continued emergence of multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2, the ongoing pandemic has resulted in severe mortality over the past two years. After the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta variants, the most recent new variant of concern (VOC) strain to emerge is Omicron (B.1.1.529), which evolved as a result of the accumulation of a large number of mutations. The Omicron variant, which has a much higher transmission rate than the Delta variant, soon replaced the Delta variant and others, is now the dominant variant worldwide. The emergence of Omicron poses new challenges for the prevention and control of COVID-19 and has raised a number of concerns worldwide. Recently, cases of Omicron infection have been reported in several parts of China, and therefore this paper provides a comprehensive analysis and summary of the epidemiology and immune escape mechanisms of the Omicron variant. We also suggest some therapeutic strategies against the Omicron variant, including rapid diagnosis, genome analysis of emerging variants, ramping up of vaccination drives and receiving booster doses, updating the available vaccines, designing of multivalent vaccines able to generate hybrid immunity, up-gradation of medical facilities and strict implementation of adequate prevention and control measures need to be given high priority to handle the on-going COVID-19 pandemic successfully.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relative factors for hidden blood loss (HBL) after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODSA retrospective study of 422 consecutive patients who underwent primary TKA between October 2007 and August 2009 was carried on. There were 60 male and 362 female patients with a mean age of 65.7 years. The HBL was calculated according to Gross formula. The effect of patient gender, age, body mass index (BMI), pre-operative diagnosis, unilateral or simultaneous bilateral TKA, tourniquet time, type of prosthesis, postoperative anticoagulation method and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on the postoperative HBL were analyzed.

RESULTSThe HBL in patients underwent unilateral TKA was significantly lower than that in those underwent simultaneous bilateral TKA [(1284 ± 207) ml vs. (2248 ± 504) ml, P = 0.000]. Unvaried analysis showed that the HBL were associated with BMI, tourniquet time, prosthesis type and postoperative anticoagulation method. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the impact factors of postoperative HBL include BMI, tourniquet time and prosthesis type.

CONCLUSIONSBMI, bilateral simultaneous TKA, tourniquet time and intercondylar open prosthesis impact the HBL after primary TKA. However, the influence of gender, age, diagnosis, postoperative anticoagulation method and DVT on the HBL are not significant.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; surgery ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; Regression Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of the normal subjects with postural sway test and discuss the value of postural sway test in the diagnosis of dizzy patients.

METHODSTotally 112 normal subjects, 72 patients with peripheral vertigo, and 30 patients with central vertigo were examined using a stabilometer (EAB-100, Anima Co., Japan). Items include patterns, length of locus, envelope area, deflection average center displacement, and romberg rate were recorded and compared.

RESULTSThe postural sway was classified into the following five patterns: centripetal, forward and backward, right and left, diffuse, and multicentric. Centripetal pattern was the most prominent figure pattern in the normal subjects, while diffuse pattern was the most prominent figure pattern in the patients with central vertigo. When the normal subjects closed their eyes, age was linearly correlated with the length of locus, envelope area, rectangel area, and unit area path length (P < 0.05). Sex was not correlated to all of these parameters. The length of locus and envelope area in the patient groups were significantly increased when compared with the normal subjects (P < 0.0167). Romberg rate was not significantly different between the patients and the normal subjects.

CONCLUSIONSThe pattern of postural sway is useful for the diagnosis of vertigo. Age is an important factor that affects the balance function. Sex seems has no influence. Visual input plays an important role in maintaining postural balance. Stabilometer is a useful tool for evaluating balance function, and postural sway test may be a valuable assistant examination.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Case-Control Studies ; Dizziness ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postural Balance

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of oxidative stress in development of acute high altitude response (AHAR) during the process of strong physical work at high altitude and its change after return to lower altitude.

METHODSNinety-six officers and soldiers of rapid entering into high altitude (3 700 m) with strong physical work were analyzed, all subjects were male, aged 18-35 years. According to the symptomatic scores of AHAR were divided into 3 groups: severe AHAR (group A, n = 24), mild AHAR (group B, n = 47) and without AHAR (group C, n = 25). Levels in serum 8-iso prostaglandinF2alpha(8-iso-PGF2alpha), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonaldehyde (MDA) were measured at higher altitude stayed 50 d and after return to lower altitude (1 500 m) 12 h and 15 d, and 50 healthy volunteers (group D) at 1 500 m altitude served as controll.

RESULTSLevels of serum 8-iso-PGF2alpha and MDA [(9.53 +/- 0.47) microg/L, (8.91 +/- 0.39) micromol/L] were significantly higher in group A than those in group B [(8.34 +/- 0.42) microg/L, (7.31 +/- 0.32) micromol/L] , group C [(7.02 +/- 0.48) microg/L, (6.41 +/- 0.23) micromol/L] and group D [(5.13 +/- 0.56) microg/L, (5.48 +/- 0.33) micromol/L], (all P < 0.01), and serum SOD [(52.08 +/- 3.44) micro/ml] was significantly lower in group A than that in group B [62.27 +/- 2.54) micro/ml], group C [(71.99 +/- 3.35) micro/ml] and group D [(80.78 +/- 3.44) micro/ ml] (all P < 0.01), there were significant differences between group B and C, C and D (all P < 0.01). At altitude 3 700 m 50 d, AHAR scores was positively correlated with serum 8-iso-PGF2alpha and MDA (all P < 0.01), negatively correlated with SOD (P < 0.01). Serum 8-iso-PGF2alpha and MDA were negatively correlated with SOD (all P < 0.01). Levels of serum 8-iso-PGF2alpha and MDA were significantly higher at altitude of 3 700 m 50 d than those at altitude of 1 500 m 12 h,15 d in group D (all P < 0.01), and serum SOD was significantly lower than that at 1 500 m 12 h,15 d in group D (all P < 0.01), there were significantly difference between at 1 500 m 12 h and 15 d (all P < 0.01), there were no difference between at 15 d in group D (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe more serious of oxidative stress and oxidative/antioxidative imbalance, the more serious of AHAR, oxidative stress and oxidative/antioxidative imbalance may be involved in the development of AHAR. The changes were obviously improved after return to lower altitude 12 h, and recovered to normal after 15 d.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Altitude ; Altitude Sickness ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; physiology ; Physical Exertion ; physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare antiproliferation effects of vinblastine nanopraticles and vinblastine water solution in human glioma cell lines BT325.

METHODVinblastine nanoparticles were prepared by emulsion polymerization process and using dextran as a stabilizing agent. It was characterized by means of morphology, size, drug entrapment efficiency and loading efficiency. Human glioma cell lines BT325 were treated with different concentrations of vinblastine nanoparticles and vinblastine water solution for 48 h, Antiproliferation effect was measured by MTT method. Morphological changes were observed by inverted microscope, transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope.

RESULTMean diameter of VLB-PBCA-NP was about 74.4 nm, and drug entrapment efficiency and loading efficiency was 78.47% and 39.24%, respectively. Cell growth inhibition rate of vinblastine nanoparticles group and vinblastine water solution group in a concentration range (5-5 000 g x L(-1)) for 48 h was 41%, 49%, 73%, 83% and 28%, 33%, 54%, 60% respectively. Entrapment of VLB in NPS may distinctly degrade absorbency as compared to free drugs. Glioma cell BT325 which treated with VLB water solution were initial stage of apoptosis, and apoptosis body were forming. But VLB NPS-treated BT325 cells were intermediate or end stage, and missed structure integrality.

CONCLUSIONVLB-PBCA-NP and VLB water solution could inhibit the growth of human glioma cell lines BT325, and VLB nanoparticles have stronger inhibition effect compared with VLB water solution in the same dose. PBCA may be effective as promising carrier for the transport of vinblastine into the glioma cells.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Nanoparticles ; Vinblastine ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic value of serum CEACAM1 in patients with pancreatic cancer.

METHODSFifty patients with pancreatic cancer and 50 with chronic pancreatitis were examine for serum levels of CEACAM1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The cut-off values and area under curve (AUC) of CEACAM1 was obtained by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The diagnostic efficiency of the tumor markers for pancreatic cancer was assessed by the fourfold table.

RESULTSThe serum level and positivity rate of CEACAM1 in pancreatic cancer patients were higher than those in chronic pancreatitis patients (P<0.05). Based on the ROC curve, the cut-off values and AUC of CEACAM1 were 13.835 ng/ml and 0.780, respectively (P<0.05). In pancreatic cancer patients, the diagnostic sensitivities of the tumor markers decreased in the order of CEACAM1 < CA242 < CA19-9 (P<0.05), and the specificity in the order of CA242 < CA19-9 < CEACAM1 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCEACAM1 shows a higher diagnostic sensitivity than CA19-9 and CA242 for pancreatic cancer, but due to its low specificity this marker alone is not sufficient for diagnostic purposes.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD ; blood ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; ROC Curve