Objective:To investigate the correlation between the hemodynamic pattern of non-culprit vessel stenosis and long-term vessel-oriented composite outcome(VOCO) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Methods:From January 2019 to December 2021, 233 consecutive patients with STEMI and non-culprit vessel stenosis were prospectively enrolled at Shanghai East Hospital. The median follow-up duration was 3.9 years. The 367 non-culprit vessels of the 233 patients were divided into the VOCO group (33 vessels, 9.0%) and the non-VOCO group (334 vessels, 91.0%). Parameters pertaining to the hemodynamic pattern of non-culprit vessel stenosis between the two groups were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the correlation between hemodynamic pattern and VOCO, and Cox multivariate regression and logistic multivariate regression analyses were applied to identify independent predictors of VOCO.Results:The 233 enrolled patients were aged (62.5±12.9) years, with 193 males (82.8%). In the VOCO group, the maximum quantitative flow ratio (QFR) decreased within 20 mm of the QFR-assessed segment, the difference in QFR across the entire vessel, the length of functionally significant vessel, and the maximum gradient of QFR decrease (dQFR/dsmax) were significantly greater than those in the non-VOCO group. ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal threshold for predicting VOCO using dQFR/dsmax was 0.009 6 (area under the curve: 0.691, 95% CI: 0.606-0.775, P<0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that dQFR/dsmax was an independent predictor of VOCO ( HR=1.199, 95% CI: 1.070-1.343, P=0.002). When anatomical and functional stenosis severities were included in the model, a high pullback pressure gradient (PPG) index ( HR=1.572, 95% CI: 1.052-2.351, P=0.027) emerged as an independent predictor of VOCO. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that a low PPG index( OR=2.851, 95% CI: 1.945-4.178, P<0.001) was an independent predictor of QFR≤0.80 without long-term VOCO. Conclusion:In patients with STEMI, localized hemodynamic patterns of coronary artery stenosis, characterized by high dQFR/dsmax and high PPG index, are associated with long-term VOCO.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the hemodynamic pattern of non-culprit vessel stenosis and long-term vessel-oriented composite outcome(VOCO) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Methods:From January 2019 to December 2021, 233 consecutive patients with STEMI and non-culprit vessel stenosis were prospectively enrolled at Shanghai East Hospital. The median follow-up duration was 3.9 years. The 367 non-culprit vessels of the 233 patients were divided into the VOCO group (33 vessels, 9.0%) and the non-VOCO group (334 vessels, 91.0%). Parameters pertaining to the hemodynamic pattern of non-culprit vessel stenosis between the two groups were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the correlation between hemodynamic pattern and VOCO, and Cox multivariate regression and logistic multivariate regression analyses were applied to identify independent predictors of VOCO.Results:The 233 enrolled patients were aged (62.5±12.9) years, with 193 males (82.8%). In the VOCO group, the maximum quantitative flow ratio (QFR) decreased within 20 mm of the QFR-assessed segment, the difference in QFR across the entire vessel, the length of functionally significant vessel, and the maximum gradient of QFR decrease (dQFR/dsmax) were significantly greater than those in the non-VOCO group. ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal threshold for predicting VOCO using dQFR/dsmax was 0.009 6 (area under the curve: 0.691, 95% CI: 0.606-0.775, P<0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that dQFR/dsmax was an independent predictor of VOCO ( HR=1.199, 95% CI: 1.070-1.343, P=0.002). When anatomical and functional stenosis severities were included in the model, a high pullback pressure gradient (PPG) index ( HR=1.572, 95% CI: 1.052-2.351, P=0.027) emerged as an independent predictor of VOCO. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that a low PPG index( OR=2.851, 95% CI: 1.945-4.178, P<0.001) was an independent predictor of QFR≤0.80 without long-term VOCO. Conclusion:In patients with STEMI, localized hemodynamic patterns of coronary artery stenosis, characterized by high dQFR/dsmax and high PPG index, are associated with long-term VOCO.

Objective To establish an allogeneic rat model of endometriosis and to evaluate the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist GenSci006 on experimental rat endometriosis. Methods Endometrium from SPF grade donor female SD rats were transplanted onto the abdominal wall of recipient female rats to construct an allogeneic endometriosis model. The rats undergoing sham surgery were divided into the sham group. Three weeks later, the length, width and height of the ectopic endometrium were measured, and the volume of the endometrium (V₁) was calculated before drug administration. The modeling rats were randomly divided into four groups: model group, triptorelin group (0.25 mg/kg), GenSci006-1 group (0.125 mg/kg) and GenSci006-2 group (0.25 mg/kg). Each group had 16 rats and received a single dose of the corresponding drug. The sham group and model group were administered an equal volume of solvent. Three weeks after administration, ectopic endometrium was measured to calculate the volume V₂ and inhibition rate. The effect of GenSci006 on rat uterus and ovarian tissues was assessed by comparing organ coefficients and changes in pathological sections. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of serum estradiol (E₂), progesterone (P₄), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of GnRH receptor (GnRHR) mRNA in the hypothalamus and pituitary. Western blot was used to detect the expression of estradiol receptor alpha (ERα), beta (ERβ) and progesterone receptor (PR) in ectopic endometrium. Results Three weeks after administration, compared with the model group, the body weight of rats in the triptorelin and GenSci006-2 groups significantly increased (P < 0.05), while the volume of ectopic endometrium significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the sham group, the model group showed no significant changes in uterine and ovarian organ coefficients or endometrial thickness (P > 0.05). Compared with the model group, the uterine organ coefficients and endometrial thickness were significantly reduced in the triptorelin and GenSci006-2 groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the sham group, the serum levels of E₂, P₄, FSH and LH in the model group showed no significant changes (P > 0.05). Compared with the model group, the ovarian organ coefficient and serum P₄ levels of rats in the Triptorelin, GenSci006-1, and GenSci006-2 groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), while the serum LH levels of rats in the GenSci006-1 group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant changes in serum E₂ and FSH levels in each group (P > 0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression levels of GnRHR mRNA in the pituitary tissue of rats in the triptorelin and GenSci006-2 groups were significantly downregulated (P < 0.05), with no significantly changes in the hypothalamus (P > 0.05). There were no significant changes in the expression level of GnRHR mRNA in the hypothalamus or the protein levels of ERα, ERβ and PR in the ectopic endometrial tissue in any group (P > 0.05). Conclusion The allogeneic endometriosis rat model is a suitable animal model for screening and evaluating drugs for treating endometriosis. The volume of ectopic endometrium, inhibition rate, uterine and ovarian organ coefficients, and serum E₂ levels may serve as indicators for detecting drug efficacy.

Objective:To explore the effects of consecutively repeated application of emergency contraception pills (ECPs) containing levonorgestrel (LNG) on the female fertility and the health outcomes of F1 generation rats.Methods:Female SPF rats were intragastric administered with LNG-ECPs consecutively for 3 (P-3), 6 (P-6) and 12 (P-12) estrous cycles (three times in each estrous cycle), respectively. Under each administration schedule, rats were randomly divided into 2 groups according to body weight stratification using random numbers generated in Excel, i.e. LNG-ECPs group and solvent control group, administered with 0.12 mg/kg LNG-ECPs and corresponding volumes of 0.5% CMC-Na, respectively. Four hours after the last dosing, half of the animals (12-18) in each group were allotted randomly for dissection (6-9) and mating (6-9), respectively. The remaining half (12-18) were recovered for 3 estrous cycles, and then were randomly allocated for dissection (6-9) and mating (6-9). Organ coefficients were calculated. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and free thyroid hormone 3 (fT3) were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Ovarian tissues were sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) for follicle counting. In addition, the pregnancy rate and litter size of the female rats were recorded, and the growth indexes and behavioral parameters of the cubs were measured. Moreover, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of the ovarian tissues was performed to establish the differential expression gene profile of ovarian injury induced by LNG-ECPs. Then gene ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment were analyzed.Results:1) After consecutive administration for 3 and 6 estrous cycles, LNG-ECPs showed no significant impact on the serum hormone levels and female fertility (all P>0.05), and the growth indexes and behavioral parameters of the F1 generation (all P>0.05). 2) After consecutive administration for 12 estrous cycles, the serum levels of FSH [(0.21±0.17) U/L], LH [(0.27±0.08) U/L] and progesterone [(0.68±0.23) μg/L] in LNG-ECPs group decreased significantly compared with those in solvent control group [(1.00±0.82) U/L, P=0.043; (1.00±0.50) U/L, P=0.006; (1.00±0.20) μg/L, P=0.027], while the level of estradiol [(2.24±1.03) μg/L] and testosterone [(1.25±0.25) μg/L] increased noticeably compared with those in solvent control group [(1.00±0.35) μg/L, P=0.019; (1.00±0.07) μg/L, P=0.044]. The number of primordial follicles (4.88±2.36) lost distinctly, while the number of atretic follicles (24.38±5.01) increased markedly in LNG-ECPs group compared with those in solvent control group (16.13±9.36, P=0.005; 19.13±2.30, P=0.018). In addition, the weight-loaded swimming (WLS) time of the F1 generation rats from the LNG-ECPs group [(157.13±32.29) s] reduced obviously compared with those from the solvent control group [(198.06±40.01) s, P=0.003]. Moreover, after recovering for 3 estrous cycles, LNG-ECPs significantly increased the levels of FSH [(2.48±1.18) U/L], LH [(1.60±0.41) U/L], testosterone [(1.37±0.23) μg/L] and the ratio of FSH/LH (1.61±0.41) compared with those in solvent control group [(1.00±0.67) U/L, P=0.024; (1.00±0.27) U/L, P=0.014; (1.00±0.18) μg/L, P=0.011; 1.00±0.49, P=0.042], respectively. Additionally, the serum levels of estradiol [(0.49±0.15) μg/L] and AMH [(0.79±0.15) μg/L] were significantly lower than those in solvent control group [(1.00±0.37) μg/L, P=0.011; (1.00±0.10) μg/L, P=0.016]. In addition, the number of primordial follicles in rats of LNG-ECPs group (6.25±5.06) were obviously less than that in solvent control group (12.00±5.56, P=0.048). Furthermore, the total distance in open field [(89.85±36.98) m] and the swimming time in WLS [(112.00±29.52) s] in rats treated with LNG-ECPs both decreased distinctly compared with those in solvent control group [(147.55±23.13) m, P<0.001; (137.69±25.85) s, P=0.014]. 3) According to transcriptomic analysis, Cd5, Cxcr1, Lexm, Fga, Mybphl and Gstm5 were the significant differential expressed genes (DEGs) in the ovarian tissues of rats. These DEGs were involved in pathways related to steroid hormone biosynthesis, including terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, ovarian steroidogenesis, cortisol synthesis and secretion. Additionally, these genes were involved in metabolic processes, such as carbon metabolism, butanoate metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism. And the genes were also involved in immunoregulatory processes including cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, viral protein interaction with cytokine and cytokine receptors. Conclusion:Consecutively repeated administering LNG-ECPs to the female rats in a short-term period (<12 cycles) did not demonstrate significant adverse effects on female fertility and the growth and development and the behaviors of their F1 generation cubs. However, long-term repeated treatment with LNG-ECPs (12 cycles) caused ovarian injury on female rats and showed negative impacts on the health of the F1 generation cubs, and no significant improvement was observed after recovering for 3 estrous cycles.

Objective:To explore the effects of consecutively repeated application of emergency contraception pills (ECPs) containing levonorgestrel (LNG) on the female fertility and the health outcomes of F1 generation rats.Methods:Female SPF rats were intragastric administered with LNG-ECPs consecutively for 3 (P-3), 6 (P-6) and 12 (P-12) estrous cycles (three times in each estrous cycle), respectively. Under each administration schedule, rats were randomly divided into 2 groups according to body weight stratification using random numbers generated in Excel, i.e. LNG-ECPs group and solvent control group, administered with 0.12 mg/kg LNG-ECPs and corresponding volumes of 0.5% CMC-Na, respectively. Four hours after the last dosing, half of the animals (12-18) in each group were allotted randomly for dissection (6-9) and mating (6-9), respectively. The remaining half (12-18) were recovered for 3 estrous cycles, and then were randomly allocated for dissection (6-9) and mating (6-9). Organ coefficients were calculated. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and free thyroid hormone 3 (fT3) were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Ovarian tissues were sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) for follicle counting. In addition, the pregnancy rate and litter size of the female rats were recorded, and the growth indexes and behavioral parameters of the cubs were measured. Moreover, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of the ovarian tissues was performed to establish the differential expression gene profile of ovarian injury induced by LNG-ECPs. Then gene ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment were analyzed.Results:1) After consecutive administration for 3 and 6 estrous cycles, LNG-ECPs showed no significant impact on the serum hormone levels and female fertility (all P>0.05), and the growth indexes and behavioral parameters of the F1 generation (all P>0.05). 2) After consecutive administration for 12 estrous cycles, the serum levels of FSH [(0.21±0.17) U/L], LH [(0.27±0.08) U/L] and progesterone [(0.68±0.23) μg/L] in LNG-ECPs group decreased significantly compared with those in solvent control group [(1.00±0.82) U/L, P=0.043; (1.00±0.50) U/L, P=0.006; (1.00±0.20) μg/L, P=0.027], while the level of estradiol [(2.24±1.03) μg/L] and testosterone [(1.25±0.25) μg/L] increased noticeably compared with those in solvent control group [(1.00±0.35) μg/L, P=0.019; (1.00±0.07) μg/L, P=0.044]. The number of primordial follicles (4.88±2.36) lost distinctly, while the number of atretic follicles (24.38±5.01) increased markedly in LNG-ECPs group compared with those in solvent control group (16.13±9.36, P=0.005; 19.13±2.30, P=0.018). In addition, the weight-loaded swimming (WLS) time of the F1 generation rats from the LNG-ECPs group [(157.13±32.29) s] reduced obviously compared with those from the solvent control group [(198.06±40.01) s, P=0.003]. Moreover, after recovering for 3 estrous cycles, LNG-ECPs significantly increased the levels of FSH [(2.48±1.18) U/L], LH [(1.60±0.41) U/L], testosterone [(1.37±0.23) μg/L] and the ratio of FSH/LH (1.61±0.41) compared with those in solvent control group [(1.00±0.67) U/L, P=0.024; (1.00±0.27) U/L, P=0.014; (1.00±0.18) μg/L, P=0.011; 1.00±0.49, P=0.042], respectively. Additionally, the serum levels of estradiol [(0.49±0.15) μg/L] and AMH [(0.79±0.15) μg/L] were significantly lower than those in solvent control group [(1.00±0.37) μg/L, P=0.011; (1.00±0.10) μg/L, P=0.016]. In addition, the number of primordial follicles in rats of LNG-ECPs group (6.25±5.06) were obviously less than that in solvent control group (12.00±5.56, P=0.048). Furthermore, the total distance in open field [(89.85±36.98) m] and the swimming time in WLS [(112.00±29.52) s] in rats treated with LNG-ECPs both decreased distinctly compared with those in solvent control group [(147.55±23.13) m, P<0.001; (137.69±25.85) s, P=0.014]. 3) According to transcriptomic analysis, Cd5, Cxcr1, Lexm, Fga, Mybphl and Gstm5 were the significant differential expressed genes (DEGs) in the ovarian tissues of rats. These DEGs were involved in pathways related to steroid hormone biosynthesis, including terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, ovarian steroidogenesis, cortisol synthesis and secretion. Additionally, these genes were involved in metabolic processes, such as carbon metabolism, butanoate metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism. And the genes were also involved in immunoregulatory processes including cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, viral protein interaction with cytokine and cytokine receptors. Conclusion:Consecutively repeated administering LNG-ECPs to the female rats in a short-term period (<12 cycles) did not demonstrate significant adverse effects on female fertility and the growth and development and the behaviors of their F1 generation cubs. However, long-term repeated treatment with LNG-ECPs (12 cycles) caused ovarian injury on female rats and showed negative impacts on the health of the F1 generation cubs, and no significant improvement was observed after recovering for 3 estrous cycles.

Effects of heat treatment conditions (including temperature and time) on the shape memory recovery and corrosion resistance of NiTi self-expanding vascular stents were studied based on working mechanism and clinical use. The
Alloys ; Corrosion ; Hot Temperature ; Materials Testing ; Stents ; Surface Properties ; Temperature ; Titanium

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of gastroscopic 'sandwich’ injection and sequential laparoscopic splenectomy combined with pericardial devascularization in the treatment of gastric variceal bleeding.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 52 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension combined with gastric variceal bleeding who were admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University between March 2011 and October 2019 were collected. There were 33 males and 19 females, aged (63±9)years, with a range of 41-83 years. Of the 52 patients, 31 undergoing gastroscopic 'sandwich’ injection and sequential laparoscopic splenectomy combined with pericardial devascularization and 21 undergoing laparoscopic splenectomy combined with pericardial devascularization were allocated into sequential group and laparoscopic group, respectively. Observation indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) complications; (3) changes in gastric varices after treatment; (4) follow-up. Follow-up was performed using telephone interview combined with outpatient examination to detect survival of patients up to December 2019. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed by the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M (range), and comparison between groups was analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were expressed as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Ordinal data was analyzed by nonparametric rank sum test. Results:(1) Surgical situations: patients of sequential group and laparoscopic group underwent surgery successfully. The operation time and volume of intraoperative blood loss of the sequential group were (112±16)minutes and (57±11)mL, respectively, versus (103±14)minutes and (55±9)mL of the laparoscopic group, showing no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( t=0.963, 1.052, P>0.05). (2) Complications: 11 patients in the sequential group had postoperative complications including 1 case with perioperative bleeding, 2 cases with postoperative gastrointestinal rebleeding, 4 cases with ascites, 4 cases with portal vein thrombosis. There was no death in the sequential group. Sixteen patients in the laparoscopic group had postoperative complications including 2 cases with perioperative bleeding, 6 cases with postoperative gastrointestinal rebleeding, 4 cases with ascites, 4 cases with portal vein thrombosis. Three patients died in the laparoscopic group. There was no significant difference in the cases with perioperative bleeding or cases with ascites between the two groups ( P>0.05) and no significant difference in the cases with portal vein thrombosis or death between the two groups ( χ2=0.082, 0.082, P>0.05). There was a significant difference in the cases with postoperative gastrointestinal rebleeding between the two groups ( P<0.05). Cases with postoperative gastrointestinal rebleeding, cases with ascites, cases with portal vein thrombosis in the sequential group were cured after the treatment of gastroscopy, low salt diet combined with diuretic or low dose warfarin, respectively. Of the 6 patients with postoperative gastrointestinal rebleeding in the laparoscopic group, 3 were cured after the treatment of gastroscopy and 3 died due to failure to rescue in time. Cases with ascites and cases with portal vein thrombosis in the laparoscopic group were cured after the treatment of low salt diet plus diuretic or low dose warfarin, respectively. (3) Changes in gastric varices after treatment: at postoperative 6 months, 31 patients in the sequential group were diagnosed with negative gastric varices; 15 of 21 patients in the laparoscopic group were diagnosed with negative gastric varices, 3 cases were diagnosed with obvious gastric varices and 3 cases were diagnosed with severe gastric varices. There was a significant difference in the cases with gastric varices between the two groups ( Z=-3.128, P<0.05). At postoperative 12 months, 29 patients in the sequential group and 13 patients in the laparoscopic group were diagnosed with negative gastric variceal. There were 2 patients in the sequential group diagnosed with obvious gastric varices, and 8 patients in the laparoscopic group diagnosed with gastric varices including 3 cases with obvious gastric varices and 5 cases with severe gastric varices. There was a significant difference in the cases with gastric varices between the two groups ( Z=-2.933, P<0.05). Cases with obvious gastric varices in the sequential group were cured after the treatment of gastroscopy. Cases with obvious or severe gastric varices in the laparoscopic group were cured after the treatment of gastroscopy except 1 died due to massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. (4) Follow-up: 52 patients were followed up for 1-8 years, with a median time of 4 years. All the 31 patients in the sequential group and 18 ptients in the laparoscopic group survived. Conclusion:Gastroscopic 'sandwich’ injection and sequential laparoscopic splenectomy combined with pericardial devascularization in the treatment of gastric variceal bleeding has low recurrence rate of varicosity and low incidence of rebleeding.

Aim To investigate the proliferative effect and the apoptosis of rat epididymal epithelial cells induced by podophyllotoxin and its underlying mechanisms.Methods Primary epididymal epithelial cells were cultured in vitro.CCK-8 assay was used to analyze proliferation of epididymal epithelial cells induced by podophyllotoxin on 24, 48 and 72 h.The ultra structural changes of the epididymal epithelial cells were observed by transmission electron microscope.AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining was used to quantify the percentages of apoptosis in the total cell population.The TdTmediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) technique was applied to observe the morphological changes of apoptotic cells.The expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) mRNA was investigated by real-time RT-PCR.The level of TNF-α in cell culture supernatant was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) technology.Western blot was per-formed to determine the protein expression of cytochrome C, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9.Results Podophyllotoxin significantly inhibited the activity of proliferation and induced apoptosis of epididymal epithelial cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner(P<0.05), with a 50％ inhibitory concentration(IC50) value and corresponding 95％ confidence intervals(CI) of 59.36(15.50～227.41), 0.37(0.080～1.70), 0.077(0.017～0.35) μmol·L-1 at 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively.Podophyllotoxin induced cell volume turned round and cell nuclear fragmentation and mitochondrial vacuolation.RT-PCR and ELISA results showed that podophyllotoxin improved the expression of TNF-α mRNA and protein.Western blot results demonstrated that podophyllotoxin activated the protein expression of cytochrome C, caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9.Conclusion Podophyllotoxin can induce rat epididymal epithelial cell apoptosis through both the mitochondria-regulated intrinsic pathway and the TNF receptor-mediated extrinsic pathway.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of two tuberculosis-specific IFN-γ release assays in latent tuberculosis infection among HIV-infected individuals. Methods The levels of tuberculosis antigen-specific IFN-γin 102 HIV patients from AIDS Outpatient Clinic of Shenzhen Third People's Hospital were detected by in-house tuberculosis-specific IFN-γ ELISpot assay and commercial T-SPOT TB kit, and tuberculin skin test (TST) were done at the same time. There were 66 males and 36 females,and the average age was 35. Results Seventeen HIV infected patients were positive in both IFN-γ ELISpot and T-SPOT TB methods, the sensitivity, specificity positive predictive value(PPV), negative predictive value(NPV) and compliance rates of ELISpot were 94. 4% ,94. 0% ,77. 3% ,98. 8% and 94. 1% ,respectively. Three patients were positive in both IFN-γELISpot and T-SPOT TB methods, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and compliance rates of TST were 16. 7%, 98. 8%, 75.0%, 84. 7% and 84. 3%, respectively. The average number of spots using three kinds of antigen ESAT-6, Pool A,Pool B obtained were 26. 89 ±5. 77,18. 96 ±4. 75 and 14. 51 ± 3.77, respectively. Only ESAT-6 and Pool B have a statistically significant difference (H=7.557,P = 0.022 9), no significant difference was shown between other groups. There was no significant difference between the positive rate and the CD4+ T cellls number(x2 =0. 860 8 ,P =0. 650 2) ,as the same as the T-SPOT TB (x2 = 1. 396 4, P = 0. 497 5 ). Conclusions The performance of this in-house tuberculosis-specific IFN-γ ELISPot assay was comparable to T-SPOT assay in diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection, and the sensitivity and specificity of both these two assays were all much higher than TST. They canbe recommended in diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection in HIV infected patients.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the IL-17 expression in HIV/tuberculosis-coinfected patients and its role in the pathogenesis of this coinfection.MethodsFifty-four HIV infected patients were divided into three groups:simple HIV infected group,HIV with latent tuberculosis infection (HIV+ LTBI) group and HIV coinfected with active tuberculosis (HIV+ ATB) group.The whole blood intracellular cytokine staining was performed and samples were then detected by BD FACSCanto.The expressions of CD4+ IL-17+ T cells and CD4+ IFNγ+ T cells were analyzed using FACSDiva software.Comparison between groups was done by independent sample t test.ResultsThe CD4+ T cell count and viral load among these three groups were comparable.There were no significant difference of the expression of CD4+ IL-17+ T cells between simple HIV infected group and HIV+ LTBI group (1.40 ± 1.01) ％ vs (1.29±0.86) ％,(t=0.336,P＞0.05),but both of these two groups were much higher than HIV+ATB group (t=3.680,t=2.516,P＜0.05).There were no significant differences of the expression of CD4+ IFNγ+ T cells among these three groups [(32.8±24.0)％ vs (40.3±1 21.9) ％ vs (46.1±31.2)％,(t=-0.939,t=-1.602,t=-0.646,P＞0.05)].ConclusionThe Th17 response is down-regulated in HIV/tuberculosis-coinfected patients,which may play an important antitubercular role in the pathogenesis of coinfection.