Objective To analyze the effect of HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) for the first time in Jiangyin, and to provide a reference for further improvement of Jiangyin's AIDS antiretroviral treatment. Methods The historical cards and related information in the treatment management database of Jiangyin City's cases who received ART for the first time from 2005 to 2019 were collected and statistically analyzed. The changes in viral load and CD4+ T lymphocytes (CD4 cells) before and after treatment were compared. Results Among 652 patients receiving ART, 507 cases (77.76%) were successful in virological treatment. The median natural change rate of annual average CD4 cell count was 90.8 cells/μL/year (χ²=37.915, P<0.05; H=9.781, P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in virological treatment and immune recovery between different age groups (χ²=10.713, P<0.05; H =10.394, P<0.05) and different baseline CD4 count layers. The results showed that age and baseline CD4 value were the influencing factors of treatment effect. Conclusion Age and baseline CD4 value can affect the effect of ART treatment. The older the age and the lower the baseline CD4 value, the worse the virological efficacy and the recovery effect of CD4 cells. It is suggested that the infected patients should be involved in ART in time, which is conducive to shorten the time of initial treatment and further improve the effect of antiviral treatment.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Yifei Huatan decoction on relieving airway hyperviscosity in asthmatic rats with spleen deficiency syndrome and its mechanism. MethodFifty-five SPF level SD rats at 8-9 week of age were used to induce asthma with spleen deficiency syndrome by animal modeling of traditional Chinese medicine combined with asthma of western medicine. After successful modeling， the rats were divided into model group， dexamethasone group， low， medium， and high-dose Yifei Huatan decoction groups by random number table method， and 11 clean SD rats at 8-9 week of age were recorded as a normal group. Rats in the dexamethasone group were given 0.087 5 mg kg^-1 dexamethasone acetate by gavage. Rats in the low， medium， and high-dose Yifei Huatan decoction groups were given 0.8， 1.6， 3.2 g kg^-1 Yifei Huatan decoction liquid extract by gavage， respectively. Rats in the model group and the normal group were given 10 mL kg^-1 distilled water. The medicine were given once per day for 8 w， and the general situation of each group was observed. The levels of interleukin-4 （IL-4）， IL-13， and interferon-γ （IFN-γ） in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The pathological changes in lung tissues of rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Alcian blue-periodic acid Schiff （AB-PAS） staining was used to detect the hyperplasia of airway goblet cells and mucus secretion in rats. The mRNA expressions of transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）， Smad2， Smad3， mucin 5AC （MUC5AC）， and mucin 5B （MUC5B） in the lung tissues of rats were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The protein expressions of TGF-β₁， Smad2， Smad3， MUC5AC， and MUC5B in the lung tissues of rats were detected by Western blot. ResultAs compared with the normal group， rats in the model group showed the symptoms of spleen deficiency syndrome， such as decreased body weight， muscle emaciation， decreased food intake， increased water intake， increased anal temperature， tiredness， and decreased swimming endurance， accompanied by dyspnea symptoms such as wheezing and nodding. As compared with the normal group， IL-4 and IL-13 levels in the BALF of the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the IFN-γ level was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. In the model group， a large number of inflammatory cells were observed in the mucosa and submucosa of the airway， and the smooth muscle of the trachea was significantly thickened. The hyperplasia， deformation， and exfoliation of various epithelial cells were observed in the mucosa， and the pathological scores of lung tissue increased significantly （P<0.01） in the model group. A large number of goblet cells were observed in the airway with the formation of plenty of mucous thrombus in the model group， and the positive relative staining area of airway， and mRNA and protein expressions of TGF-β₁， Smad2， Smad3， MUC5AC， and MUC5B were significantly increased （P<0.01）. As compared with the model group， IL-4 and IL-13 levels in BALF of the dexamethasone group and the Yifei Huatan decoction groups decreased， while the IFN-γ level increased. The inflammatory cell infiltration in airway mucosa and submucosa， the thickening of tracheal smooth muscle， the hyperplasia， deformation， and exfoliation of epithelial cells in mucosa were gradually decreased， and the pathological scores of lung tissues decreased significantly （P<0.01） in the dexamethasone group and the Yifei Huatan decoction groups. Goblet cell proliferation gradually decreased， and the positive relative staining area of airway， and mRNA and protein relative expressions of TGF-β₁， Smad2， Smad3， MUC5AC， and MUC5B decreased with statistically significant difference （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no significant difference in the above indexes in the dexamethasone group and the Yifei Huatan decoction low-dose group. The above indexes were dose-dependent in the low， medium， and high-dose Yifei Huatan decoction groups. ConclusionYifei Huatan decoction reduces airway hyperviscosity in asthmatic rats with spleen deficiency syndrome， which may be related to the inhibition of TGF-β₁， Smad2， Smad3， MUC5AC， and MUC5B expressions， down-regulation of IL-4 and IL-13 levels， and up-regulation of IFN-γ level.

Background::Non-smokers account for a large proportion of lung cancer patients, especially in Asia, but the attention paid to them is limited compared with smokers. In non-smokers, males display a risk for lung cancer incidence distinct from the females—even after excluding the influence of smoking; but the knowledge regarding the factors causing the difference is sparse. Based on a large multicenter prospective cancer screening cohort in China, we aimed to elucidate the interpretable sex differences caused by known factors and provide clues for primary and secondary prevention.Methods::Risk factors including demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, family history of cancer, and baseline comorbidity were obtained from 796,283 Chinese non-smoking participants by the baseline risk assessment completed in 2013 to 2018. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the sex difference in the risk of lung cancer, and the hazard ratios (HRs) that were adjusted for different known factors were calculated and compared to determine the proportion of excess risk and to explain the existing risk factors.Results::With a median follow-up of 4.80 years, 3351 subjects who were diagnosed with lung cancer were selected in the analysis. The lung cancer risk of males was significantly higher than that of females; the HRs in all male non-smokers were 1.29 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20-1.38) after adjusting for the age and 1.38 (95% CI: 1.28-1.50) after adjusting for all factors, which suggested that known factors could not explain the sex difference in the risk of lung cancer in non-smokers. Known factors were 7% (|1.29-1.38|/1.29) more harmful in women than in men. For adenocarcinoma, women showed excess risk higher than men, contrary to squamous cell carcinoma; after adjusting for all factors, 47% ([1.30-1.16]/[1.30-1]) and 4% ([7.02-6.75]/[7.02-1])) of the excess risk was explainable in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The main causes of gender differences in lung cancer risk were lifestyle factors, baseline comorbidity, and family history.Conclusions::Significant gender differences in the risk of lung cancer were discovered in China non-smokers. Existing risk factors did not explain the excess lung cancer risk of all non-smoking men, and the internal causes for the excess risk still need to be explored; most known risk factors were more harmful to non-smoking women; further exploring the causes of the sex difference would help to improve the prevention and screening programs and protect the non-smoking males from lung cancers.

Objective:To analyze the compliance and related factors of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening among the high-risk population of lung cancer in three provinces participating in the cancer early diagnosis and early treatment program in urban areas of China.Methods:From October 2017 to October 2018, 17 983 people aged between 40 and 74 years old at high risk of lung cancer were recruited from Zhejiang, Anhui and Liaoning provinces. The basic demographic characteristics, living habits, history of the disease and family history of cancer were collected by using a cancer risk assessment questionnaire, and the data of participants examined by LDCT were obtained from the hospitals participating in the program. The screening compliance was quantified by the screening participation rate, and it was calculated as the proportion of participants completing LDCT scan among high-risk population. The related factors of LDCT screening compliance were analyzed by using a multivariate logistic regression model.Results:The age of 17 983 participants was (56.52±8.22) years old. Males accounted for 51.9% (N=9 332), and 69.5% (N=12 495) had ever smoked, including former smokers and current smokers. A total of 6 269 participants were screened by LDCT, and the screening participation rate was 34.86%. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the age group of 50 to 69 years old, female, passive smokers, alcohol consumption, family history of lung cancer and history of chronic respiratory diseases were more likely to be screened by LDCT, while the compliance of LDCT screening in current smokers was low.Conclusions:The LDCT screening compliance of the high-risk population of lung cancer in urban areas of China still needs to be improved. Age, sex, smoking, drinking, family history of lung cancer and history of chronic respiratory disease are associated with screening compliance.

Objective:To analyze the compliance and related factors of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening among the high-risk population of lung cancer in three provinces participating in the cancer early diagnosis and early treatment program in urban areas of China.Methods:From October 2017 to October 2018, 17 983 people aged between 40 and 74 years old at high risk of lung cancer were recruited from Zhejiang, Anhui and Liaoning provinces. The basic demographic characteristics, living habits, history of the disease and family history of cancer were collected by using a cancer risk assessment questionnaire, and the data of participants examined by LDCT were obtained from the hospitals participating in the program. The screening compliance was quantified by the screening participation rate, and it was calculated as the proportion of participants completing LDCT scan among high-risk population. The related factors of LDCT screening compliance were analyzed by using a multivariate logistic regression model.Results:The age of 17 983 participants was (56.52±8.22) years old. Males accounted for 51.9% (N=9 332), and 69.5% (N=12 495) had ever smoked, including former smokers and current smokers. A total of 6 269 participants were screened by LDCT, and the screening participation rate was 34.86%. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the age group of 50 to 69 years old, female, passive smokers, alcohol consumption, family history of lung cancer and history of chronic respiratory diseases were more likely to be screened by LDCT, while the compliance of LDCT screening in current smokers was low.Conclusions:The LDCT screening compliance of the high-risk population of lung cancer in urban areas of China still needs to be improved. Age, sex, smoking, drinking, family history of lung cancer and history of chronic respiratory disease are associated with screening compliance.

Objective To determine the three dimensional motion data of each segment of cervical vertebrae and analyze the characteristics of the intervertebral coupled motion during cervical axial rotation under physiological weight bearing. Methods A total of 16 healthy volunteers (ranging from 22 to 29, median age, 23 years) were recruited to our study. Any cervical spine disorder history, pain or other discomfort and malformations were excluded so as to avoid abnormal neck motion. These subjects underwent CT scans of their cervical segments in a supine position, and 3D models of C1-C7 were constructed. Next, each subject was asked to sit up straight and was positioned in the following sequence:maximal left and right twisting, while double oblique images by DFIS were taken simultaneously at each of the positions. Then, the CT models were matched to the osseous outlines of the images from the two oblique views to quantify the position of cervical vertebraes in 3D at each position. Through local coordinate systems at the center of vertebral bodies, changes of position and angle of each cephalad vertebrae relative to the cauddal one were calculated before and after the axial rotation. Results (1) In the axial rotation of the cervical spine, the contribution of C1/2 accounted for the most of the total cervical rotation range. For the lower levels, axial rotation was found to be maximal at C3/4 and C5/6, minimal at C2/3. (2) In cervical axial motion, C1/2 demonstrated a coupled lateral bending opposite to the axial rotation direction, while each segment of C2-7 demonstrated coupled lateral bending towards the same side of the axial rotation. Among these segments the lateral bending angle of C2/3 was smaller than angles of C3/4, C4/5 and C5/6. Conclusion This study investigated the cervical coupling behavior using the noninvasive 2D-3D matching technique and obtained the motion data at each cervical spinal segment. These findings will help to improve the understanding on physiological cervical spine movement and potential biomechanical mechanism and treatment of cervical spondylosis. Also our data may provide useful reference for the prosthesis design.

Objective To explore the protective effects of proanthocyanidins pretreatment on intestinal function after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods 24 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (group A, n=8), ischemia-reperfusion group (group B, n=8) and proanthocyanidins pretreatment group (group C, n=8). The model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats was established according to Longa's method. Group C was intraperitoneally injected with proanthocyanidins 10 mg/(kg ⋅ d), group A and group B were injected with normal saline for 5 consecutive days. 1 and 3 days after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, ileum myoelectric slow wave and smooth muscle contractility, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured, the content of the serum TNF-α was tested with ELISA kit, ileum tissues were tested with hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining and used for measuring the moisture content. Results Compared with group B 1 and 3 days after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, the intestinal mucosa injury relieved, the intestinal mucosa score decreased (P<0.05) and the number of infiltrated inflammatory cell decreased in group C; the frequency of slow wave and contraction trended to increase (P>0.05), and the amplitude increased (P<0.05) in group C; the serum SOD activity increased (P<0.05), and the content of MDA and TNF-α decreased (P<0.01) in group C; the intestinal moisture content reduced (P<0.01) in group C. Conclusion Proanthocyanidins pretreatment can protect intestinal function from injury after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.

Objective:To construct recombinant lentiviral vectors harboring interference RNA ( RNAi ) targetting murine TNF-αgene,so as to lay the foundation on the RNAi gene therapy.Methods: Three small interfering RNA ( siRNA) sequences targeting murine TNF-αgene ( siRNA1,siRNA2,siRNA3) and negative-control siRNA were designed and synthesized.The inhibition effects of siRNAs on TNF-α,IL-1βand IL-6 secretion of LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages were observed using real-time PCR and ELISA methods.DNA oligo was designed and synthesized according to the most effective siRNA 2 sequence.The recombinant lentiviral shuttle plasmid expressing short hairpin RNA ( shRNA) was constructed and sequenced.The lentiviral shuttle plasmids with packaging plasmids were transfected into 293T cells to produce lentiviral particles.Results: ①The TNF-αmRNA relative expression levels of siRNA1, siRNA2 and siRNA3 were 0.24±0.01,0.16±0.02,0.19±0.01 respectively,significantly lower than that of negative control (0.95± 0.02) (F=531.3,P<0.001).The inhibition rates at mRNA level were 74.26%,83.09%,79.93%,respectively comparing with negative control.No significance was observed in IL-1βor IL-6 mRNA relative expression change after TNF-αsiRNA transfection ( P>0.05).②The TNF-αprotein expression levels of siRNA1,siRNA2 and siRNA3 were (23.95±1.21),(17.27±1.46),(19.07± 1.57)ng/ml respectively,significantly lower than that of negative control (35.37±2.93)ng/ml (F=18.1,P=0.000 6<0.001).The inhibition rates of protein expression were 32.29%, 51.16%, 46.08%, respectively comparing with negative control.③The PCR product electrophoresis showed that recombinant vectors yielded 343 bp fragments,non-constructed vectors yielded 306 bp fragments.DNA sequencing partially showed insertion sequence.④Lentiviral particles were obtained by transfecting 293T cells with recombinant lentiviral shuttle plasmids and lentiviral packaging plasmids.Cells grew well during virus production with strong fluorescence expression.The titer of concentrated virus was 2×106 TU/μl.Conclusion:The lentiviral vector harboring RNAi targeting murine TNF-αgene has been successfully constructed.

Objective To investigate the effect of transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) genetically modified with human hepatocyte growth factor gene (hHGF) on angiogenesis in the rat lung.Methods Twenty F344 rats,aged 2 months,weighing 200-250 g,were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n =10 each):HGF group and control group (group C).MSCs genetically modified with hHGF was injected through the external jugular vein in group HGF.While the equal volume of DMEM culture medium (1 ml) was given instead in group C.The mean pulmonary artery pressure was detected at 28 days after transplantation.Then the rats were sacrificed and the lungs were removed for determination of the content of hHGF,expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (to reflect the degree of endothelial cell proliferation showed by the small pulmonary vessels) and Ⅷ factor (to reflect the density of the small pulmonary vessels),and microscopic examination.Results Compared with group C,no significant change was found in mean pulmonary artery pressure ( P ＞ 0.05),while the content of hHGF,degree of endothelial cell proliferation,and density of the small pulmonary vessels were significantly increased in group HGF ( P ＜ 0.01).No change was found in the structure of the small pulmonary vessels in group HGF.Conclusion Transplantation of MSCs genetically modified with hHGF can promote angiogenesis in the rat lung.

Objective To investigate the effect of human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) genetic modification on the ameliorating effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) implantation on pulmonary microvascular rarefaction in a rat model of pulmonary hypertension (PH).Methods MSCs were obtained from F344 rats and transduced with lentiviral vector modified with human HGF (hHGF-MSCs) or empty vector (EGFP-MSCs).Sixty-six 7 week old male F344 rats weighing 180-250 g were used in this study.PH was induced by left pneumonectomy and subcutaneous monocrotaline (MCT) 60 mg/kg injected at 2 weeks after operation.The animals with PH were randomly divided into 3 groups:control group (group C),EGFP-MSCs group (group E) and HGF-MSCs group (group H).Groups H and E received hHGF-MSCs or EGFP-MSCs 5 × 105 in DMEM 1 ml iv at 3 weeks after subcutaneous MCT injection,while group C received plain DMEM 1 ml.Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) was measured and right ventricular hypertrophy and angiogenesis in the lung were assessed and the content of rat HGF (rHGF) and hHGF protein in lung tissue and pulmonary capillary density (by immuno-histochemistry) was measured at 2 weeks after MSCs implantation.The survival rates within 45 days after MCT administration were compared among the 3 groups.Results No hHGF was detected in groups C and E.Both hHGF-MSCs and EGFP-MSCs significantly reduced MPAP and right ventricular hypertrophy and increased pulmonary capillary density and survival rates in groups H and E as compared with group C and the efficacy of hHGF-MSCs was significantly greater than that of EGFP-MSCs.Barium angiography revealed that distal pulmonary vasculature was significantly increased in group H as compared with groups E and C.The survival of the rats receiving hHGF-MSCs was significantly longer in group H than that in groups E and C.Conclusion hHGF genetic modification can improve the ameliorating effects of MSCs implantation on PH-related microvascular rarefaction.