Objective: To investigate the characteristics and HIV confirmed positive status among individuals attending HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clinics in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, so as to provide the basis for enhancing interventions targeting high-risk populations for AIDS. Methods: Demographic information, reasons for consultation, consulting institutions, and HIV antibody testing data of individuals attending VCT clinics in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2019 to 2023 were collected through the VCT database of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The characteristics of individuals attending VCT were described. Factors affecting HIV confirmed positive among VCT clinic attendees were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 249 919 individuals attended VCT clinics in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2019 to 2023, including 128 069 males (51.24%) and 121 850 females (48.76%). The majority of attendees were aged 25-<35 years, accounting for 92 445 cases (36.99%). Among them, 785 cases were confirmed as HIV positive, with a positivity rate of 0.31%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that males (OR=4.787, 95%CI: 3.562-6.434), 45-<65 years of age (45-<55 years, OR=7.723, 95%CI: 1.786-33.406; 55-<65 years, OR=7.689, 95%CI: 1.757-33.653), being unmarried (OR=2.143, 95%CI: 1.580-2.906), junior high school education or below (OR=1.147, 95%CI: 1.042-2.430), having the history of high-risk behaviors or exposure risks (commercial heterosexual behaviors, OR=2.717, 95%CI: 1.707-4.324; non-commercial non-fixed heterosexual behaviors, OR=5.421, 95%CI: 3.763-7.809; homosexual behaviors, OR=70.774, 95%CI: 48.409-103.473; having an HIV-positive spouse/fixed partner/mother, OR=100.024, 95%CI: 62.490-160.100; drug injection, OR=5.366, 95%CI: 2.213-13.014), and seeking general hospitals or traditional Chinese medicine hospitals (OR=1.973, 95%CI: 1.650-2.360) were associated with a higher risk of HIV confirmed positive. Conclusions HIV confirmed positive among individuals attending VCT clinics in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is associated with gender, age, marital status, educational level, reasons for consultation, and consulting institutions. It is recommended to strengthen health education and targeted interventions for high-risk populations to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

OBJECTIVE To study the interventional effect and mechanism of 1，8-cineole on pancreatic β cell ferroptosis induced by type 2 diabetes. METHODS In vitro ferroptosis model was established in pancreatic β cells of mice by using high glucose. The effects of low-dose and high-dose 1，8-cineole （0.25， 0.5 μmol/L） on the level of Fe2+ in pancreatic β cells were investigated. The effects of 1，8-cineole （0.5 μmol/L） combined with ferroptosis inducer Erastin （20 μmol/L） and ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostatin-1 （20 μmol/L） on the protein expressions of glutathione peroxidase-4 （GPX4） and cyclooxygenase-2 （COX2） were also detected. The type 2 diabetes model mice were established by feeding high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The effects of low-dose and high-dose 1，8-cineole （50， 200 mg/kg） on the pathological morphology of pancreatic tissue， the content of iron as well as the protein expressions of GPX4 and COX2 were investigated. RESULTS The results of the cell experiment showed that compared with the model group， pretreatment with 1，8-cineole significantly reduced intracellular Fe2+ levels and upregulated GPX4 protein expression， while downregulated COX2 protein expression in pancreatic β cells （P＜0.05）. After combining with Ferrostatin-1， the expression trends of the above two proteins were the same， while there was no statistically significant difference after combining with Erastin. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the model group， after intervention with 1，8-cineole， the structure of the pancreatic islets in mice recovered intact and their morphology improved； the iron content of pancreatic tissue and protein expression of COX2 were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）， while protein expression of GPX4 was increased significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS 1，8-cineole could ameliorate pancreatic β cell injury induced by diabetes， the mechanism of which may be related to reducing intracellular iron deposition and regulating ferroptosis-related proteins.

Objective To observe the value of multi-slice spiral CT(MSCT)post-processing technologies for diagnosing otosclerosis.Methods Clinical data and original axial plain MSCT of 47 patients with otosclerosis(92 ears)and 65 patients with non-otosclerosis hearing impairment(79 ears)were retrospectively enrolled.MSCT post-processing images,including multi-planar reformation(MPR)of stapes and cochleas and curved planar reformation(CPR)of ossicular chains were obtained.The diagnostic value of original MSCT images alone and raw data of MSCT combing with post-processing images for diagnosing otosclerosis were compared.Results Otosclerosis was correctly diagnosed in 66 ears according to original MSCT images alone,but in 89 ears combined with MSCT post-processing images.The sensitivity of original MSCT images alone and combined with MSCT post-processing images was 71.74％and 96.74％,respectively,and the diagnostic accuracy was 81.29％and 96.49％,respectively,those of the latter were both higher than of the former(both P＜0.05),which had specificities being not significantly different(92.41％vs.96.20％,P＞0.05).Conclusion Combining with post-processing technologies could increase the sensitivity and accuracy of MSCT for diagnosing otosclerosis.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among five high-risk populations in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, so as to provide insights into improvements in the control strategy for hepatitis C. Methods: The detection of anti-HCV antibody was collected from patients receiving renal dialysis, patients receiving invasive diagnosis and treatment in hospitals, physical examination populations, unpaid blood donors and subjects admitted to family planning clinics in national hepatitis C surveillance sentinels in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2013 to 2021, and the year-, gender- and age-specific prevalence of anti-HCV antibody was analyzed. Results: The mean prevalence of anti-HCV antibody was 2.19%, 1.81%, 0.05%, 0.10% and 0.03% among 3 600 patients receiving renal dialysis, 3 600 patients receiving invasive diagnosis and treatment in hospitals, 18 000 physical examination populations, 18 000 volunteer blood donors and 3 600 subjects admitted to family planning clinics, respectively. The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody appeared a tendency towards a decline among patients receiving renal dialysis (χ2trend=49.065, P<0.001) and volunteer blood donors (χ2trend=11.419, P=0.001). The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody was higher among male patients receiving invasive diagnosis and treatment in hospitals than among females (2.34% vs. 1.36%; χ2=4.826, P=0.028), and no gender-specific prevalence of anti-HCV antibody was seen among other four high-risk populations (all P>0.05). The highest prevalence of anti-HCV antibody was detected among patients receiving renal dialysis (3.30%) and patients receiving invasive diagnosis and treatment in hospitals at ages of 50 to 59 years (3.35%), while the highest prevalence was found among physical examination populations at ages of 60 years and greater (0.18%). Conclusion The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody was high among patients receiving renal dialysis and patients receiving invasive diagnosis and treatment in hospitals and low among physical examination populations, volunteer blood donors and subjects admitted to family planning clinics in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2013 to 2021. Periodical monitoring of anti-HCV antibody is recommended among the elderly.

Objective: To explore the application of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein(CRP) detection in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD) and its guiding value in the use of antimicrobial agents. Methods: From June 2014 to June 2018, 82 patients with AECOPD treated in the Third People's Hospital of Yuyao were selected.According to the difference of PCT and CRP levels at admission, the patients were divided into three groups: A, B and C group.A group (n=17): the serum PCT level was less than 0.10μg/L, treated with phlegm and asthma relief and symptomatic therapy without antibiotic therapy.B group (n=33): the serum PCT level was 0.10-0.25 μg/L, B group was not treated with antibiotics, if the level of PCT≥0.25 μg/L on the next day or the amplitude of increase≥30%, the treatment method was the same as that in C group.C group (n=32): the serum PCT level was more than 0.25 μg/L, C group was given expectoration and asthma relief, symptomatic treatment and antibiotics.The clinical data, laboratory test indicators and clinical efficacy of the three groups were compared. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the general clinical data of the three groups (all P>0.05). The incidence of fever in the three groups were 2 cases (11.76%), 16 cases (50.00%) and 19 cases (57.58%), respectively; expiratory dyspnea in the three groups were 6 cases (35.29%), 25 cases (78.13%), 31 cases (93.94%), respectively; wheezing rale in the three groups were 4 cases (23.53%), 26 cases (81.25%), 33 cases (100.00%), respectively; wet sound in the three groups were 12 cases (70.59%), 27 cases (84.37%), 33 cases (100.00%), respectively, the differences of the above indicators among the three groups were statistically significant(χ²=15.827, 24.361, 30.284, 18.644, all P<0.05). The percentages of sputum positive patients in the three groups were 4 cases (23.53%), 10 cases (31.25%) and 23 cases (69.69%), respectively; the percentages of sputum culture positive patients were 5 cases (29.41%), 24 cases (75.00%), 28 cases (84.85%), respectively, the differences of the above indicators among the three groups were statistically significant(χ²=16.871, 24.644, all P<0.05). The WBC counts of the three groups were (4.27±1.92)×10⁹/L, (8.64±3.77)×10⁹/L, (18.06±4.87)×10⁹/L, respectively; the ratios of neutrophils were (54.12±3.48), (82.19±5.67), (90.07±9.33) , respectively; the levels of PCT of the three groups were (0.09±0.08) μg/L, (0.21±0.12) μg/L, (0.74±0.33) μg/L, respectively, there were significant differences in WBC count, ratio of neutrophils and PCT among the three groups (F=14.827, 25.825, 19.873, all P<0.05). The level of CRP among the three groups had no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Patients in A group were not treated with antimicrobial agents and their clinical symptoms were improved.Fourteen patients without antimicrobial agents and 18 patients with improved clinical symptoms were treated with antimicrobial agents in B group.In C group, 20 patients with symptoms improved after treatment with antimicrobial agents, 12 patients with replacement of antimicrobial treatment regimen and 1 patient died. Conclusion PCT and CRP can be used as an index to evaluate the severity of AECOPD and a reference tool for the use or replacement of antimicrobial agents.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of the i-Scan for detection of polypoid lesions in right hemicolon during colonoscopy. Methods A total of 200 patients who underwent colonoscopy in Beijing Shijitan Hospital from January 2015 to December 2015 were enrolled. After completion of the first colonoscopy in right hemicolon, a second withdrawal was performed, using white light mode ( white light group, n=93) and i-Scan mode ( i-scan group, n=96) to detect polypoid lesions in the proximal colon. The detection rates of polyp and adenoma were compared between the two groups. Results During the twice withdrawal, compared with white light group, more polyps and adenomas were detected in i-Scan group (1. 469 VS 1. 011, P=0. 028; 0. 979 VS 0. 624,P=0. 039). The proportion of patients with more polyps and adenomas in the i-Scan group was significantly higher than that in the white light group [ 37. 5％( 36/96) VS 22. 6％ ( 21/93) , P=0. 025;24. 0％ ( 23/96) VS 11. 8％ ( 11/93) ,P=0. 030] . i-Scan mode detected more small polyps with diameter<5 mm [ 84. 0％ ( 42/50 ) VS 58. 3％ ( 14/24 ) , P=0. 016 ] . However, there were no differences between the two groups in the size, location, and morphology of the detected adenomas ( all P>0. 05) . The polyp detection rates of the i-Scan group and white light group were 61. 5％ (59/96) and 48. 4％ (45/93), respectively (P=0. 071), and the adenoma detection rates were 47. 9％ (46/96) and 35. 5％ (33/93), respectively (P=0. 083). Conclusion I-Scan mode can increase the detection rate of polyps and adenomas in right hemicolon, and improve detection of polypoid lesions and bsmall polyps in patients with multiple polyps and adenomas.

OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of salvianolic acid B(Sal B)on angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)-induced cardiac fibro-blast proliferation,secretion of type Ⅲ collagen,protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9),Smad2/3,Smad7, and explore its mechanism of anti-myocardial fibrosis. METHODS:Cells were divided into blank control group(culture medium) Ang Ⅱ model group,Sal B low-dose,medium-dose,high-dose groups (12.5,25,50 μmol/L). After cultured 1 h by blank or drug-containing culture,except for blank control group,cells in other groups were added 1 μmol/L Ang Ⅱ to induce proliferation. for 24 h. MTT method and hematoxylin-eosin staining method were adopted investigate the effect of Sal B on proliferation. Western blot method was adopted to detect the effects of Sal B on protein expressions of type Ⅲ collagen,MMP-9,Smad2/3,Smad7. RE-SULTS:Compared with blank control group,cells in Ang Ⅱ model group were significantly proliferated,protein expressions of type Ⅲ collagen,MMP-9,Smad2/3 were obviously enhanced,protein expression of Smad7 was obviously weakened,with statisti-cal significances(P<0.05). Compared with Ang Ⅱ model group,the cell proliferation in Sal B groups were inhibited,protein ex-pressions of typeⅢcollagen,MMP-9,Smad2/3 were weakened,while protein expression of Smad7 was enhanced. Except the pro-tein expression of type Ⅲ collagen in Sal B low-dose and medium-dose groups,the protein expression of Smad2/3 in Sal B high-dose group did not change significantly,other indexes had statistical significances(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:The anti-myo-cardial fibrosis effect of Sal B may be associated with inhibiting the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts,down-regulating protein ex-pressions of typeⅢcollagen,MMP-9,Smad2/3 and up-regulating protein expression of Smad7.

Objective To investigate the value of NICE classification on real-time diagnosis for neoplastic and non-neoplastic colorectal polyps. Methods The histological type of 107 polypoid lesions from 50 patients detected by colonoscopy was predicted by 4 endoscopic physicians using NICE classification, including 1 chief physician, 2 associate chief physician, and 1 attending physician. Taking pathological result as gold standard, the real-time diagnostic accuracy of NICE classification for neoplastic colorectal polyps was evaluated, and the differences of diagnostic accuracy between the 4 endoscopic physicians were compared. Results Among the 107 polypoid lesions, 49 were neoplastic polyps and 58 were non-neoplastic polyps. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of NICE classification on determination of the histological type of polyps were 81. 6% (40/49), 70. 0% (40/58), 74. 8% ( 80/107) , 70. 0%( 40/58) , and 81. 6%( 40/49) , respectively. There was no statistical difference on the prediction ability between the 4 physicians using NICE classification. Conclusion NICE classification is a feasible method for real-time prediction of histology type of colorectal polyps, and it is undemanding to the qualifications of physicians.

Objective To observe and compare the clinical effect of aerosol inhaled and systemic glucocorticoid treatment and its influence on the expression of procalcitonin ( PCT) and hyper-sensitive C reactive protein ( hs-CRP) in elderly patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).Methods 146 elderly patients with AECOPD were enrolled prospectively.The patients were divided in three groups randomly, including inhalation group (48 cases referred as 2 mg of budesonide nebulization every 8 hours with therapeutic course of 5 days), intravenous group (50 cases referred as 40 mg methylprednisolone intravenous injection once daily with therapeutic course of 5 days), and control group (48 cases with no glucocorticoid ) .All the patients were treated with routine oxygen therapy, anti-inflammation, bronchodilators (β2 receptor agonist and doxofylline) and mucolytics, and so on.The levels of serum PCT and hs-CRP were detected before and after five days treatment, and also the clinical parameters such as symptoms, blood gas analysis, lung function, hospital days, fasting blood glucose and adverse reaction were simultaneously recorded. Results The general clinical data demonstrated no significant difference among the groups.Compared with the control group, the total effective rate, improvement rate of lung function (FEV1%pred and FEV1/FVC) and of blood gas parameters (pH value, PaO2 and PaCO2) in the inhalation group and intravenous group were higher, with shorter hospital days(P<0.05), while with no obvious difference between the two group.The levels of the serum PCT and hs-CRP were decreased in the patients enrolled after treatment, compared with the prior treatment (P<0.05).Compared with the control group, the levels of serum PCT and hs-CRP in the inhalation group and intravenous group decreased significantly, while with no obvious difference between the two groups.The levels of fasting blood glucose in the intravenous group were the highest;compared with the control group, the adverse effect incidence of the inhalation and intravenous groups were higher obviously, with the most obvious in the intravenous group ( P<0.05 ). Conclusion Application of glucocorticoid is benefit to improving the clinical symptom and lung function, and to rectifying hypoxemia and to shortening hospital days.The aerosol inhaled and systemic glucocorticoid application shows equivalent clinical efficiency on anti-airway inflammation.The glucocorticoid inhalation has fewer adverse effects and is recommended to treat the elderly patients with AECOPD .

Antiphospholipid Syndrome ; complications ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome ; complications ; Humans