体外光分离置换疗法对皮肤移植小鼠IL-12p70和Th1/Th2类细胞因子产生的影响

目的  探讨输注体外光分离置换疗法处理的脾淋巴细胞对皮肤移植小鼠白细胞介素(IL)-12p70和辅助性T细胞(Th)1/Th2类细胞因子产生的影响。方法  以C57BL/6小鼠为供体,BALB/c小鼠为受体,建立小鼠皮肤移植模型。分离C57BL/6和BALB/c小鼠脾淋巴细胞(CSP、BSP),制备经8-甲氧基补骨脂素联合长波紫外线(PUVA)处理的小鼠脾淋巴细胞(PUVA-SP)。根据受体静脉输注的成分将实验动物随机分为5组(每组12只)：PUVA-BSP组、PUVA-CSP组、BSP组、CSP组及磷酸盐缓冲液(PBS)对照组,每组受体分别于术前7 d、手术当日和术后7 d按组别从尾静脉注入PUVA-BSP、PUVA-CSP、BSP、CSP或PBS。观察经PUVA处理脾淋巴细胞凋亡情况,检测受体小鼠外周血中IL-12p70和Th1/Th2类细胞因子产生的情况。结果  移植术后,PUVA-BSP组和PUVA-CSP组小鼠外周血的IL-12p70表达水平明显低于BSP组、CSP组和PBS对照组(均为P < 0.01);PUVA-BSP组和PUVA-CSP组的Th1类细胞因子IL-2、干扰素(IFN)-γ表达水平均明显低于BSP组、CSP组和PBS对照组(均为P < 0.01);PUVA-BSP组和PUVA-CSP组的Th2类细胞因子IL-10表达水平明显高于BSP组、CSP组和PBS对照组(均为P < 0.01)。结论  输注足够数量的PUVA-SP可诱导受体体内低表达IL-12p70,并且诱导产生Th2免疫偏移。     

New HIV testing technologies in the context of a concentrated epidemic and evolving HIV prevention: qualitative research on HIV self‐testing among men who have sex with men and transgender women in Yangon,Myanmar

Introduction : Global effort to increase early diagnosis and engagement in HIV care emphasize the importance of developing novel approaches to reaching those missed by traditional methods. Such needs are particularly great for men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender women (TW), and other populations who face stigma. Myanmar's HIV epidemic is concentrated among key populations and the revised National Strategy aims to reduce late diagnosis and barriers to care to curb HIV incidence among these groups. HIV self‐testing (HIVST) may be one method to improve testing and diagnosis among key populations, by placing HIV testing and disclosure within the individual's control. Methods : Formative, qualitative research including in‐depth interviews with adult MSM (N = 12) and TW (N = 13) and focus group discussions with MSM, TW, and community key informants (N = 35) were conducted in June‐September 2015 in Yangon, Myanmar. To inform a subsequent HIV care continuum intervention, including HIVST, participants’ opinions and perceptions about HIVST were elicited. Results : The confidentiality and privacy of HIVST, particularly as it related to disclosure of HIV status and sexual behaviour, was widely recognized among participants. These major advantages were further supported by the opportunity to avoid stigma, convenience of self‐testing (reduced need for transportation and time to go to clinics), and the availability of a pain‐free testing option. Participants weighed these benefits against perceived disadvantages of HIVST, the majority of which centred on the perception that HIVST does not include counselling. Participants were concerned that potential lack of counselling would result in poor mental health outcomes, inadequate linkage to HIV care and surveillance, and reductions in disclosure of HIV status. Participants did not view these disadvantages as an impediment, but provided suggestions for future implementation of HIVST in Myanmar. Conclusions : MSM and TW are optimistic about the confidentiality and privacy afforded by HIVST but wanted HIV counselling and linkage to appropriate services. The domestic reprioritization of HIV and opening of the country to international support has substantially increased the availability of HIV treatment and provides new opportunities, like HIVST, to potentially improve the HIV response for key populations who are at risk for HIV acquisition.     

Effect of statin treatment on renal function and serum uric acid levels and their relation to vascular events in patients with coronary heart disease and metabolic syndrome: a subgroup analysis of the GREek Atorvastatin and Coronary heart disease Evaluation (GREACE) Study.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk for both vascular and chronic kidney disease. Whether statins ameliorate these risks is not established. METHODS: This post hoc analysis of the GREek Atorvastatin and Coronary heart disease (CHD). Evaluation (GREACE) examines the effect of statins on estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR) and serum uric acid (SUA) levels and their relation to vascular events in CHD patients with MetS. MetS patients were divided into two groups: Group A (n = 365) received lifestyle advice, target-driven treatment with statins (mainly atorvastatin) and treatment for hypertension and elevated glucose. Group B (n = 347) received the same except for statins. Patients without MetS were divided into those who received treatment similar to Group A and Group B [Groups C (n = 504) and D (n = 384), respectively]. All patients were followed for 3 years. RESULTS: A total of 12.1% of patients in Group A experienced a vascular event vs 28% in Group B; risk ratio (RR) 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20-0.64, P < 0.0001, while in those without MetS (Group C vs Group D), the respective RR was 0.59, 95% CI 0.41-0.79, P < 0.0001. In Group A, e-GFR increased by 13.7% and SUA levels fell by 8.9%, while in Group B e-GFR was reduced by 5.8% and SUA increased by 4.3% (P < 0.005). Stepwise regression analysis showed that these changes were independently related to vascular events. CONCLUSION: Among CHD patients, those with MetS benefited more from statin treatment than those without MetS. This benefit could be partially attributed to favourable changes in e-GFR and SUA levels probably induced by statin treatment.