广西壮族自治区2005-2021年抗病毒治疗男男性行为人群HIV感染者免疫重建及影响因素分析

目的 分析广西壮族自治区（广西）抗病毒治疗（ART）的MSM中HIV感染者（MSM感染者）实现免疫重建的比例及影响因素。方法 资料来源于中国疾病预防控制信息系统,研究对象为2005-2021年广西首次接受ART≥24周MSM感染者,并维持24个月内HIV RNA低于检测限。计算其接受ART后免疫重建的比例,采用Cox比例风险回归模型分析其免疫重建的影响因素。采用SPSS 24.0软件进行统计学分析。结果 在3 200例MSM感染者中,免疫重建不良、中等免疫重建和完全免疫重建的比例分别为15.56%（498/3 200）、14.78%（473/3 200）和69.66%（2 229/3 200）。免疫重建的ART时间M（Q₁,Q₃）为12（5,27）个月。多因素Cox比例风险回归模型分析结果显示,相比于开始ART年龄≥30岁、WHO临床分期为Ⅲ期/Ⅳ期、基线BMI<18.50 kg/m²和基线CD4⁺T淋巴细胞（CD4）计数<200个/µl者,开始ART年龄<30岁、WHO临床分期为Ⅰ期/Ⅱ期、基线BMI≥24.00 kg/m²和基线CD4计数≥200个/µl者更容易实现完全免疫重建。结论 2005-2021年广西ART的MSM感染者存在一定比例的免疫重建不良者,应针对年龄较大者和基线CD4计数较低者等重点人群调整和优化ART方案及监测。     

广西壮族自治区2004-2019年初始抗病毒治疗儿童HIV感染者死亡和脱失情况分析

目的 了解初始抗病毒治疗（ART）儿童HIV感染者死亡和脱失情况及其影响因素。方法 采用回顾性队列研究方法,从我国艾滋病综合防治信息系统ART信息系统下载广西壮族自治区（广西）2004-2019年初始ART儿童HIV感染者数据库,采用Cox比例风险回归模型分析其死亡和脱失情况。结果 共计943例儿童HIV感染者进入队列,总体病死率和脱失率分别为1.00/100人年和0.77/100人年。初始治疗后第1年病死率和脱失率分别为3.90/100人年和1.67/100人年。初始ART后第1、2、5、10年的累计生存率分别为96.14%、95.80%、93.68%、91.54%。多因素Cox比例风险回归分析显示：女性（aHR=2.00,95%CI：1.17~3.40）、基线CD4⁺T淋巴细胞（CD4）计数<200个/μl（aHR=2.79,95%CI：1.54~5.06）、基线年龄别体重Z评分<-2（aHR=2.38,95%CI：1.32~4.26）、基线血红蛋白<80 g/L（aHR=2.47,95%CI：1.24~4.92）和初始ART方案含LPV/r（aHR=5.05,95%CI：1.15~22.12）是儿童HIV感染者死亡的关联性因素;女性（aHR=2.23,95%CI：1.22~4.07）和初始ART方案含LPV/r（aHR=2.02,95%CI：1.07~3.79）是儿童HIV感染者脱失的关联性因素。结论 广西儿童HIV感染者ART效果较好,但初始ART后第1年病死率和脱失率较高。需针对死亡和脱失的影响因素,加强医护人员培训和儿童HIV感染者及其父母的宣传教育以提高ART效果。     

天津市2019-2022年新报告HIV感染者抗病毒治疗前病毒载量基线特征分析

目的 了解天津市新报告HIV感染者抗病毒治疗前病毒载量（VL）基线特征及相关因素。方法 资料来源于中国疾病预防控制信息系统,研究对象为天津市2019-2022年新报告且首次抗病毒治疗前HIV感染者,收集其社会人口学特征、CD4⁺T淋巴细胞（CD4）计数及VL值等基线信息,基线高VL值定义标准为≥100 000拷贝数/ml,分析影响VL水平的相关因素。采用SPSS 24.0软件进行统计学分析。结果 研究对象新报告HIV感染者共1 296例,其中,基线高VL值的HIV感染者占15.89%（206/1 296）。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,有STD史者（aOR=1.45,95%CI：1.00~2.08）,基线高VL值的可能性较大;相比于基线CD4计数<200个/µl者,基线CD4计数分别为200~350个/μl（aOR=0.40,95%CI：0.27~0.57）、351~500个/μl（aOR=0.32,95%CI：0.20~0.49）和>500个/µl者（aOR=0.30,95%CI：0.18~0.49）的基线高VL值的可能性较小。结论 2019-2022年天津市HIV感染者抗病毒治疗前基线VL值高的比例较低,HIV感染者基线VL值高的相关因素为有STD史和基线CD4计数<200个/µl,艾滋病防控工作应给予重点关注。     

广西壮族自治区2008－2015年艾滋病病毒感染者基线CD4+T淋巴细胞计数水平对抗病毒治疗脱失的影响

目的 探讨HIV感染者开始抗病毒治疗（ART）时基线CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数（CD₄）不同水平对治疗脱失的影响。方法 采用回顾性队列研究方法,从艾滋病防治基本信息系统ART库选取2008－2015年广西壮族自治区（广西）首次开始ART、年龄≥18岁的HIV感染者,分析其ART脱失情况,随访时间截至2016年5月30日。采用Cox比例风险模型分析ART时基线CD₄不同水平对ART脱失的影响。结果 共计58 502例HIV感染者进入队列,平均脱失比例为4.8/100人年。在控制了年龄、性别、婚姻状况、感染途径、ART前WHO临床分期、初始治疗方案、目前治疗方案、治疗方案改变、ART开始年份等因素后,基线CD₄为200～、351～、≥500个/μl组HIV感染者的脱失风险分别是<200个/μl组的1.110（95% CI：1.053～1.171,P<0.001）、1.391（95% CI：1.278～1.514,P<0.001）、1.695（95% CI：1.497～1.918,P<0.001）倍。HIV感染者因为依从性差而停药的比例为56.0%（1 601/2 861）。结论 随着HIV感染者接受ART时CD₄水平提高,ART脱失风险明显增加。为减少ART脱失,应充分考虑开始ART时CD₄水平,加强依从性宣传教育和治疗机构人员培训。     

宁波市HIV感染者抗病毒治疗医疗保险药物使用情况及相关因素分析

目的 分析宁波市HIV感染者抗病毒治疗（ART）医疗保险（医保）药物使用情况及影响因素。方法 资料来源于中国疾病预防控制信息系统截至2023年2月宁波市所有在治HIV感染者与ART相关历史数据。采用logistic回归模型分析HIV感染者ART医保药物使用的相关因素。使用R 4.2.2软件进行统计学分析。结果 共收集有ART记录的HIV感染者6 433例，其中在治HIV感染者5 783例。在治HIV感染者中，医保药物使用比例为24.8%（1 435/5 783，95%CI：23.7%~25.9%）。ART医保药物使用比例最低的两个区（县）为北仑区（8.7%，43/497）和奉化区（5.7%，14/247）。在治HIV感染者中，ART医保或自费药物组最近1年病毒载量检测≥1次的比例（84.9%，1 352/1 593）显著低于免费药物组（91.4%，3 829/4 190）（χ²=52.50，P<0.001）。多因素分析结果显示，ART医保药物使用的相关因素包括文化程度低（初中及以下：aOR=0.24，95%CI：0.17~0.34），农民或工人（农民：aOR=0.60，95%CI：0.39~0.91；工人：aOR=0.42，95%CI：0.27~0.64），月均收入较低（<3 000元：aOR=0.29，95%CI：0.18~0.45），确诊与ART间隔时间较长（≥21 d：aOR=0.47，95%CI：0.30~0.74）。结论 宁波市HIV感染者ART医保药物使用比例的地区差异较明显，应尽快完善HIV感染者随访管理方案，提高HIV感染者随访依从性，调动各区（县）推广ART医保药物积极性。加强对文化程度较低者和延迟治疗者的ART医保药物的科普宣传。     

德宏傣族景颇族自治州2010-2019年HIV感染者抗病毒治疗后艾滋病和非艾滋病相关死亡及其影响因素分析

目的 分析德宏傣族景颇族自治州（德宏州）2010-2019年HIV感染者开始抗病毒治疗（ART）后艾滋病相关死亡和非艾滋病相关死亡情况、变化趋势及其影响因素。方法 基于国家HIV感染者ART库,分析德宏州2010-2019年开始ART的HIV感染者。用累积发生函数（CIF）估算HIV感染者的死亡概率,用亚分布比例风险模型（F-G模型）比较发生艾滋病相关死亡和非艾滋病相关死亡的差异,并分析其影响因素。结果 共7 068例HIV感染者纳入分析,其中艾滋病相关死亡388例,非艾滋病相关死亡570例。对于艾滋病相关死亡和非艾滋病相关死亡,研究对象接受ART后第1、2、3、4、5、7、9年的累积发生率分别为2.27%、3.46%、4.47%、5.03%、5.84%、6.61%、7.40%和1.63%、3.11%、4.68%、6.02%、7.42%、10.49%、12.75%。F-G模型多因素结果显示,开始ART年龄较大、男性、未婚、注射吸毒感染途径、基线BMI低、基线CD4⁺T细胞计数较低、基线肝纤维化指数（FIB-4）>3.25、基线贫血是艾滋病相关死亡的危险因素;开始ART年龄≥45岁、男性、傣族、景颇族、未婚、注射吸毒感染途径、基线BMI低、基线FIB-4>3.25、基线肾小球滤过率估算值<60 ml·min^-1·1.73 m^-2、基线贫血是非艾滋病相关死亡的危险因素。结论 2010-2019年德宏州HIV感染者开始ART后死亡的累积发生率较低,发生非艾滋病相关死亡的累积发生率总体高于艾滋病相关死亡的累积发生率。艾滋病相关死亡和非艾滋病相关死亡的影响因素也存在差异,应针对非艾滋病相关死亡的影响因素加强干预。     

德宏傣族景颇族自治州成年人HIV/AIDS抗病毒治疗后CD4+T淋巴细胞免疫重建及影响因素分析

目的 分析德宏傣族景颇族自治州（德宏州）成年人HIV/AIDS开始抗病毒治疗（ART）后CD4⁺T淋巴细胞（CD4）纵向变化特征及其影响因素。方法 对德宏州2007-2016年开始ART的成年人HIV/AIDS的回顾性队列随访至2018年12月31日。免疫重建良好的定义为HIV/AIDS经ART后CD4恢复至基本正常（>500个/μl）,据此将HIV/AIDS分为4个组,采用轨迹分析模型描述和分析每组ART后CD4免疫重建情况,采用多因素logistic回归分析其影响因素。采用SAS 9.4软件进行统计学分析。结果 研究对象共7 605例HIV/AIDS,开始ART年龄M（P₂₅,P₇₅）为36（30,43）岁,男性4 641例（61.0%）,汉族3 232例（42.5%）,小学及以下文化程度4 624例（60.8%）,随访时间M（P₂₅,P₇₅）为6.1（4.1,8.1）年。CD4未恢复正常组、CD4基本恢复正常组、CD4恢复正常组和CD4维持正常组的构成比分别为34.4%（2 617）、39.8%（3 030）、20.6%（1 562）和5.2%（396）。与CD4未恢复正常组作为对照组相比,开始ART年龄<35岁、女性、中学及以上文化程度、性传播感染途径、基线无机会性感染、开始ART时CD4≥200个/μl、含替诺福韦（TDF）标准的ART方案、确诊到开始ART时间<1年是促进HIV/AIDS的CD4免疫重建良好的影响因素。结论 德宏州ART后HIV/AIDS的CD4免疫重建情况呈多种状况,在基线CD4较高水平时开始ART有助于CD4恢复至正常水平。建议尽早开始ART,注意随访和关注CD4水平变化。     

18岁及以上HIV感染者抗病毒治疗后CD4+T淋巴细胞计数水平比较

目的 观察并比较≥18岁HIV感染者（感染者）接受国家免费艾滋病抗病毒治疗（ART）36个月内,不同年龄组CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞（CD₄）计数水平,探讨年龄因素对参加ART的感染者CD₄计数水平的影响。方法 研究对象为2010年1月1日至2012年12月31日在广州市、柳州市和昆明市3家艾滋病治疗定点医院初次接受ART年龄≥18岁感染者,观察时间为初次接受ART之日（基线）起满36个月。研究对象基线和随访数据通过国家ART信息系统收集。按照基线年龄分组为18～49岁组、50～59岁组和≥60岁组。CD₄计数按照基线水平分为<200个/μl和200～350个/μl两层。以基线和治疗36个月内不同时间CD₄计数水平为因变量,应用混合效应线性模型分析基线年龄、病毒抑制情况、性别、基线CD₄/CD₈比值以及开始ART方案等因素对CD₄计数水平的影响。结果 共收集5 331例感染者数据。基线CD₄<200个/μl和200～350个/μl两层的年龄构成差异无统计学意义（χ²=0.13, P=0.938）。在基线CD₄<200个/μl层,50～59岁组和≥60岁组在ART 36个月内的CD₄计数水平均低于18～49岁组;在基线CD₄为200～350个/μl层,50～59岁组与18～49岁组的CD₄计数水平差异无统计学意义,≥60岁组的CD₄计数水平低于18～49岁组。结论 年龄是ART后CD₄计数水平的相关影响因素,针对≥50岁感染者应该更早启动ART,有助于其免疫功能恢复。     

山东省2017-2021年HIV感染者艾滋病相关死亡的影响因素分析

目的 分析山东省HIV感染者艾滋病相关死亡的影响因素，为降低死亡风险及延长生存时间提供参考。方法 研究对象为2017-2021年山东省HIV感染者，采用Cox比例风险回归模型分析艾滋病相关死亡及确证1年内死亡的影响因素。结果 2017-2021年山东省报告的14 700例HIV感染者中，发生艾滋病相关死亡351例，占2.4%（351/14 700）。多因素Cox比例风险回归模型分析结果显示，HIV感染者艾滋病相关死亡的危险因素包括文化程度为初、高中/中专（aHR=1.37，95%CI：1.01~1.84）、样本来源自医疗机构（aHR=1.61，95%CI：1.22~2.12）、病程为艾滋病期（aHR=9.86，95%CI：6.86~14.19）、未检测基线CD4⁺T淋巴细胞（CD4）（aHR=3.93，95%CI：2.69~5.75）、抗病毒治疗（ART）时间<6个月（aHR=3.46，95%CI：2.42~4.93）和未ART（aHR=1.45，95%CI：1.02~2.07）、末次CD4<200个/μl（aHR=3.51，95%CI：2.18~5.65）和末次CD4未检测（aHR=10.58，95%CI：6.15~18.19）、末次病毒载量（VL）值为50~999拷贝数/ml、≥1 000拷贝数/ml和未检测（aHR=2.59，95%CI：1.07~6.26；aHR=9.50，95%CI：5.60~16.12；aHR=15.33，95%CI：8.91~26.36）；HIV感染者确证1年内发生艾滋病相关死亡风险较高的因素包括样本来源自医疗机构（aHR=1.68，95%CI：1.19~2.36）、病程为艾滋病期（aHR=10.60，95%CI：7.13~15.75）、基线CD4未检测（aHR=3.71，95%CI：2.34~5.90）、ART时间<6个月（aHR=4.30，95%CI：2.85~6.49）和未ART（aHR=2.05，95%CI：1.35~3.13）、末次CD4<200个/μl（aHR=5.45，95%CI：2.04~14.60）和末次CD4未检测（aHR=20.95，95%CI：7.69~57.04）、末次VL值为50~999、≥1 000拷贝数/ml和未检测（aHR=15.21，95%CI：2.54~91.21；aHR=42.93，95%CI：9.64~191.20；aHR=61.35，95%CI：13.85~271.77）。结论 扩大检测覆盖面，促进早发现和早治疗，加强对HIV感染者的定期随访和检测，掌握病程进展并进行精准管理和治疗，对降低HIV感染者病死率和延长生存时间有重要作用。     

南京市HIV感染者及艾滋病患者抗病毒治疗依从性及影响因素研究

目的 了解南京市接受抗病毒治疗(ART)的HIV感染者及艾滋病患者(HIV/AIDS)的ART依从性及其影响因素,为提高HIV/AIDS人群的ART依从性提供参考。方法 2014年5－6月在南京市第二医院接受免费高效抗反转录病毒治疗(HAART)的HIV/AIDS作为研究对象,收集一般人口学、ART情况及社会支持与歧视等信息,利用logistic回归分析HAART依从性的影响因素。结果 共调查HIV/AIDS 276例,以依从性支持评价中心的依从性指数为评价标准,调查发现总体依从性良好252例,占91.3%。经单因素及多因素分析显示,提醒服药(OR=0.13,95%CI:0.04~0.37)、年龄较大者(OR=0.52,95%CI:0.31~0.89)服药依从性较好;而存在ART副作用(OR=4.11,95%CI:1.35~12.56)、WHO分期较诊断时降低(OR=3.56,95%CI:1.37~9.21)和吸烟(OR=5.38,95%CI:2.00~14.45)是影响依从性的危险因素。结论 南京市HIV/AIDS人群ART依从性整体情况较好,为进一步巩固提高,对存在ART副作用、无提醒服药、吸烟、年龄较小、病情减轻的患者加强服药依从性教育。     

Assessing the association between platelets and immune recovery in HIV/HBV co-infected patients: A long-term cohort in Asia

BackgroundPrevious studies have reported that platelet count is associated with the progression of liver disease caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV), but there have been no reports on whether platelet count is associated with immune recovery in HIV/HBV co-infected patients.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 167 HIV-infected patients whose continuously highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) strategy was lamivudine +tenofovir+ efavirenz, of which 75 were HIV/HBV co-infected patients and 92 were HIV mono-infected patients. The biochemical examination results and demographic characteristics of all patients before HAART were collected, and routine blood test results (including platelet count) and immune cell count (including CD4 cells count) after all time points of HAART were obtained. All patients were observed until 72 months. CD4 cells count of 350 or 500 cells/μl 72 months after HAART served as the boundary for judging the immune reconstruction effect.ResultsThe basic characteristics of HIV/HBV co-infected patients and HIV mono-infected patients were matched. All patients had a good viral response (HIV RNA <20 copies/ml, HBV DNA < 100 copies/mL) and immune response during HAART. The platelets with poor immune recovery in HIV/HBV co-infected patients were also maintained at an apparent lower level than that in patients with good immune recovery. However, this phenomenon was not found in HIV mono-infected patients. The platelet level at many time points after HAART therapy in HIV/HBV co-infected patients can predict the effect of immune recovery at 72 months after HAART.ConclusionThe platelet counts of HIV/HBV co-infected patients were correlated with CD4 counts during the follow-up of HAART. These results suggest that the mechanisms associated with thrombocytopenia may be involved in the regulation of immune recovery after treatment in HIV/HBV co-infected patients.     

广州市儿童和青年新型冠状病毒Delta变异株感染患者临床特征

目的探讨儿童和青年新型冠状病毒(SARS-CoV-2)Delta变异株患者的临床特征。方法选取广州医科大学附属市八医院2021年5月21日—6月18日收治的SARS-CoV-2 Delta突变株感染者,根据年龄分为儿童组(2～14岁)和青年组(15～35岁),比较两组患者临床、实验室指标及影像学的差异。结果儿童组21例,青年组24例,两组均无重症患者。儿童以家庭聚集性发病为特征,青年组普通型比儿童组更常见(66.7%VS 33.3%,P0.05)。与青年组临床表现比较,儿童组咳嗽(33.3%VS 87.5%)、咳痰(33.3%VS 66.7%)和咽喉不适(28.6%VS 70.8%)少见(均P0.05),儿童发热时间更短(2.5 d VS 4 d,P0.05),但两组患者发热(76.2%VS 83.3%)差异无统计学意义。与青年组生化学指标比较,基线时儿童组C-反应蛋白(CRP)、血清淀粉样蛋白A(SAA)和白介素-6(IL-6)更低(均P0.05),但淋巴细胞(LYM)、嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)更高;第1周儿童组CRP和SAA更低,但LYM、EOS、LDH和CK-MB更高(均P0.05)。儿童基线CK-MB和LDH升高更常见(均P0.05)。儿童组基线时LYM减少5例(23.8%),EOS减少3例(14.3%),第1周LYM和EOS均恢复正常。胸部CT显示儿童组7例(33.3%)肺部感染,单侧受累为主;青年组16例(66.7%)肺部感染,双肺受累为主。儿童组SARS-CoV-2核酸转阴时间中位日数为17(12,25)d,青年组核酸转阴时间中位日数为19(15,21)d,两组患者均预后良好。结论儿童SARS-CoV-2 Delta变异株感染以家庭聚集性发病为主要特征。与青年患者比较,儿童患者呼吸道症状、炎症反应、免疫细胞和肺损伤更轻,免疫细胞恢复更快。儿童患者基线CK-MB和LDH升高更常见,需关注急性心肌损伤的可能性。青年和儿童患者SARS-CoV-2核酸转阴时间长,需延长监测上呼吸道核酸的时间。     

Short-term folinic acid supplementation improves vascular reactivity in HIV-infected individuals: A randomized trial

ObjectiveHIV-infected individuals present a cluster of conditions that activate or injure the vascular endothelium. The administration of folates may exert beneficial effects on endothelial function in different populations at risk for cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of 4 wk of folinic acid supplementation on forearm vascular responses during reactive hyperemia in HIV-infected patients under highly active antiretroviral therapy.MethodsThis was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to compare the effects of 4 wk of daily ingestion of 5 mg of folinic acid (n = 15) or placebo (n = 15). Participants had to have been on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least 6 mo before enrollment, with undetectable viral load, and CD4 cell count >200 cells/mm³. Vascular function was evaluated with venous occlusion plethysmography at baseline and after 4 wk, for the determination of brachial artery reactive hyperemia, and after isosorbide dinitrate administration.ResultsThe groups were comparable. The mean age of patients was 45 y; there were eight women in each group. There was no difference regarding ART regimen. The supplementation of folinic acid produced a significant improvement in reactive hyperemia (from 14.9 to 21.2 mL?min?100 mL). The same was not observed in placebo group (from 15.3 to 14.6 mL?min?100 mL; group P, 0.017; time P < 0.001; interaction P < 0.001). Endothelium-independent responses remained unchanged.ConclusionsShort-term folinic acid supplementation improved vascular reactivity in HIV-infected individuals enrolled in the studied. As folate supplementation is safe and relatively inexpensive, long-term clinical trials should be conducted.     

Feasibility,Safety, and Beneficial Effects of MCT-Based Ketogenic Diet for Breast Cancer Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study

Abstract

The present study was aimed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and beneficial effects of a ketogenic diet (KD) on body composition and blood parameters and survival in patients with breast cancer. In this randomized, controlled trial, 60 patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer and planned chemotherapy, were randomly assigned to a group receiving KDs (n?=?30) or to a control group with standard diet (n?=?30) for 3 months. Serum biochemical parameters and body composition were analyzed at baseline, every 3 weeks and end of each arm. Compliance and safety of KD were also checked weekly. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) was significantly decreased in intervention group compared to the baseline (84.5?±?11.3 vs. 100.4?±?11.8, P?=?0.001). A significant inter-group difference was also observed for FBS level at end of intervention. There was an increasing trend in serum levels of ketone bodies in intervention group (0.007–0.92, P?<?0.001). Compared to the control group, BMI, body weight, and fat% were significantly decreased in intervention group in last visit (P?<?0.001). No severe adverse side effect was found regarding lipid profile and kidney or liver marker. Overall survival was higher in KD group compared to the control group in neoadjuvant patients (P?=?0.04). Our results suggested that chemotherapy combined with KDs can improve the biochemical parameters, body composition, and overall survival with no substantial side effects in patients with breast cancer.     

Effects of natural honey consumption in diabetic patients: an 8-week randomized clinical trial

Objectives We investigated the effect of natural honey on body weight and some blood biochemical indices of diabetic subjects.

Methods Forty-eight diabetic type 2 patients were randomly assigned into two groups: the honey group received oral natural honey for 8 weeks, and the control group did not take honey. Before the onset of the study (week 0) and after 8 weeks, weight measurements were taken and fasting blood samples were drawn.

Results After adjustment for the baseline values, there were no significant differences in the fasting blood sugars between the two groups. Body weight, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride decreased (P = 0.000), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol increased significantly (P < 0.01) in honey group. The levels of hemoglobin A_1C increased significantly in this group (P < 0.01).

Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that 8-week consumption of honey can provide beneficial effects on body weight and blood lipids of diabetic patients. However, since an increase in the hemoglobin A_1C levels was observed, cautious consumption of this food by diabetic patients is recommended.     

Immunogenicity of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine among children with underlying medical conditions

BackgroundStreptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable disease in children under 5 years. Immunocompromised children and those with underlying diseases are at increased risk of severe complications from vaccine-preventable infections. We studied the humoral immune response to the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in children with HIV-infection, kidney or lung disease and compared this to the response in healthy control children.MethodsChildren aged 12–71 months with underlying conditions including HIV-infection and those with kidney and lung diseases (at-risk children), and a healthy control group were vaccinated with PCV13. The at-risk children received two doses of PCV13 and the controls received one dose. Serotype-specific antibodies for all PCV13 serotypes were measured by a luminex-based enzyme immunoassay at baseline and post-vaccination.ResultsAfter the first PCV13 dose, the fold-increase in serotype-specific antibody geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) from baseline and the percentage of participants with ≥4-fold-increase in antibody concentrations was similar between the control and at-risk children. GMCs were, however, lower for three of the 13 serotypes in HIV-infected children, higher for serotype 6B in children with kidney disease and higher for serotypes 6B and 14 in children with lung disease. After second vaccine dose HIV-infected children had an increase in GMCs from post-first dose for nine serotypes but the percentage of participants with ≥4-fold-increase from baseline was similar post-second dose compared to post-first dose except for serotypes 6A and 19F. In children with kidney or lung diseases the immune responses after second vaccine dose were similar to post-first dose. Attenuated responses were observed for serotypes 3 and 19A in all study-groups, which was especially pronounced in the at-risk groups.ConclusionAll study-groups mounted an immune response to PCV13, with the at-risk groups having responses that were mostly similar to the control children.     

Vitamin D levels and influenza vaccine immunogenicity among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected adults

BackgroundVaccination is the most important preventive strategy against influenza, however post-vaccination antibody responses are often inadequate especially among HIV-infected persons. Vitamin D deficiency has been suggested to adversely influence immune responses and is highly prevalent among HIV-infected adults. Therefore, we evaluated the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and post-influenza vaccination responses.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study evaluating the immunogenicity of monovalent influenza A (H1N1) vaccination among both HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected adults (18–50 years of age) during the 2009–2010 influenza season. Antibody titers were evaluated at baseline, day 28, and 6 months post-vaccination using hemagluttination inhibition assays. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured at day 28. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses examined the association between 25(OH)D levels [categorized as <20 ng/ml (deficiency) vs. ⩾20 ng/ml] with the primary outcome of seroconversion. Secondary outcomes included seroprotection; a ⩾4-fold increase in titers; and geometric mean titers post-vaccination. Analyses were repeated using 25(OH)D levels as a continuous variable.ResultsA total of 128 adults [64 HIV-infected (median CD4 count 580 cells/mm³) and 64 HIV-uninfected] were included. Seroconversion at day 28 post-vaccination was achieved in fewer HIV-infected participants compared with HIV-uninfected participants (56% vs. 74%, p = 0.03). Vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent among HIV-infected persons vs. HIV-uninfected persons (25% vs. 17%), although not significantly different (p = 0.39). There were no associations found between lower 25(OH)D levels and poorer antibody responses at day 28 or 6 months for any of the study outcomes among either HIV-infected or HIV-uninfected adults.ConclusionVitamin D deficiency was common among both HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected adults, but lower levels did not predict antibody responses after H1N1 (2009) influenza vaccination. Low 25(OH)D levels do not explain poorer post-vaccination responses among HIV-infected persons.     

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and its association with adverse outcomes during induction phase of treatment

Abstract

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric malignancy. Vitamin D inadequacy is now an internationally recognized health problem. Some relation has been observed between Vitamin D insufficiency and poor outcome in ALL though evidence is limited. Methods: A prospective observational study was done including children (1–15?years) with newly diagnosed ALL. Vitamin D estimation was performed at baseline and at end of induction chemotherapy. Results: Ninety-three patients were recruited in the study. Majority of them belonged to lower socio-economic status (75.3%), and were from rural background (89.2%). Vitamin D deficiency was found in 84.95% of the study population. Seventy-five children (80.6%) completed induction, 9 (9.7%) abandoned treatment and 9 (9.7%) died during induction. Vitamin D levels were significantly low in children with ALL who died (P?=?0.016), who had complications (P?=?0.002), females (P?=?0.036), and those with high risk ALL (P?=?0.001). There was a significant drop in the Vitamin D levels (P?<?0.001) from pre to post induction phase of chemotherapy. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in patients with ALL and is also associated with adverse outcome in these children. Further studies are needed on possible benefits of vitamin D supplementation for preventing complications during treatment of ALL.     

Serum and macular responses to multiple xanthophyll supplements in patients with early age-related macular degeneration

ObjectiveThis randomized controlled trial examined serum and macular (in vivo measured macular pigment optical density [MPOD]) responses to supplemental lutein and zeaxanthin in Chinese subjects with early age-related macular degeneration.MethodsOne hundred and eight patients with early age-related macular degeneration older than 50 y were randomized to low lutein (LL; 10 mg/d), high lutein (HL; 20 mg/d), lutein plus zeaxanthin (LZ; each 10 mg/d), or placebo during a 48-wk intervention. Serum concentrations were quantified by C₃₀ high-performance liquid chromatography (at baseline and 4, 12, 24, and 48 wk), and MPOD was measured by analysis of autofluorescence images (at baseline and 24 and 48 wk).ResultsSerum lutein levels in the LL, LZ, and HL groups increased significantly in the first 4 wk and then increased 4.24-, 4.66-, and 6.23-fold during the trial, respectively (all P < 0.001). The serum lutein level in the HL group was significantly higher than that in the LL or LZ group at 48 wk (P < 0.05). Similarly, the serum zeaxanthin concentration in the LZ group increased 3.11-fold at 48 wk. MPOD increased smoothly in all treated groups, and the increase from baseline was greatest in the HL group at 24 and 48 wk (both P < 0.05). MPOD and serum lutein levels increased linearly with the dosage and their increasing rates were statistically correlated (all P < 0.05). No notable changes were detected in the placebo group for MPOD and serum concentrations.ConclusionXanthophyll supplementation significantly increased serum concentrations and MPOD in patients with early age-related macular degeneration, and a higher lutein supplementation (20 mg/d) might be more effective in increasing these two biochemical markers in Chinese patients without significant side effects.     

Increasing procoagulant activity of circulating microparticles in patients living with HIV

ObjectivesHIV-infected individuals are at higher risk of non-AIDS diseases associated with procoagulant status. Microparticles are elevated in disorders associated with thrombosis (e.g., cardiovascular diseases). We investigated the association between microparticle levels in untreated and treated HIV-infected subjects, and determined the association with immune status, viral replication, and duration of antiretroviral therapy.Patients and methodsWe included 144 HIV-infected subjects, including 123 on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 21 before treatment initiation. A control group of 40 HIV-negative healthy adults matched for age and sex was used for comparison of microparticle levels. Treated subjects were divided into five groups depending on the period of antiretroviral exposure. Statistically significant differences were determined by Kruskal–Wallis test and Chi² test. The relation between microparticles and other parameters was assessed using Spearman's coefficient of correlation.ResultsMicroparticle levels were significantly higher in treated and untreated HIV-infected subjects than in non-HIV-infected controls (P < 0.001). The microparticle level was similar between the groups on treatment (P = 0.913). No association between the microparticle level and CD4+ count, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, number of HIV-1 RNA copies, or duration of exposure to antiretroviral treatment was observed.ConclusionIncreased levels of microparticles may be due to processes independent of viral replication and CD4+ cell count, and microparticle release might persist even during viral suppression by antiretroviral treatment. Elevated microparticle levels might occur in response to other triggers.