HIV test uptake among MSM in China: Implications for enhanced HIV test promotion campaigns among key populations

Despite global efforts to increase HIV test uptake among men who have sex with men (MSM), social stigma and negative attitudes toward homosexuality hinder the effectiveness of traditional test promotion campaigns. Increasing HIV test uptake requires greater understanding of the conditions that facilitate decisions to get tested. We conducted an online survey hosted by two of the most highly frequented MSM web portals in China. A generalised ordered logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine factors associated with HIV testing behaviour. Compared to men who had never tested for HIV, men who had tested in the past year were more likely to have never engaged in sex with women, have multiple male sex partners in the past 3 months and have disclosed their sexual orientation to others. MSM found testing at local Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (80.7%), gay men's community-based organisations (80.2%) and public hospitals (70.9%) to be acceptable, while saunas (50.5%) and gay bars (41.8%) were found to be unacceptable testing venues. Our study shows that MSM in China prefer to test at venues that guarantee confidentiality, quality and quick results. Our study also suggests that self-testing may be a feasible approach to increase test uptake.     

The application of color Doppler flow imaging in the diagnosis and therapeutic effect evaluation of erectile dysfunction

We aim to investigate the correlations between hemodynamic parameters, penile rigidity grading, and the therapeutic effects of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors using color Doppler flow imaging after intracavernosal injection in patients with erectile dysfunction. This study involved 164 patients. After intracavernosal injection with a mixture of papaverine (60 mg), prostaglandin E₁ (10 μg), and lidocaine (2%, 0.5–1 ml), the penile vessels were assessed using color Doppler flow imaging. Penile rigidity was classified based on the Erection Hardness Score system as Grades 4, 3, 2 or 1 (corresponding to Schramek Grades V to II). Then, the patients were given oral sildenafil (50–100 mg) and scored according to the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. The number of patients with penile rigidities of Schramek Grades II to V was 14, 18, 21, and 111, respectively. The IIEF-5 score was positively correlated with the refilling index of the penile cavernosal artery (r = 0.79, P < 0.05), the peak systolic velocity (r = 0.45, P < 0.05), and penile rigidity (r = 0.75, P < 0.05), and was negatively correlated with the end diastolic velocity (r = −0.74, P < 0.05). For patients with erectile dysfunction, both the IIEF-5 score after sildenafil administration, which is correlated with penile rigidity, and the hemodynamic parameters detected using color Doppler flow imaging may predict the effects of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor treatment and could provide a reasonable model for the targeted-treatment of erectile dysfunction.     

Effects of non‐thermal atmospheric pressure pulsed plasma on the adhesion and durability of resin composite to dentin

This study investigated the effect of low‐power, non‐thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NT‐APP) treatments, in pulsed and conventional modes, on the adhesion of resin composite to dentin and on the durability of the bond between resin composite and dentin. A pencil‐type NT‐APP jet was applied in pulsed and conventional modes to acid‐etched dentin. The microtensile bond strength (MTBS) of resin composite to dentin was evaluated at 24 h and after thermocycling in one control group (no plasma) and in two experimental groups (pulsed plasma and conventional plasma groups) using the Scotchbond Multi‐Purpose Plus Adhesive System. Data were analyzed using two‐factor repeated‐measures anova and Weibull statistics. Fractured surfaces and the bonded interfaces were evaluated using a field‐emission scanning electron microscope. Although there were no significant differences between the plasma treatment groups, the plasma treatment improved the MTBS compared with the control group. After thermocycling, the MTBS did not decrease in the control or conventional plasma group but increased in the pulsed plasma group. Thermocycling increased the Weibull moduli of plasma‐treated groups. In conclusion, plasma treatment using NT‐APP improved the adhesion of resin composite to dentin. Using a pulsed energy source, the energy delivered to the dentin was effectively reduced without any reduction in bond strength or durability.     

归芪白术方联合奥沙利铂对胃癌荷瘤小鼠EGFR，VEGFR2表达和血管生成的影响

目的 探讨归芪白术方联合奥沙利铂对胃癌荷瘤小鼠表皮生长因子受体（EGFR）、血管内皮生长因子受体2（VEGFR2）表达及血管生成的影响。方法 昆明种小鼠进行实验并建立胃癌荷瘤模型，造模成功后将小鼠随机分成6组：空白组、模型组、奥沙利铂组（10 mg·kg^-1）、联合高、中、低剂量组（奥沙利铂10 mg·kg^-1联合归芪白术方17.68、8.84、4.42 g·kg^-1）；末次给药后，取移植瘤，计算抑瘤率；苏木素-伊红（HE）染色观察瘤组织形态学变化；酶联免疫吸附测定法（ELISA）检测血清表皮生长因子（EGF），白细胞介素-8（IL-8）、血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）水平；蛋白免疫印迹法（Western blot）和免疫组化法（IHC）检测EGFR、磷酸化EGFR（p-EGFR）、VEGFR2、磷酸化VEGFR2（p-VEGFR2）和血小板-内皮细胞黏附分子（CD31）的表达；实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应（Real-time PCR）检测EGFR、VEGFR2 mRNA相对表达。结果 给药组瘤体质量较模型组显著下降（P<0.01）；与奥沙利铂组比较，联合高、中剂量组瘤体质量明显下降（P<0.05，P<0.01）；模型组肿瘤细胞密度较高，细胞形状规则，未见明确的组织坏死灶；给药组肿瘤细胞密度降低，可见明确的组织坏死灶及大规模炎性细胞；与空白组比较，模型组与给药组血清中EGF，VEGF和IL-8水平均明显上升（P<0.05，P<0.01）；与模型组比较，给药组血清中EGF、VEGF和IL-8水平显著降低（P<0.01），EGFR、p-EGFR、VEGFR2、p-VEGFR2和CD31蛋白及EGFR、VEGFR mRNA表达显著降低（P<0.01）；与奥沙利铂组比较，联合高、中剂量组EGF、VEGF和IL-8水平明显降低（P<0.05，P<0.01），EGFR、p-EGFR、VEGFR2、p-VEGFR2和CD31蛋白及EGFR、VEGFR2 mRNA表达明显下降（P<0.05，P<0.01）；联合低剂量组中EGF、VEGF和IL-8含量降低，EGFR、p-EGFR、VEGFR2、p-VEGFR2和CD31蛋白及EGFR、VEGFR2 mRNA表达也有所下降，但差异无统计学意义。结论 归芪白术方联合奥沙利铂能通过影响EGFR，VEGFR2的表达，抑制胃癌荷瘤小鼠肿瘤组织的生长和血管生成。