A low prevalence of H pylori and endoscopic findings in HTV-positive Chinese patients with gastrointestinal symptoms

AIM: To compare the prevalence of H pylori infection,peptic ulcer, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and Candida esophagitis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-negative patients, and evaluate the impact of CD4 lymphocyte on H pylori and opportunistic infections.METHODS: A total of 151 patients (122 HIV-positive and 29 HIV-negative) with gastrointestinal symptoms were examined by upper endoscopy and biopsy. Samples were assessed to determine the prevalence of H pylori infection,CMV, candida esophagitis and histologic chronic gastritis.RESULTS: The prevalence of H pylori was less common in HIV-positive patients (22.1%) than in HIV-negative controls (44.8%; P ＜ 0.05), and the prevalence of H pylori displayed a direct correlation with CD4 count stratification in HIV-positive patients. In comparison with HIV-negative group, HIV-positive patients had a lower incidence of peptic ulcer (20.7% vs 4.1%; P ＜ 0.01), but a higher prevalence of chronic atrophy gastritis (6.9% vs 24.6%; P ＜ 0.05), Candida esophagitis and CMV infection. Unlike HIV-negative group, H pylori infection had a close relationship to chronic active gastritis (P＜0.05). In HIV-positive patients, chronic active gastritis was not significantly different between those with H pylori infection and those without.CONCLUSION: The lower prevalence of H pylori infection and peptic ulcer in HTV-positive patients with gastrointestinal symptoms suggests a different mechanism of peptic ulcerogenesis and a different role of H pylori infection in chronic active gastritis and peptic ulcer.The pathogen of chronic active gastritis in HIV-positive patients may be different from the general population that is closely related to H pylori infection.     

Probiotics maintain the intestinal microbiome homeostasis of the sailors during a long sea voyage

ABSTRACT

The challenging conditions encountered during long sea voyages increase the risk of health-threatening physiological and psychological stress for sailors compared with land-based workers. However, how the intestinal microbiota responds to a long sea voyage and whether there is a feasible approach for protecting gut health during sea voyage are still unexplored. Here, we designed a 30-d longitudinal study including a placebo group (n = 42) and a probiotic group (n = 40) and used shotgun metagenomic sequencing to explore the impacts of sea voyage on the intestinal microbiome of sailors. By comparing the intestinal microbiome of subjects in the placebo group at baseline (d 0) and at the end of the sea voyage (d 30), we observed an alteration in the intestinal microbiome during the long sea voyage based on the microbial structure; the results revealed an increase in the species Streptococcus gordonii and Klebsiella pneumoniae as well as a decrease in some functional features. However, the change in the microbial structure of sailors in the probiotic group between d 0 and d 30 was limited, which indicated a maintenance effect of probiotics on intestinal microbiome homeostasis. At the metagenomic strain level, a generally positive correlation was observed between probiotics and the strains belonging to Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium animalis, whereas a common negative correlation was observed between probiotics and Clostridium leptum; this result revealed the potential mechanism of maintaining intestinal microbiome homeostasis by probiotics. The present study provided a feasible approach for protecting gut health during a long sea voyage.     

山东省部分农村外来妇女HIV感染状况调查

目的了解山东省农村外来妇女的艾滋病病毒（HIV）感染状况，为制定艾滋病防治措施提供科学依据。方法对1985年以来，由外省（外国）迁入山东省某县并在当地常住的772名农村妇女进行入户面对面调查，并采集血清检测HIV抗体。结果该县农村外来妇女HIV感染率为2．59％。HIV感染者平均年龄为28．15岁，HIV感染者与非感染者的年龄差异有显著的统计学意义（t=157．7245，P〈0．01）。在HIV感染者中，原籍为云南省的占95．0％；其中尤以德宏州的居多，占94．74％。发现的HIV感染者迁入时间最早者为1999年。并发现有3人已经性接触将HIV传染给配偶，1人经母婴传播将HIV传染给子女。结论山东省农村外来妇女中存在着一定的HIV感染流行，并造成了HIV的二代传播。应该加强对来自艾滋病较高流行省份的农村妇女的HIV综合监测，并对现已发现的HIV感染者做好定期随访、管理，提供必要的医学指导，最大限度地控制艾滋病在山东省农村地区一般人群的进一步传播。     

Guggulsterone, a plant sterol, inhibits NF-kappaB activation and protects pancreatic beta cells from cytokine toxicity

Guggulsterone has been used to treat hyperlipidemia, arthritis, and obesity. Although its anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperlipidemic effects have been well documented, the effect of guggulsterone on pancreatic beta cells is unknown. Therefore, in this study, the effect of guggulsterone on IL-1beta- and IFN-gamma-induced beta-cell damage was investigated. Treatment of RINm5F (RIN) rat insulinoma cells with IL-1beta and IFN-gamma induced cell damage, and this damage was well correlated with nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. However, guggulsterone completely prevented cytokines-mediated cytotoxicity, as well as NO and PGE2 production, and these effects were correlated with reduced levels of the inducible form of NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA and protein expressions. The molecular mechanism by which guggulsterone inhibits iNOS and COX-2 gene expressions appeared to involve the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. The cytoprotective effects of guggulsterone were also mediated through the suppression of the JAK/STAT pathway. Cells treated with the cytokines downregulated the protein level of SOCS-3, however pretreatment with guggulsterone attenuated this decrease. Additionally, in a second set of experiments in which rat islets were used, the findings regarding the beta-cell protective effects of guggulsterone were essentially the same as those observed when RIN cells were used; guggulsterone prevented cytokines-induced NO and PGE2 production, iNOS and COX-2 expressions, JAK/STAT activation, NF-kappaB activation, downregulation of SOCS-3, and impairment of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Collectively, these results suggest that guggulsterone may be used to preserve functional beta-cell mass.     

Regional differences in HIV prevalence among drug users in China: potential for future spread of HIV?

Background  

Drug use and in particular injecting drug use has been at the forefront of the explosive spread of HIV in general populations in many countries in Asia. There is concern that also in China increased HIV incidence in drug users might spark off a generalized epidemic in the wider population. Close monitoring of HIV incidence and risk factors in drug users is therefore important to be able to target interventions effectively. Second generation surveillance was launched to assess HIV prevalence and risk behaviours jointly with the purpose of describing trends and predicting future developments. To assess whether these goals were fulfilled among drug users in China we provide an analysis of risk factors for HIV infection and of regional differences in HIV prevalence.     

黄芩提取物对小鼠耳肿胀和足肿胀的抗炎作用研究

目的研究黄芩提取物(SBE)的抗炎作用,为黄芩的开发应用提供参考依据。方法灌胃给予黄芩提取物及吲哚美辛,每天1次,连续5 d,末次给药后,采用小鼠二甲苯致炎耳廓肿胀法、角叉菜胶致炎足肿法复制急性炎症模型,观察各组小鼠耳廓肿胀度、肿胀率及足肿胀度。结果与模型对照组比较,SBE大、小剂量组(10 g/kg、5 g/kg)可以显著抑制二甲苯致小鼠的耳廓肿胀、角叉菜胶致小鼠的足肿胀(P0.05或P0.01)。结论黄芩提取物具有一定的抗炎作用。     

Keeping the right time in space: importance of circadian clock and sleep for physiology and performance of astronauts

The circadian clock and sleep are essential for human physiology and behavior; deregulation of circadian rhythms impairs health and performance. Circadian clocks and sleep evolved to adapt to Earth’s environment, which is characterized by a 24-hour light–dark cycle. Changes in gravity load, lighting and work schedules during spaceflight missions can impact circadian clocks and disrupt sleep, in turn jeopardizing the mood, cognition and performance of orbiting astronauts. In this review, we summarize our understanding of both the influence of the space environment on the circadian timing system and sleep and the impact of these changes on astronaut physiology and performance.     

X线透视引导下肠内营养管置入的临床分析

目的 探讨X线透视引导下肠内营养管置入的临床效果。方法从该院2013年9月—2014年9月收治的需接受肠内营养支持的患者中随机选择103例进行研究,给予X线透视引导置入肠内营养管。观察肠内营养管的一次置管成功率和平均置管操作时间以及并发症发生情况,并进行分析。结果 103例患者均一次置管成功,一次置管成功率为100.0%,平均操作置管时间（7.92±0.25）min。经统计,在置管过程中,一共有6例患者诉鼻咽部不适,置管结束后均消失,未给予特殊处理。所有患者均未出现会厌功能紊乱、误插、吸入性肺炎、心律失常等并发症。结论 X线透视下引导置入肠内营养管可以达到良好的一次成功置管效果,置管操作时间短,并发症少,具有良好的临床应用效果。     

连建伟论治妇科经验举隅

[目的]探讨连建伟教授诊治妇科杂病之经验。[方法]收集近年连建伟教授有关不孕,月经不调等妇科医案427例,并汇总其中有代表性医案,探讨连教授的诊治特色。[结果]连建伟教授运用四诊辨证加减组方,针对妇女虚、寒、瘀体质引起的不孕,月经不调等疾病,灵活诊治,扶正祛邪,达到满意的疗效。[结论]连建伟教授使用古代妇科方药可有效治疗现代妇科问题,具有较好的临床实践及教学意义。