Adipose Stromal Cell Contact with Endothelial Cells Results in Loss of Complementary Vasculogenic Activity Mediated by Induction of Activin A.

Adipose stem/stromal cells (ASCs) after isolation produce numerous angiogenic growth factors. This justifies their use to promote angiogenesis per transplantation. In parallel, local coimplantation of ASC with endothelial cells (ECs) leading to formation of functional vessels by the donor cells suggests the existence of a mechanism responsible for fine-tuning ASC paracrine activity essential for vasculogenesis.

CRF01_AE/B/C, a Novel Drug-Resistant HIV-1 Recombinant in Men Who Have Sex with Men in Beijing, China.

We report a unique HIV-1 recombinant strain (URF) from an HIV-positive man who has sex with men (MSM) in Beijing, China. This virus genome has insertions and multiple drug-resistant mutations to both nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), as well as a complex intersubtype recombinant structure with 11 breakpoints. Phylogenetic analysis of the near full-length genome (NFLG) shows that this URF is comprised of gene regions originating from three circulating viral strains: CRF01_AE, subtype B, and subtype C.

Conditioned media from adipose stromal cells limit lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury, endothelial hyperpermeability and apoptosis.

Background: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a condition that contributes to morbidity and mortality of critically ill patients. We investigated whether factors secreted by adipose stromal cells (ASC) into conditioned media (ASC-CM) will effectively decrease lung injury in the model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ARDS.

Methods: To assess the effect of ASC-CM on ARDS indices, intravenous delivery of ASC and ASC-CM to C57Bl/6 mice was carried out 4 h after LPS oropharyngeal aspiration; Evans Blue Dye (EBD) was injected intravenously 1 h prior to animal sacrifice (48 h post-LPS).

Improving Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy With Triggered Real-time Text Message Reminders: The China Adherence Through Technology Study.

Background: Real-time adherence monitoring is now possible through medication storage devices equipped with cellular technology. We assessed the effect of triggered cell phone reminders and counseling using objective adherence data on antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among Chinese HIV-infected patients.

Methods: We provided ART patients in Nanning, China, with a medication device (Wisepill) to monitor their ART adherence electronically.

[Relationship between placental inflammation and fetal inflammatory response syndrome and brain injury in preterm infants].

Objective: To explore the relationship between histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) and fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) and brain injury in preterm infants.

Methods: One hundred and three singleton infants with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (gestation ages of less than 34 weeks) were enrolled. All the placentas were submitted for pathological evaluation.

HIV testing and preventive services accessibility among men who have sex with men at high risk of HIV infection in Beijing, China.

The HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) has been increasing at an alarming rate in most areas of China in recent years. Many Chinese MSM still lack sufficient access to HIV prevention services, despite ongoing scale-up of comprehensive HIV testing and intervention services. The purpose of this study was to investigate utilization of HIV testing and prevention services, and related factors that influence the MSM people to access HIV test or other services to prevent HIV among MSM in Beijing, China.

Bi2Te(IO3)O5Cl: a novel polar iodate oxychloride exhibiting a second-order nonlinear optical response.

The novel iodate oxychloride, Bi2Te(IO3)O5Cl, has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. The compound crystallizes in the polar monoclinic space group Cc with a = 22.037(8) Å, b = 5.

Genomic characterization of two novel HIV-1 second-generation recombinant forms among men who have sex with men in Beijing, China.

We report two different unique HIV-1 recombinant viruses from two HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing, China. Phylogenetic analysis of near full-length genomes (NFLG) showed that the unique recombinant forms (URFs) were comprised of gene regions from two circulating recombinant forms, CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC, both common in China. The parental CRF01_AE region of the recombinants clustered together with a previously described cluster 4 lineage of CRF01_AE.

[The impact of different markers regarding the estimation of population size under capture-recapture method on men who have sex with men].

Objective: To discuss the impact of different markers on the estimation of MSM using the capture-recapture method.

Methods: From March to July 2013, MSM were captured from the their related network to estimate the site of this population, under the capture-recapture method. Two different markers were set in the process of first 'capture'.

[Effect of glucose regulated protein 78 gene silencing on hyperoxia-induced apoptosis in alveolar epithelial cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect and possible mechanism of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) gene silencing on hyperoxia-induced apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells.

Methods: Human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells in vitro were transfected with siRNA by Lipofectamine(TM)2000. Cells were divided into untransfected group, scrambled siRNA group and GRP78-siRNA group.

High incidence of HIV and syphilis among migrant men who have sex with men in Beijing, China: a prospective cohort study.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate the incidence of HIV and syphilis and their related factors, as well as to examine the predictors associated with seroconversion among migrant men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing, China.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Beijing, China.

Adipose stromal cells differentiate along a smooth muscle lineage pathway upon endothelial cell contact via induction of activin A.

Rationale: Adipose stromal cells (ASC) are therapeutically potent progenitor cells that possess properties of pericytes. In vivo, ASC in combination with endothelial cells (EC) establish functional multilayer vessels, in which ASC form the outer vessel layer and differentiate into mural cells.

Objective: To identify factors responsible for ASC differentiation toward the smooth muscle cell phenotype via interaction with EC.

Phylogenetic and temporal dynamics of human immunodeficiency virus type 1B in China: four types of B strains circulate in China.

To investigate the origin and evolutionary history of the spread of HIV-1 subtype B in China, a total of 409 sequences of pol gene sampled from 1994 to 2012 in 29 provinces across China was subjected to phylogenetic and Bayesian molecular clock analyses. The study reveals that subtype B strains in China are genetically diverse and can be classified into four distinct subgroups, namely B' (Thai-B), BJ-B (Beijing-B), Pan-B (Pandemic-B), and TW-B (Taiwan-B), according to the origin of the sequences. The BJ-B and TW-B are reported for the first time.

[Molecular epidemiological characteristics of HIV-1 strains isolated from newly diagnosed MSM subjects (2006-2010) in Beijing, China].

This study aims to analyze the molecular epidemiological characteristics of HIV-1 strains prevailing among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing, China. The pol gene fragments from 250 newly diagnosed HIV-1-infected MSM individuals during 2006-2010 in Beijing were amplified by RT-nested PCR, sequenced, and phylogenetically analyzed. HIV-1 pol gene from 189 individuals were amplified and analyzed; 81 (42.

[Epidemiological analysis on recent infected HIV-1 patients among newly reported HIV cases in Beijing, from 2009 to 2011].

Objective: To understand the epidemiologic characteristics on newly reported HIV cases and those recently infected HIV-1 cases in the past few years in Beijing so as to find out their correlates.

Methods: All the qualified newly reported HIV serum samples from both the first quarters of 2009, 2010 and the second quarter of 2011 in Beijing, were tested using the BED HIV-1 incidence capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA) to identify those recent HIV-1 infection (BED positive) samples and related socio-demographic characteristics. The proportions of BED positives were determined and the correlates analyzed by SPSS software.

Neuroprotection with erythropoietin in preterm and/or low birth weight infants.

Neonatal brain injury caused by extreme prematurity remains a great challenge for prevention. Erythropoietin (EPO) has shown neuroprotective effects in a series of neonatal experimental models and recent clinical trials of premature infants. In this meta-analysis of seven clinical trials, EPO was associated with a highly reproducible reduction in the risk of neurodevelopmental disability in preterm infants.

Modeling the impact on HIV incidence of combination prevention strategies among men who have sex with men in Beijing, China.

Objective: To project the HIV/AIDS epidemics among men who have sex with men (MSM) under different combinations of HIV testing and linkage to care (TLC) interventions including antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Beijing, China.

Design: Mathematical modeling.

Methods: Using a mathematical model to fit prevalence estimates from 2000-2010, we projected trends in HIV prevalence and incidence during 2011-2020 under five scenarios: (S1) current intervention levels by averaging 2000-2010 coverage; (S2) increased ART coverage with current TLC; (S3) increased TLC/ART coverage; (S4) increased condom use; and (S5) increased TLC/ART plus increased condom use.

Dynamic patterns of histone H3 lysine 4 methyltransferases and demethylases during mouse preimplantation development.

Extensive and dynamic chromatin remodeling occurs after fertilization, including DNA methylation and histone modifications. These changes underlie the transition from gametic to embryonic chromatin and are thought to facilitate early embryonic development. Histone H3 lysine 4 methylation (H3K4me) is an important epigenetic mechanism that associates with gene-specific activation and functions in development.

Changing the landscape of the HIV epidemic among MSM in China: results from three consecutive respondent-driven sampling surveys from 2009 to 2011.

This study assessed the changes of HIV incidence and its predictors among Beijing's men who have sex with men (MSM). Three consecutive cross-sectional surveys were carried out using a consistent respondent-driven sampling (RDS) approach in 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. Structured-questionnaire based interviews were completed with computer-assisted self-administration.

Aging alters histone H3 lysine 4 methylation in mouse germinal vesicle stage oocytes.

Decreasing oocyte competence with maternal aging is a major factor in mammalian infertility. One of the factors contributing to this infertility is changes to chromatin modifications, such as histone acetylation in old MII stage oocytes. Recent studies indicate that changes in histone acetylation at MII arise at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage.

[Molecular epidemiological characteristics of HIV-1 B'/C strains in Beijing].

Objective: To analyze the molecular epidemiological characteristic of HIV-1 B'/C strains prevalent in Beijing.

Methods: Plasma samples were collected from 200 newly diagnosed HIV-1 B'/C individuals reported during 2006 to 2010 in Beijing. The gag gene fragments were amplified from RNA template extracted from plasma with reverse transcription (RT) and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Effectiveness of HIV risk reduction interventions among men who have sex with men in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of risk reduction interventions on HIV knowledge, attitudes and behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of HIV risk reduction intervention studies among Chinese MSM. The summary difference of standardized mean differences (SMD) between both study arms or between pre- and post-intervention assessments were defined as the effect size (ES); ES was calculated using standard meta-analysis in random effects models.