Low serum Metrnl levels are associated with increased risk of sarcopenia in the older adults.

Purpose: Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass and function. Meteorin-like (Metrnl) is a secretory protein that has protective effects on skeletal muscle injury. However, the association of Metrnl level with sarcopenia remains unclear.

RBP4 promotes denervation-induced muscle atrophy through STRA6-dependent pathway.

Backgrounds: Fat infiltration of skeletal muscle has been recognized as a common feature of many degenerative muscle disorders. Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) is an adipokine that has been demonstrated to be correlated with the presence and severity of sarcopenia in the elderly. However, the exact role and the underlying mechanism of RBP4 in muscle atrophy remains unclear.

DNA methylation of skeletal muscle function-related secretary factors identifies FGF2 as a potential biomarker for sarcopenia.

Background: Sarcopenia is characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass and function due to aging. DNA methylation has been identified to play important roles in the dysfunction of skeletal muscle. The aim of our present study was to explore the whole blood sample-based methylation changes of skeletal muscle function-related factors in patients with sarcopenia.

Association of AST/ALT (De Ritis) ratio with sarcopenia in a Chinese population of community-dwelling elderly.

Background: The aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio, also known as De Ritis ratio, has been reportedly associated with malnutrition which plays a crucial role in sarcopenia. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between AST/ALT ratio and sarcopenia in the Chinese community-dwelling elderly.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with 2751 participants (1343 men and 1408 women) aged ≥60 years was performed.

[Epidemiological Survey on Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Lhasa City in 2014].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of parasitic infections in Lhasa, Tibet.

Methods: The residents in Chengguan District, Dangxiong County, Dazi County and Qushui County were selected to participate in the study in 2014, using the stratified random sampling method. Infections with the soil-borne nematodes in feces were examined in triplicates using the Kato-Katz method.

siRNA against KIR3DL1 as a potential gene therapeutic agent in controlling HIV-1 infection.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a small interfering RNA (siRNA) against the expression of KIR3DL1 receptor on natural killer (NK) cells, in order to promote the ability of NK cells to destroy human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected cells and thus prevent failure of siRNA therapy targeting human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) virus among HIV-1 infected patients in vitro.

Methods: A siRNA targeting KIR3DL1 was synthesized and then modified with cholesterol, methylene, and sulfate. The inhibitory action of the siRNAs on primary cultured NK cells was detected.

[The application of network scale-up method on female sex workers and clients size estimation in Taizhou city].

Objective: To estimate the size of female sex workers and clients in Taizhou city.

Methods: A household survey using network scale-up method (NSUM) was conducted among the 3000 community residents in Taizhou city from August to October in 2011, which aimed to estimate the social network size (c value) of Taizhou residents, and the c value was adjusted by demographic characteristics, back estimation and outlier elimination. Using the adjusted c value, the number of acquaintance of female sex workers or clients and the respect level toward female sex workers or clients were used to estimate the size of female sex workers and clients.

Mycoplasmas infection in male HIV/AIDS patients in Jiangsu, China.

Mycoplasmas are widely distributed among animals, plants, and human. The four species namely, Mycoplasmas genitalium(Mg), Mycoplasmas fermentans(Mf), Mycoplasmas pentrans(Mpe), Mycoplasmas pirum(Mpi) are also called AIDS-associated mycoplasmas due to their involvement in the development and outcome of AIDS. To investigate the infection prevalence of Mg, Mf, Mpe and Mpi among male HIV/AIDS patients in Jiangsu Province and to analyze the relationship between pathogenic mycoplasmas and cellular immune function of them.

[Acupuncture and moxibustion in Tunisia].

The development status of acupuncture and moxibustion in Tunisia is introduced in this article. Although acupuncture and moxibustion only has a history of more than 30 years in Tunisia, it is very popular among the local people. Until now, there is one acupuncture and moxibustion center aided and built with the help of the Chinese government.

[Analysis on Mycoplasma pirum infection in male HIV/AIDS patients and related 16S rRNA genes in Jiangsu province].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Mycoplasma pirum (Mpi) in male HIV infected patients, and to identify the 16S rRNA gene of Mpi.

Methods: The first void urine of male HIV/AIDS patients in Jiangsu province was collected for Mpi detection. Purified 16S rRNA gene PCR production was sequenced for analysis on its identification, homogeneity and phylogenetic tree.

Emergence of peripheral CD3+CD56+ cytokine-induced killer cell in HIV-1-infected Chinese children.

Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are immune effector cells characterized by co-expression of CD3 and CD56 molecules. We examined the quantities of CIK cells and the changes of these cell expressing NK cell receptors in HIV-1-positive children infected via mother-to-child transmission. The percentage of CIK cells was quantified and the changes in the surface cell receptor profiles in 18 HIV-1-infected children were examined.

[Observation on relations between onset seasons of peripheral facial paralysis and therapeutic courses and effect of acupuncture].

Objective: To observe the influences of seasonal factors on peripheral facial paralysis by acupuncture.

Methods: Four hundred cases of facial paralysis were divided into spring, summer, autumn and winter groups, 100 cases in each group. All these cases were treated by routine puncture.

Differences in natural killer cell quantification and receptor profile expression in HIV-1 infected Chinese children.

Natural killer (NK) cells are believed to play a role in the progression of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) disease, and NK cell levels are reduced in individuals with chronic HIV-1 infection. To assess the effects on quantity of NK cells and the changes of NK cell receptors in HIV-1 infected children via mother-to-child transmission, the percentage of NK cells is quantified and the changes in the NK cell receptor profiles in 20 HIV-1 infected children who are not progressing into AIDS were examined. The results showed that NK cell percentage was decreased in the HIV-1 infected children.

[Risk factors which were associated with heroin use during the methadone maintenance treatment among 1301 patients in 9 cities of China.].

Objective: To determine the proportion of heroin use among patients who were involved in community-based methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program and to identify the risk factors associated with heroin use.

Methods: This study was conducted in 9 MMT clinics within 3 provinces. Thirteen hundred and one patients who met the study criteria were selected from each of the five groups with different dosages of methadone users.

Changes in NK cell counts and receptor expressions and emergence of CD3(dim)/CD56+ cells in HIV-1 infected patients in China.

Natural killer (NK) cells are believed to play a role in human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) disease progression, and NK cell levels are reduced in individuals with chronic HIV-1 infection. In the present study, we compared the frequency and phenotype of peripheral blood CD3-CD56+ NK cells in HIV-1 infected patients in China who were infected through different routes of transmission, including heterosexual and homosexual sexual contact, and blood transmission through injection drug use or importation of blood or blood products. The results showed significantly reduced numbers of CD3-CD56+ NK cells with no association with route of transmission.

[Study on fluoroquinolone resistance and the relationship between resistance and mutations of gyrA and parC in Neisseria gonorrhoeae].

Objective: To study the phenotypic and genotypic resistance to Fluoroquinolones in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) isolated in Jiangsu province of China.

Methods: In-vitro, susceptibility testing of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin against ninety-five clinical isolates were determined by agar dilution method. Detection of mutation in the gyrA and parC genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and sequence analysis.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated in Jiangsu Province, China, with a focus on fluoroquinolone resistance.

In this study, the phenotypic and genotypic resistance to fluoroquinolones in Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated in Jiangsu Province, China, was analysed. In vitro susceptibility testing of eight antimicrobial agents, including ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, against 95 clinical isolates was carried out. Detection of mutations in the gyrA and parC genes was performed by sequence analysis.

[Sequential analysis of detection Mycoplasma in different positions of female genital tract].

Objective: To discuss the main parasitic position of Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu) and Mycoplasma hominis (Mh) in female genital tract.

Methods: Using the standard aseptic cotton swab to collect secretion in vaginal fornix and orificium internum uteri, to culture Uu and Mh in Mycoplasma ID medium of France Bio-Merieux Co. According to double-direction quality reaction sequential test design, detection results of different position were analyzed.