SMAD2/3 Phosphorylation Is Downregulated in T Cells in HIV-Infected Patients.

Persistent inflammation contributes to the exhaustion of immune system and non-AIDS-defining events in HIV-infected patients. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is generally considered an anti-inflammatory cytokine. It is unclear that why high-level TGF-β coexists with chronic inflammation during HIV infection.

Heroin Abuse and/or HIV Infection Dysregulate Plasma Exosomal miRNAs.

Exosomes play an important role in cell-to-cell communication as they can transfer functional molecules such as microRNAs (miRNAs) from one cell to another, exerting biological and immunological functions. Here, we investigated the impact of HIV infection and/or heroin use on the expression of the miRNAs in plasma exosomes. We found that HIV infection or heroin use upregulated the majority (98%) of a panel of plasma exosomal miRNAs associated with immune regulation and inflammation.

Impact of Herbal Preparations on Outcomes of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: A One-Year Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To investigate the impacts of two herbal preparations for human immunodeficiency virus/aquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patients, Shenling Fuzheng Capsule (, SLFZC) and Qingdu Capsule (, QDC), on the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Methods: HIV/AIDS patients met the criteria were all enrolled in a 1-year cohort study, in which patients receiving HAART alone were designated as Group A, those receiving HAART in combination with SLFZC were designated as Group B, and those receiving HAART in combination with QDC were designated as Group C, 100 cases in each group. The dose of SLFZC was 1.

IFN-λ4 inhibits HIV infection of macrophages through signalling of IFN-λR1/IL-10R2 receptor complex.

The recently discovered IFN-λ4 has been found to have antiviral activity against several viruses. However, it's unknown whether IFN-λ4 can inhibit HIV infection. Here, we show that IFN-λ4 could suppress HIV infection of macrophages.

[Pharmacokinetic Effect of Aikeqing Granule by Different Medication Ways on Zidovudine in HAART of Rats].

Objective: To study pharmacokinetic effect of Aikeqing Granule (AG) by different medication ways on zidovudine (AZT) in highly active antiretroviral therapy ( HAART) of rats.

Methods: Totally 36 rats were administered with corresponding medications by gastrogavage, group I [HAART: AZT 31.5 mg/kg +3TC 31.

Effect of alcohol extract of Acanthus ilicifolius L. on anti-duck hepatitis B virus and protection of liver.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Acanthus ilicifolius L. is an important medicinal mangrove plant. It is popularly used for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effects.

[Treating HIV/AIDS patients by shenlin fuzheng capsule and qingdu capsule: an analysis of clinical effectiveness].

Objective: To analyze the clinical effectiveness of Shenling Fuzheng Capsule (SFC) and Qingdu Capsule (QC) in treating HIV/AIDS patients.

Methods: Totally 220 patients with complete clinical data, who received consecutive treatment for 6 months were selected from the database. They were assigned to two groups whether they would rather receive antiretroviral drugs, the Chinese medicine (CM) treatment group and the integrative medicine (IM) group.

Polyactin A increases CD4(+) T-cell counts in HIV-infected individuals with insufficient immunologic response to highly active antiretroviral therapy.

We conducted a study to determine whether an immunomodulator, polyactin A, is able to enhance the immunologic response in patients with insufficient immunologic response to highly active antiretroviral therapy. From 783 patients, 48 were eligible and were randomly assigned to an experimental group receiving polyactin A for 3 months or a control group. CD4(+) T-cell counts in the experimental group increased from 201 ± 31 to 228 ± 38 cells/µl after treatment (p < 0.

Methamphetamine inhibits Toll-like receptor 9-mediated anti-HIV activity in macrophages.

Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is one of the key sensors that recognize viral infection/replication in the host cells. Studies have demonstrated that methamphetamine (METH) dysregulated host cell innate immunity and facilitated HIV infection of macrophages. In this study, we present new evidence that METH suppressed TLR9-mediated anti-HIV activity in macrophages.

[Antiviral effect of lamivudine on HIV-1 targeting MT2 cells influenced by morphine].

Objective: To determine whether morphine having the ability to influence the antiviral effect of lamivudine (3TC) in vitro study.

Methods: MT2 cells were randomly assigned into morphine + 3TC treatment group, morphine + naloxone + 3TC treatment group, naloxone + 3TC treatment group. Both 3TC and virus control groups were set up.

Rapid identification of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 CRF01_AE and BC recombinants by subtype-specific PCR.

A subtype-specific PCR approach is described for the identification of HIV-1 intersubtype CRF01_AE and BC recombinants, the two predominant subtypes in Southern China. Primers were designed based on the env and gag regions of the HIV-1 genome. Nested PCRs with primers targeting the env region were performed to amplify subtype C, CRF01_AE, or BC recombinants.

[Distribution of HIV-1 subtype and prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance in Liuzhou and Nanning].

To investigate HIV-1 subtype distribution and prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance in Liuzhou and Nanning, a total of 304 HIV-infected subjects or AIDS patients from Liuzhou and Nanning were recruited. Whole blood was withdrawn from a peripheral vein of each subject. HIV RNA were extracted from plasma, and subjected to PCR amplification targeting HIV pol gene fragment and DNA sequencing.

[A nested multiplex PCR assay for rapid subtyping the prevailing HIV-1 strains in Guangxi].

Objective: To establish a rapid nested multiplex PCR assay for subtyping HIV-1 CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC, CRF08_BC, B, and C strains prevailing in Guangxi.

Method: Subtype-specific primers were designed for these subtypes based on their gag sequences. The subtypes of HIV-1 samples from Guangxi were determined by nested multiplex PCR and DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, respectively, and then the sensitivity and the specificity of nested multiplex PCR were calculated.

[Vasoactive intestinal peptide expression and its clinical significance in gastric adenocarcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in gastric adenocarcinoma, and to evaluate the correlation of VIP level with clinical pathologic parameters.

Methods: The level of VIP in sera from gastric adenocarcinoma patients and healthy people was investigated by ELISA. Moreover, the differential gene expression between gastric adenocarcinoma, gastric dysplasia, and the corresponding normal gastric mucosa were determined by RT-PCR.