Increased Natural Killer Cell Activation in HIV-Infected Immunologic Non-Responders Correlates with CD4+ T Cell Recovery after Antiretroviral Therapy and Viral Suppression.

The role of natural killer (NK) cell function in HIV disease especially in the setting of long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) and viral suppression is not fully understood. In the current study, we have investigated NK cell activation in healthy controls and aviremic ART-treated HIV+ subjects with different degrees of immune restoration. We performed a cross sectional study in 12 healthy controls and 24 aviremic ART-treated HIV-infected subjects including 13 HIV+ subjects with CD4+ T cells above 500 cells/μL defined as "immunologic responders" and 11 HIV+ subjects with CD4+ T cells below 350 cells/μL defined as "immunologic non-responders".

Use of noninvasive ventilation in immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Acute respiratory failure (ARF) remains a common hazardous complication in immunocompromised patients and is associated with increased mortality rates when endotracheal intubation is needed. We aimed to evaluate the effect of early noninvasive ventilation (NIV) compared with oxygen therapy alone in this patient population.

Methods: We searched for relevant studies in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane database up to 25 July 2016.

The induction of CD80 and apoptosis on B cells and CD40L in CD4+ T cells in response to seasonal influenza vaccination distinguishes responders versus non-responders in healthy controls and aviremic ART-treated HIV-infected individuals.

Background: Studies have shown that HIV infection is associated with an impaired influenza vaccine response. We examined the role of cellular phenotypes and function in influenza vaccine responsiveness in healthy controls and aviremic HIV-infected subjects on antiretroviral treatment (ART).

Methods: 16 healthy controls and 26 ART+ aviremic HIV+ subjects were enrolled in the current study.

[Clinical features of neurosyphilis with optic neuritis as an initial finding].

To study the characteristics of neurosyphilis with optic neuritis as an initial finding. Retrospective analysis of clinical data and laboratory testing results of 16 cases (27 eyes) with optic neuritis as an initial finding of neurosyphilis from October 2010 to March 2015 in General Hospital of People's Liberation Army was made. Six-teen patients (12 males, 4 females) were collected, the median age of patients was 47 (range 33 to 65) years ,the mean age was (49.

Early activated hepatic stellate cell-derived paracrine molecules modulate acute liver injury and regeneration.

The effects of paracrine action from early activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) on resident liver epithelium cells are not clear. Here, we investigated whether a systemic infusion of early activated HSC-derived paracrine factors (HSC-CM) would evoke an enhanced liver protective response in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice and explored the possible underlying mechanisms. The survival rate, liver injury, and liver regeneration were analyzed in mice with or without HSC-CM treatment in vivo.

Virus-like particle vaccine by intranasal vaccination elicits protective immunity against respiratory syncytial viral infection in mice.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory infection in infants and children, but there is still no licensed vaccine available. In this report, we developed virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines based on the Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system, consisting of an influenza virus matrix (M1) protein and the RSV fusion protein (F) or glycoprotein (G). These RSV VLPs were identified by western blot analysis and electron microscopy.

Does the choice of definition for defibrillation and CPR success impact the predictability of ventricular fibrillation waveform analysis?

Background: Quantitative analysis of ventricular fibrillation (VF), such as amplitude spectral area (AMSA), predicts shock outcomes. However, there is no uniform definition of shock/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) success in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The objective of this study is to investigate post-shock rhythm variations and the impact of shock/CPR success definition on the predictability of AMSA.

[A retrospective study on HBsAg clearance rate after antiviral therapy in children with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B aged 1-7 years].

To investigate the HBsAg clearance rate after antiviral therapy in children with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) aged 1-7 years. A retrospective analysis was performed for the HBsAg clearance rate in 293 children who were hospitalized in 302 Hospital of PLA from June 2006 to December 2013, met the inclusion criteria, received antiviral therapy, and were followed up for at least 6 months after the withdrawal of antiviral therapy. The t-test or the rank sum test was applied according to the distribution of continuous data, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data.

A multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial comparing the efficacy and safety of TUDCA and UDCA in Chinese patients with primary biliary cholangitis.

Aim: Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is a taurine conjugated form of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) with higher hydrophility. To further evaluate the efficacy and safety of TUDCA for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), we performed this study on Chinese patients.

Methods: 199 PBC patients were randomly assigned to either 250 mg TUDCA plus UDCA placebo or 250 mg UDCA plus TUDCA placebo, 3 times per day for 24 weeks.

Screening for potential serum-based proteomic biomarkers for human type 2 diabetes mellitus using MALDI-TOF MS.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex, pandemic disease contributing towards the global burden of health issues. To date, there are no simple clinical tests for the early detection of T2DM.

Method: To identify potential peptide biomarkers for such applications, 406 sera of T2DM patients (n = 206) and healthy controls (n = 200) are analyzed by using MALDI-TOF MS with a cross-sectional case-control design.

Advanced parental age and autism risk in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Advanced parental age has raised additional concern as a risk factor of autism. We conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies investigating the association between advanced parental age and risk of autism.

Method: PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched for reports published up to November 11, 2015.

Hypothalamic Astrocytes Respond to Gastric Mucosal Damage Induced by Restraint Water-Immersion Stress in Rat.

Restraint water-immersion stress (RWIS), a compound stress model, includes both psychological and physical stimulation. Studies have shown that neurons in the hypothalamus are involved in RWIS, but the role of astrocytes and the interactions between astrocytes and neurons in RWIS are not clear. Here, we tested our hypothesis that hypothalamus astrocytes are involved in RWIS and interact with neurons to regulate gastric mucosal damage induced by RWIS.

Genetic variants in TERT are associated with risk of gastric cancer in a Chinese Han population.

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is a gene within the cancer susceptibility region located at Chr5p15.33, which is associated with multiple cancer types. In this study, we validated the association between TERT polymorphisms and gastric cancer (GC) risk with a case-control study in a Chinese Han population.

Neonatal mortality and morbidity among infants between 24 to 31 complete weeks: a multicenter survey in China from 2013 to 2014.

Background: The outcome of preterm infants has been varied in different hospitals and regions in developing countries. Regular clinical monitor are needed to know the effects of health care. This study aimed to describe the survival and morbidity rates of extreme to very preterm infants in 15 neonatal-intensive care hospitals in China.

Epidemiologic characteristics, clinical manifestations, and risk factors of 139 patients with Ebola virus disease in western Sierra Leone.

Objective: We aimed to fully describe epidemiologic characteristics, clinical manifestations, and clinical outcomes of Ebola virus disease (EVD), as well as detect independent factors significantly associated with mortality of the disease.

Methods: One hundred thirty-nine confirmed EVD patients enrolled at the JUI Holding and Treatment Centre in western Sierra Leone between November 15, 2014, and January 18, 2015, and demographic and clinical data were retrospectively collected and analyzed.

Results: The median age of investigated patients was 29 years and 55.

Lower number and decreased function of natural killer cells in hepatitis B virus related acute-on-chronic liver failure.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) refers to acute deterioration occurring in patients with chronic hepatitis B infected liver diseases. An abnormality in NK cells mediated cellular immunity is believed to be a contributing factor. We aimed to evaluate the characteristic of NK cells in the peripheral blood of HBV related ACLF.

Differentiation of essential oils in Atractylodes lancea and Atractylodes koreana by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry.

Atractylodes rhizome is a valuable traditional Chinese medicinal herb that comprises complex several species whose essential oils are the primary pharmacologically active component. Essential oils of Atractylodes lancea and Atractylodes koreana were extracted by hydrodistillation, and the yield was determined. The average yield of essential oil obtained from A.

Clinicopathological features and prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer: a comparison between younger (<60) and elderly (≥60) patients.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has attracted more attention both clinically and experimentally because of its high-risk biological characteristics and lacking of effective treatment method. The tumour characteristics, patterns of recurrence and metastasis, therapy methods and prognosis in younger TNBC patients have been widely formulated, but the relevant data of the elderly people are lacking. We conducted this retrospective study to compare and analyse the above-related characteristics between the younger and elderly patients with TNBC to estimate the relevance for the elderly TNBC patients.

Preoperative Factors Affecting Postoperative Axial Symptoms After Single-Door Cervical Laminoplasty for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: A Prospective Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND Postoperative axial symptoms (post-AS) after single-door cervical laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) are a common and severe complication that adversely affects normal daily activities. Their etiology remains unclear. It is important to know which preoperative factors are the most predictive of post-AS.

A multicenter study of blood component transfusion in patients with liver cirrhosis in China: Patient characteristics, transfusion practice, and outcomes.

Background: Cirrhosis is a complex acquired disorder of hemostasis and patients frequently receive blood transfusions. But there is very limited data on patterns of blood use at a patient level.

Aims: To characterize blood use in cirrhotic patients in China and compare with recommendations to help identify areas where quality improvement strategies can be targeted.

Association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with major adverse cardiovascular events: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Increasing evidence connects non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study is to assess whether and to what extent the excess risk of CVD is conferred by NAFLD in a meta-analysis. We systematically searched PubMed, EmBase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for reports published between 1965 and July 3, 2015.

Toll-like receptor-mediated immune responses in intestinal macrophages; implications for mucosal immunity and autoimmune diseases.

Monocytes are precursors of macrophages and key players during inflammation and pathogen challenge in the periphery, whereas intestinal resident macrophages act as innate effector cells to engulf and clear bacteria, secrete cytokines, and maintain intestinal immunity and homeostasis. However, perturbation of toll-like receptor signaling pathway in intestinal macrophages has been associated with tolerance breakdown in autoimmune diseases. In the present review, we have summarized and discussed the role of toll-like receptor signals in human intestinal macrophages, and the role of human intestinal macrophages in keeping human intestinal immunity, homeostasis, and autoimmune diseases.

Pulsed electromagnetic fields promote osteogenesis and osseointegration of porous titanium implants in bone defect repair through a Wnt/β-catenin signaling-associated mechanism.

Treatment of osseous defects remains a formidable clinical challenge. Porous titanium alloys (pTi) have been emerging as ideal endosseous implants due to the excellent biocompatibility and structural properties, whereas inadequate osseointegration poses risks for unreliable long-term implant stability. Substantial evidence indicates that pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF), as a safe noninvasive method, inhibit osteopenia/osteoporosis experimentally and clinically.

Comparison of drain versus no-drain thyroidectomy: a meta-analysis.

Despite minimal evidence, thyroid drains are routinely used as a precaution against hematoma in thyroidectomy. We undertook the present meta-analysis to evaluate the patient outcomes associated with post-surgical drainage, and whether it offers any advantage over no drainage in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Randomized and two-arm studies comparing the efficacy of total or partial thyroidectomy with or without post-surgery drainage, in patients undergoing thyroid surgery were included.