Oncological features and prognosis of colorectal cancer in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Due to the prolonged life expectancy and increased risk of colorectal cancer(CRC)among patients with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)infection,the prognosis and pathological features of CRC in HIV-positive patients require examination.AIM To compare the differences in oncological features,surgical safety,and prognosis between patients with and without HIV infection who have CRC at the same tumor stage and site.METHODS In this retrospective study,we collected data from HIV-positive and-negative patients who underwent radical resection for CRC.Using random stratified sampling,24 HIV-positive and 363 HIV-negative patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma after radical resection were selected.Using propensity score matching,we selected 72 patients,matched 1:2(HIV-positive:negative=24:48).Differences in basic characteristics,HIV acquisition,perioperative serological indicators,surgical safety,oncological features,and long-term prognosis were compared between the two groups.RESULTS Fewer patients with HIV infection underwent chemotherapy compared to patients without.HIV-positive patients had fewer preoperative and postoperative leukocytes,fewer preoperative lymphocytes,lower carcinoembryonic antigen levels,more intraoperative blood loss,more metastatic lymph nodes,higher node stage,higher tumor node metastasis stage,shorter overall survival,and shorter progression-free survival compared to patients who were HIV-negative.CONCLUSION Compared with CRC patients who are HIV-negative,patients with HIV infection have more metastatic lymph nodes and worse long-term survival after surgery.Standard treatment options for HIV-positive patients with CRC should be explored.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy for Critically Ill Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients in Wuhan,China:A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study

Currently,little in-depth evidence is known about the application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)therapy in coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients.This retrospective multicenter cohort study included patients with COVID-19 at 7 designated hospitals in Wuhan,China.The patients were followed up until June 30,2020.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors associated with unsuccessful ECMO weaning.Propensity score matching was used to match patients who received veno-venous ECMO with those who received invasive mechanical ventilation(IMV)-only therapy.Of 88 patients receiving ECMO therapy,27 and 61 patients were and were not successfully weaned from ECMO,respectively.Additionally,15,15,and 65 patients were further weaned from IMV,discharged from hospital,or died during hospitalization,respectively.In the multivariate logistic regression analysis,a lymphocyte count≤0.5×10^(9)/L and D-dimer concentration>4×the upper limit of normal level at ICU admission,a peak PaCO_(2)>60 mmHg at 24 h before ECMO initiation,and no tracheotomy performed during the ICU stay were independently associated with lower odds of ECMO weaning.In the propensity scorematched analysis,a mixed-effect Cox model detected a lower hazard ratio for 120-day all-cause mortality after ICU admission during hospitalization in the ECMO group.The presence of lymphocytopenia,higher D-dimer concentrations at ICU admission and hypercapnia before ECMO initiation could help to identify patients with a poor prognosis.Tracheotomy could facilitate weaning from ECMO.ECMO relative to IMV-only therapy was associated with improved outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Optimal Timing of Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation in Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome-Associated Toxoplasmic Encephalitis:A Prospective Observational Multicenter Study in China

Background:Toxoplasmic encephalitis(TE)is the most frequent cause of expansive brain lesions among patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS).However,the optimal timing of antiretroviral therapy(ART)initiation in these patients remains controversial.This study aims to investigate the differences in outcomes of ART initiation at different times,in order to help clarify the treatment timing of AIDS-associated TE.Methods:This multicenter prospective observational study included 87 patients recruited from 11 research centers in China(from March 2019 to December 2022).Of the patients,38 were assigned to the early ART group(initiating ART within 2 weeks after anti-Toxoplasma treatment initiation),and the remaining 49 patients received deferred ART(initiating ART at least 2 weeks after anti-Toxoplasma treatment initiation).The main outcomes includedmortality and emergence of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome(IRIS).Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-1 viral load and CD4^(+)T-cell counts at weeks 24 and 48 were observed.Results:The number of deaths(1 vs.5,P=0.225)and incidence of IRIS(2.6%vs.0,P=0.437)were not significantly different between the early and deferred ART groups at week 48.Early ART initiation did not contribute significantly to HIV-1 viral load control(<50 copies/mL,n=8 vs.n=3 at week 24,P=0.142;n=7 vs.n=7 atweek 48,P=1.000).The median CD4^(+)T-cell counts between the two groups were not significantly different,either at week 24(155 vs.91 cells/mm^(3),P=0.837)or atweek 48(181 vs.146 cells/mm^(3),P=0.219).Conclusion:In patients with AIDS-associated TE,early ART initiation was not significantly different from deferred ART initiation in terms of incidence of mortality,IRIS,and HIV virological and immunological outcomes.Trial registration:This study was registered(registration number:ChiCTR1900021195)as one of 12 clinical trials under the title of a general project at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(chictr.gov)on February 1,2019.Enrollment for this study began inMarch 2019.

Fecal Nucleic Acid Test as a Complementary Standard for Cured COVID-19 Patients

To date,no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment is yet available for COVID-19.The most effective control measures for the disease mainly depend on early diagnosis,strict patient quarantine,and close contact monitoring[1].Thus,reliable and accurate diagnostic methods play a critical role in global disease control and prevention.Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)assays are widely used for the laboratory diagnosis of virus-borne diseases.

Endoscopic ultrasonography diagnosis of gastric glomus tumors

BACKGROUND A gastric glomus tumor is relatively rare,and there is little knowledge on its endoscopic ultrasound findings.AIM To assess the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)in the diagnosis of gastric glomus tumor and to discuss its value by reviewing the literature.METHODS A retrospective analysis of the EUS characteristics of gastric glomus tumor(such as tumor location,shape,size,echogenicity,homogeneity,margins,layer of origin,and so on)was performed.The study included 12 cases of gastric glomus tumor confirmed by surgery and pathology(7 females and 5 males,age range 36-74 years,average age was 58.2 years).RESULTS All the lesions were located in the gastric antrum(12 cases),protruding into the cavity,with a diameter between 1 and 3.5 cm.Glomus tumor of the stomach manifested as a circumscribed and slightly hypoechoic mass in the fourth layer,with an internal heterogeneous echo mixed with hyperechogenic spots and a marginal more hypoechoic halo.Smooth muscle actin,h-caldesmon and vimentin were shown to be positive by immunohistochemistry.CONCLUSION Although glomus tumor of the stomach is relatively rare,a typical glomus tumor of the stomach has characteristic changes under EUS.

Research Progress of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of AIDS

Objective:To review the research progress of using Chinese medicine ginseng to prevent and treat AIDS in China.Methods:Based on the method of TCM syndrome differentiation,Chinese medical researchers divided AIDS into four types:heat toxin stagnation type,Qi and blood deficiency type,stasis and internal resistance type,and Qi and Yin injury type.Results:The therapeutic effects of the compound preparation of traditional Chinese medicine were significant,such as Aikang capsule,Tangcao tablet,Wuweilingqi capsule,Aining granule,compound Sanhuang powder,etc.Astragalus,licorice,honeysuckle,Scutellaria,bupleurum,Salvia miltiorrhiza,Viola,Hedyotis diffusa and other 8 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine have been proved to have anti HIV effect.Conclusion:Among the 27 kinds of Chinese medicine ginseng,Andrographis paniculata,Viola,Arnebia,Arctium lappa,Sophora flavescens,honeysuckle,Guanzhong,Prunella,Coptis,Wolfberry,Wedelia and epimedium have been proved to have the effect of preventing HIV replication.

Effectiveness of adjunctive corticosteroid therapy in patients with severe COVID-19:A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND The effectiveness of adjunctive corticosteroid use in patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)remains inconclusive.AIM To investigate the effectiveness of adjunctive corticosteroid therapy in patients with severe COVID-19.METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of the difference in several outcomes between patients with severe COVID-19 who received corticosteroid therapy(the corticosteroid group)and patients with severe COVID-19 who did not receive corticosteroid therapy(the non-corticosteroid group).RESULTS Seventy-five patients were included in this study.Of these,47 patients were in the corticosteroid group and 28 patients were in the non-corticosteroid group.There were no differences between the two groups in the total length of hospital stay,the length of intensive care unit stay,high-flow oxygen days,non-invasive ventilator days,invasive ventilation days,and mortality rate.Total lesion volume ratio,consolidation volume ratio and ground-glass opacity volume ratio in the corticosteroid group decreased significantly on day 14,while those in the noncorticosteroid group did not show a significant decrease.CONCLUSION Our results show that adjunctive corticosteroid use did not significantly improveclinical outcomes in severe COVID-19 patients,but might promote the absorptionof pulmonary lesions.Larger multicenter randomized controlled studies may beneeded to confirm this.

Effects of quadruple antituberculous drugs in combination with linezolid and moxifloxacin on CSF cytology, NSE, NGF and its receptors in patients with refractory tuberculous meningitis

Objective: To investigate the effects of linezolid and moxifloxacin combined with quadruple antituberculosis drugs on CSF cytology, NSE (neuronal specific enolase), NGF(nerve growth facor) and its receptors, endothelin and its receptors and CRP (C reaction protein) in patients with refractory tuberculous meningitis. Method: A total of 56 patients were selected with tuberculous meningitis in our hospital from February 2014 to December 2017,randomly divided them into 2 groups, each group was 28 cases, set as the observation group and the control group, both groups were treated with quadruple antituberculosis drugs, the observation group was given ilinezolid on this basis, and the control group was combined with moxifloxacin, The course of treatment was 4 weeks, compared the levels of CSF cytology, NSE, NGF and NGF receptors, endothelin and endothelin receptors, and CRP after treatment in the two groups. Result:The CSF cytology, NSE, NGF and NGF receptors, endothelin and endothelin receptor, and CRP levels remained unchanged before treatment, the difference was not statistically significant. After treatment, the chloride and glucose levels in the observation group were higher than those before treatment and that of the control group, the protein, white blood cell count, and cerebrospinal fluid pressure levels were lower than before treatment and that of the control group, the difference was statistically significant;The NSE level in the observation group after treatment was lower than before treatment and that of the control group, the difference was statistically significant;After treatment, the levels of NGF and its receptors in the observation group were higher than those before treatment and that of the control group, and the levels of endothelin, and its receptor, CRP were lower than those before treatment and that of the control group, the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion:The use of linezolid in combination with quadruple antituberculosis drugs to treat refractory tuberculous meningitis has better clinical effect, effectively improve cerebrospinal fluid cytology, regulate cerebrospinal fluid NSE levels, restore NGF, endothelin and its receptor function, reduce inflammatory response, recommended for clinical promotion and application.

Therapeutic Effect of Oral Administration and External Therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Cervical Tuberculous Lymphadenopathy

Objective:To analyze the clinical effect and value of oral administration and external therapy of traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of cervical tuberculous lymphadenopathy.Methods:A total of 56 patients with cervical tuberculous lymphadenopathy admitted to our hospital from January 1 to January 2018 were recruited.By using double-blind method,the patients were divided into control group(n=28)and experimental group(n=28).Control group comprised of patients with conventional anti-tuberculosis treatment,while the experimental group comprised of patients treated with oral administration and external therapy of traditional Chinese medicine.Total effective rate,incidence of complication and level of T lymphocyte subsets were compared between the two groups of cervical tuberculous lymphadenopathy patients.Results:Post-treatment data of total effective rate,complication rate,CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,CD4+/CD8+of the experimental group were compared with the control group.P<0.05;statistical analysis showed statistical significance.Post-treatment data of CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,CD4+/CD8+of both control and experimental groups were compared with pre-treatment data.P<0.05;statistical analysis showed statistical significance.Conclusion:Oral administration and external therapy of traditional Chinese medicine possesses significant effect in treatment of cervical tuberculous lymphadenopathy.

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on human fertility:A scientometric and visualized evaluation

CovID-19,also known as coronavirus disease 2019,is a novel coronavirus disease with high infectivity,strong heterogeneity,and long incubation period(generally 3-14 days).Its main symptoms and signs include fever,dry cough,nasal congestion,fatigue,disorientation,lymphopenia,and dyspnea.The short-term and long-term impacts of covID-19 on human health,particularly its effects on human reproduction and offspring development,continue to receive significant concerns,as they may lead to potential sequelae for several decades or even centuries.

Metformin may be a viable adjunctive therapeutic option to potentially enhance immune reconstitution in HIV-positive immunological non-responders

Incomplete immune reconstitution remains a global challenge for human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)treatment in the present era of potent antiretroviral therapy(ART),especially for those individuals referred to as immunological non-responders(INRs),who exhibit dramatically low CD4^(+)T-cell counts despite the use of effective antiretroviral therapy,with long-term inhibition of viral replication.In this review,we provide a critical overview of the concept of ART-treated HIV-positive immunological non-response,and also explain the known mechanisms which could potentially account for the emergence of immunological non-response in some HIV-infected individuals treated with appropriate and effective ART.We found that immune cell exhaustion,combined with chronic inflammation and the HIV-associated dysbiosis syndrome,may represent strategic aspects of the immune response that may be fundamental to incomplete immune recovery.Interestingly,we noted from the literature that metformin exhibits properties and characteristics that may potentially be useful to specifically target immune cell exhaustion,chronic inflammation,and HIV-associated gut dysbiosis syndrome,mechanisms which are now recognized for their critically important complicity in HIV disease-related incomplete immune recovery.In light of evidence discussed in this review,it can be seen that metformin may be of particularly favorable use if utilized as adjunctive treatment in INRs to potentially enhance immune reconstitution.The approach described herein may represent a promising area of therapeutic intervention,aiding in significantly reducing the risk of HIV disease progression and mortality in a particularly vulnerable subgroup of HIV-positive individuals.

Consistent efficacy of B/F/TAF in treatment-naïve HIV patients across different baseline HIV-1 RNA levels at week 48

To the Editor:Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of bictegravir(B),emtricitabine(F),and tenofovir alafenamide(TAF)in achieving virological suppression in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-infected patients.Virological suppression can be influenced by various factors,with baseline HIV-1 RNA being a critical consideration.Guidelines often use a baseline HIV RNA level of>500,000 copies/mL as the primary reference indicator for drug selection.[1]However,previous studies on the effectiveness of B/F/TAF have not specifically analyzed patients with baseline HIV RNA>500,000 copies/mL.In Chongqing,China,where the prevalence of advanced HIV among hospitalized patients living with HIV exceeds 70%,[2]up to 25%of patients have baseline HIV-1 RNA>500,000 copies/mL in our study,and many patients have opportunistic infections.In such a complex medical setting,the virological suppression rates of patients using B/F/TAF remain uncertain.

An iASPP-derived short peptide restores p53-mediated cell death in cancers with wild-type p53

Background:Inhibitor of apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53(iASPP)is an evolutionarily conserved p53 inhibitor.Mechanistically,iASPP can accelerate tumorigenesis by inhibiting the transactivation function of p53.Targeting the interaction between iASPP and p53 may be a potential therapy for restoring the activity of p53 in tumors.Methods:We constructed an iASPP-derived peptide,called A8,that was derived from the C-terminus of iASPP.Here,we transfected A8 into two wildtype(WT)p53 cell lines,U2OS and A549,and then determined the number of apoptotic cells.The mechanism by which A8 affected apoptosis was further examined by immunoprecipitation(IP),Dual-Luciferase reporter assays,and chromatin IP assays.Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blots were also used to examine the expression levels of apoptosis-related factors.Results:Our data demonstrate that A8 can increase apoptosis rates in WT p53 cell lines.Functional analysis suggested that A8 restored the transcriptional function and DNA binding activities of p53 toward the Bax and PUMA gene promoters.Moreover,A8 reduced cell proliferation and inhibited tumor growth in xenograft nude mice.Conclusions:These data provide a new approach for restoring the tumor suppressor function of p53 in cancer cells that express WT p53 and therefore may serve as a novel cancer treatment strategy.

Prevalence and risk factors for minimal hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients with different etiologies

Aims:Minimal hepatic encephalopathy(MHE)significantly affects the prognosis of patients with cirrhosis.This study was performed to determine whether there is a difference in the prevalence of MHE among patients with cirrhosis of different etiologies and whether the etiology directly influences the occurrence of MHE.Methods:This multicenter,cross-sectional study enrolled 1879 patients with confirmed cirrhosis at 40 hospitals from October 25,2021,to January 10,2023(Trial registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/[NCT05140837]).The patients'demographics,etiologies of cirrhosis,and laboratory test results were collected.The psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score(PHES)was determined in all patients to screen for MHE.Multivariate logistic analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for MHE.Results:In total,736 patients with cirrhosis were analyzed.The prevalence of MHE was 42.0%(n=309).The primary etiology among all patients was hepatitis B virus(HBV)-related cirrhosis(71.9%[529/736]).The prevalence of MHE was significantly higher in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis(57.1%[40/70])than in those with HBV-related cirrhosis(40.6%[215/529],p=0.009)or hepatitis C virus(HCV)-related cirrhosis(38.2%[26/68],p=0.026).Age(odds ratio[OR],1.042;95%confidence interval[CI],1.024-1.059;p<0.001),duration of education(OR,0.935;95%CI,0.899-0.971;p=0.001),etiology(OR,1.740;95%CI,1.028-2.945;p=0.039),and high MELD-Na scores(OR,1.038;95%CI,1.009-1.067;p=0.009)were independent risk factors for MHE.When patients with cirrhosis of different etiologies were analyzed separately,the results showed that age(OR,1.035;95%CI,1.014-1.057;p=0.001)and duration of education(OR,0.924;95%CI,0.883-0.966;p=0.001)were risk factors for MHE among patients with HBV-related cirrhosis,whereas age(OR,1.138;95%CI,1.033-1.254;p=0.009)and creatinine concentration(OR,16.487;95%CI,1.113-244.160;p=0.042)were risk factors for MHE in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis.No risk factors for MHE were found in patients with autoimmune cirrhosis.For patients with alcoholic cirrhosis,the platelet count(OR,1.014;95%CI,1.000-1.027;p=0.045)was a risk factor for MHE.The PHES subtest results were inconsistent among patients who had MHE with cirrhosis of different etiologies.Patients with HBV-related cirrhosis performed better on Number Connection Test B and the serial dotting test than those with alcoholic cirrhosis(p=0.007 and p<0.001),better on Number Connection Test B than those with HCV-related cirrhosis(p=0.020),and better on the line tracing test than those with autoimmune cirrhosis(p=0.037).Conclusion:The etiology of cirrhosis affected the prevalence of MHE and risk factors for MHE.The domains of major cognitive impairment varied among patients with cirrhosis of different etiologies.Further studies are required to verify these findings.

Effectiveness of glucocorticoid therapy in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019:protocol of a randomized controlled trial

Background:At the end of 2019,a novel coronavirus outbreak causative organism has been subsequently designated the 2019 novel coronavirus(2019-nCoV).The effectiveness of adjunctive glucocorticoid therapy in the management of 2019-nCoV-infected patients with severe lower respiratory tract infections is not clear,and warrants further investigation.Methods:The present study will be conducted as an open-labeled,randomized,controlled trial.We will enrol 48 subjects from Chongqing Public Health Medical Center.Each eligible subject will be assigned to an intervention group(methylprednisolone via intravenous injection at a dose of 1-2 mg/kg/day for 3 days)or a control group(no glucocorticoid use)randomly,at a 1:1 ratio.Subjects in both groups will be invited for 28 days of follow-up which will be scheduled at four consecutive visit points.We will use the clinical improvement rate as our primary endpoint.Secondary endpoints include the timing of clinical improvement after intervention,duration of mechanical ventilation,duration of hospitalization,overall incidence of adverse events,as well as rate of adverse events at each visit,and mortality at 2 and 4 weeks.Discussion:The present coronavirus outbreak is the third serious global coronavirus outbreak in the past two decades.Oral and parenteral glucocorticoids have been used in the management of severe respiratory symptoms in coronavirus-infected patients in the past.However,there remains no definitive evidence in the literature for or against the utilization of systemic glucocorticoids in seriously ill patients with coronavirus-related severe respiratory disease,or indeed in other types of severe respiratory disease.In this study,we hope to discover evidence either supporting or opposing the systemic therapeutic administration of glucocorticoids in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019.

Establishment and evaluation of an overlap extension polymerase chain reaction technique for rapid and efficient detection of drug-resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Background:Rapid and accurate detection of drug resistance inMycobacterium tuberculosis is critical for effective control of tuberculosis(TB).Herein,we established a novel,low cost strategy having high accuracy and speed for the detection ofM.tuberculosis drug resistance,using gene splicing by overlap extension PCR(SOE PCR).Methods:The SOE PCR assay and Sanger sequencing are designed and constructed to detect mutations of rpoB,embB,katG,andinhA promoter,which have been considered as the major contributors to rifampicin(RFP),isoniazid(INH),and ethambutol(EMB)resistance inM.tuberculosis.One hundred and eightM.tuberculosis isolates came from mycobacterial cultures of TB cases at Chongqing Public Health Medical Center in China from December 2018 to April 2019,of which 56 isolates were tested with the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay.Performance evaluation of the SOE PCR technique was compared with traditional mycobacterial culture and drug susceptibility testing(DST)or GeneXpert MTB/RIF among these isolates.Kappa identity test was used to analyze the consistency of the different diagnostic methods.Results:We found that the mutations of S531L,S315T and M306V were most prevalent for RFP,INH and EMB resistance,respectively,in the 108 M.tuberculosis isolates.Compared with phenotypic DST,the sensitivity and specificity of the SOE PCR assay for resistance detection were 100.00% and 88.00% for RFP,94.64% and 94.23% for INH,and 68.97% and 79.75% for EMB,respectively.Compared with the GeneXpert MTB/RIF,the SOE PCR method was completely consistent with results of the GeneXpert MTB/RIF,with a concordance of 100% for resistance to RFP.Conclusions:In present study,a novel SOE PCR diagnostic method was successfully developed for the accurate detection ofM.tuberculosis drug resistance.Our results using this method have a high consistency with that of traditional phenotypic DST or GeneXpert MTB/RIF,and SOE PCR testing in clinical isolates can also be conducted rapidly and simultaneously for detection of drug resistance to RFP,EMB,and INH.

Changes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) burden globally and in China over three decades: a secondary analysis of global HIV statistics

Background: A more comprehensive understanding of the trends of incidence, prevalence, and mortality in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and their complex interrelationships, may provide important evidence for decision-making related to HIV prevention and control. The variances in these indices between different population groups, genders, and ages are critical to decipher evolving patterns of the HIV epidemic in specific populations.Methods: A secondary analysis of relevant data was conducted using data extracted from the Global Burden of Disease study of 2019. HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) incidence, prevalence, AIDS-related mortality, and mortality-to-prevalence ratio (MPR) for annual percentage change, average annual percentage change (AAPC), and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using joinpoint regression statistical analysis.Results: The AAPC of HIV/AIDS incidence, prevalence, AIDS-related mortality rate, and MPR were -1.4 (95% CI: -1.6, -1.2), 4.1 (95% CI: 4.0, 4.3), 2.0 (95% CI: 1.7, 2.3), and -2.1 (95% CI: -2.3, -1.8) between 1990 and 2019 globally, and were 3.5 (95% CI: 2.2, 4.8), 6.9 (95% CI: 6.8, 7.0), 8.1 (95% CI: 7.1, 9.1), and 1.2 (95% CI: 0.1, 2.3) in China during the same period. In terms of differences in the preceding indicators by gender, we observed a similar pattern of trends for male and female genders both globally and in China during the entire study period. Each specific age group exhibits a distinct pattern in terms of incidence, prevalence, mortality rate, and MPR both globally and in China.Conclusions: Prevalence and mortality rates of HIV/AIDS have increased between 1990 and 2019 globally and in China. While the incidence rate and MPR have declined globally over the past three decades, these two indicators are observed to present an increasing trend in China. There is a high HIV burden among young and middle-aged adults globally;however, the elderly have a high HIV burden in China. HIV screening at older age should be scaled up, and patients with advanced HIV disease should be provided early with additional care and health resources.

Human monoclonal antibodies block the binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor

According to the World Health Organization(WHO)newly updated situation report on March 18th,2020,the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has confirmed 191,127 cases and claimed 7807 deaths worldwide.1 The etiological agent of COVID-19 has been identified as a novel coronavirus,the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),belonging to Sarbecovirus subgenus(genus Betacoronavirus,family Coronaviridae)and showing 79.6 and 96.2%sequence identity in nucleotide to SARS-CoV and a bat coronavirus(BatCoV RaTG13),respectively.2–4 Like SARS-CoV infection,a substantial fraction of COVID-19 patients exhibits severe respiratory symptoms and has to be hospitalized in intensive care unit.5–8 Although the mortality rate of COVID-19 is significantly lower than that of SARS-CoV infection,SARS-CoV-2 shows much higher human-to-human transmission rate,rapidly leading to a global pandemic declared by WHO on March 11th,2020.

Asymptomatic cryptococcal antigenemia in HIV-infected patients:a review of recent studies

The prevalence of asymptomatic cryptococcal antigenemia(ACA)in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)infected individuals has been observed to be elevated.The prevalence of ACA ranges from 1.3%to 13%,with different rates of prevalence in various regions of the world.We reviewed studies conducted internationally,and also referred to two established expert consensus guideline documents published in China,and we have concluded that Chinese HIV-infected patients should undergo cryptococcal antigen screening when CD4+T-cell counts fall below 200 cells/μL and that the recommended treatment regimen for these patients follow current World Health Organization guidelines,although it is likely that this recommendation may change in the future.Early screening and optimized preemptive treatment for ACA is likely to help decrease the incidence of cryptococcosis,and is lifesaving.Further studies are warranted to explore issues related to the optimal management of ACA.

Potential therapeutic options for coronavirus disease 2019:using knowledge of past outbreaks to guide future treatment

In December 2019,initial cases of the novel coronavirus(2019-nCoV)infection,termed coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),were first reported in Wuhan,China.[1]In humans,infections with the human coronavirus 229E,OC43,NL63,and HKU1 usually result in mild,selflimiting upper respiratory tract infections.However,other variants have rapid transmission rates and can cause severe respiratory syndrome and death.These variants include severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus(SARSCoV),Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus(MERS-CoV),and the current 2019-nCoV.