Investigation on the risk factors for HIV infection among elderly male clients of the commercial female sex-workers in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, in 2012 / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To monitor the current HIV prevalence, related risk behaviors and factors for HIV infection among the elderly male clients of the commercial female sex-workers (CFSW)in Guangxi.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Face to face interview on male clients aged ≥40 years old was carried out in April to July, 2012. Information on demography, awareness of HIV prevention, related risk behaviors, history on HIV testing etc. were collected, with 3-5 ml full blood collected for testing on HIV. Data was analyzed by SPSS 18.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>4260 clients were surveyed at 14 surveillance sites in which 82.1% had received secondary or lower education, 72.0% experienced commercial sex in places with low-class sex trade. HIV awareness rate of clients was 74.2% in which the rate of clients who were HIV positive was 65.8%. Among all the clients, 73 were detected as HIV positive, with the HIV positive rate as 1.40% . Samples from voluntary counseling and testing sites showed higher risk to HIV infection than from other sources (OR = 23.672, 95%CI:4.984-112.434). Samples from middle class population showed lower risk to HIV infection than those at low class (OR = 0.410, 95%CI:0.190-0.885). Among those who were syphilis negative (OR = 0.255, 95%CI: 0.132-0.491) or hepatitis C virus (HCV)negative (OR = 0.154, 95% CI:0.059-0.401), the risk of getting HIV infected seemed to be low. Rate on condom use was low for clients among all of the sex-related behaviors regardless of the marriage status. In those lower-class sex trade places, lower rate on the condom use was seen. Rate for previous HIV testing for clients was only 4.6% . Among 41 clients who had received CD4 testing, 80.5% of them showed CD4 under 350 cell/µl, 61.0% were under 200 cell/µl.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The HIV positive rate for elderly male clients of the CFSWs was high in Guangxi. Unprotective sexual contact with low class sex workers was the most important risk factor for HIV infection.</p>

Neuritin is expressed in Schwann cells and down-regulated in apoptotic Schwann cells under hyperglycemia.

We aimed to explore neuritin expression in Schwann cells under different glucose conditions. Expression of neuritin at the levels of transcription and translation in purified Schwann cells was detected and measured using reverse transcriptase (RT) (quantitative) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot. Apoptosis of Schwann cells was measured by flow cytometry using Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS) analysis and caspase fluorometric assay. Neuritin mRNA and protein were detected in cultured primary Schwann cells. Neuritin was identified as cell membrane form of protein and predominately as secreted or solube form of protein. Neuritin was significantly lower in 150 mM glucose condition, and more significantly lower in 300 mM glucose, than 5.6 mM glucose condition at 36 hours and especially at 48 hours of the culture, respectively (P < 0.05-0.01). In contrast to 5.6 mM glucose, obvious apoptosis of Schwann cells was demonstrated at 42 hours in 300 mM glucose condition and at 48 hours in 150 mM glucose, respectively (P < 0.05-0.01). Neuritin and apoptosis were correlated in a power regression (P < 0.01). 5.6 mM glucose cultured cells did not show these obvious changes during the experiment. It is concluded that neuritin mRNA and protein were expressed and down-regulated in Schwann cells under high-glucose concentration and the down-regulation may contribute to apopotosis of Schwann cells.

Overview of human clonorchiasis sinensis in China.

The objective of the survey was to determine the current status, trends and transmission factors for Clonorchis sinensis infection in China and to provide updated information for development control strategies. This was part of a nationwide survey of major human parasitic diseases carried out during 2000-2002 sampled by the stratified randomized cluster sampling method. Fecal examination was conducted using the Kato-Katz thick smear method and egg count per gram of feces (EPG) was determined for the egg-positive patients. A questionnaire and a case-control study were applied to analyze the transmission factors for C. sinensis infection. The overall prevalence rate of C. sinensis infection was 0.58% in 356,629 residents from 688 sampled pilot sites in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities (PAM) of China. The infection rates of C. sinensis in Guangdong, Jilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Anhui and Heilongjiang were higher than the other PAM, they were 5.35, 4.77, 3.71, 0.67 and 0.48%, respectively. In Guangxi, moderate and heavy infections were found in 29.14% and 11.52%, respectively, of the total infected. Heavy infections were not found in any of the other provinces except for 2 heavily infected cases in Heilongjiang. The prevalence rate increased with age for residents aged < 35 years and remained at high levels in those aged 25-60 years. The infection rate in males was 1.64 times that of females. The C. sinensis egg positivity rates in fishermen, businessmen, physicians and teachers were higher than others. Among the 38 ethnic groups, the prevalences in the Han (3.20%) and the Zhuang (3.15%) were the highest; no cases were found among the Zang, Miao, Man and other 29 ethnic groups. Significant differences in prevalences were also found among counties of different economic levels. C. sinensis infection is prevalent in hilly and plains regions of northeast and southcentral China, representing two highly endemic areas in the North and the South. An increasing trend in prevalence was seen in endemic areas. The infection was mainly detected in young and middle aged males. A higher prevalence was observed in those with a better education and a higher income. Consumption of raw (or under-cooked) fresh water fish or shrimp were the main risk factors responsible for transmission of the parasite.