HIV care continuum among newly diagnosed student and non-student youths between 2012 and 2016 in Hangzhou, China.

BACKGROUND: Youths are disproportionally affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We aimed to assess anti-retroviral therapy (ART) initiation and viral suppression rates among student and non-student youths in Hangzhou, China. METHODS: Data were taken from the Chinese HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome Comprehensive Response Information Management System. Youths aged 15 to 24 years who were newly diagnosed with HIV between 2012 and 2016 and were living in Hangzhou were included in the study. Comparisons between student and non-student youths were made for ART initiation within 30 days, 90 days, and 12 months of HIV diagnosis, and the viral suppression rate at 12 months of HIV diagnosis and at 12 months of ART initiation. RESULTS: A total of 707 cases met inclusion criteria, 29.6% of which were students and 70.4% were non-student youths. The student group had a higher proportion of ART initiation compared with the non-student group within 30 days of diagnosis (45.5% vs. 37.0%, P = 0.044), and a slightly higher but not statistically significant proportion at 90 days (67.0% vs. 62.7%), and 12 months (83.7% vs. 78.5%) of HIV diagnosis. ART initiation within 30 days improved from <15% in 2012 to over 65% in 2016 in both groups, and ART initiation within 90 days improved from <30% in 2012 to >90% in 2016. A smaller proportion of students experienced viral suppression compared with the non-student group (9.6% vs. 17.1%, P = 0.011) at 12 months after HIV diagnosis, but the suppression rate was similar at 12 months of ART initiation (69.9% vs. 71.1%, P = 0.743). CONCLUSIONS: ART initiation in both student and non-student youths has significantly improved between 2012 and 2016. However, the viral suppression rate remained unacceptably low at 12 months of HIV diagnosis in both student and non-student groups. Specific intervention strategies must be taken to address this challenge.

Attenuation of Porphyromonas gingivalis oral infection by α-amylase and pentamidine.

The Porphyromonas gingivalis bacterium is one of the most influential pathogens in oral infections. In the current study, the antimicrobial activity of α-amylase and pentamidine against Porphyromonas gingivalis was evaluated. Their in vitro inhibitory activity was investigated with the agar overlay technique, and the minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations were determined. Using the bactericidal concentration, the antimicrobial actions of the inhibitors were investigated. In the present study, multiple techniques were utilized, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), general structural analysis and differential gene expression analysis. The results obtained from SEM and bactericidal analysis indicated a notable observation; the pentamidine and α-amylase treatment destroyed the structure of the bacterial cell membranes, which led to cell death. These results were used to further explore these inhibitors and the mechanisms by which they act. Downregulated expression levels were observed for a number of genes coding for hemagglutinins and gingipains, and various genes involved in hemin uptake, chromosome replication and energy production. However, the expression levels of genes associated with iron storage and oxidative stress were upregulated by α-amylase and pentamidine. A greater effect was noted in response to pentamidine treatment. The results of the present study demonstrate promising therapeutic potential for α-amylases and pentamidine. These molecules have the potential to be used to develop novel drugs and broaden the availability of pharmacological tools for the attenuation of oral infections caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis.

[The effects of recombinant porcine amelogenin on human gingival epithelial cells].

PURPOSE: To investigate the potential effect of recombinant 25kDa porcine amelogenin (rPAm) on attachment, proliferation and migration of primarily cultured human gingival epithelial cells (HGEC). METHODS: The second passage of HGECs were exposed to different concentrations of rPAm (0, 5, 10, 20µg/mL, respectively). Proliferation and attachment activities was measured by using cell counting method. Cellular migration was assayed by using an in vitro wound healing model. The data was quantified by the analysis of GraphPad Prism software. RESULTS: rPAm inhibited HGEC attachment in the adhesion assay, the effect was depended on time and rPAm dose. rPAm suppressed the growth rate of HGEC, that was also dose and time dependent. rPAm inhibited the migration ability of HGEC, the concentration of 20µg/mL group had the most significant effect. CONCLUSIONS: rPAm significantly inhibit the growth rate, cell adhesion and migration of HGEC, and the effect was dose- and time- dependent.

[Influence of cobalt chloride-induced hypoxia on the proliferation and apoptosis of periodontal ligament cells].

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of hypoxia on proliferation and expression of HIF-1alpha and Caspase-3 in human periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs). METHODS: Human PDLCs were exposed to cobalt chloride in order to mimic hypoxia. Cell viability of PDLCs was determined by MTT methods. Expression of HIF-1alpha and Caspase-3 was measured by real time PCR and Western blot. The data was statistically analyzed with SAS6.12 software package for one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Cell viability of PDLCs significantly decreased when exposed to hypoxia in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Hypoxia induced the expression of HIF-1alpha,up-regulated the expression of Caspase-3. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoxia inhibits cell proliferation, which involves the expression of HIF-1alpha and Caspase-3, resulting in the production of the apoptosis. The results suggest that hypoxia may play a role in the induction and progression of chronic periodontitis. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.30801292), Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline (Grant No.S30206) and Research Fund for Excellent Young Teachers of Shanghai Municipal College and University (Grant No.JDY07059).

[Amelogenin expression in cultured human dental pulp and periodontium related cells].

PURPOSE: To investigate gene expression of amelogenin (Am) in human gingival epithelial cells(HGEC) and also other oral ectomesenchyme cells (human gingival fibroblasts, human periodontal ligament fibroblasts and human pulp cells). METHODS: The amelogenin mRNA expression patterns were determined by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR),and the protein expression was studied with Western blotting. RESULTS: There was no amelogenin expression detected in any of the cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that amelogenin expression could not be detected in cultured human periodontium-related cells. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.30672315) and Research Fund of Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(Grant No.08DZ2271100).