Technology Development Through Pooling ARV Drug Patents: A Vision from China

Unaffordable prices still bar the end-users in China from accessing ARV drugs. Patent protection of ARV drugs has dramatically limited the availability of these lifesaving drugs to AIDS patients in China

Prevalence and clinical management of cytomegalovirus retinitis in AIDS patients in shanghai, china

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cytomegalovirus retinitis is a common AIDS-associated illness, leading to blindness in up to 30% of patients. This study was to investigate the prevalence and clinical management of the cytomegalovirus retinitis associated with AIDS in a large municipality of China.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Clinical and laboratory data from 23 cytomegalovirus retinitis patients (35 eyes) out of 303 hospitalized AIDS individuals in a single medical center were analyzed retrospectively. Two of 23 patients were diagnosed cytomegalovirus retinitis just before hospitalization without anti-CMV therapy. Ganciclovir combined with the high active anti-retroviral therapy was installed for treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis after diagnosis was confirmed. The data were analyzed by specialists and statistics was also applied.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of cytomegalovirus retinitis in hospitalized AIDS patients was 7.6% in this study. The level of CD₄⁺T lymphocytes was correlated well with the occurrence of cytomegalovirus retinitis, showing 16.8% (19/113) (95% confidence interval: 10.4,25.0), 5.4% (3/56) (95% confidence interval: 1.1,14.9), and 1.4% (1/69) (95% confidence interval: 0.0,7.8) occurrence in the patients with CD₄⁺T lymphocyte counts < 50, 50~99, and 100~199 cells/μl, respectively. The mean CD₄⁺T lymphocyte counts was 31.7 ± 38.6 cells/μl in 23 AIDS patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis. Median CD₄⁺T lymphocyte count is 20 cells/μl with inter-quartile range as (5, 36). Seven patients died (11 eyes) and 16 patients (24 eyes) survived. The proportion of blindness and low vision in eyes infected with cytomegalovirus retinitis respectively was 20.8% (5/24) and 29.2% (7/24) when they were diagnosed in survivors. The ganciclovir therapy was effective in 16 patients (24 eyes). Clinical recovery of cytomegalovirus retinitis was 41.7% (10/24) and clinical improvement 58.3% (14/24). After anti-CMV treatment, the proportion of blindness or low vision was 16.7% (4/24).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The AIDS patients with CD₄⁺T lymphocyte < 50 cells/μl had increased susceptibility to cytomegalovirus associated retinitis. Cytomegalovirus retinitis is a serious disease causing blindness. The cytomegalovirus retinitis in the AIDS patients was response well to ganciclovir therapy. We should check their eyes routinely such as dilated fundus examination with an indirect ophthalmoscope in the AIDS patients with CD₄⁺T lymphocyte counts < 50 cells/μl.</p

SLC11A1 (NRAMP1) Polymorphisms and Tuberculosis Susceptibility: Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Natural resistance associated macrophage protein 1 (NRAMP1), encoded by the SLC11A1 gene, has been described to regulate macrophage activation and be associated with infectious and autoimmune diseases. The relation between SLC11A1 polymorphisms and tuberculosis susceptibility has been studied in different populations. Methods: We systematically reviewed published studies on SLC11A1 polymorphisms and tuberculosis susceptibility until September 15, 2010 and quantitatively summarized associations of the most widely studied polymorphisms using metaanalysis. Results: In total, 36 eligible articles were included in this review. In Meta-analysis, significant associations were observed between tuberculosis risk and widely studied SLC11A1 polymorphisms with summarized odds ratio of 1.35 (95%CI, 1.17– 1.54), 1.25 (95 % CI, 1.04–1.50), 1.23 (95 % CI, 1.04–1.44), 1.31 (95%CI, 1.08–1.59) for 39 UTR, D543N, INT4, and 59 (GT)n, respectively. Heterogeneity between studies was not pronounced, and the associations did not remarkably vary in the stratified analysis with respect to study population and study base. Conclusions: The association between SLC11A1 polymorphisms and tuberculosis susceptibility observed in our analyses supports the hypothesis that NRAMP1 might play an important role in the host defense to the development of tuberculosis

A novel lean alloy of biodegradable Mg–2Zn with nanograins

Lean alloy (low alloyed) is beneficial for long-term sustainable development of metal materials. Creating a nanocrystalline microstructure is a desirable approach to improve biodegradability and mechanical properties of lean biomedical Mg alloy, but it is nearly impossible to realize. In the present study, the bulk nanocrystalline Mg alloy (average grain size: ~70 nm) was successfully obtained by hot rolling process of a lean Mg-2wt.%Zn (Z2) alloy and both high strength ((223 MPa (YS) and 260 MPa (UTS)) and good corrosion resistance (corrosion rate in vivo: 0.2 mm/year) could be achieved. The microstructure evolution during the rolling process was analyzed and discussed. Several factors including large strain, fine grains, strong basal texture, high temperature and Zn segregation conjointly provided the possibility for the activation of pyramidal slip to produce nanocrystals. This finding could provide a new development direction and field of application for lean biomedical Mg alloys