Challenges and Opportunities： the Expanded Government-led HIV/AIDS Programs in China

HIV/AIDS has posed an increasingly serious issue in China. In recent years,Chinese government has taken further intensified efforts to combat HIV/AIDS with high-level political commitment,supportive policy development,increased financial allocation,large-scale of government-led initiatives,expanded international cooperation and great involvement of non-governmental organizations. Meanwhile gaps and challenges coexist impacting the implementation and the results of national HIV/AIDS programs. Thus,further government efforts are needed to improve and tailor the actions to meet the requirement of HIV/AIDS control in China.     

HIV/AID Research in China： Chasing against Time

The spread of HIV in China has lasted for over 20 years,and is marked by three periods:sporadic period(1984-1988),localized epidemic period(1989-1994),     

HIV/AIDS in Asia： The Shape of Epidemics and Their Molecular Epidemiology

The Asia-Pacific region is a home to 60% of the population in the world and to approximately one quarter of people with HIV/AIDS. Close to a million of people has been infected and a half million people died of AIDS annually in Asia,becoming the second largest epicenter of global AIDS epidemic. Molecular epidemiology has been useful tool to track a course of HIV spread. In-depth knowledge from the studies on molecular epidemiology elucidates the dynamics of HIV spread and the interrelationship of epidemics in the different regions in Asia.     

International non-governmental actors in HIV/AIDS prevention in China

International non-governmental organizations were among the first international actors that responded to the emergence of AIDS crisis in China. Since 1994, the number of international non-governmental organizations and charitable foundations working in AIDS related issue areas in China has grown steadily and substantially. Despite their organizational differences, most of these non-governmental actors present the characteristics of independent mission, localized practice and diverse working focus. Even though they are constrained by financial and other factors compared with multilateral and bilateral official assistance agencies, they have still played a unique role in fighting against AIDS in China as technical experts, public educators, and civil society supporters.     

Injection drug use and HIV/AIDS transmission in China

After nearly three decades of being virtually drug free, use of heroin and other illicit drugs has re-emerged in China as a major public health problem. One result is that drug abuse, particularly heroin injection, has come to play a predominant role in fueling China＇s AIDS epidemic. The first outbreak of HIV among China＇s IDUs was reported in the border area of Yunnan province between China and Myanmar where drug trafficking is heavy. Since then drug-related HIV has spread to all 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. This paper provides an overview to HIV/AIDS transmission through injection drug use in China. It begins with a brief history of the illicit drug trade in China, followed by a discussion of the emergence of drug related AIDS, and a profile of drug users and their sexual partners who have contracted the virus or who are vulnerable to infection. It ends by summarizing three national strategies being used by China to address both drug use and AIDS as major health threats.     

Strategy for AIDS Prevention and Treatment

HIV/AIDS has been circulating in China for over 25 year. While making progress and achievements on HIV/AIDS prevention,there still are great challenge and difficulties such as HIV epidemic controlling and vaccine research.     

An editorial overview： HIV/AIDS in China

China has come a long way in fighting against HIV/AIDS epidemic. The Chinese government has taken an active role in combating this detrimental disease and such a welcome attitude by the Chinese government will certainly provide a positive spin on its effort in reducing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in China.     

AIDS research and its role in China’s AIDS prevention and control policies

By the end of 2005, the estimated number of HIV infected people in China was 650,000. The seriousness of the epidemic calls for effective control measures to tackle the problems in order to avoid the tragedy in Africa from happening in China. “Prevention First” is the cornerstone of the country’s health policy. On 2003 World AIDS Day, Premier Jiabao Wen announced a new national AIDS control policy, “Four Frees and One Care”. This policy clearly shows that the Chinese government has once again taken full responsibility to solve public health problems and has profound impact far beyond the AIDS field. In early 2006, the central government put scientific and technology innovation as a national priority and set the target to build an innovative China by year 2020. Since then, the government has been increasing investment in science and technology with major emphasis on both infectious diseases control and new drug research and development. For the first time, development of 100 new drugs and control of major infectious diseases (AIDS, HBV, TB and other emerging infectious diseases) have been selected as national key scientific projects. China’s best minds in related fields will be pooled to work together in order to remove the technical barriers blocking efficient control of the major infectious disease in China. Knowledge on molecular epidemiology, immunology, pathogenesis, HAART, as well as HIVDR strains will certainly provide urgently needed scientific information for China’s AIDS control program. Only evidence-based strategy from good research will provide long-term effective control of AIDS.      

The Modulation and Control of the Gecko＇s Foot Movement

The modulation and control of gecko＇s foot movements were studied electrophysiologically in order to design the motor control system of a gecko-mimic robot. In this study （1） the anatomy of the peripheral nerves controlling the gecko＇s foot movements was determined; （2） the relationship between the limb nerves of the gecko and its foot motor patterns was studied; （3） the afferent impulses of the nerves evoked by rubbing the gecko＇s toes and palm were recorded; （4） copying the natural patterns of movement of the gecko＇s foot （abduction, adduction, flexion, and revolution） and its limb nerve modulation and control mechanism, the nerves were stimulated under computer control, and the results recorded by CCD. Results suggest that gecko＇s foot movements can be successfully controlled by artificial electrical signals.     

Current progress of China＇s free ART program

China＇s Free ART Program was initiated in 2002 as an emergency response to save and improve the lives of AIDS patients living mainly in impoverished rural regions of central China. With little experience in HIV/AIDS treatment and care and resource limitations, China＇s efforts to provide widespread access to free antiretroviral therapy has been a process fraught with difficulty. However, the Free ART Program is progressing from an emergency response to a standardized treatment and care system. The development of national guidelines, training programs, a laboratory support network, a national patient database, programs for special populations such as children and patients living with coinfections, and operational research has improved the scope and quality of the free treatment program. As of June 30, 2005, a total of 19,456 patients in 28 provinces, autonomous regions, and special municipalities had received free ART. Challenges stemming from the nature of China＇s health system and patient population persist, but with strong government support and a diverse set of resources, China has the capacity to overcome these challenges and to provide nationwide access to high quality treatment and care.     

AIDS Research and Its Role in China's AIDS Prevention and Control Policies

By the end of 2005,the estimated number of HIV infected people in China was 650,000. The seriousness of the epidemic calls for effective control measures to tackle the problems in order to avoid the tragedy in Africa from happening in China. "Prevention First" is the cornerstone of the country's health policy. On 2003 World AIDS Day,Premier Jiabao Wen announced a new national AIDS control policy,"Four Frees and One Care". This policy clearly shows that the Chinese government has once again taken full responsibility to solve public health problems and has profound impact far beyond the AIDS field. In early 2006,the central government put scientific and technology innovation as a national priority and set the target to build an innovative China by year 2020. Since then,the government has been increasing investment in science and technology with major emphasis on both infectious diseases control and new drug research and development. For the first time,development of 100 new drugs and control of major infectious diseases (AIDS,HBV,TB and other emerging infectious diseases) have been selected as national key scientific projects. China's best minds in related fields will be pooled to work together in order to remove the technical barriers blocking efficient control of the major infectious disease in China. Knowledge on molecular epidemiology,immunology,pathogenesis,HAART,as well as HIVDR strains will certainly provide urgently needed scientific information for China's AIDS control program. Only evidence-based strategy from good research will provide long-term effective control of AIDS.     

宠物狂犬病及其防控

本文对狂犬病在犬、猫等宠物中的流行情况;宠物狂犬病及其危害;宠物狂犬病的预防及国外宠物狂犬病的防控经验等进行了综述,为保证宠物和人类健康、有效防控宠物狂犬病提供参考。     

加强圈养野生动物疫病防控技术研究

2005年,我们进行了部分动物园饲养野生动物使用疫苗情况调查,了解到动物园动物使用36种疫苗预防31种疫病,其中涉及人兽共患病9种,7种疫病是动物园动物没有明确发生但在进行免疫预防的疾病。调查发现所用疫苗没有适应野生动物使用的疫苗和相应的免疫程序,疫苗接种均是参照家畜家禽的使用剂量和程序,大部分动物园动物没有进行禽流感、狂犬病等人兽共患病的监测,动物园之间的技术交流较少。主要原因是技术落后、设备缺乏、人员不济。应加强对圈养野生动物疾病防控技术的研究,加强对动物园动物重要疫病的监测,进一步加强动物园之间对疫病信息的交流和防疫资源的利用,加大对动物园动物疫病的研究投入。     

AIDS Prevention and Control in Japan

Surveillance for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Japan started in September 1984 and in February 1987 was extended to seropositive carriers of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies. A total of 2,000 hospitals and clinics throughout the country have actively participated in the surveillance. An educational program for health care workers, including physicians, was initiated in July 1985 by issuing a series of government memoranda and distributing pamphlets and posters. Counseling programs for people concerned about AIDS and laboratory support to provide screening services have been developed. Laboratories that can also perform confirmatory tests will be established shortly. The screening of all donated blood was established in November 1986.Education programs for the public have been conducted mainly through the production and distribution of various materials and pamphlets. Research has been focused primarily on diagnosis and treatment, with international cooperation emphasized. A new act of legislation has been proposed in the Parliament that will require mandatory reporting of cases of AIDS and HIV infection with confidentiality preserved. Further debate may be needed to reach national consensus on this issue. The proposed law will not include provisions that would affect international travelers, foreign students or immigrants.     

Strategy for AIDS prevention and treatment

HIV/AIDS has been circulating in China for over 25 year. While making progress and achievements on HIV/AIDS prevention, there still are great challenge and difficulties such as HIV epidemic controlling and vaccine research.      

中国艾滋病特征及其在法医学鉴定中的现状及对策

本文对艾滋病在中国的流行趋势、主要传播途径和我国艾滋病预防和控制工作等问题进行探讨,阐明了法医学尸体检验与鉴定工作中应该特别注意的一些问题。     

成熟促进因子及其对卵母细胞成熟调控机制研究的新进展

卵母细胞成熟调控机制一直是发育生物学和生殖生物学领域的热点问题。以现代分子生物学理论为基础,科学家们对卵母细胞成熟分裂的分子生物学调控机理进行了大量研究。发现了细胞周期中许多关键的调控因子：cdc基因、周期蛋白依赖性激酶(CDKs)及细胞周期蛋白(cyclin)。本文对卵母细胞成熟调控的核心调控物质——成熟促进因子(maturation—promoting factor,MPF)的分子结构、周期变化及其在卵母细胞成熟过程中与丝裂原激活蛋白激酶(mitogen—activated protein kinase,MAPK)相互作用关系的最新进展进行了综述。