HIV-1 seroconversion and subtype were evaluated, and factors associated with cohort retention were analyzed for subjects' baseline sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics in a 12-month follow-up study of injection drug users (IDUs). In November 2002, a community-based baseline survey was conducted to recruit 333 HIV-seronegative IDUs for a prospective cohort study in Xichang County of Sichuan Province, China. During the 12-month follow-up period, HIV incidence was 3.17 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.98, 5.37), and all subtypes of 8 HIV-1 seroconversions were CRF_07BC. The retention rate at the 12-month follow-up visit was 70.3% (234 of 333 subjects). In a multiple logistic regression model, ethnicity (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.34, 1.04) and appearing at the 6-month follow-up visit (OR = 9.03, 95% CI: 5.14, 15.89) were independently associated with retention. No drug-using or sexual behaviors were found to be associated with retention. This study confirmed one of drug-trafficking routes in mainland China, from Yunnan to Sichuan and then to Xinjiang. This study also suggested that HIV is spreading rapidly to more geographic areas along drug-trafficking routes in China, and a short-term follow-up rate may predict a long-term retention rate in this IDU cohort.

The results of this study suggested total times of sharing injection equipment in the past 3 months and syphilis infection were significantly associated with HIV infection. Further seroepidemiologic prospective cohort studies should be conducted to clarify the impact of syphilis and high-risk sexual behaviors on HIV transmission through unprotected sexual intercourse.

Shared needles and syringes in the past 3 mo and syphilis infection were significantly associated with HCV infection. Further sero-epidemiological prospective cohort studies should be conducted to clarify the impact of syphilis and high risk sexual behaviors on HCV transmission through unprotected sexual intercourse.

We report a composite (CG-S@PANI), sulfur (S) loaded in curved graphene (CG) and coated with conductive polyaniline (PANI), as cathode of lithium-sulfur battery.CG is prepared by splitting multi-wall carbon nanotubes and loaded with S via chemical deposition and then coated with polyaniline via in situ polymerization under the control of ascorbic acid. The physical and electrochemical performances of the resulting CG-S@PANI are investigated by nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, charge-discharge test, and electronic conductivity measurement. CG-S@PANI as cathode of lithium-sulfur battery delivers an initial discharge capacity of 851 mAh·g -1 (616 mAh·g -1 on the base of cathode mass) at 0.2 C with a capacity retention of over 90% after 100 cycles. This nature is attributed to the co-contribution of CG and conductive PANI to the concurrent improvement in electronic conductivity and chemical stability of sulfur cathode.3 there is a significant volume change, as large as 80% during charge-discharge process, giving rise to the pulverization and destruction of the cathode. These problems result in the poor cyclic stability and rate capability of lithium-sulfur battery.Many approaches have been attempted to solve these problems. Among these approaches, the introduction of nanostructured carbon materials into sulfur cathode is found to be effective for improving comprehensive performances of sulfur cathode.Several nano-carbon materials have been reported as the matrix of sulfur including carbon nanotube, 12-21 carbon nanofiber, 22-24 mesoporous carbon, 25-27 graphene, 28-33 and hollow carbon spheres. [34][35] Compared with other spherical and planar materials, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibit unique advantages, including well-defined nanostructure, highly electronic conductivity, strong rigidity, and chemical stability. However, typical CNTs are prepared with lengths in the range of micrometers and are aggregated into macroscopically entangled ropes or masses, which do not facilitate the loading of sulfur in cathode and yield low specific energy density of lithium-sulfur battery.Graphene is a two-dimensional monolayer of sp 2 -hybridized carbon atoms with a honeycomb lattice structure, possessing unusual mechanical strength, excellent electrical conductivity and good thermal stability. 28-33 Graphene is usually flat, however, which does not facilitate the loading of sulfur.In the applications of nano-carbon materials in sulfur cathode, the direct contact of sulfur with electrolyte is inevitable and the dissolution and diffusion of intermediate lithium polysulfides still exist in lithium-sulfur battery. To solve this problem,

ObjectiveTo estimate HIV prevalence among injecting drug users (IDUs) in a drug trafficking city in southwest Sichuan Province, China.MethodsA total of 314 IDUs was invited to participate in the cross-sectional survey in 2004 through community outreach recruitment and peer referrals. Blood sample was taken for HIV antibody testing and a structured questionnaire was administered to collect information on socio-demographics, drug using and sexual behaviors.ResultsHIV prevalence among IDUs was 17.8% (56/314), about one half higher than that in previous survey in 2002 (11.3%, 43/379). Yi and other minority ethnicity (Odds ratio [OR], 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7–5.8; P < 0.001), and total times of sharing injecting equipments 1–9 times versus none, OR, 2.7; 95% CI 1.2–6.2; P = 0.02; and ≥10 times versus none, OR, 7.5; 95% CI, 3.2–17.7; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for HIV infection.ConclusionIDUs with high prevalence rates of HIV and equipment sharing behavior in the drug trafficking city may serve a source for further spread of HIV to other areas in China. The increasing trend of HIV epidemic among IDUs underscores the urgency of scaling up interventions.