bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Medication Non-adherence and Condomless Anal Intercourse Increased Substantially During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among MSM PrEP Users: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Four Chinese Metropolises
Authors: Gao Yangyang , Hu Qinghai , Leuba Sequoia I. , Jia Le , Wang Hongyi , Huang Xiaojie , Chen Yaokai , Wang Hui , Zhang Jing , Chu Zhenxing , Zhang Lukun , Wang Zixin , Shang Hong , Xu Junjie ,   CROPrEP Study Team
Published: February 2023

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted HIV prevention strategies globally. However, changes in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adherence and HIV-related behaviors, and their associations with medication adherence among men who have sex with men (MSM) PrEP users remain unclear since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA Retrospective Cohort Study of HIV-negative MSM PrEP users was conducted in four Chinese metropolises from December 2018 to March 2020, assessing the changes in PrEP adherence and HIV-related behaviors before and during the COVID-19. The primary outcome was poor PrEP adherence determined from self-reported missing at least one PrEP dose in the previous month. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine factors correlated with poor adherence during COVID-19.ResultsWe enrolled 791 eligible participants (418 [52.8%] in daily PrEP and 373 [47.2%] in event-driven PrEP). Compared with the data conducted before the COVID-19, the proportion of PrEP users decreased from 97.9 to 64.3%, and the proportion of poor PrEP adherence increased from 23.6 to 50.1% during the COVID-19 [odds ratio (OR) 3.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.62–4.02]. While the percentage of condomless anal intercourse (CAI) with regular partners (11.8 vs. 25.7%) and with casual partners (4.4 vs. 9.0%) both significantly increased. The proportion of those who were tested for HIV decreased from 50.1 to 25.9%. Factors correlated with poor PrEP adherence during the COVID-19 included not being tested for HIV (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.38 [95% CI: 1.00, 1.91]), using condoms consistently with regular partners (vs. never, aOR = 2.19 [95% CI: 1.16, 4.13]), and being married or cohabitating with a woman (vs. not married, aOR = 3.08 [95% CI: 1.60, 5.95]).ConclusionsIncreased poor PrEP adherence and CAI along with the decrease in HIV testing can lead to an increase in HIV acquisition and drug resistance to PrEP. Targeted interventions are needed to improve PrEP adherence and HIV prevention strategies.
Radiation safety considerations for the use of radium-224-calciumcarbonate-microparticles in patients with peritoneal metastasis
Authors: Grønningsæter Simen Rykkje , Blakkisrud Johan , Selboe Silje , Revheim Mona-Elisabeth , Bruland Øyvind Sverre , Bønsdorff Tina Bjørnlund , Larsen Stein Gunnar , Stokke Caroline 
Published: February 2023

AimTwo ongoing phase I studies are investigating the use of radium-224 adsorbed to calcium carbonate micro particles (224Ra-CaCO3-MP) to treat peritoneal metastasis originating from colorectal or ovarian cancer. The aim of this work was to study the level of radiation exposure from the patients to workers at the hospital, carers and members of the public.MethodSix patients from the phase 1 trial in patients with colorectal cancer were included in this study. Two days after cytoreductive surgery, they were injected with 7 MBq of 224Ra-CaCO3-MP. At approximately 3, 24 and 120 h after injection, the patients underwent measurements with an ionization chamber and a scintillator-based iodide detector, and whole body gamma camera imaging. The patient was modelled as a planar source to calculate dose rate as a function of distance. Scenarios varying in duration and distance from the patient were created to estimate the potential effective doses from external exposure. Urine and blood samples were collected at approximately 3, 6, 24, 48 and 120 h after injection of 224Ra-CaCO3-MP, to estimate the activity concentration of 224Ra and 212Pb.ResultsThe patients’ median effective whole-body half-life of 224Ra-CaCO3-MP ranged from 2.6 to 3.5 days, with a mean value of 3.0 days. In the scenarios with exposure at the hospital (first 8 days), sporadic patient contact resulted in a range of 3.9–6.8 μSv per patient, and daily contact resulted in 4.3–31.3 μSv depending on the scenario. After discharge from the hospital, at day 8, the highest effective dose was received by those with close daily contact; 18.7–83.0 μSv. The highest activity concentrations of 224Ra and 212Pb in urine and blood were found within 6 h, with maximum values of 70 Bq/g for 224Ra and 628 Bq/g for 212Pb.ConclusionThe number of patients treated with 224Ra-CaCO3-MP that a single hospital worker - involved in extensive care - can receive per year, before effective doses of 6 mSv from external exposure is exceeded, is in the order of 200–400. Members of the public and family members are expected to receive well below 0.25 mSv, and therefore, no restrictions to reduce external exposure should be required.
Safety and immunogenicity of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac and the RBD-dimer–based COVID-19 vaccine ZF2001 in chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Wu Shiheng , Wang Xiaolin , Feng Mingyang , Liu Xiaoman , Fan Xinxing , Ran Xiangui , Wang Baogui , Wang Hui 
Published: February 2023

Background and aimsAlthough COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for the patients with chronic liver disease, the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 vaccinated in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) has not been well characterized. The study aimed to explore the safety and specific antibody responses following COVID-19 vaccination among CHB patients.MethodsPatients with CHB were included. All patients were vaccinated with two doses of inactivated vaccine (CoronaVac) or three doses of adjuvanted protein subunit vaccine (ZF2001). The adverse events were recorded and neutralizing antibody (NAb) were determined 14 days following the whole-course vaccination.ResultsA total of 200 patients with CHB were included. Specific NAb against SARS-CoV-2 were positive in 170 (84.6%) patients. The median (IQR) concentrations of NAb were 16.32 (8.44–34.10) AU/ml. Comparison of immune responses between CoronaVac and ZF2001 vaccines showed no significant differences in neither the concentrations of NAb nor the seropositive rates (84.4 vs. 85.7%). Moreover, we observed lower immunogenicity in older patients and in patients with cirrhosis or underlying comorbidities. The incidences of adverse events were 37 (18.5%) with the most common adverse event as injection side pain [25 (12.5%)], followed by fatigue [15 (7.5%)]. There were no differences in the frequencies of adverse between CoronaVac and ZF2001 (19.3% vs. 17.6%). Almost all of the adverse reactions were mild and self-resolved within a few days after vaccination. Severe adverse events were not observed.ConclusionsCOVID-19 vaccines, CoronaVac and ZF2001 had a favorable safety profile and induced efficient immune response in patients with CHB.
Evaluation of COVID-19 vaccines in primary prevention against infections and reduction in severity of illness following the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant in Shanghai
Authors: Yang Dawei , Weng Huifen , Wang Rui , Li You , Zhang Hao , Shao Shifeng , Huang Hunan , Song Yuanlin , Chen Xiaoyan , Hou Dongni , Wu Yin , Lu Xingwei , Yang Wei , Chen Zhengguo , Hu Xiaohan , Xuan Jianwei , Bai Chunxue , Wang Yaoli 
Published: February 2023

ObjectivesTo evaluate COVID-19 vaccines in primary prevention against infections and lessen the severity of illness following the most recent outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Shanghai.Data sourcesData from 153,544 COVID-19 patients admitted to the Shanghai “Four-Leaf Clover” Fangcang makeshift shelter hospital were collected using a structured electronic questionnaire, which was then merged with electronic medical records of the hospital. For healthy controls, data on vaccination status and other information were obtained from 228 community-based residents, using the same structured electronic questionnaire.MethodsTo investigate whether inactivated vaccines were effective in protecting against SARS-CoV-2 virus, we estimated the odds ratio (OR) of the vaccination by comparing cases and matched community-based healthy controls. To evaluate the potential benefits of vaccination in lowering the risk of symptomatic infection (vs. asymptomatic), we estimated the relative risk (RR) of symptomatic infections among diagnosed patients. We also applied multivariate stepwise logistic regression analyses to measure the risk of disease severity (symptomatic vs. asymptomatic and moderate/severe vs. mild) in the COVID-19 patient cohort with vaccination status as an independent variable while controlling for potential confounding factors.ResultsOf the 153,544 COVID-19 patients included in the analysis, the mean age was 41.59 years and 90,830 were males (59.2%). Of the study cohort, 118,124 patients had been vaccinated (76.9%) and 143,225 were asymptomatic patients (93.3%). Of the 10,319 symptomatic patients, 10,031 (97.2%), 281 (2.7%), and 7 (0.1%) experienced mild, moderate, and severe infections, respectively. Hypertension (8.7%) and diabetes (3.0%) accounted for the majority of comorbidities. There is no evidence that the vaccination helped protect from infections (OR = 0.82, p = 0.613). Vaccination, however, offered a small but significant protection against symptomatic infections (RR = 0.92, p &lt; 0.001) and halved the risk of moderate/severe infections (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.37–0.61). Older age (≥60 years) and malignant tumors were significantly associated with moderate/severe infections.ConclusionInactivated COVID-19 vaccines helped provide small but significant protection against symptomatic infections and halved the risk of moderate/severe illness among symptomatic patients. The vaccination was not effective in blocking the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant community spread.
Familial CD45RA– T cells to treat severe refractory infections in immunocompromised patients
Authors: Al-Akioui Sanz Karima , Echecopar Parente Carlos , Ferreras Cristina , Menéndez Ribes Marta , Navarro Alfonso , Mestre Carmen , Clares Laura , Vicario José Luis , Balas Antonio , De Paz Raquel , López Granados Eduardo , Sánchez Zapardiel Elena , Jiménez Carlos , López-Oliva María , Ramos Esther , Hernández-Oliveros Francisco , Pérez-Martínez Antonio 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundImmunocompromised patients are susceptible to high-risk opportunistic infections and malignant diseases. Most antiviral and antifungal drugs are quite toxic, relatively ineffective, and induce resistance in the long term. The transfer of pathogen-specific Cytotoxic T-Lymphocytes has shown a minimal toxicity profile and effectiveness in treating Cytomegalovirus, Adenovirus, Epstein - Barr virus, BK Virus and Aspergillus infections, but this therapy have the main limitations of regulatory issues, high cost, and absence of public cell banks. However, CD45RA– cells containing pathogen-specific memory T-cells involve a less complex manufacturing and regulatory process and are cheaper, feasible, safe, and potentially effective.MethodsWe present preliminary data from six immunocompromised patients: four who had severe infectious diseases and two who had EBV lymphoproliferative disease. All of them underwent multiple safe familial CD45RA– T-cell infusions as adoptive passive cell therapy, containing Cytomegalovirus, Epstein - Barr virus, BK virus, and Aspergillus-specific memory T-cells. We also present the method for selecting the best donors for CD45RA– cells in each case and the procedure to isolate and store these cells.ResultsThe infusions were safe, there was no case of graft-versus host disease, and they showed a clear clinical benefit. The patients treated for BK virus nephritis, Cytomegalovirus encephalitis, Cytomegalovirus reactivation, and disseminated invasive aspergillosis experienced pathogen clearance, complete resolution of symptoms in 4-6 weeks and a lymphocyte increase in 3 of 4 cases after 3–4 months. Donor T cell transient microchimerism was detected in one patient. The two patients treated for EBV lymphoproliferative disease underwent chemotherapy and several infusions of CD45RA– memory T-cells containing EBV cytotoxic lymphocytes. Donor T-cell microchimerism was observed in both patients. The viremia cleared in one of the patients, and in the other, despite the viremia not clearing, hepatic lymphoproliferative disease remained stable and was ultimately cured with EBV-specific Cytotoxic T-Lymphocytes.ConclusionThe use of familial CD45RA– T-cells containing specific Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes is a feasible, safe and potential effective approach for treating severe pathogen infections in immunocompromised patients through a third party donor. Furthermore, this approach might be of universal use with fewer institutional and regulatory barriers.
Circulating levels of mitochondrial oxidative stress-related peptides MOTS-c and Romo1 in stable COPD: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Amado Carlos A. , Martín-Audera Paula , Agüero Juan , Lavín Bernardo A. , Guerra Armando R. , Boucle Daymara , Ferrer-Pargada Diego , Berja Ana , Martín Fernando , Casanova Ciro , García-Unzueta Mayte 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundMOTS-c and Romo1 are mitochondrial peptides that are modulated by oxidative stress. No previous studies have explored circulating levels of MOTS-c in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsWe enrolled 142 patients with stable COPD and 47 smokers with normal lung function in an observational cross-sectional study. We assessed serum levels of both MOTS-c and Romo1 and associated these findings with clinical characteristics of COPD.ResultsCompared with smokers with normal lung function, patients with COPD had lower levels of MOTS-c (p = 0.02) and higher levels of Romo1 (p = 0.01). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that above-median MOTS-c levels were positively associated with Romo1 levels (OR 1.075, 95% CI 1.005–1.150, p = 0.036), but no association was found with other COPD characteristics. Below-median levels of circulating MOTS-c were associated with oxygen desaturation (OR 3.25 95% CI 1.456–8.522, p = 0.005) and walking &lt;350 meters (OR 3.246 95% CI 1.229–8.577, p = 0.018) in six-minute walk test. Above-median levels of Romo1 were positively associated with current smoking (OR 2.756, 95% CI 1.133–6.704, p = 0.025) and negatively associated with baseline oxygen saturation (OR 0.776 95% CI 0.641–0.939, p = 0.009).ConclusionsReduced levels of circulating MOTS-c and increased levels of Romo1 were detected in patients diagnosed with COPD. Low levels of MOTS-c were associated with oxygen desaturation and poorer exercise capacity using 6 min walk test. Romo1 was associated with current smoking and baseline oxygen saturation.Trial registrationwww.clinicaltrials.gov; No.: NCT04449419; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov. Date of registration: June 26, 2020.
Risk factor analysis of malignant adenomas detected during colonoscopy
Authors: Hu Hong , Gong Xiaoyuan , Xu Kai , Luo Shenzheng , Gao Wei , Li Baiwen , Jing Dadao 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundSeveral studies have shown that colorectal adenomas are the most important precancerous lesions. The colonoscopic identification of groups with the high risk of malignant colorectal adenomas remains a controversial issue for clinicians.AimsTo evaluate the basic characteristics of colorectal adenomas with malignancy risk using high-grade dysplasia (HGD) as an alternative marker for malignant transformation.MethodsData from Shanghai General Hospital between January 2017 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome was the incidence of HGD in adenomas, which was used as a surrogate marker for the risk of malignancy. Odds ratios (ORs) for the HGD rate in adenomas were analyzed in relation to adenoma-related factors.ResultsA total of 9,646 patients identified with polyps during 57,445 screening colonoscopies were included in the study. Patients with flat polyps, sessile polyps, and pedunculated polyps represented 27.3% (N = 2,638), 42.7% (N = 4,114), and 30.0% (N = 2,894) of the total number, respectively. HGD was found in 2.41% (N = 97), 0.92% (N = 24), and 3.51% (N = 98) of sessile adenomas, flat adenomas, and pedunculated adenomas, respectively (P &lt; 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression showed that polyp size (P &lt; 0.001) but not shape (P &gt; 0.8), was an independent predictor of HGD. Contrast to the diameter ≤1 cm, the OR value for diameters 1–2, 2–3, and &gt;3 cm was 13.9, 49.3, and 161.6, respectively. The HGD incidence also increased in multiple adenomas (&gt;3 vs. &gt;1, ORs 1.582) and distal adenomas (distal vs. proximal adenomas, OR 2.252). Adenoma morphology (pedunculated vs. flat) was statistically significant in univariate analysis but not when size was included in the multivariate analysis. Besides, the incidence of HGD was also significantly higher in older patients (&gt;64 vs. &lt;50 years old, OR = 2.129). Sex (P = 0.681) was not statistically significant. All these associations were statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionThe malignant potential of polyps is mostly affected by their size but not by their shape. In addition, distal location, multiple adenomas, and advanced age were also correlated with malignant transformation.
Enhanced treatment of landfill leachate by biochar-based aerobic denitrifying bacteria functional microbial materials: Preparation and performance
Authors: Song Jianyang , Li Minghui , Wang Chunyan , Fan Yujie , Li Yuan , Wang Yongkun , Zhang Wenxiao , Li Haisong , Wang Hongyu 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveIn this work, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium alginate (SA) were used as entrapped carriers and Artemisia argyi stem biochar (ABC) was used as an absorption carrier to immobilize aerobic denitrifying bacteria screened from landfill leachate, thus a new carbon-based functional microbial material (PVA/SA/ABC@BS) was successfully prepared.MethodsThe structure and characteristics of the new material were revealed by using a scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the performance of the material for treating landfill leachate under different working conditions was studied.ResultsABC had abundant pore structures and that the surface contained many oxygen-containing functional groups, carboxyl groups, and amide groups, etc. and it had good absorbing performance and strong acid and alkali buffering capacity, which was beneficial to the adhesion and proliferation of microorganisms. After adding ABC as a composite carrier, the damage rate of immobilized particles was decreased by 1.2%, and the acid stability, alkaline stability, and mass transfer performance were increased by 9.00, 7.00, and 56%, respectively. When the dosage of PVA/SA/ABC@BS was 0.017g/ml, the removal rates of nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) and ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) were the highest, which were 98.7 and 59.4%, respectively. When the pH values were 11, 7, 1, and 9, the removal rates of chemical oxygen demand (COD), NO3−-N, nitrite nitrogen (NO2−-N) and NH4+-N reached the maximum values, which were 14.39, 98.38, 75.87, and 79.31%, respectively. After PVA/SA/ABC@BS was reused in 5 batches, the removal rates of NO3−-N all reached 95.50%.ConclusionPVA, SA and ABC have excellent reusability for immobilization of microorganisms and degradation of nitrate nitrogen. This study can provide some guidance for the great application potential of immobilized gel spheres in the treatment of high concentration organic wastewater.
Value of growth arrest lines for predicting treatment effect on children with distal tibial epiphysis fractures
Authors: Wang Sisheng , Zheng Shaoluan , Liu Qi , Wang Chengyun , Liu Maosheng , Su Lianbin 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore whether growth arrest lines can predict epiphyseal fracture healing.MethodThe data of 234 children with distal tibial epiphysis fractures treated in our hospital from February 2014 to February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Imaging data were examined to record epiphyseal grade, fracture type, and the time to appearance of growth arrest lines. Follow-up data were retrieved to record treatment results (i.e., malunion, premature closure, or bone bridge formation).ResultsThere was a significant difference in the time to appearance of growth arrest lines between patients with epiphyseal grade 0–1 and grade 2–3 (P &lt; 0.05) and between patients with normal healing and patients with a bone bridge (P &lt; 0.05). Among patients with normal healing, there were no significant differences in the time to appearance of growth arrest lines between men and women and between patients with and without surgery (P &gt; 0.05). There was a significant difference in the time to appearance of growth arrest lines between patients with different Salter–Harris fracture types (P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionFor patients with epiphyseal grade 0–1, the time to appearance of growth arrest lines could be useful for predicting the treatment result of a distal tibial epiphyseal fracture.
Efficiency of a novel thermosensitive enema in situ hydrogel carrying Periplaneta americana extracts for the treatment of ulcerative colitis
Authors: Wu Ming , Ding Hui , Tang Xiao , Chen Jiayi , Zhang Meng , Yang Ziqiong , Du Qian , Wang Jun 
Published: February 2023

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a thermosensitive in situ gel (TISG) as an effective rectal delivery platform for delivering Periplaneta americana extracts (PA) to alleviate ulcerative colitis (UC) and explore the underlying molecular mechanism.Materials and methods: Thermosensitive (poloxamer 407) and adhesive polymers (chondroitin sulfate modified carboxymethyl chitosan, CCMTS) were used to construct the in situ gel. CCMTS and aldehyde poloxamer 407 (P407-CHO) were synthesized and chemically cross-linked by Schiff base reaction to formulate thermosensitive in situ gel, which carried Periplaneta americana extracts (PA/CCMTS-P). The cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of CCMTS-P were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced macrophages by CCK-8 assay. The anti-inflammatory effects of PA/CCMTS-P were studied in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis mouse models. In addition, the ability of PA/CCMTS-P to restore the intestinal mucosal barrier after rectal administration was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis (IHC).Results: PA/CCMTS-P was prepared and characterized as gel with a phase-transition temperature of 32.9°C. The results of the in vitro experiments indicated that the hydrogels promoted the cellular uptake of Periplaneta americana extracts without causing any toxicity as compared to the free gel. PA/CCMTS-P showed superior anti-inflammatory activity both in vitro and in vivo, which restored the damaged intestinal mucosal barrier associated by inhibiting necroptosis in dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis models.Conclusion: The findings from our study show that the rectal administration of PA/CCMTS-P holds a promising potential for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.