Dothistroma septosporum and Dothistroma pini, the causal agents of Dothistroma needle blight, are infected by multiple viruses.

Dothistroma septosporum and Dothistroma pini are severe foliar pathogens of conifers. They infect a broad spectrum of hosts (mainly Pinus spp.), causing chlorosis, defoliation of needles, and eventually the death of pine trees in extreme cases. Mycoviruses represent a novel and innovative avenue for controlling pathogens. To search for possible viruses hosted by Dothistroma spp. we screened a subset of isolates (20 strains of D. septosporum and one D. pini) originating from the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Italy, Austria and Ireland for viral dsRNA segments. Only five of them showed the presence of dsRNA segments. A total of 21 fungal isolates were prepared for total RNA extractions. RNA samples were pooled, and two separate RNA libraries were constructed for stranded total RNA sequencing. RNA-Seq data processing, pairwise sequence comparisons (PASC) and phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of thirteen novel putative viruses with varying genome types: seven negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses, including six bunya-like viruses and one new member of the order Mononegavirales; three positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses, two of which are similar to those of the family Narnaviridae, while the genome of the third correspond to those of the family Gammaflexiviridae; and three double-stranded RNA viruses, comprising two novel members of the family Chrysoviridae and a potentially new species of gammapartitivirus. The results were confirmed with RT-PCR screening that the fungal pathogens hosted all the viruses and showed that particular fungal strains harbour multiple virus infections and that they are transmitted vertically. In this study, we described the narnavirus infecting D. pini. To our knowledge, this is the first virus discovered in D. pini.

Evaluation of the age-specific relationship between PTH and vitamin D metabolites.

A commonly used method for determining vitamin D sufficiency is the suppression of excess PTH secretion. Conventionally, the main circulating vitamin D metabolite 25(OH)D is used for this assessment, however, the cut-off data for this parameter vary widely in the literature. The role of other metabolites as markers of vitamin D status is actively debated. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between PTH, age and parameters characterizing vitamin D status, both "classical" - 25(OH)D3, and "non-classical" - 24,25(OH)2D3 and 25(OH)D3/24,25(OH)2D3 (vitamin D metabolite ratio, VMR). This prospective non-controlled cohort study included 162 apparently healthy Caucasian adult volunteers. When PTH was binarized according to the median value, at VMR < 14.9, 25(OH)D3 > 9.7 ng/mL and 24,25(OH)2D3 > 0.64 ng/mL there was a pronounced relationship between PTH and age (p = 0.001, p = 0.023 and p = 0.0134 respectively), with the prevalence of higher PTH levels in older individuals and vice versa. Moreover, at an age of <40.3 years, there was a pronounced relationship between PTH and VMR (p < 0.001), and similarly at an age of <54.5 years, there was a pronounced relationship between PTH and 25(OH)D3 (p = 0.002) as well as between PTH and 24,25(OH)2D3 (p = 0.0038): in younger people, higher PTH values prevailed only in the range of vitamin D insufficiency, while in the older age group this relationship was not demonstrated and PTH values were in general above the median. VMR controlled the correlation between PTH and age more strongly than metabolites 25(OH)D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 (p = 0.0012 vs. p > 0.05 and p = 0.0385 respectively). The optimal threshold was found equal to 11.7 for VMR such that the relationship between PTH and age in the subset of participants with VMR < 11.7 was characterized by a correlation coefficient of ρ = 0.68 (p < 0.001), while the cohort with VMR > 11.7 was characterized by a very weak correlation coefficient of ρ = 0.12 (p = 0.218), which is non-significant. In summary, our findings suggest that the relationship between PTH and vitamin D is age-dependent, with a greater susceptibility to elevated PTH among older individuals even with preserved renal function, likely due to the resistance to vitamin D function. We propose VMR can be considered as a potential marker of vitamin D status. These findings require confirmation in larger population-based studies.

Rev Protein Diversity in HIV-1 Group M Clades.

The HIV-1 Rev protein expressed in the early stage of virus replication is involved in the nuclear export of some forms of virus RNA. Naturally occurring polymorphisms in the Rev protein could influence its activity. The association between the genetic features of different virus variants and HIV infection pathogenesis has been discussed for many years. In this study, Rev diversity among HIV-1 group M clades was analyzed to note the signatures that could influence Rev activity and, subsequently, clinical characteristics. From the Los Alamos HIV Sequence Database, 4962 Rev sequences were downloaded and 26 clades in HIV-1 group M were analyzed for amino acid changes, conservation in consensus sequences, and the presence of clade-specific amino acid substitutions (CSSs) and the Wu-Kabat protein variability coefficient (WK). Subtypes G, CRF 02_AG, B, and A1 showed the largest amino acid changes and diversity. The mean conservation of the Rev protein was 80.8%. In consensus sequences, signatures that could influence Rev activity were detected. In 15 out of 26 consensus sequences, an insertion associated with the reduced export activity of the Rev protein, 95QSQGTET96, was identified. A total of 32 CSSs were found in 16 clades, wherein A6 had the 41Q substitution in the functionally significant region of Rev. The high values of WK coefficient in sites 51 and 82, located on the Rev interaction surface, indicate the susceptibility of these positions to evolutionary replacements. Thus, the noted signatures require further investigation.

OCTDL: Optical Coherence Tomography Dataset for Image-Based Deep Learning Methods.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique with extensive clinical applications in ophthalmology. OCT enables the visualization of the retinal layers, playing a vital role in the early detection and monitoring of retinal diseases. OCT uses the principle of light wave interference to create detailed images of the retinal microstructures, making it a valuable tool for diagnosing ocular conditions. This work presents an open-access OCT dataset (OCTDL) comprising over 2000 OCT images labeled according to disease group and retinal pathology. The dataset consists of OCT records of patients with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), Epiretinal Membrane (ERM), Retinal Artery Occlusion (RAO), Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO), and Vitreomacular Interface Disease (VID). The images were acquired with an Optovue Avanti RTVue XR using raster scanning protocols with dynamic scan length and image resolution. Each retinal b-scan was acquired by centering on the fovea and interpreted and cataloged by an experienced retinal specialist. In this work, we applied Deep Learning classification techniques to this new open-access dataset.

Prevalence of HIV drug resistance at antiretroviral treatment failure across regions of Russia.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate mutations associated with, the causes of, and the conditions that contribute to HIV drug resistance (DR). This research provides crucial insights into the mechanisms through which HIV evades antiretroviral drugs and suggests strategies to counter this phenomenon. Our objective was to assess the prevalence and structure of DR in HIV-1 across various regions in Russia and identify the primary factors influencing the development of HIV DR. METHODS: The study used nucleotide sequences from the HIV-1 pol gene obtained from 1369 patients with a history of therapy and virological failure between 2005 and 2019 to analyze the frequency and structure of DR and the factors associated with it. RESULTS: The analysed HIV-1 genotypes included viruses resistant to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs; 11.8%), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs; 6.4%), and NRTIs + NNRTIs (31.7%). The mutations M184V/I and G190A/S/E were the most prevalent, accounting for 54.5% and 26.6%, respectively. The dominance of multiple DR persisted throughout the entire observation period. The likelihood of encountering drug-resistant variants was increased among men, patients in the late stage of infection, and those with a viral load <30 000 RNA copies/mL. Injection drug use was not associated with DR. CONCLUSION: This study has yielded new insights into HIV DR in Russia, offering valuable information to identify clinical or programmatic events warranting closer attention and support.

Stigma, serostatus disclosure, coping strategies, and the role of social capital resources among HIV care-nonadherent MSM in Russia: a qualitative analysis.

The HIV epidemic continues to expand in Russia, with suboptimal levels of care uptake. This qualitative study aimed to characterize social capital resources and lived stigma experiences, coping, and disclosure among care-nonadherent men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV in Russia. Twenty-five HIV-positive MSM - recruited online - completed in-depth interviews over Zoom, with data analyzed using MAXQDA software. Stigma was more likely to be encountered in interactions with persons with whom social ties were weaker such as medical providers and relatives, particularly males. Close friends - often other HIV-positive MSM and female relatives - were the most supportive and least stigmatizing. Similar persons were most often considered for HIV serostatus disclosure. Coping strategies to reduce the impact of stigma included ignoring stigmatizing experiences, seeking support from members of one's social circle, minimizing contact with stigmatizing persons, seeking new relationships with persons who are also HIV-positive, proactively reducing stigma through involvement in advocacy roles, and correcting myths and educating others about HIV infection. These findings underscore the need for interventions to assist HIV-positive MSM in building accepting social capital resources to reduce the impact of stigma and to build support within their social networks, often with other HIV-positive MSM.

Recombinant Forms of HIV-1 in the Last Decade of the Epidemic in the Russian Federation.

Currently, HIV-1 displays a substantial level of genetic diversity on a global scale, partly attributed to its recombinant variants. This study seeks to identify and analyze HIV-1 recombinants in Russia during the last decade of the epidemic. A comprehensive examination was conducted, encompassing 3178 partial pol sequences. Subtyping was achieved through various programs including COMET, the Stanford Database, REGA, jpHMM, RIP, and RDP4 for recombination analysis. The study also involved phylogenetic analysis to trace the origins of the identified recombinants. Primary resistance (PrimDR) prevalence and Drug Resistance Mutations (DRMs) were assessed. The study uncovered an overall proportion of recombinants at 8.7%, with a statistically significant increase in their frequency observed over time (p < 0.001). The Northwestern (18.5%) and Siberian (15.0%) Federal Districts exhibited a high prevalence of recombinants, while the Volga (1.9%) and Ural (2.8%) Federal Districts had a lower prevalence. Among HIV-1 recombinants, a PrimDR prevalence of 11.4% was identified. Notably, significant differences in DRMs were observed, with a higher prevalence of M184V in sub-subtype A6 (p = 0.018) and K103N in CRF63_02A6 (p = 0.002). These findings underscore the increasing HIV-1 genetic diversity and highlight a substantial prevalence of PrimDR among its recombinant forms, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing systematic monitoring.

Current Trends of HIV Infection in the Russian Federation.

Russia remains one of the areas most affected by HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The aim of this study was to analyze HIV infection indicators and study trends in Russia using data from the Federal Statistic Form No. 61 "Information about HIV infection". HIV incidence, prevalence, HIV testing and mortality rates (from 2011 to 2022), and treatment success rates (from 2016 to 2022) were analyzed. These indicators were compared across different federal districts (FDs) of Russia. The findings revealed a significant downward trend in HIV incidence, while a significant upward trend was observed for HIV prevalence. The mortality rate has stabilized since 2018. The coverage of HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy increased over time. The number of people living with HIV-1 (PLWH) with a suppressed viral load in Russia as a whole varied between 72% and 77% during the years under observation. The Siberian and Ural federal districts recorded the highest HIV incidence, while the North Caucasian FD reported the lowest. An increase in HIV testing coverage was observed across all FDs. This comprehensive evaluation of HIV infection indicators within the regional context contributes to the timely implementation of measures aimed at preventing the spread of HIV.

Features of Tat Protein in HIV-1 Sub-Subtype A6 Variants Circulating in the Moscow Region, Russia.

Tat, the trans-activator of transcription, is a multifunctional HIV-1 protein that can induce chronic inflammation and the development of somatic diseases in HIV-infected patients. Natural polymorphisms in Tat can impact the propagation of the inflammatory signal. Currently, Tat is considered an object for creating new therapeutic agents. Therefore, the identification of Tat protein features in various HIV-1 variants is a relevant task. The purpose of the study was to characterize the genetic variations of Tat-A6 in virus variants circulating in the Moscow Region. The authors analyzed 252 clinical samples from people living with HIV (PLWH) with different stages of HIV infection. Nested PCR for two fragments (tat1, tat2) with subsequent sequencing, subtyping, and statistical analysis was conducted. The authors received 252 sequences for tat1 and 189 for tat2. HIV-1 sub-subtype A6 was identified in 250 samples. The received results indicated the features of Tat1-A6 in variants of viruses circulating in the Moscow Region. In PLWH with different stages of HIV infection, C31S in Tat1-A6 was detected with different occurrence rates. It was demonstrated that Tat2-A6, instead of a functional significant 78RGD80 motif, had a 78QRD80 motif. Herewith, G79R in Tat2-A6 was defined as characteristic amino acid substitution for sub-subtype A6. Tat2-A6 in variants of viruses circulating in the Moscow Region demonstrated high conservatism.

HIV-1 Drug Resistance among Treatment-Naïve Patients in Russia: Analysis of the National Database, 2006-2022.

In Russia, antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage has significantly increased, which, in the absence of routine genotyping testing, could lead to an increase in HIV drug resistance (DR). The aim of this study was to investigate the patterns and temporal trends in HIV DR as well as the prevalence of genetic variants in treatment-naïve patients from 2006 to 2022, using data from the Russian database (4481 protease and reverse transcriptase and 844 integrase gene sequences). HIV genetic variants, and DR and DR mutations (DRMs) were determined using the Stanford Database. The analysis showed high viral diversity, with the predominance of A6 (78.4%), which was the most common in all transmission risk groups. The overall prevalence of surveillance DRMs (SDRMs) was 5.4%, and it reached 10.0% in 2022. Most patients harbored NNRTI SDRMs (3.3%). The prevalence of SDRMs was highest in the Ural (7.9%). Male gender and the CRF63_02A6 variant were association factors with SDRMs. The overall prevalence of DR was 12.7% and increased over time, primarily due to NNRTIs. Because baseline HIV genotyping is unavailable in Russia, it is necessary to conduct surveillance of HIV DR due to the increased ART coverage and DR prevalence. Centralized collection and unified analysis of all received genotypes in the national database can help in understanding the patterns and trends in DR to improve treatment protocols and increase the effectiveness of ART. Moreover, using the national database can help identify regions or transmission risk groups with a high prevalence of HIV DR for epidemiological measures to prevent the spread of HIV DR in the country.

Post-Vaccination and Post-Infection Immunity to the Hepatitis B Virus and Circulation of Immune-Escape Variants in the Russian Federation 20 Years after the Start of Mass Vaccination.

A neonatal vaccination against the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was initiated in Russia 20 years ago, with catch-up immunization for adolescents and adults under the age of 60 years launched in 2006. Here, we have assessed the humoral immunity to HBV in different regions of Russia, as well as the infection frequency following 20 years of a nationwide vaccination campaign. We have also evaluated the role of immune-escape variants in continuing HBV circulation. A total of 36,149 healthy volunteers from nine regions spanning the Russian Federation from west to east were tested for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to HBV capsid protein (anti-HBc), and antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs). HBV sequences from 481 chronic Hepatitis B patients collected from 2018-2022 were analyzed for HBsAg immune-escape variants, compared with 205 sequences obtained prior to 2010. Overall, the HBsAg detection rate was 0.8%, with this level significantly exceeded only in one study region, the Republic of Dagestan (2.4%, p < 0.0001). Among the generation vaccinated at birth, the average HBsAg detection rate was below 0.3%, ranging from 0% to 0.7% depending on the region. The anti-HBc detection rate in subjects under 20 years was 7.4%, indicating ongoing HBV circulation. The overall proportion of participants under 20 years with vaccine-induced HBV immunity (anti-HBs positive, anti-HBc negative) was 41.7% but below 10% in the Tuva Republic and below 25% in the Sverdlovsk and Kaliningrad regions. The overall prevalence of immune-escape HBsAg variants was 25.2% in sequences obtained from 2018-2022, similar to the prevalence of 25.8% in sequences collected prior to 2010 (p > 0.05). The population dynamics of immune-escape variants predicted by Bayesian analysis have remained stable over the last 20 years, indicating the absence of vaccine-driven positive selection. In contrast, the wild-type HBV population size experienced a rapid decrease starting in the mid-1990s, following the introduction of mass immunization, but it subsequently began to recover, reaching pre-vaccination levels by 2020. Taken together, these data indicate that it is gaps in vaccination, and not virus evolution, that may be responsible for the continued virus circulation despite 20 years of mass vaccination.

Identification of the novel HLA-C*02:212 allele detected in a potential hematopoietic stem cell donor.

The novel HLA-C*02:212 allele was characterized using next generation sequencing technology.

Reconstructing the Temporal Origin and the Transmission Dynamics of the HIV Subtype B Epidemic in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Russia is among the fastest growing in the world. HIV epidemic burden is non-uniform in different Russian regions and diverse key populations. An explosive epidemic has been documented among people who inject drugs (PWID) starting from the mid-1990s, whereas presently, the majority of new infections are linked to sexual transmission. Nationwide, HIV sub-subtype A6 (previously called AFSU) predominates, with the increasing presence of other subtypes, namely subtype B and CRF063_02A. This study explores HIV subtype B sequences from St. Petersburg, collected from 2006 to 2020, in order to phylogenetically investigate and characterize transmission clusters, focusing on their evolutionary dynamics and potential for further growth, along with a socio-demographic analysis of the available metadata. In total, 54% (107/198) of analyzed subtype B sequences were found grouped in 17 clusters, with four transmission clusters with the number of sequences above 10. Using Bayesian MCMC inference, tMRCA of HIV-1 subtype B was estimated to be around 1986 (95% HPD 1984-1991), whereas the estimated temporal origin for the four large clusters was found to be more recent, between 2001 and 2005. The results of our study imply a complex pattern of the epidemic spread of HIV subtype B in St. Petersburg, Russia, still in the exponential growth phase, and in connection to the men who have sex with men (MSM) transmission, providing a useful insight needed for the design of public health priorities and interventions.

Molecular Epidemiology of HIV-1 in Eastern Europe and Russia.

The HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Russia is large and not well-controlled. To describe the more recent molecular epidemiology of HIV-1, transmitted drug resistance, and the relationship between the epidemics in this region, we sequenced the protease and reverse transcriptase genes of HIV-1 from 812 people living with HIV from Ukraine (n = 191), Georgia (n = 201), and Russia (n = 420) before the initiation of antiretroviral therapy. In 190 Ukrainian patients, the integrase gene sequence was also determined. The most reported route of transmission was heterosexual contact, followed by intravenous drug use, and men having sex with men (MSM). Several pre-existing drug resistance mutations were found against non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) (n = 103), protease inhibitors (n = 11), and nucleoside analogue RTIs (n = 12), mostly polymorphic mutations or revertants. In the integrase gene, four strains with accessory integrase strand transfer inhibitor mutations were identified. Sub-subtype A6 caused most of the infections (713/812; 87.8%) in all three countries, including in MSM. In contrast to earlier studies, no clear clusters related to the route of transmission were identified, indicating that, within the region, the exchange of viruses among the different risk groups may occur more often than earlier reported.

Dynamic Changes in Hepatitis A Immunity in Regions with Different Vaccination Strategies and Different Vaccination Coverage.

The data on hepatitis A virus (HAV) seroprevalence are critical for the implementation of a universal mass vaccination (UMV) strategy. The latter has not been implemented in Russia; however, regional child vaccination programs have been adopted in some parts of the country. The aim of this study is to assess changes in HAV immunity within the last decade in regions of Russia with different vaccination strategies and different vaccination coverage rates. In regions where UMV has not been implemented and HAV vaccination coverage rates do not exceed the national average, the 50% seroprevalence threshold has shifted in the Moscow region from people aged under 40 years in 2008 to people aged over 59 years in 2020, and from people aged under 30 years to people aged over 40 years in the Khabarovsk region. In two regions (Yakutia and Sverdlovsk), a two-dose-based UMV scheme has been in place since 2011 and 2003, respectively, and in Tuva single-dose child immunization was launched in 2012. These regional programs have resulted in a significant increase in HAV seroprevalence in children and adolescents. In Yakutia, 50% herd immunity had been achieved by 2020 in age groups under 20 years, compared to 20−30% seroprevalence rates in 2008. In the Sverdlovsk region, HAV immunity has increased to >65% over the decade in children aged over 10 years, adolescents and young adults, whereas it declined in older age groups. However, a three-fold drop in HAV immunity has occurred in children under 10 years of age, reflecting a significant decline in vaccination coverage. In Tuva, HAV immunity rates in children under 10 years old increased two-fold to exceed 50% by 2020. These data suggest that UMV should be implemented on a national level. Measures to control vaccination coverage and catch-up vaccination campaigns are recommended in order to maintain the effectiveness of existing HAV vaccination programs.

Revealing a New Family of D-2-Hydroxyglutarate Dehydrogenases in Escherichia coli and Pantoea ananatis Encoded by ydiJ.

In E. coli and P. ananatis, L-serine biosynthesis is initiated by the action of D-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (SerA), which converts D-3-phosphoglycerate into 3-phosphohydroxypyruvate. SerA can concomitantly catalyze the production of D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2-HGA) from 2-ketoglutarate by oxidizing NADH to NAD+. Several bacterial D-2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenases (D2HGDHs) have recently been identified, which convert D-2-HGA back to 2-ketoglutarate. However, knowledge about the enzymes that can metabolize D-2-HGA is lacking in bacteria belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. We found that ydiJ encodes novel D2HGDHs in P. ananatis and E. coli, which were assigned as D2HGDHPa and D2HGDHEc, respectively. Inactivation of ydiJ in P. ananatis and E. coli led to the significant accumulation of D-2-HGA. Recombinant D2HGDHEc and D2HGDHPa were purified to homogeneity and characterized. D2HGDHEc and D2HGDHPa are homotetrameric with a subunit molecular mass of 110 kDa. The pH optimum was 7.5 for D2HGDHPa and 8.0 for D2HGDHEc. The Km for D-2-HGA was 208 µM for D2HGDHPa and 83 µM for D2HGDHEc. The enzymes have strict substrate specificity towards D-2-HGA and displayed maximal activity at 45 °C. Their activity was completely inhibited by 0.5 mM Mn2+, Ni2+ or Co2+. The discovery of a novel family of D2HGDHs may provide fundamental information for the metabolic engineering of microbial chassis with desired properties.

Coordination of Pt(IV) by {P8W48} Macrocyclic Inorganic Cavitand: Structural, Solution, and Electrochemical Studies.

Hydrothermal reaction of a macrocyclic inorganic POM cavitand Li17(NH4)21H2[P8W48O184] with [Pt(H2O)2(OH)4] results in coordination of up to six {Pt(H2O)x(OH)4-x} fragments to the internal surface of the polyoxoanion. The product was isolated as K22(NH4)9H3[{Pt(OH)3(H2O)}6P8W48O184]·79H2O (1) and characterized by multiple techniques in the solid state (SCXRD, XRPD, XPS, FTIR, and TGA) and in solution (NMR, ESI-MS, and HPLC-ICP-AES). Electrochemical properties were studied both in solution and as components of the paste electrode. The complex shows electrocatalytic activity in water oxidation.

Draft Genome Sequences of Three Streptomycetes Isolated from Frobisher Bay Marine Sediments.

Three Streptomyces strains (RKAG290, RKAG293, and RKAG337) were isolated from intertidal marine sediments of Frobisher Bay (Canada).

Identifying HIV-1 Transmission Clusters in Uzbekistan through Analysis of Molecular Surveillance Data.

The CRF02_AG and sub-subtype A6 are currently the predominant HIV-1 variants in the Republic of Uzbekistan, but little is known about their time-spatial clustering patterns in high-risk populations. We have applied molecular evolution methods and network analyses to better understand the transmission patterns of these subtypes by analyzing 316 pol sequences obtained during the surveillance study of HIV drug resistance. Network analysis showed that about one third of the HIV infected persons were organized into clusters, including large clusters with more than 35 members. These clusters were composed mostly of injecting drug users and/or heterosexuals, with women having mainly high centrality within networks identified in both subtypes. Phylogenetic analyses of the 'Uzbek' sequences, including those publicly available, show that Russia and Ukraine played a role as the main sources of the current subtype A6 epidemic in the Republic. At the same time, Uzbekistan has been a local center of the CRF02_AG epidemic spread in the former USSR since the early 2000s. Both of these HIV-1 variants continue to spread in Uzbekistan, highlighting the importance of identifying transmission networks and transmission clusters to prevent further HIV spread, and the need for HIV prevention and education campaigns in high-risk groups.

Sleep-related breathing disorders and cardiometabolic risk factors in pediatric kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: SRBDs have been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is a significant cause of mortality in kidney transplant recipients. Few studies have investigated the association between SRBDs and cardiometabolic risk factors in pediatric kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of pediatric kidney transplant recipients using baseline cardiometabolic data from a previous clinical trial (NCT01007994). Parents/guardians of pediatric kidney transplant recipients filled out 22-item PSQ. A score greater than 33% was defined as a diagnosis of a SRBD. Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, and regressions were used to determine associations. RESULTS: Among the 58 transplant recipients enrolled, 14.80% (n = 8) of participants identified as Black and 40.7% (n = 22) were male. The median age was 13 (IQR 8.25, 17) years and median number of years post-transplant for participants was 2 (IQR 1, 4). The prevalence of SRBDs was 26% (n = 14). The presence of a SRBD was associated with abnormalities in multiple cardiometabolic risk factors including total cholesterol level (ß = 23.63; 95% CI 3.58-43.67), LDL level (ß = 24.94; 95% CI 6.37-43.50), triglyceride level (ß = 54.62; 95% CI 8.74-100.50), and LVH (OR = 5.12; 95% CI 1.12-23.45) when adjusted for age, sex, and race. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to associations reported in the general pediatric and general CKD populations, SRBD is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk in pediatric kidney transplant recipients.