An Assessment of Trends in HIV-1 Prevalence and Incidence and Spatio-Temporal Analyses of HIV-1 Recent Infection Among MSM During the Surveillance Period Between 2018 and 2022 in Sichuan, China.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) is one main type of high-risk activities facilitating HIV-1 transmission in Sichuan province. Previous works on HIV-1 incidence and prevalence among MSM only concentrated before 2018, the situation after that is unknown. In addition, the distribution of hot-spots related to current HIV-1 epidemic is also rarely known among MSM in Sichuan. Objective: To update trends of HIV-1 prevalence and incidence and to visualize hot-spots of ongoing transmission in Sichuan province during surveillance period among MSM between 2018 and 2022. Methods: Limiting Antigen Avidity assay was performed to detect recent infection within new HIV-1 diagnoses founded during surveillance period among MSM. The HIV-1 prevalence and incidence were calculated according to an extrapolation method proposed by publications and guidelines. Trend tests were performed using χ2 tests with linear-by-linear association. The spatial analysis was conducted with ArcGIS 10.7 to figure hot-spots of HIV-1 recent infections among MSM. Results: Between 2018 and 2022, 16,697 individuals participated in HIV-1 MSM sentinel surveillance program, of which 449 samples (98.25%) were tested with LAg-Avidity EIA, and 230 samples were classified as recent infection. Respectively, the overall prevalence and incidence were 2.74% and 3.69% (95% CI: 3.21, 4.16) and both had significant declining trends (p < 0.001). Luzhou city had a highest HIV-1 incidence (10.74%, 95% CI: 8.39, 13.10) over the study period and was recognized as a hot-spot for recent HIV-1 infection among MSM. Conclusion: During the surveillance period, both HIV-1 prevalence and incidence were declining. However, Luzhou city had an unusually high HIV-1 incidence and became an emerging hot-spot of recent HIV-1 infection among MSM. This finding suggested focused attention, cross-regional intervention strategies, and prevention programs are urgently required to curb the spread of ongoing transmission.

Mortality risk of people living with HIV under hypothetical intervention scenarios of PM2.5 and HIV severity: a prospective cohort study.

This study estimated and compared mortality risks among people living with HIV (PLWH) under the real-world and hypothetical scenarios of PM2.5 concentrations and HIV severity. An open cohort from all PLWH receiving antiretroviral therapy in Sichuan during 2010-2019 was constructed, resulting in 541,515 person-years. Annual mean concentrations of PM2.5 were estimated and linked to PLWH by their residential address. The parametric g-formula were used to assess 3- and 5-year mortality risks under the real-world and hypothetical scenarios of PM2.5 (10-35, 35-50, 50-75 µg/m3) and CD4 concentrations (0-200, 200-500, 500-800, 800-1100 counts/µl). The estimated 3- and 5-year mortality risks among the PLWH were 14.43 % and 19.38 %, respectively, which would decrease substantially when annual PM2.5 concentration were reduced to between 10 and 35 µg/m3 (risk difference [RD] = -3.23 % and - 4.06 %) and would increase when PM2.5 concentration were elevated to between 50 and 75 µg/m3 (RD = 3.59 % and 5.04 %). The mortality risk would increase when CD4 concentration were reduced to <200 counts/µl (RD = 15.90 % and 20.27 %) and would decrease when CD4 concentration were ≥ 200 counts/µl, especially to between 800 and 1100 counts/µl (RD = -9.01 % and - 11.75 %). The elevated concentration of PM2.5 may disproportionately affect individuals with immune deficiency, especially those with more severity. The findings would serve as justifications for future intervention design and policy making to alleviate air pollution and improve environmental justice and health equity.

Active Breathing Coordinator reduces radiation dose to the stomach in patients with left breast cancer.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Gastric dose parameters comparison for deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) or free breathing (FB) mode during radiotherapy (RT) for left-sided breast cancer patients (LSBCPs) has not been investigated before. This study aimed to analyze the impact of Active Breath Coordinator (ABC)-DIBH technique on the dose received by the stomach during RT for LSBCPs and to provide organ-specific dosimetric parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 73 LSBCPs. The dosimetric parameters of the stomach were compared between FB and DIBH mode. The correlation between the stomach volume and dosimetric parameters was analyzed. RESULTS: Compared to FB mode, statistically significant reductions were observed in gastric dose parameters in ABC-DIBH mode, including Dmax (46.60 vs 17.25, p < 0.001), D1cc (38.42 vs 9.60, p < 0.001), Dmean (4.10 vs 0.80, p < 0.001), V40Gy (0.50 vs 0.00, p < 0.001), V30Gy (6.30 vs 0.00, p < 0.001), V20Gy (20.80 vs 0.00, p < 0.001), V10Gy (51.10 vs 0.77, p < 0.001), and V5Gy (93.20 vs 9.60, p < 0.001). ABC-DIBH increased the distance between the stomach and the breast PTV when compared to FB, from 1.3 cm to 2.8 cm (p < 0.001). Physiologic decrease in stomach volume was not found from FB to ABC-DIBH (415.54 cm3 vs 411.61 cm3, p = 0.260). The stomach volume showed a positive correlation with V40Gy (r2 = 0.289; p < 0.05), V30Gy (r2 = 0.287; p < 0.05), V20Gy (r2 = 0.343; p < 0.05), V10Gy (r2 = 0.039; p < 0.001), V5Gy (r2 = 0.439; p < 0.001), Dmax (r2 = 0.269; p < 0.05) and D1cc (r2 = 0.278; p < 0.05) in FB mode. While in ABC-DIBH mode, most stomach dosimetric parameters were not correlated with gastric volume. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of ABC-DIBH in LSBCPs radiotherapy resulted in lower irradiation of the stomach. Larger stomach volume was associated with statistically significantly higher dose irradiation in FB mode. To reduce radiotherapy related side effects in FB mode, patients should be fast for at least 2 hours before the CT simulation and treatment.

The Update of HIV-1 Prevalence and Incidence and Spatio-Temporal Analyses of HIV Recent Infection Among Four Sub-Groups in Sichuan, China During Surveillance Period Between 2016 and 2022.

Background: Sichuan Province has gradually become a hot-spot for HIV/AIDS. Little is known about the HIV-1 incidence and prevalence among four sub-groups since 2015. Meanwhile, the distributions of hot-spot areas related to recent infection cases that indicate current transmission among the four subgroups are also rare. Objective: The main purpose of this study was to assess the HIV-1 prevalence and incidence and to visualize the distributions of hot-spot areas of current transmission among four subgroups (people who inject drugs, male STD clinic attendees, female sex workers and men who had sex with men) during the surveillance period in Sichuan province between 2016 and 2022. Results: Of the 267,617 individuals, 2158 HIV-positive samples were tested with Lag-Avidity EIA, among which 493 samples were identified as recent infections. Among people who inject drugs (PWID), both HIV-1 prevalence (from 1.41% to 0.34%) and incidence (from 0.03% to 0.140%) showed a significant decreasing trend. Among men who had sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSWs), and male STD clinic attendees, HIV-1 prevalence indicated significant decreasing trends, whereas HIV-1 incidence showed no significant changes. Spatial analysis demonstrated the formation of hot-spots and clusters of current transmissions sharing regional differences, mainly concentrated in the southeast, and most of these were consecutive hot-spots. Conclusion: The prevention and control were efficacious and persistent. However, among the other three subgroups, there is a need for a regional cooperative in prevention and control approaches and collaborative research in many aspects.

Demographic Characteristics and Hot-Spot Areas of Recent Infections Among New HIV Diagnoses in Sichuan, China, Between 2018 and 2020.

Background: Sichuan Province is severely affected by the HIV epidemic in China. Little is known about the characteristics of recent infections among new HIV diagnoses, which is critical to prevention strategies, evaluation of the HIV epidemic and health resource allocation. Meanwhile, individuals at primary stages of infection are related to the hot-spot areas of ongoing transmission in new HIV diagnoses, which is also rarely known. Objective: This article aimed to report the proportion of recent infections among new HIV diagnoses, and to reveal demographic characteristics associated with HIV recent infections, and finally, to indicate the hot-spot areas of ongoing transmission in Sichuan province between 2018 and 2020. Methods: Limiting Antigen (LAg)-Avidity assay was performed to detect recent infection within new HIV diagnoses reported in odd months between 2018 and 2020. Results were reclassified according to the data on CD4 cell count, antiretroviral treatment and the existence of an AIDS-defining illness. Logistic regression was used to determine characteristics associated with HIV recent infections. The spatial analysis was conducted with ArcGIS 10.7 to figure hot-spot areas of HIV recent infections. Results: 42,089 newly diagnosed HIV-1 cases were tested using the LAg-Avidity EIA. In total, 5848 (13.89%) of those were classified as HIV recent infections. Female, age between 18-25 years and men who had sex with men were related to higher proportion of HIV recent infections. Logistic regression revealed that MSM aged between 18-25 years were more likely to be classified as recent infection. Spatial analysis demonstrated significant clustering in Chengdu, Yibin, Luzhou city between 2018 and 2020. Hot spots were mainly clustered in the center of Sichuan in 2018, but gradually spread to southwest and northwest between 2019 and 2020. Conclusion: Enhanced preventive measures among relevant risk groups and areas where the potential HIV-1 transmission is ongoing is urgently needed to curb further spread.

The related factors of new HIV infection among older men in Sichuan, China: a case-control study.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been widely prevalent among older men (aged ≥50 years old) in Sichuan Province. The study aimed to discover associated factors with the new HIV infection in older men, and provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in this group. A cross-sectional survey study of newly reported HIV/AIDS and general male residents aged 50 years and older was conducted between April and June 2019, with a resample of respondents to identify cases and controls, followed by a case-control study. Logistic regression was applied to analyse the association between the selected factors and new HIV infection among older men. At last, 242 cases and 968 controls were included. The results of multiple logistic regression suggested that many factors including living alone/concentrated (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.20-2.04, P = 0.001), have a history of migrant worker (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.61-2.73, P < 0.001), have commercial sexual behaviour (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.32-2.22, P < 0.001), married (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.37-0.64, P < 0.001), have a history of HIV antibody testing (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56-0.96, P = 0.026), HIV-related knowledge (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.72, P < 0.001) were associated with new HIV infection among older men. The present study revealed some potential risky/protective factors altogether. The results highlighted the direction of HIV/AIDS prevention and control among older men, and it is a social issue that requires the joint participation of the whole society.

Gastric side effects and the stomach dosimetric analysis in left-sided breast cancer radiotherapy in free-breathing and deep inspiration breath-hold technique.

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant radiotherapy following surgery reduces the local recurrence and improves the prognosis. However, a considerable part of patients developed digestive reaction in daily treatment. In order to explore the correlation between breast radiotherapy and gastric toxicity, we investigated the clinic symptoms and stomach dose during DIBH or FB mode while left-sided breast cancer patients (LSBCP) receiving radiotherapy. METHODS: In the study, 124 LSBCP received adjuvant radiotherapy after surgery at our department were analyzed clinical characteristics and enquired about gastrointestinal side effects after treatment. Moreover, dosimetric parameters were assessed. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in age, T staging, N staging, hormone receptors, human epidermal receptor-2 (HER2), surgical methods, fractionated regimen, and chemotherapy conditions. However, larger stomach volumes and higher fractionated dose (Dmax/F) were associated with a statistically significantly greater risk for acute radiotherapy toxicity. In addition, the use of the DIBH gating technique (FB/DIBH) reduced the incidence of digestive reactions. CONCLUSION: In order to cut down gastric side effects after breast radiotherapy, large meals should be avoided before treatment. DIBH treatment should be implemented in centers where conditions are satisfied to reduce radiotherapy side effects. Furthermore, dose limitation in stomach should be considered when the radiotherapy plan was formulated, especially for the patients treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy.

Epidemiological and spatiotemporal analyses of HIV/AIDS prevalence among older adults in Sichuan, China between 2008 and 2019: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe epidemiological trends and spatial distributions of HIV/AIDS among older adults (aged ≥50) in Sichuan Province, China during 2008-19, and provide scientific reference for HIV/AIDS prevention, intervention and treatment. METHODS: Data on HIV/AIDS cases reported in 2008-19 was extracted from the Case Report System. The Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to determine epidemic trends. Spatial autocorrelation and space-time analysis were conducted with ArcGIS10.6 and ArcGIS Pro2.4, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 77854 HIV/AIDS cases among older adults were included in the study. Newly reported cases increased from 320 in 2008 to 22189 in 2019, and the reported incidence rate (number of new reported cases/older adult population) rose from 0.001% to 0.077%. Infections through heterosexual transmission increased from 65.3% to 98.2% of total cases in older adults in this period. Spatial analysis at the county-level showed significant clustering throughout Sichuan, with the main hot spots concentrated in the southeast. Spatiotemporal analysis indicated that most of the southeastern counties/districts were Consecutive Hot Spots. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults have become a key population in the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Sichuan; comprehensive prevention and intervention measures targeted to older adults are urgently needed to control the spread of HIV/AIDS.

HIV-1 subtype diversity, drug resistance, and genetic transmission networks in men who have sex with men with virologic failure in antiretroviral therapy in Sichuan, China, 2011 to 2017.

This study sought to examine the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genetic diversity on drug resistance among men who have sex with men (MSM) with virologic failure in antiretroviral therapy (ART), and investigate linking-associated factors for genetic transmission networks.Seven hundred and thirty-four HIV-positive MSM with virologic failure in ART were recruited into our study from 2011 to 2017. HIV-1 pol gene sequences were used for phylogenetic and genotypic drug resistance analyses. The drug resistance mutations were determined using the Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance Database. The genetic transmission networks were analyzed for CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC sequences by the genetic distance-based method.Of 734 subjects, 372 (50.68%) showed drug resistance, in which CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC were the predominating subtypes. Drug resistance more frequently occurred in non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) treatment (48.64%), and followed by nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) (36.51%) and PIs (4.03%). The most common drug resistance-associated mutations in protease inhibitors (PIs), NRTIs and NNRTIs were K20I/R, M184V/I and K103N/KN, respectively. For 283CRF01_AE sequences, 64 (22.61%) fell into clusters at a genetic distance of 0.011, resulting in 17 clusters ranging in size from 2 to 16 individuals. For 230 CRF07_BC sequences, 66 (28.69%) were connected to at least one other sequence with 0.005 genetic distances, resulting in 8 clusters ranging in size from 2 to 52 individuals. Individuals who showed drug resistance to ART were less likely to fall into clusters than those who did not. The genetic linkage was robust by the exclusion of sites associated with drug resistance.CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC were the main strains among MSM with virologic failure in ART, and the drug resistance more frequently occurred in NNRTIs, followed by NRTIs and PIs. Genetic transmission networks revealed a complexity of transmission pattern, suggesting early-diagnosis and in-time intervention among MSM.

DUSP1 promoter methylation in peripheral blood leukocyte is associated with triple-negative breast cancer risk.

DNA methylation is one of the most common epigenetic alterations, providing important information regarding cancer risk and prognosis. A case-control study (423 breast cancer cases, 509 controls) and a case-only study (326 cases) were conducted to evaluate the association of DUSP1 promoter methylation with breast cancer risk and clinicopathological characteristics. No significant association between DUSP1 methylation in peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) DNA and breast cancer risk was observed. DUSP1 methylation was significantly associated with ER/PR-negative status; in particular, triple-negative breast cancer patients showed the highest frequency of DUSP1 methylation in both tumour DNA and PBL DNA. Soybean intake was significantly correlated with methylated DUSP1 only in ER-negative (OR 2.978; 95% CI 1.245-7.124) and PR negative (OR 2.735; 95% CI 1.315-5.692) patients. Irregular menstruation was significantly associated with methylated DUSP1 only in ER-positive (OR 3.564; 95% CI 1.691-7.511) and PR-positive (OR 3.902, 95% CI 1.656-9.194) patients. Thus, DUSP1 methylation is a cancer-associated hypermethylation event that is closely linked with triple-negative status. Further investigations are warranted to confirm the association of environmental factors, including fruit and soybean intake, irregular menstruation, and ER/PR status, with DUSP1 methylation in breast tumour DNA.

Intronic and promoter polymorphisms of hMLH1/hMSH2 and colorectal cancer risk in Heilongjiang Province of China.

PURPOSE: Given that mismatch repair (MMR) system plays an important role in recognizing and removing insertion/deletion mutations which occur during DNA replication, common variants associated with impaired MMR system may thus increase risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, we aimed to demonstrate the associations between common variants in two MMR genes (hMLH1 and hMSH2) and CRC risk. METHODS: We genotyped 10 intronic/promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of hMLH1 and hMSH2 in 451 CRC patients and 630 controls. Associations between genotypes and CRC risk were estimated using odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals. Gene-gene interactions, as well as gene-environment interactions on CRC risk were also investigated. RESULTS: We found that IVS15-214T>C and IVS11 + 107A>G of hMSH2 were significantly associated with CRC risk. In dominant model, variant carriers of the two SNPs could decrease risk of CRC by 31 % (ORadj = 0.69, 95 % CI 0.53-0.91, p < 0.01) and 33 % (ORadj = 0.67, 95 % CI 0.47-0.95, p = 0.02), respectively. In addition, IVS7-212T>A, IVS11+183A>G and IVS8+719T>C of hMSH2 were associated with the susceptibility to colon cancer rather than rectal cancer. ATTTGGGT and TCTTAGAC haplotypes were associated with 44 and 45 % decreased risk of CRC, respectively, while ATTTGAGT and TTTCAGAC haplotypes were associated with 1.37-fold and 2.49-fold increased risk of CRC, respectively. There was a significant three-way gene-gene interaction among hMSH2 IVS11+107A>G, IVS11+183A>G and IVS8+719T>C (p < 0.01). Significant gene-environment interactions were observed between hMSH2 IVS15-214T>C and IVS11+107A>G and cereals consumption (both with p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that intronic SNPs, gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in hMSH2 might be associated with susceptibility to CRC.