Prevalence of and factors associated with behavioral intention to take up home-based HIV self-testing among male clients of female sex workers in China - an application of the Theory of Planned Behavior.

ABSTRACTHIV self-testing (HIVST) is a useful means to increase coverage of HIV testing but under-utilized by male clients of female sex workers (MCFSW) in China. This study investigated the prevalence of and factors associated with behavioral intention to take up HIVST in the next year among MCFSW in Hong Kong, China. We recruited Chinse-speaking adult men who had patronized at least one female sex worker in the past six months. A total of 303 MCFSW completed a self-administered questionnaire. Univariate and multivariable ordinal logistic regression models were fit. Only 23.8% of participants indicated that they probably/definitely would take up HIVST in the next year. The multivariable ordinal logistic regression model showed that positive attitudes towards HIVST (adjusted odds ratios (aOR): 1.24, 95%CI: 1.13, 1.37), perceived HIVST uptake is completely under one's control (perceived behavioral control) (aOR: 1.44, 95%CI: 1.08, 1.92), and perceived higher risk of HIV infection (aOR: 1.32, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.76) were associated with higher intention to take up HIVST in the next year. The prevalence of behavioral intention to use HIVST was low among MCFSW in Hong Kong. Perceptions based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and perceived risk of HIV infection were associated with behavioral intention to use HIVST.

Monolithic full-color active-matrix micro-LED micro-display using InGaN/AlGaInP heterogeneous integration.

A prototype of full-color active-matrix micro-light-emitting diode (micro-LED) micro-display with a pixel density of 391 pixel per inch (ppi) using InGaN/AlGaInP heterogeneous integration is demonstrated. InGaN blue/green dual-color micro-LED arrays realized on a single metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD)-grown GaN-on-Si epiwafer and AlGaInP red micro-LED arrays are both monolithically fabricated, followed by the integration with a common complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) backplane via flip-chip bonding technology to form a double-layer thin-film display structure. Full-color images with decent color gamut and brightness are successfully displayed through the fine adjustment of driving current densities of RGB subpixels. This full-color display combines the advantages of high quantum efficiency of InGaN material on blue/green light and AlGaInP material on red light through heterogeneous integration and high pixel density through monolithic fabrication approach, demonstrating the feasibility and prospects of high brightness, good color performance, and high-resolution micro-LED micro-displays in future metaverse applications.

Performance improvement of GaN-based light-emitting diodes grown on patterned Si substrate transferred to copper.

LEDs on Si offer excellent potential of low cost manufacturing for solid state lighting and display, taking advantage of the well-developed IC technologies of silicon. In this paper, we report how the performance of LEDs grown on Si can be improved. Multiple quantum well InGaN LED structure was grown on patterned silicon substrates and circular LEDs 160 µm in radius were processed. Fabricated LEDs were then transferred to an electroplated copper substrate with a reflective mirror inserted by a double-flip transfer process, to improve the light extraction efficiency and heat dissipation. The light output power of LEDs on copper increased by ~80% after the transfer. The operating current before the onset of light output power saturation also increased by 25% because of the good thermal conductivity of copper. The light output power of packaged LEDs on copper was 6.5 mW under 20 mA current injection and as high as 14 mW driven at 55 mA.

CTCF and EGR1 suppress breast cancer cell migration through transcriptional control of Nm23-H1.

Tumor metastasis remains an obstacle in cancer treatment and is responsible for most cancer-related deaths. Nm23-H1 is one of the first metastasis suppressor proteins discovered with the ability to inhibit metastasis of many cancers including breast, colon, and liver cancer. Although loss of Nm23-H1 is observed in aggressive cancers and correlated with metastatic potential, little is known regarding the mechanisms that regulate its cellular level. Here, we examined the mechanisms that control Nm23-H1 expression in breast cancer cells. Initial studies in aggressive MDA-MB-231 cells (expressing low Nm23-H1) and less invasive MCF-7 cells (expressing high Nm23-H1) revealed that mRNA levels correlated with protein expression, suggesting that transcriptional mechanisms may control Nm23-H1 expression. Truncational analysis of the Nm23-H1 promoter revealed a proximal and minimal promoter that harbor putative binding sites for transcription factors including CTCF and EGR1. CTCF and EGR1 induced Nm23-H1 expression and reduced cell migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, CTCF and EGR1 were recruited to the Nm23-H1 promoter in MCF-7 cells and their expression correlated with Nm23-H1 levels. This study indicates that loss of Nm23-H1 in aggressive breast cancer is apparently caused by downregulation of CTCF and EGR1, which potentially drive Nm23-H1 expression to promote a less invasive phenotype.

Small Molecules as Drugs to Upregulate Metastasis Suppressors in Cancer Cells.

It is well-recognized that the majority of cancer-related deaths is attributed to metastasis, which can arise from virtually any type of tumor. Metastasis is a complex multistep process wherein cancer cells must break away from the primary tumor, intravasate into the circulatory or lymphatic systems, extravasate, proliferate and eventually colonize secondary sites. Since these molecular processes involve the coordinated actions of numerous proteins, targeted disruptions of key players along these pathways represent possible therapeutic interventions to impede metastasis formation and reduce cancer mortality. A diverse group of proteins with demonstrated ability to inhibit metastatic colonization have been identified and they are collectively known as metastasis suppressors. Given that the metastasis suppressors are often downregulated in tumors, drug-induced re-expression or upregulation of these proteins represents a promising approach to limit metastasis. Indeed, over 40 compounds are known to exhibit efficacy in upregulating the expression of metastasis suppressors via transcriptional or post-transcriptional mechanisms, and the most promising ones are being evaluated for their translational potentials. These small molecules range from natural products to drugs in clinical use and they apparently target different molecular pathways, reflecting the diverse nature of the metastasis suppressors. In this review, we provide an overview of the different classes of compounds known to possess the ability to upregulate one or more metastasis suppressors, with an emphasis on their mechanisms of action and therapeutic potentials.