The origin, dissemination, and molecular networks of HIV-1 CRF65_cpx strain in Hainan Island, China.

BACKGROUND: HIV-1 CRF65_cpx strain carries drug-resistant mutations, which raises concerns about its potential for causing virologic failure. The CRF65_cpx ranks as the fourth most prevalent on Hainan Island, China. However, the origin and molecular epidemiology of CRF65_cpx strains in this area remain unclear. This study aims to estimate the spatial origins and dissemination patterns of HIV-1 CRF65_cpx in this specific region. METHODS: Between 2018 and 2021, a total of 58 pol sequences of the CRF65_cpx were collected from HIV-positive patients on Hainan Island. The available CRF65_cpx pol sequences from public databases were compiled. The HIV-TRACE tool was used to construct transmission networks. The evolutionary history of the introduction and dissemination of HIV-1 CRF65_cpx on Hainan Island were analyzed using phylogenetic analysis and the Bayesian coalescent-based approach. RESULTS: Among the 58 participants, 89.66% were men who have sex with men (MSM). The median age was 25 years, and 43.10% of the individuals had a college degree or above. The results indicated that 39 (67.24%) sequences were interconnected within a single transmission network. A consistent expansion was evident from 2019 to 2021, with an incremental annual addition of four sequences into the networks. Phylodynamic analyses showed that the CRF65_cpx on Hainan Island originated from Beijing (Bayes factor, BF = 17.4), with transmission among MSM on Hainan Island in 2013.2 (95%HPD: 2012.4, 2019.5), subsequently leading to an outbreak. Haikou was the local center of the CRF65_cpx epidemic. This strain propagated from Haikou to other locations, including Sanya (BF > 1000), Danzhou (BF = 299.3), Chengmai (BF = 27.0) and Tunchang (BF = 16.3). The analyses of the viral migration patterns between age subgroups and risk subgroups revealed that the viral migration directions were from "25-40 years old" to "17-24 years old" (BF = 14.6) and to "over 40 years old" (BF = 17.6), and from MSM to heterosexuals (BF > 1000) on Hainan Island. CONCLUSION: Our analyses elucidate the transmission dynamics of CRF65_cpx strain on Hainan Island. Haikou is identified as the potential hotspot for CRF65_cpx transmission, with middle-aged MSM identified as the key population. These findings suggest that targeted interventions in hotspots and key populations may be more effective in controlling the HIV epidemic.

Risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants: a Meta analysis. / æ—©äº§å„¿åæ­»æ€§å°è‚ ç»“è‚ ç‚Žå±é™©å› ç´ çš„Meta分析.

OBJECTIVES: To systematically evaluate the risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data were searched for case-control studies and cohort studies on the risk factors for NEC in preterm infants published up to December 2021. RevMan 5.3 software was used to perform the Meta analysis. RESULTS: A total of 38 studies were included (28 case-control studies and 10 cohort studies). The Meta analysis showed that maternal gestational diabetes (OR=2.96, P<0.001), intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy (OR=2.53, P<0.001), preeclampsia (OR=1.73, P=0.020), history of neonatal asphyxia (OR=2.13, P<0.001), low gestational age (OR=1.23, P=0.010), sepsis (OR=5.32, P<0.001), patent ductus arteriosus (OR=1.57, P=0.001), congenital heart disease (OR=3.78, P<0.001), mechanical ventilation (OR=2.23, P=0.020), history of antibiotic use (OR=1.07, P<0.001), use of vasopressors (OR=2.34, P=0.040), and fasting (OR=1.08, P<0.001) were risk factors for NEC in preterm infants, while cesarean section (OR=0.73, P=0.004), use of pulmonary surfactant (OR=0.43, P=0.008), and breastfeeding (OR=0.24, P=0.020) were protective factors against NEC. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal gestational diabetes, intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy, preeclampsia, low gestational age, fasting, sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus, congenital heart disease, and histories of asphyxia, mechanical ventilation, antibiotic use, and use of vasopressors may increase the risk of NEC in preterm infants, while cesarean section, use of pulmonary surfactant, and breastfeeding may decrease the risk of NEC in preterm infants.

Mediating effect of oxidative stress on blood pressure elevation in workers exposed to low concentrations of benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX).

To investigate the mediating effect of oxidative stress on the relationships between low-concentration benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) exposure and blood pressure in workers. A cross-sectional study involving 841 workers from a petroleum refining enterprise in Hainan, China, was conducted. Among the workers, 615 workers were exposed to low-concentration BTX, and 216 workers were in the control group. S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA), hippuric acid (HA), and methyl hippuric acid (MHA, including the three isomers 2-MHA, 3-MHA, and 4-MHA) were measured in the urine of workers via high-performance liquid chromatography‒tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry to assess the internal BTX burden. Oxidative stress markers, blood pressure, and their correlations were analysed in both the exposed and control groups of workers. Mediation analysis was used to investigate the potential role of oxidative stress in the relationship between BTX exposure and blood pressure. The concentrations of BTX at the sampling points in the enterprise were all below the limits stipulated in China's national occupational health criteria: occupational exposure limits for hazardous agents. With respect to the internal burden of BTX, the concentrations of the benzene metabolite S-PMA, the toluene metabolite HA, and the xylene metabolites 3-MHA and 4-MHA in the urine samples in the exposure group were greater than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The correlation analysis results revealed that the concentration of the benzene metabolite S-PMA in workers' urine was positively correlated with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r = 0.265, P < 0.05). Compared with those in the control group, DBP was greater (ß = 1.363, 95% CI 0.088 -2.639), serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was lower (ß = - 0.037, 95% CI - 0.060 to - 0.013), and the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was greater (ß = 0.066, 95% CI 0.022-0.110) in the exposure group. Partial correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between DBP and MDA (rs = 0.115, P < 0.01). The results of the mediation analysis indicated that MDA was a complete mediator between low BTX exposure and DBP (P < 0.05). Occupational exposure to low concentrations of BTX elevates blood pressure and oxidative stress among workers. A positive correlation between DBP and MDA was observed, with MDA acting as a complete mediator between low-concentration BTX exposure and DBP elevation.

Association between polypharmacy and mortality in the older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Polypharmacy and related adverse consequences are common in the older adults, especially mortality, but the causality of this relationship remains unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to explore the relationship between polypharmacy and mortality in older adults. METHODS: We systematically searched Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception until August 2021 to identify observational studies providing quantitative estimates on the association between polypharmacy(≥5drugs) and mortality in the elderly (≥65 years). Results from individual studies were pooled using a random-effects or fixed-effects model. RESULTS: A total of twenty-four cohort studies including 2,967,952 participants of 65 years or older in this meta-analysis. twenty-four studies found a significant increase in mortality associated with polypharmacy (≥5 drugs) [Relative Risk, RR=1.28, 95%CI (1.19,1.39), P<0.05] or excessive polypharmacy (≥10 drugs) [Relative Risk, RR=1.44, 95%CI (1.03,2.01), P<0.05] among older adults. Eight studies showed an 50% increased hospitalization rate for polypharmacy in the older adults [RR=1.50, 95%CI (1.18,1.89), P<0.05]. Subgroup analysis showed that the relationship between polypharmacy and mortality was different among older adults in community [RR=1.41, 95%CI (1.24,1.60), P<0.05], in hospital [RR=1.10, 95%CI (1.00,1.20), P<0.05], in institutions [RR=1.47, 95%CI (1.29,1.68), P<0.05]. The mortality rate of the elderly using 5 to 9 drugs was [RR=1.23, 95%CI (1.06,1.43), P<0.05] and using more than 10 drugs was [RR=1.44, 95%CI (1.03,2.01), P<0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that polypharmacy may be associated with increased mortality in older adults, but this association must be carefully considered and needed further validation. GLOSSARY: CI=confidence interval; MOOSE=Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology; NOS = Newcastle-Ottawa Scale; PRISMA = Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses; RR = relative risk; HR = hazard ratio; OR = odds ratio; GRADE = Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation.

Flavokawain A inhibits Cytochrome P450 in in vitro metabolic and inhibitory investigations.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Flavokawain A, the major chalcone in kava extracts, was served as beverages for informal social occasions and traditional ceremonials in most South Pacific islands. It exhibited strong antiproliferative and apoptotic effects against human prostate and urinary bladder cancer cells. AIM OF THE STUDY: The current study was purposed to investigate the interaction between Flavokawain A and Cytochrome P450, including the inhibitory effects of Flavokawain A on predominant CYP450 isotypes and further clarified the inhibitory mechanism of FKA on CYP450 enzymes. Besides, study about identifying the key CYP450 isotypes responsible for the metabolism of FKA was also performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, probe-based assays with rat liver microsome system were used to characterize the inhibitory effects of FKA. Molecular docking study was performed to further explore the binding site of FKA on CYP450 isoforms. In addition, chemical inhibition experiments using specific inhibitors (a-naphthoflavone, quinidine, sulfamethoxazde, ketoconazole, omeprazole) were performed to clarify the individual CYP450 isoform that are responsible for the metabolism of FKA. RESULTS: FKA showed significant inhibition on CYP1A2, CYP2D1, CYP2C6 and CYP3A2 activities with IC50 values of 102.23, 20.39, 69.95, 60.22µmol/L, respectively. The inhibition model was competitive, mixed-inhibition, uncompetitive, and noncompetitive for CYP1A2, CYP2D1, CYP2C6 and CYP3A2 enzymes. Molecular docking study indicated the ligand-binding conformation of FKA in the active site of CYP450 isoforms. The chemical inhibition experiments showed that the metabolic clearance rate of Flavokawain A decreased to 19.84%, 50.38%, and 67.02% of the control in the presence of ketoconazole, sulfamethoxazde and a-naphthoflavone. CONCLUSION: The study showed that Flavokawain A has varying inhibitory effect on CYP450 enzymes and CYP3A2 was the principal CYP isoform contributing to the metabolism of Flavokawain A. Besides, CYP2C6 and CYP1A2 isoforms also play important roles in the metabolism of FKA. Our results provided a basis for better understanding the biotransformation of FKA and prediction of drug-drug interaction of FKA.