Publications by authors named "Peizhen Zhao"

Article Synopsis
  • Seasonal influenza poses a significant public health risk for older adults in rural areas of south China, with vaccination being the most effective prevention method.
  • A study conducted in Guangdong Province found that only 30% of older adults had received the influenza vaccine in the past year, and many displayed hesitancy toward vaccination.
  • Factors influencing vaccine uptake included a strong understanding of the vaccine and trust in vaccination providers, which were positively associated with the likelihood of getting vaccinated.
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Article Synopsis
  • - The study focused on the rising rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Guangdong Province, China, over the period from 2018 to 2022, and aimed to identify prevalence and trends across different anatomical sites.
  • - Researchers analyzed data from 4,856 MSM attending STI clinics, finding a significant increase in rectal chlamydia infections from 13.8% to 26.4%, and identified various factors associated with these infections, such as the venue for meeting partners and previous HIV testing.
  • - The results highlight a concerning prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhea in MSM, particularly in the rectal region, emphasizing the need for
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Background: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are reduced in the peripheral blood and skin lesions of patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP). Low-dose interleukin 2 (IL-2) therapy can stimulate Tregs specifically, suggesting potential for the treatment of BP.

Objective: To evaluate the response to low-dose IL-2 therapy in the treatment of moderate-to-severe BP.

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Background: The indiscriminate use of antibiotics has accelerated antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in (), emphasising the need to follow treatment guidelines. This study aimed to assess the rate of adherence to standard treatment among patients with gonorrhoea and identify influencing factors.

Methods: A survey was conducted in Guangdong province, China, involving uncomplicated gonorrhoea cases registered in the Chinese Information System for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Background: Female sex workers (FSW) are particularly vulnerable to unintended pregnancy. Research examining the experience of unintended pregnancy due to commercial sex among Chinese FSW, however, is limited. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of unintended pregnancy due to commercial sex among FSW in China.

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iGABAR, a member of the Cys-loop ligand-gated ion channel superfamily, is a significant target of the insecticide ivermectin (IVM). GRD is the potential subunit of the insect iGABAR. However, little information about GRD in has been reported.

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Background: The global resurgence of syphilis necessitates vaccine development.

Methods: We collected ulcer exudates and blood from 17 participants with primary syphilis (PS) and skin biopsies and blood from 51 patients with secondary syphilis (SS) in Guangzhou, China, for Treponema pallidum subsp pallidum (TPA) quantitative polymerase chain reaction, whole genome sequencing (WGS), and isolation of TPA in rabbits.

Results: TPA DNA was detected in 15 of 17 ulcer exudates and 3 of 17 blood PS specimens.

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Background And Aim: Drug therapy is the treatment of choice for Crohn's disease because it effectively controls or prevents intestinal inflammation. The purpose was to research the molecular mechanism of the total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot (TFA) on intestinal fibrosis in Crohn's disease.

Methods: A 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis model and IGF-1-treated intestinal fibroblasts were established.

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Article Synopsis
  • HIV self-testing (HIVST) was introduced to enhance HIV testing services in China, targeting men who have sex with men (MSM) to understand its adoption and subsequent engagement with healthcare.
  • An online survey conducted in 2018 revealed that 75.2% of the 540 MSM participants adopted HIVST, with higher education positively influencing this adoption rate and older individuals less likely to use it.
  • All HIVST users sought care after receiving positive or indeterminate results, compared to only 42.9% of non-users, indicating a significant difference in responsiveness to testing results between the two groups.
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Background: Female sex workers (FSW) are particularly vulnerable to chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. However, there were few studies that detail the evolving patterns of chlamydia and gonorrhea among Chinese FSW. Therefore, our study endeavors to assess the prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhea epidemics within FSW, investigate their changing trends and scrutinize associated factors.

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Background: The global resurgence of syphilis requires novel prevention strategies. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of ( ) using different specimen types is essential for vaccine development.

Methods: Patients with primary (PS) and secondary (SS) syphilis were recruited in Guangzhou, China.

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Background: Most Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections are asymptomatic. The infection can persist and lead to severe sequelae. Therefore, screening for CT can primarily prevent serious sequelae.

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Background: Online communication platforms have the potential to facilitate commercial sex among female sex workers (FSW), increasing the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STD). This study aimed to describe the patterns of online commercial sex-seeking and examine the associated factors among FSW in China.

Methods: A venue-based cross-sectional study was conducted in five cities in Guangdong Province, China, between April and October 2020.

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Background: Chlamydia Trachomatis (CT) is among the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) globally. According to the World Health Organization, more than 131 million people get infected with CT annually. CT is usually transmitted via sexual contact or perinatal exposure and can result in severe long-term complications.

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Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, especially for those living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Learning about knowledge of and attitudes towards HCV is essential to inform health promotion interventions development. This is one of very limited studies to examine the level of knowledge and attitudes towards HCV and their determinants among HIV-negative MSM and MSM living with HIV in China.

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Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) cause substantial morbidity and mortality both in African and China. However, there is limited data available on the prevalence of HIV/STDs and the uptake of testing experience ever during in China among African migrants. A venue-based survey was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou to investigate the prevalence of HIV/STDs through laboratory testing and identify the associated factors.

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Background: HCV self-testing (HCVST) may be an effective strategy to address low rates of HCV test uptake among men who have sex with men (MSM). We evaluated the effectiveness and cost of providing HCVST to increase HCV test uptake among MSM in China.

Methods: Two parallel, unmasked, individual-level randomized controlled trials were conducted.

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Ticks are important vectors of many pathogens with tremendous impact on human and animal health. Studies of semiochemical interactions and mechanisms underlying chemoreception can provide important tools in tick management. Niemann-Pick type C2 (NPC2) proteins have been proposed as one type of chemoreceptor in arthropods.

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Background: The purpose of this study was to study the infection rates of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and co-infections with human papillomavirus (HPV) in a hospital gynecology outpatient clinic in the Haikou region in 2021.

Methods: From January to December 2021, the Women and Children Medical Center of Hainan Province collected 2389 samples of cervical exfoliated cells and vaginal swab specimens from gynecologic outpatients. The samples were then analyzed descriptively for data, and the detection rate of each pathogen was tallied.

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Syphilis testing uptake is low among men who have sex with men (MSM) around the world. Syphilis self-testing (SST) may complement facility-based testing; the distribution model is yet to be explored. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of peer distribution of syphilis self-testing on promoting syphilis testing.

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Background: African migrants in China face social, structural, and cultural barriers to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing with scarce information on their HIV testing behaviours. This study estimated the prevalence of HIV testing and its social and behavioural correlates to understand how to better provide HIV testing services for African migrants living in China.

Methods: We conducted a national cross-sectional survey among adult African migrants who lived in China for more than one month between January 19 to February 7, 2021.

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Background: HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) tend to have high syphilis incidence. Our objective is to evaluate the prevalence of syphilis and determine the risk factors of syphilis among HIV-positive MSM.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with convenience sampling was performed among HIV-positive MSM in six cities of Guangdong Province from June 2020 to August 2021.

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