HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: Results from a prospective observational study in Germany.

Aims: Since 2017, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care has been provided through an intersectoral collaboration at WIR (Walk-in-Ruhr, Center for Sexual Health and Medicine, Bochum, Germany). The aim of this study was to establish possible impact of COVID-restrictions on the sexual behavior of PrEP users in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Methods: The current PrEP study collected data of individuals using PrEP, their sexual behavior and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) before (each quarter of year 2018) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (each quarter of year 2020).

Changes in the user profiles of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) before and after PrEP reimbursement.

Background: In Germany, oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) was licensed in 2016. Health insurances have been covering the costs since 09/2019. This study compares the sociodemographic profiles of PrEP users before and after PrEP re-imbursement.

Small, but smart: Fine structure of an avicularium in Dendrobeania fruticosa (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata).

Bryozoans are small benthic suspension-feeding colonial animals. Among this phylum, there are representatives showing a lesser or greater degree of polymorphism, and the most common type of polymorphic zooids is the avicularium. Here we present a detailed description of the bird's-head shaped avicularium in Dendrobeania fruticosa.

Comparative analysis of the nervous system structure of polymorphic zooids in marine bryozoans.

The nervous system structure was compared for the first time in avicularia and vibracula in seven species of the cheilostome bryozoans from six families by immunohistochemical methods and confocal scanning microscopy. Regardless of significant differences in heterozooid shape, size, and position in a colony, their muscular and nervous systems have a common structure, which suggests their parallel evolution.

Distribution of serotonin and FMRF-amide in the nervous system of different zooidal types of cheilostome bryozoa: A case study of Arctonula arctica.

In the White Sea bryozoans Arctonula arctica, the structure of the nervous system and distribution of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and FMRF-amide were studied for the first time using immunohistochemical methods and confocal scanning microscopy. The neurotransmitters studied have been actively involved into the integrative processes, gut functioning, and regulation of motion activity. In avicularia, 5-HT and FMRF-amide receptors are capable of performing the same functions, except for participation in the gut functioning, because they have no digestive system.

Impact of antiretroviral treatment on (13) C-methionine metabolism as a marker of hepatic mitochondrial function: a longitudinal study.

Objectives: Uncontrolled viral replication and antiretroviral treatment (ART) may independently contribute to hepatic mitochondrial toxicity. The present study was designed to explore the longitudinal effects of treatment modifications on hepatic mitochondrial function by means of noninvasive (13) C-methionine breath test (MeBT) diagnostics.

Methods: A total of 113 HIV-infected patients underwent two consecutive MeBTs over an interval of 11.

Disease- and treatment-related predictors of hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction in chronic HIV infection assessed by non-invasive (13)C-methionine breath test diagnostic.

Objectives: An increasing proportion of deaths among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons are due to hepatic complications. Hepatitis coinfection, antiretroviral treatment and co-occurrence of metabolic risk factors contribute to hepatic mitochondrial damage manifesting in hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis. The aim was to assess disease- and treatment-related predictors on hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction in HIV infection by means of a new (13)C-methionine breath test (MeBT).

Does chemosensitivity-assay-directed therapy have an influence on the prognosis of patients with malignant melanoma stage IV? A retrospective study of 14 patients with malignant melanoma stage IV.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of chemosensitivity-testing directed chemotherapy in comparison with empirically chosen therapy regimens in patients with malignant melanoma stage IV.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective study including 14 patients with histologically confirmed malignant melanoma and diagnosis of stage IV disease by routine diagnostic procedures. Patients in group A (n = 7) were treated according to their individual chemosensitivity testing results, whereas patients in group B (n = 7) received empirically chosen treatment regimens.