Trans Health is Public Health: The Prevalence of HIV Among Trans and Gender Expansive People in Kazakhstan.

Introduction: Trans and gender expansive (TGE) individuals around the world are at increased risk for contracting HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), yet the combination of stigma, accessibility challenges, and a lack of trans-specific, trans-affirming interventions perpetuates rates of infection. Due to the severe paucity of data on TGE communities and HIV in Central Asia, this study describes HIV infections (both known and newly detected) and STIs among TGE in a multicity Kazakhstan study.

Methods: This study utilized behavioral and biological assay data collected in a NIDA-funded clinical trial of a behavioral HIV preventive intervention for substance using cis and trans gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM) across three Kazakhstan cities (Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent).

Earlier sexual debut as a risk factor for substance use among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kazakhstan.

Background: Limited research have examined predictors of illicit use of drugs and binge drinking among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. This study examines earlier sexual debut as a risk factor for lifetime and recent substance use behaviors among MSM in Kazakhstan.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of self-reported data from a NIDA-funded HIV prevention trial including 902 adult cisgender MSM in Kazakhstan who completed structured screening interviews.

Increasing HIV Testing Among Sexual and Gender Expansive Men in Kazakhstan: A Stepped-Wedge Randomized Trial of a Community-Level Intervention.

Importance: HIV transmission in Kazakhstan has increased among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender and nonbinary people who have sex with men (TSM), driven by low HIV testing rates.

Objective: To determine if the intervention had a community effect of increasing HIV testing among MSM and TSM in Kazakhstan.

Design: We employed a stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized controlled trial with MSM and TSM community members recruited from three cities in Kazakhstan: Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent.

AI-Powered Knowledge Base Enables Transparent Prediction of Nanozyme Multiple Catalytic Activity.

Nanozymes are unique materials with many valuable properties for applications in biomedicine, biosensing, environmental monitoring, and beyond. In this work, we developed a machine learning (ML) approach to search for new nanozymes and deployed a web platform, DiZyme, featuring a state-of-the-art database of nanozymes containing 1210 experimental samples, catalytic activity prediction, and DiZyme Assistant interface powered by a large language model (LLM). For the first time, we enable the prediction of multiple catalytic activities of nanozymes by training an ensemble learning algorithm achieving = 0.

NaK alloy as a versatile reagent for template-free synthesis of porous metal- and metalloid-based nanostructures.

Using the strong reduction potential of the liquid NaK-78 alloy, we present a new versatile template-free approach to the synthesis of porous metal- and metalloid-based nanomaterials. With this novel approach, NaK can be simultaneously used as an agent for reduction, structure directing, and pore formation without the use of additional reagents.

Phase Transition Liquid Metal Enabled Emerging Biomedical Technologies and Applications.

Phase change materials that can absorb or release large amounts of heat during phase transition, play a critical role in many important processes, including heat dissipation, thermal energy storage, and solar energy utilization. In general, phase change materials are usually encapsulated in passive modules to provide assurance for energy management. The shape and mechanical changes of these materials are greatly ignored.

Morphological and functional changes in rat thyroid gland after a year following chronic exposure to low and intermediate doses of γ-radiation.

Introduction: Thyroid function depends on iodine uptake by the body as well as on exposure to various harmful environmental hazards (stress, ionizing radiation).

Aim: The aim of the work was to assess the effect of exposure to low and intermediate doses of external γ-radiation on the thyroid structure and function in young female rats at remote periods after radiation.

Materials And Methods: Forty female rats were used to study remote effects of external γ-radiation exposure during 20 d (at daily doses of 0.

Magnetic Soft Robot for Minimally Invasive Urethral Catheter Biofilm Eradication.

Catheter-related biofilm infection remains the main problem for millions of people annually, affecting morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. Despite the recent advances in the prevention of biofilm formation, alternative methods for biofilm prevention or eradication still should be found to avoid traumatic and expensive removal or catheter replacement. Soft magnetic robots have drawn significant interest in favor of remote control, fast response, and wide space for design.

Machine Learning Reinforced Genetic Algorithm for Massive Targeted Discovery of Selectively Cytotoxic Inorganic Nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been employed as drug delivery systems (DDSs) for several decades, primarily as passive carriers, with limited selectivity. However, recent publications have shed light on the emerging phenomenon of NPs exhibiting selective cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines, attributable to distinct metabolic disparities between healthy and pathological cells. This study revisits the concept of NPs selective cytotoxicity, and for the first time proposes a high-throughput in silico screening approach to massive targeted discovery of selectively cytotoxic inorganic NPs.

Liquid metal-mediated fabrication of metalloid nanoarchitectures.

By overcoming all conventional limitations associated with the synthesis of metalloid micro- and nanoparticles in aqueous media, we present a new one-step approach to the synthesis of highly crystalline metalloid hollow architectures. The liquid metal-mediated synthesis of Ge- and Sb-based hollow structures with satisfactory reaction kinetics at room temperature and normal pressure is presented.

Intervention Adaptation and Implementation Method for Real-World Constraints and Using New Technologies.

Purpose: Rigorous adaptation methods are needed to revise existing evidence-based behavioral interventions for implementation for new target populations, revised/updated outcomes, new delivery modalities, recent advances, and new technologies. We describe an adaptation method designed to overcome the real-world challenges of having very limited existing expertise, resources, and time.

Method: This adaptation method and accompanying visualization tool ("Deconstruction/Reconstruction Matrix") preserves theoretical mechanisms of behavior change, accounts for challenges in utilizing new technologies, and strengthens clinical processes, with an emphasis on safety.

Quantifying the Efficacy of Magnetic Nanoparticles for MRI and Hyperthermia Applications via Machine Learning Methods.

Magnetic nanoparticles are a prospective class of materials for use in biomedicine as agents for magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) and hyperthermia treatment. However, synthesis of nanoparticles with high efficacy is resource-intensive experimental work. In turn, the use of machine learning (ML) methods is becoming useful in materials design and serves as a great approach to designing nanomagnets for biomedicine.

Earlier Sexual Debut and Anti-Gay Victimization Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) in Kazakhstan.

Limited research has examined predictors of anti-gay victimization among men who have sex with men (MSM), despite anti-gay violence continuing to be a global problem. We conducted a secondary analysis of data from structured interviews with 600 MSM adults to examine anti-gay victimization and earlier sexual debut among MSM in Kazakhstan. Multiple linear regression was used to test for associations between earlier sexual debut-categorized as age of sexual onset between 13 and 15 years of age and prior to 13 years old, with ages 16 and older as the reference group-and recent and lifetime anti-gay victimization.

[Anemia and quality of life of chronic kidney disease patients on renal replacement therapy by programmed hemodialysis].

Aim: To study relationship between anemia and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of chronic kidney disease stage 5 patients (CKD) undergoing renal replacement therapy by programmed hemodialysis.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted on the basis of dialysis centers/departments in Moscow. The Russian-language version of the KDQOL-SF questionnaire, validated in Russia, was used to assess the HRQOL of patients on hemodialysis.

Quantitative Prediction of Inorganic Nanomaterial Cellular Toxicity via Machine Learning.

Organic chemistry has seen colossal progress due to machine learning (ML). However, the translation of artificial intelligence (AI) into materials science is challenging, where biological behavior prediction becomes even more complicated. Nanotoxicity is a critical parameter that describes their interaction with the living organisms screened in every bio-related research.

Increased reliability of CT-imaging signs of bleeding into soft tissue in patients with COVID-19 for planning transarterial embolization.

Introduction: Spontaneous bleeding into the soft tissues of the abdominal and thoracic wall is described as complication of anticoagulant therapy. Computed tomography (CT) allows to detect the presence of extravasation of the contrast agent into a hematoma, which is indicated as a sign of ongoing bleeding. Other specific CT signs of such coagulopathic bleeding have been described earlier.

Earlier Sexual Debut and Exchange Sex among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Kazakhstan.

Limited research has examined prevalence rates and associations related to exchange sex behaviors among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kazakhstan. This study aimed to examine associations between earlier sexual debuts and lifetime exchange sex behaviors among Kazakhstani MSM. Using data from a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention trial, we conducted a secondary analysis of self-reported data from 766 adult cisgender MSM in Kazakhstan, who completed structured screening interviews.

Compounding vulnerabilities: victimization and discrimination is associated with COVID-19 disruptions to HIV-related care among gay, bisexual, and other men and transgender and nonbinary people who have sex with men in Kazakhstan.

Gay, bisexual, and other men and transgender and nonbinary people who have sex with men (MSM and TSM) are disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic in Kazakhstan. MSM and TSM in Kazakhstan also face high levels of discrimination and victimization, known barriers to engagement in HIV prevention and care. We examined data from surveys with 455 MSM and TSM collected May -- October 2020 to determine whether access to HIV testing and treatment was disproportionately limited among those exposed to victimization and discrimination during the early COVID-19 pandemic.

Polymeric Excipients in the Technology of Floating Drug Delivery Systems.

The combination of targeted transport and improvement of the release profile of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is a current trend in the development of oral medicinal products (MP). A well-known way to implement this concept is to obtain floating gastroretentive delivery systems that provide a long stay of the dosage form (DF) on the surface of the stomach contents. The nomenclature of excipients (Es) of a polymeric nature used in the technology of obtaining floating drug delivery systems (FDDS) is discussed.

Polydrug Use, Sexual Risk, and HIV Testing Among Cisgender Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men and Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals Who Have Sex With Men in Kazakhstan.

This study examined substance use and sexual risk correlates of HIV testing among cisgender gay, bisexual, and other men (MSM) and transgender and nonbinary individuals (TSM) who have sex with men in Kazakhstan. We analyzed baseline data from an HIV prevention trial collected prior to intervention deployment ( = 304). Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that lifetime HIV testing was positively associated with poly-drug use (AOR = 4.

Heparin-coated iron oxide nanoparticles: application as a liver contrast agent, toxicity and pharmacokinetics.

The prepared heparin-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (Hep-IONPs) contrasted cholangioma tumors in the liver in MRI. The NPs were not toxic to rats and rabbits after 14 days of consecutive IV injections as observed from the monitoring of the body weight and biochemical and hematological parameters. No embryotoxic or immunotoxic side effects of the material were detected.

Mechano-bactericidal anisotropic particles for oral biofilm treatment.

Bacterial biofilms play a major etiological role in dental diseases worldwide. Currently, toothpastes with bactericidal chemicals and abrasive materials are used as preventive care methods. However, chemicals can cause adverse side effects, with the use of antibiotics, fluorides, and antiseptics drastically reducing quality of life.

Reprogrammable Soft Swimmers for Minimally Invasive Thrombus Extraction.

Thrombosis-related diseases are the primary cause of death in the world. Despite recent advances in thrombosis treatment methods, their invasive nature remains a crucial factor, which leads to considerable deadly consequences. Soft magnetic robots are attracting widespread interest due to their fast response, remote actuation, and shape reprogrammability and can potentially avoid the side effects of conventional approaches.