Quantification of subclinical plaque characteristics and perivascular fat using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) among individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Background: People infected with human immunodeficiency virus (PIWH) have a higher risk of cardiovascular events. This study was designed to compare the differences in plaque characteristics and perivascular fat between subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in PIWH and healthy controls (HC) by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). We also assessed the associations between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and coronary artery disease (CAD).

MRI Assessment of Diastolic Dysfunction in People Living With the Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Correlation With Markers of Disease Activity.

Background: Despite the advent of combination antiretroviral therapy, people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) are at an increased risk for cardiac disease.

Purpose: To explore the presence and extent of diastolic atrial and left ventricular dysfunction in PLWH using cardiac MRI in correlation with clinical markers of disease activity.

Study Type: Prospective.

Willingness to take long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men who participated in the CROPrEP study: a cross-sectional online study.

Introduction: Evidence on the willingness of men who have sex with men (MSM) with oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) experience, especially those with suboptimal adherence, to take long-acting injectable PrEP (LAI-PrEP) is critical to guide future LAI-PrEP implementation.

Objective: The objective was to assess the willingness of MSM with oral PrEP experience to take LAI-PrEP.

Methods: MSM who participated in the China Real-world Study of Oral PrEP (CROPrEP) were enrolled in this study.

Cardiac MRI-Based Assessment of Myocardial Injury in Asymptomatic People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Correlation With nadir CD4 Count.

Background: There are known cardiac manifestations of HIV, but the findings in asymptomatic subjects are still not fully explored.

Purpose: To evaluate for the presence of subclinical myocardial injury in asymptomatic people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) by cardiac MRI and to explore the possible association between subclinical myocardial injury and HIV-related clinical characteristics.

Study Type: Cross-sectional.

CDK5 Mediates Proinflammatory Effects of Microglia through Activated DRP1 Phosphorylation in Rat Model of Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Introduction: Cyclin-dependent kinase-5 (CDK5) is a key kinase involved in brain development and function and recently found to be involved in neuronal and astroglial apoptosis, neural stem/progenitor cell stemness, mitochondrial fission, and synaptic transmission. But the specific mechanism of CDK5-mediated anti-inflammatory remains unclear in ICH. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of CDK5 in mediating microglia activity through activated DRP1 phosphorylation in a rat ICH model.

Comparative miRNA transcriptomics of macaques and mice reveals is an inhibitor for invasion into the brain.

Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CM) is emerging as an infection in HIV/AIDS patients shifted from primarily ART-naive to ART-experienced individuals, as well as patients with COVID-19 and immunocompetent hosts. This fungal infection is mainly caused by the opportunistic human pathogen . Brain or central nervous system (CNS) dissemination is the deadliest process for this disease; however, mechanisms underlying this process have yet to be elucidated.

Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation Reverses Tenofovir-Caused Bone Mineral Density Loss in People Taking ART or PrEP: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The decrease of bone mineral density (BMD) after the intake of Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-based drugs in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and HIV-negative key populations under pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) regimen raised concerns. Previous findings on the effects of vitamin D (VD) and calcium supplements and the recovery of BMD loss were inconclusive. The optimal doses of VD and calcium and its supplementary duration remained unknown.

Discontinuation, suboptimal adherence, and reinitiation of oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: a global systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Poor adherence to oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) diminishes its clinical and public health benefits. This study synthesises evidence regarding discontinuation, adherence, and reinitiation of PrEP among geographically diverse PrEP users.

Methods: We did a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating studies published in MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to Dec 18, 2020.

CTNNBL1 restricts HIV-1 replication by suppressing viral DNA integration into the cell genome.

Retroviral integration is mediated by a unique enzymatic process shared by all retroviruses and retrotransposons. During integration, double-stranded linear viral DNA is inserted into the host genome in a process catalyzed by viral-encoded integrase (IN). However, host cell defenses against HIV-1 integration are not clear.

Outcomes of persistent low-level viremia among HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy: A prospective cohort study.

Introduction: We aimed to investigate the relationship between low-level viremia (LLV) and virological failure (VF), death, and non-AIDS events (NAEs).

Methods: A prospective cohort study of people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) was conducted from 2011-2018 at an HIV clinic in Shenyang, China. The incidence of VF and the mortality and NAEs due to LLV were assessed.

p75 Interacts with the Zinc Finger Protein Glis2 and Participates in Neuronal Apoptosis Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a serious condition with a particularly high mortality rate. Gli-similar 2 (Glis2) has been reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ICH; however, its underlying mechanisms and biological significance remains unclear. In the present study, a specific interaction between Glis2 and p75, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, was identified both in vivo and in vitro.

Association of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Use With HIV Incidence Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.

Importance: Evidence on HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) is critical to guide its large-scale implementation in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: To evaluate incident HIV infection, adherence, safety, and changes in sexual behaviors among MSM using daily PrEP (D-PrEP) and event-driven PrEP (ED-PrEP) in 4 cities in China.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This nonrandomized controlled trial was conducted among HIV-seronegative MSM from December 11, 2018, to November 30, 2020, in Beijing, Shenyang, Chongqing, and Shenzhen.

Prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in China: lessons from the past three decades.

In the past 37 years, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has undergone various major transmission routes in China, with the world most complex co-circulating HIV-1 subtypes, even the prevalence is still low. In response to the first epidemic outbreak of HIV in injecting drug users and the second one by illegal commercial blood collection, China issued the Anti-Drug Law and launched the Blood Donation Act and nationwide nucleic acid testing, which has avoided 98,232 to 211,200 estimated infections and almost ended the blood product-related infection. China has been providing free antiretroviral therapy (ART) since 2003, which covered >80% of the identified patients and achieved a viral suppression rate of 91%.

Feasibility of Indirect Secondary Distribution of HIV Self-test Kits via WeChat Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: National Cross-sectional Study in China.

Background: HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits are common in key sexually active populations. Direct secondary distribution of HIVST kits (DSDHK) is effective in improving the uptake of HIVST. However, there are concerns about the various limitations of DSDHK, including limited geographic reach, payment problems, and need for face-to-face interactions.

The development of autoverification system of lymphocyte subset assays on the flow cytometry platform.

Objectives: Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets are important parameters for monitoring immune status; however, lymphocyte subset detection is time-consuming and error-prone. This study aimed to explore a highly efficient and clinically useful autoverification system for lymphocyte subset assays performed on the flow cytometry platform.

Methods: A total of 94,402 lymphocyte subset test results were collected.

Internet-Based HIV Self-Testing Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Through Pre-exposure Prophylaxis: 3-Month Prospective Cohort Analysis From China.

Background: Routine HIV testing accompanied with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) requires innovative support in a real-world setting.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the usage of HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits and their secondary distribution to partners among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China, who use PrEP, in an observational study between 2018 and 2019.

Methods: In 4 major cities in China, we prospectively followed-up MSM from the China Real-world oral PrEP demonstration study, which provides daily or on-demand PrEP for 12 months, to assess the usage and secondary distribution of HIVST on quarterly follow-ups.

Rapid Clinical Progression and Its Correlates Among Acute HIV Infected Men Who Have Sex With Men in China： Findings From a 5-Year Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: In the "treat all" era, there are few data on the nature of HIV clinical progression in middle-income countries. The aim of the current study was to prospectively analyze the clinical progression of HIV and its indicators among men in China with acute HIV who have sex with men.

Methods: From 2009-2014 a total of 400 men with acute HIV infection (AHI) were identified among 7,893 men who have sex with men periodic pooled nucleic acid amplification testing, and they were assigned to an AHI prospective cohort in Beijing and Shenyang, China.

Vpr counteracts the restriction of LAPTM5 to promote HIV-1 infection in macrophages.

The HIV-1 accessory proteins Vif, Vpu, and Nef can promote infection by overcoming the inhibitory effects of the host cell restriction factors APOBEC3G, Tetherin, and SERINC5, respectively. However, how the HIV-1 accessory protein Vpr enhances infection in macrophages but not in CD4 T cells remains elusive. Here, we report that Vpr counteracts lysosomal-associated transmembrane protein 5 (LAPTM5), a potent inhibitor of HIV-1 particle infectivity, to enhance HIV-1 infection in macrophages.

Factors Influencing Clinicians' Willingness to Prescribe Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for Persons at High Risk of HIV in China: Cross-sectional Online Survey Study.

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective HIV prevention measure. Clinicians play a crucial role in PrEP implementation, and their knowledge, attitudes, and career experience may affect their willingness to prescribe PrEP. However, little is known about the attitudes and willingness of clinicians to prescribe PrEP in countries without PrEP-specific guidelines.

Mobile Phone Intervention Based on an HIV Risk Prediction Tool for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: eHealth interventions based on risk stratification have not been extensively applied for HIV behavioral interventions among HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM).

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a mobile phone intervention based on an HIV risk prediction tool in promoting HIV testing and reducing high-risk behavior among HIV-negative MSM in China.

Methods: We performed a mobile phone-based randomized controlled clinical trial for 12 weeks.

Context and Barriers to the Prescription of Nonoccupational Postexposure Prophylaxis Among HIV Medical Care Providers: National Internet-Based Observational Study in China.

Background: Nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) is an effective HIV biomedical prevention strategy. The research and use of nPEP are mainly concentrated in the developed world, while little is known about the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nPEP among HIV medical care providers in developing countries.

Objective: We aimed to assess the nPEP knowledge and prescribing practice among HIV medical care providers in mainland China.

Use of multiple recreational drugs is associated with new HIV infections among men who have sex with men in China: a multicenter cross-sectional survey.

Background: There is limited information about the types of recreational drugs used by men who have sex with men (MSM) in China or the consequent impact on sexual health and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition.

Methods: We recruited MSM from seven cities in China between 2012 and 2013 using multiple approaches including advertisements on gay websites, collaborating with local MSM community-based organizations, peer referrals, and venues such as gay bars and bathrooms visited by MSM. We divided participants into four subgroups based on the number of recreational drugs (RDs) used in the previous 6 months.

Preference for daily versus on-demand pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV and correlates among men who have sex with men: the China Real-world Oral PrEP Demonstration study.

Introduction: This study explores the preference for daily versus on-demand pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in developing countries when both regimens are available.

Methods: From 11 December 2018 to 19 October 2019, we recruited MSM for an open-label real-world PrEP demonstration study in four major cities in China. Subjects selected their preferred PrEP (oral tenofovir/emtricitabine) regimen (daily vs.