Publications by authors named "Zhen-Xing Chu"

Background: To date, no randomized controlled trials have specifically addressed behavior changes after HIV self-testing (HIVST) among transgender women.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of HIVST on changes in HIV testing behavior, frequency of condomless sex, and partner numbers among transgender women in China.

Methods: Participants were recruited from 2 Chinese cities using both online and offline methods.

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Background: Anxiety and depression can influence adherence to Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). However, there is limited research on the temporal dynamics of anxiety and depression among men who have sex with men (MSM) using PrEP.

Methods: From December 2018 to November 2020, we administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to participants in the China Real-World Oral Intake of PrEP (CROPrEP) to measure their anxiety and depression levels.

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Background: HIV self-testing (HIVST) offers potential solutions to challenges associated with site-based HIV testing (SBHT). However, the effectiveness of HIVST as an HIV prevention strategy for men who have sex with men (MSM) discontinuing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) after the completion of PrEP demonstration project has rarely been assessed.

Methods: The China Real-world Study of Oral PrEP (CROPrEP) project was conducted in four cities in China.

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Background: No randomized controlled trials have involved established HIV-diagnosed men who have sex with men (MSM) diagnosed for more than 6 months into the assisted partner service (aPS). We compared voluntary aPS involving community-based organizations (CBOs) and HIV self-testing (aPSST) with regular partner service (rPS) in HIV-diagnosed MSM irrespective of diagnosis time.

Methods: In this unblinded, multicentre trial, we enrolled HIV-diagnosed MSM irrespective of diagnosis time in three cities in northern China.

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Despite the insupportable burden caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and high vaccine acceptability, vaccination programs are not currently available for men who have sex with men (MSM). We aimed to assess HPV infection by examining the willingness for vaccination among MSM and cost-effectiveness of the Chinese 2-valent HPV vaccine. We recruited MSM in Shenyang, China between July and December 2020 to conduct anal HPV testing and an online survey regarding HPV-related knowledge and vaccine acceptability.

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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%.

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Background: Assisted partner notification (PN) is an effective approach for increasing HIV testing among heterosexual partners. There is sparse evidence on its effect among sexual partners of men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the effect of assisted PN and passive PN interventions on uptake of HIV testing among male and female sexual partners of newly HIV-diagnosed MSM.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study investigates the preference between daily and on-demand PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in developing countries, specifically in major cities of China.
  • Out of 1,933 MSM participants, 57.1% preferred on-demand PrEP, while 42.9% leaned towards daily PrEP; factors like marital status and perceived HIV risk influenced these preferences.
  • The study found that individuals currently in a relationship with a female partner had a lower preference for daily PrEP, while those with more male sexual partners and a higher perception of HIV risk preferred daily PrEP.
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Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence among student men who have sex with men (MSM) in college is more than 5.0% and keeps on increasing in China. This study aims to clarify the proportion of HIV recent infection, its propeller and the source among college student MSM.

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Background: Biomedical interventions such as antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are highly effective for prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, China has not released national PrEP guidelines, and HIV incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) is unchanged despite substantial scale-up of ART. We evaluated reductions in HIV transmission that may be achieved through early initiation of ART plus partners' PrEP.

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Intimate partner violence (IPV) and HIV are highly prevalent worldwide among MSM. However, the association between IPV and HIV seroconversion is virtually unknown. This 12-month prospective cohort study was conducted among MSM in Shenyang, China to explore the causality between IPV and the incidence of HIV.

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The use of poppers is highly prevalent in MSM, but little is known about the association between their use and HIV incidence in China. A prospective cohort study was conducted from 2011 to 2013 in MSM in Shenyang. 475(79.

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Article Synopsis
  • In people with HIV, chronic inflammation affects the immune system and makes the disease worse.
  • The study found that a protein called IP-10, which causes inflammation, is produced too much in HIV patients, and this is linked to lower levels of a molecule called miR-21.
  • By adjusting miR-21 levels, researchers can influence IP-10 levels, and they discovered that another protein called ISG15 can make things more complicated in macrophages, providing new ideas for how to improve immune treatments for HIV.
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Objective: To estimate the medicine-taking compliance (MTC) level, explore its facilitators and barriers, and quantify the association between MTC level and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) protective efficacy in individuals at risk of acquiring HIV being administered oral PrEP.

Design: Meta-analysis.

Data Sources: We searched PubMed, Cochrane and Embase databases for published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) pertaining to MTC of oral PrEP for HIV prevention up to 16 January 2017.

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HIV testing is the first step to the fulfillment of Treat as Prevention (TasP) and reaching the 90-90-90 goal in HIV control. However, there are still a large number of Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) have never been tested for HIV before, and little is known about the HIV incidence and care linkage among this population. A Mixed method was used to recruit MSM who had never tested for HIV before from January 2012 to December 2014 in Shenyang, China.

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Objective: Events occurring during the initial phase of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are intriguing because of their dramatic impact on the subsequent course of the disease. In particular, the relationship between myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and HIV pathogenesis in primary infection remains unknown and the mechanism of MDSCs in HIV infection are incompletely defined.

Methods: The frequency of MDSC expression in patients with primary HIV infection (PHI) and chronic HIV infection was measured, and the association with disease progression was studied.

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Article Synopsis
  • HIV prevalence is rising among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly among those seeking partners online, with Internet-based MSM significantly increasing from 43.3% to 61.5% between 2009 and 2014.
  • The study showed that HIV rates for Internet-based MSM (IBM) rose from 5.7% to 20.7%, compared to 7.0% to 14.7% for non-Internet-based MSM (NIBM), indicating IBM faces higher infection rates.
  • Risk factors contributing to higher HIV prevalence in IBM included being a migrant MSM and infrequently using condoms during casual encounters, suggesting a need for tailored interventions for this demographic.
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Article Synopsis
  • Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at heightened risk for HIV and STIs, particularly those engaged in commercial sex in China.
  • A study surveyed 3,717 MSM across six cities, revealing significant prevalence rates: 11.1% for HIV, 8.8% for syphilis, and 12.1% for HSV-2, with MSM selling sex showing the highest infection rates, although not statistically significant.
  • The findings indicate that MSM selling sex are likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex and drug use, highlighting the need for targeted health interventions for this vulnerable group.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study focused on the prevalence and risk factors for HSV-2 and syphilis infections among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in China.
  • The research involved examining 545 MSM in Shenyang from 2009 to 2014, revealing that 48.6% had HSV-2 mono-infection, 34.3% had syphilis mono-infection, and 22.9% had both infections simultaneously.
  • Key determinants for co-infection included older age, having regular female partners, and the age of first MSM experience, highlighting the urgent need for targeted detection and treatment initiatives.
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Purpose: To explore the association between differential Tim-3 and PD-1 expression patterns and HIV disease progression, and to investigate the impact of common γ-chain cytokines on Tim-3 and PD-1 expression patterns on T cells.

Methods: Tim-3/PD-1 expression on the T cells of patients with early and chronic HIV infections was detected. The expression levels and functional profiles of T cells with differential Tim-3 and PD-1 expression patterns induced by γ-chain cytokines were studied.

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To investigate the molecular subtypes of prevalent HIV-1 strains and characterize the genetics of dominant strains among men who have sex with men. Molecular epidemiology surveys in this study concentrated on the prevalent HIV-1 strains in Liaoning province by year. 229 adult patients infected with HIV-1 and part of a high-risk group of men who have sex with men were recruited.

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Article Synopsis
  • Recreational drug use (RDU) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China is linked to higher rates of HIV, syphilis, and HSV-2 infections, alongside risky sexual behaviors like having multiple partners and unprotected sex.
  • A study involving over 3,800 MSM revealed that 28% reported using RDU in the past six months, with significant associations found between drug use, multiple sexual partners, and a higher likelihood of HIV infection.
  • The findings suggest that RDU may contribute to risky sexual behaviors, highlighting the need for targeted community engagement and interventions to address these health risks.
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