Willingness to receive the second booster of COVID-19 vaccine among older adults with cancer: a stratified analysis in four provinces of China

BackgroundDespite the elevated COVID-19 risk for older adults with cancer, vaccine hesitancy poses a significant barrier to their immunization. Intriguingly, there is limited research on the prevalence of willingness to receive the second booster dose and associated determinants in older adults with cancer.ObjectiveOur objective was to ascertain the level of awareness about COVID-19 vaccines and to uncover the factors influencing the willingness to receive the second booster among Chinese cancer patients aged 65 years and over.MethodsTo achieve our objective, we conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study in four tertiary hospitals from four provinces of China. This involved using a Health Belief Model (HBM) based self-administered questionnaire and medical records. Subsequently, we employed multivariable logistic regression to identify factors influencing the second COVID-19 booster vaccine willingness.ResultsOur results showed that among 893 eligible participants, 279 (31.24%) were aged 65 years and over, and 614 (68.76%) were younger. Interestingly, the willingness to receive the second COVID-19 booster vaccine was 34.1% (95/279) (OR: 1.043, 95% CI: 0.858, 1.267) in participants aged 65 years and over, which was similar to participants aged under 65 years (34.1% vs. 35.5%, p = 0.673). Furthermore, our findings revealed that a positive attitude toward the booster and recommendations from healthcare providers and family members were positively associated with vaccine willingness. Conversely, perceptions of negative impacts on cancer control and vaccine accessibility regarding the second COVID-19 booster were inversely related to the outcome event (all p < 0.05).ConclusionOur study concludes with the finding of a low willingness toward the second COVID-19 booster in Chinese cancer patients, particularly in the older adults, a fact which warrants attention. This reluctance raises their risk of infection and potential for severe outcomes. Consequently, we recommend using media and community outreach to dispel misconceptions, promote the booster’s benefits, and encourage vaccine discussions with healthcare providers and family members

Association of chemokine receptor gene (CCR2-CCR5) haplotypes with acquisition and control of HIV-1 infection in Zambians

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Polymorphisms in chemokine (C-C motif) receptors 2 and 5 genes (<it>CCR2 </it>and <it>CCR5</it>) have been associated with HIV-1 infection and disease progression. We investigated the impact of <it>CCR2-CCR5 </it>haplotypes on HIV-1 viral load (VL) and heterosexual transmission in an African cohort. Between 1995 and 2006, cohabiting Zambian couples discordant for HIV-1 (index seropositive and HIV-1 exposed seronegative {HESN}) were monitored prospectively to determine the role of host genetic factors in HIV-1 control and heterosexual transmission. Genotyping for eight <it>CCR2 </it>and <it>CCR5 </it>variants resolved nine previously recognized haplotypes. By regression and survival analytic techniques, controlling for non-genetic factors, we estimated the effects of these haplotypic variants on a) index partner VL, b) seroconverter VL, c) HIV-1 transmission by index partners, d) HIV-1 acquisition by HESN partners.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among 567 couples, 240 virologically linked transmission events had occurred through 2006. HHF*2 homozygosity was associated with significantly lower VL in seroconverters (mean beta = -0.58, log₁₀<it>P </it>= 0.027) and the HHD/HHE diplotype was associated with significantly higher VL in the seroconverters (mean beta = 0.54, log₁₀<it>P </it>= 0.014) adjusted for age and gender in multivariable model. HHD/HHE was associated with more rapid acquisition of infection by the HESNs (HR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.20-3.43, <it>P </it>= 0.008), after adjustments for index partner VL and the presence of genital ulcer or inflammation in either partner in Cox multivariable models. The HHD/HHE effect was stronger in exposed females (HR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.14-3.95, <it>P </it>= 0.018).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Among Zambian discordant couples, HIV-1 coreceptor gene haplotypes and diplotypes appear to modulate HIV-1 VL in seroconverters and alter the rate of HIV-1 acquisition by HESNs. These associations replicate or resemble findings reported in other African and European populations.</p

A primary Rosai-Dorfman-Destombes disease of the scalp: case report and literature review

BackgroundRosai-Dorfman-Destombes disease (RDD) was first described in 1965 as a benign histiocytic proliferative disorder of unknown cause. Cases of RDD limited to cutaneous tissue have been reported over the past few decades, but single cutaneous RDD of the scalp is rare.Case presentationWe report a 31-year-old male with a lump on the parietal scalp without extranodal lesion lasting 1 month with gradual enlargement. The surgical incision ruptured with purulent after the first resection. Then the patient was treated with plastic surgery after disinfection and antibiotic treatment. Finally, he recovered well and discharged after 20 days.ConclusionsRDD of the scalp is rare. Surgical incision can cure the lesion but it may become infected because of increased lymphocytic infiltration. Early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of RDD are necessary. For treatment, individualized therapy is critical to patient prognosis

Human Leukocyte Antigens and HIV Type 1 Viral Load in Early and Chronic Infection: Predominance of Evolving Relationships

BACKGROUND: During untreated, chronic HIV-1 infection, plasma viral load (VL) is a relatively stable quantitative trait that has clinical and epidemiological implications. Immunogenetic research has established various human genetic factors, especially human leukocyte antigen (HLA) variants, as independent determinants of VL set-point. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To identify and clarify HLA alleles that are associated with either transient or durable immune control of HIV-1 infection, we evaluated the relationships of HLA class I and class II alleles with VL among 563 seroprevalent Zambians (SPs) who were seropositive at enrollment and 221 seroconverters (SCs) who became seropositive during quarterly follow-up visits. After statistical adjustments for non-genetic factors (sex and age), two unfavorable alleles (A*3601 and DRB1*0102) were independently associated with high VL in SPs (p<0.01) but not in SCs. In contrast, favorable HLA variants, mainly A*74, B*13, B*57 (or Cw*18), and one HLA-A and HLA-C combination (A*30+Cw*03), dominated in SCs; their independent associations with low VL were reflected in regression beta estimates that ranged from -0.47+/-0.23 to -0.92+/-0.32 log(10) in SCs (p<0.05). Except for Cw*18, all favorable variants had diminishing or vanishing association with VL in SPs (p<or=0.86). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Overall, each of the three HLA class I genes had at least one allele that might contribute to effective immune control, especially during the early course of HIV-1 infection. These observations can provide a useful framework for ongoing analyses of viral mutations induced by protective immune responses

Nanocomposite ZnO–SnO2 Nanofibers Synthesized by Electrospinning Method

We report the characterization of mixed oxides nanocomposite nanofibers of (1 − x) ZnO-(x)SnO2 (x ≤ 0.45) synthesized by electrospinning technique. The diameter of calcined nanofibers depends on Sn content. Other phases like SnO, ZnSnO3, and Zn2SnO4 were absent. Photoluminescence studies show that there is a change in the blue/violet luminescence confirming the presence of Sn in Zn-rich composition. Present study shows that the crystalline nanocomposite nanofibers with stoichiometry of (1 − x)ZnO-(x)SnO2 (x ≤ 0.45) stabilize after the calcination and possess some morphological and optical properties that strongly depend on Sn content

Genetic Epidemiology of Glioblastoma Multiforme: Confirmatory and New Findings from Analyses of Human Leukocyte Antigen Alleles and Motifs

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I genes mediate cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses and natural killer cell function. In a previous study, several HLA-B and HLA-C alleles and haplotypes were positively or negatively associated with the occurrence and prognosis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).As an extension of the Upper Midwest Health Study, we have performed HLA genotyping for 149 GBM patients and 149 healthy control subjects from a non-metropolitan population consisting almost exclusively of European Americans. Conditional logistic regression models did not reproduce the association of HLA-B*07 or the B*07-Cw*07 haplotype with GBM. Nonetheless, HLA-A*32, which has previously been shown to predispose GBM patients to a favorable prognosis, was negatively associated with occurrence of GBM (odds ratio=0.41, p=0.04 by univariate analysis). Other alleles (A*29, A*30, A*31 and A*33) within the A19 serology group to which A*32 belongs showed inconsistent trends. Sequencing-based HLA-A genotyping established that A*3201 was the single A*32 allele underlying the observed association. Additional evaluation of HLA-A promoter and exon 1 sequences did not detect any unexpected single nucleotide polymorphisms that could suggest differential allelic expression. Further analyses restricted to female GBM cases and controls revealed a second association with a specific HLA-B sequence motif corresponding to Bw4-80Ile (odds ratio=2.71, p=0.02).HLA-A allelic product encoded by A*3201 is likely to be functionally important to GBM. The novel, sex-specific association will require further confirmation in other representative study populations

Low-temperature growth of SnO2 nanorod arrays and tunable n-p-n sensing response of ZnO/SnO2 heterojunction for exclusive hydrogen sensors

Uniform SnO 2 nanorod arrays have been deposited at low temperature by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). ZnO surface modifi cation is used to improve the selectivity of the SnO 2 nanorod sensor to H 2 gas. The ZnO-modifi ed SnO 2 nanorod sensor shows a normal n-type response to 100 ppm CO, NH 3 , and CH 4 reducing gas whereas it exhibits concentrationdependent n–p–n transitions for its sensing response to H 2 gas. This abnormal sensing behavior can be explained by the formation of n-ZnO/p-Zn-O-Sn/n-SnO 2 heterojunction structures. The gas sensors can be used in highly selective H 2 sensing and this study also opens up a general approach for tailoring the selectivity of gas sensors by surface modification