Herpes simplex virus infections among rural residents in eastern China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Herpes simplex virus (HSV) has two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both infect epithelial cells and establish latent infections in neurons causing an infection that persists for life. Information on age- and gender-specific seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 is valuable for understanding HSV transmission dynamics and designing population-based prevention and intervention programs for HSV. However, such information is not available for China.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cryopreserved serum samples of all subjects aged 5 to 60 years from two randomly selected rural villages in Zhejiang province in Eastern China who had participated in the China national seroepidemiological survey of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection conducted in 2006 were tested. Seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections were determined by type-specific IgG antibody tests using an ELISA technique. Their 95% confidence intervals adjusted for the sampling fraction were calculated according to the Clopper-Pearson method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 2,141 residents participated in the survey, with a response rate of 82.3%. HSV-1 seroprevalence was 92.0% overall, 89.1% for males and 94.2% for females. HSV-1 seroprevalence was 61.6% among children aged 5-9 years, 90.3% among 25-29 years, and nearly 100% among those aged > = 40 years. HSV-2 seroprevalence was 13.2% overall, 10.5% for males and 15.3% for females. No children aged 5-14 years were HSV-2 positive, and HSV-2 seroprevalence was 7.1% among 15-19 years and peaked at 24.3% among those aged 45-49 years. Neither HSV-1 nor HSV-2 infections were significantly different by gender. About 11.8% of study subjects were co-infected with both types of HSV. Among 549 participating couples, 8.6% were HSV-1 serodiscordant and 11.8% were HSV-2 serodiscordant. No one tested positive for HIV. The overall prevalence of HBsAg was 16.2%, 16.9% for males and 15.4% for females.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>HSV-1 was highly prevalent among all rural residents aged between 5-60 years in Eastern China, whereas HSV-2 was prevalent among sexually active people. HSV-1 and HSV-2 have different transmission modes and dynamics. Future HSV prevention and control programs in China should be type specific.</p

Changes in sexual behaviors among HIV-infected individuals after their HIV diagnosis in a rural prefecture of Eastern China.

OBJECTIVE: To describe changes in sexual behaviors among HIV-infected individuals after their HIV diagnosis. METHODS: All HIV-infected individuals diagnosed by the end of 2009 in Taizhou Prefecture were invited to participate in this 12-month prospective study. Assessments including the total number and types of sexual contacts, and condom use details for up to their most familiar eight sexual contacts were collected both at enrollment and 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: 262 HIV-infected individuals were eligible for analysis. The total number of sexual contacts reported by participants was 4,017, 1,496 and 356 during the 12- month period prior to HIV diagnosis (T1), the 12-month period prior to the baseline survey (T2), and the 12-month follow-up period (T3), respectively. The difference in the number of sexual contacts between T2 and T1 was -5 in median (IQR -1, -14), and the difference between T3 and T2 was 0 in median (IQR: 0, -6). A larger proportion of spousal or long-term heterosexual contact was reported from T1(27.7%) to T2(42.5%) to T3(76.1%), whereas a smaller proportion of commercial heterosexual contacts was reported from T1 (48.6%) to T2 (33.2%) to T3 (7.0%) as well as a smaller proportion of non-commercial casual homosexual contacts was reported from T2 (8.4%) to T3 (3.8%).The proportion of consistent condom use increased significantly from T1 (9.3%) to T2 (35.3%) to T3 (91.5%). CONCLUSION: Sexual behaviors did not change in a uniform manner for the participants in our study. Sexual behaviors and sexual networks vis-à-vis HIV diagnosis and follow-up were associated with the participant's characteristics and HIV infection and treatment status. The overall lesson is that individuals who are unaware of their HIV infection are the main drivers of secondary transmission. Early identification of HIV infection and access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) are both key strategies to the control and prevention

Polar iodate BiO(IO3): A two-dimensional ultrawide-bandgap semiconductor with high carrier mobility and robust piezoelectricity

Ultrawide-bandgap (UWBG) semiconductors, surpassing GaN with a bandgap of 3.4 eV, offer distinct advantages in high-temperature, high-frequency, and radiation-resistant applications. Specifically, two-dimensional (2D) UWBG materials play a crucial role in the miniaturization of practical devices. Here, employing first-principles calculations, we explore the properties of the polar iodate BiO(IO3) in its 2D monolayer configuration, boasting a bandgap of 3.61 eV. Our calculations confirm the feasibility of deriving 2D BiO(IO3) monolayer from its bulk counterpart while retaining structural stability at room temperature. The UWBG BiO(IO3) monolayer exhibits remarkable ultraviolet absorption, mechanical flexibility, and favorable electronic transport behavior. Notably, the estimated electron mobility reaches an impressive 1353.13 cm2 V−1 s−1. Importantly, the 2D structure of BiO(IO3) displays robust in-plane piezoelectricity without the odd–even effect commonly observed in other 2D piezoelectric materials. The piezoelectric coefficients d21 and d22 of monolayer reach high values of 13.87 and 16.66 pm V−1, respectively, surpassing or closely approaching those of most well-studied 2D systems. The direct stacking configuration enables 2D BiO(IO3) materials to maintain robust piezoelectricity at different thicknesses. Charge injection simulations validate the electromechanical conversion process, aligning well with its piezoelectric properties. This suggests the promising application potential of 2D BiO(IO3) in devices such as micro-electro-mechanical systems

Alcohol use and subsequent sex among HIV-infected patients in an ethnic minority area of Yunnan Province, China.

OBJECTIVE: To examine alcohol use and subsequent HIV risky behaviors among a sample of predominately ethnic minority people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in a rural community in Yunnan Province, China. METHOD: A cross-sectional study with a face-to-face questionnaire interview was conducted among eligible participants. RESULTS: In total, 455 (94.4%) out of 482 eligible HIV patients participated in the study. Of them, 82.6% were ethnic minorities; 15.4% were never married; 96.5% were sexually experienced; 55.4% had used drugs, 67% were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Over 65% were ever drinkers; of whom 61.5% were current drinkers. Among current drinkers, 32.4% drank daily and 41.2% were hazardous drinkers. Chinese white wine was the preferred choice. Higher level of alcohol use among drinkers in the preceding month was positively associated with being males (OR = 2.76, 95%CI: 1.03-7.43), ethnic minorities (OR Jingpo = 2.21, 95%CI: 1.06-4.59; OR other minorities = 3.20, 95%CI: 1.34-7.62), higher education (OR1-6 = 1.98, 95%CI: 0.99-3.96; OR≥7 = 2.35, 95%CI: 1.09-5.06) and being ART-naive (OR = 2.69, 95%CI: 1.67-4.32). About 39% of ever drinkers reported having engaged in sex after drinking since HIV diagnosis. Those who were younger than 46 years (OR16-25 = 7.77, 95%CI: 1.22-49.60, OR26-35 = 2.79, 95%CI: 1.06-7.35, OR36-45 = 2.96, 95%CI: 1.57-7.58), hazardous drinkers (OR = 1.99, 95%CI: 1.00-3.97) and drug users (OR = 3.01, 95%CI: 1.19-7.58) were more likely to have had sex after drinking. Approximately 56% of drug users had used drugs after drinking. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of alcohol use and subsequent risky behaviors including sexual engagement and drug use among HIV patients in rural Yunnan require tremendous and integrated efforts for prevention and control of alcohol and drug abuse and HIV spreading

Community based promotion on VCT acceptance among rural migrants in Shanghai, China.

Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) plays an important integral role in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. However, VCT service has not been effectively utilized among rural migrants, a high risk group in China. In this study, we developed a community based intervention to examine if community mobilization with comprehensive VCT is more effective than current HIV preventions with routine VCT service in promoting VCT acceptability among rural migrants in Shanghai, China.A comprehensive intervention with community mobilization and comprehensive VCT services including community-based VCT and mobile VCT was implemented during 2007-2009. Three communities in Minhang District of Shanghai were randomly selected and were designed to receive community mobilization and comprehensive VCT, traditional VCT and none intervention, respectively. After 24 months intervention, effects were evaluated by comparing outcome indicators between the baseline (2,690 participants) and follow-up surveys (1,850 participants).A substantial increase in VCT acceptance was observed among community mobilization group (94.9% vs. 88.5%, P<0.001), whereas the reverse effect was seen in the traditional VCT group (86.1% vs. 94.6%, P<0.001) and control group (69.0% vs. 91.7%, P<0.001). Rural migrants from community mobilization group were more likely to accept VCT (OR = 2.91, 95% CI 1.69-4.97). Rural migrants from community mobilization group also showed significant increase in HIV/AIDS knowledge, positive attitude towards HIV positive individuals and condom use.Community mobilization with comprehensive VCT has significant impact on promotion of VCT acceptance and utilization among rural migrants in Shanghai. These findings provide evidence to support community mobilization as a suitable strategy for VCT promotion among rural migrants in Shanghai, China

A schematic flow chart of the study sample.

<p>A schematic flow chart of the study sample.</p

Sexual relationship and condom use of HIV individuals with their most familiar sexual contacts in the 12 months period prior to HIV diagnosis (T1), the baseline survey (T2) and the one-year follow-up survey (T3), respectively, in Taizhou prefecture, 2009–2010.

<p><b>Note:</b> n refers to the total number of sexual contacts reported;</p>†<p>Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test compare the proportion of types of sexual contacts or condom use of HIV individuals between T2 and T1;</p>‡<p>Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test compare the proportion of types of sexual contacts or condom use of HIV individuals between T3 and T2.</p

Sexual contacts of HIV individuals in the 12 months period prior to HIV diagnosis (T1), the baseline survey (T2) and the one-year follow-up survey (T3), respectively, in Taizhou prefecture, 2009–2010.

<p><b>Note:</b> *Wilcoxon signed-rank test compare the difference in number of sexual contacts of HIV individuals between different time points;</p>†<p>Mann-Whitney test for variables with two categories were applied to determine whether the number of sexual contacts during T1 or the changes in the number of sexual contacts of HIV-infected individuals during different time periods were significantly associated with their sociodemographic, HIV transmission route and ART status;</p>‡<p>Kruskal-Wallis test for variables with three or more categories were applied to determine whether were significantly associated with their sociodemographic, HIV transmission route and ART status.</p

Illicit Heroin and Methamphetamine Use among Methadone Maintenance Treatment Patients in Dehong Prefecture of Yunnan Province, China.

Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) was introduced to China in 2004 to reduce the harm of injecting drug users (IDUs). However, little is known about continued drug use, especially methamphetamine (MAMP), among MMT patients.A survey was conducted among patients attending five major MMT clinics in Dehong Prefecture in 2014 to investigate the heroin and MAMP use and their associated risk factors. Participants were administered with face-to-face interviews, and urine tests for morphine and MAMP.A total of 2,121 were eligible and participated in the study. Among them, 220 (10.4%) were only positive for morphine, 12.9% were only positive for MAMP, and 196 (9.2%) were positive for both morphine and MAMP. Compared with neither use of heroin nor MAMP during MMT, heroin use (not using MAMP) was associated with ethnicity, shorter duration of MMT, lower dose of methadone, and having had no more than two sex partners in the past year; MAMP use (not using heroin) was associated with ethnicity, longer duration of MMT, higher dose of methadone and being aged <30 years (vs. ≥50 years); use of both heroin and MAMP was associated with being Dai minority (vs. Han), a marital status of divorced or widowed, having used drugs for ≥10 years and shorter duration of MMT.These findings indicate the complexity in the treatment of heroin users and underscore the importance in prescribing appropriate methadone dosages in order to reduce both heroin and MAMP use