[Risk factors related to HIV new infections among men who have sex with men in a cohort study]

Objectives: To analyze and understand the risk factors related to HIV new infections among men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: A longitudinal observational study among MSM was conducted to collect information on HIV related behaviors and sero-conversion. Univariate and multivariate generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to discuss the risk factors for HIV new infection. Results: A total number of 4 305 MSM were followed during 2013-2015. Among those self-reported MSM who are seeking partners on the Interner tended to have higher proportion on receptive anal intercourse and consistent condom use during anal intercourse than the subgroups seeking their partners in gay bars or bathrooms. HIV incidence among followed MSM during the study period appeared as 4.3/100 person years, with adjusted RR (aRR) of HIV infection for receptive anal intercourse as group 2.20 (95% CI: 1.49-3.24) times than that of insertion anal intercourse group. Those who used rush-poppers (aRR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.10-2.17), unprotected anal intercourse (aRR=2.24, 95%CI: 1.62-3.08), and those with syphilis infection (aRR=2.95, 95%CI: 2.00-4.35) were also risk factors for HIV new infections. After controlling other factors, the relationship between the ways of seeking partners and HIV new infection was not statistical significant. Conclusion: Risk factors for HIV new infection among MSM appeared complex and interactive, suggesting that further studies are needed to generate tailored strategies for the prevention of HIV epidemic among MSM population.

Utilizing Combined Claims and Clinical Datasets for Research Among Potential Cases of Rare Diseases

With data quality issues with administrative claims and medically derived datasets, a dataset derived from a combination of sources may be more effective for research. The purposes of this article is to link an EMR-based data warehouse with state administrative data to study individuals with rare diseases; to describe and compare their characteristics; and to explore research with the data. These methods included subjects with diagnosis codes for one of three rare diseases from the years 2009-2014; Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, and Fragile X Syndrome. The results from the combined data provides additional information that each dataset, by itself, would not contain. The simultaneous examination of data such as race/ethnicity, physician and other outpatient visit data, charges and payments, and overall utilization was possible in the combined dataset. It is also discussed that combining such datasets can be a useful tool for the study of populations with rare diseases.

Evaluation of spina bifida transitional care practices in the United States

PURPOSE

Recent studies have revealed that the lack of continuity in preparing patients with spina bifida to transition into adult-centered care may have detrimental health consequences. We sought to describe current practices of transitional care services offered at spina bifida clinics in the US.

METHODS

Survey design followed the validated transitional care survey by the National Cystic Fibrosis center. Survey was amended for spina bifida. Face validity was completed. Survey was distributed to registered clinics via the Spina Bifida Association. Results were analyzed via descriptive means.

RESULTS

Total of 34 clinics responded. Over 90 characteristics were analyzed per clinic. The concept of transition is discussed with most patients. Most clinics discuss mobility, bowel and bladder management, weight, and education plans consistently. Most do not routinely evaluate their process or discuss insurance coverage changes with patients. Only 30% communicate with the adult providers. Sexuality, pregnancy and reproductive issues are not readily discussed in most clinics. Overall clinics self-rate themselves as a 5/10 in their ability to provide services for their patients during transition.

CONCLUSIONS

Characteristics of current transitional care services and formal transitional care programs at US clinics show wide variances in what is offered to patients and families.

Longitudinal Study of Bladder Continence in Patients with Spina Bifida in the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry

PURPOSE

Achieving bladder continence in individuals with spina bifida is a lifetime management goal. We investigated bladder continence status through time and factors associated with this status in patients with spina bifida.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used National Spina Bifida Patient Registry data collected from 2009 through 2015 and applied generalized estimating equation models to analyze factors associated with bladder continence status.

RESULTS

This analysis included 5,250 participants with spina bifida in a large, multi-institutional patient registry who accounted for 12,740 annual clinic visit records during the study period. At last followup mean age was 16.6 years, 22.4% of participants had undergone bladder continence surgery, 92.6% used some form of bladder management and 45.8% reported bladder continence. In a multivariable regression model the likelihood of bladder continence was significantly greater in those who were older, were female, were nonHispanic white, had a nonmyelomeningocele diagnosis, had a lower level of lesion, had a higher mobility level and had private insurance. Continence surgery history and current management were also associated with continence independent of all other factors (adjusted OR and 95% CI 1.9, 1.7-2.1 and 3.8, 3.2-4.6, respectively). The association between bladder management and continence was stronger for those with a myelomeningocele diagnosis (adjusted OR 4.6) than with nonmyelomeningocele (adjusted OR 2.8).

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to demographic, social and clinical factors, surgical intervention and bladder management are significantly and independently associated with bladder continence status in individuals with spina bifida. The association between bladder management and continence is stronger in those with myelomeningocele.

[Influence of sociocultural factors on HIV transmission among men who have sex with men: a qualitative study]

Objective: To understand how social and cultural factors influence sexual perceptions, sexual practices, and HIV transmission among men who have sex with men at selected sites in China. Methods: Qualitative methodology was used and face to face, semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted from April 2013 to October 2015 in Sichuan, Jiangxi, Henan, Heilongjiang provinces and Chongqing municipality of China. Results: A total of 184 men who have sex with men participated in the interviews. Forty-eight originated from Henan Province, and 12, 50, 47, and 27 from Jiangxi, Heilongjiang, Sichuan provinces and Chongqing municipality, respectively. A total of 122 participants(66.3%)were under 30 years of age, 111 were college graduates(61.3%), 140 were unmarried(76.5%), and 74 were HIV positive(40.2%). Among interviewees, 6%(11 MSM)were employed at nongovernmental organizations. The main findings revealed that: Owing to sociocultural influences and social norms, most homosexual men concealed their sexual orientation and married females so as to fulfill their family obligation; this may encourage HIV transmission from a high-risk population to the general population; the main features of male homosexual behaviors, as well as those of the associated community and subculture, included hedonism, less concern about health, drug abuse, encouraging of high risk behaviors among men who have sex with men, and negative attitudes regarding HIV prevention; subgroups among MSM were found to have differential HIV transmission risk behaviors, with young men more vulnerable to infection with HIV. Conclusion: Sociocultural factors, including external socioenvironmental circumstances and internal MSM community subcultures, have adverse impacts on HIV transmission among men who have sex with men. Because there were varied behavior modes and HIV transmission risks among MSM subgroups, further study focusing on MSM subgroups is imperative, to provide a basis for more targeted and effective prevention strategies.

Skin Ulcers and Mortality Among Adolescents and Young Adults With Spina Bifida in South Carolina During 2000-2010

The authors investigated 48 deaths (7% death rate) among 690 adolescents and young adults with spina bifida in South Carolina during 2000-2010. The authors used Medicaid and other administrative data and a retrospective cohort design that included people with spina bifida identified using ICD-9 codes. Cox regression models with time-dependent and time-invariant covariates, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed. The authors found that 21.4% of the study group had a skin ulcer during the study period and individuals with skin ulcers had significantly higher mortality than those without ulcers (P < .0001). People who had their first skin ulcer during adolescence had higher mortality than those who had the first skin ulcer during young adulthood (P = .0002; hazard ratio = 10.70, 95% confidence interval for hazard ratio: 3.01, 38.00) and those without skin ulcers, controlling for other covariates. This study showed that age at which individuals first had a skin ulcer was associated with mortality.

Emergency department and inpatient hospitalizations for young people with fragile X syndrome

We compared hospital encounters between adolescents and young adults with fragile X syndrome (FXS) to peers with intellectual disability (ID) from other causes, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and a comparison group without these conditions matched by gender, age, and insurance coverage. Those with FXS, ASD, or ID were more likely to have had hospital encounters. In terms of age groups, we found mental illness hospitalizations decreased during adulthood as compared to adolescence for those with FXS, and we found that for conditions unrelated to FXS (e.g., respiratory, genitourinary, gastroenteritis, and pneumonia) adolescents had higher rates of hospitalization compared to their peers with FXS, ID, or ASD. We analyzed epilepsy, common among people with FXS and designated as an ambulatory care sensitive condition that can be treated outside the hospital, and found that people with FXS, ID, and ASD had higher odds of hospitalization due to epilepsy in both age groups than did the comparison group.

Development of a tool to describe overall health, social independence and activity limitation of adolescents and young adults with disability

There is a need for research that focuses on the correlation between self-perceived quality of life (QoL) and the health outcomes of adolescents with disability transitioning to adulthood. To better understand the transition experience of adolescents and young adults with disability, we developed a questionnaire to assess the impact of disability on QoL. We recruited 174 participants who were 15-24 years old and diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome (FXS), spina bifida (SB) or muscular dystrophy (MD) and conducted an exploratory factor analysis to identify factors that characterize QoL. Five factors emerged: emotional health, physical health, independence, activity limitation, and community participation. To validate the tool, we linked medical claims and other administrative data records and examined the association of the factor scores with health care utilization and found the questionnaire can be utilized among diverse groups of young people with disability.

Plant natural products: from traditional compounds to new emerging drugs in cancer therapy

Natural products are chemical compounds or substances produced naturally by living organisms. With the development of modern technology, more and more plant extracts have been found to be useful to medical practice. Both micromolecules and macromolecules have been reported to have the ability to inhibit tumour progression, a novel weapon to fight cancer by targeting its 10 characteristic hallmarks. In this review, we focus on summarizing plant natural compounds and their derivatives with anti-tumour properties, into categories, according to their potential therapeutic strategies against different types of human cancer. Taken together, we present a well-grounded review of these properties, hoping to shed new light on discovery of novel anti-tumour therapeutic drugs from known plant natural sources.

In silico analysis and experimental validation of active compounds from fructus Schisandrae chinensis in protection from hepatic injury

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to explore mechanisms by which fructus Schisandrae chinensis (Wuweizi) is able to reveal its protective capacity against hepatocyte injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Identification of candidate small molecular compounds was performed by text-mining, extraction and isolation, reverse-docking, network construction, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. In vitro cytological examination and western blotting were used to validate efficacy of selected compounds.

RESULTS

We analyzed chemical composition of fructus Schisandrae chinensis and constructed protein-protein networks of key targets. Networks of miRNA-protein were constructed. Molecular docking and MD simulation results supported good interaction between selected compound 11/12 and GBA3/SHBG. Further in vitro examination divulged molecular mechanisms involved.

CONCLUSIONS

In silico analysis and experimental validation together demonstrated that compound 11/12 of fructus Schisandrae chinensis targetted GBA3/SHBG in hepatocytes. Hopefully this will shed light on exploration of its complex molecular mechanisms.

Plant lectins, from ancient sugar-binding proteins to emerging anti-cancer drugs in apoptosis and autophagy

Ubiquitously distributed in different plant species, plant lectins are highly diverse carbohydrate-binding proteins of non-immune origin. They have interesting pharmacological activities and currently are of great interest to thousands of people working on biomedical research in cancer-related problems. It has been widely accepted that plant lectins affect both apoptosis and autophagy by modulating representative signalling pathways involved in Bcl-2 family, caspase family, p53, PI3K/Akt, ERK, BNIP3, Ras-Raf and ATG families, in cancer. Plant lectins may have a role as potential new anti-tumour agents in cancer drug discovery. Thus, here we summarize these findings on pathway- involved plant lectins, to provide a comprehensive perspective for further elucidating their potential role as novel anti-cancer drugs, with respect to both apoptosis and autophagy in cancer pathogenesis, and future therapy.

Key autophagic targets and relevant small-molecule compounds in cancer therapy

Autophagy is a highly conserved lysosomal degradation process which can recycle unnecessary or dysfunctional cell organelles and proteins, thereby playing a crucial regulatory role in cell survival and maintenance. It has been widely accepted that autophagy regulates various pathological processes, among which cancer attracts much attention. Autophagy may either promote cancer cell survival by providing energy during unfavourable metabolic circumstance or can induce individual cancer cell death by preventing necrosis and increasing genetic instability. Thus, dual roles of autophagy may determine the destiny of cancer cells and make it an attractive target for small-molecule drug discovery. Collectively, key autophagy-related elements as potential targets, oncogenes mTORC1, class I PI3K and AKT, as well as tumour suppressor class III PI3K, Beclin-1 and p53, have been discussed. In addition, some small molecule drugs, such as rapamycin and its derivatives, rottlerin, PP242 and AZD8055 (targeting PI3K/AKT/mTORC1), spautin-1, and tamoxifen, as well as oridonin and metformin (targeting p53), can modulate autophagic pathways in different types of cancer. All these data will shed new light on targeting the autophagic process for cancer therapy, using small-molecule compounds, to fight cancer in the near future.

UNC51-like kinase 1, autophagic regulator and cancer therapeutic target

Autophagy, the cell process of self-digestion, plays a pivotal role in maintaining energy homoeostasis and protein synthesis. When required, it causes degradation of long-lived proteins and damaged organelles, indicating that it may play a dual role in cancer, by both protecting against and promoting cell death. The autophagy-related gene (Atg) family, with more than 35 members, regulates multiple stages of the process. Serine/threonine protein kinase Atg1 in yeast, for example, can interact with other ATG gene products, functioning in autophagosome formation. One mammalian homologue of Atg1, UNC-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) and its related complex ULK1-mAtg13-FIP200 can mediate autophagy under nutrient-deprived conditions, by protein-protein interactions and post-translational modifications. Although specific mechanisms of how ULK1 and its complex transduces upstream signals to the downstream central autophagy pathways is not fully understood, past studies have indicated that ULK1 can both suppress and promote tumour growth under different conditions. Here, we summarize some properties of ULK1 which can regulate autophagy in cancer, which may shed new light on future cancer therapy strategies, utilizing ULK1 as a potential new target.

Characteristics and survival of patients with end stage renal disease and spina bifida in the United States renal data system

PURPOSE

We describe the characteristics, treatments and survival of patients with spina bifida in whom end stage renal disease developed from 2004 through 2008 in the United States Renal Data System.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used ICD-9-CM code 741.* to identify individuals with spina bifida using hospital inpatient data from 1977 to 2010, and physician and facility claims from 2004 to 2008. We constructed a 5:1 comparison group of patients with end stage renal disease without spina bifida matched by age at first end stage renal disease service, gender and race/ethnicity. We assessed the risk of mortality and of renal transplantation while on dialysis using multivariate cause specific proportional hazards survival analysis. We also compared survival after the first renal transplant from the first end stage renal disease service to August 2011.

RESULTS

We identified 439 patients with end stage renal disease and spina bifida in whom end stage renal disease developed at an average younger age than in patients without spina bifida (41 vs 62 years, p <0.001) and in whom urological issues were the most common primary cause of end stage renal disease. Compared to patients with end stage renal disease without spina bifida those who had spina bifida showed a similar mortality hazard on dialysis and after transplantation. However, patients with end stage renal disease without spina bifida were more likely to undergo renal transplantation than patients with spina bifida (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.13-2.03). Hospitalizations related to urinary tract infections were positively associated with the risk of death on dialysis in patients with end stage renal disease and spina bifida (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.33-1.53).

CONCLUSIONS

Spina bifida was not associated with increased mortality in patients with end stage renal disease on dialysis or after renal transplantation. Proper urological and bladder management is imperative in patients with spina bifida, particularly in adults.

Use of state administrative data sources to study adolescents and young adults with rare conditions

BACKGROUND

Effective care of young people with rare conditions requires ongoing coordinated medical treatment as well as educational and social support services. However, information on treatment is often lacking due to limited data. South Carolina has a repository of comprehensive health and human service data with which individuals may be tracked across the data systems of multiple state agencies and organizations.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a method for studying health care of young persons with rare conditions using this repository.

METHODS

We identified individuals aged 15 to 24 years diagnosed during 2000-2010 with Fragile X syndrome (FXS), spina bifida (SB), or muscular dystrophy (MD) using a series of algorithms. ICD-9-CM codes were used to initially identify the cohort from medical billing data. Demographics, medical care, employment, education, and socioeconomic status data were then extracted from linked administrative sources.

RESULTS

We identified 1,040 individuals with these rare conditions: 125 with FXS, 695 with SB, and 220 with MD. The vast majority of the cases (95%) were identified in the Medicaid database. Half of the cohort was male, with a higher percentage in the FXS and MD groups. Sixty-two percent of the cohort was enrolled in the last year of high school. Over half of the cohort received support services from the state's disability and special-needs agency; 16% received food assistance. Thirty-eight percent were employed at some point during the study period. Forty-nine individuals with SB and 56 with MD died during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

We used a linked statewide data system to study rare conditions. Strengths include the diversity of information, rigorous identification strategies, and access to longitudinal data. Despite limitations inherent to administrative data, we found that linked state data systems are valuable resources for investigating important public health questions on rare conditions.