We performed a multicenter, prospective, randomized study to investigate the efficacy and safety of clofazimine (CLO) for treatment of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) in China. Forty-nine patients infected with XDR-TB were randomly assigned to either the control group or the CLO group, both of which received 36 months of individually customized treatment. The primary endpoint was the time to sputum culture conversion on solid medium. Clinical outcomes of patients were evaluated at the time of treatment completion. Of the 22 patients in the experimental group, 7 (31.8%) met the treatment criterion of “cure” and 1 (4.5%) “complete treatment,” for a total of 8 (36.4%) exhibiting successful treatment outcomes without relapse. In the control group, 6 patients (22.2%) were cured and 6 (22.2%) completed treatment by the end of the study. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in successful outcome rates between the CLO group and the control group. The average sputum culture conversion time for the experimental group was 19.7 months, which was not statistically different from that for the control group (20.3 months; P = 0.57). Of the 22 patients in the CLO group, 12 (54.5%) experienced adverse events after starting CLO treatment. The most frequently observed adverse event was liver damage, with 31.8% of patients (7/22 patients) in the CLO group versus 11.1% (3/27 patients) in the control group exhibiting this adverse event. Our study demonstrates that inclusion of CLO in background treatment regimens for XDR-TB is of limited benefit, especially since hepatic disorders arise as major adverse events with CLO treatment. (This study is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry [ChiCTR, www.chictr.org.cn ] under identifier ChiCTR1800014800.)

Background: HIV- and MSM-related stigma are well documented as common for Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV, yet there is sparse literature on intimate partner violence (IPV) and its relationship with stigma in this vulnerable population. To evaluate the association between HIV-stigma and stigma related to homosexuality and IPV among newly HIV-diagnosed MSM in China.Methods: Data were collected in the baseline survey among newly HIV-diagnosed Chinese MSM in a randomized clinical trial via face-to-face interviews. Univariate logistic and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associations between IPV and HIV- and MSM-related stigma.Results: Of 367 newly HIV-diagnosed Chinese MSM, 23.7% experienced any IPV, including 16.6% physical, 7.4% psychological and 5.2% sexual IPV. Positive associations were found between HIV- and MSM-related stigma and IPV. Men with high HIV-related stigma (score ≥ 27) were 1.67 times as likely to experience any IPV as those with low stigma (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–2.76). Men with high MSM-related stigma (score ≥ 6) were 1.99 times as likely to experience any IPV as those with low stigma (AOR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.18–3.36).Conclusions: HIV- and MSM-related stigmas was positively associated with IPV experiences among newly diagnosed MSM in China. The manner in which stigma may exacerbate IPV, and/or the influence of IPV on worsening stigma should be further evaluated. The high prevalence of IPV and stigma in this population suggests that interventions should be taken to reduce stigma and prevent this risky behavior among MSM.

Background: In recent years, HIV infection in students has been an ongoing concern worldwide. A large number of articles have been published; however, statistical analysis of the data presented in these publications is lacking. Objective: This study aimed to detect and analyze emerging trends and collaborative networks in research on HIV/AIDS among students. Methods: Research publications on HIV/AIDS among students from 1985 to 2022 were collected from the Web of Science Core Collection. A topic search was used for this study, and articles in English were included. CiteSpace was used to generate visual networks of countries/regions, institutions, references, and keywords. Citation analysis was used to discover milestones in the field and trace the roots of the knowledge base. Keyword analysis was used to detect research hotspots and predict future trends. Results: A total of 2726 publications met the inclusion criteria. Over the past 38 years, the number of publications annually has been on the rise overall. The United States had the highest number of publications (n=1303) and the highest centrality (0.91). The University of California system was the core institution. The main target population of studies on HIV/AIDS among students were medical and university students. These studies focused on students’ knowledge, attitudes, risk behaviors, and education about HIV/AIDS. The recent bursting keywords (gay, sexual health, adherence, barriers, mental health, HIV testing, stigma, and antiretroviral therapy) revealed research trends and public interest on this topic. Conclusions: This study identified countries/regions and institutions contributing to the research area of HIV/AIDS among students and revealed research hotspots and emerging trends. The field of research on HIV/AIDS among students was growing rapidly. The United States was at the center, and the University of California system was the core institution. However, academic collaboration should be strengthened. Future research may focus on exploring gay students, sexual health, adherence, barriers, mental health, HIV testing, stigma, and antiretroviral therapy.

Background: HIV prevalence has been rapidly increasing among men who have sex with men (MSM) attending university in China, but HIV testing rates remain suboptimal. The factors associated with past HIV testing in this population in Beijing, China, were investigated. Methods: This study used data from the baseline survey of an HIV intervention clinical trial among MSM who did not have a history of a positive HIV diagnosis. This analysis focused on the HIV testing experience in a subgroup of university student MSM participants. Log-binomial models were used to evaluate factors associated with past HIV testing. Results: Of 375 university student MSM, the median age was 22 years; 89.3% were Han ethnic. Approximately half (50.4%, n = 189) had ever taken an HIV test before the survey. In a multivariable log-binomial model, older age (adjusted prevalence ratio (APR), 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02–1.06), had first sexual intercourse at age <18 years (APR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.08–1.45) and knew someone living with HIV (APR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.07–1.61) were associated with a higher likelihood of past testing. Self-reported barriers to taking a test included perceived low HIV risk, fear of a positive diagnosis, did not know where to get tested and fear of discrimination. Facilitators included anonymity in taking a test, confidentiality of testing results and availability of home-based and rapid testing. Conclusions: The HIV testing rate among university student MSM was low. Interventions should be implemented to address structural, institutional and individual barriers to HIV testing in this vulnerable population.

Pyroptosis plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of mental disorders. However, its specific role and mechanism in arsenic (As)-induced generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) remain elusive. We utilized the data from CtdBbase, Phenopedia and DisGeNet to analyze genes that interact with arsenic poisoning and GAD. Subsequently KEGG and GO enrichment analysis were conducted to preliminatively predict the mechanism of inorganic arsenic-induced GAD. Male Wistar rats were administered water containing NaAsO₂ (50, 100 μg/L) to evaluate GAD-like behavior through open field test and elevated plus maze. The expression of differential miRNAs including miR-425-3p, and pyroptosis in the prefrontal cortex of rats were detected. Furthermore, SKNSH cells were stimulated with NaAsO₂ to examine the molecular changes, and then miR-425-3p mimic was transfected into SKNSH cells to detect pyroptosis in order to verify the function of miR-425-3p. Inorganic arsenic was confirmed to induce GAD-like behavior in rats, characterized by decreased locomotor activity and exploratory activities. Rats with inorganic arsenic-induced GAD exhibited reduced miR-425-3p expression levels in the prefrontal cortex and increased expression of pyroptosis-related proteins, including NF-κB, NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-18. Treating with different concentrations of NaAsO₂ showed that inorganic arsenic exposure downregulates miR-425-3p expression in SKNSH cells and upregulates the expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins. Dual-luciferase reporter gene experiments demonstrated that miR-425-3p targets the NFKB1. Overexpressing miR-425-3p reversed the inorganic arsenic-induced pyroptosis in SKNSH cells by inhibiting the expression of NF-κB, NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-18. Our findings suggest that inorganic arsenic exposure may induce GAD-like behavior in rats by downregulating miR-425-3p in prefrontal cortex, which targets NF-κB and regulates pyroptosis in neuronal cells.