Ethnicity and the Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: The Eastern Siberia PCOS Epidemiology and Phenotype Study.

CONTEXT: Previous studies have shown that the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may vary according to race/ethnicity, although few studies have assessed women of different ethnicities who live in similar geographic and socio-economic conditions. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of PCOS in an unselected multiethnic population of premenopausal women. DESIGN: A multicenter prospective cross-sectional study. SETTINGS: The main regional employers of Irkutsk Region and the Buryat Republic, Russia. PARTICIPANTS: During 2016-19, 1398 premenopausal women underwent a history and physical exam, pelvic ultrasound, and testing during a mandatory annual employment-related health assessment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: PCOS prevalence, overall and by ethnicity in a large medically unbiased population, including Caucasian (White), Mongolic or Asian (Buryat), and mixed ethnicity individuals, living in similar geographic and socio-economic conditions for centuries. RESULTS: PCOS was diagnosed in 165/1134 (14.5%) women who had a complete evaluation for PCOS. Based on the probabilities for PCOS by clinical presentation observed in the cohort of women who had a complete evaluation we also estimated the weight-adjusted prevalence of PCOS in 264 women with an incomplete evaluation: 46.2 or 17.5%. Consequently, the total prevalence of PCOS in the population was 15.1%, higher among Caucasians and women of Mixed ethnicity compared to Asians (16.0% and 21.8% vs. 10.8%, pz <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We observed a 15.1% prevalence of PCOS in our medically unbiased population of premenopausal women. In this population of Siberian premenopausal women of Caucasian, Asian and Mixed ethnicity living in similar geographic and socio-economic conditions, the prevalence was higher in Caucasian or Mixed than Asian women. These data highlight the need to assess carefully ethnic-dependent differences in the frequency and clinical manifestation of PCOS.

Description of two new species of the genus Repetekiodes Amsel, 1961 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae) from Central Asia with faunal notes on the genus.

Two new species, Repetekiodes serratalis sp. nov. and Repetekiodes turanella sp. nov. are described from Central Asia. The described species are well distinguished from their congeners by the genitalia and forewing pattern. A brief overview of the genus Repetekiodes Amsel, 1961 is given and original data on the distribution of Repetekiodes species are provided. DNA barcode data are presented for several species of the genus.

Copper Ferrite Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Anion-Exchange Resin: Influence of Synthesis Parameters on the Cubic Phase Stability.

Copper ferrite is of great interest to researchers as a material with unique magnetic, optical, catalytic, and structural properties. In particular, the magnetic properties of this material are structurally sensitive and can be tuned by changing the distribution of Cu and Fe cations in octahedral and tetrahedral positions by controlling the synthesis parameters. In this study, we propose a new, simple, and convenient method for the synthesis of copper ferrite nanoparticles using a strongly basic anion-exchange resin in the OH form. The effect and possible mechanism of polysaccharide addition on the elemental composition, yield, and particle size of CuFe2O4 are investigated and discussed. It is shown that anion-exchange resin precipitation leads to a mixture of unstable cubic (c-CuFe2O4) phases at standard temperature and stable tetragonal (t-CuFe2O4) phases. The effect of reaction conditions on the stability of c-CuFe2O4 is studied by temperature-dependent XRD measurements and discussed in terms of cation distribution, cooperative Jahn-Teller distortion, and Cu2+ and oxygen vacancies in the copper ferrite lattice. The observed differences in the values of the saturation magnetization and coercivity of the prepared samples are explained in terms of variations in the particle size and structural properties of copper ferrite.

Observational cohort study of rilpivirine (RPV) utilization in Europe.

INTRODUCTION: Data on safety and effectiveness of RPV from the real-world setting as well as comparisons with other NNRTIs such as efavirenz (EFV) remain scarce. METHODS: Participants of EuroSIDA were included if they had started a RPV- or an EFV-containing regimen over November 2011-December 2017. Statistical testing was conducted using non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test. A logistic regression model was used to compare participants' characteristics by treatment group. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate the cumulative risk of virological failure (VF, two consecutive values > 50 copies/mL). RESULTS: 1,355 PLWH who started a RPV-based regimen (11% ART-naïve), as well as 333 initiating an EFV-containing regimen were included. Participants who started RPV differed from those starting EFV for demographics (age, geographical region) and immune-virological profiles (CD4 count, HIV RNA). The cumulative risk of VF for the RPV-based group was 4.5% (95% CI 3.3-5.7%) by 2 years from starting treatment (71 total VF events). Five out of 15 (33%) with resistance data available in the RPV group showed resistance-associated mutations vs. 3/13 (23%) among those in the EFV group. Discontinuations due to intolerance/toxicity were reported for 73 (15%) of RPV- vs. 45 (30%) of EFV-treated participants (p = 0.0001). The main difference was for toxicity of central nervous system (CNS, 3% vs. 22%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our estimates of VF > 50 copies/mL and resistance in participants treated with RPV were similar to those reported by other studies. RPV safety profile was favourable with less frequent discontinuation due to toxicity than EFV (especially for CNS).

Establishing Normative Values to Determine the Prevalence of Biochemical Hyperandrogenism in Premenopausal Women of Different Ethnicities from Eastern Siberia.

Androgen assessment is a key element for diagnosing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and defining a "normal" level of circulating androgens is critical for epidemiological studies. We determined the upper normal limits (UNLs) for androgens in a population-based group of premenopausal "healthy control" women, overall and by ethnicity (Caucasian and Asian), in the cross-sectional Eastern Siberia PCOS Epidemiology and Phenotype (ESPEP) Study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05194384) conducted in 2016-2019. Overall, we identified a "healthy control" group consisting of 143 healthy premenopausal women without menstrual dysfunction, hirsutism, polycystic ovaries, or medical disorders. We analyzed serum total testosterone (TT) by using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and DHEAS, sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), TSH, prolactin, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) were assessed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The UNLs for the entire population for the TT, free androgen index (FAI), and DHEAS were determined as the 98th percentiles in healthy controls as follows: 67.3 (95% confidence interval (CI): 48.1, 76.5) ng/dl, 5.4 (3.5, 14.0), and 355 (289, 371) µg/dl, respectively. The study results demonstrated that the UNLs for TT and FAI varied by ethnicity, whereas the DHEAS UNLs were comparable in the ethnicities studied.

Description of a new genus, a new species and a new subspecies of snout moths (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae) from Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Yelenka gen. nov. is established to accommodate two species initially described in the genus Nephopterix Hübner, [1825] 1816-Yelenka hastiferella (Ragonot, 1887) comb. nov. and Yelenka gengisella (Ragonot, 1893) comb. nov. Additionally, a new species Yelenka calciferella sp. nov. from Ukraine, Russia and Western Kazakhstan, and its mountain subspecies Yelenka calciferella uyghurica ssp. nov. from Eastern Kazakhstan and Mongolia are described. The new genus is placed into the subfamily Phycitinae. Yelenka gengisella (Ragonot, 1893) sp. rev. is taken out from synonymy with Myrlaea orcella (Ragonot, 1887). Yelenka gengisella and Y. hastiferella are redescribed based on type material and additional specimens. According to DNA barcode, Y. gengisella and Y. hastiferella are placed in the same BOLD BIN. However, these species exhibit pronounced morphological characters that clearly distinguish the two taxa on the species level. The lectotype is designated for Nephopteryx [sic] hastiferella Ragonot, 1887. Comparative diagnoses, a key to species, illustrations of external characters, also male and female genitalia are provided for all species.

Clinical Outcomes in Persons Coinfected With Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus: Impact of Hepatitis C Virus Treatment.

BACKGROUND: A hepatitis C (HCV) cure is associated with changes in lipids and inflammatory biomarkers, but its impact on clinical endpoints among treated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV coinfected persons is unclear. METHODS: People living with HIV from EuroSIDA with a known HCV status after January 2001 were classified into strata based on time-updated HCV RNA measurements and HCV treatment, as either HCV antibody-negative; spontaneously resolved HCV; chronic, untreated HCV; cured HCV (HCV RNA-negative); or HCV treatment failures (HCV RNA-positive). Poisson regression was used to compare incidence rates between HCV groups for end-stage liver disease (ESLD; including hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]), non-acquired immunodeficiency virus defining malignancy (NADM; excluding HCC), and cardiovascular disease (CVD). RESULTS: There were 16 618 persons included (median follow-up 8.3 years, interquartile range 3.1-13.7). There were 887 CVD, 902 NADM, and 436 ESLD events; crude incidence rates/1000 person-years follow-up were 6.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.0-6.9) for CVD, 6.5 (95% CI 6.1-6.9) for NADM, and 3.1 (95% CI 2.8-3.4) for ESLD. After adjustment, there were no differences in incidence rates of NADM or CVD across the 5 groups. HCV-negative individuals (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.34) and those with spontaneous clearance (aIRR 0.61, 95% CI 0.36-1.02) had reduced rates of ESLD compared to cured individuals. Persons with chronic, untreated HCV infections (aIRR 1.47, 95% CI 1.02-2.13) or treatment failure (aIRR 1.80, 95% CI 1.22-2.66) had significantly raised rates of ESLD, compared to those who were cured. CONCLUSIONS: Incidences of NADM or CVD were independent of HCV group, whereas those cured had substantially lower incidences of ESLD, underlining the importance of successful HCV treatment for reducing ESLD.

Uptake and effectiveness of two-drug compared with three-drug antiretroviral regimens among HIV-positive individuals in Europe.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of two-drug antiretroviral regimens (2DR) and virologic and immunologic outcomes compared with three-drug regimens (3DR) in the EuroSIDA cohort. DESIGN: Multicentre, prospective cohort study. METHODS: Logistic regression was used to analyse the uptake and outcomes among HIV-positive individuals who started or switched to a 2DR compared with those on a 3DR. Virologic outcomes were assessed on-treatment as the proportion of individuals with controlled viral load (<400 copies/ml), or with a composite modified FDA snapshot endpoint (mFDA), with mFDA success defined as controlled viral load at 6 months or 12 months for individuals with a known viral load, no regimen changes, AIDS or death. Immunologic response was defined as a 100 cells/µl or a 25% increase in CD4 cell counts from baseline. RESULTS: Between 1 July 2010 and 31 December 2016, 423 individuals started or switched to a 2DR (eight antiretroviral-naive) and 4347 started a 3DR (566 naive). Individuals on 2DR tended to have suppressed viral load, higher CD4 cell counts and more comorbidities at baseline compared with those on 3DR. There were no differences in the proportions of individuals who obtained on-treatment or mFDA success, and no significant differences in the adjusted odds ratios for mFDA success or immunologic responses between the 2DR and 3DR groups at 6 months or 12 months. CONCLUSION: In routine clinical practice, 2DR were largely used for virologically suppressed individuals with higher cumulative exposure to antiretrovirals and comorbidities. Virologic and immunologic outcomes were similar among those on 2DR or 3DR, although confounding by indication cannot be fully excluded due to the observational nature of the study.

Uptake of hepatitis C virus treatment in HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients across Europe in the era of direct-acting antivirals.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To investigate the uptake of hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients in the pan-European EuroSIDA study between 2011 and 2016. METHODS: All HCV-RNA+ patients were included. Baseline was defined as latest of anti-HCV+, January 2011 or enrolment in EuroSIDA. The incidence of starting first interferon-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy was calculated. Factors associated with starting interferon-free DAA were determined by Poisson regression. RESULTS: Among 4308 HCV-RNA+ patients (1255, 970, 663, 633, 787 from South, West, North, Central East and East Europe, respectively) with 11 863 person-years of follow-up, 1113 (25.8%) started any HCV therapy. Among patients with at least F3 fibrosis, more than 50% in all regions remained untreated. The incidence (per 1000 person-years of follow-up, 95% confidence interval) of starting DAA increased from 7.8 (5.9-9.8) in 2014 to 135.2 (122.0-148.5) in 2015 and 128.9 (113.5-144.3) in 2016. The increase was highest in North and West and intermediate in South, but remained modest in Central East and Eastern Europe. After adjustment, women, individuals from Central East or East, genotype 3, antiretroviral therapy naïve and those with detectable HIV-RNA were less likely to start DAA. Older persons, those with HCV-RNA more than 500 000 IU/ml and those with more advanced liver fibrosis were more likely to start DAA. CONCLUSION: Uptake of DAA therapy among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients increased considerably in Western Europe between 2014 and 2016, but was modest in Central East and East. In all regions more than 50% with at least F3 fibrosis remained untreated. Women were less likely to start DAA.

Changes of fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the model of experimental acute hydrocephalus in rabbits.

BACKGROUND: To study the integrity of white matter, we investigated the correlation between the changes in neuroradiological and morphological parameters in an animal model of acute obstructive hydrocephalus. METHODS: Hydrocephalus was induced in New Zealand rabbits (n = 10) by stereotactic injection of kaolin into the lateral ventricles. Control animals received saline in place of kaolin (n = 10). The progression of hydrocephalus was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging. Regional fractional anisotropy (FA) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were measured in several white matter regions before and after the infusion of kaolin. Morphology of myelinated nerve fibers as well as of the blood-brain barrier were studied with the help of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and light microscopy. RESULTS: Compared with control animals, kaolin injection into the ventricles resulted in a dramatic increase in ventricular volume with compression of basal cisterns, brain shift and periventricular edema (as observed on magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]). The values of ADC in the periventricular and periaqueductal areas significantly increased in the experimental group (P < 0.05). FA decreased by a factor of 2 in the zones of periventricular, periaqueductal white matter and corpus collosum. Histological analysis demonstrated the impairment of the white matter and necrobiotic changes in the cortex. Microsctructural alterations of the myelin fibers were further proved with the help of TEM. Blood-brain barrier ultrastructure assessment showed the loss of its integrity. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated the correlation of the neuroradiological parameters with morphological changes. The abnormality of the FA and ADC parameters in the obstructive hydrocephalus represents a significant implication for the diagnostics and management of hydrocephalus in patients.