Article
Environmental Sciences
Georgy Nerobelov, Yuri Timofeyev, Yana Virolainen, Alexander Polyakov, Anna Solomatnikova, Anatoly Poberovskii, Oliver Kirner, Omar Al-Subari, Sergei Smyshlyaev, Eugene Rozanov
Summary: This study compares the variations in total ozone columns (TOCs) observed by different methods and models and validates the consistency of these data. The results show that the TOC variations measured by different methods near St. Petersburg are consistent and have a high correlation with Dobson measurements. However, there are significant differences between the simulated data and Dobson measurements.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Arnab K. Dey, Nicole Ennis, Debbie M. Cheng, Elena Blokhina, Anita Raj, Emily Quinn, Sally Bendiks, Tibor Palfai, Eugene M. Dunne, Robert L. Cook, Evgeny Krupitsky, Jeffrey H. Samet
Summary: This study evaluated the association between impulsivity and linkage to HIV care among Russians living with HIV. The results showed no significant association between impulsivity and HIV care after controlling for age, gender, CD4 cell count, and depression score.
Article
Microbiology
Anna Gladkikh, Vladimir Dedkov, Alena Sharova, Ekaterina Klyuchnikova, Valeriya Sbarzaglia, Tatiana Arbuzova, Majid Forghani, Edward Ramsay, Anna Dolgova, Anna Shabalina, Nadezhda Tsyganova, Areg Totolian
Summary: This article analyzes the dissemination dynamics of the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant in Saint Petersburg, Russia, emphasizing the rapid spread and increased incidence rates following the first detection of the variant in the city, as well as tracing the origin of the first imported strain and evaluating quarantine measures to prevent the spread of infection.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marise Ramos de Souza, Rafael Alves Guimaraes, Waldemar Naves do Amaral, Vanessa Elias da Cunha, Brenner Dolis Marretto de Moura, Maria Alves Barbosa, Sandra Maria Brunini
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with reproductive desire in women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA) and their serodiscordant partners. The results showed a relatively high prevalence of reproductive desire in the sample, and young age and reproductive desire for the partner were the main associated factors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jennifer L. Walsh, Steven A. John, Gabriel Robles, Rose Wesche, Sabina Hirshfield
Summary: This study explored factors associated with PrEP-related communication among HIV-positive sexual minority men, including White, Black, and Latinx participants. The results showed that participants were more likely to engage in PrEP-related communication when they had more sexual partners and engaged in group sex. Additionally, disclosure of HIV status, lower viral loads, higher incomes, and living in larger cities were associated with more frequent PrEP-related communication.
PREVENTION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Olga Kozlova, Ekaterina Burygina, Sofya Khostelidi, Olga Shadrivova, Andrey Saturnov, Denis Gusev, Aleksandr Rysev, Anatoliy Zavrazhnov, Maria Vashukova, Galina Pichugina, Mikhail Mitichkin, Sergey Kovyrshin, Tatiana Bogomolova, Yulia Borzova, Ellina Oganesyan, Natalya Vasilyeva, Nikolay Klimko
Summary: This retrospective study examined the risk factors, etiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment outcomes of COVID-19-associated invasive candidiasis (COVID-IC) in adult patients. The study found that predisposing factors for COVID-IC included central venous catheter (CVC) use for more than 10 days, recent abdominal surgical treatment, bacteremia, pulmonary ventilation, and hemodialysis. The symptoms of COVID-IC were non-specific, with fever, renal failure, liver failure, and cardiovascular failure being common. Candida albicans was the predominant pathogen among candidemia cases, but multidrug-resistant Candida species were also identified. Treatment options included fluconazole, voriconazole, echinocandins, and amphotericin B. The overall survival rate at 30 days was 45%. Early CVC replacement, empirical therapy, and the use of echinocandins were associated with improved prognosis.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ekaterina Parshina, Alexey B. Zulkarnaev, Alexey D. Tolkach, Andrey Ivanov, Pavel N. Kislyy
Summary: The introduction of a universal lockdown effectively contained the spread of COVID-19 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The dynamics of antibody levels showed that approximately 50% of patients remained IgM-positive after 3-4 weeks, IgG-positive by follow-up week 22, and IgA-positive by week 12. The maximum decrease in IgG and IgA was observed 3-4 months and 2 months after detection of seropositive status, respectively.
JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND GLOBAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Virology
Marina Siljic, Valentina Cirkovic, Luka Jovanovic, Anastasiia Antonova, Aleksey Lebedev, Ekaterina Ozhmegova, Anna Kuznetsova, Tatiyana Vinogradova, Aleksei Ermakov, Nikita Monakhov, Marina Bobkova, Maja Stanojevic
Summary: The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Russia is rapidly growing, especially in St. Petersburg, where the transmission of HIV subtype B is still in the exponential growth phase, primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM). The study provides valuable insights into the complex pattern of HIV subtype B spread and the socio-demographic characteristics of the affected population, which are crucial for designing effective public health priorities and interventions.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Min Xi, Sandra Bullock, Joshua B. Mendelsohn, James Iveniuk, Veronika Moravan, Ann N. Burchell, Darrell H. S. Tan, Amrita Daftary, Tamara Thompson, Bertrand Lebouche, Laura Bisaillon, Ted Myers, Liviana Calzavara
Summary: This study evaluates the methods used to recruit and collect data on HIV serodiscordant couples in the Positive Plus One (PP1) study. The findings highlight the importance of a multi-pronged approach in recruiting participants and provide insights for the design of future studies.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Breanne E. Biondi, Christina E. Freibott, Debbie M. Cheng, Elena Blokhina, Dmitry Lioznov, Lindsey Rateau, Gregory J. Patts, Sally Bendiks, Natalia Gnatienko, Hilary A. Tindle, Matthew S. Freiberg, Evgeny Krupitsky, Jeffrey H. Samet, Michael D. Stein
Summary: This study analyzed the association between heavy alcohol use and healthcare utilization among persons with HIV in St. Petersburg, Russia. The findings suggested that unhealthy alcohol use was associated with decreased access to HIV care. This highlights the importance of addressing alcohol use disorders in improving health outcomes for this population.
Article
Virology
Vera Krivitskaya, Kseniya Komissarova, Maria Pisareva, Maria Sverlova, Artem Fadeev, Ekaterina Petrova, Veronika Timonina, Anna Sominina, Daria Danilenko
Summary: The study analyzed sequence variability of RSV G gene and G protein from St. Petersburg isolates, finding the majority to be RSV-A and belonging to genotype ON1/GA2, with most isolates falling into the ON1(1.1) and ON1(1.2) sub-clusters, while the ON1(1.3) sub-cluster constituted a minor group. Single-amino acid substitutions were identified in the G proteins of St. Petersburg isolates, mainly in immunodominant B- and T-cell antigenic determinants. These substitutions may impact the antigenic characteristics of RSV and affect the host antiviral immune response.
Article
Substance Abuse
Jennifer J. Carroll, Sarah L. Rossi, Marina V. Vetrova, Elena Blokhina, Yuliia Sereda, Dmitry Lioznov, Jason Luoma, Tetiana Kiriazova, Karsten Lunze
Summary: This study explores the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on people who inject drugs (PWID) living with HIV in St. Petersburg, Russia. The findings show that the pandemic has worsened the economic and psychological challenges faced by PWID with HIV, but at the same time reduced barriers to accessing HIV care and safety due to disruptions in normal operations. The study concludes that pandemic responses should consider the unique vulnerabilities of PWID with HIV to avoid worsening the structural violence they already experience.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Azamat Suleymanov, Vyacheslav Polyakov, Alexander Kozlov, Evgeny Abakumov, Petr Kuzmenko, Salavat Telyagissov
Summary: The study maps potentially toxic elements in Saint Petersburg using regression kriging and random forest, highlighting the significance of multiple modeling approaches in spatial prediction of such elements.
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Anita Raj, Natalia Gnatienko, Debbie M. Cheng, Elena Blokhina, Arnab K. Dey, Jennifer A. Wagman, Olga Toussova, Ve Truong, Lindsey Rateau, Karsten Lunze, Evgeny Krupitsky, Jeffrey H. Samet
Summary: Disrespect and abuse from healthcare providers towards people living with HIV who inject drugs is a recognized but understudied issue, affecting the quality of care and healthcare utilization. This study assesses patients' reports of disrespect and abuse as a barrier to healthcare and examines its association with HIV care outcomes in Russia.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Vyacheslav Polyakov, Alexander Kozlov, Azamat Suleymanov, Evgeny Abakumov
Summary: Urbanization and industrial activities have impact on the accumulation of risky metals in soil, posing toxicological risk to terrestrial ecosystems and human health. A study in St. Petersburg, Russia found high concentrations of copper, mercury and lead in urban areas, indicating pollution risk and potential metal migration to nearby water bodies and groundwater.
SOIL AND WATER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Delia Motavalli, Jessica L. Taylor, Ellen Childs, Pablo K. Valente, Peter Salhaney, Jennifer Olson, Dea L. Biancarelli, Alberto Edeza, Joel J. Earlywine, Brandon D. L. Marshall, Mari-Lynn Drainoni, Matthew J. Mimiaga, Katie B. Biello, Angela R. Bazzi
Summary: This study explores barriers and facilitators to primary care utilization among people who inject drugs in New England, highlighting individual, interpersonal, and systemic factors impacting healthcare access. Findings provide potential targets for interventions to improve primary care utilization in this population.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Joel J. Earlywine, Angela R. Bazzi, Katie B. Biello, R. Monina Klevens
Summary: The study found a high prevalence of pre-exposure prophylaxis indication among people who inject drugs in Boston, Massachusetts, but low awareness, limited discussions with healthcare providers, and extremely low use of pre-exposure prophylaxis. These findings underscore the need for clinical and community-based interventions to improve pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake and delivery to this population.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Substance Abuse
Allyn Benintendi, Sarah Kosakowski, Pooja Lagisetty, Marc Larochelle, Amy S. B. Bohnert, Angela R. Bazzi
Summary: Patients with chronic non-cancer pain undergoing opioid tapering experienced structural stigma, feeling overlooked in the opioid crisis, stigmatized by cultural norms, and further marginalized by institutional policies and programs. The tapering initiatives exacerbated social stigma and unintended consequences, highlighting the devalued status of chronic pain patients and undermining their confidence in medical systems.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2021)
Article
Anesthesiology
Anne C. Fernandez, Lewei A. Lin, Angela R. Bazzi, Jeff Boissoneault, Brian Borsari, Frederic Blow
Summary: This study conducted interviews with elective surgical patients with unhealthy alcohol use to better understand their beliefs and behaviors related to opioid use, alcohol use, and pain management in the perioperative context. Three key themes were identified regarding alcohol use, opioid use, and their co-use before and after surgery, showing variations in desires and intentions for opioid use, preferences for alcohol as a pain management strategy, and a range of beliefs about the risks and benefits of alcohol and opioid co-use among the participants.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Katie B. Biello, Matthew J. Mimiaga, Pablo K. Valente, Nimish Saxena, Angela R. Bazzi
Summary: The literature on interventions to optimize PrEP use among people who use drugs is still in its early stages, comprising small pilots and demonstration projects. Initial studies suggest that interventions at structural, healthcare, interpersonal, and individual levels can improve PrEP use for this population, with ongoing efficacy trials. Future studies are needed to optimize the use of new PrEP modalities, address multilevel challenges, and evaluate the integration of PrEP into other service settings and substance use treatment modalities.
CURRENT HIV/AIDS REPORTS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Katie B. Biello, Angela R. Bazzi, Seamus Vahey, Mary Harris, Leah Shaw, Jennifer Brody
Summary: The study demonstrates that the low-threshold PrEP Program implemented by the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program is significant for drug users experiencing homelessness, as it increases their access to PrEP and promotes the likelihood of them staying on PrEP for a continuous 6-month period.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Eugene S. G. Massey, Angela R. Bazzi, Carlos R. Sian, Christina M. Gebel, Judith A. Bernstein, Sabrina A. Assoumou
Summary: This study explored HIV risk perceptions and interest in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among patients in drug detoxification centers. While some participants viewed PrEP as indicating elevated HIV risk, many saw drug detoxification as a first step towards a healthier lifestyle and expressed opportunities for providing PrEP information and services in this setting.
AIDS CARE-PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-MEDICAL ASPECTS OF AIDS/HIV
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Angela R. Bazzi, Leah C. Shaw, Katie B. Biello, Seamus Vahey, Jennifer K. Brody
Summary: This study explores patient and provider perspectives on a low-threshold, outreach-based PrEP program for people who inject drugs and experience homelessness. Findings suggest that patient-centered services, including community-driven education, accessible programming, tailored prescribing supports, intensive outreach and navigation, and trusting patient-provider relationships, are key components in supporting patient engagement in PrEP services. The study provides valuable insights for other community-based settings serving similar populations.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Angela R. Bazzi, Chad J. Valasek, Samantha A. Streuli, Carlos F. Vera, Alicia Harvey-Vera, Morgan M. Philbin, Katie B. Biello, Alexis M. Roth, Steffanie A. Strathdee, Heather A. Pines
Summary: This study explored the perspectives and preferences of people who inject drugs (PWID) regarding daily oral PrEP pills and long-acting PrEP modalities. The findings revealed that most participants preferred injectable PrEP due to its perceived convenience, noninvasiveness, and familiarity. However, the study also highlighted the urgent need for intervention and implementation research to improve access, uptake, and sustained adherence to longer-acting PrEP for PWID.
AIDS PATIENT CARE AND STDS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Leah C. Shaw, Katie B. Biello, Seamus Vahey, Jennifer K. Brody, Angela R. Bazzi
Summary: In the United States, there is an urgent need to expand access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, particularly among homeless people who inject drugs (PWID). Peer-based interventions for PrEP could be helpful, but the social experiences of using PrEP among PWID experiencing homelessness have not been thoroughly explored.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Angela R. Bazzi, Daniela Abramovitz, Alicia Harvey-Vera, Tara Stamos-Buesig, Carlos F. Vera, Irina Artamonova, Jenna Logan, Thomas L. Patterson, Steffanie A. Strathdee
Summary: This study developed an intervention called LinkUP to increase COVID-19 testing among people who inject drugs (PWID) in partnership with a mobile syringe service program. The LinkUP intervention was found to significantly increase COVID-19 testing uptake among PWID, especially for those experiencing homelessness.
ANNALS OF BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Steffanie A. Strathdee, Daniela Abramovitz, Alicia Y. Harvey-Vera, Tara Stamos-Buesig, Carlos F. Vera, Irina Artamonova, Jenna Logan, Thomas L. Patterson, Argentina E. Servin, Angela R. Bazzi
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of a brief peer-led intervention on COVID-19 vaccination among people who inject drugs (PWID) at syringe services program (SSP) locations in San Diego County, California. The results showed that a single-session motivational interviewing intervention conducted by peer counselors significantly increased the acceptance and uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among PWID.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Ranjani K. Paradise, Jeffrey Desmarais, Shannon E. O'Malley, Andres Hoyos-Cespedes, Alykhan Nurani, Alexander Y. Walley, Jaylen Clarke, Sunday Taylor, Daniel Dooley, Angela R. Bazzi, Simeon D. Kimmel
Summary: Opioid overdose is a major cause of death among homeless individuals in Boston. To address this issue, it is important to consider the perspectives and experiences of the homeless population in housing, overdose prevention, and substance use treatment efforts. This study found that homeless opioid overdose survivors face inadequate housing resources, chaotic environments, and have valuable recommendations for improving these systems.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY
(2023)
Review
Substance Abuse
C. J. Valasek, Angela R. Bazzi
Summary: This review examines racial and ethnic disparities in fatal drug overdose in the United States, as well as other disparities and their interactions that contribute to increased mortality. The research shows that while studies on race and ethnicity are abundant, there is limited research on other identity-based and sociodemographic disparities. Potential structural drivers of disparities are identified, but data limitations hinder further complex research. Nevertheless, intervention strategies to reduce overdose exist.
CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
C. J. Valasek, Samantha A. Streuli, Heather A. Pines, Steffanie A. Strathdee, Annick Borquez, Philippe Bourgois, Tara Stamos-Buesig, Carlos F. Vera, Alicia Harvey -Vera, Angela R. Bazzi
Summary: This study investigated overdose experiences and changes in drug supply among drug users in the US-Mexico border region. The study found that a considerable proportion of drug users in the region had experienced overdose, with an increase in overdose incidents due to the rise of fentanyl in local drug supplies. Meanwhile, there was a general trend among drug users to shift from injecting heroin to smoking fentanyl. The primary concerns of drug users were consistent access to a safe and potent drug supply and naloxone.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE REPORTS
(2023)
