Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification and Quantitation of Biomarkers for Radiation-induced Injury via Mass Spectrometry

AbstractBiomarker identification and validation for radiation exposure is a rapidly expanding field encompassing the need for well defined animal models and advanced analytical techniques. The resources within the consortium, Medical Countermeasures Against Radiological Threats (MCART), provide a unique opportunity for accessing well defined animal models that simulate the key sequelae of the acute radiation syndrome and the delayed effects of acute radiation exposure. Likewise, the use of mass spectrometry-based analytical techniques for biomarker discovery and validation enables a robust analytical platform that is amenable to a variety of sample matrices and considered the benchmark for biomolecular identification and quantitation. Herein, the authors demonstrate the use of two targeted mass spectrometry approaches to link established MCART animal models to identified metabolite biomarkers. Circulating citrulline concentration was correlated to gross histological gastrointestinal tissue damage, and retinoic acid production in lung tissue was established to be reduced at early and late time points post high dose irradiation. Going forward, the use of mass spectrometry-based metabolomics coupled to well defined animal models provides the unique opportunity for comprehensive biomarker discovery.
Project REACH: a provider-delivered dual protection intervention for women using family planning services in New York City

Abstract High rates of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infection (STI), including HIV, highlight the importance of promoting dual protection (DP) – i.e., methods that offer concurrent protection against unintended pregnancies and STI – during contraceptive counseling. Using a Phase II quasi-experimental design, this study compared an individualized, clinic-based, nurse-delivered intervention designed to increase DP against standard of care among 101 HIV negative women accessing contraceptive services in medically under-served areas of New York City. Participants were evaluated at baseline, post-counseling, and six months later. Findings indicated that the intervention has possible benefit. At six-month follow-up, there was greater perceived susceptibility to STI and fewer condom-unprotected vaginal sex occasions in the intervention arm. Women in the intervention also had five times the odds of reporting female condom use. Results suggest that this intervention has the potential for a larger population impact and should be more rigorously evaluated in a Phase III trial.
Computer technology-based interventions in HIV prevention: state of the evidence and future directions for research

Abstract Computer technology-based interventions (CBIs) represent a promising area for HIV prevention behavioral intervention research. Such programs are a compelling prevention option given their potential for broad reach, customized content, and low cost delivery. The purpose of the current article is to provide a review of the state of the literature on CBIs. First, we define CBIs in HIV prevention and highlight the many advantages of such interventions. Next, we provide an overview of what is currently known regarding the efficacy of CBIs in HIV prevention, focusing on two recent meta-analyses of this literature. Finally, we propose an agenda for future directions for research in the area of CBIs, using the RE-AIM model as an organizing guide. We conclude that with the continued growth of computer technologies, opportunities to apply such technologies in HIV prevention will continue to blossom. Further research is greatly needed to advance an understanding of not only how and under what circumstances CBIs can be efficacious, but also how the reach, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of such programs in clinical and community settings can be achieved.
Clinical Investigations Echocardiographic and Biohumoral Characteristics in Patients With AL and TTR Amyloidosis at Diagnosis

Background: Few studies have analyzed the clinical and echocardiographic differences between light-chain (AL) and transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis. Hypothesis: Methods: Seventy-nine patients with AL and 48 patients with TTR amyloidosis were studied. Results: According to the criterion of mean left ventricular (LV) thickness > 12 mm, 45 AL (C-AL) and all TTR patients had cardiac amyloidotic involvement, whereas 34 AL patients did not. TTR patients had increased right ventricular (RV) and LV chambers with increased RV and LV wall thickness and reduced LV ejection fraction and fractional shortening. Furthermore, TTR patients showed lower N-terminal pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide concentrations and New York Heart Association functional class when compared with C-AL. Conclusions: Our data show that at time of ﬁrst diagnosis, TTR patients have a more advanced amyloidotic involvement of the heart, despite less severe symptoms and biohumoral signs of heart failure. We can hypothesize that we observed different diseases at different stages. In fact, AL amyloidosis is a multiorgan disease with quick progression rate, that becomes rapidly symptomatic, whereas TTR amyloidosis might have a slow progression rate and might remain poorly symptomatic for a greater amount of time.
Measuring perceived stigma in female sex workers in Chennai, India

Abstract Although sex work is highly stigmatized throughout the world, a limited body of research has examined stigma among female sex workers (FSWs). We developed a Sex Worker Stigma (SWS) Index to measure perceived stigma among 150 FSWs in Chennai, India. These women were at a median age of 35 years and reported, on average, having engaged in sex work for nine out of the previous 12 months. The two-factor structure of the index was verified in both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses with acceptable goodness of fit. The final 10-item index comprises of two domains of perceived stigma from the community and perceived stigma from one's family. Cronbach's α coefficients were 0.87 and 0.88 for each domain, respectively. In regression analysis, we found that income from jobs other than sex work was correlated with decreased levels of perceived stigma from both the community (β = − 0.16; 95% CI: −0.30 and −0.02) and the family (β = − 0.24; 95% CI: −0.40 and −0.07); prior experience of accessing health care system increased perceived stigma from the community while heavier financial responsibility for the family was associated with lower perceived stigma from women's family. With the proposed SWS Index, we have a valid and reliable metric to document and track levels of perceived stigma among FSWs to assess the impact of stigma reduction interventions.
The consequences of post-election violence on antiretroviral HIV therapy in Kenya

Abstract Over 1000 individuals were killed and 600,000 were displaced during post-election violence (PEV) in Kenya in 2008. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) depends on continuous access to medications which may have been interrupted due to PEV. In a mixed-methods retrospective review, treatment interruption of ART during PEV was measured among 2534 HIV-positive adults attending the Coptic Hope Center for Infectious Diseases in Nairobi, Kenya. Clients experiencing treatment interruption were compared between the PEV period (30 December 2007 to 28 February 2008) and the same time period one year earlier. Treatment interruption was defined as visiting the pharmacy ≥48 hours after antiretrovirals were calculated to have been completed. Despite clinical services remaining open throughout the PEV period, more clients (16.1%) experienced treatment interruption than during the comparison period (10.2%). Mean daily pharmacy visits were significantly lower (87 vs. 104; p < 0.006) and more variable (p = 0.03) during PEV. Among clients present at both periods (n = 1605), the odds of treatment interruption were 71% higher during PEV (95% confidence interval [CI], 34–118%). In multivariate analysis, men (odds ratio [OR], 1.37; 95% CI, 1.07–1.76) and clients traveling ≥3 hours to clinic (OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.28–2.71) were significantly more likely to experience treatment interruption. Clients affected by PEV were interviewed about factors associated with treatment interruption using semi-structured methods. Clients described fear, lack of transportation, and violence as contributing to treatment interruption. Widespread violence associated with the 2007 election in Kenya revealed the dependence of HIV patients on a stable civil society and infrastructure to access medications. Without the ability to maintain consistent HIV therapy, some patients face rapid treatment failure. HIV programs should have appropriate contingency plans wherever political instability may occur. Peace may be one of the most effective and most important public health interventions in Africa.
High prevalence of childhood emotional, physical and sexual trauma among a Canadian cohort of HIV-seropositive illicit drug users

Abstract Background . The psychosocial impacts of various types of childhood maltreatment on vulnerable illicit drug-using populations remain unclear. We examined the prevalence and correlates of antecedent emotional, physical and sexual abuse among a community-recruited cohort of adult HIV-seropositive illicit drug users. Methods . We estimated the prevalence of childhood abuse at baseline using data from the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, a 28-item validated instrument used to retrospectively assess childhood maltreatment. Logistic regression was used to estimate relationships between sub-types of childhood maltreatment with various social-demographic, drug-using and clinical characteristics. Results . Overall, 233 HIV-positive injection drug users (IDU) were included in the analysis, including 83 (35.6%) women. Of these, moderate or severe emotional childhood abuse was reported by 51.9% of participants, emotional neglect by 36.9%, physical abuse by 51.1%, physical neglect by 46.8% and sexual abuse by 41.6%. In multivariate analyses, emotional, physical and sexual abuses were independently associated with greater odds of recent incarceration. Emotional abuse and neglect were independently associated with a score of ≥16 on the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. There was no association between any form of childhood maltreatment and clinical HIV variables, including viral load, CD4+ count and history of antiretroviral therapy use. Conclusion . These findings underscore the negative impact of childhood maltreatment on social functioning and mental health in later life. Given the substantial prevalence of childhood maltreatment among this population, there is a need for evidence-based resources to address the deleterious effect it has on the health and social functioning of HIV-positive IDU.
Operational challenges in delivering CD4 diagnostics in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Access to reliable and low cost CD4 T-cell enumeration to stage illness and monitor anti-retroviral therapy remains elusive in resource-limited settings. We report challenges in delivering CD4 testing using the microcapillary Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorter (FACS) methodology (Guava EasyCD4 instrument Guava Technologies, Hayward) in Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe. Resources, instruments, reagents, and training were provided to local laboratories within the existing infrastructure and data on CD4 were collected from routine laboratory testing. Challenges encountered included frequent instrument breakdown; poor manufacturer maintenance; difficulties in managing reagent stocks; high technician turnover; reliance on antiquated data management systems; redundant service provision; and lack of repeat testing in male HIV+ patients and in patients with higher CD4 counts after initial staging. While adopting newer, less expensive technologies such as fluorescent platforms and point of care tests can facilitate access to lower cost CD4 testing, our experience suggests that supply chain, corporate commitment to implementation, and community factors also require consideration.
HIV-related medical service use by rural/urban residents: a multistate perspective

Abstract Objective: Geographic location may be related to the receipt of quality HIV health care services. Clinical outcomes and health care utilization were evaluated in rural, urban, and peri-urban patients seen at high-volume US urban-based HIV care sites. Methods: Zip codes for 8773 HIV patients followed in 2005 at seven HIV Research Network sites were categorized as rural (population <10,000), peri-urban (10,000–100,000), and urban (>100,000). Clinical and demographic characteristics, inpatient and outpatient (OP) utilization, AIDS-defining illness rates, receipt of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), opportunistic infection (OI) prophylaxis usage, and virologic suppression were compared among patients, using χ2 tests for categorical variables, t-tests for means, and logistic regression for HAART utilization. Results: HIV-infected rural (n=170) and peri-urban (n=215) patients were less likely to be Black or Hispanic than urban HIV patients. Peri-urban subjects were more likely to report MSM as their HIV risk factor than rural or urban subjects. Age, gender, CD4 or HIV-RNA distribution, virologic suppression, HAART usage, or OI prophylaxis did not differ by geographic location. In multivariate analysis, rural and peri-urban patients were less likely to have four or more annual outpatient visits than urban patients. Rural patients were less likely to receive HAART if they were Black. Overall, geographic location (as defined by home zip code) did not affect receipt of HAART or OI prophylaxis. Conclusion: Although demographic and health care utilization differences were seen among rural, peri-urban, and urban HIV patients, most HIV outcomes and medication use were comparable across geographic areas. As with HIV care for urban-dwelling patients, areas for improvement for non-urban HIV patients include access to HAART among minorities and injection drug users.
Flebotomíneos (Diptera, Psychodidae) de área endêmica de leishmaniose na região dos cerrados, Estado do Maranhão, Brasil Sandflies (Diptera, Psychodidae) from an endemic leishmaniasis area in the cerrado region of the State of Maranhão, Brazil

This article presents a list of ten sandfly species from the genus Lutzomyia Franca, 1924 found in the counties of Aldeias Altas, Capinzal do Norte, Caxias, Codo, Coelho Neto, Tim- biras, Timon and Tuntum in northeastern Maranhao, Brazil. Presence of sandflies was associat- ed with cases of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis. Some 377 specimens were captured in- doors with CDC light traps and 1491 specimens in the peridomicile. The species were: Lutzomyia cortelezii, Lutzomyia evandroi, Lutzomyia goiana, Lutzomyia intermedia, Lutzomyia lenti, Lutzomyia longipalpis, Lutzomyia longipennis, Lutzomyia squamiventris, Lutzomyia termi- tophila and Lutzomyia whitmani. The most abundant species was L. longipalpis (67.4% and 70.2%) followed by L. whitmani (31.0% and 24.7%). L. longipalpis was captured both indoors and outdoors in all the months studied.
Indian married men's interest in microbicide use

Abstract Research suggests that the HIV/AIDS epidemic has spread to monogamous women in India. Gender inequalities prevent women from asserting control over the circumstances that increase their vulnerability to infection. Men control most of the sexual decision-making. The present study explores views on use of microbicides by men and circumstances in which they might find microbicide use with their wives acceptable. Progressive in-depth interviews were conducted among 15 consenting men from Pune, India. Men felt that women with identifiable HIV risk, such as being a sex worker, having an HIV infected husbands or being educated; were more likely to use microbicides. Most high-risk men would permit or force their wives to use microbicides and had a higher intention to use microbicides compared with low-risk men probably due to perceived susceptibility. The majority of men with previous experience of microbicide use mentioned that privacy was important for gel use. Most low-risk men believed that they would be angry with covert gel use by their wives. They felt that covert use was impossible since their wives were under their control and they would notice the gel due to a change in their sexual experience. Low-risk men also opined that husband's permission was not required if he was HIV-infected or having extra-marital sex. Some men stressed the need for exercising sexual control while women inserted gel before sex. Men's risk-perception, knowledge about their safety concerns, as well as their behavior may affect acceptability of gel use, hence men's involvement and cooperation is imperative for microbicide gel use by women in India.
Quality of life in care homes: Messages from the voices of older people

AbstractThis paper draws on the findings of a study that aimed to explore how eight older people, living in four English care homes, experienced daily life and the factors that influenced and shaped their experience. These people participated in a sequence of up to eight narrative interviews over a six-month period. The findings revealed that the lives of these individuals differed markedly. Some felt that their lives had been enriched when they entered a place where they had increased opportunities for meaning, purpose and satisfaction. They described this experience as 'living with care'. Others felt that they were restricted — they had little choice in what they did and who they interacted with. Their views were not taken into consideration, and their daily life revolved around the routines and the regimes of the institution. These people described their experience as little more than 'existing in care'. Six dimensions of care home life influenced the individual's experience. These were: 'caring for on.
Compounds from Sichuan and Melegueta peppers activate, covalently and non‐covalently, TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels

Background and purpose: Oily extracts of Sichuan and Melegueta peppers evoke pungent sensations mediated by different alkylamides [mainly hydroxy‐α‐sanshool (α‐SOH)] and hydroxyarylalkanones (6‐shogaol and 6‐paradol). We assessed how transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and TRP vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), two chemosensory ion channels, participate in these pungent sensations.
Acceptability of neonatal male circumcision in Lusaka, Zambia

Neonatal male circumcision (NMC) is being scaled up in Zambia and elsewhere in Southern Africa as a long-term HIV prevention strategy. We conducted 12 focus group discussions with 129 parents and grandparents in Lusaka, recruited from two sites providing free NMC services and information about NMC, to explore the acceptability of circumcising newborn boys. Most participants recognized the benefits of circumcision for HIV prevention, and the advantages of circumcising their children and grandchildren at a young age. Fear of negative outcomes, concerns about pain, and issues around cultural identity may challenge NMC uptake. To effectively promote the service, the upper age limit for NMC must be emphasized, and fathers must be targeted by messaging campaigns.
Predictive factors of antiretroviral treatment <4 weeks among HIV-infected pregnant women in Cayenne, French Guiana

French Guiana is the French territory where the HIV epidemic is most preoccupying. In Cayenne, the mother to child HIV transmission rate was 6% in 2006–2008. Despite free testing and treatment, HIV pregnant women often have delayed or insufficient access to care. The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors of antiretroviral treatment<4 weeks in HIV pregnant women in Cayenne (French Guiana) and then to describe their attitudes, practices, and beliefs regarding HIV/AIDS. A case control study was conducted including all deliveries in Cayenne from 2003 to 2010. For each case, a standardized questionnaire including epidemiological, clinical, and biological data was administered. The analysis first described the summary statistics and then bivariate analysis studied the relation of each variable with the outcome. Multivariate analysis adjusted for the confounding factors. Thirty-three women in the first group and 96 in the control group were included in the study. Women born in French Guiana (OR = 5, IC95% = 1.22–20.86, p=0.027) had a high risk of treatment<4 weeks. The other factors associated with treatment<4 weeks in our study were benefiting from food parcels (OR = 12.72, IC95% = 2.07–78.14, p=0.006), consulting a traditional healer when sick (OR = 9.86, IC95% = 2.57–37.88, p= < 0.001), and drug use (OR = 6.27, IC95% = 1.26–31.13, p=0.025). These predictive factors should be considered in prevention programs against mother to child transmission of HIV.
Relationship type, condom use and HIV/AIDS risks among men who have sex with men in six Chinese cities

Abstract This study is the first to examine the role of partner type in sexual practices of men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. Using cross-sectional self-administered questionnaires (N=692) with MSM in six Chinese cities (Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xi'an, Dalian and Beijing) in 2008, this paper examines MSM's sexual practices, particularly condom use with different male and female partner types. We categorise sexual partner relationships into five types: partner/spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, acquaintance, stranger and sex worker and hypothesise that the greater the affective distance between the partners, the greater the likelihood of engaging with intimate act and the lesser likelihood condom use. Results show that respondents had more MSM than heterosexual experiences. Relationships tended to be short-term, multiple (more than two) and concurrent (simultaneously two or more) principally with other men and to a lesser degree with women. Findings reveal that affective distance varied with partner types. Respondents performed more intimate acts (e.g., kissing, caressing) with intimate or stable partners (partner/spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend) than casual or unknown partners (acquaintance, stranger, sex worker). Condom use decreased when the affective distance with a partner increased. We conclude that partner type is a key factor of HIV infection among MSM in China; short-term, multiple and concurrent relationships are clear risk factors. Future research should focus on the subjective varied meanings of relationships, the idea of trust and the dynamics with different relationships to understand HIV infection of MSM in China.
Sudden death and its risk factors after atrioventricular junction ablation and pacemaker implantation in patients with atrial fibrillation

Although sudden death (SD) is a rare complication after atrioventricular junction (AVJ) ablation and permanent pacemaker implantation, the risk factors leading to this SD remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate SD and its risk factors after ablate‐and‐pace strategy for rate control in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients during long‐term follow‐up.