Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sexual identity and behavior in an online sample of Indian men who have sex with men

ABSTRACT Indian men who have sex with men are disproportionately impacted by HIV. While prevention efforts to date have focused on men who visit drop-in centers or physical cruising sites, little is known about men who are meeting sexual partners on virtual platforms. This paper explores issues related to sexual identity and sexual behaviors in an online sample of men who identified as gay (n = 279) or bisexual (n = 123). There were significant differences in outedness between the two groups, with 48% of bisexually identified men reporting that they were out to “no one” and 82% stating that they present themselves as heterosexual to family and friends. Corresponding rates for gay-identified men were 15% and 41%, respectively (both p < .001). Twenty-nine percent of bisexually identified men reported being married, compared to only 3% of the gay-identified men (p < .001). Bisexually identified men were also more likely to report having exclusively insertive anal sex (49% vs 30% p < .001), while gay-identified men were more likely to report exclusively receptive anal sex (41% vs 13% p < .0001). Rates of unprotected anal sex (UAS) in the two groups were similar; however, married men were significantly more likely to report unprotected vaginal sex (76% vs 35%, p < .012). Positive attitudes toward UAS and lower self-efficacy were associated with sexual risk in both groups; however, substance use was associated with sexual risk only among bisexually identified men. These findings show that a large proportion of Indian bisexually identified men lead closeted lives, especially in their interactions with friends and family, with the vast majority presenting as heterosexual. The lower condom use with wives may be due to societal pressures to have children. The results suggest that bisexually identified men may benefit from targeted programs and non-directive, non-judgmental individual or couples counseling which emphasizes condom use with both male and female partners.
GLIAL CELLS AND COLLAGENS IN EPIRETINAL MEMBRANES ASSOCIATED WITH IDIOPATHIC MACULAR HOLES

Purpose: To investigate the identity of collagens and cellular components in the epiretinal membrane (ERM) associated with full-thickness idiopathic macular hole and their clinical relevance. Methods: Pars plana vitrectomy with the peeling of internal limiting membrane and ERM was performed by 2 surgeons in 40 eyes with idiopathic macular holes. The clinical data were reviewed and the surgical specimens were processed for flat-mount and immunohistochemical analysis. Results: Epiretinal membrane is a GFAP-positive gliotic and fibrotic scar which contains newly formed Type I, III, and V collagens. Type VI collagen was not observed. Colocalization studies found cells coexpressing GFAP/CRALBP, GFAP/&agr;-SMA, and &agr;-SMA/CRALBP, which are consistent with transdifferentiation of Müller cells into fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. The clinically significant ERMs can be divided into two groups according to the amount of cells in ERM: sparse cellular proliferation and dense cellular proliferation. The latter group is associated with a higher chance of surgical difficulty during internal limiting membrane peeling (P = 0.006). Preoperative and postoperative visual function were not affected by the density of the cellular proliferation. Conclusion: Retinal glial cells, probably transdifferentiated Müller cells, are involved in the formation of full-thickness macular hole-associated ERMs by a gliotic and fibrotic process. Such ERMs contain newly formed Type I, III, and V collagen depositions. The cell density of ERM affects its biomechanical properties and determines the difficulty of ERM peeling.
MACULAR CHOROIDAL VOLUME VARIATIONS IN HIGHLY MYOPIC EYES WITH MYOPIC TRACTION MACULOPATHY AND CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION

Purpose: To compare the choroidal volume (CV) between emmetropic and highly myopic eyes, and to assess if the presence of myopic fundus abnormalities, myopic traction maculopathy, or choroidal neovascularization affects the CV. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed imaging studies of 98 eyes of 98 patients who underwent CV measurement on optical coherence tomography. We included 31 emmetropic eyes (Group 1), 36 highly myopic eyes without vitreoretinal or choroidal pathologies (Group 2), 21 highly myopic eyes with traction maculopathy (Group 3), and 10 highly myopic eyes with history of choroidal neovascularization (Group 3). Eyes with chorioretinal atrophy were excluded. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between CV and multiple variables. Results: Choroidal volume was lower in Group 2 than in Group 1 (P < 0.001), and in Groups 3 and 4 than in Group 2 (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). Age (P = 0.002), axial length (P < 0.001), sex (P = 0.047), staphyloma (P < 0.001), and myopic group (P = 0.05) were independent predictors for the final CV (R2 = 0.645). In highly myopic eyes, CV decreased by 0.32 mm3 for every 10 years and by 0.49 mm3 per millimeter of axial length. Conclusion: Choroidal thinning is present in highly myopic eyes compared with emmetropic eyes, and is related to age, axial length, sex, and staphyloma. However, myopic eyes with coexisting myopic traction maculopathy or history of choroidal neovascularization have more severe thinning, likely leading to insufficient metabolic supplementation for the macula.
Critical thoughts on current rodent models for evaluating potential treatments of alcohol addiction and withdrawal

Despite years of neurobiological research that have helped to identify potential therapeutic targets, we do not have a reliable pharmacological treatment for alcoholism. There are a range of possible explanations for this failure, including arguments that alcoholism is a spectrum disorder and that different population subtypes may respond to different treatments. This view is supported by categorisations such as early‐ and late‐onset alcoholism, whilst multifactorial genetic factors may also alter responsivity to pharmacological agents. Furthermore, experience of alcohol withdrawal may play a role in future drinking in a way that may distinguish alcoholism from other forms of addiction.
Effectiveness of peer-led interventions to increase HIV testing among men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT HIV testing constitutes a key step along the continuum of HIV care. Men who have sex with men (MSM) have low HIV testing rates and delayed diagnosis, especially in low-resource settings. Peer-led interventions offer a strategy to increase testing rates in this population. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarizes evidence on the effectiveness of peer-led interventions to increase the uptake of HIV testing among MSM. Using a systematic review protocol that was developed a priori, we searched PubMed, PsycINFO and CINAHL for articles reporting original results of randomized or non-randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental interventions, and pre- and post-intervention studies. Studies were eligible if they targeted MSM and utilized peers to increase HIV testing. We included studies published in or after 1996 to focus on HIV testing during the era of combination antiretroviral therapy. Seven studies encompassing a total of 6205 participants met eligibility criteria, including two quasi-experimental studies, four non-randomized pre- and-post intervention studies, and one cluster randomized trial. Four studies were from high-income countries, two were from Asia and only one from sub-Saharan Africa. We assigned four studies a “moderate” methodological rigor rating and three a “strong” rating. Meta-analysis of the seven studies found HIV testing rates were statistically significantly higher in the peer-led intervention groups versus control groups (pooled OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.74–2.31). Among randomized trials, HIV testing rates were significantly higher in the peer-led intervention versus control groups (pooled OR: 2.48, 95% CI 1.99–3.08). Among the non-randomized pre- and post-intervention studies, the overall pooled OR for intervention versus control groups was 1.71 (95% CI 1.42–2.06), with substantial heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 70%, p < 0.02). Overall, peer-led interventions increased HIV testing among MSM but more data from high-quality studies are needed to evaluate effects of peer-led interventions on HIV testing among MSM in low- and middle-income countries.
Serum retinal and prostate cancer

Levels of retinol, beta carotene, and alpha tocopherol were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in serum from subjects with clinical prostatic cancer (n = 94), focal prostatic cancer (n = 40), benign prostatic hyperplasia (n = 130), and from hospital controls (n = 130). Levels of beta carotene and alpha tocopherol varied for prostatic cancer patients by disease stage and by the period in the treatment sequence when blood was collected. This made any assessment of their association with prostatic cancer risk difficult. The mean level of serum retinol was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in prostatic cancer patients than in the controls. For serum retinol this difference did not appear to be attributable to age, stage of disease, period in which the blood was collected, or to several other potentially confounding factors. When the serum retinol level was considered in quintile classes, there was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) trend of increased prostatic cancer risk associated with decreasing serum retinol levels.
The SLC36 family of proton‐coupled amino acid transporters and their potential role in drug transport

Members of the solute carrier (SLC) 36 family are involved in transmembrane movement of amino acids and derivatives. SLC36 consists of four members. SLC36A1 and SLC36A2 both function as H+‐coupled amino acid symporters. SLC36A1 is expressed at the luminal surface of the small intestine but is also commonly found in lysosomes in many cell types (including neurones), suggesting that it is a multipurpose carrier with distinct roles in different cells including absorption in the small intestine and as an efflux pathway following intralysosomal protein breakdown. SLC36A1 has a relatively low affinity (Km 1–10 mM) for its substrates, which include zwitterionic amino and imino acids, heterocyclic amino acids and amino acid‐based drugs and derivatives used experimentally and/or clinically to treat epilepsy, schizophrenia, bacterial infections, hyperglycaemia and cancer. SLC36A2 is expressed at the apical surface of the human renal proximal tubule where it functions in the reabsorption of glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. SLC36A2 also transports amino acid derivatives but has a narrower substrate selectivity and higher affinity (Km 0.1–0.7 mM) than SLC36A1. Mutations in SLC36A2 lead to hyperglycinuria and iminoglycinuria. SLC36A3 is expressed only in testes and is an orphan transporter with no known function. SLC36A4 is widely distributed at the mRNA level and is a high‐affinity (Km 2–3 µM) transporter for proline and tryptophan. We have much to learn about this family of transporters, but from current knowledge, it seems likely that their function will influence the pharmacokinetic profiles of amino acid‐based drugs by mediating transport in both the small intestine and kidney.
Relief of macular traction after laser puncture for an intraretinal hemorrhagic pseudocyst.

Relief of Macular Traction After Laser Puncture for an Intraretinal Hemorrhagic Pseudocyst A 44-year-old man complained of floaters in his right eye. The fundus examination revealed a large multilayered hemorrhage, adjacent to the macula, which was associated with an arterial macroaneurysm (Figure 1A). Hard exudates and aneurysms were also evident in midperiphery where angiography showed telangiectasia surrounded by the areas of capillary dropout. The left eye was normal. Clinical and angiographic features were consistent with the diagnosis of adult-onset Coats’ disease. Laser photocoagulation of vascular abnormalities was performed and retinal exudates were gradually reabsorbed. The large retinal hemorrhage spontaneously cleared in 4 months, leaving a dome-shaped pseudocystic lesion, filled with serous fluid (Figure 1B) and covered with a taut membrane, which strongly adhered to the vitreous cortex. Retinal traction from the edge of the cyst extended to the macula contributing, along with vascular leakage, to foveal distortion and thickening (Figure 2A). Because of persistent metamorphopsia, a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser puncture, near the inferior edge of the dome-shaped lesion (4 bursts, 4 mJ), was performed. Immediately after treatment, spectral domain optical coherence tomography showed bloodstained cyst fluid pouring into the vitreous cavity through an aperture on the cyst wall (Figure 2B). During the next days, there was an evident progressive flattening of the lesion, with the relief of traction on the macula that gradually recovered normal shape and thickness (Figures 1C and 2, C and D). As the cyst wall became less rigid, it appeared to be composed by 2 layers, the vitreous cortex and the internal limiting membrane (Figure 2D). Superficial intraretinal hemorrhagic pseudocysts are an uncommon complication of Coats’ disease. Although laser treatment of subhayloidal hemorrhages has been previously reported, we are original in
Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia

To the Editor:— I wish to congratulate you for the editorial "Preventive Therapy for Atherosclerosis" ( 199 :578, 1967), which effectively and succinctly presented the concept that hypercholesterolemia should be treated, that more attention should be given to preventive therapy for atherosclerosis, and that the judicious use of drugs that lower the serum cholesterol level might be expected to aid in this regard. Since you only mentioned one drug which might be used for this purpose, I should like to add two others. The old standby, niacin (nicotinic acid), which has now been used for a decade or more, still probably has a place, providing the physician is aware of the side-effects which occasionally occur with its use and will take the necessary safeguards. Also, the patient must be willing to tolerate the flushing and itching which are part of the normal effect of niacin. Another drug, which we feel may
Outcomes of Children with Mild Bilateral Hearing Loss and Unilateral Hearing Loss

Studies of children with minimal hearing loss have included children with varying degrees of hearing loss, ranging from 16 dB hearing level (HL) to 44 dB HL. Because children with unilateral, high-frequency, and mild bilateral hearing loss have not previously been identified in the newborn period, it has been difficult to describe the developmental progress of these children. With the early hearing detection and intervention programs, a significant population of very young children is being identified with mild bilateral hearing loss and unilateral hearing loss, some of whom are receiving no intervention services, whereas others begin using amplification and are enrolled in varying intensities and types of intervention services. Although not all children with mild bilateral hearing loss and unilateral hearing loss have significantly delayed development compared with their peers with normal hearing, approximately one third evidence significant difficulties in their language, academic, and social-emotional development. Researchers are striving to identify those characteristics of the children with minimal hearing loss at greatest risk for developmental delay. For a significant portion of children with minimal hearing loss, a hearing loss of any degree appears sufficient to interrupt the normal continuum of communication development and academic skills. This article will present a summary of the current body of literature that has found that children with mild bilateral hearing loss and unilateral hearing loss have significant developmental delays in language, academic, and social-emotional development when compared with typically hearing peers, as well as some studies that have not found such delays. The reasons for these discrepancies will be discussed.
The effect of K201 on isolated working rabbit heart mechanical function during pharmacologically induced Ca2+ overload

Reduced cardiac contractility has been associated with disrupted myocardial Ca2+ signalling. The 1,4 benzothiazepine K201 (JTV‐519) acts on several Ca2+ handling proteins and improves cardiac contractility in vivo in a variety of animal models of myocardial dysfunction. However, it is unclear whether this improvement depends on the systemic effects of K201 or if K201 reverses the effects of Ca2+ dysregulation, regardless of the cause.
LONGITUDINAL OPTICAL DENSITY ANALYSIS OF SUBRETINAL FLUID AFTER SURGICAL REPAIR OF RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT

Purpose: To investigate optical coherence tomography–derived reflectivity and optical density (OD) characteristics of persistent subretinal fluid (SRF) in eyes after surgical repair of macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Methods: Retrospective case series of nine eyes with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment that underwent surgical repair with either scleral buckling or vitrectomy with or without scleral buckling. Major inclusion criteria included 1) availability of high-quality optical coherence tomography scans at 2 or more time points, and 2) sufficient SRF for optical coherence tomography sampling without including tissue edges. Demographic, clinical, and optical coherence tomography imaging data were collected on all eyes. Optical density and SRF height measurements were obtained using a manual image segmentation method with ImageJ. Optical density measurements were standardized by conversion to optical density ratios to facilitate comparison between different visits and eyes. Correlations were assessed for significance through both univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Results: Optical density ratio measurements increased with time after surgery, and this was statistically significant (P = 0.001, R2 = 0.331). Subretinal fluid height measurements decreased in all eyes. There was a significant correlation between optical density ratios and log of SRF height (P ⩽ 0.001, R2 = 0.485). In multivariate analysis, neither optical density ratios nor SRF height was a statistically significant predictor of visual acuity. Conclusion: Changes in optical density ratios of the residual SRF after retinal detachment repair may be representative of changes in the SRF composition over time. This is in agreement with previous biochemical studies and may serve as a noninvasive method of assessing SRF content in vivo.
BRILLIANT BLUE G DOUBLE STAINING ENHANCES SUCCESSFUL INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE PEELING WITH MINIMAL ADVERSE EFFECT BY LOW CELLULAR PERMEABILITY INTO LIVE CELLS

Purpose: Brilliant Blue G is used as a surgical adjuvant for retinal surgery. Although BBG double or multiple staining was reported, the effectiveness and safety of repeated staining is still elusive. To further examine the effectiveness and safety, we examined BBG in clinical cases in vivo, primary cell culture in vitro, and surgically resected specimen ex vivo. Methods: A retrospective interventional case series with in vitro and ex vivo studies were performed. Vitrectomy was performed in 28 cases of epiretinal membrane with BBG single to multiple staining. The surgically resected membranes were stained by BBG with or without cellular fixation. Primary cell cultures were examined with BBG and live/death cell markers, such as Calcein AM and TUNEL. Results: Single staining provided satisfactory staining in seven cases. Double or multiple staining substantially visualized internal limiting membrane (21 cases), especially the edges of remaining internal limiting membrane (11 cases). Adverse retinal staining was not noted and the final visual acuity showed no difference with multiple staining. The live cells barely stained with BBG, while some dead cells were stained. Conclusion: Brilliant Blue G multiple staining substantially enhanced the visualization of internal limiting membrane. The absence of abnormal staining supports the safety of repeated BBG staining.
Co-factors in HIV neurobehavioural disturbances: Substance abuse, hepatitis C and aging

Neurocognitive disturbances associated with HIV infection may be modulated or confounded by coexisting and comorbid conditions that reflect the changing populations affected by the disease. HIV infection is often accompanied by substance dependence and/or hepatitis C co-infection. Both of these cofactors that may lead to brain dysfunction on their own, and therefore can affect the nature and course neurocognitive functioning in HIV. Improvements in antiretroviral therapies translate into greater longevity for people infected with HIV, many of whom are now entering their 6th and 7th decade of life and beyond. The increasing proportion of older persons with HIV is also the result of new infections in this age group. As aging confers additional metabolic, neurologic, and neuropsychiatric vulnerability, it is important to understand how this constellation of changes affects neurocognitive functioning in the context of HIV.
CHANGES IN FLARE AFTER INTRAVITREAL INJECTION OF THREE DIFFERENT ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR MEDICATIONS

Purpose: To compare the change in anterior chamber flare after intravitreal injection of the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents bevacizumab, aflibercept, and ranibizumab. Methods: Sixty-one eyes of 53 patients underwent intravitreal injection with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor medications for exudative age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, or retinal vein occlusion. There were a total of 26 eyes injected with bevacizumab, 14 eyes injected with aflibercept, and 21 eyes injected with ranibizumab. Anterior segment flare was measured with a laser flare meter (Kowa) before intravitreal injection and 1 day after injection. The change in flare was analyzed. Results: The mean change in flare after 1 day was +2.5 photons per millisecond in patients who received bevacizumab, 0.0 photons per millisecond for aflibercept, and −0.2 photons per millisecond for ranibizumab. There was a statistically significant difference between the 3 medications (P = 0.006). Pairwise analysis of the change in flare showed a statistically significant difference between bevacizumab and ranibizumab (P = 0.002). The change in flare in patients who received aflibercept was not different from that in those who received bevacizumab (P = 0.08) or ranibizumab (P = 0.99). Conclusion: There was a statistically significant increase in flare after bevacizumab injection compared with ranibizumab. This difference was small and is not believed to be clinically significant. There was no statistical difference in the change in flare between aflibercept and the other medications, although the number of eyes in the aflibercept group was small.