Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differences in HIV vaccine acceptability between genders

The development of safe and efficacious preventive HIV vaccines offers the best long-term hope of controlling the AIDS pandemic. Nevertheless, suboptimal uptake of safe and efficacious vaccines that already exist suggest that HIV vaccine acceptability cannot be assumed, particularly among communities most vulnerable to HIV. The present study aimed to identify barriers and motivators to future HIV vaccine acceptability among low socioeconomic, ethnically diverse men and women in Los Angeles County. Participants completed a cross-sectional survey assessing their attitudes and beliefs regarding future HIV vaccines. Hypothetical HIV vaccine scenarios were administered to determine HIV vaccine acceptability. Two-sided t-tests were performed, stratified by gender, to examine the association between vaccine acceptability and potential barriers and motivators. Barriers to HIV vaccine acceptability differed between men and women. For women, barriers to HIV vaccine acceptability were related to their intimate relationships (p<0.05), negative experiences with health care providers (p<0.05) and anticipated difficulties procuring insurance (p<0.01). Men were concerned that the vaccine would weaken the immune system (p<0.005) or would affect their HIV test results (p<0.05). Motivators for women included the ability to conceive a child without worrying about contracting HIV (p<0.10) and support from their spouse/significant other for being vaccinated (p<0.10). Motivators for men included feeling safer with sex partners (p<0.05) and social influence from friends to get vaccinated (p<0.005). Family support for HIV immunization was a motivator for both men and women (p<0.10). Gender-specific interventions may increase vaccine acceptability among men and women at elevated risk for HIV infection. Among women, interventions need to focus on addressing barriers due to gendered power dynamics in relationships and discrimination in health care. Among men, education that addresses fears and misconceptions about adverse effects of HIV vaccination on health and the importance of vaccination as one component of integrated HIV prevention may increase vaccine acceptability.
Morphologic Pattern of Late Gadolinium Enhancement in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Detected by Early Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) presents clinically as an acute coronary syndrome. It is characterized by transient left ventricular wall dyskinesis‐akinesis, without significant epicardial coronary lesions. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) sequences on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) allow to clarify the pathophysiology in patients with chest pain, elevated troponin, and normal epicardial coronary arteries; in patients with TTC, previous studies have shown absence of LGE.
Reliability and validity of two HIV/AIDS-specific quality of life instruments adapted for use in HIV-positive Zimbabweans

Abstract We sought to assess the reliability and construct validity of the HIV/AIDS-Targeted Quality of Life instrument (HAT-QoL) and the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV) adapted for use in Shona-speaking rural Zimbabwe. HAT-QoL and MOS-HIV were translated and culturally adapted into Shona, and administered to a convenience-sample of 400 patients with HIV-related opportunistic infections. HIV disease severity and bereavement history were assessed. Factor analysis of the HAT-QoL items produced seven factors that were nearly identical to the factor structure reported for an American sample that was the basis for the current HAT-QoL scales. Factor analysis of the MOS-HIV scales resulted in a single factor, not the expected two-factor structure (physical and mental). Convergent and discriminant validity assessments confirmed, in general, that similar Shona HAT-QoL and MOS-HIV dimensions were correlated and dissimilar ones not correlated. Construct validity assessments indicated that, on the whole, most Shona HAT-QoL and MOS-HIV dimensions were capturing anticipated subgroup differences. The exceptions were the Shona MOS-HIV dimensions of general health perceptions, cognitive function, and the quality of life (QoL) item. The reliability and validity of most Shona-adapted HAT-QoL and MOS-HIV dimensions suggest that both instruments are likely useful in measuring the QoL of rural, Shona-speaking populations in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, and Botswana.
Reducing vertical HIV transmission in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo: trends in HIV prevalence and service delivery

Abstract Scale-up of vertical HIV transmission prevention has been too slow in sub-Saharan Africa. We describe approaches, challenges, and results obtained in Kinshasa. Staff members of 21 clinics managed by public servants or non-governmental organizations were trained in improved basic antenatal care (ANC) including nevirapine (NVP)-based HIV transmission prevention. Program initiation was supported on-site logistically and technically. Aggregate implementation data were collected and used for program monitoring. Contextual information was obtained through a survey. Among 45,262 women seeking ANC from June 2003 through July 2005, 90% accepted testing; 792 (1.9%) had HIV of whom 599 (76%) returned for their result. Among 414 HIV+ women who delivered in participating maternities, NVP coverage was 79%; 92% of newborns received NVP. Differences were noted by clinic management in program implementation and HIV prevalence (1.2 to 3.0%). Initiating vertical HIV transmission prevention embedded in improved antenatal services in a fragile, fragmented, severely resource-deprived health care system was possible and improved over time. Scope and quality of service coverage should further increase; strategies to decrease loss to follow-up of HIV+ women should be identified to improve program effectiveness. The observed differences in HIV prevalence highlight the importance of selecting representative sentinel surveillance centers.
Preventive service needs of young people perinatally infected with HIV in Uganda

Abstract The sexual and reproductive health needs of young people perinatally infected with HIV in Uganda remain largely unaddressed by existing HIV/AIDS programs mostly because, such programs encourage young HIV-positive clients to refrain from or postpone sexual activity. This study examines the sexual expressions and experiences as well as the preventive practices of 732 adolescent boys and girls aged 15–19 years who were born with HIV with a view to identifying the preventive service needs of these young people and the implications of these needs for HIV/AIDS programs. The data come from a project on the sexuality of young people perinatally infected with HIV conducted in 2007 in four districts of Uganda, that is, Kampala, Wakiso, Masaka, and Jinja. The analysis involves both quantitative and qualitative approaches: the quantitative approach entails cross-tabulations with chi-square tests as well as significance tests of proportions while the qualitative approach involves an analysis of individual case stories, in-depth probes and focus group discussions for content. The findings show disconnect between: (1) the information the service providers give to the young people and their actual needs and desires; (2) the fears of the adolescents and their actual preventive practices; and (3) the high level of reported condom use and the frequency of use. Programs will therefore need to recognize that young people perinatally infected with HIV are sexually active or anticipate being so in future. Thus, both sexually active and non-sexually active young people require information and services on prevention of unwanted pregnancies as well as avoiding infecting their sexual partners with HIV and re-infecting themselves. Programs will need to devise ways of responding to these needs which should include emphasizing the disclosure of HIV status to the partner as well as the need to accompany such disclosure with consistent condom use.
Community interventions providing care and support to orphans and vulnerable children: a review of evaluation evidence

Abstract Children affected by HIV in their families and communities face multiple risks to their health, education and psychosocial wellbeing. Community interventions for children who have been orphaned or rendered vulnerable take many forms, including educational assistance, home-based care, legal protection and psychosocial support. Despite a recent influx of funding for programme implementation, there exists little evidence to inform policymakers about whether their investments are improving the lives of vulnerable children and meeting key benchmarks including the Millennium Development Goals. This paper reviews the current evidence base on evaluations of community interventions for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in high HIV-prevalence African settings, focusing on studies’ methodologies. Sources reviewed include published research studies and evidence from the unpublished programmatic “grey literature” located through database and internet searches. A total of 21 studies, varying in scope and generalisability, were identified. Interventions reviewed address children's wellbeing through various strategies within their communities. Evaluation methodologies reflect quantitative and qualitative approaches, including surveys (with and without baseline or comparison data), costing studies, focus groups, interviews, case studies, and participatory review techniques. Varied study methodologies reflect diverse research questions, various intervention types, and the challenges associated with evaluating complex interventions; highlighting the need to broaden the research paradigm in order to build the evidence base by including quasi-experimental and process evaluation approaches, and seeking further insights through participatory qualitative methodologies and costing studies. Although findings overall indicate the value of community interventions in effecting measurable improvements in child and family wellbeing, the quality and rigour of evidence is varied. A strategic research agenda is urgently needed to inform resource allocation and programme management decisions. Immediate imperatives include building local technical capacity to conduct quantitative and qualitative evaluation research, and strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems to collect process and outcome data (including costing) on key support models. Donors and implementers must support the collection of sound empirical evidence to inform the development and scale-up of OVC programmes.
HIV-related behaviors among black students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) versus white students attending a traditionally white institution (TWI)

Abstract Recent data indicated the unexpected movement of the HIV epidemic in the Southeastern US and the transmission among college students especially in black campuses. The current study is the first one attempted to assess and compare HIV-related behaviors among black students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and white students attending a traditionally white institution (TWI). Black students were recruited from HBCUs (n=222) and white students from a TWI (n=335) via online surveys. The majority of students in both samples were between 18 and 24 years old (mean = 20.65) and self-identified as heterosexual oriented (91%), although the HBCU sample revealed slightly higher proportion of females (81.1% vs. 72.5%). Data indicated different behavioral patterns. Although, both groups reported similar prevalence of oral and anal sex; after adjusting for age and gender, HBCU blacks were more likely to have had vaginal sex (OR = 1.7) and at younger age (16.3 vs. 17.5 years), more likely to have had Sexually Transmitted Infections (OR = 4.4), have been or gotten someone pregnant (OR = 3.6). They were, however, less likely to use alcohol before sex of any type, and more likely to have been tested for HIV (OR = 8.4), ask partner's status (OR = 3.8) or being asked of status (OR = 2.9). Comparing with TWI whites, HBCU blacks also perceived higher risk of HIV infection, higher peer norms toward vaginal and anal sex. The findings showed HBCU students taking more protective behaviors in some aspects while practicing riskier behaviors in others. Results have implications on developing tailored HIV behavioral interventions.
The effect of post-traumatic stress disorder on HIV disease progression following hurricane Katrina

Abstract Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychological outcome of any disaster. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of PTSD on disease progression among HIV-infected persons in metropolitan New Orleans post-hurricane Katrina. One-year post-storm, a convenience sample of 145 HIV-infected patients who returned to care at the HIV Outpatient Program clinic in New Orleans were interviewed. Clinical factors pre and one and two years post-disaster were abstracted from medical records and compared by PTSD status. Of the 145 participants, 37.2% had PTSD. Those with PTSD were more likely than those without PTSD to have detectable plasma viral loads at both follow-up time points post-disaster and more likely to have CD4 cell counts <200/mm3 two years post-disaster. They were also more likely to have had medication interruptions immediately post-disaster. Our findings corroborate the findings of others that PTSD accelerates HIV disease progression. Disaster planners should consider the special counseling and medication safeguards needs of HIV-infected persons.
Survival of an AIDS cohort in Thailand (2000–2005)

Abstract This study investigates the survival from the time of diagnosis to death of 98,876 men and 57,316 women between the ages of 15 and 96 years who received medical care at public and private hospitals in Thailand after being diagnosed with symptomatic HIV-positive or AIDS between 2000 and 2005 from all regions of Thailand. Using a retrospective cohort study, risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are estimated by the Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for age, gender, marital status, occupation, region of residence, and year of diagnosis. Significant increased risk of mortality is observed for patients diagnosed with AIDS as compared to those with symptomatic HIV-positive, the risk being approximately twofold for men (RR=2.37, 95% CI=2.27, 2.47), almost threefold for women (RR=2.85, 95% CI=2.69, 3.02), and more than threefold for women in the 15–24-year age group (RR=3.36, 95% CI=2.83, 3.98). The risk also varied from being twofold in the northern region of Thailand (RR=2.23, 95% CI=2.11, 2.35) to being threefold in the northeast (RR=3.05, 95% CI=2.79, 3.32). Our findings of increased risk of mortality for subgroups of the population suggest the need for sustained attention to HIV prevention efforts with support from society at large, and to the early diagnosis and treatment of these patients, especially women and youth.
The Quality of Life Implications of Health Practices Among Older Adults: Evidence from the 1991 Canadian General Social Survey

ABSTRACT The health promotion literature for young adults is not generalizable to the elderly, and different outcomes are likely to motivate changes in health practices within the two populations. Main and interactive effects of smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity and physical activity on older Canadians' quality of life are examined with 1991 GSS data. Quality of life is operationalized with psychological well-being and subjective health indicators. Two dichotomous outcomes are used for each dimension, where one outcome is relatively sensitive in detecting impaired quality of life and the other relatively specific. Smoking was consistently associated with negative outcomes, but there was little evidence of adverse effects for alcohol consumption. Physical activity effects were most pronounced comparing sedentary and moderately active individuals. Body mass index showed curvilinear associations with impaired quality of life and interactions with smoking and activity level in separate models. RÉSUMÉ La documentation sur la promotion de la santé destinée aux jeunes adultes ne s'étend pas aux aînés et ce sont des attentes différentes qui vont motiver tout changement des habitudes saines chez les deux groupes. Les effets principaux et interactifs du tabac, de la consommation d'alcool, de l'obésité et de l'activité physique chez les canadiens âgés sont examinés en fonction des données de l'Enquête sociale générate de 1991. La qualité de la vie s'opérationalise par le bien-être psychologique et les indices de santé perçue. Deux issues dichotomiques sont utilisées à l'égard de chaque dimension; dans un cas, on détecte la détérioration de la qualité de vie de façon sensible et dans l'autre, on le fait spécifiquement. Le. tabac est constamment associé à des résultats négatifs mais on trouve peu des effets néfastes de la consommation d'alcool. Les effets de l'activité physique sont plutôt soulignés par la comparaison de sujets sédentaires à d'autres modérément actifs. L'indice de masse corporelle est en relation curviligne avec la détérioration de la qualité de la vie, le tabac et le niveau d'activité dans différents modèles.
Evaluation of trends in marijuana toxicosis in dogs living in a state with legalized medical marijuana : 125 dogs ( 2005 – 2010 )

Objective – To report a correlation between the increased number of medical marijuana licenses and marijuana toxicosis in dogs in a state with legalized marijuana for medical use. Design – Retrospective case series from January 1, 2005 to October 1, 2010. Setting – Private specialty referral hospital and a university teaching hospital. Animals – A total of 125 client-owned dogs presenting for known or suspected marijuana toxicosis with or without a urine drug screening test (UDST). Interventions – None. Measurements and Main Results – During the study period, 125 dogs were evaluated including 76 dogs with known marijuana exposure or a positive UDST (group 1), 6 dogs with known marijuana ingestion and a negative UDST (group 2), and 43 dogs with known marijuana ingestion that were not tested (group 3). The incidence of marijuana toxicosis presenting to both hospitals increased 4-fold, while the number of people registered for medical marijuana in the state increased 146-fold in the last 5 years. A significant positive correlation was detected between the increase in known/suspected marijuana toxicosis in dogs (groups 1–3) and the increased number of medical marijuana licenses (correlation R coefficient = 0.959, P = 0.002). Two dogs that ingested butter made with medical grade marijuana in baked products died. Conclusions – A significant correlation was found between the number of medical marijuana licenses and marijuana toxicosis cases seen in 2 veterinary hospitals in Colorado. Ingestion of baked goods made with medical grade tetrahydrocannabinol butter resulted in 2 deaths. UDST may be unreliable for the detection of marijuana toxicosis in dogs. (J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2012; 22(6): 690–696) doi: 10.1111/j.1476-4431.2012. 00818.x
Differential effect of phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors on the proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells from normals and subjects with atopic dermatitis

1 The aims of this study were to compare the effects of selective inhibitors of the type 3, type 4 and type 5 phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzymes on the phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)‐stimulated proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (HPBM) from normals and subjects with atopic dermatitits (AD). 2 Mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral venous blood of normals and subjects with AD. A concentration‐response curve was carried out with PHA (0.5‐5 μg ml−) and a concentration which produced a submaximal stimulation of proliferation (2 μg ml−) was selected for further experiments. HPBM (105 cells per well) were stimulated with PHA (2 μg ml−) in the absence or presence of PDE inhibitor (0.01 μm − 10 μm) and 24 h later [3H]‐thymidine (0.1 μCi per well) was added. Cells were incubated for an additional 24 h period and [3H]‐thymidine incorporation measured. 3 The type 4 PDE inhibitors (rolipram, RO 20–1724 and denbufylline) produced a concentration‐related inhibition of proliferation of HPBM from normal and AD subjects. The IC50 for rolipram was significantly (P<0.05) lower in HPBM from AD patients 0.28 μm (95% confidence limits (CL): 0.158‐0.499, n = 5) vs normal subjects 2.6 μm (95% CL: 0.867‐7.05, n = 5, P< 0.05) as were the IC50 values for denbufylline: 0.26 μm (95% CL: 0.152‐0.440, n = 5) vs 1.84 μm (95% CL: 0.467‐7.23, n = 5, P<0.05) respectively and RO 20–1724: 1.49 μm (95% CL: 0.61 μm‐3.64 μm) vs 6.46 μm (95% CL: 2.03 μm‐20.46 μm), respectively. 4 The mixed type 3/4 inhibitors (zardaverine and benzafentrine) produced a concentration‐related inhibition of proliferation of HPBM from normal and AD subjects. The IC50 value for zardaverine in HPBM from normal subjects: 1.8 μm (95% CL: 0.43 μm − 7.85 μm, n=4) was similar to that in AD subjects: 1.03 μm (95% CL: 0.48 μm −2.28 μm) as was the IC50 value for benzafentrine in normal 3.8 μm (95% CL: 2.45 μm − 5.9 μm) and atopic 5.5 μm (95% CL: 3.84 μm − 7.78 μm) HPBM. The type 5 PDE inhibitor, zaprinast was ineffective at inhibiting the proliferation of normal HPBM. The type 3 PDE inhibitor, siguazodan only inhibited [3H]‐thymidine incorporation at a concentration of 10 μm. 5 These results show that combined inhibition of the type 3 and 4 PDE isoenzymes in HPBM from normal subjects has a greater antiproliferative effect than inhibition of the type 4 isoenzyme alone. In addition these data indicate that the proliferative response of HPBM from AD subjects is more sensitive to PDE 4 inhibition than the proliferation of HPBM from normals.
The anorexic agents, sibutramine and fenfluramine, depress GABAB‐induced inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in rat mesencephalic dopaminergic cells

Background and purpose: Nutrition is the result of a complex interaction among environmental, homeostatic and reward‐related processes. Accumulating evidence supports key roles for the dopaminergic neurons of the ventral midbrain in regulating feeding behaviour. For this reason, in the present study, we have investigated the electrophysiological effects of two centrally acting anorexic agents, fenfluramine and sibutramine, on these cells.
Mechanisms of U46619‐induced contraction of rat pulmonary arteries in the presence and absence of the endothelium

Background and purpose: Thromboxane A2 and endothelial dysfunction are implicated in the development of pulmonary hypertension. The receptor‐transduction pathway for U46619 (9,11‐dideoxy‐9α, 11α‐methanoepoxy prostaglandin F2α)‐induced contraction was examined in endothelium‐intact (E+) and denuded (E−) rat pulmonary artery rings.
Gender-specific patterns of multiple concurrent sexual partnerships: a national cross sectional survey in Botswana

Abstract A priority of AIDS prevention in Botswana is to reduce multiple concurrent sexual partnerships. We analysed data from interviews with people aged 16–60 years in a 2007 national stratified random cluster sample of communities across Botswana. Among 768 male and 1784 female respondents, 10% reported multiple sexual partners in the month prior to the survey (MP1); 19% of men and 6% of women. In a multivariate analysis, men were more likely to report MP1 if they had not completed primary education (adjusted Odds Ratio (ORa) 2.13, 95% confidence intervals with adjustment for clustering (CIca) 1.19–3.85), if they were single (ORa 2.29, 95% CIca 1.28–4.11), if they had experienced intimate partner violence in the last year (ORa 2.59, 95% CIca 1.51–4.45) and if they reported acquiescence to high risk sex (ORa 8.32, 95% CIca 3.38–20.46). Women who said they earned more or the same as their partner were also more likely to report MP1 (ORa 1.76, 95% CIca 1.21–2.56). The higher rate of MP1 among men with different forms of choice-disability shows an important potential multiplication of male risk factors. Women with higher income were more likely to have more partners, questioning the idea that multiple concurrent partners is mainly a question of male disposable income.