Safety and Immunogenicity of an mRNA-1273 Booster in Children.

Background: A 2-dose mRNA-1273 primary series in children aged 6 months-5 years (25 µg) and 6-11 years (50 µg) had an acceptable safety profile and was immunogenic in the phase 2/3 KidCOVE study. We present data from KidCOVE participants who received an mRNA-1273 booster dose.

Methods: An mRNA-1273 booster dose (10 µg for children aged 6 months-5 years; 25 µg for children aged 6-11 years; age groups based on participant age at enrollment) was administered ≥6 months after primary series completion.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of coformulated bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide in children aged 2 years and older with virologically suppressed HIV: a phase 2/3, open-label, single-arm study.

Background: Coformulated bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide is a single-tablet regimen and was efficacious and well tolerated in children and adolescents with HIV (aged 6 years to <18 years) in a 48-week phase 2/3 trial. In this study, we report data from children aged at least 2 years and weighing 14 kg to less than 25 kg.

Methods: We conducted this open-label, multicentre, multicohort, single-arm study in South Africa, Thailand, Uganda, and the USA.

Novel Application of Dot Survey Methodology at a Youth Health Clinic: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: We tested a novel dot survey methodology at our clinic that provides sexual health services to youth ages 13 to 24. We conducted two interactive dot surveys to assess their feasibility and acceptability while gaining insight into patients' attitudes about mental health.

Methods: We adapted a dot survey approach to assess youths' familiarity with mental health and attitudes toward related services.

Adverse Childhood Experiences among a Sample of Youth Living with HIV in the Deep South.

The southern region of the United States, often referred to as the Deep South, is disproportionately affected by HIV. In fact, the highest rates of new HIV infections occur in the Deep South. Approximately one in five new HIV infections are among youth.

Can the use of the CROS system provide head shadow effect contribution to unilateral Cochlear Implant Users?

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the CROS system on the head shadow effect in unilateral implant users.

Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study, approved by the ethics committee under protocol 2.128.

Fixed-dose combination bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide in adolescents and children with HIV: week 48 results of a single-arm, open-label, multicentre, phase 2/3 trial.

Background: Bictegravir is a potent integrase strand-transfer inhibitor (INSTI) with a high genetic barrier to resistance. Bictegravir, coformulated with emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, is recommended by key European and US HIV treatment guidelines as the preferred single-tablet regimen for adults and adolescents. The aim of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of switching to this regimen in virologically suppressed children and adolescents with HIV.

Bijou: Engaging Young MSM in HIV Care Using a Mobile Health Strategy.

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) living with HIV experience challenges with retention in care, which negatively affects viral suppression. To address this, researchers piloted Bijou, a program designed to provide health education through electronically delivered behavior and risk reduction modules. Participants were 29 YMSM aged 19-24 living with HIV from the southeastern US.

Assessing the Attitude of Tampa Bay Youth toward HIV Self-Testing Kits.

In adults, data support the utility and acceptance of home HIV testing; however, in youth, particularly in the US, this has not been well studied. In this exploratory study, we surveyed Tampa Bay youth aged 16-27 and attending sexual health clinics between 1 June and 31 June 2018 ( = 133) regarding attitudes and perceptions towards HIV self-testing. While most indicated the clinic over home when asked for preferred testing location, study population and subgroup analysis demonstrated a positive response (agree) to Likert-scale questions regarding the use of home HIV self-testing kits and negative responses (strongly disagree) to "would not use self-testing kit".

Effect of Number of Electrodes Used to Elicit Electrical Stapedius Reflex Thresholds in Cochlear Implants.

Introduction: When mapping cochlear implant (CI) patients with limited reporting abilities, the lowest electrical stimulus level that produces a stapedial reflex (i.e., the electrical stapedius reflex threshold [eSRT]) can be measured to estimate the upper bound of stimulation on individual or a subset of CI electrodes.

Arabidopsis thaliana SURFEIT1-like genes link mitochondrial function to early plant development and hormonal growth responses.

Mutations in SURFEIT1 (SURF1) genes affect cytochrome c oxidase (COX) levels in different prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. In this work, we report that Arabidopsis thaliana has two genes that potentially encode SURF1 proteins, as a result of a duplication that took place in Brassicaceae. Both genes encode mitochondrial proteins and mutation in AtSURF1a causes embryonic lethality.

Health Knowledge and Adherence as Predictors of Viral Burden and CD4+ T-Cell Count in Youth and Young Adults Living With HIV.

Health literacy influences HIV treatment for youth and, thus, is a research priority. We explored health knowledge and self-reported adherence, as indicators of health literacy, among youth living with HIV (YLWH) and the association between health literacy and health outcomes. A total of 102 YLWH ages 13-25 years participated in the study.

Successful Use of Eltrombopag in a Pediatric Patient With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Associated Thrombocytopenia.

Thrombocytopenia and other hematologic manifestations related to HIV are not uncommon. Treatment of HIV-related thrombocytopenia is challenging: treatment options are not effective in all patients, or less well studied, particularly in the pediatric population. We aim to present and discuss the case of a 13-year-old with HIV and persistent thrombocytopenia who, after failing monthly IVIG infusions, showed normalization of platelet count on the novel thrombopoietin receptor agonist, eltrombopag.

Comparison of the utility of the PHQ and CES-D for depression screening among youth with HIV in an integrated care setting.

Background: Depressive symptoms are well documented among people living with HIV and some evidence suggests that youth living with HIV (YLWH) are more affected than their adult counterparts. Therefore, screening for depression is imperative among YLWH to ensure optimal health. The objective of this study is to compare the utility of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) as depression screeners in an integrated care setting serving YLWH in the southeastern United States.

Depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress as predictors of immune functioning: differences between youth with behaviorally and perinatally acquired HIV.

Youth living with HIV (YLWH) face significant mental health problems, namely depression, anxiety, and PTSD with rates of these disorders higher than in the general population. This study explored the relationship between symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD and biological markers among a sample of 145 YLWH ages 13-25 years. Participants completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Item Scale (GAD-7), and Primary Care-Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Screen (PC-PTSD).

Gut microbiota density influences host physiology and is shaped by host and microbial factors.

Unlabelled: To identify factors that regulate gut microbiota density and the impact of varied microbiota density on health, we assayed this fundamental ecosystem property in fecal samples across mammals, human disease, and therapeutic interventions. Physiologic features of the host (carrying capacity) and the fitness of the gut microbiota shape microbiota density. Therapeutic manipulation of microbiota density in mice altered host metabolic and immune homeostasis.

Psychological factors related to resilience and vulnerability among youth with HIV in an integrated care setting.

Approximately 22% of HIV diagnoses in 2015 occurred among youth aged 13-24. Much is known about the risk factors and psychopathology present in youth living with HIV (YLWH), however, relatively little is known about resiliency in this population. The current study sought to assess factors related to resilience and vulnerability among YLWH as well as the impact of psychosocial factors on these constructs using existing clinical data from an integrated care clinic serving YLWH in the southeastern United States.

Effect of Probe-Tone Frequency on Ipsilateral and Contralateral Electrical Stapedius Reflex Measurement in Children With Cochlear Implants.

Objectives: The upper loudness limit of electrical stimulation in cochlear implant patients is sometimes set using electrically elicited stapedius reflex thresholds (eSRTs), especially in children for whom reporting skills may be limited. In unilateral cochlear implant patients, eSRT levels are measured typically in the contralateral unimplanted ear because the ability to measure eSRTs in the implanted ear is likely to be limited due to the cochlear implant surgery and consequential changes in middle ear dynamics. This practice is particularly limiting in the case of fitting bilaterally implanted pediatric cases because there is no unimplanted ear option to choose for eSRT measurement.

Accurate PCR Detection of Influenza A/B and Respiratory Syncytial Viruses by Use of Cepheid Xpert Flu+RSV Xpress Assay in Point-of-Care Settings: Comparison to Prodesse ProFlu.

The Xpert Flu+RSV Xpress Assay is a fast, automated diagnostic test for qualitative detection and differentiation of influenza A and B viruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) performed on the Cepheid GeneXpert Xpress System. The objective of this study was to establish performance characteristics of the Xpert Flu+RSV Xpress Assay compared to those of the Prodesse ProFlu+ real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay (ProFlu+) for the detection of influenza A and B viruses as well as RSV in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-waived (CW) setting. Overall, the assay, using fresh and frozen nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs, demonstrated high concordance with results of the ProFlu+ assay in the combined CW and non-CW settings with positive percent agreements (PPA) (100%, 100%, and 97.

Screening for depression among youth with HIV in an integrated care setting.

Youth living with HIV (YLWH) are at risk for depression. Depressive symptoms can impact treatment engagement, health outcomes, and quality of life. Early identification of symptoms can guide treatment planning.

Medication Adherence in 13- to 24-Year-Old Youth Living With HIV.

Despite advances in HIV medicine, adherence presents as a barrier to effective treatment for youth. We designed this study to assess medication knowledge, adherence, and factors affecting adherence in youth with HIV. Participants were 72 youth ages 13 to 24 years with perinatally or behaviorally acquired HIV.

Decisional capacity and medication adherence among youth with HIV.

This exploratory study examined the degree to which decisional capacity (DC) is associated with measures of self-reported medication adherence. We hypothesized that youth with higher levels of DC would report greater levels of antiretroviral medication adherence. Seventy-two (72) youth with HIV aged 13-24 participated in this study.

BRCA genetic counseling among at-risk Latinas in New York City: new beliefs shape new generation.

Despite the life-saving information that genetic counseling can provide for women at hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer (HBOC) risk, Latinas disproportionately underuse such services. Understanding Latinas' beliefs and attitudes about BRCA genetic counseling may be the key to better health promotion within this underserved, at-risk group. We conducted 12 focus groups (N = 54) with at-risk Latina women in New York City, followed by 30 in-depth interviews among a subset of the focus group women.

Decisional capacity among youth with HIV: results from the MacArthur Competence Tool for Treatment.

We assessed the decisional capacity (DC) of 72 youth with HIV, ages 13-24, using the MacArthur Competence Tool for Treatment, a structured interview that assesses DC along the following dimensions: understanding, appreciation, reasoning, and the ability to express a choice. Using previously established cutoff scores, results suggested 100% of youth were competent in the area of appreciation, but only 62% and 60% were competent in the areas of understanding and reasoning, respectively. Additional descriptive analyses reveal more detailed information regarding specific strengths and weaknesses within each of the dimensions of decisional capacity.