Mitochondrial creatine sensitivity is lost in the D2. model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and rescued by the mitochondrial-enhancing compound Olesoxime.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is associated with distinct mitochondrial stress responses. Here, we aimed to determine whether the prospective mitochondrial-enhancing compound Olesoxime, prevents early-stage mitochondrial stress in limb and respiratory muscle from D2. mice using a proof-of-concept short-term regimen spanning 10-28 days of age.

The Magnetic Levator Prosthesis for Temporary Management of Severe Blepharoptosis: Initial Safety and Efficacy.

Purpose: We further optimized and evaluated the safety of the magnetic levator prosthesis (MLP) for temporary management of severe blepharoptosis, and compared efficacy and comfort against the ptosis crutch.

Methods: The interpalpebral fissure (IPF) of participants ( = 12) with ptosis was measured during attempted eyelid opening, volitional closing, and spontaneous closing with no device, ptosis crutch, or the MLP. A 10-point scale documented comfort.

Viral suppression and antiretroviral medication adherence among alcohol using HIV-positive adults.

Background: Substance use is a known predictor of poor adherence to antiretroviral therapies (ART) in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Less studied is the association between substance use and treatment outcomes, namely, suppression of HIV replication.

Methods: Adults living with HIV (N = 183) who reported alcohol use in the previous week and receiving ART were observed over a 12-month period.

Food insecurity and antiretroviral adherence among HIV positive adults who drink alcohol.

Food insecurity is associated with HIV treatment non-adherence and poor health outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS. Given the poor nutritional status common to people who drink alcohol, food insecurity may be particularly problematic for HIV positive individuals who drink alcohol. To examine food insecurity among HIV positive men and women who drink alcohol and its association with antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, health outcomes and health service utilization.

Randomized clinical trial of HIV treatment adherence counseling interventions for people living with HIV and limited health literacy.

Background: Limited health literacy is a known barrier to medication adherence among people living with HIV. Adherence improvement interventions are urgently needed for this vulnerable population.

Purpose: This study tested the efficacy of a pictograph-guided adherence skills-building counseling intervention for limited literacy adults living with HIV.

Intentional non-adherence to medications among HIV positive alcohol drinkers: prospective study of interactive toxicity beliefs.

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence is key to successful treatment of HIV infection and alcohol is a known barrier to adherence. Beyond intoxication, ART adherence is impacted by beliefs that mixing alcohol and medications is toxic.

Purpose: To examine prospective relationships of factors contributing to intentional medication non-adherence when drinking.

Alcohol and adherence to antiretroviral medications: interactive toxicity beliefs among people living with HIV.

When taken without interruption, antiretroviral therapies (ART) effectively treat HIV infection. Alcohol is a well-known direct and indirect influence on ART adherence. Believing that drinking is harmful while taking ART (interactive toxicity beliefs) is also associated with poor adherence.

Falling through the cracks: unmet health service needs among people living with HIV in Atlanta, Georgia.

Despite growing numbers of people living with HIV (PLWH), the landscape of related services is shrinking. This study investigated health and social service needs of men (N = 489) and women (N = 165) living with HIV in Atlanta, GA. Participants completed confidential measures asking about the health and social services they needed and accessed.

Brief behavioral self-regulation counseling for HIV treatment adherence delivered by cell phone: an initial test of concept trial.

Affordable and effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence interventions are needed for many patients to promote positive treatment outcomes and prevent viral resistance. We conducted a two-arm randomized trial (n = 40 men and women receiving and less than 95% adherent to ART) to test a single office session followed by four biweekly cell phone counseling sessions that were grounded in behavioral self-management model of medication adherence using data from phone-based unannounced pill counts to provide feedback-guided adherence strategies. The control condition received usual care and matched office and cell phone/pill count contacts.

Monthly unannounced pill counts for monitoring HIV treatment adherence: tests for self-monitoring and reactivity effects.

Background: Unannounced home-based pill counts conducted in person or on the telephone are reliable and valid for monitoring medication adherence. However, expecting to have one's pills counted, organizing medications for pill counts, and increased attention from the person conducting the pill counts may have reactive effects and inadvertently improve adherence. The current study determined whether monthly unannounced pill counts conducted by telephone influence adherence over time.

Integrated behavioral intervention to improve HIV/AIDS treatment adherence and reduce HIV transmission.

Objectives: We conducted a randomized clinical trial to test an integrated behavioral intervention designed to enhance using HIV treatment as prevention by improving medication adherence, reducing risks for other sexually transmitted infections, and minimizing risk compensation beliefs.

Methods: Individuals living with HIV/AIDS (n = 436) participated in a randomized clinical trial testing an intensive behavioral intervention aimed at reducing HIV transmission risks compared with an attention control condition. We used unannounced pill counts to monitor antiretroviral therapy adherence and computerized interviews to measure risk behaviors.

HIV super-infection beliefs and sexual practices of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Background: People living with HIV can be reinfected with a new viral strain resulting in potential treatment-resistant recombinant virus known as HIV super-infection. Individual's beliefs about the risks for HIV super-infection may have significant effects on the sexual behaviours of people living with HIV/AIDS. HIV super-infection beliefs and sexual behaviours among people living with HIV/AIDS were examined in the present study.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy and HIV transmission risks: implications for test-and-treat approaches to HIV prevention.

HIV transmission may be prevented by effectively suppressing viral replication with antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, adherence is essential to the success of ART, including for reducing HIV transmission risk behaviors. This study examined the association of nonadherence versus adherence with HIV transmission risks.

Health and treatment implications of food insufficiency among people living with HIV/AIDS, Atlanta, Georgia.

HIV/AIDS is concentrated among the inner-city poor and poverty may directly interfere with HIV treatment. This study examined food insufficiency in relation to HIV-related health and treatment. A sample of 344 men and women living with HIV/AIDS in Atlanta, Georgia completed measures of food security, health, and HIV disease progression and treatment.

A simple single-item rating scale to measure medication adherence: further evidence for convergent validity.

Background: Self-report measures of medication adherence are inexpensive and minimally intrusive. However, the validity of self-reported adherence is compromised by recall errors for missed doses and socially desirable responding.

Method: Examined the convergent validity of 2 self-report adherence measures administered by computerized interview: (a) recall of missed doses and (b) a single-item visual analogue rating scale (VAS).

Prevalence and clinical implications of interactive toxicity beliefs regarding mixing alcohol and antiretroviral therapies among people living with HIV/AIDS.

Alcohol use is a barrier to medication adherence. Beyond the cognitive effects of intoxication, people living with HIV/AIDS who believe that alcohol should not be mixed with their medications may temporarily stop taking medications when drinking. To examine the effects of alcohol-treatment beliefs on HIV treatment adherence.

Association between health literacy and HIV treatment adherence: further evidence from objectively measured medication adherence.

Background: People with lower-health literacy are vulnerable to health problems. Studies that have examined the association between literacy and medication adherence have relied on self-reported adherence, which is subject to memory errors, perhaps even more so in people with poor literacy.

Purpose: To examine the association between health literacy and objectively assessed HIV treatment adherence.

Monitoring medication adherence by unannounced pill counts conducted by telephone: reliability and criterion-related validity.

Background: Although demonstrated valid for monitoring medication adherence, unannounced pill counts conducted in patients' homes are costly and logistically challenging. Telephone-based unannounced pill counts offer a promising adaptation that resolves most of the limitations of home-based pill counting.

Purpose: We tested the reliability and criterion-related validity of a telephone-based unannounced pill count assessment of antiretroviral adherence.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy assessed by unannounced pill counts conducted by telephone.

Background: Unannounced pill counts conducted in patients' homes is a valid objective method for monitoring medication adherence that is unfortunately costly and often impractical. Conducting unannounced pill counts by telephone may be a viable alternative for objectively assessing medication adherence.

Purpose: To test an unannounced pill count assessment of adherence conducted by telephone.