Evaluating the biomedical and behavioural drivers of HIV-1 incidence decline in adolescent girls and young women in Uganda: A mathematical modelling study.

Background: Recent declines in HIV incidence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Africa are often attributed to the expansion of biomedical interventions such as antiretroviral therapy and voluntary medical male circumcision. However, changes in sexual behaviour may also play a critical role. Understanding the relative contributions of these factors is essential for developing strategies to sustain and further reduce HIV transmission.

Declines in HIV Incidence and Prevalence and Predictors Among Adolescents and Young Adults: An Observational Cohort Study, Rakai, Uganda, 2005-2020.

Background: HIV acquisition among adolescents and young adults (AYA, 15-24 years) is influenced by individual factors, community factors, and public policies and programs. We explored the association of HIV incidence and prevalence with these factors over time among AYA in Rakai, Uganda.

Methods: We examined trends over nine survey rounds (2005-2020) of the Rakai Community Cohort Study (RCCS), an open population-based surveillance cohort of individuals living in 30 continuously followed communities in south-central Uganda (n= 35,938 person rounds).

First Report of Bacterial Wilt of Ginger Caused by in the Continental United States.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is an herbaceous perennial in the Zingiberaceae family grown primarily in tropical to subtropical biomes as a culinary spice, a traditional medicine, and a landscaping plant. While ginger grows at soil temperatures above 20°C, several farmers in the upper Midwestern US farmers grows short-season ginger in high tunnels. In 2023 and 2024, growers in southeastern Minnesota reported a new disease of ginger.

Brief Report: Antiretroviral Treatment Use Over Time Among Adolescents and Young Adults in the Rakai Community Cohort Study, 2011-2020.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, pediatric and adult treatment programs have not met the needs of youth living with HIV (15-24 years), whose enrollment in antiretroviral treatment (ART) programs is much lower than that of adults. To inform targeted interventions, we analyzed factors associated with ART use among youth in Uganda.

Methods: Data were from 42 communities between 2011 and 2020 (5 survey rounds) from the Rakai Community Cohort Study, an open, population-based cohort.

The role of lipoprotein(a) in atrial fibrillation: a systematic review.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent form of cardiac arrhythmia worldwide. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential, emphasizing the need to develop novel biomarkers. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has recently been widely investigated as a potential risk factor for various cardiovascular conditions, including AF.

Anti-inflammatory effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in coronary artery disease: a comprehensive review.

Coronary artery disease (CAD)-cardiovascular condition occuring due to atherosclerotic plaque accumulation in the epicardial arteries-is responsible for disabilities of millions of people worldwide and remains the most common single cause of death. Inflammation is the primary pathological mechanism underlying CAD, since is involved in atherosclerotic plaque formation. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a peptide hormone which role extends beyond well-known carbohydrates metabolism.

Endothelial Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Allow to Differentiate Between Various Endotypes of INOCA: A Multicentre, Prospective, Cohort Study.

Ischemia and non-obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) might be due to coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), vasospastic angina (VSA) or both. We compared plasma concentration of various extracellular vesicles (EVs) in patients with different INOCA endotypes. Patients were divided into those with INOCA (CMD, VSA, mixed CMD + VSA) and non-anginal chest pain.

Tumor cell-derived spermidine promotes a protumorigenic immune microenvironment in glioblastoma via CD8+ T cell inhibition.

The glioblastoma (GBM) microenvironment is enriched in immunosuppressive factors that potently interfere with the function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Cancer cells can directly affect the immune system, but the mechanisms driving these interactions are not completely clear. Here, we demonstrate that the polyamine metabolite spermidine (SPD) was elevated in the GBM tumor microenvironment.

Use of mobile phones to collect data on COVID-19: phone access and participation rates, in Rakai, Uganda.

During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, we deployed a rapid, mobile phone-based survey to assess access and participation rates when using mobile phones to collect data on COVID-19 in Rakai, south-central Uganda. We sampled prior Rakai Community Cohort Study (RCCS) participants based on HIV status using mobile phone contacts. We administered a 30-minute phone-based interview to consenting participants to assess their knowledge about different aspects of COVID-19 and their access to care.

HIV and Viremia Prevalence in Nonmigrating Members of Migrant Households in Southern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study.

Introduction: In Africa, migrants are more likely to be living with HIV and HIV viremic than nonmigrants, but less is known about HIV outcomes among nonmigrants living in households with migrants. We compared HIV outcomes in nonmigrating persons in households with and without migration.

Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data collected between August 2016 and May 2018 from nonmigrating participants aged 15-49 years in the Rakai Community Cohort Study in Uganda.

The potential promise and pitfalls of point-of-care viral load monitoring to expedite HIV treatment decision-making in rural Uganda: a qualitative study.

Background: HIV treatment programs in Africa have implemented centralized testing for routine viral load monitoring (VLM), which may result in specimen processing delays inhibiting timely return of viral load results. Decentralized, point-of-care (PoC) VLM is a promising tool for expediting HIV clinical decision-making but remains unavailable in most African settings. We qualitatively explored the perceived feasibility and appropriateness of PoC VLM to address gaps along the viral load monitoring continuum in rural Uganda.

Mechanistic Model of Fatigue in Ultrasonic Assisted Machining.

Anti-fatigue design in the machining process of aviation material requires advanced processes to enhance the surface integrity and a holistic model which can optimize the process aiming at maximum fatigue life. In the present study, the axial ultrasonic assisted milling process was utilized to machine the Inconel 718 while the process executes the thermomechanical cutting and peening action simultaneously. To optimize the process factors, a hybrid model using a combination of regression analysis and an analytical model was developed to correlate the machining factors, i.

Cardiovascular risks and endothelial dysfunction in reproductive-age women with endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a prevalent gynecological condition, affecting around 10% of reproductive-age women. Inflammatory processes associated with endometriosis may contribute to endothelial dysfunction. Increased skin accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), reflecting arterial stiffness, potentially links endometriosis with elevated risk of cardiovascular events.

Intra- and inter-subtype HIV diversity between 1994 and 2018 in southern Uganda: a longitudinal population-based study.

There is limited data on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) evolutionary trends in African populations. We evaluated changes in HIV viral diversity and genetic divergence in southern Uganda over a 24-year period spanning the introduction and scale-up of HIV prevention and treatment programs using HIV sequence and survey data from the Rakai Community Cohort Study, an open longitudinal population-based HIV surveillance cohort. (p24) and (gp41) HIV data were generated from people living with HIV (PLHIV) in 31 inland semi-urban trading and agrarian communities (1994-2018) and four hyperendemic Lake Victoria fishing communities (2011-2018) under continuous surveillance.

Relationship of Non-Invasive Arterial Stiffness Parameters with 10-Year Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score in Post-COVID-19 Patients-The Results of a Cross-Sectional Study.

This study evaluated the relationship of non-invasive arterial stiffness parameters with an individual 10-year risk of fatal and non-fatal atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events in the cohort post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The study group included 203 convalescents aged 60.0 (55.