Sexual orientation measurement, bisexuality, and mental health in a sample of men who have sex with men in Vancouver, Canada.

This cross-sectional study used a validated index (i.e., Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) to measure anxiety and depression (caseness score: ≥8) among men who have sex with men recruited via respondent-driven sampling in Vancouver, Canada (n=774), and investigated whether differences in mental health outcomes varied by sexual orientation measure (i.

Ex Vivo-expanded Natural Killer Cells Derived From Long-term Cryopreserved Cord Blood are Cytotoxic Against Primary Breast Cancer Cells.

With over 600,000 units of umbilical cord blood (CB) stored on a global scale, it is important to elucidate the therapeutic abilities of this cryopreserved reservoir. In the advancing field of natural killer (NK) cell cancer immunotherapy, CB has proven to be a promising and noninvasive source of therapeutic NK cells. Although studies have proven the clinical efficacy of using long-term cryopreserved CB in the context of hematopoietic stem cell transplantations, little is known about its use for the ex vivo expansion of effector immune cells.

Repeated Measures Analysis of Alcohol Patterns among Gay and Bisexual Men in the Momentum Health Study.

Background: This study analyzed repeated study visits (n = 2,624) of 693 gay and bisexual men (GBM) in the Momentum Health Study from July, 2012 to June, 2015. Based on recent cross-sectional analyses, we hypothesized that over the study period: (1) hazardous drinking levels would remain high, (2) GBM classified as Hazardous Drinkers will be consistently associated with high risk sex, and (3) GBM classified as Always Hazardous Drinkers differ significantly from Sometimes Hazardous Drinkers.

Methods: AUDIT classified participants as Non-Hazardous Drinkers or Hazardous Drinkers, the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel Test assessed hazardous drinking trends, and Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) analysis identified Hazardous Drinking covariates.

Pathways From HIV-Related Stigma to Antiretroviral Therapy Measures in the HIV Care Cascade for Women Living With HIV in Canada.

Background: Associations between HIV-related stigma and reduced antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence are widely established, yet the mechanisms accounting for this relationship are underexplored. There has been less attention to HIV-related stigma and its associations with ART initiation and current ART use. We examined pathways from HIV-related stigma to ART initiation, current ART use, and ART adherence among women living with HIV in Canada.

Progress towards the United Nations 90-90-90 and 95-95-95 targets: the experience in British Columbia, Canada.

Introduction: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) scale-up is central to the global strategy to control the HIV/AIDS pandemic. To accelerate efforts towards ending the AIDS epidemic, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS released the 90-90-90 and 95-95-95 targets, which have recently been approved by the United Nations (UN). This study characterizes the province of British Columbia (BC)'s progress towards achieving the UN targets, predicts a trajectory up to 2030 according to each of the individual steps (i.

Gender, Sexual Self-Efficacy and Consistent Condom Use Among Adolescents Living in the HIV Hyper-Endemic Setting of Soweto, South Africa.

Within HIV-endemic settings, few studies have examined gendered associations between sexual self-efficacy (SSE), one's confidence or perceived control over sexual behavior, and uptake of HIV prevention behaviors. Using cross-sectional survey data from 417 sexually-experienced adolescents (aged 14-19, median age = 18, 60% female) in Soweto, South Africa, we measured SSE using a 6-item scale (range:0-6) with 'high-SSE' = score > 3 (study alpha = 0.75).

Prevalence and predictors of food insecurity among people living with HIV affiliated with AIDS service organizations in Ontario, Canada.

Up to half of people living with HIV in resource-rich settings experience moderate to severe food insecurity. Food insecurity, in turn, has been linked to adverse health outcomes including poor antiretroviral adherence, poor HIV viral suppression, frailty, and mortality. We estimated the prevalence of food insecurity among 649 adults living with HIV and recruited from community-based AIDS service organizations in Ontario, Canada.

Patterns of Online and Offline Connectedness Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men.

This study examined patterns of connectedness among 774 sexually-active gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM), aged ≥ 16 years, recruited using respondent-driven sampling in Metro Vancouver. Latent class analysis examined patterns of connectedness including: attendance at gay venues/events (i.e.

Gender differences in prevalence and correlates of high sexual self-efficacy among adolescents in Soweto, South Africa: implications for gender-sensitive research and programming.

Sexual self-efficacy (SSE) - one's confidence in their ability to perform given sexual behaviours, has been shown to predict adolescents' HIV-prevention practices (e.g., Condom use).

Learning lessons from the analysis of patient complaints relating to staff attitudes, behaviour and communication, using the concept of emotional labour.

Aims And Objectives: This article explores the content of letters of complaint by patients and carers about the behaviour, attitudes and communication of healthcare staff.

Background: The most common focus of patient complaints in the UK and other high-income countries is staff attitudes, behaviour and communication. There is a move to learn lessons from patient complaints, which can be used to improve patient care and experience.

Belief in Treatment as Prevention and Its Relationship to HIV Status and Behavioral Risk.

Background: We evaluated attitudes toward treatment as prevention (TasP) among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) in Vancouver, Canada.

Methods: Sexually active GBM, aged ≥16 years, were recruited between 2012 and 2015 using respondent-driven sampling. At each 6-month follow-up, participants completed a computer-administered questionnaire and nursing visit.

Cohort profile: The Canadian HIV Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS).

Globally, women are at increased vulnerability to HIV due to biological, social, structural, and political reasons. Women living with HIV also experience unique issues related to their medical and social healthcare, which makes a clinical care model specific to their needs worthy of exploration. Furthermore, there is a dearth of research specific to women living with HIV.

Gay Men's Understanding and Education of New HIV Prevention Technologies in Vancouver, Canada.

Effective rollout of HIV treatment-based prevention such as pre-exposure prophylaxis and treatment as prevention has been hampered by poor education, limited acceptability, and stigma among gay men. We undertook a thematic analysis regarding the education sources and acceptability of these New Prevention Technologies (NPTs) using 15 semistructured interviews with gay men in Vancouver, Canada, who were early adopters of NPTs. NPT education was derived from a variety of sources, including the Internet, health care providers, community organizations, sexual partners, and peers; participants also emphasized their own capacities as learners and educators.

Can ultra-wide field retinal imaging replace colour digital stereoscopy for glaucoma detection?

Purpose: Ultra-wide field (UWF) retinal imaging (Optomap, Optos plc, Dunfermline, UK) is a novel technique to image the peripheral fundus. The goal of this study was to explore the potential use of UWF imaging to detect glaucoma, and specifically to evaluate the reproducibility of measures of vertical cup-to-disc ratio (VCDR) using ultra-wide field (UWF), and the agreement between UWF and standard colour digital stereoscopy (CDS).

Methods: An observational study.

Changes in smoking status among a longitudinal cohort of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Vancouver, Canada.

Background: Cigarette smoking is common among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and most of the mortality gap between HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals is attributable to smoking.

Methods: We recruited sexually active HIV-positive and HIV-negative GBMSM age ≥16 years using respondent-driven sampling. Study visits occurred every six months for up to four years and included a computer-assisted self-interview and clinical assessment.

IDENTIFYING FEATURES OF EARLY AND LATE AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION: A Comparison of Multicolor Versus Traditional Color Fundus Photography.

Purpose: To compare multicolor (MC) and traditional color fundus photography (CFP) in their ability to detect features of early and late age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: Study design: Observational case series.

Participants: fundus images captured using standard CFP and MC imaging from 33 patients attending hospital clinics and 26 participants from the pilot phase of the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NICOLA).

Evaluation of coronary artery disease as a risk factor for reticular pseudodrusen.

Purpose: Reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) are a risk factor for late age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Associations between RPD and coronary artery disease (CAD) have been reported from small case-control studies. This study investigated the association of RPD within a predominantly CAD cohort.

Factors associated with low neighborhood cohesion among women living with HIV impacted by social-structural inequities in British Columbia.

Built and social environments, including one's perception of their environment, are important determinants of health. The intersection of gender and HIV status may complicate the role of neighborhood cohesion in safety, personal well-being, and health outcomes for populations impacted by social and structural inequities. Among women in particular, social cohesion within the neighborhood they reside in may have a greater influence on health outcomes compared to their male counterparts.

Association of C-Reactive Protein Genetic Polymorphisms With Late Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Importance: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a circulating inflammatory marker associated with late age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It remains uncertain whether the association between CRP concentrations and AMD is causal.

Objective: To assess whether CRP (OMIM 123260) single-nucleotide polymorphisms that influence circulating CRP concentrations are associated with late AMD.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumors of the Female Genital Tract Are Under-recognized: A Low Threshold for ALK Immunohistochemistry Is Required.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) of the female genital tract is under-recognized. We investigated the prevalence of ALK-positive IMT in lesions previously diagnosed as gynecologic smooth muscle tumors. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for ALK was performed on tissue microarrays of unselected tumors resected from 2009 to 2013.

Transition to parenthood in the neonatal care unit: a qualitative study and conceptual model designed to illuminate parent and professional views of the impact of webcam technology.

Background: Complications during pregnancy, childbirth and/or the postnatal period may result in the admission of a baby to a neonatal unit (NNU). While the survival and long-term prospects of high-risk infants are enhanced by admission, the enforced separation of the parent and child may have psychological consequences for both. There is a need to develop and evaluate interventions to help parents 'feel closer' to their infants in circumstances where they are physically separated from them.

Lessons learnt from implementation of a Lynch syndrome screening program for patients with gynaecological malignancy.

Despite a trend towards universal testing, best practice to screen patients presenting with gynaecological malignancy for Lynch syndrome (LS) is uncertain. We report our institutional experience of a co-ordinated gynaecological LS screening program. All patients with endometrial carcinoma or carcinosarcoma, or gynaecological endometrioid or clear cell carcinomas undergo reflex four panel immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MLH1, PMS2, MSH2 and MSH6 followed by cascade somatic hypermethylation analysis of the MLH1 promoter locus for dual MLH1/PMS2 negative tumours.