Smoking Cessation and Short- and Longer-Term Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Smoking cessation reduces mortality and morbidity. However, the extent and rapidity at which cessation reduces contemporary death rates from smoking-related illnesses remain uncertain. METHODS: We pooled current or former versus never cigarette smoker hazard ratios from four national cohorts with linkage to death registries in the United States, United Kingdom, Norway, and Canada among adults 20 to 79 years of age from 1974 to 2018.

The consumption of micronutrients in relation to calorie intake and risk of insulin resistance.

Background And Aims: Adequate dietary intakes of essential micronutrients are critical to prevent insulin resistance (IR)-related diseases. Even though the excess calorie intake linked with obesity is also associated with such diseases, no previous studies evaluated the importance of meeting the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) of micronutrients in relation to calorie intake in those at risk for developing IR.

Methods And Results: We evaluated the relationship between the ability or failure to meet the DRI of micronutrients in relation to daily calorie intake in 463 childbearing-age women with a higher prevalence of IR.

1,3-Butadiene, styrene and selected outcomes among synthetic rubber polymer workers: Updated exposure-response analyses.

Objective: - To evaluate exposure-response relationships between 1,3-butadiene and styrene and selected diseases among synthetic rubber polymer workers.

Methods: - 21,087 workers (16,579 men; 4508 women) were followed from 1943 through 2009 to determine mortality outcomes. Cox regression models estimated rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by quartile of cumulative exposure to butadiene or styrene and exposure-response trends for cancers of the bladder, lung, kidney, esophagus and pancreas, and for all nonmalignant respiratory disease (NMRD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia.

1,3-Butadiene, styrene and lymphohaematopoietic cancers among North American synthetic rubber polymer workers: exposure-response analyses.

Objective: To evaluate exposure-response between 1,3-butadiene, styrene and lymphohaematopoietic cancers in an updated cohort of workers at six North American plants that made synthetic rubber polymers.

Methods: Employees were followed from 1943 through 2009 to determine mortality outcomes. Cox regression analyses estimated rate ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs by quartile of cumulative exposure to butadiene or styrene, measured in parts per million-years (ppm-years), and exposure-response trends for all leukaemia, lymphoid leukaemia, myeloid leukaemia, acute myeloid leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), multiple myeloma and all B-cell malignancies.

Genital Abnormalities, Hormonal Contraception, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission Risk in Rwandan Serodifferent Couples.

Background: We explored the role of genital abnormalities and hormonal contraception in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission among heterosexual serodifferent couples in Rwanda.

Methods: From 2002 to 2011, HIV-serodifferent couples who were not using antiretroviral treatment were followed up, and sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, family planning provided, and HIV-negative partners retested. Couples were assessed for genital ulcers; nonulcerative genital sexually transmitted infection (STIs), including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis; and non-STI vaginal infections, including bacterial vaginosis and candida.

Factors associated with syphilis seroprevalence in women with and at-risk for HIV infection in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (1994-2015).

Objective: Syphilis rates among women in the USA more than doubled between 2014 and 2018. We sought to identify correlates of syphilis among women enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) to inform targeted interventions.

Methods: The retrospective cross-sectional analysis of secondary data included women with HIV or at-risk of HIV who enrolled in the multisite US WIHS cohort between 1994 and 2015.

Mortality Among Men and Women in the North American Synthetic Rubber Industry, 1943 to 2009.

Objective: To evaluate 1943 to 2009 mortality among 22,785 synthetic rubber industry employees.

Methods: Standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and internal Cox regression analyses.

Results: Among hourly employees with more than or equal to 10 years worked and more than or equal to 20 years since hire, SMRs were elevated for leukemia (SMR = 139, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 106 to 179), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) (SMR = 136, CI = 102 to 177), bladder cancer (SMR = 148, CI = 110 to 195) and, for women only, lung cancer (SMR = 225, CI = 103 to 427).

Hormonal Contraception and Vaginal Infections Among Couples Who Are Human Immunodeficiency Virus Serodiscordant in Lusaka, Zambia.

Objective: To examine the relationship between hormonal contraception and vaginal infections with bacterial vaginosis, vaginal candidiasis, or trichomoniasis.

Methods: Couples who were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serodiscordant in Zambia were enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study. From 1994 to 2002, both partners were seen quarterly and received physical exams including genital examinations.

Reduced frequency of HIV superinfection in a high-risk cohort in Zambia.

Rates of HIV-1 superinfection, re-infection with a genetically distinct virus despite HIV-1 specific immune responses, vary in different risk populations. We previously found the rates of superinfection were similar to primary HIV infection (PHI) in a Zambian heterosexual transmission cohort. Here, we conduct a similar analysis of 47 HIV-positive Zambians from an acute infection cohort with more frequent follow-up, all infected by non-spousal partners.

Schistosomiasis is associated with incident HIV transmission and death in Zambia.

Background: We examined relationships between schistosome infection, HIV transmission or acquisition, and all-cause death.

Methods: We retrospectively tested baseline sera from a heterosexual HIV-discordant couple cohort in Lusaka, Zambia with follow-up from 1994-2012 in a nested case-control design. Schistosome-specific antibody levels were measured by ELISA.

Difficult decisions: Evaluating individual and couple-level fertility intentions and HIV acquisition among HIV serodiscordant couples in Zambia.

Introduction: Attempts to conceive and pregnancy may increase HIV transmission to sex partners and infants. Our study evaluated the association between fertility intentions and HIV acquisition among Zambian HIV-serodiscordant couples.

Methods: We collected demographic, behavioral, clinical exposures, and data on fertility intentions in a cohort of HIV-serodiscordant couples in Lusaka, Zambia from 2005 to 2012.

Bacterial vaginosis modifies the association between hormonal contraception and HIV acquisition.

Objective: To examine bacterial vaginosis as an effect modifier for the association between hormonal contraception and incident HIV infection.

Design: Serodiscordant couples enrolled in an open longitudinal cohort in Lusaka, Zambia from 1994 to 2012. This analysis was restricted to couples with an HIV-positive man enrolled between1994 and 2002 when a quarterly genital tract examination and HIV testing was performed.

Recent trends in multiple myeloma incidence and survival by age, race, and ethnicity in the United States.

Prior improvements in multiple myeloma (MM) survival were not fully observed in racial and ethnic minorities and older individuals. We hypothesized that improvements in MM management in recent years have reduced these disparities. We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries to calculate the incidence and relative survival rates (RSRs) of MM in the United States for patients diagnosed from 1993 to 1997 (prethalidomide), 1998 to 2002 (introduction of thalidomide), 2003 to 2007 (bortezomib and lenalidomide), and 2008 to 2012 (upfront bortezomib and lenalidomide, early availability of carfilzomib and pomalidomide).

Erratum to: Risky Sex and HIV Acquisition Among HIV Serodiscordant Couples in Zambia, 2002-2012: What Does Alcohol Have To Do With It?

The article Risky Sex and HIV Acquisition Among HIV Serodiscordant Couples in Zambia, 2002-2012: What Does Alcohol Have To Do With It?, written by Dvora Joseph Davey, William Kilembe, Kristin M. Wall, Naw Htee Khu, Ilene Brill, Bellington Vwalika, Elwyn Chomba, Joseph Mulenga, Amanda Tichacek, Marjan Javanbakht, W. Scott Comulada, Susan Allen, Pamina M.

Optimizing Prevention of HIV and Unplanned Pregnancy in Discordant African Couples.

Background: Dual method use, which combines condoms with a more effective modern contraceptive to optimize prevention of HIV and unplanned pregnancy, is underutilized in high-risk heterosexual couples.

Materials And Methods: Heterosexual HIV-discordant Zambian couples were enrolled from couples' voluntary HIV counseling and testing services into an open cohort with 3-monthly follow-up (1994-2012). Relative to dual method use, defined as consistent condom use plus modern contraception, we examine predictors of (1) condom-only use (suboptimal pregnancy prevention) or (2) modern contraceptive use with inconsistent condom use (effective pregnancy prevention and suboptimal HIV prevention).

HIV Incidence and Predictors of HIV Acquisition From an Outside Partner in Serodiscordant Couples in Lusaka, Zambia.

Objective: Evaluate the incidence and predictors of HIV acquisition from outside partners in serodiscordant couples.

Methods: Demographic, behavioral, and clinical exposures were measured quarterly in a cohort of serodiscordant cohabiting couples in Zambia from 1995 to 2012 (n = 3049). Genetic analysis classified incident infections as those acquired from the study partner (linked) or acquired from an outside partner (unlinked).

Prostate-specific antigen concentration in vaginal fluid after exposure to semen.

Objective: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the best established biomarker of semen exposure. PSA in vaginal fluid returns to pre-exposure concentrations within 24-48 h, but the speed of decay during the first 10 h is unknown. We sought to determine how fast PSA concentrations decline during the first 10 h after exposure to semen.

Risk of heterosexual HIV transmission attributable to sexually transmitted infections and non-specific genital inflammation in Zambian discordant couples, 1994-2012.

Background: Studies have demonstrated the role of ulcerative and non-ulcerative sexually transmitted infections (STI) in HIV transmission/acquisition risk; less is understood about the role of non-specific inflammatory genital abnormalities.

Methods: HIV-discordant heterosexual Zambian couples were enrolled into longitudinal follow-up (1994-2012). Multivariable models estimated the effect of genital ulcers and inflammation in both partners on time-to-HIV transmission within the couple.

Risky Sex and HIV Acquisition Among HIV Serodiscordant Couples in Zambia, 2002-2012: What Does Alcohol Have To Do With It?

In this paper we evaluate the effects of heavy alcohol consumption on sexual behavior, HIV acquisition, and antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation in a longitudinal open cohort of 1929 serodiscordant couples in Lusaka, Zambia from 2002 to 2012. We evaluated factors associated with baseline heavy alcohol consumption and its association with condomless sex with the study partner, sex outside of the partnership, and ART initiation using multivariable logistic regression. We estimated the effect of alcohol consumption on HIV acquisition using multivariable Cox models.

Sustained effect of couples' HIV counselling and testing on risk reduction among Zambian HIV serodiscordant couples.

Background: We present temporal trends in self-reported and biological markers of unprotected sex and sex with concurrent partners in discordant couples receiving couples' voluntary HIV counselling and testing (CVCT).

Methods: Heterosexual Zambian HIV-serodiscordant couples were enrolled into longitudinal follow-up in an open cohort (1994-2012). Multivariable Anderson-Gill models explored predictors of self-report and biological indicators of unprotected sex within (including sperm on a vaginal swab, incident pregnancy or incident linked HIV infection) and outside (including self-report, STI and unlinked HIV infection) the union.

Impact of marital status, insurance status, income, and race/ethnicity on the survival of younger patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the United States.

Background: Recent advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) have been associated with improved survival, predominantly among young and white patients. The authors hypothesized that sociodemographic factors, adjusted for race/ethnicity, influence the survival of younger patients with MM.

Methods: Overall survival (OS) data were obtained for individuals included in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER-18) program who were diagnosed with MM before the age of 65 years between 2007 and 2012.

Hormonal Contraceptive Use Among HIV-Positive Women and HIV Transmission Risk to Male Partners, Zambia, 1994-2012.

Background: Evidence on the association between female-to-male human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission risk and hormonal contraception is sparse and conflicting.

Methods: Heterosexual HIV-discordant couples from Lusaka, Zambia, were followed longitudinally at 3 month-intervals from 1994 to 2012. The impact of hormonal contraception on time to HIV transmission from HIV-positive women to their HIV-negative male partners (M-F+) was evaluated.