Telehealth Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Recommendations for Rural Older Adults Living with HIV in the United States.

Over one million people in the United States (U.S.) are living with HIV.

Determinants of potential HIV vaccine uptake among young sexual minoritized men 17-24 years old.

Background: Failures in prior roll-out of HIV prevention efforts have widened disparities in HIV incidence by race/ethnicity among young sexual minoritized men (YSMM). We hypothesized greater perceptions of medical mistrust would be associated with lower willingness to get an HIV vaccine, mediating the relationship between race/ethnicity and willingness to accept a future HIV vaccine.

Methods: HIV-negative and unknown-status YSMM 17-24 years old (n = 229) recruited via social media and men-for-men networking apps completed online surveys from September 2021 to March 2022.

Engagement Along the PrEP Care Continuum Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), including daily oral, on-demand, and long-acting injectable (LAI), is a promising HIV prevention intervention for men who have sex with men (MSM). We conducted a systematic review on engagement with the PrEP continuum among MSM in China. A total of 756 studies were initially identified and 36 studies were included (N = 26,021).

Navigating Barriers and Opportunities: Perceptions of the Non-Occupational Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Care Continuum Among Young Sexual Minority Men, Aged 17-24, in the United States.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a public health concern among young sexual minority men (YSMM), ages 17 to 24, in the United States. Biomedical prevention methods, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP), can help reduce the risk of HIV transmission among this population. However, there is limited awareness and use of nPEP by YSMM.

"That's My Girl; I love her": The Promise of Compassionate, Inclusive Healthcare for Black Transgender Women to Support PrEP Use.

There are significant disparities in HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use that disproportionately impact Black transgender women. Medical mistrust and discriminatory experiences in healthcare settings have been identified as critical barriers to equitable PrEP implementation. This qualitative study examines Black transgender women's experiences in healthcare to better understand how patient-provider relationships can help overcome the challenges brought on by medical mistrust.

Factors Influencing Engagement Across the Motivational PrEP Cascade Among Latino SMM: A Mixed-Methods Analysis from the Perspectives of Community Providers and Latino SMM.

Latino sexual minority men (SMM) are a highly vulnerable population to HIV, and while pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has emerged as a promising biomedical tool for HIV prevention among them, its utilization remains disproportionately low in this community despite its potential. Understanding the barriers along the PrEP continuum of care, known as the "PrEP cascade," is crucial for effectively implementing PrEP interventions. Therefore, the objective of our study was twofold: first, to explore the stage of Latino SMM in the PrEP cascade by examining disparities in demographics, social factors, and healthcare aspects; second, to gain insights from healthcare providers who have direct clinical experience with our population regarding the challenges faced by Latino SMM in accessing and adhering to PrEP.

Correlates of intention to screen for cervical cancer among adult women in Kyotera District, Central Uganda: a community based cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Cervical cancer continues to pose a major public health challenge in low-income countries. Cervical cancer screening programs enable early detection and effectively reduce the incidence of cervical cancer as well as late-stage diagnosis and mortality. However, screening uptake remains suboptimal in Uganda.

Mining cholesterol genes from thousands of mouse livers identifies aldolase C as a regulator of cholesterol biosynthesis.

The availability of genome-wide transcriptomic and proteomic datasets is ever-increasing and often not used beyond initial publication. Here, we applied module-based coexpression network analysis to a comprehensive catalog of 35 mouse genome-wide liver expression datasets (encompassing more than 3800 mice) with the goal of identifying and validating unknown genes involved in cholesterol metabolism. From these 35 datasets, we identified a conserved module of genes enriched with cholesterol biosynthetic genes.

Macrophages undergo functionally significant reprograming of nucleotide metabolism upon classical activation.

During an immune response, macrophages systematically rewire their metabolism in specific ways to support their diversve functions. However, current knowledge of macrophage metabolism is largely concentrated on central carbon metabolism. Using multi-omics analysis, we identified nucleotide metabolism as one of the most significantly rewired pathways upon classical activation.

Acceptability, Feasibility, and Preliminary Impact of 4 Remotely-Delivered Interventions for Rural Older Adults Living with HIV.

People living with HIV (PLH) who live in rural areas of the United States (US) face more challenges to obtaining medical care and suffer higher mortality rates compared to non-rural PLH. Compared with younger PLH, older PLH (age 50+) also face additional challenges to maintaining their health and wellbeing. Despite the heightened barriers to receiving care and remaining adherent to treatment among older rural PLH, few interventions to increase viral suppression and improve quality of life exist for this population.

Heme biosynthesis regulates BCAA catabolism and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue.

With age, people tend to accumulate body fat and reduce energy expenditure . Brown (BAT) and beige adipose tissue dissipate heat and increase energy expenditure via the activity of the uncoupling protein UCP1 and other thermogenic futile cycles . The activity of brown and beige depots inversely correlates with BMI and age , suggesting that promoting thermogenesis may be an effective approach for combating age-related metabolic disease .

Preferred Characteristics for mHealth Interventions Among Young Sexual Minoritized Men to Support HIV Testing and PrEP Decision-Making: Focus Group Study.

Background: Epidemiological trends in the United States have shown an increase in HIV cases among young sexual minoritized men. Using mobile health (mHealth), which refers to health services and information delivered or enhanced through the internet and related technologies, is a crucial strategy to address HIV disparities. However, despite its potential, the practical implementation of mHealth remains limited.

Implementation determinants of HIV Self-Testing among young sexual minority men.

Background: HIV self-testing (HIVST) has shown the potential for reaching people with heightened vulnerability to HIV, including young sexual minority men (YSMM), yet implementation of HIVST among YSMM aged 17-24 is scarce as a prevention method. Moreover, despite the consistent finding that offering HIVST increases HIV testing rates, barriers remain that need to be reduced in order to maximize the potential of this biomedical technology. Such information is necessary to direct implementation efforts to increase HIVST among YSMM, including HIV counseling and linkage to care.

Functionalization of polymeric nanoparticles with targeting VNAR ligands using vinyl sulfone conjugation.

Actively targeted drug loaded nanoparticles represent an exciting new form of therapeutics for cancer and other diseases. These formulations are complex and in order to realize their ultimate potential, optimization of their preparation is required. In this current study, we have examined the conjugation of a model targeting ligand, conjugated in a site-specific manner using a vinyl sulfone coupling approach.

Uptake of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination by HIV Status and HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Care Engagement Among Young Sexual Minority Men 17-24 Years Old in the USA.

Introduction: HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV) are common sexually transmitted infections among young sexual minority men (YSMM) that are prevented by pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and HPV vaccination, respectively. We sought to determine the association between a history of PrEP use and HPV vaccination uptake among YSMM.

Methods: Data were collected from an online survey of YSMM ( = 287; = 20.

Factors associated with quality of life, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress among rural older adults living with HIV in the United States.

Purpose: Rural older people living with HIV (PLH) in the United States are a population of growing size and significance. A better understanding of factors associated with quality of life (QOL), depressive symptoms, and stress in this population-especially modifiable factors-could inform future interventions.

Methods: Online or on paper, we surveyed 446 PLH aged 50+ residing in rural counties across the United States (M = 56, 67% male, 67% White, and 23% Black).

Factors associated with lack of care engagement among older, rural-dwelling adults living with HIV in the United States.

Purpose: Most people living with HIV (PLH) in the United States are over age 50 and this sector of PLH continues to grow. Aging with HIV can be challenging due to comorbid medical conditions, mental health disorders, substance use, and lack of social and practical support. Additional challenges are faced by older PLH living in the rural United States, such as longer distances to health care, concerns over privacy and stigma, and social isolation.

The Use of HIV Pre- and Postexposure Prophylaxis Among a Web-Based Sample of HIV-Negative and Unknown Status Cisgender and Transgender Sexual Minority Men: Cross-sectional Study.

Background: HIV disproportionately affects sexual minority men (SMM) in the United States.

Objective: We sought to determine past HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) use and current and prior pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among a web-based sample of cisgender and transgender men who have sex with men.

Methods: In 2019, HIV-negative and unknown status SMM (n=63,015) were recruited via geosocial networking apps, social media, and other web-based venues to participate in a brief eligibility screening survey.

Nitric oxide-driven modifications of lipoic arm inhibit α-ketoacid dehydrogenases.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHC) and oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (OGDC), which belong to the mitochondrial α-ketoacid dehydrogenase family, play crucial roles in cellular metabolism. These multi-subunit enzyme complexes use lipoic arms covalently attached to their E2 subunits to transfer an acyl group to coenzyme A (CoA). Here, we report a novel mechanism capable of substantially inhibiting PDHC and OGDC: reactive nitrogen species (RNS) can covalently modify the thiols on their lipoic arms, generating a series of adducts that block catalytic activity.

Sources of Information about Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Associations with PrEP Stigma, Intentions, Provider Discussions, and Use in the United States.

The amount and type of information individuals receive about HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may influence PrEP uptake. We surveyed 331 HIV-negative sexual and gender minorities who have sex with men at a Midwestern Pride festival in 2018 ( = 32, 68% White, 87% cisgender men) to assess sources and perceived tone of PrEP information and associated outcomes. Most participants (88%) had heard about PrEP.

Sexually Transmitted Infections Diagnosed Among Sexual and Gender Minority Communities During the First 11 Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Midwest and Southern Cities in the United States.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected sexual health services. Given the burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on sexual and gender minorities (SGMs), we estimated incidence of self-reported STI diagnoses and factors associated with STI diagnoses among SGMs during the pandemic's first year.

Methods: A cohort of 426 SGM persons, 25 years or older, recruited in Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Houston completed 5 online surveys from April 2020 to February 2021.

Intersectional Discrimination and PrEP uSe Among Young Black Sexual Minority Individuals: The Importance of Black LGBTQ Communities and Social Support.

Intersectional stigma and discrimination have increasingly been recognized as impediments to the health and well-being of young Black sexual minority men (YBSMM) and transgender women (TW). However, little research has examined the relationship between intersectional discrimination and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) outcomes. This study with 283 YBSMM and TW examines the relationship between intersectional discrimination and current PrEP use and likelihood of future PrEP use.