"I Heard of PrEP-I Didn't Think I Needed it." Understanding the Formation of HIV Risk Perception Among People Who Inject Drugs.

Uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis medication (PrEP) to prevent HIV among people who inject drugs (PWID) remains extremely low in the United States. West Virginia's rising HIV incidence and highest drug overdose rate in the nation makes it an important locus for opioid use and HIV risk interaction. In this pilot study we pioneered the use of Cultural Theory among PWID to understand HIV-related risk perception arising from four contrasting modes of social organization.

The expanded mesh free gingival graft: A novel approach to increase the width of keratinized mucosa.

Background: The importance of an adequate amount of peri-implant keratinized tissue and attached mucosa has recently been emphasized. This manuscript presents preliminary findings of a novel approach for increasing the width of keratinized mucosa (KM) around dental implants using a mesh free gingival graft (mesh-FGG).

Methods: Two healthy adults were treated as part of this study.

Gender-affirming Phalloplasty: A Postoperative Protocol for Success.

Unlabelled: Increased access to care and insurance coverage has led to an increase in gender-affirming surgeries performed in the United States. Gender-affirming phalloplasty has a variety of donor sites and surgical techniques including both pedicled and free flaps. Although surgical techniques and patient outcomes are well-described, no reports in the literature specifically discuss postoperative management, which plays a crucial role in the success of these operations.

'The High Five Club': Social Relations and Perspectives on HIV-Related Stigma During an HIV Outbreak in West Virginia.

In the United States, HIV outbreaks are occurring in areas most affected by the opioid epidemic, including West Virginia (WV). Cultural Theory contends that multiple cultures co-exist within societies distinguished by their differing intensities of rules or norms of behavior ('grid') or degree of group allegiance/individual autonomy ('group'). Accordingly, we would expect that perceptions about HIV, including stigma, correspond with individuals' grid/group attributes.

A 20-year split-mouth comparative study of two screw-shaped titanium implant systems.

Purpose: To prospectively assess marginal bone loss and implant survival with Astra Tech (Dentsply Sirona, Charlotte, NC, USA) (group A) and Brånemark (Nobel Biocare, Zurich, Switzerland) (group B) implants in a split-mouth study conducted over a 20-year follow-up period.

Materials And Methods: A total of 95 implants (n = 50, group A and n = 45, group B) were randomly placed in the left or right side of the maxilla or mandible in 18 patients. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed, and results were reported at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years after insertion of the prosthesis.

Esthetic evaluation of single implant restorations, adjacent single implant restorations, and implant-supported fixed partial dentures: A 1-year prospective study.

Background: Peri-implant soft tissues esthetics varies and depends on the restoration type such as implant-supported single crowns, adjacent multiple single crowns, and fixed partial dentures (FPD).

Purpose: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the esthetic outcome of the peri-implant soft tissues of (NobelBiocare™) implant-supported single crowns, adjacent multiple single crowns, and FPD. A potential association between the esthetic risk profile and the esthetic outcome was assessed.

Technique to Improve Tracheostomy Speaking Valve Tolerance after Head and Neck Free Flap Reconstruction.

Increased upper airway resistance from postoperative changes after major head and neck surgery may cause elevated transtracheal pressures and result in tracheostomy speaking valve intolerance. This may be particularly true among patients with baseline pulmonary disease. We describe a patient recovering from oral cancer resection and flap reconstruction who demonstrated prolonged ventilator dependence and tracheostomy speaking valve intolerance with abnormal tracheal manometry.

Development and psychometric properties of the Maastricht Personal Autonomy Questionnaire (MPAQ) in older adults with a chronic physical illness.

Purpose: To develop and test the Maastricht Personal Autonomy Questionnaire (MPAQ), an instrument measuring personal autonomy of older adults with a chronic physical illness in accordance with their experience of autonomy. Achievement of personal autonomy is conceptualized as correspondence between the way people's lives are actually arranged and the way people want to arrange their lives.

Methods: A field test was conducted in three waves (n = 412, n = 125 and n = 244) among a random sample of people older than 59 years with either chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or diabetes mellitus.

Is PPARα intron 7 G/C polymorphism associated with muscle strength characteristics in nonathletic young men?

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), a ligand-dependent transcription factor, regulates fatty acid metabolism in heart and skeletal muscle. The intron 7 G/C polymorphism (rs4253778) has been associated with athletic performance. The rare C-allele was predominant in power athletes, whereas the G-allele was more frequent in endurance athletes.

Identification and prioritization of NUAK1 and PPP1CC as positional candidate loci for skeletal muscle strength phenotypes.

Muscle strength is an important determinant in elite sports performance as well as in the activities of daily living. Muscle metabolism also plays a role in the genesis, and therefore prevention, of common pathological conditions and chronic diseases. Even though heritability estimates between 31 and 78% suggest a significant genetic component in muscle strength, only a limited number of genes influencing muscle strength have been identified.

Comprehensive fine mapping of chr12q12-14 and follow-up replication identify activin receptor 1B (ACVR1B) as a muscle strength gene.

Muscle strength is important in functional activities of daily living and the prevention of common pathologies. We describe the two-staged fine mapping of a previously identified linkage peak for knee strength on chr12q12-14. First, 209 tagSNPs in/around 74 prioritized genes were genotyped in 500 Caucasian brothers from the Leuven Genes for Muscular Strength study (LGfMS).

A split-mouth comparative study up to 16 years of two screw-shaped titanium implant systems.

Introduction: Many studies have dealt with the clinical outcome of oral implants, yet none applied a randomized split-mouth design for a long-term follow-up of similar implant systems.

Aim: To evaluate two oral implant systems with different surface characteristics in a randomized split-mouth design and to radiologically analyse peri-implant bone level and density over an up to 16-year period.

Materials And Methods: The study comprised clinical and radiographic records of 18 partially edentulous patients treated with both implant types randomly placed in either left or right jaw sides.

Genome-wide linkage scan for resistance to muscle fatigue.

Repeated, intense use of muscles leads to a decline in performance known as muscle fatigue. Resistance to muscle fatigue depends on age, sex, muscle fiber type, activation by the nervous system and training. Heritability of muscle strength phenotypes ranges between 31% and 78%, although little is known about heritability of muscle fatigue.

The Maastricht social participation profile: development and clinimetric properties in older adults with a chronic physical illness.

Purpose: To develop and test the Maastricht Social Participation Profile (MSPP), an instrument measuring the actual social participation by older adults with a chronic physical illness, in accordance with their own definition of social participation.

Methods: The development process consisted of a number of steps, ending with a field test in two waves (n = 412 and n = 125) among a random sample of people older than 59 years with either COPD or diabetes mellitus. Reproducibility was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and smallest real differences at group level (SRDs(group)).

Genome-wide linkage scan for contraction velocity characteristics of knee musculature in the Leuven Genes for Muscular Strength Study.

The torque-velocity relationship is known to be affected by ageing, decreasing its protective role in the prevention of falls. Interindividual variability in this torque-velocity relationship is partly determined by genetic factors (h(2): 44-67%). As a first attempt, this genome-wide linkage study aimed to identify chromosomal regions linked to the torque-velocity relationship of the knee flexors and extensors.

Conceptualizing autonomy in the context of chronic physical illness: relating philosophical theories to social scientific perspectives.

The aim of this article is to conceptualize autonomy in the context of chronic physical illness. To this end, we compare and contrast a selection of contemporary philosophical theories of autonomy with social scientific perspectives on chronic illness, particularly models of disability and symbolic interactionism. The philosophical theories mainly depart from a positive conceptualization of autonomy, which involves actively shaping one's life and identifying with fundamental values.

Genome-wide linkage scan for maximum and length-dependent knee muscle strength in young men: significant evidence for linkage at chromosome 14q24.3.

Background: Maintenance of high muscular fitness is positively related to bone health, functionality in daily life and increasing insulin sensitivity, and negatively related to falls and fractures, morbidity and mortality. Heritability of muscle strength phenotypes ranges between 31% and 95%, but little is known about the identity of the genes underlying this complex trait. As a first attempt, this genome-wide linkage study aimed to identify chromosomal regions linked to muscle and bone cross-sectional area, isometric knee flexion and extension torque, and torque-length relationship for knee flexors and extensors.

Characteristics of social participation as defined by older adults with a chronic physical illness.

Purpose: To conceptualize social participation in line with the experiences of older adults with a chronic physical illness.

Method: Qualitative study consisting of ten individual interviews and two focus group interviews with older adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or Diabetes Mellitus Type 2.

Results: Four domains of social participation were identified on the basis of the individual interviews: (i) social contacts and social activities, (ii) work and informal support, (iii) cultural activities and public events, and (iv) politics and media.

Covariance of isometric and dynamic arm contractions: multivariate genetic analysis.

The purpose of the present study was to examine genetic and environmental contributions to individual differences in maximal isometric, concentric and eccentric muscle strength and muscle cross-sectional area (MCSA) of the elbow flexors. A generality versus specificity hypothesis was explored to test whether the 4 strength variables share a genetic component or common factors in the environment or whether the genetic/environmental factors are specific for each strength variable. The 4 variables under study were measured in 25 monozygotic and 16 dizygotic male Caucasian twin pairs (22.

Polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene are associated with muscle strength in men and women.

Introduction: Vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms have been associated with fracture risk and muscle strength, although evidence for the latter is limited and conflicting.

Methods: BsmI, TaqI and FokI VDR polymorphisms were genotyped in 253 men (54.9 +/- 10.

How do people with COPD or diabetes type 2 experience autonomy? An exploratory study.

Purpose: To develop an empirically grounded conceptualization of personal autonomy in the context of chronic physical illness and to investigate the impact of two chronic illnesses on autonomy.

Method: Grounded theory study consisting of 13 in-depth interviews with older adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes).

Results: The results indicate that autonomy involves taking account of current circumstances as the frame of reference in which people can arrange their lives.

Polymorphisms in the CNTF and CNTF receptor genes are associated with muscle strength in men and women.

Genotypic associations between polymorphisms in the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and CNTF receptor (CNTFR) genes and muscular strength phenotypes in 154 middle-aged men (45-49 yr) and 138 women (38-44 yr) and 99 older men (60-78 yr) and 102 older women (60-80 yr) were tested to validate earlier association studies. Allelic interaction effects were hypothesized between alleles of CNTF and CNTFR. We performed analysis of covariance with age, height, and fat-free mass (FFM) as covariates.

A prospective split-mouth comparative study of two screw-shaped self-tapping pure titanium implant systems.

Clinical data indicate different medium and long-term outcomes of endosseous implants for different implant configurations and in particular implant surfaces. The present study compares 2 very similar implant systems but with different surface characteristics in a split-mouth-randomized design. The Astra-Tech (A) system (Astra-Tech AB, Mölndal, Sweden) consisted of selftapping TiO2-blasted screw-shaped implants made of commercially pure titanium, and the Brånemark (B) System (Nobel Biocare, Gothenburg, Sweden) comprised selftapping Mark II implants with machined surface irregularities.

The rehabilitation of the severely resorbed maxilla by simultaneous placement of autogenous bone grafts and implants: a 10-year evaluation.

The long-term success of Brånemark implants has been previously reported. The success rate of the same implants, when associated with autologous grafts, seemed much less predictable. In the present study it is demonstrated that when these implants are installed in conjunction with an autologous corticocancellous hip graft, either onlay or inlay, the cumulative success rate remains at 95% for individual implants in non-smokers.

The rehabilitation of oral defects by osseointegrated implants.

So far, preprosthetic surgery for oral defects improved prosthetic retention problems for only a limited amount of time and led to many side-effects. The alternative offered by the osseointegration technique developed by P.-I.