HIV risk perception and PrEP uptake among black MSM in Mississippi.

Introduction: Rates for HIV are disproportionately higher for Black men who have sex with men (MSM) compared to other MSM in the U.S. While there is evidence that low perceived risk of HIV infection may increase HIV vulnerability, few studies have examined this relationship among Black MSM in the Southern U.

Barriers to uptake of PrEP across the continuum among transgender women: A global scoping review.

Background: Although preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has demonstrated high efficacy for HIV prevention, rates of PrEP uptake remain low among the transgender population, especially in transgender women (TGW). We conducted this scoping review to assess and characterize barriers to PrEP use along the PrEP care continuum among TGW.

Methods: We conducted this scoping review by searching studies in Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science.

Fat to lean mass ratio in spinal cord injury: Possible interplay of components of body composition that may instigate systemic inflammation and metabolic syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the relationships between percentage fat mass (%FM), percentage lean mass (%LM), and the ratio of %FM to %LM with pro-inflammatory adipokines and metabolic syndrome in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Observational, cross-sectional. Linear and logistic regression were used to examine the associations between the %FM, %LM, and the %FM to %LM ratio with inflammatory markers and metabolic syndrome, respectively.

Dispersion of daily physical activity behaviors in school-age children: A novel approach to measure patterns of physical activity.

Purpose: The objectives of this paper are (1) to examine patterns of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior; (2) to describe development of a method to quantify movement dispersion; and (3) to determine the relationship between variables of movement (i.e., volume, intensity, and dispersion), volume of sedentary behavior, and estimated cardiorespiratory capacity in school-aged children.

Benefits and interval training in individuals with spinal cord injury: A thematic review.

Background: Arm crank ergometry (ACE), functional electrical stimulation leg cycling exercise (FES-LCE), and the combination of the two (FES hybrid exercise) have all been used as activities to help improve the fitness-related health of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). More recently, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has become popular in the non-disabled community due to its ability to produce greater aerobic fitness benefits or equivalent benefits with reduced time commitment.

Objective: This thematic review of the literature sought to determine the potential benefits and practicality of using ACE, FES-LCE, and FES hybrid exercise in an interval training format for individuals with SCI.

Using Accelerometer Data to Identify Movement Patterns in an Older Adult: Innovative Strategy for Physical Activity Promotion.

Unlabelled: Evidence suggests a physically active lifestyle increases proportion of life lived free of disability. Unfortunately, physical activity participation in older adults is low, suggesting innovative strategies are needed. This case-report (1) examined daily activity routines from accelerometer data; and (2) utilized the movement patterns to "infuse" physical activity within the participant's normal routine.

Impact of a Novel Training Approach on Hemodynamic and Vascular Profiles in Older Adults.

Exercise training beneficially moderates the effects of vascular aging. This study compared the efficacy of Peripheral Remodeling through Intermittent Muscular Exercise (PRIME), a novel training regimen, versus aerobic training on hemodynamic profiles in participants ≥70 years at risk for losing functional independence. Seventy-five participants (52 females, age: 76 ± 5 years) were assessed for hemodynamic and vascular function at baseline, after 4 weeks of either PRIME or aerobic training (Phase 1) and again after a further 8 weeks of aerobic and resistance training (Phase 2).

Telehealth Diabetes Prevention Intervention for the Next Generation of African American Youth: Protocol for a Pilot Trial.

Background: In 1999, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was identified as an emerging epidemic in youth, and racial and ethnic minority youth were identified with high risk. Two decades later, no gold standard T2DM prevention intervention has been established for this population.

Objective: This study tests the efficacy of a telehealth diabetes prevention intervention for African American (AA) families with children with risk for T2DM.

Recruitment planning for clinical trials with a vulnerable perinatal adolescent population using the Clinical Trials Transformative Initiative framework and principles of partner and community engagement.

Recruitment planning is needed to establish a foundation for obesity prevention research with high risk, disadvantaged perinatal adolescent populations. In the context of developing clinical trial protocols, investigators partnered with Mississippi's Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and adopted the Clinical Trials Transformative Initiative (CTTI) framework for recruitment planning to identify and mitigate challenges to recruitment early in the clinical trial development process. The recruitment protocol consisted of 20 passive strategies grounded in principles of partner and community engagement and was flexible, accommodating, altruistic, community-focused, and minimally burdensome to partners and participants.

Effects of eHealth interventions on physical activity and weight among pregnant and postpartum women and the sociodemographic characteristics of study populations: a systematic review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this review is to evaluate the impact of electronic health (eHealth) interventions on physical activity and weight changes among pregnant and/or postpartum populations and to describe the sociodemographic characteristics of the study populations.

Introduction: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends 20 minutes of daily physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum. Few pregnant women are physically active and among those who are, physical activity levels decline as pregnancy progresses and during postpartum.

Syndemic burden and systemic inflammation, HIV health status, and blood pressure among women with unsuppressed HIV viral loads among women living with HIV.

Introduction: Smoking, low education, obesity, and depressive symptoms are all associated with HIV health status, increased blood pressure, and inflammation, and constitute a syndemic burden that may contribute to poor health outcomes. The current study examined syndemic burden and health outcomes among women living with HIV.

Methods: Women were participants enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study.

Physical Activity and Pain in Youth With Sickle Cell Disease.

Study objectives were to examine the relationships between physical activity, pain, and psychological distress in youth 8 to 17 years of age with sickle cell disease. Participants were 206 youth with sickle cell disease (M = 11.73 years, 54.

PRIME: A Novel Low-Mass, High-Repetition Approach to Improve Function in Older Adults.

Introduction: The ability to maintain functional independence in a rapidly aging population results in an increased life expectancy without corresponding increases in health care costs. The accelerated decline in V˙O2peak after the age of 65 yr is primarily due to peripheral tissue changes rather than centrally mediated factors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Peripheral Remodeling through Intermittent Muscular Exercise (PRIME) approach, consisting of a low-mass, high-repetition/duration skeletal muscle focused training regimen would provide superior functional benefits in participants older than 70 yr old and at risk for losing functional independence.

The Effects of Exercise Training on Brachial Artery Flow-Mediated Dilation: A Meta-analysis.

Purpose: Flow-mediated dilation, a barometer of cardiovascular (CV) health, is reported to increase with exercise training (ET); however, the potential moderating factors of ET are not clear to date. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ET assessed by brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD).

Methods: Authors searched PubMed between January 1999 and December 2013, bibliographies, and reviews to identify studies examining ET and BAFMD.

An elevation of resting metabolic rate with declining health in nonagenarians may be associated with decreased muscle mass and function in women and men, respectively.

Previously, we showed that FI34, a frailty index based on 34 health and function ability variables, is heritable and a reliable phenotypic indicator of healthy aging. We have now examined the relationship between major components of energy expenditure and the FI34 in participants of the Louisiana Healthy Aging Study. Resting metabolic rate was associated with FI34, even after adjustment for fat-free mass, fat mass, age, sex, thyroid hormones, and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels, in multiple regression analyses.

Unlocking the barriers to improved functional capacity in the elderly: rationale and design for the "Fit for Life trial".

Advancing age is associated with an increase in physical impairment, functional limitations, disability, and loss of independence. Regular physical activity conveys health benefits, but the yield on physical function in the elderly, is less clear. Current exercise guidelines are focused predominantly on aerobic programs despite evidence that age-associated declines are mediated by peripheral tissue changes.

Comparison of brachial artery vasoreactivity in elite power athletes and age-matched controls.

Unlabelled: Elite endurance athletes typically have larger arteries contributing to greater skeletal muscle blood flow, oxygen and nutrient delivery and improved physical performance. Few studies have examined structural and functional properties of arteries in power athletes.

Purpose: To compare the size and vasoreactivity of the brachial artery of elite power athletes to age-matched controls.

Left atrial enlargement and reduced physical function during aging.

Diastolic dysfunction, often seen with increasing age, is associated with reduced exercise capacity and increased mortality. Mortality rates in older individuals are linked to the development of disability, which may be preceded by functional limitations. The goal of this study was to identify which echocardiographic measures of diastolic function correlate with physical function in older subjects.

Vasoreactivity before and after handgrip training in chronic heart failure patients.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to investigate the vasodilatory and vasoconstrictor responses of the brachial artery in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and controls (CON) before and after a period of training and detraining.

Methods: CHF (n = 10; age = 62 ± 8 yrs) and CON (n = 10; age = 55 ± 5 yrs) subjects completed 4 weeks of bilateral handgrip training (20 min; 60% of maximal handgrip strength; 15 grips*min(-1); 4 days*week(-1)). Handgrip strength was measured using a hand dynamometer.

Vascular function and handgrip strength in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Objective: To examine the relationship of handgrip strength with forearm blood flow (BF) and vascular resistance (VR) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods: Forearm BF at rest (RBF) and after upper arm occlusion (RHBF), and handgrip strength were examined in 78 individuals (RA = 42 and controls (CT) = 36). Subsequently, VR at rest (RVR) and after occlusion (RHVR) were calculated.

Basal cell carcinoma characteristics as predictors of depth of invasion.

Background: Pretreatment risk stratification of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is largely based on histologic subtype reported from biopsy specimens.

Objective: We sought to determine the degree of concordance between characteristics identified on biopsy specimen and excision and to determine if histologic characteristics other than subtype correlated with depth of invasion.

Methods: Histologic specimens of 100 BCC biopsy specimens and corresponding excisions were reviewed.

Influence of compressive gear on powerlifting performance: role of blood flow restriction training.

This study investigated the effects of powerlifting gear on training volume and performance, defined by the squat, bench press, and deadlift. Eighteen powerlifters (18-26 years) were randomized into either a group that trained and competed using compressive gear (CG) or without the gear (NON). Training volume, volume progression, and powerlifting performance were assessed before and after 10 weeks of training.