The impact of analytical treatment interruptions and trial interventions on time to viral re-suppression in people living with HIV restarting ART in cure-related clinical studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: To assess the effectiveness of novel HIV curative strategies, "cure" trials require periods of closely monitored antiretroviral therapy (ART) analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify the impact of ATI with or without novel therapeutics in cure-related studies on the time to viral re-suppression following ART restart.

Methods: Medline, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched for human studies involving ATIs from 1 January 2015 till 22 April 2024.

Acquired Hemophilia A: Rare Cause of Upper Airway Hematoma and a Literature Review.

Background: Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare blood disorder with high morbidity and even mortality as severe bleeding can occur in up to 90% of affected patients. Unlike congenital hemophilia which presents with intra-articular bleeding, acquired hemophilia causes bleeding into the skin, muscle, mucous membranes and soft tissues.

Case Presentation: We report an unusual case of upper airway hematoma in a 61-year-old man who presented with acute onset dysphagia and shortness of breath.

Mastoid Cyst in a Child.

Mastoid cysts are a rare condition that occurs either congenitally or secondary to chronic otological diseases with poor ventilation of the middle ear and mastoid cavity. In this presenting case, the authors report a case of secondary mastoid cyst with evidence of bony destruction and fistulous tract formation into adjacent structures. Concurrently, we reviewed other similar cases reported in the literature.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Tunability of Double-Network Hydrogel Strength and Lubricity.

Double-network (DN) hydrogels are promising materials for tissue engineering due to their biocompatibility, high strength, and toughness, but understanding of their microstructure-property relationships still remains limited. This work investigates a DN hydrogel comprising a physically crosslinked agarose, as the first network, and a chemically crosslinked copolymer with a varying ratio of acrylamide and acrylic acid, as the second network. The charge, intrinsic to most DN hydrogels, introduces a responsive behavior to chemical and electrical stimuli.

Self-start HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEPSE), to reduce time to first dose and increase efficacy.

Background: Effectiveness of HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEPSE) correlates with speed of uptake following HIV exposure. Time to first dose has not improved in the UK for over 10 years. On-demand pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has shown that people can self-start medication for HIV prevention.

Immunotherapeutic approaches to HIV cure and remission.

Purpose Of Review: Despite improvements in the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART), there are still unmet needs for people living with HIV which drive the search for a cure for HIV infection. The goal of this review is to discuss the challenges and recent immunotherapeutic advances towards developing a safe, effective and durable cure strategy for HIV.

Recent Findings: In recent years, advances have been made in uncovering the mechanisms of persistence of latent HIV and in developing more accurate assays to measure the intact proviral reservoir.

Clinical outcomes of patients with and without HIV hospitalized with COVID-19 in England during the early stages of the pandemic: a matched retrospective multi-centre analysis (RECEDE-C19 study).

Background: The contribution of HIV to COVID-19 outcomes in hospitalized inpatients remains unclear. We conducted a multi-centre, retrospective matched cohort study of SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive hospital inpatients analysed by HIV status.

Methods: HIV-negative patients were matched to people living with HIV (PLWH) admitted from 1 February 2020 to 31 May 2020 up to a 3:1 ratio by the following: hospital site, SARS-CoV-2 test date ± 7 days, age ± 5 years, gender, and index of multiple deprivation decile ± 1.

Feasibility randomized-controlled trial of online acceptance and commitment therapy for painful peripheral neuropathy in people living with HIV: The OPEN study.

Background: Neuropathic pain negatively affects quality of life among people living with HIV (PLWH). This study examined the feasibility of conducting a full-scale randomized-controlled trial of online acceptance and commitment therapy ("ACT OPEN") for neuropathic pain in PLWH.

Methods: Using a parallel-groups design, thirty-eight participants were randomized to ACT OPEN or a waitlist control (2:1).

Evaluating a pilot process for reviewing late HIV diagnoses in England and Wales.

Late HIV diagnosis is associated with significant mortality in people living with HIV (PLWH) and high numbers of missed opportunities (MO) for earlier testing have been identified. A pilot of a national late diagnosis review process (LDRP) was undertaken in 15 HIV services evaluating the feasibility of LDRP implementation, as a patient safety initiative. All newly diagnosed PLWH with CD4 counts <200 cells/mm were included, and healthcare episodes within 5 years of presentation reviewed.

Reasons for delayed antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in the era of early ART initiation guidelines: a retrospective service evaluation.

Following changes in national antiretroviral therapy (ART) guidelines removing the CD4 threshold for initiation of ART, we evaluated the time to ART initiation and reasons for delayed or non-initiation. A retrospective notes review of 292 newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals attending two London clinics between August 2015 and December 2016 was performed. Two hundred and fifty-four of 292 (87%) individuals started ART.

Acute hepatitis A infection after hepatitis A immunity in a HIV-positive individual.

Hepatitis A is a self-limiting infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), transmitted predominantly by the faecal-oral route including some sexual practices. Outbreaks are commonly reported in the men who have sex with men (population. Previous exposure is thought to provide life-long immunity against subsequent infections with the development of an HAV IgG response.

Diagnosis and treatment strategies of tuberculous intestinal perforations: a case series.

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis (TB) may result in intestinal obstruction and perforation, even after antituberculous therapy has been initiated. Despite surgical intervention tuberculous perforation has a high complication and mortality rate, and it is difficult to predict the subgroup of patients with abdominal TB who progress to perforation. In this study, we retrospectively investigated the clinical features that may predict disease progression in patients in our institution who presented abdominal TB over a 5-year period between January 2006 and August 2011, as well as describe an unreported method of managing tuberculous intestinal perforations when resection with end-to-end anastomosis is unfeasible.

The microRNA spectrum in 12 body fluids.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that play an important role in regulating various biological processes through their interaction with cellular messenger RNAs. Extracellular miRNAs in serum, plasma, saliva, and urine have recently been shown to be associated with various pathological conditions including cancer.

Methods: With the goal of assessing the distribution of miRNAs and demonstrating the potential use of miRNAs as biomarkers, we examined the presence of miRNAs in 12 human body fluids and urine samples from women in different stages of pregnancy or patients with different urothelial cancers.

Methylmercury chloride induces alveolar type II epithelial cell damage through an oxidative stress-related mitochondrial cell death pathway.

Mercury, one of the widespread pollutants in the world, induces oxidative stress and dysfunction in many cell types. Alveolar type II epithelial cells are known to be vulnerable to oxidative stress. Alveolar type II epithelial cells produce and secrete surfactants to maintain morphological organization, biophysical functions, biochemical composition, and immunity in lung tissues.