Reporting the Presence of Coronary Artery Calcium in the Final Impression of Non-gated CT Chest Scans Increases the Appropriate Utilization of Statins.

Background Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring based on gated non-contrast cardiac computed tomography (CT) is a validated risk marker of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Reporting of CAC on non-gated CT chest (NGCT) scans and the impact on medical therapy is not well studied. Methods A retrospective cohort of 5,043 NGCT scans was reviewed for the presence of CAC.

Incidence and Implication of Coronary Artery Calcium on Non-gated Chest Computed Tomography Scans: A Large Observational Cohort.

Introduction  Coronary artery calcification (CAC) scoring is typically performed utilizing non-contrast, electrocardiogram- (ECG) gated CT and offers an estimation of cardiovascular (CV) prognosis and risk stratification beyond previously established cardiac risk factors. Coronary calcification can also be assessed during non-gated chest CT, which is significant given the recent recommendations for lung cancer screening by low-dose CT. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 4,953 non-contrast chest CT scans in a single, closed referral tertiary military treatment facility over an 18-month period.

Characterisation of thiocyanate degradation in a mixed culture activated sludge process treating coke wastewater.

Microbial degradation of thiocyanate (SCN) has been reported to suffer from instability highlighting the need for improved understanding of underlying mechanisms and boundaries. Respirometry, batch tests and DNA sequencing analysis were used to improve understanding of a mixed culture treating coke wastewater rich in SCN. An uncultured species of Thiobacillus was the most abundant species (26%) and displayed similar metabolic capabilities to Thiobacillus denitrificans and Thiobacillus thioparus.

Demographic, Behavioral, and Social Characteristics Associated With Smoking and Vaping Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in San Francisco.

Tobacco use is the leading lifestyle-related cause of death in the United States. We analyzed correlates of smoking and vaping tobacco in the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in San Francisco in 2014 ( n = 410) using multivariable logistic regression models. We found that more than two in five MSM (41%) smoked or vaped.

Successes and final challenges along the HIV care continuum with transwomen in San Francisco.

Introduction: To examine the HIV care continuum for transwomen living in San Francisco and to determine factors associated with poor HIV-related health outcomes.

Methods: Data were collected from 2016 to 2017 with transwomen in San Francisco. Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was used to recruit a population-based sample.

Preemptive Tecovirimat Use in an Active Duty Service Member Who Presented With Acute Myeloid Leukemia After Smallpox Vaccination.

Smallpox vaccine is contraindicated in immunosuppression due to increased risk for adverse reactions (eg, progressive vaccinia). We describe the first-ever use of tecovirimat as a preemptive vaccinia virus treatment strategy during induction chemotherapy in an active duty service member who presented with acute leukemia and inadvertent autoinoculation after smallpox vaccination.

Community Levels of PrEP Use Among Men Who Have Sex with Men by Race/Ethnicity, San Francisco, 2017.

Efforts in San Francisco are maximizing the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) where high levels of use are needed to maximize reducing new HIV infections. National HIV Behavioral Surveillance surveys MSM in San Francisco. Demographics, health care and risk behaviors are assessed.

"Starfish Sampling": a Novel, Hybrid Approach to Recruiting Hidden Populations.

We sought to leverage the strengths of time location sampling (TLS) and respondent-driven sampling (RDS) for surveys of hidden populations by combing elements of both methods in a new approach we call "starfish sampling." Starfish sampling entails random selection of venue-day-time units from a mapping of the locations where the population can be found, combined with short chains of peer referrals from their social networks at the venue or presenting to the study site later. Using the population of transmen in San Francisco as a case example, we recruited 122 eligible participants using starfish sampling: 79 at randomly selected venues, 11 on dating applications, and 32 by referral.

Quality of care and HIV service utilization among key populations in Zambia: a qualitative comparative analysis among female sex workers, men who have sex with men and people who use drugs.

HIV epidemic control requires improving access and uptake of HIV services by key populations (KPs). In Zambia, the behaviors of female sex workers (FSWs), men who have sex with men (MSM), and people of who use drugs (PWUD) are criminalized, and little information exists about their HIV/STI service use. Using a quality of care (QOC) framework, we compared barriers to and opportunities for HIV/STI service access and uptake among the three KPs.

Prevalence and correlates of hazardous alcohol consumption and binge drinking among men who have sex with men (MSM) in San Francisco.

Objectives: To describe heavy alcohol use patterns and correlates in a diverse sample of MSM.

Methods: We used respondent-driven sampling (RDS) to enroll 252 alcohol-using MSM in San Francisco from March 2015-July 2017. We examined heavy alcohol use patterns and conducted RDS-adjusted multivariable analyses to characterize correlates of hazardous alcohol consumption and binge drinking.

Prevalence and Correlates of Point-of-sex Human Immunodeficiency Virus Self-testing Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-negative Men Who Have Sex With Men in China.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) self-testing (HIVST) provides a promising tool to screen sex partners for men who have sex with men (MSM) who engage in condomless sex and want to avoid HIV infection. Although previous studies have demonstrated HIVST acceptability and increased testing uptake, limited data exist on its use between sex partners for point-of-sex HIV testing. This study examined prevalence and correlates of point-of-sex HIVST among Chinese MSM.

Critical Care in the Military Health System: A 24-h Point Prevalence Study.

Background: Healthcare expenditures are a significant economic cost with critical care services constituting one of its largest components. The Military Health System (MHS) is the largest, global healthcare system of its kind. In this project, we sought to describe critical care services and the patients who receive them in the MHS.

Alkalinity and external carbon requirements for denitrification-nitrification of coke wastewater.

The Industrial Emissions Directive requires that coke wastewater is treated to reach an effluent with < 50 mg/L total nitrogen (TN). A shortage of alkalinity (3.6 mg as CaCO/mg [Formula: see text]) in the wastewater limited nitrification to 45%.

HIV Care Continuum Disparities Among Black Bisexual Men and the Mediating Effect of Psychosocial Comorbidities.

Introduction: Differences across the HIV care continuum between men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) and men who have sex with men only (MSMO) are emerging in recent literature but have not been comprehensively documented among black MSM. Although MSMW have lower HIV prevalence than MSMO, they are more likely to be HIV-positive unaware and be virally unsuppressed. Explanatory factors for these differences have not previously been assessed.

Dose assessment from chronic exposure to industrial NORM in iron ore processing.

Radiological exposures due to naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) can occur during a wide range of work-related activities in the mineral processing and chemical industries. However, evaluation of such exposures in industrial settings remains a difficult exercise owing inter alia to the large number of personnel, operations and plants affected; assumptions that often have to be made concerning the actual duration and frequency of exposures; the complex chemistry and radioactive disequilibria involved and typically, the paucity of historical data. In our study, the challenges associated with assessing chronic exposure to fugitive dust enriched in 210Pb and 210Po and the determination of the associated internal dose by inhalation and ingestion are described by reference to a case study undertaken at an iron ore sintering plant between June 2013 and July 2015.

What Factors Are Associated With Receiving a Recommendation to Get Tested for HIV by Health Care Providers Among Men Who Have Sex With Men?

Background: The approach of treatment as prevention for reducing HIV incidence and prevalence hinges on early detection of HIV infection and treatment to achieve viral suppression and, thus, to reduce HIV transmissibility. However, men who have sex with men (MSM), who are at greater risk of HIV infection than the average adult in the United States, are often not tested because many providers do not provide routine opt-out testing or even recommend HIV testing.

Methods: In a sample of 244 MSM in San Francisco, CA, this study examined whether (1) sociodemographic characteristics (ie, youth, education, employment status, being African American, being Latino), (2) health care access and utilization, and (3) participants disclosing their sexual orientation to their health care providers were associated with their odds of having received a recommendation from a health care provider for HIV testing.

Self-Perceived Viral Load and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Known HIV-Positive MSM in San Francisco, 2014.

Background: Self-perceived viral suppression status among men who have sex with men (MSM) may impact HIV risk transmission behaviors.

Methods: We conducted a 2014 cross-sectional survey of MSM in San Francisco and assessed differences in sexual risk behavior among known HIV-positive MSM based on viral suppression of HIV. We collected demographics, self-perceived viral load status, and sexual risk behavior and tested for viral load levels through laboratory assays.

HIV Among MSM and Heterosexual Women in the United States: An Ecologic Analysis.

Background: Phylogenetic studies show links between heterosexual women and men who have sex with men (MSM) that are more numerous than from heterosexual men to women suggesting that HIV infections among heterosexual women may stem from MSM. Poor communities have been associated with high rates of HIV among heterosexual women. Our analysis investigates potential transmission of HIV between MSM and female heterosexuals.

Dose assessment from chronic exposure to industrial NORM in iron ore processing.

Radiological exposures due to naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) can occur during a wide range of work-related activities in the mineral processing and chemical industries. However, evaluation of such exposures in industrial settings remains a difficult exercise owing inter alia to the large number of personnel, operations and plants affected; assumptions that often have to be made concerning the actual duration and frequency of exposures; the complex chemistry and radioactive disequilibria involved and typically, the paucity of historical data. In our study, the challenges associated with assessing chronic exposure to fugitive dust enriched in Pb and Po and the determination of the associated internal dose by inhalation and ingestion are described by reference to a case study undertaken at an iron ore sintering plant between June 2013 and July 2015.