Association Between Perceived Skin Cancer Risk Reduction and Sunscreen Use.

Background: Understanding factors that influence people to use sunscreen would allow clinicians to counsel patients in a way that is influential. Perceived efficacy of sunscreen has been associated with sunscreen use, but it is unclear whether the degree of efficacy is important.

Objective: To determine whether larger perceived efficacy of sunscreen (larger skin cancer risk reduction) is associated with increased sunscreen use.

Time to antibody detection and associated factors for presence of anti-drug antibodies in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with anti-TNF therapy.

Background: Loss of response in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with biologic medications can be due to development of anti-drug antibodies. Natural history of anti-drug antibodies development has not been well described in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. The primary aim of this study was to describe a single-center experience for the temporal onset of anti-drug antibodies detection.

Diversity of Ocular Surface Bacterial Microbiome Adherent to Worn Contact Lenses and Bacterial Communities Associated With Care Solution Use.

Purpose: This study assessed microbiome adherent to contact lenses and defined the bacterial communities associated with use of lens care solutions.

Methods: Among 84 lenses screened for adherent ocular surface bacterial microbiome using 16S rRNA molecular amplification, 63 (75%) generated bacterial-specific amplicons processed using the Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine workflow. Data were stratified by solution use (peroxide vs.

Plasma glycomics predict cardiovascular disease in patients with ART-controlled HIV infections.

Despite effective control of HIV infection with antiretroviral drugs, individuals with HIV have high incidences of secondary diseases. These sequelae, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), are poorly understood and represent a major health burden. To date, predictive biomarkers of HIV-associated secondary disease have been elusive, making preventative clinical management essentially impossible.

A Randomized Comparative Study Evaluating Various Cough Stress Tests and 24-Hour Pad Test with Urodynamics in the Diagnosis of Stress Urinary Incontinence.

Purpose: The cough stress test is a common and accepted tool to evaluate stress urinary incontinence but there is no agreement on how the test should be performed. We assessed the diagnostic ability of different cough stress tests performed when varying patient position and bladder volume using urodynamic stress urinary incontinence as the gold standard. The 24-hour pad test was also evaluated.

Health impact and cost-effectiveness of a domestically-produced rotavirus vaccine in India: A model based analysis.

Background: Currently, Indian officials are incorporating a domestically manufactured rotavirus vaccine (based on the 116E rotavirus strain) into the country's universal immunization program; this vaccine will cost significantly less than western rotavirus vaccines. Here, we examine the public health impact, cost, and cost-effectiveness of universal vaccination in India using the 116E vaccine. This work will allow comparison of universal 116E vaccination with other approaches to child mortality reduction, shed light on the future burden of rotavirus disease in India, and help stakeholders understand future resource needs.

Population Pharmacokinetics of AZD-5847 in Adults with Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

AZD-5847 is a new oxazolidinone derivative under development for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Here we describe the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of AZD-5847 in patients with tuberculosis based on a recently completed phase II study. The study included 60 patients with drug-susceptible TB.

Oral Vitamin D Rapidly Attenuates Inflammation from Sunburn: An Interventional Study.

The diverse immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D are increasingly being recognized. However, the ability of oral vitamin D to modulate acute inflammation in vivo has not been established in humans. In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled interventional trial, 20 healthy adults were randomized to receive either placebo or a high dose of vitamin D (cholecalciferol) one hour after experimental sunburn induced by an erythemogenic dose of UVR.

Incidence and Outcomes of Infections Caused by Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Children, 2007-2015.

Background: The escalating incidence of invasive disease caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative enteric Enterobacteriaceae (MDR-GNE) is a global concern. Scant published studies in which the epidemiology of these infections in children is described exist; previous studies focused mainly on adults, described circumscribed populations, or lacked clinical detail. The objective of this study was to examine and describe the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes associated with MDR-GNE infection in children.

Mucin Balls Influence Corneal Infiltrative Events.

Purpose: To determine whether mucin ball (MB) formation is protective against corneal infiltrative events (CIEs) as previously reported.

Methods: Two hundred eighty-two eligible participants were enrolled at three sites in the USA. Participants began a 1-month continuous wear run-in period with high modulus lotrafilcon A lenses to assess their ability to form MBs (phase 1).

Insulin Resistance and Markers of Inflammation in HIV-infected Ugandan Children in the CHAPAS-3 Trial.

Background: Few studies have investigated metabolic complications in HIV-infected African children and their relation with inflammation.

Methods: We compared baseline and changes in insulin resistance [homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)] and in markers of inflammation over 48 weeks, in a subset of antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive Ugandan children from the Children with HIV in Africa-Pharmacokinetics and Adherence/Acceptability of Simple Antiretroviral Regimens trial randomized to zidovudine-, stavudine- or abacavir (ABC)-based regimen. Nonparametric methods were used to explore between-group and within-group differences, and multivariable analysis to assess associations of HOMA-IR.

The impact of lens care solutions on corneal epithelial changes during daily silicone hydrogel contact lens wear as measured by in vivo confocal microscopy.

Purpose: To assess corneal epithelial microstructure via confocal microscopy and determine if cellular changes are associated with lens care solutions during daily wear of silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Methods: Corneal in vivo confocal microscopy with the Nidek ConfoScan4 was performed at baseline and after 5 months of lotrafilcon A daily contact lens wear. Enrolled participants were randomized to use either a polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) preserved multipurpose care solution (MPS) or a peroxide based solution system.

Daily Wear Contact Lenses Manufactured in Etafilcon A Are Noninferior to Two Silicone Hydrogel Lens Types With Respect to Hypoxic Stress.

Purpose: This study hypothesized that a traditional high-water contact lens of moderate oxygen transmissibility (Dk/t) is noninferior to common silicone hydrogel (SH) lenses worn for daily wear with respect to measures of hypoxic stress.

Methods: Thirty-six habitual contact lens wearers completed wear of three lens types worn in a randomized order: etafilcon A (ACUVUE 2, control), lotrafilcon B (Air Optix Aqua), and comfilcon A (Biofinity). Central corneal thickness (CT) and limbal hyperemia were measured >2 hr after waking and after 6 to 8 hr of wear on days 1 and 7.

Early Bactericidal Activity of AZD5847 in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

AZD5847 is an oxazolidinone antibiotic with in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimycobacterial activity, safety, and pharmacokinetics of AZD5847 in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Groups of 15 treatment-naive, sputum smear-positive adults with pulmonary tuberculosis were randomly assigned to receive AZD5847 at one of four doses (500 mg once daily, 500 mg twice daily, 1,200 mg once daily, and 800 mg twice daily) or daily standard chemotherapy. The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean daily rate of change in the log number of CFU of M.

Effect of rosuvastatin on plasma coenzyme Q10 in HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy.

Background: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency has been associated with statin-induced myopathy, and supplementation with CoQ10 may reduce inflammation markers. The effects of statins on CoQ10 and its anti-inflammatory properties have not been investigated in HIV-positive patients.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to examine the effect of rosuvastatin on CoQ10 and CoQ10/LDL ratio over 24-week SATURN-HIV trial, explore the associations between CoQ10 levels and markers of vascular disease, inflammation, and immune activation, and assess whether changes in CoQ10 affected the anti-inflammatory effects of statin therapy or were associated with myalgia symptoms.

The predictive value of fall assessment tools for patients admitted to hospice care.

Objectives: Fall assessment tools are commonly used to evaluate the likelihood of fall. For patients found to be at high risk, patient-specific fall prevention interventions are implemented. The purposes of this study were to describe the population, evaluate and compare the efficacy of fall assessment tools, and suggest the best use for these tools in hospice.

Early indicators of survival following exposure to mustard gas: Protective role of 25(OH)D.

The use of sulfur mustard (SM) as a chemical weapon for warfare has once again assumed center stage, endangering civilian and the military safety. SM causes rapid local skin vesication and late-onset systemic toxicity. Most studies on SM rely on obtaining tissue and blood for characterizing burn pathogenesis and assessment of systemic pathology, respectively.

Evaluation of ELISA testing for BP180 and BP230 as a diagnostic modality for bullous pemphigoid: a clinical experience.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a common autoimmune blistering disorder of the elderly. Several diagnostic modalities are available, including clinical impression, histopathology, direct and indirect immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detection of pathogenic antibodies. In this study, we aim to examine the utility of the newest test, ELISA, in comparison to the constellation of other tests.

Increased, but Functionally Impaired, CD14(+) HLA-DR(-/low) Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Psoriasis: A Mechanism of Dysregulated T Cells.

The clinical extent of psoriasis pathology is regulated in part by defects in immune networks, including a defect in the suppressive actions of regulatory T cells. Recently, CD14(+) HLA-DR(-/low) monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (Mo-MDSCs) have been shown to suppress T-cell activation as one of their suppressive mechanisms. However, little is known about the role of Mo-MDSCs and their functional relationship to T-cell suppression in relation to human chronic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis.

Chronic, not acute, skin-specific inflammation promotes thrombosis in psoriasis murine models.

Background: Psoriasis patients exhibit an increased risk of atherothrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke. Clinical evidence suggests that psoriasis patients with early onset and more severe disease have the highest risk for these co-morbidities, perhaps due to the extent of body surface involvement, subsequent levels of systemic inflammation, or chronicity of disease. We sought to determine whether acute or chronic skin-specific inflammation was sufficient to promote thrombosis.

Effects of 96 Weeks of Rosuvastatin on Bone, Muscle, and Fat in HIV-Infected Adults on Effective Antiretroviral Therapy.

Heightened inflammation and immune activation are associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD) and lean body mass (LBM) among HIV-infected persons. We hypothesized that a reduction in inflammation with rosuvastatin would be associated with improvements in BMD and LBM. HIV-infected participants on stable antiretroviral therapy without statin indication and with heightened immune activation (≥19% CD8(+)CD38(+)HLA-DR(+) T cells) or inflammation (hsCRP ≥2 mg/liter) were randomized to rosuvastatin 10 mg daily or placebo for 96 weeks.

HIV vasculopathy: role of mononuclear cell-associated Krüppel-like factors 2 and 4.

Objective: To determine the relationships between Krüppel-like factors (KLF) 2 and 4, immune-activation, and subclinical vascular disease in HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Design: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Methods: We studied 74 HIV-infected adults on ART enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of statin therapy.

Chronic Psoriatic Skin Inflammation Leads to Increased Monocyte Adhesion and Aggregation.

Psoriasis patients exhibit an increased risk of death by cardiovascular disease (CVD) and have elevated levels of circulating intermediate (CD14(++)CD16(+)) monocytes. This elevation could represent evidence of monocyte dysfunction in psoriasis patients at risk for CVD, as increases in circulating CD14(++)CD16(+) monocytes are predictive of myocardial infarction and death. An elevation in the CD14(++)CD16(+) cell population has been previously reported in patients with psoriatic disease, which has been confirmed in the cohort of our human psoriasis patients.

Rosuvastatin Worsens Insulin Resistance in HIV-Infected Adults on Antiretroviral Therapy.

Background: Statins are associated with increased diabetes risk in large, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-uninfected cohorts; the impact of statins on insulin resistance or diabetes in HIV-infected persons has not been assessed within a randomized controlled study.

Methods: HIV-infected participants on stable antiretroviral therapy with a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of ≤130 mg/dL and heightened immune activation or inflammation were randomized to rosuvastatin 10 mg daily or placebo for 96 weeks. Fasting serum glucose, insulin, and hemoglobin A1C (HgbA1C) were measured; insulin resistance was estimated by calculating the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR); and a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test was administered.