Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Scores are Associated with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk calculators estimate the 10-year incident risk of myocardial infarction (MI), coronary artery disease (CAD) death, or stroke; however, they lack comprehensiveness and accuracy. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a surrogate marker that may improve risk estimation acumen. The objective of this study was to derive ASCVD risk scores from historical data and determine whether these risk scores are associated with the history of subclinical CAD and CIMT.

Incidence and Characterization of Secondary CNS Lymphoma in 1,972 Patients with DLBCL - A Danish Nationwide Cohort Study.

Secondary CNS involvement (SCNSL) is a rare manifestation of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with a poor prognosis. We present updated data from a nationwide study on the incidence and clinical characteristics of SCNSL. The incidence of SCNSL was calculated considering death or relapse without SCNSL as competing risks.

Preferences for oral and injectable PrEP among qualitative sub-study participants in HPTN 084.

Background: HPTN 084 compared the safety and efficacy of long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB) to daily oral TDF/FTC for prevention of HIV-1 in uninfected African women. Like a similar trial in MSM/TGW (HPTN 083), the trial was stopped early for efficacy, expediting the need to consider introduction strategies for different populations. We examine survey and qualitative data from a four-country sub-study to examine oral and injectable PrEP acceptability and considerations for CAB access among African women.

Comparing the Use of Crotaline-Polyvalent Immune Fab (Ovine) Versus Observation in Children.

Objectives: In the United States, studies are inconclusive regarding the indications for polyvalent antivenom administration for crotaline envenomation. We compared polyvalent antivenom administration versus observation used at 2 separate institutions. We hypothesized that deferring antivenom leads to increased hospital length of stay and surgical interventions.

Clinical decompensation after trauma laparotomy: It's probably not a pulmonary embolus.

Introduction Computed Tomography (CT) to rule out pulmonary embolus (PE) is often ordered during post-trauma laparotomy clinical decompensation (CD) involving fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, and/or leukocytosis. We hypothesize this diagnostic modality is low-yield in the postoperative period when surgery-related sequelae are more probable. Methods This is a single-center retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent trauma laparotomy and had subsequent CT for CD from March 19, 2019 to June 30, 2022.

Efficacy of intravenous high-dose methotrexate in preventing relapse to the central nervous system in R-CHOP(-like)-treated, high-risk, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients and its effect on mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Central nervous system (CNS) relapse in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) carries a dismal prognosis and most clinical guidelines recommend CNS prophylaxis to patients deemed at high risk of CNS relapse. However, results from observational studies investigating the effect of CNS prophylaxis have yielded conflicting results. The aims of this study were to evaluate: (i) whether addition of prophylactic intravenous high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) reduces the risk of CNS relapse in high-risk DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP or similar, and (ii) whether HD-MTX prophylaxis confers an overall survival benefit, irrespective of CNS relapse.

Evaluation of a Novel Battery-Operated Tumbler Device for Use in the Detection of Mouse Pathogens for Rodent Health Monitoring.

The search for alternatives to live animal sentinels in rodent health monitoring programs is fundamental to the 3Rs (Reduction, Replacement, and Refinement) of animal research. We evaluated the efficacy of a novel battery-operated tumbler device that rotates soiled bedding in direct contact with sample media against the use of exhaust sample media and soiled bedding sentinel (SBS) mice. Four rodent racks were used, each with 3 test cages: a cage with a tumbler device that rotated for 10min twice a week (TUM10), a cage with a tumbler device that rotated for 60min twice a week (TUM60), and a cage housing 2 female Crl:CD1(ICR) mice.

Haptoglobin genotype is a risk factor for coronary artery disease in prediabetes: A case-control study.

Objective: Coronary artery disease (CAD) prediction remains inconsistent with many unappreciated risk factors. Haptoglobin genotype determines the haptoglobin protein's effectiveness to bind free hemoglobin and prevent oxidative stress, a contributor to atherosclerosis. The haptoglobin 2-2 genotype increases the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) approximately five times compared to the 1-1 genotype in individuals with diabetes.

Plant-based dietary patterns and fasting insulin: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2017-2018.

Background: Previous studies have created plant-based diet indices to assess the health effects of specific dietary patterns.

Objective: To examine the association between the plant-based content of diet and fasting insulin in adults from the NHANES 2017-2018 database.

Methods: Demographic, dietary, lab and clinical data and fasting insulin were obtained from the NHANES 2017-2018 database.

Measuring Effects of Counseling to Increase Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Adherence and Partner Support in South Africa Using the Healthy Relationship Assessment Tool.

Introduction: In response to the diverse roles and strong influence that male partners may have in women's decisions and ability to use HIV prevention products, we previously developed the counselor-administered Healthy Relationship Assessment Tool (HEART). This tool helps counselors tailor pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adherence support counseling to women's relationship dynamics with their sexual partners, suggesting modules for counselors to deliver. In this study, we examined the extent to which counselors used the HEART to guide the delivery of intervention modules and whether changes in subsequent HEART scores reflected the counseling module(s) received.

Mortality and Ankylosing Spondylitis in the US population: leading causes and associated factors.

Objective: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the axial skeleton. Recent studies have shown that mortality risk is higher in AS patients and that it is possibly related to disease activity and duration. Our aim was to investigate the leading causes and factors associated with mortality in hospitalized AS patients in the USA.

Nationwide analysis of unplanned conversion during minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Background: Utilization of minimally-invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma has increased. While unplanned conversion to an open procedure during MIDP is associated with inferior short-term outcomes, the long-term consequences of conversion have not been adequately examined.

Methods: Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma undergoing MIDP were selected from the National Cancer Database (2010-2015) and subdivided based on the occurrence of unplanned conversion.

Changes in relationships, HIV risk, and feelings towards PrEP: findings from a qualitative explanatory study among participants in the CHARISMA intervention trial.

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) and other relationship-based challenges have been demonstrated to reduce women's ability to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) effectively for HIV prevention. The Community Health Clinical Model for Agency in Relationships and Safer Microbicide Adherence (CHARISMA) intervention was designed to mitigate these challenges and increase South African women's agency to use PrEP. The CHARISMA randomized controlled trial did not identify statistically significant differences in PrEP adherence or relationship dynamics between the intervention and control arms.

Development of a relationship counselling website to identify and mitigate risk of intimate partner violence in the context of women's PrEP use.

Discreet, accessible interventions are urgently needed to mitigate the risk of intimate-partner violence (IPV) and other relationship barriers that women encounter to using HIV prevention methods such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We adapted a counsellor-administered intervention, CHARISMA, into a mobile-optimized website to enhance accessibility and reduce human resources required for HIV prevention and relationship counseling. Using human-centered design and participatory methods, CHARISMA was adapted through workshops with former CHARISMA in-person intervention participants (n = 14; ages 18-45) and web development 'sprints' combined with cognitive interviews (n = 24).

Multilevel Stigma and Its Associations with Medical Care Ratings Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in HPTN 078.

Introduction: Our research assessed associations between stigma-related variables and medical care ratings among clients with HIV in HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 078 who were men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: Logistic regression explored care ratings, stigma, socio-demographics (N = 637). Qualitative thematic coding and themes explored stigmatizing experiences in different settings (N = 111).

Preferred product attributes of a multipurpose vaginal ring: Findings from a phase 1 trial.

Introduction: Most women face multiple and co-occurring risks from unwanted pregnancy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at some point during their lifetime. While a range of contraceptive methods exist and options for HIV prevention are increasing, to date, only male and female condoms provide multipurpose protection from both pregnancy and disease.

Methods: From September 2017 to December 2018, 60 women from the United States and the Dominican Republic, randomized 1:1 to continuous or interrupted use and 4:1 to active vs.

Intrauterine contraceptive discontinuation reasons among female trial participants living with HIV in Cape Town, South Africa: A qualitative analysis.

Introduction: While young women in South Africa may navigate both HIV infection and pregnancy risks, intrauterine contraceptive (IUC) use is low. Though IUCs have low failure rates, concerns exist about whether the IUC is an appropriate method choice for women living with HIV (WLHIV). In this qualitative study, we explore WLHIVs' experiences of using IUC and reasons for discontinuation.

Topical Anesthetics for Analgesia in Acute Corneal Abrasion: Eye Care Providers Survey.

Study Objectives: To evaluate the current attitudes of ophthalmologists and optometrists regarding topical anesthetic (TA) use in the emergency department (ED) for analgesia in corneal abrasions.

Methods: A survey was distributed through email to ophthalmologists and optometrists, and their responses were deidentified. Three scenarios were presented involving the addition of tetracaine in addition to usual care in the setting of uncomplicated corneal abrasion.

Tough Talks COVID-19 Digital Health Intervention for Vaccine Hesitancy Among Black Young Adults: Protocol for a Hybrid Type 1 Effectiveness Implementation Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Interventions for increasing the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among Black young adults are central to ending the pandemic. Black young adults experience harms from structural forces, such as racism and stigma, that reduce receptivity to traditional public health messaging due to skepticism and distrust. As such, Black young adults continue to represent a priority population on which to focus efforts for promoting COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

Examining Associations Between Mental Health, IPV Exposure, HIV Risk Behaviors, and PrEP Use in South African Women: An Analysis of Data from the Charisma Study.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been associated with poorer mental health outcomes and increased human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors. We examine the relations between IPV, mental health symptomology (defined as psychological distress and alcohol misuse), and engagement in HIV risk behaviors among a sample of South African women who participated in a randomized controlled trial of CHARISMA, an intervention to increase women's agency to use oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) safely and consistently as well as mitigate relationship challenges. We also examined the impact of trial participation on women's mental health, as well as the impact of psychological distress on the effectiveness of the CHARISMA intervention.

Using narratives to inform the development of a digital health intervention related to COVID-19 vaccination in Black young adults in Georgia, North Carolina and Alabama.

Interactive stories are a relatively newer form of storytelling with great potential to correct misinformation while increasing self-efficacy, which is crucial to vaccine acceptance. To address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and medical mistrust in young Black adults (BYA), we sought to adapt a pre-existing application ("app"; Tough Talks) designed to address HIV disclosure decision-making through choose-your-own adventure (CYOA) narratives and other activities. The adapted app (Tough Talks - COVID) uses a similar approach to situate COVID-19 vaccination decision-making within social contexts and to encourage greater deliberation about decisions.

Digital Storytelling Methods to Empower Young Black Adults in COVID-19 Vaccination Decision-Making: Feasibility Study and Demonstration.

Background: Despite high rates of novel COVID-19, acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination is low among Black adults. In response, we developed a digital health intervention (Tough Talks-COVID) that includes digital stories created in a workshop we held with young Black adults.

Objective: Our formative research using digital storytelling workshops asked 3 research questions: (1) What issues did participants have in conceptualizing their stories, and what themes emerged from the stories they created? (2) What issues did participants have related to production techniques, and which techniques were utilized in stories? and (3) Overall, how did participants evaluate their workshop experience?

Methods: Participants were workshop-eligible if they were vaccine-accepting based on a baseline survey fielded in late 2021.