Potential Utility of C-reactive Protein for Tuberculosis Risk Stratification among Patients with Non-Meningitic Symptoms at HIV Diagnosis in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Article Summary: We assessed the association between C-reactive protein (CRP) and (TB) diagnosis in symptomatic patients at HIV diagnosis. We found that CRP concentrations can improve tuberculosis risk stratification, facilitating decision making about whether (specific) tuberculosis testing is indicated before antiretroviral therapy initiation.

Background: The World Health Organization recommends initiating same-day ART while tuberculosis testing is underway for patients with non-meningitic symptoms at HIV diagnosis, though safety data are limited.

Same-day testing with initiation of antiretroviral therapy or tuberculosis treatment versus standard care for persons presenting with tuberculosis symptoms at HIV diagnosis: A randomized open-label trial from Haiti.

Background: Same-day HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation is being widely implemented. However, the optimal timing of ART among patients with tuberculosis (TB) symptoms is unknown. We hypothesized that same-day treatment (TB treatment for those diagnosed with TB; ART for those not diagnosed with TB) would be superior to standard care in this population.

Superior Outcomes With Continuing Tenofovir Versus Switching to Zidovudine in Second-Line Antiretroviral Therapy in Haiti.

We compared viral suppression rates between patients who continued tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/lamivudine (3TC) vs switched to zidovudine (ZDV)/3TC in combination with a boosted protease inhibitor after failure of first-line efavirenz/TDF/3TC. We found higher rates of viral suppression with continued TDF/3TC compared with switching to ZDV/3TC.

Leading Topics in Twitter Discourse on JUUL and Puff Bar Products: Content Analysis.

Background: In response to the recent government restrictions, flavored JUUL products, which are rechargeable closed-system electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), are no longer available for sale. However, disposable closed-system products such as the flavored Puff Bar e-cigarette continues to be available. If e-cigarette consumers simply switch between products during the current government restrictions limited to 1 type of product over another, then such restrictions would be less effective.

Microbiome is not linked to clinical disease severity of familial Mediterranean fever in an international cohort of children.

Objectives: The severity of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) may vary in different areas, suggesting a role for environmental factors. We analysed the composition of gut microbiota among children with FMF and healthy controls from Turkey and the USA and determined its effect on disease severity.

Methods: Children with FMF with pathogenic MEFV mutations and healthy controls from Turkey and the USA were enrolled.

Environment, phylogeny, and photosynthetic pathway as determinants of leaf traits in savanna and forest graminoid species in central Brazil.

Leaf traits are closely linked to plant responses to the environment and can provide important information on adaptation and evolution. These traits may also result from common ancestry, so phylogenetic relationships also play an important role in adaptive evolution. We evaluated the effects of the closed forest environment (gallery forest) and the open savanna environment (cerrado) on the selection of leaf traits of graminoid species.

#FlavorsSaveLives: An Analysis of Twitter Posts Opposing Flavored E-cigarette Bans.

Background: Starting in 2019 policies restricting the availability of flavored e-cigarette products were proposed or implemented in the United States to curb vaping by youth. People took to Twitter to voice their opposition, referencing the phrase "Flavors Save Lives." This study documented the emerging themes pertaining to "Flavors Saves Lives" over a 12-month period.

The Haiti cardiovascular disease cohort: study protocol for a population-based longitudinal cohort.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality among Haitians, having surpassed HIV in the last decade. Understanding the natural history of CVD in Haitians, including the age of onset, prevalence, incidence, and role of major risk factors and social determinants, is urgently needed to develop prevention and treatment interventions. Aim 1: Establish a population-based cohort of 3000 adults from Port-au-Prince and assess the prevalence of CVD risk factors and diseases and their association with social and environmental determinants.

Use of kinase inhibitors against schistosomes to improve and broaden praziquantel efficacy.

Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice for schistosomiasis. The potential drug resistance necessitates the search for adjunct or alternative therapies to PZQ. Previous functional genomics has shown that RNAi inhibition of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) gene in Schistosoma adult worms significantly improved the effectiveness of PZQ.

Hippo-YAP1 Is a Prognosis Marker and Potentially Targetable Pathway in Advanced Gallbladder Cancer.

Gallbladder cancer is an aggressive disease with late diagnosis and no efficacious treatment. The Hippo-Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) signaling pathway has emerged as a target for the development of new therapeutic interventions in cancers. However, the role of the Hippo-targeted therapy has not been addressed in advanced gallbladder cancer (GBC).

Diagnosis of Tuberculosis Using Gastric Aspirates in Pediatric Patients in Haiti.

Background: We aimed to determine whether the Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) assay is a useful adjunct to culture for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) using gastric lavage aspirates (GLAs) in children aged < 5 years.

Methods: We reviewed the yield from diagnostic modalities in children suspected of having TB followed at an infectious disease research and treatment center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, from 2011 to 2016.

Results: In 187 children clinically diagnosed with TB, a microbiologic diagnosis could be established in 40 (21%).

The FANMI ("my FAMILY" in Creole) study to evaluate community-based cohort care for adolescent and young women living with HIV in Haiti: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Adolescent girls and young women living with HIV in resource-limited settings have the poorest health outcomes of any age group, due in part to poor retention in care. Differentiated models of HIV care that target the specific challenges of young people living with HIV are urgently needed.

Methods: The FANMI study is an unblinded randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of an adolescent-specific model of HIV care in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Psychological distress among a population-representative sample of residents of four slum neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Background: Almost one billion people live in slum environments across low- and middle-income countries. Little is known about the mental health status of slum residents or its associations with living conditions.

Methods: A cross-sectional, population-representative survey was conducted among 892 adults in four slum communities in Port-au-Prince.

Kunitz type protease inhibitor from the canine tapeworm as a potential therapeutic for melanoma.

Modulating the tumor microenvironment to promote an effective immune response is critical in managing any type of tumor. Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer and the incidence rate is increasing worldwide. Potent protease inhibitors have recently been extensively researched as potential therapeutic agents against various cancers.

T cell-mediated immunity in CBA mice during Schistosoma japonicum infection.

Characterisation of the cellular immune response to schistosomiasis is well established for Schistosoma mansoni but a comprehensive description of T cell-mediated immune responses against S. japonicum infection is lacking. Accordingly, 20 CBA mice were infected with cercariae of S.

High Burden of Non-communicable Diseases among a Young Slum Population in Haiti.

The objective of this study was to characterize the demographics and population health of four slum communities in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, including population density and the burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Four urban slums were surveyed using a population-representative design between July and October 2016. A multistage cluster area random sampling process was used to identify households and individuals for the survey.

Hypertension prevalence and risk factors among residents of four slum communities: population-representative findings from Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among adults in four slum communities in Port-au-Prince.

Methods: Cluster area random sampling was used to select adults for a health and demographic survey, including anthropometric measurements. Hypertension was defined as SBP at least 140 mmHg and/or DBP at least 90 mmHg, or current hypertension treatment, and was age-standardized to WHO world population.

Live imaging of collagen deposition during experimental hepatic schistosomiasis and recovery: a view on a dynamic process.

Hepatic fibrosis is the central cause of chronic clinical pathology resulting from infection by the blood flukes Schistosoma japonicum or S. mansoni. Much has been elucidated regarding the molecular, cellular and immunological responses that correspond to the formation of the granulomatous response to trapped schistosome eggs.