Factors Associated With Changes in Alcohol Use During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Transition Among People With HIV in South Africa and Uganda.

Identifying factors associated with alcohol use changes during pregnancy is important for developing interventions for people with HIV (PWH). Pregnant PWH (n = 202) initiating antiretroviral therapy in Uganda and South Africa completed two assessments, 6 months apart (T1, T2). Categories were derived based on AUDIT-C scores: "no use" (AUDIT-C = 0 at T1 and T2), "new use" (AUDIT-C = 0 at T1, >0 at T2), "quit" (AUDIT-C > 0 at T1, =0 at T2), and "continued use" (AUDIT-C > 0, T1 and T2).

Key Elements and Mechanisms of a Peer-Support Intervention to Reduce Loneliness and Isolation among Low-Income Older Adults: A Qualitative Implementation Science Study.

This paper describes the evaluation of a longitudinal peer-support program developed to address loneliness and isolation among low-income, urban community-dwelling older adults in San Francisco. Our objective was to determine barriers, challenges, and successful strategies in implementation of the program. In-depth qualitative interviews with clients ( = 15) and peers ( = 6) were conducted and analyzed thematically by program component.

Tracheal Rupture After Tracheostomy Tube Exchange in a Patient With Recurrent Oral Cavity Spindle Cell Carcinoma.

Oral Cavity Spindle Cell Carcinoma (OCSCC) is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma involving the nasopharynx and oral mucosa. This tumor has a high propensity to invade local structures of the head and neck region, making surgical removal challenging and potentially morbid for the patient. Here, we report a case of OCSCC and the complications that were confronted during its surgical resection.

Normalized Theta but Increased Gamma Activity after Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Treatment in Alzheimer's Disease: Preliminary qEEG Study.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChE-I) are the core treatment of mild to severe Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the efficacy of AChE-I treatment on electroencephalography (EEG) and cognition remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the EEG power and coherence changes, in addition to neuropsychological performance, following a one-year treatment.

Reasons for in-hospital delays to emergency surgical care in a resource-limited setting: Surgery versus anesthesiology perspective.

Patients experience delays in emergency surgical care. Our 3-month mixed-methods observational prospective study examined the duration of in-hospital delays (IHDs) to emergency surgery at a tertiary hospital in Malawi and perceived reasons for such delay, assessing the correlation between surgery and anesthesia. Delays over two hours occurred in the majority, and almost 20% waited over twelve hours.

Supporting Community Partners in Reducing HIV-Related Health Disparities: Technical Assistance Across a Spectrum of Intensity.

The HIV epidemic remains a public health threat in the U.S., and the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based prevention and care programs are critical to addressing significant HIV health disparities.

How Often do Medical Specialties Question the Practices that They Perform? An Empirical, Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Published Literature.

An aspect of overuse is who decides which practices are evaluated for overuse and which of the studies on overuse are published in the medical literature. We sought to examine the frequency with which studies in medical journals questioned an established practice. As a secondary objective, we sought to determine if there was variance among medical specialties.

Differences in Hospitals' Workplace Violence Incident Reporting Practices: A Mixed Methods Study.

Workplace violence (WV) is a significant and growing problem for health care workers. Increased recognition of the need for improved protections has led to policy initiatives at the state and federal levels, including national Joint Commission requirements that went into effect January 2022. California's WV prevention legislation was phased in during 2017-2018 and requires hospitals to use a new incident reporting system, the Workplace Violent Incident Reporting System (WVIRS) for Hospitals.

Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery After Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair.

Up to 28% of patients may need mitral valve (MV) surgery after transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER). This study evaluates the outcomes of minimally invasive MV surgery after TEER. International multicenter registry of minimally invasive MV surgery after TEER between 2013 and 2020.

Probiotics attenuate alcohol-induced muscle mechanical hyperalgesia: Preliminary observations.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major health problem that causes millions of deaths annually world-wide. AUD is considered to be a chronic pain disorder, that is exacerbated by alcohol withdrawal, contributing to a high (∼80%) relapse rate. Chronic alcohol consumption has a marked impact on the gut microbiome, recognized to have a significant effect on chronic pain.

The effect of food prescription programs on chronic disease management in primarily low-income populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Having low-income limits one's ability to purchase foods that are high in nutritional value (e.g. vegetables and fruits (V/F)).

The Relationship Between Temperature and Temporal Patterns and Incidence of Abusive Head Trauma in a Midwest Region Hospital.

Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a leading cause of death and disability in children and one of the most lethal forms of child abuse. Most known risk factors for AHT pertain to the infant's caregiver and limited research has assessed external influences beyond the familial or caregiver/infant dyad. Our primary objective was to determine if temperature patterns are associated with AHT events.

Association of Social Integration with Cognitive Status in a Multi-Ethnic Cohort: Results From the Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences Study.

We evaluated overall and race-specific relationships between social integration and cognition in older adults. Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences (KHANDLE) cohort participants included 1343 Asian, Black, Latino, or non-Latino White Kaiser Permanente Northern California members. We estimated the effect of social integration on verbal episodic memory, semantic memory, and executive function derived from the Spanish and English Neuropsychological Assessment (SENAS) Scales.

CO laser-assisted sclerectomy surgery in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma in Chinese patients.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of CO-Laser Assisted Sclerectomy Surgery (CLASS) with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in treating open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in Chinese patients. This was a retrospective, uncontrolled, interventional case series. All patients from 2016 to 2017 who received CLASS were recruited in this study.

Anthracyclines in a patient with acute leukemia and severe cardiomyopathy requiring mechanical support: A case report.

Introduction: For young adult patients with acute leukemia, both the efficacy and cardiotoxicity of anthracycline-based regimens have been documented. We report the case of a patient with severe cardiomyopathy, mechanically supported by a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), who subsequently developed Philadelphia-chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph + ALL). To our knowledge, this is the first report of anthracycline administration in a patient with heart failure requiring mechanical support.

Provider and Patient Perspectives of Rapid ART Initiation and Streamlined HIV Care: Qualitative Insights From Eastern African Communities.

The Sustainable East Africa Research in Community Health (SEARCH), a universal test and treat (UTT) trial, implemented 'Streamlined Care'-a multicomponent strategy including rapid linkage to care and antiretroviral therapy (ART) start, 3-monthly refills, viral load counseling, and accessible, patient-centered care provision. To understand patient and provider experiences of Streamlined Care to inform future care innovations, we conducted in-depth interviews with patients ( = 18) and providers ( = 28) at baseline (2014) and follow-up (2015) ( = 17 patients;  = 21 providers). Audio recordings were transcribed, translated, and deductively and inductively coded.

Validity and reliability of patient reported outcomes measurement information system computerized adaptive tests in systemic lupus erythematous.

Background: The evaluation of Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) computerized adaptive test (CAT) in adults with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is an emerging field of research. We aimed to examine the test-retest reliability and construct validity of the PROMIS CAT in a Canadian cohort of patients with SLE.

Methods: Two hundred twenty-seven patients completed 14 domains of PROMIS CAT and seven legacy instruments during their clinical visits.

Sociodemographic and behavioural risk factors for obesity among community-dwelling older adults in Ghana and Nigeria: A secondary analysis of data from the SIREN study.

Objectives: To explore the prevalence and risk factors of obesity among older adults from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of data obtained from the SIREN study through in-person interviews and measurements from healthy stroke-free older adults (≥60 years). Overweight/obesity was defined as body mass index 25 kg/m.

Initial Derivation of a Predictive Model for Left Ventricular Longitudinal Strain (LS) in Early Sepsis.

Septic shock is a common deadly disease often associated with cardiovascular dysfunction. Left ventricular longitudinal strain (LV LS) has been proposed as a sensitive marker to measure cardiovascular function; however, it is not available universally in standard clinical echocardiograms. We sought to derive a predictive model for LV LS, using machine learning techniques with the hope that we may uncover surrogates for LV LS.

Evaluation of subcutaneous daratumumab injections in the ambulatory care setting.

Introduction: Subcutaneous daratumumab is non-inferior to intravenous daratumumab for the treatment of multiple myeloma and significantly reduced incidence of systemic reactions. However, manufacturer for subcutaneous daratumumab has not provided guidance regarding optimal methods for monitoring for hypersensitivity reactions following subcutaneous daratumumab administration.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in two cohorts of patients who received at least two doses of subcutaneous daratumumab for the treatment of plasma cell disorders: patients with previous exposure to intravenous daratumumab (dara-exposed) and patients without history of intravenous daratumumab (dara-naïve).

Systemic lupus erythematosus children in Egypt: Homeland spectrum amid the global situation.

Objectives: This study aims to present the manifestations of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) across Egypt, to focus on age at onset and gender-driven influence on disease characteristics, and to compare findings to other countries.

Methods: The study included 404 Egyptian children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presenting to one of the specialized rheumatology centers corresponding to 13 major governorates. Juvenile cases age was ≤ 16°years at the time of recruitment.

Vitamin D Status and Clinical Outcomes in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Secondary Analysis From the Assessment of Low Tidal Volume and Elevated End-Expiratory Volume to Obviate Lung Injury (ALVEOLI) Trial.

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a highly morbid condition that has limited therapeutic options. Optimal vitamin D status has been linked to immunological effects that may benefit critically ill patients. Therefore, we investigated whether admission 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (25OHD) are associated with clinical outcomes in ARDS patients.

"That's Only for Women": The Importance of Educating HIV-Positive Sexual Minority Men on HPV and High Resolution Anoscopy (HRA).

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) experience disproportionately high burdens of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-associated anal cancers. Recent focus has shifted to anorectal cancer prevention through high-resolution anoscopy (HRA); however, little is known about sexual minority men's perceptions, attitudes, or beliefs regarding HRA. We conducted 4 qualitative Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) (n = 15) with sexual minority men, focusing on their beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions of undergoing HRA.