Factors Associated with Delayed Enrollment in HIV Medical Care among HIV-Positive Individuals in Odessa Region, Ukraine.

In Ukraine, about one-third of identified HIV-positive individuals are not connected to care. We conducted a cross-sectional survey (n = 200) among patients registered at Odessa AIDS centers in October to December 2011. Factors associated with delayed enrollment in HIV care (>3 months since positive HIV test) were evaluated using logistic regression.

Appendectomy in patients with human immunodeficiency virus: Not as bad as we once thought.

Background: The number of patients living with human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is growing due to advances in antiretroviral therapy. Existing literature on appendectomy within this patient population has been limited by small sample sizes. Therefore, we used a large, multiyear, nationwide database to study this topic comprehensively.

Physical activity, black carbon exposure and airway inflammation in an urban adolescent cohort.

Objective: Regular physical activity can improve cardiopulmonary health; however, increased respiratory rates and tidal volumes during activity may increase the effective internal dose of air pollution exposure. Our objective was to investigate the impact of black carbon (BC) measured by personal sampler on the relationship between physical activity and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), a marker of airway inflammation. We hypothesized that higher personal BC would attenuate the protective effect of physical activity on airway inflammation.

Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction.

Objective: Peer support can be defined as the process of giving and receiving nonprofessional, nonclinical assistance from individuals with similar conditions or circumstances to achieve long-term recovery from psychiatric, alcohol, and/or other drug-related problems. Recently, there has been a dramatic rise in the adoption of alternative forms of peer support services to assist recovery from substance use disorders; however, often peer support has not been separated out as a formalized intervention component and rigorously empirically tested, making it difficult to determine its effects. This article reports the results of a literature review that was undertaken to assess the effects of peer support groups, one aspect of peer support services, in the treatment of addiction.

Evidence based review of type 2 diabetes prevention and management in low and middle income countries.

Aim: To identify the newest approaches to type 2 diabetes (T2DM) prevention and control in the developing world context.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of published studies of diabetes prevention and control programs in low and middle-income countries, as defined by the World Bank. We searched PubMed using Medical Subject Headings terms.

Association of birth outcomes with fetal exposure to parabens, triclosan and triclocarban in an immigrant population in Brooklyn, New York.

Background: Prior studies suggest associations between fetal exposure to antimicrobial and paraben compounds with adverse reproductive outcomes, mainly in animal models. We have previously reported elevated levels of these compounds for a cohort of mothers and neonates.

Objective: We examined the relationship between human exposure to parabens and antimicrobial compounds and birth outcomes including birth weight, body length and head size, and gestational age at birth.

Safety, Costs, and Efficacy of Rapid Drug Desensitizations to Chemotherapy and Monoclonal Antibodies.

Background: Rapid drug desensitization (RDD) is used to address hypersensitivity reactions to chemotherapeutics and monoclonal antibodies, allowing patients to be treated with optimal pharmacological agents. RDD protocols are tailored to each individual patient's reaction and needs, and protect against anaphylaxis, but overall risks, costs, and benefits have not been determined.

Objective: We investigated the safety, efficacy, costs, and life expectancy of patients in a large population undergoing RDD.

Parental education and text messaging reminders as effective community based tools to increase HPV vaccination rates among Mexican American children.

Objective: Latino populations, particularly Mexican-Americans who comprise 65% of the Latinos in the U.S., are disproportionately affected by HPV-related diseases.

Duration of US Residence Is Associated With Overweight Risk in Filipino Immigrants Living in New York Metro Area.

We examined the association between years living in the United States and overweight risk among a community sample of Filipino adult immigrants living in the New York metropolitan area. We found a significant and adverse association between years living in the United States and overweight risk. Compared with Filipinos who lived in the United States less than 5 years, those who lived in the United States 10 years or longer had a higher overweight risk; this association was present only among Filipinos who migrated to New York metropolitan area at 30 years of age or younger.

Job Strain, Occupational Category, Systolic Blood Pressure, and Hypertension Prevalence: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Objective: To assess associations of occupational categories and job characteristics with prevalent hypertension.

Methods: We analyzed 2517 Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants, working 20+ hours per week, in 2002 to 2004.

Results: Higher job decision latitude was associated with a lower prevalence of hypertension, prevalence ratio = 0.

Maternal and fetal exposure to parabens in a multiethnic urban U.S. population.

Fetal exposure to five parabens was investigated due to their endocrine-disrupting potential and possible impact on fetal development. Body burdens occurring from real-world exposures were determined typically as total concentrations after conjugate hydrolysis in 181 maternal urine and 38 umbilical cord blood plasma samples from a multiethnic cohort of 185 predominantly-black, pregnant women recruited in Brooklyn, New York between 2007/9. For 33 participants, both sample types (maternal urine and cord blood) were available.

Erratum to: Duration of US Residence and Obesity Risk in NYC Chinese Immigrants.

The footnote to address the correspondence in the original copy of the article is an error. The contact information and affiliation only correspond to the first author, Aimee Afable. The correct affiliations for the other coauthors are mentioned below.

End-stage renal disease increases the risk of mortality after appendectomy.

Introduction: With each passing year, the number of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is increasing steadily, but there are limited data on the postoperative outcomes of these patients after appendectomy.

Methods: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we identified all patients who underwent appendectomy in the United States between 1998 and 2010. We used International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes to identify patients with ESRD and to track postoperative complications during hospital admission.

In-Hospital Mortality Following Open and Closed Long Bone Fracture: A Comparative Study.

Background: Open fracture is a serious orthopaedic injury that can lead to significant patient morbidity and mortality. There is limited data on the mortality risk for open compared to closed long bone fracture.

Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to identify all patients who were admitted with a long bone fracture in the United States between 1998 and 2010.

Duration of US Residence and Obesity Risk in NYC Chinese Immigrants.

We evaluated whether duration of time in the US is associated with obesity risk in NYC Chinese immigrants. We analyzed cross-sectional survey data on 2072 men and women. Duration of US residence was categorized into ≤5, 6-15, and 15 years and over.

Geriatric surgery--evolution of a clinical community.

Background: We reviewed the current scientific data and opinions from thought leaders in the field of surgery in the elderly population and queried whether a new society should be formed.

Methods: The science of geriatric surgery (GS) was reviewed, including topics scientific sessions focused on GS. A town hall meeting was held, which included geriatric surgical scholars.

Use of amniotic fluid for determining pregnancies at risk of preterm birth and for studying diseases of potential environmental etiology.

Amniotic fluid (AF) is a biological medium uniquely suited for the study of early exposure of the human fetus to environmental contaminants acquired by the mother before and during pregnancy. Traditional diagnostic applications of AF have focused almost exclusively on the diagnosis of genetic aberrations such as Trisomy-21 and on heritable diseases in high-risk pregnancies. Since more than 50 anthropogenic compounds have been detected in AF, there is considerable potential in utilizing fetal protein biomarkers as indicators of health effects related to prenatal toxic exposure.

Associations of work hours, job strain, and occupation with endothelial function: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Objective: To investigate associations of work hours, job control, job demands, job strain, and occupational category with brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in 1499 Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants.

Methods: Flow-mediated dilation was obtained using high-resolution ultrasound. Mean values of FMD were examined across categories of occupation, work hours, and the other exposures using regression analyses.

Occupational characteristics and the progression of carotid artery intima-media thickness and plaque over 9 years: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Objectives: The role of occupation in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a topic of research because few studies have examined longitudinal associations, and because occupation can be an indicator of socioeconomic position (SEP) and a proxy for hazard exposure. This study examines associations of occupational category as an SEP marker and selected occupational exposures with progression of the subclinical carotid artery disease.

Methods: A community-based, multiethnic sample (n=3109, mean age=60.

Maternal mercury exposure, season of conception and adverse birth outcomes in an urban immigrant community in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.

Adverse birth outcomes including preterm birth (PTB: <37 weeks gestation) and low birth weight (LBW: <2500 g) can result in severe infant morbidity and mortality. In the United States, there are racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence of PTB and LBW. We investigated the association between PTB and LBW with prenatal mercury (Hg) exposure and season of conception in an urban immigrant community in Brooklyn, New York.