The Reliability of Assessing Gender Minority Status Based on Gender Identity and Sex Assigned at Birth in the African Context: Findings from the HIV Prevention Trials Network 075 Study.

This study evaluated the reliability of assessing transgender status in African populations using questions about current gender identification and sex assigned at birth. Data were obtained from the HIV Prevention Trials Network 075, a study designed to assess the feasibility of recruiting and retaining 400 men who have sex with men (MSM) in a 1-year prospective cohort study in Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa and conducted from 2015 to 2017. We compared responses of 401 participants to questions about gender identity obtained at the screening and enrollment visits and, for a subset of participants, in open interviews 6-9 months after enrollment.

Uptake of antiretroviral treatment and viral suppression among men who have sex with men and transgender women in sub-Saharan Africa in an observational cohort study: HPTN 075.

Objectives: HPTN 075 enrolled men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in sub-Saharan Africa. Persons in HIV care or on antiretroviral treatment (ART) were not eligible to enroll. We evaluated antiretroviral (ARV) drug use, viral suppression, and drug resistance in this cohort over a 12-month follow-up period.

The feasibility of recruiting and retaining men who have sex with men and transgender women in a multinational prospective HIV prevention research cohort study in sub-Saharan Africa (HPTN 075).

Introduction: Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are profoundly affected by HIV with high HIV prevalence and incidence. This population also faces strong social stigma and legal barriers, potentially impeding participation in research. To date, few multi-country longitudinal HIV research studies with MSM/TGW have been conducted in SSA.

HIV testing and the HIV care continuum among sub-Saharan African men who have sex with men and transgender women screened for participation in HPTN 075.

Throughout the world, men who have sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk for HIV infection compared to heterosexual men. Little is known about awareness of HIV infection and other gaps in the HIV care continuum for MSM, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This information is urgently needed to address the HIV epidemic in this population.

Accuracy of Self-Reported HIV Status Among African Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex with Men Who were Screened for Participation in a Research Study: HPTN 075.

Some HIV-infected individuals in research studies may choose not to disclose knowledge of their HIV status to study staff. We evaluated the accuracy of self-reported HIV status among African men and transgender women who have sex with men and who were screened for a research study. Sixty-seven of 183 HIV-infected participants reported a prior HIV diagnosis.

A combination of photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy displays a differential cytotoxic effect on human metastatic melanoma cells.

Background: Cutaneous melanoma represents the most lethal form of skin cancer and remains refractory to current therapies. Failure of treatment has been attributed to the over-expression of ABC transporters which efflux the drugs, below their cytotoxic threshold within cells. Therefore, this study set to investigate; the efficacy of a combinatorial approach comprising chemotherapy (Dacarbazine) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) to overcome resistance in pigmented and unpigmented metastatic melanoma and potentially identify resistant mechanisms.

Diesel exhaust particles and endothelial cells dysfunction: An update.

Epidemiological studies have shown a consistent positive correlation between exposure to particulate matter (PM) and increased mortality largely due to increased rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) are major constituents of atmospheric PM and have been shown to cause disruption of the endothelial cell monolayer integrity, thereby affecting organ functions. Endothelial cells are very active metabolic components of biological tissue that performs a number of important physiological functions.

Home environment and indoor air pollution exposure in an African birth cohort study.

Background: Household indoor air pollution (IAP) is a global health problem and a risk factor for childhood respiratory disease; the leading cause of mortality in African children. This study aimed to describe the home environment and measure IAP in the Drakenstein Child Health Study (DCHS), an African birth cohort.

Methods: An antenatal home visit to assess the home environment and measure IAP (particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)) was done on pregnant women enrolled to the DCHS, in a low-socioeconomic, peri-urban South African community.

Pharmacokinetics of Etravirine Combined with Atazanavir/Ritonavir and a Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor in Antiretroviral Treatment-Experienced, HIV-1-Infected Patients.

Objectives. TEACH (NCT00896051) was a randomized, open-label, two-arm Phase II trial to investigate the pharmacokinetic interaction between etravirine and atazanavir/ritonavir and safety and efficacy in treatment-experienced, HIV-1-infected patients. Methods.

Melanocyte migration is influenced by E-cadherin-dependent adhesion of keratinocytes in both two- and three-dimensional in vitro wound models.

During wound healing, melanocytes are required to migrate into the wounded area that is still in the process of re-construction. The role and behaviour of melanocytes during this process is poorly understood, that is, whether melanocyte migration into the wound is keratinocyte-dependent or not. This paper attempts, through the use of both two- and three-dimensional in vitro models, to understand the role and behaviour of melanocytes during the process of wound healing.

Anti-proliferation activity of synthetic ajoene analogues on cancer cell-lines.

The ability of garlic preparations to inhibit cancer cell-growth has been attributed to a group of structurally-related organosulfur compounds found in the crushed clove. Historically, interest has centred on three such compounds as allicin, diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide, with less interest on E- and Z-ajoene. A recently developed synthetic route from our laboratory for preparing ajoene analogues allows access to derivatives containing the sulfoxide / vinyl disulfide core whilst varying the terminal end-group functionality.

Hepatic granulomas.

Hepatic granulomas were present in 3.7% of liver biopsies from a 6-year Greek study. The majority of cases were due to autoimmune disease (primary biliary cirrhosis), followed by sarcoidosis and idiopathic causes.

A computer-based register for inherited retinal dystrophies in Southern Africa.

A genetic register for inherited retinal degenerative disorders (RDDs) has been established at the Division of Human Genetics, UCT Medical School, Cape Town, South Africa. The primary role of the register is to monitor the progress of molecular research and to facilitate the efficient delivery of services, including genetic counselling, to respective family members and new patients. The database currently holds information on 1829 subjects.

Gastrin-mediated alterations in gastric epithelial apoptosis and proliferation in a mastomys rodent model of gastric neoplasia.

Background/aims: Hypergastrinemia secondary to low acid secretion is associated with gastric carcinoid formation in Mastomys. We investigated the effect of gastrin on oxyntic epithelial apoptosis and proliferation in this model.

Methods: Hypergastrinemia and mucosal hyperplasia were induced by irreversible H(2) receptor blockade with loxtidine.

Seroresponses to virus-like particles of human papillomavirus types 16, 18, 31, 33, and 45 in San people of Southern Africa.

Virus-like particles (VLPs) of the high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16, 18, 31, 33, and 45 were used as antigen in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the prevalence of serum IgG in a group of San people originally from Namibia, now residing in South Africa. The San children had low seroprevalence to all VLP types, but 26/115 (22.6%) of the children were seropositive to at least 1 VLP type.

Detection of the T(14;18) translocation in follicle centre cell lymphomas in South African ethnic groups using PCR.

PCR was used to detect the t(14;18) translocation in 64 South African cases with follicle centre cell lymphoma. DNA was purified from paraffin-embedded tissue collected from different ethnic groups namely white, black and "mixed" race patients, and primers used to detect both mbr and mcr. The overall incidence of the translocation was 45%, which is similar to that of Caucasian and Chinese patients.

Glucose delivery is a major determinant of glucose utilisation in the ischemic myocardium with a residual coronary flow.

Background: Experimental data from isolated rat hearts suggest that glycolysis in severe myocardial ischemia is inhibited by accumulation of glycolytic metabolites. In contrast, positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with myocardial ischemia records a 'mismatch' between the decreased coronary flow in viable ischemic tissue and an increased fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) signal. To resolve this contradiction, we investigated glucose uptake at very low coronary flows in the isolated rat heart model.

Glucose and glycogen utilisation in myocardial ischemia--changes in metabolism and consequences for the myocyte.

Experimentally, enhanced glycolytic flux has been shown to confer many benefits to the ischemic heart, including maintenance of membrane activity, inhibition of contracture, reduced arrhythmias, and improved functional recovery. While at moderate low coronary flows, the benefits of glycolysis appear extensive, the controversy arises at very low flow rates, in the absence of flow; or when glycolytic substrate may be present in excess, such that high glucose concentrations with or without insulin overload the cell with deleterious metabolites. Under conditions of total global ischemia, glycogen is the only substrate for glycolytic flux.

Absence of mutations in exon 3 of the GnRH receptor in human gonadotroph adenomas.

Background And Objective: The mechanisms of tumourogenesis for the majority of pituitary tumours are unknown. Mutations of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) have recently been described as important in diverse human diseases, including thyroid adenomas. To test this hypothesis in pituitary gonadotroph adenomas, we amplified and sequenced the GnRH receptor gene in 12 human tumours.

Skeletal muscle buffering capacity and endurance performance after high-intensity interval training by well-trained cyclists.

Skeletal muscle buffering capacity (beta m), enzyme activities and exercise performance were measured before and after 4 weeks of high-intensity, submaximal interval training (HIT) undertaken by six well-trained competitive cyclists [mean maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) = 66.2 ml.kg-1.

Does preconditioning act by glycogen depletion in the isolated rat heart?

Preconditioning hastens the time to onset of ischaemic contracture and increases peak contracture in an isolated perfused rat heart, but improves recovery of function. The preconditioning ischaemic episode is also known to deplete glycogen stores. We tested whether a depletion in glycogen is related to the protection conferred by preconditioning.

Prevalence and reliability of asthma symptoms in primary school children in Cape Town.

Background: Childhood asthma is believed to be a serious problem in Cape Town, South Africa. This study aimed to measure the prevalence and reliability of asthma symptoms and reported asthma in Cape Town schoolchildren aged mainly 7 and 8 years, and to assess underdiagnosis.

Method: A questionnaire was completed by parents of 1955 children, followed by 620 personal interviews repeating the questions.

Pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV infection: radiographic appearance is related to CD4+ T-lymphocyte count.

Setting: An adult HIV outpatient clinic in Cape Town, South Africa.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the radiographic appearance of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in HIV infected patients and CD4+ T-lymphocyte count.

Design: Pretreatment radiographs of 150 patients with newly diagnosed PTB were reviewed.