Self-reported respiratory and gastrointestinal outcomes in children with isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia: A prospective multicentre study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate medium-term self-reported respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI) outcomes in children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). DESIGN: Self-reported respiratory and GI outcomes correlated with prenatal severity indicators. SETTING: Prospective study at three fetal medicine units. POPULATION: Families of children prenatally diagnosed with isolated, left-sided CDH surviving for >1 year. METHODS: Families received validated questionnaires for GI outcomes (Infant Gastroesophageal Reflux Questionnaire Revised, I-GERQ-R, for infants aged <2 years, or Paediatric Gastro-oesophageal Symptom and Quality of Life Questionnaire, PGSQ, for children aged aged 2-8 years or >9 years) and respiratory outcomes (preschool respiratory outcome questionnaire, for children aged ≤5 years, or the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood asthma questionnaire, for children aged 6-8 years or ≥9 years). Prenatal data collected from the medical records included lung size (percentage observed/expected lung-to-head ratio, O/E LHR %), liver position, fetal endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO) gestational age (GA) at delivery, and perinatal data included birthweight, location, patch repair and respiratory support. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The GI and respiratory scores were correlated with O/E LHR using linear and logistic regression models. Univariate analysis was used to evaluate associations with perinatal variables. RESULTS: We obtained 142 responses from 342 families (representing a response rate of 45%). The baseline characteristics of participants and non-participants were comparable. No correlations between perinatal variables and respiratory or GI scores were identified. Children aged ≤5 years with lower O/E LHR values reported higher respiratory scores (P = 0.0175); this finding was not reported in older children. Overall, the children who underwent FETO (n = 51) had GI (P = 0.290) and respiratory (P = 0.052) scores that were comparable with those of children who were expectantly managed. CONCLUSIONS: Families and children with prenatally diagnosed CDH reported fewer respiratory symptoms with increasing age. There was no correlation between O/E LHR or the use of FETO and self-reported outcomes.

Recognize & Resist: An Online Health Intervention to Promote Writing About Sexual Consent and Egalitarian Gender Roles Among One Direction Fanfiction Writers.

This paper focuses on the development and feasibility of a digitally-based educational intervention, titled Recognize & Resist (R&R), for writers of One Direction (1D) fanfiction on Wattpad.com. The goal of R&R is to reduce the prevalence of social norms that are supportive of sexual violence within 1D fanfiction. 1D fanfictions, or fictional romance stories written by fans of this British boy band, have hundreds of millions of views on Wattpad.com. Formative research has found that social norms supportive of sexual violence are prevalent in 1D fanfictions and that some authors have internalized these norms. R&R aims to motivate 1D fanfiction writers to highlight sexual consent and egalitarian gender roles in their writing. To evaluate the intervention's feasibility, 15 1D fanfiction authors completed a survey and participated in an interview or focus group. Results demonstrate R&R's feasibility, with high ratings of its acceptability and demand. Insights from the interviews and focus groups provide suggestions for revising R&R before rigorously evaluating its efficacy. Additionally, results demonstrate the utility of using popular culture as a vehicle for attitude-change regarding sensitive health issues.

Stroke Counseling Intervention for Young Adult African Americans: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: African Americans have a higher incidence of early-onset stroke and poorer stroke-related outcomes than other race/ethnic groups. OBJECTIVES: Our two-arm, randomized controlled trial was implemented to assess efficacy of the nurse-led Stroke Counseling for Risk Reduction (SCORRE) intervention in reducing stroke risk in young African American adults by improving accuracy of perceived stroke risk and lifestyle behaviors (i.e., diet, physical activity, and smoking cessation). Stroke knowledge, behavior change readiness, and perceived competence to live a healthy lifestyle were also explored as secondary outcomes. METHODS: African Americans aged 20-35 years, recruited from an urban university and surrounding community, were randomized to SCORRE or an attention placebo control group receiving safe sex education. Data were collected pre-intervention, immediate post-intervention, and at 8 weeks. Multilevel models were used for primary outcome analyses. RESULTS: Participants ( n = 106) were mostly in their mid-20s, female, college students, and averaged about three modifiable stroke risk factors. Compared to the control group, participants in the intervention group had, on average, a significant increase in accuracy of perceived stroke risk post-intervention, a greater change in perceived competence to live healthy, and a greater increase in dietary components at 8 weeks. Significant changes were not found in physical activity and other outcomes. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that SCORRE is a promising intervention to reduce stroke risk among young African American adults. Results will inform a more robust, randomized controlled trial of SCORRE to have an age, culture, and gender-focused intervention that effectively reduces stroke risk among African Americans early in life.

A Web-Based Sexual Violence, Alcohol Misuse, and Bystander Intervention Program for College Women (RealConsent): Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Sexual violence (SV) incidence among college women has been invariant for the past 20 years. Innovative prevention strategies that are low resource and technology driven but demonstrate efficacy are greatly needed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a novel theoretically driven internet-based intervention for first-year college students who identify as women (RealConsent) in reducing their risk of exposure to SV and alcohol misuse as well as increasing alcohol protective and bystander behaviors. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial involved first-year college students who identified as women (n=881) attending 1 of 3 universities in the southeastern United States. Participants aged 18 to 20 years were randomized to RealConsent (444/881, 50.4%) or to an attention-matched placebo control (437/881, 49.6%). RealConsent is fully automated and consists of four 45-minute modules that incorporate entertainment-education media and proven behavior change techniques. The primary outcome was exposure to SV; the secondary outcomes were alcohol protective behaviors, dating risk behaviors, alcohol misuse, and bystander behavior. Study outcomes were assessed at baseline and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Among participants with some exposure to SV, those in the RealConsent group experienced less exposure to SV than the placebo group (adjusted incidence rate ratio 0.48, 95% CI 0.33-0.69; P=.002). Furthermore, participants in the RealConsent group engaged in more alcohol protective behaviors (adjusted odds ratio 1.17, 95% CI 0.12-2.22; P=.03) and were less likely to binge drink (adjusted incidence rate ratio 0.81, 95% CI 0.67-0.97; P=.003). Finally, participants in the RealConsent group who had 100% dosage were more likely to engage in bystander behavior than those with <100% dosage plus placebo group (adjusted odds ratio 1.72, 95% CI 1.17-2.55; P=.006). CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive exposure to SV, alcohol use, and bystander educational program was successful in decreasing the occurrence of exposure to SV among those most at risk and in increasing alcohol protective behaviors. Because of its web-based and mobile technologies, RealConsent can be easily disseminated and holds potential for reducing campus SV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03726437; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03726437.

Sphingolipid Long-Chain Base Signaling in Compatible and Non-Compatible Plant-Pathogen Interactions in Arabidopsis.

The chemical diversity of sphingolipids in plants allows the assignment of specific roles to special molecular species. These roles include NaCl receptors for glycosylinositolphosphoceramides or second messengers for long-chain bases (LCBs), free or in their acylated forms. Such signaling function has been associated with plant immunity, with an apparent connection to mitogen-activated protein kinase 6 (MPK6) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). This work used in planta assays with mutants and fumonisin B1 (FB1) to generate varying levels of endogenous sphingolipids. This was complemented with in planta pathogenicity tests using virulent and avirulent Pseudomonas syringae strains. Our results indicate that the surge of specific free LCBs and ceramides induced by FB1 or an avirulent strain trigger a biphasic ROS production. The first transient phase is partially produced by NADPH oxidase, and the second is sustained and is related to programmed cell death. MPK6 acts downstream of LCB buildup and upstream of late ROS and is required to selectively inhibit the growth of the avirulent but not the virulent strain. Altogether, these results provide evidence that a LCB- MPK6- ROS signaling pathway contributes differentially to the two forms of immunity described in plants, upregulating the defense scheme of a non-compatible interaction.

Anatomy and dietary specialization influence sensory behaviour among sympatric primates.

Senses form the interface between animals and environments, and provide a window into the ecology of past and present species. However, research on sensory behaviours by wild frugivores is sparse. Here, we examine fruit assessment by three sympatric primates (Alouatta palliata, Ateles geoffroyi and Cebus imitator) to test the hypothesis that dietary and sensory specialization shape foraging behaviours. Ateles and Cebus groups are comprised of dichromats and trichromats, while all Alouatta are trichomats. We use anatomical proxies to examine smell, taste and manual touch, and opsin genotyping to assess colour vision. We find that the frugivorous spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) sniff fruits most often, omnivorous capuchins (Cebus imitator), the species with the highest manual dexterity, use manual touch most often, and that main olfactory bulb volume is a better predictor of sniffing behaviour than nasal turbinate surface area. We also identify an interaction between colour vision phenotype and use of other senses. Controlling for species, dichromats sniff and bite fruits more often than trichromats, and trichromats use manual touch to evaluate cryptic fruits more often than dichromats. Our findings reveal new relationships among dietary specialization, anatomical variation and foraging behaviour, and promote understanding of sensory system evolution.

Plasma and vacuolar membrane sphingolipidomes: composition and insights on the role of main molecular species.

Lipid structures affect membrane biophysical properties such as thickness, stability, permeability, curvature, fluidity, asymmetry, and interdigitation, contributing to membrane function. Sphingolipids are abundant in plant endomembranes and plasma membranes (PMs) and comprise four classes: ceramides, hydroxyceramides, glucosylceramides, and glycosylinositolphosphoceramides (GIPCs). They constitute an array of chemical structures whose distribution in plant membranes is unknown. With the aim of describing the hydrophobic portion of sphingolipids, 18 preparations from microsomal (MIC), vacuolar (VM), PM, and detergent-resistant membranes (DRM) were isolated from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves. Sphingolipid species, encompassing pairing of long-chain bases and fatty acids, were identified and quantified in these membranes. Sphingolipid concentrations were compared using univariate and multivariate analysis to assess sphingolipid diversity, abundance, and predominance across membranes. The four sphingolipid classes were present at different levels in each membrane: VM was enriched in glucosylceramides, hydroxyceramides, and GIPCs; PM in GIPCs, in agreement with their key role in signal recognition and sensing; and DRM in GIPCs, as reported by their function in nanodomain formation. While a total of 84 sphingolipid species was identified in MIC, VM, PM, and DRM, only 34 were selectively distributed in the four membrane types. Conversely, every membrane contained a different number of predominant species (11 in VM, 6 in PM, and 17 in DRM). This study reveals that MIC, VM, PM, and DRM contain the same set of sphingolipid species but every membrane source contains its own specific assortment based on the proportion of sphingolipid classes and on the predominance of individual species.

A Mixed Media Campaign to Promote Bystander Intervention and Reduce Alcohol Use Among College Students: A Pilot Study.

This study examined the limited efficacy of a mixed media campaign that promoted bystander intervention as a sexual violence (SV) prevention strategy and aimed to decrease alcohol use. A quasi-experimental design was used to assess the limited efficacy of the Be a Watch Dawg mixed media campaign implemented at a large Southeastern public university in 2017. Social marketing along with social cognitive theory, social norms theory, and theory of planned behavior were utilized as the framework for the campaign. Be a Watch Dawg promoted bystander intervention in SV risk situations and targeted bystanders' alcohol use via social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) and printed materials (e.g., posters, stickers, and handbills). Participants included 244 undergraduate students 18 to 24 years of age. Study outcomes included bystander intervention, intentions to intervene, and alcohol use. Adjusted linear regression and logistic regression models were used to examine differences in outcomes between pre and postcampaign samples as well as associations with campaign exposure. Significant increases in bystander intervention were observed between the pre and postcampaign samples. Campaign exposure was marginally related to intentions to intervene but was not significantly associated with bystander intervention. Social media analytics revealed that the campaign reached 39,466 social media users and received 50,854 impressions and 19,523 views. A mixed media campaign may be a promising and low-resource approach to increase bystander intervention as a strategy to combat campus SV.

Cardiac Remodeling and Hypertension in HIV-Uninfected Infants Exposed in utero to Antiretroviral Therapy.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the postnatal pattern of cardiovascular remodeling associated with intrauterine exposure to maternal HIV and antiretroviral treatment (ART). METHODS: Prospective cohort including 34 HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants and 53 non-HIV-exposed infants were evaluated from fetal life up to 6 months postnatally. A cardiovascular evaluation was performed including echocardiography, blood pressure, and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) measurement. RESULTS: ART regimens during pregnancy included 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (Abacavir + Lamivudine (32.4%), Emtricitabine + Tenofovir (41.2%), and Zidovudine + Lamivudine (20.6%)). At 6 months of age, HIV-exposed uninfected infants showed thicker myocardial walls (septal wall thickness mean 5.02 mm (SD 0.85) vs 3.98 mm (0.86); P < .001), relative systolic dysfunction with decreased mitral ring displacement (8.57 mm (2.03) vs 10.34 mm (1.84); P = .002), and decreased tricuspid S' (9.71 cm/s (1.94) vs 11.54 cm/s (2.07); P = .003) together with relative diastolic dysfunction showed by prolonged left isovolumic relaxation time (58.57 ms (13.79) vs 47.94 (7.39); P < .001). Vascular assessment showed significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (102 mmHg (16.1) vs 80 mmHg (13.9); P < .001 and 64 mmHg (14.4) vs 55 mmHg (10.2); P = .045 respectively), with 50% of HIV-exposed children meeting criteria for hypertension vs 3.77% of the non-HIV-exposed group (P < .001) and thicker mean cIMT in the HIV-exposed group (0.62 µm (0.09) vs 0.51 µm (0.09); P = .015). CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical cardiac impairment together with higher blood pressure and thicker cIMT were observed in HIV-exposed infants at 6 months of age. Half of them presented hypertension. Our findings support a possible increased cardiovascular risk in HIV uninfected infants exposed in utero to ART.

The Intersection of Alcohol Use, Gender Based Violence and HIV: Empirical Findings among Disadvantaged Service-Seeking Youth in Kampala, Uganda.

The SAVA syndemic is frequently used to describe the co-occurrence of HIV, gender-based violence (GBV), and substance use. In this study we determine the extent to which the typologies of the SAVA syndemic can be described and utilized for intervention strategies among youth living in the slums of Kampala, Uganda. We analyzed the "Kampala Youth Survey 2014," a cross-sectional survey conducted in the spring of 2014, consisting of a convenience sample (N = 1134) of urban youth (12-18 years of age). Descriptive statistics were computed for hypothesized risk factors and demographic variables among the 8 typologies of GBV, HIV, and alcohol use. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to determine statistically significant correlates with each typology. The overall prevalence of GBV was 31.7%, whereas the overall prevalence of alcohol use in the past 12 months was 31.2%. HIV-Positive youth comprised 10.5% of the total sample. Females comprised the majority of the typology with no SAVA components compared to males (55% vs. 45%, respectively), as well as the SAVA syndemic typology (GBV + HIV + ALC +) (58% vs. 42%, respectively). Engaging in commercial sex work (36%), witnessing parental abuse (61%), and depression/suicidality (81%) were all highly prevalent among youth in the SAVA syndemic typology (GBV, HIV, and alcohol use). Sex work and observing parental abuse were associated with the SAVA syndemic typology in the multivariable model. In our study, alcohol rarely coexisted without GBV among the typologies. Therefore, prevention efforts including structural interventions may be particularly warranted in vulnerable populations to address alcohol use, which may directly or indirectly impact GBV and HIV.

MPK6 Kinase Regulates Plasma Membrane H+-ATPase Activity in Cold Acclimation.

Cold and freezing stresses severely affect plant growth, development, and survival rate. Some plant species have evolved a process known as cold acclimation, in which plants exposed to temperatures above 0 °C trigger biochemical and physiological changes to survive freezing. During this response, several signaling events are mediated by transducers, such as mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades. Plasma membrane H+-ATPase is a key enzyme for the plant cell life under regular and stress conditions. Using wild type and mpk3 and mpk6 knock out mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana, we explored the transcriptional, translational, and 14-3-3 protein regulation of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity under the acclimation process. The kinetic analysis revealed a differential profiling of the H+-ATPase activity depending on the presence or absence of MPK3 or MPK6 under non-acclimated or acclimated conditions. Negative regulation of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity was found to be exerted by MPK3 in non-acclimated conditions and by MPK6 in acclimated conditions, describing a novel form of regulation of this master ATPase. The MPK6 regulation involved changes in plasma membrane fluidity. Moreover, our results indicated that MPK6 is a critical regulator in the process of cold acclimation that leads to freezing tolerance and further survival.

Urban soils as a spatial indicator of quality for urban socio-ecological systems.

The development of criteria and indicators to quantify the transition to sustainability of the urban socio-ecological systems quality is determinant for planning policies and the 21st century urban agenda. This study models the spatial variation in the concentration and distribution of some macronutrients, micronutrients, and trace nutrients in the soil of a high-altitude city in the Andes. Meanwhile, machine learning methods were employed to study some interactions between the different dimensions that constitute an urban socio-ecosystem that caused these variations. We proposed a methodology that considered two phases: a) field work to collect data on 300 soil samples; laboratory analysis to measure the concentrations of 24 macronutrients, micronutrients, and trace nutrients; and the design of geophysical, spectral, and urban co-variables; b) statistical and geo-informatics analysis, where multivariate analysis grouped the elements into factors; and, machine learning integrated with co-variables was applied to derive the intensity of each factor across the city. Multivariate statistics described the variation in soil co-concentrations with a moderate percentage (42%). Four factors were determined that grouped some of the analyzed elements, as follows: F1 (Zn, S, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Cr), F2 (Ba, Ag, K, In, and Mg), F3 (B, V, Li, and Sr), and F4 (Si and Mn). The percentage R2 out-of-bag of the spatial model were: F1 = 20%, F2 = 8%, F3 = 14%, and F4 = 10%. Our outputs show that the enrichment and contamination by anthropogenic factors, such as the increase in population density, land use, road network, and traffic generated by fossil fuel vehicles, should be prioritized in urban planning decisions.

Risk Factors Associated with HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), and HIV/STI Co-infection Among Youth Living in the Slums of Kampala, Uganda.

The purpose of this analysis was to examine the associated factors of self-reported HIV/STI co-infection among youth living in the slums of Kampala. The study sample consists of a cross-sectional survey. Participants comprised a convenience sample (N = 1134) of youth living on the streets or in the slums (age 12-18). Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between hypothesized risk factors and levels of HIV/STI co-infection, adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Among the sample of youth who were sexually active (n = 586), 9.9% (n = 58) of youth reported HIV/STI co-infection. Among youth with HIV (13.8%), 71.6% reported a co-infection with another STI. In the multivariable analysis, youth with HIV/STI co-infection were more likely to engage in problem drinking (OR 2.55; 95% CI 1.08, 6.02) and drinking alcohol without problematic alcohol behavior (OR 3.43; 95% CI 1.60, 7.36). HIV/STI co-infection rates are high among youth living in the slums of Kampala and warrant urgent attention.

Psychosocial mediators of perceived stigma and suicidal ideation among transgender women.

BACKGROUND: Transgender women (TGW) in the U.S. experience high rates of stigma, depression, and elevated rates of suicide. This study examined correlates of suicidal ideation and estimated the conditional indirect effects of perceived stigma and psychosocial mediators on suicidal ideation. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study design, TGW (N = 92) were recruited through snowball sampling in Atlanta, Georgia. Structured interviews were conducted. Suicidal ideation was assessed by combining two variables that measured suicidal thoughts. Logistic regression models were performed to identify the potential risk and protective factors for suicidal ideation. We examined hypothesized psychosocial factors, including anxiety, depression, psychosocial impact of gender minority status, and substance use behaviors as potential mediators for the relationship between perceived stigma and suicidal ideation. All models were controlled for age, race, education, and homelessness. RESULTS: Suicidal ideation was reported by 33% (N = 30) of the study participants. In multivariable analysis, suicidal ideation was associated with sexual abuse (AOR = 3.17, 95% CI = 1.10-9.30), anxiety (AOR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.10-2.73), family verbal abuse (AOR = 2.99, 95% CI = 1.10-8.40), stranger verbal abuse (AOR = 3.21, 95% CI = 1.02-10.08), and psychosocial impact of gender minority status (AOR = 3.42, 95% CI = 1.81-6.46). Partner support was found to be the protective factor for suicidal ideation (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.13-0.90). In the mediation analysis, the psychosocial impact of gender minority status mediated the relationship between perceived stigma and suicidal ideation. The estimated conditional indirect effect was 0.46, (95% CI = 0.12-1.11). CONCLUSION: Interventions that aim to reduce suicidal behaviors among TGW should address stigma, psychosocial impact of gender minority status, and different forms of violence and abuse.

Visual detection and fruit selection by the mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata).

Howler monkeys (platyrrhini) have evolved routine trichromatic color vision independently from catarrhines, which presents an opportunity to test hypotheses concerning the adaptive value of distinguishing reddish from greenish hues. A longstanding hypothesis posits that trichromacy aids in the efficient detection of reddish-ripe fruits, which could be an advantage for the detection of the nutritional content of the fruit, such as sugars. In the present study, we assessed fruit visual conspicuity and selection based on color and sucrose content by wild mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) on Agaltepec Island, Mexico. We used colorimetry to classify dietary fruits as cryptic (greenish) or conspicuous (reddish) against their background leaves. Species-specific color models indicate that trichromatic howler monkeys should be more efficient in discriminating the conspicuous ripe fruits from leaves compared to detecting cryptic ripe fruits from leaves. We found howler monkeys consume more cryptic fruits compared to conspicuous fruits, and that they consume more unripe fruits than ripe fruits. The consumption (acceptance) of fruit was independent of sucrose content, and thus this disaccharide may not play an essential role in mantled howler food selection. Our findings suggest that routine trichromatic color vision may aid in the detection and discrimination of conspicuously colored fruits, but that the final decision whether to accept or reject a fruit probably involves the use of other senses in addition to vision.

Taste Responsiveness of Spider Monkeys to Dietary Ethanol.

Recent studies suggest that frugivorous primates might display a preference for the ethanol produced by microbia in overripe, fermenting fruit as an additional source of calories. We, therefore, assessed the taste responsiveness of 8 spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) to the range of ethanol concentrations found in overripe, fermenting fruit (0.05-3.0%) and determined taste preference thresholds as well as relative taste preferences for ethanol presented in sucrose solutions and in fruit matrices, respectively. Using a 2-bottle preference test of short duration (1 min), we found that spider monkeys are able to detect ethanol concentrations as low as 0.5%, that they prefer ethanol concentrations up to 3% over water, and that they prefer sucrose solutions and pureed fruit spiked with ethanol over equimolar sucrose solutions and pureed fruit without ethanol. However, when presented with an ethanol-spiked sucrose solution and a higher-concentrated sucrose solution without ethanol, the animals clearly preferred the latter, even when the sucrose-ethanol mixture contained 3 times more calories. These results demonstrate that spider monkeys are more sensitive to the taste of ethanol than rats and humans and that they prefer ecologically relevant suprathreshold concentrations of ethanol over water. Tests with sucrose solutions and pureed fruits that were either spiked with ethanol or not suggest that sweetness may be more important for the preferences displayed by the spider monkeys than the calories provided by ethanol. The present results, therefore, do not support the notion that dietary ethanol might be used by frugivorous primates as a supplemental source of calories.

Psychosocial correlates of self-reported HIV among youth in the slums of Kampala.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) rates are high in Uganda (6.7%), and rates are especially high among at-risk groups such as youth living in the slums of Kampala, Uganda. The objective of this study was to assess the psychosocial correlates, particularly alcohol use, associated with HIV among youth living in the slums of Kampala, Uganda. METHODS: Analyses are based on cross-sectional survey data collected in Spring of 2014. Participants comprised a convenience sample (N = 1134) of urban service-seeking youth living on the streets or in the slums, 12-18 years of age who were participating in a Uganda Youth Development Link drop-in center (56.1% female and 43.9% male). Chi-Square Tests were used to determine differences in the proportions of alcohol use patterns between self-reported HIV-positive and HIV-negative youth. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were conducted to determine the associated risk factors with self-reported HIV. Institutional Review Board approvals were obtained from the Georgia State University and the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology. RESULTS: Among the total sample of youth (N = 1103), 10.5% (n = 116) reported being HIV-positive. There were statistically significant differences between HIV-positive and HIV-negative youth on ever living on the streets (χ2 =10.14, df = 1, p = 0.002), past 12-month alcohol use (χ2 =16.38, df = 1, p < .0001), ever having sexual intercourse (χ2 =14.52, df = 1, p = 0.0001), ever engaging in sex work (χ2 =13.19, df = 1, p = 0.0003), inconsistent condom use in the past 3 months (χ2 =5.03, df = 1, p = 0.03), and ever being raped (χ2 =15.29, df = 1, p < 0.0001). A higher percentage of HIV-positive youth were classified as problem drinkers, defined by the CAGE scores (21.6% vs. 13.9%, respectively). In the multivariable analysis, previously being raped (OR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.83) and alcohol use without problem drinking (OR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.24, 3.69) was associated with HIV. CONCLUSION: Youth living in the slums of Kampala, Uganda have a high prevalence of HIV. These youth are in dire need of interventions which address both alcohol use behaviors and sexual risk behaviors to reduce further complications of their existing health conditions, including HIV.

Clinical and Sonographic Model to Predict Cesarean Delivery after Induction of Labor at Term.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a model combining clinical and sonographic features to predict the risk of cesarean delivery after the induction of labor (IOL). METHODS: We designed a prospective observational study involving women admitted for IOL. The main outcome was defined as cesarean delivery due to failed IOL or arrest of labor. Several clinical and ultrasonographic variables were collected. Seventy percent of the sample was used to build the predictive model, using stepwise logistic regression, while the remaining sample was used for validation. The final model was estimated and calibrated using all participants. RESULTS: We analyzed 477 pregnancies. The main outcome occurred in 102/477 (21.4%) women. The final model included previous vaginal delivery (odds ratio [OR] 0.088; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04-0.21), height (OR 0.904; 95% CI 0.87-0.94), body mass index before delivery (OR 1.084; 95% CI 1.02-1.15), ultrasonographic estimated fetal weight (OR 3.965; 95% CI 2.18-7.22), and ultrasonographic cervical length (OR 1.065; 95% CI 1.04-1.09) as predictors. Area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.826 (95% CI 0.78-0.87). For a 5% false-positive rate, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were 44.1%, 94.9%, 8.7, and 0.59, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our model combining clinical and ultrasonographic features might offer individualized counseling regarding risk of cesarean delivery to women who are candidates for IOL.

Exploring the Self-Assembled Tacticity in Aurophilic Polymeric Arrangements of Diphosphanegold(I) Fluorothiolates.

Despite the recurrence of aurophilic interactions in the solid-state structures of gold(I) compounds, its rational control, modulation, and application in the generation of functional supramolecular structures is an area that requires further development. The ligand effects over the aurophilic-based supramolecular structures need to be better understood. This paper presents the supramolecular structural diversity of a series of new 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphane)propane (dppp) gold(I) fluorinated thiolates with the general formula [Au2(SRF)2(µ-dppp)] (SRF = SC6F5 (1); SC6HF4-4 (2); SC6H3(CF3)2-3,5 (3); SC6H4CF3-2 (4); SC6H4CF3-4 (5); SC6H3F2-3,4 (6); SC6H3F2-3,5 (7); SC6H4F-2 (8); SC6H4F-3 (9); SC6H4F-4 (10)). These compounds were synthesized and characterized, and six of their solid-state crystalline structures were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In the crystalline arrangement, they form aurophilic-bridged polymers. In these systems, the changes in the fluorination patterns of the thiolate ligands tune the aurophilic-induced self-assembly of the compounds causing tacticity and chiral differentiation of the monomers. This is an example of the use of ligand effects on the tune of the supramolecular association of gold complexes.

Efficacy of a Clinic-Based Safer Sex Program for Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Uninfected and Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of a single-session, clinic-based intervention designed to promote condom use among young black men who have sex with men (YBMSM). METHODS: Six hundred YBMSM were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial, using a 12-month observation period. An intent-to-treat analysis was performed, with multiple imputation for missing data. RESULTS: Compared with the reference group, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men in the intervention group had 64% greater odds of reporting consistent condom use for anal receptive sex over 12 months (estimated odds ratio, 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-2.17, P = 0.001). Also, compared with the reference group, HIV-uninfected men in the intervention group had more than twice the odds of reporting consistent condom use for anal receptive sex over 12 months (estimated odds ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.74-2.63, P < 0.001). Significant intervention effects relative to incident sexually transmitted diseases were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: A single-session, clinic-based, intervention may help protect HIV-uninfected YBMSM against HIV acquisition and HIV-infected YBMSM from transmitting the virus to insertive partners.