Sexual Behavior among Persons Living with HIV in Uganda: Implications for Policy and Practice

Introduction

HIV epidemics are sustained and propagated by new cases of infection which result from transmission from infected persons to uninfected susceptible individuals. People living with HIV (PLHIV) play a critical role in prevention if they adopt safer sexual behaviors. This study estimated the prevalence of and factors associated with safer sexual behaviors among PLHIV seeking care from civil society organizations (CSOs).

Methods

In a cross sectional study PLHIV were interviewed about their sexual practices, use of alcohol, HIV status of their regular sexual partners, desire for more children and about their socio-demographic characteristics. We calculated the proportion of PLHIV who abstained and consistently used condoms in the previous twelve months. Independent associations between safer sex and other variables were estimated using adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Of the 939 PLHIV, 54% (508) were either abstaining or using condoms consistently and 291 (31%) desired more children. The prevalence of consistent condom use among the sexually active was 41.3% (300/731). Consistent condom use was higher among PLHIV who: didn''t use alcohol (aPR 1.30, CI 1.03–1.63); were educated about re-infection with a new strain of HIV (aPR 1.84, CI 1.08–3.12) and had regular sexual partner who was HIV negative (aPR 1.29, CI 1.05–1.57). Prevalence of abstinence was 22.2% (208/939). Abstinence increased with age from 9.4% among PLHIV <25 years to 40.5% among those >50 years. Abstinence was extremely low (2.5%) among PLHIV who were married.

Conclusions

Effective interventions that reduce alcohol consumption among PLHIV are needed to avert HIV transmission, prevent acquisition of new HIV strains and STIs. In addition, strategies are needed to address needs of PLHIV who desire more children.     

一个具有随机传染率艾滋病模型的渐近行为(英文)

研究了艾滋病传播的随机模型.我们给出了一个条件,在这个条件下,无论环境干扰有多强,随机Logistic方程的平凡解是渐近稳定的.我们的结论与Roberts和Saha的结论构成对艾滋病传播模型的一个完整的分析.     

A Self-Reported Screening Tool for Detecting Community-Dwelling Older Persons with Frailty Syndrome in the Absence of Mobility Disability: The FiND Questionnaire

Background

The “frailty syndrome” (a geriatric multidimensional condition characterized by decreased reserve and diminished resistance to stressors) represents a promising target of preventive interventions against disability in elders. Available screening tools for the identification of frailty in the absence of disability present major limitations. In particular, they have to be administered by a trained assessor, require special equipment, and/or do not discriminate between frail and disabled individuals. Aim of this study is to verify the agreement of a novel self-reported questionnaire (the “Frail Non-Disabled” [FiND] instrument) designed for detecting non-mobility disabled frail older persons with results from reference tools.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Data are from 45 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥60 years. Participants were asked to complete the FiND questionnaire separately exploring the frailty and disability domains. Then, a blinded assessor objectively measured the frailty status (using the phenotype proposed by Fried and colleagues) and mobility disability (using the 400-meter walk test). Cohen''s kappa coefficients were calculated to determine the agreement between the FiND questionnaire with the reference instruments. Mean age of participants (women 62.2%) was 72.5 (standard deviation 8.2) years. Seven (15.6%) participants presented mobility disability as being unable to complete the 400-meter walk test. According to the frailty phenotype criteria, 25 (55.6%) participants were pre-frail or frail, and 13 (28.9%) were robust. Overall, a substantial agreement of the instrument with the reference tools (kappa = 0.748, quadratic weighted kappa = 0.836, both p values<0.001) was reported with only 7 (15.6%) participants incorrectly categorized. The agreement between results of the FiND disability domain and the 400-meter walk test was excellent (kappa = 0.920, p<0.001).

Conclusions/Significance

The FiND questionnaire presents a very good capacity to correctly identify frail older persons without mobility disability living in the community. This screening tool may represent an opportunity for diffusing awareness about frailty and disability and supporting specific preventive campaigns.     

广州、深圳、珠海三市几所大学生艾滋病知识、态度及行为现况调查

目的:通过对广州、深圳、珠海等地几所大学生的艾滋病知识、态度及行为的现况调查,了解他们艾滋病知识、态度、行为之间的相关关系分析,并对大学生知识-态度-行为相关关系模式的探讨,提出有效防控措施.方法:采用流行病学横断面研究方法,对广东省珠三角地区的广州、深圳、珠海三个城市10所大学院校学生,进行问卷调查,并对获得基础数据应用SPSS软件进行统计分析.结果:广州-深圳-珠海等地被抽调的大学生对艾滋病知识的知晓率不高,仍有部份大学生对艾滋病及其患者存在一些错误理解和歧视,对艾滋病存在恐惧心理,同时大学生性行为发生率高,安全套使用率低,部分大学生还存在滥用药物和同性性行为的现象.结论:政府应组织有关技术部门从理论到实践来探讨艾滋病预防中知识-态度-行为相关模式,并制定有针对性的干预计划,合理设计教育内容与方式提供科学依据,使大学生在获得知识的基础上发生态度及行为的改变,最终降低青少年人群的艾滋病感染率.     

辛伐他汀治疗老年高血脂患者疗效与安全性的最佳剂量研究

目的:观察不同剂量辛伐他汀治疗老年高血脂患者疗效与安全性。方法:将纳入研究的80例老年高血脂患者随机分为高剂量组和低剂量组,各40例。高剂量组给予辛伐他汀剂40 mg/日,低剂量组给予20 mg/日。治疗2个月后观察疗效、血脂水平变化情况,并统计两组不良反应的发生情况。结果:高剂量组总有效率95%显著高于低剂量组的80%(P0.05);治疗后,两组TG、TC、LDL-C、HDL-C水平均有改善,与本组治疗前比较均有显著性差异(P均0.05),且高剂量组上述指标改善明显优于低剂量组(P均0.05);治疗期间两组不良反应发生率无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:辛伐他汀高剂量(40 mg/日)治疗老年高血脂的疗效优于低剂量(20 mg/日),且不增加不良反应发生的风险。     

Cropping as a Phytoremediation Practice for Oily Desert Soil with Reference to Crop Safety as Food

Broad beans (Vicia faba)could tolerate up to 10% (w)w) crude oil in desert soil (sand), therefore, the potential of this crop for cleaning oily desert soil via rhizosphere technology was investigated. The amounts of hydrocarbons recovered from oily desert soil samples supporting V. faba plants were less than the amounts extracted from uncultivated oily soil samples. Excised fresh V. faba roots with their intact rhizospheres resulted in the attenuation of n-octadecane, phenanthrene, and crude oil when shaken into sterile desert soil extract containing these hydrocarbons. The amounts of hydrocarbons eliminated were greater with roots of plants previously raised in oily soil than with roots of plants raised in clean soil. Similar hydrocarbon attenuation effects were recorded when, instead of excised roots, whole plants were used with their roots submerged in the hydrocarbon containing soil extract. The various parts of plants raised in oily desert soil contained more linolenic acid in their total lipids than did the same parts of plants raised in clean desert soil. This was much more pronounced for the roots than for shoots and seeds. The hydrocarbons of roots and shoots of V. faba plants were not as affected by oil pollution as were those of seeds, in which the proportions of very long chain hydrocarbons increased with increasing oil concentration in the soil. Those hydrocarbons are not recommended for human and animal nutrition.     

生长抑素联合乌司他丁治疗重症急性胰腺炎临床疗效及安全性分析

目的:探讨生长抑素联合乌司他丁治疗重症急性胰腺炎的临床疗效和安全性。方法:将2013年6月至2015年6月期间云南省第三人民医院消化内科收治的96例重症急性胰腺炎患者,随机将其分成对照组和乌司他丁治疗组,每组各48例患者,对照组除常规治疗外给予生长抑素持续静脉滴注,乌司他丁组给予生长抑素联合乌司他丁联合治疗。治疗结束后,比较两组患者治疗总有效率,血清学相关指标及临床指标改善情况,并发症发生情况。结果:乌司他丁治疗组患者治疗总有效率(79.2%)明显高于对照组患者(64.6%)(P0.05);乌司他丁治疗组患者腹痛缓解时间、胃肠减压时间、中转手术率、住院时间及病死率[(3.2±0.5)d,(7.3±2.2)d,4.2%,(15.8±1.5)d,6.3%]均明显低于对照组患者[(4.9±0.6)d,(11.5±3.1)d,10.4%,(24.7±2.1)d,12.5%](P均0.05);乌司他丁治疗组患者治疗后血清淀粉酶、白细胞、C反应蛋白以及白细胞介素6[(140.2±49.1)U/L,(5.2±1.0)×109/L,(6.3±3.4)mg/L,(24.3±4.2)ng/L]均明显低于对照组患者[(430.6±60.2)U/L,(10.2±2.2)×109/L,(16.3±5.2)mg/L,(40.3±5.9)ng/L](P均0.05);乌司他丁治疗组患者并发症ARDS、急性肾功能衰竭、休克发生率(14.6%,12.5%,25.0%)明显低于对照组患者(35.4%,22.9%,39.6%)(P均0.05)。结论:生长抑素联合乌司他丁治疗重症急性胰腺炎疗效显著,能够明显改善患者的血清及临床指标,减少并发症的发生率,值得临床推广应用。     

Effectiveness of School-based Education on HIV/AIDS Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior among Secondary School Students in Wuhan, China

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are among the most complex health problems in the world. Young people are at high risk of HIV and AIDS infections and are, therefore, in need of targeted prevention. School-based HIV/AIDS health education may be an effective way to prevent the spread of AIDS among adolescents.

Methods

The study was a school-based intervention conducted in three middle schools and two high schools in Wuhan, China, which included 702 boys and 766 girls, with ages from 11 to 18 years old. The intervention was a one-class education program about HIV/AIDS for participants. HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitude, and high-risk behaviors were investigated using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire before and after the education intervention. Chi-square test was used to compare differences before and after the intervention. Non-conditional logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors that affect HIV/AIDS knowledge.

Results

Misconceptions about basic medical knowledge and non-transmission modes of HIV/AIDS among all the students prevail. Approximately 10% to 40% of students had negative attitudes about HIV/AIDS before the intervention. After the intervention, all of the students had significant improvements in knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS (P<.05), indicating that educational intervention increased the students’ knowledge significantly and changed their attitudes positively. Logistic regression analyses indicated that before the intervention the students’ level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS was significantly associated with grade, economic status of the family, and attitudes toward participation in HIV/AIDS health information campaigns.

Conclusions

HIV/AIDS education programs were welcomed by secondary students and positively influenced HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes. A systematic and long-term intervention among secondary school students must be conducted for the prevention of HIV.     

阿托伐他汀治疗不稳定性心绞痛的临床疗效及安全性观察

目的：评价阿托伐他汀治疗不稳定性心绞痛患者的疗效及安全性。方法：将100例患者随机分为两组,对照组50例给予常规治疗;阿托伐他汀治疗组50例,在常规治疗的基础上加用阿托伐他汀,疗程12周。观察其治疗前后主要症状和体征,每博量（sv）、每分博出量（CO）、射血分数（EF）和舒张功能指标（E／A）等心功能指标,以及血清总胆固醇（Tc）、甘油三酯（TG）、高密度脂蛋白（HDL．C）和低密度脂蛋白（LDL．c）和高敏c-反应蛋白（hs．CRY）等血液生化指标。结果：治疗组缓解心绞痛的显效率为28％,总有效率为96％,改善心电图的的显效率为22％,总有效率为84％,速效扩冠药物停减率为60．62％,经统计学处理均优于对照组（P〈O．05）;治疗组治疗后的心功能各指标均显著优于治疗前（P〈0．01）,且优于对照组（P〈0．05）。治疗组患者治疗后TC、TG、HDL—C、LDL．C及hs—CRP较治疗前降低（P〈0．05）,且优于对照组（P〈0．05）。两组患者治疗前后肝肾功能检查均在正常范围且无明显不良反应。结论：阿托伐他汀治疗不稳定性心绞痛疗效确切且安全可靠。     

Efficacy and Safety of a Urate Lowering Regimen in Primary Gout

Background and Objectives. Pharmacologic urate lowering therapy (ULT), at full maintenance doses, has been associated with acute gout arthritis (in up to 80% of patients). The American College of Rheumatology has recently advocated gradually titrating the maintenance dose upward to chosen serum urate target. Few studies have examined the efficacy and safety of a ULT in primary gout. Patients and Methods. The ULT regimen examined included allopurinol (50 mg/day, with increases of 50 mg/month up to 300 mg/day) and colchicine, as prophylaxis to prevent acute gouty attacks. The efficacy and safety of this regimen was examined in 42 patients in whom allopurinol was withheld for ≥3 months and restarted after this assessment and followed up for 12 months. The efficacy and safety of the ULT regimen was related to the serum urate decrease and to the incidence of acute gout flares, respectively. Results. Fifty-nine patients (mean age 59 years, 56 men) with primary gout received the gradually titrated ULT regimen. Baseline serum urate was (mean ± SD) 8.4 ± 0.8 mg/dL. At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months serum urate fell by a mean of 1.8, 2.5, 2.7, and 2.5 mg/dL, respectively (p < 0.001). A serum urate level <6.0 mg/dL was achieved by 38/59 (64%) patients. During the 12 months following the start of the ULT we documented 10 acute arthritis episodes (17% of patients). Conclusions. A gradually titrated hypouricemic regimen for 6 months in patients with primary gout appears to be effective and safe.     

Safety and Efficacy of a Peri-Operative Protocol for Patients with Diabetes Treated with Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion who are Admitted for Same-Day Surgery

Objective: The number of people with diabetes using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusions (CSII) with an insulin pump has risen dramatically, creating new challenges when these patients are admitted to the hospital for surgical or other procedures. There is limited literature guiding CSII use during surgical procedures.Methods: The study was carried out in a large, urban, tertiary care hospital. We enrolled 49 patients using insulin pump therapy presenting for 57 elective surgeries. We developed a CSII peri-operative glycemic management protocol (PGMP) to standardize insulin pump management in patients admitted to a same-day surgery unit (SDSU). The purpose was evaluate the safety (% capillary blood glucose (CBG) <70 mg/dL and/or pump incidents) and efficacy (first postoperative CBG ≤200 mg/dL) of the CSII PGMP. We determine the contribution of admission CBG, type of anesthesia, surgery length, and peri-operative steroid use on postoperative glycemic control.Results: Overall, 63% of patients treated according to the CSII PGMP had a first postoperative CBG ≤200 mg/dL. There were no episodes of intra- or postoperative hypoglycemia. For patients treated with the CSII PGMP, the mean postoperative CBG was lower in patients with anticipated or actual surgical length ≤120 minutes (158.1 ± 53.9 vs. 216 ± 77.7 mg/dL, P<.01). No differences were observed with admission CBG, type of anesthesia, or steroid use.Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a CSII PGMP is both safe and effective for patients admitted for elective surgical procedures and provides an example of a standardized protocol for use in clinical practice.Abbreviations: A1C = glycated hemoglobin BG = blood glucose CBG = capillary blood glucose CSII = continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion DM = diabetes mellitus EMR = electronic medical record IV = intravenous PGMP = peri-operative glycemic management protocol SDS = same-day surgery SDSU = same-day surgery unit SQ = subcutaneous UC = usual care     

培美曲塞联合顺铂治疗晚期尿路上皮癌的疗效与安全性研究

目的:评估培美曲塞联合顺铂治疗晚期尿路上皮癌的有效性和安全性。方法:纳入在我院泌尿科治疗的65例晚期上皮癌患者。每隔3周为患者注射培美曲塞500 mg·m-2,顺铂70 mg·m-2。试验主要终点为客观缓解率(ORR),次要终点为无疾病进展期(PFS)、总生存期(OS)和毒性。采用Kaplan-Meier法计算生存率。结果:患者客观响应率为65.4%(95%CI:50.3%-78.1%),42例患者有部分缓解,11例患者疾病稳定。PFS和OS分别为7.1(95%CI:6.3-8.7)个月与15.5个月(95%CI:11.5-19.5)个月。29.2%的患者出现3级或4级嗜中性白血球减少症,无发热性中性粒细胞减少情况出现。结论:培美曲塞联合顺铂用于晚期尿路上皮癌一线治疗十分有效,且耐受性良好。     

Efficacy and Safety of Pioglitazone in Treatment of a Patient with an Atypical Partial Lipodystrophy Syndrome

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of pioglitazone therapy in a patient with an atypical presentation of partial lipodystrophy.MethodsWe present a case report and review the associated literature to put this case in perspective and explain its atypical features.ResultsA 40-year-old woman was referred because of uncontrolled diabetes and dyslipidemia, despite receiving a total daily dose of insulin of 300 U and combination therapy with a statin and a fibrate. On examination, the patient was found to have substantial central and abdominal fat deposition in conjunction with slender arms and legs. The addition of pioglitazone to her therapeutic regimen resulted in a dramatic improvement in glycemic control and in the dyslipidemia. During approximately a 2-year period, the patient’s insulin dose was decreased and was ultimately discontinued. Considerable increases in weight and in waist circumference were observed during this period. Sequencing of candidate genes known to be associated with familial partial lipodystrophy, acquired partial lipodystrophy, and generalized lipodystrophy showed no genetic abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of significant visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat deposition, in association with scant fat tissue in the extremities. Her weight decreased after discontinuation of the insulin therapy and institution of dietary counseling.ConclusionThiazolidinediones have been shown to be efficacious in syndromic lipodystrophies, such as familial partial lipodystrophy subtype 2. We report that these pharmaceutical agents may also help improve metabolic variables in atypical lipodystrophy syndromes with no obvious molecular basis. A pronounced weight gain might result from synergism between thiazolidinediones and insulin promoting adipogenesis, which diminished somewhat after discontinuation of insulin therapy. (Endocr Pract. 2007;13:656-661)     

Chronic Electrical Stimulation with a Suprachoroidal Retinal Prosthesis: A Preclinical Safety and Efficacy Study

Purpose

To assess the safety and efficacy of chronic electrical stimulation of the retina with a suprachoroidal visual prosthesis.

Methods

Seven normally-sighted feline subjects were implanted for 96–143 days with a suprachoroidal electrode array and six were chronically stimulated for 70–105 days at levels that activated the visual cortex. Charge balanced, biphasic, current pulses were delivered to platinum electrodes in a monopolar stimulation mode. Retinal integrity/function and the mechanical stability of the implant were assessed monthly using electroretinography (ERG), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus photography. Electrode impedances were measured weekly and electrically-evoked visual cortex potentials (eEVCPs) were measured monthly to verify that chronic stimuli were suprathreshold. At the end of the chronic stimulation period, thresholds were confirmed with multi-unit recordings from the visual cortex. Randomized, blinded histological assessments were performed by two pathologists to compare the stimulated and non-stimulated retina and adjacent tissue.

Results

All subjects tolerated the surgical and stimulation procedure with no evidence of discomfort or unexpected adverse outcomes. After an initial post-operative settling period, electrode arrays were mechanically stable. Mean electrode impedances were stable between 11–15 kΩ during the implantation period. Visually-evoked ERGs & OCT were normal, and mean eEVCP thresholds did not substantially differ over time. In 81 of 84 electrode-adjacent tissue samples examined, there were no discernible histopathological differences between stimulated and unstimulated tissue. In the remaining three tissue samples there were minor focal fibroblastic and acute inflammatory responses.

Conclusions

Chronic suprathreshold electrical stimulation of the retina using a suprachoroidal electrode array evoked a minimal tissue response and no adverse clinical or histological findings. Moreover, thresholds and electrode impedance remained stable for stimulation durations of up to 15 weeks. This study has demonstrated the safety and efficacy of suprachoroidal stimulation with charge balanced stimulus currents.     

复方苦参注射液对放疗肺损伤的临床疗效及安全性观察

目的:探究复方苦参注射液对放疗性肺损伤防护作用及安全性。方法:选取我院胸外科收治的肺癌患者112例,随机分为两组,其中对照组57例,予常规单纯放疗治疗;实验组55例,在常规放疗治疗的同时加用复方苦参注射液5 m L,溶于0.9%氯化钠注射液250 m L,日一次静滴,至放疗结束。治疗结束后对比后两组患者放射性肺炎的比率、放射性肺纤维化比率及血浆TGF-β1和TNF-α值。结果:1放射治疗前两组血浆TGF-β1和TNF-α值无明显差异,无统计学意义(P0.05),放疗治疗后实验组血浆TGF-β1和TNF-α值较对照组明显下降,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),肺纤维化比率较对照组明显减低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);2放疗治疗后实验组放射性肺炎的比率明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);结论:复方苦参注射液够明显预防由于放射性治疗带来的肺损伤,对临床具有指导意义,值得临床推广。     

长期应用小剂量激素对类风湿关节炎患者的临床疗效及安全性研究

目的:分析长期使用小剂量激素治疗类风湿关节(RA)炎的临床效果及安全性,并探讨小剂量激素的使用方法。方法:将49例RA患者随机分为两组,治疗组使用改变病情抗风湿药物(DMARD)及激素泼尼松7.5 mg/d,对照组给予DMARDs。观察和比较两组患者在不同治疗时间的临床缓解情况及不良反应的发生率。结果:最终49例患者完成实验(治疗组22例,对照组27例)。治疗第12周时,治疗组的DAS28评分显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗24、48周时,两组的DAS28评分比较均无统计学差异(P0.05)。在治疗第12周时,治疗组的ACR20达标率显著高于对照组(P0.05);在治疗第24、48周时,两组的的ACR20达标率相比无统计学差异(P0.05)。治疗12、24周时,两组体重增加的发生率比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。但在治疗48周时,治疗组体重增加的发生率显著高于对照组(P0.05);两组胃肠不适及血压升高的发生率相近,且均未发现血糖升高的患者。结论:与单纯使用DMARDs相比,长期(大于24周)应用小剂量激素对RA患者临床症状的缓解作用不明显,但安全性尚可。     

On a Continuous Branching Process and Birth-Death and Immigration Models for Testing the Efficacy of Some Control Programmes for AIDS

The present communication is an attempt to describe the mode of propagation of AIDS epidemic and its control programme using a branching process as well as a birth-death and immigration model. A comparison of the project of AIDS control programme on the basis of its propagation by a continuous branching process model with that of a linear birth and death process with immigration shows a remarkable contrast. Branching process model shows that it is possible to control the propagation of the disease by suitably increasing the detection rate and lowering the infection rate. However, the propagation of AIDS models by birth and death Process with or without immigration shows that it is increasingly difficult to control the invasion of AIDS merely by controlling the birth, death and immigration parameters.     

吡喃阿霉素联合化疗癌症的有效性与安全性

目的：探讨以吡喃阿霉素（THP）为主的联合化疗方案治疗恶性肿瘤的疗效与安全性。方法：以THP与其他2～3种抗癌药物联合治疗84例各类恶性肿。统计近期疗效,观察THP所致的心脏毒性发生率和其他并发症。结果：完全缓解14例,部分缓解30例、稳定36例,无效5例,总有效率52.38%。67例出现各类不良反应126例次,但程度均较轻。结论：以THP为主的联合化疗方案治疗恶性肿瘤疗效明显,毒性反应程度较轻。