Newcomer status as a protective factor among Hispanic migrant workers for HIV risk

The HIV rate among U.S. migrant workers is 10 times that of the national rate. The highly unstable lifestyle of migrant workers places them at heightened vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections; hence, there is a need to investigate the attitudes and sexual risk factors that may play a protective role in the transmission of HIV in this population. This study examines the association between attitudes and HIV risk behaviors among Hispanic male and female migrant workers (n = 255) and their length of stay (shorter length of stay as a protective factor) in Immokalee, FL, USA. Pearson’s correlation and regression analyses were utilized to analyze the relationship between HIV risk behaviors (intention to use condoms and alcohol use) with length of stay in Immokalee. Longer length of stay positively correlated with number of drinks (p \u3c 0.05) and frequency of drinks (p \u3c 0.01) and negatively correlated with ethnic identity search (p \u3c 0.05). Regression analysis showed that length of stay predicted both behavioral intention to use condoms (p \u3c 0.05) and alcohol consumption (p \u3c 0.05). The findings suggest that migrant workers who are new to Immokalee may have a higher likelihood of practicing protective HIV risk behaviors and having more favorable attitudes toward risk reduction than long-timers. This study might provide important new evidence on the drivers of multiple concurrent and potential protective factors against risky sexual behaviors among Hispanic migrant workers

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Characterization of basal and lipopolysaccharide-induced microRNA expression in equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells using Next-Generation Sequencing

The innate immune response to lipopolysaccharide contributes substantially to the morbidity and mortality of gram-negative sepsis. Horses and humans share an exquisite sensitivity to lipopolysaccharide and thus the horse may provide valuable comparative insights into this aspect of the inflammatory response. MicroRNAs, small non-coding RNA molecules acting as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, have key roles in toll-like receptor signaling regulation but have not been studied in this context in horses. The central hypothesis of this study was that lipopolysaccharide induces differential microRNA expression in equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a manner comparable to humans. Illumina Next Generation Sequencing was used to characterize the basal microRNA transcriptome in isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy adult horses, and to evaluate LPS-induced changes in microRNA expression in cells cultured for up to four hours. Selected expression changes were validated using quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR. Only miR-155 was significantly upregulated by LPS, changing in parallel with supernatant tumor necrosis factor-α concentration. Eight additional microRNAs, including miR-146a and miR-146b, showed significant expression change with time in culture without a clear LPS effect. Target predictions indicated a number of potential immunity-associated targets for miR-155 in the horse, including SOCS1, TAB2 and elements of the PI3K signaling pathway, suggesting that it is likely to influence the acute inflammatory response to LPS. Gene alignment showed extensive conservation of the miR-155 precursor gene and associated promoter regions between horses and humans. The basal and LPS-stimulated microRNA expression pattern characterized here were similar to those described in human leukocytes. As well as providing a resource for further research into the roles of microRNAs in immune responses in horses, this will facilitate inter-species comparative study of the role of microRNAs in the inflammatory cascade during endotoxemia and sepsis

Effectiveness of HIV Interventions Among Women Drug Users

A prospective cohort study was conducted among chronic injecting and crack cocaine drug using women. The hypothesis tested was that participation in a standard-plus-innovative intervention was more likely to produce behavior change than participation in a standard intervention. Standardized intervention protocols and corresponding instruments were designed. Data were collected on drug and sex risk behaviors at baseline and six-month follow-up intervals. The level of behavioral change in two intervention arms-standard and a standard-plus-innovative intervention-was measured by composite sex risk and drug risk scores using the generalized estimating equation approach. The results show that on four risk measures the enhanced intervention was significantly associated with positive change in both drug use and sexual behavior: less frequent drug use, less drug use during sex, and more frequent condom use during particular frequencies for specific types of sexual activities. Public health interventions are effective when targeting specific risk behaviors through interventions tailored to prevent HIV and reduce risk behaviors among specific cultural and gender groups

Differences in HIV-Related Hospitalization Among White, Black, and Hispanic Men and Women of Florida

Patients hospitalized for Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease among the multi-ethnic population of Florida have been incompletely characterized to date. The objectives of the present study were to determine the race/ethnic (whites, blacks, Hispanics) differences in characteristics of patients by gender and the correlates of HIV-related mortality among them. A retrospective analysis of 9,113 discharge records (January to December 2001) with primary diagnosis of HIV disease was performed. Characteristics of patients in six sex-race/ethnic groups were compared using the χ 2 tests and multiple regression models. A multiple logistic regression modeling was used to evaluate the odds of HIV-related death associated with these characteristics. Approximately 64%, 23%, and 13% of records were for blacks, whites, and Hispanics, respectively. The adjusted length of stay (LOS) and hospital charges significantly differed only between black men and women. The insurance status, LOS, and age were significant correlates of HIV-related deaths. The potential causes of disparities between sex-ethnic groups of patients should be further explored

Improving access to primary health care for chronic drug users: An innovative systemic intervention for providers

An intervention was designed to improve access to primary care for chronic drug users (CDUs) by enhancing health care providers' knowledge and skills. Using a case study method, three study sites were systematically selected for intervention implementation: a primary care clinic (PC), an emergency department (ED), and a drug treatment (DT) facility. Participants completed pre- and postintervention tests of knowledge, skills, and intentions to practice. Compared with pretest scores, participants had significantly higher posttest scores concerning knowledge of CDUs' health care needs. Postintervention evaluations indicated intentions to practice skills learned in the intervention. As hypothesized, the PC and ED subsequently instituted formal screening mechanisms to identify CDUs. This intervention revealed potential to build bridges between health care providers and CDUs. By overcoming provider resistance, primary care access can be realized for this and other disadvantaged populations

Skills for HIV Risk Reduction: Evaluation of Recall and Performance in Injecting Drug Users

Evaluation of recall and performance skills required to clean needles/syringes was conducted in Dade County with 393 injecting drugs users (IDUs) in 1988-1989. The study was guided by a question of the extent of correct cleaning of needles/syringes. A free recall procedure which combined cognitive and psychomotor testing provided a means of verifying knowledge and skills. The results show that injecting drug users were able to learn and retain knowledge and skills necessary to prevent risk of HIV infección by use of needles/syringes. Tests of knowledge and performance 6 months after training showed high retención of the material learned. The population at risk is capable of reducing the spread of HIV. The impact would be greater with perfect performance, but even with partial performance, some preventative impact could be assumed provided exposure time to bleach exceeds 30 seconds. RESUMEN Entre 1988 y 1989 se evaluó en el Condado Dade el aprendizaje del procedimiento de esterilización de agijas y jeringuillas, realizado con 393 consumidores de drogas endovenosas. El estudió se guió con la cuestión del grado de limpieza correcta de agujas y jeringuillas. Un procedimiento que combinó pruebas cognitivas y psicomotores posibilitó la verificación de conocimientos y habilidades. Los resultados muestran que consumidores de drogas endovenosas pudieron aprender y recordar el conocimiento y las habilidades necesarias para la prevención el riesgo de infección por medio del uso de agujas y jeringuillas. Las pruebas del conocimiento y rendimiento seis meses despues de la ensañanza mostraron un alto grado de retención de la materia presentada. La población con riesgo es capaz de reducir la contagia del virus de la inmunideficiencia humana (VIH). El impacto seria mayor con rendimiento perfecto, pero aun con rendimiento parcial, se puede contar con prevención con una exposición al cloro en exceso de 30 segundos. RÉSUMÉ L'évaluation du rappel et de la pratique d'usage requis pour nettoyer des aiguilles/seringues a été menée dans le Comté de Dade pour 393 utilisateurs de drogues injectables en 1988-1989. L'étude a été suscitée par une question de l'importance du nettoyage correct des aiguilles/seringues. Une procédure de rappel libre qui combinait Pexamen cognitif et psychomoteur a offert un moyen de vérifier la connaissance et la pratique. Les résultats ont montré que les utilizateurs de drogues injectables étaient capable d'apprendre et retenir la connaissance et la pratique nécessaires pour prévenir le risque d'infection causée par le VIH au moyen d'aiguilles/seringues. Des examens de la connaissance et de la pratique six mois aprés la formation ont montré un haut niveau du rappel du matériel appris. La population à risque est capable de réduire la propagation du VIH. L'impact pourrait tre plus grand avec un usage parfait, mais m me avec un usage partiel, quelque impact préventif pourrait tre présumé à condition que le temps d'exposition à l'eau de Javel dépasse 30 secondes

Predictors of HIV Infection Among Women Drug Users in New York and Miami

In the US, the number of women diagnosed with AIDS continues to increase. In this study, women in New York City (East Harlem) and Miami, two sites with high rates of drug use and HIV infection, were first compared on sociodemographic variables and risk behaviors. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify significant, independent predictors of HIV infection in each city. In comparing women from the two cities, several differences in sociodemographic characteristics and drug use were observed. In both cities, ever exchanging sex for drugs and/or money was predictive of HIV infection; and in East Harlem only, other lifetime risk variables independently predicted HIV infection: drug injection, having a sexually transmitted disease, and not having graduated from high school. Results suggest that intervention efforts with women who exchange sex should be intensified in both cities. Also, further comparisons of women drug users in AIDS epicenter cities are necessary to provide information on similarities and differences in sociodemographic characteristics and individual risk behaviors. More research attention should be focused on examining the social context of HIV risk in order to develop innovative intervention strategies which focus on the link between contextual factors and HIV infection

Perpetrators, Victims, and Observers of Violence Chronic and Non-Chronic Drug Users

The purposes of this analysis were (a) to compare the prevalence of violence among a sample of chronic drug users (CDUs) and non-chronic drug users (NCDUs) in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and (b) to determine the level of risk of becoming a victim, perpetrator, or observer of violence if one uses drugs. In interviews, 1,479 CDUs and NCDUs provided information about their experiences with violence. CDUs were significantly more likely than NCDUs to have perpetrated all violent acts. However, CDUs were also significantly more likely than NCDUs to have been the victim or observer of violent acts as well. This finding should shift our views of CDUs to include the latter roles. Specific intervention strategies are recommended to facilitate violence reduction in this population

Technology Trauma: Barriers to Increasing Technology Utilization

While most social workers might agree that increasing the use of technology in agencies may be important for developing efficiency and effectiveness, little is known about the obstacles of doing so. In an NIDA-funded demonstration project to increase technology in agencies that serve drug abusing populations, researchers logged all email and memorandum communication for a two and a half year period. These communications documented the progress of the intervention from inception to implementation. Using a qualitative methodology, researchers for this analysis examined the communication documents, noting themes. A core theme focusing on barriers to implementing technology emerged from the data. These barriers included: agency personnel\u27s lack of computer proficiency, lack of motivation for agency personnel to participate in the intervention, and agency personnel not following intervention protocols, having computer hardware and networking problems, the agency\u27s physical structure (lack of space/computers), and the researchers/interventionists having restricted access to agency personnel. © 2003 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved