Protective Behavior Survey, West Nile Virus, British Columbia

We investigated personal protective behaviors against West Nile virus infection. Barriers to adopting these behaviors were identified, including the perception that DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide and related compounds) is a health and environmental hazard. Televised public health messages and knowing that family or friends practiced protective behaviors were important cues to action

HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and indoor commercial sex workers : application of social network analysis to assess the potential for diasese propagation

Keywords: Social network analysis, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, commercial sex workers Objectives: The study objectives were: (a) to determine the structure and characteristics of the sexual networks of the indoor commercial sex industry and (b) to determine the potential for sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission to the general population. Methods: In-person, structured interviews were conducted with 49 indoor female sex workers (FSW) from seven indoor sex establishments in the Greater Vancouver Regional District. Interviews elicited demographic, sexual behaviour, and sexual health information from respondents (egocentric data), information about respondents' sexual relationships (dyadic data), and proxy demographic and sexual behaviour information about respondents' most recent 5-10 sex partners (network data). Social network analysis (SNA) was used to examine the network structures and characteristics. Results: FSW respondents provided data on 234 sexual partners, 205 (88%) of whom were commercial clients. There was a single, connected sexual network of 553 individuals with a high frequency of dense, cyclic microstructures. There was a high degree of sexual bridging between sex establishments, between age and ethnic groups, and between the commercial sex core and the general population. Two types of clients could be categorized as high-risk from the network perspective, including those who bridged between sex establishments and those who were house regulars (clients who had sex with all the workers at an establishment). All known HIV and STI infection in sexual partners was in high-risk clients. Conclusions: SNA is a valuable tool with which to examine STI risk at the individual, dyadic, and network levels. The indoor commercial sex industry likely comprises a fully connected sexual network. The structural properties of the network suggest that if STI were introduced, even a small decrease in the amount of condom use or an increase in the number of infected individuals could support the transmission of these pathogens within the commercial sex network and to the general population. SNA also provides the tools with which to plan STI control programs, including the identification of prominent network members who may be important targets for STI control strategies.Medicine, Faculty ofPopulation and Public Health (SPPH), School ofGraduat

Psychometric assessment of the Multidimensional Quality of Life Questionnaire for Persons Infected with HIV or with AIDS in a cohort of HIV-infected women

This methodological study was designed to assess the psychometric properties of a relatively new HIV-specific quality of life questionnaire, the Multidimensional Quality of Life Questionnaire for Persons Living with HIV or with AIDS (MQOL-HIV), in a cohort of Canadian, HIV-infected women. The study was prompted by an identified lack of information regarding the validity and reliability of HIV-specific quality of life (QOL) scales in populations of HIV-infected women. The specific analyses conducted were content validity, concurrent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. The study was conducted in the fall of 2001 at the Oak Tree Clinic, British Columbia's outpatient referral centre for women, children, and families living with HIV. Seven health care professionals and six patients participated in the content validity testing, which involved rating the validity of the 40 items and 10 domains of the MQOL-HIV. Eighty-five patients participated in the concurrent validity and internal consistency testing, which involved baseline completion of the MQOL-HIV and the Medical Outcomes Study - HIV Health Survey (MOSHIV) during a clinic visit. Forty-three patients participated in the test-retest reliability testing, which involved completing a second MQOL-HIV two weeks after baseline. Content validity findings indicated that most of the items and all of the domains of the scale were valid for HIV-infected women, but that revision and replacement of some of the items were needed. Several important domains and aspects of domains were identified as missing from the scale. Five domains, the Summary Index, and the overall scale demonstrated strong concurrent validity when correlated with similar domains contained in the more commonly used MOS-HIV. Most of the domains demonstrated strong internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The findings were consistent with the literature, indicating that QOL scales require revalidation in new populations, and that dimensions and aspects of QOL may differ for HIVinfected women. Although the MQOL-HIV was developed with HIV-infected patients, some of whom were women, the need for subsequent validation in female populations was underscored. The content validity findings supported those found by others in that the QOL domains and aspects of salience may vary depending on gender and cultural context. This study represents one of the first of its kind to validate an HIV-specific QOL scale in women, and provides preliminary findings in terms of the unique dimensions of QOL for HIV-infected women.Applied Science, Faculty ofNursing, School ofGraduat

Use of Sno Strip Filter-Paper Wicks for Collection of Genital-Tract Samples Allows Reproducible Determination of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) RNA Viral Load with a Commercial HIV-1 Viral Load Assay

To assess the reproducibility of measurements of cervical and vaginal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load, 92 duplicate cervical and 88 duplicate vaginal samples were collected from 13 HIV-infected women using Sno Strip filter-paper wicks. RNA was eluted from the strips, extracted, and assayed using a modified protocol for the Roche Cobas Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor assay. Pearson's correlation coefficient (R), coefficient of determination (D), and Bland-Altman plots (BA) were used to compare paired log(10)-transformed viral loads. Analysis of duplicate same-site samples showed good reproducibility (cervix: R = 0.72, D = 52%, BA = 89% within range; vagina: R = 0.72, D = 51%, BA = 87% within range); paired cervix/vagina measurements showed moderate correlation only (R = 0.56; D = 31.3%). Standardized sample collection and simple modification of the Roche Cobas Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor assay allows reproducible measurement of genital viral load

Chlamydial bacteriophage: No role in acute coronary events?

BACKGROUND: A relationship between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and acute coronary syndromes has not been consistently found in published studies. It has been hypothesized that a bacteriophage-infected subset of C pneumoniae may be uniquely equipped to promote atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndromes through the expression of phage genes. METHODS: The authors performed a pilot case-control study of acute coronary events. Case and control subjects were characterized demographically and according to recognized coronary risk factors. These subjects also provided serum for the detection of antibody to the elementary bodies of C pneumoniae and antibody to the Vp1 protein coded by the phage. Bivariate and multivariate comparisons were performed using statistics appropriate for paired analyses. RESULTS: Antibodies to C pneumoniae, Vp1 protein or both were not associated with acute coronary events by bivariate or multivariate analysis. As expected, case subjects were significantly more likely to have hypertension, hypercholesterolemia or diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: The present study adds to a growing body of literature that does not support the hypothesized relationship between C pneumoniae (or a phage-infected subset of C pneumoniae) and acute coronary syndromes

Impact of the Adalimumab Patient Support Program on Clinical Outcomes in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Results from the COMPANION Study

<p></p><p><b>Article full text</b></p> <p><br></p> <p>The full text of this article can be found here<b>.</b> <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40744-018-0109-3">https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40744-018-0109-3</a></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p><br></p> <p><b>Provide enhanced content for this article</b></p> <p><br></p> <p>If you are an author of this publication and would like to provide additional enhanced content for your article then please contact <a href="http://www.medengine.com/Redeem/”mailto:[email protected]”"><b>[email protected]</b></a>.</p> <p><br></p> <p>The journal offers a range of additional features designed to increase visibility and readership. All features will be thoroughly peer reviewed to ensure the content is of the highest scientific standard and all features are marked as ‘peer reviewed’ to ensure readers are aware that the content has been reviewed to the same level as the articles they are being presented alongside. Moreover, all sponsorship and disclosure information is included to provide complete transparency and adherence to good publication practices. This ensures that however the content is reached the reader has a full understanding of its origin. No fees are charged for hosting additional open access content.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Other enhanced features include, but are not limited to:</p> <p><br></p> <p>• Slide decks</p> <p>• Videos and animations</p> <p>• Audio abstracts</p> <p>• Audio slides</p><br><p></p