Search

This paper describes HIV sex and drug risk behavior and behavior change of injection drug and crack cocaine using women enrolled in a national multi-site Cooperative Agreement program. Baseline data on the 1,403 women who were randomly assigned to a two session intervention that was standardized across sites indicate that sex and drug risk behavior for becoming infected with HIV was considerable. Six-month post intervention follow-up data for the same sample of women show that significant reductions in sex and drug risk behavior were observed for the entire sample of women for the risk variables under study. Significant reductions were also demonstrated for various sub-groups of women enrolled in the study on most of the sex and drug risk variables. Given these findings, it appears that the standard intervention was effective in assisting drug using women reduce their behaviors that put them at risk of becoming infected with HIV. Further research is needed on the development and evaluation of HIV interventions that target specific risk behaviors and various HIV risk behavior profiles of women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical manifestations of dermatological and musculoskeletal conditions can sometimes overlap, leading to confusion in diagnosis. Patients with nail and skin infections may undergo imaging examinations with suspicions of muscle, tendon, or joint injuries. Dermatological infections often involve soft tissues and musculoskeletal structures, and their etiology can range from fungi, bacteria, viruses, to protozoa. Relying solely on physical examination may not be sufficient for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning, necessitating the use of complementary imaging exams. The objective of this paper is to present and discuss imaging findings of the main infectious conditions affecting the nail apparatus and skin. The paper also highlights the importance of imaging in clarifying diagnostic uncertainties and guiding appropriate treatment for dermatological conditions., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to International Skeletal Society (ISS).)

Background: The cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 may be useful disease markers and prognostic indicators. Recently, postinfectious telogen effluvium and trichodynia have also been reported., Objective: To evaluate the presence of trichodynia and telogen effluvium in patients with COVID-19 and describe their characteristics in relation to the other signs and symptoms of the disease., Methods: Patients with a history of COVID-19 presenting to the clinics of a group of hair experts because of telogen effluvium and/or scalp symptoms were questioned about their hair signs and symptoms in relation to the severity of COVID-19 and associated symptoms., Results: Data from 128 patients were collected. Telogen effluvium was observed in 66.3% of the patients and trichodynia in 58.4%. Trichodynia was associated with telogen effluvium in 42.4% of the cases and anosmia and ageusia in 66.1% and 44.1% of the cases, respectively. In majority (62.5%) of the patients, the hair signs and symptoms started within the first month after COVID-19 diagnosis, and in 47.8% of the patients, these started after 12 weeks or more., Limitations: The recruitment of patients in specialized hair clinics, lack of a control group, and lack of recording of patient comorbidities., Conclusion: The severity of postviral telogen effluvium observed in patients with a history of COVID-19 infection may be influenced by COVID-19 severity. We identified early-onset (<4 weeks) and late-onset (>12 weeks) telogen effluvium., Competing Interests: Dr Tosti is a consultant for DS Laboratories, Monat Global, Almirall, Tirthy Madison, Eli Lilly, Leo Pharmaceuticals, Bristol Myers Squibb, and P&G. Drs Starace, Lorizzo, Sechi, Alessandrini, Carpanese, Bruni, Vara, Apalla, Asz-Sigall, Barruscotti, Camacho, Doche, Estrada, Dhurat, Gavazzoni, Grimalt, Harries, Ioannidis, McMichael, Melo, Oliveira, Ovcharenko, Pirmez, Ramot, Rudnicka, Shapiro, Silyuk, Sinclair, Vano-Galvan, and Piraccini have no conflicts of interest to declare., (© 2021 Published by Elsevier Inc on behalf of the American Academy of Dermatology, Inc.)

Biologic drugs represent a substantial progress in the treatment of chronic inflammatory immunologic diseases. However, its crescent use has revealed seldom reported or unknown adverse reactions, mainly associated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF). Psoriasiform cutaneous reactions and few cases of alopecia can occur in some patients while taking these drugs. Two cases of alopecia were reported after anti-TNF therapy. Both also developed psoriasiform lesions on the body. This is the second report about a new entity described as 'anti-TNF therapy-related alopecia', which combines clinical and histopathological features of both alopecia areata and psoriatic alopecia. The recognition of these effects by specialists is essential for the proper management and guidance of these patients.

Background: Dermoscopy is an important tool for the diagnosis of benign and malignant melanocytic diseases. Recently, this method has also been found to be extremely useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of alopecias., Objective: The objective of this study was to describe dermoscopic findings in patients with clinical and histopathological characteristics of cicatricial alopecia., Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in which 14 patients with cicatricial alopecia were selected based on clinical and histopathological evaluation of the scalp. The underlying cause was classic lichen planopilaris in four cases, frontal fibrosing alopecia in five and discoid lupus erythematosus in the remaining five. The patients were evaluated using videodermoscopy and conventional dermoscopy (with a handheld dermoscope), performed independently by three different examiners. Magnification ranged from 10x to 70x., Results: Principal findings in cases of discoid lupus erythematosus were: white patches, branching capillaries, keratin plugs and areas of reduced follicular ostia; in classic lichen planopilaris: perifollicular scales, white dots and reduced follicular ostia; and in frontal fibrosing alopecia: reduced follicular ostia, perifollicular scales, perifollicular erythema and branching capillaries. The blue-grey dots described in this paper were a novel feature in scalp dermoscopy., Conclusions: The use of dermoscopy for the clinical evaluation of the scalp in cases of cicatricial alopecia improves diagnostic capacity beyond simple clinical inspection and reveals novel features of the disease.

In the third decade of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, empirically based HIV transmission risk reduction interventions for HIV infected persons are still needed. As part of a Health Resources Services Administration/Special Projects of National Significance initiative to increase prevention services among HIV infected persons, we implemented SHAPE (Supporting Healthy Alternatives through Patient Education). SHAPE is a behavioral HIV prevention intervention delivered to HIV infected persons receiving primary medical care at El Rio Health Center in Tucson, Arizona. The SHAPE intervention is based on Kalichman's "Healthy Relationships for Men and Women Living with HIV-AIDS." The intervention is interactive and uses a video discussion intervention format where educational activities, movie clips, and discussions are used to provide participants with information and skills to increase their comfort in disclosing their HIV status and in reducing HIV transmission. This paper describes the intervention in sufficient detail to replicate it in other settings.

Little research has been conducted on HIV drug and sex risk behaviors of American Indians and Alaska Natives who use illicit drugs. Data from studies conducted with other ethnic groups indicates differences in HIV drug and sex risk behaviors of men and women and between drug users from different regions, cities, communities, and intervention sites. This study examines whether these differences in HIV drug and sex risk behaviors also exist for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Results indicate that risk behaviors of American Indians and Alaska Natives do differ like that of other ethnic groups. In particular American Indian and Alaska Native women reported engaging in significantly greater levels of some drug and many sex risk behaviors than men. Significant differences between intervention sites were also found for intensity of use of various drugs and for some HIV drug risk behaviors.