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Long-acting injectable (LAI) cabotegravir/rilpivirine (CAB/RPV) for antiretroviral therapy (ART) could benefit many people with HIV (PWH). However, its impact will largely be determined by providers' willingness to prescribe it and PWH's willingness to take it. This study explores the perceived barriers and facilitators of LAI CAB/RPV implementation among PWH and HIV care providers in Florida, a high prevalence setting. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted in English with 16 PWH (50% non-Hispanic White, 50% cis men, and 94% on oral ART) and 11 providers (27% non-Hispanic Black, 27% Hispanic, 73% cis women, and 64% prescribed LAI CAB/RPV) throughout the state. Recruitment occurred between October 2022 and October 2023 from HIV clinics. Interviews were recorded, professionally transcribed, and then double coded using thematic analysis. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research guided the interview guide and coding. While PWH viewed LAI CAB/RPV as effective, predominant barriers included administration via injection, challenges of attending more clinic visits, and a feeling that this made HIV the center of one's life. Providers additionally expressed concerns about the development of integrase resistance. Barriers noted by PWH and providers outside of the clinic included transportation, stigma, access inequities, and payor issues. Within clinics, providers identified the need for extra staffing and the increased burden on existing staff as barriers. These barriers decreased the perceived need for LAI CAB/RPV among PWH and providers, especially with the high effectiveness of oral ART. Many of the identified barriers occur outside of the clinic and will likely apply to other novel long-acting ART options.

Ultraviolet (UV) filters are emerging contaminants of concern that are widely spread throughout the aquatic environment. Many organic UV filters are endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in vertebrates. However, few studies have assessed their effects on invertebrates. Molting, or the shedding of the exoskeleton, may be affected by exposure to these compounds in Arthropods (the largest phylum of invertebrates). Molting is necessary for growth and development and is regulated by an arthropod specific endocrine system, the ecdysteroid pathway. Alterations of this process by EDCs can result in improper development, reduced growth, and even death. We investigated the sublethal effects of chronic exposure to three organic UV filters (4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4MBC), octylmethoxycinnamate (OMC), and benzophenone-3 (BP3) in a crustacean, Daphnia magna, with particular emphasis on molting and development. We demonstrate that 4MBC, OMC, and BP3 affect development and long-term health in neonates of exposed parents at concentrations of 130 µg/L, 75 µg/L, and 166 µg/L, respectively. Additionally, the expression of endocrine-related genes (including ultraspiracle protein, usp) are significantly altered by 4MBC and BP3 exposure, which may relate to their developmental toxicity., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Purpose: To evaluate visual quality and depth of focus under photopic and mesopic light conditions of patients treated with pinhole pupilloplasty (PPP) for corneal higher order aberrations., Methods: This was a prospective, noncomparative, interventional series and PPP was performed with a single-pass four-throw procedure in 14 eyes of 14 patients. After PPP, patients were analyzed with the Clinical Trial Suite machine (M & S Technologies, Inc) that offers a standardized method of recording visual quality. The luminance levels of 85 and 3 cd/m 2 were set for photopic and mesopic lighting conditions, respectively, and uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity were recorded for distance (4 m), intermediate (66 cm), and near (44 cm). Low contrast acuity (LCA) at 10% and mesopic contrast sensitivity function (CSF) with glare on and off at four spatial frequencies of 1.5, 3, 6, and 12 cycles per degree (cpd) and defocus curve were assessed., Results: Under photopic and mesopic conditions, a significant difference was observed postoperatively in uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity for distance, intermediate, and near. The defocus curve demonstrated extended depth of focus that ranged from +1.50 to -2.50 diopters and LCA at 10% demonstrated significant improvement for all cases. For mesopic CSF, a significant improvement was noted at spatial frequencies of 3 and 6 cpd with glare on. With glare off, an improvement was seen at spatial frequencies of 1.5, 3, and 6 cpd, but not at 12 cpd., Conclusions: Early results demonstrate that PPP provides improved visual quality and extended depth of focus and can be a useful option in cases with higher order aberrations. [J Refract Surg. 2020;36(12):812-819.]., (Copyright 2020, SLACK Incorporated.)