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BackgroundInternet-based testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) allows asymptomatic individuals to order a self-sampling kit online and receive their results electronically, reducing the need to attend a clinic unless for treatment. This approach has become increasingly common; however, there is evidence that barriers exist to accessing it, particularly among some high-risk populations. We review the qualitative evidence on this topic, as qualitative research is well-placed to identify the complex influences that relate to accessing testing. ObjectiveThis paper aims to explore perceptions and experiences of internet-based testing for STIs among users and potential users. MethodsSearches were run through 5 electronic databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) to identify peer-reviewed studies published between 2005 and 2018. Search terms were drawn from 4 categories: STIs, testing or screening, digital health, and qualitative methods. Included studies were conducted in high-income countries and explored patient perceptions or experiences of internet-based testing, and data underwent thematic synthesis. ResultsA total of 11 studies from the 1735 studies identified in the initial search were included in the review. The synthesis identified that internet-based testing is viewed widely as being acceptable and is preferred over clinic testing by many individuals due to perceived convenience and anonymity. However, a number of studies identified concerns relating to test accuracy and lack of communication with practitioners, particularly when receiving results. There was a lack of consensus on preferred media for results delivery, although convenience and confidentiality were again strong influencing factors. The majority of included studies were limited by the fact that they researched hypothetical services. ConclusionsInternet-based testing providers may benefit from emphasizing this testing’s comparative convenience and privacy compared with face-to-face testing in order to improve uptake, as well as alleviating concerns about the self-sampling process. There is a clear need for further research exploring in depth the perceptions and experiences of people who have accessed internet-based testing and for research on internet-based testing that explicitly gathers the views of populations that are at high risk of STIs. Trial RegistrationPROSPERO CRD42019146938; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=146938

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, ages 20-74. The tele-ophthalmology program was launch at UCD Health in 2018 and was expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic to improveearly screening for diabetic retinopathy. Assess diabetic retinopathy screening utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study evaluates follow-up encounters and outcomes.

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, ages 20-74. The tele-ophthalmology program was launch at UCD Health in 2018 and was expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic to improve early screening for diabetic retinopathy. Assess diabetic retinopathy screening utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evaluate follow-up encounters and outcomes

Introduction: Key populations (KPs) including female sex workers (FSWs) and men who have sex with men (MSM) in sub‐Saharan Africa are disproportionately impacted by HIV. Despite the increasing availability of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), data on retention remain limited. This study assessed PrEP retention at 1 and 12 months among Rwandan FSWs and MSM. Methods: We analysed routine clinical data on adult FSWs and MSM receiving PrEP care from 11 health facilities in Kigali, Rwanda between 2019 and 2022. Retention was defined as attendance at regularly scheduled appointments for a PrEP refill. We used logistic regression to assess associations between demographic and clinical characteristics and retention at 1 and 12 months. Results: Among 2043 PrEP initiators, 1343 (66%) were FSWs and 700 (34%) were MSM. FSWs reported a median number of eight sexual partners in the prior 7 days, 70% reported condomless sex and 94% considered themselves at high HIV risk. About 1239 (92%) and 1032 (77%) were retained at 1 and 12 months, respectively. One‐month retention was lower among FSWs living with others (OR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.35−0.99; ref: living alone) or with low HIV risk perception (OR 0.12, 95% CI: 0.04−0.29). At 12 months, low HIV risk perception remained statistically significant (aOR 0.20, 95% CI: 0.12−0.32). At PrEP initiation, MSM reported a median of four sexual partners in the prior 12 months, 88% reported condomless sex and 72% considered themselves at high HIV risk. Retention rates were 96% at 1 month and 82% at 12 months. At 1 month, retention was higher among MSM with some education (OR 12.74, 95% CI: 2.74−70.93; ref: no education). At 12 months, retention was lower among MSM with part‐time employment (aOR 0.29, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.76), students (aOR 0.12, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.37) and unemployed (aOR 0.12, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.28); ref: full‐employed) and those unaware of PrEP at baseline (aOR 0.15, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.23). Conclusions: We observed very high rates of PrEP retention among Rwandan FSWs and MSM. Predictors of retention included living situation, employment status, HIV risk perception and low PrEP awareness, but differed between FSWs and MSM. These findings suggest that targeted awareness campaigns tailored to different KPs could improve PrEP retention in care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this report, we characterize the timing and behavior of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (GCTs) in pediatric patients with dysgenetic gonads compared to those with normal gonadal development. Patients from the Children's Oncology Group AGCT0132 with malignant ovarian GCTs were included. Within this population, we sought to identify patients with gonadoblastoma, streak ovaries, or other evidence of gonadal dysgenesis (GD). Patients with malignant GCTs containing one or more of the following histologies-yolk sac tumor, embryonal carcinoma, or choriocarcinoma-were included. Patients were compared with respect to event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS). Nine patients with GD, including seven with gonadoblastoma (mean age, 9.3 years), were compared to 100 non-GD patients (mean age, 12.1 years). The estimated 3-year EFS for patients with GD was 66.7% (95% CI 28.2-87.8%) and for non-GD patients was 88.8% (95% CI 80.2-93.8%). The estimated 3-year OS for patients with GD was 87.5% (95% CI 38.7-98.1%) and for non-GD patients was 97.6% (95% CI of 90.6-99.4%). Patients presenting with nongerminomatous malignant ovarian GCTs in the context of GD have a higher rate of events and death than counterparts with normal gonads. These findings emphasize the importance of noting a contralateral streak ovary or gonadoblastoma at histology for any ovarian GCT and support the recommendation for early bilateral gonadectomy in patients known to have GD with Y chromosome material. In contrast to those with pure dysgerminoma, these patients may represent a high-risk group that requires a more aggressive chemotherapy regimen.

Introduction: The third of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 targets is to achieve a 90% rate of viral suppression (HIV viral load Methods: We considered three possible distributions for viral loads in ART patients: Weibull, Pareto and reverse Weibull (imposing an upper limit but no lower limit on the log scale). The models were fitted to data on viral load distributions in ART patients in the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) collaboration (representing seven global regions) and the ART Cohort Collaboration (representing Europe), using separate random effects models for adults and children. The models were validated using data from the World Health Organization (WHO) HIV drug resistance report and the Brazilian national ART programme. Results: Models were calibrated using 921,157 adult and 37,431 paediatric viral load measurements, over 2010-2019. The Pareto and reverse Weibull models provided the best fits to the data, but for all models, the 'shape' parameters for the viral load distributions differed significantly between regions. The Weibull model performed best in the validation against the WHO drug resistance survey data, while the Pareto model produced uncertainty ranges that were too narrow, relative to the validation data. Based on these analyses, we recommend using the reverse Weibull model. For example, if a country reports an 80% rate of viral suppression at Conclusions: Estimates of viral suppression can change substantially depending on the threshold used in defining viral suppression. It is, therefore, important that viral suppression rates are standardized to the same threshold for the purpose of assessing progress towards UNAIDS targets. We have proposed a simple adjustment that allows this, and this has been incorporated into UNAIDS modelling software. Keywords: antiretroviral therapy; HIV; viral load, 1 | INTRODUCTION Antiretroviral treatment (ART) is highly effective in preventing the replication of HIV, which is crucial to restoring the immune systems of people living with HIV [1], improving [...]

Purpose To investigate whether event-free survival (EFS) can be maintained among children and adolescents with intermediate-risk (IR) malignant germ cell tumors (MGCT) if the administration of cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin (PEb) is reduced from four to three cycles and compressed from 5 to 3 days per cycle. Patients and Methods In a phase 3, single-arm trial, patients with IR MGCT (stage II-IV testicular, II-III ovarian, I-II extragonadal, or stage I gonadal tumors with subsequent recurrence) received three cycles of PEb. A parametric comparator model specified that the observed EFS rate should not be significantly < 92%. As recommended for trials that test a reduction of therapy, a one-sided P value ≤ .10 was used to indicate statistical significance. In a post hoc analysis, we also compared results to the EFS rate of comparable patients treated with four cycles of PEb in two prior studies. Results Among 210 eligible patients enrolled from 2003 to 2011, 4-year EFS (EFS4) rate was 89% (95% confidence interval, 83% to 92%), which was significantly lower than the 92% threshold of the comparison model ( P = .08). Among 181 newly diagnosed patients, the EFS4 rate was 87%, compared with 92% for 92 comparable children in the historical cohort ( P = .15). The EFS4 rate was significantly associated with stage (stage I, 100%; stage II, 92%; stage III, 85%; and stage IV, 54%; P < .001). Conclusion The EFS rate for children with IR MGCT observed after three cycles of PEb was less than that of a prespecified parametric model, particularly for patients with higher-stage tumors. These data do not support a reduction in the number of cycles of PEb from four to three. However, further investigation of a reduction in the number of cycles for patients with lower-stage tumors is warranted.

Introduction: The Central Africa International epidemiology Database to Evaluate AIDS (CA-IeDEA) is an open observational cohort study investigating impact, progression and long-term outcomes of HIV/AIDS among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo (ROC) and Rwanda. We describe trends in demographic, clinical and immunological characteristics as well as antiretroviral therapy (ART) use of patients aged > 15 years entering into HIV care in the participating CA-IeDEA site. Methods: Information on sociodemographic characteristics, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), CD4 cellcount, WHO staging and ART status at entry into care from 2004 through 2018 were extracted from clinic records of patients aged > 15 years enrolling in HIV care at participating clinics in Burundi, Cameroon, DRC, ROC and Rwanda. We assessed trends in patient characteristics at enrolment in HIV care including ART initiation within the first 30 days after enrolment in care and calculated proportions, means and medians (interquartile ranges) for the main variables of interest. Results: Among 69,176 patients in the CA-IeDEA cohort, 39% were from Rwanda, 24% from ROC, 18% from Cameroon, 14% from Burundi and 5% from DRC. More women (66%) than men enrolled in care and subsequently initiated ART. Women were also younger than men (32 vs. 38 years, P < 0.001) at enrolment and at ART initiation. Trends over time show increases in median CD4 cellcount at enrolment from 190 cells/[micro]L in 2004 to 334 cells/[micro]L in 2018 at enrolment. Among those with complete data on CD4 counts (60%), women had a higher median CD4 cell count at care entry than men (229 vs. 249 cells/[micro]L, P < 0.001). Trends in the proportion of patients using ART within 30 days of enrolment at the participating site show an increase from 16% in 2004 to 75% in 2018. Conclusions: Trends from 2004 to 2018 in the characteristics of patients participating in the CA-IeDEA cohort highlight improvements at entry into care and subsequent ART initiation including after the implementation of Treat All guidelines in the participating sites. Keywords: ARV; Africa; cohort studies; HIV epidemiology; low-and middle-income countries; HIV care continuum, 1 INTRODUCTION In 2018 over 37.9 million people aged >15 years were living with HIV globally, of whom 24.5 million (64.6%) were estimated to be accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART) [1]. [...]

Rhabdomyolysis, the release of myoglobin and other cellular breakdown products from necrotic muscle tissue, is seen in patients with crush injuries, drug overdose, malignant hyperthermia, muscular dystrophy, and with increasing frequency in obese patients undergoing routine procedures. For the perioperative clinician, managing the resultant shock, hyperkalemia, acidosis, and myoglobinuric acute kidney injury can present a significant challenge. Prompt recognition, hydration, and correction of metabolic disturbances may reduce or eliminate the need for long-term renal replacement therapy. This article reviews the pathophysiology and discusses key issues in the perioperative diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of rhabdomyolysis., Author(s): Devan R. Cote [sup.1], Eva Fuentes [sup.2], Ali H. Elsayes [sup.3], Jonathan J. Ross [sup.4], Sadeq A. Quraishi [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.32224.35, 0000 0004 0386 9924, Department of [...]

Introduction: Aiming to reach UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, nearly all sub-Saharan African countries have expanded antiretroviral therapy (ART) to all people living with HIV (PLWH) (Treat All). Few published data exist on viral load testing and viral suppression under Treat All in this region. We assessed proportions of patients with available viral load test results and who were virally suppressed, as well as factors associated with viral suppression, among PLWH in 10 Rwandan health centres after Treat All implementation. Methods: Cross-sectional study during 2018 of adults ([greater than or equal to]15 years) engaged in HIV care at 10 Rwandan health centres. Outcomes were being on ART (available ART initiation date in the study database, with no ART discontinuation prior to 1 January 2018), retained on ART ([greater than or equal to]2 post-ART health centre visits [greater than or equal to]90 days apart during 2018), available viral load test results (vira load measured in 2018 and available in study database) and virally suppressed (most recent 2018 viral load Results: Of 12,238 patients, 7050 (58%) were female and 1028 (8%) were aged 15 to 24 years. Nearly all patients (11,933; 97%) were on ART, of whom 11,198 (94%) were retained on ART. Among patients retained on ART, 10,200 (91%) had available viral load results; of these 9331 (91%) were virally suppressed. Viral suppression was less likely among patients aged 15 to 24 compared to >49 years (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 0.83, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.90 and those with pre-ART CD4 counts of Conclusions: In this large cohort of Rwandan PLWH receiving HIV care after Treat All implementation, patients in study health centres have surpassed the third UNAIDS 90-90-90 target. To ensure all PLWH fully benefit from ART, additiona efforts should focus on improving ART adherence among younger persons. Keywords: Treat All; ARV; HIV care continuum; LMIC; viral load monitoring; viral suppression, 1 | INTRODUCTION With the goal of ending the global AIDS epidemic, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) set the 90-90-90 targets with the aim that by 2020, [...]