Search Results (5)

Background: The Canadian HIV Cure Enterprise (CanCURE) is a pan-Canadian research collaboratory, investigating approaches for achieving sustainable HIV remission. In preparation for the next research cycle, CanCURE researchers and the Community Advisory Board (CAB) co-designed a web-based survey to identify HIV research priorities from the perspective of people with HIV (PWH) in Canada. The current study examined gender-based differences in these priorities. Methods: From August to December 2024, we recruited PWH across Canada through community organizations and community members. We collected data using REDCap electronic data capture tools hosted at The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre. The survey included 36 demographic questions, 16 questions related to general knowledge about HIV and HIV cure-related concepts, and 21 questions ranking research priorities. Knowledge questions were multiple choice, while priorities could be ranked on a scale. We summarized participant characteristics via descriptive statistics, and the research priorities were further stratified according to gender. Results: Of 109 participants, 48.6% self-identified as men, 46.8% as women, and 4.6% as two-spirit, non-binary, agender, or other. The median age was 53 years old. Approximately one-third of participants had lived with HIV for ≤14 years, one-third for 15–24 years, and one-third for ≥25 years. Overall, the median knowledge score of respondents was 79%. Among the 78 participants with prior HIV research experience, three times as many men (61.1%) as women (19.0%) participated in interventional studies involving medication or medical procedures. Men ranked preventing HIV transmission to partners as a priority, studying where the virus hides as the second, and avoiding high comorbidity risks as the third. In contrast, women ranked not having to take pills daily as a priority and avoiding higher risks for comorbidities as the second priority. Both genders equally valued expanding community involvement in HIV cure research. However, men focused more on integrating social and behavioural research, while women emphasized the need for diverse ethnic representation in research. Conclusions: Although both men and women share some common priorities regarding HIV cure research, there are notable gender differences in their specific concerns. Furthermore, a significant gender gap in participation in interventional studies, essential for advancing HIV cure research, highlights the importance of aligning research priorities with concerns of both genders. Full article

For athletes, sleep is essential for recovery and performance. Yet, up to two-thirds of athletes report poor sleep quality. Comprehensive data across all sports disciplines on the underlying causes of sleep problems are missing. We reanalyzed a data set of N = 1004 Swiss top athletes across an extensive array of 88 sports to gain knowledge on the specific deficits in sleep health with respect to gender, sport classes, sport-related factors, and well-being. We found that 18% of athletes were affected by at least two out of five high-risk sleep factors: 9% of athletes slept less than 6 h per day, 30% were dissatisfied with their sleep, 17% showed problems falling asleep within 30 min, 18% of athletes reported difficulty maintaining sleep more than three times a week, and 6% of athletes used sleeping pills more than once a week. We found sleep health strongly linked to overall well-being and mental health (22% showed at least moderate symptoms of either depression or anxiety). Therefore, screening and treating sleep disorders might effectively improve mental health and general well-being as well as performance among athletes around the globe. Full article

Information concerning the mechanisms underlying oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation in young healthy women predisposing eventually to future diseases is scarce. We investigated the relationship of oxidative stress and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in fertile-age women by oral combined contraceptive (OC) use. Caucasian Italian healthy non-obese women (n = 290; 100 OC-users; 190 non-OC-users; mean age 23.2 ± 4.7 years) were analyzed. Blood hydroperoxides, as oxidative stress biomarkers, were assessed by Free Oxygen Radical Test (FORT). Serum hsCRP was determined by an ultra-sensitive method (hsCRP). Markedly elevated oxidative stress (≥400 FORT Units) was found in 77.0% of OC-users and 1.6% of non-OC-users, odds ratio (OR) = 209, 95% CI = 60.9–715.4, p < 0.001. Elevated hsCRP levels ≥ 2.0 mg/L, considered risky for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), were found in 41.0% of OC-users and 9.5% of non-OC-users, OR = 6.6, 95%CI 3.5–12.4, p < 0.001. Hydroperoxides were strongly positively correlated to hsCRP in all women (r_s = 0.622, p < 0.001), in OC-users (r_s = 0.442, p < 0.001), and in non-OC-users (r_s = 0.426, p < 0.001). Women with hydroperoxides ≥ 400 FORT Units were eight times as likely to have hsCRP ≥ 2 mg/L. In non-OC-users only, hydroperoxides values were positively correlated with weight and body mass index, but negatively correlated with red meat, fish and chocolate consumption. Our research is the first finding a strong positive correlation of serum hydroperoxides with hsCRP, a marker of low-grade chronic inflammation, in young healthy women. Further research is needed to elucidate the potential role of these two biomarkers in OC-use associated side-effects, like thromboembolism and other CVDs. Full article

Background and Objectives: Arterial hypertension remains an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, despite all the progress made in the methods of diagnosis, monitoring of target organs’ damage and treatment. The main cause of the increased prevalence of uncontrolled blood pressure values is the low compliance to antihypertensive treatment. The objective of our study was to assess the compliance to the treatment of patients diagnosed with arterial hypertension and monitored in a primary care office. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional, retrospective study included 129 patients, 65.89% (85) women, previously diagnosed with arterial hypertension. Data from the medical files were analyzed, as well as the patients’ answers to a survey of 18 questions regarding arterial hypertension, comorbidities, complications, treatment and awareness of the condition. Results: The study included 129 patients, with a mean age of 66 ± 8 years. The majority of patients were overweight, 55.81% (72 patients), and 10.85% (14 patients) had grade I obesity. Most of the patients, 55.81% (72 patients) were diagnosed with grade III hypertension, while 37.98% (49 patients) were diagnosed with grade II hypertension and 6.2% (8 patients) with grade I hypertension. One third of the surveyed patients answered that they follow the recommendations of a low-sodium diet, 21.7% are adherent to treatment, but 56% think that the total cost of the medication is an impediment for their compliance to treatment. The majority, 82.17% (106 patients), of respondents had an affirmative answer to the questions: ‘Do you think it would be easier to take one pill instead of 2, 3 or 4 pills?’ Conclusion: The increased compliance to the antihypertensive treatment and control of blood pressure values are associated with the degree of awareness of arterial hypertension and the consequences if left untreated, emphasizing the role of the general practitioner in counseling for secondary prevention. Full article

As the world enters the fourth decade of the HIV/AIDS epidemic a number of new drugs have been developed that address current challenges with antiretroviral therapy (ART), such as pill burden, toxicity and drug-resistance. These new agents have not only been developed from established drug-classes, namely nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) and protease inhibitors (PIs), but also include innovative ways of suppressing viral replication. Intergrase inhibitors and chemokine receptor blockers have been developed which, combined with NRTIs, NNRTIs and PIs, comprise highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens able to tackle all aspects of the HIV life cycle with minimal toxicity. Furthermore, the ability of pharmaceutical companies to formulate these powerful drugs into fixed-dose combinations provides exciting new strategies for reducing pill burden, thus ensuring adherence and limiting the emergence of drug-resistance. The enthusiasm with which these new drugs have been received has, however, been tempered by the reality of limited access in the developing world, further highlighting the disparity between rich and poor countries in the fight against HIV/ AIDS. Access to these treatments in low- and middle-income countries will require the necessary political will, regulatory approval, affordability of drugs, as well as efficient procurement and supply management strategies. The priority of developing countries remains increased scale up of ART, but there is also a need to acquire new drugs in order to tackle toxicity and drug-resistance, both of which threaten the sustainability of such programmes. Thankfully, the vast majority of patients receiving ART in the developing world are still on first-line regimens, thus allowing time for newer agents to be made available as part of third-line treatment option. However, there is no room for complacency - the developing world needs access to new HIV treatments, an AIDS-free generation depends upon it. Full article