Gestational diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors and disease in U.S. Hispanics/Latinas in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

To compare cardiovascular risk and disease prevalence in U.S. Hispanics/Latinas with and without a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Cross-sectional data from 2008 to 2011 were analyzed for 8,262 (305 with GDM history) parous women, aged 20–73 years, from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). Women with and without a history of GDM were compared on sociodemographic, cardiovascular risk factor, and disease data from standardized interviews and fasting blood tests, using chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regressions to determine odds ratios (ORs) and 95 percent confidence intervals (CIs). Adjusting for covariates, compared to those without a history of GDM, women with a history of GDM were younger (M = 39.1 years [95 percent CI = 37.8, 41.6] vs. 45.5 years [95 percent CI = 44.9, 46.1]) and more likely to have health insurance (68.1 percent [95 percent CI = 60.3 percent, 76.0 percent] vs. 54.9 percent [95 percent CI = 52.8 percent, 57.1 percent]), had greater waist circumference (M = 102.3 cm, [95 percent CI = 100.2, 104.3] vs. 98.1 cm [95 percent CI = 97.4, 98.5]) and higher fasting glucose (116.0 mg/dL [95 percent CI = 107.8, 124.3] vs. 104.2 mg/dL [95 percent CI = 103.4, 105.1]), and had higher odds of having metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.7 [95 percent CI = 1.2, 2.6]) or diabetes (OR = 3.3 [95 percent CI = 2.2, 4.8]). Prevalences of heart and cerebrovascular disease were similar. GDM history was positively associated with diabetes but not with cardiovascular disease.     

Changes in expectation of relationship permanence,pregnancy acceptability and desire,and contraceptive use over time among young Latino/a women and men: An exploratory analysis

ObjectiveWe longitudinally assess associations between changes in expectation of relationship permanence—a measure that incorporates both relationship duration and commitment—pregnancy desire and acceptability, and highly effective contraception use among young U.S. Latino/as.Study designWe used multivariable logistic regression to analyze associations between changes in relationship factors, pregnancy acceptability and desire, and contraceptive method use over 6 months among 299 U.S. Latino/a women and men (ages 18–34) in relationships in a longitudinal study (retention rate: 32.4%).ResultsRespondents who found a pregnancy less acceptable at endline than at baseline were more likely to use highly effective contraception at endline (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.09, 8.08). Respondents estimating an increase in relationship permanence more than one standard deviation of the mean were 4.90 (95% CI 1.17, 20.55) times more likely to use highly effective contraception at endline, compared to those without a change in estimation of relationship permanence.ConclusionIn this longitudinal study of young adult Latino/as in relationships, we found associations between changes in respondents’ perceptions of the acceptability of a pregnancy and expectation of the permanence of their relationship and highly effective contraceptive use. Our findings reiterate the complicated, intertwined links between relationship dynamics, pregnancy orientation, contraception, and time.ImplicationsThe significance of decreased pregnancy acceptability (but not desire) for using highly effective contraception suggests the importance of acknowledging pregnancy acceptability in contraceptive counseling, particularly because providers are more likely to direct Latino/a young adults towards methods that may not fulfill their contraceptive desires. Including discussion of young people’s expectations of relationship permanence may also be meaningful in counseling.     

The Impact of Gestational Weight Gain and Diet on Abnormal Glucose Tolerance During Pregnancy in Hispanic Women

Objective To examine the association of gestational weight gain and dietary factors with abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT). Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study among 813 Hispanic prenatal care patients in Massachusetts. Gestational weight gain and oral glucose tolerance test results were abstracted from medical records. Dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Target weight gain was based on BMI-specific weekly weight gain rates established by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Results We observed a statistically significant interaction between prepregnancy BMI and weight gain in relation to AGT (P < 0.01). Class II/III (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m²) obese women who had a high rate of weight gain (>0.30 kg/week) or who exceeded target weight were 3–4 times as likely to develop AGT compared to women who gained within IOM ranges (OR = 4.2, 95% CI 1.1–16.0, OR = 3.2 95% CI 1.0–10.5, respectively). Increasing levels of saturated fat and fiber and decreasing levels of energy-dense snack foods and polyunsaturated fat:saturated fat ratio were significantly associated with increased risk of AGT, independent of gestational weight gain. Conclusions Weight gain among class II/III obese women and certain dietary components may represent modifiable risk factors for AGT. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Impact of Parent-Child Communication Interventions on Sex Behaviors and Cognitive Outcomes for Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino Youth: A Systematic Review, 1988–2012

PurposeWe reviewed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI)- behavioral interventions implemented with disproportionately affected black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino youth and designed to improve parent-child communications about sex. We compared their effectiveness in improving sex-related behavior or cognitive outcomes.MethodsA search of electronic databases identified peer-reviewed studies published between 1988 and 2012. Eligible studies were U.S.-based parent-child communication interventions with active parent components, experimental and quasiexperimental designs, measurement of youth sexual health outcomes, and enrollment of ≥50% black/African-American or Hispanic/Latino youth. We conducted systematic, primary reviews of eligible papers to abstract data on study characteristics and youth outcomes.ResultsFifteen studies evaluating 14 interventions were eligible. Although youth outcome measures and follow-up times varied, 13 of 15 studies (87%) showed at least one significantly improved youth sexual health outcome compared with controls (p < .05). Common components of effective interventions included joint parent and child session attendance, promotion of parent/family involvement, sexuality education for parents, developmental and/or cultural tailoring, and opportunities for parents to practice new communication skills with their youth.ConclusionsParent-child communication interventions that include parents of youth disproportionately affected by HIV/STIs can effectively reduce sexual risk for youth. These interventions may help reduce HIV/STI-related health disparities and improve sexual health outcomes.     

The reproductive needs and rights of people living with HIV in Argentina: Health service users' and providers' perspectives

This article focuses on the contraceptive and reproductive experiences and needs of people living with HIV and on public health services' responses to them in Argentina. Data collected through a national survey amongst people living with HIV (N = 841) and semi-structured interviews (N = 89) explored the perspectives of both health-care users and HIV/AIDS program coordinators and providers. The survey revealed that 55% of women and 30% of men had had children after their HIV diagnosis and that half of those pregnancies had been unintended. At the time of the survey in 2006, 73% of men and 64% of women did not want a (new) pregnancy. The vast majority report systematic condom use, but acknowledge difficulties complying with this recommendation. Dual protection (i.e., condom use plus another method) is low among those who do not want children or another pregnancy (8% of women and 9% of men reported using it). Mostly women and heterosexual men without children either expressed their wish or were seeking to be parents. Institutional and cultural barriers to friendly and/or effective contraceptive and reproductive counselling were identified. Most physicians encourage only condom use while a minority refers patients to family planning providers or talk with them about contraception. A lack of updated information about interactions between antiretroviral drugs and hormonal contraception and/or intrauterine devices was not infrequent among providers. Users reported having being discouraged or blamed by health professionals when they revealed they wanted to have (or were expecting) a baby. Professionals and program directors' attitudes regarding reproduction range from not acknowledging people's wishes, to providing useful information or referral. Whether wanted or unexpected, parenthood is a challenge for many of the people living with HIV. Social and biomedical responses still need to be refined in order to fully respect people's rights and succeed in preventing (re)infection as well as unwanted pregnancies. Drawing on study results, recommendations to enhance the provision of adequate information and services to help people prevent unwanted pregnancies or reproduce as safely as possible are discussed.     

The effect of timing and frequency of Plasmodium falciparum infection during pregnancy on the risk of low birth weight and maternal anemia

Plasmodium falciparum infection during pregnancy causes maternal anemia and low birth weight (LBW), but the effect of frequency and timing of infection on the severity of these adverse effects is unknown. We conducted a cohort study recruiting 2462 pregnant women in Malawi. Microscopy was used to diagnose malaria at enrollment, follow-up and delivery. Birth weight and maternal hemoglobin were measured at delivery. The association between timing and frequency of infection and LBW and maternal anemia was analyzed using a binomial regression model. Compared with uninfected women, (i) the risk of LBW increased with the number of malaria episodes [one episode: prevalence ratio (PR) 1.62 (95% CI 1.07-2.46); two episodes: PR 2.41 (95% CI 1.39-4.18)]; (ii) the risk for maternal anemia increased with the number of malaria episodes [one episode: PR 1.15 (95% CI 0.86-1.54); two episodes: PR 1.82 (95% CI 1.28-2.62)]; and (iii) the risk of LBW was higher with infection in the second (PR 1.71; 95% CI 1.06-2.74) than third trimester or at delivery (PR 1.55; 95% CI 0.88-2.75). The timing and frequency of P. falciparum infection during pregnancy affected the risk of LBW but only frequency of infection had an effect on the risk of maternal anemia. Identification of gestational periods when malaria causes most adverse outcomes will facilitate effective targeting of interventions.     

Challenges and opportunities for integrative health research in the context of culture: A commentary on Gersten

A new generation of research in population health is drawing on models and methods from the social and biomedical sciences to combine rich measurement of everyday contexts with objective measures of physiological function and health in field-based settings. We are at the beginning of an exciting era of discovery, and this commentary focuses on two questions of particular importance to comparative research. First, how do we use biological measures to define “health”? Second, how do we define and measure social context, particularly across cultural settings? Answers to these questions, as well as others addressed by scholars working at the intersection of the social and biomedical sciences, will ultimately lead to a better, more multidimensional understanding of human biology and health.     

The influence of culture on home-based family caregiving at end-of-life: a case study of Dutch reformed family care givers in Ontario, Canada

Families are facing increased pressure to provide care to their terminally-ill or dying kin in the home. It is known that balancing care with other personal and social roles can adversely affect family caregivers’ (FCGs) health, yet access to supportive services which can mitigate burden is often inadequate. Cultural factors are known to shape the experience of caregiving; however, most research to date tends to neglect the experiences of FCGs from different cultural groups. This understanding is necessary to ensure that supportive services are both meaningful and culturally-appropriate. Using qualitative methods, we undertook longitudinal research with a sample of Dutch Reformed FCGs (n = 5) to understand their experiences of caregiving and bereavement. The results of the study are suggestive of a cultural specificity with respect to caregiving that impacts both responsibilities and reactions to care. Three themes were salient to this group as a cultural entity: cultural attitudes towards care, religious beliefs and coping, and culturally-informed care-seeking behaviours. These three themes were seen to be a function of their religious and ethnic identities and were reinforced by ties to the communities in which they resided. Cultural identity provided a framework through which to understand and make sense of the experience, while group membership provided access to networks of informal support. This research contributes to the geographical literature on care/caregiving by providing insight into the social, cultural and religious context of informal family caregiving with a population who live in close geographic proximity. On a practical level, this case study indicates the importance of considering how these factors may operate in other settings in order to implement timely and appropriate interventions to better support FCGs who are caring for their terminally-ill loved-ones at home.     

A question of maturity: The participation,decision-making and rights of children in the context of HIV/AIDS

This article examines international, regional and national sources of law with respect to the rights of children and considers how a strict age of majority affects adolescents' access to health care. Using Rwanda as a case study, this article outlines how a high age of majority, combined with mandatory parental consent, creates barriers for Rwandan adolescents to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, learn their status and receive treatment for the disease. It further examines the relevant legal and policy framework of the Rwandan Government in order to suggest successful methods to gauge a child's maturity level for Rwanda and other countries. The article argues for the improvement of adolescents' level of participation in making health decisions, and thereby also increasing their access to HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) services.     

A disorder of anger and aggression: children's perspectives on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in the UK

This article investigates the social and moral dimensions of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, asking what ADHD means in UK children's everyday lives, and what children do with this diagnosis. Drawing on interviews with over 150 children, the analysis examines the influence of a UK state school-based culture of aggression on the form and intensity of diagnosed children's difficulties with behavioral self-control. Diagnosed children's mobilization of ADHD behaviors and their exploitation of the diagnosis shows how children's active moral agency can support and compromise cognitive, behavioral and social resilience. The findings support a proposal for a complex sociological model of ADHD diagnosis and demonstrate the relevance of this model for national policy initiatives related to mental health and wellbeing in children.     

Race,place and AIDS: The role of socioeconomic context on racial disparities in treatment and survival in San Francisco

Prior evidence suggests that the health and longevity benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for persons living with AIDS (PLWAs) have not been equally distributed across racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Notably, black PLWAs tend to fare worse than their counterparts. We examine the role of neighborhood socioeconomic context on racial/ethnic differences in AIDS treatment and survival in San Francisco. The study population encompassed 4211 San Francisco residents diagnosed with AIDS between 1996 and 2001. Vital status was reported through 2006. Census data were used to define neighborhood-level indicators of income, housing, demographics, employment and education. Cox proportional hazards models were employed in multivariate analyses of survival times. Compared to whites, blacks had a significant 1.4 greater mortality hazard ratio (HR), which decreased after accounting for ART initiation. PLWAs in the lowest socioeconomic neighborhoods had a significant HR of 1.4 relative to those in higher socioeconomic neighborhoods, independent of race/ethnicity. The neighborhood association decreased after accounting for ART initiation. Path analysis was used to explore causal pathways to ART initiation. Racial/ethnic differences in neighborhood residence accounted for 19–22% of the 1.6–1.8 black–white relative odds ratio (ROR) and 14–15% of the 1.3–1.4 Latino–white ROR for delayed or no treatment. Our findings illuminate the independent and synergistic contributions of race and place on treatment disparities and highlight the need for future studies and interventions to address treatment initiation as well as neighborhood effects on treatment differences.     

预防性控制血清促甲状腺素水平对IVF/ICSI-ET妊娠早期的影响

目的:探讨预防性控制血清促甲状腺素(TSH)水平2.5mU/L对体外受精/卵胞浆内单精子注射-胚胎移植(IVF/ICSI-ET)妊娠早期的影响。方法:因单纯输卵管因素或男方因素不孕初次接受IVF/ICSI-ET治疗的不孕患者181例,在初诊及IVF/ICSI治疗前1个月时检测血清游离甲状腺素(FT4)、促甲状腺素(TSH)水平。满足两次检测2.5mU/LTSH≤5.0mU/L者随机分为两组,未用左甲状腺素片(L-T4)预治疗的42例为A组,应用L-T4预治疗并维持TSH2.5mU/L的34例为B组;满足两次检测TSH≤2.5mU/L的105例为C组,比较3组IVF/ICSI-ET结果。结果:3组对象年龄、促性腺激素(Gn)用量、获卵数、内膜厚度、受精率、优胚率、胚胎移植数、生化妊娠率均无统计学差异(P0.05);A组胚胎种植率和临床妊娠率(27.9%、45.2%)较B组(49.2%、79.4%)、C组(42.9%、65.7%)低,早期流产率(31.6%)较B组(7.4%)、C组(11.6%)高,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05),B组与C组比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:对于2.5mU/LTSH≤5.0mU/L的不孕患者使用L-T4预治疗,使TSH水平维持在2.5mU/L,对其IVF/ICSI-ET早期妊娠结果有正面影响。     

中国艾滋病防治面临新形势与新挑战

  目的  了解福建省2015 — 2018年新报告艾滋病病毒感染者/艾滋病(HIV/AIDS)患者配偶检测情况及影响因素。  方法  采用统一面访问卷调查福建省2015 — 2018年每年11月30日前新报告的存活、婚姻状况为已婚有配偶的确诊HIV/AIDS患者,收集人口学信息和疾病相关信息。对配偶检测情况的影响因素进行单因素和多因素非条件logistic回归分析。  结果  共调查2 937例新报告的HIV/AIDS病例,报告当年配偶检测率89.9 %（2 641/2 937）,其中配偶检测阳性率20.5 %（541/2 641）,不同年份间配偶检测率差异有统计学意义（χ² = 19.396,P < 0.001）,而配偶阳性率差异无统计学意义（χ² = 1.770,P = 0.621）;多因素非条件logistic回归分析显示,户籍为省外（OR = 1.435,95 % CI = 1.050～1.960）在报告当年进行配偶检测的比例较低,进行CD4检测（OR = 0.102,95 % CI = 0.072～0.144）、在当年进行治疗者（OR = 0.488,95 % CI = 0.361～0.662）在报告当年进行配偶检测的比例较高,女性（OR = 3.903,95 % CI = 3.095～4.922）、年龄 ≥ 60岁（OR = 2.349,95 % CI = 1.493～3.693）、病程为AIDS患者（OR = 1.750,95 % CI = 1.415～2.164）、样本来源为重点人群（OR = 1.945,95 % CI = 1.093～3.462）在报告当年配偶检测阳性的比例较高,文化程度高中及以上（OR = 0.418,95 % CI = 0.300～0.582）、感染途径为同性传播（OR = 0.348,95 % CI = 0.139～0.868）在报告当年配偶检测阳性的比例较低。  结论  应加强对辖区内户籍为省外流动人员的配偶检测动员工作,同时与推动HIV/AIDS病例CD4检测与抗病毒治疗转介工作相结合,以完善新报告病例的随访管理工作;不同特征的病例在报告当年配偶检测阳性的比例不同,应采取针对性措施以减少配偶间传播,促进病例的早检测与早发现。     

The interaction between axes of inequality in studies on discrimination,stigma and HIV/AIDS: Contributions to the recent international literature

This study aimed to conduct a systematic literature review in order to identify how recent studies have addressed the interaction between social inequality and the processes of exclusion and marginalisation related to HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination. The review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases and included publications from 2008 to 2011. Of 497 summaries found in the review, 42 were selected and classified based on topic, population, axes of inequality employed, conceptualisation of stigma and relationship between stigma and vulnerability. Results demonstrated that there is a predominance of research on stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS, sexual and racial/ethnic minorities and migrants. The axes of inequality examined in the literature were linked to specific cultural and socio-economic dimensions and analysed as factors that behave synergistically to increase social groups' vulnerability to HIV. Half of the 42 articles viewed expression of stigma/discrimination to be the result of power dynamics that reinforce the processes of social exclusion. The other half of the articles tended to describe stigma as intrinsic to social interaction. Some researchers are making a visible effort to devise consistent theoretical and methodological approaches in order to understand stigma as a complex social process produced at the intersection of different axes of inequality. These efforts provide vital information that can inform how best to address HIV/AIDS stigma.     

The role of neuroactive steroids in ethanol/stress interactions: proceedings of symposium VII at the Volterra conference on alcohol and stress, May 2008

This report summarizes the proceedings of the symposium VII on the role of neuroactive steroids in stress/alcohol interactions. The production of GABAergic neuroactive steroids, including (3α,5α)-3-hydroxypregnan-20-one and (3α,5α)-3,21-dihydroxypregnan-20-one is a consequence of both acute stress and acute ethanol exposure. Acute, but not chronic ethanol administration elevates brain levels of these steroids and enhances GABA_A receptor activity. Neuroactive steroids modulate acute anticonvulsant effects, sedation, spatial memory impairment, anxiolytic-like, antidepressant-like, and reinforcing properties of ethanol in rodents. Furthermore, these steroids participate in the homeostatic regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Therefore, it is not surprising that neuroactive steroids are involved in ethanol/stress interactions. Nevertheless, the interactions are complex and not well understood. This symposium addressed the role of neuroactive steroids in both stress and alcohol responses and their interactions. Professor Giovanni Biggio of the University of Cagliari, Italy presented the effects of juvenile isolation stress on neuroactive steroids, GABA_A receptor expression, and ethanol sensitivity. Professor Howard Becker of the Medical University of South Carolina, USA presented evidence for neuroactive steroid involvement in ethanol dependence and drinking behavior. Professor Patrizia Porcu of the University of North Carolina, USA described a potential neuroactive steroid biomarker that may predict heavy drinking in monkeys and mice. These presentations provide a framework for new theories on the nature of ethanol/stress interactions that may be amenable to therapeutic interventions.     

口服α一硫辛酸对超重或肥胖患者脉搏波速度和卧位血压影响的随机、双盲、安慰剂对照、交叉试验研究

目的 探讨超重或肥胖患者口服抗氧化剂α-硫辛酸(ALA)对臂踝脉搏波速度(baPWV)、卧位收缩压(sSBP)和卧位舒张压(sDBP)的影响,为超重或肥胖相关心血管疾病的预防提供理论依据.方法 采用随机、双盲、安慰剂对照和交叉试验设计.按照入选标准(20～60岁汉族、BMI≥25 kg/m2和未服用任何抗氧化剂等)纳入研究对象103人(男性63人、女性40人).采用分层区组随机化设计方法将研究对象随机分到ALA组(52人)或安慰剂组(51人)进行为期8周的干预,剂量为1200mg/d.经过4周洗脱期后,两组干预措施交换再干预8周.基线测量包括问卷调查、人体测量、血压测量、脉搏波速度、卧位血压、血液生化指标的检测.两阶段起始和终末均采用统一的检测方法和同一批调查员.采用Stata 11.0软件进行混合效应模型分析.结果 ALA组和安慰剂组人体测量指标和生化指标的基线水平均衡可比(P＞0.05).经口服ALA 8周后,ALA组baPWV降低(-33.03±130.70)cm/s,安慰剂组升高(5.66±139.89)cm/s,两组差异无统计学意义(P=0.078).ALA组sSBP降低(-4.09±9.18)mm Hg,安慰剂组降低(-2.32±8.16)mm Hg,两组差异无统计学意义(P=0.067);ALA组sDBP降低(-1.29±6.55)mm Hg,安慰剂组降低(-0.48±6.63)mm Hg,但两组差异无统计学意义(P=0.595).混合效应模型分析结果显示,在控制了试验顺序、阶段等因素后,两组间baPWV、sSBP和sDBP的差异均无统计学意义.结论 ALA 1200mg/d口服8周,不能明显降低动脉硬度和卧位血压水平.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the effect of oral alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplement on brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV),supine systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in overweight/obese individuals.An 8-week double-blind,randomized,placebo-controlled and cross-over trial with a 4-week washout between cross-over periods.Methods Sixty-three males and 40 females aged 22-57 years old who met the inclusion criteria as (1) Han ethnicity;(2) 20-60 years old;(3) BMI≥25 kg/m2 and having at least one of the following risk factors:borderline hypertension (130 mm Hg≤SBP＜140 mm Hg and/or 85 mm Hg≤supine DBP＜90 mm Hg),dyslipidemia(fasting total cholesterol≥5.2 mmol/L or HDL-C＜1.04 mmol/L),or impaired fasting glucose (6.1 mmol/L≤fasting glucose＜7.0 mmol/L);(4)Not on any antioxidant gender.Group 1 received 8 weeks ALA (1200 mg/day) followed by 4-week washout period and followed by another 8 weeks placebo;while Group 2 received 8 weeks placebo (1200 mg/day)followed by 4-week washout period,and followed by ALA treatment for 8 weeks.BaPWV and supine blood pressure were measured at the beginning of 1st phase and 2nd phase and at the endpoint of the whole trial.Mixed effect linear regression model was performed to compare the change of baPWV and supine blood pressure between ALA group and placebo group.Results BaPWV decreased -33.03 cm/s ± 130.70 cm/s for ALA group and increased 5.66 cm/s ± 139.89 cm/s for placebo group,supine systolic blood pressure decreased -4.09 mm Hg±9.18 mm Hg for ALA group and -2.32 mm Hg±8.16 mm Hg for placebo group.Supine diastolic blood pressure decreased -1.29 mm Hg ± 6.55 mm Hg for ALA group and -0.48 mm Hg±6.63 mm Hg for placebo group.These three mix-effect models did not show significant effect of ALA treatment after adjustment on baseline values,sex,age,treatment sequence or period.Conclusion The current trial did not provide evidence that oral intake of ALA for 8 weeks had significant effects on lowering baPWV,supine systolic blood pressure or supine diastolic blood pressure.