Antiviral Therapy

Researchers are looking for new medicines to prevent HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1) infection. The goals of this study are to learn: * If taking MK-8527 once a month works to prevent HIV-1 infection as well as or better than a standard (usual) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) taken once a day * About the safety of MK-8527 and if people tolerate it

U.S. epidemiological data indicates that Black women are a high-risk HIV disparity group, yet initiation of novel prevention strategies like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among this group is stagnant. Socio-structural challenges like intimate partner violence and gendered racism can constrain PrEP access among Black women, but few implementation studies have mitigated these challenges to improve PrEP initiation. The proposed research aims to implement and assess the effectiveness, implementation, and sustainability of a multilevel intervention to increase PrEP initiation among Black women with and without intimate partner violence in Baltimore.

Researchers are looking for new medicines to prevent HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1) infection. The goals of this study are to learn: * If taking MK-8527 once a month works to prevent HIV-1 infection better than a standard (usual) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) taken once a day * About the safety of MK-8527 and if people tolerate it

Post mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is considered one of the most common types of CPSP with incidence ranging between 20% - 50%. Pregabalin is one of the drugs that can reduce the excitability of the dorsal horn neurons. It is a γ-aminobutyric acid analogue that binds to α2-δ subunits of the voltage-gated calcium channels in the central nervous system. Duloxetine is an SNRI that increases serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the central nervous system, which helps modulate pain pathways. Originally developed for depression and anxiety, it is also used for chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Amantadine is a noncompetitive antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. These receptors play a significant role in the development of central sensitization, acute opioid tolerance, and opioid-induced hyperalgesia.

The use of intravenous opioids (e.g., heroin) has been shown to impair the immune reconstitution outcomes of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) in HIV-1-infected individuals. People who inject opioid drugs (PWID) have lower CD4 count recovery and sustained cellular activation and inflammation compared to non-opioid users. The pathogenesis of this phenomenon remains understudied. Notably, the effect of oral μ-opioid receptor (MOR) full agonists (e.g., methadone) or partial agonist (e.g., buprenorphine), which are widely used as medications for opioid use disorder treatment, on cART-mediated immune reconstitution is also unknown, limiting the information available to healthcare providers on immune or viral outcomes associated with MOR agonists or antagonists (e.g., naltrexone) in HIV-infected PWIDs. The primary objective of this proposal is to establish the extent and pathogenesis of residual immune activation/inflammation, levels of immune reconstitution, and HIV measures in HIV-1-infected PWID who start cART concomitant with medication for opioid use disorder in an addiction clinic with three strategies: a) integrated treatment program (ITP) with oral methadone maintenance, or b) ITP with oral buprenorphine, or c) ITP with extended-release naltrexone. The primary hypothesis is that PWIDs receiving MOR agonists (i.e. methadone maintenance) will have impaired cART-mediated immune reconstitution outcomes and/or higher levels of systemic immune activation and cell-associated HIV as compared to PWIDs receiving MOR partial agonist (i.e., buprenorphine/naloxone) or antagonist (i.e., extended-release naltrexone). The investigators will test these hypotheses in the following specific aims: Specific Aim 1: To define the impact of sustained MOR stimulation on the kinetics and extent of immune reconstitution and activation in HIV-1-infected PWID who are starting cART. To this end, the investigators will compare long-term changes in immune activation and senescence, systemic inflammation, and biological immune reconstitution parameters in a cohort of PWID with chronic HIV infection initiating ART, randomized 1:1:1 to either methadone, buprenorphine/naloxone or extended-release naltrexone. Specific Aim 2: To define the clinical and virological correlates of long-term treatment with MOR full agonist (methadone), partial agonist (buprenorphine/naloxone) and antagonist (extended-release naltrexone), by analysis of clinical outcomes (CD4 count), adherence to ART, and retention in care. Viral measures will focus on the changes in persistent HIV reservoir measures on ART (i.e., characterization of cell-associated viral RNA and DNA species in PBMC).

Objective To compare the safety and efficacy of Apixaban vs. placebo in the prevention of LV thrombus formation in patients with acute anterior myocardial and severe LV dysfunction following primary PCI in an open label, randomized controlled trial. Methods: Inclusion Criteria .Patients aged 18-65 years, presenting with acute anterior STEMI and severe LV dysfunction (EF\<35%) with antero-apical akinesis, dyskinesis, or aneurysm. Exclusion Criteria * Patients with previous myocardial infarction or revascularization procedures. * Patients with cardiogenic shock * Patients with advanced CKD (Cr \< 2 and those on hemodialysis) * Recent ICH or major bleed requiring transfusion, low platelet counts\<100,000 * History of CVA * Patients with atrial fibrillation or other indications for chronic anticoagulation * Pregnant patients and those with hematological disorders Eligible patients will be enrolled after informed consent. Randomization will be undertaken once post PCI echocardiography is done and LV function is recorded. Patients randomized to the treatment arm will be given Apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily and DAPT for two weeks in addition to other guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT). After two weeks of triple therapy (DOAC+DAPT), aspirin will be dropped in the study arm. The control arm will be of standard care. After 4 weeks, treatment group will be switched to DAPT. Follow up The primary endpoint will be the incidence of LV thrombus formation recorded at 4-week follow-up echocardiography. Patients' clinical status, side effects, and medication compliance will be recorded. At 2-week: patients will be contacted via phone call to assess their clinical status, ensure drug compliance, discuss any necessary changes in drug regimen for those in the treatment group already prescribed on discharge, and inquire about any side effects. At 4-week: patients will undergo an in-person follow-up where echocardiography will be conducted alongside a comprehensive assessment In case of any cardiac complaints, patients will be advised to visit the hospital or cardiologist promptly to complete a comprehensive clinical and laboratory workup. Primary endpoint . Incidence of LV thrombus formation in the treatment arm vs. placebo at 4 week follow up echocardiography. Secondary endpoints * composite of death, recurrent myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, and heart failure hospitalization in experimental arm vs. control group. * Major and minor bleeding in experimental arm vs. control group * Discontinuation of the drug due to side effects in experimental arm vs. control group A clinical events committee whose members are unaware of study-group assignments will independently adjudicate all potential endpoints.

The purpose of this research is to test the impact of dyadic, focused case management on financial well-being, access to food, linkage to and retention in care outcomes for individuals living with or vulnerable to HIV. The study population is men who have sex with men (MSM) or same-sex attraction, gender-diverse persons, and cis-gender women living with or at increased vulnerability to HIV. The study team will be testing the hypotheses that dyadic case management that is focused on financial wellness, will have better outcomes for folks living with or vulnerable to HIV. Analyses will be used to assess the efficacy of the intervention as an emerging practice.

Poverty is an important contributor to poor short- and long-term HIV outcomes for pregnant women with HIV. This problem is salient in Botswana, where antenatal HIV prevalence is \>20%. Poverty has been reported as a major barrier to sustained engagement in ART among pregnant women with HIV, and extreme poverty affects 15-20% of people in Botswana. Recent research in behavioral economics has shown that poverty can result in worse health outcomes by taxing mental bandwidth, resulting in a heightened focus on immediate needs and less attention to future-oriented decisions. Mental bandwidth is likely further taxed by the added burdens of HIV and the perinatal period. Consequently, anti-poverty interventions targeting pregnant women with HIV, such as cash transfers, may be particularly effective at improving health outcomes. However, equipoise remains about the role of cash transfers in HIV, with prior studies showing mixed results (e.g., HPTN068 showing no reduction in HIV incidence among school-aged girls receiving cash transfers in South Africa). In addition, there is a policy relevant question of whether and to what extent a pregnancy support grant could help improve outcomes. In this study, we will conduct a pilot Hybrid Type 2 effectiveness-implementation trial of an unconditional cash transfer intervention for pregnant women with HIV. This research will be conducted at antenatal clinics managed by the District Health Management Teams in Gaborone (e.g., Old Naledi, Mafitlakgosi) and Mogoditsane-Thamaga District (e.g., Lesirane). It will be a collaboration between the University of Botswana and the University of Pennsylvania, through the Botswana-Upenn-Partnership. The study population will be comprised of pregnant women with HIV receiving antenatal care. We will enroll a total of 100 participants in their second trimester - 50 assigned to the usual care arm (standard social support), and 50 assigned to the intervention arm (the addition of 1000 BWP per month through 6 months post partum). All participants will complete study visits at baseline (Visit 1), late pregnancy prior to delivery (Visit 2), and 3-6 months post-partum (Visit 3). Data collected at study visits will include survey questionnaires, bandwidth assessments, and clinical data from the electronic health record database. During the final study visit, we will recruit 20 participants (15 intervention, 5 control; randomly selected) for individual qualitative interviews. Primary outcomes will include mental bandwidth and ART adherence (effectiveness outcomes), and feasibility and acceptability of the intervention (implementation outcomes). These findings will be used as the basis for an NIH R01 proposal to conduct a larger trial of an unconditional cash transfer powered for clinical outcomes (e.g., postpartum viral suppression).

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the efficacy of a client-center care coordination intervention (C4) in improving pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adherence in Black men who have sex with men (MSM). The main aims of the study are: 1. Determine the efficacy of C4 for increasing PrEP adherence among Black MSM. 2. Identify the optimal dose of C4 implementation for maximizing its effect on PrEP adherence. 3. Describe the acceptability and feasibility of C4 implementation in community settings. Participants in the clinical trial will be randomized to receive the intervention or standard of care for PrEP in two sites. Researchers will compare administration of C4 to standard of care to see if C4 improves adherence to PrEP. C4 is a longitudinal intervention which provides individualized client-centered HIV prevention and support services designed to address health and psychosocial needs that impact the success of PrEP use and adherence (i.e., co-morbidities, substance use, mental health, housing, etc.). The intervention pulls from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Comprehensive Risk Counseling and Services (CRCS) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to support client-identified HIV prevention goals to promote, adopt, and maintain PrEP use. CRCS is a public health strategy to assist persons in developing behavioral goals to reduce HIV acquisition and transmission. In this intervention, the HIV prevention plan element of CRCS will be the foundation of the C4 intervention. After the initial prevention plan is developed, elements of SDT will be used to implement a client-centered care approach to assist in addressing issues which many arise which impede successful PrEP adherence.

Approval of the study was obtained from the hospital's ethical committee. The study design and methodology followed the tenets of Declaration of Helsinki. All patients were provided with written informed consent and received a thorough explanation of the use of 2% Ganciclovir Eye Drops, its potential risks and benefits. This is a monocencer, single arm, prospective study. The experimental group is: 2% Ganciclovir Eye Drops therapy group. Administration method and dose adjustment: 2% ganciclovir eye drops, 10 times / day for two weeks, 8 times/day for two weeks, 6 times/day for two weeks, 4 times/day for more than six weeks. According to best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, corneal abrasion, anterior chamber and vitreous inflammation, optical coherence tomography (OCT), Ultra wide angle fundus image and so on. The investigators evaluate the effects of 2% Ganciclovir Eye Drops in treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis.