Significant Decrease In Frequency Research Articles

Early change in coping strategies in responsive treatments for borderline personality disorder: A mediation analysis.

Difficulty in emotion regulation is a hallmark feature of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Therefore, change in the frequency of certain patients' coping strategies-aiming at emotion regulation-are among the most promising mechanisms of change in treatments for BPD. In parallel, it was highlighted that therapist responsiveness significantly contributed to outcome across treatment approaches (Stiles, 2009). Based on a randomized controlled trial (Kramer et al., 2014), the present process-outcome mediation analysis aims at examining the patient's early change in frequency of coping strategies-in particular the decrease in behavioral forms of coping-as potential mechanism of change in responsive treatments for BPD. A total of 57 patients with BPD were included in the present analysis, out of whom 27 were randomly assigned to a 10-session psychiatric treatment and 30 to a 10-session psychiatric treatment augmented with the responsive intervention of the motive-oriented therapeutic relationship (Caspar, 2007). The 1st, 5th, and 9th session of each therapy were transcribed and analyzed using the Coping Action Pattern Rating Scale (Perry et al., 2005; 171 sessions analyzed in total), a validated observer-rated method for assessing coping strategies in the therapy process. Psychological distress was assessed using the OQ-45 at intake, after Session 5, and after Session 10. The results confirmed a responsiveness effect associated with the motive-oriented therapeutic relationship and showed a significant decrease in frequency of behavioral forms of coping, F(1, 54) = 3.09, p = .05, d = .56, which was not different between the 2 conditions. In addition, we demonstrated that the early decrease in behavioral forms of coping between Sessions 1 and 5 partially mediated the link between the group assignment and the change in psychological distress between Sessions 5 and 10. These results shed light on the centrality of therapist responsiveness in treatments for BPD and its impact on very early change in patient's in-session behavioral coping strategies, contributing to the effectiveness of short-term treatments for BPD. (PsycINFO Database Record

Clinical Outcomes and Self-Reported Symptoms in Patients With Acromegaly: An 8-Year Follow-Up of a Lanreotide Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of patients with acromegaly who remained on long-term lanreotide depot after completion of an open-label multicenter phase III clinical trial (SALSA: A Multi Center Open Label Study to Assess the Ability of Subjects With Acromegaly or Their Partners to Administer Somatuline Autogel), compare baseline and long-term follow-up symptoms scores, and correlate scores with individual longitudinal clinical outcomes. Records of all subjects previously enrolled at the Massachusetts General Hospital site of SALSA were reviewed. Those who remained on lanreotide were interviewed and asked to complete a questionnaire that they had filled out in SALSA in 2007 regarding their current symptomatology and injection side effects, as well as to complete the Acromegaly Quality of Life Questionnaire. Furthermore, clinical, biochemical, and radiographic data related to acromegaly and its comorbidities were tracked throughout follow-up. Six out of 7 patients chose to remain on lanreotide, and 5 of them continued lanreotide depot through last follow-up, for up to 8 years or in 1 case until death. In all cases, lanreotide remained well tolerated, and insulin-like growth factor-1 levels and pituitary imaging remained well controlled on stable doses. While comorbidities persisted or developed, the self-reported symptom score after up to 8 years of therapy showed a significant decrease in frequency or resolution in symptoms that were reported at baseline. This study shows a significant decrease in frequency or resolution in self-reported symptoms in well-controlled patients receiving long-term lanreotide therapy. AcroQoL = Acromegaly Quality of Life Questionnaire GH = growth hormone GI = gastrointestinal IGF-1 = insulin-like growth factor-1 SALSA = A Multi Center Open Label Study to Assess the Ability of Subjects With Acromegaly or Their Partners to Administer Somatuline Autogel.

Guided self-help group therapy for women with binge eating disorder

Background Self-help was found to be beneficial in terms of reduced binge eating, improved abnormal eating attitudes, and higher abstinence rates. They are typically brief and less costly compared with other therapies. Objectives The present study was designed to assess the outcome of guided self-help group therapy on female patients with binge eating disorder (BED). Patients and methods In the present experimental clinical trial, 27 female patients between 18 and 45 years of age diagnosed with BED were enrolled in guided self-help group therapy once weekly for 12 consecutive weeks. Prepsychometric and postpsychometric assessment was carried out to measure eating pathology, frequency of binge eating episodes, and self-esteem using Eating Disorder Examination, Symptom Checklist (SCL90-R), and Rosenberg’s self-Esteem Scale in addition to BMI. Results Patients showed a significant decrease in frequency of binge eating episodes (P=0.000), less over concern of body weight and shape, less BMI (P=0.000), and less psychological distress with no difference in self-esteem. Conclusion Guided self-help therapy is effective in reducing the severity of BED.

Comparison of Regular and Probiotic Yogurts in Treatment of Acute Watery Diarrhea in Children

Diarrhea is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age, especially in developing countries. Due to dehydration and imbalance of water and electrolytes in the body. There is a need to introduce alternative ways for management of this common health problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of regular and probiotic yogurt on duration and frequency of diarrhea in children aged one to five with acute watery diarrhea. Ninety patients were randomly assigned to three groups, two intervention groups, including regular and probiotic yogurt groups, and a control group. In the regular yogurt group, the first significant decrease in frequency of diarrhea was 2.15 ± 0.61 days and in the probiotic group was 2.65 ± 0.72 days after admission to the hospital.

ОПЫТ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ РАЗЛИЧНЫХ МЕТОДИК ХИРУРГИЧЕСКОГО ЛЕЧЕНИЯ ВРОЖДЁННОЙ РАСЩЕЛИНЫ ГУБЫ И НЁБА

Objective: To study the results of surgical treatment of patients with cheiloschisis and palate. Methods: 230 patients with cheiloschisis and palate were examined in the period from 2009 to 2016. Patients with a congenital cleft of the upper lip were 55; patients with isolated cleft palate 152; and other patients have combined defects. Results: A total of 287 surgical interventions were performed. It was established that the use of Millard’s operation in the congenital cleft of the upper lip is preferable to the Tennesy operation, despite the great difficulties in performing the first. When the defects of the soft palate were eliminated, the technique of using the posterior-pharyngeal flaps was most effective. Conclusion: The choice of the method of surgical treatment of cheiloschisis and palate should be strictly individual, which ultimately contributes to a significant decrease of frequency of postoperative complications. Keywords: Congenital cleft, muscles of soft palate, veloplasty, uranoplasty.

Outcomes of a Two-Component Intervention on Behavioral Symptoms in Persons With Dementia and Symptom Response in Their Caregivers.

This study evaluated the longitudinal influence of an individualized evidence-based psychoeducational intervention for caregivers on frequency of behavioral symptoms in persons with dementia (PWD) and caregiver reaction to these symptoms. The intervention included information about the disease process using Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (PLST) content and a family meeting based on Mittelman's New York University Intervention. A quasi-experimental study design was implemented. The Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist was administered to N = 127 caregiver/care recipient dyads at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months follow-up. All caregivers were enrolled in the intervention at baseline and followed over 18 months. Linear mixed models were developed to evaluate effects on frequency of behavioral symptoms in PWD and caregiver response. The most frequently occurring behavior was memory problems, although depressive behaviors produced the most negative caregiver responses. Between baseline and 6-month follow-up, there was a significant decrease in frequency of behavioral symptoms. Overall, there was a significant decrease in caregiver's reaction to behavioral symptoms from baseline to 18-month follow-up.

Abstract LB-337: Systemic shift in genomic aberrations in breast carcinomas during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in combination with bevacizumab

Abstract A time course study was designed to investigate the dynamics of copy number aberrations in tumor DNA during treatment of breast cancer patients. A phase II randomized clinical trial of Her2 negative breast cancer patients was conducted, with patients being treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (FEC and taxane), with or without bevacizumab. Serial biopsies were obtained at time of diagnosis, at 12 weeks after treatment with FEC +/- bevacizumab, and at 25 weeks after treatment with taxane +/- bevacizumab. Tumor DNA alterations and tumor percentage were studied over time, and substantial differences were observed with some tumors changing mainly between diagnosis and 12 weeks (after the FEC cycle), others between 12 and 25 weeks (taxanes), and still others changing in both time periods. In both treatment arms, good responders (GR) and non-responders (NR) displayed significant difference in genomic instability index (GII) at time of diagnosis. In the Combination arm at time of diagnosis, 25 loci harbored copy number alterations, which were significantly different between the GR and NR. An inverse aberration pattern was observed between the two extreme response groups at 6p22-p12 for patients in the Combination arm. In most cases, tumors that retained aberrations at all time points did not decrease in size. Signs of subclonal reduction were observed, with some aberrations disappearing and others being retained during treatment. In both treatment arms an increase in subclonal amplification was observed at 6p21.1, the locus which contains the VEGFA gene targeted by bevacizumab and was associated with good response. Significant decrease of frequency of subclones carrying gains at 17q21.32-q22 was observed at 12 week, with the peak occurring at TMEM100, an ALK1 receptor signaling-dependent gene essential for vasculogenesis. This implies that cells bearing amplifications of TMEM100 are particularly sensitive to the treatment regime. Taken together, these results suggest that heterogeneity and subclonal architecture influence the response to targeted treatment in combination with chemotherapy, with possible implications for clinical decision making and monitoring of treatment efficacy. Citation Format: Elen K. Møller, Silje Nord, David Wedge, Ole Christian Lngjærde, Laxmi Silwal-Pandit, Hedda vdL Gythfeld, Hans Kristian M. Vollan, Thomas Fleischer, Marit Krohn, Ellen Schlichting, Elin Borgen, Øystein Garred, Marit M. Holmen, Erik Wist, Bjørn Naume, Peter V. Loo, Anne-Lise Børresen-Dale, Olav Engebråten, Vessela Kristensen. Systemic shift in genomic aberrations in breast carcinomas during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in combination with bevacizumab. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-337.

Acceptance of premonitory urges and tics

Premonitory urges (PU) often precede motor and vocal tic expression, are relieved by completion of the tic and may be more bothersome than tics. Most treatments focus more on tics than on PU. The present study examines the effect of an acceptance-based approach on PU. Forty five participants, aged 8–17, with Tourette syndrome (TS) were assessed. The procedure included three conditions, of 2min’ duration: free-to-tic (baseline), tic suppression and urge acceptance. For each condition, participant’s monitored PU frequency and intensity, and discomfort level and tic frequency were measured. There was a significant decrease in frequency and intensity of urges during acceptance based approach. The same significant decrease was seen for discomfort level and tic frequency. These results may lead to new insights regarding therapy.

An Integrated HIV Risk Reduction Intervention for Women with a History of Intimate Partner Violence: Pilot Test Results.

There are few HIV risk reduction interventions to meet the unique needs of women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV). This pilot study tested the feasibility, safety, and preliminary effects of an integrated IPV-sexual risk reduction intervention for abused women. Fifty-five women were randomized to the supporting positive and healthy relationships (SUPPORT) intervention (n=27) or to a control group (n=28). Assessments were conducted pre- and post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up. Post-intervention, SUPPORT participants showed a significant decrease in frequency of unprotected sex and an increase in safer sex communications with steady and other sexual partners. Compared to the control group, SUPPORT participants reported a higher number of safer sex conversations with their steady partner at the 3-month follow-up, and fewer episodes of IPV at both assessments in comparison to baseline. They showed improvements in sexual relationship power at both follow-ups and in several hypothesized antecedents of HIV-risk behavior. These encouraging preliminary findings suggest the need for a larger clinical trial.

Persistent deficiency of circulating mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in ANCA-associated vasculitis

ObjectiveMucosal associated invariant T cells (MAIT) and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have immunoregulatory functions at mucosal sites and have been involved in various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to assess their frequencies in blood in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). MethodsThe frequencies and function of MAIT cells, ILCs, γδT, iNKT, NK cells were analyzed by flow cytometry on PBMC of patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) without any treatment, in acute (AP) and remission phase (RP) and compared with healthy controls (HC). ResultsThe frequencies of MAIT cells were strongly decreased in GPA and MPA in AP compared to HC, both in never treated and in relapsing patients and independently of patient age. This was associated with an activated phenotype of patient MAIT cells, as shown by increased expression of CD69 and IFNγ. MAIT cells remained decreased during RP in AAV patients. The frequencies of iNKT and γδT cells were unaffected compared to HC, whereas those of NK cells were slightly reduced during AP in MPA. We also observed a significant decrease in frequencies of total ILCs with decreased ILC2 and ILC3 and increased ILC1 during AP in both GPA and MPA compared to HC. These frequencies normalized during RP. Interestingly, we observed a significant correlation between the frequency of total ILCs and BVAS. ConclusionWe show for the first time that AAV are associated with a major decrease and an activated phenotype of blood MAIT cell. These features persisted during remission suggesting a role for MAIT cells in the pathogenesis of AAV.

A prospective study of the cumulative incidence and course of restless legs syndrome in de novo patients with Parkinson’s disease during chronic dopaminergic therapy

The authors report the cumulative incidence of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) over a 3 years follow-up period in 92 de novo Parkinson's disease patients under chronic dopaminergic therapy and the clinical course of the sensory-motor disorder over 12 months as from its onset. The overall cumulative incidence of RLS was found by 15.3%, i.e. 14 incident cases, and by 11.9%, i.e. 11 incident cases, after the exclusion of possible "secondary" forms of the disorder. These figures are higher than those reported in general population in Germany (Study of Health in Pomerania), confirming our previous findings of incidence rate of the disorder. At the end of the 3 years follow-up period the prevalence of "current" RLS was significantly higher than that previously found in drug naïve Parkinson's disease patients and in controls, supporting the view that RLS emerging in the course of chronic dopaminergic therapy is the main determinant of the co-morbid association with Parkinson's disease. During the 12 months period of observation the RLS showed a frequency of occurrence of 6.08 episodes per month on average and a remittent clinical course was prevailing in the 11 incident cases, with a significant frequency decrease in the second as compared to the first 6 months, i.e. 3.26 versus 8.9 episodes per month, and none of the patients developed augmentation in the same period. It is hypothesized that the remittent course could be due to long-term adaptation (downregulation) of the hypersensitive post-synaptic dopamine receptors in the spinal cord to a continuous dopaminergic stimulation, possibly coupled with compensatory up-regulation of pre-synaptic dopamine re-uptake mechanism, in the patients in which the hypothalamic A11 area, site of origin of the dopamine-mediated diencephalo-spinal pathway, is involved in the neurodegenerative process.

Does perception of treatment predict outcome in interventions for smokers who are not ready to quit?

at 3-month follow-up. Assessments were conducted at baseline, treatment completion and 3-month follow up. Results: Hypotheses: Compared to participants in the UC condition, participants in the RBT+WC condition will, on average, show significant decreases in frequency of sharing syringes and other injection paraphernalia, frequency of use of opioids, stimulants and alcohol. Sharing of needles and injection paraphernalia rarely occurred in the sample, precluding inferential analyses. The decrease in past 30-day opioid use days from baseline to treatment completion to 3-month follow-up was larger in the RBT+WC (Means =9.6 to 2.7 to 0.6) than in the UC condition (12.2 to 6.1 to 3.0), p= .047. Conclusions: RBT+WC represents a promising comprehensive women-centered intervention for reducing drug use and HIV risks for substance-using women in Georgia. Financial support: NIDA R01 DA029880 (Hendree Jones, PI).

Downstream Processing, Formulation Development and Antithrombotic Evaluation of Microbial Nattokinase

The present research work describes the downstreaming of nattokinase (NK) produced by Bacillus subtilis under solid state fermentation; and the role of efficient oral formulation of purified NK in the management of thrombotic disorders. Molecular weight of purified NK was estimated to be 28 kDa with specific activity of 504.4 FU/mg. Acid stable nattokinase loaded chitosan nanoparticles (sNLCN) were fabricated for oral delivery of this enzyme. Box-Behnken design (BBD) was employed to investigate and validate the effect of process (independent) variables on the quality attributes (dependent variables) of nanoparticles. The integrity, conformational stability and preservation of fibrinolytic activity of NK (in both free and sNLCN forms) were established by SDS-PAGE, CD analysis and in vitro clot lytic examination, respectively. A 'tail thrombosis model' demonstrated significant decrease in frequency of thrombosis in Wistar rats upon peroral administration of sNLCN in comparison with negative control and free NK group. Furthermore, coagulation analysis, namely the measurement of prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin time illustrated that sNLCN showed significantly (p < 0.001) higher anti-thrombotic potential in comparison to the free NK. Further, sNLCN showed anti-thrombotic profile similar to warfarin. This study signifies the potential of sNLCN in oral delivery of NK for the management of thrombotic disorders.

Hypophosphatemia is Associated with the Serial Administration of Triple-Dose Gadolinium to Patients for Brain MRI.

The purpose of this study is to report a metabolic abnormality associated with frequent, triple-dose Gadolinium (TdGd) use in MS patients during BECOME trial. Potential clinical adverse events and lab abnormalities were monitored at each monthly MRI visit. Hypophosphatemia was defined as phosphate <2.5 mg/dL. Statistical analysis included McNemar's test for pairwise comparisons across visits and generalized estimating equations (GEE) to fit models over time. Eight hundred seventy seven phosphate values were analyzed from the first 12 months. Compared with 4% of subjects at screening, an average of 15.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 11.4%-19.7%) of patients had hypophosphatemia at visits from months 1 to 12, during which subjects received serial TdGd. Forty four of seventy five (59%) patients developed hypophosphatemia at least once. We also found a significant increasing trend in hypophosphatemia by visit when treatment groups were evaluated together or separately (p < .001). There was a statistically significant decrease in frequency to 9.8% (95% CI: 4.6-19.8%) by month 24 (p = .005) coinciding with a period of less frequent gadolinium administration. Serial TdGd in MS patients, unrelated to immunomodulatory treatment, was associated with increased frequency of hypophosphatemia that progressed with cumulative triple-dose and markedly decreased in second year, with less frequent triple-dose administration.

Spatial and temporal trend analysis of temperature extremes based on Iranian climatic database (1962–2004)

An investigation of climatic extreme events presents the valuable opportunities to evaluate the potential impacts of climate change on human activities, agriculture, and economy. These analyses are useful procedures in monitoring climate change on a synoptic scale. The present study is a trend analysis of the extreme temperature events, which have been based on the gridded daily temperatures of Iranian climatic database within 1962–2004. The aim of the present study is to identify the frequency and intensity of extreme events, which have been increased with over Iran in the last four decades. Both the Mann–Kendall trend test and simple linear regression were utilized to detect trends in annual temperature extremes. The results showed that the frequency of hot extreme temperature events has increased over the study area within 1962–2004, while a negative trend has been observed in the frequency of cold extreme temperatures. About 66 % of the surface area has a significant positive trend in frequency of hot days and nights, while about 40.9 and 68.5 % of surface area have a significant decrease in frequency of cold days and nights, respectively. The strongest increasing tendency is detected in the case of the annual numbers of hot nights, warm nights, summer days, warm days, and the heat wave duration indices.

The efficacy of computerized alcohol intervention tailored to drinking motives among college students: a quasi-experimental pilot study

Background: Although motivational processes may influence the intervention effects and help prevention programmes identify students at great risk for alcohol-related problems, no computerized alcohol intervention has yet to be tailored to drinking motives. Objective: To describe the development and initial pilot testing of a computer-delivered intervention tailored to drinking motives, to prevent alcohol abuse and its adverse consequences among university students in general and among baseline hazardous drinkers specifically. Methods: 124 college students attending a public university in northeastern Italy participated in this study in October of 2012 (89.2% female- mean age = 21.64–34% baseline hazardous drinkers). Two classes (one undergraduate, one graduate) were assigned to one of two conditions: intervention and control group. Both groups received profile-specific feedback and then the intervention group received profile-specific online training for 4 weeks. This profile was based on their risk type (high-low) and drinking motives (enhancement-social-conformity-coping). Results: Controlling for corresponding baseline alcohol measures, analyses showed a significant interaction between intervention condition and hazardous drinkers at baseline. For hazardous drinkers at baseline, the alcohol intervention results showed a significant decrease in frequency and quantity of alcohol use at follow-up, while no difference was observed between intervention conditions for non-hazardous drinkers at baseline. Conclusions: The results suggest that hazardous drinkers (college students) who completed the specific training and received personalized feedback seemed to do better on frequency and quantity of alcohol use than hazardous drinkers (college students) who received only personalized feedback. These results seem to provide support for a larger trial of the intervention and for more appropriate evaluations.

Radioprotective Effects of Histamine H2 Receptor Antagonists Famotidine and Ranitidine on Gamma-Ray Induced Chromosome Aberration and Micronuclei &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;in vitro&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; in Human Lymphocytes

Histamine H2 receptor antagonist are used in the clinical treatment of peptic ulcer. In vitro metaphase analysis and micronucleus assay were used to test the effect of Famotidine & Ranitidine on 60Cobalt gamma-ray induced clastogenic effects. Heparinised whole blood was obtained from 6 healthy volunteers and was gamma irradiated with 3Gy. Lymphocyte cultures were initiated and aqueous solution of Famotidine (150µg/ml) & Ranitidine (500µg/ml) was added at 0h and 24h. Cultures were harvested & processed at 48h & 72h for chromosome aberrations and micronucleus analysis respectively. At 0h & 24h after 3Gy gamma irradiation, cultures treated with Famotidine & Ranitidine independently showed significant decrease (p < 0.0001) in the frequency of chromosome aberration. At 0h & 24h Famotidine induced 60.91% & 56.42% inhibition in dicentrics & 59.39% & 56.21% inhibition was observed in total aberrations where as Ranitidine induce 52.11% & 43.54% inhibition in dicentrics and 53.06% & 46.66% inhibition in total aberrations at 0h & 24h. Significant decrease in the frequency of micronuclei was observed with Famotidine treatment after 3Gy of gamma irradiation, which induced inhibition of 48.83% (p < 0.0001) at 0hr & 5.02% (p < 0.016) at 24h. However, Ranitidine induced significant decrease (p < 0.0001) in frequency of micronuclei of 28.85% at 0h where as a decrease in frequency was observed of 2.88% at 24h although not significant when compared with 3Gy gamma irradiation alone. In conclusion radio protective effects of Histamine H2 receptor antagonists Famotidine and Ranitidine was observed on exposure togamma-ray.

How does change in alcohol misuse and depression comorbidity impact on neuropsychological test performance after 12 months?

How does change in alcohol misuse and depression comorbidity impact on neuropsychological test performance after 12 months?

Association between polymorphisms of the IKZF3 gene and systemic lupus erythematosus in a Chinese Han population.

ObjectiveIt has been reported that IKAROS family of zinc finger 3 (IKZF3)-deficient mice spontaneously develop human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like phenotypes and produce anti-dsDNA Ab leading to immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis. Polymorphism of the IKZF3 gene corresponds with the susceptibility to several immune-related diseases. Our intention was to establish an association between polymorphisms in the IKZF3 gene and SLE in the Chinese Han population.MethodsThe study involved obtaining blood samples for DNA extraction and genotyping the 4 selected single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IKZF3, including rs12150079, rs9909593, rs907091, and rs2872507, by performing PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP). A group of 366 SLE patients were compared to 455 healthy controls.ResultsA significant decrease in frequencies of the rs907091 CC genotype and C allele appeared in the SLE patients unlike that observed in the controls (p = 0.001 and 0.015, respectively). The frequencies of the rs12150079 genotype and allele were different between the SLE patients and the control individuals, although the significance was only marginal (p = 0.046 and 0.049, respectively). In addition, a significantly low frequency of the GGCG haplotype was observed in the SLE patients, suggesting that it may provide protection against SLE (p = 0.011).ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate an important association between polymorphisms in IKZF3 and SLE in the Chinese Han population. A strong association between rs907091 in the IKZF3 gene and SLE was identified.

Using Text Messaging to Reduce Methamphetamine Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors and Increase Art Adherence Among Men Who Have Sex with Men

Methamphetamine use among MSM is deeply integrated into socio-sexual networks including physical risk venues such as circuit parties, sex clubs, and bathhouses and digital spaces such as cell phone applications, websites, and digital chat rooms to ‘‘hook up’’ for sex. Thus, methamphetamine use is highly associated with HIV infection due specifically to concomitant high-risk sexual behaviors that occur while using the drug. Textmessaging is a feasible and sustainable approach for targeting high-risk, methamphetamine-using MSM; particularly, those who fail to attend face-to-face or site-based interventions. A real-time text-messaging intervention capitalizes on a communication channel to which this population will attend at the exact time they are most likely to make high-risk sexual decisions. In the Stage I (N 52) open label pilot study there were significant decreases in frequency of methamphetamine use and unprotected sex while on methamphetamine (both p B.01), and a significant increase in self-reported abstinence from methamphetamine use (13.3% vs. 48.9%; p B.001) from baseline to follow-up. Additionally, participants reported reductions of unprotected anal intercourse with HIV-positive partners (p B.01); with HIV-negative partners, participants reported fewer insertive and receptive episodes (both p B.05). The Stage II randomized controlled trial, which will begin enrollment in February 2014, will assess the impact of the theory-based text-messaging intervention on reductions in methamphetamine use and HIV sexual risk behavior and, for the HIV-infected participants, simultaneously increases in HIV antiretroviral treatment/adherence, and determine the cost effectiveness of the text-messaging intervention. Participants will receive text messages that are personally tailored to fit their risk profile. Participants will be randomized into one of three conditions: Group 1: culturally relevant theory-based text messages interactively transmitted by peer health educators; or, Group 2: the same culturally relevant theory-based text messages transmitted by automation; or, Group 3: assessment-only control with no theoretically based text messages.