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Objectives This study evaluated the effects of three class-sparing antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens on endothelial function in HIV-infected subjects participating in a randomized trial. Background Endothelial dysfunction has been observed in patients receiving ART for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Methods This was a prospective, multicenter study of treatment-naïve subjects who were randomly assigned to receive a protease inhibitor-sparing regimen of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) + efavirenz, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-sparing regimen of NRTIs + lopinavir/ritonavir, or a NRTI-sparing regimen of efavirenz + lopinavir/ritonavir. NRTIs were lamivudine + stavudine, zidovudine, or tenofovir. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was determined by B-mode ultrasound before starting on ART, then after 4 and 24 weeks. Results There were 82 subjects (median age 35 years, 91% men, 54% white). Baseline CD4 cell counts and plasma HIV RNA values were 245 cells/mm3 and 4.8 log10 copies/ml, respectively. At baseline, FMD was 3.68% (interquartile range 1.98 – 5.51%). After 4 and 24 weeks of ART, plasma HIV RNA decreased by 2.1 and 3.0 log10 copies/mL, respectively. FMD increased by 0.74% (−0.62 – +2.74, p=0.003) and 1.48% (−0.20 – +4.30%, p< 0.001), respectively, with similar changes in each arm (pKW>0.600). The decrease in plasma HIV RNA at 24 weeks was associated with greater FMD (rs=− 0.30, p=0.017). Conclusions Among treatment-naïve individuals with HIV, three different ART regimens rapidly improved endothelial function. Benefits were similar for all ART regimens, appeared quickly, and persisted at 24 weeks. Condensed Abstract Among 82 treatment-naïve HIV-infected subjects participating in a prospective, multicenter study of three class-sparing antiretroviral therapy regimens, flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery improved after 4 (+0.74%, p=0.003) and 24 weeks (+1.48%, p< 0.001), with similar changes in each arm (pKW>0.600).

BACKGROUNDThe 2019 novel coronavirus, or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which results in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has been declared a pandemic and is severely affecting the provision of health care services all over the world. 1 Health care workers are at higher risk because this virus is very easily spread, especially through the kind of close contact involved in the performance of echocardiographic studies. The virus carries relatively high mortality and morbidity risk, particularly for certain populations (the elderly, the chronically ill, the immunocompromised, and possibly pregnant women). 2 Given the risk for cardiovascular complications in the setting of COVID-19, including preexisting cardiac disease, acute cardiac injury, and drug-related myocardial damage, 3 echocardiographic services will likely be required in the care of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Consequently, echocardiography providers will be exposed to SARS-CoV-2.Sonographers, nurses, advance practice providers, and physicians have a duty to care for patients and are at the front lines in the battle against disease. We are at high risk, particularly when we participate in This document is endorsed by the following

Two studies were designed to explore the role of performance factors as sources ofthe frequently noted higher male scores on visual-spatial ability tests. In the first study, the mental rotations test (MRT)was administered to male and female college students of equally high quantitative ability (based on SAT math scores). Although males had significantly more correct responses on the test than did females, their advantage was eliminated when the ratio of correct responses to items attempted was used as the dependent measure. In the second study, the same test was administered to new groups of male and female college students. In this sample, the males had significantly higher SAT math scores. The MRT was administered under standard, timed conditions and under untimed conditions. Both raw and ratio scores were calculated. With SAT math score as the covariate, analyses of covariance indicated that males demonstrated higher performance in the timed, raw-score condition but not in the untimed or in the ratio-score conditions. The theoretical and social policy implications of these studies are discussed.

BACKGROUND The 2019 novel coronavirus, or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which results in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has been declared a pandemic and is severely affecting the provision of health care services all over the world (1). Health care workers are at higher risk because this virus is very easily spread, especially through the kind of close contact involved in the performance of echocardiographic studies. The virus carries relatively high mortality and morbidity risk, particularly for certain populations (the elderly, the chronically ill, the immunocompromised, and possibly pregnant women) (2). Given the risk for cardiovascular complications in the setting of COVID-19, including preexisting cardiac disease, acute cardiac injury, and drug-related myocardial damage, (3) echocardiographic services will likely be required in the care of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Consequently, echocardiography providers will be exposed to SARS-CoV-2.