Objectives Assess behaviors of recently HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods From 2002–2006 193 recently HIV-infected MSM in the Southern California Acute Infection and Early Disease Research Program were interviewed every 3 months. Changes in HIV status of partners, recent unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), drug use, use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), detectable viral load and partnership dynamics over one year were used to predict recent UAI in a random effect logistic regression. Results Over a year significantly fewer partners in the past month were reported (mean 8.81 to 5.84; p<.0001). Percentage of recent UAI with HIV-status unknown last partners decreased from enrollment to 9 months (49% to 27%) and rebounded at 12 months to 71%. In multivariable models controlling for ART use, recent UAI was significantly associated with: baseline methamphetamine use (AOR 7.65, 95% CI 1.87, 31.30), methamphetamine use at follow-up (AOR 14.4, 95% CI 2.02, 103.0), HIV-uninfected partner at follow-up (AOR 0.14, 95% CI 0.06, 0.33) and partners with unknown HIV status at follow-up (AOR 0.33, 95% CI 0.11, 0.94). HIV viral load did not influence rate of UAI. Conclusions Transmission behaviors of these recently HIV-infected MSM decreased and serosorting increased after diagnosis; recent UAI with serostatus unknown or negative partners rebounded after nine months, identifying critical timepoints for interventions targeting recently HIV-infected individuals. There was no evidence in this cohort that the viral load of these recently infected men guided their decisions about protected or unprotected anal intercourse.

Background Use of lubricant products is extremely common during receptive anal intercourse (RAI) yet has not been assessed as a risk for acquisition of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Methods From 2006–2008 a rectal health and behavior study was conducted in Baltimore and Los Angeles as part of the UCLA Microbicide Development Program (NIAID IPCP# #0606414). Participants completed questionnaires and rectal swabs were tested for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis with the Aptima Combo 2 assay and blood was tested for syphilis (for RPR and TPHA with titer) and HIV. Of those reporting lubricant use and RAI, STI results were available for 380 participants. Univariate and multivariate regressions assessed associations of lubricant use in the past month during RAI with prevalent STIs. Results Consistent lubricant use during RAI in the past month was reported by 36% (137/380) of participants. Consistent past month lubricant users had a higher prevalence of STI than inconsistent users (9.5% vs. 2.9%; p=0.006). In a multivariable logistic regression model testing positive for STI was associated with consistent use of lubricant during RAI in the past month (adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 2.98 (95%CI 1.09, 8.15) after controlling for age, gender, study location, HIV status, and numbers of RAI partners in the past month. Conclusions Findings suggest some lubricant products may increase vulnerability to STIs. Because of wide use of lubricants and their potential as carrier vehicles for microbicides, further research is essential to clarify if lubricant use poses a public health risk.

A school-based structural intervention can improve female adolescents' receipt of services.

Chromophobe tumor grade effectively stratifies patients with chromophobe renal cell carcinoma across all grading levels. Since it does not rely on nuclear features, it avoids the hazard of overestimating the malignant potential of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. Overall chromophobe tumor grade has higher predictive accuracy than the Fuhrman nuclear grading system.

Young to middle-aged patients dying from advanced AIDS have atherosclerotic CAD that may result in luminal narrowing, heavy calcification, and high plaque lipid content. The pattern of disease, location of lesions, and plaque composition are typical of atherosclerosis in HIV-negative patients. No relationship between antiretroviral therapies and atherosclerosis was seen in this small study of heavily treated patients.