“I am a dead woman”

HIV/AIDS can be understood as “an epidemic of signification” (Treichler 1987) not only about dangerous sexuality but also about dangerous relations of dependence. I begin by examining newspaper articles and nongovernmental organization reports to show how they pose alarmist questions about AIDS-related dependency, such as who will care for “AIDS orphans” and how will labor deficits be managed. I then turn to the Papua New Guinea context and focus on the experiences of women living with HIV who oft en narrate themselves as embodying state dependencies on foreign aid for their antiretroviral medications. In contrast, they typically resist their kin’s attempts to position them as wayward dependents who should be grateful for being given food and shelter.

The Effect of First- and Second-Line Antiretroviral Therapies on Lipid Profile of HIV/AIDS Patients

Background: There has been a significant decrease in HIV-related mortality following the introduction of antiretroviral therapies. This increase in life expectancy has caused an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Lipid metabolism could be affected by the virus itself or antiretroviral medications. In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the effect of first- and second-line HIV medications on lipid profile in HIV/AIDS patients. Methods: The present study is a retrospective cohort study. The medical records of 66 AIDS patients older than 18 years, who referred to the Behavioral Counseling Center of Imam Khomeini Hospital during the years 2009 to 2014, were retrieved. The patients were assigned into two groups including first- (36 patients) and second-line (30 patients) treatment groups. To ensure that the patients’ baseline information was matched, demographic information and baseline lipid profile were compared between two groups and no significant difference was found between them. To examine and compare the effect of HIV medications on lipid metabolism, patients’ lipid profile at the baseline and 6 months after treatment was compared. Results: The results showed that only triglyceride level was significantly affected by the type of HIV medication regimen (p<0.05). It was significantly higher in second-line medication group. Although the lipid profile (Cholesterol, HDL, and LDL levels) showed an overall increase over the course of treatment in both groups, it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: In both groups, following antiretroviral medications (the first-and second-line), lipid profiles increased. Moreover, the triglyceride level was higher in second-line medications. Therefore, early screening and lipid lowering agents should be considered in HIV/AIDS patients receiving the retroviral medications in long term to prevent further cardiovascular complications.

Viral Cancers and Behavior

One in every six cancers globally can be attributed to an infection. Human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) play a role in the development of over 1.2 million new cancers each year and are responsible for nearly 50% of the infectious cancer burden in the United States. Virus-attributable cancers occur more frequently in those living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The chapter reviews high-risk lifestyle behaviors, including high number of lifetime sexual partners and injection drug use, that increase the risk of acquiring HPV, HBV, HCV, and HIV. It reviews prevention and control strategies for these viruses and associated cancers, including lifestyle behaviors, vaccination, screening, and/or appropriate use of antiretroviral medications.

Combination of Pre-Exposure and Postexposure Prophylaxes Used for an Occupational Exposure to HIV: A Case Report

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), the usage of antiretroviral medications in HIV-uninfected individuals to prevent acquisition of HIV, has been identified to be sufficient and safe for HIV prevention. Case presentation: A surgeon was prescribed Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC) as pre-exposure prophylaxis before he performed a surgery for HIV positive patient. After occupational exposure, he was prescribed TDF/FTC and Raltegravir as postexposure prophylaxis. Serology confirmed no HIV infection at follow-ups. Conclusion: This brief report presents a case who received PrEP and PEP in an occupational exposure to indicate the feasibility of the use of PrEP in occupational exposure.

The Significance of Taking Antiretroviral Medications for African-Born People Living with HIV and Residing in Minnesota

Thanks to the development of antiretroviral (ART) medications, HIV is now a chronic and manageable disease. This study aimed to (1) capture the experiences of African-born persons living with HIV and taking antiretroviral treatment, and (2) explore the impact of social and cultural factors on their decisions to follow the prescribed treatment. For this study, a qualitative approach was used. The participants were recruited via fliers, then screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Recruitment of the participants continued until data saturation occurred. The interview guide was developed based on the extensive literature and recommendations from the clinical team. In-person narrative interviews were conducted with 14 participants—African-born persons living with HIV and residing in Minnesota. Thematic Analysis revealed three emergent themes: “To exist I have to take the medicine”; barriers and facilitators in taking ART medications; and the power of spirituality and prayers. The findings of this study paint a picture of African-born persons living with HIV, and their experiences with ART medications. This study not only presents the participants’ medication experiences and their significance, but also tells their stories of how God and prayers play a significant role in helping them to get through the difficult moments of their lives.

Synthesis and Formulation of Powerful ZnO Q-Dots/CNTs@Fe3O4 Nanopackage as a Predominant Anti-HIV-1 Infection

Usage of fine and uniform Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) including super-paramagnetic unique properties developed state of the nanobio-formulations in recent years. We have shown a new formulated nanocomposition of super-paramagnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) NPs (as substrate) with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (as activator). Besides, ZnO@CNTs was synthesized as a magic assistant/hybrid for ZnO quantum dots nanoparticles (Q-Dots NPs) in this nanopackage. This novel formulated water-based nanofluid product consists of strong stabilizer, suitable dispersant-wetting agent complex and desirable water in oil emulsifier (w/o) package to damage HIV infection (AIDS) type 1. The achieved results demonstrated that smart nanofluid formulation had excellent functions as inhibitor, controller and treatment (Antiretroviral therapy (ART)) for HIV-1 integrase and could act as strong oxidizing agent. The nanofluid product was completely characterized with SEM morphology, TEM images, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD pattern, UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, EDS and mapping of internal layers for one of the SEM surface morphology. Moreover, HIV-1 replication Assay, RT (reverse transcriptase) Assay, integrase assay, and cytotoxicity tests were performed and compared with Zidovudine (ZDV) and Raltegravir (RAL) as control antiretroviral medications. The specific interaction of this nanopackage with the target RNA and DNA proteins has been very interesting through main redox reactions.

An evaluation and review of English language pre-exposure prophylaxis websites and YouTube videos

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a promising HIV prevention strategy in which antiretroviral medications are taken to prevent HIV infection. PrEP was approved as an HIV prevention method in the United States in 2012 for individuals aged 18 years and older. Since its approval, there has been a growing amount of online content about PrEP targeted to general, non-medical, audiences. However, this online information is under-studied and under-evaluated. Two raters catalogued and coded PrEP material written in the English language from 61 websites and 58 YouTube videos for educational content, credibility, usability, and interactivity. The online material was catalogued and searched for between September 2017 and April 2018. Online PrEP material showed deficiencies in each of these content areas, however, there is a significant amount of publicly accessible online content available about PrEP. This content could be packaged, used, and tested in a prevention intervention to improve PrEP uptake and engagement in care.