A5004334810- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- HIV-related health complications and treatments
- Hepatitis B Virus Studies
- Cervical Cancer and HPV Research
- Ethics in Clinical Research
- Sex work and related issues
- Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia detection and treatment
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Hepatitis C virus research
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- Virus-based gene therapy research
- Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis
- Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Health
- Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare
- Social Media in Health Education
- Genital Health and Disease
- HIV/AIDS oral health manifestations
- Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
Brown University
2013-2022
Providence VA Medical Center
2014-2022
Lifespan
2013-2020
Miriam Hospital
2006-2019
Providence College
2004-2017
Rhode Island Hospital
2016
Johns Hopkins University Center for AIDS Research
2016
John Brown University
2001-2002
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
1998
Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway
1994
Significance MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small ∼22-nt RNAs that important regulators of posttranscriptional gene expression. Since their initial discovery, they have been shown to be involved in many cellular processes, and misexpression is associated with disease etiology. Currently, nearly 2,800 human miRNAs annotated public repositories. A key question miRNA research how harbored by the genome. To answer this question, we examined 1,323 short RNA sequence samples identified 3,707 novel miRNAs,...
Young men who have sex with (YMSM) are a key population for implementation of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) interventions. This open-label study examined adherence to PrEP and assessed sexual behavior among diverse sample YMSM in 12 US cities.Eligible participants were 18- 22-year-old HIV-uninfected MSM reported HIV transmission risk the previous 6 months. Participants provided daily tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (Truvada). Study visits occurred at baseline, monthly through...
Adolescents represent a key population for implementing preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) interventions worldwide, yet tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) PrEP is only licensed adults. To examine the safety of and adherence to along with changes in sexual risk behavior among adolescent men who have sex (MSM). Adolescent Medicine Trials Network HIV/AIDS Interventions 113 (Project PrEPare) was demonstration project that evaluated safety, tolerability, acceptability TDF/FTC...
The safety and immunogenicity of the MRK adenovirus type 5 human immunodeficiency virus 1 clade B gag/pol/nef vaccine, a replication-incompetent 5-vectored vaccine designed to elicit cell-mediated immunity against conserved proteins, was assessed in phase trial. Healthy adults not infected with were enrolled multicenter, dose-escalating, blind, placebo-controlled study evaluate 3-dose homologous prime-boost regimen trivalent containing from 3 x 10(6) 10(11) viral particles per 1-mL dose...
Background: This study examined the feasibility of a combination prevention intervention for young men who have sex with (YMSM), an anticipated target population HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Methods: Project PrEPare, pilot using randomized 3-arm design, compared efficacious behavioral (Many Men, Many Voices—3 MV) alone, 3 MV combined PrEP (tenofovir/emtricitabine), and placebo. Eligible participants were 18- to 22-year-old HIV-uninfected reported unprotected anal intercourse in past...
Background The safety and immunogenicity of a vaccine regimen consisting 6-plasmid HIV-1 DNA prime (envA, envB, envC, gagB, polB, nefB) boosted by recombinant adenovirus serotype-5 (rAd5) with matching inserts was evaluated in HIV-seronegative participants from South Africa, United States, Latin America the Caribbean. Methods 480 were evenly randomized to receive either: (4 mg IM Biojector) at 0, 1 2 months, followed rAd5 (1010 PU needle/syringe) 6 months; or placebo. Participants monitored...
Introduction HIV testing is the portal to serostatus knowledge that can empower linkage care for treatment and prevention. However, young people's access uneven worldwide. The objective of this paper review context concerns faced by youth around in low‐ as well high‐income country settings. Discussion a critical entry point primary secondary prevention people including key populations vulnerable youth. We provide framework thinking about role continuum people. Brief case study examples from...
In Philadelphia, 66% of new HIV infections are among African Americans and 2% living with HIV. The city Philadelphia has the largest numbers faith institutions any in country. Although faith-based play an important role American community, their response to AIDS epidemic historically been lacking. We convened 38 Philadelphia's most influential leaders for in-depth interviews focus groups examining prevention. Participants were asked comment on barriers engaging prevention provide normative...
The COVID-19 pandemic presents an urgent need to investigate whether existing drugs can enhance or even worsen prognosis; metformin, a known mammalian target of rapamycin (m-TOR) inhibitor, has been identified as potential agent. We sought evaluate mortality benefit among older persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 who were taking metformin compared those not. Retrospective cohort study. 775 nursing home residents resided in one the 134 Community Living Centers (CLCs) Veterans Health...
A key missing element in the development of a successful human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine is an immunogen that can generate broadly cross-neutralizing antibodies against primary isolates virus.This phase 1 clinical trial employed DNA prime and subunit envelope protein boost attempt to cellular humoral immune responses might be desirable protective HIV vaccine. Priming was performed via intramuscular injection with gag env adsorbed polylactide coglycolide microspheres, followed by...
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is indicated for use in US adults, and little known about clinician intentions to prescribe actual prescription of PrEP adolescents younger than 18. Fifty-six clinicians who care HIV-infected at-risk youth completed an anonymous online survey 2014. Primary outcomes were (1) adults four risk categories [men have sex with men (MSM), transgender women, heterosexuals multiple partners unknown HIV status, partners]; (2) these groups. Independent variables included...
Beneficial HIV treatment outcomes require success at multiple steps along the Continuum of Care. Youth living with are a key population, and sites in Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions (ATN) known modeling optimum adolescent care. A longitudinal cohort study conducted 14 network across United States assessed how later Care were achieved among youth: engagement, treatment, viral load (VL) suppression. aged 13-24 who behaviorally infected linked to care an...
Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines prescribing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV transmission are broad. In order better characterize groups who may benefit most from PrEP, we reviewed demographics, behaviors, clinical outcomes individuals presenting a publicly-funded sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic in Providence, Rhode Island, 2012 2014. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used identify subgroups of men have sex with (MSM) at highest risk...
Background: Highly active combination antiretroviral treatment has been shown to markedly improve the health of HIV-infected adolescents and young adults. Adherence leads decreased morbidity mortality decreases number hospitalizations. However, these clinical achievements can only occur when persons with HIV are adherent care. Unfortunately, adults have poorer rates adherence medications retention in care than older Novel engaging digital approaches needed help living be treatment....
Vaccines inducing pathogen-specific cell-mediated immunity are being developed using attenuated adenoviral (Ad) vectors. We report the results of two independent Phase I trials similar replication-deficient Ad5 vaccines containing a near-consensus HIV-1 clade B gag transgene. Healthy HIV-uninfected adults were enrolled in separate, multicenter, dose-escalating, blinded, placebo-controlled studies to assess safety and immunogenicity three-dose homologous regimen MRKAd5 given on day 1, week 4,...
Prior to issuing formal HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) clinical practice guidelines in 2014, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had released interim guidance oral PrEP use among adults. Because may be used off-label youth soon indicated minor adolescents, we examined potential adoption of clinicians who care HIV-infected at-risk youth. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 recruited through an adolescent research network. The theory-driven...
Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention is currently indicated use in adults the United States and may soon be minor adolescents. However, implementation of PrEP among minors present unique barriers. We conducted 15 individual, semi-structured interviews US clinicians caring HIV-infected at-risk youth. The theory-driven interview guide assessed demographics, perceived role oral HIV adolescents, barriers to facilitating factors clinician-reported...
For correctional HIV testing programs, delivery of test results can be difficult because short incarceration times for many inmates. Rapid enables immediate and performed in conjunction with risk reduction counseling. The objective this study was to determine the feasibility acceptability rapid within Rhode Island Department Corrections jail. Jail detainees were randomly asked participate study. included: (1) completing a questionnaire that investigated behavior, history, attitudes toward...
HIV-1 infection causes profound effects both inside and outside of cells through multiple mechanisms, including those mediated by exosomes. Using the technique stable isotope labeling amino acids in cell culture, we compared protein expression patterns exosomal compartment HIV-1-infected -uninfected lymphocytic H9 cells. Of 770 proteins identified two independent sets samples, 14 were found to be differentially expressed fraction versus controls. Gene Ontology survey DAVID analysis revealed...
Little is understood regarding medicinal marijuana dispensary users. We sought to characterize socio-demographics and reasons for use among medical cannabis patients in Rhode Island. Participants (n=200) were recruited from one of two Compassion Centers Island asked participate a short survey, which included assessment pain interference using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). The majority participants male (73%), Caucasian (80%), college educated (68%), had health insurance (89%). most common...
HIV and hepatitis C virus infection are serious prevalent health conditions among many women who inject drugs. Qualitative interviews with 20 injection drug using at a short term treatment center in Rhode Island revealed six primary barriers facilitators for testing receiving results HIV, as well vaccination. The were prioritization of use; low level disease-specific knowledge; stigmatization; accessibility testing, treatment; psychological factors. facilitator was interest promoting one's...