Chlamydia trachomatis infection is one of the most prevalent bacterial STIs in the USA and worldwide, and women with C. trachomatis infection are at increased risk of acquiring HIV. Because immune activation at the genital mucosa facilitates HIV/SIV infection, C. trachomatis-mediated cytokine induction may contribute to increased HIV transmission in asymptomatic women. To begin to elucidate the mechanisms, we longitudinally analyzed profiles of innate immune factors and HIV infectivity in genital secretions from anatomically specific sites in asymptomatic women during C. trachomatis infection and post-antibiotic treatment. We found higher levels of cytokines and chemokines in endocervical secretions than vaginal secretions. Compared with the convalescent state, G-CSF, IL-1α, and RANTES were elevated in endocervical secretions, IFN-γ and TNF-α were elevated in vaginal secretions, and IFNγ, IL-1β, and MIP1-α were elevated in cervicolavage fluid (CVL), before adjustment of multiple comparisons. Elevated endocervical levels of IP-10 and MCP-1 were associated with the use of hormonal contraception in infected women after successful treatment, suggesting the role of hormonal contraception in inflammation independent of STIs. Importantly, soluble factors found in endocervical secretions during infection enhanced HIV infectivity while no difference in HIV infectivity was found with vaginal secretions or CVL during infection or at convalescence. Taken together, the profiles of immune mediators and in vitro HIV infectivity indicate that the endocervical and vaginal mucosa are immunologically distinct. Our results underscore the importance of considering anatomical site and local sampling methodology when measuring mucosal responses, particularly in the presence of C. trachomatis infection.

Greater inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli and levels of human β defensin (HBD)-2 in genital tract secretions predicted HIV acquisition in women in the HPTN 035 trial. We investigated whether higher levels of E. coli inhibitory activity and antimicrobial peptides in cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) samples predicted HIV acquisition in women in the CAPRISA 002 Acute Infection Study. E. coli inhibitory activity and antimicrobial peptides were quantified in CVL from a subset of CAPRISA 002 participants who did not seroconvert ( n =39) and from seroconverting women prior to infection ( n =17) and during acute infection ( n =11). Women who acquired HIV had significantly greater preinfection CVL E. coli inhibitory activity ( p =0.01) and HBD-1 levels ( p =0.02) compared to women who remained uninfected. Preinfection E. coli inhibitory activity remained significantly associated with seroconversion following adjustment for the presence of bacterial vaginosis (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.07, 1.97). Partial least squares discriminant analysis confirmed that preinfection CVL E. coli inhibitory activity, together with higher CVL concentrations of HBD-1 and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, distinguished seroconverters from nonseroconverters with 67% calibration accuracy. CVL concentrations of human neutrophil peptides (HNP) 1–3 increased significantly with acute infection ( p =0.001) and correlated with plasma viral set point ( r =0.66, p =0.03). E. coli inhibitory activity in genital tract secretions could provide a biomarker of HIV risk. The correlation between HNP 1–3 and viral set point merits further investigation of the relationship between mucosal inflammation during early HIV infection and disease progression.

Group-based care provides an opportunity to increase patient access to providers without increasing physician time and is effective in the management of chronic diseases in the general population. This model of care has not been investigated in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Randomized controlled trial in adults (n = 50); observational study in adolescents (n = 10). Adults and adolescents with CKD and hypertension in the Bronx, NY. Group-based care (monthly sessions over 6 months) versus usual care in adults. All adolescents received group-based care and were analyzed separately. Participant attendance and satisfaction with group-based care were used to evaluate intervention feasibility. The primary clinical outcome was change in mean 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure. Secondary outcomes included physical activity, medication adherence, quality of life, and sodium intake as assessed by 24-hour urinary sodium excretion and food frequency questionnaires. Among adults randomly assigned to group-based care, attendance was high (77% of participants attended ≥3 sessions) and most reported higher satisfaction. Mean 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure decreased by −4.2 (95% CI, −13.3 to 5.8) mm Hg in group-based care patients compared with usual care at 6 months but this was not statistically significant. Similarly, we did not detect significant differences in health-related behaviors (such as medication adherence, sodium intake, and physical activity) or quality-of-life measures between the 2 groups. Among the adolescents, attendance was very poor; self-reported satisfaction, although high, did not change from baseline compared with the 6-month follow-up. Small study size, missing data. Group-based care is feasible and acceptable among adults with hypertension and CKD. However, a larger trial is needed to determine the effect on blood pressure and health-related behaviors. Patient participation may limit the effectiveness of group-based care models in adolescents. National Institutes of Health R34 DK102174. https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT02467894.

Study Design.: Retrospective chart review. Objective.: To determine if obtaining a prone computed tomography (CT)-scan can better delineate a questionable screw–aorta relationship. Summary of Background Data.: Pedicle screw misplacement rate is reported between 6% and 15%. Studies looking at misplacements on a per patient basis show up to 14% of patients have screws at risk (impinging vital structures). A screw abutting the aorta is a management challenge and often requires vascular surgery intervention. However, CT scans routinely done in supine position may overestimate screw–aorta relationship. Change in patient position may allow the aorta to roll away and, in most cases, reveal an uncompromised aorta. This will allow safe removal of pedicle screws without any vascular intervention. Methods.: One hundred eleven spinal deformity patients who underwent Posterior spinal fusion from 2004 to 2009 were evaluated. Patients with concerning screw–aorta relationship underwent additional prone CT scan. Mobility of the aorta was determined and distance was compared using prone and supine CT scans. Results.: Two thousand two hundred ninety five screws were reviewed, 36 screws in 18 patients were in proximity to the aorta. Fourteen screws (nine patients) appeared to be impinging the aorta. On prone CT, 13 out of the 14 instances the aorta moved away from the screw. The average distance at the screw level was 13.6 ± 4.8 mm in supine position and 8.9 ± 5.4 mm in prone position (P = 0.001). In one instance the relationship was unchanged on prone CT. No screw was noted to violate the lumen or distort the aorta. Conclusion.: Supine CT scan alone is not entirely accurate in determining screw–aorta relationship. Prone-CT scan provides additional information for better delineation. This additional diagnostic step can change the treatment option by limiting the need for vascular intervention. When in doubt, the additional use of an arteriogram can allow for improved visualization. Level of Evidence: 3

Importance: COVID-19 has caused a worldwide illness and New York has become the epicenter of COVID-19 in the United States. Currently Bronx has the highest prevalence per capita in New York. Objective: To investigate the coagulopathic presentation of COVID and its natural course and to investigate whether hematologic and coagulation parameters can be used to assess illness severity and death. Design: Retrospective case study of positive COVID inpatients between 3/20/2020-3/31/2020. Setting: Montefiore Health System main hospital, Moses, a large tertiary care center in the Bronx. Participants: Adult inpatients with positive COVID tests hospitalized at MHS. Exposure (for observational studies): Datasets of participants were queried for physiological, demographic (age, sex, socioeconomic status and self-reported race and/or ethnicity) and laboratory data. Main Outcome and Measures: Relationship and predictive value of measured parameters to mortality and illness severity. Results: Of the 217 in this case review, 70 died during hospitalization while 147 were discharged home. Only the admission PT and first D-Dimer could very significantly differentiate those who were discharged alive and those who died. Logistic regression analysis shows increased odds ratio for mortality by first D-Dimer within 48 hrs. of admission. The optimal cut-point for the initial D-Dimer to predict mortality was found to be 1.65 μg/mL Conclusions: We describe here a comprehensive assessment of hematologic and coagulation parameters in COVID and examine the relationship of these to mortality. We demonstrate that both initial and maximum D-Dimer values are biomarkers that can be used for survival assessments.