Materials and Methods: A total of 149 and 150 patients were randomized to intervention and usual care (control) groups, respectively. A 12-month task-shifting (nurse-driven) HBFC intervention was administered to intervention group. The mid-term impact of intervention on HRQoL was assessed after 6 months intervention. Data were analyzed with intention-to-treat principle. Treatment effects were measured with the t-tests, analysis of covariance, and multivariate analysis of covariance analysis. Significant levels were set at P < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval.

Results: The between-group treatment effect was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), whereas the within-group treatment effects were statistically significant for both the intervention and control arms (P < 0.05) at 6 months. After controlling for age and baseline HRQoL, the intervention group had an improved physical component of HRQoL than the control group. The intervention group also had statistically significant improvement in blood pressure control, medication adherence, and symptom counts (P < 0.05).

AIM: To determine the prevalence of HT and its risk factors in the elderly in that area.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a study area in the northern of Vietnam. We interviewed 354 adults aged 60 years or over who were randomly selected, and then measured their blood pressure.

METHODOLOGY: A single center, prospective, single-blind randomized trial was conducted to estimate the survival of post-dialysis euvolemic hypertensive patients when treated with lorsartan 50 mg every other day. Post-dialysis euvolemic assessment was done by a body composition monitor. Covariate Adaptive Randomization was used for allocation of participants to the standard or intervention arm, and the follow-up duration was twelve months. The primary end point was achieving targeted blood pressure (BP) of <140/90 mm Hg and maintaining for 4 weeks, whereas secondary end point was all cause of mortality. Pre-, intra-, and post-dialysis session BP measurements were recorded, and survival trends were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS: Of the total 229 patients, 96 (41.9%) were identified as post-dialysis euvolemic hypertensive. Final samples of 88 (40.1%) patients were randomized into standard (n = 44) and intervention arms (n = 44), and 36 (81.8%) patients in each arm completed a follow-up of 12 months. A total of eight patients passed away during the 12-month follow-up period (6 deaths among standard arm and 2 in intervention arm). However, the probability of survival between both arms was not significant (p = 0.13). Cox regression analysis revealed that chances of survival were higher among the patients in the intervention (OR 3.17) arm than the standard arm (OR 0.31); however, the survival was found not statistically significant.

RESULTS: Here, we investigated the microbial dynamics by next-generation sequencing, and outlined a differential non-targeted metabolite profiling in the process of serofluid dish fermentation using the method of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Lactobacillus was the leading genus of bacteria, while Pichia and Issatchenkia were the dominant fungi. They all accumulated during fermentation. In total, 218 differential metabolites were identified, of which organic acids, amino acids, sugar and sugar alcohols, fatty acids, and esters comprised the majority. The constructed metabolic network showed that tricarboxylic acid cycle, urea cycle, sugar metabolism, amino acids metabolism, choline metabolism, and flavonoid metabolism were regulated by the fermentation. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed that the leading fungi, Pichia and Issatchenkia, were linked to organic acids, amino acid and sugar metabolism, flavonoids, and several other flavor and functional components. Antibacterial tests indicated the antibacterial effect of serofluid soup against Salmonella and Staphylococcus.

RESULTS: Samples collected from sampling point 1 (company A) and sampling point 9 (company B) yielded the highest total fungal load (>log 4 CFU g-1 ). The prevalent fungal genera isolated were Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium spp. Aflatoxin B1 was detected in 8.3% of corn samples, and 7.4% of corn-based poultry feed samples along the feed supply chain, whereas AFs B2 , G1 , and G2 were not detected.

METHODS: This was a follow-up study of participants recruited in the Malaysian HIV & Aging study (MHIVA) from 2014 to 2016 at the University Malaya Medical Centre (n = 336). PLWH on suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) for a minimum of 12 months were invited to participate. At study entry, all participants underwent screening for diabetes (DM), hypertension (HTN) and dyslipidaemia; and completed assessments using the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21). Screening results were recorded in medical charts and clinical management provided as per standard of care. A subsequent review of medical records was performed at 24 months following study completion among participants who remained on active follow-up. Treatment pathways for NCD treatment and psychiatric referrals were assessed based on local practice guidelines to construct the care cascade.

RESULTS: A total of 329 participants (median age = 43 years, 83% male, 100% on ART) completed follow-up at 24 months. The prevalence of diabetes was 13%, dyslipidaemia 88% and hypertension 44%, whereas 23% presented with severe/extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and/or stress. More than 50% of participants with dyslipidaemia and hypertension were not diagnosed until study screening, whereas over 80% with prevalent psychiatric symptoms were not previously recognized clinically. Suboptimal control of fasting lipids, sugar and blood pressure were found in the majority of participants despite optimal HIV treatment outcomes maintained over this same period. Only 32% of participants with severe/extremely severe mental health symptoms received psychiatric referrals and 83% of these attended their psychiatry clinic appointments.