Drugs, sex, money and power: An HPV vaccine case study

In this paper we compare the experiences of seven industrialized countries in considering approval and introduction of the world's first cervical cancer-preventing vaccine. Based on case studies, articles from public agencies, professional journals and newspapers we analyse the public debate about the vaccine, examine positions of stakeholder groups and their influence on the course and outcome of this policy process. The analysis shows that the countries considered here approved the vaccine and established related immunization programs exceptionally quickly even though there still exist many uncertainties as to the vaccine's long-term effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and safety. Some countries even bypassed established decision-making processes. The voice of special interest groups has been prominent in all countries, drawing on societal values and fears of the public. Even though positions differed among countries, all seven decided to publicly fund the vaccine, illustrating a widespread convergence of interests. It is important that decision-makers adhere to transparent and robust guidelines in making funding decisions in the future to avoid capture by vested interests and potentially negative effects on access and equity. © 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Synthesis and Study of 2-(Pyrrolesulfonylmethyl)-N-arylimines: A New Class of Inhibitors for Human Glutathione Transferase A1-1

Overexpression of human GSTA1-1 in tumor cells is part of MDR mechanisms. We report on the synthesis of 11 pyrrole derivatives as hGSTA1-1 inhibitors starting from 1-methyl-2-[(2-nitrobenzylsulfanyl]-1H-pyrrole. Molecular modeling revealed two locations in the enzyme H binding site: the catalytic primary one accommodating shorter and longer derivatives and the secondary one, where shorter derivatives can occupy. Derivative 9, displaying the highest inhibition and bearing a p-nitroarylimino moiety, and derivative 4, lacking this moiety, were studied kinetically. Derivative 9 binds (K-i(9) = 71 +/- 4 mu M) at the primary site competitively vs CDNB. Derivative 4 binds (K-i(4) = 135 +/- 27 mu m) at the primary and secondary sites, allowing the binding of a second molecule (4 or CDNB) leading to formation of unreactive and reactive complexes, respectively. The arylmethylsulfonylpyrrole core structure is a new pharmacophore for hGSTA1-1, whereas its derivative 9 may serve as a lead structure.J Med Che

Vaccination Persuasion Online: A Qualitative Study of Two Provaccine and Two Vaccine-Skeptical Websites

BACKGROUND: Current concerns about vaccination resistance often cite the Internet as a source of vaccine controversy. Most academic studies of vaccine resistance online use quantitative methods to describe misinformation on vaccine-skeptical websites. Findings from these studies are useful for categorizing the generic features of these websites, but they do not provide insights into why these websites successfully persuade their viewers. To date, there have been few attempts to understand, qualitatively, the persuasive features of provaccine or vaccine-skeptical websites. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to examine the persuasive features of provaccine and vaccine-skeptical websites. The qualitative analysis was conducted to generate hypotheses concerning what features of these websites are persuasive to people seeking information about vaccination and vaccine-related practices. METHODS: This study employed a fully qualitative case study methodology that used the anthropological method of thick description to detail and carefully review the rhetorical features of 1 provaccine government website, 1 provaccine hospital website, 1 vaccine-skeptical information website focused on general vaccine safety, and 1 vaccine-skeptical website focused on a specific vaccine. The data gathered were organized into 5 domains: website ownership, visual and textual content, user experience, hyperlinking, and social interactivity. RESULTS: The study found that the 2 provaccine websites analyzed functioned as encyclopedias of vaccine information. Both of the websites had relatively small digital ecologies because they only linked to government websites or websites that endorsed vaccination and evidence-based medicine. Neither of these websites offered visitors interactive features or made extensive use of the affordances of Web 2.0. The study also found that the 2 vaccine-skeptical websites had larger digital ecologies because they linked to a variety of vaccine-related websites, including government websites. They leveraged the affordances of Web 2.0 with their interactive features and digital media. CONCLUSIONS: By employing a rhetorical framework, this study found that the provaccine websites analyzed concentrate on the accurate transmission of evidence-based scientific research about vaccines and government-endorsed vaccination-related practices, whereas the vaccine-skeptical websites focus on creating communities of people affected by vaccines and vaccine-related practices. From this personal framework, these websites then challenge the information presented in scientific literature and government documents. At the same time, the vaccine-skeptical websites in this study are repositories of vaccine information and vaccination-related resources. Future studies on vaccination and the Internet should take into consideration the rhetorical features of provaccine and vaccine-skeptical websites and further investigate the influence of Web 2.0 community-building features on people seeking information about vaccine-related practices