Trends in the incidence of primary liver cancer in Central Uganda, 1960–1980 and 1991–2005

Primary liver cancer (PLC) incidence trends from Africa are unknown. Using Kampala Cancer Registry data from 1960 to 1980 and 1991 to 2005, we identified 771 PLCs. Although rates were stable among men, PLC incidence among women increased >50%. Investigations of viral hepatitis, aflatoxin, obesity, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may help to explain the increasing incidence of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs)

The Role of HIV-Related Knowledge and Ethnicity in Determining HIV Risk Perception and Willingness to Undergo HIV Testing Among Rural Women in Burkina Faso

We conducted a random community based survey of 300 young (15–29 years) rural women in Nouna, Burkina Faso. Only one-third of women were aware that a person could have HIV without having symptoms and these women were significantly more likely to classify themselves to be at high risk for getting HIV. Furthermore, multiple partners, Bwaba ethnicity and having mentioned a health worker as a source of HIV information were significantly associated with perceived high personal risk. Perceived willingness to participate in VCT was high (69%). The dissemination of information on the asymptomatic nature of HIV infection could potentially be very important in forming risk perception, awareness, and their willingness to participate in HIV interventions.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44011/1/10461_2005_Article_3905.pd

Foetal meiosis in the testis of the rodent Octodon degus

13 p.-9 fig.Different stages of meiotic prophase have been studied in foetal testes of the rodent, Octodon degus, using the light and electron microscope. Special attention was focused on the ultrastructural morphology of these meiotic cells in comparison to pre-spermatogonia of foetal testes and meiotic spermatocytes of the adult male testis. Meiosis occurs in only a few cells located among fibroblasts of the tunica albuginea or in the region of the gonadal blastema. The foetal meiotic process resembles adult meiosis in its ultrastructural characteristics; typical pachytene synaptonemal complexes and leptotene or diplotene axial elements appear associated to the chromatin. This process occurs at the same foetal age that meiosis commences in the ovary, thus reinforcing the idea that both meiosis-inducing and meiosis-preventing substances are secreted in both sexes. The intra-or extracordonal localization of the germ cells would be an important factor in determining the cells' response to these substances.This study was supported in part by Grants B-1497-8433 DDI (Univesity of Chile) and No. 131 from C.A.I.C.Y.T. (Spain). The author’s work at C.S.I.C. in Spain was supported by a Fellowship from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias de la Seguridad Social, Spain.Peer reviewe