Lubricant study in ultrahigh vacuum and in various gas environments Final report, 26 Jan. 1965 - 15 Mar. 1966

Wear and friction of lubricated and unlubricated stainless steel bearings in sliding and rolling contact in ultrahigh vacuum and various gas environment

Clomifene citrate or unstimulated intrauterine insemination compared with expectant management for unexplained infertility: pragmatic randomised controlled trial

Objective To compare the effectiveness of clomifene citrate and unstimulated intrauterine insemination with expectant management for the treatment of unexplained infertility

Low tuberculosis notification in mountainous Vietnam is not due to low case detection: a cross-sectional survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Studies show that tuberculosis notification declines with increasing altitude. This can be due to declining incidence or declining case detection. In Vietnam notification rates of new smear-positive tuberculosis in the central mountainous provinces (26/100,000 population) are considerably lower than in Vietnam in general (69/100,000 population). In order to clarify whether this is explained by low incidence or low case detection, we aimed to assess the prevalence of new smear-positive tuberculosis among adults with prolonged cough in three mountainous provinces in central Vietnam.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A house-to-house survey of persons (≥ 15 years) was carried out in twelve randomly selected districts in 2003. Three sputum specimens were microscopically examined of persons reporting a prolonged cough (≥ 3 weeks). Case detection was assessed by the ratio between notification and prevalence.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of 68,946 included persons (95% response), 1,298 (1.9% 95%CI 1.8–2.2) reported a prolonged cough. Of these, eighteen were sputum smear-positive of whom two had had anti-tuberculosis treatment. The prevalence of new smear-positive tuberculosis was 27/100,000 (95%CI 11–44/100,000) and the notification rate was 44/100,000 among persons ≥ 15 years. The estimated case detection rate was 76%.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Low tuberculosis notification in this mountainous setting is probably a true reflection of low tuberculosis incidence. Possible causes for low incidence in mountainous areas include low transmission rates or altitude-related differences in pathology.</p

Engagement with a local African-Caribbean community to explore perspectives and research priorities among Black men for prostate cancer using a co-participatory approach

Background Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer in the UK, with 1 in 8 affected in their lifetime. However, there are significant race disparities that Black men are more negatively impacted than any other races with their increased risks and worse outcomes. However, they are under-represented in research, and often labelled as ‘hard to reach’ population. Aim The aim of this study was to reach out to a local Black male community using a co-participatory approach, to build up trust and explore their understandings and concerns of the disease. Method We recruited 2 community researchers (CRs) from SACMHA (Sheffield African-Caribbean Mental Health Association). Using a co-participatory approach, we worked together throughout the project, including recruitment, planning and facilitating workshops, analysing and presenting data. Two workshops were organised. We introduced an overview of PCa followed by open discussion in several small groups. A rapid qualitative analysis was used to identify key points. Results The engagement was fantastic. We recruited over 30 participants from the Black male community for the first workshop within 4 weeks. A range of topics were raised which were summarised as a Black men’s journey of PCa. The participants were very keen to receive information and have their voice heard. These are facilitating factors in engagement. The males showed concern about their lack of awareness of their high risks of PCa. Personal experiences have also been emphasised throughout the disease journey. Conclusion Using a co-participatory approach in community research engagement was successful. We shared our knowledge, built trust, and identified research priorities

Clomifene citrate and intrauterine insemination as first-line treatments for unexplained infertility: are they cost-effective?

BACKGROUND: First-line treatments for unexplained infertility traditionally include clomifene citrate (CC) or unstimulated intrauterine insemination (IUI). A recently published randomized controlled trial considered the effectiveness of CC and IUI in patients with unexplained infertility and found that neither treatment offered a superior live birth rate when compared with expectant management (EM). This paper reports the economic evaluation conducted alongside this trial in order to assess whether health care providers are gaining value for money in this clinical area. METHODS: Five hundred and eighty women across five Scottish hospitals were randomized to either EM, CC or IUI for 6 months. The primary outcome measure was live births. Resource-use data were collected during the trial and costs were calculated from a UK National Health Service (NHS) perspective. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated, expressed as cost per live birth, in order to compare the cost-effectiveness of CC and IUI with that of EM to treat unexplained infertility. RESULTS: Live birth rates in the three randomized groups were: EM = 32/193 (17%), CC = 26/194 (13%) and IUI = 43/193 (22%). The mean (standard deviation) costs per treatment cycle were £0 for EM, £83 (£17) for CC and £98 (£31) for IUI. The mean treatment costs per patient for EM, CC and IUI were £12 (£117), £350 (£220) and £331 (£222), respectively. The cost per live birth for EM, CC and IUI was £72 (95% confidence interval £0-£206), £2611 (£1870-£4166) and £1487 (£1116-£2155), respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for IUI versus EM was £5604 (-£12204 to £2227), with CC dominated by IUI. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being more expensive, existing treatments such as empirical CC and unstimulated IUI do not offer superior live birth rates compared with EM of unexplained infertility. They are unlikely to be a cost-effective use of limited NHS resources. The study's main limitation is that it did not consider the psychological effects on couples. ISRCT Number: 71762042

Time to pregnancy leading to live birth in groups allocated to clomifene citrate, expectant management, or unstimulated intrauterine insemination

For women with live birth, time to event was defined as number of months between randomisation and estimated date of last menstrual period; women without live birth were censored at end of their follow-up<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Clomifene citrate or unstimulated intrauterine insemination compared with expectant management for unexplained infertility: pragmatic randomised controlled trial "</p><p></p><p>BMJ : British Medical Journal 2008;337():-.</p><p>Published online 07 Aug 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2505091.</p><p></p